Witness...

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to participate in a Holy Week service on Tuesday, April 3rd.  Every morning at 6:30 am our church had a 15-20 minute service.  The United Methodist Women were in charge of the Tuesday service and I offered to share a devotion.

It was scarier than I thought it would be.

I'm not sure why I felt this way, but I did.

Here's what I shared...

I would say Good Morning to all of you, but I have trained my children that anything before 7 am is still the middle of the night so I will wait until after this service to wish you all a good morning.  So for now I'll say Good Evening.

I am Beth Shook and I graduated college with a public communications degree so standing up in front of all of you doesn't bother me but having to share any kind of devotion is down right frightening.  You see, I don't really have a story to share.  Or at least for many years I didn't think I had a story to share.  But, through some personal reflection I have become more aware that I actually do have a story.

When I was 6 weeks old I had to have emergency surgery on Thanksgiving for pyloric stenosis which is a problem with a muscle between the stomach and the small intestine.  Before the surgeon could do the surgery my parents have me baptized by our minister in the hospital.  I think if you asked my parents today they would probably agree that they didn't think I wouldn't go to heaven if something happened to me but it was 1970 and that's what you did back then.

And this is where my story begins.

With my parents who are extremely faithful Christians.  I grew up going to church every Sunday.  That's just what we did.  My father worked in college athletics and even when we traveled to away football and basketball games and got home very late we still went to church on Sunday.  My Mom was hard core when my brother and I were little and there wasn't such a thing as a "church" bag.  You may have seen me dragging a church bag around on Sunday's and it contains goodies like crayons, coloring books, books to read, and if you don't tell David Betteridge, the occasional snack.  My parents didn't believe in any form of church entertainment so my brother and I use to pass the time circling all the vowels in the bulletin and memorizing the hymnal.  For years my favorite hymn was This is my Father's World.  All through elementary, junior and senior high school church was a very important part of my life.  We went to Sunday school, my Dad taught my senior high class, I was active in UMYF and was president my senior year.  I am truly blessed to have parents who took me to church every week.

But, I believe that it is because I have known how Jesus has impacted my life for so long that I sometimes need a "sign" or a moment to remind me the presence of God in my life.  I have never wanted to purposely take that presence for granted but I know that I have.

If we fast forward to post college I was a working gal who was still trying to figure out my place in the world when I had one of those distinct moments.  I was dating this guy who really, really wanted me to be serious with him and I wasn't quite ready for that.  I had tired the polite tactics and he just wasn't getting them.  So I had to break up with him and ask him not to call anymore.  I felt bad but was sure life would go on.  I went to bed one night and had this vision I guess you might call it, it was more than a dream, and God specifically told me that I was acting ridiculous and I was missing the best thing that was going to happen in my life.  I woke up that morning and knew from the bottom of my heart that I had to do everything I could to win him back.  I guess you could call it a success because tomorrow we will be married 14 years.  God knew exactly the man to send to me and my heart swells with love for him.  Mike was truly a gift to me from God. I know this from the bottom of my heart and I feel so blessed to share my life with someone who feels the exact same way I do about our  God.  He was raised just like me, going to church faithfully every Sunday, and together we our raising our children the same way.

Mike and I decided to take the latest Alpha Class together and this past Sunday's video especially spoke to me.

In Revelation chapter 3 verse 20 it says:
Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

The image that was shown in the video was of a door with no handle.  One would think how do I open a door with no handle?  But, what we need to do is invite Jesus in our lives because he will push open the door for us.  God promised us this and dares us to believe him.  Push open the door and let Jesus in.  I have been blessed to have Jesus as a constant in my life for many years.  I now strive to keep that door open,to know that he is always with me, and to share with others the good news that he died for us so that we may have eternal life.

I may have needed the occasional sign in my life to know what has been right in front of me, but there is no sign needed to know that on Sunday we celebrate the greatest gift we as Christians have been given - the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour.  As the hymn we sang earlier says "All I  have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Leaving my babies...

This Saturday, Mr. Shook and I as well as 2 new friends, Joe and Sondra are taking 13 8th graders on a Confirmation retreat. It's just 24 hours, but 24 HOURS without my kiddos. On one hand it's very exciting but on the other hand it's very terrifying. I'm not use to doing this at all. We haven't have the ability or the luxury to leave our kids with anyone for any extended time. Count your blessings now if you have someone who will willingly do that for you. Besides having 2 babies and 2 one night getaways that's the extent of us leaving the kids. They will be fine, I already know that. But let's get to the real topic...

We're taking 14 year olds on an overnighter!! What are we thinking??!!

Actually, I think it will go well. We have spent every Sunday since September teaching the Confirmation class at our church with Joe and Sondra. I have actually learned a lot and our time together has been pretty enjoyable. We are in the home stretch now. Confirmation is April 29th and we will have 13 new members of Morton UMC. A few of our students have started coming to our church because their friends asked them to. A few are soaking up the information like it's sun rays. And let me tell you that is AWESOME!! Mr. Shook spends every Wednesday night will these kids in a youth group type setting. They do some devotion, they do gracing projects and they have fun. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to get a taste of it.

And, I have to say that I hope sometime you get an experience like this in your life. Even when these kids can be silly they are still talking the word of God and really trying to lead real Christian lives.

So as you read this will you please say a prayer for us this weekend. For our 8th graders, for their families, for my family and honestly for me. I hope that we are all aware of God's presence in our lives and this weekend allows us the opportunity to slow down and soak it all in. How great is our God??!!

But, before we leave on the retreat we have one matter of business...THE LINCOLN SCHOOL CARNIVAL!! Maybe all the parents need prayers so we survive it! It is a year's full of fun in 3 short hours! :)

Who I am today...

I get chills when ironic things happen in life.





We just got back from visiting Mr. Shook's parents in Ohio and I went through our mail last night. I often don't read the church newsletter first thing but I decided to sit down with it for a minute. The opening letter from our pastor really hit home to me. He shares with us his experience returning to the first church he pastored in Kentucky many years ago. He talks about how the people there molded him to be the Pastor he is today. How forgiving they were for his lack of experience (although I guarantee Pastor Paul put his practice to very good use there and the congregation wasn't disappointed). He shared how many of the faces were the same as they were when he first arrived there and how he recognized quite a few of them.





Yesterday we worshipped in our "home" church. I feel the very same way there as our Pastor did in Kentucky. Many of the faces are the same, the people are very familiar to me and these are the people who molded me into the woman I am today. Mr. Shook and I take very seriously the part of a Methodist baptism that says the congregation will help you to raise your child with Christian love. All 3 of our children were baptized in that church in Ohio and even though we don't attend there anymore I know that they pray for us, love us and support us with Christian love. So many of the faces are the same and it makes me sad when I hear of one of those very familiar faces not being around anymore. The people who we have known for over 30 years are like a breath of fresh air to me. Comfort, familiarity and promise.





You see, it's after going back and visiting what I would originally call "home" that I now realize that I am who I am and I am where I am suppose to be in life. I know this with my whole heart. I always need to work on the who I am part but I believe that God brought us to Central Illinois for a reason. I never really felt like Michigan was home to us but I think that I am now, more than ever, in my home.





And, it's scary and exhilarating all in the same breath. And it often gives me chills.

Things to say, just seem so busy...

I can't believe how long it's been since I updated my blog. You would think I had been busy or something! Between vacation, VBS, a little get-away for myself and Mr. Shook as well as the 4th of July things have been kind of hectic...

We had a great time visiting with both of our families in Ohio. The highlight of the week was probably our trip to Cedar Point. We all had a blast and Cameron is already saying, "when we got back next year..." . It was really fun! It's pretty much the same as I remember from the good old days (did you know I worked there a summer in college??!!) but a few things have changed. The biggest being my fear (which is new since 1991) of the rides that go too fast aka roller coasters. I went on the Iron Dragon and the good old Gemini and that about did me in. Mr. Shook reverted back to 1988 and rode quite a few of the big coasters. I think Mr. Shook had a blast! Thank you Regan and Cailin for needing an extra rider and letting Uncle Mike be that guy!

After we came back to Illinois our church's VBS started and what a week that was! Here's where I spent most of my time helping out...

This is Chadder...


and here is our map of God Sightings...


God sightings were ways that the kids shared things that they saw in the world that was evidence of God's presence. You can imagine some of the creative answers that I got! I showed a video to the preschool classes each night and then shared a little something about a bible verse or story. I was so glad to be able to help out even in a small capacity. Our vacation bible school rocks!

Here is Molly and her friend Abbey...


My pictures aren't very good from the end of the week program (too much kid movement!) but here is Cameron and Molly both singing their hearts out!...



We spent last night celebrating the 4th of July with some friends at the Peoria Cheifs game and then watching the Peoria fireworks from the stadium. Probably the best part of the whole night was the kids getting to run the bases after the game. What a fun time!...






What a great Daddy for running with our small fry, too! Hope everyone had a great 4th! I can't believe that summer is 1/2 over already!

The next step...

This week has been full of things that are taking "The next step."

"The next step" is the slogan for our new fundraiser to bring down some financial debt at our church. About 21 months ago our church moved from its original location to a new church about 2 miles away. Our church now has to start paying on the loan they took out to build the new church. The amount can seem overwhelming at times but I have been impressed with the enthusiasm and the responsibility that the church leadership has taken to pay down this debt. We are already outgrowing our new building and there is a second phase to build education classrooms but we can't do that until we take care of our current financial debt. Today was the day that we pledge our giving for the new 3 years on this campaign. The church asked children to submit a picture that showed what they loved about the church and their picture would be considered for a bulletin cover. Cameron drew a picture of the church and his Sunday School class. It is very 6-ish looking but I allowed him total artistic expression on it and he did a great job! I just let him know that I was pretty sure that Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker do not attend our church...



Also this week Cameron had his Kindergarten program for the end of the year. It was soooo cute! Here are some pics of the big event!





Every child in the class had a line to memorize and Cameron did an awesome job speaking into the microphone. He talked loud and slow, just like we practiced. It is so hard to imagine that we only have 7 more days of kindergarten. First grade is breathing down my neck! My boy is much more ready that I am!

Good morning, Bethlehem!...

I can officially say that I heart Morton United Methodist Church. What a great day my kiddos had yesterday at church. It started out with Cameron receiving a bible in church. They handed out the Junior Adventure Bibles to all the Kindergartners and First graders.



Cameron promising to read his bible every day!


Our family then lit the advent wreath at the 9:30 service. Could that have gone anymore wrong?? The story is best told in person by Mike and I so remind us to share it someday soon. Yikes is all I will say!!

In the afternoon we returned to church and Cameron was a townsperson in the Christmas musical Miracle at Midnight. It was so good and all the kids did an excellent job! Since Cameron can't read all of the words yet to the songs we listened to them a lot in the car. My personal favorite is Good Morning, Bethlehem! It's a catchy song and I'm wondering how long it will be before I get the song out of my head??

Here's our townsperson...


The preschoolers also sang 2 songs. It was so surreal to see Amanda up on stage singing with the group. I don't think she is our baby anymore. We practiced the songs and she loved it! Molly was one of the "old" kids singing and belted it out. It was super cute!



The children's education department at our church does a fantastic job. We didn't have kids old enough to participate at our church in Ohio and our church in Michigan was too small to be able to offer what we have at our church in Morton. It is unreal and such am important part of our lives right now. We have little sponges and our kids are so curious about God. It is a learning experience for Mike and I to find the answers for them. We are all growing in our faith.