Tonya Ferguson's Blog, page 55
January 10, 2012
practical life lessons
They Say Timing Is Everything
I wish I knew who "they" were because I'd like to shake their hand. HA!
Timing is ABSOLUTELY everything. But WHO'S timing is everything?
We live in a world of "INSTANT" everything. People are too impatient to
wait on popcorn, potatoes, or oatmeal in a pan any more. Then they even
complain that the microwave is too slow. Everything is RUSH, RUSH, RUSH.
We have technology running out of our noses, but look around and you will see
a world full of miserable people. We need to slow down and realize that faster
is NOT always better. We tend to make more mistakes when we are rushing.
We miss opportunites when we are rushing. We lose our focus when we are
rushing.
If you're going to run a 10 mile marathon you have to start out training yourself by
running 1 mile, then 2 miles, then 3 miles, then 4 miles, then 5 miles, etc. until you
work up to running 10 miles. If you didn't do that and just went out and tried to run
10 miles the first day, you would fail. You're body would not be conditioned to run
10 miles on your first day. With time, training, and building up your resistance,
you will succeed in running your 10 mile marathon. It may take time, but you will
reach your goal. So, the tortoise was right, "slow and steady wins the race."
I have learned that I CAN'T live my life according to my timing. I've only proven
to myself that I mess up when I try. Once I began to give my life to Jesus and ask
Him to guide my steps, even in the BAD times, my life has gotten so much better.
Who better to set my life in motion than the one that created it? He knows how it
started and He knows how it's going to end. Why wouldn't I want to hang out with
the one that wrote the book from the beginning to the end? HIs "TIMING" may take
a little longer, but we will be conditioned to complete the journey if we do it in His
time.
Until the next time we talk.....Stand on Philippians 4:13.
Love, Hugs, & Prayers,
~tf
January 7, 2012
Here Are Some Reader's Quotes About "to remember love"
"I could actually feel what the author felt because of the words she used."
"I was challenged in my faith and encouraged in my faith."
"A wonderful true-life story that will take you from your darkness of despair to your daylight of deliverance."
"Thank you, Tonya...this story truly changed the way I am looking at my RELATIONSHIP with God and the Gifts He has given me."
"It was so good! I cried, and cried, and cried! And when I finished, I called my mom and CRIED!!! I LOVED it!"
"Because Tonya Ferguson, was so good at conveying her raw emotions, I was easily able to think about how I would feel. It made me want to run home and hug my parents."
"I saw cracks in the walls of my relationship with my Savior that NEED to be filled. This book encouraged me to make my prayer life ACTIVE every second of EVERY day."
"This book is relatable on so many levels of life's circumstances. You don't have to have lived this exact story to gain insight and encouragement."
"I thought about the gifts God has given me. Am I using those gifts to further God's Kingdom? Am I living in such a way that's glorifying to Him? Not always. This book shoved that in my face in SUCH a great way! I was forced to challenge myself with those questions."
"to remember love" shows you that the rainbow always comes at the end of the storm."
"I know everyone in the book and have lived the bond you all share up close and personal, but I also believe that strangers will also feel the bond because it is written so clearly and lovingly."
"One of my favorite sentences of the book is,"I have decided that the word DYING only pertains to the person it is happening to." What an insight...the whole paragraph is amazing and TRUTH!"
"You did a great job communicating that freedom we should all feel in how we handle something."
"To be honest...I had NO idea of the depth of struggles associated with Alzheimer's. No idea at all."
"I love, love, love how God gave you the perfect verses to go along with your personal journey and the chapter you were writing...He is amazing!"
"I was challenged in my faith and encouraged in my faith."
"A wonderful true-life story that will take you from your darkness of despair to your daylight of deliverance."
"Thank you, Tonya...this story truly changed the way I am looking at my RELATIONSHIP with God and the Gifts He has given me."
"It was so good! I cried, and cried, and cried! And when I finished, I called my mom and CRIED!!! I LOVED it!"
"Because Tonya Ferguson, was so good at conveying her raw emotions, I was easily able to think about how I would feel. It made me want to run home and hug my parents."
"I saw cracks in the walls of my relationship with my Savior that NEED to be filled. This book encouraged me to make my prayer life ACTIVE every second of EVERY day."
"This book is relatable on so many levels of life's circumstances. You don't have to have lived this exact story to gain insight and encouragement."
"I thought about the gifts God has given me. Am I using those gifts to further God's Kingdom? Am I living in such a way that's glorifying to Him? Not always. This book shoved that in my face in SUCH a great way! I was forced to challenge myself with those questions."
"to remember love" shows you that the rainbow always comes at the end of the storm."
"I know everyone in the book and have lived the bond you all share up close and personal, but I also believe that strangers will also feel the bond because it is written so clearly and lovingly."
"One of my favorite sentences of the book is,"I have decided that the word DYING only pertains to the person it is happening to." What an insight...the whole paragraph is amazing and TRUTH!"
"You did a great job communicating that freedom we should all feel in how we handle something."
"To be honest...I had NO idea of the depth of struggles associated with Alzheimer's. No idea at all."
"I love, love, love how God gave you the perfect verses to go along with your personal journey and the chapter you were writing...He is amazing!"
little inspirations
God's Attention Span is INFINITE.
He will stay focused on us FOREVER.
Can YOU say the same thing about Him?
He will stay focused on us FOREVER.
Can YOU say the same thing about Him?
Here Are Some Reader's Quotes About "to remember love"
HERE ARE SOME READER'S QUOTES ABOUT "to remember love"
"I could actually feel what the author felt because of the words she used."
"I was challenged in my faith and encouraged in my faith."
"A wonderful true-life story that will take you from your darkness of despair to your daylight of deliverance."
"Thank you, Tonya...this story truly changed the way I am looking at my RELATIONSHIP with God and the Gifts He has given me."
"It was so good! I cried, and cried, and cried! And when I finished, I called my mom and CRIED!!! I LOVED it!"
"Because Tonya Ferguson, was so good at conveying her raw emotions, I was easily able to think about how I would feel. It made me want to run home and hug my parents."
"I saw cracks in the walls of my relationship with my Savior that NEED to be filled. This book encouraged me to make my prayer life ACTIVE every second of EVERY day."
"This book is relatable on so many levels of life's circumstances. You don't have to have lived this exact story to gain insight and encouragement."
"I thought about the gifts God has given me. Am I using those gifts to further God's Kingdom? Am I living in such a way that's glorifying to Him? Not always. This book shoved that in my face in SUCH a great way! I was forced to challenge myself with those questions."
"to remember love" shows you that the rainbow always comes at the end of the storm."
"I know everyone in the book and have lived the bond you all share up close and personal, but I also believe that strangers will also feel the bond because it is written so clearly and lovingly."
"One of my favorite sentences of the book is,"I have decided that the word DYING only pertains to the person it is happening to." What an insight...the whole paragraph is amazing and TRUTH!"
"You did a great job communicating that freedom we should all feel in how we handle something."
"To be honest...I had NO idea of the depth of struggles associated with Alzheimer's. No idea at all."
"I love, love, love how God gave you the perfect verses to go along with your personal journey and the chapter you were writing...He is amazing!"
"I could actually feel what the author felt because of the words she used."
"I was challenged in my faith and encouraged in my faith."
"A wonderful true-life story that will take you from your darkness of despair to your daylight of deliverance."
"Thank you, Tonya...this story truly changed the way I am looking at my RELATIONSHIP with God and the Gifts He has given me."
"It was so good! I cried, and cried, and cried! And when I finished, I called my mom and CRIED!!! I LOVED it!"
"Because Tonya Ferguson, was so good at conveying her raw emotions, I was easily able to think about how I would feel. It made me want to run home and hug my parents."
"I saw cracks in the walls of my relationship with my Savior that NEED to be filled. This book encouraged me to make my prayer life ACTIVE every second of EVERY day."
"This book is relatable on so many levels of life's circumstances. You don't have to have lived this exact story to gain insight and encouragement."
"I thought about the gifts God has given me. Am I using those gifts to further God's Kingdom? Am I living in such a way that's glorifying to Him? Not always. This book shoved that in my face in SUCH a great way! I was forced to challenge myself with those questions."
"to remember love" shows you that the rainbow always comes at the end of the storm."
"I know everyone in the book and have lived the bond you all share up close and personal, but I also believe that strangers will also feel the bond because it is written so clearly and lovingly."
"One of my favorite sentences of the book is,"I have decided that the word DYING only pertains to the person it is happening to." What an insight...the whole paragraph is amazing and TRUTH!"
"You did a great job communicating that freedom we should all feel in how we handle something."
"To be honest...I had NO idea of the depth of struggles associated with Alzheimer's. No idea at all."
"I love, love, love how God gave you the perfect verses to go along with your personal journey and the chapter you were writing...He is amazing!"
January 4, 2012
my life in words
Well, it's official. We are NOW living in 2012.
I'm not about making Resolutions, but I Love
the idea of New Beginnings and Fresh Starts.
That what a New Year means to me. A place
in time that is your official "Do Over" time. If
you didn't get it right last year, NOW is your
"Do Over." Don't make the same mistakes
you've already made.
I'm excited for what 2012 is going to bring.
I'm excited for what 2012 is going to mean.
I have New Horizons ahead of me to watch
many Sunrises and Sunsets on. I know this
is my family's year for Miracles, Seeing our
New Purpose come alive, New Opportunities,
and New Life.
I don't plan to let any grass grow under my feet
this year. All your going to see is my dust. ~tf
I'm not about making Resolutions, but I Love
the idea of New Beginnings and Fresh Starts.
That what a New Year means to me. A place
in time that is your official "Do Over" time. If
you didn't get it right last year, NOW is your
"Do Over." Don't make the same mistakes
you've already made.
I'm excited for what 2012 is going to bring.
I'm excited for what 2012 is going to mean.
I have New Horizons ahead of me to watch
many Sunrises and Sunsets on. I know this
is my family's year for Miracles, Seeing our
New Purpose come alive, New Opportunities,
and New Life.
I don't plan to let any grass grow under my feet
this year. All your going to see is my dust. ~tf
December 30, 2011
Congrats to my first Goodreads giveway winners!
CONGRATULATIONS to JoAnn, Niki, and Trish for being the winners of my book, "to remember love."
The books are in the mail today! (12/30/11)
Enjoy the book, and review to give me a gift in return ;-)
Thank you to everyone who entered, and who added, "to remember love," to their to-read lists! I hope you all enjoy the book and come away with a piece of it in your heart.
Thanks,
Tonya
The books are in the mail today! (12/30/11)
Enjoy the book, and review to give me a gift in return ;-)
Thank you to everyone who entered, and who added, "to remember love," to their to-read lists! I hope you all enjoy the book and come away with a piece of it in your heart.
Thanks,
Tonya
December 28, 2011
my life in words
Well, we are quickly creeping up on the end of 2011, and the beginning of 2012. So, it's out with the old and in with the new.
2011, has been a year I will never forget. It was the year I wrote a lot of new songs and have almost completed recording my new CD. I, also, have written and published my first book, "to remember love." Both the songs and the book have come from a place of HURT and have taken me to a place of HEALING.
Writing down the words of my life, from the past 13 years, were torturous, emotionally draining, and left me empty at the end of many days after writing all day long. Many tears fill the spaces between the words on every page.
I am so excited to anticipate the impact this book will have on everyone who reads it. I am so excited to share the songs I've written since my "new beginning" with others. I can't wait to have others enter into the Holy of Holies in Worship with this music. To Worship at Jesus' feet.
2012, is a time I am GREATLY looking forward to. This is the first time in almost 14 years that I can say that. God has just given me 2 words for 2012. "BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS." I am going to stand, with my arms lifted towards Heaven, and my eyes fixed on God, receiving the "BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS" He is going to rain down on me. This is the year I will see God's plan laid out in front of me. New places, new projects, new people, new opportunities to tell other about Jesus, new, new, new.
I am SO READY to EMBRACE the NEW, NEW, NEW. I am SO READY to RECEIVE God's BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS.
That is my Prayer for you in 2012 too. ~tf
2011, has been a year I will never forget. It was the year I wrote a lot of new songs and have almost completed recording my new CD. I, also, have written and published my first book, "to remember love." Both the songs and the book have come from a place of HURT and have taken me to a place of HEALING.
Writing down the words of my life, from the past 13 years, were torturous, emotionally draining, and left me empty at the end of many days after writing all day long. Many tears fill the spaces between the words on every page.
I am so excited to anticipate the impact this book will have on everyone who reads it. I am so excited to share the songs I've written since my "new beginning" with others. I can't wait to have others enter into the Holy of Holies in Worship with this music. To Worship at Jesus' feet.
2012, is a time I am GREATLY looking forward to. This is the first time in almost 14 years that I can say that. God has just given me 2 words for 2012. "BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS." I am going to stand, with my arms lifted towards Heaven, and my eyes fixed on God, receiving the "BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS" He is going to rain down on me. This is the year I will see God's plan laid out in front of me. New places, new projects, new people, new opportunities to tell other about Jesus, new, new, new.
I am SO READY to EMBRACE the NEW, NEW, NEW. I am SO READY to RECEIVE God's BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS.
That is my Prayer for you in 2012 too. ~tf
December 25, 2011
my life in words
May your Christmas be filled with Christ,
Family, Love, Hope, Faith and Joy.
May 2012 be filled with Bountiful Blessings
for your entire family.
Love, Hugs, & Prayers from the Ferguson Family ~tf
Family, Love, Hope, Faith and Joy.
May 2012 be filled with Bountiful Blessings
for your entire family.
Love, Hugs, & Prayers from the Ferguson Family ~tf
December 24, 2011
my life in words
Well, once again we are at the time of year that is filled with candy canes, egg nog,
stockings, decorations, trees, presents, cookies, carols, Christmas movies, parties,
shopping, ornaments, Christmas cards, fruit cakes, family gatherings.....well, you get the idea.
The sad thing is, if you took all of these things and threw them in a sack,
then throw in some stress, horrible overspending, credit card debt, anxiety,
depression......well, you get the idea. You would have what most people call "Christmas."
We have complicated this time of year and turned it into something ugly.
We have made it into a money spending frenzy instead of acknowledging
what we should be Celebrating.
The whole "Reason for the Season" is because
of a very special birth and a very special death.
The "Reason for the Season" is because
Jesus went from a Manger to a Cross.
My Prayer for you and your family is
a Peace-Filled Christmas and
a Joy-Filled New Year. ~tf
stockings, decorations, trees, presents, cookies, carols, Christmas movies, parties,
shopping, ornaments, Christmas cards, fruit cakes, family gatherings.....well, you get the idea.
The sad thing is, if you took all of these things and threw them in a sack,
then throw in some stress, horrible overspending, credit card debt, anxiety,
depression......well, you get the idea. You would have what most people call "Christmas."
We have complicated this time of year and turned it into something ugly.
We have made it into a money spending frenzy instead of acknowledging
what we should be Celebrating.
The whole "Reason for the Season" is because
of a very special birth and a very special death.
The "Reason for the Season" is because
Jesus went from a Manger to a Cross.
My Prayer for you and your family is
a Peace-Filled Christmas and
a Joy-Filled New Year. ~tf
December 22, 2011
little inspirations
Don't make having a "Relationship" with God difficult. Don't over analyze it.
Just LOVE Him, TRUST Him, COMMUNICATE with Him, LEARN from Him,
WALK like Him, TALK like Him, GROW in His Word, and SHARE Him with others.
We have ALL kinds of relationships in our lives. Relationships with our kids, husbands,
wives, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, etc. This is NOT a "New Concept" in our lives.
DON'T make it DIFFICULT. Just make it HAPPEN. ~tf
Just LOVE Him, TRUST Him, COMMUNICATE with Him, LEARN from Him,
WALK like Him, TALK like Him, GROW in His Word, and SHARE Him with others.
We have ALL kinds of relationships in our lives. Relationships with our kids, husbands,
wives, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, etc. This is NOT a "New Concept" in our lives.
DON'T make it DIFFICULT. Just make it HAPPEN. ~tf
