Go HONEY!!

My Honey is a HERO to our kids and has ALWAYS been an “All Pro Dad”.

When we met, I had a little 2 year old son. His young teenage birthfather had decided that “Husband and Dad” were not his cup of tea. He left us when my son was about 6 months old with a little note on our little apartment kitchen table and never looked back for until my son had become a Dad himself.

It was too late to be a DAD then.

My husband feel in love with my son while we were dating in college and I always teased that he really wanted to MARRY HIM and just took me in the bargain!! He adopted Tim within the first few months of our marriage and became an “All Pro Dad” right away.

Parenting is a BEAR!! It is not easy and doesn’t come with instructions.We have both struggled with our roles at times as “Mom” and “Dad”. Some things just about shattered our hearts and broke us into little pieces. The thing is, once you become a parent–by birth; adoption; or even foster-care. Your heart is hooked and there is no turning back.

I am fully aware of the heartbreak that results from a broken relationship with a DAD. I have held many women in my arms young and old as they shared the missing pieces of a life without a Father who loved them and showed it with words, hugs and personal time.

This book by my dear friend Mark Merrill is a MUST HAVE–MUST GIVE BOOK OF INSTRUCTIONS for any man who is striving to be a Godly Father to his children.

Of course Mark uses FOOTBALL analogies throughout the book starting out with the words ever man longs to hear…”Gentlemen, this is football” and in fact is KICKED OFF by our other Tampa buddy and “All Pro Dad” Tony Dungy.

Mark and his wife Susan and I have been friends for a long time. I stopped by his office yesterday and landed a few AUTOGRAPHED copies of All Pro Dad to give away to a few Blog; Twitter and Facebook friends.

I have more to tell you about the book as it will be my FUN FRIDAY Giveaway from now until Fathers Day!

All you have to do is leave a comment to be entered.

If You sign up for my email list, I’ll add your name TWICE!!

Simply Comment below and/or Click on that pretty little window with the butterfly!!

BTW–I have a stack of you who have just joined our mailing list to add to the drawing!! I didn’t forget you

I’ll check back Monday–with a TAN and a few more Longboat memories

Since the day I surrendered my life to Christ I have known 2 things without a doubt.

1) When I cry out to God, He always answers. (not always in my timing but HE ALWAYS ANSWERS.

2) I am nothing without Him.

There are times when I get caught up in activity, assignments, laundry….when, although I never “forget” those truths, I sometimes allow the noise of my life to drown out God’s quiet whisper and His sovereign control.

I shared over here on my Speaker page, that I have had a bit of a busy year. It has been great and God has been GREATER. He has shown up every single time. Times when I was too tired to “be wonderful”; times when the Host was a hot-mess; times when the crowd appeared “half-dead” from the podium and times when I was on fire and ablaze with His Word.

Regardless of my condition, he is never lacking and is actually AMAZING when I am the emptiest.

As this season of activity slows, I am able to quiet my heart and sit in His presence for some extended time of embrace. As usual, I come into these special seasons with an eagerness just to be FILLED. To be Restored. To be INFUSED. To be REDIRECTED and CORRECTED in any way He desires.

Sunday, as I lingered for several hours, the Lord led me to His Word in Matthew 5—The BE-Attitudes . A timeless teaching; an unparalleled Leadership Conference that took place without registration; without ticket sales; without social media promotion; without full page ads….

It’s been a while since I settled on these words of wisdom and life…how about you?

The first claim that Jesus makes here, nabbed me.

BLESSED are the POOR IN SPIRIT, for theirs is the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

I read, and reread. I pulled out every Bible research tool I have landing at the finish line on my Logos Bible Software (way more complicated and full of good stuff than I know how to use yet)

As I hit this season I am very aware that I am POOR IN SPIRIT.

I have little–I am meagerly supplied–I am lacking and deficient.

The good news is that Jesus says, and I believe, the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is MINE!!

God blesses those who realize they are POOR. God blesses those who know they need His help.

God blessed Gideon–who was not strong enough. (Judges 6:14)

God blessed Jeremiah–who was not a good speaker (Jer 1:4)

God blessed Simon Peter–who was unworthy and unsuccessful (Luke 5)

God blesses those who know they need Him.

God blesses those who are POOR in SPIRIT. Spiritually bankrupt.

God’s Definition of Poor: Humble; Modest; Surrendered; Submitted; In Need of a Savior; Depending upon God for every crumb.

Me.

You??

Could this be YOUR child??

I love Mother’s Day.

My honey has never missed spoiling me on Mother’s Day. I know, it’s supposed to be the KID’S who spoil the Mom but my honey has always added the icing on the cake of my Mother’s Day blessings. He just “gets it”. He had a Mom he dearly loved and he has always honored and blessed me as a Mom.

In fact, I was Mom when we met. A VERY YOUNG Mom.

I started the priceless journey of motherhood when I was just a girl myself giving birth to my first son just weeks after my 18th birthday. WOW..little did I know what an amazing journey motherhood would be.

Every Mama knows that being called “MOM” is the most bitter-sweet name we will ever have in life. Filled with times of such joy and blessing that your heart explodes and lights up like a fourth of July firecracker–contrasted by moments that hurt so much they look more like the ashes LEFT BEHIND on the 5TH of July morning.

Today, as I sit in my Prayer Chair and reflect on being a Mom, I started to think about what I might have done differently–there are MANY things! I thought about what advice, if any, I might give my Daughter-in-Laws (who are both AMAZING MOM”s, way better than I feel I ever was) or the young women I have the honor of mentoring. I wondered what I might share with my sweet daughter who is NOT YET a Mom herself, when her time comes.

There are so many things one might say about spending quality time; being consistent with discipline; understanding your children’s different temperaments and adjusting your parenting style to fit each child individually; being committed to your husband; teaching them to capture God’s Word in their hearts; READING to your children…….dot..dot..dot.

The truth is, we are not ever going to be PERFECT MOM’s.

We are sinners saved by grace.

We are NOTHING without Jesus and HE ALONE will get us through parenting without ruining our children. He alone will be our ONLY hope of enjoying any lasting success as Mom’s.

So, my morning conclusion as the KEY to Motherhood….Don’t miss the moments that make it all count. Don’t miss the spontaneous “I Love You Mom” moments–they are priceless.

Most of all—

Don’t MISS A KISS!!

My Most Precious Mother’s Day Gifts!–Tim, Andy and Julianna. Come on over here and let me KISS YOU!!

Happy Mother’s MOM–You are THE BEST! I’m waiting to kiss you too

Happy Mother’s Day friends.

You didn’t see most of it since it happened by personal email and Facebook communication. Secrets shared with a friend.

Women sharing SECRETS….tends to be a repeating theme in my life. I have set myself up as someone who is a safe place. It seems I have established myself as someone women can talk to about SECRETS and feelings they are not quick to share publicly and I am very happy that I have. Honored in fact, to be able to share God’s redeeming love with other women.

Women need that. They need to be REAL with someone. I have discovered that too often women do not feel their own church, their own Christian “sisters” to be a safe place to share their secrets.

My personal journey through the heartbreak of abortion, as shared in my Bible study Surrendering the Secret  propelled me into the land of sharing and hearing secrets and has blessed my heart for the past 4 years.

I am looking for a few secrets that are ready to be shared with the world.

I am in the final stages of completing a chapter version of Surrendering the Secret that will include stories from men, family members and friends of those women who have experienced the heartbreak of a past abortion.

I am looking for stories. Will you share your SECRET with me?

If you have a story about being a part of a past abortion–as a friend, as sister, a Mom or as a man–please send them to me ASAP at playton@awpm.net 

Julianna and I arrived here late yesterday afternoon after flying in from Tampa. We were picked up at the airport by a very kind Gentleman who is the husband of event hostess were we are speaking today.

After calling and letting us know where he was arriving, he got out of his car, opened the trunk, lifted and packed all of our luggage then opened car doors and waited while we settled inside. Bill chatted politely on the drive to the hotel sharing all about his community and family along with the details of the event we were about to enjoy. He dropped us off at the hotel after walking in and making sure we were registered and safely checked in. We were later driven by a very kind gentleman from the hotel to the nearby shopping MALL. (purposely written with all capital letters. I have never experienced quite a smorgasbord of shopping IN SPITE OF THE FACT that we spent last weekend on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago.)

The thing is, I have not always appreciated, or enjoyed, the way God set things up in the relationships of men and women.

When I was younger I often denied and rejected the Biblical model of women submitting to their husbands and men being directed by God’s Word to love (and treat) women “As Christ loves the church”. I allowed some bad choices and immature relationships to create an  attitude of independence and “I don’t need your help” thinking to establish roots in my heart.

Over the years, as I have grown both physically and spiritually, I have learned to treasure  this precious difference and to actually SEE GOD in this dynamic between men and women. To see how He transfers His own love for His daughters through the men in our lives who MODEL (and not all do) God’s protective and sacrificial love.

I believe its because God CREATED them to be that way when, women will ALLOW it.

God created men to care for women.

The theme of our Woman’s Brunch today has gotten me thinking more about that truth. I know that my husband has nurtured that behavior in our sons and that our sons will pass it on to their sons. While in tun I am molding for my daughter, the spirit of a woman who understands her particular and precious design. I am always learning more. Hoping to do it better.

The event today is called “The True Beauty Breakfast”.

On the inside of the program cover is the most beautiful quote–

“To a great extent the level of civilization is the level of it’s womanhood. When a man loves a woman, he has to become worthy of her. The higher her virtue, the more her character, the move devoted she is to truth, justice, goodness, the more a man has to aspire to be worthy of her. The history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of it’s women”  Archbishop Fulton J Sheen.

WOW!

The program goes on to state that the morning is designed to “honor and uplift” women of all ages and that their desire for the event is to—GET THIS—-

“Raise the Level of Womanhood in our community and THAT, my friends, is TRUE BEAUTY.”

My goodness, I have so much more to say about this but our ride will be here soon.

Please pray for me and Julianna this morning and let me know your FIRST thought about my thoughts!

I am STILL collecting names for our FREE “All Pro Dad” book giveaway

I’ll be back soon,

Pat

My wonderful friend Mark Merrill has just released his FIRST BOOK!

Check this video where he is joined by no other than our good friend–you may have heard of him–Coach Tony Dungy, to hear all about this great new book!

All Pro Dad Book.

Mark and his wife Susan moved to Tampa over 20 years ago and we became fast friends. We have supported one another as we have walked shoulder to shoulder–good times and bad– in our 2 different, but very much related ministries. Mark has counseled and coached me through many twists and turns as a leader and a friend.

Mark and Susan have raised a beautiful family, while at the same time, growing their little home based ministry into a International Family focused ministry that has literally saved lives all over the world.

Mark has given me 6 Books to give away!!! For FREE!!

Leave a comment and tell me WHY you should get one and I will have one of the Dad’s on my ministry “team” pick their favorites!

Blessings!

Pat

Anyone who knows me knows that I have been in a sort of “amazing race” for the past 3 years and 4 months. I have been traveling like a mad woman since January 2009 and enjoying every second of it (other than being away from my family more than ever in my life)

It all started with my Bible Study published in 2008 Surrendering the Secret.

I knew when this study was embraced by Lifeway Christian Resources that my work had just begun.

Although statistics tell us that 43% of childbearing age women have had at least one past abortion, I knew that a transparent discussion about abortion was a new and risky thing in most churches. In order to open the doors for women to bravely step up and take this study, I had some work to do.

So I stepped hard and fast into the “calling” (the OPPORTUNITY) I felt God had set before me.

I have learned a few things along the way that I hope may help others who are stepping into a new ministry.

1) You go first.

I knew that sharing the heartbreak of abortion was going to be very tough for many women and men. As a rule, we often put our best foot forward in church and aren’t quick to share such dark and shameful secrets. I also know that in order for the church to take the lead and make a difference for LIFE in our Nation, we must get healed. I knew I would need to be ready to make some personal sacrifices and be ready to GO FIRST.

2) Share your redemption story whenever and wherever God opens the door.

When we say YES to God, He makes the way clear. I have lost count at the number of speaking engagements God has opened for me over the past 3 1/2 years. I have traveled from my home base in Tampa, Fl all the way across the nation to Alaska and pretty much hit every state in between. I have spoken to groups on 15 and groups of 1,000. I go where God says go and give everything I have inside to every event He sets up. Big and Small. Organized and Messy. Nice hotels and Not So Nice hotels

3) Take the time to learn and keep learning.

I have learned to be a lifelong learner. I NEVER feel I have mastered my “craft”. I am always trying to learn to be a better speaker, a better leader and a better SERVANT. It is important for us to take the time to invest in what we feel God is calling us to do. If it is speak–take time to learn how to speak publicly BEFORE stepping out. I have listened to many people stand at microphones and spew unhealed heartbreaks and all over the page outlines. (ooopps I think that may have been me Thank God, He has shown me grace and allowed me to fall down and get back up, over and over again. He has allowed me to learn and keep learning.

4) Prepare your ministry infrastructure and keep tweaking it as you go.

The first year that my study was published my staff and I spent an entire year building our national office infrastructure for this new program. We built a new website, created a product supply system, invested in marketing materials and branding. Yet, we are always making changes and updating things to try to keep our ministry current and ready to serve others better.

The website we have now at www.surrenderingthesecret.com was just redone again this January. What do you think?

Infrastructure is a full time job and requires lots of flexibility and investment of both time, talent and money!

5) Share everything you have and everything you know. Give it all away!!

My desire is to get out and share post abortion recovery ministry with church leaders all across America. I want to teach others how to serve this MISSION FIELD OF MILLIONS. How to find them, how to help them, how to inspire them to BE A VOICE for LIFE! I have trained over 800 Leaders in the past 3 1/2 years and am thrilled with every group God gives me.

Here is the last Leader team I trained in Tulsa, OK just this week.

6) Build a Team.

Along with training ministry leaders to offer STS in churches and Pregnancy Resource Centers. I have begun to identify and train a team of National Trainers who started this year to offer the training I have been doing in their local communities and states. God wants us to expand our territory! This team is ready to go.

So…that’s a bit of “How I Do it”. I so don’t have anything mastered but I hope some of it helps you to think through the ministry God is calling you to embrace.

You can do it!

He is on your side!!

If you are one of the God Chasers I have met in travels, please say Hi in the comments and I’ll send you a wonderful PDF called “A Leader of No Reputation” that will rock your world!!

Who do you say that He is?

October Baby will be in the theatres this Friday. Be sure to check out the website at www.octoberbabyfilm.com for theatre locations. If there is not one in your town now is the time to make it happen.

This movie has the potential to change the nation for the sanctity of human life and to break the stronghold the enemy has had through the secret of abortion and the unhealed voice of the church. There is laughter; romance; drama; heartbreak and healing.

You WILL laugh and you WILL cry and you will be moved to ACTION!

Check this out from Dr Thom Rainer, President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources.

If you have ended up on my website by following a trail from the October Baby website, I want to personally welcome you!

Maybe you have experienced the adoption journey found in October Baby.

My You Tube Video in my last post was taped by the Erwin Brothers, producers of October Baby.

Tell me YOUR adoption story in the comments section!

Maybe you have experienced the abortion journey found in October Baby.

If so I want to tell you about a healing plan that God has for you and those you love who have experienced the loss and shame of abortion.

Surrendering the Secret is not just a bucket list of references or of places you can go to get better.

Surrendering the Secret was published by Lifeway in 2008. Since that time I have been training churches all over the nation to minister heal and healing to those effected by abortion.

Surrendering the Secret wants to be your healing place.

We ARE where you can go!

We are a TEAM over 700 strong of trained women and men whose only desire is to offer healing and hope to men and women who have experienced the loss of a past abortion.

We are led by a team of 11 National Trainers who have the exact contact information you need in your city for your time of personal ministry.

I would personally love to know who you are. I would be honored to hear from you and how your experience with Surrendering the Secret progresses.

Share with me in the comments section below and I will send you a free gift from me and the STS team.

Blessings to you as you start your healing journey.
Pat

Check out our website for a preview of the movie and be able to locate a theatre near you!

You will find my Bible Study “Surrendering the Secret” listed under “resources”

We have several events listed on our STS website that partner me with the beautiful actress, Shari Rigby, who plays a life changing role in the movie.

If you live in the area we would love to see you there!

March 11—-Little Rock, Arkansas

March 27-29—-LosAngelas, California

April 1—-Dallas, Tx

April 22—–Tulsa, Oklahoma

By the Way–If you would like to have me and Julianna speak at your church; adoption agency or pro-life ministry contact my Assistant at jkittredge@awpm.net or leave a comment below!

Every Life IS Beautiful!!