A “Single Mom” of A Different Kind….

So God has been doing a lot in my heart lately. All very good things that have caused me to pause and reflect on the last couple of years of my life. Which brings me to what this entry is all about. Ok so those of you who know me are probably thinking what is Shannon writing about single momhood. Well notice that the single mom is in quotes and I did say of a different kind.
So any way as any one who remotely knows me know I am not often seen at church with out a little babe in my arms or little ones around me. Well part of what I’ve reflected on is having to have a hysterectomy the fall of 2006. Many people from work and even some from church asked aren’t you to young and aren’t you bitter or mad at God for causing this when you love kid so much and have longed to have children some day. Well in all honesty it was sad and there was a grieving process. And a few times of repenting for becoming angry at God. But I always knew that I would love to adopt even if I had my own biological kids.
With that mouthful said God has reminded me over and over the past year that He has given me children that far out number what I could have. He knew the heart He created me with for love and tenderness and joy in His little creations. So I have the privilege to help pour into so many little lives. To be another special or significant adult that helps point them to the Lord.
So my encouragement to singles out there that are getting older and not married yet. Or are younger and have health issues that may make pregnancy hard. You can have a mothers heart for the kids God has placed in your life. From nieces and nephews, to your close friends kids, to the kids you teach in children’s ministry.
Following are pictures of some of my “kids.” Just so you can get an idea how truly god has blessed me. Even now the first of my “kids” are parents now and I have the privilege to pour into and bless their kids

Here are some pics of some of my first "kids" all grown up now

This is Lena she is going to transfer to a 4 year college this fall and be moving away from home. I am so proud of her.

This is Jacque. She is the loving mother of one year old Ari and wife to Asher.

This is Cara. She is mom to two small children and wife to Dave. Cara could have been a great many of things but I am proud to see her choose to serve a family and local church.


This is Cara's little guy Matthew
This lovely little lady is Cara's eldest Meg. A performer like her mama.

This little guy is Jacque's son Ari.

This montley crew are David , Steve, and Caralyn. I've had the privelage to live with their family for almos eight years.

This is my best friends oldes Kathryn

Her oldest son Jacob

Her youngest son William

and her youngest daughter Jane

This bunch is cousins to the above.. Addy, Micah, Megan.....

along with Emily and Titus

This is Justus brother to...

....Joshua, Adin, and Callie

One of my pastor's youngest

and next youngest

and thes are my good friends who married last year who will be having their first later this year

and this is my Nan who taught me that a mother's love and heart are not always a biological bond but a spiritual one.

Well these are just a few. There are so many more. So see God has far blessed me with children to love and care for and pray for and pour into than I could ever have thought possible

Be Carfule What You Pray for....

.... so the saying goes. Well I've prayed and many who car about me have prayed for an increase of trust in God. For me to grow in my passion and abandon for the Saviour. And boy o boy is God answering that pray. But of course as often as not it is not quite the way I would have expected it. It is not being forms through some flower mountain top experience but in trenches of the fallen world admits others sins and more pointedly amids the consequences for my own sins. So as you think of me over the nexts weeks and months pray that I will stay open to the process and allow God to do the great work in me He has been waiting so long to do.

My Secret Star Wars Life

Okay so many may not be aware that I am a huge Star Wars Fan. I also like to build things particularly with Legos. So when I decidied I needed a new hobby I started building the Star Wars Lego kits and just leaving them up as models.Here are some pictures of what I've done so far. My dream is to get to the point to have enough saved up to buy and build the Milenium Falcon. Also sorry there the updates have be few. The past month and a half have been crazy. Promise they will become more regular.

This one above by far has been the most chalenging and rewarding.

It me three sittings of about 2 hours each to complete.

Over Some Mountains and Through Some Tunnels....

....to the Zeerip's house I went. For those of you who don't know Bo and Rebeakh are some of my dearest friends in the world. They along with their kids and some of Rebekah's family have become by God's grace my Colorado family. Well they moved about a year ago west over the mountains to Grand Junction. Last weekend I got to go visit them for a few days.
Though there were some things God was working on in my own heart during this trip I was blessed and will remeber my trip with fondness. I got some time alone with Rebekah and we celebrated her youngest daughter's birthday. I got to know their newest member born this past October a little better also. Here are some pictures from the trip.

William with his special build a bear I made for him

(I made a set for his parents when they got

married and have give the kids each one when they were born

Kathrine helping to makle my bed.

Jane opening a gift.

Jacob boy

Lady Jane, me, and Billy boy.

Jane licking the spoon from helping make her birthday cake.

Jane blowing out her candels.

So thus was my wonderful adventure with my Colorodo clan the Zeerips. I look forward to their visit in May when I get to spend a whole day with the older kids. I'm thinking a trip to the zoo may just be a great next adventure.

Get to Know Me a Little Better

1. Were you named after anyone? Yes and no my first name is for Shannon Ireland my middle name is one of my aunt's middle name Lynne.

2. When was the last time you criedlaughed? Last night while watching The Princess Bride

3. Do you like your handwriting? No it has always been messy because I have weak wrist muscles If handwriting determened vocation I would be a doctor

.4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Don't realy eat processed lunch meat but love good turkey breast.

5. If you were another person would you be friends with you? Myself now yes myself as a teenager and in my twenties probably not

6. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Unfourtunately more than I should

7. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.

8. Would you bungee jump? Noooooooooooooo.

9. What is your favorite cereal? Any sugery cereal as it is now a treat not an every day breakfast.

10. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Nope

11. Do you think you are strong? Not realy others might say since I am a persiverer am strong in spirit

12. What is your favorite ice cream? My Cold Stone Creation chocolate ice cream with brownie chunkcs, cookie dougn , and hot fudge..

13. What is the first thing you notice about people? Depends on were I meet them. Usualy there style of clothing choice

14. Red or pink? Pink most definately.

15. What is the thing that you like least about yourself? Besides my besetting sin hmmmmmmmmm probably my wieght but am working on that

16. Who do you miss the most? That is hard as I don't live near any family or were I grew up. family wise probably my nieces and nephews. Friend wise my Nan and her family. I miss are times together. I hate missing seeing my niece and nephews and her grandkids growing up

17. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Blue work pants and black work shoes as I am on break at work

18. Have you ever re-gifted?no never

19. What are you listening to right now? Martina McBride

20. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Pink it is so light and just speaks feminity

21. Favorite smells? Clean laundrey, vanilla, and fresh autem days.

22. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My best friends dad.

23. Favorite sports to watch? Almost any sport live. Golf

24. Favorite food? So many choices but anything baked which is sad since I really can't eat that stuff any more

25. Scary movies or happy endings? Happy endings all the way. Scary anything and I won't sleep for days

26. Last movie you watched? The Princes Bride on DVD with friends

27. What color shirt are you wearing? White

28. Summer or winter? Summer I love to be out side

29. Hugs or kisses?Kisses from babies a little ones. Hugs from freinds

30. Favorite dessert? anything baked

31. What book are you reading now?Two Ted Dekker books, a Star Wars Book in series, and a study on Ruth and Esther

32. What is on your mousepad? My finger as I have a laptop

33. What did you watch on TV last night? Nothing watched a DVD with friends

34.. Favorite sound? My Nan's voice on the other end of the phone

35. Rolling stones or Beatles? Beatles over Stones any second of the day

36. What is the furthest you have been from home? Mexico, for a my mission trip with YWAM

37. Do you have a special talent? Not really. Peopel would say I have a heart and gifting for workiing with kids

38. Where were you born? Leesburg, VA once a quaint little old town. Sadly not so much any more

Valentine's and Singleness

Ok so this post is a few days late, but I've been sick the past few days. So any way I was listening to a local Christian station on Feb. 13th and they said it was Singles Awareness day. This upset me a bit. Like singles aren't aware of are singleness everyday. There is no married awareness day or widowed awarenss day. Now Singles appreciateion Day. I could go for that.

Actually I think what ever season we are in should be appreciated every day. Often times we as single don't appreciate this season while we are in it. We are in a very special an unique season in our walks with Christ during our single years. We are more free to serve in ways that married couples can't. Because rightly so they have a ministry first to their spouses and children. As singles times of fellowship can happen more often and on such spontaniouse timing.

Now as far as Valentine's Day. Though romantic love is focused on on this day. it is a day to express love for those in our lives. Kids make cards for their parent's, parents give candy hearts to their kids. Why not as singles don't we give little notes and treats of encouragements to those God has placed in our inner circles of life. Our other single girlfriends would love a card and a small box of chocolates or a rose on this day as much as the married, courting, or engaged lady would.

So when next Valentitne's Day comes why not think which of your single girlfriends you could bless with a Valentine.

Photos Photsos Photos

I'm sur some of you would lke to see an updated picture of me and maybe some pictures of my friends to put faces with names so here they are....

Me and some of my good friends L-R Amy, Courtney, Jen, Chasta, and me

Me with jen and Jonesy at their wedding, I was a bridesmaid.

Tim and Mary Ellen Gilmore. Our new assitant pastor and his wife.

The Kolberg kids..David, Steve, and Caralyn. I've lived with their family for 7 years.

Me with Lindsey and her son Titus (in white) and my best friend Rebekah and her son William.