Thankful Thursday 16

Today I am thankful for:

1) Almonds - delicious and nutritious

2) The ability to read the Bible in it's original languages (the opportunities I've had in learning).

3) My passport - which means I have the option of traveling God's beautiful planet.


Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! Psalm 107:1 and 118:1

My life is weird

Well at one blog a month for the last few months - I've been off the radar. I've been so busy I can barely breath the last few months but things have finally settled down a little bit and I'm feeling like things are going to start flowing better. And here is what I would like to say:

My life is weird.

I am in the unique position of being one of a very small group of people: woman senior pastors (and a young one at that). What I've been thinking about lately is that because of this unique situation, I am in the position of having very few real friends/relationships. Many people who know what I do try to be a "more Christian" version of themselves around me and new people tend to back off or freak out when they find out what I do. People are not authentic with me, they keep me at arms length...it's a lonely place to be.

My husband is my best friend, which is grand, but the poor guy is really my only social outlet. It puts a lot of pressure on him and I'm not sure what to do about it. I have no one else to have fun with, hang out with, or just be Shannon with. I love my job, but it has isolated me too.

Cutest Baby Dancing

This little baby has mad skills. How cute is he!?

Real Preachers of Genius

In doing research for my sermon this week, which is the start to and Evangelism series, I found this and wanted to share. Pretty amusing.

Father's Day

When I was a kid I loved Father's Day, then for a lot of years I hated Father's Day. Now I am back to a place where I can celebrate. There are many men in my life who are special and deserve honor on this day and I want to take the time to let them know (they will come in order or how long I have known them so that no-one gets hurt):

My Uncle Mitch:

Grandpa Fraley: My brother, Ashleigh:
My step-dad, Bob:

My brother-in-law, David: My father-in-law, Jack:

This list is by no means exhaustive of the men who have influenced my life, but it is the group of family that have served in that Dad role at one time or another. If you are a man and are a part of my life, I thank you.

In honor of my Dad, Richard Andrew New:

Thankful Thursday 15

(A day late again) Today I am thankful for:

1) Technology

2) Pretzel Sticks

3) People who love us like family, since we can't be with family.

4) My brain...I know that one seems weird, but some people's brain's betray them and I'm thankful for my brain health.

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High." Psalm 50:14

Monumental: Meeting someone famous

Moments in life that are monumental:

88) Meeting someone famous

Today I am pondering life's decisions. Do I meet someone famous (not A-list of course, but still) or do I hang out with my step-Dad, Bob?

I'm gonna choose Bob. When it comes down to it, we know what's important, don't we? We know what's going to last and what's fleeting. We know that famous people have others drooling over them all the time and are probably cocky and jaded, but that family is pretty great.

Though I'm a little sad, it's the right decision...I am thankful for a step-Dad who is good and kind; who is as much a part of the family as anyone else; I am thankful for Bob.

Thankful Thursday 14

1) Hot Showers

2) A Home Owners Warranty that means the water heater problem is not such a big problem.

3) The ability to get clean whenever I want

One and three are things I take for granted, I've gotta stop doing that. We have all been blessed so much, don't forget.

Cute Little Boy

This little boy is so cute...and the video is amusing.

That's My King

People often say "Happy Easter" and I understand that it's because we have the joy of the knowledge of Jesus triumph over death, but I hope that you have a thoughtful Easter. Especially if you're like me and you've been in church your whole life, don't just look the story over again. Give it some real time and thought. And check out this powerful video:

What if...

In my sermon tomorrow I am addressing Jesus' actions in his last week on earth. Jesus remained faithful to his mission knowing the outcome. I'm no Jesus, but it begs the question, what if it were your last week on earth?

People often give answers of travelling and spending time with loved ones, but in all reality, I'm pretty sure I'd cry the entire first day.

Amazing Skills

Ok Go, This Too Shall Pass

Thankful Thursday 13

It's been a long time since I did a thanks post, and it doesn't mean I'm not thankful...it just means I've been busy. Today I am thankful for:

1) Generosity in hard times

2) An amazing neice who sends cute little notes to us in the mail

3) Easter Candy

CAUTION! A Picture Montage of Paul Bunion

Thank you for following my story of Paul Bunion for the last 3/4 of a year. This is my story of Paul Bunion as shown in pictures...some of them are graphic (just to warn you).

First there was a bump (April 2009):

Then there was a surgery(July 2, 2009):

Then there was a large bandage, crutches and a medical boot (and getting over the antiseptic which really tore me up):

And I was drugged out of my mind for about over week (and then mildly drugged for another few weeks):

Next the stitches came out (my foot looks weirdly flat on the outside now) and the wound was covered with a big bandage that meant I still had to keep it out of the shower:

About a month later the big bandage came off (woo hoo for real showers once again):

While healing rather well, I then ran into a shopping cart and injured other parts of my foot:

All of the bandages are gone now and the scar is healed (though still very obvious). I am beginning to be able to lie on my right side again after almost 10 months of not. It is still very sore if it get's hit and my little toe is still not quite right, but I think it's about as good as it's gonna get. Thanks for sharing my journey!

Thanks for sharing this journey with me. I'm glad to be mostly better!