tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90151869464933591402024-03-13T10:05:31.129-05:00Psalm 105:4The Life and Times of Our Crazy Family. . . Wherever God Leads UsThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-11143415626872116162011-03-13T09:14:00.003-05:002011-03-13T09:15:56.494-05:00www.shellydeason.comHey all,<div><br /></div><div>I wanted to direct you to where I have moved my blog, it is a work in progress right now but all my old posts and several new ones have been transferred to <a href="http://www.shellydeason.com">www.shellydeason.com</a> ~ thank you for your readership and please join me there and subscribe to my RSS feed. </div>The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-46508697825604265642011-02-10T09:14:00.014-06:002011-02-10T10:55:22.820-06:00One of the hardest blogs. . . ever<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDaPsXigbCMDM9AG_DaUMzzpQjDVks4YSUS-h0ICu68hpU2gvLMrsf3lTw4yKQIKb2tbbx_EBnv8P6yhaALfJEfKRlLT5ZCQXTm5gNsm7R2B0-LjfsLzjYjvDyNQcFrMhQ4SQN-ifmJ83/s1600/Logan+Now.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDaPsXigbCMDM9AG_DaUMzzpQjDVks4YSUS-h0ICu68hpU2gvLMrsf3lTw4yKQIKb2tbbx_EBnv8P6yhaALfJEfKRlLT5ZCQXTm5gNsm7R2B0-LjfsLzjYjvDyNQcFrMhQ4SQN-ifmJ83/s200/Logan+Now.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572102292168253858" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Logan, It is so hard to find the words today, my emotions run really deep these past few months. It could be my babies are growing up and doing things like driving and graduating highschool or it could be old age. Glancing over to the couch, there is a young man sleeping there, not a little boy. Today, on your 16th birthday, there is no school because of snow, and who knows what time you went to bed. All I know is that now you takes up 1/2 the couch and just yesterday you took up a cushion. Well, maybe a few yesterdays ago, but it all goes by so fast.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIQZGxx4ktXWH_i6dcKKlXR5haFpWVl5o7eJUvQg6IuAfqQmPKS5abPR1y2XVWF0C2IC81seKwUAvJAni86sKYfN4PzFLxeRYD7qZZyhRj6eNek3YVYZ_BBag4vg0ulPVI7gFtC7ZDyeq/s1600/Logans+birthday+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIQZGxx4ktXWH_i6dcKKlXR5haFpWVl5o7eJUvQg6IuAfqQmPKS5abPR1y2XVWF0C2IC81seKwUAvJAni86sKYfN4PzFLxeRYD7qZZyhRj6eNek3YVYZ_BBag4vg0ulPVI7gFtC7ZDyeq/s200/Logans+birthday+003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572092292418685122" /></a><div>Where did this two year old boy go with a heart of gold and a laugh that would melt your very being? You became a fiesty five year old who refused to wear anything but sweat pants and or eat anything but cheetos and reece cups. The five year old who was in so love with his teacher, Ms. Oliver and would make this face anytime you were asked to smile for a picture.</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5R09YUPZF6NewBS_UJq8bMt-KO5ZZ1jGA_QHnvM9xjR9j9QSDHTmY9USBLMKe4zDzVUMZ4HzUiiNoSXQJGWh_pTQ8KY9QeSCHW5TNUsjh4qtE1MHhZjCbdastIHXxgWEsK9UmcXQGiPn4/s200/Logans+birthday+005.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then there was this eleven year old guy, who walked me mom down the aisle, even though you still didn't really like Brad too much yet. Glad that's changed, makes my life easier. I'm thankful that we have that memory of you, wearing your tuxedo reluctantly, looking like quite the handsome young man. And I am thankful for these memories, of when you starting being yourself with Brad and seeing how much you really are alike and how much you love each other.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsEGwAwdz2kjZg8XylX7pddnX6_sBaJphRWKOpt4ieECM5YUurOQWaWC1o7rueCY98jF_zBak1GW6ulNSzNQ03mAvynhmfwHyKzM75N5CQe_okyFrRDIUCrrLS4jkDPmn9tbiHIM0tWh6/s200/Ed+Debevicks.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now here you are, a lanky 16 year old, who sends me around the world and back to find jeans that actually fit you. You are finally taller than me and Cait, which makes you VERY VERY happy! It is crazy how fast this last year has past. Logan, you have grown above and beyond all I could image. You have grown in the Lord and you have started to really seek His will for your life, and it shows. Sometimes it may not seem like I see it, sometimes it may feel like all I do is fuss at you and make you do things you don't want to do, but I see it. I see the potential in you and I see the spark in your eyes so I push you to be more, to do more, than you think you can.</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know the move to Nashville has not always been easy, but you have embraced new adventures, new friends, new places and taken it all in stride.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2El9Unm41pywQJaFXVZWXJpm6MUkEm3NwBJhPZMT_E7FS6lGK-Y27N1a6ChP3kIPAMdMqeTOk6FFQIGdRTL4V9_CD4IGjmEqD1gV6RoYu4oyBIJdQSO6M3P4fGjnI-DWTWIFnY0nAySF/s200/church+at+dalts.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You don't realize the impact you have on those you meet, but you are influential among your peers, you will make such an impact for God in this city.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I see you curled up next to Bailey and Hunter in the evening, everything is right in the world. When I see you at church with your hands raised in worship, I see your heart for Jesus, and it is Big. When I hear you in your room, playing your guitar and singing, I wonder how on earth the time has past so quickly, but it does. Tomorrow you will be one step closer to 17, then 18 and then graduation and I know I have so much more to prepare you for in such a short time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjz0VjIbKj84pU17qjPMBL1X9XfyCq793r-0Q5mwUSS2tN_Gs9QQXpbHvO6KnQ7G3CViu6_5uTzDUTOrzFDQ_hdgH2olsSAa0BW41EpMwq_gJUJSMRu38DnXOiiFHwIQ9lGzIO85Yr0u_/s200/at+fannies.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is an amazing honor to be your mom. It is an amazing, crazy, fun, sometimes challenging and frustrating journey to watch you grow into adulthood. Keep your smile through all life brings your, keep you faith in every situation, keep loving people when they don't love you back, make people smile when they feel like they can't anymore, play your music and sing what's in your heart. Those are your gifts, use them. I love you and hope that this year brings you more clarity and focus then every before. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-9668815948965039722010-11-25T10:32:00.002-06:002010-11-25T11:18:46.051-06:00With a Thankful HeartI find myself overwhelmed with emotions today and have already cried thrice as I have been reading over Facebook posts about thankfulness. It is amazing the blessings we have in each other and in the things God is doing in our lives.<div><br /></div><div>While I am thankful for every friendship, every blessing, every difficulty that makes me stronger, every new client, every moment of laughter, there are some special people who have touched my heart in this last year that I want to thank personally.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Jesus</b>: You took a hurt and emotionally fragile girl and gave her strength to keep on going, you shielded me from hurts I could not imagine, you have kept my family safe in the 1,000's of miles we traveled over the last year and through it all you have drawn me closer to your side. Thank you for seeing more in me than I see in myself. You have given me the courage and the confidence to keep working this fledgling business and I know you see great things as we continue forward. Thank you for giving me a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Brad:</b> You. . . you are sometimes hard to put into words. After almost 7 years of being my best friend, my heart still skips a beat when I think of you. Your strength and character are unmatched by anyone I know. When we made this decision to move away from everything we had ever known, to leave behind the crutches of our youth, you held me up on days when my legs felt like jelly. We have laughed more in the last six months than we have in quite some time and I know that the longer we are here, the more sure we are that we made the right decision and that this is where we are meant to be. I have said this before, but it's just so true: I am thankful to walk this road of life with you whether the road is bumpy, smooth or has huge pits that we have to get through, being your wife makes it worth every moment. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Caitlin:</b> Girlie, you are my heartbeat. You are just one DNA strand away from being me, and somedays that scares me, because I know how stubborn I can be. I have seen you grow so much not only the past year, but especially since the move. The transition of being your mom while you are becoming a woman is not always easy on either of us but I think we are doing okay. I love how focused you are on your education goals. I love that at 17 years old you KNOW what you want out of life. I love that you love Jesus more than anything in this world and I am thankful that you call me mom. As you leave our nest next year, hold onto the core of who you are and never change that.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Logan: </b>Last week when we were talking about school and you had that 'lightbulb' moment on why we push you so hard, on why we want you to try to achieve more, it was such an answered prayer. Growing up, I was so much like you, good at tons of things but not passionate about any of them. My fear was that you would not see the big picture on how I want more for you than I can ever be and when I saw you figure it out, it completely made my day. I am thankful for your loving and sensitive heart for Jesus. I know you are going to great things for Him because you are willing to do what He calls you to even if it's not your plan. I am so excited to see where life is going to take you over the next few years.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sis:</b> I can't even start this without crying, mainly because you are so amazing and loving and when we came here we had no 'real' family but you made us your family. You made it okay for me to pop across town in my pj's to laugh about nothing and you have even half way taught me to talk in the 'old lady' voice. Because of what we went through before we came here, true love and acceptance felt like a thing of the past, things that we could only hope for again some day, you made those hopes true again, so thank you for making us feel a part of things from day one.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pastor:</b> I have no idea what you thought of us that day when we came into your office, hurt and angry, scared to trust someone with your calling ever again. I can't even remember much of what we said but I know that our walls were so thick in places and broken in others that navigating a conversation with me certainly could have felt like a mine field. I remember you saying something to us about just coming to church and trying it and not make any commitments and I thought, okay, I can do that. When we decided to make POM our home and ultimately Nashville, the messages you brought forth and the counseling you have given us have just continued to solidify that we are making the right decisions. So if I could sum it up in one word, I would say - Willingness - I am thankful for your willingness to take a chance on hurting people and for your willingness to love people like Jesus does and let God do the rest.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Brandi</b>:I am thankful that you are my friend. I remember how we would talk last year and I would tell you how one day you would be so happy and you could not see that. Now you are happier than you have ever been. You are the first person I was able to help in some small way because of the pain that I endured through my divorce. There were days when I would get off the phone with you and cry because it would bring up my old wounds that I thought were gone. But it was such a joy as the year went on and I started to see the changes and I started to see the joy return to your life and in a way it helped me to heal parts of the past I had not touched yet. I am thankful that you are courageous and faithful and loyal and kind, I love being your friend.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Joseph:</b>Thank you for loving my friend. Thank you for being what she needs; it makes my heart smile when I think of the 'broken road' you guys have came through to find each other. I cannot wait to see what God is going to do with your lives and your marriage.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Heather: </b>What do you say about your best friend when you haven't had a best friend in forever. We can go weeks without seeing or talking to each other and pick up right where we left off. When I see Caitlin and Mel together I am jealous that we weren't friends from that age. I cannot imagine the stuff we would've came through together if that had been the case. I miss you so much every stinkin' day. . . and yes I am crying when I type this. I am thankful that 100 miles does not change how much we love each other; and how we will always be there for each other at the drop of a hat. Looking forward to seeing you soon, I love you!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mom & Marlena</b>: I know this last six months has not been your favorite and I am thankful you didn't give us as much grief as you could have over us moving. Thank you for having the tenacity to put up with us through these last 3 years that were the worst we could have went through. If not for the two of you, we would have been homeless. Thank you for showing us what a mothers' heart does for her kids. Thank you for loving us through it all.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>POM:</b> My church family, you have no idea what you mean to me. To be here in Nashville, with no close family, you have truly loved us and welcomed us with open arms. You have made a difference in our lives everytime we come into contact whether it be at church, eating a meal or just hanging out. TeamDeason is thankful for Point of Mercy.</div>The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-20604574987670168152010-09-14T15:09:00.004-05:002010-09-14T15:34:48.729-05:00Forgiveness and Thank You'sThere comes a time where forgiveness is just in order ~ when we look at the scripture and see how often Jesus tells his disciples to love each other and to forgive those that do us wrong it is amazing how little it seems to matter to us. By us, I really mean myself because I'm not trying to judge anyone on this but myself. I have a lot of experience in forgiveness and even wrote a blog a few weeks ago about forgiveness that was one of the best blogs I've written about how much of a struggle it is but what a blessing there is in the forgiving.<div><br /></div><div>So that is what I am doing today with Shane West. I am forgiving you, I am releasing the burden of frustration and hurt and pain and walking in forgiveness. There was a day that the very thought of saying I forgive you to the person/people who caused my family such hurt was a joke. In fact, I thought this day would never come. I thought that unless you were in jail and paid for the things you did to so many people that my soul would not have peace. That if this didn't happen the way I wanted it to, that God was acting a little crazy. That somehow, if He would just make you pay for the things you had done, that my life would be vilified, that I would feel like He let me finally have that WIN you've talked about ~ but instead, as I began to pray and to seek His face, I began to understand that the WIN is in the experiences the WIN is in the growing that I've done as a child of the King because of the situations that were created by you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Without these situations, I would not have known how strong my husband is and how much confidence God had in him when he put us together. I would not know that those arms that wrapped around me when I cried could really fix just about anything and when he couldn't, HE could. I would have never seen how much he loves the children we have together and how he would do anything in his power to create safety and security in their lives. I would not have seen him with tears on his cheeks as we prayed together for direction as a family. Thank you for that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Without the pain, I would not have known how strong I am as an individual. I would never have seen that hospitality and just plain ole' loving people is my ministry because after the hurt, it was something I had to fight for. Before last year, I never had to 'put myself out there' because it came so naturally. I never really understood or appreciated the discernment gift that God gave me until He started revealing to me what His plan was for my life. I never had to pray that hard or work that hard at trusting God or anyone else, and that has made me seek His face more and more. Thank you for that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Without the lies, I could have never experienced the full truth in who I am as a person. Watching my children blossom under true ministry and taking a foothold in their gifts has been more than I could ever ask for. Finding respect and confidence in church leadership again was definitely something I thought I would ever see again. Because the lies became so obvious, it is so much easier to see the truth of who people are and I like what I see around me. I love where I am in my life and I'm not going to apologize if that upsets you because I have you to thank for where I am right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>The path we walked together was some of the best times of my life and the only thing that makes me sad when I think about it is wondering if any of it was even true. That's the hardest part of your lies, I know there was truth in some of it, I just don't know or will never know, which part. You will forever be the person that I always wish had turned out different because, you could be so much more if you would only let God fix you. I can say this in all honesty, from this day forth, I will pray you get your life fixed. I will pray that you finally become the man God wants you to be. . . </div><div><br /></div><div>I</div><div><br /></div><div>Forgive</div><div><br /></div><div>You</div><div><br /></div><div>Shelly</div>The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-13911029235086825732010-09-10T07:24:00.004-05:002010-09-10T10:42:28.184-05:00Winning Isn't Everything. . . Or is it?<span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span class="ssens"> <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">What does it mean to win? What is winning? According to Webster winning can be a noun or a verb but when we think of the word how do we read it? Do we read the passive kind of winning like, he won that by his efforts or the active winning like, He beat the pants off that person in whatever he was trying to do. I think that in life, we sometimes get obsessed by 'the win' by using the king to checkmate our opponent, by taking the last dollar or hotel your friend has in Monopoly or by diving across the table to get that last spoon and hoping you don't get your eye put out in the process.<br /><br />Winning for me is being secure in who I am every day. The Bible says in Phillipians 3:14</span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" ~ Winning for me is moving my life every day toward what and who God wants me to be. The ultimate prize in this life is making it to heaven.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the best things that's happened to my family since moving to Nashville is seeing my children growing in God. They are bringing their friends to church and they are really establishing their own walks with God. Just yesterday, I was having a frustrating day and my daughter brought to mind how Pastor had just taught on Sunday about our testimonies being under attack. Those simple words from her brought me to tears because I knew the word was getting in her. I knew that we are in the will of God and for me, that is Winning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">So in the small things in life, winning isn't everything, but in the big scheme of things, Winning is everything~ Walking with God and winning the ultimate prize of a relationship with Jesus Christ is what this life is all about!</span></span>The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-8384747687070865722010-07-20T10:38:00.010-05:002010-07-20T11:10:51.715-05:00The Bridge of Forgiveness<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">God = Funny</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfRNGUTXz3xaZlEHu9UidNXnGbOcFHw4IBYEpWF5yhd4YxqRn36JwTOdVAYXO_jU2mZtjQkChP2j62lOUmrntzN9dvMdAZJEwCf-dB-P7e5yvcwGv3uVeLkAN0ff4-d9kl5IbqKs7m1jv/s1600/bridge4.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfRNGUTXz3xaZlEHu9UidNXnGbOcFHw4IBYEpWF5yhd4YxqRn36JwTOdVAYXO_jU2mZtjQkChP2j62lOUmrntzN9dvMdAZJEwCf-dB-P7e5yvcwGv3uVeLkAN0ff4-d9kl5IbqKs7m1jv/s400/bridge4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496019819065865266" border="0" /></a><br />Just last night I was walking on this bridge with my husband. It was beautiful balmy night in Nashville and we decided to escape for some alone time. We'd never been on the pedestrian bridge so we decided to take a stroll and look at the city lights. It was beautiful. It was breathtaking. It was funny. Brad was going in for a romantic kiss when a homeless man interrupted to ask for some spare change. That was funny ~<br /><br />As we looked and relaxed in the awe of where we were we began to talk about what an amazing journey the Lord has placed us on and that our life is so different from where we were just a short time ago. I hope there won't be a day when I am not amazed by the Nashville skyline. I love this place, this east Nashville vibe and the people who are in my life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C9u0OY5iuCYN4rvrQGV73MtMAuOtjwO7v643bVWDUz4UosXR_nMf6mdlrMh6Ha0ihHAd2YnL05GmW3DeGd4bh0xCNCgDRVQDPqNaqic6cMacSSX5XnLDs8BIrtXI6qV434_zfyM689l0/s1600/bridge3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C9u0OY5iuCYN4rvrQGV73MtMAuOtjwO7v643bVWDUz4UosXR_nMf6mdlrMh6Ha0ihHAd2YnL05GmW3DeGd4bh0xCNCgDRVQDPqNaqic6cMacSSX5XnLDs8BIrtXI6qV434_zfyM689l0/s320/bridge3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496020179148849634" border="0" /></a>On that bridge last night I was thankful for every experience I have endured that brought me to that moment and in those short minutes, I thought, nothing can touch this. Nothing can touch this feeling, this clear path of where we are and who we are becoming.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtJxx99bDQQI81Up9KyaZ_kD04sc2KINz-lbk5NAaMzRa2wtueZCRQ_6aWsMitwTHLM40VxAOsbJaXOFlaM7AOFkovd9odkO62r9BRMTcIUZJlcGcws0uDoxglpqzK1MicjbSGWRR25lx/s1600/bridge%60.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtJxx99bDQQI81Up9KyaZ_kD04sc2KINz-lbk5NAaMzRa2wtueZCRQ_6aWsMitwTHLM40VxAOsbJaXOFlaM7AOFkovd9odkO62r9BRMTcIUZJlcGcws0uDoxglpqzK1MicjbSGWRR25lx/s320/bridge%60.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496020620237936418" border="0" /></a><br />As we left the bridge I thought, that was really an experience in forgiveness. Looking at the strong parts of the bridge and how it held up against every wind and every flood and every boat that might bump against it, it reminded me of God and how when we are rooted in his love and forgiveness that people can bump us and the wind can blow us but the forgiveness is what makes us strong. Forgiveness makes us strong because it's what makes us. The pain people put on us is not what makes us strong, it's the willingness on our part to Forgive as God forgives us that makes us strong. The hurts we experience are there to allow us to grow in Forgiveness.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtJxx99bDQQI81Up9KyaZ_kD04sc2KINz-lbk5NAaMzRa2wtueZCRQ_6aWsMitwTHLM40VxAOsbJaXOFlaM7AOFkovd9odkO62r9BRMTcIUZJlcGcws0uDoxglpqzK1MicjbSGWRR25lx/s1600/bridge%60.JPG"><br /></a>As we walked backed to the car I told Brad that I know that there will be challenges ahead of us even though right now we feel on top of the world. I also told him that the only thing that scares me is that I know whatever comes our way will be more personal than anything before and I hope my bridge of forgiveness is strong and sure so that I can move through it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG8nMhWjF-zwrV6wOMGfoAJJu9o_LnDMj5q-hJOYc6BzHSBruDyoK9axNkSM1qvgn6pu2sKknhlrGI-lSRqEagwgX2pnXC8Y0uk7VeTnzfaMxt65Cm4HozDbbyEeXbuREO9Z6rldqkwso/s1600/bridge2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG8nMhWjF-zwrV6wOMGfoAJJu9o_LnDMj5q-hJOYc6BzHSBruDyoK9axNkSM1qvgn6pu2sKknhlrGI-lSRqEagwgX2pnXC8Y0uk7VeTnzfaMxt65Cm4HozDbbyEeXbuREO9Z6rldqkwso/s320/bridge2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496020615508873602" border="0" /></a>I woke this morning to discover a hurt that I had long ago 'thought' I had gotten past was thrown up at me in the worst way. There is a part of me that feels like I am dying inside right now and only God and I can talk about it. No one else can understand where I am emotionally about this one thing. The bridge of forgiveness that I talked about in my head last night as I dreamt up this blog was pretty and silver and as I look at it today, there seem to be some steps missing and it's a little shakey. Did I mention God is Funny? Nevertheless, I am going to get on this bridge and I don't know how long it will take me to cross it, I don't know how sure my steps are, but I know that with Him all things are possible. I know that when I get on the other side of this bridge I will feel safe again and be able to breathe.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMmpN-ZpIc25CQhQQHMigzAspr_uopltpFAJmeOREHB2Cu8_XVGKMdYAfTTN25EUxy7rgkmcT0P8cr1Ut_yWKfyscNixSEIe9dIA23TqI5of8tki4e2VEp6QHtBynZN2XIgT4XWUg5XFg/s1600/Broken+Bridge2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMmpN-ZpIc25CQhQQHMigzAspr_uopltpFAJmeOREHB2Cu8_XVGKMdYAfTTN25EUxy7rgkmcT0P8cr1Ut_yWKfyscNixSEIe9dIA23TqI5of8tki4e2VEp6QHtBynZN2XIgT4XWUg5XFg/s320/Broken+Bridge2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496020626562633106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I know God didn't bring me to this bridge without knowing I can cross it.<br /><br />I know that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyo26ESy7nPtKUs4YBOUhUEv34lhuBGIGqHBH5QP2EEd8eqRwQnWbvYGwFFhCN1SB7q1WrFKTfFDSe5KyNjzJ7oIH-yBo4GAXGhN5pa-6Ch2NxgpQ6nLR0ouKUyFHX4pYJAKBKYTXxWAe/s1600/Broken+Bridge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyo26ESy7nPtKUs4YBOUhUEv34lhuBGIGqHBH5QP2EEd8eqRwQnWbvYGwFFhCN1SB7q1WrFKTfFDSe5KyNjzJ7oIH-yBo4GAXGhN5pa-6Ch2NxgpQ6nLR0ouKUyFHX4pYJAKBKYTXxWAe/s320/Broken+Bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496020635778217714" border="0" /></a><br />And for today, for this moment, that's enough.The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-74544214300515170152010-07-06T21:00:00.005-05:002010-07-06T21:11:24.777-05:00June14, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZC6if5L-dzd20pABIzfs6VYuuYm2rTx23tJjd5hVhz2maGpX03ZAuEPXJgMMCDQQYfE6LZMWjoiOkei2Syazz8V3F0fNsp3wjrkzuyrPOlknQh_r4utAqxe7rRxALTh0VieckVmZ521p/s1600/nashville+house+008.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9loYx15AQienhnbbzUuDdE5ty0zz9mkZhj07CJ18h6GRh6jEaunabAA9gN8cdwVh8sE8BEc4wFg0f7znFxgTbNAY9SsJdRKYHca1_QtuVaOg31V-35_VBd8E_HLxo8CaMOLqRrcNPuJde/s1600/cait+257.jpg"><br /></a><br />We were talking this weekend about when we first came to <a href="http://www.pointofmercy.net">Point of Mercy</a>, our church home here in Nashville. Today I got on my blog because I remembered writing a post the next day after we had visited, the day that changed our life and put us on the path we are walking today. <a href="http://psalm105and4.blogspot.com/2009/06/rug-burn.html">This post</a> was about the pain and the betrayal and hurt we were feeling on that day. It is AMAZING how far God can bring you in a year's time.<br /><br />Almost one year exactly to that day, June 17, 2010 ~ we moved into our cute, roomy bungalow here in East Nashville. We moved here where Hopkinsville already seems to be a life time ago.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9loYx15AQienhnbbzUuDdE5ty0zz9mkZhj07CJ18h6GRh6jEaunabAA9gN8cdwVh8sE8BEc4wFg0f7znFxgTbNAY9SsJdRKYHca1_QtuVaOg31V-35_VBd8E_HLxo8CaMOLqRrcNPuJde/s1600/cait+257.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9loYx15AQienhnbbzUuDdE5ty0zz9mkZhj07CJ18h6GRh6jEaunabAA9gN8cdwVh8sE8BEc4wFg0f7znFxgTbNAY9SsJdRKYHca1_QtuVaOg31V-35_VBd8E_HLxo8CaMOLqRrcNPuJde/s400/cait+257.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490979823914581650" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Here where there are sidewalks to take the puppies, music lessons the next block over for Logan, and our kids going to high school on a college campus. Here where God has placed us to do a work for Him.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZC6if5L-dzd20pABIzfs6VYuuYm2rTx23tJjd5hVhz2maGpX03ZAuEPXJgMMCDQQYfE6LZMWjoiOkei2Syazz8V3F0fNsp3wjrkzuyrPOlknQh_r4utAqxe7rRxALTh0VieckVmZ521p/s1600/nashville+house+008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZC6if5L-dzd20pABIzfs6VYuuYm2rTx23tJjd5hVhz2maGpX03ZAuEPXJgMMCDQQYfE6LZMWjoiOkei2Syazz8V3F0fNsp3wjrkzuyrPOlknQh_r4utAqxe7rRxALTh0VieckVmZ521p/s400/nashville+house+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490980266300169586" border="0" /></a>I am amazed and in awe at how great our God is and that He chose TeamDeason to walk through the fires we have went through so that we can help others to come out on the other side, just like we have ~ I never want to forget the blessing in the trial because on the other side the sweetness of knowing it was all for us to grow in Him makes each trial worth it ~ We are Blessed Beyond Measure<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-64660060205619838752010-05-05T01:01:00.011-05:002010-05-05T02:26:22.369-05:00Seventeen Again ~ A Letter to My Daughter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIl2IH3_1hhoyejDIOy8noD6ZeWecFIRg1AoYw5o8_sI6K38af5U6Iu6gzyL4jZNUdnCyCvWFFGyvMsuw36VdVPgsg6E2T9ChAXm-M9fIuSO25fIrRSSwIy_IZBYtAGKC1c9iht9H6Ci-/s1600/collage.png"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWMvSYBN2aYkDvKIENAx7UpfqHCtuTcF50JioeM9Ym5r4aK6J7JXe0OAli_vAueWfHOuXRYmVsDrn0G7Zen0hxMA1MmvTNc0nYITSL6_a1xMMhEsDf26wZS4EuXN1OJOzuTkOlflDshah/s1600/montage.png"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwrW1VlKrYVsshuCcdDER8-1VohbiwsaKK4fuRUOt1VydouE51qGdzdYiauHl71pt9qbqwC0l81sAZMwm38h3RncKnrvBsppYqXzH057cTuQjkszJCGjGcO5FNIoHRB4Qtg9BaFO9B3TD/s1600/cait+%26+zoey.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwrW1VlKrYVsshuCcdDER8-1VohbiwsaKK4fuRUOt1VydouE51qGdzdYiauHl71pt9qbqwC0l81sAZMwm38h3RncKnrvBsppYqXzH057cTuQjkszJCGjGcO5FNIoHRB4Qtg9BaFO9B3TD/s400/cait+%26+zoey.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467663408486205906" border="0" /></a>Caitlin,<br /><br />Seventeen means so many things to me. Seventeen has woven itself in and out of my life since the day I was born; and today, as you turn seventeen, it happens once more.<br /><br />Your grandmother was Seventeen when she found herself pregnant with me and seventeen when she married your granddad and had me that August of 1973.<br /><br />Seventeen years later, in 1990 on a warm August Saturday, your Dad and I got married and at seventeen, I was a wife. I cannot imagine how my mom felt letting me marry at such a young age, and I am thankful that you have your sights set on Jesus, schooling and career at this age instead of marriage. On that warm August afternoon in 1990 there were no doubts and no fears, only excitement for the future. I am sure that your dad and I could have made better choices and while there were things we both regret; you were were never one of those regrets. Three years later, on May 5th, 1993, you arrived; you were more than we had hoped for and we loved you with all we had in the best way we knew how.<br /><br />Last night, like every birthday in between, we came together as a family for a birthday party that you really didn’t even want to have. We ate and laughed , had birthday cupcakes, virgin margaritas in pretty glasses and had our house full of love. It warmed my heart when afterward you told me that you were glad I had the party for you. This party, was admittedly, for me. I feel that this is the last chance to catch you in that divide between child and adult, and I wanted to revel in every second of it. If I had it to again, I would go back and even buy a piñata.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWMvSYBN2aYkDvKIENAx7UpfqHCtuTcF50JioeM9Ym5r4aK6J7JXe0OAli_vAueWfHOuXRYmVsDrn0G7Zen0hxMA1MmvTNc0nYITSL6_a1xMMhEsDf26wZS4EuXN1OJOzuTkOlflDshah/s1600/montage.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWMvSYBN2aYkDvKIENAx7UpfqHCtuTcF50JioeM9Ym5r4aK6J7JXe0OAli_vAueWfHOuXRYmVsDrn0G7Zen0hxMA1MmvTNc0nYITSL6_a1xMMhEsDf26wZS4EuXN1OJOzuTkOlflDshah/s400/montage.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467666652236377810" border="0" /></a>When you were a baby, I pushed you to be independent, I pushed you to be your own person and on days like today, I wish I had let you be a baby more, let you lean on me more and ride on my shoulders instead of walking on your own. Today as you are on the cusp of becoming a woman, I have been observing how you are taking charge of your life and I am proud to be your mama. I am proud of the drive you have to go after a career that will be challenging and heartbreaking on some days, I am proud that you are learning much earlier in life than I did that your words have weight and meaning, I am proud that you love Jesus more than anything else in this world and that you have a heart for the hurting around you.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt_DE3e6KIT6L0tdgwfru8uWOjfcW2oaNzFSBaO5bU6K4nyIzXB_W4xAkU7jeNUio2TIQ-OBlsYud_NOrvM1gltjFaX5AnWI9uxQsKR625O4rydABGQ65meq_yoacif8VBBZhWkflUbXo/s1600/Cinderella.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt_DE3e6KIT6L0tdgwfru8uWOjfcW2oaNzFSBaO5bU6K4nyIzXB_W4xAkU7jeNUio2TIQ-OBlsYud_NOrvM1gltjFaX5AnWI9uxQsKR625O4rydABGQ65meq_yoacif8VBBZhWkflUbXo/s400/Cinderella.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467663420506382866" border="0" /></a><br />Where did this crazy-faced, cake eating baby girl go who was so happy to just have a Cinderella party? Gone is this little pigtailed girl and in her place is a young woman on the brink of first loves, first heartbreaks, first kisses, first car, first college experiences. Thank you for bringing me along on this trip with you. It's amazing to be your Mom. Digging through the photos of your life tonight, I cried as I saw those moments and faces that only come in certain stages of life. I am thankful that not only do you respect me as your mom, that you love me as a friend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIl2IH3_1hhoyejDIOy8noD6ZeWecFIRg1AoYw5o8_sI6K38af5U6Iu6gzyL4jZNUdnCyCvWFFGyvMsuw36VdVPgsg6E2T9ChAXm-M9fIuSO25fIrRSSwIy_IZBYtAGKC1c9iht9H6Ci-/s1600/collage.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIl2IH3_1hhoyejDIOy8noD6ZeWecFIRg1AoYw5o8_sI6K38af5U6Iu6gzyL4jZNUdnCyCvWFFGyvMsuw36VdVPgsg6E2T9ChAXm-M9fIuSO25fIrRSSwIy_IZBYtAGKC1c9iht9H6Ci-/s400/collage.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467673701786820578" border="0" /></a><br />Don’t ever take the stages of your life for granted. It's okay to be single, it's okay to be in love, it's okay to be whatever you want. I am grateful for every fork in the road and every decision I have made because it brought me to today. Don’t ever worry about what others think of you, plow ahead into all that life has for you; and on the sidelines, I will be here, forever cheering you on as only a mama can. I hope some of these photos bring back the good memories for you that they brought me tonight.<br /><br />I love you Cait, keep Jesus and your family first and be like me in this one respect, Make every Seventeen Count!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZkBH7x17iFz5QjX6VXGO2DmU9hQ26w4LT0yXTVOkg_ebAV8SLPhWrfOXTjsWO-QCb1cU86jE-iAR9NlDUVRsHprNADrhuHB5Y4otVzw1ptoms-t7Tn6Ch5Rq13p3jWx704IV0TcCDT3N/s1600/closet.jpg"><br /></a><br />MomThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-78135423687619090832010-05-03T21:07:00.006-05:002010-05-03T21:37:59.568-05:00The DoorI came to the realization today that, in my heart, I am already a Nashvillian. As I sit in my house in Kentucky, with my yard dry enough that it could be mown today, I cried every time I looked at pictures from Franklin, Hermitage, East Nashville, Downtown, Hendersonville, etc. THIS is my city, this is the place I love and now, it has a lot of work before it to get it back to where it was before. The door of my heart is so open to Nashville, more so now than ever before I wish that I was there standing arm and arm with the sandbaggers and sump pump operators. Being able to tell people that we have extra room so come on over would at least feel like we are doing something.<br /><br />My heart breaks as I think of children who don't have their favorite blanket or pillow and for moms and dads who have no idea what they will do because they have no flood insurance. Being an animal lover, I think of the many animals that are displaced. Being a small business owner, I think of people that if they lose their business, their whole world is turned upside down.<br /><br />My heart hurts for the homeless person who's home is literally washed away. I think of how the two income family is not much different from the people who always reside underneath the Jefferson Street Bridge or have a tent or two off of Trinity Lane. Every Sunday and Wednesday, as we head down Trinity Lane to church, we will see a few homeless people, sometimes panhandling, sometimes walking their dog, sometimes just heading to the tents that you can see through the brush on the right hand side of the road right before the Pilot. The white & blue tarps are just visible enough for you to know they are there, and I wonder, as the brush becomes green with spring and summer, will we even see that? When we see these folks we always talk about it, how we are so blessed to not be without, how we are blessed for family that helped us when we could have been in that place, those tents on the side of the road. <br /><br />As you watch this video below just put yourself there for a minute, for a moment in time and think of what you would do if this happened to you. This was swift and unimaginable and honestly, it will probably get worse for most people before it gets better. My heart breaks and my words move often today for God to show His face in this disaster, for Him to make himself known. Maybe He makes himself known in us, maybe it takes things like this for us to tap into the relationship with Him that we need. <br /><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vwCGz1vSh_M&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vwCGz1vSh_M&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Please continue to pray for Nashville families and businesses and homeless and churches that unity will bring us all together and that God will be glorified through this tragedy somehow. If you can help financially, please send to the red cross. <br /><br />We have checked a few times and as far as we know, this door (and the house attached to it) is safe. This door makes my heart smile and gives me hope. It makes me aware that I will be there hand in hand with my neighbors through the summer and beyond, restoring a city to its beauty and wonder. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52zOS1d4MuQxAKMd42_ZHxcc_52OOkdMHI3jrDBRqKfoGr0VGO2abaMEyr2azdy78Bkvogzq3NuFNrY2j0KulXJNiX7TMTwbsn_3TcWHtByX3VCQ8Bo8xpaUU91bLd8mohyphenhyphenp5enltnoU1/s1600/front+door.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52zOS1d4MuQxAKMd42_ZHxcc_52OOkdMHI3jrDBRqKfoGr0VGO2abaMEyr2azdy78Bkvogzq3NuFNrY2j0KulXJNiX7TMTwbsn_3TcWHtByX3VCQ8Bo8xpaUU91bLd8mohyphenhyphenp5enltnoU1/s400/front+door.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467237974085293986" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />It's the door that will welcome us home when we get to Nashville in June. It's the door that many will go through for bible studies, cookouts, sleepovers, fellowship, yummy cup cakes and love. I am excited to share more behind this door with you but that will keep for another day. Just keep our friends and neighbors in your hearts and your minds and Keep Him First Always.<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-65028342792398610072010-04-27T23:22:00.002-05:002010-04-27T23:45:01.323-05:00LossSometimes I get tired of how I blog. I get an idea stuck in my head and it won't go away until i put it here, for you all to read. This week has seemed to be surrounded by loss both in the positive and the negative. Loss seems to be all around me & since I cannot escape it, I will blog about it.Honestly, I feel like shouting right now about the goodness of God in my life. I am sure that would scare some of you to death to see me shoutin', but God has been so good to my family through loss. If I had an aisle to run right now, I would be dangerous. . .<br /><br />About a year ago today, I lost some of my best friends and that was a sad loss for me & my family. Today as I revisited some of the reasons for this loss, I came out with the understanding that sometimes you have to lose those things you held most dearly in order to grab a hold of what is most important. Wow, even in saying that, I am amazed at where God has moved my life. God is so amazing and His plan is so definite that if we just let go and lose all the things around us that seem so important and hold onto Him, He won't let us fall. In fact, it is more than likely His idea for you to let go of those things in the first place.<br /><br />See, today I trust God more, because I know He leads me. Today, I hold my husband more tightly because I know how the enemy tried to destroy our family. Today, I am aglow with pride because my kids are sensitive to God and I can see His purpose being fulfilled in their lives. Today, I am thankful that my Pastor seeks God's face and brings the Word with passion and intensity because God led us to a wonderful church home. <br /><br />If I had never let go and experienced the loss and pain I would most likely not be experiencing the greatness that is in my life right now. The Bible teaches us about counting it joy when we are put to the test. I love how 'The Message' depicts James 1:2-4 ~ Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. <br /><br />As the trials and pressures of this life swell around us, let's count it all joy. It is because of the joy I have in my life that I am not as discouraged as I could be about my weight loss (or lack thereof). It is through this joy that I see God growing our business in His time and not ours. It is through this joy that I hopefully can speak peace into the troubled life of a friend or has experienced a loss of their own. It is through this joy that I choose to move forward and take the losses and turn them into wins. God is developing something in you right now and you don't even realize it. Just hang in there through this loss in your life and give Him time to show you what it was about.<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-34788548196254382842010-04-24T22:32:00.002-05:002010-04-24T22:52:22.571-05:00Rough Patches are for SandingI've been going through a 'rough patch' in my home. By definition a rough patch is to experience a lot of problems in a period in your life. I would say that pretty much is dead on for me right now. Maybe 'rough patch' is too harsh really, maybe its just a period of adjustment that has me thinking this through so much. <br /><br />I think that in this time of crossroads where Brad & I are working together now, building our business, getting ready to move to Nashville, getting the kids' their school interviews for fall, being in Nashville, on average, three days a week, trying to balance that and our quality time is really not working. This transitional time has been pretty hard on me because although I am excited about the changes going on, I don't always deal with change well and right now, everything is changing. Everything!<br /><br />So many changes, so many concerns, so much to budget, to juggle, to decide, to discuss, to manage, to figure out, and taking no time to enjoy glancing over the top of our plates at a dinner table or a quick hug as we go out the door. People have always picked on Brad & I for our lovey dovey ways and honestly, I have always had a great sense of pride in the fact that we are best friends and that we do always have that spark with each other. Over the last little bit, the spark has gave way to comfort and being so used to seeing each other 24/7 that we haven't had time to miss each other or be excited to see the other person arrive. We wake up together, work together, eat together, cook together, look at houses together, etc. You get the idea. <br /><br />It made me sad last week as I thought about it and I told Brad, "This is no fun, I feel like, for the first time in six years, we are old married people". This is not who we are, we have let ourselves become this way the last 5 months because we are stressed, over worked and tired and this has made us lazy about one of the most important aspects of our lives, each other. <br /><br />Today, the scripture, Phillipians 4:6 came to my mind about our situation "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Our marriages are, besides our relationship with God, the most important relationships on this earth. With our marriages we show the world around us what an example of a christian marriage is, we teach our children how to be parents and team mates, we show each other the value that we truly have. I have renewed sense of awareness that my marriage will not fall by the wayside of bills and decisions and problems that just won't matter in two weeks. I will cherish how lucky and blessed I am to be married to my best friend and instead of complaining about our life being to boring, find ways to make it not. <br /><br />Rough Patches are good, because they help us realize that something needs our attention before it's too late. Rough Patches are God's way of saying, Hey, Look over there and sand that down and get back on a smooth path. I am so thankful that He allows me to learn lessons through everything I go through and that He cares for our souls so much!<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-31142175116053872832010-04-17T09:09:00.001-05:002010-04-17T09:10:59.744-05:00A lesson from the WaterI did some research this morning on freezing and thawing ~ it is so strange to me that we as people completely buck the process that God designed. <br /><br />I remember being a newlywed and our freezer did not have self defrost, much less an ice maker. Stacking those ice trays ups and checking them way too often would be so frustrating to that 17 year old girl. What was even more frustrating is opening the freezer and there being ice trays in there with no ice and no water at all. Refilling ice trays was not my strong suite. I wish I had known about $5 bags of ice from sonic back then. Anyway, my research today showed me that four typical ice trays put into the freezer at room temperature take 10 hours to freeze. As the molecules of the water get colder and colder they expand and grow larger until they are those chunks of ice. <br /><br />That typical piece of ice, though, takes on average less than 2 hours to thaw. I don’t know the science on this, but in view of life events I find it interesting. God in all His wisdom made water to thaw faster than he made it to freeze. Can we humans take a lesson from the water? It seems that God has used water for ever to try and teach us lessons.<br /><br />Genesis 7:17-19 ..and it continued forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily upon the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered." <br /><br />Exodus 2:5-6 "Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, and her maidens walked beside the river; she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to fetch it. When she opened it she saw the child; and lo, the babe was crying. She took pity on him and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children...And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son; and she named him Moses, for she said, "Because I drew him out of the water."<br /><br />Exodus 7:19 The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt--over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs'--and they will turn to blood. Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in the wooden buckets and stone jars."<br /><br />Exodus 14:21 states, "And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided." Verse 24 says, "And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians."<br /><br />Exodus 17:4-5 4 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me." 5 The LORD answered Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?<br /><br />Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus walks on the water<br /><br />John 2:1-5 1 Now on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee.89 Jesus’ mother was there,90 2 and both Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine left.” 4 Jesus replied, “Woman, why are you saying this to me? My time has not yet come.” 5 His mother told the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.<br /><br />John 4:14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to Eternal Life."<br /><br />What has been amazing to me is that when God controls the water there is a lesson in it. When we experience hurts we freeze automatically, we don’t take 10 hours to puff up and let our hearts get hard. It is as instantaneous as the water was turned to wine. We have an automatic icemakers in our minds and hearts and when we experience hurt it is much like that magic shell chocolate we used to use a kids. It hardens around us immediately and is unyielding. <br /><br />But our thawing process is slow and tenuous. It takes prayer and understanding and hugs and friends to let those guards down. God forbid we get hurt while we are thawing because then our hearts and minds become the human version of the frozen tundra. Layers upon layers of frozen fears and hurts and scabs just pile onto the old ones until we wonder where the first frozen layer even is. Our only hope is to let the God of heaven thaw us from the inside out, to let the miracle of him control our ‘water’ like He has done so aptly since the beginning of time. <br />As I watched in awe and somewhat horror (just being honest) as my husband smiled and shook someone’s hand yesterday that had brought much pain to our family, I was witnessing a thaw. A thaw of hope and a thaw of mercy that created a thaw of it’s own in my heart. I had never been more proud to say my husband was a person of character and someone I can call my rock and my strength. I pray that God continues to thaw us into what He wants us to be and if you have ice around your heart and your mind, just take it to Him and ask him to THAW you out; that is my prayer today. Let’s be like the ice and be easier to thaw than to be frozen. Let’s be who God desires us to be.The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-80465087179644042582010-04-03T21:50:00.002-05:002010-04-03T21:59:57.527-05:00The Lion is WeepingThere is a story about some friends who shared a bond that not many others had shared with them. I am thinking of these friends today. These friends were 'forever friends' ~ friends who at one time meant the world to each other. Whether they were talking about ants in their eyes, or eating dinner from a grill where the cook singed his eyebrows, these friends knew how to laugh and supposedly, how to love. These friends used to belong to me and today, I miss them, today I am sad, today, the Lion is Weeping.<br /><br />When I let myself get sad for friendships lost I have to remember that Jesus, the ultimate Lion of Judah was betrayed and hurt and killed for the love He had for others. He made the ultimate love sacrifice and the Lion wept. Ultimately the Lion conquered sin and was raised from the dead to give us life eternally and when I think of this sacrifice, it makes my sacrifices and hurts and trials seem so trivial. How do I still miss the friends who betrayed me? Jesus, the true Lion of Judah is in my heart and He guides me through this sadness and brings me to the hope of the resurrection and lets me know that my suffering and shame are going to be trivial as I conquer the sin in my life and draw closer to Him.<br /><br />It has been almost a year, a crazy, unpredictable, year since these hurts started and tomorrow as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus I am determined in my heart that this Lion will weep no more, I will forget those things which are behind me and run the race that God has set before me. <br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-14066721629916973082010-02-18T23:58:00.002-06:002010-02-19T00:01:03.691-06:00A God Shaped Hole ~ Only He Can Fill It<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><p class="MsoNormal">Today we were invited to share our ministry or our story through <a href="www.kellyskornerblog.com">Kelly’s blog</a> and I decided to put it all out there. Many times I have wondered how my situations and circumstances can help others and what these times have meant to me as a person and how these things could possibly help others.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I truly believe that God uses our circumstances and situations for His good when we let Him. I was born in 1973 to a very young mother who got pregnant out of wedlock and got married because she was pregnant.<span style=""> </span>When I was almost 2; my mother was murdered and my whole life changed. My dad was young and irresponsible so my grandmother got custody of me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thus should have become my happy ending. Young girl raised by her grandparents, right? Um, No ~ My grandfather molested my cousin and me for years when we were kids and then when we finally told my grandmother; she got us family counseling but never divorced him. Every day I lived with my abuser and felt like I was not important enough to make the choice to not live with a child molester. Every day I wondered why my life was this, my search for being good enough led me to seek love from a very early age. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">By the age of 17, I was married and still the void was there. There was this part of me that was always looking for more, but not knowing what it was. My beautiful babies came in 1993 and 1995 and the is love was different, a love I had not known before; a love that was different than any other love. But even still, there was a deep unhappiness in me that could not be explained. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I guess by now I should have already said that I grew up in church; I grew up always knowing about God, always hearing about God, always thinking I was a Christian, always wearing the title but never really knowing God, knowing Him in the glory of His power and in the beauty of his wonder.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In 2004, as my marriage fell apart I blamed God. I blamed him for the abuse, for my mom dying, for an unfaithful spouse, for all my shortcomings in life.<span style=""> </span>I turned completely away from Him because I felt He had failed me in every way possible. <span style=""> </span>I decided I could do just as well on my own as I had with God; not knowing that I really had not experienced Him for myself.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I met a great guy, who became my best friend and my love. I knew then that my life was complete. I knew that now I needed nothing. Except that there was a missing piece still, there was a hole that could not be filled. There is a great song out right now and one of my favorite lines goes like this. . “there is a God Shaped hole in all of us”. See that was my problem; I had this hole that only God could fill and it took me 30+ years to realize it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The last six years have been the best of my life even though we have faced so many financial and emotional hardships but everyone of those have brought us closer to God. The day that I realized the God shaped hole could only be filled by God was the best day of my life. As you read through my other blogs you will see the path we have walked the last few years, struggling to find employment, walking through bankruptcy, suffering through hurt in ministry, having been victims of identity theft. All of this that we have went through I can see now is for God’s Glory and for us to be a help to those who are facing those same situations today and to let them know that as you let God fill that hole in your heart He can walk you through any fire.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Blessings,</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Shelly
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-35825627451648416852010-02-09T19:14:00.004-06:002010-02-09T19:47:07.265-06:00FIFTEEN YEARS AGO<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FIFTEEN YEARS OLD</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhA8ejCoCBKrxH-WnqpK4dBH_gtqmXdDdjZ6lCLEJJNqPghUVmfri65UaPDD3tBDBrPOneAWrSS1OnvFSIhKsKTl8tm0e3h9MGbofOKAW3VbbjhRgq-WprTKofad6horU96PdwFiyhRH4/s1600-h/logan+piano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhA8ejCoCBKrxH-WnqpK4dBH_gtqmXdDdjZ6lCLEJJNqPghUVmfri65UaPDD3tBDBrPOneAWrSS1OnvFSIhKsKTl8tm0e3h9MGbofOKAW3VbbjhRgq-WprTKofad6horU96PdwFiyhRH4/s320/logan+piano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436421854452212162" border="0" /></a><br /></div>It is hard to believe that it was a year ago that I wrote this <a href="http://psalm105and4.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-baby-boi.html"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">here</span>.</a><br /><br />Kids grow so fast and it is amazing to see what a year brings. My baby will be 15 years old tomorrow and is a Freshman in high school. It seems like yesterday when I could feel his little feet press against the inside of my belly so hard that you could see his foot print on my stomach.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08XJ2KlL4Eyz9YUX-9yAw8CIJWI4sp0QefMlX2eFb2BZe3sxEoi2MF0YG3Y-Xmf5jloPLOpStoSD76OYHZa33zBWHI-jayePj5PVmMunJxA5t8uQ6ACHsp95iNVozyjL4yuPXS5Eoi9lT/s1600-h/logan+%26+brad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08XJ2KlL4Eyz9YUX-9yAw8CIJWI4sp0QefMlX2eFb2BZe3sxEoi2MF0YG3Y-Xmf5jloPLOpStoSD76OYHZa33zBWHI-jayePj5PVmMunJxA5t8uQ6ACHsp95iNVozyjL4yuPXS5Eoi9lT/s320/logan+%26+brad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436421858431193394" border="0" /></a>It seems like about an hour ago that his chubby cheeks would pop as his smile showed the first four teeth he got and that, even then, he was flirty with all the ladies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2FtBDWm7TNPIfi1x3M2t47bM8SdnFHV9AP0ZORiF6uFASauwSHhyphenhyphenaZiJTwwjMrmNAYSxSZrXShflAQPF9kjfwjXkmgZmjgl5PfJW7KHWYj4FtO2ab_8MzbYaBZBCs1a_tcF20wFrT4gr/s1600-h/Logan+teen+court.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2FtBDWm7TNPIfi1x3M2t47bM8SdnFHV9AP0ZORiF6uFASauwSHhyphenhyphenaZiJTwwjMrmNAYSxSZrXShflAQPF9kjfwjXkmgZmjgl5PfJW7KHWYj4FtO2ab_8MzbYaBZBCs1a_tcF20wFrT4gr/s320/Logan+teen+court.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436421870772086210" border="0" /></a>As I read back over the post from last year, I realized that Logan really is growing up ~ he is singing in the choir at HHS and has a solo in the spring concert. He continues to play the piano some but has found he likes the guitar better. The noises from his room actually sound like music so that is a good thing.<br /><br />Although he is growing up, he still has those boyish tendencies that really never go away. He has the aptitude to make me laugh, cry, smile and curse in about a 10 minute time frame and is quite proud of that. He is a button pusher in the largest way, especially toward his sister. But when push comes to shove, he has her back and she knows it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaYXy2UpbXi8o_VvKHtRTsul9r0PBNIoScFY2s385ASoR7k_LvTz3wZma7kemvhMLYsnbzdkIAMtdj6MCpv5EiiOCoH0-YBzYB0NqyIA2fUDQvEjmQmama-qvCnFAwsdvplhpEXrk-OgI/s1600-h/Log+%26+cait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaYXy2UpbXi8o_VvKHtRTsul9r0PBNIoScFY2s385ASoR7k_LvTz3wZma7kemvhMLYsnbzdkIAMtdj6MCpv5EiiOCoH0-YBzYB0NqyIA2fUDQvEjmQmama-qvCnFAwsdvplhpEXrk-OgI/s320/Log+%26+cait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436421867298764626" border="0" /></a>So happy birthday to my pride and joy, the one who makes me shake my head in amazement and frustration and makes me proud to be his mama.The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-80428029405806573842010-01-26T17:29:00.001-06:002010-01-26T17:30:50.265-06:00Blessed ~ Beyond MeasureI know it has been a while since I have blogged and all I have to say today is that I am blessed beyond measure to lead the life I have.<br /><br />Be a blessing and have a blessed day~<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-31396396485335652092009-12-09T01:41:00.003-06:002010-01-04T11:19:12.623-06:00Growing Up, Moving On. . .With the holidays behind us, I think back on what they meant to me growing up. Because of my extended, dysfunctional family, there were more Christmas celebrations you could count on one hand.<br /><br />There was Memaw Bertha's house which reeked of turnip greens on the stove and there were always a ton of presents under her tree. It didn't matter that most of them came from Woolworth and they weren't on 'your list' ~ Memaw Bertha always had something for everyone that came in her door. The food there was not the best so we always went right for Papaw Wallaces red velvet cake, which he made with his pipe sticking out of the left side of his face. This was the house where we could get by with just about anything and if a grown up fussed at us, well Memaw would say 'leave those babies alone'. We always went here on lunch on Christmas Eve because it was her birthday and because it fit into the many places we needed to go.<br /><br />Christmas Eve night was spent with my Meme's family. We either went to Meme's or out to Aunt Lindas and here the food was the best. Deviled eggs, ham, fresh fruit, cheese log, german chocolate cake and as I mentioned about Thanksgiving, Meme's chocolate pie. Usually she made three of them and there was barely any left. Here, us kids drew names and we usually stayed up late playing games and just being stupid in general.<br /><br />Christmas Day always began at home with whatever 'Santa' left under the tree. See, there were the unwrapped 'santa' gifts and then there were the wrapped gifts. Way too much stuff under the tree and so spoiled and we did not even realize it.<br /><br />That afternoon I would go to with my Dad to Granny Millie's. She had been up cooking since 5am and the ham was to die for although the canned biscuits were always burned. Granny Millie got stuff off our list and tried to make sure we had whatever we wanted.<br /><br />These days all of us kids have grown up and with Memaw Bertha and Meme gone on to be with the Lord, the family has splintered into so many parts that it is hard for us all to get together. I know this, Christmas for us, is being together as a family. Whatever that means.<br /><br />This year; it meant having Christmas on December 23rd with my exhusband Bill, my Mom, the Kids and us at my moms. The kids were so excited to spend Christmas with both of their parents and we were happy to do it for them.<br /><br />Christmas Eve was a drive by to Granny Millies for the kids to get their gifts on our way to Illinois to Brad's family's where we spend Christmas Day and came back home on the 26th.<br /><br />On the 30th; we had our 'Meme's Christmas' pretty much food and hanging out at my moms.<br /><br />I love the holidays but I am always glad when they are over. I am working on a year in review post and some goals for this year. .talk to you soon.<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-56886394039195569602009-11-26T23:31:00.001-06:002009-11-26T23:31:49.172-06:00Seriously? You laugh at what?<span xmlns=''><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Batang; font-size:12pt'>Thanksgiving with my family seems like a version of the movie groundhog day. Every year is the comfortably the same with the exception of us each growing older every year. There is always some little ones running around; older ones bossing younger ones; the sure fire family fight (this year was between me & Nick over putting butter on corn); guys watching football; and us reminiscing about years gone by.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Batang; font-size:12pt'>My Meme was famous for her Chocolate Pie and since she died over five years ago we have never really had anything like it grace the kitchen. Oh, the German chocolate cake was still a guarantee and there are always cookies and pies and more dessert than should be legal, but the chocolate pie was missing. I have scoured the nation and ordered chocolate pie after chocolate pie to no avail. No One makes pie like my Meme. My cousin Tracey read a poem at her funeral and the chocolate pie was mentioned several times. It is one of those traditions that we loved about our Meme. She was a grouchy lady for the most part and always had a smart remark but we would fight over the last piece of her chocolate pie. Well, surprise upon surprise, Peggy (who is not known for her cooking, not being rude, just being honest {she knows this}) got the recipe and tried her hand at it this year. It is crazy how a taste can be a memory but it is. I could not believe that we were having Meme's chocolate pie, but there it was the buttery crust in my mouth, the meringue mingling around it dancing with the taste of the gooey chocolate. I was 10 years old again bullying my cousins and running through the house in my sock feet. I was immediately seeing that face with the twinkling eyes and curly white hair standing over the stove in one of her 'jogging suits' ready to smack the hands getting in the ham before time to eat. Kudos to Peggy for those memories and for the two pounds I gained eating WONDERFUL chocolate pie.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Batang; font-size:12pt'>As we savored the pie my cousins and aunts and I began to talk about how fast our kids are growing and how apparently, Lori and I are now middle aged. Ugh, I am refusing to be middle aged. I am going to live to be 100 so I will not be middle-aged until at least 50 so I have 14 more years. . . LOL ~ The table is always filled with laughter and some of the same stories year after year. Sometimes we remember things not talked about in years like how we thought the grownups were dumb when they hid the easter eggs in plain sight in Meme's yard and they laughed and said, well we wanted it to be easy so it would be over quick. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Batang; font-size:12pt'>Somehow we ended up talking about our family faux paus. We, well some of us, laugh at funerals. We have had to separate ourselves at funerals to not laugh and two of my aunts had to leave a funeral once because they could not quit laughing. I remember one funeral when we were glared at and we tried to contain ourselves. Why do we do this? We have no clue, it's a nervous thing. So talk moved to what we were going to do when my mom passes away. We all have to sit on the front row and that will be pretty bad to be sitting in the front row of my mom's funeral laughing at some point. I say this because I know I will be crushed beyond belief because even after 36 years, I am a Mama's girl. She makes me mad, she makes me laugh, she makes me cry, but no one can compare to who she is to me. As we laughed about this tonight, mom said, "In front of everyone, I give you all permission to laugh at my funeral" which was funny in itself. I told her we would just make buttons or stickers to hand out at the door that say "we laugh at funerals" so no one will be surprised or offended. . . . seriously, though, laughter is the best medicine.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Batang; font-size:12pt'>Over laughter Nichole and I made up over our butter incident. Over laughter, we discuss disciplining our children, meeting our life's goals and memories from childhood past. Today was about laughter and memories and thankfulness for those we hold near and dear and don't tell them nearly enough.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Batang; font-size:12pt'>Feel free to share some of your Thanksgiving Memories.</span></p></span>The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-51477616296319854032009-11-20T01:24:00.005-06:002009-11-20T01:46:03.489-06:00Show us Your Life ~ PetsKelly is doing Pets this week on Show us your life and I could not resist this one. . .<br /><br />We have, of course, two human babies that are 14 & 16 years old.<br /><br />We have had hunter since Cait was 7 or 8, so he has been part of our family for over half her life and most of Logan's. He is the Alpha Male in this pack and sometimes needs to be reminded that we are actually the pack leaders. He is happy to lay on the couch or snuggle between me and Brad in the mornings.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRTEb8q9phiNT4XsZiWv-ZYI9uZgRA8mn1WLA3jKC6aIlCfNgkOmdD9WNW6LAG3AuXp9MphEMcCoUnt2biYEys0BkPlxpdPk5VomH3uqtb44uWuknhlQu4DEqeW2JGbo4M0SUy4AP83aH/s1600/053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRTEb8q9phiNT4XsZiWv-ZYI9uZgRA8mn1WLA3jKC6aIlCfNgkOmdD9WNW6LAG3AuXp9MphEMcCoUnt2biYEys0BkPlxpdPk5VomH3uqtb44uWuknhlQu4DEqeW2JGbo4M0SUy4AP83aH/s200/053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406085692691663618" border="0" /></a>Hunter loves to lay around, like, all the time!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5uv1qytz3LylNKMYyJQzBPnqDfzVhWDf0OFoqC2Y6mgi2Dt5WzcNRC-QG56O3OZsMLtKnUMfz1wPQMoWqS4liW-CQOGx4V8Day7IWR7wHNAE13Hzdr2ReFhrl68TH0RKusrLTfBK_9ya/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5uv1qytz3LylNKMYyJQzBPnqDfzVhWDf0OFoqC2Y6mgi2Dt5WzcNRC-QG56O3OZsMLtKnUMfz1wPQMoWqS4liW-CQOGx4V8Day7IWR7wHNAE13Hzdr2ReFhrl68TH0RKusrLTfBK_9ya/s200/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406085710602943442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Baleigh has been with us for about 8 months. She is around 10 months old and crazy as Hunter is calm. She is a lab/boxer mix and her affection for all things garbage related can sometimes be quite irritating. But her loving demeanor soon wins you back over and it is hard to stay mad at her.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzW47RX4qmi-oorET2uDPihskhJOU0aOjhy46ddbK3W4ynDkxDvrgk7CkDHl3O6fCHqYPTzWVHPOFZIYMCUMOxi66BC4RdoG4cYco4-PLRfZ8EzP_GoVz8gXHw1rhoWFLexqv2Y3nUfSV/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzW47RX4qmi-oorET2uDPihskhJOU0aOjhy46ddbK3W4ynDkxDvrgk7CkDHl3O6fCHqYPTzWVHPOFZIYMCUMOxi66BC4RdoG4cYco4-PLRfZ8EzP_GoVz8gXHw1rhoWFLexqv2Y3nUfSV/s200/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406087377661977074" border="0" /></a>Baleigh has a slight underbite (well not so slight) but she is too cute<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58Qe3uGByaN8yDFMLceIpr49zuqHCrJU08202s5rV1fJp_KxDIdo7QrHqmnjQ4dnJVRNl-iussaa5mUkBpMXyprYFG5B8cQAxOmwi9UTGDejCxm2HOrSyBjCedHP6HC4uTa6dajyvYWuI/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58Qe3uGByaN8yDFMLceIpr49zuqHCrJU08202s5rV1fJp_KxDIdo7QrHqmnjQ4dnJVRNl-iussaa5mUkBpMXyprYFG5B8cQAxOmwi9UTGDejCxm2HOrSyBjCedHP6HC4uTa6dajyvYWuI/s200/029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406087382311496594" border="0" /></a><br />Just when life seemed good in the dog department, I got stupid. Okay, I am a sucker for a pretty face anymore. I used to not be a dog person but apparently this has changed. Little Zoey entered our home about 3 weeks ago at age 4 weeks. She had to be taken from her mom early and was headed to the pound and when those brown eyes looked up at me, I was a goner. The family soon succumbed to her wiles and she is our baby.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUYzp9stVwoWNXAxFHjPxicq8NpXXo4ojL4YwwastHP43NrwFJu7k-V2p4xC9omslmiPWWoO0_4NYe-4D6BLSKNzvNKNhbnGcnq5GTCd-_y90MhIsDGryTSUQWH_nxWOeysAbsDQncq5P/s1600/IMG_3124.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 426px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUYzp9stVwoWNXAxFHjPxicq8NpXXo4ojL4YwwastHP43NrwFJu7k-V2p4xC9omslmiPWWoO0_4NYe-4D6BLSKNzvNKNhbnGcnq5GTCd-_y90MhIsDGryTSUQWH_nxWOeysAbsDQncq5P/s200/IMG_3124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406088476557136866" border="0" /></a>Could you resist this face? Not me . . . .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdsCpaOgCSqoLz8kXrR9oUI8MCFmJf-82X0telsMlY4p0OUH_XVEpEzsdh-ljy-RWo7CcOxmku1x_-Qj6LZBOoAghq2QQMwv_lVAPL2vVMigp1kPhNHzDF0GJxYupUDeoLxLbEc-CwlM6/s1600/IMG_3158.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 413px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdsCpaOgCSqoLz8kXrR9oUI8MCFmJf-82X0telsMlY4p0OUH_XVEpEzsdh-ljy-RWo7CcOxmku1x_-Qj6LZBOoAghq2QQMwv_lVAPL2vVMigp1kPhNHzDF0GJxYupUDeoLxLbEc-CwlM6/s200/IMG_3158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406088470915624850" border="0" /></a><br /></div>We are not planning on adding to the dog family anytime soon, but who knows what this old sap will do. Stick around and read some blogs, I would love for you to follow our family as we walk this crazy journey through life.<br /><br />Much Love,<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-58201902164703886932009-11-15T19:39:00.004-06:002009-11-15T19:55:54.217-06:00and again. . . .One of my favorite things about God is that we can always begin again. . . . and again. . . . and again.<br /><br />Pastor's message today dug at my heart. He talked about what our purpose is for the kingdom. I think that I am finally letting God back in where He wants to be because for the last six months I have leaned on God, I have held onto God, I have relied on God, I have been this pitiful small person before the Lord and in that, I forgot my purpose not only in the work of God but also in my personal life. In the wanting to shield my heart, I quit making myself available to God like I needed to. I leaned on Him but didn't allow myself to invest in anything except for my husband and kids and a few close friends.<br /><br />Days have went by without doing anything at work but playing games or hanging out on facebook when I should have been working. Days have went by with no laundry being done or supper cooked. Not everyday, of course, but enough days that it is noticeable. Enough days that my work suffers and that my husband has to say, Hey Honey, "Let's catch up on laundry tonight" or the kids get excited because I am actually cooking and not doing Wendy's or the Chicken Strips and Fries that our FryDaddy cranks out on a regular basis.<br /><br />I cannot remember the last time I cried so hard before God and the only words I could say were "I want to be different but I don't know how" "I want to work with a purpose but I don't know how" "Please fix me, Please change me" "I want to be different but I don't know how". All I know is that when I got up from the altar I felt like it was one of those again moments. I know that tomorrow God is going to once more, again, help me to find my purpose in the natural and the spiritual.<br /><br />What do you need to begin again today? Is it with your family? Is it at work? Is it in your time of worship and prayer? Whatever it is, God is an again kind of God and He loves us, again. . .and again. . . and again.The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-78985288420152089312009-11-11T11:28:00.003-06:002009-11-11T13:42:06.351-06:00A Fine LineI walk a fine line. A line between moving forward in the wonders and majesty of what God is doing in my life today and how He is blessing me right now and how I know He is blessing my future versus not being able to forget the past hurt because it comes up almost daily in some shape or form.<br /><br />As we prepare to go to court again on November 18th there is that part of me that dreads to see the face of the man who for all intents and purposes, was my family. The man who stole my identity and and destroyed my email accounts without a single thought to what that did to our family. The man who did everything he could for three years to isolate my family and turn friends against us. Then there is the part of me that likes to face it head on, knowing no matter what the outcome that God is still on the throne and that all will be revealed and dealt with in His time frame, not mine. The part of me that can walk in that courtroom knowing whatever happens, God knows the hurt and God knows the situation from the inside out.<br /><br />Walking in forgiveness for myself is easy most days. Walking in forgiveness has freed me from the chains of hatred and bitterness that tried to form around my heart. The hard part of forgiveness is not even toward Shane but toward the situation and the fact that there are people who actually believe this guy, in his unrepentant state, can still be a leader for the Kingdom of God.<br /><br />I know this is going to be controversial to some but the Bible says in Luke 17: 3-4 "If thy brother trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in the day turns again to thee saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." Those are the words of Jesus, the words of our Savior. How could the brother forgive if he had not been repented to and asked for forgiveness?<br /><br />When the prodigal son returned to his father he said Luke 15:21"Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy site, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." This father was not left to wonder what was in his son's heart. There was repentance there. Romans 3:23 says "All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God." The fact that sins were committed is not the issue, the issue is that there are one of two scenarios in place here:<br /><br />1. The person in question is under a spirit of confusion and does not realize that they were wrong.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">or<br /></div><br />2. They refuse to acknowledge the sins they committed and feel justified in their actions.<br /><br />My deepest prayer is that people turn to God and not to a man in this day we live in. Belief in a man, a building, an earthly kingdom full of flattering words and empty promises will not get you one step closer to where God intends for you to be. Please pray that you are not deceived and that God reveals the truth for all to see before you are like Proverbs 26:11 " As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly." Or as us regular folks would put it, Fool me once, Shame on You; Fool me twice, Shame on me.<br /><br />I know this is not a pretty blog, but today it's who I am, it's how I feel and somewhere, someone is reading this feeling the same way and sometimes its just good for someone to identify with you for a minute. To know they too have walked your path. I am encouraged to know that others walk this line too as they walk through grief or divorce or loss of job because it means we are all human. To love a God who didn't heal the sick as we expected or to love a God who did not prevent a divorce or to love a God who did not prevent job loss astounds some people. But see when Job's wife told him he should Curse God and die he replied in verse 10: But Job replied, "You talk a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. God is a God of love but sometimes he puts things in our paths, hurdles to cross so it will glorify Him in the end and help us grow as individuals.<br /><br />Dear God, Help me to put the past to rest and walk each day in forgiveness and continue to bless those around me with discernment for the situations they are facing today to your promise will hold true because your word says in Matthew 6:33 "But <em>seek ye first the</em> kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-69458520657134946972009-10-27T11:18:00.004-05:002009-10-27T11:44:41.165-05:00What time is it?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PYBFX5CaRS50NSzXl5WH9uQs1IesqIf0RogxKFajL0ZlqlLauxEYLIZmLNGSRxGAZQVBtmhAbbrvxWg41OcWQJCcSF2o_RTGteEmNCWQDBQa6IeKuw06ITKHvQA_79Cc52RNZZ0enYGU/s1600-h/fall+tree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PYBFX5CaRS50NSzXl5WH9uQs1IesqIf0RogxKFajL0ZlqlLauxEYLIZmLNGSRxGAZQVBtmhAbbrvxWg41OcWQJCcSF2o_RTGteEmNCWQDBQa6IeKuw06ITKHvQA_79Cc52RNZZ0enYGU/s200/fall+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397315863285603490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Embracing the winds of change are not always easy. Sometimes it is easier to stay in the rut we are in then to step out into the change that will make us grow. It has been beautiful the last few weeks as we drive back and forth to our church home in Nashville. It is lovely to see how the trees are starting to change and to see the occasional small tornados of leaves as wind hits the trees just right. It seems like everywhere I look and everywhere I read people are talking about fall and winter which although beautiful in their own way are also wet, cold, bare and dark. But these wet,cold,bare and dark days are what makes us enjoy spring all the more.<br /><br />I think our life is like that. When we see a new job opportunity or lose a job, when we get married or become single, when we graduate or start school, when we move away from our family; these kinds of events are so changing to us. Some are exciting changes, some are scarey, some are lonely, but all these changes make us grow.<br /><br />Pastor preached about the process of sowing and reaping on Sunday and how the seeds we plant in our life will be the harvest we face whether that be good seeds or bad seeds. Trust me, I've had my share of both seed sowing and the good seed is definitely better than the bad seed. The scripture also comes to mind from Ecclesiastes 3:1-9<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.<br /> A time to be born and a time to die.<br /> A time to plant and a time to harvest.<br /> A time to kill and a time to heal.<br /> A time to tear down and a time to build up.<br />A time to cry and a time to laugh.<br />A time to grieve and a time to dance.<br />A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.<br />A time to embrace and a time to turn away.<br />A time to search and a time to quit searching.<br />A time to keep and a time to throw away.<br />A time to tear and a time to mend.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A time to be quiet and a time to speak.<br />A time to love and a time to hate.<br />A time for war and a time for peace.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />What is your season today? Is it time for you to turn away from what you are doing and move on? Is it time for you to embrace what you have and appreciate it? Is it time for you to tear down the walls you put around you? Is is time for you to be quiet and seek the face of God for your future? Is it time for you to speak up for yourself? Is it time for you to grieve for the what if's in your life and rejoice in the good memories that are mingled in that grief? Is it time for you to heal your heart or your mind today?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3Ojlh3Zw27gvth1fCXWkQHKeYBZ49BuWq7mCwIp28DjNi1k3YmFEFkkCn-eCprrkuFCU2sNiJJZZqX8UXIR_K6OBVuyGzZFPocWIBmDwELElohfktBLG_3ZMpgQ183RZZS3ZM0utighb/s1600-h/falltree2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3Ojlh3Zw27gvth1fCXWkQHKeYBZ49BuWq7mCwIp28DjNi1k3YmFEFkkCn-eCprrkuFCU2sNiJJZZqX8UXIR_K6OBVuyGzZFPocWIBmDwELElohfktBLG_3ZMpgQ183RZZS3ZM0utighb/s200/falltree2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397320982471099298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There is a time for something in your life and when the winds of change blow your way don't second guess or debate or throw a temper tantrum because winter has come in your life in a cold and barren way because after the winter has passed, spring will come and bring with it the joys and the renewals that life always does. Just pray God shows you what 'time' it is for your life and then run with it, because no matter what, you will learn something from your 'time'.<br /></div></div>The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-79690147342630672462009-10-17T10:19:00.004-05:002009-10-17T10:50:35.754-05:00The Plans I Have For YouFlashes come to me this morning. Snapshots of my life that I never really understood. <br /><br />There is the me I dont even remember. The me who lost her mother to the hands of a murderer when I was not quite two years old. The me who was embroiled in a custody fight that my grandparents eventually won. The me who never remembers her mother's face and did not have a relationship with her father until she was 10 years old.<br /><br />The young six year old that hoped against hope that I could make it outside to play before before my grandfather wanted to 'play' with me himself. Dreading seeing the chain going on the door knowing I was on the wrong side of it yet again. <br /><br />The teenage me rebelling and wanting someone to love me because I never felt worthy after the abuse that occured in my younger years, the despair of knowing that my grandmother chose to stay with him after she found out about the abuse only increased the thought that I was not enough. Wondering and wondering why if I prayed hard on Sunday and went to church every Wednesday night then why did I still fill so empty most of the time. <br /><br />Being a newleywed and fighting over nothing but knowing deep inside that it was about control. The knowing that NO ONE would ever control me again. NO ONE would put the chain on my door and leave me on the wrong side of it. Developing a seed of bitterness against each other that became an environment of animosity and failure.<br /><br />Feeling crushed, and again, not enough to find my spouse had not only been unfaithful, but with one of my best friends. Why on earth was Shelly not enough? Why on earth would I worship a God who could not fix my pain.<br /><br />The descent into a darkness I never knew existed. Trying to find love in a marriage relationship that was doomed because all the parties have to want it for it to be successful. The anger toward God for 'not fixing' me or my husband to make us have our happy ever after. Was this God worth serving? I had wasted 1/2 my life with a man who would not love me and loved a God who would not fix it. So, I walked away from God for some time.<br /><br />As I found my way back to Jesus, the confusion would still hit me from time to time. Why had I and others endured such heartache. What good came from it? When would I find my happiness? As my relationship with God grew, I found that a real relationship with Him ends the emptiness. He was a real God who really loves us. He doesn't always answer our way but one day, we will understand the whys. <br /><br />I now look back with understanding because of this scripture:<br /><br />Jeremiah 29:11-14 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."<br /><br />Now I am going to read this another way; a way my cousin Nichole did a blog the other day. This has changed my life, seriously. Put your name where the you's are<br /><br /><br />Jeremiah 29:11-14 "For I know the plans I have for Shelly," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper Shelly and not to harm shelly, plans to give Shelly hope and a future. Then Shelly will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to Shelly. Shelly will seek me and find me when Shelly seek me with all her heart. I will be found by Shelly," declares the LORD, "and will bring Shelly back from captivity. I will gather Shelly from all the nations and places where I have banished Shelly," declares the LORD, "and will bring Shelly back to the place from which I carried her into exile."<br /><br />See, I have been in the place without a hope or a future. I have been banished and exiled before but the Lord has brought me back. He has given ME a hope and a future. He has allowed me to marry my best friend. He has given me a church family and pastor that is truly home. He has put friend in my life that I know I cannot do without. He has used my pain to help other people.<br /><br />So as we go through things, and we will, we always will in this life. Cling this scripture. Know that weeping may endure for a night, but JOY will come in the morning because God has a plan for each of us. The beautiful thing about this scripture is that it is not just for Shelly. It is for Stephanie, it is for Nichole, it is for Lisa, it is for Brandi, it is for Jina, it is for Brittany, it is for Brad, it is for Pastor and Sis. Livingston, it is for Breanna, it is for Jason, it is for Robbie, it is for Tina, it is for Candy, it is for Dawn, it is for Joseph, it is for YOU<br /><br />Put your name in the scripture and wear it when you face adversity and struggle. <br /><br />in love,<br /><br />ShellyThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-22707444721428884562009-10-05T08:43:00.001-05:002009-10-05T08:43:26.209-05:00Entertaining Angels. . .Chicago has been amazing so far. Just watching the faces of our kids as they experience this city has been worth the whole trip already. Saturday after we arrived and got settled we went to Ed Debevic's and for those who have never been, it is a 50's style diner where the waiters are rude to you on purpose. It was a hoot, the kids had a blast and my mom just laughed and laughed.<br /><br />Sunday morning we walked over to Palmer House and picked up our Go Cards so we could get in the museums and what not. Then we hit the grey line open air trolley for a tour and got off at Michigan Ave so we could eat at Giordanos Pizza and do some window shopping on the Million Dollar Mile. We were talking and lauging as we entered the Pizza place. Emily and Cait were getting on my moms nerves so she separated them as Brad and I went up to pre-order our Pizza. Logan and Lacee were taking pictures of everyone and Brad and I were updating my phone. Everything was normal for Team Deason.<br /><br />All the kids and my mom were sitting on a ledge at the window and Brad and I were standing. Out of nowhere, Brad told Logan he needed to sit down so Logan scooted out of the way and Brad sat down. Immediately I asked him what was wrong and almost instantly he was just about incoherrent. At the same exact time, they called us to our table. I told mom and the kids to go ahead to the table and we would be there in a second. Brad tend to have low blood pressure sometimes and it always passes in a few minutes so I was sure he would steady himself and we would be right up.<br /><br />Things did not go up from there. Brad became unresponsive and I could barely get him to focus on talking to me. I started to panic for a second, my thoughts ran from I need to call our pastor to what am I gonna do in the middle of chicago to please dont completely pass out because I am not sure I can hold you up to oh, Jesus I cannot do this. Collected, I got out my phone and called Cait back down to where we were. I asked her to go to the counter and get Brad some Orange Juice and seeing my face and seeing Brad she went right away. Normally, she hates approaching people and asking for anything but she jumped right in for that one.<br /><br />On my left, I noticed a lady sitting on the ledge my mom had been at just minutes ago. I never saw her come up and she said you need to call an ambulance. I said, no he has low blood pressure sometimes and I think he just needs a minute and something to drink. She looked at me so serious and said, don't take chances with your husband. I reiterated how since Brad's surgery he tends to get light headed sometimes and he would be fine. She said, I lost my husband 3 months ago, you need to call someone.<br />I looked at Cait and said, call and ambulance. She went to the counter and had them call.<br /><br />As Brad went from normal countenance to white to ashy to greenish gray, my mind was just blank. All I could do was ask him to talk to me and he was not responding to me hardly at all. The lady said, Brad you have to stay with her, you have to stay with her. I thought, how does the lady know his name? It struck me as odd because I had not said Brads name. Then a man approached and asked medical questions and I asked him if he was a doctor and he told me no but he had medical training. He started to take Brad's pulse but could not find it so he called over a friend who was a nurse as the waiter brought the orange juice over. By that time, I could barely get brad to drink the juice but I got enough in him for it to start to work. The nurse had a hard time finding the pulse either and as the nurse and his friend worked on him, I talked with the lady. She was amaziningly calm and she just kept saying, dont' take chances with your family and I told her that I would not.<br /><br />The paramedics arrived and by that time Brad was responsive but still having tingling in his hands and as they came in I looked for the lady and she was gone. I looked all over and could not find her. Brad went to the ambulance with the crew to be looked over and I went and updated my mom and the kids and let them know he would be fine but was getting checked out. I continued to look for the lady and never saw her again. It crossed my mind that maybe she was an angel, but I dismissed the thought. Then when Brad and I talked, I knew that I was wrong.<br /><br />His memory of the lady was quite different than mine. He remembered her reaching toward him and saying stay with us baby, stay with us. He remembered seeing her shoes but she never stood beside him, she never even was close enough to touch him. Whether she was a human angel or one that God sent to us we are thankful.<br /><br />Thankful that my husband is fine. We just have to keep juice and some snacks for him to eat every two hours like he does at home/work. Thankful that I kept my calm through the situation. Thankful that they called our table so four kids and my mom were not there to go through that experience. Thankful that no matter what, I know I will not take chances with my family. Love your kids and your moms and your husbands. Hold them tighter every time you get a chance. Don't take anything for granted. Live life to the fullest, start right now.<br /><br />ShellThe Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015186946493359140.post-76699389816916759132009-09-17T23:40:00.003-05:002009-09-17T23:59:08.479-05:00Nothing Shall Separate Us. . .<span style="font-style:italic;">Romans 8:38 & 39 Says ~For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ... <br /></span><br /><br />This scripture burned into my mind today and I started to think back on the last year and what God has done and what He continues to do. I think of the way the devil has tried to not only separate us from the love of God but also from each other. I think back to conversations spoken and where someone either spoke or implied things to try to make me doubt myself, my husband, my faith and my God. I am so thankful that the love of God which is in Christ would not allow that to happen. God sees our hearts and knows when to put that hedge of protection around us and knows when it is something we can handle ourselves. He always steps in when necessary; just not always as quickly or in the manner we would prefer. <br /><br />I always find it interesting when some people speak of 'once saved, always saved' to imply that once we are serving Jesus we can never be in danger with our souls. I find it funny that those same people will say of someone who was saved and then turned from the Lord, if they ever knew the Lord they would not have turned away. I find this all to be so untrue. Sometimes we get tired or bitter or just plain stupid for a while and turn from Jesus. As this scripture says, nothing can separate us from the love of God but it never said we couldn't separate ourselves. <br /><br />The reason God created us was for us to have a choice; if that choice is to not serve Him, then His choice is to not let us in Heaven. The Bible says it rains on the just and the unjust and sometimes we that believe think that is unfair. We have to keep ourselves in check and make sure we dont' separate ourselves from God because no matter how dark the night, or how hurtful the situation, God has a plan and He has a reason for what we are going through. <br /><br />I love what the message says for Romans 8:38&39 ~ None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable-absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.<br /><br />Let's determine in our hearts that nothing separate us. . If you have a situation that was rough but you came out the other side and saw that God knew what was best, please feel free to share it. What you have to say may really touch someone's heart.The Deason'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439487528135897034noreply@blogger.com0