The Tallent Family

I am in the process of making my first blog book (if I can figure it out). Looking back, there was a couple things I wanted to add before my blog is "slurped".

I have blogged a lot about my Sister-in-Law, Natasha and my neice, McKenzie. I have also blogged about David, my brother, who was married to Natasha and McKenzie's Daddy. He passed away in September of 2006.

In October 2010, Natasha & McKenzie began a new chapter in their lives. Natasha married a man who promised to be her loving husband and a sweet Daddy to McKenzie, Brian. Really, I guess we have all entered into a new chapter in our lives as we celebrate and return thanks to the God of Provision as it is He who has provided a husband and dad to fill these roles in their lives.

Congratulations, Tallent Family!

Vacation - October 2010

Last Thursday, October 21st, Brandon & I had our bags packed, the cooler stocked, and flip flops in tow as we headed for vacation. We were more than excited about spending the next 6 days in Destin, FL, the place we have come to love so much.

I must be completely honest in saying that the excitement about this trip came and went a couple times before we actually left. For the past four, maybe five years, Brandon & I have always gone to Destin with his parents in October. This time, we couldn't be a part of that trip, leaving us to decide if we were even going to go at all this October.

At the last minute, well within two weeks of us leaving, which is pretty much last minute for us, we decided to go. We had mixed emotions as this would not be a family trip but it would be just the two of us. We had not been on a vacation with just the two of us since our Honeymoon, so this trip (without us knowing it) ended up being much needed.

We had such a great time. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to get to go again this year. We went in May and really didn't expect to get to go back in October, as we BOTH completely expected that I would have a teaching position once October rolled around. We all know how that has went and for now, I don't have a classroom position.

When we were in Destin this time, we did venture to say that this was probably the last time we would get to go to Destin in October, however, we don't really know that to be true. We do love going in the fall, however, Brandon and I both know that we will have to give that vacation time up once I do get a teaching position.

Brandon and I wanted to make the very most of our trip this time, not knowing what the future holds for us (in lots of areas of our lives) and we did just that!

We got into Destin and into our condo at 2pm by 2:20, we were sitting on the beach with the Kindle in hand. **I must note that the Kindle that Brandon got me for my birthday was the best thing ever as I sat on the beach!**

Each day we were there consisted of the same events. Breakfast, sit on the beach until supper time and then go eat supper and when tomorrow came, do it all over again. It was great!

We did get some pictures. This time, we tried to get out on the beach before sunrise a few more times that we usually do and we also stayed out on the beach until sunset a few of those nights too.

I am so thankful that we had this time to really spend together, seek the Lord, listen to Him (more on this part later), and have Him rejuvenate our spirits all at the same time.

The Condo we stayed in was super nice!

Sunrise.

Since May, the City had pumped sand from out in the ocean onto the shore. This time, the beach was covered in seashells.

Sunset.

Two Sand Dollars I found one morning.

We were oh-so thankful to get to go on this vacation. We don't know when we will get to go again, but when that time comes, we will gladly take it.

Fun @ the Park

Before we left for vacation, Brandon & I had plans to take Lucas & McKenzie to the Corn Maze. Unfortunately, after I have pumped both of them up about the Corn Maze and the hay ride, we get there and they had closed for the "Haunted Corn Maze". Great.
I hesitated to tell them that it was closed because I just knew they would be upset, but when I told them and quickly provided an alternate of going to get a Happy Meal and going to the park, they were all smiles and sqeals!

So that is exactly what we did! We got our Happy Meals and headed to the park. All THREE kids had a great time! :)

Sisters

About a month ago, Deidre, Alisha, and I had a Sister + Brandon Date :). The plan was to take some pictures of the three of us...go out to eat... and watch a movie. Thanks to our awesome photographer, Brandon, we were able to get lots of fun pictures and then we headed to the Boiler Room for dinner & dessert! I bailed on the movie since we didn't get home until 10pm and I knew I would not make it through a whole movie.

Regardless to what we did, we had a good time and it was fun being all together!

Vacation...coming soon.

We have had a lot to celebrate the last couple of weeks: Julie's big news, moving forward with Imagination Library, and we are one day away from vacation... so much to celebrate and to return praise to Jesus for. One thing is for certain... we are blessed & we are thankful.

We are most definitely looking forward to our vacation. This vacation will be a little different than any of our others. We usually go with Brandon's parents to Destin, however, this time, it didn't work out. They returned from Destin last week and we will be going this week.

We were in Destin in May of this year. That vacation was so much more than just a vacation. we really felt as though God spoke to our hearts and gave us a direction to serve. Even now, 5 months later, we are still seeing the effects of that time take root in our hearts. Brandon and I both believe with all our hearts that the vacation we had in May was the very beginning of so much to come. Although we may not be able to pin point all that will happen, we believe our hearts were stirred and challenged in several ways, making the look of our family, home, ministry, friendships, and stewardship change.

Of course I am not saying that a trip to the beach brought enlightenment and wisdom to our lives, but I am saying that it was that time that God chose to speak to our hearts and for that, we are thankful. Like I said, we are still being effected by that time and I am sure that in the future we will have the opportunity to share some that has taken place.

For now, we are oh so excited about going back to the sand and waves. Stay tuned... there will be plenty of pictures when we get back!

A New Addition to the Breedlove Family...

(I bet that title perked some interest...ha.ha.)

For a while now Brandon and I have been talking and praying with one another about a very specific topic. For over a year now, I have been learning about Compassion International. This organization is very dear and near to the heart of my boss, Scott and his wife Sarah. Since I have worked at the theatre, since July of 2009, I have been learning more and more about Compassion and their ministry all around the world.
In May of this year, Brandon and I began praying about whether or not we had a role to play in this ministry. We felt God leading us towards sponsoring a child.
Last week, the theatre hosted an Evening with Compassion with Charlie Hall & Shaun Groves. It was a great night to worship! I came to the theatre that afternoon and walked into the lobby. Scott had just finished setting out all the packets of children that were needing to be sponsored by someone. I stood there and looked at every single one! As I stood there looking at each packet, I was overwhelmed as I knew that each child was in need of a sponsor and I couldn't only commit to sponsor one (for now). How in the world would I choose? I kept looking and fighting back tears all the while. I made mention to Scott that some of the children had such a blank look on their face - no smile, not even a frown really, but a blank look. I will never forget what he said in response: "That is the look of hopelessness." Since I heard those words, even though it has only been a week, I don't think I will ever look at the blank looks of children ever the same. Regardless to where I see those "blank looks" - in a classroom in the U.S. or in another country, I will always identify those looks with the words Scott passed along to me, "the look of hopelessness".
When I looked down to the middle of the table, covered in packets of children waiting to be sponsored, I saw the Diana. I looked at her information on the side of her envelope.

It said: Diana - birthdate: Sept. 29, 2007
Her birthday is September 29, 2007. The day she was born was the day that Brandon and I got married! So I chose Diana or maybe, Diana chose me. :)

Diana is 3 years old and lives in Ecuador. In our sponsoring Diana, she will be able to go to school, get health care, and have her basic needs met. Brandon and I will write to her and we will get responding letters though it may be from Compassion Worker updating us on Diana and as she learns to read and write herself, we will get letters from her!
I am extremely excited about having the opportunity to be a part of something that is much larger than ourselves - having a part of releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. And there is something even more exciting - you have the same opportunity to be a part of this. All you have to do is go to http://www.compassion.com/ and you can find lots of information on the ministry of Compassion International, but be ready, you never know when a child may choose you!

So glad you could meet Diana Breedlove. :)

A Good Day for Golf

Brandon loves to golf. When he was younger, he fell in love with the sport. He began working at Parker Meadow's Golf Course, instead of being paid in cash, free golf was his payment. Then when he reached the "working age", he began getting for real paid.

When Brandon started school at North Greenville College, he had little time to play and ultimately stopped playing altogether.

In the last little bit, Brandon has been trying to get back to playing some, even if it's only for therapy. So, a couple Saturdays ago, we went to play a round at the Franklin Golf Course. It was a gorgeous day and it was great getting to spend that time together. I didn't play, but I did do an outstanding job being the cart driver. :)