Help Mandy!

Nicole wrote a piece on her blog for Missions Monday about a young lady I went to college with. Mandy and I were never close but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to help out another ABC student. She is going back to college for nursing, I think, and has found a scholorship that will help pay for it. Read Nicole's blog for more details about how you can help Mandy.
A Living Sacrifice: Missions Monday...a Day Late. My Bad.

My 50th Blog Post

I just thought you all should know that I finally made it to 50 Posts! I am just going to be writing about random things today: Things I’m thankful for, favorite quotes, verses, and random thoughts. I hope you enjoy!

1. This is my Nephew Austin and my niece Mikaela.
2. The number one thing I am thankful for is my salvation but after that it is that I was able to grow up in a godly environment with Parents and Grandparents who encouraged me to serve the Lord with my life.
3. I have always wanted to work with teenagers in some way, I guess its a good thing that God brought me a Youth Pastor to marry.
4.  I dislike working in the church nursery, at the same time, my favorite age group for Sunday School is the 2~3 class. Some people think this is strange.
5.  If its going to be cold it should snow and if its not going to snow it should be 78~80 degrees, is that too much to ask?
6. My two best friends… pondering something important I’m sure!
7. Psalm 57:7 – My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
8. I have developed road rage since dating Kenny. Let me explain, southern drivers do things like stopping at yield signs, or pulling into a parking space that is on the opposite side of the road. I never paid attention to these things until Kenny pointed them out. Now I find myself yelling through the windshield at the idiot in front of me!
9. Peach is the best flavor for a sucker or slushy.
10. When Kenny and I first met we didn’t like each other at all! I thought he was hot on himself and he says that I was a spoiled teenager.
11. My Grandparents along with my mom, on the left and my aunt, on the right. It was my Grandparents 60 something wedding anniversary! (I do know the exact amount of years they’ve been married, I just can’t post it because they just don’t want anyone to know how old they are!)
12. Pastor Camp did a series on Ruth several years ago, after he read Ruth 1:17~18 he made the statement that those two verses would make great marriage vows. Ever since then I’ve wanted to say them to the man I was going to marry in my vows to him.
13. Romans 8:39 – Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
14. I love my job as a barber. When Dad had his hot dog stand he would ask people if they could figure out what I did for a living, I don't think anyone ever guessed right.
15. In my job, I run into people from all over the place, Ireland, London, Cuba, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida. Its quite an education!
16. My brother Stephen, I think he’s adopted. 
17. Bowl cuts look cute on little boys but when your 27 with one its not cute anymore. At the same time, Mohawks and mullets never look good on anyone!
18. Why is it we drive on a Parkway and park on a Driveway?
19. I don’t have a favorite color, only favorite patterns – polka~dots and certain plaids.
20. The name of my blog, “Life in the Big City,” is just a sarcastic way of saying that I live in a small town that tries to do big things. Sometimes they succeed: Hot Nights and Cool Rides is one of the largest car shows in the Southeast; however, sometimes they fail: Dairy Goat Festival and Parade…. what is that?!?!?!?
21. Kenny and Austin playing “Twister.”
22. Vanilla scented candles and a rainy day go hand in hand.
23. Random facts, quotes, and corny jokes are the greatest!
24. Esther is my favorite book of the Bible. God’s name is never mentioned but you can see Him working throughout the story. That idea reminds me of unsaved people, they may not have God in their life yet but you can see Him working so don’t give up!
25. “God grant me the serenity to accept the people I can not change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know its me.” ~Author unknown, variation of an excerpt from “The Serenity Prayer” by Reinhold Neibuhr

I hope you got some enjoyment out of my ramblings for today. Maybe I’ll have something exciting to post later this week.

Marriage Counseling

I feel kind of bad because I haven’t done any real blogging lately, we’ve been busy but not with anything really worth blogging about.

~Kenny drove up to Fredericksburg, VA to buy a Honda CRV. Dad said it was “Fire Engine Red” perfect color for Kenny!

~Matt and Missy are planning on coming home for Spring Break in March {[(very excited)]}

~We went Late Night Bowling with ABC Friday night, Kenny won three categories, Highest score, Most Spares and Highest score for a couple, I helped with that one. :)

~We also went bowling with Emmanuel Baptist Church Sunday night. All the teens were in our lane or the one next to us so we did Infirmity bowling :) It was hilarious watching the teens bowl with fake injuries such as broken legs, broken arms or even blind! All the kids enjoyed playing, even the “cool” kids got in on the fun, it was a great time.

Now on to my topic for the day!

Kenny and I have been doing Pre-marital Counseling with Pastor Camp on Friday afternoons for the past 3 weeks. I have really enjoyed our time together with him and have learned A LOT! I’ve also been able to share some things with some of my co-workers which has been fun.

First, let me tell you a little about where I work. I work at a Barbershop that has only Lady Barber’s in it! We are NOT stylists or hairdressers, even though that is how we are licensed, we are Barbers. I am the youngest of the 11 ladies and 1 of 3 planning a wedding. However, I am the only one going through counseling so I’ve had the chance several times to share what I’ve been learning about having a Biblical, Christ-centered marriage. It is especially neat to me since one of these ladies has clearly told me that she doesn’t want to know anything about my religion or my God but she asks me what my Pastor talks about in counseling. I love how God can open doors that seem to be bolted shut! I hope you’ll remember to pray that the Lord would give me wisdom in this area.

Anyways, Kenny and I like to pick at each other and have fun together and Pastor Camp has picked up on this and added to the fun. One thing he says to us over and over again is; “I can see you both have fun and laugh together, don’t lose that. 35 years from now you should still be laughing together.”

It has been neat to realize not to take anything for granted or to think that Kenny thinks the same way I do. I’ve gotten myself in trouble over this one a couple times! That’s all I’m going to say about that one :) lol

I’ve also learned if you don’t know the answer to one of Pastors questions, say “communication!” chances are your right or very close.

Does anyone have some “Marriage Counseling” you’d like to offer? Or maybe something I should ask about in our next counseling session? I’d love some feedback in this area!

Blogging

Ok so I’m defiantly one of those people who thinks half the fun of having a blog is decorating it! I kind of feel bad for Kenny because I have the same philosophy about a house! I love the change in seasons and holidays because it gives a good reason to re-decorate. Having said this I just remembered we need to take down the Christmas decor at Kenny’s… :)

I don’t really have anything major to blog about today just random happenings.

~Kenny and I picked out our invitations, wording, font, colors…. He was doing a really good job at pretending to be interested, I like that he is so involved in all of the planning because its not my wedding its ours :)

~Have any of you ever read some of the wording you can chose from for reply cards? I laughed so hard at this one:

Let's hear back from you
on or before MONTH DAY, YEAR
Name__________________________
___Shoot yes, we'll be there with spurs on!
___Dangnabbit, we can't make it!
I tried to talk Kenny into this wording but he just wasn’t going for it :) *just kidding*

~Saturday I went for my wedding dress fitting, a couple more minor adjustments and I think it will be just right!

~Pastor has started a series on marriage on Sunday nights. This past Sunday evening he picked on Kenny a lot! He asked this question of several people,“How’s your love life?” meaning how is your relationship with your spouse, or future spouse in our case. As he was doing this Kenny leaned over and asked me what to say when he asked him, I just laughed and said “Well I don’t know, how is your love life?” The point of the message was that your love life with people, namely those closest to you, will only be as good as your relationship or love life with God. It was a very good message, one that has caused me to ask myself several times “How is my love life with my Savior?”

~Tax season has just gone into full swing which means the Shahan family basically drops off the face of the earth for 3 months – don’t worry we’re not tax evaders who go into hiding! My mom, Sandy, owns a tax preparing business, and my two brothers and I help her out through the busy time. Pretty much, we all go to work and come home and occasionally show up at the grocery store or fast food restaurant but only when food is a necessity. :)

~I’ve been doing fairly well with getting things organized and de-cluttered. My only major issue is knowing that I’ll be moving in a couple months and will have to re-organize it all, this is a little discouraging but exciting at the same time because of the reason I’m moving.

I hope you don’t mind but everything in this post, except taxes, has had something to do with Kenny and/or marriage…is that normal?

Playing in the Snow

In our little area of NC we ended up with about 4-6 inches of snowfall on Monday then Tuesday morning we woke up and found about a quarter of an inch of ice covering everything. Needless to say the whole town has been shut down!

Mom found out that Robbie, my oldest brother, was taking his son, Austin, sledding that afternoon, and since Kenny was down from the mountains for the day it just seemed like a good idea to go with them.

 

     Here is Kenny and his “skiing hat.”

 

 

 

 

This is the two of us getting ready to go down the hill.    

 

 

     Here is Robbie and Austin.

 

 

 

We had some sleds Mom had gotten from a yard sale… as you can see we defiantly got our money out of them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     This is my Mom, notice her pointed toes? I think she should get kudos for perfect form.

 

And away she goes!

Year in Reveiw

Last week I started Blogging about Blogs because I like to learn about other blogs that I might be interested in following and thought maybe you would too… maybe not but I’m enjoying doing this anyways!

This week I was reading Casual Blogger Caroline, the writer for Casual Blogger, also blogs about blogs, and does “Good News Minute” on Sunday mornings where anyone can post some good news they want to share on her Blog. She did this survey about herself on her blog for “All about me Monday” I thought it would be fun to do this myself so these are my answers to the questions not hers.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

I did a lot this year that I’ve never done, I went to Africa and Colorado, two places I’d never been before and I’ve eaten more weird things that I can mention! I also got to go to a Broadway Musical – I guess that’s what you call it -

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t even remember making any resolutions last year, so…. I’m thinking the answer to this one is a no! I made the resolutions to read more, serve more, and get more organized. So far the organization one is going well!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes my friend Lara had a beautiful little girl this year and then two ladies I work with also had little girls…. Oh! and my sister-in-law Jessica had a little girl as well! she just started crawling on Christmas Eve so we all got to watch her!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Well, I wasn’t so close to her necessarily other than the fact that I know she prayed for me as a student in her husbands classes. Mrs. Childs, AKA: Tiger. She passed away just before Christmas to be with the Savior she loved so dearly. 


5. What countries did you visit?

Ghana, West Africa!


6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

A Husband! That will happen June 4th for those of you who didn’t know!


7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 7th – The day my work threw me a party because I was finally done with school but they were going to miss me because I was moving to the new Barbershop instead of staying with them.

July 22nd – The day we got to Africa.

September 3rd – The day Kenny proposed.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Paying off my car was pretty big!

9. What was your biggest failure? 

Almost not being allowed to travel with the Ensemble for spring tour because of having too many demerits :( I’m so glad Doc took the time to reprimand me and give me a second chance even when I didn’t deserve it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I’ve always been pretty fortunate in the health area except for some minor back troubles because of my job I can’t think of anything.

11. What was the best thing you bought? 

My ipod touch, I bought it during the after Christmas sales but technically still in 2010! I’ve been able to get so many things done a lot faster and more efficiently with it. 


12. Where did most of your money go? 

Bills and Walmart…. I hate walmart. 


13. What did you get really excited about? 

Getting engaged, the musical and going to Africa are at the very top of my list.


14. What song will always remind you of 2010? 

What Wondrous Love Is This. I learned to play this song on the hand bells and my melodica while in Africa. 


15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

• happier or sadder? Happier.
• thinner or fatter? No change.
• richer or poorer? Richer but not financially, more in family, friends and experiances 

16. What do you wish you’d done more of? 

Taken more pictures, made more out of the everyday things 


17. What do you wish you’d done less of? 

Less being lazy and procrastinating. 


18. How did you spend Christmas? 

Kenny and I had two Christmas’ that were both special, we spent the week before Christmas with his parents in CO and had a great time and then we spent real Christmas with my family. I learned a lot about him being home in CO and hopefully he enjoyed my family as much as I did his. 

19. What was your favorite TV program? 

I try not to watch a lot of TV because I already don’t have enough time in my day but I do enjoy watching CHUCK, He is a civilian spy for the CIA its hilarious!

20. What were your favorite books of the year? 

The Three Mrs. Judson's – its about Adiniram Judson’s three wives that he had during his ministry. You very rarely get a good look at the missionaries wife, this book includes some of their diary entries so you can see where they struggled with everyday life just like we do. Sometimes I think we lift these people up like they never had doubts about going to the mission field or troubles once they got there I guess that’s why I like this one so much.

21. What was your favorite music from this year? 

Kenny is always listening to sound tracks from different movies I really like “The Man From Snowy River” after falling in love with the music I got to see the film while we were in CO and loved it as well!

22. What were your favorite films of the year? 

The Princess and the Pea – Disney

The Man From Snowy River

Knight and Day 


23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 23, we were in Arkansas on the way to my cousins wedding and spent that particular day going to flea markets and thrift stores (which I love doing!) I also got my first free birthday Starbucks coffee! 


24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

I can’t say that I would change much other than my attitude about certain situations which would have made things go smoother. I had a pretty good year as a whole!

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? 

I just like to be comfortable, defiantly jeans and a nice shirt are my “Go To” outfit of choice. I typically don’t wear a lot of jewelry as a matter of fact I’m wearing the necklace that Kenny got me for Christmas and I have been since he gave it to me :)

26. What kept you sane? 

My parents keep my feet on the ground and Kenny always has my back.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. 

To trust in the Lord and give Him glory for everything! He knows my needs and He cares about my wants too.

Fun Stuff

This morning I woke up to a winter wonderland, and not just on my blog. So I’m sitting at home (I love living in an area where everything shuts down for snow!) blogging about our weekend. First, this is downtown Forest City today

Friday, Kenny and I went to Concord Mills Mall so he could get some things from Bass Pro ©. As we were walking around Kenny spotted a Lego Store ©! We went in just to look around and ended up sitting down at one of the tables to build something. :) Anytime we start doing something “kiddish” Kenny and I look at each other and say something along these lines; “This is why we’re in youth ministry, so we can still play with toys and no one thinks anything of it!”

How do you like our Groom and Bride?

Saturday after I got off work Mom and I worked on cleaning and taking down the Christmas decorations that evening I started working on some things for church.

Our youth group gets “Ninja Points” for bringing their Bibles, handing out tracts, doing devotions, bringing a friend to church or a youth activity, and other such stuff. We break the year down into 4 month sections and Emily won the last section (that’s why she has a star next to her name). In this picture, left to right: Elizabeth playing with her hair, Dakota peeking out from behind the wall, Brock looking over the top of the wall, and Emily throwing Ninja stars at the boys. I had a lot of fun with this project.

Sunday I was supposed to start teaching the children’s Sunday School class every other Sunday but I was sick and the weather was bad but I’m looking forward to getting back into children’s ministry!

That pretty much wraps up our weekend. I hope you had a great weekend yourself!

Thankful Thursday – A little late :S

In my defense I had this ready to post yesterday but the internet at my job was acting up so it didn’t get posted :S

Some one asked me about my recent Africa trip today. (For those of you who didn’t know I took a 3 1/2 week trip to Ghana, West Africa this past summer with MTT Ministries. I had the time of my life and I would do it again in a heart beat!) So when I was thinking of a good topic to write my Thankful Thursday on all I could think of was: Toilet Paper!

 

I know some of you are scratching your head and thinking “Did she just say…. what I think she said?” Yes I did! I am thankful for toilet paper. When you go to a 3rd world country such as Africa you com back thankful for the small things such as water you can drink straight from the tap, fruits and veggies you don’t have to bleach before eating and clean public toilets with complementary toilet paper.

The Lord has given us spoiled American’s so much that we take for granted. Everytime someone asks me about my trip I always say that I think every person in America should visit a country like Africa or Brazil or the Philippines so that they would learn to be thankful for ALL the small things we take for granted!

Blogging about Blogs

I’ve been wanting to do this for a little while Blogging about other blogs that I’ve been reading. Who knows maybe its someone you know or maybe you’ll find a blog that sounds interesting to you. I’m constantly on the look out for interesting blog reading and new idea’s for my blog.

The Blog I’m going to talk about today is : The Missus Smarty Pants Blog

Her name is Leslie and she is a 40 something that is in love with

Clothes,Shoes, and Jewelry

 

 

and how they should be put together properly! She also has a lot to say about what shouldn’t be worn, it makes me laugh that she makes fun of those people the world can’t get enough of.  I can’t say that I’m trying to be the “height of fashion,” or that I really would want to be, by following her blog but she does have some interesting tips about wearing the right clothes.

Some of her recent posts are “Another Way to Tie a Scarf”  “Divine Style = Simplicity” – This is one of my favorites  “Shop the Sales, but with a Plan” and “Quick Tips to Dressing Well.”

I love that there is a SALE sign in the background! (It would be better if it was clearance but I’ll take what I can get!)

I hope you’ll check out her blog if this sounds interesting to you!

Scary Moment :)

The first week of every new year I try to get organized for the whole year.

Buy a new planner…check; Make appointment for teeth cleaning…check;  Make Eye Exam appointment…check;  Call Joy’s for first dress fitting.

I bought my wedding dress from a small dress boutique here in town that recently purchased a larger building and was in the process of remodeling and moving into said building. When we purchased the dress my mom said “Wouldn’t it be something if they lost your dress in the move?”

This morning I called about having my first dress fitting, it needs some alterations and I want to get it taken care of well in advance. “Rebecca, We’ve just moved all our stock over to the new store, so, I’m going to find your dress and give you a call back in just a little bit.”

About 4 hours later… “Rebecca, We’ve lost….” My heart plummets, sick feeling in my stomach, I catch my breath as I’m thinking of what Mom had jokingly said! “We’ve lost your paperwork, can you come in a try your dress on again for the alterations?”

{[(Breathe!)]}

When I got there they explained that they usually put the receipt and the list of alterations in the pocket of the dress bag and some how it fell out or never made it to the bag. We had a good laugh and I’m just glad they didn’t lose my dress! :)

My New Years Objectives

Serve More

Stress Less

More Fun & Games

                  Less Perfectionism

                                                                                Read More

Waste Time Less

Trying New Things More

“I Can’t” Attitude Less

These are just a few things I’ve decided to do this year among the yearly “clean out my closet, organize my books…” basically things I never get done! Happy New Year!

What are some things your going to work on this year?