Ahhhh....Vay-cay-shunnnn

Well, I will try to remember to post a few pics once I dig the camera out of some bag somewhere, but for now, I wanted to post the Top 10 Things I don't want to forget from Family Vacation in Daytona 2009. These are in no particular order...that would take too much time and energy, so here goes:

10) Reading and reading: fiction, devotional books, and Erma Bombeck on the beach while listening to the ocean waves and children giggling nearby. Laughing hysterically as I read Erma Bombeck describe my life raising my children--so thankful to know I'm not the only one who has such an imperfect family!

9) Quiet walks with my man and/or my kids along the shoreline (trying to avoid stepping on sand fleas as they scurry to find under-sand cover)

8) The biggest decision of the day being "what's for dinner?" and that meaning we needed to decide on which restaurant to go to.

7) Coffee, devotional books, open Bible, journal and pen- with the background music of ocean waves and seagulls - to start my day. Hearing the still, small voice I've grown to love more than life.

6) Meaningful and unhurried conversations with my husband and occasional ones with my daughters (sometimes interrupted with one of the girls saying, "Don't you think that guy is SOooo hot?!", and me saying, "If you're talking about Daddy, then 'yes'")

5) Bringing along a friend for the first time: Amelia's friend, Sarah, which meant driving two cars, which also meant more driving for the only 2 drivers, but also a lot more peace and quiet in the back seat with the kids spread out, so definitely worth it!

4) Listening to some of the best, most authentic music while looking out on the vast ocean teeming with some of the most amazing creations~we saw dolphins nearly every day (and Amelia thinks she saw a wholphin, so we're letting her believe it),birds, fish, crabs--not to mention all the stuff under the water that we didn't see! I am so thankful for artistic and talented people who use their gifts to honor and glorify God--who put words to the emotions I feel, but can't fully describe myself.

3) The sweetest, most fun date with my honey: Stephen surprised me by taking me on a progressive dinner and took it upon himself to keep the conversation going with questions and games. We went to a cute little place right on the beach for appetizers, then drove to a different beach to enjoy a quiet walk (which only lasted for a few minutes because the rain came fast and hard--but that only added to the fun and laughs, so no loss there!) We went to Bonefish after for dinner (so yummy!), and had the most flirtatious staring contest ever known to man! After dinner, he challenged me to a gift-finding expedition: the price limit was $5. We went into a Wal-Green's and had 10 minutes or so to pick out a gift for the other. When we finished we hid them for later when we would reveal to each other the gift and the reason for it being chosen. While our gifts laid hidden in the bags in the car, we went to Rita's for dessert. We didn't want to leave the kids for too much longer, so we headed to the beach at our hotel and played music from my iPhone and danced right there on the beach. Neither of us are impressive dancers, but we didn't care. We exchanged our gifts and a few kisses and headed back up to the rest of our family. Stephen really outdid himself with this one. He later confessed he got the date idea at Northpointe Church's website, but I didn't care that he didn't come up with it on his own--the fact that he took the time to do all of this showed me that I'm still a priority to him and it blessed me more than words can say. (And he told me there are several other date ideas on the website that I get to look forward to! yay! :-) )

2) Going to Angell & Phelp's Chocolate Factory--getting all the kids a piece of chocolate in the shape of an animal, sea creature, or some inanimate object, and mommy's favorite chocolate covered cherries, appreciating the fact that a proceed of all sales goes to support missionaries. A win-win--and going from there to Aunt Catfish's on the River and enjoying some of the yummiest food available anywhere. (This counts as one because we do this every year as a tradition. It just wouldn't be the same to go the chocolate factory--which incidentally was a BIG disappointment to Macey when we went the first time when she was 6 and realized there were NO oompa loompas working there-- if we didn't go to Aunt Catfish's for the Early Bird Dinner right after. We HAVE to do these two together, so they count as one.) :-)

1) Being with my family for an unhurried week of sun, sand, rainy afternoon naps, 6 people sharing one (yes, ONE) bathroom, no "good-bye" kisses, and not having to wear a watch.

Some of the things I wouldn't mind forgetting:

1) Letting myself enjoy a whole box of Junior Mints while driving South the day we headed to the beach. I realized I dropped one, but thought it fell on the floor, so I decided to find it later, rather than while driving down the Interstate with two kids in the backseat. (Besides, ALL the calories get stuck to the one that gets away.) Sure enough--I found it later. Later after stopping at Starbucks and realizing that piece of dark chocolate had melted to the seat of my favorite capris. I can only imagine what the other people around me thought was on stuck to my derriere--so embarrassing!

2) Hearing the kids fight over the remote, the bathroom, the fact that one of them was looking at the other one, and pretty much any- and everything else that could be disagreed upon. If your kids don't do this--be thankful, and please don't judge me that my kids do. They are all as night-and-day as they come and I can only hope one day they'll realize that that's a blessing and not a curse.

3) Having to come home a little earlier than any of us were ready for--except probably Sarah. After some time with our crazy crew, she was probably ready to go home about 10 minutes into the drive down!

I have to add to my Top 10 List of things to not forget. This is number 11: On the way home yesterday, we stopped at Waffle House (Daddy's choice for sure!) for dinner. Jackson, who is usually a good eater, was just picking at his food. We finally gave up on trying to get him to eat it, and put it in a to-go box for him and headed out. Next stop was for gas for the cars, so I decided to get any trash out of the car while it was getting filled up. I had packed a "snack bag" for the road and as I looked through it, I realized there was a pizza crust in it. So I asked Jackson, "Did you have a piece of pizza?" He said, with a grin, "Yes." I laughed and told Stephen, "No wonder he wasn't hungry--he had a piece of pizza...and apparently a small container of Pringle's." That would have been enough to fill him up--normally. But then as I looked through the bag, I found TWO more crusts, meaning he had eaten THREE pieces of New York Style (X-Large) Pizza...and as it turned out, he also had TWO single-servings containers of Pringles, and FOUR Zebra snack cakes!! It's a wonder the 7-year kid didn't bust! ....And, as I sit here reminiscing about another great vacation which is already a part of our history, he sits here next to me saying, "I'm hungry Mommy..."....so I'm off to feed the bottomless pit that is known as my Boy Wonder.

Happy Summer friends!

Just as I am

This morning in church, the theme of the whole morning was the grace of God. From the music to Pastor Johnny's message to Stephen's lesson in our Bible study time to the video of John Lynch's TrueFaced Message we watched a portion of in that lesson...and in my heart and mind, I've been given a fresh taste of how indescribably sweet is the wonderful grace of God.

At one point, my mind wandered as it all too often does. Most of the time, my mind wanders off to some trivial thing like what I need to make sure I remember picking up from the grocery store, or how I need to make sure I get to the gym regularly in the coming week, or what we'll have for lunch after church, etc. When this happens, I usually get frustrated with myself, but I'm learning to accept the fact that God accepts me just as I am--even when my mind wanders off during church. (You know, one of the "unpardonable sins." *wink*)

Today, though, when my mind wandered I thought of the story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32. I love, love, love this parable for so many reasons. One reason I love it so much--actually the main reason I love it so much--is because it is all about the Dad. Yes, it tells of the prodigal son and the older son and we can learn much from both. But the star of the story is the amazing and wonderful father who loved both of his sons so dearly.

I've always loved this part of the story: 20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring[b] out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry."

The Return of the Prodigal Son (1773) by Pompeo

This means that after this young man had basically told his dad, "I wish you were dead so I could get the money you plan to leave me," and went off and did every single thing his heart desired knowing how much it hurt the father's heart, and even after he wasted the blessings his dad had given him, when he came to his senses, as we're told a few verses earlier, and returned home humble, his father was already looking for him, ran to him, embraced him, wrapped a robe around him, put the family ring on his finger, and threw a party!

I love this picture of our Heavenly Father and His unmatched, unmerited, indescribable GRACE! (And, as John Lynch says, "You can's say Grace except in Scottish or Irish because that's how God talks.") The Father loved the son when the son said, "I wish you were dead." The Father loved the son when the son was out squandering his life away. The Father loved the son when the son was in the pig pen acting like a pig himself. The Father saw the shame the son felt and loved and delighted in him all the same--just because it was His son! The Father's love and goodness saw beyond the mess the son had created that was consuming his life. And in compassion and joy over the return of this long lost son, He wrapped a clean robe around his shoulders, embraced, kissed, hugged this young man who we can only assume was unbelievably filthy and had to smell pretty horrible, too! He didn't wait for the young man to prove his worth or his sorrow or his humility. He didn't say "go get yourself cleaned up and then we'll talk." No. He received him back as the son He delighted in. He put a signet ring on his finger--signifying that he was part of the family still. He threw him a party--celebrating the return of the child He loved so much.

And, as I contemplated that story, and pictured the whole scene, I remembered the passage where Paul the Apostle, and former persecuter of the Church, said, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) And I thought of John Lynch's words in the TrueFaced Message, that on my worst day--my worst day!--I am Christ in Shelley Hendrix, with a robe of righteousness on me. God accepted me at salvation, just as I am, and today, as a follower of Christ for most of my life, with all the times I've screwed up and let Him down; the times through my own actions or attitudes have said, "I wish you were dead"; the times I've squandered the blessings He has given to me--every single time I return to Him, I find Him standing with arms open wide, running to meet me where I am at the point I come to my senses, reminding me I've always been and will always be His beloved child who belongs right at home with Him. He won't force me into that place, but I'm always--ALWAYS--welcome to join Him there. He doesn't wait for me to get my act together or clean myself up. He embraces me and places HIS righteousness (clean-ness) upon me. He doesn't wait for me to prove to Him how loyal I'll be this time. He places the family ring on my finger and celebrates our relationship.

For most of my life, and Christian journey, I've had so many things so mixed up in my head and heart about my Heavenly Father. And yet, He has been so patient and so gentle with me, allowing me to come to Him, always and forever, Just As I Am.

God is moving...

Well, He isn't relocating, but He is definitely on the move in this generation. One of the things our family has enjoyed doing for the past year is visiting churches in our own neck of the woods. Don't get me wrong, we still believe we belong to the best church on the planet with the greatest leader, but it's been so good for us to step outside of those 4 walls and experience Church with some of our brothers and sisters in Christ in our area whom we might not otherwise meet or get to know if we don't go give them a visit. This also enables us to build relationships between HopeQuest and Church4Chicks and these local churches. Our whole family has really enjoyed seeing how God is working in really cool ways using all these uniquely gifted individuals who are part of an organization which is part of the Body of Christ at large.

Yesterday was one of the highlights of our random church visits. We had been hearing about BridgePointe Church in Woodstock for some time, so my hubby suggested we hop on over and give 'em a visit. We were so encouraged from the moment we stepped onto the property until the moment we left. It is so apparent that the folks at BridgePointe love Jesus and love the people of Woodstock, GA.

For us, the main thing was the best thing: the message from Keith Norman was totally Heaven-sent! I'd never met or heard of the man before, but I'm telling you--wow--I needed what he had to say. I'm so glad they post the messages on their website, so I hope you'll check it out when it's posted later this week. I hope he won't mind if I share a few key points from his message here on my humble little blog.

First of all, they're doing a series right now called "Dan in Real Life" based on the person/book of Daniel found in the Old Testament. Keith kicked off the series talking about the importance of staying connected to God in our lives. There were so many things I took away from his message, so you're just going to have to listen to the whole thing to get the blessing of it for yourself, but what I wanted to share here are the 4 points he ended on. Before I do that, though, I need to set it up just a bit.

Keith spoke a lot about the storms in our lives and compared those to the storms in nature. He talked about how he will never look at trees the same way after observing how trees respond to storms--imagine with me how the trees in your yard respond when there is a storm. They sway, they bend, they move with the wind, but rarely do they break. Keep that picture in mind as you consider his 4 ending points:

1. "No storm lasts forever"~ And thank God for that!! Whatever you may be going through, God already has the end in mind! Hang in there, and stay connected to God.
2. "God made the trees with the storm in mind." ~ This is a good place to pause and consider the depth of that truth. This phrase has played itself over and over in my mind.
3. "Growth, and even beauty, occurs AFTER the storm." ~ Don't give up! No matter what's going on, if you allow yourself to remain rooted in God's Word, you're not only going to come through this storm, you're going to come through it BETTER on the other side!! Hallelujah!
4. "Some trees DO snap."~ This has to do with the strength of the tree and it's connection to its source. Thankfully, God delights in replanting, healing, and restoring even "snapped" trees.

Wherever you find yourself, I hope the words from our friend, Keith Norman, will encourage and bless you. Don't forget to visit their church's link and pray for the ministry they're offering to their community.

I've enjoyed highlighting this local church, so I just might do this again on the blog sometime. I'd love to hear how God is moving in your home church as well. Send me a comment and let me know. :-)

Blessings!
Shelley

Check out the Church 4 Chicks blog!

Hey folks!!

We have some really fun, exciting things happening at Church 4 Chicks even in our Summer Break. I hope you'll take a few minutes to visit the C4C blog at www.church4chicks.blogspot.com and help us spread the word about what God is doing through this ministry.

Happy Summer!!

Shelley

Didn't see it coming...

This video was shown Sunday at the church where I spoke and so I wanted to post it here for anyone who wants to see it. As a woman, I know I breathed a sigh of relief when I watched it. Enjoy!



I was so honored to be invited to speak at Crossview Community Church (www.crossviewcc.com) this past Sunday morning for their two services. Danny Echols, the pastor, was leading a several-week series they entitled "True Beauty." What a leader! I am so blessed that there are some great leaders in the Church today who want to help women find their confidence in who they are in Christ, rather than in what the culture or the ads try to tell us.

The passage I felt strongly that I was to speak on came from Luke 7 where Jesus was invited into the home of Simon, a Pharisee. Pharisees were those guys who could perform well and appreciated some good, strict, religious rule giving and following. Jesus' message of love and grace and mercy and forgiveness was rocking their boat, so to speak, and these guys became intent on tripping Him up and ruining Him before He could mess up their tidy little religion any further.

To the surprise of most in the home, a woman who was "an especially wicked sinner" according to the Amplified Bible, entered the scene and lavishly displayed her love for Jesus in front of the whole gathering. To Jesus this was a beautiful thing. To the others, it was scandalous! When Simon questioned Jesus for allowing this notorious "sinner" to get close to Him and even touch Him, Jesus explained that because she recognized how much she had been forgiven, she was free to love.

Jesus asked, "Do you see this woman?" You see, although the people of her town and even those in that home only saw what she had done, Jesus saw HER: The real woman behind all the behaviors and all the junk that she had done and the stuff that had been done to her. Yes, sin is an issue, but it's an issue that Christ Himself dealt with so that we could be restored to the God who created us and loves us and is offering us His mercy and grace. We who have been forgiven, like this woman, can be free to love God and others and free to offer grace to those who need it.

I've heard it said that the most attractive quality a woman can possess is confidence. This isn't to be confused with arrogance at all. No, confidence is simply being comfortable with who you are; and when that is coupled with the reality of the indwelling Holy Spirit--it is such a beautiful thing! I believe this woman's beauty increased above and beyond what she could have imagined as she became confident that she was truly seen and loved and forgiven.

When I spoke on this Sunday morning, the whole thing came out very differently between the two services. There were only a handful of people, including my husband and my girls, who were present for both services. I felt like the communication in the first service went better than the one in the second service. I was completely spent and often feel a little vulnerable after speaking like this. I was feeling like I had not accomplished the full potential in the second service in the way I did in the first. I began to pray that God would use the message, however I felt about it, to His glory and the good of those present.

And then, I looked over at my 12 year old who was weeping and singing "I am free!" along with the congregation. She told Stephen later how she was impacted by the service and the music. Immediately after the service, my almost 15 year old, came to me in tears and talked to me about something that happened nearly 2 years ago, and she said, "Mommy, I finally get it after today. I am forgiven and FREE! I don't have to feel guilty all the time anymore!"

If you only knew what our family has been through since God called me to ministry and in the past 18 months-2 years especially, (and even the weekend--yikes!) you would understand how significant this was to me! There are so many times the enemy taunts me with things like "If you stay in ministry it's going to cost you and your family so much--it won't be worth it!" But in that moment of seeing how gently God used His call on my life in the lives of my own children --it was indescribable!!

As much as I hope God used me to impact the wonderful people at Crossview, I am experiencing heaven on earth due to how God worked in the lives of my two older children. I didn't see it coming! But God did, and as we struggle with real-life issues and demands, God continues to show me kindness as He patiently works in my life and in the lives of those dearest to me.

I pray that today finds you walking in the freedom that comes through knowing you're forgiven. That the God who has the authority to make such a claim, has! That all you have to do is receive that forgiveness through the payment made on your behalf. What a Savior!

I have folks who are close to me and my family and I can't thank them enough for their prayers. If you ever pray for this ministry, thank you. We are absolutely desperate for them! Pray for the hearts of our children to continue to be drawn to the Father and for protection when the enemy attacks. We can't thank you enough for standing with us.

Shelley

They are growing up TOO fast!

If you're looking for a great photographer, who is a blast to work with, you must check out Joy Wilson Photography. For the past couple of years I've seen some samples of her shoots with quite a few families I know, so when we were ready for our family photos (after an embarrassingly LONG time since the last ones!), I knew exactly who I wanted--Joy!

I also knew that, since we do have a lot of the same people in our circles, that I didn't want to have our pics taken at the same places I had seen the others--we wanted our own unique setting for our pics...since it seems to take us forever to get pics taken! ;-)

Joy did not disappoint. The new pics on my blog are from the session with her, and I've added quite a few to my FaceBook as well. In addition, I wanted to put the link to her blog where you can see some of her faves from our shoot and some from her other ones so you can get an idea of her creative style.

Thanks Joy! We had so much fun and can't wait until our next photo shoot with our new favorite photographer!!

New Family/Ministries Photos here :-)

Learning to Lean....

There's a song that I heard so often when I was in church as a kid and the chorus says, "Learning to lean, learning to lean, I'm learning to lean on Je-sus. Finding more power than I ever dreamed; I'm learning to lean on Jesus." I find that chorus running through my head a lot these days.

It's in seasons of trials that we grow the most--or at least are given the greatest opportunity for growth. Some choose to embrace the pain and press into God and His Word and some turn in the other direction and run. In my life, I've done both.

Lately though, as I've pressed into God, and waited for relief to come, it seems the pressure just hasn't worn off--it seems like it is coming from all sides. I don't mean to use this blog as my personal pity-party, and I promise I'm going somewhere positive with this, so hang with me.

Just this morning, I was looking back over the ups and downs of 2009--barely able to believe it's nearly at the half-way point already of what still seems like a New Year! As I thought to all that as already happened, I've thought of Rick Warren's comment on Fox & Friends a few years back when he said that in life, there aren't really mountaintop and valley experiences (as in all good or all bad), but that life is more like two railroad tracks running alongside each other--something good and something bad happening at the same time for all of us each and every day. Of course, there are days and even seasons when one track seems to be the dominant one, and we all try with all our might to get the rail on the good side to be the dominant one! It's in our human nature to want to avoid the uncomfortable and the painful side of life. I think it's totally understandable myself.

Just this past 5 months I've met people who are heroes to me: Babbie Mason, Andy Stanley, and James Merrit, just to name a few. I've walked through big, open doors that only God could open for someone, especially me. I have been involved in events that God has used to literally change people's destinies. And at the same time, I have been dealing with another "dark night of the soul" in my personal journey. God has called me to make some very difficult decisions and to stand almost alone in them. But He has been so kind to me in the midst of the battle and has sent encouragers my way as well.

Just this morning, I sensed Him say, "Shelley, many boast of wanting to be deep spiritually, to know Me deeply, but few are they who are willing to accept the cost. Most want to be deep spiritually, but shallow experientially. And it just isn't possible." Think of the greatest of the greats in history and life today--you won't find a pampered, spoiled one among them. But you will find people who have experienced the deepest and darkest and have chosen to keep taking one step after another.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite passages of Scripture, James 5:10-11. It says, "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." I am so thankful for the stories of other ordinary people, who went through extraordinary pain, and who came out on the other side changed for the better, understanding that there is an end intended of the Lord and that He is indeed very compassionate and merciful.

Although I'd love to say I want to be one who embraces all of the pain willingly, that rejection doesn't hurt, or that "I am rock. I am an island," as the Simon and Garfunkel song proclaimed, the truth is it is with fear and trembling that I accept that this is the path to more deeply knowing God.

When God called me to ministry 5 years ago, one of the things He impressed upon me then and continues to impress upon me is to make it my life's priority to know Him--above all else. I am learning more and more as time goes by that this doesn't happen in shallow waters, but as we're willing to step out into the unknown depths. I am comforted by the truth, that He is there with me.