In the coming weeks, beginning with this one, we will be showing you videos of our studio work on our new CD. You’ll get to see us in the studio working on all the new songs and you’ll get to see and hear each song as the work progresses. AND, we want to know what you think about every single one. After that, we’ll be showing possible photos and CD cover designs for your approval. We really want your input on these things.
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Just a few days ago, we sang at a church that I had sung in many years ago with the first group I sang with, the Song Masters. We had a great evening and as we closed the service, I gave an invitation for anyone who wanted to receive Christ. No hands were raised, so we prayed for all the other needs. While I was standing at the product table, a middle-aged lady with a little girl came up to me. The lady had tears streaming down her face and the little girl was pressed up against the lady. The little girl didn’t look anything like the lady, in fact, the lady was reddish blond and look like she might be old enough to be the grandmother. The girl had dark hair and eyes and looked like she might be Native American. The lady said “this is my daughter and she’s one of the ‘broken ones’. We adopted her this year.” She began to tell me that the little girl had told her during the invitation that she wanted to have Jesus in her heart. I had made the statement that if you just couldn’t raise your hand in a public place to see one of us after the service. I knelt down and ask the little girl if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart and she nodded. I explained to her that we need to tell Jesus we are sorry for our sin and ask him to live in our hearts. She repeated a simple sinners prayer with me. After we had prayed, I asked her if she knew where she would go if she died. A big smile came across her beautiful face and she said “heaven”. I said, “that’s right and do you know why you will go to heaven?” She pointed to her heart and simply said, “Jesus”. When I asked how old she was she told me she was seven years old. Then I asked her what her name was and she said “Angel!” I told her she was Jesus’ angel now and she threw her little arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. So many times, we can get discouraged and wonder if what we do, whether it is singing, teaching, preaching, or any other job that spreads the gospel, is making a difference in this world. It only takes one little dark haired girl named Angel to know that it does!
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please pray for mom Shirely frost she is very sick and having to have boold now . i have been praying for all prayers on this list .I sure don,t want to lose my mom ever i lost my dad and jan of this year.thank you all,Deborah Howell
Reply to DeborahHowellI will pray. And god bless.
Reply to Mette Vestberg SørensenMette
I can’t wait to hear songs from the new CD. I am very excited about your new release!
Reply to Gary HoseyDeborah,
Reply to Debra TalleyWe are praying for Shirley. God Bless, Debra
My sister has e-mailed me today letting me know that Cameron, her son, needs prayer. His uncle, Paul, was killed when a forklift ran over him. Cam is taking it very hard. I am sure she will be posting more. Also, her mother-in-law is doing well and is scheduled to come home Friday. The family will have to help with meals, etc., so remember them as well. Thanks everyone, Debra
Reply to Debra TalleyMy reply is at the bottom. Sorry. I did it wrong.
Reply to Charlotte RogersDebra,
Cameron is in my prayers and so is the family. I will pray that your family will come out of this strong and know where Paul is at. Keep in touch.
Much Love,
Reply to Haley PearceHaley
DearDebra ,Mette,thank you both for you prayers and will keep you update on my mom. Also i will pray for you sister son.DearDebra i just want you to known this is great what you all have done with this set. thank you all again,Deborah Howell
Reply to DeborahHowellPlease keep praying for shirely i just find out she is going to be tested for bone cancer monday there a changes she has it please pray she dosen,t. thankyou all,Deborah HOWELL
Reply to DeborahHowellHey guys,
Just a reminder to encourage you to post your prayer requests in the Prayers section designated. Many people check that section specifically to read the requests and we want to make sure that yours are in the right place, so none of them will be missed by the people looking for them. Thanks!
Reply to Lauren TalleyDear Lauren,
) I have one request…. I would love to hear your version of the song “Alabaster Box.” Thank you for sharing your talent and beautiful voice with those of us that truly love gospel music.
Reply to Katie WeaverJust wanted to tell you what an awesome singer you are. I think you have one of the most if not the best female voices I have ever heard. There is a depth and quality that is just unique and really speaks to my heart in a way that I can not explain. Please continue singing and producing those albums (especially more solo ones
Hi. Deb encouraged me to post to this area and to tell you all about our lives. Our family is the one that Lauren talks about before she sings Broken Ones. I will be posting some incredible stories about what God is doing in the lives of the children in my home as well as, a large circle of people who are getting the chance to observe God’s power. Look for a post later this weekend and please keep our family in your prayers.
Reply to KeenaKeena,
Reply to MelanieI can’t wait to read the upcoming post with stories about your family! From what Lauren tells in the concerts, it sounds like this is one awesome family. May God bless you all!
i love the song the healer, a few years ago a dear friend had cancer, i took the cd that had that song on it.
Reply to louisei ask how she liked it.through some tears she loved it, she said she knew,the lord would heal her here or in heaven , in heaven she got her healing. i never did ask her family for that cd back. but at one of your shows i told debra about it and she give me that cd free, now i can enjoy it too. thank you so much for your music.hope you will be coming back to burlington, nc soon again.
MY song i like is the song Debra sing is how long has it been. for awhile i did not pray like i should but since i lose my father and now with my mom shirely who my have bone cancer i have prayed more then i ever have,Debra has help me more and my walk with god then anying one and my life.Thank you,Debra from Deborah howell
Reply to DeborahHowellThis story is probably like many others, but it is a story that must be told. My name is Keena, I am a single adult, age 29 and holding (okay, I’m 47). Last year, I stopped making excuses, and I stepped out and became a foster parent. For years, I have desired to help teens, but kept making excuses as to all the reasons why “I” could not do it.
From the time I was a child, experiencing the bitter divorce of my parents, I had told myself I would never marry or have children. By the time I had reached 25, I decided I would like to get married, but still had no desire to have kids. I had a heart for other kids and teens going whose parents were going through divorce or just had a rotten life due their parents’ decisions. I remembered hearing a man by the name of Lester Roloff speak about his boys homes in Texas and thought how I’d like to do that one day and help kids. As I approached 30 this strong sense of needing to do something returned, but I kept thinking, “once I get married . . .”.
At 40, I found my life turned up-side-down by the sickness and death of my grandmother. God allowed me to spend two years in a dessert while he worked to change who I was and remove much of the past baggage I had been carrying. He used a few very special people to help me through the difficult times, the most influential of those being someone I had met at 15 years old. God places people in our lives and some of them are for a season, while others are for a lifetime. I had met Debra Talley (Spraggs at the time) all those years ago and we had stayed in touch over the years. Now at 40, we were reunited in a much different way and our friendship grew. Spending time with her and her family on the road helped me to overcome my extreme introverted personality. Being with a family that loved and served God together was such a different experience for me and something I needed to see and experience first hand. God used many events and people over the next several years and completely change my personality and I grew spiritually in ways I could have never imagined. God taught me how to cry, love, and mostly about compassion and mercy. All of the events of my life were now coming together to complete a plan God had intended for me.
One night in November of 2006, I was sitting in a restaurant (alone) and began to read a local magazine. I saw an article about the Sarasota Heart Gallery showing many children that needed foster and adoptive homes. It broke my heart! Two weeks later, I attended an orientation and in January of 2007, I began foster parent training classes. Each week I simply told myself, “I am going this week and we’ll see . . .” . Each week I became more and more convinced that this was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. On May 25, 2007, I was licensed and on May 26th I picked up the 15 year old girl, Jessie, whose eyes had drawn me in on the website. This began my adventure and God’s plan for my life to become a reality.
LOOK FOR THE CONTINUATION EACH WEEK AS OUR STORY UNFOLDS. GOD IS DOING MIRACLES FOR THESE CHILDREN EVERY WEEK.
Reply to KeenaKEENA, i am so glad for what you are doing for kids who needs homes there are so many of them out there. your store really got to me i am going through so much and my life. i will keep you all and my prayers.Deborah Howell
Reply to DeborahHowellHi from Marita.
I wish you god look with the new product.
Love from Marita
Reply to Marita N GiskeG’day mate!
Reply to Lauren TalleyHey Lauren,
Are you goin for something knew. Well, if so i’m 100% supportive. G’day mate!!!!
Much Love,
Reply to Haley PearceHaley
G’day mate. We really need another trip to Sydney! Those handsome men are just waiting for us!
Reply to KeenaYou ain’t kidding, sister.
Reply to Lauren TalleyJust received the CD that Roger and Greg produced for
Reply to Kay BarrettC S & K and only hope that they realize just how much
we love them for their hard work. I know this has got to be one of the most solid sounding projects I’ve heard. Greg, you rock!!
You guys are all great and we love you as family. Remember us in your prayers as we do you all daily.
continue to enjoy your music. If the good Lord wills I’ll see you in Gatlinburg in thefall.
Reply to mary A. ThomasMy son is doing well after the death of his uncle. Thank you for praying. My mother-in-law came home Friday and is doing well. She is resting,eating, and gaining strength much better since she is home. We cut her hair off short today, because it has begun to come out. She will be undergoing more chemo soon. She is doing so much better. I know God answers prayer, and we all appreciate your praying for her and all of us as we try to take care of them. Remember my father-in-law, he is trying so hard to take care of her, and needs rest too. We cut his hair off short too. Maybe so he wouldn’t pull it all out. Thank you again for your prayers. They worked great. God Bless all of you. Charlotte
Reply to Charlotte RogersI am anxious to see and hear your new videos and view your album jackets.
Reply to Jim EvansGod bless you in your MInistry we are praying for you.
Jim and Susan Evans
Thanks Debra for sharing that beautiful story of Miss Angel! That blessed my heart and I just have to say, “Angel, welcome to the family!”
Reply to MelanieGod Bless You!
I love all of your CDs. You are my favorite people in the world. I sing out and most of the time i sing eather you or Hopes Call. I like the song called Promesed Ones and Built on the Rock. You guys have such an amazing talent.
Reply to Caitlin OvertonJust wanted to let you know that your music has touched our lives in a very positive way!
Reply to Russ and ElizabethI asking again for prayers for my mom shirey who is having a test for bone cancer tommorrow please pray thank you,DeborahHowell
Reply to DeborahHowelloops! I meant “A Promise Made”!!
Reply to Caitlin OvertonHey Talleys, it’s Don and Gingers grandaughter, Haley, well I need prayer. Well, I FINALLY turned 14 in Febuary. My parents divorce has been final for about a year and a half and it’s not been easy. Ever since I heard the word divorce I have not been the same. I have been, well I don’t know how to put this, I cut myself and I just about took my own life. It hurts to know of what I have become and I don’t think it’s fair that I have to suffer from my parents decision. Every time I tell someone its not fair, all I here in response is ” Life ain’t FAIR” I just look to you guys for advice and prayer because you guys are the closest thing I have had to a family for about 2 years. Thank you. Keep in touch.
Reply to HaleyMuch Love,
HALEY
Story continuation of Foster Teens . . .
The process to become a foster parent is not a quick one. The “system” moves at a very cumbersome pace due to all the different levels of authorization. Once I completed my training, I was told it would still take several months. My training was complete in March and I was able to meet Jessie on April 9th, but was still not licensed. They told me they still had to complete all the paperwork, a home study and then it had to go through 4 levels of approval. I began to pray and to ask everyone I knew to pray that things would move quickly. They told me once the first level signed off then it would still take about 8 weeks. I started visits with Jessie at the girls group home where she was staying. At the end of April, the home study was complete and I was allowed to talk her overnight on the weekends.
The first level signed off in early May and it moved on to level two. Once signed off at this level, it had to go to a committee for signature. They told me that it had to be scheduled on a Wed for the following Friday’s committee meeting. On a Thursday they told me it had been signed off by level one, and would be on it’s way to level two. We began to pray it would be signed off at level two by the next Wed. so it could be slated for the third level the week after. However, that following week I received a call on Friday telling me it had been signed off by not only at level two, but also by level three. This was the beginning of many miracles to come! The woman that called me said she could not understand how it could be on its way to Tampa for the final approval so quickly. The following Tuesday I received a call that it had arrived in Tampa, but making sure I understood that it generally took 4 weeks to be reviewed and that they might have questions before they approved it. Two days later, they called me and said I was approved! I picked up Jessie the next day! God is good. When the women called to tell me, she said everyone in the local office was shaking their heads, as this had never happened before. She said all the prayers must have worked. This began a great testimony for God within the local Safe Children Coalition.
The most incredible part is that Jessie accepted Christ the last week of June and was Baptized two weeks later. A victory for the kingdom! This did not erase all the problems this young girl struggled with as a result of her past abuse, but it gave her new hope. Unfortunately, Jessie is not in my home right now as she has been in and out of my home 14 times. Please pray for her. She is a run-a-way and is on the streets. I cannot share all the details of this child’s life, but God knows all of them. Just pray that God draws her back to him and to us.
When licensed I was approved for 2 children. In July they called me about two sisters, 11 and 14 years old. My first response was to say “no”, as the 11 year old was younger than I wanted to take. For two days, I wrestled with God over this situation. On July 31st, 2007 Jasmeen (11) and Miriam (14) moved in with Jessie and I. Two weeks later is when Jessie would leave to be gone for 9 weeks. They had to increase my Cap to three children to accommodate me taking in these two, but rather than do that, they raised my number to FOUR. Again, unheard of in this realm. They normally make you prove yourself for 6 months before they will increase the number. However, what the Coalition did not realize is that God was the one in control, not their people at the top of the ladder.
Reply to KeenaContinuation of Foster Teen story . . . .
Let me continue by explaining the type of classifications of children in the system. There are two main classifications based on the goal for the child: 1) reunification with parents or 2) adoption.
When kids first enter the system, the goal is reunification. However, after the parent has had several chances to work a case plan and get their lives together the court can rule for a TPR or a Termination of Parental Rights and then the goal for the child is adoption. Children whose parent’s rights have been terminated can be filmed and pictures can be taken or posted of them. For these children, like Jessie, I can give you their first name. For the other kids, I will simply use initials or made up names to protect their identity. I have some of both, so you will know the difference as I explain each. Now, back to our story.
As I mentioned last time, Jessie is not with me right now, but we pray for her daily. I received an email from her today, which means she is starting to reach out again. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pray for this girl. She is so precious and so lost in life. Below are the words of a poem she wrote me last October . . . .
Who Will Cry?
Who will cry for the little girl,
Whom for so long has been so lost?
Who will cry for the little girl
Who just wants love at any cost?
Who will cry for the little girl,
Tears shed deep inside?
Who will cry for the little girl
Whose heart almost died?
Who will cry for the little girl
Only one woman could see.
I love you Keena because you
Had faith in me.
Jessie is the first girl in my home and one I had decided I would adopt. She has been in the system since she was seven, She has been running away since she was 11 and ends up in the ghetto and in places you and I cannot imagine. I love this girl with all my heart, but I cannot help her until she decides she is ready to be helped.
The next young girls to enter my home were JH (11) and MH (14). The moved in on July 31, 2007 so they have been with me almost 11 months. The are each a year older and have grown in so many ways. In late Aug of last year I took them and drove to Gatlinburg to see Deb, Lauren and Roger. I generally help out at their table and the girls got to see TN. In one of the evening services, JH accepted Christ. I was blown away, by how responsive these girls have been to God’s word and how quickly they have accepted Him while in my home. They also got the opportunity to meet the Talley’s and they felt so special spending time with these “stars”, at least in their minds. LOL. They also got to meet Triumphant and Clayton was awesome with the girls. They found him funny and very entertaining.
Well more later . . . .
Reply to KeenaContinuation of Foster Teen Story – Please pray for us!
During this journey, I am discovering that the longer these kids are in the system, the more issues they acquire. They generally have low social skills as they have not had anyone to model appropriate interactions. Simple things we have learned at young ages are not necessarily things these kids know. Every new child in my home brings a new realm of issues and a vast array of possibilities!
September 16, 2007 and on her 16th birthday, Nadean moved in. She, like Jessie, is available for adoption as her mother is deceased and her father’s rights were terminated about 7 years ago. She has two siblings, Robert (15) and Becky (13) who were in other foster homes as well. Becky moved in with us a few weeks ago, on June 4th and Robert on June 11th.
When Nadean moved in, I only planned to adopt Jessie and then foster many, many other kids (and at that time ONLY girls). Funny how God’s plan for us is often different. Nadean had asked me over and over again if I would adopt her and I kept telling her NO, that was not my plan. Well, over a course of time, God broke my heart and showed me that I had the power to make her dream come true and was being selfish! In Feb. I asked her if she wanted me to adopt her. A week later, we found out that Becky was going to be losing her current foster home so we talked to her about adoption too. She started coming to our house on weekends and moved in as soon as school was out. We had no plans to take in Robert, but God had a different plan again. Due to some circumstances beyond his control, he was given a 30 day notice at his foster home. They asked if I could take him for a 3-4 weeks while they found him a group home. He moved in and after 2 weeks, I asked him if he wanted to stay. He gave a resounding “YES”. We are proceeding with the adoption of Nadean and Becky in the fall and then we will see how things go with Robert and may proceed with adoption for him after the first of the year.
Look for my next update, when I share a very special miracle that has occurred in our home. Please pray for all these kids. I had 10 kids in my home this year and three have accepted Christ as well as a friend one of them brought to church. My goal is to see all these kids give their lives to Christ!
Reply to KeenaFoster teen update . . .
Well, this is skipping ahead in the story a bit, but I just have to share this with everyone. On Dec. 5th Nadean accepted Christ at a Selah concert. On Jan. 17th Becky and Ciara accepted Christ at a Toby Mac concert. All three were baptized tonight and it was awesome. One of the girls friends also accepted Christ and was baptized.
The strange thing here is that I used to not listen to Contemporary Christian music at all. About 6 months before I began to take in these kids, I started listening to some and really fell in love with Phillips, Craig, & Dean. Then branched out a bit. I had no idea God was preparing me to be more open to music that would actually touch these kids. Last week was my first Toby Mac experience. It was WILD! It is not the type of music I want to listen to but it has certainly impacted my kids. While the music is a bit too loud and a bit too wild, I will say that Toby Mac is brilliant in his ability to arrange the music and overall atmosphere in the room. I thank God for his ministry since it touched my kids.
I will try to post again soon, but I am so busy that I hardly have time to breathe some days.
Reply to KeenaWow! Sounds like you’ve had a good start to 2009 Keena. That’s great to hear things are going well.
Reply to Sam KerfootDebra;
Just wanted to say it was good seeing you at Osage Beach. Email me when you get a chance. My prayers go out to you, Roger and Laren in the next coming concerts for safe travel and Gods leading!!
Love and prayers
Reply to Cindy MountjoyCindy Mountjoy