Wilma's Journal Page

The other day I was thinking about, there is a last time for everything. We know there is a beginning and an end to everything in our lives. An example is, we travel and sing in many different places and meet thousands of people each year and one day it will be our last. Our last concert, our last hands shake with folks, our last glimpses of our friends and family, and our last good-bys to each other.

Looking back, we don’t ever think about these things as they are happening, and we tend to take things for granted. I’m talking about people in your life that you’ve seen for the last time, and didn’t realize it when you said hello, waved bye, or shook their hands as you each headed off to do something else.

Growing up we never stopped to think that we would play our last game of ball, eat our last dinner together, or have our last conversations with our parents, siblings or friends. Many have moved away, we’ve lost touch, or they moved on to Glory and we’ve shaken their hands, and had our last conversation with them for the last time.

One thing I tell people in life is to enjoy their lives to the fullest, and to enjoy all the beautiful blessings that, God bestows on us. Our lives sometimes become like a carousel, running to and fro but, we need to just stop, and soak up all the joys that our heavenly father has for us.

Somewhere down the road we won’t be going to work, visiting family and friends, playing with our kids, worshiping with our brothers and sisters in Christ because, it will be just a faded memory. Our bodies will become frail and we won’t be able to do the things we once did. Our one assurance when this time comes is we’re closer to our heavenly home than, we were yesterday.

I know we all can get caught up in everyday life, and it seems like there is not enough hours in a day but, we all need to take the time to play that extra game with our kids, make that phone call to a family member, friend, neighbor, or give that person in our lives we love, an extra hug and tell them what they mean to us, before it’s too late.

We have no promise of tomorrow! Let’s all enjoy what God has done for us today. Psalms 118:24 said, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Continue to remember our Nation, our Nation’s leaders, our Soldiers, their families and each other in prayer.

January, 2010

Well, I hope you’re New Year is off to a good start and all the resolutions you made, you are keeping. However, with me, I usually don’t get past the first day. Ha… One resolution I make every year and try to keep is, to do more for the Lord than I did the previous year. I always want to do my best and even then, I don’t feel like it’s enough. I don’t think you can ever do enough for God.

One thing I have learned down through the years is, that life is full of imperfect things, imperfect people, including me. Any of us won’t be perfect until we reach the great throne of God. That’s the day we’ll all be perfect and I thank God for that promise!

I don’t claim to be the best at hardly anything in my life. I often joke with people and say, “I’m a jack of all trades, but know nothing.” I am human. I fail God daily. I forget to give him praise and thanks for so many things, and I have to pray and ask him to forgive me for my short comings on a daily basics. I forget birthdays, anniversaries, special events and etc. just like everyone else.

But over the years, I will tell you there is one thing I have learned. I have learned to accept each others faults and respect everyone’s differences, which we all have. I think when we do this; it makes for, and creates healthier, growing and lasting relationships with family and friends.

I guess one important thing in life that I have learned is to take the good, the bad and the ugly parts of life and just lay them at the feet of Jesus.

Now, for a quick update as to what is happening with “The Shannons.” A lot of things are in store for the Shannons in this year of 2010, being the Lord’s will. One is, we are really looking forward to putting together a brand new CD, which is long over due.

One project we are definitely excited about is, we have been invited to come to Texas and do a live TV show and a video in late summer or early fall, which will be filmed in several different areas. The date is being worked out as I write this.

You can now view a few of our videos on Youtube. Check out our home page for the link, or go to Youtube and type in theshannonsvideos (all one word) in the search engine.

Lexiana, our little grandbaby is really growing, and she is such a blessing from above. We can’t wait until she starts singing!!!

If we are in your area this year, please come out and fellowship with us. We would love to have you.

Let us continue to pray for our Nation, our Nation’s leaders, our Soldiers, their families and each other.

As we get ready to close out 2009 and begin a New Year 2010, my mind goes back over this past year and the memories it will hold in my life forever.

First, I want to thank God for everything he has done for me in my life this year, the good along with the bad, because through it all, I don’t question God. I know he knows what’s best for me.

God blessed our family this year with our first grandbaby, a little girl named Lexiana Faith. What a blessing and a gift from God she really is?  I could never express the joy and love I feel in my heart when I am holding and looking at her.

Traveling in our ministry this year now, what a blessing that has been? We could never tell you all what a blessing you all have been to us. We got to visit with many of our old friends and were blessed to meet many new ones, who will be part of our family forever. Thank you!

We were saddened by the passing of many loved ones and friends, who went home to be with the Lord this year, but we have the great assurance, that we’ll meet them again someday. What a happy day that will be?

Aside from that, the one thing I am most looking forwarded to is to look upon the face of Jesus and thank him for what he did for me. That will be glory!

I have seen many prayers answered this year and I know many that were prayed will be answered in God’s own time.

As we go into a brand new year, we all have to think positive and keep praying for our economy, our country, family and friends. This past year has been a difficult year in every way for sure. Everything in life has its season and this to will pass. We just have to keep looking up to the one who is in control of it all, God.

I want to thank all you who have emailed, called and written to us this past year, because your kindness and words have given us the strength to carry on. Thank you friends!

So, from the depths of my heart, I want to wish everyone a very Happy and prospers New Year and may God bless you with your best year ever, and no matter what comes your way, just keep on keeping on.

Again, remember our nation, our nation’s leader, our soldiers, their families and each other in prayer!

Until next time!  I love you….

 I have been thinking and talking a lot lately with people about faith and what it means to all of us in our lives. The definition of faith in the bible is found in Hebrews, chapter 11 verse 1 which says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Matthew, chapter 17 verse 20 said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

By faith, Noah built the Ark, Enoch was translated that he should not see death, the wall of Jericho fell down after seven days, Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, Moses led the children of Israel out of bondage from Egypt and the examples of faith can go on and on. These faithful servants endured, while all along there were many unbelievers, but they kept the faith.

Growing up, I guess one of the words that were used in our home most often was faith. I was taught that having faith was the key to letting God take care of any situation that may come our way. Sometimes in our desperation, we tend to want to take care of things ourselves, instead of just waiting upon the Lord. That’s the human in all of us!

One of our biggest faults when it comes to faith I think, is how we tend to question God when we are going through any battle. Most often, we will ask God, “Why is taking so long to answer our prayers.” We have to realize, that God will come just on time. Not our time, but his!

When we think God is slow is answering our prayers, it’s not that he is denying our prayers; it’s him teaching us patience. When the timing is right, then God sends down his miracles, if we keep the faith.

There are going to be a lot of bitterness, sorrows, sickness, troubles, trials and failures in our lives, but the victories awaiting, is worth it all if we keep the faith, and know that God is the answer. We have to have confidence and know that he will bring us through any adversities that come our way.  There’s an old saying, “If God brings you to it, then he will bring you through it.” How true?

Oh, so many times in my life, my spirit will becomes weak and my faith tested, so I will start giving myself a “self-pity” party. It’s then that I know God has me in the valley for a reason. Sometimes when I thought I needed sunshine, God sent the rain, but I have to remember, he promised he would never leave or forsake me, and that’s what I hold dear to my heart in times of trials.

As we near this holiday season, we need to remember each other in prayer more than we ever have. We need to pray for our nation, our nation’s leaders, our soldiers and their families. We need to remember that our forefathers founded this country on God and faith and we are so blessed to be living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. God is so good!

Until next time…Keep the faith…I love you…

Can you believe the holidays are here again so quickly?  Where does time go? As we approach this season, I would like to share a few thoughts with you about what I am thankful for.

First and foremost, I am so thankful for my loving God. Without him to lean on, I don’t know where I would be.  I depend on him daily. I fail him so much, but I know his loving hand reaches farther down than I could ever reach up. He is always just a prayer away.

I am so thankful for my family and friends who are always there for me whenever I need them. I am deeply thankful and proud of my first little granddaughter, Lexiana Faith, who blessed our lives with her arrival this year. I want to thank all the churches, convention centers, promoters and etc. who so graciously invited us in to their special events to sing this year. We met a lot of old friends as well as made a lot of new ones. Your kindness is overwhelming!

A very special thank you goes out to all the DJ’s who played our songs over the radio this year. Your help is greatly appreciated! Our whole goal in life is just to be a light to someone along the way, that through our ministry they see Jesus in us.

I am very proud and thankful for all the soldiers who are fighting for our country so you and I can live in the land of the free. What they sacrifice should be on all of our minds this holiday season. 

Memories of the holidays are special to me in more ways than one. I remember my parents who always made our holidays a joyful time. We didn’t have any money, but we had love. Mom would always make a special dinner and give us homemade gifts that she would make. They have done gone home to be with the Lord, but their memories are still inside my heart and will be until God calls me home. I am so thankful for them still!

I wish you and your family the best during this holiday season. Your love and support has enriched and blessed my life immensely. My life can be summed up in one sentence, “I THANK YOU LORD FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS, YOU HAVE BESTOWED ON ME.”

Until next time…  I love ya!

I was thinking the other day about how none of us can be on the mountain all the time.  Sometimes GOD puts us in the valley for awhile so that when we are on the mountain top it will seem sweeter.

Many of life’s lessons is facing challenges, worrying, going through heartaches, pain and suffering. These are just simply life’s lessons that we must endure. Going through the hard times will only make us stronger and a better person in the end.

A lot of our daily disappointments come from illnesses, death, betrayals and tragedies.

We sometime may feel like life is so grim and if we don’t watch it we will get caught up in a world of self-pity, but remember GOD always balances our sorrow with joy and our disappointments with hope. There will be a rainbow in the end! I feel that going through a lot of lessons in life can be a spiritually and personal growth. It is GOD’s way of making us more humble and more compassionate toward those around us.

Many times when life and circumstances start to get us down and we are searching for direction, GOD speaks to us in one way or the other. I’ve learned down through the years that no matter what happen in life, or how bad it seems today, Life goes on, and it will be better tomorrow. When one door closes another will open! Revelation 3:8 says, “I know thy works: I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” When we have little strength, have kept his word and not denied his name, then he will take care of us.

I try to look at life with a positive attitude. I want to encourage those around me that there is nothing impossible with GOD.  I was always told when I was growing up to speak words of encouragement, be appreciative, supporting and respective of others and to always learn to be self-aware and listen to what you say and make sure you make many more positive comments than negative ones.  Ephesians 4:29 tell us “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”.

We should all look for ways to think and speak positively and encourage others, because positive words can and will make a difference in someone’s life as well as our own.

A minister said to me one time, “How can we dry the tears of others if we have never cried ourselves?”  We should follow GOD’s example as quoted in Psalm 10:17 which said, “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry”.

Remember when we talk to others whether it is family, friends, co-workers and etc. sometimes difficult topics may come up. When we speak we should always be courteous and in a friendly tone of voice. The way we all speak is usually more important than whether our opinions are right or wrong, don’t you think?

The following little prayer was sent to me the other day. I hope you get a blessing out of it as much as I did.

“Dear GOD,

I have never thanked you for my thorns.  I have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns.  Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns.  Show me that I have climbed closer to you along the path of pain.  Show me that, through my tears, the colors of your rainbow look much more brilliant”. Amen.

 Depending on where you live, the frost is definitely falling on the pumpkins and the feel of fall is in the air. This is such a beautiful time of the year!

What a wonderful blessing God gave our family this past week?  Chris and Stacey welcomed their first baby, a little girl named, “Lexiana Faith Shannon.” She was born on October 2^nd. And is so precious!

I can not begin to explain the feeling I had when I first laid my eyes on her. There were so many tears of joy not only from our family, but from Stacey’s family as well. We just all praise God for his precious gift that he sent us. She will definitely be surrounded by lots of love and affection. We hope to have her singing soon. Ha.. Ha..

We had a wonderful time at the “First annual Jubilee Gospel Singing Celebration” in Marion, IN this past week-end. Everyone had a good time and we’re looking forward to it again next year being the Lord’s willing.

I have had many of you to email me, asking when I was going to put some holiday recipes on the website.  I will have those ready to be put on there by the end of this month. I can’t believe it is so close to the holidays! This year sure has gone by fast!

As I say in each journal entry, please pray for our nation, our nation’s leaders, our soldiers, their families and each other in prayer.

Until next time!  I love you…….

We just returned from the NQC in Louisville, KY. We had a great time and want to thank everyone who stopped by our booth to say, “Hello.”  We hope to see you again next year!

I want to especially thank all the people who came by our booth and signed the petition to bring back Country Dan Dixon to Satellite Radio. He hosted the “Stained Glass” program which was heard on enlighten 34 as well as his own show. We had already collected 11,000 names and thanks to all the kind people at the NQC, we now have a little over 15,000 names. Hopefully he will be hosting “Stained Glass” again real soon.

As for me, I have been busy freezing fruits and vegetables. I know it will taste good this winter. I can’t believe we are already in fall. As I have said before, “I don’t know where this year has gone.” Before we know it, the snow flakes will start falling. I don’t know if I am ready for winter yet.

I want to share some great news for all our family, friends and fans. Chris and Stacey are expecting their first baby, a little girl. It is due in just a few weeks. We are excited! When she is born I will definitely have photos on our web page. You know we are going to spoil her unbelievable. We don’t know her name yet, they are keeping that a secret. I can’t say that I blame them. Ha…

Remember, you now can download our songs on iTunes and Amazon.com, so please check it out.

As always, please remember our nation, our nation’s leaders, our soldiers and their families and each other in prayer.

Oh my goodness, can you believe fall is here?  Where did the summer go? The leaves on the Walnut trees are falling, summer flowers are dying and a lot of certain types of Maple trees are turning colors. I think we are in for an early fall and winter. But the best part of fall is the harvest of all the fruits and garden vegetables and the beautiful fall colors. If spring is a time for rebirth, then we can look on fall as a time for reflection.

Fall brings back so many memories of my childhood, helping can the remaining of the garden vegetables and preparing plenty of apples and etc. to make those wonderful cobblers, pies and etc. in the winter months.

It also brings a few unpleasant memories of doing these chores; one in particular was those pesky Yellow Jackets, Bees, Wasps and etc. We sat on our porch and in the yard many times peeling, coring and slicing apples and you guessed it, it was for sure that those pesky little critters would come to visit, but somehow in the winter when we would bake those wonderful desserts, it made it all worth while. I don’t do any canning today, but I do freeze a lot of things. Signs of the times I guess!

Our summer has been spent mainly traveling and singing. We have thoroughly enjoyed visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. God is good!  I have also got to catch up on some chores at home that I had been putting off for so long. I did a lot of inside house painting and etc. Yes, I love to paint!

I want to catch you up on a few things for the group. We are in the process of looking for new songs for our new CD, which we want to, complete and have out by the spring of next year. We do write many of our songs, but we do search out new material. The date to record is yet to be determined.

 My new Cooking DVD’s are running a month behind due to editing. You will be able to start ordering those around September 21^st.  My new Christmas Cookbook is at the publishers and just as soon as I receive them, I will let you know. We will post it!

I want to especially mention that a good friend of ours Ed, who was on the team at WCMI in Columbus, OH. Passed away recently, and we are going to miss him dearly. He was truly a great man of GOD and I know he will deeply be missed by his family and friends. It is a great loss to Charlie and all the crew at WCMI. They are all in our prayers. Our loss is Heaven’s gain!  We loved you Ed, but we will all meet again on Heaven’s bright shores.

Keep remembering our Nation, our Nation’s leaders, Our Soldiers and their families and each other in prayer.

Until next time……I love ya!

Where do I begin?  What an incredible time we had at the Branson Convention Center in Branson, MO.  Rod and Kelly were great hosts and did a wonderful job organizing the event. The fellowship and concerts from all the groups were fantastic. The spirit of God was definitely present. People like the Florida Boys, the Stamps QT, Eric Hinson, Kenny Bishop, Kirk Talley, Weston Hinson, Barbara Fairchild, the Ministers Qt. and I could go on and on with great artists who performed. What a blessing that was?

We were asked to do a TV interview with GMTV while we were there. We were thrilled about that. We are definitely looking forward to next year. Make your plans now to attend next year’s event. You will most certainly be blessed! We will post the information as soon as we get it.

While in Branson, we were asked to be part of a Southern Gospel Book, which will be coming out in November. All the proceeds from the sale of this book go to help “The Fallen Hero Families of our nation for education and etc.”  We will post where you can order a copy on our website, as the time draws closer. We hope you will order a copy. It is for a great cause. More information about this will be forth coming.

I hope you are enjoying your summer thus far. It has been a busy one for us. What I am excited about is all the wonderful harvest of garden vegetables that are coming into season now. You can’t beat those fried green tomatoes, corn on the cob, tomatoes, cucumbers and etc. That’s what I call eating. Ha…

My new cookbook and cooking DVD’s will be available for ordering in the very near future. They will make nice gifts for any special occasion. We will post it, as soon as we get them.

I want to thank all the people who email and call us with special prayer requests. We do pray for you and your needs. We are living in difficult times right now, but we know GOD will bring all of us through any storm we may be going through in our lives. GOD promised, he would never leave or forsake us. Glory to his name! THERE IS MIRACLE IN PRAYER.  Keep those emails and calls coming! We love you, and are here for you.

As always, let us keep our Nation, our Nation’s leaders, our soldiers, their families and each other in prayer. GOD BLESS YOU and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Until next time!  I love you……….

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer. With vacations and etc. this sure is a busy time of the year. I hope to take a vacation sometime this year, but I’ve been so busy we haven’t been able to work it in yet.

We just returned from the “Great Lakes Gospel Sing in Michigan” and everyone had a good time. We got to meet some old friends and made some new ones. The fellowship was spectacular. I want to thank the “Marlin and Lynn” for making everyone feel welcome. You were great hosts! Looking forward to next year!

I was surprised by a lady named, “Anne” who gave me an original appetizer recipe of hers for my cookbook while we were in Michigan. Not only did she give me the recipe, she made it and brought it to the singing for me to taste. It was very delicious. That’s all I am going to say about it right now. It will go on my website on the recipe page as soon as the book is released. How nice of you Anne? Thanks.

I want to take this time to thank all the radio station Program Directors and the DJ’s for playing our new single, “He’s On My Side.” The response has been really overwhelming to say the least. We appreciate it very much.

As always, let’s keep remembering our Nation, our Nation’s leaders, our Soldiers and their families and each other in prayer. If there ever was a time we all need to unite in prayer in this Country, it is now.

Until next time! I love you….

Well, the hot days of summer are here and I would like to comment on a couple of things.  First and foremost, I would like to ask everyone to please check in on the elderly, disabled and etc. in your neighborhood during this hot summer season. Check to see if they need anything or have ways of staying cool.

Keep a check on pets to make sure they are o.k. If you have a pet outside, please make sure they have fresh water and that they are kept in the shade.

Thanks to all of you who are calling and emailing me about my soon-to-be released “Cooking DVD’s.” I am very excited about this new project and can’t wait to share them with you. I will keep you updated. My new cookbooks are running on schedule and I should have more information on that soon.

We have begun selecting songs for our new CD which we hope to get started on this fall with intentions of having it released early spring. Details are still being worked out.

Let us pray one for another.

Until next time…I love ya!

Well, spring is moving right along. Can you believe how fast it is going? Summer will be here before we know it. I have been busy working in my yard and trying to do some spring cleaning, along with traveling and trying to keep up with our bookings and etc.

First and foremost, I would like to make an announcement and share some good news with all of you. In July, I will have a “Cooking DVD’s” the first in a series that will be coming out. I will update you more as the date approaches. It will be featuring some of my recipes that are in my “Cookbooks.” It took a lot of persuading to get me to do these and I hope you will enjoy them.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have been calling their local radio stations requesting our new single that was recently released entitled, “He’s On My Side.” We are getting great responses from the Program Directors and DJ’s from over 1200 stations nationally who are playing it. GOD bless you and thank you. We are deeply touched and grateful.

We do not claim to be the world’s greatest singers. We sing from the heart and try to please no one but GOD. We are not out for a name, fame or fortune for ourselves. Our goal is simply to spread the gospel in song and to be a light to the lost. If through our music, we can lead just one person to CHRIST, then it will be worth it all after awhile and that will be our reward. As the old saying goes when you see us, “What you see is what you get.” We thank all our fans who so graciously stand by us. You are appreciated!

When we are in your area, come by and say, “Hi.”

Keep praying for us that GOD will always lead us in the right direction and the way he sees fit. Not our will, but his will be done! After all, we are the clay and he is the potter. I firmly believe, GOD molds each and every one of us and our lives in the way he chooses. It is then left up to us which road we take.

I want to wish all the “Fathers” out there a wonderful “Happy Father’s Day.” I was blessed to have a great “Father” who was a big influence in my life. Although, he has done passed away, I think of him often and I’m so thankful he was my “Dad.”

I want to wish each of you a wonderful and safe “Memorial Holiday” week-end. I know a lot of family reunions will be taking place, so enjoy!

Please remember our Nation, our Nation’s leaders, our Soldiers, their families and each other in prayer.

Until next time!  I Love ya!..........

I hope your spring is off to a good start. The weather is finally warming up and the spring flowers and trees are bursting out in radiant colors. It is a spectacular sight for sure. What a beautiful time of the year?

My new Christmas cookbook is coming along very well and should be completed in a couple of weeks. I got a little behind on schedule, but I am up-to-date now. I want to thank everyone who sent me their favorite or traditional recipes. I will keep you updated on its progress. It will be available to you by late summer.

Another project in the works for “The Shannons” the latter part of this year is a brand new CD. I will keep you informed as the plans are just now being worked out. Our current single, “He’s On My Side” is doing very well and is getting great reviews and air play. Please be sure and call your local radio station and request it. We’ll greatly appreciate it.

I also want to remind you, if you are not on our newsletter mailing list, and would like to be, call or email and have your name added. We send out a newsletter every 4 months. It has our complete touring schedule, special features and etc. I want to remind everyone to, that due to the cost of postage, starting January of next year, for those of you who have email, that is how you will be receiving your newsletter.

I want to wish all the Mother’s out there a very special “Mother’s Day” and to let you know how much you are loved. My Mother has already gone home to be with the LORD, but the love and precious memories I have of her, will linger on.

Let us continue to pray for nation, our nation’s leaders, our soldiers, their families and each other.

Spring has sprung:

Spring has sprung and I for one couldn’t be happier. As many of you know, spring is my favorite time of the year. The Iris’s and Lillie’s are beginning to peek through the ground, the birds are singing and seems to me like everyone you talk to are overjoyed that spring is finally here.

I want to catch you up on a few things happening to “The Shannons” this year. First and foremost, we are looking forward to meeting a lot of our friends this year in our concerts as well as meeting new ones.

We are very excited to be part of the Big Branson Gospel Music Convention that will be taking place in Branson, MO in July. A few other dates we want you to keep in mind are the “Great Lakes Gospel Sing” in Michigan in June, the NQC Convention in Louisville, KY in September and etc. If you are not signed up to receive our newsletter, please do so by contacting us on the contact page of our website.

I am very excited to be working on 2 new cookbooks, one being a holiday cookbook. Thanks to all who have sent me recipes to be included in one or the other books.  If you have a family recipe whether it is yours or a family traditional recipe, you still have a little time to send it. Deadline for sending me recipes is April 12^th.

I want to update you on the petition names for “Country Dan” Dixon, who people want to see back on Satellite Radio. As of to date, it totals 6,000+ and still counting. We are being told, “It is under consideration.” All your support has been greatly appreciated.

Dan’s Brother Patrick, passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago, so still please remember his family in prayer. One promise God gave us is, “We’ll all meet again.”

I hope to be more faithful keeping my journal updated than what I have been lately. I think cabin fever just about got the best of all of us. I want to personally thank everyone who calls and emails me saying, “You look forward to my journal entries.” I appreciate it, and it means a lot to me.

Please, as always, let us remember our Nation, our Nation’s Leaders, our Soldiers, their Families and each other in prayer.

Until next time!  I Love You…

I hope your New Year is off to a good start and you are surviving the winter weather. If you are like me, then you are already dreaming of spring. I think I am dealing with cabin fever like most of you are!

I woke up this morning and the first thing I thought of was what a wonderful God we serve? I started to think about all the blessings that God bestows on us, and a lot of time we don’t really let it absorb in, or pay attention to it.

I got to thinking how God can put that one person in your and my life, and how it can change our lives forever. He sends ordinary people into our lives to do extraordinary things that sometimes if we are not careful, we will let slip by us. Just the human in us I guess!

How many times if you just stopped to think, has God brought someone into your life, even if for a short period of time and something they have said to you or done will stick in your mind and change you forever? These people are blessings from God.

I have decided this year to count more of my blessings, change negative thoughts into positive ones, walk by faith and try to be a light to everyone I meet. It is not the big things that come from God, but lot of times it is the smaller things that we receive the most blessings from. We thank God so often for the roses in our lives, but forget to thank him for the thorns, because the thorns in our life are what make us humble.

I heard a minister say one time, “If we stay and live in faith, then God’s blessings will chase us down.” The older I get, the more truth in this I find! Let us go forward this year in faith. Psalm 65:11 said, “Thou Crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.” This means walking in faith believing, God will supply our every need in abundance.

With the economy and etc. like it is, we are living in peerless times. God has great things in store for all of us, if we just pray in faith believing. We need to remember, “For every mountain we have to climb; God will take us to it, one step at a time.” We just have to be patient.

Let us not forget to pray for the leaders of our nation, our soldiers and their families and each other.

Until next time……  I love ya!

Happy New Year! And welcome to 2009

 I sure hope you enjoyed you Christmas holiday season with your family and friends and are now looking forward to what God has in store for us all in the coming year.

First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for your kindness you showed us through the holiday season. We appreciate all the cards, e-mails, flowers, candy, gifts and etc. that you sent us. You made our holiday really special. I  want to thank all of you who sent me so many boxes of candy. I will be on a chocolate high for months. Ha…

I want to give a big Thank you to all who attended our concerts this past year.  Your prayers, encouragement, friendship and support mean a lot to us. We thank all the churches and promoters who have invited us to sing in their concerts, all the DJ’s for playing our music and for all you people who come out to hear us sing.  Thanks to all of you who purchased our music my cookbooks. It is appreciated.

We are looking forwarded to meeting a lot of you again this coming year as well as meeting new friends. You all are very special to us. It reminds me of an old saying, “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

I was thinking the other day, no matter what troubles, trials and heartaches we have to endure in this life, God still blesses us. I don’t know how you feel, but it seems when I am in the valley that is when I am blessed the most. If we stayed on the mountain all the time, then we wouldn’t know the true blessings of God.

I always try to live each day of my life as if it were the last, because we have no promise of tomorrow. I try to tell my family and friends just what they mean to me and how much I love them.  I want them all to know just exactly how I feel as I journey through this life.

I hope and pray that each and every one of you will always let God guide your life in this coming New Year, because HE will never steer you wrong. We are ordinary, but we serve an awesome and extraordinary GOD.

Let us all pray for peace in our nation and that somehow all of our solders who are so bravely fighting for our freedom will get to come back home to their families this year.  Pray for the leaders of our great country and let us not forget to pray for one another.

Until next time!  I love ya!