Catch up!

My intentions were to be better at blogging. Well, you can see that has not happened! Where have I been? It has been so busy the last few months. We had a shift in our curriculum in November. I was not pleased with the phonics program we had started in September. We took a long break and I started to search for a better program that would fit our needs. Once I found what I was looking for we began our new phonics program in January. Basically, homeschooling has been in full force with phonics. Which makes me happy! All of us! Plus, all of little man's activities(swimming & gymnastics) have kept us busy this year. 

Along with those changes we took time to visit family, friends and have some good one on one time. It was much needed! We enjoyed the Holidays! Which ones you ask? All of them! ha! Christmas we spent at my husband's family this time. Our little guy thought that was so cool to spend it at Paw's and Memaw's! It makes my heart so happy that my own child enjoys his grandparents. I did when I was young. Spring break we were sick. First time for me in a very very long time. That was tough! However, the benefits of homeschooling is Spring Break is when you want it to happen. While the crowds were piling up here in Austin we were home in bed. I don't like crowds. In a way I was happy to take our sick days during that week! 

This school year I have committed to two passions. First, I became a "team leader" for children's ministry for the kinder zone. I help during third hour worship service. I am responsible for welcoming new families, checking to make sure our teachers have what they need, stepping in where it is needed, gathering snacks, making sure children attend worship and many many other duties. Secondly, I stepped up to help with our local MOPS(mother's of preschoolers-kinder) group. They asked me to become a DGL(discussion group leader) for a table. It has been great year and we have 3 more meetings for this year's topic. 

It has also been a transition time for me. Exercise has become a priority again. Praise God for that! My friend asked me to attend a Camp Gladiator at 5:30 in the morning at 27 degrees with rain! So, I did! I loved it and joined officially in February. It has been good to get up early and take care of myself before I attend to everyone else's needs. Yay, for me I am not last on the list! 

Then I have been having some fun. Yes fun! The friendships I formed last year in MOPS has been a big blessing in my life. I can honestly say I love those ladies. We still get together for a GNO(girls' night out). My favorite so far are the sing a longs at Alamo Draft-house or the tea times with a Jane Austen movie. I highly recommend finding something you love to do and do it with people you enjoy to be around. That is a very important life lesson. 

So, how are you? Hope & pray all is well in your world. 

Drew's Party!

June 22, Friday early evening we adventured out to our new friend Drew's birthday party. It was an outside event at a Dinosaur Park. Yes, you heard that right! It is a sand and water play park. The sand has fossil bones laid out on the sand. The water park has a whale sprinkler for the area. I know a whale is not a dinosaur but that is what they call it here. Actually, the real name is Champion Park. The park itself is huge so they have named it by the variety of activities that are available. Pretty cool huh? My son loves Drew! They are in the same bible class on Sunday's for 2 hours. We have enjoyed this friendship with the family as a whole!

So sweet! 

Sand time or maybe plotting ;0)

Drew's sister, Payson. 

She is NOT afraid! Right in the middle with the big boys!

" I prefer my own stick, daddy!" 

Gifts!!!!

Thank you Drew for an amazing time! 

Hannah Years

Yes that is really her house in the back ground...;0)

I Samuel 20:42

"Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God's name, saying "God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!"

I knew God had a sense of humor when HE put Mel in my life. From the looks of it you would probably think we have nothing in common. If you just judge from the outside, you would be right.

She is thin & well I am not

Her jean size is a single digit and well mine is not

She is well put together in all aspects of her life and I am a little more spontaneous

Her house is decorated as if it jumped out of a magazine and mine is lived in or some call it comfortable ;0)

She carefully plans events & creatively pulls things together & I wing it!

She knows fashion. the latest jeans, cutest shoes and jewelry. I buy what I like or hang on to it for decades.

Don't even get me started on her well to do hair. Perfect in every way! Me, well I have natural curly hair and it can be a mess. I start out good in the morning and by the end of the day it looks completely different.

She is quiet, reserved and thinks before she speaks. I'm full of joy & laugh a lot and loudly.

If you were to put our lists side by side you would think they have "nothing" in common. If you only judge us by the outside you would be right!

Several years ago God was cultivating both our hearts for a very rough patch in our lives. I had no idea we would endure the same pain BUT GOD knew. We both struggled with infertility. The pain of wanting to be a mom so bad is where the chord between us is very strong! I could tell you every detail but that is not the point for today nor is the pain of living through infertility. We both faced the daunting grip of Satan's attack on our life. The outcome for both of us had different endings but the journey was still long.

Six years ago we stood before a group of women on a retreat at a bonfire throwing our plead for motherhood before them and God. That night we had already endured 5-6 years of our journey. Fast forward to the present, 2012 at another bonfire with a group of women on a retreat. We both stood there this past weekend as mother's of one child each. She has a girl and I a boy(I bet you would've guessed that much). This past weekend we had the opportunity to discuss the journey we took. After a lengthy, much needed conversation we both realized it took 7 years for God to bring our prayers to fruition. We like to call them our "Hannah years." Over the weekend several questions were given to us to ponder and answer in our small groups. One question was "who has been your Ruth or Naomi in your life?" (if you don't know the story then I would encourage you to go the book of Ruth in the bible. it is in the old testament). My sweet friend spoke up and mentioned me. I was so humbled by her sweet words and the tenderness in her voice. I too feel the same about her.

If God had come to me 10 years ago and said "you will be faced with this" and said he had hand picked her to walk by my side. Honestly, I would have laughed. It is not based on looks or style of life or stuff such as that. I just think sometimes we limit or discount which people can add to our life. I am at fault many times for this. I believe we think we have to be "in common" with folks in order to benefit or allow our pain to be revealed for God to work through it. We(me) at times can put "qualifications" on whom is to help us or give us wisdom during a dark time in our life. You never know whom God will put before you and how that person will be used for the Kingdom. Maybe it is an elderly person or a child or a teenager. It could be the woman whom seems to have nothing that ends up giving you everything. It could be the neighbor whose life is a mess yet God uses them and their gifts to reach you. In return God uses you to show them Christ.

Limiting has a 2 way street. We can limit those around us or limit ourselves. This limiting really means "preventing the Holy Spirit" to work on both sides. We call it quenching the Spirit. I too am at fault for this as well.

Limiting myself looks like this...I am not worthy

I am not enough.

I don't know how to.....

That is the problem...I & ME. When I say "God can and will, this removes the "self" out of the way. I am not sure why we must measure ourselves against the tasks before us. Maybe we believe or feel we must be fully equipped before we commit. Then where or how would God be glorified? His power is revealed in the helpless. His strength is shown in the weak. He is glorified in the ones who say "Here I am send me" even though they are not equipped. He will equip you for the job or task. You just have to be willing to to do & go!

Be Jesus

Do as HE instructs

Go where HE sends you

So I ask you...Have you been limiting the Holy Spirit to do good work?

Have you been comparing your "qualifications" to the task as to

whether you will do it?

Where are you being called to serve and whom?

Let God be your measuring stick and He will always line you up correctly. This does not mean we won't make mistakes. It just means He will provide the material to do the job.

Plus you never know what the outcome will be

Mel Bel if you are reading this..I love you and thank you for many years of love, prayer and guidance. I am better for knowing you!

Miles

This is Day 7 of a series Serving Others 31 Days.....

Go here for introduction

Stranded. Hopeless. Frustrated. Broken Down. Alone.

These are typically the emotions you feel when your car us in repair land or broken down. What do you do when you are passing through a city alone? Whom do you call? You are not married. You are a career woman whom is independent. Luckily I know her and she is my friend. Of course I helped her. She actually called to meet up for lunch but in the end needed so much more than just a ride. She needed a friend to comfort her and support her. So I did! God really worked out the details. My mom was watching my son so I could be free to be with my friend and even help her. After a wonderful lunch of catching up we decided to do a little window shopping to pass the time while her car was being worked on. It was so much fun! Unfortunately, the car shop called to let her know they would not be done till the next day. She needed a rental so I took her to get one. By the time we waited for the phone call from the car shop and getting a rental it was dinner time. We really only wanted a snack and a drink just to finish off the night. We drove everywhere all over town but it was so rewarding on so many different levels. Our souls as friends was restored along with a need that was met. No matter how many miles I drove that day or even how many miles are between our cities, our hearts will always be bonded.

Romans 12:10 "be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor."

Honey

Go here for other posts in this series of 31 Days of serving others.......

Day 4......

Proverbs 16:24 "Gracious words are like a honey, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."

Her eyes resembled that of someone whom did not get enough sleep. She just took on a job after being a stay home mom and wife for 5 years. It has not been a smooth transition for her. She has had to rethink how daily task are to be accompished. She has had to search for a childcare provider. One that would love her babies as she would, one that is close and one that is reasonable. After all going back to work for the family should benefit the family. You can't put a price on peace of mind. It is hard! Somedays are long and others well longer. She loves her husband and she loves her children. She continues to plan meals along with cleaning the house. She has had to learn to shift responsibility yet let go of the "not so important" stuff. Every night she reads to her children, gives them baths, talks about Christ, asks them about their day, lays their clothes out for the next day and makes their lunches including hers to save money. She misses them more than anything but knows for a short while this is the path that God has laid before her.

So why does she think she is a bad mom? She is comparing her success as a mom as to whether she CAN stay home with them. It is her desire. It is her husbands. However, finances have been very tight and the end in sight seems far off. They prayed over it. They lost sleep over it. Should she go back? If she does, now where do the kids go? Who will love them like us? These are NEVER easy decisions to make or to FACE. For now, by God guiding her, she is to be in the work place.

The service that the Lord put on my heart to take to hers were these WORDS....."you are a great mom! You A.R.E. a great mom! You love your family. You made the best decision for now. Your kids are happy. They know Christ and they are LOVED. Don't listen to the enemy! He wants to steal your JOY. Serve where you are and KNOW that GOD is going to see you through this job. Hang in there! KNOW this, Christ is watching over your babies and he is guiding you. YOU ARE A GREAT MOM!" She sobbed. " No one has told me that latley. I needed to hear that. Thank you." I hugged her, she sobbed and from mom to mom we get it. We get it because moms everyday make sacrifices whether we work full time, part time or in the home. At the end of the day we are all moms trying to do the best we can with what has been given to us. Praying in our secret places of our hearts that we too are doing the job that Christ has given to us and that we are doing it well.

Words are powerful. From the tongue they can build a nation and destroy it. Oh friend they can also encourage, love and build a bridge for someone. Words they are not to be taken lightly.

Proverbs 12:18 "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

I Peter 4:11 "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."

.........and here I thought when my dad told me "you can catch more bees with honey than vinegar" was some strange chinese proverb he had gotten in his fortunate cookie for lunch. How are your words? Are they dripping with honey?

* all photos are borrowed from simplystunning*

Little League or better known as Baseball

The other morning the Lord woke me up before 6 and was directing me to facebook. Huh? Facebook? First, I have backed off of FB and only get on a few times or from my phone. It is not part of my daily routine so being guided to get on FB and before 6 am was all LORD! Ha! While I was catching up with FB one of my friend's status popped up. This was his status "won't be able to afford little league for much longer if thieves keep targeting our car!"

My heart just sank because I knew he really meant it. Now, let me put this in perspective for you. He is a missionary in a foreign country. So all of his funds for his family to live off of are given by others. I am sure "extra"is not in their personal finances. He is not one to beg or ask or even hint at needing things for his family. So I knew this going into my email message to him. This was not a joke and to live under such circumstances is beyond me. Here in America we are VERY FORTUNATE. Everything is within our reach and for the most part we don't have to worry about trading in our kids fun for tires. Which is a need! You have to have tires on you car to go anywhere. So I sent him a message through FB asking how much little league is costing their family and if they were still serving as missionaries. I already knew that answer. I just needed something other than "dude, how much should I send you?" He did reply with what it was costing them so now all I needed to know was where to send the check. The Holy Spirit guided me to play the trump card. Yep, I sent back a message "please tell me where to send the check. Don't argue with me on this. You let the Holy Spirit work!" It probably sounds harsh but if I didn't insist he would've somehow got out of telling me. Here is his reply back "you're to sweet Shellie. I was set to argue, but you kind of played the trump card (Holy Spirit). Ha."

I had a number and an address! I pray that he won't have to deal with the headache anymore of tires or anything else being stolen. Considering where he is a missionary. I doubt it. He is in a very very poor area. Maybe just maybe this month or the next he won't have to worry about the funds

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you. Deuteronomy 16: 17

Here is the funny part him letting the Holy Spirit work has really helped me. This mission that the Lord has me on Serving Others for 31 Days has really put me in a place of vulnerability. It may seem easy to you to from where you are sitting but trust me it is not. The only way I was truly able to give is the Lord open the door for my hubby to work over time and so there has been sacrifice on both our parts. I am very proud of my hubby! Here is the kicker to all of this the "extra" added up to what I needed to send to my friend. Coincidence! No way! ALL LORD!

Faith Scripture, Bling, Spoons and A Blessing!

Before I left my home in Houston to head to Austin some very sweet friends gave me parting gifts. They came at different times throughout the summer but each mean so much to me.

First came..

A beautiful Faith scripture plaque for me to hang as a reminder of who is really in control-GOD! Each friend signed the back of this plaque. Sure makes a gal feel so special.

then came....

See those Beautiful earrings? They match my favorite necklace that I never got earrings for. My hubby and son 2 years ago bought me a heart shaped necklace from Brighton that had a picture of my sweet baby in it. Funny how that works out, huh? Along with these earrings was a gift card for Bed Bath & Beyond. I can't wait to be in a place of our own so I can go shopping for something special! Shopping is so much more FUN with a gift card!!!!! Don't ya think?

then came.....

These are not just your everyday average spoons! They come with a beautiful prayer.

"God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference."

I love to cook and my friend knew this about me so it came with personal thought behind it. Aren't they the most shiny and gorgeous spoons you've ever seen??? Oh trust me they will be for decoration!!!

then came....

This wonderful "blessing" of a decoration was given for me to add to my new home! My 2 sweet friends signed the back of this with wonderful words for me to read over and over again. This particular beauty holds deep relationships that were started from the day we set foot at Bammel. They have blessed my life beyond words!

Now look at them all together.....Interesting how they ALL fit together!!!! I am so excited to put these all in one place for my memory keepsake. When I pass by them I will be reminded of the love, friendships, laughter, tears, hugs, trails, joy and how God worked through each one.

Courage

Such a funny word to me. If you ask any random person what courage means to them you will get many different answer. Some may refer to a fireman or a police officer or even a solider when they think of the word courage. MAYBE some will say their mom(smile). I know my first thought is the infamous picture of a fireman carrying a survivor out of a blazing fire. Very dramatic! Or the picture of that sweet innocent white kitten walking across a line of doberman pinscher.

what does Courage look like to you?

Recently, an old friend came into town. We have not seen each other in over 10 years. We have kept in touch through the years but have not had the opportunity to see each other face to face. She even brought her husband! Funny part is my hubby and her hubby know each other so it was a good visit for all. She has been through some really really tough stuff. I could not even begin to describe what her life has been like these last 12 years. She has had to endure her husband being in another state for 4 years and here I thought a year was long. Ummm, NO! She has had to work almost 6 days out of a 7 day week. She has had to live with people whom she is not related to but knows through marriage. So, she has no idea what it means to have her own place for just the 3 of them. She has had to hear the opinions and judgements from "friends" and strangers about how they feel looking into her life. Some even offered for her to divorce her husband because they do not approve of him having to continue his education in another state. She has lived far away from her immediate family all these years and getting to see them is a challenge financially and in distance. Her mother passed away within her first few years of marriage. She has had to live in area where churches are very very few so her choices have been very limited. She has had to put all her hobby's on a shelf so she could work for her family. She has had to leave her daughter behind for a period of time so she can go help her husband. I could go on since there is a whole lot more to this story but out of respect for my friend I can't. It would be easy to sit back, read this post and even form your own judgements or opinions. We all do!

My friend still has a smile on her face. Sometimes it is a little worn and may carry a few more wrinkles but it is there. It has not been an easy road for my friend and her story continues on this road. I am praying for this chapter in her life to close so they can be a family again. It was probably one of the shortest yet deepest visits I have ever had with a friend. It is just where we are on our journey of life. We as friends have crossed again and we relate on a level that many can not understand. Our paths are different, even the circumstances but we have a new found love and respect for the other because of where we have had to walk.

After being able to see my friend and really see her life story up close and no longer through email and phone, I was encouraged by her courage.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

How Time Flies

I can NOT BELIEVE my time has come to go. I am still in shock that today was my last Sunday at our church. You know those strange dreams you have where you are watching what is unfolding before your eyes and you see yourself interacting with people? That is exactly how I felt this am. I looked around the pews shaking my head in disbelief. I must have hugged the same people 5 times in a row and looked into the sweet sweet faces of children that I have taught through the years. It is sometimes hard for me to grasp that I will not get the privilege of watching my friends' kids grow up right before my eyes. For me this is the toughest emotion to let go. If you didn't know it by know I get very attached to other peoples' kids. I have a connection with them and deep in my soul I believe it is a gift! Yes, I know "we" will keep in touch but honestly it just isn't the same seeing them from Sunday to Sunday or in between.

I have one particular friend whom is very emotional about this kind of stuff. I think that is why we get along so well. We really feel! I am getting together with her this week and I am bringing the kleenex. I know we will need it. Isn't it great to know you can be you? I pray that you have those sweet friends in your life that rejoice with you, cry with you, laugh with you and maybe even dance a little with you. This is very biblical! James 5:¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ 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.

My emotions are all over the place lately. My mind just keeps racing and it won't stop. Trust me it is all sweet memories. I have recalled the very first people I met when we got here to precious teens who had carried more Faith in their back pockets for me during a very dark time. 10 1/2 years is a big enough number to have multitude of boxes filled with beautiful stories. I am so grateful and blessed to have been part of those stories. So I "thank you" for the memories, good & not so good. If it was all easy & perfect then we would never know growth. Really I "thank you" for loving me enough to grow with me in my faith.

There is an old old song sung by Wayne Watson called Watercolor Ponies. I was at a camp when this song was first introduced to me. It is about cherishing those precious years with your family because time truly does fly! So my friends cherish your time & cherish the people in your life. Oh one more cool fact HE is from Houston! The only video I could find was really long so fast forward to 3:02 and the song will begin.

Lyrics to Watercolor Ponies :

There are watercolour ponies
On my refrigerater door
And the shape of something
I don't really recognize
Drawn by careful little fingers
And put proudly on display
A reminder to us all

Of how time flies

Seems an endless mound of laundry
And a stairway laced with toys
Gives a blow by blow
Reminder of the war
That we fight for their well-being
For their greater understanding
To impart a holy reverance
For the Lord

But, baby, what will we do
When it comes back to me an you?
They look a little less
Like little boys every day
Oh, the pleasure of watching
The children growing
Is mixed with a bitter cup
Of knowing the watercolour ponies
Will one day ride away

And the vision can get so narrow
As you view through your tiny world
And little victories can go by
With no applause
But in the greater evaluation
As they fly from your nest of love
May they mount up with wings
As eagles for His cause

My Lil Lobster

Everyday at my friend's house my son would want to go outside to play in the sandbox or the bubble area. She had purple sand for the sandbox. How cool is that? We don't have a sandbox so training him to not dump the sand out of the box was an interesting feat. We are still working on that behavior. We all had a great time so enjoy these few pics of just one of the many times we were outside during our stay.

A Friend indeed

Last week I helped a friend out by watching her son for a night and half a day. I think my son thought I had brought in a play-mate for him. They had so much fun together! She actually came to pick up her son that early next morning but he did not want to leave. Plus, they were playing so well together that I told her to go on and let them play. Here are a few pics from their day together!