The Shingleton Family

Come on over!

2011-06-06T20:38:00.006-05:00

Tonight, I am thinking about the significance of relationships that have been nurtured and developed in our home over the past year. I'll tell you the truth, if Shawnah had it her way, we would have guests in our home seven days a week. For me, yikes! There are times I am not quite as hospitable as my wonderful wife. One year ago we started meeting in our home on Sunday night with a few friends to pray together about starting a new church. That Sunday night group turned into a Bible study in our home. That Bible study group turned into a house church. On February 20, 2011 that house church started meeting on Sunday mornings for worship at Rock Springs Elementary School. What a year!

Here is the truth. My family and their willingness to share themselves and their home helped make this possible. I have taken a moment to do some calculations. Just counting Sunday nights and Wednesday nights (when the youth meet in our home), there have conservatively been 1920 visits by as best I can calculate 200+ different people in one year. But wait...there's more! That is just Sunday and Wednesday. That does not include all of the people who have walked through our doors on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday each week. No wonder the latch on our front door keeps breaking and our carpet looks so dirty all the time:) You might think its a little funny that right now as I write this post there are 6 college kids our living room watching the movie Tangled!

Why am I thinking about all of this? I don't know. I guess I am just processing the importance of relationships. We need each other. The older we get, the less we do this. It seems ok to just drop in on someone when you are young, but at some point as we get older, we stop doing that.

What would happen if we all practiced the gift of hospitality? What would happen if I invited all my neighbors over (the ones I don't really know) for dinner one night this week? Would they come? Would they think we are weird? Truth is, they probably already think we are crazy because of all the cars parked in front of our house all the time. But I won't know until I do it!

Some of my neighbors are lost. How much do I have to hate someone not to tell them about Jesus Christ? Heaven and Hell are real and eternal. My mission field begins in my neighborhood. People of all nations live in my community and my subdivision.

Here is the hard question. Will those precious people become a guest in our home anytime soon? The initiative for that to happen begins with me and my passion to reach out with the amazing message of hope and grace found in Jesus Christ. Let's do this!

What was I thinking?

2011-04-17T17:07:00.005-05:00

Most church planters ask themselves this question. "What was I thinking when I took the step of faith to plant a new church?" Church planting is just hard...period. At times over the past couple of months I have asked myself that same question. There is so much to do. At times I find myself absolutely overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. And then, God gently reminds me of who He really is and He alone does what only He can do.

Today at Hope Fellowship, God overwhelmed me.

This morning was the first time our young congregation participated together in communion. I borrowed an idea for communion that has been used by countless youth groups. We set up seven different stations on the outer perimeter of the gym at Rock Spring Elementary where we meet. Our church body was divided into six groups and rotated from station to station. At each station, a volunteer leader read scripture and challenged participants to reflect on the power of the Gospel.

The stations themes were:

1- Crown of thorns (participants hold and examine an actual crown of thorns)

2- Bitter vinegar (dip a q-tip in a cup of vinegar and taste the bitterness)

3- Cross and nails (drive a nail into a cross)

4- Temple veil torn (participants take small pieces of cloth and rip apart)

5- He knows my name (write name on poster and focus on our name recorded in book of life)

6- Roll dice (consider how Roman soldiers cast lots for Christ's robe and possessions)

Each of these stations included scripture/prayer/quiet meditation.

We then transitioned into communion. No traditional sermon today.

We remembered Jesus Christ and His sacrifice as we are instructed to do in the New Testament.

The final station after communion involved the simple reminder that Jesus is the light of the world and that each of us who follow Him are called to be that same light. Everyone was invited to light a small candle from a large pillar candle on a table at the front of our stage.

All of this led to the most important part of today's worship service. The invitation to respond to Jesus Christ. This is where we find hope. This is why I do what God has called me to do. This morning 7 people surrendered their life to Jesus! Forever changed.

I have quickly learned as a new church planter that the hard work, the challenges, the spiritual warfare, the times of being completely overwhelmed, are all 100% overcome by the power of Jesus Christ and what He accomplished at Calvary.

Thank you Jesus for today. Thank you for the wonderful gift of new life that I have personally experienced and thank you that 6 of my friends experienced that gift this morning.

What was I thinking when I took this step of faith to start a new church? I'm still processing all of that. I do however know that the fruit of our labor (family, friends, core group) when obedient to Christ is unstoppable! To Jesus be all glory.

YEC, Shawnah's Dad, and other random thoughts...

2011-03-16T20:38:00.004-05:00

Well, once again God blessed and has proved Himself faithful to answer the prayers of His people! This past weekend was YEC (Youth Evangelism Conference). This was my 13th year to coordinate YEC for the TBC. Wow - hard to believe! In short, it was an amazing weekend. 9540 teenagers and their leaders came from all over the state to Nashville for a great weekend. Afshin Ziafat and Derwin Gray preached. Bean & Bailey did comedy. Addison Road led worship in music. Get this - 511 recorded decisions of students surrendering their lives to Jesus! I know there were even more, but that is how many decision cards were tuned in to our volunteer ushers in the arena. On top of that, on Saturday over 1500 teens were mobilized all over the city to serve others. We partnered with a dozen ministries. It was pretty cool. One of the new ministries we had never worked with was Change this World. They sponsor food packing events and then send the food to the needy in third world countries. In one day, YEC students packed 51,000 meals! Again....amazing. Our YEC kids also donated over 1000 canned food items in one day to Second Harvest Food Bank. In the Saturday arena sessions, the students at YEC gave over $19,000.00 to a missions offering that will mobilize TN high school students to participate in international missions. Uhhhh - seriously great!

Here are a few random observations from my perspective about YEC 2011:
1. I will NEVER EVER get over having the privilege of standing on the stage right after the invitation and looking into the eyes of all those who have just come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. I get to see tears of joy, and the radiance of Jesus Christ literally reflecting off those at the stage/altar. I wish everyone could see what I get to see.
2. It is an honor to have an amazing team of co-workers from the TBC, my family, and about 100 other volunteers who are close friends that make the YEC weekend happen. Without them, the event simply would not happen. Thanks to a great team!
3. Again this year, God moved beyond what we expected Him to do. From the production guy who got saved, to the homeless people who were ministered to outside the arena, to the late night conversations at the hotel, Christ was glorified!
4. I think I am finally moving into a stage of life where I am less "stressed" about the weekend. Honestly, in the early years, I was pretty much a basket case. God has taught me much. He is in control. We prepare as best we can and trust Him for everything else.
5. I am not sure why, but I believe that God's plan is for Tennessee YEC to get off the plateau it has been stuck on and begin to grow again. I believe with all my heart that in 2012, many churches who have not attended YEC in several years will again join us in Nashville along with the hundreds of other churches that annually make YEC a significant weekend for their youth ministry.

OK, enough about YEC. This weekend was also challenging for our family. During the weekend Shawnah was constantly on the phone getting updates from OKC. Her dad is in the hospital. Infection, surgery, complications. Saturday night was rough. Gwen and David said the kinds of things over the phone you never want to hear. Our only hope is Jesus! Close friends started praying specifically. We prayed that Ken's high temperature would drop, that the fluid on his lungs would go away, that his breathing would improve, and that the serious infection would be reduced. Sunday morning when Shawnah called the hospital, we learned that God was faithful to hear our prayers and give Ken a healing touch! Shawnah is on the road tonight headed to OKC to spend a few days with her dad. He has a long journey ahead. Pray with us that Christ will be honored and His Kingdom exalted as Ken and Gwen trust Christ daily in this process.

And finally, an update on Hope Fellowship Church. We have met the last four Sunday mornings at Rock Springs Elementary for worship. Week after week, God is providing, guiding, and giving us unity as we move forward. I have communicated to our core group that our first six weeks together is for us to just "figure out" how to have church on Sunday mornings in a school. We are looking at Easter - April 24th as our official grand opening. That sounds a little weird. Oh well. I'm also pretty pumped about what we are doing this Friday morning! Some of us are going to host a breakfast for the faculty at Rock Springs Elementary Friday at 7:00 a.m. Our goal is to bless the teachers at Rock Springs. We want them to know we are thankful for their calling to teach. We want to bless them, encourage them, and just love on them a little. Our desire is to be available to assist the school and support them as they have needs. Friday is our first opportunity to meet them. I can't wait to see what God does! If you are reading this and you live in middle TN and you want to love on some school teachers this Friday - you are definitely invited to join us!

Final thoughts for this post that is probably too long:
Tonight, I am reminded that most pastors of churches in America and around the world are bi-vocational just like me! They have a regular Monday - Friday job and they also pastor with the spare time they have at night and on the weekends. Let me just say, part-time ministers - YOU ROCK!
My dad was a part-time minister for over 25 years. For the first time in my life I am beginning to understand just a little bit of what his world looked like. Yeah, it's crazy, but God amazingly gives us His strength, His grace, and His Spirit to minister. To Jesus be all Glory!

Non-stop weekend...but all good!

2011-03-06T22:06:00.002-06:00

What a weekend!
Friday - stuffed 1500 packets for youth sponsors bringing students to YEC! (thanks to some great co-workers for helping) A late afternoon trip to Brantley Sound to pick up equipment for Hope Fellowship. Then, off to Rock Springs Elementary to put up banners Friday night before the rains came. Supper with the entire family at Cracker Barrel (a great time - just family)

Saturday morning sermon review and prep for speaking engagement at Wilhite Baptist in Cookeville, TN. I was invited to speak at a Father/Daughter banquet. Pastor Tim Miles did a great job making this event happen. Molly went with me as my date and honestly, we had a great time! Also had a blast making some new friends at Wilhite. I had never been to a Father/Daughter banquet. It really was awesome. Then back to the casa Saturday night. Some late night work still trying to figure out Media Shout. Jared is much better with it than I am! One more overview of Sunday sermon then hit the sack.

Sunday morning alarm set for 6:00 a.m. - hit snooze once. Got up at 6:10 so we could be at Rock Springs by 7:00 to set up. Today was our first Sunday to do the entire set up on Sunday morning. Our first two weeks we were given permission to set up on Saturday night. The pressure was on! All went well - everything set up in time - sound checks and all! We are so blessed that God is providing people already to serve behind the scenes and make Hope Fellowship happen each week. Worship today was pretty amazing. Loved having Patrick and Lindsey Edwards, Jonathan Brindle, and Kristina Birkhead share testimonies about their mission work in Brazil, Europe, and Haiti. Wow! I am blown away at the faith and obedience of these young servants. We had a great crowd today for week three! Kinda funny that no one counted. All I know is that the chairs set up were 80 - 90% filled and we also had 10 babies/toddlers in the preschool today! God continues to prove Himself faithful and His timing is such a huge part of what we are experiencing at Hope Fellowship Church. After we packed up, we then headed straight to Covenant Baptist for a 1:30 video shoot. We are taping testimonies of students to use at YEC next weekend! I'm pretty excited about how these are going to turn out! Nic (our video man) is the same guy that does video for Passion/Catalyst/etc. How about that for a name drop:)
After video shoot, back to the house. Took a nap! AWESOME! Then got up, went to grocery store, came home, started cooking bacon and pancakes for our kids and some of their friends! Played signs, killer, and mafia with these hooligans. Pretty fun.

Obviously, life is busy right now. But the truth is, I really sense that our entire family is 100% doing what God has called us to do. It is a sweet time. Sometimes I wish I could just freeze frame where we are right now. Not sure if that will make sense to anyone? I want to give glory and honor to Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. It is His provision, His grace, His sacrifice, and His power that guides me each day. As my family and I start another week (YEC week) my prayer is that we will all stay focused on Christ alone.

Keep praying for us and let me know how I can pray for you!

Where do I begin?

2011-02-20T19:14:00.005-06:00

This week has been amazing! There have been highs, lows, laughter, crying, affirmation, doubts. Name an emotion....I think we've experienced them all this week. Tonight, I am reflecting on the first HOPE FELLOWSHIP corporate worship service that took place this morning at Rock Springs Elementary. There has been much prayer this week. Friends here in Tennessee and literally around the globe have prayed. We are THANKFUL for your prayers! Please keep praying that we will effectively and intentionally share the Gospel and keep Jesus Christ and His Kingdom first.

Over the years I have talked to dozens of church planters. For the most part they all say the same thing. You often hear, "It's the hardest thing I've ever done". They say, "You better be sure that God has clearly called you to church planting." But most of them also say, "It's the most rewarding and fulfilling thing I have ever done." After six months of "house church" on Sunday nights and week one of Sunday morning corporate worship, I think I have seen a small glimpse of what those who have gone before me have referenced.

Today was pretty awesome! I realize that my emotions are all over the place right now and not everyone who attended HOPE FELLOWSHIP may feel the same way. Here is what I know. Jesus Christ and His Kingdom were our focus. Not much frill or fluff today. Not extremely polished. But we had corporate worship. We reflected on the importance of preparing our hearts for worship. We sang four songs. (Glory to God / How Great Thou Art / Fill Me Up / Here I Am to Worship) Thank you Greg and band! We were silent before God as we reflected on scripture. I started a series in the book of Nehemiah and today preached from chapter one. We prayed together and we gave tithes and offerings as an act of worship.

We had four Sunday school classes. Preschool/K-5/Youth/Adults. These groups met at 9:00. I am thankful for volunteers who made Bible study happen this morning!

Some of the funny stuff from today that makes me smile...
-Most often asked question - "Where are the donuts" (We just had coffee)
-Favorite quote from a core group member this afternoon, "I haven't been this excited since I got my first Camaro when I was 16".
-When referencing Hell's Kitchen TV show in my sermon I said "H - E - double hockey stick" instead of saying "Hell". Not sure why I did that? It just came out that way.
-Having youth Sunday school in the cafeteria where all the walls are BIG windows by the main entrance is probably not the best idea. I should have known better! Duh.

For those of you who are number people, here you go! We had 87 today. The offering was just over $1900.00. I put this last on purpose. My personal tendency is to think that attendance is based on my performance as a leader and pastor. I don't want to go there right now.

In summary, I was overwhelmed (in a good way) with everything about today!
Great is His faithfulness.

Giving Jesus Christ all GLORY tonight!

A long overdue update from The Shingleton's!

2011-02-14T16:13:00.007-06:00

Where do I begin? Seriously! Maybe this will give you an idea. We knew we were too busy to send Christmas cards this year so we made "Happy New Year" cards. Yep....still have not mailed them. It's Valentine's Day for crying out loud! Anyway. There is so much I could say but the main thing I want to do is to ask you to PRAY! For about five or six years I have personally felt God calling me to pastor and more specifically to start a new church. Back in July we asked a few close friends to pray with us about this. God gave us much affirmation during that time and that small prayer group developed into a small Bible study group. For the past six months, we basically have hosted a "house church" at The Shingleton Casa every Sunday night. The time together has been really rewarding. A few in the group are friends we have known for many years, but most in the group are newer friends. God has uniquely put together this team so that we might proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and plant a new church in Tennessee.

If you are one of those people who are saying right now, "like do we really need another church in Middle TN?", and I know some of you are thinking that, I will save the response to that question for a later date.

Fast forward to this week!

The reason we are asking for your prayer support is because this Sunday, February 20th, 2011 we will gather for the first HOPE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH Sunday morning worship service. This is honestly one of the most exciting and at the same time overwhelming things I have ever trusted God in! We don't have it all figured out....we just know that it is time.

Our idea is pretty simple. Bible study a.k.a. "Sunday School" at 9:00 and a worship service at 10:15. I would say that our first month at Rock Springs Elementary will be operating under the banner "less is more" - haha. But here is the TRUTH! With the power of prayer and a group of people who are obedient to God's call on their lives, Jesus Christ and His Kingdom will be honored.

You will have questions like.....so Kent, is this church Southern Baptist? Answer: YES

What about your ministry at the TBC? Answer: I have graciously been given permission to work full time at the TBC for now and be a "bi-vocational" church planter. I will need to make a decision about that status later this year.

So here we go. The web site is not even up yet. How awesome is that! I guess you could say right now we are kickin' it old school style.

For those of you who read this blog and live in Middle TN and are not active in a church....honestly, probably like 2 people, yeah, you are invited to worship with us!

This Sunday, February 20th - Rock Springs Elementary

1000 Waldron Road La Vergne, TN 37086

(two miles south on Waldron Road / La Vergne exit #64 off of I-24)

(if you live in Smyrna - take Sam Ridley until it dead ends into Blair. Right on Blair, left on Waldron to the school)

I want to take a minute now to praise Jesus Christ for what He has already done.

God has shown Himself as PROVIDER! Here are just a few of the miraculous things we are thankful for: Sound system for worship - 100% donated, Liability Insurance needed to meet in a public school - 100% donated, Rock Springs Elementary becoming available at just the right time with a gracious rental fee - 100% awesome, Logo design/Web site design/Promo design - 100% donated, Enclosed trailer loaned to us, Music stands and kids curriculum donated - A team of volunteer leaders willing to take this leap of faith with our family - 100% amazing.

I am humbled to be on this journey! If you would like a daily prayer guide that we are using this week as we pray together, simply respond to this blog post and we will email you a copy.

The family.....we are blessed. Shawnah has a new part-time job at Chico's, Jared is working at Blue Coast and in college, Maci praying about where to go to college, Molly is sweet 16 and has her driver's permit, and Sarah has now been full time in our home for 14 months. Yesterday was the two year anniversary of her mom's death.

We love you guys! God bless, Kent

Jared, Maci, and Kent in Naples, Italy

2010-06-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

Italy

2010-06-04T20:46:00.002-05:00

Kent, Jared and Maci made it to Naples, Italy along with the rest of the team from Tennessee. I'm not sure if Kent will be blogging on here or not, but Jared is blogging. You can see them at www.jaredshingleton.wordpress.com Please pray for them as they share the love of Christ with those they meet.

Following, One Step at a Time

2010-05-11T09:44:00.003-05:00

(I'm not really sure why I'm writing this on my blog. As I wrote this in my journal today, I thought of others who are hurting, yet following Christ at what sometimes seems too great of a cost. I do not write this for others to see our struggles, but for others who struggle to see that they are not alone. We serve a God who is mighty, trustworthy, and holy. He is good.)

Following Christ is not the easy road. It is painful at times. It DOES NOT and SHOULD NOT come without a cost. We are called to give sacrificially. I don't believe we understand "sacrifice" today. We think our tithe is a sacrifice. We think teaching a Sunday school class is a sacrifice. We think not hanging out with the cool people is a sacrifice. Those aren't always the gifts God asks of us. Sometimes it requires unnatural steps of faith. It requires walking the path that others see as foolish. It requires giving the part of yourself that you have taken the most pride in.

MINE IS MY CHILDREN.

The one area I am good at. The one thing I can do is be there for my children and help protect them from emotional harm. Notice how often I say "I"? God calls me again-to trust in Him, and give them to Him. I don't want to. The first time He spoke so strongly to me on this was in Experiencing God. Jared was about 18 months old. I finally "gave" Jared to the Lord. Again in 2003 when I had a life threatening brain lesion that was bleeding in my brain stem. He told me He didn't need me to raise my children. He loved them. He wanted me to give them to Him. I heard Maci, at 10 years old, pray and ask, " God, please heal Mommy, but if you choose not to, thank you for giving me a mommy who taught me about Jesus." I was at peace and knew God loved my children more than I ever could and I trusted He would take care of them.

Today, I find myself asking God to take away their pain. To return to them the joy that we have had as a family. But even more than that, I'm asking Him to grow them in wisdom and in faith. To teach them to trust in all situations; even when life gets hard; when friends don't understand their pain; when their mom seems to have changed from the fun, layed back mom into the one who must be firm and distracted from them so often. I trust the Lord. I believe He will pour out His blessings on ALL of our family. I know I must wait on God's timing. Today, I pray Psalm 5:3, This morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; this morning I lay my requests before you and WAIT IN EXPECTATION.

Today, Lord, I give you my children. Forgive me for taking them back again and again. I give you Jared, Maci, Molly, and Sarah. I trust you. I ask for peace as I wait in expectation for the mighty works you will do in and through them.

Following God is a gift we give to Him. The gift He gave to us came at a great cost, why should ours be any less?

Mission trip fundraiser!

2010-03-28T16:55:00.006-05:00

$15.00 t-shirts S-XL add $2 for XXL
$10.00 flip flops XS (5-6) S (7-8) M (9-10) L (11-12)
add 2.50 per item if we need to ship

Naples, Italy! Did you know that only .5% of the people in Italy, attend church anywhere? Although most of them claim to be Catholic, only half of one percent actually go to church! I recently met a woman whose daughter went to Italy on "Semester Abroad" through her college and stayed at a monastery. The nuns who lived there were from the Phillipines! They said they didn't have many nuns(if any) in Italy. Anyway, Kent is taking a group of teenagers, again this year, on a foreign mission trip thru Tennessee Baptist Convention. This year we are trying to raise enough money to send Jared and Maci (hopefully Molly and I will get to go if they go back in two years). They will be staying in hostels and working in small villages with families who have never been around teenagers who have a passion for following Christ! We are excited for this opportunity, but it is going to cost about $1500 each. Sooooooo........Need any flip flops or t-shirts?

The flip flops say, "Beautiful Feet- Romans 10:15" This verse says "Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."

The t-shirts say, "Mission Napoli 2010 Matt. 9:37" This verse says "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

Italian missionaries usually only last about 3-4 years before they burn out. It is very tough to do ministry in a country where you have so few Christians working along side of you. We are excited to have the opportunity to send people to encourage our missionaries who live there and walk beside them in sharing true relationship with the Christ that they have only heard of.

If you can help with this fundraiser, that would be great!

We ask most importantly that you pray for Kent, Jared, Maci and the other 50+ teenagers who will be going on this trip. They leave on June 3rd and will return on June 14th.

You can send a check to: The Shingletons
1112 Poplar Hollow Rd.
LaVergne, TN 37086

Thanks everyone!

Too many cars!

2010-03-10T09:20:00.004-06:00

Okay, our family has now outgrown our driveway! Of course, Kent and I have always had cars. Our garage was always too messy for us to park both in the garage, so my sweet husband allowed me the privilege to get in a warm and dry car for many years. We had one car, Kent's, in the driveway. Then, Jared got a car. Then Jared sold his car and got a motorcycle. Then Maci got a car. Then we turned half of our garage into a bedroom for Jared (so Sarah could have his room), and I lost my parking space. Then, yesterday, Jared got another car. Now we have 4 cars in our driveway. Clinging to Molly's comment that she doesn't want to start driving when she turns 16 (next January). Our neighborhood has a "silly" law that you cannot park in the street!

Therefore, if you come visit us, plan on REDNECK parking. The front yard will now be filled with cars as well. We love company, we'll get over loving a front lawn.

The Seasons!

2010-03-02T08:35:00.003-06:00

Wow! I'm not sure if you can see it or not, but I'm getting out my Easter and spring decorations and it is snowing!! Crazy! I love all the seasons! If you ask me in the summer, what my favorite season is, I'll probably say, "Summer!" If you ask me in the winter I'll say, "I love to get in my pajamas early and cozy up by the fire at night, so WINTER!" Same goes with seeing the new growth in my garden in the spring and the excitement of the changing colors in leaves with autumn! So, this is okay with me. I love all the seasons!

This all probably reminds you, as it did me, of the verse in 1 Timothy. "Be prepared in season and out of season." I was thinking of how we never would have known a year ago, where we would be now with our family. We are to be prepared to follow Him when life takes such a radical turn. I decided to look up the verse and ponder on it for a bit. I guess I wasn't realizing what else was there and what God was going to speak to me. The whole verse says,

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct , rebuke, and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

This was encouragement to me. I was pretty much in the "encourage" stage of parenthood. You know, when you have taught the Truth, and now you are at the point where you "influence" and "encourage" them to make wise choices. There is still some correcting, but not as much rebuking. Then, the season changes. When a, now, nine year old joins your family, you must go back to the basics of parenting. Because of Sarah's situation and background, we MUST be very intentional with our patience and "careful" intruction. Encourgement comes easy for me. I am thankful that God has gifted me in that (although service would have been my preference:). Sometimes I grow weary in having to be the "bad guy". But...everyday, I see her growing in confidence and security. The boundaries she has found were oppressive at first, but now I see joy in her eyes as she obeys and finds so much excitement when she tells me the truth. It's funny to hear her say, "Are you proud of me, I told you the truth?" I am very proud of her.

Pride doesn't even express how I feel about my teenagers right now. They have grown in ways that I would never have enough time to share with you. The pruning has been, and continues to be, painful at times for them. My heart breaks when they are hurting and grieving the loss of "the way things used to be". But as I see them growing closer together as siblings and learning to trust God more and more, my heart overflows with joy. When one of them says, "I really see why God did 'this or that'" I am blown away by God's Glory! He shows himself to us daily and we are seeing Him!

As I read this verse this morning, I am reminded of my children, including Sarah:

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Thank you Father, for the seasons.

Santa Kent and Sarah and a Year of Change

2010-02-08T07:52:00.007-06:00

So much is on my mind this morning. So much has happened in the last year. A year ago our country voted for change. I wasn't one of those. I am a pretty spontaneous person, but I had gotten pretty comfortable in my little corner of ministry and family. Then Change happened. I remember spending the Sunday before Valentine's Day, praying and holding a woman who needed assured that her Jesus was faithful and that her Father held her in the palm of His hand. She loved Jesus so much that it was hard for her to believe that He could love her in return. So often we have it backwards. We think we are worthy of Him and that we deserve His love. She got it, that none of us our worthy, but His blood covers us in spite of who we are. I believe she found comfort in Him that day. I spoke with her a little bit that week, and then on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, we received a call to come to the hospital. Teresa Frank's home had caught on fire, and by the time we arrived, she had passed away. After we left the hospital, we went by to check on her 7-year old daughter, Sarah. That was the beginning.

Now a year later, Sarah lives with us. She has become a precious part of our family. Change is always hard. A close friend reminded me, "When God calls you to something, it's not always comfortable." It hasn't been. Sarah is such a survivor. She has been through so much in her short life. As we think of our changes and voice them in family conversations, we think of the changes that Sarah has had to deal with and doesn't voice.

My heart breaks for her. It is hard to remember the things she has been through, when I'm having to be stern with her for misbehavior. As I am teaching her to call out to Jesus for help when it's time to choose right or wrong, I am reminding myself to call out to Him when I feel that change is overwhelming. My favorite time with Sarah is at bedtime. That is when I lie down with her and we pray. She cuddles and loves with all she has. I hold tight during this time. Some nights she really opens up about her feelings. Sometimes there are tears, sometimes there are giggles, but during that time, never anger or frustration.

Peter went out on the water and began to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me." IMMEDIATELY, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. Then all who saw it worshiped him saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matt. 14).

A little paraphrasing, but all to say that when we call out, He hears us. My prayer for all that we have been given at this time, is that Kent and I, Jared, Maci, Molly, and Sarah, and all those who see our struggles as well as our triumphs, will worship God and that HE will be glorified! We call out to Him for help, and He is faithful, and we rejoice.

Please join us as we pray for Sarah during this next week and leading up to her birthday on Feb. 27th. Whether she is able to express it verbally or just show it through her actions, we know that we are seeing the emotions come out. They are there and in so many ways, are still raw. Pray for her family, as I know they are grieving this week. They loved their little sister, Teresa. Pray that we will follow Christ step by step. Not going ahead or trailing behind what God calls us to do.

What are you going through that involves change? Change is hard. Change is not comfortable. Because He first loved us and gave His life for us, we too can give of ourselves and we desire to praise God is the opportunities to do so.

1 Peter 1:6-7: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Praising our Savior!

Our Life

2010-01-21T08:14:00.004-06:00

So sorry I haven't posted in so long. We may have lost all of our readers, but Kent says I need to update anyway!

In September we made the decision to file for custody of Sarah. It was an easy decision in some ways and the hardest ever in others. We truly believe that God has called our family to do this. We believe it is what is best for Sarah. The hard thing is that it creates conflict with others. I hate that! I feel that this is God's plan and want so badly for the others involved to feel the same way. There is conflict with her aunt now. Although we get along with Sarah's grandparents, they feel that they should have her living with them. For several reasons, we feel this is not the best place for Sarah to grow up. November 23rd we went to trial. By then, the petitions were between us and her grandparents. They had only allowed 3 hours for testimony and we didn't even get half way through. The judge gave up one of her administration days to continue the trial on Jan. 8th. Unfortunately, the grandparents weren't able to drive in the snow to be here. The date is now set for April 21st.
Back up a bit to say that we got a call from Sarah's uncle on Nov. 16th asking if we could pick Sarah up at school that day. He said her suitcase would be on the porch since her aunt didn't want to see me. We don't really know what happened there, except that their attorney felt it was best. She has lived with us since. We were glad to have her home.
We had began turning half of our garage into a room for Jared so that we could turn his room into a room for Sarah. We quickly got that finished, and now she has a cute little girls room of her own. Jared is really enjoying his new room. I am missing my car being nice and warm and dry every morning. haha. We are so thankful to friends, Mike and Buffy, who put in so many hours to build this new room. God has truly blessed us with them. We could NEVER have done this without them. SERIOUSLY!

Right now we are driving Sarah back and forth to school in Donelson. It takes at least 45 minutes to get there every morning. It is wearing on her and us to be in the car so long. We are hoping we can get her school changed soon, but only if it would not be too much change for her. She seems to want to do it. I wonder if it would give her more security to feel "home". My fear is if she has to go to Illinois (where her g-parents live), will it have been one more change that she could have skipped? Praying about all of that.

Jared, Maci, and Molly have been amazing. I know that it has been tough on the girls. Sharing Mom is hard. Lots of changes when you add an 8 year old to a house full of teenagers. I'm so proud of them and their willingness to seek God in this and follow Him. I'm so proud of Sarah who has more changes than any of us. We've learned that when God calls you to something, it's not always comfortable. We've learned to not look to the future and try to plan. We take one step at a time. We've learned that TODAY, we will do what God wants us to do TODAY. We've learned that we are to strive to fit into His plan and not our own plan.

Isaiah 5:9-11:
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

I am seeing each of my children, including Sarah, bud and flourish.

Please continue to pray for all of us. Please pray for our relationship with Sarah's Aunt Sherrill and for her grandparents. We continue to pray for God's will.

Sarah

2009-09-05T08:30:00.002-05:00

A trial date has been set for November 23rd, to decide who will have custody of Sarah. There is now a cousin from Florida who is seeking custody as well as her grandparents on her father's side. I think her aunt and uncle are still in, but not really fighting for her, because of her aunt's health. It is very hard to not have a say in any of this. We have kept Sarah the majority of this time since her mom died. I have been taking her to counseling for 6 months and pouring my heart into her. It has been VERY hard on our family. I do believe that we have all grown and been stretched through it. I would do it again in a second. Sarah is in Florida with her cousin this weekend. She was really nervous about going. They are hoping this will help her to bond with them. Pray for God's will. She met them in December and liked them. Pray that if this is what is supposed to happen, that all will have a love for each other. Please pray for little Sarah as she is going to be transitioning "again". We love her and want what is best for her. Most of all, what God wants for her. Please pray for wisdom for us as we know how to talk to her and just how to follow Christ in the next few months throughout this whole thing.

Cars, Motorcycles, and Jonas

2009-08-26T20:16:00.002-05:00

Jared made it home! We sold his car so that he could buy a newer, nicer car....but....he bought a motorcycle! My prayer life is much more active! He got enrolled and starts college next week!

Maci got her first car today! We got a GREAT deal on a Acura Legend! It's pretty sweet! I'd love to have it! We totally give God the glory for it. We prayed that we would find something in our price range that was a "good" car. This car should have been much more expensive. It was bought new by an older couple who only drove about 6,000 miles a year! Wow!

Maci and Molly got to meet Nick Jonas yesterday! We were looking at a car at Belmont, and heard they were eating breakfast somewhere. So, we went to eat lunch at the Pancake Pantry! There he was! Pretty cool. Then they went to the concert last night. Fun for them.

Sarah got enrolled in her new school and seems to really like her teacher and classmates. Her next court date is Sept. 2nd. Pray that we will know more about where she will live by then.

Kent and I are praying about our next step in ministry. We're not sure which road God is leading us down. Believing that His sheep hear His voice and follow, we are trying to be still and listen. I continue to be reminded through all that is happening in our life, that God uses us in many ways. It's not always in an assigned roll. If we just open our eyes and look, we can see the opportunities to serve others. The question I too often ask myself is "Do I want to serve?" Sometimes I just want to go into comfort mode. Relax and focus on what is easy. During those times, when I'm trying to focus more on myself and MY needs, I often begin to feel WORSE about myself. The more we look inward for wholeness, the more we see the inward holes! We need Jesus. We need to be joining Him in order to feel complete. Well, I guess I'm rambling. Just preaching to myself again. I have to remind myself of these things often. Thanks sweet friends for the encouragement over the last few months.

That's the Shingletons! Tell me about you! What's going on in your world?

Brighten the World!

2009-07-23T07:33:00.002-05:00

One of things Jared had asked us to pray for him, was that he would represent Jesus to those he met while in Brazil. I've thought about that so much this summer. I have always prayed over my kids that God's light would shine through them as they went about their day. How funny that I want that for my kids, but I don't often pray it for myself. My quiet time this week has been reminding me of that each day. Todays devotion says: I am the light of the world...The Holy Spirit that lives in you can shine from your face, making Me visible to people around you....The Light of My Presence is shining upon you. Brighten up the world by reflecting who I AM. I want that for myself too! I want to be His hand and feet to the world, to those I come in contact with everyday. I often fail. I often get caught up in my circumstances and choose to spend my time focusing on them instead of on my Creator. Then, they bogg me down with overwhelming stress and busyness. Today, I stop and ask my Father, to make His Holy Spirit shine on me, that others might see Him today! "Hold His hand in joyful trust, for He never leaves my side". My burdens are not my own. I am blessed. Today, I want to brighten up the world!

Thank you for praying for Sarah. The next court date is Sept. 2nd. Continue to pray for Jared while in Brazil, and for Maci and Molly as our family has so many changes going on right now. Pray for Kent and I as we make decisions on church related stuff with his interim having just ended.

John 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Go Brighten Your World !

Court date

2009-07-13T10:08:00.004-05:00

For those of you who know what's going on, please pray for Sarah on Wednesday. I will be able to write more later. Pray for God's will in her life. She is so ready to know where "home" is. Please pray that we will find out more details and that things will move faster than they have been. She is starting to have problems with her tummy, I think from nerves. Please lift up Sarah's aunt and uncle as well as her dad and grandparents. Please pray for our family as well. A lot of people are involved, but we pray that Sarah will be exactly where God wants her to be.

Gabe

2009-07-07T08:27:00.002-05:00

"We must be willing to sacrifice everything, to truly follow Christ. "
Chris Brewer wrote these words this morning as he is preparing to preach his 17 year old son's funeral today. He is asking God to use the "very hands you used to rip out my heart" use to change lives for your Kingdom.
My heart is broken for Chris and Judy. I cannot imagine the yearning for their child that they must be feeling.
I believe God has a mighty plan to use Gabe's life and death to do amazing things through those who knew and loved Gabe.

I continue to cling to Ephesians 3:20: Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, and hopes.

Father, we cling to this promise and will give you glory.

Jared in Brazil and Super Summer

2009-06-23T19:49:00.003-05:00

Summer is officially in full swing at the Shingleton home! Two weeks of Bible school under our belt(Donelson View and LifePoint). Jared is in Brazil for the next two months and we are Super Summering it! So sad to be here without Jared! Everyone is asking
about him and all of his friends are here that he has been with for so many years! I'm really missing him. Check out his blog at http://www.jaredshingleton.wordpress.com/ to keep up with him. He downloaded some new pictures last night.
Hope your summer is going great and you are having fun!

GRADUATION!

2009-05-27T10:18:00.005-05:00

WOW! It's really going to happen! My baby boy has really grown up. People told me it would happen. It did. I'm so proud of him. It will be a crazy weekend. Kent's mom will get here on Thursday and my parents will get here on Friday. I'm excited for the weekend. When I think back about Jared as a baby and a little boy, it makes me sad to leave those times. He was so cute and so sweet. He had such a deep spirit and heart for people even then. I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to raise him. At the same time, I look at him NOW, and feel so lucky to be a part of his life NOW, and would never want to miss him being just who he is NOW. My mom always told me that every stage of raising kids was fun for her. She liked them all in different ways. I now believe that I can say the same thing. I might skip the 13-14 year old stage with him, lol, no, even that was such an incredible learning and self discovery experience for him. I wouldn't have wanted to miss seeing the person he came out to be at 15, and all that he went through to become that person. I remember him wearing his blue pre-school cap and gown. He will trade it for a much larger red one this weekend. What a joy to raise a man of God. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this blessing in my life!
Shawnah

Jared's blog...

2009-05-07T06:45:00.002-05:00

Need a good laugh?
Go to Jared's blog and look at the April 26th entry!
CLICK HERE

Chick-fil-a Ice Dream

2009-05-05T15:30:00.002-05:00

So, I've always been a "raving fan" of Chick-fil-a ice dream! It's good stuff. But what happened today? I visited the Brentwood, TN Chick-fil-a. I normally order the small cone and always get a fair serving. But take a look at my serving today! Yes, that is a mustard packet next to my cone. Come on people! It was the store manager who served me. When he handed me the cone I looked at it and said, "wow, that is definitely a small cone." He did not laugh, did not smile, did not offer to give me a little more.

Chick-fil-a, will you please make up for this on my next visit. Yes, I'll keep going back for more Christian chicken...all I ask is that you open the soft serve floodgates for me.

Badger 9

2009-05-04T21:31:00.003-05:00

Well, I did it! I just installed a new Badger 9 in sink food disposer! Our old disposer (the Badger 5) died last week. It was a good disposer. 15 years of faithful grinding, shredding, and disposing of all kinds of stuff. I'm sure you are just dying to know the difference between the Badger 5 and the 9....right? Well, thanks for asking. We're talking upgrade baby! I went from 1/2 horsepower to 3/4 horsepower! In the food disposer world that just has to be good. I almost upgraded to an even fancier disposer, but I figured...do I really need a "fancy" disposer? After all, it just hangs there under the sink with all of our cleaning stuff. You know, the windex, formula 409, trash bags, dishwashing detergent, light bulbs, and countless other bottles and cans of crap that we never use. This project was also a good reason to get rid of some of that stuff.
At first, one of my plumbing connections had a small water leak. But...after some tightening, no more leaks! Can't wait to dump some old leftovers down the drain and experience the grinding on demand. Maybe later this week! One final thought - yes, this is the genuine, exciting, non-stop fun that happens at the Shingleton household all the time. Peace out, Kent

P.S. - If you like this post, let me know, and I will be sure to blog about my next project...whatever that may be.

Good/Bad

2009-04-25T22:16:00.003-05:00

As much as I HATE having garage sales, I love having extra money at the end of the day. Wednesday, Kent decided we needed to clean out our garage and make a little extra money. Friday, he started setting up tables and putting stuff from the garage shclves on them. I came in that evening and put some pre-priced stickers on things. Saturday, Garage Sale! Kent was so great, the work for me was pretty easy. We ended up getting rid of a lot of stuff, and made a little money! Great!

As we sat down to dinner, we did our "Go around the table and tell good and bad part of the day". I couldn't help but think how blessed we are that there were more "goods" than "bads". Almost everyone had extra "goods" to share! I was thankful as I realized that the "bads" really aren't that bad!

How often do we spend too much time thinking about the "bads" that we close our eyes to the GREAT things that God has placed in our lives? I am thankful that God will even turn the bad things in our lives to good so that we can glorify Him more!

Even though my kids are getting older, I still love these times at the dinner table. I hope that somehow they might be 'getting' that it is much more than just what's gone on in their day. It is learning that it's all important, but it's the good that out-weighs the bad most of the time, and that we are all here for each other all of the time!

Romans 12:9-10
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Big Decisions

2009-04-16T06:41:00.004-05:00

Pray for Jared. He's making some pretty big decisions right now. I'm really proud of him. It's really hard, I want to make the "easy" decisions. I want what is easiest for him. But I've always prayed that God would do mighty things through him. It takes mighty steps to follow God in mighty ways.

Here's what I really want to talk about...last night, Maci and I were driving home. She told me that she wished there were more guys out there like Jared. She said that Jared is what gives her hope that she will find a Christian guy who really served the Lord. She said that she didn't look to "just have a boyfriend". She was waiting to find someone who really was a great guy. Someone like Jared. How proud does that make me?? Not only in my son, but in my daughter. I am so proud that they are both looking to God more than themselves. And there's Molly. I hear often from Molly's small group leaders and moms of her friends, what an influence she is on her peers. Last night, after I prayed with her, I told her I was proud of her. She said, "Do you just say that out of habit?" I was a little surprised. But I told her that everyday, I think of how proud I am of her character and how she stands up for what she believes. I am proud that she chooses to follow Christ and be an example to her friends. Molly is so service gifted. She will do anything for anybody. I truly am proud of her.

I don't mean to brag on my kids. But they are at an age, that I can say, these are all things that I have NOTHING to do with. These are all choices they have made and are making daily. Yes, it all could change, tomorrow. But today, and no matter what tomorrow holds, I am so proud of my kids.

Easter!

2009-04-12T14:08:00.001-05:00

Storms!

2009-04-10T20:04:00.002-05:00

Storms...today there were several tornadoes that touched down in Murfreesburo. For those of you who don't know, Murfreesburo is in our county, about 10 minutes from my house. Many homes were destroyed and lives were lost. The devastation made me think of our everyday lives.

Storms...Jared is trying to decide what to do next year. He has several really tough decisions to make about college and ministry opportunities.

Storms...Sarah is trying to figure out where she belongs and we are trying to follow God's leading in how we are supposed to be involved in that.

Storms...we are all involved in them in one way or another at almost any given time in our lives. Sometimes they can be severe. Sometimes they roll through barely noticed.

Luke 8:22-25 tells us about Jesus and the disciples being out on the boat in the storm. The disciples got scared. Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm, "Where is your faith?" Jesus asked.

Storms...so often, I just need to read this over and over, and remember that JESUS, Himself, rebukes the storms for me! He goes before my Father and all is calm.

Our weekend!

2009-03-30T11:12:00.004-05:00

Jared got home yesterday morning! (Sunday) So great to hear all about the many things God did in and through him on this trip to Brazil. This was Jared's 3rd time to Brazil. He truly loves the people. You can see his blog at www.jaredshingleton.wordpress.com He has some great pictures and blogs about his trip.

We also got a new oven! Kent got a great deal! I'm back to cooking:) Tonight I use "both" the top and bottom oven! Woo Hoo! How old does that make me?? To be excited about using two ovens. Sad...

Kent, the girls, and I went to the symphony this weekend. THANKS to Bobby Brantley who gave us his boxseats. It was a great experience. We went to eat at a little Italian place first. We were all dressed up, my girls even wore heels! They were beautiful!

We had Sarah for the weekend. It was fun. She is fitting in great with our family. It just seems "normal" for her to be here. Life has had to change in some ways, but God is blessing that, and I believe He is changing us for the better. My prayer is that we are helping her in this VERY difficult time. We have had some great talks about her mom. Friday night we were laying in bed, and I asked her what she missed most about her mom. We talked for a long time. It was a little emotional, but I think healing for her. Please pray for her. She holds most of her feelings in, so when she talks about things, I see more hurt than what we realize just being around her daily.
Continue to pray for Maci and Molly also, as this is life changing for them, too. We don't know if we will be able to have this time with her for just a few more months or if God will open the door for it to be on a longer basis. Our prayer is that we are open to His will and that we will know His voice as we continue to follow in whatever way He leads.

I was a little sad taking Maci back to school today. I have had a great spring break spending time with my girls. I am so proud of them. I'm now looking even more forward to summer and having ALL my kids home together!

I am so thankful that we are not on this earth to simply be about US! These scriptures stood out to me this weekend:

"As the Father has loved me , so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My comand is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

Why?

2009-03-26T18:55:00.002-05:00

Why do ovens cost so much?? I'm thinking, we should go back to using the fireplace to cook in! It would be so much cheaper! I've also enjoyed all the delicious grilled food my husband has been preparing on the outdoor grill:) I've also enjoyed getting to eat out more often. Hmm...if I figured up the price of a new electric range (the one with the double oven is my favorite) and compared it to eating out...no...but cooking on the grill and in the fireplace would work...hmmm....and I would just be in charge of the veggies...I LIKE IT!!

He Called!!

2009-03-24T20:20:00.002-05:00

We were in WalMart tonight and JARED called!!! He was using April's international phone! I couldn't believe it when I heard his voice! So exciting :))) He sounded like a man though...Kent reminded me that HE IS A MAN :( He said he was sitting outside looking at the most beautiful stars and it was so peaceful. Then he said that he saw an owl staring at him from a tree. Pretty creepy he said. Anyway, he is loving it. He sounded really happy, yet hurting for some of the people there. He asked us to pray for the people that they are meeting and talking to. He said the stories of their lives just make you cry. Pray that although they may not be able to change their circumstances on earth, they can lead them to Christ who can change their eternity! Make sure and pray for him at about 1:00 tomorrow afternoon. He is talking with a little girl, I think she's about 10 or 11, that he met last year. She's really had a rough time. You can read more about her on his blog www.jaredshingleton.wordpress.com It was so great to hear from him. It made me cry when I hung up the phone, not just because I miss him, but because I know that God is using him and it makes me so proud.
Jared, if you're reading this, "I love you, Son!"

Gatlinburg and Brazil!

2009-03-23T19:39:00.003-05:00

jared in brazil, 2008

It's been a busy weekend! We left for Gatlinburg on Friday and Jared left for San Paulo, Brazil.

Kent and I led break out sessions at the state WMU/Acteens conference. It was fun. I enjoy speaking to girls about using the strengths and gifts that God has given them. We took Maci and Molly and Sarah. Maci and Molly helped sell t-shirts in the exhibit hall while I watched Sarah play on the escalator when I wasn't leading a conference. I hadn't thought about it, but I guess with her mom having had cerebral palsy, she didn't ride on escalators much. I bet Sarah rode up and down them 100 times! We rode the Sky Lift, which Sarah loved and she swam and even rode go-carts. She decided she wants to live in Gatlinburg. Hmmm.....I know I just taught that God made us all different, but... I think He can use my unique self on this side of Tennesse. :) I don't think I was created to live in East TN. GREAT! Now that I say that, God will probably call Kent that direction just to show me that it's Him who decides these things, not me. Sorry God!

Speaking of where we are called...Jared is in Brazil. He says he feels like he's home!!!!!! He has said many times that he would love to live there and minister to the people of Brazil. God could be calling him south! We'll see. This is his third time to Brazil and he loves the people. They are pretty amazing. I must say that I don't blame him. Pray for him this week. They will leave on Saturday night and fly overnight. He gets home on Sun. morning at 10:45. You can see his blog at http://www.jaredshingleton.wordpress.com/ He is updating quite often. YEA for me! It definitely helps to hear from him about what God is doing through him.

Maci and Molly (and I) are enjoying Spring Break!! Kent took us fishing today. Not many fish, but we caught a few brim. It was fun. Hope you're having a great week! Let me know what is keeping you busy this spring!??

YEC, sleepover, and more of our crazy life!

2009-03-04T09:51:00.003-06:00

YEC is this weekend! I hate how hard Kent has to work the weeks leading up to the conference, but it always comes off so great! I'm so proud of my husband. His heart's desire is to do this to glorify God so that as many teenagers as possible will have life-changing experiences! We are excited that Sarah is going with us this year.

Speaking of S...we had her birthday sleepover this past weekend! On Friday, I was set for 13 little girls to show up at my home. I took cupcakes to her school and by the time we got to our house, the phone had started ringing. More RSVP's. (I finally quit answering the phone when I didn't recognize the number, bad?) S had filled out more invitations and taken them to school. Moms started telling me that they were bringing extra siblings that weren't invited. When I protested, they offered to bring more goody bags and food, but insisted on bringing their other kids! We ended up with 21 little girls. 3 went home by midnight. We played games, facepainted, made bracelets, picture frames, and book marks. We danced and watched movies and ate! It was FUN! S spent the night away from her mom or aunt for the first time. She decided she could do it as long as we promised to make biscuits and gravy the next morning!! Sweet! She ended up spending the next night too! She said, "It's funny how I couldn't sleep away from home when I was 7, but when I turned 8, now I can!" We are loving pouring our hearts into this little girl. She is so smart and beautiful. Please continue to pray for her.

Kent and I are also leading a the Fireproof class at Donelson View. It is challenging me to pray for him and show him respect even more. I am thankful to have a husband that makes it easy. I know I am blessed.

Jared leaves for Brazil in just over 2 weeks. We still have 4 large t-shirts for sale. That would complete the cost of his trip! If anyone wants one??? $20. Jared has such a passion for the people of Brazil. We know that God will use him there.

God is truly working in our home right now. We are having more opportunities to serve Him than we have had in a long time. It is a joy to feel that you are right on His path. Knowing that He is leading us each step of the way, we follow. We are guarding ourselves against Satan right now. We know that with all that is happening, he could attack us. We are praying. Please join us in praying for God's protection on our lives.

Life with a 7-almost-8-year old!

2009-02-26T12:49:00.002-06:00

Well, I know I haven't had much time to blog lately, but our life has been crazy, but good. We have gotten to spend a lot of time with Sarah. She is a joy. Lot's of spunk! She keeps our family on our toes. Tomorrow is her 8th birthday. We are having a sleepover! I can't remember if 8-year olds sleep or stay awake all night?? January help Maci and Molly's sleepovers, and the girls were up most of the night, but I'm thinking they fall asleep when they're younger. I've planned lots of activities to make them sleepy then ending with a movie in their pj's and sleeping bags! Pray that Sarah doesn't get scared and that she is able to stay here all night. I think it will be fun.

Also, I don't think I have told you about our new puppy! Grandma came to town, and bought Molly a malti-poo for her birthday. We had a great time with her. I wish they lived closer!! I miss her already. I'll put pictures of little Tucker, up later!

What's going on with you? What's keeping you busy?

Sweet Sarah, Please Pray

2009-02-18T07:17:00.002-06:00

I don't know how many of you still read my blog, we're all so into Facebook now, but I need to ask you to pray and this seemed the best way.
Last Friday afternoon there was a fire at 7-year old, Sarah's duplex. She was still at school. Her Mom died of smoke inhalation and her side of the duplex was completely destroyed. Her aunt and uncle lived on the other side and their home is badly damaged. Luckily, they are safe. Sarah has been spending the nights with them at a hotel, and the days with me. We have gone shopping and to a movie. She's gotten pretty good at bowling on the Wii. She loves the trampoline. She asks a lot of questions. I am so very thankful that God has placed me here to help cushion her. I guess that sounds like a strange term for it, but it's how I feel. I feel like I'm just the part that may make the fall a little easier. Sarah loved her Mommy. When I asked her what about some toys she might want to get to play with, I said, "What did you play with at home?" She said, "I just played with my mommy." Sarah's mom had cerebral palsy. She could take great care of Sarah, but it made things a little different. Sarah took on a lot more responsibility than most 7-year olds. It made the time with her mom, maybe even a little closer, more special. Here's where I need your prayers. Sarah has a dad. He's coming for the funeral tomorrow (Thursaday). I don't believe he's in any shape to take care of Sarah. Her aunt and uncle have gotten temporary custody. I can't say a lot, but I'm asking you to pray God's will for Sarah's life. Please ask for protection. Please ask for peace and comfort for all of the family. Yesterday, Sarah and Molly made matching bracelets for her and her mommy. She is going to put one on her in the casket. Pray for her as she sees her for the first time today.
Again, I am so thankful for my time with Sarah. I am blessed that I have been able to listen to her heart. Someday soon, I want to write all the things she has said down. They are precious. Many things could be learned by all of us from the eyes of this little girl. Her mommy taught her about Jesus's love. She knows without a doubt that her mommy is singing loudly with the angels and that she will be with her again one day.

2009-02-12T21:21:00.002-06:00

I am lucky to be in love with my best friend! What a great song by Jason Mraz. Maci downloaded it onto a CD and I can't stop listening to it.

How great is it to still love the man that I married, almost 20 years ago.

My mom left this up without posting it!

OH!&& this is Mollay!:p

Ok what I have ta say is...

uhm yeah... I love my parents&& I

know I am lucky for them to still

be in love cause a lot of my friends

parents aren't....

BUT! ewww! I don't wanna hear

about their love life!

And uhm, yeah, I am sorry but

that was my favorite song first!:p

Peace out bby!

My mom's coming to Nashville!

2009-02-06T20:52:00.001-06:00

I can't wait! My mom will be here tomorrow at 4:10pm! I love when my mom comes. I wish my dad were coming too, but I'll take whatever I can get!

My Baby is 14!

2009-02-02T21:52:00.002-06:00

Molly has always been my clown. Not too concerned about being silly and not worried about what everyone will think of her! I wish I would have had that confidence at her age. She is beautiful and kind. She has a servants heart. I have always believed that God would use her to serve others and that many people would come to know Him through seeing Molly's heart for those around her. I am already seeing that! When she was little, she was always the first to help clean up someone else's mess. Now she is the first to want to go help when someone is in need. Kids LOVE her, and she is so good with them. Her friends come to her for advice and for someone to listen. She's great at it! She cares deeply. She loves deeply. I can't believe how quickly she is growing up. Although I wish I could keep her little, I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming. No matter how old she gets, she will always be my baby girl. I love you Molly Polywog!

We might be adopting!!

2009-01-28T08:26:00.002-06:00

Okay, I knew that would get you to read this!!! I've gotten so bad about posting over the holidays, that I think you have quit reading my blog! But...we're not adopting a baby (although I would in a heartbeat if Kent wanted to), we ARE looking into adopting a puppy! Molly has wanted a puppy for about 2 years. Yes, we have Pogo and LOVE him, but Molly wants a baby to take care of and raise. Since Cayden and Deacon moved, she hasn't been able to use her nurturing skills very much. Her birthday is this Friday, so we'll see...

25 Things

2009-01-23T19:52:00.003-06:00

I've been tagged. Not sure how to do this, but here goes.

Are these things that people don't know about me or things that everyone knows? I'm so transparent, everyone knows everything about me if they know me!

1. I never knew that I would be sooooo much in love with my husband almost 20 years after our wedding!
2. I have an amazing son, who is graduating in May. His relationship with Christ, makes me want to get closer to Him as well!
3. I have an incredible daughter who just turned 16. She faces challenges in a way that encourages me to believe that I too, can do anything!
4. I have a precious daughter who is almost 14. She teaches me, daily, to laugh at myself and never get too serious that I miss out on the joys of life!
5. I never expected to love Donelson View Baptist Church, the way that I do!
6. I am now a life coach!
7. I have a fashion merchandising degree, but don't like spending money on my clothes!
8. I love teaching my kids! I love to see their expression when they figure out something that was really tough!
9. I love tutoring other kids.
10. I just love kids!
11. I have the greatest friends in the world. I feel that my best friends from OK, AR, and TN will be my best friends forever! Just because I move, they are still soooo close to my heart.
12. I love people. I love finding out about their lives and what makes them tick!
`3. I miss the Iveys! I can cry at any given moment when I think of not getting to see them very much!
14. I love when other people tell me how great my kids are or how great my husband is. (that's not bragging is it?)
15. I love the beach! Sure Hawaii would be great, but Gulf Shores or Orange Beach works for me!16. My parents live wayyyy too far away! OKLAHOMA! I get to see them about 4 times a year, but it's never enough.
17. I talk to my mom several times a day. My dad calls to ask if I know where she is. I know if she's at the grocery store or nail shop. He doesn't!
18. I love planting flowers and gardening, but hate pulling weeds.
19. I love watching Jared drum and my girls play volleyball.
20. I love reading, especially in the summer.
21. I love the times that I am in that place of "abiding" in the Lord. It is when I am focusing on ONLY Him and His love for me! It is that "me time" that I feel most confident and at peace with who I am.
22. I love hearing my husband preach! I learn more from him than from anyone else. Maybe it's becasue I know that he relies on God so much for the words that he says. I believe God speaks through him to me.
23. I love being a mom to teenagers. Maybe you got that from #2, #3, and #4! It was so hard at first, but now I think I'm getting it down:) Sorry Jared, that it's taken me so long.
24. Although I love the beach, I LOVE skiing also. I wish I were skiing with Jared right now! LUCKY!
25. When people say, "Can you believe that she's a minister's wife?" about me, I wonder if that's a compliment or complaint!
I've been tagged to do this a million times, but haven't taken the time to do it, so here goes.

Time to relax!

2009-01-23T16:10:00.004-06:00

Kent and I talked to Maci's teacher yesterday. I don't know if he will change anything, but at least I feel like he knows what the students are feeling now. We'll see. My sweet husband is so good with people. I sort of wanted to tell the teacher that he was totally confused on how to teach and on what his expectations were of the students. Kent kept it all warm and friendly. I didn't explode and the teacher really listened. I love having Kent with me in these moments. He keeps me balanced.

I almost had to drive Jared's car to pick up Maci!! Jared has gone snowboarding and they took my car. Kent is out of town. Soooo...J wanted me to go drive his car last night so that I could get used to it. I told him that I was NOT driving his car. I haven't driven a stick since I was 20. I drove my car to tutor today and then came home. Jared left on his trip. I had arranged for Molly to get a ride home. Then at 3:00 it hit me! I have to pick up Maci! I started thinking of all the hills between my house and Lancaster!! All the stop lights and intersections! Oh my gosh!! What if I roll into someone or stall in the middle of the light! Or worse, stall in the line in front of all Maci's teachers and friends. She will kill me! Just then Molly called and said that she would be home a little late because the people picking her up (the Lefevres) had to go by the dump!!!! The dump is not far from Maci's school!! Needless to say, I humbled myself and begged, well, they didn't make me beg, I just felt like I should. They said they would pick Maci up too! THANK YOU LEFEVRE FAMILY!

I'm so ready for the weekend! For several reasons this week has been draining. I'm ready to relax. Hope you have a great weekend!

Frustrated!

2009-01-20T21:08:00.003-06:00

Question. How many of you know what an annotated bibliography is? Did you have to do them on highschool history papers? Did your English teacher teach it first?? Did your highschool history teachers assign you a 4-6 page paper at the same time you were supposed to be working on a 7 page term paper? Oh, and none can be done in class. All homework. Just wondering.

Maci Rae is 16!!

2009-01-20T10:16:00.004-06:00

I can't get these off!! I have to wait to get to Kent's computer when he gets home. I tried the other day and I couldn't connect with it and now my computer is so messed up that it won't even open a new window. Soooo......turn off you sound unless you're still wanting a little Christmas spirit with the snow outside and all!

Yes, my sweet Maci is 16! I can't believe it. I am so proud of her. She hasn't got her license yet. She doesn't seem to prioritize getting her permit, which works for us! No license, no need for a car! Hopefully she will get on that soon. Although I don't know if any of us REALLY want her on the road :)
She is such a good girl with a true love for the Lord. She is funny, kind, encouraging, and merciful. I love the time we spend together. I love the relationship that she has with Molly. They are like best friends. I always thought I would have liked to have had a sister. The relationship they have is exactly what I would have wanted. What a joy to be given the privilege to be her mom!

I hope you had a chance to look at the Ivey families blog or Aaron's blog. (They're on my sidebar). I am so humbled to see what their family does for the glory of the kingdom. They have taken in a little girl from Haiti, who has spina bifida (sp), and are hosting her while she had surgery and is now recovering. Jamie spent 7 LONG days in the hospital with her, making decisions out of love for a child that is not her own. WOW! I can't say enough about how proud of them that I am (I feel like I'm the (much) older sister). I met Jamie when she was pregnant with Cayden. It is nothing short of amazing to watch a young couple, who follows Christ so faithfully, allow God to shape their lives and see His blessings over them.

I can't believe that Cayden is 5! The first time we kept him he was 7 months old. Aaron and Jamie had gone to Chicago for a long weekend. My front room was completely full with all the stuff they brought for me to take care of him. Johnny Jumper, stroller, CD player with lullaby tapes, monitor, suitcases with clothes, suitcase with bottles and formula and food. And....the pages of instructions. Although I tried to follow them closely, Kent did let him have his first taste of Dr. Pepper. I'm so sorry Jamie! I think it was later that he gave him his first ice cream?? Or was it on that visit. Not sure. I still treasure the times we had keeping Cayden and Deacon. We miss them so much now that they are in Austin.

Well, that is a little bit of an update. Hope your January is going great! Stay warm!

so much to say, so little time!

2009-01-17T12:11:00.003-06:00

I must first say that Maci Rae put the heading on this picture! lol! She cracks me up-always!

I promise to get back to this! At least I got my background changed!! Woo hoo!

I'd love to talk about Fedna, so please go to "The Ivey Family" blog on my list to see all about her.

I'd love to talk about my excitement over becoming a "Life Coach".

I'd love to talk about my sweet Maci turning 16!!!!!

I'd love to talk about Big Boy Cayden turning 5! (unbelievable).

But...I"ll have to get back to you on all of it!!

Tonight is Maci's party and I've got to clean house! My husband also wants something clean to wear...

Lot's to do, I promise to get back soon! Here's a few pictures in the mean time :)

Returns and Exchanges

2009-01-02T10:31:00.003-06:00

Off to make the exchanges for Christmas presents that didn't fit or maybe another color would be nice. My mom got me a great warm-up suit to wear on those cold winter days when I'm staying home to sit by the fire and eat bon bons (ya, right)...Kent said I look like a lima bean. I'm going to find another color. I actually LOVE having things to exchange. It gives me the chance to pick out exactly what I would want without spending the money. This time it's a warm-up suit in a different color! My family knows what I like, so it doesn't happen very often. Do you think that is being ungrateful? Should I keep it and wear it anyway, like when Kent is out of town!!?? How did your Christmas presents work out?

Oklahoma State football and Wii

2008-12-30T19:44:00.003-06:00

This is what a happy husband looks like!! Kent is watching our alma mater, the OSU Cowboys, play in the Holiday Bowl. Oklahoma State is winning! My brother got us a party package with this OSU flag. No work and football....what more could a guy want?

My parents got our family a Wii for Christmas this year! We are all a little sore from playing it non-stop since we got home! Our shoulders and right arms are hurting from playing tennis and bowling. We haven't even hooked up the Wii Fit yet. We're really going to get in shape ;)

JarBear is 18!!

2008-12-30T09:46:00.004-06:00

I'm always running a little behind, but I finally got to Kent's computer so I could do a little blog about my sweet son's birthday. It was yesterday, 18! I can't believe it! He grew up so fast! We have a video of the room just after he was born. We had forgotten to turn the camera off on the tripod. Kent was praying over Jared. He asked God to help us guide him to love the Lord and that Jared would one day be used by God for His Kingdom and His glory. God has answered all of our prayers. Jared loves His Lord. I see God working through him almost daily. Since Jared was really young, he has had a heart for hurting people. He sees people in ways that others usually don't. I believe he sees them through God's eyes. Yes, he fights with his sisters, and yes, he talks back to me sometimes, but...he is more than I ever could have hoped for or dreamed of in a son. Happy 18th JarBear. You'll always be my baby boy, but you are an amazing Man of God. I love you.

Home for the Holidays!

2008-12-28T20:54:00.002-06:00

Well, we're home from going "home". We went to OKC for Christmas. It was great spending time with all of my family and Kent's family. We seem to stay sooooo busy when we are there and we don't get to see all of our friends like we would like to. There are so many people I was wanting to see and didn't.

I always meet some of my friends from highschool at Mazzio's Pizza on Christmas Eve. We meet at noon and it's just a set date every year. Whoever can come, does. This year there were four of us plus a few parents, husbands, and kids of ours. SO FUN! One year Paige and I were the only ones to show up and one year I think we had about 10! I think Paige and I have been going every year for about 10 years now. I forgot my camera, so as soon as Paige or Toni send me pictures, I'll post them. (hint, hint).

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season! I'm so blessed to have my hubby home for one more week!! YEA!

Jonas Brothers tickets!!

2008-12-14T15:51:00.002-06:00

OMG! Front row to the Jonas Brothers at the Ryman on Jan. 4th!!!

JB's sent out a bulletin today announcing a Nashville concert. Tickets went on sale at 3:00. We went to the Ryman and were 8th in line! Ticket sales at the box office opened up about 5 minutes before Ticket Master. FRONT ROW!! Needless to say, the girls started screaming! I haven't told them that I'm secretly selling them and using the money to get Botox for me!!!

T-shirts for Brazil!

2008-12-10T18:46:00.002-06:00

Here's some pictures from Jared's last trip to Brazil. He is hoping to go back on spring break this year. In order to raise money for the trip, he is selling t-shirts. The last picture is of Molly wearing the t-shirt. It would make GREAT Christmas gifts! The shirts are $20 or $35 for 2. WE ship for free!

2008-12-08T10:46:00.001-06:00

Hey check out Maci's new blog. Macishingleton.wordpress.com
Not, because she says great things about me (hehe) but because she has some great pictures!

New Orleans!

2008-12-08T10:10:00.005-06:00

Kent and I took a little vacation, well Kent was in meetings and I took a little vacation, to New Orleans this past week. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Well, we checked out the French Quarter. No comment.I am afraid to weigh after eating beignets 3 different times over 3 days!

Kent gained 4 lbs!

It was great trip. NAMB has this meeting every year at about this time. It is a meeting for all of the student evangelism guys from all over the country. We love getting to see people from Hawaii, New England, California, etc., that Kent would never get to network with otherwise. The friendships we have developed are priceless. We ate a lot of yummy Cajun and Creole food. We took a romantic carriage ride through the French quarter and learned a lot of New Orleans history. We got to talk to many people and hear their hearts about Katrina's devastation. It was wonderful to spend time with my husband and it really got me in the Christmas spirit! I came home to 3 amazing teenagers, who I am so proud of, and cherished them even more.

What a great time of the year! We have the opportunity to share Jesus, like no other time. I hope you are sharing joy this season!

cutest pictures ever!

2008-11-30T21:42:00.003-06:00

Cayden was eating pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving and put whip cream on his finger. Then he told Aaron and Jamie that his finger looked like Shawnah's white finger nails! (I had a French manicure for a long time!)
Deacon wanted his to look like mine too!! They still remember me!!!! I miss them so much!

The Holiday Season!

2008-11-29T09:14:00.004-06:00

I love this time of year! I loved cooking Thanksgiving dinner and spending Thursday with my sweet family and friends. We went to see a movie and then we all went bowling! Jared and Kyle's new favorite past time! I got an email with Cayden and Deacon's pictures saying that they were thinking of me. PERFECT DAY! I went yesterday to join the crowds in Black Friday shopping. So fun to finally get my Christmas shopping started. GREAT DAY! Today I'm putting up my Christmas tree and then Kent has the honor of officiating Amanda Filkin's wedding! FUN DAY!

I am so thankful for my family and friends, but most thankful for my relationship with Jesus Christ. My prayer is that my life will glorify Him this holiday season and throughout the new year!

New background!

2008-11-24T13:35:00.002-06:00

Okay, it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I'm thinking if I took all of Autumn to change my background, I may not get to Christmas until next spring! Sooo....I'm in the Christmas spirit anyway. I'm hoping to decorate this week, but Kent wants me to wait until the weekend.

I was really bummed about not having anyone over for Thanksgiving. I love to make the big yummy meal! It makes so much that my family could never eat it all themselves. I'm so excited that as of yesterday, I now will have 10 people here! Mr. Pete and Mrs. Betty Parsons from Donelson View(church where Kent is interim pastor) are coming. Margo, my neighbor and friend, a friend of hers named Susan, and one of Susan's friends! I don't know two of them, but I'm so excited! Anyone else need a place to go on Thanksgiving?

I hope you're having a great holiday season. I'll try to be better about updating!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Blah Blog!

2008-11-06T09:46:00.002-06:00

Althought I LOVED my blog in the SUMMER(!!!!) I am so tired of it!! But...my computer is really messed up and I can't click into Deezer to change my music or change my background! I called Christy and asked if I could come over this weekend and use her computer! YEA! It will be changed soon! Sorry if you're having to turn down the volume because you're SICK of the hyper music. I'll put on something much more comforting this time :)

I VOTED!

2008-11-04T17:04:00.002-06:00

Kent and I went to vote at about 2:45! NO LINE! Walked right up and even got interviewed by someone with the Tennesseean afterwards! They asked who we voted for and what made up our mind. Did I mention, NO LINE!!

Homemade Halloween

2008-11-03T20:37:00.003-06:00

Not sure why Molly is making these silly faces!

Molly as a flower pot and Maci as a Fandango puppet. The girls didn't know what they wanted to be on Thurs. I saw Margo's costume and decided I could make one. Then we looked on the computer and Maci liked the Fandango costume. I thought I could cover posterboard with packaging paper and make it! We went to WalMart at 8:30 pm and Kent and I were up until midnight working on them. Maci made the face for hers and Molly worked on the flower. It was fun and I think they liked them better than anything they could have bought! Maci's cost $7 and Molly's cost $8! Woo hoo!

Senior Pictures!

2008-10-28T21:40:00.005-05:00

Here are some of the pictures that Bush took of Jared. What's your favorite? I remember noticing this dimple in the hospital right after he was born!

I'd complain about the hat in SENIOR pictures, but when I look back at his pictures, he had some type of (dorky) hat on almost every baby and toddler picture! Who knows, maybe we'll think this one is dorky years from now.

He doesn't like this one as much (above), but I love it!

I like this one too!

Tell me what you think.

Make sure you go down and see the pictures from Maci's homecoming.

Baby August

2008-10-28T21:03:00.003-05:00

Okay, I couldn't get this picture to download on my computer so I finally got Kent's computer tonight to post this. Our friends, Steven and Maris Bush were in town a few weeks ago after their baby was born in Nashville. Bush took Jared's senior pictures and we got to love on Baby August and have dinner with them. He is so sweet and beautiful! They moved to Austin in August so it was great to see them! August was 11 days old. So precious!

Late pictures!

2008-10-27T21:49:00.002-05:00

Maci and Devin Lancaster. Sophomore attendents for LCA homecoming! She looked so beautiful!

Maci's volleyball team during the tournament! I LOVE watching volleyball, but I'm so ready for a break! Maci and Molly both played again this year! Both finished the season on Saturday.

Homecoming Court, 2008.

Not sure what Jared was looking for??? Molly obviously confused as well!

I'm here!

2008-10-15T11:22:00.004-05:00

Okay, I have not totally given up on this blogger thing. Our computer has not been working very well. If I'm able to get on at all, I usually have to be quick before it freezes, so I don't take time to blog. We've also been SUPER busy. Volleyball has been consuming us with Maci and Molly. It's over in a week and a half!! Woo hoo! I'm sure I'll miss it within a few weeks. Also...Maci got sophomore attendent for homecoming. I'll post pictures after Friday.
We got to spend time with Maris and Bush on Sun. Bush took Jared's senior pictures and Maris and Baby August hung out with me and then we all ate dinner and spent the evening loving on August! He is such a sweetie. I thought I had pictures but Maci must have forgotten to download them for me. She has her camera now, so I'll do it later.
Another thing that has been consuming us is our hearts have been burdened for Riley Young and his family. Many of you read my blog when I talked about the sweet people in the church where Kent is interim pastor. Mr. Riley and his wife, Reba, have given us tomatoes all summer. We took Cayden and Deacon over to pick veggies and have truly fallen in love with them. Mr. Riley had a stroke 2 weeks ago and has been in a coma. He passed away yesterday. We are heartbroken. He and Mrs. Reba have been married for 52 years. She was 15 when they got married. I am hurting for her, her kids, and her grandkids. Please pray for all of the family. Riley was a special person. He took us in and made us feel so welcome and loved. I will miss him terribly. I can't believe how much he meant to me in just 4 and half short months. I would have loved to have had much longer getting to know him, but am honored to have known him for the time I did. Kent is preaching the funeral this Friday. Please pray for him as he is a softey.
I hope that catches you up on a little bit of our lives for the last month.

Re-birth!

2008-09-23T15:10:00.003-05:00

This is just a fun picture of Molly from camp, but I wanted to share something exciting that happened this morning. I was doing a quick check of my email and Molly was reading her science. All of the sudden she looked at me and her eyes watered up. She said, "I realized last Wednesday night that when I was little I didn't know what I was doing when I got saved." She said, "I need to do it now." We stopped everything and prayed. WOO HOO! God is so good. I am so thankful for the drawing of the Holy Spirit. I am so proud of Molly's decision to give her life to Christ. She is ready to follow Him and truly live for Him. In a ministry family, sometimes it's easy to "look" the part. It's so exciting to watch my children personally take responsibility for their relationship with Christ. As much as I want to do that for them sometimes, it has to be their decision. Molly got that this week, and today, I got the greatest blessing a mom can ever have. It is a joy to have the time we have together through homeschooling. I am so thankful for the relationship that I have with my kids. I am so proud of Molly. Please say a prayer for her as she begins her new life in Christ. I think some things will be so much easier for her. It's a whole lot easier to have Christ living through you instead of having to do it all on your own. I also think she will have spiritual warfare. Satan doesn't want her becoming the godly woman that God has created her to be. She is so service gifted and I am so excited to see what God is going to do through her. Please pray for her as she begins her new life in Him.

Feels Like Fall!!

2008-09-16T12:09:00.003-05:00

I went by my friend Christy's house today and she had just put out all her fall decor! I got so excited! We sat out on her deck in the cool weather, drank coffee, and I really got in the autumn mood!! You know, that cozy, snuggly, wanna hang out with friends and family kind of mood! That Yankee Spiced Pumpkin candle smell in your house kind of mood. Now I'm thinking about getting out my pumpkins and decorating! Then I realize that I have to clean the dust and dirt first...or I can skip the cleaning and pumpkins and just add some black cats and plastic spiders to the dust and cobwebs and call it Halloween! What do you think? Are you ready for fall? When do you think it's time to let go of summer and put on your yoga pants and sweatshirts?

Yeehaw!

2008-09-08T11:59:00.006-05:00

It has been a busy weekend at the Shingleton house in spite of Kent's continuing sinus infection. He is on day 7 of anitbiotics and still waking up at 3AM with a major headache. He finally went to the doctor and got a steroid shot this morning. Saturday we had Molly's volleyball game, (she's doing fabulous) then came home for a day of rest. Sunday was Round Up Sunday at Donelson View. I felt a little silly driving to church in my overalls, pig tails and cowgirl hat, but I had fun! I hadn't done anything like this since I was litte. I even got to ride a horse! When I was a teenager, we bred and raised quarterhorses. I loved riding and hadn't gotten to do it since we sold them all when I was in college! Mr. Charlie, talked the lady into letting me off the rope and taking the horse for a little gallop. It was a blast! We left from Donelson, ran home to change out of our cowboy attire, and took off to Knoxville. Kent preached at a church in Strawberry Plains, TN. Hmmm...I can't say a lot on my blog about it, but let's just say that people in different parts of this state, have church VERY differently than I have ever seen before! Hmmm...What did you do this weekend?

sick hubby

2008-09-03T20:05:00.002-05:00

My sweet husband is not feeling well! He has a sinus infection which means the Shingleton household is sorta boring right now. I have realized even more in the last couple of days how blessed I am to have him for my husband. I had a crazy situation happen last night that I won't go into... but...you realize that the things people say can make you feel so small, no matter how old you get. I had someone make me feel that way. It made me feel like highschool all over again. You remember... don't you? Anyway, the person called and apologized. What is great is that I was fine by the time I got the call, because of my wonderful husband. He encouraged me, he made me feel secure, he made me see myself the way God sees me. I am thankful for his leadership in our home. I know I have said this before, but it is so awesome to have a marriage that is centered around the Father. I'm praying that Kent gets to feeling better and thanking God for the gift He has given me in my husband.

Relationship

2008-08-26T14:39:00.004-05:00

Okay, this is personal, but I don't think Jared will care.

J and I have this ongoing argument/conversation about him being gone ALL the time. I tell him that I just want to see him every once in awhile. I want him to eat dinner with us. Why spend money on fast food when I will cook a meal for free? I don't just want to do his laundry, clean up the dishes or clothes or guitar, etc. that he leaves around when he comes in at night, and pay his bills. I want to talk to him. I want to laugh with him. I want to have a relationship with him. I really like him. He tells me that he is a senior! He's not supposed to be home all the time. Of course I want to use the phrase that I heard (yes, from my mother), "This is not a hotel!"

Well, as I was thinking about his today,when he was leaving, I thought about my relationship with God. God gives so much to me. He blesses way beyond what I deserve. Sometimes it is not a two way relationship. I take and take. He continues to give and give. Is He happy about it? I don't think so. Does He stop loving me? No. I think I understand more today than ever, how he yearns for me to spend time with him. I was reading my Bible this afternoon and came across this passage.

Isaiah 55:1-3

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear and come to me;

hear me, that your soul may live.

I will make an everlasting covenant with you,

my faithful love promised to David.

Today, I am thankful to my heavenly Father, who gave His Son when I had nothing to give. I am thankful for a relationship with Him, even when I pull away and get a little too independent.

I am thankful for the Holy Spirit, who uses everyday things, to gingerly call me to Himself.

So I will work on spending more time with my Father. And Jared, if you read this,

"COME HOME!"

Held didn't hold!

2008-08-19T16:53:00.001-05:00

Okay, the last post doesn't make sense now. I had the song "Held" by Natalie Grant and all the sudden it is gone!! Oh well, this was what I really wanted at first anyway and it worked when we tried again! I LOVED THIS MOVIE! Did you?

New Layout!

2008-08-19T14:56:00.003-05:00

Thank you Christy Smith!! Christy came over this morning and showed me how to put new and fun layouts on my blog! She helped me so much!! Then, Maci looked at it and asked me if I purposely copied Ms. Tina's blog! What???? I had to go on and change it. I really like this one though. Anyway, now I've lost the music and it may take a while to figure it out, but I'm on the right track thanks to Christy! The song needed a new post because it sounded like I was needing to be "held" because of Aaron and Jamie leaving. Although I'm sad, I'm not needing Prozac yet!

School has started in the Shingleton home this week! :(

Jared is excited about his senior year and learning, Maci is bummed about being gone all day, and Molly is just plain mad about the amount of work she has this year. Woo hoo! Starting out to be a great year!

Hope your summer was a blast. Ours was fabulous! But...I'm sure the school year will be as well!

Ivey's last day in TN

2008-08-16T14:31:00.008-05:00

The Ivey's empty house :(

My sad baby girl!

Kent told them the best seats were in the referee's box
Good bye hugs...
More hugs :(

Me and Jamie! (I'll miss her)
Did I mention how sad this empty house was?

Molly and Cayden, Maci and Deacon

Jamie, here's the picture you wanted for Deacon's book.

Deacon looks happy to take this picture. Fake smile?
The Ivey drummers

Woo Hoo, Boo Hoo

2008-08-16T12:54:00.004-05:00

Well, I have put off writing this for a few days so that I could get through it without crying! The Woo Hoo is for the Iveys! Yea for them! They have started out on a new journey in their ministry! They have moved to Austin, Texas where Aaron will be the worship leader for a great church called Austin Stone. They will be close to family and that will be a true blessing while raising kids.
Now, selfish as it is, BOO HOO for the Shingleton family! We have all cried many times in the last few days(except maybe Jared, although I think there may have been a few tears). We got to keep Cayden and Deacon for the last few days while they loaded trucks and trailors. They spent the night for the last time (without Mom and Dad), we took them swimming for the last time, they used all my lipgloss for the last time, they went to a volleyball game with us for the last time, we gave them ice cream and chocolate milk for the last time (no no's at the Ivey house) and got their toybox out for the last time. Boo hoo! We have fallen in love with their family. They were not only some of our very best friends, but our family here in Tennesee. I am thankful for the friendship that Kent and Jared have with Aaron. Both in completely different ways, and both special. I am thankful for the friendship I have with Jamie. I wanted to be here for her to help with the boys, but she was there for me in so many ways, especially when I lost the baby. I am thankful for her love for my girls. She has been such an encouragement to them in their journey to become closer to Christ and being the godly young women God has called them to be. The boys...my babies. I will miss not being able to go see them or have them spend the night every chance we get! Okay, I'm crying now. Time to stop. I will post pictures of our "last" few days with them later today. (How depressing does this sound??)
We are going to miss Bush and Maris, Jimmie and Laura, too! They have all become life-long friends!
We truly are excited for them and looking forward to them coming to visit and of course, us going to Austin to visit! Pray for them as they start their new ministry. (Okay, not so depressing).
We love you, Ivey family! Thanks for everything!

Crazy Girls!

2008-08-04T09:43:00.003-05:00

Okay...Molly had friends over on Friday night. Holly and Jordan Goen are as crazy as she is! They decided to dress up in outrageous outfits. Then they asked if I would take them to Petsmart to buy a fish, dressed like that! Much to Maci's disapproval, I decided to take them. When we got there, they remembered Target was right there! They decided they would get more "shock" if they went into Target. I, of course, offered to drop them off and go without them to Petsmart and then pick them back up. After the fish purchase, Margo (who was with me) decided she wanted popcorn from Target!! We THOUGHT we could go in and get it and get back to the car to call the girls to meet us. But no, they saw us and came running, yelling, "Mom, Mom". I denied that I knew them and ran to the car as quickly as possible! What is so funny is that they saw Mike and Pam Casper. They don't think they recognized them, and they offered to take pictures of them. Here are a few pictures of their crazy get ups! My super shy daughter has definitely come out of her shell!

Molly and Kent

2008-07-30T14:50:00.002-05:00

I love this picture. My baby girl is growing so quickly!

We're home!

2008-07-27T16:06:00.004-05:00

Maci and Molly
We had a great week, but it's good to be home. It was nice to go back to Donelson View Baptist Church this morning. Kent is their interim pastor and we are really loving them. It's nice to be missed. We got so many hugs and "Missed You" 's. I don't remember anyone ever noticing that we were gone before. hehe. This morning Ms. Edith brought me the name of a handyman that we had talked about a few weeks ago, Mr. Riley brought me a big bag of home grown tomatoes and cucumbers. I love having relationships with people of all ages. Not having my parents or grandparents close by, it has been great. I also LOVE to hear my husband preach! He has such a passion for God and for people. I think I probably sit their and smile the whole time he is preaching.
Another exciting thing...we have CAYDEN AND DEACON for a few days! I get to love on them for a while before they head off to Austin. :( Cayden told me that he is going to find me a house in Austin too. That would work!

BEACH AND BINGO!

2008-07-25T08:27:00.004-05:00

Well, it's our last day at the beach! Last day to lay out in the sand and sun and hear the waves crashing around you. But...what a great time we've had! Yesterday was Kent's birthday! He started out his day with a surprise massage at "The Spa of Eden". Then, after a day of laying in the sun, (or is that lying in the sun?) we went to play bingo! He is always reading local papers when we go out of town, and trying to see what the "locals" do. On Monday he saw that a community center had bingo on Thurs. night. He announced to us all that he knew what he wanted to do for his birthday! The kids, surprisingly, agreed to go. We were definitely the only tourists to attend. We met several people (senior adults) who shared the secrets of the Emerald Coast. Kyle walked away with $30, after winning not only the straight line bingo, but the "6 pack" bingo, which he is most proud of! After that, we went to the movies and split up. The boys and Maci went to see The Dark Knight, while Kent, Molly and I went to see Mama Mia! Great movie! Fun! We have had a great week! The beach and all that goes with it has been a great family tradition for our family! I know some people (Aaron Ivey) hate the salt and sand, but I love it! I love the way when you wipe sunscreen all over you, the sand exfoliates your skin and gets all over. I love the way the salt feels in your hair. I love that when you feel hot, you can just go get in the ocean or the pool to cool off. I love it all!

I am so thankful that even when money is tight, my sweet husband makes it possible for our family to come to the beach and spend one week relaxing and doing things we would normally not take the time to do. Thank you, Honey!
Well, I'm off to the beach! Hope you're having a great day today. I'll be thinking of you...

updates

2008-07-20T08:02:00.003-05:00

Looking back, I realized that I need to make some updates. Continue praying for our friends who are adopting from Haiti. They are more optimistic than they were a few weeks ago, but it is such a tough road. You can keep up with them more by clicking on the Ivey family blog.

The Shingleton Sizzlin' Summer Spectacular was a success. Every single person invited, came! And...more. I checked my guest list and added those who came, we had at least 68 people. I'm so thankful it didn't rain. Thanks Jared and Kyle for the fireworks! The food was great! I can't believe I was worried we wouldn't have enough! It was like an old fashioned pot luck supper! YUM!

Oklahoma was great! I got to spend time with family. It was especially good seeing my grandpa. He is in a nursing home in Mustang, OK. I hadn't seen him in a while. He has alzheimers. He is 92 and doesn't remember me, but he was still so fun. He would tease me like he used to when I was little. He'd offer me a cookie, and then eat it as he was giving it to me. I
love him so much.

We were home for a week and now we are in Perdido Key, Florida! Now I can rest! This is our favorite time of the year! The kids (and Kyle, our other kid) are having fun and Kent and I LOVE to just lay on the beach and not think of anything else! We read books and RELAX! I love it! Jared and Kyle got up at 5 AM to go skim boarding. CRAZY! They are back in bed now of course. Kent and I got up and sat on the balcony and drank coffee and people watched as always! Did I mention, I love it!! The girls sleep in and then they will roll out of bed to join us down on the beach in a few hours!

I hope you are enjoying your family this summer. I am so proud of my kids and so thankful for my husband, who makes this all possible! Let me know what you are doing this summer!!

Jonas Brothers!

2008-07-11T08:44:00.002-05:00

Okay, I guess I'll let them marry Nick and Joe. Yes, Sherry, I REALLY enjoyed the concert! The Jonas Brothers put on one to the best concerts I think I've ever been to. Maybe it was just the fact that my girls were having SO much fun. I think they really think that God has given them a love for these boys because they are who He has for them..?? They weren't allowed to take their sign in, but during the oncores, I went and got it from security and snuck it in. It was huge and said, "Nashville Girls (heart) some Jonas" They all looked at it several times and pointed to them. They were so excited!
We are having a good time seeing family. We went to Texas yesterday and spent time with my brother's family. Today I'm going to see my grandma. Starting to get a little homesick. We will be home Sunday night.
See you all soon!

Jonas Brothers Tonight!!

2008-07-08T10:58:00.002-05:00

The girls and I are in Oklahoma. We drove here on Sunday and are staying with my parents. Yesterday, we went and picked up Kent's mom and went out to see our niece's (Carolyn's) new store! Oh my gosh! If I were wealthy, Story would have a bunch of new clothes!! The store is called Funky Monkey. It has children's clothing as well as a small area for moms. (i.e. Tag jeans $150.00). They had a onesie with a tutu sewn on that said, "I only date rockstars". TOO CUTE! I think it was like $69 though. Sorry Jamie. Anyway, after that we met my sister-in-law, my nephew's wife (Rachel) and their new baby, for lunch! FUN! Then we went to see their new home. We headed back to Mom and Dad's to get ready for my nephew, Jordy's, 21st birthday dinner at Charleston's (YUM). He enjoyed using that I.D. (hehe). We met my brother and his wife and both nephews. It was fun.

NOW THE REASON WE ARE REALLY HERE...

The Jonas Brothers concert is tonight!! Some say we came to Oklahoma and the JoBros, happened to be here...some say we came to see the JoBros and happened to get to stay with family...I WILL NEVER TELL! The girls are going to get the stuff to make a sign that says
Nashville Girls Love Some Jonas. They have bought new outfits (okay, I did too) and are sure that Joe and Nick will see them and ask them backstage and the marriages will be a few years later! We'll see. Maci is planning on tanning today so that she will look her best! I'll give you updates on my new son-in-laws later.

If you see Kent or Jared, comfort them. I know they are missing us terribly (?)
I would ask you to take food, but I'm sure that Jared is filling up on Blue Coast and forcing Kent to do the same.

Hope you're having a great week. We are visiting Braums too often and enjoying the Oklahoma heat and wind! Let me know what you're up to this week!

Shingleton Sizzlin' Summer Spectacular

2008-07-04T10:28:00.005-05:00

For the last 3-4 years, we have not planned a 4th of July party, but we would end up with about 15-20 people at our house. We always felt embarrassed as new people would show up and think we were having a party and hadn't invited them! SO....this year we have let those people know that they are INVITED to come on over! (If you haven't been invited, know that you can show up, just bring food!) We are calling it the SHINGLETON SIZZLIN' SUMMER SPECTACULAR!
If it rains, we are in trouble! Hope you have a great day celebrating our freedom and being thankful for those who have and are fighting for our country. I'm especially praying for my sweet nephew today who is in Iraq fighting for us now. Thanks Josh, I love you!

PRAY!

2008-07-01T14:48:00.002-05:00

Please pray for our friends, Aaron and Jamie. They are in the process of adopting 2 children from Haiti. They have gotten to spend lots of time with them and the babies already call them "Mama and Papa". Unfortunately, there have been some problems. Please link to Aaron Ivey's blog from mine for more information and to know how to pray.

Aaron and Jamie, We are praying and believing that God has a future for your family of 6! We are looking forward to their homecoming! We love you.

2008-06-21T11:48:00.003-05:00

Oh, I forgot! Anyone with daughters 15 years old and down!! Did you have a Camp Rock party last night? Molly went to a friends house to watch it, and Maci had friends come over here! Joe Jonas isn't so great at acting, but he's definitely a cutie! This is Maci with three of her friends, Tabitha, Maci, Yolanda, and Bethany (taken at another time). I'll have to get a picture of Brittney and Emily to add. Maci had our house decorated like a camp and I bought stuff to make 'smores! It was fun. I love having parties for my kids and their friends. It can be an inconvenience, but knowing that they will have these memories is so worth it.

VW Camper!

2008-06-21T11:33:00.007-05:00

Okay, Kent has brought home the VW Bus! Jared had found this a few years ago, and wanted to buy it. We tried to discourage it. Then, Kent decides to use one in his theme for the 40th anniversary YEC. Jared had already showed it to him, so Kent bought it and spray painted the 40 on it. Now he is using it for Super Summer. Jared is wanting to buy it after camp. Much to our neighbors dismay and mine, Kent brought it home for Jared to clean up on Wed. night. We woke up Thurs. morning and saw it looking like this in our driveway. We didn't even know the top popped up. We opened the back door and found Jared sleeping in it, we had seen Kyle's car, so we asked where he was? Jared said, "He's up in the loft." What? We stood on the front bumper and saw Kyle sleeping up on top! The thing is so dusty and moldy, but they love it! Crazy!

Please help us find a new house if we get kicked out of the neighborhood.

Have you ever done somthing that made your neighbors wish you lived somewhere else?? Tell me about it to make me feel better!

SUMMER!

2008-06-17T21:17:00.002-05:00

Well, is once a month a bad thing when it comes to blogging? Sorry, I was going to be so much better. The summer has already been busy! We have been to the pool (Brentwood Y) several times and been extras in the Hannah Montana movie! I applied for a job yesterday!! First time in 17 years! WOW! I'm sure the manager was impressed with my resume'! HA! I must say that I somehow talked myself into looking better than my resume' made me appear! Can you see me as a fine jewelery salesperson?? Jared (the store, not my son) is opening a new store in Murfreesburo. I had to do a peronality profile, that may totally knock me out of the running. hehe. I would LOVE to see the summary of my personality. Not sure if this job fits what I'm looking for or not yet. Kent's not excited about the every other weekend part. I'm praying about it. We'll see!

Kent is interim pastor at Donelson View Baptist Church. He is in his 3rd week. We are getting back into the routine of Sun. morning, Sun. night and Wed. night. It is such a sweet church. We are enjoying the relationships in a smaller church. I'm really excited to have met Riley and Reba, who have a great big garden and have given us some veggies already! That's the stuff I miss from a smaller church! We used to get deer meat in Crossett, but veggies work :) Why is it that I get so excited about things like that??

We have Super Summer (camp) coming up and then the girls and I are going to Oklahoma! We will attend a Jonas Brothers concert (my girls are obsessed!) and then go to visit my brother in Texas! Busy summer as always, but FUN!

What are you doing this summer?

Emotions

2008-05-26T09:01:00.004-05:00

Wow! God has given us so many emotions. Sometimes I wish He would have left out a few of them. This morning I was awakened by my dog, barking to get out of his crate, at 7:30 (anger was my first emotion). So, I decided to get on and read a few blogs. I read Aaron's blog about the rescue center, so passionate. Then I read a friends blog whose 3 year old child is a cancer survivor (YEA!) I went to the Chapman website and spent time in prayer for them. I went to Beth Moore's blog and got excited about starting a summer Bible study! I read a friend's blog and realized that at times we get down on ourselves when God so desperately wants us to see ourselves the way He sees us! I laughed at Ginger's blog and admired how she can go SO MANY days without washing her hair! This morning, I am a little anxious because Kent and Jared (and Sean) are driving back from a conference in Kansas. So many emotions this morning! Blogging brings out so many feelings. Many are hurting this morning. Many are joyful because of new births and funny things their children are doing. I love that I can see a little part of their world, and know how to pray for them. My friend Gina Butterfield, had this scripture on her blog today, and it sums up what I think God wanted to say to me today:
Phil. 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

So this morning I thank God for emotions. I am thankful for the opportunity to feel for my friends and know that I can take everything to Jesus, who is seated on His throne at the right hand of God, who cares about every detail of our lives and will give us peace that is far beyond our own understanding!

Pray for the Chapmans

2008-05-24T08:57:00.003-05:00

My heart is breaking for the Chapman family this morning as they are burying their youngest daughter. Please pray for the extended family as well. Especially pray for Will to have peace and comfort. You can go to this website to see more about Maria. www.chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria or www.stevencurtischapman.com
Please pray.

19 Years and still in love!

2008-05-20T09:15:00.002-05:00

WOW!! Today is Kent and I's 19th wedding anniversary! We were so young when we got married! hehe. I always thought after you had been married that long, things got, well, normal. I didn't know I would still yearn for him when he goes out of town (like now). I didn't know that I would still long for him to hold me when I don't feel well. I didn't know that I would still be excited for him to walk in the door every night when he gets off of work. I didn't know that I would still want to know everything he did every day, so that I would know him more. I didn't know that I would still love the way he looks at me. I didn't know that I would still love many things about him that I can't share on here because it would not be G rated! But...I still love it all!
So many people give up on marriage, before it gets really good! When we fell in love with each other in college, we saw past all of our imperfections. We only saw what we wanted to see. We fell in love with the good in each other. After we got married, we began seeing the ugly! We saw the parts that weren't so great. Over time we realize that we love each other in spite of our differences. Now, after 19 years, I can say that I am in completely in love with Kent including his imperfections. I love the man that God has so perfectly placed me with. I see the good and am so blessed. I don't get hung up on the things that don't really matter. Maybe I am learning to see him as God sees him.
Thank you, Kent, for loving me. Thank you for loving our children the way you do. I am blessed. I don't take that for granted. The time we have together is precious to me. I love you.

TACKY!

2008-05-16T12:50:00.002-05:00

You're all so tacky! Some of us are busy...or too tired to blog once we get the chance. You go to bed earlier when you're old! I promise to update more as soon as I get a chance. Kent's mom is in town right now, so I'll get back next week! :) Shawnah

I want a "cool" blog!

2008-04-19T19:41:00.002-05:00

Okay, my friend Christi said that her blog sucked! I realized that mine does too!! How do all of you people come up with all this stuff? Is your life that much "cooler" than mine? Am I that much more boring? Am I that much LESS creative? WHAT IS IT PEOPLE??? Okay, Jamie had to help me even figure out HOW to start a blog. THEN.....being "cool" and all, she went and changed to some other blog site, or is that the "cool" term. The coolly correct term? Okay, GWEN!!!! How do you have time to blog!!!! Did you not notice that you have FOUR KIDS!!! You coach, you work out like a maniac (or does everyone run while watching Freedom Writers while thinking of the teenagers of the world)! Okay, where do I get cute flowers and people that look like my family (Lauren Shingleton). I WANT TO BE COOL!! Where do I come up with all this stuff in my mind??? Do I have to read all these books by all of your hippy friends (Aaron) in order to have something COOL to say??? I GIVE UP! And no, I'm not being cynical, I love all of your blogs...just someone....tell me how to be cool again!

UPDATE!

2008-04-10T11:24:00.000-05:00

Kent told me I had to update, so I thought I would start with this great picture of Jared and Sarah, taken in Brazil. These are the twin girls that he asked us to pray for. So cute! I was hoping he would bring them home. Thanks for praying for him while he was gone. We had a busy weekend. Molly and Jared were involved with the middle school service project this past weekend. Jared was a highschool leader. Maci had her mom and dad to herself for the weekend. Kent and I led breakout sessions at a girls conference in Gatlinburg. Kent gets to do these things a lot, but I don't. I love it! I led my sessions on being the friend that God created you to be. Basically on discovering your spiritual giftedness and developing it to be used for His Kingdom. Kent's was on fear. He's so creative! Maci said he did a great job (as always). It was a great weekend for the whole Shingleton family! What are your plans for this weekend?

He's Alive!

2008-03-23T17:10:00.002-05:00

I was thinking today about this being the first time Jared has EVER been away from us on ANY holiday! I was thinking about it at lunch when Cayden looked at me and said, "Look, my egg is empty." I knew that he knew more. I asked, "What does that mean?" He yelled, "HE'S ALIVE!" and smiled really big. It hit me that while my kids were little, this is what I had wanted them to "get" out of Easter. I wanted them to truly understand what HE had done for us. Jared is not here this Easter because he is in Brazil telling others that HE IS ALIVE! Even through all of the egg coloring and Easter baskets, we celebrate that He is seated at the right hand of God, He is very much alive!

Thank you Jesus, for dying for my sins. Thank you Father, for taking Him up to heaven 3 days later and placing him on His throne at your right hand. Thank you Holy Spirit, for living through my children and teaching them the true meaning of Easter. May you be glorified this day!

Easter Egg Fun

2008-03-22T20:00:00.007-05:00

Decorating eggs has never been so fun!

Saturday night before Easter! I'm thinking this was the first time for Cayden and Deacon.

Great fun!!!

We took the boys shirts off. We were a little worried about egg dye staining clothes. I realize now this looks pretty stupid. Sorry Aaron and Jamie!

Sau Paulo, Brazil

2008-03-21T13:18:00.002-05:00

We just got back from the airport. Jared is on his way back to Brazil. He fell in love with the people of Brazil and missions on our trip to Rio, last summer. He has had the opportunity to go to Sau Paulo this spring break. I'm already missing him! I know that he is exactly where God wants him to be though. He has a heart for evangelism. I am praying that many lives will be changed for eternity this week. Please pray this with me as well as for his safety. Today in the newspaper there was an article about a major outbreak of a disease that is carried by mosquitos(pronounced dun-gee) in Rio de Janeiro. I know he is not in Rio, but they also have this in Sau Paulo. Pray no one gets it. He is on antibiotics for an infection, so hopefully that will help. He is going to try to blog if he gets a chance. He will also be checking it at the airport. You can link to him from my blogroll or David McCaman is going to try to blog also. Leave him comments on his or leave comments for David to relate to him if you get a chance. Above all PRAY!! My baby boy is out of the country without me!!!

www.davidmccaman.org
www.jaredshingleton.wordpress.com

un christian

2008-03-17T10:23:00.003-05:00

Our small group is reading UnChristian by David Kinnaman. The book talks about how different the views of those between the ages of 16 and 29 have changed over the last 10 years. WOW! Our kids are growing up in a world that believes so differently from what I was brought up. This weeks chapter was about hypocrisy. The books said that those who are not born again Christians, aren't really worried about hypocrisy in the church. They believe that it is "just the way it is". We have to lie, cheat, sleep around, it's just what we do in our world. 87% of them KNOW a born again Christian, but only 15% believe that they have a lifestyle that is different than their own. WOW! I think the biggest thing that I read this week though, was that born again believers were asked, "What would you say are the two or three most important priorities for Christians to pursue in terms of their faith?"
Lifestyle-doing the right thing, being good, not sinning- was number 1 (we're struggling with this one)

but.....the very LAST THING only 1%! I said, "ONE PERCENT"....felt that

FAMILY FAITH- discipling your children,shaping family faith

was important!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I now know WHY our generations are SOOOO different. We EXPECT the church to do it all for us. They too, are having their own struggles, yet we expect them to shape the belief system of our children! If parents aren't teaching their children, who is??

Born again Christians age (23-41)

What they believe is morally acceptable:

Cohabitation 59%
sex outside of marriage 44% (!!!!!)
allowing the "f-word" on broadcast television 7%

We're more concerned about the f-word than our own matters of the heart!

Last night, Kent asked all of us if we were discipled by our parents. Not just taken to church, but a meaningful plan for discipleship. All of us said, "No". Yes, some of us had moments of being taught, but no plan.

I want my children to love God and follow Him. I want them to know Truth.
How do we teach them to be different, while loving and reaching a lost world for His Kingdom?

We have to make it a priority. I believe that God has blessed me to be Jared, Maci, and Molly's mom, but it comes with responsiblity. Part of living a Christian life for me, is to teach a love for God and for others. I pray that they will take it on as their own belief.

What are your priorities? What are you doing to disciple your children? Is it important to you?

SPRING!

2008-03-13T11:21:00.002-05:00

Yea! Officially, spring is like one week away. I went into my garden today to start seeing what all I'm going to have to do to get ready for the new season. I couldn't believe all the new things that are already coming up. I forgot that I planted the bulbs of tulips and a few other spring flowers that I had been given in pots. The leaves are all coming up! I have buds on my hydrangea and azalea bushes. I can see my hostas starting to come up. There are even flowers on something I planted last year that I can't even remember the name! Sort of puts things back in perspective.

It is so exciting to see what God is doing when I'm not paying attention.

This is true in flower gardens as well as in life. I am thankful that Jesus is on His throne next to the Father! He is alive and I get to work in His garden as He brings life to those around me.

Father, help me to pay more attention to what you are doing around me, so that I can be used by you for the Glory of your Kingdom!

Check our Jared's new blog!

2008-03-07T07:54:00.004-06:00

Hey Everyone! Jared is going to Brazil on a mission trip during Spring break! He has created a new blog so that we can all follow him! Please pray for him and leave him comments for encouragement! He is so excited to go back to Brazil. He will be going to Sau Paulo instead of Rio de Janeiro.
www.jaredshingleton.wordpress.com
(or just scroll down to "blogs I like" and click on "jared's brazil site")
Thanks!

Teenagers!

2008-02-21T19:40:00.003-06:00

I had a brand new revalation today! I realized that I LOVE BEING THE MOM OF TEENAGERS! I think it was so different from my fantasy world of Barney and Little Bear, that it has taken me awhile to get used to. It is much harder than I ever thought it would be, but I think it is much more rewarding than I ever thought it would be also. I've said many times that it was easier when they were little, because if you had to discipline them, they got out of 'time out' and told you how sorry they were and how much they loved you! As teenagers, you discipline them and they stomp up the stairs, mumbling under their breath, "I don't want to be around you anyway!" That part has been hard for me, because I generally LIKE my kids. But...now I'm finally seeing the rewards! The rewards of toddlers is when they finally poop in the potty! YEA! Rewarding for me in that I don't have to change many more diapers, but I'm seeing there is so much more! With teenagers, the rewards aren't quite so immediate and may not seem quite so big at the moment. The rewards like Jared telling me last night that he has felt God giving him wisdom. He's been asked questions that he says he would never know the answer to, but then God just gives him understanding of what the person is saying and then having a response that helps the person. Maci telling me that God has revealed some really amazing things to her lately (sorry, they're private). Molly, even at 13, being open to pray about some pretty deep things.
I'm also seeing that I love the people my children have become. They are so fun to be around. They carry on great conversations. Not that I didn't love the days of the "mote comotrol" (remote control), but these conversations are really great.
I realized several years ago after my brain lesion, that I was the one blessed to be their mother. I realized that God didn't NEED me to raise them, He granted me the GIFT of raising them. He could have let anyone teach them "Jesus Loves Me" or put band aids on their skinned knees, but he blessed me to get to do all of that! Now I am being blessed in new ways, and I'm loving being the mom of teenagers!

YEC

2008-02-12T13:23:00.000-06:00

Hey, it's almost time for the Youth Evangelism Conference. The dates are February 29-March 1. For those of you who haven't been a part of it, let me catch you up. YEC is a student conference that Kent puts together every year in Nashville. Youth groups from all over TN will be attending. We usually have around 13,000-14,000 teenagers. We have great speakers and bands. It is always a lot of fun. We need VOLUNTEERS! Many of you have helped before, but for those of you who haven't, we need people selling t-shirts, working the green room, selling band products, directing students on where to go, etc... etc... The TBC provides a hotel room for you, as well as a t-shirt to wear for the event. All meals will be provided. We need people to be at the Nashville Convention Center by 2:00-2:30. The event is over around 4:00 on Saturday. Please let us know if you might be able to work! We need everyone to be college age or older. Please leave a comment or email me, (shawnahss@hotmail.com) if you can help and I will get back with you with more information! Feel free to let us know if you have friends who might want to volunteer also. WE NEED YOU! Thanks, Shawnah

Pray for the Tanner family

2008-02-07T12:54:00.000-06:00

Bill Tanner passed away at around 4:30 this morning. Bill had a long battle with cancer and things were starting to look up. This came as a surprise to the family, but not to God. Bill is with His Savior now. Please pray for his wife Kellye, sons Cole and Kyle(Jared's best friend), and daughter Whitney.

UGH!

2008-02-03T20:30:00.000-06:00

I took Molly with us to Conclave because I really thought she was getting better. Her fever had come way down, and with medicine it was normal. She started feeling bad again tonight and her fever was 103.2. I feel bad for taking her. I should have stayed home. I hope I didn't get anyone else sick. How long does the flu usually last? Poor Molly.

Jesus is on the throne!

2008-02-02T08:35:00.000-06:00

We are at Conclave. It is a youth ministers/workers conference that Kent, along with 5 other states, puts on in Chattanooga. Yesterday, Richard Ross spoke. Erwin McManus spoke also, but what Richard said, made me really think. He talked about how that when we speak of Jesus, it is of his life on earth or his return. WE rarely speak of NOW!! Now is so important. He is at the right hand of God. He is mighty and majestic. He said, "Why would a teenager who's life is crap(!) want to ask Jesus to come into his life! But...when we realize that Jesus is on His throne and wanting us to join HIM!! HE is doing great things and wants us to join Him where HE is! That is cool! Jesus is doing mighty things for His Kingdom and loves us so much that he wants us to be a part of what He is doing! I'm in! I know all of this, but why is it we focus on Jesus coming and helping ME! Jesus is everything to ME! Jesus has helped ME so much! Jesus has done so much for ME! YES, He is all that, but so much more! We get to help HIM! HE doesn't NEED us ! He loves us so much that He wants us in on what He's doing! YEA! Did I mention, I'm in!