a good word, at the right time

three years ago ... i could never have imagined what God had in store for me, for aaron, for our family. this is a fantastic devotion - at just the perfect time.

He Has another Seed for You

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“...For God has appointed another seed for me...”

(Genesis 4:25, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In Genesis, Eve went through a great disappointment. Her son Cain killed her son Able, the first murder in the Bible. I’m sure Eve, like any mother, was devastated and heartbroken at the passing of her son. But I love what Eve said in Genesis 4:25, “God has appointed another seed for me.” In essence, she was saying, “I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense, but I trust God. This is not the end. He has appointed another seed.” Friend, when you go through things that you don’t understand, it is not the end. Nothing is lost in the kingdom. God is going to appoint another seed, and that seed represents the future. It indicates what is coming. If you will let go of what didn’t work out, let go of the hurts and pains, then for everything you’ve lost, God will appoint another seed. You’ll give birth to more in the future than you lost in the past. Keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping because God is for you. Trust Him and embrace the good things He has in store for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, You are the giver of all life! You give life to my dreams, life to my relationships, and life to my mortal body. Today I choose to release the past and embrace the gift of life You have in store for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen GRACE AND PEACE!

uneventful & thankful

today we had our 20 week scan, we now know that Xavier will have a brother:)

The scan showed his growth is right on track with a June 13 due date, his heart looked great, along with his internal organs & 5 fingers on each hand and 5 toes on each foot.

When aaron and i left the office, we realized we had both been holding our breath (just a little bit) but then were so thankful for such an uneventful visit.

That due date will put the boys about 14 1/2 months apart ... depending on the arrival of #2, they could be closer. We are all decked out for a second boy, one thing we will begin to look for/research double strollers! I am sure there will be other things our expanding family will need, but for now we are enjoying the uneventfulness!

PRAISE GOD, from whom ALL blessings flow.

GRACE AND PEACE!

3 years.

We celebrated Jeremy yesterday January 4th.

Forever a special day for our family. (and friends)
Hard to believe it has been 3 years.

His memory is so vivid, the time with him recorded in my heart.
But this year has been different.

Not as sad and certainly not as bitter. Xavier has made it easier to embrace the blessing, truly & fully embrace the blessing of Jeremy in our family.

While I would certainly prefer to have Jeremy with us now - I am comforted he is enjoying heaven, Jesus & like Jack said jumping on the bed with Grandma Diehl:)

GRACE AND PEACE!

Santa

We did it ... took the annual trip to have a pictures with Santa. Every year my mother plans a night for all her grandkids to get a picture with Santa. This was the first year there were no tears ...

Xavier was especially brave ... each family gets an individual shot too ... Xavier was the last to go. Maybe because he had the help of Jeremy Bear ... this is an great picture:)

not sure what they were telling each other, but it sure was cute!

GRACE AND PEACE!

remaining in HIM

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you" John 15:7 This was the verse I read yesterday morning, from Joel Osteen ... perfect timing.

FROM JOEL:

In life, we all have ups and downs. There are seasons that are more difficult than others, seasons of testing, trials and temptation where our character is being developed and our faith in God is being strengthened. Sometimes it can feel like you are taking two steps forward and then three steps backward. But if we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be this way. Even in the strong seasons, you'll start looking for things to go wrong.

God doesn’t want us to be living life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of stability where we remain strong in Him. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.” If you will just keep abiding in Him, just keep meditating on His Word, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong, He’ll keep you stable, and you’ll keep moving forward into the life of blessing He has prepared for you!

Yesterday, we saw our doctor and had an ultrasound.

I was anxious, nervous and had kept my emotions at bay since we had a positive pregnancy test in October.

It is hard for me to believe it was THIS past January that we were in a similar situation. Headed to the Doctor for an ultrasound at 10 weeks ... only to learn that the baby had stopped developing at 6weeks, it was called a "blighted ovum". Heartbroken - confused - mad.

Those feelings shifted and we knew God had a family for us - and we began the process of adoption - Xavier. His smile, laugh and love is contagious. He is the answer to many prayers. The manifestation that GOD desires GOOD things for HIS children.

Followed by Aaron transitioning from his position at Northview Church as the Urban Pastor to the new role at Shepherd Community Center as the Director of Urban & Sports Ministry. Amazing to see how all along the way GOD has been preparing Aaron for this role. (All the way back to working now in the neighborhood his father grew up!)

So yesterday, as we entered the ultra sound (love the tech Erin!) I shared my anxious feeling - Aaron had a meeting, so my mother and Xavier were with me .... and what did we see, a healthy developing baby. Followed by a strong (161) heart beat. It took a while to get the reading of the heart beat due to my laughing, crying and shaking. We also learned that I was off by a week, I thought we were 11w3d, when the baby measured 12w5d (due June13) .... we will be 13 weeks tomorrow!

meet our JUNEBUG!

choosing to remain in HIM.

GRACE AND PEACE!

it's official!

today was our FINAL HEARING .... we are proud to introduce the newest member of the Shelby Family!

XAVIER MOSES SHELBY!!!

We have loved him since we first learned of him, he then stole our hearts the day he was born on March 30th .... and he continues to bless us daily. Xavier is our prayer answered.

For this child I prayed, and the Lord answered my prayer. 1 Samuel 1:27

with our attorney, Michele Jackson

with the Judge

OUR FAMILY ... Xavier was pretty excited too!

Many thanks to those that have endured this journey, and continue with us. We pray that you will experience the abundant blessings of the Lord!

May Jesus lead your way.

GRACE AND PEACE!

a DYI project

i have been spending time on "pinterest" a virtual bulletin board. basically, you can find most anything on the internet, and then pin it on a board - LOVE IT! 


problem is, I spend time looking but not doing. Last week  aaron and i cleaned out the garage, I was inspired to DO something ... I found this bookshelf, that used to be my Grandmothers, one the back written in crayon - their name/address/ $.50 delivery fee ...


So I cleaned it,

 Primed it, 

 painted it! 

I sealed it today, and it will move into the house Thursday:) 

GRACE AND PEACE!