Lady in Waiting

My life as a single Christian woman is quite interesting so I thought I'd share.  For one thing, there is a shortage of Christian men that are single in their 30's and 40's.  So that right there causes a big problem in trying to date a Christian man.   I know many men in their 30's and 40's but most are married...I also know many men in their 30's and 40's that are single BUT they are not Christians...UGH!  I look around at Church, at events, at Christian book stores, or anywhere really and wonder....Where are the single men my age?  Don't get me wrong...I'm not desperately looking for a husband but I do know that God will have to work on this one on His own.  LOL

I have tried the whole online dating which is quite busy for non Christians...but once you get on a Christian dating site..it's almost impossible to find someone in your area or in your state for that matter.  LOL   As you can see my chances are slimming down even more.  I have many friends that have friends that are sooooooo nice!  (famous words!) then I meet them and we are not on the same page...heck not even in the same book!  They drink, party, cuss, and so on so do you really think they'd wait til marriage for sex?   UH Nah!!!  LOL  or I get the other extreme, they are ON FIRE for the Lord!!  Their walk is strong...but they don't want to date me...Why?  well, because I have tattoos, because I've had sex before,  because I was married twice and because I already have children.... SIGH!!!!!!!!!!! 

Sooooooo where do I fit in?  I do not want a worldly man.  I want a Christian!  I'm not a virgin yet I am waiting til marriage..LOL  I don't want to date a 21 year old  or a 51 year old...so I am limited here.   What's a girl to do?????    I know what I have to do....I have to wait on the Lord to send me that one He's been preparing for me ( FOR A LONG TIME TOO!!!) LOL   and know that like I have said before...I am not trying to find the right man..I want to be the right woman!!  and that developing patience is hard but getting married before God's timing is even worse!

Lady in Waiting,

Shawna   <><

My tree

Hey!!  I was busy all weekend but I figured I'd update everyone on my life.

MY TREE IS FINALLY DOWN!! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!  WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!  This tree has been leaning on my home since Katrina.  I've been praying that it wouldn't fall.  I took this picture last week and today it is DOWN!  and NOT on my home!  PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

Friday night my son went to his FIRST DANCE!  Awwww he was so cute.  He had a date, his girlfriend who is a cheerleader at his Junior High.  It was sooooo exciting and heartbreaking at the same time!

I am totally moved into our home although there is not one room that is complete yet.  It'll take me about one more year to get situated I think.  But atleast we are in it!  YAY!!

I was very very sick last week and although I felt like I was dying...I actually didn't..LOL  Thanks for all the prayers..I am healed and feeling much better.  Praise God!  Yippie!!

I'm excited about NEXT weekend for many reasons..

ONE- My baby, youngest child, caboose, will turn 9!!  Oh my I'm old.  I will now have a 9, 11 and 16 year old!   Yep, I have gray hair already!

TWO- I am going to Hattiesburg to see THIRD DAY!!   I'm E X C I T E D!!!!   I can't wait!   They are soooooo talented!  Can you tell I'm excited about going???  I'm staying in a hotel in Hattiesburg so that I don't have to drive back late at night. 

THEN.........

The next day I'm going to see Chris Tomlin and the proceeds to this concert go to keeping our Christian radio station on the air!!   WOO HOO!!!  How great is our God???  I'm  not just saying that because Chris Tomlin sings it..LOL  

I'll have many more updates!!

Praising Him,      Shawna

What are you doing?

The Lord really spoke to me alot today about being a Christian.   Christ-Like!  He told me that although we live in a world of sin that He uses us (Christians) to help lead the worldly people to Him.  If God didn't use people to help save others then there just may be a good possibility that WE wouldn't be where we are today. 

What are you doing?   Are you an active Christian?  I know for me,  I have to stay in His word for me to stay obedient but I also have to share my testimony and my walk with Him with others because it also helps me grow.  Praise God!!!!!

Let's step up and  get in the world!!  Reach out to others!!! Shout the truth and bring light into a dark world!!  

He has called us to be witnesses!!!!   Do you preach His word but then act in a different manner when others aren't watching?  HE does know your heart and sees your actions even when others don't!! 

So What are YOU doing?????     Much love to you ALL

Your sister in Christ  <><

Living for Him

Wow! It seems like forever since I've written but soooo glad and relieved to be on here doing this.  I do not have internet yet at home but praying to have it soon so I can do my ministry work!!  I'll write later about what's going on in my life but I want to say THANK YOU for all of the encouraging emails and awesome comments.  God is GOOD! He has given me such wonderful Christian friends!  Praise Him for that! 

I have had many people ask...How do I stay soooo strong during all of this???   Well, I am not a superwoman with all kinds of extra powers or something...LOL  I trust in the Lord!  He's my rock, My strength, my EVERYTHING!  I get down like we all do but I continue to praise Him for all He has done.  He has saved me!!!!  How can I let everything else around me get to me when I KNOW that I have eternity with Him.  This is only temporary!!  Don't get so wrapped up in your day to day life that you push Him away....The LORD is FIRST and the MOST important one to be focused on...and He loves you soooooo much!  My friend just wrote today about being ready for Jesus when He returns....Are you?   I am!!   I can't wait to see His precious face...HOWEVER until that glorious day comes... I PRAY!!!!!!!!

How do you pray?  I have always wondered if I say the right things?  Do I sound silly?  Why don't I sound like some of the people at church?  Do you ever think that too?   Well,  I may not sound like the pastor's wife but I do know one thing for sure.  He LOVES to hear my voice..He is the ONLY one that appreciates my singing  LOL  But He gets so excited that I give Him sooo much attention everyday (kinda like my puppy Koby does when I get home! )  THAT is why our relationship is soooo strong.  I am in LOVE with Him and my walk is the MOST important thing...Going out of my way daily to please Him.   I pray with a purpose!!!  Woo Hoo!

This is the reason why I stay strong during these storms in my life!!   I adore Him!  and, I PRAY!

Praise Him for all He does....Ask the Lord for the desires of your heart...Confess your sins or your struggles...and Trust that He's there with you!!

Your sister in Christ,

One year ago today....

I am not sure how to start this...I am very sad today.  I was not sure how I'd react to the anniversary of Katrina and I've stayed strong for the most part but all day I have felt a weight like never before.  Am I breaking down?  Am I finally coming to grips with this devastation or Am I just being human?

ONE year ago...I packed my stuff and my 3 childrens belongings  in a bag..clothes for 2 days..and panicked like everyone else.  I fed my animals...enough food and water for a few days...We evacuate quite often and we know about 3 days is as long as we stay gone.  I kissed the pets bye...having NO idea that a week later I'd be begging for anyone to get to our home and set them free...people were still needing to be rescued so my pets weren't on the top of the priority list. Before leaving our home, I made the beds and made sure the house was tidy..not knowing that our house would be flooded and we'd go back 2 months later to gut the house.. Our phones didn't work, we couldn't get in touch with friends/relatives and I didn't know what to tell my kids about their dad...because he stayed home.

 

ONE year ago...We lost our life as we knew it.  We lost regular conversations...The only thing you hear about here starts out...Before Katrina or After Katrina...that is how our lives are based on.  We share FEMA trailer stories,  What still needs to be done to our homes....and what we've been through. 

ONE year ago...I had no idea that a year from then we'd STILL be sharing one room, working harder than ever before and sometimes feeling like I'm in a dream trying to run but not getting anywhere.  The Lord has blessed me in many ways and through this storm my faith has grown tremendously stronger! Praise God! I just feel at times that the rebuilding process may never be over. 

ONE year ago...The countries worst natural disaster changed our lives forever and we are only ONE family.  I pray that everyone remembers Katrina today...The lives that were lost...The hearts that were broken..The homes that were destroyed..The people that can't get back home and the ones that have made new starts elsewhere..I know that our lives will be blessed even more in the future but it still hurts to see the city this way.. and that I feel sometimes we are a forgotten city.  With God ALL things are possible and I have to stay in His word to keep my walk strong but I had to write this because my entire life changed.....ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!!!

Lost Values

Lost Values!

wow that has been a subject surrounding me ALL week and weekend.  First off, I have to say that I had an awesome weekend of fellowship! I have just been so blessed being around such positive influences, learning and growing in the Lord, worshiping with others, and feeling the Holy Spirit just fill the room.  Praise God!

I've been single for 8 years.  I've had many people during this time try to set me up with men saying He has great values!  Oh my...that could mean anything.   To a worldly man, HIS values are great.  To a Christian man walking with Christ, HIS values are great.  It all depends.  I am Christian woman walking with Him,  I am 36 and live a life of purity.  I will NOT have sex until I am married and although I think that is great.....many (MANY!) men do not think that it is a great value I have!  What are your values?  The Bible says.....

Follow anything that makes you want to do right!  Pursue faith and love and peace. and enjoy the companionship of those who call upon the Lord with PURE hearts. (2 Timothy 2:22)

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well  (Matt 6:33)

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for His purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.  (2 Timothy 2:21)

Evil desires lead to evil actions and evil actions lead to death (James 1:15)

Lord, I thank you for your unchanging love.  That you loved me when I was living a worldly life with unclean values.  I PRAISE you for your glory!  I SEEK you during those times of weakness, when the enemy tries to tempt me with worldly people and desires,  I TRUST you, that you'll never leave me or forsake me. Lord, I know that you are using me to bring others to Christ,  Lord, I know that through all of these storms that you have awesome blessings in my future.  Father,  I know that I will be rewarded for this life of purity and have eternity with you.  Lord, I lift all of those up in prayer that are stuck in worldly values,  that they may seek you and have everlasting peace and joy.  You are my light, my rock, my strength and my refuge.  In Jesus' precious name,  AMEN!!!!!!

Women!

Hey!  I've had a lot on mind the past week...and there are a couple of things I've been in constant prayer and asking God to please tell what to do.  Almost always He answers me clearly,  I KNOW it's His will and I accept whatever He tells me to do even when I do not understand why.  However, THIS week,  I am not sure I am hearing the answer from Him. Maybe it's me telling myself what I want to hear,  Maybe it's the enemy tricking me, or Maybe it is God!  So, last night I decided to hear Him clearly I need to be still..(like my previous posts)  Well,  He was clear..He told me that I am not the only woman that has issues to deal with, that is wanting answers right now!  He led me to the Bible to read and get all my answers.  It was awesome!  Here are only a few women that I pulled out to see what they had going on and how they handled it.

Eve~She had it all!  She was  beautiful and she had Adam, lived in a flawless paradise BUT she messed it all up by taking a bite out of the forbidden fruit..Despite her disobedience God still loved her.

Sarah~She was married to Abraham and wanted a baby so badly. She became impatient and  sent her maid Hagar to sleep with Abraham and Ishmael was born....BUT at 90 years old Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to Isaac.  God's promises are 100% but always on His timing so even though she thought she'd never have a baby....She did. 

Rebekah~A control freak! After 20 years in a loving marriage with Isaac. Rebekah got pregnant with twin boys. She focused ALL her attention on Jacob which led to hate in the neglected twin Esau..She was a big time liar and manipulated everyone and eventually Jacob ran away and never returned, She betrayed her husband and ruined their marriage and in the end her world was a complete disaster!

Peninnah~She was married to Elkanah. He was married to her and Hannah.  He was really in love with Hannah and gave Hannah twice as much as he ever gave Peninnah BUT Peninnah gave Elkanah several children early in their marriage.  She was a great mom but he still didn't love her so she turned bitter. She became obsessed with making Hannah's life miserable and she missed all the blessings that had been given to her in her life.  (I thought my name Shawna was difficult but these are really hard to say and spell! LOL)

I could go on and on....It's just amazing that even back then women really had issues to deal with.  Women today STILL deal with so many difficult issues.  The Lord tells me all the time that I am NOT alone even when I feel like I am the only woman that has ever gone through crazy things and reading about some of these others, I can see that it was hard even back then but one thing still remains God loves us so very much!! 

Blessings from a WOMAN of faith, 

Shawna  <><