Milestones...

I'm so sorry I been gone for so long again ! That was not what I have intended to do at all ! Life has been busy and different ... Trying to find my groove again and realizing that this may be my new normal, well it's tiring ... So I hope you will bear with me. There has not been any real change or answers .... We have decide that whatever God decides we will call it a blessing and be happy no matter what! 

    The only changes we have heard from the doctors as of right now is there has been a huge effect on my liver due to some of the meds... It's now importance to loose weight and I will have to return my clean eating diet... However that's not a bad thing ... I am blessed to have another day! I want to be here to see all the amazing things God has for this life He's given me and the milestones of my family ! So as hard as it was I was able to walk a mile today.... That's extremely hard for someone who's heart rate is all over the place and oxygen levels are to low at times .... However God gave me strength ! He promises that We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength !( Phillipians 4:13) 

 So this journey is a day by day journey... We will see where God leads .... My beautiful family is gonna rally with me on this ! Of course if we want to have a treat we can .... After all we only live this life once...

      We actually just returned from a much needed week of vacation at the beach! This has been one of my favorite vacations we have ever taken ! We didn't really do a whole lot , except spend time together as a family! We played cards at night...Jody and the girls went to the pool or beach some during the day ... I would go as I felt like it ! On Friday we rented a resort umbrella and stayed on the beach all day that day for the most part... We went shopping one day! I was able to walk the Tanger outlets with the assistance of my oxygen ! However by the time we made it to Broadway at the beach I was too tired and my hubby rented me a scooter so the girls could enjoy their shopping in the 104 degree weather lol! We went for ice cream and really just enjoyed each other ! I never once felt overwhelmed or frustrated with my limitations .... I felt blessed with the opportunity to make new memories and have the modern convinces I have today! To make it a lil easier .... 

  God is an amazing God ! I just want Him to know I thank Him for all blessings big and small ! 

I am gonna have to take my own advice ... Remind myself the size of my jeans does not make me pretty or what others think either ! It's the  unique creation  God made when He made me that makes me beautiful ! So with that being said I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from our vacation ...

Please continue to pray for me on this journey... I can't help but quote my favorite verses each day as when I need a boast of encouragement ....

But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not faint!

 He is enough each and everyday !!!!

Hope you enjoy the pictures below! More than anything thanks for stopping by and your prayers ! 

   

                                             The view from our balcony

                                  

                                        Our first full morning at the beach

                                My girls favorite breakfast of all time !!!

                          

I felt like Mav from Hotel Transylvania 2 hehehe here ! It was like I was sacred of the sun light !

                              

                                                On our way to Tanger

                                         

                       No beach trip would be complete if Christian didn't get a heana tattoo

                                                     Beach reading material

                                   

                                         Under the umbrella still wearing my hat lol

                                    

                                                     I could stay here for forever 

        

                                                                 My beautiful girls 

                                     

   

                                             I'm so blessed God choose them to be mine 

                                       

                                                      Love this man beyond words ....

                                        

            Never be ashamed of your battle ...  You never know who your inspiring .......

Let her play .....

                      

     

    I miss the soft pitter patter of feet on the floor in the morning, the countless hours of playing barbies and babies, sewing for hours for A life of Faith , setting up Barbie and doll houses ... Playing for hours and most of all planning and having tea!

        My girls are teens now and for the most part these days have ended ....'now don't take me wrong we have plenty of fun now, in just a different way !

    Being a Mom is the third best gift God could have ever given to me ... My #1 gift is salvation and my #2 is my sweet hubby! Being a Mom has brought so much joy to my life! I actually can not wait till the time  to be lil granny in real life you know 50yrs down the road! Hehe.....

      For want ever reason I woke up this morning and this thought was so strongly on my heart ..... It was Imporant you taught them to Play and even more Imporant to teach the Boundries .... 

    That very moment I felt like God said you weren't a bad Mom when everyone else was putting there dolls away and trading them in at 10 for make-up and cell phones .... Instead I insisted cell phones waited till 14-15 and make- up no earlier than 13...

       I monitored t.v time, what books they read, who their friends were, what they looked at on the Internet..... I wanted to keep them safe and teach them the importance of acting their age and enjoying the easy years.... Adulting is hard ..... I don't always want to be one lol... Five sounds like a perfect age ... Naps playing all day... You know the easy stuff lol.... However I am thankful that God allowed me to be a Mom....

    Now that they are older I find myself protecting them from even more than ever in a more serious manner.... I want them to,save themselves for marriage, choose wise friends, Pray God would lead them to The One He created just for her !!!! I want them to have a strong relationship with God , to know what He says is right and wrong! Trust me this world is not where I want them getting that info from... I want them to pray about what God has called them to do..... The list goes on for days I promise .... Are they perfect nope ... Are they going to make mistakes...YES ! Even though neither of them have ever done anything to horribly bad .... I realize this world has a lot more pressures for them as teens and young adults than there ever was when I was a kid ! I want them to know they can ask me anything! Tell me anything! Am I always gonna like it .... Ummm.... Nope, however I am sure Gods not always to happy with me either .... He never turns me away.... I recently heard a story of how when a young man was young he messed up,and the church and his family turned their backs on them... Now let me make this clear ! My kids have not done anything to prompt this blog post ! It's just what God laid on my heart ...

     I am a Pastors wife .... I honestly could never turn my back on some one because they sinned! Not now anyways .... I can remember being apart of a movement years ago you must look  and act a certain way or God wouldn't love you .... I am so glad God removed those blinders from my eyes ! He saved me washed dirty ole me up and loves me !!!! If He can do that for me ! He can and will for anyone who ask ! The problem is we have lost a whole generation because, we set our standard so high even for our children we have bacame unapproachable ..... Ohh my..... What if God was that way? 

    I'm so glad He isn't .... So as I prayed this morning .... In my heart I felt Him reminding me ....my our doing good at this Mom thing ! Your not perfect.... 

I thought for a moment and asked myself do my kids know they can tell me anything and know that they are always loved , always have a home, and always forgiven ..... Dad reminded me yes .... They do because right after heart surgery Jody and yourself set down and told them that.... 

       My oldest is 20 and my youngest now 16.... Some advice from a seasoned Mom.... It's Imporant she play's and is taught to be a kid and it's just as Imporant to teach them to be healthy teens, in their hearts minds and relationships .... Practice talking about the hard stuff... You want those talks to come from you not the world... You know the one I am thinking about .... Why it's important to save yourself for marriage .... Have an open rule you can go through their phone and computer .... Be sure to actually do it.... They may not tell you this right now! But they will love you for it in the end I promise ! Just remember this the Bible says this ....

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it!

Moms you do the training don't let the world be their influence ....

 Praying for all of you ! Hope you have an amazing weekend ! 💜Shellie

Sweet Surprises.....

   

                     

I am a tru believer that God sends certain people to be in your life for a season and other for a lifetime! I am truly blessed for many that He has sent to be here for the long haul....

    

  As most of you know I have battled some serious health problems the past few months.... Sometimes a doctor is not what is needed .... It's medicine for the soul.... I truly believed I received some of that today .... One of my very best friends was able to come for a visit with her sweet kiddos today! I haven't seen them in almost 2 years .... My how time flies.....

 

   I hadn't realized just how much I missed talking over coffee and catching up.... Sharing stories of encouragement with one another .... Till you have that opportunity ....

While I was bed bound I realized each day is a gift and so are the people who come along beside us and lift us up along the way ..... I was reminded that even Jesus had his close knit set of friends ...His go to guys .... You know the ones who always had His back.... I have made some of those relationships since we moved back to our home town .... However they can never replace the ones you leave behind ... 

    I have decided that I need to make it priority to nurture these relationships and go see them... I miss them and need them in my life I can't imagine life with out them.... If Jesus needed His twelve then I must need my own as well... 

  When is the last time you reconnected with some one you once were super close to and have lost that intamcy in your friendship? Whether it is due to miles or just a busy life .... Consider taking time out and making a point to remind that person you miss them and you need them in your life ... 

    I will leave you with this thought from the Bible :

12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

13Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 

14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:12-14

      How can we deny Gods Word He requires us to love on another .... When is the last time you reminded that special friend you love them and your praying for them..... 

 Thank you for stopping by... Until next time I will continue to pray for you guys ... Hope you will do the same for me .... -💜Shellie

Morning thoughts .....

     

                                     

  One of my favorite things in the world to hear is the early morning chirping of birds....

It's as if they wake up and instantly start singing praises to Jesus.... 

   This is what woke me this morning.... Was the sound of a beautiful chirping outside my bedroom window.... I just laid there and listened to the beautiful song it sang for a little while.... Till the buzzing on the highway right out side busted through with the sounds of traffics ....

       A thought came to my mind how busy our lives have became .... We are constantly on the go ....

 We miss so much of the beauty and wonder this beautiful world has to offer us ....

      That beauty is something money can never buy .... We must just slow down and enjoy the creation set out before us!

 God is so very creative He paints the sky for us each and everyday .... He sets our own lives in Motion with so much beauty to behold .... But when was the last time we slowed down to actually enjoy it?

     Over the past few months I have Been slowed way down from my fast paced life.... It wasn't by choice, but sickness has a way of making sure you slow yourself .... Ohh how it has slowed me ....

    Each day I reclaim a little more of what I lost ... Thank you Jesus for answered prayers! 

  However as I was laying there this morning I realized even more I want to be intentional in how I live my life! I want to enjoy the things around me not buzz through life watching it blurr by us....'I want to watch the butterflies outside my window, listen to the birds sing, look at the beautiful wonders all around me ! 

    I recently decided I needed a schedule to follow.... It will help me be intentional with what I do for my family and ministry, it will also make me spend some time writing .....

      But when I start this schedule I want to make sure there is time to enjoy the simplicity of life! 

To enjoy one another and not caught up in social media .... I may even start putting my phone away a certain time each evening so I am only focused on my family .... Being intentional with my time with them making memories .... Now my girls are older 20 &16.... So our hours of playing dolls are over for the most part.... 

     However there is still a lifetime of memories to make .... Make them count ..... Enjoy the sound of their laughter .... I promise you won't regret it.... Listen to the birds sing.....

  Thanks for stopping by .... Praying you all have a wonderful weekend ..... ❤️Shellie

Sorry it's been so long....

    

                     

Wow it's been a wild few weeks ....'I'm so sorry I haven't blogged much! I promise to try to do better! I have had a lot on my plate .... 

My favorite verse stands so true ! But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

      I have regained all strength in my legs and I am able to walk! God sure is good ! Learning to be patient is extremely hard for me ! I so want to be able to do everything I am used to doing with out any draw backs .... However that's not been the case .... I still have a pocket of fluid surrounding the whole heart however it is decreasing! I still struggle with pericarditis symptoms. Pain, shortness of breathe, and swelling. I struggle my hardest with fatigue.... Up and down O2 stats make out door activities really hard when it's hot !

 Through everything that is all said and done I am still one blessed girl. I have learned so very much from all of this.... I have learned to let people help, the house does not have to emasculate to be considered clean, I must listen to my body it's really Imporant to take care of myself,

That material things can be replaced, and weight is just a number on the scale its doesn't define wether or not I am pretty..... 

  Many mile stones have passed , I graduated off my oxygen till 3 nights ago .... Jody cleaned the bathroom with Lysol and the chemical smell really affected my lungs ... So we are learning more everyday that somethings may never be the same again.... 

     We celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary !!!! We went to a wonderful little restraunt in a near by town and had a wonderful dinner and instead of going out of town we decided to get a gazebo for our back patio ... Given the fact my stamina is that of a turtle .... We decide to put off going away for a few months when my strength is better.... We ended our evening with having my wedding rings cut off my fingers at the local fire department .... My hands had swollen over the rings cutting off circulation... Causing quite a bit of pain and a whole lot of tears...

    I was reminded that night it was a material object it didn't replace our love for one another ..... In a few months when I stop swelling I will have them fixed .... Until then well..... I will be ringless lol!

    My first Sunday in children's ministry will be this coming Sunday ! I am excited and nervous at the same time! I won't be full time for a few more months .... However just to be there makes my heart so happy ! 

      I have been able to do some sewing ! I sewed some of my favorite things doll clothes ! Just because it's my favorite to create ....

           We have planned a family vacation for July ! I am so excited to just get away .... Although I can get around I don't go out much because it takes so much  out of me ! I can't wait to spend a week looking at the ocean .... We plan to have a laid back vacation and not rush the whole time ! That excites me ! Because I know my sweet hubby and kids need it as much I do !!!

       So bear with me when I am here and gone again each day brings new challenges...

Each day I try to regain a responsibility that was once mine .... Some days it works out great other days not so much .... So until we see where all of this has left me I will continue to be patient ! I know I have been healed by the Word of God! He's got this !!!! Thanks for stopping by ! Below are some pictures of some of my work and favorite things ! Praying for you guys ! 

                           

              

                             

                       

                                                 

                                

                            

                          

                           

                            

                            

                              

             

                                 I made a strawberry and cream cake from  scratch !

                               

              

                     My new favorite place in late evenings and early mornings !!! 

 

        

           

         

          

How to Mend What's Not Really Broken.....

 

                                    

    As the First Lady of our Church, a Mom, and Friend. I have many moments of counseling and ministering over the past sixteen years.... 

     I must say the ones that break my heart into shattered pieces are the ones who don't see the beauty that God created and they have either lost or never given the chance to see their self worth. 

        As of lately I have had these conversations with young girls 13 and under as young as 7! Yes you read right 7! It has made me question what are we teaching our children in our homes and society? I have spent some time in prayer over this issue a lot over the past few years ! 

     This past weekend reminded me why we are going to have to step up as moms , leaders of our church's ,and society! Help our little girls, teens, women of all ages see that know that they are beautiful ! That means no matter their size, hair, color of their skin, or where they come from.

       I recently had a lil girl set beside me on my couch and ball and tell me she is fat and ugly! She is eleven. Now what she thinks she sees and what I see are totally different ! I see a beautiful blossoming young lady with long beautiful curly hair, blue eyes , a smile that lights up a room, petite in height not heavy at all . She is a perfect image of what an eleven year old child should look like.

          When she told me all she seen was ugly and fat my heart broke! When I asked some questions why she felt that way I soon learned my hearts suspicions were correct.... She had been repeatedly told that she is fat and ugly at school! Unfortantly she has took those labels on and owned them as hers! We live in a society that defines our beauty by our size .... If our hair looks like such and such on tv, and good heavens forbid we have a flaw because after all Disney stars don't ! 

         Some how we must reverse this vicious cycle ! As a teen I battled a eating disorder and a lot of image issues with myself ! I never felt pretty or good enough even when I only weighed 105 lbs ! I still thought I needed to be smaller.... Or I needed be more like so and so. Other wise I would never be pretty or good enough! The generation before mine did have the mentality that how we were to look our best no matter what was going on because good appearances made everyone believe as long as the outside looked good they would never know how jacked up the inside really was ! Wether it was their homes or them we are talking about !!! No one was ever to know if something wasn't perfect !

So it wasn't uncommon to be told to suck your stomach in no man wanted a fat girl , or the house had to be perfect inside and out because really behind closed doors it was falling apart , or to be compared and asked why your not more like some one else !

      All of that brings me to this ! We all ready know how these things affected us as children. Let's be honest I lost so much weight before my wedding that I could have walked out of my wedding gown !!! I still thought I was ugly and fat on our honeymoon !!!! It took many years to realize my jean size does not define who I am, my worth , or my beauty !!!!! But how many times do our daughters hear us say I am fat , I'm ugly , or I need to drop a few sizes or Daddy isn't going to think I'm attractive anymore !!! Shame on us ladies !!!!! We just taught our child the only type of people who are beautiful are skinny people ! How many times have they heard us compare ourselves to some one else and say if on,you could look like that !!!! We just taught her what God created was not good enough for us, we want a do over ! During the conversation with this beautiful eleven year old girl, tv stars were mentioned! I knew who she was comparing herself to for sure now ! Disneys stars ! Yep I said that out loud ! I love Disney cartoons .... But the tv shows give girls an unrealistic idea of life ! I never remember going to school dressed to the nines , hair and make-up perfect and my figure perfect! Ya know the thigh gap, flat tummy, all the curves in all the right places !!!! Hmmmm no one ever mentions to these girls that they are photo shopped .... They have some one to dress them, do their make-up, and their hair. That on their normal everyday life doesn't look like this ! But let's be honest how many of our moms are comparing ourselves to others as well ! Well if I could just look like .... I'm trying this diet.... Or maybe if I wear my hair like this ...l will be beautiful and accepted more !

We are suppose to set the example in our homes ! Now don't take me wrong there is nothing wrong with being healthy ! We all need excersize if our body's will allow it and healthy foods to keep the inside running well ! We have a problem when we tell lil Suzie you can't eat a ice cream with her on a hot afternoon because your on a diet ! Our daughters learn from us from the time they are brought in this world ! If they constantly hear you put down your body and say your fat and ugly I can promise you she will too !!! Ohh how I wish someone would have told me that before I had kids ! I didn't really realize this till I became pregnant with my second child !  A high risk pregnancy , a death , complications after delivery was a cocktail like no other ... I never really lost all the weight ! It took me some time but I finally gained my confidence back and realized that I was beautiful no matter what size! There has been a few times I have to remind myself that ! Even now ! I gained 20 lbs mostly fluid during my health crisis ! I even had to go out and buy new shirts ! However I have remained positive through all of this ! It's just a number ! It's doesn't tell me who I am ! God does !!! He thinks I am beautiful ! He wants me to think I'm beautiful because He created me !!!! He wants me to know my worth is a price above rubies (Proverbs 31:10) because my worth is found in Jesus !!! Not my size ! He thinks I'm perfect the way I am !!!  Because I'm made in His image !!!! (Psalm 139:4)

      We recently had a guest speaker at our Church who was born with out arms ! If she can tell me she walks by the mirror and says aww girl you look beautiful today !!!! You are fine ! I love you !!! Mauw girl you are hot !!! Why can't we ? It's time we change how we see ourselves ! Instead of telling yourself your ugly, tell yourself your beautiful and you love yourself for who you are !!! Not what you want be !!! Let your daughter hear you tell yourself you look pretty today !!!! Tell her she's beautiful ! Remind her she is fearfully and wonderfully made !!!  We need to step and lDies and take our girls back !!!! Satan has had them to long telling them they aren't worth nothing ! Because Jesus thought we worth dieing for! Don't let Satan steal your joy another day wrapped up in what we have told ourselves or others may have said .... Let God restore you and your daughters today ! Remind them words don't define what God Made !!! He thinks your beautiful and so do I!

    The King is enthralled by your beauty. Psalm 45:11

                 You have been noticed,

                            He thinks your beautiful ,

                                         The glass slipper fits,

                                                          The music is playing,

                                                                     And He's asking you to dance! 

Princess will you give all over to God, take His hand let Him show you how beautiful you are !

When all is quite .....

                        

 

    My illness has been a journey .... I have learned so much from! I know that sounds crazy, but it is so true as well.... I have fallen in love with the quietness of the morning ! When no one is stirring in our home! 

    The soft hum of the morning traffics, the birds chirping outside my morning, and the simple hush of no one but me and Dad (Jesus) up and having sometime together.

      I have never been a real early riser until all this has taken place in my life recently! I would dread my Sunday morning alarm, now I am awake before it ever goes off! 

      I have truly found my quite time is the very best way to start my day ! It is well worth the effort to get up and tip toe into the living room and have a chat with Dad!

           I am almost giddy by the time I pick up my devotional, Bible, prayer journal and what ever book Dad has led me to read! I can't wait for Him to share with the truth He has for me today! 

     I am in the midst of writing a book and actually haven't written at all in it since my heart surgery ... He reminded me this morning I need to begin writing again ...  He did it so gently .... A thought came to mind , what if I used Dads approach when I need to remind my family of something.... I must say being sick has changed me a lot. How I do things has really changed ! Dad showed me a lot on that chase in our apartment! However He was never gruff with me ... He always did things in love .... So should we... No matter how crazy someone is driving us lol, we still should reply with love.... 

     I learned a long time ago you never question Gods plan for your life .... He will make it all work out for His glory! I know He has for me! I am so very blessed! Maybe your struggling with trying to find that time with Him ..... Try different times of your day till you find what time is right for you !!!! Then schedule that time for you Dad (Jesus) and me time ! I promise the effort will be well worth it. You will find yourself stronger for it! I can also promise you will find yourself changed as well !!!

     Thanks for stopping by! Praying you have a blessed day! ❤️Shellie