Archive for Friendships

tam | February 13, 2013

The Fight Is Worth It

The past is the past. Today is now. Tomorrow is full of hope.

I challenged a friend to say this out loud each morning before their feet hit the floor. Easy words to say but not easy to live out.

The past is the past? What does that even mean, Tam? I’ve never been able to forget my past. The saying, “forgive and forget”… Forgive? Yes. Forget? I’m not sure we truly can. In spending years dealing with my past I have learned a few things.

1-While it is hard to bless and release offenders, it is one of the most therapeutic, powerful and freeing choices one can make.
2-Forgiving does not equal condoning, it equals releasing their/its power over you.
3-Past memories that often creep into mind can serve as two powerful tools…
* Uninvited memories of offenses can be valuable reminders to empathize with others currently struggling to forgive.
* Memories of poor past decisions personally made can serve as reminders of whom we do not want to be again.
4-Invite a handful of safe, and trusted, people to surround you. Get honest and vulnerable before them and allow them to help you navigate through healing and forgiving.
5-Sit quietly with God as often as you can. Just listen. Be still and know He is God…we are not.

Choosing to sit in the past is like hardening cement to the soul – quick sand to the heart. Dig out. The fight is worth it.

Category: abuse, Action, Confessions, convictions, courage, Forgiveness, Freedom, Friendships, God, Healing, lessons, Life, Memories, opinion, perspective, trust |

tam | February 6, 2013

No comments

Guybrow to Guybrows one pluck at a time

Let’s be honest…even men should groom their eyebrows. At least the unruly ones, right? Well, below is what happens when a few ladies just can’t take an unruly mans eyebrows any longer…

GuyBrow from Brent Hodge on Vimeo.

Nate Lampa, Laura Elizabeth, Kass Hodge

Category: Beauty, courage, embarrassing, Entertainment, Friendships, Funny, Health & Beauty, Hurt, hygiene, Intervention, Life, Living, Love, men, trust | Tags: beauty, guybrow, guybrows, hygiene, maintenance, tweezing

tam | January 30, 2013

40 comments

Heaven got a gift tonight…

I just found out this evening that Scott Frantz, one of our very first blogging friends to ever come and stay with us, went to be with the Lord tonight. Darla, his wife, and I became very close friends and have considered each other family for almost 6 years now. Their kids…our kids. Let me tell you – I’ve heard from tons of people that internet friendships aren’t as deep as face to face ones – well, tonight…I feel like we have lost an extension of us. It hurts like family.

Scott…gosh we will miss you, friend. You were a top notch husband and one of the most loving dads I have ever met. Your talent as a musician left me speechless. Your ability to drop one liners like a drive-by and cause a whole room to fall off their chairs in laughter was just stellar. Oh, how Heaven must be rejoicing to have you home! We will watch after your beautiful family. And we know you will, too. Love you, always…

Scott, giving his girl, Lacy, away at her wedding.

[The post below was originally posted on July 2, 2008.]

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I’ve decided I am not letting the strange people from PA go home on Saturday! They’re just gonna have to send for their belongings…“in accordance with the prophecy”

cut off the hubbies in the back. oops! & kota and derek – BFF!!! hehe

the crew! & derek in an antique store. he’s a riot!

the Princess and me – she’s SO cute!!

Darla and I were talking today about how we didn’t think it would be so hard preparing for the day they have to leave. We keep having to remind ourselves to enjoy the moment we’re living in NOW. Cause now is what we have. But we didn’t expect to get so attached. I think she put a spell on me

Do you have those moments in life when things just catch you off guard? Things that become more than you ever expected? Then what???

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[Please pray for this beautiful family]

Category: Family, Friendships, Life, Relationships |

tam | June 12, 2012

5 comments

Happy Hodge+Tennessee Anniversary!

One year ago, June 13th, we crossed over the TN state line after a 5 day 2,300 mile journey from Southern Oregon. This was a huge move for our family but a move we knew we were called to make and needed to make.

Though we left family and the closest friends we’ve ever had…this is home. This is home.

This faith journey has been amazing. It has been scary. It has been enlightening. Motivating. Lonely. Fulfilling. Thrilling. Inspiring. Challenging. It has been everything we expected and more. We all have grown tremendously this last year.

Brent continues to flourish in his role as Campus Pastor at Cross Point’s Hendersonville campus.

The kids are knee deep in ministry and music activities and they love every second of it.

They both play on the adult and youth teams. Here’s a video of both of them on team for a youth function. Kota on drums and Kass on lead.

I am nearing the end of completing my 1st book.

We are all soaking in this towns creative pulse. We feed off of it. We love just walking the streets of downtown taking everything in

We are growing accustomed to the whacky weather and insects. We’re even calling ‘BBQ’ing’ “Grillin Out” now after being told that, “BBQ is something you eat, not do!”. But a shopping cart is still a shopping cart…not a Buggy.

To all here who have embraced us, welcomed us in and walked us through this first year…Thank you! You have made this journey so much easier for our family.

Thank you Cross Point for taking a chance on us. We love serving with you!

We love Tennessee!

It’s good to be home.

Category: Anniversary, Book, Cross Point, Faith, Family, Friendships, God, Kids, Life, Living, Love, Ministry, Nashville, trust, video |

tam | January 5, 2012

35 comments

That Was SO 2011! [via MTTV]

Way back in the day a little southern fireball and I used to make videos together. We’ve taken a very long break. But, now, we are back people!!

We have nothing to say but you should totally listen. Trust us.

Category: announcement, Blogging, comedy, Community, community service, Friendships, Fun, Funny, Humor, Laughter, MTTV, opinion, video |

tam | September 18, 2011

19 comments

What Are You Waiting For?

I’m just gonna get right to the meat of this post…

I’ve been a part of many funerals and memorial services in my lifetime. And the one statement I have heard over and over is…

I wish I would’ve had the chance to tell them…

May I please point out the obvious here?

As long as we still have breath – we still have the chance.

What are you waiting for…

Tell them.

Category: Action, Community, Confessions, convictions, courage, Death, DO something, Faith, Family, Friendships, Gitz, Grace, Living, Love |

tam | September 1, 2011

30 comments

I’m Coming Back.

Being back in Oregon for a short visit has been amazing in ways I didn’t expect.

First off…upon flying into the Valley I realized that this isn’t home any longer. Yet, this is where my history and long-time heart connections are. Whereas in Nashville…it already is home to me. And the long-time heart connections will come eventually. But, Oregon simply isn’t home anymore. And that’s ok.

We are exactly where we are suppose to be in Nashville. It is very evident as I see my husband and children flourish and spread their wings there. My heart is “fixin” to burst over that

My last year in Oregon was very tough. I had shared with Brent several times that with each passing day there I felt a small piece of me die. I lost my desire for creativity. I struggled to find energy. My ambition and drive dwindled minute by minute.

When we learned we were moving to Nashville in June I just knew I would come to life again. Nashville breeds creatives. Its pulse of creativity is felt everywhere you go.

We arrive in Nashville and I am anxious to build a routine and waken my slumbered brain only to end up in the ER within 2 weeks. Major surgery 2 weeks after that. Recovery. And, lastly, an unplanned not-so-pleasant dental visit.

Then, I’m off to Oregon for a 10 day visit and back in the place where I once felt 6 feet under only to find that this trip has brought me back to life again.

Strange, isn’t it?

And honestly, I can’t even explain why this is. It just is.

It has left me so excited to start living again. I can’t get home soon enough. I feel like Tam is coming back. New and improved.

When I return I’m just gonna dig in and go for it. Whatever that means – whatever that looks like.

Action.

I am not only coming back to Nashville on saturday…I am really coming back. All of me.

Thanks Oregon!

Category: Community, desire, Discipline, Family, Friendships, Life, Living, Moving, Nashville, perspective, Relationships |

tam | July 26, 2011

33 comments

The hard questions…

Ya know the funny thing about yesterdays post - I crave for the people in my life to be open and honest with me. Yet, I was not with so many last week.

Today I ran across a post in my drafts where I had written this:

I love, love, LOVE when people are real and forthcoming with me. When they know they can tell me anything. My goal in relationships is to let other people know I am safe and trustworthy. That is a very important quality to me so I assume it is important to others as well. Being a safe place to land for a loved one is crucial to me.

Then I asked myself… So, Tam, what you are expecting from others you are not truly willing to return?

I went on to read in this post-draft:

…and it hurts when I learn that something, or some things, have been withheld from me by a loved one/close friend. Perhaps I am not the safe place I thought I had constructed.

And this all has left me with a question…

Are we really the kind of friends that we expect others to be to us?

Are we doing enough self-evaluating? Are we allowing others to challenge us and speak the hard truths into our lives?

People. Fellowship. Community – all essentials of living. Togetherness.

I believe that when a community, any community, can expose who they really are…they link arm and arm together – creating a bond that with each link becomes harder to break.

At this moment, I am evaluating the strength of the link I am responsible for…

Will you?

Category: accountability, Confessions, convictions, Friendships, Life, Living, Relationships, trust |

tam | July 7, 2011

39 comments

One Thing

What is the one thing that can potentially break your trust in a friendship?

What is the one thing you value most in friendships?

Would you be your own best friend? Why or why not?

Category: Authenticity, Forgiveness, Friendships |

tam | June 19, 2011

22 comments

What I Learned Our First Sunday At Cross Point

Sunday, Father’s Day, was Brent’s first official day as Campus Pastor at Cross Points North Campus in Goodlettsville, TN.

This was not the first time we’ve been to Cross Point. (I will go more in to how we got to Nashville in the first place some other time) When we rolled into town on Monday, the 13th, we were greeted by a few handfuls of people from the North Campus Community. They met us with pizza, gifts, essentials and more. And within an hour, they had our entire moving truck unloaded with boxes appropriately placed in our home. It was spectacular!

And while the gifts and thoughtfulness were very much appreciated we were even more grateful, and taken aback, by the selfless servanthood each person displayed. From elementary school age on up. They were truly glad to be there, pitching in…for people they didn’t even know.

Sunday, our first official day at CP – there was more of the same. I witnessed countless people serving, volunteering and jumping in to help on the fly.

And the reception we were given, welcoming our family to the North Campus, was nothing short of beautiful. Each and every person who made their way, went out of their way, to meet or greet us, was genuine and without pretense. We felt that. We knew they were all sincere.

Community displayed.

Community that has been modeled by leaders that selflessly serve as well.

And walking away from this day I learned a couple Essentials of Community.

Be authentic.

Love people.

Be intentional wherever you are.

These are the three attributes…authenticity, love and intentionality, I saw weaved in, and throughout, every person, in each new friend, that touched our lives this week.

And it will be an honor to serve alongside them. To learn from them all.

Cross Point, thank you for having us. We love you!