Home going

Four years ago, my precious mom went home to be with the Lord. At the time, I didn't understand why. There were so many questions. Why did my mom had to get cancer and suffer three years for it? Why did it suck the life out of her? Why did He had to take my mom at such a turning point in my life. I was 21, two weeks short of my 22nd birthday when she went home.

Now four years later, I understand somewhat why I went through what I went through. Three years ago, the Lord brought Bro. Bruce Engelman and his family to take over the pastorate of my home church in Fort Worth. The family has gone through a lot in these past few years. About a year ago, his wife, Connie, found a lump on her neck which turned out to be a very aggressive and deadly tumor.

When I saw her last in May of this year, it seemed that she was going to defeat this. That odds there were against her were proven to be defeated by the Lord's grace. Then on Labor day, I found out she was in the hospital and that she was only given anywhere from 48 hours to two weeks to live. Well, tonight, she is now in the arms of our precious Lord and Saviour.

Though we are happy she is no longer suffering but there is a precious family that no longer has a wife and mother. As a child who watcher her mother died of cancer, I understand what the kids are feeling and going through. I just wish I can be home but I can't. Hopefully I can come home soon to spend some time there.

There are so many questions that I still ask. Why does cancer exist? Why has it claimed so many precious people I love and care about? I am tired of seeing and hearing of families suffer because a loved one got, fought and eventually died from cancer?

Tonight, as you get ready to go to bed, please say a prayer for the Engelman family and Baptist Temple. The next few days are going to be tough.

The Engelman Family

Bro. Bruce, Lindsey (Top)

Justin, Mrs. Connie, Jason (Bottom)

Love,

LaShawnda

The busy summer

Well, sorry I haven't posted in a while. It has been a busy summer so far for me. Work, church, trips, etc.

First off, work is going well. It gets crazy at times but in the end I go home and it doesn't come with me. Then I took a trip last weekend to Texas for the 4th. Had a blast and did not want to come back :(

This week is youth conference. Please pray for the Lord to work in the lives of the young people that will be there (and even the adults, we need hot preaching just as much as the young people do). I will be seeing some good friends this week and have a good time. This summer is flying by so quick. Before we know it, school will be starting again. Well, I need to finish getting ready for work. Bye for now.

Love,
LaShawnda :)

Summer of 2010

Well, summer is here in Oklahoma City. It has been a busy one for me :)

I started a new job at the daycare and I love it. The kids, I will admit, can be brats but you love them in the end. 40 hours a week with good pay. I love it and the best part, no weekends!

It allows me to help at the church, which is what I want to do!

I have been hanging out with the girls since the breakup and it has been precious times for me. I have been blessed with great friends to encourage and strengthen you! Talking with people, they are glad that things did not work out between me and Mick. A lot of ladies did not feel right about Mick. Most couldn't pin point it but they knew something was not right.

Looking back, I am glad myself of what the Lord brought me from. I learned alot but I also know, that I deserve better than what I had with Mick. Praise God for the miracle, learn from the mistakes and move on. I can safely say that, I have finally moved on!

Until next time....

Love,

LaShawnda

Once in a lifetime moment

Well I had an opportunity to meet Mark Harmon this past weekend. He plays agent Gibbs on NCIS. He played in a charity baseball game this weekend! So I had the chance to meet him, get an autograph and get a picture taken with him. He was very gracious!

I also started my new job this week. I really enjoy it. The kids are sweet and we have tons of fun :)

The daycare deals with DHS, so we have a lot to deal with. Today, I had my first parent gripe out. Her child plopped on the pillow and while doing that, she hit her head on the wall. Well, she got a bruise and her mother was mad. She pretty much telling me she is reporting to DHS. The other workers told me not to worry about it, she is rude anyways. The story was she is fighting the court system to get custody of her, so everything has to be perfect, even preventing normal childhood accidents. Well, I just shake it off and go on.

Well, I will let you go. I have a busy day tomorrow :)

Love,

LaShawnda

New beginnings

Well, it is amazing how the Lord answers prayers. I have been praying for a better job for a while. The Lord has finally opened a door and I am super excited about it.

I got an interview yesterday at a daycare. She offered me the job when I walked in. It is working with one year olds. What is even better, I start at least 9 an hour. Once I get my master teacher certification, it goes up to 12 an hour. I start Monday. It will be Monday thru Friday 9 to 6. I am very excited because it is better pay and more hours and it closer to home. The best part is I can still be involved in church and have the weekends off :)

The Lord is better to me than I deserve. Till next time, bye for now.

Love,
LaShawnda

The excitement in the month of May

When the month of May comes along, a lot of excitement happens during this month. Everybody is finishing up school for the year, and then come graduation. High school and college. This May was a month of first for me. First full year that I have been completely out of school (as in done for good, not for time being) and that I went to the OBC college graduation as an alumni.

Weird, it was but very proud of the friends that had followed behind me and finished the course. Also in May comes the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day. As much as I love springtime, summer comes up second in favorite seasons (not because of the weather) but the relaxation of it. Now for the working adult, summer means nothing, just a hot part of the year. I just enjoy being able to go outside to swim and have fun :)

This summer is different for me. I have learned alot about myself in the past few months and now being single again, I am going to enjoy my freedom just a little bit longer. I do wish my prince would come but for now, I need to improve before he comes. Well, must go to bed, busy day ahead.

Love,

LaShawnda

Learning lessons and stepping stones

What do you learn when you go through life? What do you learn from a relationship?

Yesterday, me and Mick officially broke up. It was a descent break but a break up indeed. I have learned things about myself in the past six months that we were dating. Some mistakes, I know I will work hard to try to not to do again, and then some things I know what to do the next time things come around.

My heart does hurt but in time it will heal. I know that right now, God doesn't want me in a relationship. I also know that right now, its not meant to be for me and Mick to be together. Is there a possibility that we might get back together, probably not but I don't want to rule out God's plans.

I know what I need to do and that is to recover and move on. In time, God will heal my heart and I can move on to bigger and better things. Well, talk to you later.

Love

LaShawnda