Welborn Will Be His Name

Recently we found out that the Welborn name will live on, John, our youngest son and his wife Ashley are going to give us our eighth grandchild, a little boy, to be born in August.  Since Allen is one of two son’s born to Johnny Welborn and his brother’s son had all girls, the Welborn name was held in the balance by our two sons.  Not only is this little boy a welcome addition because he will give our only grandson, Gavin a playmate along with the six granddaughters we now have, but he will assure Allen’s family that the Welborn name will live on for another generation.

Up until I married Allen I didn’t really think to much about the history of my name.  I guess because of the marriage & remarriage that went on all around me, people were changing their names all the time.   To me a name change just meant someone had gotten married again.  When I was about to enter middle school I remember I had to pick between my real fathers last name or my step-father’s.  I chose Sherwood, my step-father’s last name because it would make things simpler since that was now my mom’s last name; fewer questions to answer.  However, my brother kept my real fathers name because he was the last Haynes.

Then I married Allen and became a Welborn.  I can’t begin to tell you how excited and happy I was the first time I went with him to the Hopewell United Methodist Church cemetery.  There grouped together in the family plot was his family history going back over 100 years.  He even showed me his grandfather’s grave who had his first wife buried on his left, who had died during child birth and on his right was his second wife he married and who helped raise his son.  I realized for the first time in my life, I too would now be a Welborn and part of the family history that went with the name, simply by saying “I DO.”

I see so many people who take their name for granted, maybe they were like me and didn’t realize the importance of a name.  It’s not just what we are called but it also represents our piece of history, our legacy….which in today’s society really doesn’t seem to mean a great deal.  But our legacy is a big deal.

Take a look at scripture and you’ll find lots of references to linage.  I always used to skip over the “begets” until Allen mentioned that many unfamiliar names are found in Jesus’ lineage. In that sermon he explained that little is know about many of these, BUT they were important enough to be listed as part of our Lord and Savior’s linage!  Wow, can you imagine going though life thinking you really didn’t matter and then to find out later that you were part of God’s plan to bring salvation to the world?  I try to remember those when I think of myself as unimportant or insignificant. These names mattered.

Of course we can’t talk about names without speaking the name above all names–Jesus.  The bible tells us that this name is above all names and at the mere mention of His name demons will flee and the lost soul who cry’s out to him will be saved.   There is real power in that name!

Sure our names are used to identify who we are and what family we belong too.  But just think about all the names you will be called in your life time (I mean the good names).  I remember the first time my oldest daughter Ashley called me “Mommy” on my wedding day signifying my life had changed forever.  Then there are the times my husband calls me “sweetheart” , “honey” or even “baby”…..he is the only person in the whole world who calls me these names and I feel loved and wonderful when he does!

Then there was the first time my oldest granddaughter Bekah called me “Nanny”.   Before she was born we all decided who would be called what, I was given the name “Me-maw”.   The name Nanny had not even occurred to me, after all we were looking for names that no one else was called to avoid confusion and my Nanny was still with us.  But when Bekah came back from a week long vacation running into the room to hug me and yelled, “Nanny” our of the blue, my heart leapt and the name stuck.  Now that my beloved Nanny is gone, I’m proud to carry that name by my grandchildren.

In my life time I will wear a lot of different names.  Each name signifies a change that took place in my life, step-daughter, wife, friend, lover, mother, grandmother and one day I’ll hear a final name spoken by the Savior of my soul, Jesus.  Revelation 2:17 tells us that those who are saved have been given a name that only Jesus knows and when we see him face to face one day, he’ll speak that name and we’ll know it.

Close your eyes, as I just did, listen to your name being spoken by those who love you most….if you’re like me, it will bring tears to your eyes…….YES, a name really does matter!

Let me and others know how you feel about the special names you are known by………please post a comment to share.

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

Yesterday was our last night at home for several weeks.  We left our home (and comfy bed) for our first of four weeks on the road doing several Right Blend Marriage conferences and revivals….. first stop Pembroke, VA.  We love traveling and ministering in each others company – 24 / 7 – but this is no substitute for an official date night out together.  So when Allen got an e-mail saying that he could purchase a buy one get one free ticket to see South Pacific at the Fox Theatre last night he jumped at the chance for us to do something different.

This was a surprise date night planned and carried out by ALLEN!  I was thrilled when he told me to dress up because he had a special night planned for the two of us.  Was I ever thrilled to hear it wasn’t a date at Turner Field for opening night of the Braves season.  I will be honest and say this possibility did cross my and is why I asked, “What do you mean by dress up?”  When he finally told me of his plan I couldn’t help but think how sweet he was to plan a date with ME in mind!

Wow…it was a great night out on the town, first dinner at my favorite restaurant, walking hand in hand into the Fox Theatre and finding our seats (front and center).  Then two and half hours of watching South Pacific…..a love story AND musical!  It was a wonderful evening that we both enjoyed.  I know it isn’t something we can do often, but it was so much fun to dress up and do something different and I highly recommend you try it, too.

But I think what made the evening so wonderful was the fact that as we drove to the theater we were in traffic with all those Braves fans and my sweet husband didn’t seem to mind, as he put it, “I’m with my favorite date, anything is fun when I’m with her.”  Yea, I know he was really laying it on thick, but who cares!

Now it’s my turn to watch for BOGO on Braves tickets……got any ideas where I can get some?

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

It’s been said, “out of the mouths of babes” comes the most profound truth.  Last month while Allen and I were in the Orlando, FL area leading The Right Blend Marriage Conference at Southpointe Baptist Fellowship we had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with our daughter Erin,  s0n-in-law Reece and our two grandchildren, Gavin (3 1/2 yrs) and Kate (14 months).  Gavin is our only grandson (we have six granddaughters).  Since we always seem to do a lot of “girlie” type things I wanted to do something Allen and his grandson could enjoy together while Kate and I tagged along to take pictures.  After much thought we came up with a day at GATORLAND.

I’m not one who likes reptiles much, but since they would be in a cage I felt I could handle it……just don’t get me close to any snakes!!!   I hate snakes (yep, I really do feel that strongly about them!)  I can’t even watch the Discovery Chanel when they flash on the screen.  Last spring Allen found out just how much I don’t like snakes when we were doing some yard work and I spotted a HUGH one (Allen tried to tell me it was only six inches….but I know what I saw).  I started screaming and hyperventilating as he “slayed” the monster.  I literally had to go inside and rest for a while following the whole experience.  Allen kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to go to Gatorland, I assured him I did after all it wasn’t “Snakeland” and Gavin was thrilled we were going and I didn’t want to miss out on the experience.

The morning passed quickly with no “sightings” that made my skin crawl.  I handled the alligator feeding show, the parakeet habitat and actually enjoyed the alligator wrestling show since Gavin and Allen got to wrestle a gator (they loved it!)  But I should have know by the name “The Close Encounter Show” that I would be in for something different.  Yep, a twelve foot python!  Of course Allen and Gavin had to have their picture taken with it.  Allen even had the picture made into a T-Shirt so he could wear it to play racquetball.

I made it through the experience without passing out, but as we left the show they had a booth were you and your family could sit together and have your picture taken with a baby gator on your lap and a SNAKE around your neck!  Being such a smart, sensitive little man, Gavin realized his nanny & sister Kate had not been in any of the pictures and wanted all of us to have our picture taken with the gator & the SNAKE!!  I can still his words of comfort, “Nanny, don’t be afraid, I’ll be right here!”     My heart racing, Allen about to crack up in laughter and Gavin taking my hand I walked toward the seat knowing in moments the paramedics would have to be called!

I’m reminded of the scripture that tells us to “be still and know that I am God” when we are facing the unknown or a trial that is far to great for us to handle.  God reminds us that we are not alone and He is with us.  Many times we are not alone physically either, we are surrounded by family and friends who take our hand and lead us to sit down and be “still” as we encounter that which seems so frighting.  Often when I’ve been afraid and want to scream or panic I’ve looked around and saw that I had five little pairs of eyes watching me and I’d find the strength to “be still” in an effort to show my little ones God can be trusted.  He has never let me down.

So I sat down, my family surrounded me, I closed my eyes and opened them just for a moment to take a picture, a picture I can’t even look at without getting the creeps!  No one can believe I did it, they are amazed, but if it were not for that cute little boy who held my hand and told me not to be afraid, oh, the things we’ll do for our grandchildren!  I’m so glad tomorrow my four granddaughters are coming for a visit and I can go back to having spa night……pedicures, manicures and facials…..now that’s my kind of experience!!!

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

I finally have proof, I do drive while Allen sleeps!!  For years Allen has poked fun at me saying he is the only one who drives while I curl up and take a nap….while it is true driving in the car for any length of time does cause me get sleepy, I do help out with the driving….. sometimes.  The past three weeks have been so ministry packed I had to take my turn at the wheel.

Ladies Tea @ Calvary Cross Link Ministries – Friday, February 26th we traveled from Atlanta to Harrisonburg, VA so I could speak at our son John & daughter-in-law Ashley’s ladies event on Saturday.  It was the first one Ashley had hosted and such a joy for me to participate in.  There were about 35-40 ladies present and it was a great event, Ashely made me so proud, she is such a great helpmate for John and a wonderful pastor’s wife!  The ladies responded to my encouragement and Ashley called the next day to share that what had started at the tea spilled over to the Sunday morning service and they had the best response at the invitation that they have had in the five months since they have been there.  PTL!

Next stop:  Every Believer A Witness @ Guilford BC, Greensboro, NC – started on February 28th.  It was great to spend time with Pastor Alex & his sweet wife Jennie.  They are a young couple who seemed to eat up our encouragment and advice.  We know they will have a long and fruitful ministry.  The meeting went great with lots of positive feedback and excitement as the congregation shared their witnessing experiences during the week long meeting

Then home for 12 hours and off to The Right Blend Retreat for New Union BC in the mountains of GA.  With 25 couples present we had a wonderful time of renewal and fellowship up the in mountains.

Then off to Thomasville, NC for Allen to start Every Believer A Witness @ Oakhill Memorial BC – it was a great meeting, but extended one day due to a snow storm that caused one night to be canceled.  Pastor Alex was so excited to see his people responding that he made every effort to insure we finish the process and his people showed up strong on Thursday.

Then on Friday, March 12th we headed down to FL to do The Right Blend Sunday @ South Point Baptist Fellowship on March 14th.   Wow, what a wonderful conference that was!  God showed up in a powerful way, lots of tears and recomittments made!  Then finally home on Wed. March 17th!!

Allen and I have been so blessed these past several weeks as we’ve shared God’s truth and met so many wonderful people.  God continues to open doors for us to minister and we are humbled by His blessing of our efforts.

On top of ministry we also got to have a LOT of fun!  We celebrated my birthday and our 27th anniversary.  We visited with family while in NC and FL.  We spent two days at Disney with our daughter Erin & her family and got to take our two grandbabies to Gatorland!   How cool is that?  I personally feel so blessed and happy to be on the road with my sweetie…..even if I do have to drive sometimes!

I’d love to hear about some of your recent travels…..make a comment to share!

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

Thanks to everyone who participated. Sandi was very encouraged by your birthday wishes and all of your response. Congratulations to the winner!

#27 Shannon: What a great blog! I’m always looking for ways to improve my marriage. Hope you have a fabulous birthday Sandi!

Shannon, please email info@therightblend.org before next Tuesday March 23 with your contact information so we can mail the gift to you.

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

Hey everybody!!

As many of you know, Sandi’s birthday is today!  To celebrate with her, we want to GIVE one of YOU a present: Sandi’s book, Ashley Welborn’s CD and a $25 giftcard to Darden restaurants (choose between Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn, and Bahama Breeze). Think Date Night!

What do you have to do to win? Just leave a comment on this post with some birthday wishes for  Sandi, that simple!

You can also gain more entries by:

1. Watching Allen and Sandi’s story video and leave an additional comment saying you did.
2. Becoming a follower of TheRightBlend on Twitter and leave an additional comment saying you did.
3. Sharing on YOUR Twitter about this giveaway and leave an additional comment for every time you do so.
4. Sharing on YOUR Facebook about this giveaway and leave an additional comment for every time you do so.

You have until next Monday March 15^th to enter. We’ll be announcing a winner on Tuesday March 16^th at noon so don’t forget to come back and check!

* Each comment counts as one entry
* There will be 1 winner chosen via Random.org
* Winner must reply within 5 days or a new winner will be chosen

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

This past month we had several cancelations due to weather so Allen and I found ourselves at home…..with little cash to spare.  Time to get creative with DATE NIGHT!

Since we travel a lot and often miss a lot of our favorite shows we decide to make a date night at home, we called it Favorite Show Night.  We each picked one of our personal favorites and then one show we both liked to watch.  Since it was snowy and cold outside it gave us the perfect excuse to light up the fireplace, pop some popcorn and snuggle on the couch together.

In honor of date night I willingly gave Allen control of the remote since he gets a bit frustrated with my lack of skill in fast-forwarding through the commercials.  We settled in for a relaxing night of TV with the fireplace as our only light, it was very romantic and easy on the wallet.

Although we don’t recommend TV time as a regular date night, taking turns watching each others favorite show TOGETHER in the same room can be a subtle way of showing your spouse that you loving being with them even more than you dislike a particular show even if it means you might end up watching an episode of The Bachelor.  Thank you honey, you’re the best!

Do you have a favorite show to watch together?  What is it?

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

I’m so excited to announce I’ve written a book called The Right Blend and it was recently published!  It was a labor of love that I started  over 15 years ago by writing down thoughts and stories in hopes of one day seeing it in print.   Now that it is finally in print I’ve wondered, WILL ANYONE WANT TO READ IT?

I hope so.  I think you’ll find that it is full of funny touching stories that point you to our wonderful Savior.  I had two goals when writing the book, first to let people know that no matter what circumstance you may find yourself in if you’ll just turn to God and His Word you’ll find hope.  Second, I wanted to share my personal story in hopes that it would encourage others to follow Gods plan for their life.  I’ve been bless to find that those who have read the book say they came away with both.

Here is what some have said about the book:

“Sandi, I couldn’t put the book down once I started.  I laughed and cried though the whole thing.”
- Peggy, CA

“I read it on my lunch break and at night before going to bed.  I couldn’t put it down.  What a blessing your book is to anyone who reads it.”
- Teresa, VA

“Mom, I cried and laughed though the whole book.  I remembered some of the stories, but a lot of them I didn’t know.  Your book was really great.  I love you and am glad your are my mom.”
- Erin, FL

“I gave one of the 10 copies I bought to my neighbor next door.   She told me she couldn’t put it down and that it was a real encouragement to her to trust God.  Thank you for sharing your story so other can find hope too.”
- Reva, OH

I feel so blessed to say I could go on and on with the may kind words that have been shared with me by those who have read the book.  I guess one of the greatest complements I’ve recieved was for my pastor’s wife Janet Hunt to read the book and than be eager to write the forward for me.   She wrote the follow:

“Sandi offers practical advice and Godly wisdom for life issues and love concerns.  The Right Blend is also a beautiful love story of how two people fell in love and found God’s will for their lives.”
- Janet Hunt, First Lady of FBCW, Woodstock, GA

I feel so blessed to have my pastor Dr. Johnny Hunt and his wife Janet’s friendship and support for this book and our ministry.  It’s Allen’s and my desire to point others to our Savior.  His wonderful Words say it all, “For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, they are plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jer. 29:11  Time and again those words have encouraged me and lifted me up in times of despair.

I hope you will join the others across the country who have been blessed by what God has done for me and my family and then will share that hope with others.  Simply click on the link below to place your order.

http://therightblend.org/home/the-book/

Thank you for all your prayers and support you give to our ministry.   Let me know what you think of the book THE RIGHT BLEND by posting a comment for others to read below.

God Bless!
SANDI

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

The other day I was talking with my only grandson who is soon to be four, on the phone.  He is all boy and loves animals of all kinds.   But unfortunately for him, his mother (our daughter Erin) is not at all taken with any kind of furry creature.  So when I ask my grandson what he wanted me to get him for his birthday I was amused when he replied without hesitation, ‘Nanny, I want you to get me a hamster.’

Of course I encouraged him to tell me more and was delighted by the thought of my daughter dealing with this cute little furry creature on a daily basis.  My daughter, who was standing by while her son described his desire for this gift in detail, could tell by his chatter that Nanny wasn’t discouraging this gift.  He had after all picked the grandparent who tends to be a bit rebellious and will at times bend the rules, especially if it make her grandbabies happy.

My daughter finally got the phone from my grandson to find me laughing at the thought of this wonderful addition to her family.  ”Mom, you can’t get him a real hamster.  He doesn’t want one of those, he wants a battery operated one.  They make those and they are really popular.”

“Erin, he doesn’t want a battery operated hamster.  In fact if I get him one hamster, I really need to get him two so they wont be lonely.”  I was having way to much fun with this, but that’s what is so much fun about being a grandparent!

After all I’ve put in my time.  Having raised five children, two dogs, one turtle (who lived with us for nine years in three states despite my prayers for his demise).  Once we even had two chicks given to the kids by there Papaw.   They grew up to be roosters and almost got us kicked out of the sub-division we lived in.  Yes, I think I’d earned my moment of pleasure at visions of little hamsters running wild through her home.

I hung up the phone by assuring my daughter that I would have to really think this one through, after all I had always tried to give my grandbabies what they ask for and he didn’t mention anything about batteries.

As I’ve pondered the question of “real” or “imitation” I have had to ask myself what has this world come to when you can buy battery operated hamsters?  Everything in todays world seems to be more inviting if it looks real and can be enjoyed, but doesn’t come with all the responsibility or trouble of something that is real.

A lot of people look at their relationships in the same way which only results in a lack of commitment and creates an atmosphere of selfishness.  We may want to have the company of another, but we don’t really want to be bothered with the daily “mess” a long term relationship might entail.  When the batteries run down and the novelty wears off why not just look for something newer and less work?

We’ve forgotten that most of life’s joy comes from hard work and committment to being there day in and day out.   We find that we can enjoy the fun times even more because we’ve made it through the “messy” times.  When the batteries run low but we keep moving forward “together” we find that batteries  can be recharged and even seem stronger than before.  Even when the novelty wears off we find that it is replaced with something that can’t be found in things that are new.  We find ourselves in a place of security and familiarity that says, “I can trust you” even without a word spoken.

This Valentines Day I’m thankful for what is real in my life.  My wonderful husband who I know I can trust and who I have no doubt loves me.  I plan on letting him know how thankful I am that I have him to share my life with, through the good times and even the messy times.  I’m so thankful he isn’t looking for something new, but seem to be so happy with the familiar….me.  I hope you are thankful for what is real in your relationships…..don’t accept the imitations, in the end they wont bring you happiness.

Oh, and what about the hamster?  Real or “battery operated”?  Let me know what you think I should do……             SANDI

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace

We had a great time with the group from Union BC this past Friday and Saturday as we all gathered at the GA Baptist Conference Center.  Everyone seemed eager to seek ways to make their relationships stronger and a reflection of God’s Word.  It was our joy to share our story and then spend time during the breaks hearing their many stories of how God was at work in their lives.

Several of the couples shared the challenges they faced and ask that we all pray for them as they sought to stay the course and “finish together”.  Each couple seemed to agree, it was great to get away from the “norm” and take a time out to focus on their relationship.  We were blessed to lead in times of study and helping to point them to God’s Word for hope and encouragement.

Pastor Rudy Camp and his sweet wife have a heart for their people and set an example for the others to follow.  Pastor Rudy had called us after his prior plans for speakers hit a “snag” due to a health issue.   Follow the retreat he told us he felt the Lord had planned our joining them from the start and was pleased with the way things had turned out…..we had to agree, we were truly blessed to take part in this great time of retreat and fellowship!  Our prayers and thought are with all of you in Winder, GA and hope our paths will cross again soon!

Tweet This Post Facebook MySpace