Isn't HE Wonderful?

Yes, I know, that's a name of a popular old hymn but my mind the last few days keeps pondering how wonderful God is to me. This is not a new (or complex) thought of mine but never the less, an awesome one!

Looking over my past, I can see where Satan has put things in my life (and I'm sure yours as well) in hopes of ruining me, or at the least, discouraging me in some way. But as I look back, it's also during those times I can see how God brought me through each one. It reminds me of the poem "Footprints in the Sand." The author was so correct in describing how our Father picks us up when we need Him to carry us.

While meditating on Him this week, He reminded me of Job and how he was tested. I definitely haven't gone through near what Job went through, but regardless, God sometimes allows us to be tested. He wants to make sure we're going to hold on! But the amazing thing is, His hand is outstretched just as far as mine is!!!!

Not sure why I'm blogging about this. Maybe you're going through something difficult right now. Maybe it's just for me. If it is for you... nothing is too difficult for God. And His hand is outstretched, waiting for you to grab it... just because He loves you so much! He doesn't want to see you down, discouraged, or defeated!

Isn't HE Wonderful?????????

Taking a "Selah Moment"

Occasionally I am asked to write an article for our local homeschool newsletter and thought I'd share with you an excerpt of what I recently wrote. I hope it speaks to you as much as it has to me...

"I want to share with you something my pastor said the other day that has really spoken to me.

In Psalm 46:10-11 we find these words:
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."

First of all, notice how this scripture starts... Be still. Think about that for a moment. If we're busy, busy, busy, going from one thing to another, how can we "be still" enough to hear from God. He wants to speak to us. His desire is to have a relationship with us. We will not be able to hear from Him unless we're still enough to listen.

Notice how this passage ends... "Selah." Do you know what that means? (I didn't until my pastor explained.) It means "pause." Or in other words, stop and think upon what you just read. This is basically a command from God asking us to stop long enough to rest and listen to Him.

I'm determined in my day to day activities to take more "Selah moments." More time to rest and listen to what He might have to say. Let's not get caught up in our day to day activities so much that we forget to rest in Him.

Go pour yourself a cup of cappucino or iced tea and enjoy a
"Selah moment."

Happy 40th Birthday to My Handsome Husband!

Yes, you read correctly... today is Darin's 40th Birthday!! I have now known him for more than 1/2 of his life (we met when he was 19 and I was 16.) And he's just as handsome today as he was then.


Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Christmas at the Shearer's

Yes I know, you're wondering what in the world happened to us! Well, we're still here... just very busy (as all of you have been as well, I'm sure!) Our family has been involved in many Christmas activities and my blog got put on the back burner - imagine that!

Some of the Christmas activities we have been enjoying are caroling, church Christmas plays, violin concerts, choir concerts, Christmas parties, working at the Salvation Army stands... you name it, we've been there and done that it seems!! We have certainly stayed busy but have enjoyed every minute of it!

With the help of a good friend, McKendra has also learned how to sew this Christmas. She made this adorable quilt for her sister to play with her baby dolls. McKiah LOVES it!! Now I just need to get her to teach me how to do this!!! I am so proud of her for learning how to do this and wanting to make one for her sister. No matter how much they fight with each other, goes to show they really do love each other!

Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly... Fa la la la la, la la la la

The Shearer household has been "decking the halls" for days now and it being the day after Thanksgiving, we are now finished!! Normally we do not start until today but we were able to start a little early this year.

Darin and I love Christmas (although if you ask him, he might tell you different - like at 4:30 this morning when he was at Walmart standing in line for that great deal!) and we especially love decorating for the season. Here are a few photos of what we've been doing the past few days...


No, I did not make this. My talented mother-in-law made them (there are two of them - a boy bear and a girl bear) for me a few years ago when I was really into collecting Boyds Bears.



This is my dining room table. I got the idea of hanging the garland around the light from Mary Jane McGuire (who is an awesome decorator, by the way) when we saw her table one year at Christmas time. (Hope you don't mind I stole your idea Mary Jane!)



And this is the tree in our living room with the new teal and purple ornaments I mentioned in an earlier post. You might not be able to see them really well in this photo. Not sure if I really "love" the look but it will do.



This is the banister you see in our entry. In the next photo, you will see a different shot of it.



Going around the banister and headed downstairs is this shelf that I like to decorate for different seasons. This is the only time I ever get out my Boyds Bears anymore.



Our downstairs tree in the rec room that the girls helped to decorate. We normally have Christmas morning down here where there's lot of room to make a mess! :)

"Good Deed Doers" and 18 Happy Children!!!

This past Thursday night the Junior Church workers, along with the help of Bro. Marvin Truex and my sweet mother-in-law, Dottie Shearer, made 18 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. This has become an annual event our Junior Church looks forward to. Last year we made 13 boxes – this year we increased it to 18!!!

We had different ones from our church donate the items for the boxes and then on Thursday night, we filled them (assembly-line fashion) and wrapped them. It takes many hands to wrap 18 boxes, let me tell ya!! Once the boxes were completed, we prayed over them asking the Lord to bless each child that will receive them.

If you have never been a part of this wonderful experience, I encourage you to give it a try. Just knowing you are causing a child somewhere around the world to have a happy Christmas is worth all the effort you put into making one little box. To think that most of these children only receive this one little box of trinkets for Christmas! Makes me want to do more than just fill a shoe box! I certainly wish I could be there when our 18 children receive their boxes.


Darin and Micheal Edwards filling boxes (with help from Micheal's new baby, Evan)


There were definitely some silly moments... Darin and Jenny Grissom posing for the camera!


Randy Dunn and Wesley Grissom stuffing more boxes.


Dottie Shearer wrapping away!!


Bro. Truex helped all evening – and for a bachelor, was a great gift wrapper!! (Hear that, single ladies?)


Yeah, I had to work too. We actually had a lot of fun (did I mention we ate pizza before we started?)


Our finished products... 18 boxes full of toys, toiletries, school supplies, and most importantly, lots of love and prayer!!

Anxiously Awaiting...

Wondering what I'm anxiously awaiting?
Well, I'll tell ya! I have only 11 days left until I can put up my Christmas trees!!!! If you haven't noticed (from my new blog header), I just absolutely LOVE Christmas. I love the songs, the weather, the lights, the carols...but most importantly, I love what it means to me personally. This is the time set aside for us to celebrate God sending His Son to Earth as a baby so that we could have a Saviour!! What an awesome thought! To think God loves me so much that He sent His only Son so that He could then die on a cross so that I could live with Him eternally in Heaven - it's beyond my comprehension. We are so underserving of that kind of love, aren't we?

So in 11 days, I get to put up not one, but six Christmas trees (not mentioning the swags I hang down the banister, the wreaths on the doors, and all the other stuff)!! Don't get too excited, only two of the trees are full size. Both of the girls have 4' trees in their rooms and then we have two small trees on our front porch. This year I get to change my colors too (can't you read the excitement!!??) The day after Christmas last year, I bought all new ornaments for one of my trees so this year it's going to look totally different. When it's completed, I'll post photos so you can see it.

Those of you that have a blog, I would love to see your Christmas decorations as well. Post some photos to share with everyone if you can.