Deanna Doss Shrodes

The finances of our home have something in common with how I lead PF Women. If we don't have the money, we don't do it. Larry and I only have two things on credit -- our home, and our car. Aside from that we don't have any debt that isn't paid off at the end of each month. And, we're tithers who give generously on top of that. We have always been faithful in our giving, and have grown wiser with finances as our marriage has progressed.We are grateful to God for His provision and blessing. So, with these things established: I wanted to do a project in our yard. It wouldn't be a do-it-yourself project but one that we'd have to hire out. It would include a lot of things that are meaningful to me including multiple larger (more mature) dark pink crepe myrtle trees, rose bushes, hydrangeas, and a lot more. Plans were drawn up and we received an estimate. It would take at least six months to save up for the project. My favorite thing would be the area tha...

  "Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole." ~ Roger Caras Five days have passed since Maddie died and it’s still so hard. (Please don’t give me the advice, “Time for a puppy!” We don’t want another puppy and besides that, we have our beloved Max. ) Maddie wasn’t just an animal. She was family. I came across this article about how the death of a pet can hurt as much as the loss of a relative. People who haven’t ever have “fur kids” as many call them, will never understand that or much else about our relationship with them.  I have thought about why the bond between people and their pets is so strong and there are a myriad of reasons. The first that most people mention is unconditional love. That's true. I also believe the loss of a pet is so traumatic because no one else is in your personal space so much, except a spouse.  Max and Maddie (and now just Max) sit faithfully alongside while I put my make up on and blow dry my hair....

Yes, I've actually heard that. From time to time I talk with individuals who seem to think people's affection and dedication to their dogs is an over-the-top, unwarranted response. After all...they are, "just" dogs. And to this, I think, "hold me back, Jesus..." This is my favorite inspirational story that has come out from the Newtown tragedy. It's about "comfort dogs" that have been brought in to help the surviving children and their families. One little boy who lived through the tragedy was not able to speak of what happened all this time but when they brought in the comfort dog, he began to talk to the dog and explain to the dog what he had been through. The dog therapy accomplished what humans had not been able to do. Dogs are not "just dogs" and I have little patience for human beings who poo-poo their worth. Max and Maddie listen to me for hours on end. (Larry is grateful for their ministry...lol.) While I ha...

Photo credit: Savanna Shrodes How or why is pastoring more challenging than any other profession? I'm about to answer that question today. I'm blogging over at Pastoring Partners Network today and if you're interested you can read my post, Why Pastoring Is Harder, there. Speaking of hard things...we have been without A/C for four days now. In temperatures up to 91 degrees. It has rained some this weekend which made it somewhat more bearable. Our A/C needed to be replaced. It has already been repaired twice and this time it couldn't be. So, we are supposed to get it installed today. I am hoping the family can sleep well tonight. In the meantime I have counted it all joy and kept my mind on friends in other countries, and even one friend in the USA, who does not have A/C. What new compassion it has given me for them. Right now it's 89 inside our house and even the dogs are just laying here, tongues hanging out, although I have given them plenty of ice water. Co...

"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole." ~ Roger Caras  It was my my husband's idea to get Max and Maddie in the first place. I resisted the thought of getting another dog, because I know what it takes to really care for them properly. It's a huge investment of time, energy and money.  We got not one but two dogs. I promptly fell head-over-heels in love with them and the rest is history. Max is a mix of American Bulldog & Olde English Bulldog.  Maddie is a mix of English Bulldog and Boxer. We go places and do things on our day off but I can't wait to get back home to them. Being away on our day off no longer has the same appeal that it used to. And I don't get as excited about vacation as I previously did because it means leaving them. I anticipate a good time on trips, but it's kind of a double edged sword because it means being away from them and I know no matter how good anyone cares for them they don't ...

And that's okay. Just let us be as we lavish love upon the fur-kids of the world. It doesn't mean we don't care about people. We do care. In fact most of the people I know who are great pet lovers are also the greatest philanthropists. If you're not a dog lover, you might not understand the overwhelming intensity that many of us felt about Tank's reunion this past week. You might think we've lost our marbles. That's okay, we think you've lost your heart. ;)  Before I go on with this post, let me say that we were delighted that CBS 10 posted the video and article about Tank and his Celebration Church reunion yesterday. Click here to watch it. (But then come back!) If you haven't realized it, there is a revolution in America about dogs. Dogs have always been loved and known as the most loyal companions ~ "man's best friend". But things have gone way beyond this. Dogs aren't just dogs or friends anymore. They are family me...

Uncle Mike has been taking such good care of us, but when...when...when will Momma and Daddy, Dustin, Jordan and Savanna be home? He says they are coming home today.   But how many more hours? How many more minutes? It's been a whole five days since we've pounced on them and licked their faces.  That's way too long, but thank you Uncle Mike for treating us as your very own. We love you,

I'm thankful for my amazing family.  I'm thankful for my home.    I'm thankful for our amazing church !  This is a photo from our Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday night.  The best ever! I'm thankful for this sweet BFF who never leaves my side.  This is Maxie last night sitting next to me while I updated facebook.  He sits right next to me just like this whenever I work on the computer.  A constant, faithful, sweet friend.   When he wants me to stop typing and give him a little more attention he touches me with his paw and I love on him a little before going back to work. Thankful for this sweet girl -- our miracle!  Maddie lights our world with love.  Her scar is a reminder to us of where she was and how far she's come, and that God does answer prayer.  I'm thankful for the street we live on, for the nice sidewalks I walk on every day. I'm thankful for the sights I see on my walks everyday in our neighborhood. ...