Deanna Doss Shrodes

This is a photo of Savanna & I yesterday as we were getting ready to go to the Currie wedding. She stuck out her hand and snapped this of us on our way out the door. (Her hair was dry by the time we got to the wedding 2 hours later in Orlando!) That's her new cute little dress she was wearing for the occasion, and meanwhile I was wearing one of my Africa dresses complete with jewelry I found that was just like what Pastor Jane had loaned me in Africa. I got blessed to find a replica at Bealls outlet...now that was God! :-) As for today...it was a good day ~ nothing earthshattering to report. It was just a fine day which by standards of much of the rest of the world would be amazing, I guess! I am just so tired and looking forward to feeling back to "normal" again whatever normal is. Each day I get up and go about my work but can't wait to get back to bed. My home Christmas decorating is done and some cleaning but I have so much left to do and not a lot of ener

It's the start of the Christmas season! With Thanksgiving behind us we are now officially into the next season. It's one I absolutely love but it's usually very wearying for me with all it entails. This year I am just committed to resting more and not getting frazzled. Seriously. I'm making this a priority. Wait and see...I really do mean it. I'm thinking of doing some really uncharacteristic things to simplify. Yesterday was dedicated mainly to decorating the house for Christmas. I like to do it the day after Thanksgiving unless something prevents us from doing so. It was also Larry's birthday, however we still did both things on the same day. By the way, the carrot cake I made for his birthday was awesome! I highly recommend the recipe to everyone! See yesterday's post for the details. This year I added another tree to the mix in our house. This means we have three trees right now. I could just keep adding trees forever which is a story in itself that I

no one can tell you you're doing it wrong!

I wanted to make something special for my husband's birthday today, and carrot cake is his absolute favorite. Believe it or not in 21 years of marriage (and 23 birthdays total with him) I have never made him one! How did this escape me? I dunno. But this is the year. I needed to find a recipe so I searched on line for one that was prizewinning and widely reviewed and acclaimed. This was the one I settled on. We'll let you know how it tasted. The photo above is the finished product . PRIZE WINNING CARROT CAKE CAKE INGREDIENTS 4 eggs 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil 2 cups white sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3 cups grated carrots 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts ICING INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup butter, softened 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 4 cups confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

I got this Thanksgiving meme from Tara ...and was tagged, so here goes! 1. Which do you like better: hosting Thanksgiving at your home, or going elsewhere? I like hosting holidays in my home, although Thanksgiving has definitely become more of a challenge since I've gone to Africa the past two years until just days before. 2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Organic? Free-range? My husband completely takes care of the turkey and I really don't know what he does, but it comes out perfect each time. 3. Do you make stuffing or dressing? What kind? Dressing… bread 4. Sweet potato pie or Pumpkin pie? Both!!! 5. Are leftovers a blessing or a curse? Ooooohhh! A blessing! Love 'em! 6. What side dishes are a must-have in your family? 7 layer salad, my homemade yeast rolls, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, Misty's creamy corn, cranberry sauce. 7. What do you wish you had that might make Thanksgiving easier? More countertop space. 8.

Larry did the funniest thing last night. After the soccer game he took Jordan to Arby's. Everyone in my family knows I don't like Arby's -- except for their cherry turnovers I don't like anything else there, at all. (And yes, I've tried LOTS of things on the menu.) I had no idea Larry and Jordan were even stopping there, in fact I was home in bed asleep at the time, but here's what happened... Larry ordered his and Jordan's food and then asked for 2 cherry turnovers, to bring home to me. "Sorry sir, we are all out of cherry turnovers..." said the woman who was working the counter. My husband got a horrified look on his face and said, "you're kidding..." and looking very upset he said, "I don't know what I'm going to do. If I go home without them, my wife will beat me..." He never cracked a smile saying all this, so the woman took him very seriously and said, "sir we won't have them until morning." A

Me with Susie Q... Sunday night's Thanksgiving Dinner & Pastor Appreciation

I just finished making another pumpkin pie, a cake, and now I'm working on our seven layer salad for tomorrow. I will admit it is not the easiest thing in the world to make a good pie crust. After my post yesterday I got several comments about making pies so I thought I'd post some helps for those who might want to venture out and try it instead of buying a frozen one. There are several things that go into making it "just right" or well, at least a workable pie crust. (lol) First, you must be in a good mood. Stop laughing. No... start laughing is more like it, I guess! Turn on some uplifting music. Tell yourself, "this is going to be a perfect pie crust!" and get started. For those who think I'm kidding, I was always taught that you must be in a good mood to make a pie crust, and it has proven itself true in my life. If in a bad mood you will get irritated when rolling it out and lifting it into the pan and you will more than likely throw it away and s

Today I worked from home and got the last few church things done before Thanksgiving (remotely from home) and then made two homemade pies for Thanksgiving...pumpkin and cherry. Pie is probably my favorite dessert of all time. My grandmother used to make excellent pies...the absolute best. I don't quite come up to her standard but I try hard. I am also making something special for Larry's birthday which is Friday. I won't put the details here, being that he reads my blog daily -- good husband that he is. (GRIN) I cleaned out my spice cabinet today and rearranged it. I've been wanting to do that for four years. Seriously. It's waited that long. It's a major job as the cabinet is large and being that I am a serious cook I have a gazillion spices, cooking and baking products. For some reason the mood struck me today to just do it. Dustin is at college in classes til late tonight, Jordan has an away soccer game tonight and Larry has a board meeting. I am going to g

Sue took this candid photo of me c apturing some of the sights on the streets of Kenya by video...I hope to post video soon after we edit it down so that you can have a better picture of what really happened and what we experienced... I didn't blog at all yesterday which is rare to almost non-existent! It has been so hard getting back in the swing of things since I came back. We arrived on Saturday night but our luggage didn't. Since there are absolutely no liquids allowed in the carry on bags in Kenya, I had some things in the checked baggage that I really wanted for Sunday morning. The bags came at 5 am and I got up and unpacked them and got ready for church. As most everyone knows, Sundays start real early for me anyway and I have worship rehearsal, teaching SS, then service and the day just keeps going like a locomotive... We had a good service and Sue and I testified in both Sunday School and service for just a few minutes. I will post more once our video is ready.

Tuesday Night Opening I was not supposed to preach on Tuesday night. The opening was scheduled for the General Superintendent and Mama Taifa, (pictured at right with her husband, and me), however as I was walking to the tent for the service, Mama Taifa said, “Deanna, would you be willing to preach instead?” I was a bit stunned for a moment as I didn’t expect it however I’m always ready. The question was…would Sue be ready to give her testimony on the opening night? I really wanted her to give it the first time I ministered. She agreed and was a real trooper about it. She did want to go back and change into another dress and Mama Taifa graciously gave us some extra time to get ready since after all she did ask me to preach 5 minutes beforehand! Mama Taifa introduced me and I was so excited to greet the women again. I poured my love out to them and told them how much I have missed them. My heart really has longed so much to be there and it was almost surreal when I was. I preached t

We're back in Tampa but our luggage isn't. Oh well, I'd rather be missing it at home rather than in Africa. Much easier to deal without having my things here than out of the country. It's supposed to be delivered in the middle of the night, so we're praying that it comes before I have to get ready for church in the morning. I'm going to post the highlights from the conference on Sunday. Very tired and headed to bed right now. I slept on the plane a whole lot on the 30 hour journey...some of the first real sleep I have had in a week however I am still tired. This trip really took a lot out of me but of course it was so worth it. It is going to take me days to catch up but I'll get back on track soon. I am not answering any e-mails until Monday so if you write, thanks for your understanding. Just need a while to get acclimated back to the routine. Thank you to all of you who fasted and prayed for us. Your pressing in brought great results! Love to all,

Pre-scheduled post: Today is the final day here in Africa...then plan is to go to the Maasai market with Bill and Barb and have lunch there and then do our final packing to come back home. We don't leave until 11:30 PM Kenya time so we have the whole day and evening with them before we have to get to the airport at about 9:30 pm. Last year I cried profusely leaving Barb at the airport (she cried too) and even the security guard was touched watching us and asked us if we were okay. After she left and I went through security, I sat in the airport with my Java House coffee I cried for 2 hours still trying to come to grips with leaving. And...I did a lot of crying in the days to come as you who are close to me know. My husband thought I needed counseling at the time but I told him I wasn't the strange one, a lot of Americans are upside down and I'm the one who's right side up! (On this issue, at least!) Pastor T asked me the other day before I left if I thought I

Pre-scheduled post: Well, this is it -- the last day of the conference. By now I guarantee you I am trying to wrap my head and heart around the fact that I am going to have to leave these ladies tomorrow. Last year I cried myself to sleep until 3 am just trying to come to grips with the departure. I am going to try my best not to do this but please understand, Africa has a way of getting in your heart and changing one's life forever. Please believe with me for a mighty move of God in tonight's service. The message I'm preaching is entitled, "Not Without My Sister!" I believe the best is yet to come. Pray the price with me for what God wants to do! p.s. check the Twitter. As if you have to be reminded again... :-)

Pre-scheduled post : We are expecting a blockbuster day today! I just can't wait to see what God will do! I'll be preaching twice - once this morning, once this evening. This morning's message is, "God of the Turnaround" and tonight's is, "Take God at His Word"! I can't wait to unleash this word! Thank you for your prayers that this whole day/evening will be absolutely saturated in the anointing God! p.s. check the Twitter. Are you getting tired of me saying that? :-)

Prescheduled post: Today is the opening day of the National Women's Conference! I am so excited I'm about to burst! It feels like this moment took forever to get here, but at the same time it seems like yesterday that I was just here. Today I'm going to be re-united with thousands of people I dearly, dearly love!!! "Mama Dustin" is back in the house! I'm wearing my pink African dress today with all the pieces. You can read the story on the link there to see how I received this awesome dress. Remember to check the Twitter later...

Today started with monkeys on our roof. It was quite delightful although it did scare us to death at first...myself more than Sue. She actually had the courage to open the door to see who our intruder was. It ended up to be several monkeys who were throwing things down on the roof of our house, and even hit a power line and knocked our lights out for a moment. At first I was angry because they scared us, but then I thought about it and told Sue that I think this happened just for me. In retrospect I thought that people or animals come near those they know they love them. I know those monkeys came for me. I am only half kidding. But Sue is almost fallling over laughing while I'm reading this to her as I write it. On a serious note...today was nothing short of amazing. I don't know what else I thought it would be but amazing however God is always exceeding my expectations or imaginations of what might happen. This morning the first thing we did after dealing with our intruders

Live update from Kenya: Today we will start our day by going to the East Africa School of Theology where we will be for the next four days ministering. Before all of the ladies arrive for the national conference, their executive and national leadership women come together for meetings. I will be speaking to them this morning, teaching and sharing on leadership. I absolutely fell in love with these ladies last year. Seriously, I'm going to scream with excitement when I see some of them that are especially dear to my heart. Couldn't wait to get back to them. Among them are national executives, district superintendent's wives, pastor's wives and women's leaders. Today, I'm going to bare my soul to them in my open, honest and candid way...and I know God is going to move! Before I do all that we're going to give each of them some beautiful gifts from the people of Northside Assembly of God! Yippee! They are going to be so excited. We also have some awesome gifts

This morning was nothing short of amazing at Buru Buru AG! God changed up all our plans as He's so good at doing! I was supposed to preach the morning service at Buru Buru and then quickly head to the orphanage in Limuru for the dedication. However things changed. The Spirit of God fell so mightily in the first service at Buru Buru and we had such a breakthrough that the pastor asked me to stay to preach for the next service! I was not scheduled to do that since we were going the orphanage. Understanding what God was doing and wanting it to continue in the church this morning Dr. Kuert said he would be glad to release me to the church for the day and have them take care of Sue and I and bring us home to the missionary compound when all of the ministry was done at the church. What a time we had!!! I had 45 minutes to preach in the first service because we needed to end right on time so that the second service people could come in. I gave the service back over to the pastor to concl

I prescheduled this to post before I left: This morning I am preaching at Buru Buru Kenya Assembly of God led by co-pastors Pius & Jane Tembu. They are not only very well known pastors here, but also serve in local and national leadership for the AG there. Pastor Pius is the Secretary General of the Kenya Assemblies of God and the Nairobi District Superintendent. Pastor Jane is a powerful preacher in her own right and on the executive leadership of the women's ministries also on the national level. They invited me to preach at their church this morning and I'm so excited. From what I hear they have a 4,000 seat sanctuary and 3 levels (tiers as one article I read called it) and multiple morning services. I'm preaching on Pentecostal Power! (Did I mention I can't wait?) After ministering at the church this morning, and having lunch this afternoon we are traveling to Limuru to dedicate a children's orphanage. I can't wait!!! Sue has bought these kids a zill

Dr. Bill Kuert, Barbara Kuert, Sue Flint, Me, Heather - Bill & Barb's niece I have updated all of the photos below with the photos that I actually took in Nakuru today. I have lots -- these are for now. Today Sue and I got all the gifts for the ladies lined up and counted and we have about 778 or something like that. We also have gifts for the missionaries and the African women's leadership. Very exciting!!! We are now at the missionary compound getting things ready for service in the morning in Buru Burn. I have studying and praying to do tonight so...so long for now. Priority is...amazing service in the morning. Keep checking the Twitter for updates! Love to all...

I replaced the photo that was on there earlier with one that I actually took in Nakuru. This is the place where millions of flamingo are 24/7. It's beautiful. I scheduled this to pre-post before leaving for Africa : Lord willing, we are still in Nakuru today, and by the time you read this we will more than likely have begun our journey back to the missionary compound. We'll get a good night's sleep and hopefully be adjusted better now to the time change. I am preaching in the morning! Can't wait! Please keep checking the Twitter on the sidebar to see what's going on...I've got unlimited texting so I'll do it liberally. * This photo is one someone took in Nakuru. The area we are ministering in is so needy and one of the most poverty striken in the world, but at the same time there are parts of the nation that are so beautiful! Once I have my own photos of some of the sights, I'll be uploading them for you but posted this in case I don't have any

Pre-scheduled post: God willing, the plan today is to go with our host missionaries Bill and Barb Kuert to Nakuru. I will blog about from there it if I'm able to get internet but it's doubtful we will have internet out there which is why I have pre-scheduled these posts to clue you in as to where we are day by day . We will spend the night there in Nakuru and go back to the missionary compound tomorrow afternoon. Keep in mind we're 8 hours ahead of you who are on EST. We have probably been in Nakuru for at least 8 hours by the time you read this. (Some took this photo in Nakuru. I'll post my own pics once I have them.)

If you have been reading the Twitters I've been leaving, you know all the main details of our days the past 2 days. We got here just fine. Thank you for praying! I know the prayers of my friends worked several times when it came to us getting seats together, and having no turbulence. Quick testimony: We were waiting to take off from London to Kenya, and the pilot came on the intercom and said, "folks, I need to warn you we are definitely going to have turbulence on part of our ride today especially when we go over Rome." He went on to say there was a lot of rain and wind there and just wanted to prepare us so we would not be surprised. A little bit later the flight attendant came by and asked us if we wanted a drink and I kiddingly said to Sue, "man, after that announcement maybe I need a shot of whiskey!" We both cracked up. OBVIOUSLY I was kidding. But seriously, I was kind of disheartened about the announcement but told Sue, "we have a lot of people

I prescheduled this to post before I left for Africa... God willing, Sue and I should have arrived in London by now, and boarded our plane at Heathrow to leave for Africa at 5 AM Tampa time. (EST) We are going to be on the plane ride this morning/afternoon for about another 8 hours and 20 minutes. If you will check my Twitter on the sidebar, you should see that I've posted that we landed on the second flight. I probably also texted what we did during our layover at the airport so check it out. In particular, I was looking forward to eating breakfast at what is both mine and Bill & Barb Kuert's (Kenya miss ionaries) very favorite spot at London Heathrow Airport. It's called Pret A Manger and they have THE MOST yummy croissants in the world. By the time you read this, God willing we are on our plane and should arrive in Africa at 1:20 pm this afternoon, Tampa time. This will be 25 hours and 20 minutes that we will have traveled, 8,718 miles. When we arrive this afterno

Right now I'm on line at London Heathrow...we got here safe and sound at 2 am EST. We ate at Pret a Manger and freshened up and in a little bit we'll board our next flight to Africa which will be about 8 and 1/2 hours long. Coolest thing happened yesterday...I seriously believe in divine appointments on a daily basis and am always preaching about it. Many might think I exaggerate these experiences with ministering to people I don't even know in airports or on planes or in stores, but truly I don't. It's always nice to have a witness with me to see how this really does always happen to me! We got on our first flight to Philly and it was totally full and not much room for stowing carryons. Sue and I had to rearrange our overhead compartment to fit our stuff and a lady got all in a tizzy that we touched her bag. She was a little overwrought about nothing. Well then comes the last person on the plane, a man who had the seat next to us. His carryon never did get in the o

Prescheduled post : I wanted to do a few special things with the kids before I left for Africa. Savanna asked if we could get our nails done together yesterday morning before I left. She got a manicure and had her nails painted bright orange with designs. I'd take a photo now to show you, however she's asleep. lol For me, I like to get something unique as far as design when there's a special occasion in my life ~ holidays, a ministry trip, etc. Most times I just have a solid color with a small design on only my ring finger. (I usually get all my designs, repairs, etc. for free since I'm a very loyal customer, which is wonderful...) So Africa was in the "special" category and I asked Lisa for a design I've had before and really liked. Here it is ~ I just love it and wanted to share it with you... As I've mentioned before in my posts, I'm particular about my hands and taking good care of them. I want them to look and feel good as I pray wi

This morning we leave for Africa!! I can't believe the day has finally come although I have been racing against the clock to get ready. Sue has as well. Some of you have asked me, "who is this Sue person who is going with you?" I take for granted that everyone knows and has been reading here forever...sorry. Sue is one of the key leaders in our church. She is our our core leadership team, women's leadership team, and is one of our Fusion small group leaders. However her main role is Aprile's Hope Ministries which is a support group for women dealing with domestic violence or significant loss, which falls under the umbrella of our women's ministries. Not to mention, she's one of my dearest friends. I did a blog post about her last year that you can find here . We will take three flights (one short one and two extremely long ones) and arr ive tomorrow night in Africa. I wanted to show you the giant plane (airbus) we are traveling on in case you have neve