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Trying to follow God and draw closer to him each day. Some days I slip, some days I fall, I'm so glad He never does.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Abigail Grace




I would like to introduce you all (all five of you, lol) to Abigail Grace.  She is our oldest daughter, nine years old, and a great big sister to the other three.  She is in the 4th grade.  She asked Jesus to be her Savior when she was 6 1/2.  I'll have to share that story, it's a great one.  

Since then, and probably before God has been molding Abby's heart.  Her heart has always been turned towards the less fortunate.  So I was not really surprised when she asked me if she could put a post on my blog about Haiti; but what came out of her heart made this mother so very proud. 

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WE WILL SPEAK OUT!



People here in the USA are reading, watching, or really just listing to what is happing down in Haiti. We might be sending money, or watching loved ones leave to help, or some of us going down ourselves.


Nevertheless, others are just treating it like old news. They think that the earthquake has gone, that it is over with, and that everything is back to normal. However, it is not over with, though the earthquake has past the sorrow some Haitians are enduring are still with them and will be with them forever. You never can let go the sorrow of people you have lost.


Sometimes we wish upon a lucky star, and hope for things we want but do not really need. Some people in Haiti wish upon a star, but do you know what they wish for? They wish for a better tomorrow, a new beginning, or maybe for a fresh start. People down there are working their bums off.


We are not thinking that they still have a lot of work to do, if you want pitch in and help these people you can, make a check payable to “The Wesleyan Church’’, memo line “Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund ”, mail check to Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund 13300 Olio Road Fishers, IN 46037, or credit card donation by calling 1-800-707-7715 fund # WMO7-7715-description ‘’Haiti Relief’’, or World Hope International-check website online.


Please there are people dying down in Haiti because they do not have the medical they need. They need you and from the people in Haiti: Thank You for the support that you gave them over the last couple of weeks. We do want everything back to normal down there.


Do not just figure other people can do it and you do not even have to be apart of this. You can help too. Do not be afraid to do what you know is right. Help them now. We need you!


Abby Harris
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That's it, that is what is on my nine year old's heart. 

There's much I can say about this, she uses words like 'we'.  She's already a part of them (Haitians).  She talks of the sorrow of losing the ones you love...  Oh Lord, where are you taking her? 

I've joked about her being a missionary when she was three.  Not kidding.  She had one of those little New Testament Bibles that have the Chinese writing in the front.  She would obsess over that part of the Bible and want to know about China. And it was so cool when Pastor Matt actually went to China and I relayed some of the stories to her. 

We use to have this spot in our yard that was raised up and it use to be used for compost, but not correctly.  So there were all kinds of junk that could be uncovered and discovered. She would make her sister play missionary with her, they use to pretend to build churches and help the children with their schooling and food.  It was so cute. 

But now I'm wondering and praying.  I want God to use her and her to be willing to be the one God has created her to be.  But Lord, please don't send my baby to China.

All joking aside,  Lord do with my family as you want, create in us an obedient heart to follow you where ever you lead.

In God's Love, sheila

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Happy Birthday Camron

Januray 27

Dearest Camron,

I want to ask you how you are; I want to ask you if you're happy, I want to ask you if you're behaving?  All these questions come from not truly understanding the depths of God's love, not truly understanding where you are.  Saying I know where you are and I know that if you had the choice you would stay; yet, still wondering....




I miss you more they I can say.  I spent some time last night watching some videos.  You made me smile.  Your laughter, your goofiness, I hope you know/knew how important you are to our family.  One of seven and sandwiched in the middle, did you know?  

I was thinking of your age, I don't know how Heaven works, are you eight?  Without a body, does age even matter; will your voice change?  Your complete, full, made whole, I guess that is all I can know for now and until that great day when I see you again, I may have more questions than answers, but I know the One who holds all the mysteries and who wants to bring good from this.  So for now I'll just wait and praise God, knowing that you are doing the same.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Love Aunt Sheila

Here's one of the many videos of Camron, Serena & Abby playing outside taken by my niece Cheylynne:

and this picture, just because it's so darn cute

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Happy Birthday Serena Rene'

Wow, she's turning eight today.  I am so proud to be her mommy.  She is strong-willed, yes I am proud of that, even if it made me pull my hair out at times (just ask the ladies at my Momtime).  I can still see Pat trying to carry her to her room for a time-out when she was about 3 or 4 and her clinging to the door jam.  LOL. 

Here is a new-born picture of my Serena (who for the first hour of her life was named Julia LeeAnn, oh I am so embarrassed to have that on video tape, hehehe.)


Wasn't she a beatiful baby!

Serena has proven to be a great big sister, and probably an even better little sister.
She is smart and her competitiveness has surprised me.  I remember teaching Abby how to tie her shoe in Kindergarten and Serena would watch and try very hard.  Do you know that by the time she started Pre-K she could tie her shoes?

Same thing with riding a bike and math facts.  Pat was teaching Abby how to ride without training wheels and it was not going very well.  They both needed a breather and as soon as Abby got off that bike Serena got on and by herself learned to ride. 

She is also funny.  Not that she likes other's to know.  She is shy and does not like to stand out.  But around her family she can be silly and loud.  Yes, Serena can be loud.



And here she is just a few days ago.
We sure are glad her hair finally grew, and grew, and grew.

I love you Dolly, Happy Birthday

Monday, January 11, 2010

Owen Singing

My heart was so warmed the other night as I heard Owen singing his little heart out to the Lord. That is until I heard what he was singing...




Probably a good thing he didn't join the other children at Christmas time up on stage.
In God's Love, sheila

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Completely Random

Well it's been quite some time since my last post.  Between the time off with the kids and making many adjustments; there just didn't seem time.  Or maybe I thought I really had nothing to say or at least blog about; because I usually have something to say.

So this will probably end up very random.


We had a very nice Christmas. Sondra spent the night on Christmas Eve and stayed all day Christmas with us. It was good to be together.

I love the fact that while the kids are very eager to open their presents under the tree, they were also content with their stockings and will wait a couple of hours before beginning. It makes for a very relaxed morning. Some time to reflect and watch the children play together and be excited for what was in each other’s stockings (stickers, chapstick, cars, etc.)

We had some friends take all four children out one day to buy some presents for ME. The kids kept the surprise of what they bought for almost 3 weeks. Completely surprised me, Tommy never blabbed at all; but what surprised me more was the eagerness for me to open up what they had picked out. Their presents were still sitting under the tree and they were shuffling around trying to find the ones they wrapped. Apparently 3 weeks was just long enough to keep a surprise.

I usually don’t make New Year’s Resolutions, because well I think they are somewhat cliché. But guess what, I really do. Only it’s not at New Year’s, so does that count? See what happens is the week before Christmas (typically) I begin to quiet down some and begin to read God’s word more and pray a bit more than usual. All this brings about a sense of wanting more and knowing that I need God’s wisdom and for a second becoming aware of how much God loves each one of us. So it’s then that I begin to do memory scripture and pulling the kids along side one-on-one for some alone time with them. I want them to know how much they are loved, individually; not always an easy thing to do. Oh and I’ve also been working out in the gym. A healthier new year is here, I hope.


In one week I had 3 different people tell me how well behaved my children are. I’m not saying that to brag, believe me. But, after the third person said it and was very sincere, I had to take some time to look at my kids. Sometimes I feel as if I am always correcting, always reminding, and don’t get me started on the noise level in the living room. Do I wish they sit next to each holding hands reading, sure do, but God didn’t give me robots. He gave me four independent, funny, ambitious, healthy children. And I am learning to appreciate the noise and funniness (is that a word?) at times. They are good children, they just tend to let loose and be themselves when at home.


Be themselves when at home…..ow…. is that what I do? Am I one way at home and another out? Some more self-reflecting needs to be done on this one. I’ll let you know the results, but if you see me at Wal-Mart in a big sweatshirt, jogging pants (not that I jog) and being completely self-absorbed in my shopping mission, you’ll know I’ve reflected.


One last thing, back to Christmas, we added to our family this year.  Thanks to the Tonawanada SPCA. They are quite the joy.

Please meet Luke (Tommy named him: as in Luke Skywalker)



Prince Alexander III (Abby got to name him, there are no other I, or II but the III makes him sound more prestigious, I guess.)



Owen is learning to be very gentle with them.





Have a great day.


In God’s Love, sheila