12/29/09

December 29th ... closing in on the end of 2009 - the start of 2010. I am working on resolutions - or goals for 2010. I am not even sure where to begin.

Part of me is thinking why make goals if ultimately I am not even in control, why not just go with whatever is thrown my way and let it be.

The other part reminds me that I must be intentional, with my time, focus and actions.

today my God Calling devotion helped set me on the right path:

Work and Prayer

Work and prayer represent the two forces that will ensure success. Your work and My Work. For prayer, believing prayer, is based on the certainly that I am working for you and with you and in you. Go forward gladly and unafraid. I am with you. With men your task may be impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Lord, I ask that you set me on the path that you desire for me. I pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding of your will for me. Open my eyes to recognize all you desire for me in 2010 and beyond. Thank you Father that you are with me - always. Thank your for the work that you do in me and the work you provide for me to accomplish. Lord you are so good - thank you that with you all things are possible! AMEN.

GRACE AND PEACE!

Ahhh Christmas!

I love celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus.

What I am not exactly fond of is the "other" stuff that comes along with it.

Great example ... yesterday at church,

one of our congregants said"Hey First Lady(that is what they affectionally call me), was Santa good to you this year?"

my reply, "Santa, we celebrated the birth of Jesus!"

He smiled and said, "That's what I am talking about - Jesus "

Aaron and I enjoyed full days of Family ... we are so blessed that both of our families are in the Indianapolis area ... our parents still live in the homes we grew up in - about 15/20 min from each other. Both of our Moms have large Christmas Eve spreads ... Aaron and I ate very well.

The 24th began with me picking up my forever friend, in town from Minneapolis for the holiday - and getting some breakfast. I was on a tight schedule, Aaron and I needed to be at Church for the noon service! We had a great visit ...

Aaron and I attened the noon service, I am still in shock that Northview had a LIVE nativity in the foyer ...

This was amazing, the boxes ... presents from Northview families for Jesus. Check out www.nvcl.org to learn more about the Christmas series.

After the service, we headed to the Shelby's ... we had a great time with Aaron's family - and was the food good ... mmmmm!

The Jeremy Bear made his second appearance and we got a shot of the Shelby Cousins,

Bryson (6) and Breaden (21mo) Shelby, Darrin (13) and Dean (6mo)Kirkland

With Shelby Grand parents ... Nana and GrandDaddy ....

We then headed over to my parents .... Jameson (15mo) found the JerBear and gave him a big hug ... how does he know! :) Jack helped keep an eye on him.

the Diehl Cousins ... this was a challenge, to get everyone still and stop touching each other ...

in Front Jack,holding the bear (10), On the couch: Hannah(3.5), Jameson (15mo) Lucy (3.5) Sam (9), in the back: Kate (5) and Will (7).

I truly appreciate both families taking a special picture for me with the bear ...

On Christmas day, Aaron and I woke up just in time to head over to my sisters to enjoy breakfast .... she makes a wonderful egg casserole and coffee cake - so good! They were headed out of town - but not with out Will telling Aaron and I not to even think about coming over and playing Wii while they were gone ... hum to bad they are home already ... :)

After breakfast Aaron and I returned home to get ready to head down to his Aunts ... to eat again. This is the time of the year that all the relatives come out. After 4 years, I am starting to get all the names down. Aaron's mom has 4 sisters ... all with kids - that now have kids - it is a full house.

His Aunt lives around the corner from my parents ... so around 4 we headed over there. My mom had the Turkey in ... with all the fixins - was I hungry .... I ate.

Aaron and I had such a blessed Christmas - time to be together with our families ... it is our prayer that 2010 we will have a baby to add to the family celebrations! Aaron and I are in agreement that this could have been our final Christmas with just the two of us.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Next on the docket ... planning a Birthday Celebration for Jeremy ...

GRACE AND PEACE!

Glowing Memories

Last night Aaron and I attended the Glowing Memories service at Northview. This is an annual service to remember and honor friends and family that have passed. The evening was very special, there was special music, a short message, an opportunity to write the names of those being honored and remembered to place on a wreath, and rows and rows of votives to be lit by each person attending in honor of their loved one.

For me, it was a visual reminder that I am not the only one that has experienced loss. AS the candles were lit, Aaron leaned over and said "it is hard to imagine that each person is here for a different reason." Each person in attendance has a story, and their story includes loss. There was a feeling of community in the sanctuary - a very special type.

I lit 4 candles to honor and remember: Jeremy, Grandma and Grandpa Diehl and Carol Hittle( my sisters mother in law).

It was an amazing site when I returned to my seat and saw all the candles glowing and flickering together. There was a feeling of knowing, recognizing, validating each others loss.

Members of our life group also attended to honor Jeremy - completely overwhelming, and again a visual reminder that i do not own my loss, it is shared. It is a shared loss with this close group of friends, our family and others.

Which also reminds me that when I feel alone and isolated - I am NOT!

Heavenly Father, I thank you for community! Thank you for creating us to desire companionship. Thank you Lord, for reminding us to remember and honor your righteous children.

...a righteous man will be remembered forever Psalm 112:6b

GRACE AND PEACE!

Have your way then ....

from God Calling:

Children, take every moment as of My Planning and ordering. Remember your Master is the Lord of the day's little happenings. In all the small things yield to My gentle pressure on your arm. Stay or go, as that pressure, Love's pressure, indicates.

The Lord of the moments. Creator of the snowdrop and the mighty oak. More tender with the snowdrop than the oak.

And when things do not fall out according to your plan, then smile at ME indulgently, a smile of Love, and say, as you would to a human loved one, "Have Your Way then" - knowing that My loving response will be to make that way as easy for your feet as it can be.

Wonderful .... love it.

GRACE AND PEACE!

2009 Christmas Card

I tried to post this yesterday ... anyway.

Aaron and I in the Ancient city of Ephesus, Turkey October 25th

Jeremiah Parker Shelby January 4th, 2009

GRACE AND PEACE!

2009 in Retrospect

We sent out Christmas pictures this year, and I had every intention of writing a note to go along with the picture ... but there was just too much for one note.

I did create a timeline of the year, before I decided that it was too much for one letter ... here is a glimpse of our 2009 Retrospective:

January:

Jeremy arrived on his due date, 1.4.09

Brookside Community Church 21 days of prayer and fasting, Aaron took some time off and new leaders stepped up. I took time off from school.

February:

Brookside Community Church continues to grow, begin meeting with ministry coordinators ... 11 different areas are identified.

March:

Begin planning for KidsGames. Spring Break, with the "diehl" family. North Captiva, Florida.

April:

Resign from Coaching, I take on new roles in Brookside Community Church: organizing first ever women's retreat.

May:

Continued organization of Leadership at Brookside Community Church. First ever Women's All-Day retreat, Beth Moore Loving Well.

June:

Resign teaching position at North Central. KidsGames .... nephew Dean Alexander Kirkland arrives!

July:

Forever Friend Suzi visits Indy :)

August:

Brookside Community Church, Back Pack Attack. vacation: Wawasee.

September:

Aaron accepts position as Co-Chair for the Legacy Project for the 2012 SuperBowl. Church wide spiritual growth campaign RESET

October:

my birthday month. Mediterranean Cruise - 7 days sailing the seas and seeing the sites!

November:

aarons birthday month. I take on the the "interim" Youth Ministry Coordinator roll. Enjoy an eventful Thanksgiving in the Hittle Home

December:

???? we are still here - this one has to wait.

What a year, talk about how no eye has seen nor ear heard what God has planned .... The Lord was so good to Aaron and I. We are truly blessed!

GRACE AND PEACE!

Picture with Santa

Every year Nana (my mother) has all her grandkids go to Keystone at the Crossing to get a picture with Santa. Her oldest grandkid will be 11 in February ... She has all the pictures displayed in her house, it is fun to see how the group has grown from 1 to 7 ... well 8 when you include the "JerBear". (Ages range 10 years to 15 months)

The little black bear is in the picture to represent Jeremy. The bear is special because in his left arm there is a recording of Jeremy's heartbeat. It was a special shower gift from a dear life group couple ... and now we will continue to have JerBear in all our important family pictures. In this picture, Lucy (one of the twins) is holding on to JerBear for extreme comfort, I am not surprised he comforts me too!

GRACE AND PEACE!