Are we living a cross centered life?

I have avoided "New Years Resolutions" completely because I think that they are stupid when we have a new day every morning, and a new week every week, and a new month.... you get the picture. BUT.. I do think that there are goals in order of what we want a new year to bring.. let's hope that its not limited to weighing less, or becoming a "better" person like you really have something to offer.

See, I think that this is why we fail... WE set out to do these things on our own. If our church has goals for a new year, than there is no reason that I cannot have some similar goals. One of the great emphasis' this new year is that Holiness would begin in the home... and not when we get out of the car at church and hit Holy Pavement!!! Our church will be training and teaching the husbands in our congregation how to lead their wives to Calvary.... daily!!! And in our home, Dennis and I will be pursuing Holiness... and we are going to start with seeking the face of God daily together, and then using some of God's great servants like C.J. Mahaney. We are starting with this book! I will let you know what we are learning!!!

Here's to a year seeking God's face and becoming Holy, and not just "better"

How do I learn your secrets, Mr. Rebel?

 

As most of you know by now, Dennis and I bought a new Canon Rebel Xsi for Christmas. I have been out of school since December 17, and have barely had time to learn anything about this camera!! Nathan has allowed me to look at some books, but honestly, I don't know what any of them mean! Turns out, learning how to operate a camera to its fullest potential requires some brains! So... I am going to be using my last week before the hustle and bustle begins by cleaning out things that needs to be cleaned out, and HOPEFULLY learning how to work this masterpiece in my hands! Anyone wandering about the photo? It's a picture of the books Nathan loaned me in the kitchen.. taken from the living room! I love the photo for some reason.. even if it is of random things on my kitchen counter!

 

"Another Rule, Mrs. Shannon????"

I have had a wonderful week substituting at the Child Development Center at our church. We have just put in place a new Director.. Go Adam!!! and he has already warmed the place up with his compassion and care for these little ones! I am so glad that God has called him to this position.

I have had the opportunity to be back with the children that were in Kindergarten when I started two years ago, and continue on with: "Mrs. Shannon's stupid rules.." and "Oh, no! Not another memory verse!.." These kids will always be so special to me. They are sooo smart, and have proven to show that I can teach children. I had them try their hardest to remember old memory verses and bible lessons.. and THEY REMEMBER!!! It is the neatest thing! I couldnt help but take some pride in that if I wasnt here for that bit of time.. they wouldnt know and embrace the fruits of the spirit, and the life of Jesus, and every in and out of the battle of Jericho!!!

I know that in my future endeavors as a public school educator that I wont be able to teach these eternal principles, but for now I can, and I am so enjoying it. Today is my last day to look these precious children in the eye balls and ask them why they are tearing up their napkins, stuffing them in their mouth and pretending to act like a frog.... yep... today is the last day.

My Idols or My God

I have let everything in my life get in the way between me and my relationship with God. I have allowed sin like selfishness and laziness get in the way of bible reading and prayer time. I have tried to keep going on old fumes that I had once built up in knowledge and previous emotion, AND today I have finally hit empty, and can longer move any longer in this condition. I am through with feeling unsaved, and not RELISHING in the undeserved grace that was granted to me for nothing that I did in the first place to earn it... and there is nothing that I can do that can pluck me from the Father's Hand. I have pulled away from my church that has served as a window to God's real and true character, and I have pulled away from the people that have invested their time praying for me and my husband the past two years, I have pulled out of every bible study, and have turned my back on my savior by allowing idols.. the computer, school work, sleep, and whatever else I could find to fill up my time. I have given Dennis the responsibility to fulfill my every need and happiness... and not God. Of course, Dennis has failed me in this because he is fallible, sinful man! I cannot find satisfaction and fulfillment in the things of this world. I see this now. I am ready to enjoy GOD and love him with 100% of my attention by asking forgiveness and repenting of this previous life in the past. I can no longer live like I have not been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ!
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We have a winner!!!

I am shopping with my Mother and I can't find her, Aunt Lana. Could you pull yourself away from this sample food table please???

Click on the Picture and go on over and visit her blog!
It is very new, and she is still get it up and running.. but go and show her some support by adding some comments!
Congrats Martha!!! I promised the story... Megan's sandwich got thrown away on accident Christmas day. our granparents live in an assisted living facility and they have grocery carts that they use to help carry groceries in on other floors... so oddly enough the picture looks like they are in a grocery store... but we are not... ok!

NAME THAT PHOTO-

Look at this- Look at everything. I will say that this is my Mom and Megan. Megan is upset.

That is all that I will give away. So, what I want you to do is create a scenario in your head and submit a caption through comment. I will pick my favorite caption and award the winner very soon! If you have a blog.. I will promote it right here! After the winner is chosen I will tell you the real story about this silly scenario.

New Years Eve & A Small little getaway!

 

On New Years Eve we went to Nathan & Erin's and had a GREAT time. It was a wonderful way to ring the new year!!! We met a couple there and we really enjoyed their company and their twin boys!

Erin and her daughter, Julia

above: Dennis and Ben

below: Lisa F and Ben

THEN.. later we went to Damascus and spent two evenings with Larry & Tammy. They bought and remodeled a new home and it was very beautiful! I took these two shots below Friday morning from our room. It snowed just at tiny amount!

This is the rounded roof below covered with snow!!! It is a 1800 Victorian home! Much character in this house! :)

This is her pantry.. you can walk into it! I loved it!

Eating breakfast

And Larry catnapping with the dog!! Thanks EVERYONE for inviting us and allowing us to be apart of your company!