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!

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! 

sonya

Yesterday, Xavier and I met my college volleyball coach for lunch ...  It was great to catch up. Xavier was enamored with Sonya!

GRACE AND PEACE! 

6 months

working on solids ... likes to do it himself ...

sitting up on my own, smiling at my daddy!

6mo stats:

18.7lbs (79%) 27.3" (84%) | compare to birth 6.5lbs (17%) 19"(30%)

He is growing & thriving!

so blessed!

GRACE & PEACE!

what have we been up to

Little time to write, but I have heard pictures are worth 1000 words ... here are some 5 month pictures

first swing, XMO loved it!!!
first cookout at Papas property .... next year he can enjoy the smores

laughing! check out those hands & legs! This is one healthy guy:)

We are soo incredibly blessed with such a special guy.

We have one more assessment, then we will receive a court date to finalize the adoption! Prayers are welcome, always!!!

GRACE AND PEACE!