THE SHOCK FAMILY

This video is really speaking to my heart right now. A sweet new friend pointed me to this song. It's not easy when you are in a position of leadership... OF ANY KIND... Whether it's ministry, family, or just plain blogging. I just hate it when my ego gets in the way... When I long for the approval of man. Makes me seriously want to just give up... Hand in the towel (is that how you say it?). In this video, Lecrae is has done an amazing job showing us how to pray. For today Lord... YOU LEAD!  I can play the background... Let me rest in YOU and play the supporting in role in your unfolding story!

Mother's Day is right around the corner. I know,  Easter first right? BUT... Easter is coming late this year, which means we can all take a minute right now to plan ahead on just how we can make Mom's Day extra special this year! I love my mom... shout out to Punkie :)!  She is so precious! I plan on writing a blog in her honor on the actual day --                                       there are so many great stories (beautiful and funny) to tell about that woman... OK... wasn't going to do this now, but here is just one... When I was a senior in high school some of the guys in our  class decided it would be funny to T.P. our house...  I won't name names... or maybe I will (my hubby, Geoff, Scott, Jon, Rob etc.) Anyway, as they were in the process, Mom came out of the house and instead of yelling at them, she invited every single one of the vi...

It's been a long process... wrapped in a whole lot of prayer, asking God how we can be a part of what He is doing among the poor and marginalized... in our city and throughout the world. It started with praying over Isaiah 58:9-11 and believing His Word is TRUE... 9  Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10  if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. 11  And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. At the same time, we were introduced to the fact that slavery still abounds, not only in foreign countries, but even right here in Columbus Ohi...

17 years ago today, I sat in a cold dark hospital room recovering from an emergency c-section just a few hours prior... and wondering if our precious little Andrew was going to live or die.  He had been sent off to Toledo Hospital (an hour away) after delivery.  Dr. Matthew came in and gave us the news that our newborn son either had a broken blood vessel or an aneurysm on his brain. My memories of that hospital stay are awful at best.  Let me first say, that I was not walking close to God at that time. I that point, I was simply praying to Him that He would save my son... I knew nothing of the Peace that He had to offer. I felt so alone.  Kev was in Toledo with Drew (where I wanted him to be), and I was in pain!  The hospital was short staffed, so I remember having my breakfast, lunch and dinner trays all piled up in the corner of the room.  I just stared at Katie Couric on The Today Show.  Relief was nowhere to be found. By the way... c-section...

Ahhh...  Quincy (my precious nephew that I babysit) is napping, kids have finished school, dishwasher is running... I have a free minute! I'm thinking that since I have stumbled upon Ann's blog aholyexperience.com ,  I have somehow been intimidated by her beautiful writing and my brain has been in a fog when it comes to blogging.  Realizing just how completely ridiculous (and sinful!) it is to even compare myself with her... I am back... just being who God has made me to be :). Things are going well with my parents.  I will have to post some pictures when I get another minute... their bedroom is just a little slice of 1123 Schultz St... it's perfect for them. I have to tell you though, that my Dad keeps saying he wants to "go home"....  When we start to respond, he says "I know, you are going to tell me I live here now, but I still want to go home".  It is really hard for me to hear that and not take it personally... and to know that it isn't g...

We leave for Defiance on Wednesday.  It doesn't even seem real yet. Going to pack up Mom and Dad and bring them back here to live with us. This house will be ready for them...  we have moved our bedrooms all around to prepare. I am ready to have them here... Kevin is ready... the kids are ready... I think Mom and Dad are ready :) But, am I ready to say goodbye to 1123 Schultz St??? So many priceless memories... card games in the kitchen, jumping on our trampoline, practicing the baton on the sidewalk, Punkie's chili for ANYONE who happened to stop by, and the list goes on.... So... if you are around D-Town this week, stop by and say "Hi"! Mom and Dad would love it... We kids will be working hard and laughing hard, as we revisit  precious memories in our little brick home. Did we really ALL live in a 3 bedroom/1 bath house???

Lance was baptized yesterday There were no cameras No video No dry clothes to put on after Just a sweet 10 year old boy Who knew it was time And with tears in his eyes Tugged on my sleeve and said "I wanna do this."