THE SHOCK FAMILY

A week from today we will be there. In Haiti. It's been such a long time coming. Kevin and I have been praying for so long that our family could go on a mission trip. So long that it is hard to believe we are less than a week away. God has been so gracious to provide this opportunity.  In January I definitely felt like there was no way that it could happen.  Kevin had more faith than me... what else is new?  He was the one who said let's just believe that God can make a way for us. After all, how many times have we seen Him do exactly this for so many others.  Yes... it's funny how I can believe God for others so much more than I can trust Him for myself.  Does that even make sense? Needless to say... Our God is MORE than able!  He came through in so many ways that I would have never even expected.  Just like Kevin said He would :).  We are blown away by how many of you have come around us to make this whole trip possible... seriously blow...

Today we celebrate 19 years. Seems like just yesterday. So thankful for all that we have been through together. We make a good team... you and me. Can't even imagine running this race without you. In honor of our 19 years... (kinda cheesy but mostly fun) Here are 19 reasons why I am so in love with you :)!!!   1.)  You love Jesus!   2.)  You are and always have been way too cute!   3.)  You are such a stinkin' good dancer... for real!   4.)  You love to laugh... everyone loves that about you :)   5.)  You make secret runs to McDonald's to get a shamrock shake and...   6.)  You think you can get away with it ;)   7.)  You seek the face of God on your knees alone when nobody is watching.   8.)  You seek the face of God on your knees with me.   9.)  You seek the face of God on your knees with your friends. 10.)  You have graciously opened our home to...

Haven't posted a blog in awhile. Changed the look of the blog. Had to add a picture of the ocean. Almost out of January. Yay! Here is some of what has been happening in our life... Christmas was an absolute blur. We averaged 17 people staying in our 3 bedroom house for 3 weeks straight. I'm not even kidding. It was fun... and exhausting... a never ending "Punkie Party". Kevin, Drew and I went to Passion 2012 in Atlanta. God spoke to me in so many ways over the course of those 4 days. I keep thinking I need to share it all with you... just so much to process. One thing for sure...  God is HUGE! Alayna took this sweet picture of our grandbaby in Florida last week.                                             Plans are underway for Kevin, me and our kids to go to Haiti. We have been praying about a "family mission trip" for years. Can't believe it is...

We were all sitting around the kitchen table last night when it happened. I was called out for my addiction. Actually, I think our whole family was called out on it. The conversation was about what it means to have an addiction. Our young friend, who was sitting at the table, said very bluntly "I know what your addicted to." I immediately braced myself for what would come out of her mouth next... Sugar?  Yes. Caffeine?  Yep. Chocolate?  Of course. Sleep?  Probably. Then it came out... "You are addicted to God." Yes.... it's true. I am absolutely addicted to God. Just looked up the definition of "addicted". Smiled when I read it. ad·dict·ed /əˈdiktid/ Adjective: Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects. Enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity. Thought it was funny when she first said it. She believes ...

Thanks so much for all the kind comments and for your prayers this past week. In case you didn't know... our sweet 5 month old great nephew passed away 1 week ago today. Dima Lee Heilshorn  My brother Bob (the grandpa) asked me to speak at the memorial service. Oh... Can I tell you?  It was so difficult. But God was gracious to give me the words. Just wanted to share them with you... On Wed. night as we sat at the kitchen table with Bob and Jean, Bob told us that he was going to be the one to do the memorial service.  I asked him if he was sure that he could handle it.  After all, this is his grandchild we were talking about.  Maybe we should have someone else step in.  He said that Katie (his daughter/the mother) wanted him to do it... and he wanted to honor her.   He then preceded to tell me he wanted ME to help him.   "Who me?" "Yep... you".   Since Katie had lived with us during her pregnancy, he f...

Due to extenuating circumstances, this post is coming a day late... Oh Drew! Happy 18th Birthday!!! (all the exclamation marks are just for you... I know how much you love them!) Our little "Drewbie Doo" Or as Aunt Kathy calls you... "Scooby Drew" Or your dad calls you...  "Drewders" Or Billy..."Jocelyn"... very long story. Or your cousins... "Gust"  (pronounced Goost).... another long story. Or Kessa... "Uncle Gust" !8 years ago my life changed forever. You... our sweet baby boy entered into our lives. After an emergency c-section... You were taken to to a hospital an hour away from Defiance. We were told... "broken blood vessel or aneurism on your brain". Your dad stood at the other end of the room in tears... I sat in my hospital bed in shock. After many tests, they said it was "apnea" and sent you home with us. The medications made you uncomfortable. You wou...

Heroes... seems like they are hard to come by today. Over the years I have asked God to bring older women into my life that can mentor me and "show me how to walk out my faith". He has been so good to do just that... always at just the right time. Let me tell you, I can sometimes feel like a misfit in the whole "christian woman" category. Seems like God has gifted me in ways that just don't seem to fit the mold. It can make me feel crazy. Enter into the picture... Shelley Giglio.     Seriously, she is a woman after my own heart. It all started when God began to reveal Himself to our family in huge ways through her husband. Somehow, in the midst of e-mailing back and forth with Louie... Kevin and I met Shelley. When we meet her,  we realized quickly that she is so very normal... and yet her faith in God is so very extraordinary. I have learned so much from her.  I keep telling her she needs to write a book. The last time I said th...