Deanna Doss Shrodes

I'm going back tomorrow morning...I can hardly believe it's finally here. These are some of my favorite photos that I've taken on my previous trips.  Although I have brought back some great photos and video, nothing compares to experiencing the beauty of the place and most of all the people up close and personal. 

When I go on a trip of this nature, I always say I'll start getting things together months in advance but despite the best laid plans, there is always so much to do right before departure.

Getting my clothes ready is always a challenge for Africa as the expectations are very different than  here in America.  The dress code for a visiting woman minister includes ALL dresses (no pants) of a very modest length and style.  I don't wear anything immodest even when in the USA however standards there are much more conservative.  We are only allowed to wear pants when we will not be around anyone from the conference, or the church.  (Of course that is the majority of our time.  We will even stick to the dress code while in the slums as it will be expected.)  Everything we wear there will be a dress or skirt WELL below the knee, and no sleeveless dresses or tops.  I do have things in my closet that fit this expectation, of course, however wearing them practically 24/7 for a week presen…

I am going to miss my family more than anyone when I go to Africa Tuesday.  Next to them, I will miss my dogs immensely.  They really bring so much joy into my life on a daily basis, especially on difficult days.  This past week with dealing with the rollercoaster ride concerning Jordan's departure, their love was especially appreciated.  There were times I was crying and they just wouldn't leave my side and snuggled right up to comfort me.


They snuggle up to each other a lot too.  It's just precious.
Maxie, "maxin' relaxin' and chillaxin, on our bed.
Hmmmm...what can I do next?  What book of Mommy's can I chew to smithereens now that I have eaten My Utmost for His Highest and her favorite Ronald Reagan book?
It's a good thing I'm so cute cause I can be such a pistol! 

Mommy took a break from writing and I thought I'd sit down and update my Facebook page.

Here I am with the next vocabulary word to share.  Actually I thought I would share three that I often use.    These words have come to mind quite a bit this past week, although I use them often in my daily conversations regarding various circumstances going on in the world.  

Lament - to mourn, to grieve. 
Example of ways to use this word:
Deanna began to lament the reality of the life changes she was facing, and faith in God and the support of friends sustained her.

Vexed ~ bothered, afflicted.
Example of way to use this word:
Deanna was very vexed in her spirit about the changes she was going through, and the presence of God was what lifted her up again and again.

Exacerbate ~ to  make worse.
Example of way to use this word:
Saying goodbye to her son and leaving for Africa at the same time was only going to exacerbate the feelings of grief Deanna had, but God in His power and mercy intervened!

So now, why don't we try  using all three words in a sentence?

My friends, do …

Jordan will not be leaving on Tuesday.  Apparently what they told him at MEPS wasn't accurate.  Yesterday afternoon we spoke with the recruiter and basically what happened is that when you don't ship out on your scheduled date, the job they had for you is given to someone else.  Therefore, he now has to wait for another job to open up.  It could be anytime in the coming weeks, however they said in all probability it will be September.  As you can imagine he was NOT a happy camper when he heard that.  He was devastated at first.  But we've been talking to him about the fact that God is in control and for some reason he was not supposed to be with the group that started this week.  Just  as I had to trust God with what seemed like the initial decision for me to miss his departure, so I now have to trust God with the apparent decision to delay his departure for a while.

There are pros and cons to starting sooner or later but we're choosing to look at the pros and encourag…

"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They're like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers- Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season." Jeremiah 17:7 (The Message)

I absolutely love the worship song, "Desert Song". One of my favorite parts of the lyric is, "All of my life, in every season, you are still God, I l have a reason to sing...I have a reason to worship!"

What a season I'm in.  This week has been a horrible rollercoaster of emotions. Yesterday we were supposed to be saying goodbye to Jordan as he was scheduled to leave for Air Force basic training in San Antonio, TX. His Daddy and I had cried a bucket of tears Sunday night and all day Monday again.    We had a special family dinner Monday night after he was checked into Mainsail (where they are required to stay) and prepared for the challen…

Yesterday was so hard.

Today is harder. 

We can really use any prayers you'd like to send our way.   That's all I have to say right now -- words can't really describe how it feels to be us right now unless you've already been where we're at. 

Proud?  Yes. 

Hurting?  That too.

One doesn't cancel the other out.

Thanks. :)

p.s.  Jordan's last facebook status before he left for basic training:  "Jordan...is learning to follow before I’m given the privilege to lead!"

Yesterday was a hard day.  Jordan's "last" for everything at church. We have to drop him off at the MEPS hotel tonight to spend the night.  Tomorrow he has to swear in a second time and after that goes to the airport to leave for basic training.  We will go to the airport to say goodbye to him and that will be it -- the official "transition" into adulthood and out of our home as far as living here anymore.

Quite a few people have asked how I'm doing with it.  I know they mean well and they care, but my honest thought when I'm asked that question is, "does it really matter?"  Whether I'm doing okay or not, either way there is nothing I can do about it.  Jordan is happy and I want him to be happy.  Who doesn't want their child to be happy?   I accept his decision and am proud of him, and just do what I do...which is keep "doing."

Did you ever realize how little control you have over anything in life?  Really we have absolutely…