In Memory

Memorial -- "Something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or an event."

In past years, Memorial day for me has been a day to pay special tribute to those in the armed forces who served our country and gave of themselves for our freedom. Today, that is obviously still something I am forever grateful for...but my gratefulness has broadened.

Today became a day for me to also reflect on how dad and Sara gave of themselves. Dad and Sara both dedicated their lives to serving God and others. They taught me so much about life and priorities. They taught me how to be intentional.

They were intentional in everything they did and their intention was to put God and others first. 

So, in celebration and honor of their memory, my focus is on being intentional. Being intentional in my walk with God and others.  


Being intentional in Choosing Joy!


I love you and miss you both, more than you can imagine.

Choosing Gratitude

We are choosing Gratitude today, Sunday, May 13. It is a day to celebrate mom as well as celebrate the wonderful 38 years we had with our Sara!

I am so very proud of my mom! On July 9, 2010 she lost her husband very unexpectedly and then on September 24, 2011 she also said good-bye to her daughter. But through it all, mom has chosen joy, gratitude and trust.

Mom and dad raised 6 children. Through their sacrifices, love, faith and teaching, each of us are first and foremost, Godly adults who are successful and blessed in so many way.  Thanks, Mom!!

The youngest of the six, Sara (Gitz), in my opinion, was the wisest, strongest and most successful of us all. It was through the journey that God chose for her, that she taught us all so much about life and faith. For that I will be forever grateful.

Sara would have been 39 today and I know we all miss her in our own way, but today I am choosing to be grateful for the 38 years that I was able to have her in my life. In Sara's early years, I was blessed as the oldest daughter and therefore was her second mom in many ways. Later in life I was blessed to not only be her sister but her best friend.

And, we can't forget the one that made Sara a mom...Riley!! Many of you have been asking about Riley, so here is an update on the blog dog.

Riley is living with my Brother Steve and his family, Patience, Cooper and Avery.  As you can see from the photos below, he has adjusted well and is living the good life!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's out there.  Enjoy your day and God Bless each and every one of you!

Laura

Sara's Story

Dear Ones,

It's Shannon, stopping in to share an incredible gift with all of you.

One that requires a box of tissues at the ready. 


This past weekend, (in)courage the site Sara wrote for regularly hosted (in)RL, an incredible virtual conference attended by women all over the world. Over 1,700 of us spent time learning, growing, laughing, loving...in community with each other.


It was an event that would have been right up Gitz's alley. 

A few months ago, I was humbled and honored when (in)courage approached me about creating a segment for(in)RL about Sara and how she impacted people...it didn't take much to persuade me or anyone else to join in. Our girl? She could get me to do just about anything. Smile.


Sara's Story  is one that we all need to share from the rooftops. Her faith, love for others, trust in the unknown, heart joy...these parts of Sara? They leap through the screen and into your heart while viewing...all while breaking it a bit all over again too.

This morning, (in)courage released the video for public viewing. Jessica, a heart sister of Sara's, wrote a post about it here.

If you'd like to know more about the (in)RL conference or how to obtain access to the videos shown during it, please click here.

So...please find 30 minutes and a quiet nook. Grab some tissue. Press play.

See our girl.





Then? Go look in the mirror.  There's a piece of her woven into you, too. Will you consider sharing within the comments how she's impacted you? 


Let's celebrate her together.


Much Love,

Shannon