Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I have been thinking a lot about my SUM journey. I have been married for almost 8 years now! When I look back at the "early years" I am truly amazed at how far we have come...how far I have come. This is not to say that the road traveled was easy. There were a few times that it seemed like it was all over. Focus on love and everything else will fall into place. God have me a word a couple of years into my marriage. I was praying over the salvation of my husband. I remember pouring my heart out about how things would be better if Jason were saved. I cried. I pleaded. It was in the stillness of my home that God spoke very tenderly - focus on love and everything else will fall into place. I was so angry and... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I want to share a brief encounter that happened at church recently. My pastor during the end of the music portion of service felt the Lord prompt him to do an alter call of sorts. He called those who were dry in their faith, those who were seeking but it just seemed to come up fruitless, those who needed a refreshing. I love the Lord but sometimes I get so wrapped up in responsibilities and duties of life that I end up more like Martha than Mary. I "forget" to sit at the feet of Jesus. I deplete my energy because I do not fill up with my Power Source. Pastor called people to come forward and he likened it to when David would play his harp for Saul. Sometimes God's people just need to be ministered to with music and worship to the Lord.... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! It has been quite the busy time around here for the Carter Crew! We are officially closed on our old house and have made selections for our new house. I have to say that it has been so fun to pick out what we want for countertops, cabinets, flooring, paint colors. I have included a picture of our family. One last photo before we pulled away from our first home for the last time. Our new home is not set to be completed until the end of 2021, beginning of 2022. In the meantime we are staying with Jason's parents. Two families in one household. It is an adjustment to say the least. We have done everything we can physically do to prepare for this new season. Now we wait. Merriam-Webster defines transition as passage from one state, stage, subject or place to another: change;... Continue reading

Hello SUM family, Tiffany here! "I want you here, watch me work." I heard this from the Lord some months ago as I contemplated whether or not I should be looking into a career change. The last 12+ months have been very rough at work. It has been one hard blow after another. I've written about this trial here before so I won't go back through it all. However, I do want to share something that the Lord revealed to my heart this past week. My husband is always looking at the job market. He has been trying to find another job for over a year. I honestly believe that God wants him in his job and that is why the door stays closed. (That is another story... ::grin:: ) When he is looking, he has found jobs that he thought I should apply for. Knowing what the Lord has... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I mentioned in the previous post that my prayer strategy had changed. Prayer has been a long and hard battle over the years. Now don't get me wrong, I am a chatter. I love to talk - especially to God. Talking with my Best Friend is an all the time thing. The problem in the past was my perspective. I had to do a lot of heart and mind work on the battlefield against the orphan spirit. I approached God like a slave to a master. I was in fear but not in a healthy and awe-inspiring way. I would think "if I do one wrong move, say one wrong thing..." than I am going to be punished. I couldn't see God as a Loving Father because I didn't have an earthly representation of that. I mention all this to give context for the newer... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! 15 days after my 34th birthday I lie in my bed blanketed in defeat. Months of hardship at work had caused bitterness, depression and anger to become my mindset. Not just at work but at home as well. November 12, 2020 will forever be etched into my brain. I will always remember the day that the Holy Spirit lovingly walked me into a new era. As I stared up at the ceiling, tears falling down my face, I realized I had a choice to make. I could continue to whine and cry and hope and wish for a change. Or, I could stop feeling sorry for myself and step into healing and victory. At the time, this decision was actually pretty difficult. I hate to admit I gave myself a pity party. Just like only the Lord can do - SUDDENLY - my sorrow turned... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I pray that this post finds you well. Today I want to share a life changing event that happened last month. I just turned 34 in October. For my year 34, the Lord gave me Psalm 34 - I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The [a]angel of the Lord encamps all around... Continue reading

Hey there SUM family, Tiffany here! On Monday I gave a little glimpse of what I have been enduring these past few months with work. I wasn’t sure how to put this into words but then I got the perfect illustration that came to me on Wednesday. I was at work. We were short staffed and very busy. I see a gentleman at the bottom of the stairs waiting in line. He had a logo on his polo with a local grocery store name on it. In his hand was an arrangement of flowers. I would have thought nothing of it except that day was my birthday. I got teary eyed thinking, “wow someone has acknowledged me! Did my husband get me flowers?” The gentleman comes up to the window. He says the name of my coworker. My heart sunk. Disappointment. If this was a television show, envision the moment... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I know there have been some people asking progress on my journey with running for the local school board. I honestly don't have a lot of information at this time. However, it is really great to have people reach out from my community and share that they have voted for me. I can't help but smile when I see the love and encouragement in this endeavor. This is a headshot that I had taken for the campaign. I am so pleased with how it turned out! It is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. I am in uncharted territory! I hope to share more at a later time; however, today I want to talk about something else. Some of you will remember that I shared about my job. I currently work at my local state patrol doing fingerprints for background checks. Almost four... Continue reading

Hello SUM Family, Tiffany here! I want to jump right in with the rest of the story. God was really stirring my heart to look into my local school board. There were a few amazing God confirmation moments along the way. I decided to step out in obedience to this new found calling. The hardest part was yet to come. Talking to my husband. I found it quite surprising that he didn't seem pleased with the idea. In various discussions he gave me the "go ahead" but it didn't feel like he was supportive. Over the process of this time, I was beginning to network and go to some political meetings with my local party. Outside of my home there was excitement and encouragement. Inside of my home there was tension. The more I began to pursue this campaign, the more it seemed like the wedge was growing. Our verse... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices with the truth. - 1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. - 1 Corinthians 13:6 NLT does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. - 1 Corinthians 13:6 NASB Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. - 1 Corinthians 13:6 TPT It is easy to look at "hot button" topics when thinking about injustice and evil. We can look at the world around us and see the stark contrast between what God views as evil versus the world. On social media, we can get into it with many people on both sides of the aisle. I have to admit that sitting down to write this post was very difficult. Ever since COVID turned the Carter Crew world upside down, there... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! Today I want to talk about Abraham and Sarah. Before God changed their name, they were known as Abram and Sarai. It was to Abram that God spoke of some amazing promises. Let's take a look shall we? Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3) - - - - - - - After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid,... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! Luke 1 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; [e]blessed are you among women!” 29 But [f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! Can you just feel these great cloud of witnesses surrounding the SUM community? Who knew there were such wonderful stories written in God's love letter to us. What an honor to be a part of such a bunch! We began the week talking about Lois, Eunice and Timothy. I could write so much more than a blog post about these wonderful characters but I want to focus on something that I said on Monday: Eunice was a Jewish woman. I wonder the stigma that would have come upon her as she chose to marry this Greek man. Did it make it hard to go to the marketplace? What about the synagogue? Did she fear being disowned by Lois for an "unclean" marriage? I wonder what went through her mind as she found out she was pregnant with her son, Timothy. Did she hear that familiar... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I want to continue our summer study with the story of Lois, Eunice and Timothy. There isn't much in reference with Timothy's upbringing; however what is mentioned speaks volumes of these two women. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. - 2 Timothy 1:5 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 3:14-15 To better relate to the characters in this story, we have to first dig a little bit into the context... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! In his shelter in the day of trouble, that's where you'll find me, for he hides me there in his holiness. He has smuggled me into his secret place, where I'm kept safe and secure - out of reach from all my enemies. Triumphant now, I'll bring him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy! Yes, listen and you can hear the fanfare of my shouts of praise to the Lord! Psalm 27 5-6 (TPT) Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! Psalm 118:15 (NLT) I really love the way The Passion Translation words these verses in Psalm 27. "He has smuggled me into his secret place..." It is as though He has taken great lengths and care to keep His location under lock and... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! In light of all that is going on in the world, it is very clear that our society is lacking in love. Today I want to keep it short and sweet. Several years ago, the Lord told me to focus on love and everything will fall into place. Now more than ever, I am realizing how much I am failing to understand what love really is. In some ways it has been watered down. If I don't understand what love really is, how can I expect to teach the next generation? I arose earlier than usual the other day and I wanted to spend time with the Lord. I got out of my room and was preparing to have my quiet time. I hear the sound of a door opening. It was my son. Instantly I thought, "I have a hard time getting you out... Continue reading

Hey SUM Family, Tiffany here! A few months ago I had a powerful encounter with the Lord. It began January when I attended a prayer summit at my church. I was interested in getting into their prayer team. The pastor who was set to speak was truly amazing. After the teaching, she prophesied and prayed over every one of us. Listening to the words that she was speaking over the other people had me all the more excited to hear what she had for me. The time came and I opened my hands toward heaven in order to receive. As she opened her mouth to speak, I heard these words: You have been asking how the Lord could use you. This time right now is for healing. You have some healing to do first. Get healed up. God will most definitely use you. Your healing has to do with unforgiveness.... Continue reading

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I wanted to talk to you today about a fear that has resurfaced in my life. I wonder if I am not the only one who has struggled with this. Recently I was given some words over my life. They were absolutely powerful. Isn't it amazing that God knows what we really need to hear? Isn't His time so perfect? These words opened up my heart to dare to dream again. I was fueled with excitement at the purpose and destiny that the Lord has for me. What could it look like to press in? Then it hit me. Silly ol' fear crept in. "Aren't you afraid that your husband won't approve? Aren't you afraid that he won't know you anymore? Aren't you afraid that this will tear you apart?" I know that I cannot be alone in this struggle. We find ourselves believing the... Continue reading

Hello SUM family, Tiffany here! Today I want to talk about trust. The Lord revealed to me that past childhood trauma has altered my view of relationships. My eyes have been opened to the fact that I keep everyone at a controllable distance in order to protect myself. I am not talking about setting healthy boundaries. That is something that we absolutely MUST do. I do not want to sound like I am downplaying the very real struggles that some of us experience in this community. I did not realize this but my (unnecessary) distrust in my husband has significantly effected my distrust in God. This was a complete mind blow to me. First, I didn't realize that I have trust issues with my husband. He is a good man. He does not do drugs, smoke, drink, gamble etc. My husband is a hardworking, honest man. He sacrifices and provides... Continue reading

Hello SUM Family, Tiffany Here! Over the last month, school went to e-learning from home. My husband, Jason, was sent to work from home by his employer. His mother had helped with schooling for a week while my husband adjusted to this new setup. On April 1st, my husband took leave to be able to teach our kids at home. Overall, the Carter Crew is hanging in there as we've had to adjust to life with the Coronavirus. Can I be really vulnerable with you for a moment? I am having a really hard time with all of this. When my kids were barely one and barely two, I desperately wanted to be a stay at home mom. My husband was against it because we couldn't afford to have a one income family. Some of you may remember my anguish. Instantly, because of the given circumstances, nearly 5 years later... Continue reading

Hey Sum Family, Tiffany here! Each passing day brings news of another thing in the Carter Crew's daily lives that is affected by COVID-19. Though we are currently on spring break, the Elementary School is going to e-learning for the following two weeks. The zoo is closed along with movie theaters, public libraries, hair salons, family entertainment establishments, restaurants etc. As the days progress, I find the anxiety level of my husband is slowly rising. Obviously the Coronavirus is nothing to take lightly. We should all take precautions to help prevent the spread and keep ourselves safe and healthy. I take no issue with doing my part in an earthly sense. However, I know the power and authority of the blood of Jesus. I know that when I plead and apply His blood that I am protected and safe. I am healed and whole. I am redeemed and restored. Because... Continue reading

Hey Sum Family, Tiffany here! On Thursday, my husband felt it was time to stock up on groceries. I had heard the "rumors" but as we walked the aisles, I was amazed to see that there truly was a shortage on many things. I couldn't believe the long lines, rationing and deep concern on the faces of shoppers. If one person would cough or sneeze, they were quick to "swear" that they weren't sick. My heart was broken for these people who were legitimately scared. I released an audible outcry in the aisles, "Lord Jesus, I bless these people with peace." With the times that we are living in, there is a lot of uncertainty, anxiety and downright fear. The media isn't helping ease any tension when it is the most talked about subject. It is important to keep up to date; however, we have to be careful on what... Continue reading

Hey there SUM Family! Tiffany Here! Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. - James 5:16 I come before you today to confess something with you. I have been struggling with the fear of man. This has been a reoccurring struggle. This fear causes me to distance myself from those in the family of Christ. I place so much expectation on myself that I don't want to let anyone down. I don't want to fail them. I don't want to cause anyone to stumble or struggle. I don't want to be honest with others because then they may think less of me. I often shrink back from our amazing community because as a writer for the blog I have been deceived to believe that it is not okay for... Continue reading

Hello SUM family, Tiffany here! Happiest of Thanksgivings from the Carter Crew! The holidays are just around the corner. One of my favorites of the whole year is Thanksgiving Day. I love coming together with friends and family while sharing a meal and memories. I am bringing out my Tablecloth of Thanks after it being in hiding for 3 years. (You can read Lynn's post about this tradition here). I can't wait to see what everyone writes this year! Continue reading