Let the Memories Begin

June 7-14 we took Sara on her first plane ride and trip to Walt Disney World to celebrate our 10th Anniversary!  While staying at the Wilderness Lodge, our time was filled with visits to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom...

Wilderness Lodge 

Our first night, Mickey had planned a Grand Welcome for Sara complete with a sash on our door, a box filled with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Chip & Dale, Mickey's Gloves, Hidden Mickey's Book, Mickey's Walt Disney World Photo Album, Mickey and Friends Popcorn Tins with Mickey's Rice Krispie Treats that spelled out W-E-L-C-O-M-E, autographed framed picture welcoming Sara from her Disney Pals, Walt Disney World Official Autograph Book signed, "Welcome Sara! Your Pal, Mickey Mouse", a red blanket embroidered with her name and Mickey's logo, a Tink silhouette that changed colors magically, a celebration banner on our patio door, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse balloon, and message from Mickey on our room phone! 

We had a woods view from our patio where we could see Wishes Fireworks every night at exactly 10pm...We could even hear the music on our last night there...Sara was convinced that Mickey did that just for her, too!

We enjoyed the boats to Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness, buses for Magical Express and to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios, pool, playground on the beach, Fire Rock Geyser, and Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake.  Sara loved the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness, too!  I don't guess we'll be staying at a midprice or value resort again anytime soon...I think it's safe to say we have found our Disney World Home Away From Home!

Animal Kingdom
To be honest, this is our least favorite park as a family...I guess because we have two local zoos that we frequent and it always seems to be so much hotter there!  We enjoyed It's Tough to be a Bug!, lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, and Finding Nemo - The Musical. 

Since we visited the other parks multiple days, here are lists of all the fun we had...

Epcot
Spaceship Earth
Club Cool
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Living With the Land
Garden Grill
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Cabelleros in Mexico
Maelstrom and Princess Storybook Dining in Norway
Rose and Crown Pub in United Kingdom

Hollywood Studios
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
Muppet Vision 3-D
Toy Story Pizza Planet Arcade
Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast - Live On Stage
The Great Movie Ride
50's Primetime Cafe

Magic Kingdom
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade
Wishes Fireworks Show
Electrical Parade
Walt Disney World Monorail and Railroad
Harmony Barber Shop
Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Country Bear Jamboree
Tom Sawyer Island
Haunted Mansion
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
It's a Small World
Mad Tea Party
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Carousel of Progress
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Cinderella's Royal Table
Crystal Palace

We had a magical time and look forward to going back Summer 2013 to see the Fantasyland Expansion!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason, Shayna, and Sara

10 Years

10 years ago today we reached a decision with the Lord to unite our lives as one with Him...
What a blessing these 10 years have been!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason and Shayna

How He Loves

"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

Jesus said that His followers would be known by their love.

Jesus said, "As I have loved you..."

"...You must love one another."

"...By this all men will know that you are my disciples."

In John 18 Peter denies Jesus 3 times, but in John 21 Jesus reinstates Peter.  Why?  Because He loved him...Just like Jesus loves you!

The illustration Jason Ganze used at Chase Oaks Church this week was Hershey's Kisses and Sour Pickles.  He reminded us of 1 Corinthians 13 and encouraged us to be sweet to someone this week.  I think we should try to be sweet to someone everyday!

With summer in the air, I am looking forward to putting this difficult spring behind us...How He Loves by David Crowder Band is the perfect anthem for this summer!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

This Changes Everything

This weekend we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ - the event that changed everything.  While this is easy to say, it is much harder to believe.  Even Jesus' closest friends and followers, immediately following His crucifixion, didn't believe.  Their hopes were dashed, their expectations crushed.  But then it happened...the miracle on Sunday morning...the resurrection!  Thank you Chase Oaks Church for helping us embrace the miracle of the resurrection and the power that it brings for our lives!     

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" Luke 24:5-6

"The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again." Luke 24:7

The cardboard testimonies during Friday's service were amazing to watch and gave me many goosebumps.  They also got me thinking about what our cardboard testimony might be.  I can't speak for Jason, but mine would say, "Struggled with infertility for 5 years - God's greatest gift was born November 12, 2008, placed in our arms November 14, 2008, and ours forever May 12, 2009."  There are so many other ways that the Lord has blessed our lives, but Sara was definitely our most prayed for and longest awaited blessing. 

As I sit here listening to the wind and rain from my computer, I am looking forward to the renewal that comes with tomorrow.  We can't wait to share the story of Jesus with Sara in the morning using the Resurrection Eggs she will hunt for and the Resurrection Rolls we will make together for breakfast. 

Easter Blessings to y'all!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

Shayna

For Those I Love and Those Who Love Me

My Grandmother gave me this poem when my Grandfather passed away.
It's all I could think about today...


"I thank God every time I remember you, Rosemary." Philippians 1:3

When I am gone, release me, let me go -
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears -
Be happy that we had so many years.


I gave you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown
But now it's time to travel on alone.


So grieve awhile for me, if you must

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for awhile that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart.


I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see me or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All of my love around you, soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home".

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

Shayna

To Everything There is a Season

I know that Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 has been immortalized in song, but I recently read about this passage teaching that there is a time and place for everything.  It is a sobering reminder that nothing lasts forever, but it is also encouraging to know that difficult times will eventually be followed by times of peace.  God is in control of it all!

 

With that said, it's time for an update...

 

Grandma - The Lord has let His will be known and is currently working out all of the details.  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

 

Papa - Jason's Dad is still recovering from surgery.  Although his mass was found to not be cancerous, it is in fact inoperable.  The surgeon was able to "bypass" the mass to allow for better digestion, but removal is not possible due to it's involvement with the intestines, liver, and major blood vessels.  The mass will continue to be monitored every two months with a "wait and see" approach.  "A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak."

 

Missy's Mom - Rosemary is in the last days of her life here on this Earth.  She is surrounded by family and was able to spend time last weekend with her mother, sister, brothers-in-law, and niece.  She also now knows that she has another grandson on the way in late August.  I know that she will be looking out for this little blessing from Heaven to ensure her wish that it be her first grandbaby to be held right after birth without a visit to NICU.  "A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."

 

I am finding some peace these days, counting my blessings instead of sheep, and know that the Lord hasn't given me more than I can handle.

 

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

Shayna

Everything Falls

This song, Everything Falls by Fee, has been on the radio a lot since my last post, or maybe I've noticed it more since I'm more tuned in to the lyrics lately...Everything has started to fall apart.

John 16:33 says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."

Grandma - Grandma Ina's constant care is taking it's toll on Mom and Dad.  If things don't dramatically improve after her next procedure, we are going to have to discuss their next steps as a family...A subject that has a lot of emotions associated with it.  Please Lord - Let your will be known!

Papa - Jason's Dad, Billy, has a grapefruit sized mass obstructing his intestines and making his digestive tract very sluggish.  He has also seen a cardiologist since he has had abnormal EKGs with all of the testing to determine his digestive issue.  Next week is the biopsy to help the doctors determine what they are actually dealing with.  Please Lord - Don't let it be cancer!

Missy's Mom - My childhood best friend's mom, Rosemary, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma in all major organs, brain, and bones.  Although it is terminal, please pray that chemo will bless her with more time to be here on this Earth with her family and friends...Especially her husband, two sons and daughters-in-law, daughter and son-in-law, four grandsons, and granddaughter.  She also has a grandbaby on the way due in late August.  Her prayer is to live long enough to meet him or her.  Psalm 139:16 says, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Please Lord - Allow her last days to be enjoyed in the company of family and friends...Including her newest grandbaby that has been longed and prayed for.

Nicki - We also got the unsettling news today that a friend of the family, and receptionist for our vet, passed away suddenly in her sleep yesterday.  She hadn't felt well the last few days, but no one expected her to pass away while napping for her husband to find when he returned home from work that afternoon.  Please Lord - Give her family and friends your perfect peace!

I know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle, but I think he has way more faith in me than I do.

Don't take each new day for granted!  Hug your family and friends, and tell them you love them.  I know I will...   

 

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

Hebrews 6:19

Shayna