God is always at work...

I started a bible study back in October that is going through the book of John. It has taught me so much, just to slow down and really read God's word. God's timing is always perfect and I just wanted to share what God is doing in my life and why I am thankful for this Christmas season.

This Christmas season has been so much fun so far! I have enjoyed buying for family and Ryland. I am pretty much finished with my gift buying and have the 'time' to sit back and enjoy this time and not rush it. It has been fun buying for Ryland the things I know he's gonna love. I can also see how easy it is to want to continue to buy, buy, buy. It's just fun to give to others. I am very glad that God has kept my head level and I have not overdone his gifts.

I am thankful that God has opened up opportunities to help others. I wanted to share what God is doing in my life.

I have been humbled at how much we've been blessed with. I believe it is b/c of me being made aware of others in need at the Missions Conference we had last month. While reading a favorite blog of mine, God laid it very, very heavy on my heart that we are to support a child from another country. The lady in the blog had just come back from a mission trip to El Salvador and reading of what she saw there was a blessing to me. After I finished reading her post, I sat here and sobbed for those that are in need. That is something I have never done before, sad to admit. To think that God chose me to live here in the US and not in a third world country just blows my mind. So I got onto the Compassion website and started praying and asking for God to show me which precious child to sponsor. I searched different countries and different ages. There was one little boy that kept coming up. There was a sparkle in his eye. He's got something different about him. I finally asked God "Is this little boy the one?" He was. With tears, I called James and sounded like a blubbering fool. I needed him to know what God was telling me and even though I didn't need his "permission", I needed his encouragement. Of course, he was fine with whatever God was calling me to do. So I sponsored a precious little boy named Yefry from Honduras. He's 5 and lives with his grandparents. I feel like God will use him to minister to his people one day. And I want a part of that! I could not wait to get his information in the mail and send my first check off to him! And people, if you don't know me that well, this is NOT me. I like to stay in my comfort zone and try not get out of it very often. Which is why I know God has BIG plans for Yefry.

When the information came in the mail and I opened it and saw his picture, I just smiled. I showed him to Ryland and told him all about him. Ryland liked the fact that Yefry loves to play cars. Whenever we talk about Yefry, Ryland says "Yefry plays cars like me". I am very excited to see where God is going to take this.

This Christmas season is definitely different for me. I'm usually trying to make sure I get all the right gifts for everyone and stress about will they really like it. This time, I'm thankful I could get friends and family something, but even more thankful that I can help others this year too! Christmas is all about Love and I want God to use me to show His Love to others.

Merry CHRISTmas!!!
Shannon

Yefry

Ryland update

I realized today that I haven't really updated on my wild child lately and since James and the grandparents are the only that reads this, I'm sure they would like to know what Ryland is up to.



After I went back and read this, I realized that my ADD has kicked in big time and I am all over the place with this blog. Just warning ya!



As you know, Ryland will be 3 in two weeks!!! We were at Walmart today and he was throwing my lipstick that I was buying(which I hated once I got home, they never look like the package) out of the buggy and laughing at me when I picked it up. (He only did that a couple of times and we were in the back of the store). That was fine until he threw it in front of a lady's buggy. After giving me the "It's okay, I know how little ones are" look I said "I'm sorry, he's three". I don't know why I used that as an excuse, but he immediately said "I NOT 3! I 2!!" Reminds me of someone, huh Mom?



He is so independent and very sure about what he knows. He doesn't like to be called anything but his name. I can't even call him 'buddy' before he let's me know that's not his name. He's so silly and is into singing all the time now. He loves to sing "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty".



He is getting a big boy bed this week and is so excited about it. We'll be repainting his room and putting up crown molding. Yeah!



We were on our way to the grocery store and it started raining. I asked him, not really expecting an answer, "where did this rain come from?" and he immediately said "God!" :o)



He picked a flower for me a couple of weeks ago and it was the sweetest thing. He melts my heart almost daily.



I am rambling about all kinds of stories, but that's where I am right now. Here, there and everywhere with him. He really helps me with my ADD. :o)



Ryland is the biggest challenge I have ever faced. Parenting is the hardest job I've ever done and I know the end results will show it was worth every stress and worry. He is so smart and silly. He has a sweet, compassionate heart and I pray that he will always have that.



Ok...that was a long post that really said nothing. :o) But if you made it this far, thanks for reading!

Let the Holiday season begin!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!
As I type this, we are in Virginia and it's the day after Thanksgiving. We came to visit James' dad and stepmom. Ryland has had a great time up here so far. We came up on Wednesday and will be leaving tomorrow, Saturday.
Yesterday, we had so much food and it was all very good! Ryland had his first taste of sweet potatoes, collards, pecan pie, and coconut pie....and he loved them all!

We stayed at a hotel that is probably the nicest hotel we've been to. Thank you James and your Marriott points! It's a suite with granite counter tops,a kitchen, fireplace, king size bed, sofa bed and a living room area. Very, very nice! It's also nice b/c Ryland has plenty of room to run around.

It's been a nice trip, but I must admit, I am ready to get home to my own bed!

I've got Georgia on my mind.....

Catching Up

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post.

We are having a Missions Conference at church that will be ending on Wednesday. I've been helping in the children's area, watching them learn about different countries. I haven't been in to listen to any of the speakers, but from what I hear, they are awesome and God is really showing up each night.

Next week is Thanksgiving and we are heading to Virginia to visit James's dad and stepmom. I hope Ryland does good on the trip on there and back. I need to make sure I pack a good activity pack. Ryland was 10 months old the last time we saw them.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it's always a great reminder to remember all the things I am thankful for. With the missions conference going on, it just really shows me how much God has given to my family.

Thank you, God, for my wonderful husband, amazing child, great family and friends. Thank you for James's new job, transportation and clothes. Thank you for the all the little details that are too many to name. Most of all, thank you for sending your one and only Son, Jesus, to die for my sins and saving me from Hell. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me enough to give your life for me so that I may one day spend eternity in Heaven with you!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Making a cake for Daddy

Step One: Start with sweet little boy

Step Two: Add cake mix and eggs

Step Three: Add water and oil

Step Four: Stir

Step Five: Add cocoa and a big smile
Step Six: Put cocoa mixture in cupcakes


Step Seven: Sample a little bit

Step Eight: After it's cooked, add the sprinkles

Step Nine: Eat the sprinkles

Step Ten: Eat more sprinkles

Step Eleven: Enjoy with Daddy!!!

Happy Birthday DADDY!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Hyder!!!

Just wanted to wish my sweetie a Happy Birthday! I love you!!!!

The top picture......

Can you guess what daddy was doing in the background while momma was trying to get a good picture??????