Stories of Hope in Hard Times Tamara K. Anderson

In this quick update I share 4 tips that revolve around a Bible verse I have learned by example which have helped me move forward while moving on to my new project: starting Women Warriors of Light. I also share about a giveaway I have going on right now. More details below.
As I have started working on my new project, starting my women’s group called Women Warriors of Light there is a Bible Verse that has come to life as I have experienced setbacks and yet been given the guidance to know how to overcome the obstacles placed in my path.
Bible VerseLet us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:1-24 Principles to Succeed when Upping Our GameLay aside every weightLay aside every sin (including distractions) which so easily beset usRun with patience the race set before usFocus on Jesus to help us do all of the above and move forward with faith.
GiveawayI also share about a giveaway I have going on. You can see more about that here:https://kingsumo.com/g/mzfa4b/deluxe-christian-womens-package-giveawayTranscript of today’s episodeTamara Anderson 0:03
Have you ever felt like you're hitting obstacles when you're trying to hit a big new goal? If so, you're not alone. I'm going to share with you some quick tips today that I have learned over the last couple of months as I have been launching a new company and share with you some personal examples as well as give you an update as well as an opportunity to enter a giveaway where you will win over $450 in items with my new women warriors of light group. Stay tuned.
Tamara Anderson 0:42
Welcome to stories of hope in hard times, the show that explores how people endure and even thrive in difficult times, all with God's help. I'm your host Tamara K Anderson. Join me on a journey to find inspiring stories of hope and wisdom learned in life's hardest moments.
Tamara Anderson 1:07
Hello, and welcome to an update version of the stories of hope in hard times podcast. I'm your host Tamara K Anderson. And oh, my goodness. First of all, thank you to everyone who has reached out since I finished my podcast in January. Thank you for the sweet comments. I feel so blessed to have been able to connect with so many of you on a personal level. Over the last four years as I've been doing this stories of hope in hard times podcast.
Tamara Anderson 1:35
And as I promised you when I did that last episode, I would give you periodic updates. And so today, I wanted to just share with you some quick updates on how I'm doing as well as share with you for tips that I found to help me succeed, as I've kind of been upgrading to a new level, which is starting this women warriors of light company and I am so so excited for it. But I also have to talk to you about some obstacles that I've faced along the way.
Tamara Anderson 2:08
One of the most common questions I've gotten from friends, and from even some of you who I've never met is Tamra, how has it been, you know, stopping the podcast, how's that felt? And there really was some grief involved and just changing from podcasting every week to now focusing on other little goals and trying to get this women warriors of light group started. It has been a more difficult transition than I imagined it would.
Tamara Anderson 2:42
So I've learned a lot

A few months ago I felt like there was a giant wall in front of me every time I tried to edit a podcast. Here I tell the story of my wrestle with God to try to figure out what He was trying to tell me and teach me.
Episode Discussion PointsI share some journal entries from October 2022 about how I literally felt sick and ill every time I needed to record or edit a podcast.Brainstorming how to deal with podcasting burnout, including reaching out to fellow podcasting friends.Reading the story of Balaam in Numbers 22 about his progress being stopped by an angel that his donkey saw.Balaam said, “All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do.” (Numbers 23:26)At some points in my life I had felt like my blocks have been my own fears, but I didn’t feel that was true this time. I felt like I, like Jacob of old, had been wrestling with an angel.I was finally guided to ask the right question, “What is keeping me from progressing?” And God’s answer to me, and how it impacts this podcast.“Focus on the peace,” when an answer is hard.
InvitationIf you are struggling with your progress being stopped, take it to God. You may need to wrestle with Him a bit for an answer, find some quiet time to read your scriptures, ponder and pray.
Specifically ask God this question, “What is keeping me from progressing?” And then listen.Ask God to help you see and be able to act on the right answer.Then move forward with faith and trust in God and the path He points you toward.
#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #progressstopped #wrestlewithGod #answerstoprayer #prayer #Godguides #trustGod #podcasting
TranscriptionYou can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/what-to-do-when-god-stops-your-progress

Several years ago I went on a hike with my family in Great Basin National Park to see the Bristlecone Pine trees. What I learned about these trees helped me see more clearly how we can all stay strong during times of adversity.
Episode Discussion PointsHow we visited in October 2019 in Great Basin National Park, and Nathan wasn’t very happy about hiking in the snow.As we approached the grove of Bristlecone Pines I was amazed by what I learned reading the placards about these ancient and resilient trees.
 
Facts About Bristlecone PinesSome Bristlecone Pines can live nearly 5,000 years and are the oldest living things on our planet.Most of these pine trees have been alive 3,000 to 5,000 years. Imagine them clinging to rocks when the Romans, Jesus Christ, Cleopatra and the construction of the pyramids.The species are native to the Rocky Mountains and other ranges of the southwestern United States.The usually grow at elevations above 5,500 feet and up to 11,200 feet.We went and saw the Great Basin Bristlecone pines at their high elevationspiral out from seemingly impossible soil of limestone rockBristlecone pines in Great Basin National Park grow in isolated groves just below the tree-line. The conditions in which they live are harsh (with temperatures that drop well below freezing), a short growing season, and high winds that twist the trees into almost human-like forms along their limestone ridges. Because of these conditions Bristlecone Pine grow very slowly, and in some years do not even add a ring of growth.Often they twist into gnarly shapes which makes them very strong and they stay standing for centuries even after the tree dies.The Bristlecone Pines grow in rugged conditions in the high mountains and in the middle of desert valleys.They have an unusual ability to adapt to their environmentsThey can also live in isolation where other species cannot survive
 
3 Tips for Strong Growth in Adversity 
1.     Grow Slow, be patient, wait on GodSlow down in times of adversity, so you can process change, make time to absorb God’s goodness into circumstance and be able to grow strong—producing the resin needed to resist the adversary who wants you to decay.
The bristlecone pine is the world's slowest-growing treeOne tree (which was still alive) had a sample of its core removed which dated back to 1126 BC!!!! Nutrients are scarce, slow-and-steady approach to growth, Example: Hollow Tree: different tree which is about 2000 years old,Grew too fast which made its center more subject to decay—and the tree’s center rottedBut the tree is still alive in its outer rings—being more wise and slow as it has aged.
Related Bible Verses About Slowing Down in AdversityIsaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.James 5:7-8 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
 
2.     Adapt to Adversity: Stronger in ChristFreezing, harsh, remote conditions can make you grow strong and stand the test of time.
The environment’s combo of tough conditions—especially freezing temperatures, dry soils, high winds, and short growing seasons—makes them...

May I share with you my favorite Christmas tradition? Listen as I share with you a little about our Nativity program that we act out as a family every year on Christmas Eve. Bonus: You can even get a copy of the program in the show notes.
Christmas Nativity ProgramYears ago when I was a little girl we began acting out the nativity each year and have kept the tradition each Christmas Eve with our family.I share what this looks like and even give you a peek into what our simple program looks like.Download a copy of my Bible-Based Nativity Christmas Program here.Remember, acting the Nativity out can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, but it doesn’t have to be perfect.The purpose is to have fun and to point us to Jesus Christ during the holiday season. He is the reason for the Christmas season after all.I testify that Jesus Christ lives and loves each of us! Merry Christmas!

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #nativity #christmasprogram #holidaytraditions #christmastraditions #nativity #bible #christmasstory #JesusChrist #BirthofChrist

TranscriptionYou can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/a-peek-at-the-anderson-family-christmas-program

After a move across the country when I was fourteen, Christmas didn't feel quite the same until a knock at our door set in motion a series of events that changed Christmas for the better.
StoryWhen I was fourteen years old, my family moved across the country from Virginia to Arizona. This was a hard move for me as a teenager and I had a hard time making new friends. As Christmas approached, it was a transition to even see the difference in the weather. It didn’t even feel like Christmas in Arizona.
That all changed when twelve days before Christmas a piece of a nativity showed up on our doorstep along with a note about how this was a holiday 12-days of Christmas gift to our family. Each night after that another piece of the nativity showed up.
On Christmas day evening, a sweet family in our congregation showed up with the final piece of the nativity: Jesus Christ.
This family noticed the new family struggling to fit in and adapt and they loved us with the pure love of God. To this day I am thankful that God blessed and filled us with love because of the gift of another family that holiday season.
Holiday Bible VerseIsaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”InvitationIf you are feeling lonely or discouraged this holiday season, I invite you to give of yourself—for it is in giving that we receive.
Talk to God and ask Him who needs to feel His love this holiday season, and how you can be a part of that. He will inspire you to know what to do.
#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #christmasstory #holidaystory #christmasgift #giftoflove #giftofhope #lonely #JesusChrist

TranscriptionYou can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/the-one-piece-at-a-time-nativity-gift

Debbie learned from her parents example the importance of choosing to still celebrate Christmas even when a tragedy struck their family during the holiday season.
Episode Discussion PointsFavorite holiday tradition: buying an ornament the different places they went, and getting one for each of her children too (so they could have ornaments when they got married.)This tradition eventually evolved into Debbie getting each ornament out and telling the story of each ornament.Debbie shares the Christmas season when she was five years old when her oldest brother died in an accident.The miracle that even though the entire town shut down and turned Christmas off after it that they were able to celebrate Christmas every year with joy since then.Debbie says it was almost like her mom tried to celebrate Christmas more joyfully after that—but it was definitely a choice for her to do that.We always remember those who have passed on when the anniversary of their death occurs, but we can choose whether to celebrate it with sadness or with joy (or maybe a bit of both).If you are mourning a death right now and even have a small desire to begin to change that to be something positive, it all starts with a small desire. Then ask God to help you begin that process of healing so you can find more joy and less grief in the memory.
Favorite Bible VerseProverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.”This is especially applicable when we talk about losing those we love to death.
Connect with DebbieWebsite: https://www.authordebbieihlerrasmussen.com/Listen/Read Debbie’s story—Rediscovering her Self-Worth after Divorce, on my podcast.Awesome Christmas presents: The Mystic Trilogy: Mystic Angel, Mystic Lake, and Mystic Mansion.For younger gift recipients: Nessumsar Family - Legend of the Crow, Book 2 is Immanence.
#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #death #grief #holidaygrief #holidayhope #JesusChrist
TranscriptionYou can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/debbie-ihler-rasmussen-choosing-christmas-joy-amidst-grief