Throwback.

Just discovered this. Something I wrote when I was twelve.

Hello, My name is Shannon Marshall. I am twelve years old and I love to mow the lawn....... NOT! hehehe..
Mrs. Carol Larson had me walk her dog Cannon today, and she gave me $5 dollars to do it!
I thought it was pretty hot to begin with, but when I came home I had to mow the lawn!!! I sweated like a pig.
It was so hard because I had the up-up-hill job this time; I thought I was going to die.
When finally I finished the escruciating task, I came in and ate a raspberry popsickle.
(I might add that my face was as red as the popsickle itself.) Following that, I jumped into a cold shower,
and tried to enjoy it though I felt weak at the knees. So I got out, and got dressed. Then I came to where I am
sitting, which is on the couch, and began to write what I am writing to you. Not to soon after that, my Mom came
and told me we had to work on Algebra. In my opinion, whether it is of any importance at all, is that Algebra is a
harder way of doing Kindergarden math. Why can't you just say 2+2=4? Why do you have to say, x+2=4?
It just makes things way more complicated. But, nevertheless, I did it, ever so reluctantly... So with a shout I
finished my math for the day, following an even louder sigh. After that endeavor, Mother came and put herself
to her duities of conquering the world  of solitare and the evil minions that try to stop her in her battle by
playing a deck totally impossible to win! Well, that it it for the day unless you would like to know how to cut an
apple correctly, which I am guessing you already know. Farewell, Shannon.

Merry.

Christmas. My favorite time of the year. Period. The sights, smells, and feelings you get with this amazing time are wonderful. It's hard to not get caught up in it all. I've heard my share of "What Christmas is really about." lectures. I'm sure you know. It's really about Jesus. Right?

Christmas is a beautiful celebration the birth of our Savior. But don't stop there. He was born to be our SAVIOR. He was born to become our filth. Our greed, lust, and selfishness. It's humbling. A lot of times I don't really think about it. I don't think Jesus left his throne in Heaven to come as a baby here on earth for ME. For you. Why on earth would a perfect, holy God do that for  the rebellious mankind that could care less? 

Love. That's all there is to it. It's a crazy, insane thought; but somehow he thought that we were worth it. I've given my heart to Jesus. But somehow I manage to sin every day. Yet when He looks at me, he sees his creation, that he loves. I continually ask, "Why? Why am I worth it when I fail you daily?" And somewhere in the silence He whispers to me, "Because I love you. And my Son was worth you." It's mind baffling.

So one cold night, in Bethlehem, He sent his son Jesus to be the best Christmas present ever.

Willing and ready.

What do you have planned for your life? What do you want to do? When someone asks "what do you want to be when you grow up?" what is it that comes to your mind? Some of us have no idea, while many of us say, "I want to be a lawyer," or "Oh yeah. Brain surgeon." and a lot of people I meet have really moving stories as to why. Good things. But here is a question I want to ask you. Think of that thing in your mind. Maybe you don't have it figured out. But think of when you do. That thing. That you have decided is for you. What if Jesus asked you to do something totally different. How would you react? Nurse, doctor, teacher, chemist, rock star. What if he asked you to throw that away. The plans you've been thinking of. In a prayer time with God, He hit me with a question. I was thinking of my plans for life. Then he asked me. "Shannon, what would you do if I didn't want that? How would you respond? Would you obey?" 

It's hard to think of our lives not turning out like we had planned. I don't know for sure what God wants totally. One thing I do think that He really just wants to see if we are willing. He may not be calling you to be a missionary to Zimbabwe. But what if he is? How would you respond?  
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6 NKJV) 

He wants you to be willing. He was willing to die for you. Are you willing to give him all of your life? 

Summer

(1/6) I was out in my garden today. Enjoying the sunshine and warmth. God made himself real today. I sat on my litte porch marveling at the beauty of the world.I was breathtaken. Why is it that we sit inside all day when God created the most amazing things ever? Green grass and blue skies. This is the kind of thing most of the time you dont realize. We get in our cars and drive on paved roads to get to cold buildings. And that is what excites us? What about colorful flowers and refreshing rain? Go knew that I would be writing these words before there was time. Yet we are momentarily filled by a new outfit or a boyfriend? Jesus is something that will never fail us, or leave us empty in the end. The psalmist says "My cup overflows." which means that He will continually fill us to the brim- and then some with joy and peace. True fufillment. When you look at the beauty of the world, you see how much God really knows. So don't you think thathe knows enough to take care of your life? So let God move in you and realize that you are his creation. Of even more worth than you think.
Shannon

Insomnia

Summer is just starting and the school year is finally coming to a close. It's the season for flowers and butterfies, swimsuits and golden tanlines. Real 24 hour days that we live to the fullest, instead of the 12 lived in insomnia. Sweet teas and juicy watermelon. Oh yes, these are the things that I hold dear. But then as spring welcomes its close friend summer to the scene, I am reminded of winter. Yes it has been long, but it truly has been beautiful. Waking up to a world filled with white. The glimmer of a Christmas tree in a window on your way home from church. I love how the street lights magically are lit up with holiday cheer filling you with a joy that you just dont get in June. The trees have a lonely gorgeous look about them saying that it is the time to relax. Drink a cup of hot cocoa with your family and friends and listen to the carolers songs. Winter is truly beautiful my friends. Summer is full of excitement and memories, but something about the way that peaceful sleep wraps is warm arms around you like a warm blanket and ushers you into calm bliss is something not so easily achieved in the sticky warmth of August. I find myself fighting a war with slumber and conciousness the further we get into the year. Oh so enjoy the popsicles on a warm summer night at the pool with your friends, but do not forget the excitement of holiday secrecy and snowflakes kissing your face. I beg you dear one do not let go of the foggy laughter echoing through the air at the frozen pond. Remember hot soup. Warm hugs and colorful sweaters. But enjoy swimming pools and triple sleepovers.Cause you never know it it might be your last Christmas eve. :)
~ Shannon

Change.

We all say that we hate change. True, it's not fun, but it's good. At least that's what people tell me. Recently I moved 600 miles away from my previous home. When the possibility came up, I said, "Heck no. I'm not going there." Well, God said "Ha. Try that with me." Well guess where I moved a month later? Right where I said I would never go. God has shown me that even though I saw it as something that was taking me away from everything I've ever known, he has a plan. Sometimes its hard to see that. How many times in our life do we say that? We need to learn to let go. It's been a long time coming, and still coming, but I think that God is showing me how to trust him. He's teaching me to say, "Alright, tell me what YOU want, Jesus."

Let Him say what he want you to do.

You Really Are What You Eat.

You've heard the expression, you've probably said it yourself. "You are what you eat." Many don't realize how true that statement really is. I'm not just talking about food here either. What about what we listen to, what we watch, what we look at? If we are continually filling our minds with garbage of tv shows that curse and have sexual innuendos or scenes, why do we think that we don't become a victim of Satan's lies? If Psych lets loose a string of explicit words and jokes, why do we somehow convince ourselves that we won't be temped to say them, and you know, well, THINK THEM!?!?!?!?! It's bound to happen. Or if we don't condone it, but give the excuse that, "Mom, everything has curse words in it." It is possible to be filling our minds with much more wholesome things than that! I love USA shows, but more and more I feel myself thinking things that are not God honoring. Oh be careful little ears what you hear! If we listen to music with words about sex, partying, etc. I understand, it's hard when pretty much EVERYONE is listening to it. But, that really is no excuse! We SAY that we "want to be different", but when we give into what everyone else is doing we end up being people so focused on being different, that we end up being the same. There are many different options of things to listen to besides Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. And if you disagree, I would be more than happy to show you some great artists! God wants us to answer the question on whether or not what we say, think, listen to, watch, etc.... are more important than Him.

Have you noticed it? You really are what you eat.