Who They Are Becoming

When I watched each of our kids walk into the unknown this week, heading back to school, fear and faith mingled together in my heart.

The unknowns are challenging and we are each navigating them day by day.

As challenging as this all is, something I think is so important to do is to reflect to our kids who they are becoming because of this experience.

They are growing in courage, bravery, patience, perseverance and resilience. They are becoming better listeners, friends, and community members because of their responsibility to care for others, as well as for self. They are refining their character, from the inside out, because of the challenges they have been facing.

Yes, this year has been messy on so many levels, and our kids have missed out on some things. Yet rather than looking at the mess and what they have missed, I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we instead look at what they have gained and remind them who they are, what they have accomplished and who they are becoming because of all of this.

With love and hope,
Shawn

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” - Ephesians 4:29

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You Are Strong Enough

Today was our last day of summer break. We hopped on the lake today and keeping in alignment with 2020, we were going against the wind and current when we got on the water.

Our youngest was on the kayak giving his all. I found myself saying to him, “you were made strong enough for this moment.” He confidently replied, “yes, I was” as he paddled hard through the waves.

Although our conversation was about the waves he was physically fighting through, I couldn’t help but think of what tomorrow holds, with school starting. It got me thinking, “What if we believed as firmly as Matt did today that we were made strong enough for this moment?”

I share this with you in case you too need the reminder, like I do, that we, and our children, were made strong enough to tackle these waves before us in this new school year.

I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we ask God for the courage and strength we need to step into these uncharted waters. May we trust He hears our prayers and has made us, and our children, strong enough for this moment💕🙏💕

With love and hope,
Shawn

Suggested song🎵
Strong Enough by @matthewjwest

“Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed, for God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

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Lie down in Green Pastures

This is a field Georgia and I walk past on our walks. I paused in it the other day because there is a peace I get from this open space. As I stood there with Georgia, breathing in the fresh air, for a moment letting go of all that is happening in the world and the unknowns ahead of us, my favorite psalm which always soothes my soul, came to mind.

I am sharing this with you today in case these words may soothe your soul too.

I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May these words, and the truth in them, be a breath of fresh air for our hearts and minds today...

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. - Psalm 23

With gratitude, love and hope,
Shawn

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To those who Selflessly Serve, Thank You.

As we head into a new school year, may we time to...

pause. breathe. pray.

And give thanks for the selfless service of every...

#teacher
#paraprofessional
#custodian
#busdriver
#schoolnurse #specialeducationteacher
#artteacher
#peteacher
#musicteacher
#healthteacher
#technedteacher
#administrativeassistant #schooladministrator
#schoolsocialworker
#languageteacher
#ellteacher
#foodservicestaff #librarymediaspecialist
#occupationaltherapist
#physicaltherapist
#schoolcounselor
#speechpathologist #schoolpsychologist #schoolsecurityguard
(If I missed any please tag them below)

What they are about to do, they never signed up for, and yet they are choosing to show up for our kids, and our families, either in person or online. So much gratitude and appreciation their way💕🙏💕

With love and hope,
Shawn

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Patience and Faith

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith.”

- Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea

As we enter a new week, I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

Whatever is before us, may patience and faith be our compass, and wisdom be our guide.

With love and hope,
Shawn

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be faithful in prayer.”
- Romans 12:12

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We Are All Connected

The other day we were on a drive and I was trying to make sure I knew where we were headed. Every time I set my phone up on the dashboard it would fall over. (I know, I forgot to use my phone holder thing😏)

I realized my phone was plugged into the charger, which was being shared by one of my children who was charging their phone from the back seat. Unbeknownst to them, when they moved their phone they were knocking my phone over, as the phones shared a common charger. I let them know what they did was impacting me. And then they accidentally did it again, and then again🙃

When I reminded them that our cords were connected and what they did impacted my phone, I saw the parallel.

Just like my child’s movements impacted my being able to see the directions or not, right now in society what we do, or don’t do, can impact others, whether we are aware of the impact or not.

I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we recognize our choices have a ripple effect that will impact others, for the better or for the worse. May we make the wise choice to do what is in the best interest of others, and will have the least amount of negative impact. Let’s choose to wear the mask as a way to say, I don’t know your story and I don’t need to but I wear this mask in case I can help take care of you.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
- Matthew 25:40

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The Beauty in Simplicity

Our boy and the sea. How I love the beauty in simplicity. 💕🙏💕

With love,
Shawn

“For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.“- 1 Corinthians 14:33

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See the Worth of What We Value

“You never know the worth of water until the well is dry.” - Thomas Fuller

Our power and water are back!
💧🙏💡

We are very grateful for the crews who worked all day in our neighborhood for our power to be back on💝

This experience definitely made me...

pause. breathe. pray.

And see the worth of what we value, that we so often take for granted.

With gratitude and appreciation,
Shawn

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Look Up

We are sitting here in our front yard this morning as we are on our fifth day without power, which for us means no water too, as we have a well.

Yes, it has been an inconvenience, yet I have to admit, somehow I function better when there is less. It’s like when I had cancer, and all that was insignificant was stripped away and I was left with who and what matters most. The same is true with this moment.

Yes, there are some things we don’t have, like power, running water and for days we were without WiFi yet there is so much we do have; breath in our lungs, one another, clothes on our backs, shelter over our heads, food on our table, access to clean water, showers and laundry at friends houses, etc.

When we choose to look up from what we don’t have and see all that we do have, and that others exist without some of these necessities on a regular basis, there truly is much to be grateful for. It can also be a time to grow compassion and empathy in our hearts for those who go without these basics on a regular basis, and nudge us to be a vessel of love their way.

I share this with you because whether you have power or not, there is probably something in your life that is challenging you too. I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we take our eyes off the struggle and look up to see what we do have. Sometimes it takes that shift in perspective to move our thoughts from frustration to gratitude. It doesn’t mean the struggle has passed, yet gives us the ability to move through it with more peace and ease. Also, may we see the struggle as an opportunity to be be refined ourselves and come out on the other side more whole within💕🙏💕

With love and hope,
Shawn

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:12-13

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A Light to Our Path

Last night I was walking through my yard at 10 o’clock with my phone’s flashlight as my guide.

Why?

Because a storm that rolled through a few days ago has left us without power. So I was coming home from a friend’s house where I was doing laundry.

As I stepped across my yard in the dark letting this small light lead my way, it reminded me of a verse:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105

This truth made me smile in the darkness because as much as I want to know when we will get our lights on the truth is, I don’t need to know. I just need to rest in the moment and take this new adventure one step at a time.

I am sharing this with you today because we are not the only ones facing uncertainty right now. We are all facing the uncertainty of when we will be on the other side of COVID, many of us are uncertain about what the school year will look like, others are experiencing unknowns about health, relationships, jobs, etc.

As much as we want to know, what if we aren’t suppose to know ? What if not knowing is the way for us to let go and lean into trusting God more?

The unknown and uncertainty of life is challenging yet there is hope. I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we take time to reflect on the truth of this verse. May we be reminded that God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. May we consider that we don’t need to see more than what is right in front of us. Even though we are left not knowing may we trust in the one who is in the know so we can walk confidently towards the darkness with His word and truth lighting out way.

With love and hope,
Shawn

PS If you want to get to know God more and don’t know where to start, I’ve been there. Send me a note so we can connect💕🙏💕

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105

LET'S STAY CONNECTED