Our Family Target

 Have fun together often.


Stimulate a hopeful disposition with a constant appetite for Heaven & the eternal state.


Encourage & train family members to be wise & faithful stewards of the resources placed under their control so that they will be responsible caretakers, generous givers & cheerful tithers.


Prayerfully arrange for family members to be mentored and befriended by people who will encourage them to discover & pursue God’s plan.


Raise children who have an accurate understanding of their talents and gifts. Arrange opportunities for them to develop & employ their passions in the advancement of God’s kingdom through their daily life and vocation.


Worship together in the home and with other members of the body of Christ.


Discover the truth of God’s word together through regular Bible reading & study.


Raise children who honor and respect their parents


Raise children who desire to love the Lord with all their hearts & come to know Him as savior at an early age.

Live other centered lives.


Honor one another through kind speech & loving action.


Testify about salvation thru Jesus Christ – in word and deed.


Glorify God – Serve the Lord with gladness & obedience.

THEO: Great Children's Videos

Our family had the pleasure of being introduced to a new-to-us animated series called Theo. There are several titles. We watched Theo: Teaching Children God's Word.

The DVD is organized into four brief videos that highlight Bible stories. Theo is a kindly old sage who interacts with two mischief making mice, Luther and Belfry, that live in his country cottage. The writing is clever and the 2D animation is well done and reminded me of the Adventures in Odyssey series.  The DVD also comes with a helpful study guide.

Our children enjoyed the DVD and were eager to watch all the episodes!

There are also some very interesting Special Features on the DVD. I enjoyed being introduced to the creator of the series and learning how the animation was done. Kids who are interested in animating can get a very informative introduction!

Theo is produced by Whitestone Media. Thanks to FishFlix.com for sending a sample of Theo Volume 1 - God's Love DVD in exchange for an honest review.  You can get this and many other Christian Movies at FishFlix.com.

To sample Theo for yourself download the free episode Good News at http://www.theopresents.com/products/good-news. There are also free coloring pages available.

Annie Grace is here!

We are grateful to The Lord that Our 13th child, Annie Grace has arrived! She was born at Baylor Medical Center, McKinney on Thursday, September 19, 2013 (She was born on her due date!!!) She weighed 8 lbs, 5 oz., and was 20 1/4 in.

Book Review of "Love Food & Live Well," by Chantel Hobbs

My second book review is for the book Love Food & Live Well, by Chantel Hobbs. I really enjoyed this book! Since I am all about exercising and eating right, this book was right up my alley!
I love the way Chantel Hobbs writes. She doesn't write as an expert who's learned everything there is to know about diet and exercise and talks down to the reader. She writes as one who's "been there and done that." She is humble and candid about her own personal difficulties about food and weight loss. To my delight, she writes as one who is in the trenches with the reader, teaching from what she has learned and is in the trenches with the reader to teach and encourage. In other words, imagine sitting at an intimate table, having coffee or tea with a friend and having a wonderful conversation. That is what her writing style is all about and I really like that!
One of my favorite quotes from the book is "...Living well, while loving food..." She makes the important point all throughout the book that it is not food that is wrong, but our perception of food that is the problem. In addition, the point is made that we should set realistic goals for ourselves and see ourselves as uniquely made by God. We shouldn't try to fit into a mold that God never meant for us to fit into. Another quote I loved is when she said "(I had to) choose to live a life of moderation in a world where excess is encouraged." This is so true! Anyone living in the United States of America can relate to this in some form or fashion, no matter what situation they're in.
I really like the fact that she makes complicated concepts regarding calories, fat, protein and carbohydrates, simple and easy to understand. Some authors go into great detail about these things, thereby making them sound very complicated. For me, that translates into "too much work," and not very important. Chantel keeps these concepts simple and easy to manage on a day-to-day basis.
The chapter I didn't agree with entirely is the chapter on fats. She has many important points about fats, but in my opinion, she leaves out one of the primary points about fats. She doesn't mention at all, the difference between long chain fatty acids and medium chain fatty acids. Medium chain fatty acids are the ones we need to steer toward and long chains are the ones we need to steer away from, because of their cancer-causing effects, etc. I do wish she had made this point in her book; however, all the other information is very good, informative and important.
The truth is, so often, books about healthy eating leave out exercise entirely. I believe it is because many people think of exercise as a four letter word! But, not so in this book! Chantel talks much about the importance of regular exercise and how it should be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. This is so important! She also includes many exercises she has created. I really love the chapters on exercise and I encourage you to read them too.
Lastly, just like we need to keep God in the center of everything we do, she reminds us to keep God in the center of our healthy lifestyle change, no matter what! In order to succeed at anything, as Christians, nothing else is more important than keeping God the center of everything we do. I encourage anyone interested in developing a healthier lifestyle to read this book. It is full of encouragement from someone who overcame a weight issue and has maintained a healthy lifestyle ever since. After reading, you will feel encouraged and blessed!
(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review)

This is a great book!

"Night of the Living Dead Christian: One Man's Ferociously Funny Quest to Discover What It Means to Be Truly Transformed."

I loved this book! It was entertaining, yet theologically profound from beginning to end! This is not the kind of book I would normally pick up to read. However, I was positively impressed. Matt's writing style is a mix of watching 50's monster movie, with the imagery of C.S. Lewis, and loads of humor throughout. I found myself being pulled into the story line. I also enjoyed sharing humorous excerpts with my husband.

This is a book for both Christians and non-Christians alike. For non-Christians, this is a very entertaining way to learn the simpleness of the Gospel message, and that Jesus is the only one who can help us break the sin-cycle. The various types of monsters represent different facets of our sin nature. Even as Christians, we have different "monsters" that we allow to appear in us from time to time. The redeeming message for everyone is that Jesus is the only one who can help us overcome the "monster" within us...we just have to accept His forgiveness.

All in all, this book is a great example of entertaining storytelling, while folding in the gospel, at it's very best. There is an amazing example of Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice He made for each and every one of us. I would recommend this book to any teenager or adult, whether Christian or non-Christian.

Check out the author's video: http://www.tyndale.com/video/296
Check out these websites:  http://mattmikalatos.com and www.tyndale.com 


Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

What People are Saying About My Husband and His Video Production Skills

My husband is a skilled media producer. Of course, I'm proud of him and would like share what others think too:

I have worked with Don on numerous shoot's, and I would work with him anytime!!! He is always a joy to have on set! He is very knowledgeable about film in every aspect, including preproduction, production, camera, sound, lighting, post production, etc. He is also very creative! He has a great eye for out of the box creative shot's, which I love, and with his ability to tell a story!!! As he gets involved in a project he is always willing to help and share with his amazing ideas, and he's a great leader as well as team player! 

As well as being a great filmmaker, Don is a person of great integrity! He is trustworthy, a great listener and a very hard worker!! In fact as you work with Don, you will gain a dear friend, because you cannot work around him very long without seeing how much he cares for and loves people! You absolutely cannot go wrong when you hire Don!!! I would recommend him anytime!!

Theresa Davidson

3:17 Film Productions

817-201-2954

theresa@317film.com

www.317film.com

Don has honed his creative and technical abilities during two decades of service to Christian ministries. He has directed and produced award-winning television programs, and has led international film expeditions. His compassionate storytelling skills strike the perfect tone for legacy videos.

Richard Carpenter

Don Gordoni is a gifted artist, writer, and producer.  A family treasure is created with each legacy video. He finds the hidden treasures of memories and people through his inquisitive nature, and combines these together beautifully in a keepsake that lasts.  His videos always capture the personalities of the family members, and bring joy to those who watch them. He is a professional who is committed to providing high-quality videos.  I am honored to highly recommend Don Gordoni to create a Legacy Video for your family.

Terri Turner

"I would enthusiastically recommend Don for any video project. He is highly skilled, experienced, personable, responsive, very qualified and professional.  The video production of Jean was so touching, incredibly moving, a masterpiece, a true legacy."

Libby :)

Tribute to Jean Parker

Help the Homeless Walk & 5K

On Saturday, November 12, 3PM, the Help the Homeless Walk & 5K will be held at the Fair Park Band Shell.  Funds raised benefit The Bridge homeless assistance center.  It’s a great event for the entire family.  In addition to getting our daily exercise, there will be lots of fun, food and music. 

·         The North Texas Patriot Guard will lead off both the walk and run.
·         The presentation of colors will be led by the 4^th Air Wing Honor Guard, Texas State Guard
·         Slappy and Monday (from Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse fame) will be on hand…a great opportunity for the kids to say ‘hi’ to the affable clowns. 
·         Dallas’ favorite band, Emerald City, will be bringing us the toe tapping tunes.   
·         Great, free food samples from Tiff’s Treats (yummy cookies), Little Caesar’s, Community Coffee, Pepsi, Powerade, Clif Bars, and Frito Lay.
·         Fun, interactive games, face painting and more!

For the $5 discount, those interested may use the code VETS.  Enter the code at Question #5 during registration.

For more info and to register go to: http://helpthehomelessdallas.org/

We have a Winner

Congrats to Adam G. who won a Family Four Pack to Disney Live!

http://neveradullmama.blogspot.com/2011/10/and-winner-is.html

Listening for a Legacy

The holidays provide a wonderful opportunities to get together with older relatives and hear stories from their lives. Biographies are a treasure house of lessons learned, fields full of wisdom that can be gleaned from the good and bad decisions of someone else.

My parents always encouraged me to ask questions that will help me understand the perspectives of others and I guess that has factored into my pursuing a degree in psychology and my love of acting. I spent three and a half years as a probation counselor to juveniles. As a part of the job, I would interview families and create a social history. This was my favorite and also saddest part of the job because as you might imagine, most of the family sagas were filled with dysfunction. For instance, the most violent offender on my case load took great pride in the fact that a great grandfather had killed another man with a frozen fish! I'm sure we all have a few black sheep in our family trees and I thank the Lord that his grace can deliver us from negative family baggage. Thankfully, most of us have at least a few  family members who set a great example.

Okay, I have a few suggestions for you to consider as you get together with family during the holidays. Consider setting down and recording some stories with some of those who may be approaching the final seasons of their lives. Jot notes, use the voice recorder built into your cellphone, or the video recorder, or a camcorder. Use your cellphone or a scanner to copy some of their important photos. Ask lots of questions and listen, listen, listen.You will probably laugh, cry, and learn many things that you never knew and be reminded of things that you have forgotten.

If you have the means, consider hiring a media professional, like me (unashamed self-promotion) to shoot an interview or edit your clips and photos into a presentation for your family. These make unique and meaningful gifts and can often be used in a powerful way at memorial services when our loved ones pass on.

If you are like me, too often we spend too much time at family get togethers, eating and fussing over the food and clean up, or talking about the weather and watching the game. Resolve now to prayerfully seize the opportunity to listen for your legacy so that you can pass it on.

Return to the Hiding Place

Lori and I had a real treat yesterday when we heard Peter Spencer speak at the Dallas Christian Media Association meeting. Mr. Spencer shared how his friendship with one of the members of Corrie Ten Boom's "young army" of Dutch resistance during WWII lead to the creation of the film Return to the Hiding Place.

Mr. Spencer, the Director/Executive Producer, spoke of a fourteen year process of seeing his vision for the film grow from concept to script to reality. The production is a true family affair with one daughter serving as producer, one daughter acting in the film, the assistance of a son, and Mrs. Spencer spending countless hours assisting with the extensive period wardrobe.

We enjoyed several clips from the film and I'm convinced that Peter Spencer's passion for story telling has resulted in a masterful presentation of people at their best and worst.

It is evident that Mr. Spencer and his team have done a wonderful job completing the painstaking research involved in creating a film that is historically accurate and true to the philosophies and motives of the real people who lived this drama. The dialogue is thought provoking and profound especially the scenes that involve  John Rhys-Davies.

Several years ago, my wife  Lori and I had the pleasure of spending a few hours escorting Jeanette Clift George from Wichita Falls to the DFW airport. Ms. George is the actress who played Corrie Ten Boom in the original film The Hiding Place. She is a delightful person as is Mr. Spencer.

It is sad and almost beyond belief that something as horrific as the holocaust could be forgotten. Especially for me, growing up with a Jewish heritage (my grandparents were Goldstein and Abramson) and seeing the photos of my father's two brothers in their army air corp uniforms, photos that were taken a few months before their bombers were shot down over Germany and the English channel. Films like Return to the Hiding Place play a vital role.

Follow Return to the Hiding Place at http://hidemovie.blogspot.com/ and http://www.hide-movie.com/

Here are the pics I promised!

This is my new "Waring Harp." I just love it! My four year old son, Jonathan requests that I play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." (I play it as if I were playing "Beethoven's Fifth" in a huge concert hall)!

This is my Dad, "Supervising" while my daughter Janna, works on assembling the harp. It was a family project. My dear husband helped as well.

A "Harp" Deferred... Part 3

I received my package from "Waring Harps," that included the kit with all the pieces for the harp. I was excited! We ended up taking the kit to Oklahoma with us for Christmas. My Dad graciously offered his help and his very clean and organized garage for our harp construction. I was very grateful. He had all the tools I needed. So my Dad, me, my husband and my daughter Janna, all worked on various aspects of the harp building process. It was a lot of fun! Plus, it was a blessing to have a nice instrument that was made with the love from many family members. :o) I was also able to purchase a nice tuner. Although this harp stays tuned pretty well, as with most instruments, they have to be tuned frequently and for me, a digital tuner is a must! I have some pictures of the construction that I would like to add here, but I am unable to transfer them from my cell phone to my computer...ugh! I will post the pictures as soon as I'm able.

A "Harp" Deferred...! Part 2

After looking around, I couldn't find any decent harps in the "dirt cheap" category...(surprise, surprise)! The least inexpensive harps I could find (other than a lap harp...and that was out of the question), were the Heather Harps, produced by "Mid East Manufacturers." However, I read many articles and blogs advising against these harps because they are poorly made, etc. I was not to be discouraged though, so I pressed on...

To my surprise, I ran across an article where someone recommended "Waring Harps." He said they are harp kits that you put together yourself. He went on to say, that for a homemade harp, these have a clear sound! That piqued my interest! In looking for a harp, you want one with a clear sound.

Although I don't consider myself an expert "Harp builder," after looking on the website, etc., I decided that this was the harp for me! I was excited! :o) I called Mr. Waring and talked to him in person. He was very nice. When inquiring about a case for the harp, I found out that he has custom-made cases for an additional amount. I did read where someone said, if you buy a harp such as this, you definitely want a case to protect it. Well, with 11 children, when I spend that much money, I would HAVE to have protection for it! Besides, having a case for any harp is a good idea even in ideal circumstances. 

I ended up having enough money to purchase the harp, a custom-made case and a "Sylvia Woods-Learning to Play the Folk Harp" book!  Mr. Waring also has a "learning to play the folk harp book" and it is a very good book, that I highly recommend.

Stay tuned, (pun intended) for my next blog installment where I will share the details about building and tuning my new harp!

A "Harp" Deferred... Part 1

Proverbs 13:12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

A couple months ago, Don and I were at my brother and sister in law's. Don was telling them that years ago, as an adult, I took harp lessons. He went on to tell them how much I enjoyed playing the harp, how God worked it out for me to take the lessons in Kentucky, then again in Texas. He also told them that I've never had a harp of my own.

They asked why I never had my own harp and I told them because I could never afford at least a few thousand dollars to buy a basic harp! I told them that the harps I practiced on were Troubadour lever harps and huge concert harps! At that time, you could buy a new Troubadour lever harp for $2500, but now they're about $3500. And, of course concert harps are closer to $10,000 and more!

Then they asked how much a small harp would cost. I told them that I thought small folk harps can cost as little as $150. When we left their house that day, they handed me $200 and told me to buy a small harp and enjoy it! I couldn't believe it! Tears came to my eyes...it was such a blessing! At that moment, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "I want you to have a small harp to play and enjoy now. When you play it, be reminded that you will be able to have a larger harp someday." Wow...I felt extremely grateful, humble, undeserving and blessed...

A Day In the Life...Some Funny things

These events just happened...Hopefully, they will at least give you a little chuckle for your day! :o)

• Last night when I was working on the taxes, John yelled out "Mary's bum is hurting!" Then, Mary walked over to me, while pulling her pants down and exposing her "bum" said, "Will you kiss my bottom?" (She will ask me to kiss her "boo boo's" and then she will ask me, "Does it feel better, Mommy?" And, I'll say, "Yes, it feels all better now, Mary.")
• While riding in the car, Hannah, Faith and I were having a conversation about babies in the womb. We were talking about how the babies are formed in the uterus, when Hannah said, "I remember when Mary was born and the midwife talked about the plate feeding her." I said..."What???" She said "I remember about Mrs. Joyce telling me that they feed the baby with the plate!" I said, "She said they feed the feed the baby with a plate? What are you talking about? Oh! You mean the placenta! Not the plate! Yes, the baby is given oxygen and food through the placenta!" LOL! She had the right idea, just the wrong word. I do that ALL the time...like mother, like daughter!
• We are keeping our friend's dog "Freckles." Earlier today, Freckles sat down on our "Wiggles" play guitar and it sounded like the song was coming out of the dog's rear end! But, even funnier, the song that started playing was "Wags The Dog!" That was funny! He just sat there, while "Wags the Dog" was playing under his rear! LOL!

Movies that I will never Recommend

After sixteen years of producing TV content some people are astounded when they find out that I haven't seen most of the films that have captivated them and the rest of the world. Some of these folks are other media professionals, most are Christians and I usually just respond by saying, "no, I never saw..." Now, I would like to share why I have not felt compelled to see films that are touted as "masterpieces of film making." Simply stated, holiness trumps knowledge of the world.

Unfortunately the list of films that I have seen and regret seeing is much longer then it should be. Some of the films that I include in this list may surprise you. Films like the Passion of the Christ and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and Schindler's List as well as stinkers like Buckaroo Bonzai and pointless films like the adventures of Mary Kate and Ashley. Some will argue that since many people came to know Christ after watching Passion of the Christ and many others draw spiritual truth from the Lord of the Rings that they are good movies. God does use flawed people and movies to influence people but that does not justify the use of wrong methods.

My criteria is pretty simple: If the film has no redeeming value, I'm not interested. If the film resorts to the use of excessive violence, sex, or emotional manipulation, I'm not interested. If the filmmaker operates under the illusion that they must be super realistic in order to tell a good story, I'm not interested.

About 25 years ago I read the conclusions of Malcolm Muggeridge, a long time producer for the BBC. He basically said that movies and TV did more harm then good. He was right. There are a few people who have managed to use the medium to tell meaningful stories in a wholesome way. Recent productions that have given me hope are The Ultimate Gift and Butterfly Circus. Sadly, while visiting a friend's home recently they were selecting a movie to watch. I recommended that they consider these two options but my suggestion fell on deaf ears while they proceeded to watch a horror film. There happened to be one person who expressed interest in watching The Ultimate Gift. That person does not profess to have a relationship with Christ.

Some argue that since the Bible gives the gory details and juicy tidbits it is okay for us to portray such acts vividly. Desensitization to real human travail, sorrow, ecstasy, etc. is dangerous. I have watched a young child die, attended accident victims, and experienced numerous other extreme situations - they are not neat and tidy, they are rightfully difficult to deal with. I would not have willfully chosen to experience them but God directed me into them and His grace was with me.

When we willfully choose to expose ourselves to things that God hates, i.e. violence, lust provoking imagery, proud looks, and rude speaking, it is simply wrong. What can we say to defend our tolerance of such things "hey God, cut me some slack, I need to be entertained."

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about [and view] such things. - Philippians 4:8

3 seconds of fame

Check out our family Video debut in a short by Mark Ellis (Invincible, We are Marshal, The Rookie, etc.) and his talented production team: Click on this link to watch the video http://vimeo.com/12664260 Just don't blink or you will miss us (watch closely from 50-53 seconds). Don had an opportunity to shoot an interview with Mark Ellis last week and his one of his producers, Jessi Moore recognized Don and asked if he had seen the final extended cut of a commercial that they shot at TCU last year. He hadn't and she showed it to him. We wanted to share it with you.

Walk of Faith

Many of you know that our large family has been walking a walk of faith this past year...unlike anything we've ever walked through before. Even though the circumstances are not what we would've chosen for ourselves, God has taken care of us...in many miraculous ways. God does not ask us to go through something, then leave or forsake us. He asks us to go through a particular circumstance, then he takes care of us in the process. This doesn't mean it will be easy. Our circumstances have stretched us spiritually and emotionally in ways that we needed to be stretched, and God knew that. And, it hasn't always been easy; however, we have always felt God's presence and affirmation (His peace) in the midst of it. Below, is a devotional from "Streams in the Desert" that I read today and it explains perfectly what it means to go through trials in a Godly way.

Rest on the Word of God

"I trust in thy word" (Ps. 119:42).

Just in proportion in which we believe that God will do just what He has said, is our faith strong or weak. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, or with impressions, with improbabilities, or with outward appearances. If we desire to couple them with faith, then we are no longer resting on the Word of God because faith needs nothing of the kind. Faith rests on the naked Word of God. When we take Him at His Word, the heart is at peace.

God delights to exercise faith, first for blessing in our own souls, then for blessing in the Church at large, and also for those without. But this exercise we shrink from instead of welcoming. When trials come, we should say: "My Heavenly Father puts this cup of trial into my hands, that I may have something sweet afterwards."

Trials are the food of faith. Oh, let us leave ourselves in the hands of our Heavenly Father! It is the joy of His heart to do good to all His children.

But trials and difficulties are not the only means by which faith is exercised and thereby increased. There is the reading of the Scriptures, that we may by them acquaint ourselves with God as He has revealed Himself in His Word.

Are you able to say, from the acquaintance you have made with God, that He is a lovely Being? If not, let me affectionately entreat you to ask God to bring you to this, that you may admire His gentleness and kindness, that you may be able to say how good He is, and what a delight it is to the heart of God to do good to His children.

Now the nearer we come to this in our inmost souls, the more ready we are to leave ourselves in His hands, satisfied with all His dealings with us. And when trial comes, we shall say:

"I will wait and see what good God will do to me by it, assured He will do it." Thus we shall bear an honorable testimony before the world, and thus we shall strengthen the hands of others. --George Mueller.

And the Winner Is...

And the winner is...Liz Newsome!!! Congratulations Liz! Actually I forgot to post the winner of the contest a couple of weeks ago...my mistake. Liz told me she and her family went to Disney on Ice with the free tickets and had a great time!