It's a Lonely Life Sometimes

Man.  I am struggling with some loneliness tonight.  I worry that all relationships are superficial and not worth putting time into.  I worry that maybe I haven't done a good enough job at being a friend, which is why I don't have many deep relationships.  I worry that others are sitting in their lovely, comfy chairs and rolling their eyes at me...thinking that I am too much like my teenage daughter.  Caught you.

All that aside.  Right now, I am lonely.  One of the downsides of moving for the ministry, is not having long term relationships.  I don't think that churches fully understand this either.  They don't realize that when a pastor moves into a new area for their church, his wife and children now have to make new friends.  In our case, we moved to a very lovely church...filled with super sweet people.  Problem is that these awesome people, have their own very busy lives and families.  (Moving into a small town means every one is related and most of their families live beside each other.) Our church members are such nice and generous people, but the truth is:  Their lives are already filled.

So, now I am pondering this thought:  Are we all to filled to love others well?  Are we too busy doing what we think needs to be done, to cherish each other?  Do we feel that we already have "enough" friends and family in our lives, and we don't have room for another?  Are our lives just too filled? 

How might we empty ourselves some, to love others the way that Christ desired us to?  When was the last time you called, messaged, texted someone to just see how they were doing...with no need to be filled of your own?  When was the last time that you added a new relationship in your life, and actually followed it thru?  I am so guilty too.  We need to be better. 

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Life Celebration

This might sound so incredibly morbid, and I apologize to anyone who stumbles across this and thinks, "Man that lady is CRAZY", but I need to get it out.  Recently, a young woman suddenly passed away and left behind 2 little boys and a loving husband.  While it rocked her family's world, they did find a bit of joy in their grief.  This sweet lady had written a blog post, telling her family what kind of funeral she wanted.  It was of great comfort to her family, to know that they could fulfill her wishes.  It inspired me so much, that I thought I would share some of my thoughts on the matter:

You know how when you have a funeral to go to, you dread it?  I don't want mine to be that way.  At all.  I want to have a major celebration in place of my funeral.  Not just any celebration, I want my funeral to be like Christmas...literally.  I would love to have Christmas trees, white lights, Kenny G and Bing Crosby in the back ground, candles, and sugar cookies.  I want my kids to think of how much their Momma loved Jesus and His birth.  I want them to have joy when they see twinkling lights and laugh at how I would keep the tree up all year long.  I want it to be a celebration of thanksgiving, for all of the wonderful gifts I had been given throughout my life.

As I look back on the things that I really hated concerning funerals, the awkward moment up at the coffin is my number #1.  My number #2 would be not knowing what to say to those who were grieving my death on earth.  With that in mind, I can honestly say that I am comfortable with cremation.  I would much rather everyone see my smiling face at Disney World, or my wedding day, than an expressionless form of someone who is no longer there.  I don't want my kids to remember me that way and I don't care for the idea of decaying in the ground.  Also, cremation is cheaper.  You know I like a bargain...and hate satin.  Please don't put me in a satin lined coffin.  Please.  To me, the best way to take care of #2, is to laugh.  Please feel free to have lots of laughter at my celebration.  Enjoy each other and make my husband and kids happy.  Someone please try to do Gracie's hair, as Brian doesn't have a clue there.  I would also request that someone make a rockin' mac-n-cheese and share it.  Everyone needs the gooey wonderfulness at a time like that.  Take lots of pictures and celebrate.  Celebrate that we have a wonderful and merciful God.  He has prepared me for His Glory and is preparing you for the road you must run faithfully here, until we see each other again.  Celebrate that I will be in a place much greater than Disney World and Christmas put together (can you imagine!?!).  I will be attending the most wonderful worship service ever, and I will be with my sweet babies and loved ones.  Celebrate...and be happy. 

***Came back to add:  No, I have no intentions of dying anytime soon.  ;) ***

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God's Better Plan

When Brian and I married, we intended for our kids to be rather close together in age.  When we had Abbie in 2001, we just naturally assumed we would have another child within 2 years.  I also had it in my mind that the next child would be a girl, so that she and Abbie could grow up together and be best friends.  Well...God had a different plan.  We wouldn't have another child in 2003, or 2004.  We didn't have our second child until 2005, which in the grand scheme of life, isn't as earth shattering as it seemed at the time.  When that new bundle came, it came in the form of a boy.  A boy, whom Abbie wasn't too tickled with.  She got over it, and they became somewhat of friends...but it still wasn't what I expected from life. 

Then....then came Gracie.

Gracie was born in 2011...almost 10 years after Abbie.  I figured that Gracie would grow up like an only child.  She would be lonely and feel the sadness of our infertility and losses.  But, you know what?  God had a much bigger and better plan.  He planned a perfect relationship for my girls.  He knew before my idealistic mind would be in put in motion, that these two girlies, would love each other. 

I adore looking out the window, watching them talk.  Every once in awhile, you will hear Gracie hollar for Abbie to read her a book, and Abbie has the hardest time saying no.  I often catch Abbie dressing up dolls with her little friend, watching princess shows, doing hair, and giggling.  They giggle a lot.  I love how the Lord planned their friendship, and I am thankful that He has brought me to a place where I can see the beauty in His ways being better than mine. 

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When the Pastor's Wife is Off...

What happens when the pastor's wife is off?  I don't mean off, like spending the day at the beach sunbathing.  I mean off, like has lost her game...her mojo...her sanity.  What happens when the pastor's wife is off?  What does it look like?

1.  It looks like depression.  It looks like she literally can't force herself off of the couch, even if she wanted to.  No one else may be able to see it.  Afterall, it is her job to put that pretty smile on and walk into the church building acting like all is well with the world.  But, in the back of her mind, she is counting down the minutes until the church service will be over.  She is counting down the people standing in line to talk with her husband after services.  She is counting down the events/committees that she has to work with, before she gets a breather.  It looks like depression.

2.  It looks like chaos.  Her home isn't organized, her thoughts aren't organized, her marriage is...well...not lovely, her kids are crazy children running around like she had just fed them 20 boxes of Nerds with red dye.  Nothing is as it seems.  But, she will try her hardest to not let that show to anyone else.  She will try to make it seem as though she has it all together.  Few will know....that it looks like chaos.

3.  It looks unholy.  Her relationship with the Lord is failing.  She is struggling bringing herself to even read her daily devotions, but because she has told everyone else they should over the years, she makes herself do it.  She wishes that there were not 27 verses to every worship song, and sitting through a sermon is like taking an 8 hour class on how dental floss is helpful to your teeth.  She is focused more on her job, and not her one true love...Christ.  It looks unholy. 

I wrote this blog during a brief time of  "darkness".  Unfortunately, I find that I go through times like this, more often than I should.  I think we all do, but because we hate for others to see who we REALLY are, we pretend that we are happy, organized, and holy.  In reality, we are just a big mess, in need of a loving, and marvelous Savior.  On our own, we fall into despair, but with the Lord we can walk out of valleys and let Him shine.  Because let's admit it, Pastor's Wives are like every other woman out there...dull.  We are dark, dim and dull on our own, but can shine with the best of them when allowing Christ to burst through our hearts. 

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Good Things?

I find it amusing that we humans have a problem with good things.  We want them, all the time.  I notice it even in the smallest humans.  My three year old thinks that the song of "World Girl" is fabulous.  So, naturally, she will play the song over and over and over and over...well, you get the point.  (Word Girl is now banned from our house b/c of it's undertones, but that is another subject.)  We think that chocolate tastes yummy, so we eat it in large masses at a time.  Work, well it isn't so hot, but we love that it produces MONEY...so we try to cram in as much as humanly possible.  (Unless you are a home-maker, and then you are just rewarded with more mess.)  We make a new friend, and because that friend seems GOOD, we try to spend all of our time with them.  A three year old lives inside all of us, because when we like something...we over indulge in it. 

Why does the human race do this?  I really have no idea, but I have to believe that we would be much happier if we could just learn to live in moderation and contentment.  Listening to a song once or twice, will cause us to be much more excited when we hear it the next time.  Instead, we tend to listen to it over and over again and then throw it out and move on to the next best thing.  We are never content, because we always have a sense of needing MORE, instead of balance and moderation.  Note to self: Don't be a three year old.


Philippians 4:5 - Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

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Sweet and Sour...sometimes that's life.

This summer, "our" kids from our youth ministry graduated.  They were the class that we thought we would "retire" from youth ministry after they were gone.  They were some of our first students.  They were extremely loved and prayed over (as were all of our kids).  Because of a few nasty people, all of our plans for serving those kids...went down the drain.  In an instant.  Instead, we had to love them from afar, and watch them grow up via facebook, messages, phone calls, and occasional visits.  I am fairly certain that those kiddos have no idea how much they truly meant to me. I wish I could tell them how there were nights that I would cry myself to sleep, because I missed them and was angry at the men who put us and them in that situation. How I longed to be a part of all those major milestones in their highschool life. 

Today, one of those seniors played in the state championship baseball game.  While I was majorly proud of him, and loved every picture I saw, I also sobbed.  I missed it.  I didn't get to sit near his mom, and watch her bite her fingernails as he was up to bat and was walked to first.  I didn't get to hug his neck and tell him how proud I was of his great accomplishment.  I didn't get to sit with all of our teens and cheer together, wearing our blue!  Instead, I sat by myself, with my Shakamak t-shirt on, and cried happy and sad tears.  Messaging his Momma how happy I was for them and how I missed them so much.  She wrote back, "I miss you too.  Terribly." 

Ministry, is sometimes incredibly sweet...and others...it is just sour.  I miss my kids.  I miss our friends in all of our ministries.  I love it where we are.  I love our church family.  But today...I miss all of the others that we have had to say goodbye to. 

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First Baptist of New Washington, Indiana

I have been struggling to get our church's website to show up in google searches, but for some reason, my blog has no issues at all!!!  Go figure.  So, I am going to see if this works:

Our church name is First Baptist of New Washington.  We are located in Clark County, Indiana.  Here is our website:

www.fbcnewwash.com

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I still believe in magic.

As I sit here, nearly 35 years old, I realize that I still believe in magic.  I still believe that there is something special about warm chocolate chip cookies.  I still believe that a 2 year old's giggle inspires some kind of wonderful, somewhere in the world.  I still believe that an 8 year old boy can find crazy amazement by playing in the leaves for 3 hours straight.  I still believe that a 12 year tween has a glimmer in her eye, when she thinks of Christmas morning.  I still believe that there is something enchanting about a softly falling snow...something so fascinating and hypnotic...that I might consider staying awake 2 hours past my bedtime to view it.

Yes, I do still believe in magic.  When I fear that the cynicism of this world has brought my feet closer to the ground, I just stop and think of the magical things in my life.  Then, I remember that my thoughts are supposed to be founded in whatsoever things are:  true, honest,  just,  pure, lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  "Magical" times of life...are lovely.  We have to stop and be thankful for them, and ponder them, lest we loose our twinkle and end up like the grandpa from grumpy old men.  I want to forever be like Ariel from the Little Mermaid.  Captivated by new discoveries and adventure! 

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Life...

So...I am not a faithful blogger.  I keep forgetting that this new format is MUCH easier than the old one.  Maybe I will be able to keep it up?  Maybe not?

Anyhow...life here is busy.  My baby has had kidney stones for the last week.  My active son has started soccer.  My attitude-filled pre-teen has started horseback riding and AHG.  And, my chatterbox 2 year old is potty training!  Fun times in the Shaw house.  Fun times.

Through all of this, I have been working on a town wide ladies Bible study, Brian is teaching a MMA class, homeschooling is in full swing, the ever challenging clean house looms over my head, and I have started quilting.

Our lives are filled with so many neat things.  3 years ago, I am not sure I would have been able to handle a schedule like this.  I am thankful that the Lord is gracious in giving me the energy I need to keep up.

Going to keep trying on this bloggy blog thing.  :D

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A Clothesline Journey

 3 summers ago, I was hanging up newly washed maternity clothes, while dreaming of all things baby. It was hot and the heat multiplied my morning sickness (all day sickness) by 40...but I loved it. 2 summers ago, I was hanging up sweet little infant clothes, while a tiny (probably less than 10lbs) 6 month old Gracie sat in her stroller...content on hearing her momma talk to her as I hung her bibs and such. Today, a bright and happy 2 year old giggled as she handed me the clothespins to hang her favorite elephant pajamas. She called out who each piece of clothing belonged to, and yelled out, "EWW gross" when seeing "Iggy's" underpants. lol So thankful for the clothesline journey of our life. Hanging each piece makes me really ponder the blessings I have been given.

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Don't Forget:

How Isaac did not want you to stop reading the biography of George Washington.  He loved that Washington had many similarities to himself.  Someday, he will not want to have his mom read to him...and that might be sad!

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Do Not Forget:

How the Papa Johns pizza delivery guy looked at Gracie when he walked in the room.  He almost jumped when he saw how tiny she was.  After asking us if she was a real baby, he told us he was that tiny when he was born, but that he had never seen a newborn before. We let him oogle her a little bit (she was worthy of oogling!)  Priceless.

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Emmanuel...

I came across this video of my sweet Abbie.  This Christmas was one that I will always remember as a favorite.  Honestly, it was such a calm time.  I don't remember any of the inevitable squabbles, any financial hardships (although I am sure there were plenty), or any frustrations.  I just remember loving my kids, loving the look of the Christmas tree as we walked down the stairs, loving the sweet little baby in my tummy, and loving my Lord. 

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Happiness is...

NOVEMBER 1ST!!!!!

As a kid growning up, we were not allowed to sing Christmas songs until the day after Halloween.  I think it was my mom's attempt to keep her sanity.  Not sure it worked, but I digress.  As an adult, I have not adopted this rule.  We sing Christmas songs all year.  We watch Christmas movies in the heat of July.  I am a rebel.  But, no matter how old I get, I still wake up on November 1st with a little bit of extra joy, because deep down in my heart, I know it is the beginning of the Holiday Season!  (Meaning: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years---they are all one big and glorious season!)

To kick off my happy day, we watched this video:

I am pretty sure that my eldest daughter has a mega crush on  the lead singer.  Honestly, there are not alot of good guys out there who I would recommend her looking at for ideas of a future husband, but he is a pretty neat one!  lol  I think knowing that this band loves the Gospel 100% and lives to tell others, makes this happy Christmas song, even happier!!!!

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The Earth is Yours

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Job 37.  I love that in the midst of Job's troubles and trials, he is reminded of the awesome powers of his Lord.  So, when I heard this song for the first time, it made my heart smile.

Your voice it thunders
The oaks start twisting
The forest sounds with cedars breaking
The waters see You and start their writhing
From the depths a song is rising

Now its rising from the ground

Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy Lord
The earth is Yours and singing
Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy Lord
The earth is Yours
The earth is Yours

Your voice it thunders
The ground is shaking
The mighty mountains now are trembling
Creation sees You
And starts composing
The fields and trees they start rejoicing.

Now its rising form the ground
Its rising from the ground
Hear us crying out
Hear us crying out

Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy Lord
The earth is Yours and singing
Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy Lord
The earth is Yours
The earth is Yours

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Pretty Pink Princess

I must admit, I never thought having a girly, frilly, fru-fru, princessy girl would make my heart feel such sweet things.  My Gracie girl adores all things girl.  When I put on my make up, she hollars out, "Me tooooo, I unt sooommmee! PEEAAASSSE".  She loves to walk around in my heels.  Her favorite girls are "Pin-AHS"  (Princess)  She naturally chooses pink, snuggles in close, says pretty several times a day, and puckers up for lipstick.  She thinks that purses, phones, and sunglasses are items to be treasures.  And, while she doesn't like to keep them on, she likes pretty shoes/boots.  (Think Cinderella???)  Case in point:  She just brought me Isaac's GI Joe man and said, "Huuuug", and is now wrapping him in a blanket and rocking him in her nanny-rocker.  (Abbie would have been karate chopping him.) 

Yes, this girl is a ....girl.  And she is mine. 

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How to enjoy the ride:

This made me smile...and laugh...and figure out when I can next get to an amusement park.  

Keep your Cheery Side Turned.  :D 

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To do:

I get a kick out of how type A Abbie is.  She has to have EVERYTHING planned to a "T".  When she wakes up each day, she has to know exactly what is going to happen in the day.   I worry, at times, that Isaac is going to struggle being a leader.  Abbie loves to lead.  As you can tell...she is not her mother's daughter.  lol

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Rain on a Pumpkin....

I can add this to the list of things that make me feel....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.

I don't have a pumpkin outside, but it did rain a lovely, fall rain last night.  The world around me seems to be quietly whispering, "Fall is coming!"

Happy Happy!!!!

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Forgetfulness...

One really awesome thing about having an ADD like mind, you forget...A LOT!  You forget where you put your keys, you forget you have laundry in the wash, you forget that your favorite shoes are air drying outside when it starts to rain, you forget movies were due 10 days ago, you forget to get toilet paper at the grocery store, but best of all:  You forget unpleasant circumstances.

I have found myself forgetting what happened 12 months ago.  Forgetting the nastiness.  While this is certainly a blessing, it is also a sad thing.  With the nastiness, I am forgetting some lovely people and some wonderful gifts.  Isaac was telling me today, that he never liked the house that we lived in.  I reminded him that it was a gift from the Lord, even if there were some very sad things that happened there.  Abbie has mentioned that the people are so much nicer at our new church, but then I reminded her that there were some wonderful and amazing people from the old as well.  I find myself being in my kids shoes tonight.  Thinking of the unmentionable, horrible things of last fall...and not remembering the beautiful blessings.  Forgetting. 

So, instead, I must remember to think on those things lovely, as the Lord has commanded.

1.  Our last ministry was a stepping stone to our present ministry.
2.  We learned what it was like to live on a farm.
3.  I overcame my fear of working with teens...and now secretly pine for the days of loving on them again.
4.  Brian and I gained several new children (alright...they would die if they heard me call them that), who will be in our lives forever.
5.  We were able to make a lasting impact on a group of teens...and prayerfully, they will change their worlds.
6.  I made a few new dear friends.  Specifically my Nicki.  (And her family)
7.  Brian and I learned what it meant to be prudent.  Wise as serpents...harmless as doves. 
8.  I learned to keep a cleaner house.
9.  We had Gracie while we were there.
10.  Brian decided fishing was "ok".
11.  I learned, once again, that the Lord provides continually!  What men mean for evil...He turns to good.
12.  I got a collection of Shakamak t-shirts.  lol
13.  We discovered some great little towns, and lived closer to Indy...which was much needed!
14.  Abbie got involved in 4-H.
15.  My children learned some valuable lessons of how to deal with extreme hurt and pain caused by others.  Though they are young, and still have to be reminded to keep their emotions in check, they will always remember that you must admit where you were wrong, and not allow other people's sin to cause you to stray and sin.

Lord, help me not to be forgetful in the areas that matter most.  Help me remember the beautiful things...but also the lessons that we have learned along the way.  I definitely never want to have to learn them again! 

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