It's the Little things...that add up to Big things...

It's the daily stuff that makes a marriage work. Getting a way to grab a coffee at Starbucks; walking the aisles at Sam's Club or Costco and only coming out of there with a package of Charmin toilet paper; going to get frozen yogurt just because it sounds good. Dates don't have to be planned or cost  a lot of money. They do take time! Spending time together in small ways adds up to big results along the marriage journey.

Allowing our kids to see their parents truly enjoy being together and living life together is one of the best gifts we can give them. Our jobs, homes, cars and friends will come and go but the steadfast faithfulness we show each other in our marriage will transfer into a legacy we can leave to our children and grand-children. 

Our kids need to see us "in love" with each other. The world offers such a tainted view of love. Everyday we read about some supposedly famous couple "calling it quits." When we stop to think about it...there are very few who "choose" to stick it out and make "it" work. All of a sudden those who we view as "famous" are suddenly not so famous to us anymore. I am sometimes surprised at how I am surprised when I hear of a marriage that has broken. A broken marriage usually starts showing signs with the "little" things. 

It is when we ignore the "little" things that they grow into "big" things. 

May God bring breath new life into your marriage! 

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

—1 Peter 2:25-3:2, 3:7 

Yikes! Where has the time gone?

What comes to mind is how fast time goes! I mean can you believe it is October? We are in the last few months of 2010. My mind is trying to wrap around the year and think about what God has been up too in my life thus far. When I take time to think about it he has been up too a lot! He has been orchestrating my days each and everyone of them. I can feel Him with me everyday!

The biggest thing that stands out to me is how much I have learned and realized that this world is not our home.  We are not supposed to get so attached to things. Things are not eternal. Things are only TEMPORARY! Things will never satisfy. Our security is in the Lord, not in our savings, not in our home, not in our jobs, not in our family, not in our friends and for sure not in our THINGS!

When we free ourselves up from the ways of this world we are so much freer to really live! To explore and become more and more amazed at how much God loves us and cares about us. He wants us to share that with others. It's not meant to be kept ourselves.

So I say all of this to say: "Don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough cares of it's own." But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Matthew 6: 33&34

"Get Me There" music video is coming Friday, Sept. 17th!

Thought it would be fun to share this link...with my blogging friends. My sons' Chase and Landon and their friends Cash Lewis aka Winston Johnson & Chris True have worked on this project are excited to share it with family and friends! Enjoy!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbdAPVTYSLk

Happy 47th Birthday to my Husband, my best friend!

Today is my husband Larry's 47th Birthday!

I have been celebrating birthdays with him since he was 15 and I was 13. That is a total of 32 years! Funny how no matter how old you get some of the best things don't change! Like favorite desserts to have on your birthday. Larry absolutely loves Carrot Cake! (without raisins) Our friend Leanne Carlson started making her recipe for us back when we lived in Olympia, WA. 

Come to think of it, we moved to Olympia, WA fifteen years ago on Larry's birthday he was 32! Our world looks a lot different now from forty seven and forty five! We were young parents of  two and four year old sons! Now they are seventeen and nineteen! 

Happy Birthday to my Husband and my Best Friend!

Seasons of friends...that last a lifetime!

We spend a wonderful weekend at our friends house in Crowley Lake (near Mammoth Lakes, CA)

Great company, great food and great scenery! Love how God puts people in our path when he knows that we need them most! 

Our lives are made up of seasons. In Ecclesiastes 3:1 it says: "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." In 3:14 it goes on to say that whatever God does, It shall be forever! 

Update for day 3...Chase in Australia

What an amazing technology Skype is! We have been able to skype with Chase so far each evening. I know in a few days once they set out on their tour there will be several days where they will not have internet so I am relishing these family skype sessions.

http://chasemerrell.com/blog/

They are about 17 hours ahead of us, so when we are talking with him it's usually his lunch time the next day and near bed time for us the previous day. Chase appears to be on cloud 49! So fun and exciting at the same time! He is trying new foods and learning new phrases.

Please continue to pray for him while on his journey!

An exciting journey for our son Chase...

Interview with Chase about Passion

Today Chase begins a new journey. He will be arriving in Sydney, Australia then going on to Brisbane, Australia. He will be there for one week before starting out on the Heritage Tour. We are excited to see all that the Lord is going to do on this amazing journey.

You can follow this journey @ http://www.chasemerrell.com/

In the meantime back here in Rocklin, CA it will be a new journey for us. Discovering what it is really like to send your kid off to a place on the other side of the world. To see what all God has in store coming up for our son Landon. He has a whole set of dreams and passions too! To learn and pursue those things that I am passionate about. I think sometimes as parents we allow the daily stuff to kind of put off our dreams. What am I waiting for? What does God want me to dream and be passionate about?

Today I was reminded of the verse: Psalm 119:8 "Better to take refuge in the Lord than to put Trust in Man."

That is so comforting for me. I want to trust in the Lord with my whole heart!

He knows us so well...(Jesus that is!)

My husband knows me so well. He knows that if he is going to get me flowers that my favorite is Tulips. I am glad I am married to my best friend who takes the time to know and remember those things. The picture in this blog is of some Tulips my hubby had delivered to me a few months ago!

This morning I sat down to write in my prayer journal. One of the primary things I was going to write about was to ask the Lord to help me with my critical spririt I have been having lately and to help me to be more careful with my words I choose to say. 

In the meantime while I was trying to write my pen was not working. So, I looked for a piece of paper around where I was sitting so I could scribble and get my pen working. Down in a basket next to me was a torn off piece of memo paper. "Perfect" I thought. As I looked at the paper more closely I realized there were three scripture references written on it. Hmmm. I thought. I wonder what those scriptures say.

I proceeded to look them up once I got my pen working. Okay so only the Lord knows me so well that he would allow me to pick a pen that didn't work; find a piece of scratch paper with some random scripture references on them. (turned out to be not so random)

As I turned to the first scripture referenced it was: Proverbs 21:23

"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." Did those words ever jump off of the page. I immediately recognized and acknowledged how well the Lord knows me. He used his word to address the very area I am dealing with right now.

The second scripture written on the scratch paper was: I Peter 3:10

"He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil And his lips from speaking deceit." I then was thinking Wow Lord! You really are specific in your Word.

The third scripture reference on my scratch paper was: James 3:5

"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!"

I have been there done that. Times when if I would have just kept my mouth closed I could have kept peace and not started an inferno in my relationships with family and friends.

I don't know about you but I want tame and control the embers before they can even start fires. I want to hear the Lord's still small voice that says, "be quiet" in this situation or that situation.

So I am "just saying" the next time you sit down to have your quiet time with the Lord don't think that you are alone. Because you are not. He is faithful and his word says in James 4:8 (first half)

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

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Tim Hughes - Everything

What an awesome thing that the Lord really wants to be our everything!

Slideshow for my hubby on Father's Day 2010!

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Slideshow in Honor of my Dad today!

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What a little cutie!

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Simple things I enjoy...

What a life!

Our yorkie Starbucks basking in the sun surrounded by his pals. Thought it would be fun to share this. To me this picture represents: contentment; simple joy; peaceful; taking time to "just be." I think the Lord wants us to do that more. "Just be." Taking in all that He has for us today. Reminds me of the scriptures:

Matthew 6:25-34

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  
 
 

I want to learn to live with Less Stuff...

Time to enjoy a cup of tea... I am on a personal journey for the next couple of months. I want to spend the rest of my life living differently. I plan to go thru the things in my life that are weighing me down mentally, spiritually, physically and my personal possessions. I am being drawn to becoming a sort of a minimalist. I am realizing more and more that stuff has really become a source of clutter and stress in my life. I have allowed consumption of things to take away precious time I could be using towards "living."

I have bought into the whole corporate, advertising, consumerism thing. I have a lot of un-learning to do. This process is going to take some time. I did not acquire the stuff over night so I know I will not emliminate the stuff over night. I believe God has so much more for us. I believe the real stealer of time is "stuff." I believe God longs for us to have more time to spend with him. I believe he longs for our minds to be quiet and still and so we can hear His voice.

I desire to live a life with meaning and value. I want to have more time to listen to people. I want to hear their stories. I want to learn about new things. I want to spend my Saturdays playing and creating memories. I want to ask God to use me in ways that have eternal value.

I am up for this challenge more than ever before! I need the Lord in this "life transformation" process. I cannot do this on my own. I do know that "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:13

He did it! Landon graduated a year early!

June 2, 2010

Our son Landon Philip Merrell graduated from High School! I am so proud of him! I am excited to see the plans the Lord has planned for him unfold in His timing. Landon has such a zest for life. He plans to study film and has hopes of being a director/producer one day...We need more Christian influence in Hollywood. I believe Landon will have a strong role in that influence! I love how he dreams and he dreams big! I believe God interprets some of those dreams as desires also. I have always shared what I call my life verse Ps. 37:4 with my sons. My boys are my inspiration. I love to see God in action in their everyday lives.

God is Good! All the time!

My friend Bridgette's new photography adventure!

My boys' Chase and Landon and my niece Kaylee were some of Bridgette's first clients. We had fun going to downtown Lincoln for the photo shoot. Enjoy looking thru the gallery at the following link:

http://www.bridgettebloomquistphotography.com/

I am excited to see where her new adventure takes her in Austen, Texas!

The Heritage Tour

Our son Chase will soon be heading over to Australia. He will have the opportunity

of joining an amazing team while sharing the love and hope God has for his people.

See the link...please begin praying that the Lord will prepare and provide for

Chase everything he will need for this missions trip.

Dates: August thru November 2010

This is the day the Lord has made...

Lord...what direction would you have me to take on this journey? I know I get in a hurry sometimes and I turn right or left before I should. I want to learn to wait on you. I want to learn to hear your voice like never before. I want to have faith to know that if I prepare and do what I know to do that you will take care of the rest.You will take care of those things that cause me concern. This journey can be confusing sometimes. Just when I think I know what to do or where to go I find myself hesitant to "step out."

I place before you the journey I am on today. Appoint my steps. Guard my lips and help me to be slow to speak and quick to listen. I want to lean on you in all things. I want my life to bring you in honor in the daily stuff. Give me wisdom and help me to rely on your strength and not on my own. I want to give you my best. I want others to see your love living in me. Help me to accomplish those things that need to be done. Let this day bring glory and lift your name up.

Thank you Lord for another day!

Happy Mother's Day to my Sis...2010

Happy Mother's Day Sis...

It is so much fun being a mom along with you being a mom!

Some of things we said we would never do when we were a mom

we now do! Imagine that?

Okay how about that picture above. We proudly wore the homemade knitted

outfits that Grandma Thelma made for us. Probably by the strong

encouragement of Mom. Too funny!

This picture was taken at Thanksgiving time in 1974.

You are doing a great job as a Mom!

I am proud of you!

Love ya bigger than the sky!

Sis

Happy Mother's Day Mom....

Mom and I along with my sister use to spend a lot of time visiting

my "Grandma" Betty. Our Grandma Viola went to heaven before we were

born so her precious sister Betty Metzger was gracious enough to take on that very

vital role in our lives. She became like a "mom" to my mom and she was our Grandma.

That's me on my bike with Grandma Betty's dog Ginger.

Thank you Mom for being a great Mom! I continue to learn from you. Thank you for your

unconditional love. I am so glad we have a good relationship. What a gift that is.

Sis and I have been so blessed to have you as such an active role model in our lives.

When I make decisions as a "Mom" I think to myself  "what would Mom do in this

situation?" Because of your example I do not take my role as a Mom lightly.

It is an honor to be your daughter!

I love you bigger than the sky!

Love,

Shelley

My son Chase turns 19...in a couple of hours....

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What a blessing it is to be a Mom...a mom to Chase is so rewarding! He turns 19 in a few hours. I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday...My life was forever changed on that day: April 23rd, 1991. It gave my life a whole new meaning! So thankful the Lord was willing to place him in my care! What an honor to be Chase's mom. He is such a delight and I am excited about what the Lord is doing in his life. It is so rewarding to see him serving the Lord and wanting to live for him. I am excited about this journey he is on. I am looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays with him.

Happy Birthday Chase!

I Love you Bigger than the Sky!

Love,

Mom

What does your heart look like?

Isn't that funny! We clean up our houses and bedrooms when we know someone is coming to our house!

Then sometimes we get the last minute phone call and find out they are not going to get to come after all.

The picture above reminds me so much of my sons Chase and Landon...

That would be Landon saying that comment to Chase about cleaning up his room for nothin!

In the walk of life I need to look at the rooms of my heart. Reminding myself that Jesus lives in my heart. What areas do I need to do some housekeeping in? My thoughts; my attitude; how I spend my time?

It's the daily stuff that sometimes gets overlooked...until we remember that "Life is Daily." God cares about the daily stuff that causes us concern...

Lord I want to cast my daily cares upon you because I know you care for me...

1 Peter 5:7 Amen...

Happy 40th Anniversary to my parents!

John & Wanda Smith

1970

Mom and Dad

2010

Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad were married 40 years ago on February 7, 1970!

We began our life as a family in Cerritos, CA.

Mom and Dad still live in the home Sis and I grew up in on Eberle St.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad...

So glad the Lord put us together as a family! Our family has

grown quite a bit since 1970 with the addition of two sons and

five grand-kids! Several pets through the years...with the total of four dogs

and three cats...imagine that? The house has gone thru a couple of

makeovers thru out the last 40 years. I think the most memorable time is

when Dad thought he would decorate the den with red velvet wall-paper

with black wrought iron accessories and black light switch plates.

We had the traditional "Brady Bunch" couch in what was called the "formal living room."

Back then we had the long shag carpet that Sis and I had to rake on Saturday

mornings. Imagine that raking our carpet? Now the den is the place the grand-kids

hang out to watch their kid movies. And the "formal living room" is now the place

where you can find Mom and Dad relaxing enjoying their "Big Screen" tv with

Dad having his two big lap cats: Sadie and Sam by his side!

Yes...how things have changed over the last 40 years!

So glad God has been at the center of our family!

We love you bigger than the SKY!

Your kids...

Larry, Shelley, Scott and Laura

your grand-kids...

Kaylee, Chase, Landon, Brodie & Harley

"Just Be" by Chase Merrell

http://rockthecamp.endavomedia.com/audio/BC1094E5F6/just-be
Chase has entered his song on Air 1 Radio....go to the link above to listen to his new song: "Just Be"
Note: there will be a short pre-view video prior to his song playing...Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to my Mom...

My Mom turns "67" today on February 2, 2010!

I am blessed to have such a great Mom! She is my Hero!

Mom, I love your zest for life! May your day be special!

And know that I am thinking of you today! I am looking forward to coming down

in a couple of weeks to see you and for Sis and I to take you out and 

celebrate your Birthday!

May this day continually remind you of how much you

are loved and thought of more than you know!

Love you

Bigger than the sky!

Shelley

Happy Birthday to my Sister~n~law Monica!

Then...

and now...

Monica w/ her two daughters Lacey & Tabitha then and now... Three beautiful people!

I thought it would be fun to dedicate today's blog to my sister ~n~ law Monica Merrell...

Today is her birthday...

Monica and I have been sister ~n~ laws for quite some time now...over 26 years! I have had the

joy of watching her girls grow up in to beautiful young women. There is a little bit of her in each of them!

How fun Monica that you got to have your birthday off! I think the last time I celebrated your birthday with you was at the tea party at my house in Olympia, WA! Just about 450 miles between us...and I thought of you just the same and knew you were enjoying a special weekend away with your hubby!

Monica,

May God bless you this year beyond what you can even imagine! May you achieve things you never

thought possible! May He make himself new to you more and more each day!

Happy Blessed Birthday!

Love,

Shelley

Happy 20th Birthday to my niece Kaylee...January 17, 2010!

I am so proud of my niece Kaylee. She is twenty years old today. What a joy she is! I love her love and excitement for life! She is a girlie girl, always has been and always will be...

Kaylee may you always Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you

the Desires of your Heart...Ps. 37:4

Love you bigger than the sky!

Love, Aunt Sis

Priceless!

Thought it would be fun to post my Mom's take on Chase's whole experience thru her words:

Chase and his friend Rylie bought tickets to go to the awards, and when they were checking in the person taking the tickets said we are rearranging seats, Chase thought "oh no" we'll be further back than what we thought and instead he sent them in on the first floor (their original tickets were for third balcony) anyway, they were used with several others to fill vacant seats (official name is seat fillers) according to Chase. Rylie ended up on the end of first row center and Chase 3rd row and two seats behind Taylor Swift in center. Chase got to meet her and get his picture taken with her. He was thrilled She took pictures with several of her fans during commercial breaks. We have watched the DVR seeing Chase jump up clapping and Rylie clapping in the front row as Taylor went on stage to accept award. Chase wore sports jacket & tie and Rylie Vest and tie. They will remember this for a very long time.

 This is what my son Chase said: Ya it's a crazy story! No Photoshop no editing, just straight up from my LG Dare haha! Before I got the pic, I saw her come in from the other side of the building and made a quick decision. I grabbed a pen and wrote my name & number on my ticket. I was backstage and during comercial wen...t out to her seat. I kneeled down cuz everyone was sitting and ... See MoreI didn't want to cause a scene. Taylor was sitting & talking to someone in the row in front of her so I tapped her leg to get her attention. She turned around looked @ me. The loud speaker said there was 10 seconds left before cameras came back up, so I had to fly. I looked up & said "Hey, I'm Chase. I know this will probably never happen, but just in case.." Then I grabbed her hand and put my paper in it and said, "You're BEAUTIFUL!" and then booked back to the backstage!

Happy 17th Birthday Landon!

Big Brother Chase with Little Brother Landon

First time out fishing with Dad...

Ice Cream is always a good thing...

Always having fun...

God is good!

Our son turns 17 today...What a blessing he is to us!

Happy Bithday Son!

Looking forward to what God has in store for you...this year!

Love,

Dad and Mom