My son Chase turns "18" today...4/23/2009!

Our son Chase Andrew Merrell turned "18" today. When he was little everyone would say, "enjoy everyday because they grow up fast." I would graciously smile and nod to be polite. Not even realizing how right they would be. What a blessing to be trusted with a child to raise and the gift it is to pour love into a little human being. I am so proud of him and I am excited about what God has in store for his life. He will be graduating soon and will begin a new chapter of his life. Oh what adventures are in store for him! So I am one of those "everyones" now encouraging all of you Moms of young ones to cherish everyday. Even if it seems mundain find the joy in them. When they are small it seems like those days will last forever. Dirty hands, spills, diapers, sleepless nights etc. these will pass faster than you realize. Hug them, encourage them be their greatest cheer-leader! Faithfully pray for them and ask God to make himself real to them. "Happy Birthday Chase!" Love, Mom

Learning to Trust in Him daily....

I like the saying of Mary Englebreight "Life is so Daily". I so agree with that statement. Each day I have to remember to make the choice to TRUST in Him! In everything I want to remember to trust that he has my day in his hands. Sometimes it's so hard for me to relinquish control. I really don't want to be in control. I know God can orchestrate my day so much better than I can. Whether it be worry about finances; loss of a job; our kids relationship with the Lord; difficulty with a spouse, other family member or a friend we need to remember to that God Really is in Control! It's in the daily stuff that we can grow closer to our Father and rest in Him.

I discovered www.momdot.com

I would like to share with my online blogging friends about a cool mom blog website @ http://www.momdot.com/. See information below: MomDot is a mom blog listing site that is run by mommy bloggers, Trisha, Alicia, and Bridgette.They run contests weekly, reviews on awesome (and not so awesome) products for families and kids, and talk about their lives. But more importantly, they feature bloggers and mom boutiques to give them an avenue to get their names out there, also assisting in google links! You can head out and list your blog for free and talk to them about doing an interview about you. Head on over and see what MomDot is about! I absolutley love this site! You can click on the MomDot button on the left-hand side of my page to be taken there directly! Have fun on your MomDot adventure!

Can I pray for you....?

Dogwood trees are one of my favorite trees. It was when I was living in Olympia, WA that I first discovered them. They are so amazing! Beautiful and elegant! When we moved back to California I knew I wanted to still enjoy the beauty of the dogwood tree. Larry purchased one for me a couple of years ago. This year it really took off and the blooms make me smile!

Legend of The Dogwood Tree Story:

Two thousand years ago, few trees in the Middle East were big enough to construct anything. However, one tree was valued above the others for its thick trunk and fine, strong wood. When the Romans came to rule over Jerusalem, their government used this same timber to build the crosses for executing criminals. A group of workers were assigned to gather wood for the crosses. Before long, every Roman official knew the best wood came from these gatherers of execution wood, so those workers became popular. One day, the wood gatherers received a special request. An officer of the Roman court came and said, "The King of Jews is to be put to death. Deliver an extra-large cross made from your finest wood." So, a fresh tree was cut from the forest of the trees with thick trunks and fine, strong wood. An extra-tall (and extra-heavy) cross was quickly made and delivered.

How awesome of God to put so much detail into one tree! Imagine all of the different species of trees there are out there let alone the different flowers and plants. If he put that much detail in a tree how much more did he pour into us when creating us. Each one of us individually. He has designed us in such a way to uniquely reach those who he has placed us in contact with. There are people that you will be able to reach that I won't be able to reach with the love of Christ.

It says in Psalm 86:9 "All the nations - and you made each one - will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your great and holy name."

Dear Lord,

Thank you for knowing each one of us by name. Thank you for knowing what causes me concern each day. Be with my blog sisters and know there needs. I ask that you will make yourself close and hear there urgent cry. Give all of us happiness, O Lord, for my life depends on you.

(Ps. 86:4)

In your precious name amen...

*p.s. below in the comment section if you have a need, please feel free to leave it there and I will faithfully be in prayer regarding your request or you can email me @ shelley.merrell@gmail.com

Mr. Landon Philip Merrell

That's my boy! My handsome 16 year old son. He is always thinking and creating. He has a love for music and playing instruments and also enjoys drama and singing. At any given time you can walk by his room and hear him playing the key board or playing the guitar and singing a song he is working on. He also loves to read comic books i.e. "Pearls Before Swine" by Stephen Pastis being is favorite. He has a way of making people laugh. I am thankful for a son who loves the Lord with all of his heart! He has a passion for serving God. Praise the Lord! I encourage all of you Moms out there to pray continually for your children. Always asking God to be your child's constant companion and encourager. To be the still small voice they can hear in a crowded and loud room. We need to pray that our children will always "Delight themselves in the Lord, so He will bless them with the desires of their heart." Psalm 37:4 Children really are a reward from the Lord. It is to Him that I am constantly grateful and thankful for the blessing of being a mom. Lord help me to be real with my sons. Help me to be transparent and available to them when they need me to be there the most! Guide me in how I guide them. Let me always point them to your cross and your word for the ulitmate direction in their lives. In your precious name.... Amen

My family celebrated my 44th birthday with me today! We began the day going to Panera Bread and enjoying breakfast together. We came back to the house and the kids and my hubby blessed me with gifts and yummy chocolate cake baked by my niece Kaylee. I have to admit I think it's easier to celebrate other people's birthdays than it is to celebrate my own. It's hard for me to receive sometimes. I would rather be the one giving. I know I need to work on that. Jesus wants me to work on that too! He wants me to learn to receive his love and blessings and gifts he has in store for me. He wants me to sit at his feet more often and just "be." Lord, help me to be okay with being quiet and still and receiving all that you have for me. It's when my souls quiets down that I will be able to hear your still small voice. For your word says, "Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts." Proverbs 8:34 Thank you for my family that shows their love to me and makes me feel important and special. I am truly blessed beyond measure. I love you Lord! In your precious name, Amen

My cute Dad and beautiful Mom. In Februrary they celebrated 39 years of marriage. Whew! Mom is an example to me in so many areas. She has taught me so much. Especially in the area of being a prayer warrior and reading God's word. Anything that comes up that is important to us in our family whether it be for Larry, Chase, Landon or I the first person we think of calling is Mom/Grandma. When my friends mention a special prayer need I always say I will pass that information on to my mom because she will pray too! I can remember from early on getting up and finding my mom having her devotions in "her" chair with her cup of coffee. She has created the tradition of keeping a prayer journal for her grand-kids. Several times thru the years she has traced the kids handprints in her journal. This way she can place her hand on their outlined hands and pray for them while they are away about their day. What a legacy! Who are you being a prayer mentor to? We all can become a prayer warrior mentor for someone in our life. Whether it be our spouse, our siblings, our kids, our neighbors, our co-worker etc. What an awesome ever-lasting gift to pass on from generation to generation. In the book "Footprints of a Pilgram" by Ruth Bell Graham, Anne Graham Lotz says that her mother made God's Word "more to be desired that gold" by her own example.... Wow! I want and desire to become that kind of a mom, daugher, friend etc. To lead by example, by doing and not just talking about it. Lord, I want to hide your word in my heart daily and never cease to pray about those things that cause me or my friends or loved ones concern. May you help me to always remember that someone somewhere is watching my example. Let it be an example of how to draw nearer to you. I pray for my family and friends today. Make yourself as close as to them as the mention of your name, "Jesus." In your precious name, Amen