Where is the Woman of the 50's?

I am in school to be a teacher... there are millions and millions of women going to huge corporations every day and running a business all on her own with many many responsibilites. She is driving to work in a nice SUV, she has her hair perfect, she has nice expensive clothes, her nails are carefully manicured, and her make up has no flaw. She seems happy waiting at the light to turn green.

And in YOUR head you imagine her thoughts would go something like this: "Pick up dry cleaning, get Jr. from Soccer right after school, and little princess has ballet after soccer, and hubby needs hot love tonight, and the houskeeper needs paid. Oh, I must go cash that large check today for our Hampton vacation."

But in reality, her home life stinks, she hasnt went to the grocery store in months, they eat out in chaos nightly, the husband is unhappy, the kids are not attended to, the homework is never checked, the kids are never tucked in, they go off to bed wishing they lived next door with the mom that always has real cookies in her home. The dad is always on the phone, the mom is never emotionally available for anyone, including her husband. And yet.. in her SUV things look pretty good. We all know that #1 she is missing Christ. . .

But I want to know what has happened to the values taught to our children at home and at school? Why are mothers not taking the role of wife and homemaker? How did our lives get so busy that we dont have time to sit down for a meal we actually cooked ourself? I'm sick of this! I want to go back to the 1950's!

Happy Birthday Nanny!

Happy Birthday Nanny!

Monday, September 29 is my Nanny's Birthday. Those of you that are unfmiliar with "Nanny", she is my mothers mom. I am not going to be able to go see her on her birthday, but I sent her a card, and are giving her 5 minutes of fame on the internet!

She is very special to me. This is an example of a woderful Godly lady!

She taught me how to crochet, she is loving, kind, compassionate, cute, adorable, and she is the light of my moms side of the family. She welcomes everyone in her home with a "Hello.... I'm so glad to seeee youuuu!" and then she gives you a hug. It does not matter who you are!

She is an example of a Godly wife. She attends to her husband, and remains submissive. She is always there to help him, and the best part is:

She looks at him as if she married him yesterday. They are so in love!

I have been told that I am a carbon copy:

We have the same body temperature: We are always hott in a room.

We hate washclothes... We have got to have paper towels.

We like the small things in life!

We love God...

We crochet together....

We laugh until we pee our pants! (not literally) .. or well, I do!

I love her!

Happy Birthday Nanny!

Dinner with Betty....

Tonight I had dinner with a great friend. Betty and I have been friends since I was a Junior in High School. Betty joined the Marines after we graduated High School, and is almost finished in another month! I can't believe that time has passed this quick! She and I don't get to see each often at all, and usually dont communicate in between visits. I didn't even know that she was in the Iraq, and she was there for 8 months!!! But when she gets in, it is as if we have not missed a beat! It's wonderful. We had a lovely dinner at Olive Garden!!
Lighing was low, so the pictures are not very bright!
We had a great dessert too! We spent 2 1/2 hours there just eating and catching up, and sharing what has been happening in each others lives! I am so lucky to have her as a friend.

It was a great time!

Thanks for dinner, betty!

Thoughts....& Piercing Update.

This is how God blesses my husband on a daily basis: He sends him out into his great country and displays this kind of beauty for him to enjoy! Dennis loves sunsets. Any picture on our computer was taken by Dennis if it has a sunset on it. Here is yet another. Very beautiful!!

Man, I have never had so much reader feedback over my posting about a nose piercing. Some of you have written and said: "Go for it!" others have said: "It's not worth it" others have strongly said: "No way" and you all know which one you fall under! :) Thank you so much for your feedback. I appreciate that you guys love me enough to give me your opinion. Although, I probably should have really thought it out a little more before posting that THOUGHT, I am glad that I know how everyone feels. This will be one of these things that I really want to do, but most likely wont. (Unless Dennis gives me his approval, I wont be doing it) I want to be submissive to my husband and to God. and I am not really sure about it, and there are so many ways to look at it. So.... I guess today I am officially putting this to rest: I won't get a nose peiricng. (unless dennis takes me to get it). I dont have solid reasons for not doing it, and I dont have solid reasons for wanting to.. so I just wont! Thanks for all of your feedback.

We will be going away for the weekend to Gatlinburg, so I will posting those photos when we get back on Sunday! See you later Blog world, I will miss you!!!!!

I may have Just found my FIX.....

The Disclaimer:

Alright Men.. I strongly apologize for the content of this blog. You may find this log in completely useless and not beneficial for your knowledge whatsoever: unless you have a wife that is like me in the female department labeled: "broken!!"

Some pretty knowledgable friends of ours: Pat & Mia Kennedy who own and operate Kennedy's Chiropractic in Spartan Square suggest that I use this lotion called: "Renewed Balance."

If you have known Dennis and I for any possible length of time you know that we have been "trying" to have a baby for a LONG time now... and we have no luck due to my irregular or non existant menstrual cycles. With no egg being released, it is impossible for one to bump into sperm and create our little bundle of joy...... And according to a lot of research and medical junk... I am gathering that the problem may be too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. They prescribed terrible medicine, and I don't want to take it.

So this is some lotion that is supposed to allow me to start a period by providing me a natural daily dose of progesterone through this lotion. It is completely fragrance free, and it has tons of benefits. Of course, you have to take as directed. Since is natural it takes a while to work. With me being in school, we are in no hurry so I will let you know what the results are when I have taken it long enough!! You can google info on it. If you know anything more on this: please leave me a comment!

And again, Men, if you made it this far, I apologize again!

Oh, it is actually intended for ladies going through perimenopuase, or menopause itself. If you have entered into this stage of life, you should do a little research! It may be the perfect find.

Nose Piercing! Can I??

Ok, Ok.. I have been gettin pretty deep here the past couple of log ins! I just have really wanted to glorify God in ALL that I do, even blogging. So, that has been the aim.. but it does not need to be EVERY blog, right?....
Although, If you didn't read my blog from Sunday you need to do that, and if there is someone that really needs to read that Gospel, you may click that little envelope underneath that blog so that you can email that particular blog to a friend. ..... So.. for some comic relief.....

Since I started back up with school, I have wanted to get a nose peircing REALLY BAD! I talked to Dennis about it, and he was really apprehensive, so I dropped it... Well, then my friend Jody... got one!!!! And I am sooooo envious! It is so cute on her, and I have been resparked of the want.

I'm hoping that Dennis will take me to the tattoo shop and let me do it!

Anyone want to be the one to encourage him??????

:)

I am a Hell Deserving Sinner

In light of today's message: Our pastor said that if he posted his daily thoughts on the www.wsbaptist.org blog, we would very quickly find out that he is a hell deserving sinner! He then said that if we did that, we too, would soon be discovered as hell deserving sinners!

I am going to up front admit that I am a hell deserving sinner! The good part is: I have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. The bad part: I've got to wait until death to meet my savior face to face!
My question is: What about you??

When death knocks, and you slip into the eternity, which eternity will you slip into? Will you too, see Christ, your LORD and Savior with the nail peirced hands, the scar on his left side, the crown of thorn markings on his forehead? Will you be able to rejoice and praise in that?
----OR--------
Will you be the corpses that Isaiah refers to in Isaiah 66:24?
"Then they will go forth and look on the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die And their fire will not be quenched And they will be an abhorence to all mankind."?
I do not care who you are reading this blog: I don't care if you are a friend, a family member, a school friend, etc. I don't care.
I need you to contemplate the very real places of Heaven and Hell. My friend, one of them is your reality.
THIS IS THE GOSPEL:
You see, not only is God holy, (perfect in every way), He is also just. And because we all have sinned and rebelled against Him, all of us are subject to God’s just condemnation, eternal (forever) punishment in hell.
If the Bible stopped here in its analysis of the human condition, we would be doomed to a hopeless future. However, this is not where it stops….


I Tim. 1:15 says
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

The good news is that Christ died for sinners like us and He rose physically from the dead to validate the saving power of His death and to open the gates for eternal life and joy. (I Cor. 15:20) this means God can acquit the sinner and still be just (Romans 3:25-26).

“For Christ died for the sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.”

Without this sacrifice on the cross, we would have no hope. The people that believe this and turn their lives over to God become saved.

This is the gospel! Contemplate this: Count the cost! And plead to God for him to save your soul.

I love you, and I care for your eternity. If you have any questions, please call me. You know my number. Leave me a comment, if you don't.

And one more thing.... If you "recieved" Jesus as just your Savior, and not the LORD of your life, then you recieved a false Jesus!

Learning has happened somewhere else!

The Sun shining at full strength!

How beautiful it is.

How beautiful this tree is in our back yard, that I never really looked and admired before.

And, then... the books. I decided to take learning outside today! I grabbed a chair for my feet, pens and highlighters for my books, tissues for my outdoor allergies, and tea for the heck of it and are reading outside. If I didn't do this, I wouldnt have seen these beautiful sights right outside of my porch!

I am learning that learning does not need to be in a classroom, or in my office, or library, it is taking place outside today in this cool, beautiful weather.

Ahh...

Animals may be a reflection of us.....

Ya know.. Sometimes I get a little agitated with these pets!
They lay on the floor, and shed their hair not
even caring that I have to clean it up. They expect us to provide them food without even asking or saying please.. they want treats
at night after we brush our teeth for bed. . they want us to pet them...they chew up tissue paper on the floor when we leave it out... they really are spoiled to be two animals that were rescued from death or a life outside in the cold/hot wet, sticky weather...
There was nothing that these animals done for them to deserve our love. They didn't knock on the doors of our home and say: "We love you and we want you to let us move in and we will be good... we promise!" They were simply born and abandoned. We went to the shelter to adopt Harper. He was cute.. but he wasn't house broken. Allie was mean from day one. (I am sure that is hard for some of you to believe). But we took them home, loved them, and we provide everything that they need... and yet... Allie grabs my feet when I am asleep in bed when he knows that makes me angry... Harper faithfully barks at the neighbors even though he knows they are harmless... and yet we still love them and let them stay.

Hmm.. interesting huh? Do we do this with God? Do we prance around and act like we deserve a home, and food, and love, and grace..?? Do we do things to irritate him after this pardon that he has shown us? If not a heated/air conditioned home with a reliable vehicle to go make more money was not enough, he gave us eternity with him? What do we do? We act like Allie & Harper! We prance around like we deserved it the whole time, and still have the audacity to ask him for more! WOW. Something to ponder!

God is Lord over Everything.. even Reading.

I have menioned my dilemma about school. I was having a hard time connecting school with church, and home with school. I have been very comfortably placed in an area where I have not been out in the world for the last 1 and half years. I have had comfortable Christian jobs whether in my church as a preschool teacher, or in the Shaffer home. God has prepared me spiritually to go out into the world so that I can survive. He has now placed me in an institution that is NOT comfortable, it is called Radford University.

Looking back at it after some help from Brett, our Youth and Family Pastor, he has opened my eyes to this.... I see that God did have purpose in me taking a break after community college, because he knew that I was not spiritually mature enough to handle Radford. He didn't say these words specifically, but his words made me ponder the thought. He stated that I am no longer effective in my comfortable bubble, so now he has placed me where I am effective for his plan, and believe me, that doesn't mean that it is comfortable, or even Ok with me. God didn't ask if I was ok with going to school, he placed me there within a moments notice! I am thankful that God does not seek our opinion, because his work would not get accomplished.

I have felt very bothered the past couple of weeks because I have not embraced the idea of school. We had a 1 hour lesson on human nature, and whether it is good or not. The answer was very simple: Human nature is SIN. very clearly and plainly, it is sin. So, I offer this tid bit of information thinking that everyone would nod their head in agrreance because my friends at church would, and they didn't even acknowledge that I spoke, not even the professor.

I then realized the weight of how different we are... these worlds. It is the difference between darkness and light. I am in the light, thank you Jesus!

There are a million reasons why it makes since that I am in school, and that I stay there. I see this now. Am I at ease with tackling this? No! Have I mastered the ability to worship God with my arms, legs, and BRAIN? No! But Brett suggested that whatever I do, I do it well. I do it for God. And one more thing: Reading is important. Teaching Reading can be the best thing that I can do for these children. It could be the skill that they need to read about God and develop a lasting relationship with him. You do know, God reveals himself with words on a page, and if we didnt have teachers out there to teach us how to read, we may never know who God is, but personally spending time in the Bible. I wouldn't have the ability to type these words and express my growth. Reading is important. And since God is God of everything.. I can find ways to do everything for his glory!

There are kids out there that need to hear this very important gospel... Prepare hearts, Lord Jesus, for Shannon Maggi is on RU campus!

God.. I need you!

I am really at a crossroads with school. Dennis and I have talked heavily about school, and the role of a woman, and our plans if we have a family, etc. We know that I want to be at home, that I may want to homeschool, that I want our home to be our safe haven. So, then we ask: Why am I in school?
Why does it feel so wrong that I am there? Is it my flesh that does not want me there? Is it God? What do I do?

We are going to be in serious prayer about this. I would like for you to join in this with me. It's a never ending quest it seems.
let me know what you think. Leave a comment. Leave a Prayer!

Happy Birthday Dennis!!

Happy 30th Birthday Dennis!
I love You!

Ok, So I surprised my husband with a birthday party to celebrate his 30th! It was a wonderful time. I was so thankful that everyone came out and surprised him and made his day! (He was pretty bummed because he didnt think that he was going to be able to spend it with you)
Everyone socializing and enjoying each others company

Cute little Ice Cream Face, AVA!Thanks Chris, Lauren, Billy and Crystal for coming!!
Ansley~~ Cute, lil Ansley
We're so glad to see our family here with us! Tommy and the first ever picture of his entire family which was wonderful to see!
And then there were these two little old ladies that sat right beside each other facing us and they didnt talk to each other, they just sat and ate their ice cream! We were glad that they got to join us even though we dont know who they were!

The surprise was hard to pull off, but I did it, (I think) Dennis is not easily surprised, at all.

I even was busted, and Les & Suzeanne got me out of the hole, THANKS GUYS!!

I knew that it would be you two to get him to come out on a Sunday after church!

especially if Ice Cream was involved. :)

Love You Guys!!!

Thanks for coming to celebrate his Birthday!

Love,

Dennis and Shannon

Happy Birthday Mom!

September 13, 1965 my Grandmother gave birth to a baby that would one day become my mother. She had her 43rd Birthday this Saturday! I am happy to call her mom, and I am happy to wish her a very Happy Birthday!!! I love you Mom, Happy Birthday!

Well, So far...

Some of you have asked how school is going so far. I got through the first week. I must say that by Tuesday of last week, only 2 days into it, I was ready to hang it up, say "No, Thanks!" and go on with a moderarely stress free life... but I didn't.. I am still hangin in there. I absolutely despise the actual Radford courses, but I LOVE the cohort that I am in on Mondays and Wednesdays. The professors are great, my classmates are great. It's just great! The course load is A LOT, and I mean I don't know how it will all get done. I am nervous about everything.

When something is hard, it doesn't mean that it is wrong, and when something is easy, it does not mean that it is right. I have to keep remembering this. And I have to ask God daily if he is sure that he wants me to do this! :) I have spent the last year reading about God's creation, and his pleasures, and eternity, and his soverienty, and his magnificance, and then somehow I am supposed to get ecstatic about pronouns and linguistics!!! Ahhh.. You can see the pickle I am in!

Keep praying! I need them!

Sunday Race! and some Dinner LATER.

Well I am back home! Sure does feel nice to be back home in my own bed. I sure did miss Dennis while I was away! But I always like having a couple days away because we always realize how much we really do love and miss each other! I guess, I'm in love! Okay, Okay enough of the mushy stuff.

To the race... it was HOTT! Wow. I have never sweat so much in my life. It was a beautiful day, though. In light of the last Wednesday night sermon when he preached on worshipping with your entire mind and body.. I was really trying to find a way to worship at a NASCAR race. I was having a little trouble! So I discovered that I could sing some of my favorite worship songs at the top of my lungs, and NO ONE heard me!!! It was fabulous. So I did that the most of the race. It was great. So..... here are some photos!





HERE IS ANOTHER STORY.....
We went to McDonald's for dinner after the race. It was a mad house. There were tons of people there, and the staff was rude, rude, rude....... and the food was slow.....

So slow........... that we waited for 45 minutes.... to get food...

Keith was very happy to get his fish sandwich...

Thank You very much Keith and Mom for everything this weekend. Gary, you were a great date, and I thank you for everything as well. It was fun kids, but I am glad to be back home.

Saturday Sleep Off.

We just hung out today. We went to the mall and shopped around waiting for tomorrow. We have thoroughly enjoyed each others company. We all have gotten along great. Here's some photos of the big happenings!We all have laughed a lot.

We've got one more evening of fun before the race tomorrow. I have had the opportunity to get some school school work done. Yay for me. Will post pics of tomorrows race another day!

Friday Rained Out!

Its Friday night, and I took off today with my mom, Keith, brother, and other friends. Dennis is at home.. :( Miss you honey!
We were supposed to go to a race tonight, and then the BIG one tomorrow night. Well, rain had other plans for us so we are just hangin out the next two days until Sunday at 1p.m. THEN we will see it.
It's not about the race for me, just a good time with family and friends. Please take care of my hubby while I am away, he would be glad to join you for dinner!!!

Maybe more later. .

My Big Day!

Okay... I had the first day on campus!

I woke up very calm after a long previous week of prayer to prepare. I slowly got ready trying to anticipate what I was going to find after I got there. I left at 9:45 a.m. (which is slightly early since my first class is at 12:30 p.m.) :) I wanted to be sure that I had plenty of time!

I got there and eventually found a parking place. I believe that it was just luck. I read some in the library and explored a little but not too much, and then entered in at 12:30.

It is Human Growth & Development. The teacher is OK.. She wanted us to put our name on a name tag, and then draw an icon that described us best, or something that represents us. First thing to mind was a cross. I started to get nervous at the very thought. "I can't put a cross on this thing... people won't talk to me, or think that I am weird" I ashamadely put a circle with a slash through it representing my silenceness to proclaiming my beliefs. As everyone intriduced themselves and gave a small description of who they were, I listened with a very heavy heart recalling some scripture. I felt like Peter! How can I do this to my Savior????

It comes to a young lady who has a cross on her name tag and boldly proclaimed her belief in Christ. I felt so proud of her, and yet so ashamed by my stupid sinful worldly fleshly way. I can't believe that I was in the "world" for 10 minutes and already turned my back on Jesus! How disappointing! I will have to see that "icon" on my desk reminding me of my silence throughout the whole semester. Lesson learned, lesson learned!