Monumental: New Babies

Moments in life that are monumental:

7) Getting a new nephew

A month ago now my sister had her second child, a boy, Alexander James. What a miracle children are! It seems so surreal when they are born, it's impossible to describe the awe and love that I have within the first seconds of knowing them. It was the same way with my niece. I feel blessed to have a wonderful healthy new nephew to love.

Crab Shumai

This past week I went out with a few girlfriends and we went to this great sushi place in Fishers called Wild Ginger (go there!). We had some amazing crab Shumai as a starter - it was truly delightful. On the way home I got to thinking, most of what I eat is mediocre. I mean I like it well enough, but really my food is mostly for sustaining my life.

Most people have between 8,000 and 10,000 taste buds and I'm just pretty sure that we do not use nearly enough of them. There are very few times a year that I have something truly spectacular. I've never really put a lot of thought into it before now, but now I wonder why I am wasting my life eating foods that I just like "well enough" when there are foods out there that make me swoon.

You're probably thinking I'm being a bit dramatic but as far as simple pleasures go, not much can beat a truly fantastic taste of something delightful.

PS. I have only been three or four times to a Sushi place and I want to thank those two for introducing me to a new thing. You know who you are.

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: