What we didn’t see, the Lord did. It has been so nice having Shelbie home during this time and she even had the privilege of being at the hospital when Alicia passed. She feels like the Lord wants her here this summer to be available to her grandparents and family during this grieving process.
While we know this is only “part” of the Lord’s plan for her this summer we are trusting the Lord with the rest of the details and truly enjoying having her home with us for now.
Today I spent most of my day cleaning my room. I don’t ever let my kids get away with messy rooms even though mine is a constant struggle for me to maintain. Sad, but true. In my defense though my room is upstairs away from the rest of the house. When I come downstairs in the morning it is so hard for me to get back up to tidy it up. The baby takes a morning nap around 9ish so I can’t go up there during that time, then Shylie takes her nap upstairs around 12:30 – 1:00, so once again the upstairs is off limits. While she is still taking her nap Shiro is ready to go back down for his second nap around 2 or so. Do these excuses help at all?? How bout we just call my room the “napping room”?
Well, the napping room needed some serious attention today so I had to quit making excuses and clean. I put Shiro in the playpen in the boys room for his morning nap and I headed upstairs. Poppet, Lolly, and Shadd brought their school work so I could still feel like we were getting things done. I folded about 4 baskets of laundry that the kids had washed, dried, and put in baskets in my room. I also went thru and collected 2 baskets worth of things to goodwill. Tomorrow I’m going to dust and vacuum and it will be a new room. My kiddos got so excited when they saw it clean. They’ve been asking to do another slumber party upstairs, but I kept telling them no because there really was no where for them to sleep because all the baskets of laundry took up all the room! Slumber party here we come!!
It was my night to make dinner. I started it at 4:30 and really thought that was plenty of time. I have no idea what happened but we didn’t eat til 8:30. I did have a few minor interruptions and maybe it was to much multitasking? I was working on dinner while canning some jam. Shyloh wondered if it was all my little “helpers” helping. Whatever the case it was late…very late. My lasagna roll ups were really yummy but I think I may do something simpler for my dinner night on Tuesday. I’m thinking of grilled peanut butter and jelly. Grilling it may make it sound a bit more gourmet…and I think I’ll start making it on Monday.
Once we woofed dinner down we took the kids to watch the fireworks after the Nut’s game. The game went into 11 innings. Ugh! Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that we ate so late? While waiting for the fireworks to start Shelbie sent her good morning text. As she was watching a beautiful sunrise we were sitting in the dark. So strange. lol She was sharing on her day before.
Shelbie and the other interns had a party for the girls in the Lukasa, My Father’s Homes. She helped wash the dirty, cracked, and sore feet of these precious girls. Many of them don’t have shoes so can you imagine what a blessing this simple act was to these girls. These sweet girls then had their nails clipped and pretty polish put on them. Shelbie said that they seemed so surprised and blessed by this. They must have felt like a princess for a day! How much we take simple things like clean feet and toenail polish for granted. For these girls this was pampering like nothing else!
My prayer for these girls is that they realize that they ARE princesses! They are the Kings daughters! I pray that thru such a simple act of washing feet and painting toes pretty that they feel something so much deeper, that they are loved by God! Pray for the children that Shelbie and the other interns are ministering to. These children have been thru things that many adults have never gone thru and they carry so much hurt, but we know that is why Jesus came. To take that hurt and replace it with His love. An everlasting love. What a privilege for Shelbie and the other interns to truly be hands and feet for Jesus!
Today is Shelbie’s 18th birthday. It’s a very bittersweet day here. While we are missing here like crazy we are happy she is in the place the Lord has called her to be.
Before she left we surprised her with a party so we could at least feel like we were able to celebrate with her. We had close friends and family join us. It was a fun time and she was very surprised.
Today we just hung out. The kids swam and watched a movie. We bbq’d a big tri tip/chicken dinner with all the yummy sides like baked potatoes, and corn on the cob. We also had ice cream for dessert. It made us feel like we were still celebrating! (Thanks Shelbie!)
Shadd asked me tonight, “Has Shelbie been gone for 4 months?” My reply: “No, honey, only 3 weeks.” Shadd: “Wow! It feels like she’s been gone forever. That’s about how we are all feeling.
Happy Birthday Shelbie!!
Today is a quiet sort of day. We started the day off with church. After missing two weeks it was so good to be back. The first week I was in Texas but last week I just wasn’t quite up to going. We had been blessed to Skype with Shelbie both Friday and Saturday nights, but due to the time difference we had to get up in the middle of the night to chat with her. I was beyond tired but more than that my emotions just weren’t up to it. I just knew that there was no way I could go and answer any questions about Shelbie at all. My heart just felt to fragile.
I received my morning text from Shelbie and this was part of what she had to say. This made me miss her even more at church this morning, but I also appreciated being there all the more:
“I am missing church sooo much lately!! I miss the sermons, the people, and serving for second service, but most of all I’m missing worship!! My soul is craving a ccturlock church service!!! I need to hear worship songs and get a good teaching in. I can’t wait til we go to church again!!”
Overall this was a good week in the sense of settling in without her. Her bag was stolen so that was a bump in the road, but seeing the awesome ways that God stepped in and looked after Shelbie helped to remind us all that He truly is in control and is covering her in only a way that He could do.
This afternoon my house is unusually quiet. The Ney house is never, ever quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Shyloh and Jeff haven’t come over yet, Duane and some of the kids ran an errand, and sweet Shaylah and I had a chance to just hang out and chat while the littles were napping.
I’m planning my projects and goals for the week. I’m praying for lots of productivity in Neyville this week along with lots of fun. I’m looking forward to next weekend and the chance to see my girl. Her birthday is Sunday. It will be very odd to not have her her with us but yet I know she is getting the chance to celebrate her 18th birthday in the place she has dreamt of for the last 9 years. Though the thought of not having her here is sad for me, I know that she is in the perfect place to celebrate her special day.
God is good!
Well today was one of those days that you’d just like to have a do over and change how things go. I got online this morning to check for my morning email from Shelbie. I anticipate these every morning and have to make myself wait to check until I’ve accomplished a few other things. Today I decided to check my emails before I got my stuff done. Bad idea since t-tapping, laundry, and chores never got done after I read her email.
I opened my email to read:
“Hey Mama and Daddy,
I just wanted to let you know what is going on. Kate said before I tell you I should reassure you that it can happen to anyone, it's no big deal, and it will get taken care of soon.”
She went on to tell us how her bag had been stolen and in it was her license, flight itinerary, all her money, and worse of all her passport. Ugh! Can we please do a rewind? This very brazen and most likely desperate thief, stole her bag while it sat on the floor by her feet. The girls had gone to the internet cafe to blog and saw the man bend over and pick something up but because he was dressed similar to the waiter they assumed he was a waiter and just cleaning up. They were engrossed in their blogging and didn’t realize he had taken it at first.
Shelbie texted just minutes after I read this to ask if I had been online yet. She said they were going to the police station to file a report and first thing in the morning they were headed to the embassy to get a new passport. She was very bummed, nervous about going to the embassy, and overall shaken up. I know this will get taken care of and that she is in good hands but never the less this is not what a mama wants to hear when your separated by 10,732 miles from your child and there is not one thing you can do.
This is when I have to remember that she is not mine, but His. He is once again going to use this situation to teach and grow Shelbie into who He wants her to become. Once again she has shown me how strong she is and that her roots go very deep in her God. She said she has once again been given the chance to trust and be faithful in a situation that isn’t what we consider ideal.
I wish I could say the same for my faith. My morning just got worse. I was already feeling stressed over Shelbie so when the animal control came by to do their yearly walk through the neighborhood and make sure that people had their dogs licensed, and mine were not, I got fussy. I’m embarrassed to say it but I refused to sign the citation. Shame on me, I know. I just didn’t want to do it. Later I ended up calling them to find out what my fine is and how to get the dogs registered and I apologized. Ugh.
As I was puttering around the house, stressing and waiting for updates from Shelbie, Shaylah was going about her morning routine and I heard her quietly singing away…
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
Then Shyloh comes over in the afternoon and she is quietly singing…
Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of you whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it up to You who’s throned
And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord
And I will bow down before You
Only You Lord
Take my fret, take my fear
All I have, I’m leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of you whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it up to You who’s throned
Each time I heard one of them singing I just knew the Lord was speaking to me. Can I trust Him with my girl? Or should I say His girl. Has He ever given me a reason to not trust Him? Shelbie has truly laid her life down at His feet to use as He see’s fit, can I not do the same? Why do I think I’m entitled to having it easy and never having to deal with the stresses of this life?
I’m a slow learner. I’m thankful I have a God who is full of compassion and doesn’t give up on me. Once again I’m attempting to take my heart and lay it down and trust He who is ever faithful. I will take all my fret and all my fear and leave it for Him.
I’m praying that this person who stole her bag will be convicted by what he did, but that if he was that desperate for money that he will also be blessed. He needs a God who has compassion, one that he can trust to meet his every need. I pray he finds that God, my God, Jesus Christ.
Today I slept in, like really slept in, the kinda sleeping in that you’re actually embarrassed to share. Don’t get me wrong it was definitely worth getting up at such an ungodly hour to Skype and see my girls face. Okay, okay, it was almost 11:00. 
Daddy and I ran some errands, one of which was to get his Father’s Day gift. Yes, he knows what it is! Spoiled man! We also got groceries for our b-b-q tomorrow. I’m really having to get back into the swing of cooking! We also added another clock in the school room to help us keep track of you! 
Tonight the Garcia’s brought over their projector again and we watched a movie in the backyard. Last time they did this I was in Texas with you. It was a nice night for it and was fun!
The little girlies had their own movie night in the playroom!
Today we went blueberry picking. We will be enjoying lots of blueberry goodness for a while. We froze 3 gallon size baggies. Shylie girl had a blast picking away. When we were done the kids jumped in the bounce house they had. Even your very prego sister got in there!
Tonight I actually cooked dinner again. Pretty impressive, eh? I’m not sure once Shaylah’s arm is better if I’ll be getting my shot at making dinner much. Who know’s maybe I’ll just stake my claim to a night and not let her or the boy’s have a say so?
Here’s some shot’s of the day for you!
I’ve decided to do a daily diary of sorts for Shelbie while she’s gone. As we were texting today we realized that since our texts are so limited we don’t want to use them up on the daily happenings in Neyville, but yet she still wants to know what’s going on with us and what we are doing.
I’m going to “attempt” to every evening do a recap of the day for her. For those who don’t want to be bored with life in Neyville please just ignore. For you, Shelbie, I hope it helps to make you feel like you are still here with us in spirit!
Wednesday evening we spent mostly outside…talking about you, Shelbie! Thinking and wondering how your flights were going and checking the live flight tracker every few minutes! The boys played in their pool and we ate lemon chicken stir fry, with sautéed zucchini that Aunt Nett brought us. 
Today Aunt Nett came over and hung out and swam with the girls. We waited around with baited breath to hear that you had landed safely. Daddy and I decided that these were the most stressful 30 hours we’ve ever had! LOL
Every one is missing you bunches, even Libbie, but she is doing great! Shannen has been great about giving her her medicine.
Shaylah is serving at VBS tonight and Shadd down will be going too. It will be strange for Shaylah to be there without you! This will be a good thing to sidetrack everyone today!
Missing you and loving you tonight Shelbie!!
As Shelbie has started her journey in Africa us at home have been thinking and praying about her constantly. I’ve been trying to think of the practical ways that we can be reminded to pray for Shelbie without ceasing. Today I went and bought a world map shower curtain. I think even time in the bathroom can be used more constructively. 
Today we are attempting to adjust to our new “norm” for the summer without having Shelbie here. It was a “blah” kind of day for us. We went to story time at the library like we do every Tuesday, Shyloh and Bodey joined us. Afterwards we came home and pretty much spent the afternoon sitting at the dining table drinking sweet tea and chatting.
I feel so very blessed to have been able to have spent the weekend with Shelbie. We had lots of time to just sit together and talk. I loved having her on the other side of the bed from me. I slept with one arm stretched across the pillow with my hand on her head both nights she was with me. The last night I was there without her was very tough. The room felt so empty even though I had Shiro snuggled with me.
Papa, Nana, and I dropped Shelbie off at the directors house Sunday evening. It was great to meet the director and one of the other interns, Courtney. Courtney will be heading up the stateside part of the interns this year. She told us great stories of her time in Zambia last year.
We’ve been able to skype with Shelbie daily. Tonight we said good bye and we are not sure when we will get to see her beautiful face once she arrives in Zambia. The interns are supposed to get to go to an “internet cafe” once a week to be able to email and skype their families. Those will become our golden days!
With all the busyness of preparing and packing for this trip done the emotional side of this has finally hit…hard. Leaving Texas without Shelbie was the hardest thing this mama’s heart has had to do. Hearing her voice sobbing on the phone the night we left her was awful. Just because we may be in God’s will doesn’t mean there can not be deep pain involved. We are very naive if we think that’s the case. I am reminding myself that if God leads us then His grace will cover us. I’m clinging to that thought today. We all, including Shelbie, need extra grace over these next few days.
Tomorrow morning Shelbie will officially leave all she knows here in the United States and she too will start a new norm for the summer. She will see poverty like she’s never seen before. She will meet little ones who have never experienced the great life she has. Duane and I realize that she will come back forever changed by this trip. She will never again take for granted what we take for granted daily.
We are so excited for her but yet our hearts at home ache. The countdown to having her home has officially started.
We love you bunches Shelbie! May the LORD watch between you and us when we are absent one from another, may His arms hold you close when our arms can’t! We pray you feel Him close to you every moment of every day! May one hand guide you while the other covers you! XOXOXO 
Just because I’ve been quiet here in blog land does not mean things are quiet in Neyville! Last week was full of busyness as we prepared for Shelbie’s graduation and grad party. I took tons of pictures of her ceremony, but sadly, one of the pins where the card goes snapped off and the entire camera won’t turn on. I tried to take the card in but the card doesn’t read either. I’m hoping to get the card taken into the camera store and hopefully they can do a recovery and get our pictures. I really want to cry over this but trying to wait and see what happens. Did I mention it will cost $60 bucks to do the recovery…yeah, I want to cry.
Shelbie’s ceremony was wonderful. It was strange to watch another one of my children walk across that stage and enter a new season of life. This time it was a little different feeling since with Shyloh we knew she would still be here at home. Graduation for Shelbie starts a countdown to her leaving for Africa.
The next evening we had a graduation party here. So much prep went into this. I’m so blessed to have so many hands to help here. Many hands truly make work light! I’m so thankful that my wonderful sister in love went and got me another card and took pictures of the party with her camera. (Thank you Lynette!!) 
It was a wonderful evening, one that will be remembered in Shelbie’s mind forever. She has worked very hard to get to this point in her life and I know she will continue to work hard in the next season of her life.
Congratulations Shelbie!
We signed the building again this year… 
