Man of Sorrows...

...or woman of sorrows. I am starting into a season I have been putting off for many years. One I know will have many sorrows and much loss to grieve. But as I enter this season I am trying to choose to see it as designed by God's own hand. To grow my trust and reliance on Him. To mature me in many areas of my life and walk. To take the fractures and pull them into one daughter of God. My prayer is that I will choose to walk through the sorrow and come out stronger and more trusting of my Saviour and most of all more in love with Him. I want to not be defined by the events and the sorrow they will bring but defined by how I handled dealing with them and as a child of God who trusted Him despite my circumstance and allowed Him to work His healing in me.

Grwoing Up

God is so gracious. As most of you now I have never been completely on my own. That does not mean I have not paid my own rent and bills and so on, but that I have never been in a solo living situation. SO sufficed to say that when the family I live with goes on vacations I don't handle it well. I get anxious and worried and make the wrong choices because of my emotions. I am often led by those pesky things. But buy God's grace He has grown my trust and skills that when the family went away this weekend, in spite of the anxiety and emotions I made good productive choices. I let the truth not my emotions lead me. Praise God for His goodness.

Introducing Simeon Creed Anderson

Ok first off again for not keeping up with my blogging. Still working out some kinks with my computer. Now with that said I would like to introduce my new nephew. He was born the end of May to my brother Jon and his wife Rachel. They named him Simeon Creed, but we are going to call him creed. He very adorable and a blessing from God. The pregnancy really has helped my sister-in-law through the grieving process of loosing my nephew Knox last year. So now for what you have all been waiting for pictures:

Simeon Creed Anderson

So cute (they are going to call him Creed)

Creed snuggling with mommy

The girls: Anne Michal, Emma, & Lizzy

The Whole Family: Jon, Emma, Rachel, Creed, Lizzy, Jack, & Anne Michal

That is one beautiful family. Not just on the out side but also on the inside. How they have allowed God to carry them through a hard season. And trust Him enough to enjoy this new one.

Ok Life Can Get Crazy Fast...

...Ok ok ok. I know I said I was going to be better about posting but life got crazy in a hurry. Since my last post I have had a diagnosis made of bi-polar. So been dealing with that and adjusting to new medications. Speaking of medications I had some complications from the medication and fell asleep at the wheel. By God's grace I walked away with just some bruises and a concussion. My car on the other hand did not. So now I am dealing with relying on the bus as my sole transportation and looking for a part time job to get the money to fix my car. Though it is hard at times I can see the Father's hand through it all and am grateful that I did not sustain greater injury. But also for all that He is teaching me about trusting Him and discipline and the many skills I need to have come together as He is pointing me to greater maturity not only spiritually but in all areas of life.

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.