Confession "guest" post

I had the honor to write a post on a friends blog ... check it out!

http://www.confessionsofaparent.com/?p=488

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

devo12.15.12

A devotion written by Aaron ... wanted to share

Devotional 12-15-2012

I’m a veteran of the US Army Reserve, and little over 10 years ago, I learned a valuable lesson during a week-long school.

A battery of assessments lead to an assessment I’ll never forget. It was called the ‘night land navigation test’. Each cadet had to utilize their tools of a compass, map and the knowledge of their personal pace count to measure ground distance to find predetermined points. Now, earlier that day I had passed the ‘day land navigation test’ scoring a 7 out of 7 by locating various points on a map and walking the forest to those destinations. But, this next challenge required walking through the forest... at night! And for me this was really scary, it was emotionally hard. Question after question came to mind like rain drops on the roof of a house. What was waiting for me beyond the tree line!? What if a bear attacks me and I die!!? What if I walk into quick sand and nobody ever finds me again!!!?  I was freaking out (on the inside). 

As the sun went down and darkness set in on the camp I felt my anxiety level rising, but then my drill sergeant's words hit home. He kept saying trust your tools and remember your training. That's what I needed to hear. By trusting my tools and remembering my training I was able to overcome the questions bombarding my mind and the anxiety overwhelming my heart. 

Each of us will continue to come up against challenges. God’s truth is the shield we need to overcome the unexpected or the intentional attacks or the irrational that comes to us from within and from without.

“His truth shall be your shield and buckler” (Psalm 91:4b).

Our tools are found in a relationship with God and the Scriptures. These will be what we need when circumstances require that we walk through the forest at night.

Pray for Sandy Hook Elementary and the entire Newtown community.

Aaron Shelby
Executive Director HERO Scholars
External Relations, Co-Director
Schools Liaison
Church Relations Team (Martindale-Brightwood)
Mentoring Team

Shepherd Community Center
4107 E. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46201
317.375.0203 

www.shepherdcommunity.org | aarons@shepherdcommunity.org

6 month and 20 month updates  coming soon ....

GRACE AND PEACE

Jeremiah 29:11 Project

I was just recently introduced to this  ministry, Jeremiah29.11Project , and I am EXCITED! 

This ministry is a non-profit  (goal to become a foundation) with the desire to bless as many families as possible with the opportunity and privilege of adopting.  

Learn  more about this ministry and the founding Families:  http://www.jeremiah29-11project.com/

Aaron and I plan to participate in the 3K family Fun Walk , but there is also a 5K.  Both will take place at Northveiw Church, in Carmel on Saturday October 27th.

Run/Walk Registration : https://jeremiah2911project.webconnex.com/register

- if you cannot run, would you consider a donation?

They are also looking for Business Sponsorship, again Jeremiah29:11 is a NOT FOR PROFIT, so it's a tax deduction! https://jeremiah2911project.webconnex.com/sponsorship

Please forward this information to ANYONE you know that has a heart for adoption and may be interested in supporting this new ministry. 

MY heart gets so excited when I think of all the forever families that can be created with the assistance of this organization ... 

GRACE AND PEACE!!

18 months & 3 months!

time is flying in the shelby home!  our boys are getting big, ever exploring and trying new things! 

xavier, 18months

 28lbs | 35"

Isaac, 3 months

16.5lbs | 25"

we are SO blessed! 

GRACE AND PEACE! 

1 month ...

Introducing ....

Isaac Aaron Shelby

6.18.2012 | 11:42am | 7lbs 9oz | 19.5"

love the angel on this shot ... feet like his dad:) have the exact same pose by Xavier ... same outfit too.
Big Brother is VERY interested in Little Brother, ready to start playing!

everyday is better then the one before.

We are certainly blessed!

GRACE AND PEACE!

the final countdown

Our JuneBug will be here Monday June 18th, via C-Section.

The placenta did move, but is still considered low-lying, therefore the c-section is the safest for me and JuneBug. We are scheduled for 11:30am, prayers welcome!

I continue to move "slowly" through the to-do list and spending special time with Xavier.

We set up the 2nd crib in the boys room this weekend and put the fabulous bedding in place ....

The bedding was made by 2LittleFish, putting poverty to bed ... read more: twolittlefishblog.blogspot.com/

We had our final appointment with the DR today, all looks good ... & was told to "take it easy", easier said then done with an active 14 month old! ... 6 days and counting! We look forward to posting and introducing our JUNEBUG - next week:)

GRACE AND PEACE!

sneak-peak ...

we had the opportunity for a final family of 3 photo shoot.

this was a sneak-peak shot sent to us by our dear friend megan. I cannot wait to see the rest of the images:)

hard to believe our family will grow in 4 weeks!

GRACE AND PEACE!

Xavier, Volume 1

Finally, put together Xavier's first year ... what a lovebug!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Create your own custom photo books at Shutterfly.com.

GRACE AND PEACE!

JuneBug Update, 30 weeks!

We have hit 30 weeks with our JuneBug.

Today we had an ultra sound, he is growing well and right on track for a June 13th due date.

He was not in a great position for pictures today ... but it is always reassuring to see his little legs, arms, spine & heart beat!

We are asking for prayers, the placenta is low, in 10 weeks it has moved "some. We will check again in in 6 weeks , if it has not moved, we will schedule a c-section. We would certainly like to avoid a c-section .... so we are praying for the placenta to move and this pregnancy to continue to be uneventful!

a shot of how the JuneBug is growing, from the outside!

GRACE AND PEACE!

1 year!

Xavier Moses Shelby is no longer 0 ... we celebrated his 1st year yesterday, March 30th. The celebration continues, today we celebrate the day we officially gained custody pending his final adoption. Tomorrow we will celebrate bringing him home from the hospital. What an amazing year, God has truly poured his blessing and favor on our home.

GLORY!

first family pix, hours after Xavier was born .... 3.30.2011, 6lb7oz, 19.5"

heading home ... 4.1.2011

and yesterday @ the dr office heading in for his 12mo well check ... when the nurse called his name, he walked right in :) ... 23lbs8oz, 31"

Our JuneBug continues to grow and our appointments remain uneventful. WE do have an ultra sound April 10 & will have pictures to follow!

GRACE AND PEACE!

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!