Even after 5yrs now being divorced from my girls’ Dad…. it’s still weird to send them off for long visits. Tom and Renee just left here with the girls and I won’t drive out to North Carolina to get them and bring them home until the 8th of August. But my 10-day trip to AZ starts this Tuesday so I am beyond excited to go home and see everyone and show off my new lil’ guy! The countdown is on!
Lots to do today! I still need to finish preparing my talk for Sunday. Shane and I were asked to speak in Sacrament meeting tomorrow about Missionary work. I wish I had lots more experience with this topic than I do but sometimes I think the Lord asks us to accomplish things that will benefit ourselves more than anyone else. I’m sure that’s the case with my talk. Studying this week has helped me realize how much better I can be at helping to spread the gospel. My brother Casey is almost done serving a two year mission for our church in Lisbon, Portugal and I am super proud of him for it. I emailed him and was telling him about my topic and asked him this question:
Out of all the many things serving a mission has taught you…. Tell me what the most signifcant thing is you’ve learned while serving the Lord in this capacity.
Casey emailed me back with this reply: I have learned that Christ looks upon the soul and not the outer appearance. A lot of times we look at someone and think “that person won’t talk to us” or “that person doesn’t look like he would be a good member”. But I have been surprised at the people that end up becoming investigators and members. I have learned not to judge people as the world would, but as Christ would. Everyone needs to hear the gospel and Christ wouldn’t discriminate based on appearance, so I shouldn’t either.
Okay…. that’s a response from my kid brother who is only 21yrs old!!! LOL When did he grow up??? But seriously…. it touched my heart and his response was the perfect springboard for my talk. Hopefully I will be able to say what I am thinking…. that’s the hard part.
And then, I start teaching my new Primary class tomorrow as well. I was assigned the 7yr olds. What a fun age. They are preparing for baptism and so eager and willing to learn. I’m excited about this new calling though my girls are disappointed cause they were hoping I’d be teaching one of their classes.
Before I go I will share this layout of my sweet niece Liberty I created based on Patter’s special CHA sketch you need to go see at the Triple the Sketch blog. There will be a drawing for an AWESOME prize for those who create something this weekend and upload it by Monday! Plus you need to see what the other designers did using the sketch! Lot’s of inspiration there! Happy Scrappin’! 
Then this fun card of little Brody is based on this week’s Sketch #16. And NO WAY are these his birth announcements! I am creative at times but I’m certainly not guilty of over-achieving! HA HA HA!!!
I think that’s it for now. I finished my Idol card already but I am not overly excited about it. I may end up doing something else if I have the time. Not sure!
Aight! I’m out!
July 19th, 2008
July 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Sharla Says:
I can relate, I’ve been divorced for over 6 yrs and Ash has been with her dad since Father’s Day. I’m so beyond ready to have her back!!
Have fun in AZ, and as always your lo’s/cards rock!
July 19th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Marti Says:
Shanna-
Been there, done that (the divorce thing). It is always hard. Never gets easier. Mine are 23 and 21 now - and I still hate when they are with him instead of me ;o) . LOL.
Can’t wait to see your card. I’m sure it is terrific! Good luck on the talk at church - but I know you will do a super job. Personally, I think that we all have missionary opportunities every day. We never know who is watching and what seeds we are planting. It may not be evident for many years - but we are all called to be missionaries. I’m not LDS, each one of us is called by God to share His love and His message. You go, girlie!
Blessings to you, Shanna!
Marti
July 19th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Hillary Says:
Isn’t Casey so awesome?! I can’t believe how much our little brother has grown in the past two years. In fact, there’s been several emails that I’ve gotten from him where he’s inspired me to do better. He blows me away! I love that kid so much and I can’t wait till he comes home!…Good luck with your talk! I know you’ll do awesome! Can’t wait to see you and Brody in a few dayas! WOOT WOOT! Love ya!
July 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Terri Says:
Hey
Later
Looks like you are doing great. You better look me up while your here. I am even closer to your grandma’s house now that we have moved. I would love to meet that cute little chubby guy
July 19th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Diana Says:
Shanna,
You will do awesome with your talk, if you pray to have the spirit with you to speak the words that you are meant to say then you will be guided to say the right thing. It’s true what your brother says, about learning to not judge people by their “outward apperance”, I know it was like a light going on for me when I was on my mission. We know it but sometimes I think we forget, I agree with Marti those missionary moments come all the time, most of it we have no idea….CTR 8 is so fun to teach! I used to make all of my kids a scrapbook page of their baptism day. (I would make sure I had a camera there) take their picture and put it on an 8 1/2 x 11 layout (I figured not everyone scrapbooks and that size is dooable) I premade all of the pages so they were similar, with the words to a primary song about baptism in it.
It’s pretty muggy today here in AZ, but it’s Family that matters, have a blast!! (and if your close go to Scrapbooks etc. in Mesa, AMAZING!!! but you probably already knew that….)
July 20th, 2008 at 2:26 am
lisa Says:
hell–that boy is four months old. where are his birth announcements???
i’m sure you’ll do well on your talk. just remember to limit your swear words to hell and damn. however if you say “bloody hell” during your talk i’ll treat you to mexican food while you’re here!
July 20th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Tami F. Says:
You’ll do AWESOME with your talk today!!
Congrats on making it to the next round at PC — I had no doubt of course
I’ve nominated you with an award on my blog. When you get time go check out the details! Take care and have a wonderful trip back home to see your peeps!!
July 21st, 2008 at 9:15 am
kaelene zapata Says:
Okay, I’m leaving my comment after the fact, but I hope that your talk went well! I’m confident that it did!
I can’t wait to see you and meet Brody! Woo hoo!
July 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Deanna Payne Says:
I hope the talk went well. Oh man I love the pages of Liberty and Brody. Funny how you covered up Liberty’s “bird” in the picture. I wish you were coming to visit NM.