Last night we were invited to a gala to raise money for a wonderful Christian based organization called TreeHouse in the Minneapolis area. They provide support for troubled teens.
The function was held at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis. It's a beautiful old building full of character. Whoever decorated this year must have known I was coming;) It was just beautiful... a sea of color with large trees and hanging paper hearts. The walls were saturated with fuchsia and teal lights and shapes of leaves. It was gorgeous.
Each table was set up with a color theme...we were at the lime green table. My favorite color:) They had candles set up throughout that were just tall hurricanes wrapped in velum paper. So simple and easy. I'm so going to remember that!
Remember the award winning movie The Blind Side?? We got to see the real life family IN PERSON. How cool is that?? They were the perfect people to have because they walked the walk. They took a trouble teen in and the results were so amazing that Hollywood came a knockin' and a movie was made about their lives. Their adopted son Michael is now starting for the Baltimore Ravens.
Leigh Anne Tuohy was played by Sandra Bullock in the movie and I have to say Sandra nailed her part. This lady was tough AS nails. She deserved that Academy award!
Everyone in the audience could write down questions that the family would answer and I guess a few were really pretty silly. Like someone asked if having the movie made has changed her life at all. She more or less said they must have come off the short bus because, Yes having Sandra Bullock play you, then win an academy award about you, Sandra's husband falling off the deep end and then she adopts her own black baby boy...yes that's pretty life changing.
Amy Grant was the special music. When I heard she was going to perform I was beyond excited! I grew up listening to her, and even saw her in concert as a teen. She was the pioneer for all of Christian music today. I love her soulful husky voice. I was always able to sing along to her songs. She sang some of my very favorites...Baby Baby, El Shadai, her new Hallelujah song etc... She was really amazing.
She is 49 years old. Can you believe that? She was so beautiful and I loved her soft sweet presence. She talked a lot between songs and she shared a story of her mother in law that really touched my heart. It was about someone taking the time to take her to church with them and she gave her heart to the Lord.
That was the theme of the night. Looking around...opening your eyes to someone who needs a helping hand. I left inspired and anxious to touch lives. What if we all went looking for someone to bless...someone to be kind to??? I know I want my life to matter. I want my life to have eternal results. To be a blessing and to show His love...what a great calling.
The most important part of the evening by far were the teens that walked through the aisles and shared their story. This young man, I think his name was Trey, was only eighteen. He lived his life going from state to state. By the time he was 7 he had lived in 32 states! His parents and family members operated one of the largest prostitution rings. His dad was a pimp and his mom helped him. He was separated from his siblings when his parents ended up in jail.
He was angry and full of hate and actually tried to kill one of his classmates. He was thrown out of school and then he found TreeHouse. His life was transformed because they took the time to support him and guide his life. He is a different person because they CARED. He's been accepted to college and in the Fall he will start a new path. It was sooooo inspirational!
So that leads me to the giveaway. We got gift bags in our seats...YAY! So guess what? You get to benefit from that:) I have an extra copy of Amy Grant's new CD Somewhere Down the Road and the DVD The Blind Side.
To enter just leave me a comment about someone giving you a helping hand during a hard time in your life. Was there a special teacher who took interest in you, a pastor...a friend?? I will pick a winner on Wednesday.
Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
Have a blessed day.
I am so glad it was a fun night. Everything sounds amazing and you looked fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteWow, Becky, such a neat organization!! Thanks for sharing. And, you looked great!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!!
What a beautiful event. You looked so nice.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this counts but our adopted son was quite troubled as an adolescence and a teen. We went through so much. Makes me exhausted just thinking about it. My husband and I supported him and loved him throughout it all.
WOW, what an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing! My brother in law has a book out that he wrote that shares his life and struggles growing up as a child and troubled teenager in foster care.
ReplyDeletehttp://mommyfortwo.blogspot.com/2009/11/scars-that-can-heal-by-david-louis.html
It's REALLY good to hear that there are people and programs out there supporting troubled teens.
What a great blog post!!
I would have to say that my mom has always been there for me whenever I needed a helping hand. ESPECIALLY when I was a teen!! I never realized it until I got older of course. She kept me from joining gangs, she prevented me from starving to death when I was anorexic, and her strict ways during my teen years kept me away from drugs and sex. She's always been there in all my tough times. I thank God for her EVERYDAY!!
God Bless You!! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!!
I agree with Jeanne ~ you look fabulous!! What a wonderful night Becky ~ I am so glad you shared it with us. I do have someone in my life ~ I met her about 20 years ago and she took me under her wing and is still like a big sister to me. I surprised her at work last week while I was on vacation and she took her lunch break ~ we walked to the park and sat and talked and talked. She has been there for me so much and although our lives have taken us in different directions ~ it feels so good to reconnect. Have a wonderful Memorial Day week-end!
ReplyDeleteBecky! Saw this lovely mother and daughter on tv last night and thought, wow, Tree House must be a wonderful organization! And I've also been loving Amy Grant's Hallelujah, so this post really ties up the week for me! The Depot is a challenging place to decorate ~ so huge ~ but it looks enchanting in your photos!! And you and your DATE look great! Fun night and a super cause. I'd have to say that my mom has always been my biggest cheerleader, spiritual guide and best friend. I'm a lucky lucky girl. xx P&H
ReplyDeletewow! how awesome is that! very inspirational topped off with amy!!! you looked fabulous!!! i would have to say that i had wonderful youth group leaders and friends! and i have always had the Lord in my heart! i dont know how anyone lives in this world without Him! glad you had fun! xo
ReplyDeleteyou look amazingly gorgeous my friend!
ReplyDeletewhat an awesome night
did you see them on extreme home makeover? what an amazing family indeed
& ive always loved amy
when gregg was sick i met a family that literally saved me during his sickness & then death
i owned a giftshop at the time
& one of my employees had 3 highschool children.
they loved on my babies
made us cookies
cleaned & painted our home
like they were sent straight from heaven.
gregg died two weeks before thanksgiving. they invited my little family and my extended family over for a lavish meal. i'll never forgot how loved & cherished each of them made us feel...& her children were highschoolers at the time.
selfless indeed
xo
Thanks for this post. I loved the movie Blind Side and wish I were more like Leigh Ann Tuochy. I like that her character is portrayed as strong, assertive, loving and kind.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes we get too caught up with the idea that our contributions have to be huge in order to have eternal significance. We don't know how our kindness toward someone will influence them. I guess I mention this because we need to have people who do big jobs, such as starting an organization like Tree House, and people who do smaller things, like encouraging others to be their best.
I'm not sure if this sounds positive or not, but it was meant to be. I'm new to reading your blog and I really like it!
What a great program! I have been blessed to have "angels" as I call them come into my life out of no where and give me the little talks I have needed. I don't know how they happened to cross my path, but each of them was so very appreciated at the time!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I grew up on Amy, too! I have EVERY cassette!
ReplyDeleteOne person... I'd have to say my grandmother. She is who I want to be when I grow up.
WOW...what a night! And you sure clean up good girl LOL You look so beautiful! I think my 7th grade teacher helped me a lot. I still had a ton of freckles and she was so pretty...she really made me feel that I was someone special..from that time on, I was! Come say hi sometime :D
ReplyDeleteone summer i was a missionary at a boys prison. it was eye-opening for my little sheltered Christian world but it was also life changing. i lived with a local family who loved on me and provided the backdrop for a difficult gut wrenching summer. a year later when i married they sent us on a cruise for our honeymoon asking that we just remember to pass it on. i think of them every time we take people in, extend a hand or a check. many many many teens have received 'their' gift.
ReplyDelete1st of all... hubba hubba girlfriend! And 2nd of all God is already using you to bless. It's amazing really. and you totally bless me!
ReplyDeleteOh my...first of all I LOVE Amy Grant and we also saw her in concert and her opening act was none other than Micheal W. Smith!!! AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI am a 2 time cancer survivor so I have many people that have been a huge help to me but the biggest one has been my husband. Through thick and thin, through sickness and health...with or without boobies...he loves me. I am thankful everyday that God has blessed me with such an amazing husband.
Okay I know the little black dress shot was totally for ME, since I asked ya to share. (wink) You looked so cute, and you are such a blessing to others! Way to share love girlfriend. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this post! So inspiring...
ReplyDeleteI have to say that my mom is amazing for never giving up on me when I was rebelling during my teenage years. I hurt her in so many ways that time yet she kept opening her arms for me to come back to her and to God. You can say I was a prodigal daughter. I'm so lucky to have a mom like her.
Oh man, I sooo needed to be in the audience! Looks like you had a fabulous time! She really is an inspiring lady! And look at you and the hubs all dressed up...what a snazzy couple! ;o)
ReplyDelete~mary~
It is so true you looked fabulous. Did Amy Grant sing "Better than a Hallelujah" it is my new favorite song.The pictures of then event were pretty wonderful too! OK the person who has helped me through a tough time would be my 29 year old son... I have been diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. He was there when the doctor told me my diagnosis, held my hand when I have had my surgeries and sat with me during treatment. The best part about it all is he made jokes about anybody and everything.He never treats me like I have cancer he just treats me with love and makes fun of how cRazy I am! He is my Hero and he loves God with all of his heart! Everybody thinks their children are of course the best, but when they are willing to stand in the gap for you & pray for you that's when you know "I am one blessed Mom!!"
ReplyDeleteWhen I was at a painful crossroads in my young life a strong older Christian woman took an interest in me, put up with some reviling, (I thought I knew everything what teen doesn't!) & saw past the large chip on my shoulder, told me God had a plan for me, & demonstrated His word with her unconditional love & acceptance. Proving the adage, "go out & preach the Gospel, & only if necessary use words". God bless you, everyday, Marilyn!, for introducing me to your best friend, (now mine) Jesus.
ReplyDeleteBecky, thanks for this wonderful giveaway, & the chance to share how important it is to notice troubled young people. That was many years ago, & yet as if it happened yesterday, so great the blessing!
ReplyDeleteChanticlear1@gmail.com
What an inspirational evening and post!
ReplyDeleteI have been blessed by many beautiful souls... I hope I bless others as I have been blessed!
what a wonderful experience! I'm so glad you got to be there.
ReplyDeleteIt was my high school teacher that honestly paid special attention to me and changed my life. I was coming out of a very awkward junior high period, and in a small school without any close friends. She was the most positive and inspirational person, going out of her way to see how I was doing. Always making the effort to get a smile out of me or see the brighter side of things.
All I can say is she has changed my outlook on life forever, just by taking the time to help me when I needed it.
Becky,
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful and just deeply meaningful night for you. So thrilled that you got to be a part. Amy Grant...how so very cool is that! You and your honey look so handsome and in shape if I can say this than ever. Just smiling that after a day of your parents leaving that you experienced something joyful and happy.
Smiles to your Memorial Day Weekend!
Oh and p.s. I would be thrilled to spend some time with you and Lissa. We need to make this happen...deal?!
Here is my funny for you. People that know me and have seen that movie will come up to me and say you are Sandra Bullock in that movie!!!! Have you seen it?!!!!! Not certain what that says about my personality except the words my Mom said, "fierce- gracefulness". Oh my! Hoping I can do in life what that family did for what became their son, their family. Love that real life fairy tale story.
Love you friend....you are a beautiful light to this world. Know this!
Thanks for the chance - the person who helped me the most was my 2nd grade teacher - just before school started that year my father was killed by a drunk driver and she let me cry when i needed to and was there through the hard times that year - I will always remember Mrs West for her kind heart and caring words.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new reader and I just love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have been pretty blessed to have a good and happy life. I have some amazing parents. A few years ago I was going through a divorce and my career was a mess. My parents were my rock during that time...the two most supportive and encouraging people I knew. They helped me to stay strong and pick up the pieces. Thanks to them I moved on and now have a good job, a wonderful husband and a fantastic life!!
you're tuggin' at my heartstrings now ...
ReplyDeleteah Amy ... love love love her
AND your folks are as cute as a button!
What a special event and great organization. The whole thing looked so beautiful also.
ReplyDeleteMy husband (who was only a friend at the time) came along my side when I was going through a rough time in my life. Really just searching...he was such a great friend and prayed for me and encouraged me - not for any reason but because he knew I needed to draw close to the Lord. He is an amazing man like that :)
What a neat organization. I am so thankful to have parents who lift me up during the hard times, and never ever stop pouring the Word of God into my heart. That right there is the best helping hand I could have ever received.
ReplyDeletewhat fun! i'll never forget sitting in the nail salon one day when amy walked in, back to her daughter in the pedi chair, and back out. the lady next to me was nearly hyperventilating "that...was...amy...GRANT!!!!..." lol. i didn't DARE tell her that i've run into her several times as her kids go to a school where several of my friends work!
ReplyDeleteas for those who have helped me during the hard times? i'm so blessed to have multiple answers to that one. i'd say dotty, my high school nurse, was the first though. she was the one who helped me process and work through my eating disorder the first go-around when my parents refused to acknowledge anything was wrong. though i relapsed later, i SO appreciate all she did...and truly i count her among my closest confidantes to this day. every time i go home i try to visit her and her husband (she retired while i was still in high school) and my boyfriend adores them too :)
You look FABULOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful evening! And I have to agree with everyone else on how beautiful you look!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I had many, many church leaders who took an active interest in my life. If I had to name one, then I would have to name several. Now that I am all grown up (hahaha!)and a mother of many, I can see what a sacrifice it was for them and I appreciate it all the more.
Wow...sounds like a really amazing event! And what a great organization for helping teens:)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a great time Becky!
ReplyDeleteMy mother is a special person in my life. Of course, I didn't realize how special until I was an adult but we talk almost everyday now, we are each other's listening board, and we support each other through everything. Thank God for my mother!
thank you for sharing the lovely tables
ReplyDeleteand sweet inspiration from a wonderful
organization.
i am mentoring a six year old, who asked
me if i would be her mentor next year.
i told her i would still be her mentor when
she was a grandma, if she still wanted me.
Thanks for the sweet note about Annie...I was pretty proud of my little girl :) It still makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome night! I LOVE the depot! My lil sis had her wedding reception there & it was so fun to see everyone ice skating in their gowns! If we would have had Amy Grant it would have had Amy Grant it would have been the perfect night! :)
sorry i'm super late on this postie! i love your hair... the pictures of you are gorgeous! what a beautifully meaningful event! it's great to hear about the Lord's workings through organizations like this! i am like the only person ever who hasn't seen the blind side! (gasp!) i remember my sweet sunday school teacher who encouraged me and walked me through the loss of my dad when i was 9. thank God for people who reach out!
ReplyDeleteBecky, what and exciting and heartwarming evening!! Can I say, you are getting more beautiful every time you post a picture!!
ReplyDeleteps love Amy Grant!!
Sounds like an incredible night! I guess my most recent 'helping hand' was while my dad was so sick, and I was stressed all the time and worried and in between hospital visits jut depressed ALL the time. My dad's youngest sister is only 7 years older than me, and she was my place to go when I had had all I could stand! I could call her any time and talk it through with her, and usually I ended up laughing by the time we got off the phone. It may not sound like much, but if you've ever been in a situation like that, you know how important it is to have someone who understands and lets you just let it all out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this giveaway... wow! It looked a wonderful - inspiring- event. I love Amy, too. Grew up on her and totally loving her style of music. I've heard you mention Blind Side before, but have never watched the movie. This would be a fun win...if I do!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as your question. That is a toughie to answer. A lot of faithful friends have stood by me through my life... through seasons, as they come and go. Being single and waiting and wanting to be married. Tough season.
When my Dad died at a young age, leaving behind nine children (I'm the oldest) and a wife to walk it out - alone. That was another tough season.
But. These are the areas where I now can relate to others and be somewhat more sympathetic towards them. I want to be faithful too.
God bless your day.
Just like so many others have already said, What a great post and great give away!
ReplyDeleteAnd like others have alread said,
for me, it is MY MOM and DAD,
they believe in loving their children,
no matter what. They have always been there for me, and have always been a blessing to all, great role models, great parents and grandparents, leaving a wonderful legacy.
Thank you again!
Hey Chica! What an inspiring story that movie was. I cried ... and cried ... and cried. It was happy, sad, inspirational, maddening - I think I cried every time I had an emotion it was just so well presented. How awesome to meet the real gal. She sounds like a hoot! What a beautiful selfless family.
ReplyDeleteI can't really relate other than when I graduated from high school - my mother was having a super hard time and dad asked me to move out like a month after I graduated high school. I knew my aunt and uncle had offered and I didn't know really what else I was going to do because that senior year for me was just such a nightmare with my mother and me not getting a long. So I called my A&U and they said load up and come. I finished state rodeo and loaded up my pickup and left.
They were the love, support and encouragment that I had been without for a couple years due to my mother's personal problems.
Thankfully this has drawn all of us together. I would never of had this relationship with my A&U that is do now, or my mother now after praying for eachother and spending that time apart.
It opened up both of our eyes to the changes our hearts and lives had to make.
They fed and clothed me and got me into school that year (during that year also my aunt got pregnant at 40 years old after having a lifetime of miscarriages) So I was able to assist her and needless to say, it was just beautifully laid out to me the selflessness that they portrayed to me. Beautiful People.
My husband and I look for every opportunity to be those people - an opportunity to shine for Him.
Thanks for this, Sami Jo
Wow, that looks like quite an event!
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was a young single mother, feeling like I must be a disappointment to pretty much every upstanding person around me. Many different women at my church actually came to me and a lot of them told me their personal stories of how they'd been in a similar situation. Just feeling like I wasn't alone and seeing that these women were now successful in their lives and marriages was everything to me. It gave me the encouragement to finish school, go to college and change the direction of my life.
What an inspirational evening Becky! I'm happy you were able to be apart of it. You looked quite gorgeous by the way. :)
ReplyDeleteSomething that has gotten me through tough times? Well first off, I'm a newlywed. My husband is deployed in the middle of a war zone and I'm back home living with my parents. While I would love to say having family around me has been the most help, i would be lying. My family has been a tremendous help, that's true, but Christ has been my rock. From my husband's base being under attack and losing contact with him to his travels to Afghanistan and not being able to make sure he is ok. Christ has been my shield in deflecting all the questions people ask about how we do it and how we make it. I don't think I would be lying if I gave all the honor to Christ for helping me through this right now.
Christ is always there, it's just been hard to remember that. But now I know.
Hi Becky,
ReplyDeleteThat event sounds just awesome. I had never heard of that organization before. Thanks for sharing. I too was a huge Amy Grant fan growing up! Baby Baby and Every Heartbeat were my faves!!! I'm sure going to miss having your "Big Chick" in my class!! You have a special girl :)
Jen
Hey Becky,
ReplyDeleteThere have been so many people who have helped me when I have needed them. From my friend Marty, who took the time to counsel me for free, to accountability partners who are willing to lovingly listen, to a near stranger who was willing to take me and my dog in for a few weeks to give me time to retreat and figure out where we could live. I have been beyond blessed through the hands and hearts of others. What a cool organization.
What a wonderful event! And you certainly did look gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say the one person that made the biggest difference in my life was my dear uncle. He believed in me and supported me when my own belief in myself had vanished. To this day, he is the person I admire most in the world.
Have a lovely week!
Anne
wowza girlie..you look HOT!
ReplyDeletesuch a fun event you went to!
p.s. you know my friend Jill {she's the one from the gym}..lol.
xo
I'm going to check out "TreeHouse". What an awesome organization it sounds like.
ReplyDeleteI have so many I could thank for saving me from the streets as a kid. I think I've told you this before, but #1 goes out to my grandparents who took me and my 3 younger siblings into their home to raise when I was just 11 years old. (I won't go into all of the reasons why here) I believe prior to them taking us in that I had angels watching over me because of some dangerous situations I found myself in while hanging with the wrong crowd. God really did protect me from harm and then just in time, sent my grandparents to give me wings and fly me out of there. My siblings too. I will forever be grateful for them sacrificing and taking us in when they were both in their late 50's!! I also had a sixth grade male teacher who encouraged me in who I was and the potential I had, which I so needed at the time.
Since I won your last Hawaiian giveaway, you don't need to put my name in to win this one. That banana bread was awesome by the way.
Oh and I've got to tell you how beautiful you looked in your little black dress. WOW!!!
Lee Ann
first you look beautiful! Second I absolutely loved this movie, loved it!! loved LeAnn, and how she worked, tough as nails is perfect!! There have been many times I have wanted to volunteer at an eating disorder clinic, cause I have been there and it sucks and i want to be a light for someone else, but life has not lead me to that yet...but when I was in a bad bad place, I have to say that my mom was THERE. She was THERE despite the decisions I made, which somtimes I know were not the best but what I had to do at the time, and she tried her hardest to understand and be there...she is my best friend in many ways then just being my mom! She doesn't know everything but that is ok, she doesn't need to, but what she does know, she still loves me unconditionally...I think at some point I want to volunteer, it is my calling at some point, yes indeed!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome organization! Thanks for sharing about it.
ReplyDeleteThe only hard time I recall (thankfully) was when I was in college and was struggling with what to study. My parents there quietly there, ready and willing to help me when I needed it. But of course, I must also include Jesus Christ. I have no idea where I would be today without Him. :)
That was an awesome night from the photos! Glad you could go and then share it with us. I think it was a once in a lifetime event!
ReplyDeleteMy house burned down when my youngest child was 4 months old in 1996. My church was there for us, providing clothing, toys for the boys, furniture...when we finally got our rental home. But most importantly - their prayers kept us moving forward even though it(the fire) was part of our lives for many years after. We found out we had a faulty gas water heater and lived with it like that for 9 years, never knowing it was a fire hazzard. We built our home but it was inspected before we could live in it, of course.
We lost two cars in the garage, too. But we had our children and our dog so that's all that really mattered. God is so good and we are at the same Methodist church in Florida.
We have a beautiful home once again and I am so grateful!
Thanks, JolieAnne
I am the Events Associate for TreeHouse. I found your blog when I was searching for our media coverage to keep for my records. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful memories from that night! We love to hear about when our events bless people and are God-honoring. We hope to see you at future TreeHouse functions! Thanks again and many many blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteAmanda Walston, TreeHouse Events Associate