Deanna Doss Shrodes

We gave away 74 gifts today as the finale of our mother's day service! Janice and Candy did an excellent job collecting the gifts and wrapping them for the big event. At the close of the giveaway the ladies of the church presented me with these flowers as well as a gift certificate to my fav place (Carrabbas) and a card from my life coaching ladies that was one of those "record your message" cards -- they all yelled, "happy mothers day - we love you"...and the card played "you're some kinda wonderful". They also said some really heartwarming things presenting me with this...it was so touching!!! Here I am on stage during the service with the women who presented the gifts to me ~ left to right, Janice, Candy, me, Cathy. When he came home from work Jordan brought me this ice cream cake he made at Dairy Queen. Cool! (Literally!) Tomorrow night is my mother's day gift from Larry...I can't wait...I am SO excited about what he is doing for me....

Here's to REAL Moms. Not the ones you see on TV, whether "reality show" or not. If it's on TV it's not reality. (Those Moms have a lot of extra help and money to get done what needs to get done, unlike all of us Moms in the real world who have to accomplish everything at home, work, school, church or wherever else.) It's not reality for most families to take multiple vacations in one year to Disney, ski resorts, cruises and the like. One vacation? Sure. Several, all expenses paid where the family is jetting here and there? No. It's not reality for most families to live in a 7,000 square foot nor a multi-million dollar home. It's not reality for most women to have five nannies. It's not reality for most families to have an income over six figures. It's not reality for most of the "real" moms out there to constantly receive free brand new clothes, jewelry, shoes, home furnishings, and foods from companies. I don't admire these famil...

Yes, already! I must say I didn't expect this as I feel like I'm still learning and going by the seat of my pants some days. The last thing I expected was being entrusted with some more responsibility already. Yesterday, the manager called and said she had something to talk to me about. Being that on Tuesday she told me, "you're great Deanna... you just don't know you're great yet!" I knew it wasn't to tell me I was fired or not producing enough this time. :-) I think I'm finally over the fear when she calls and says, "I have something I need to talk to you about." So we played phone tag yesterday but finally she connected with me this morning. And... today I was asked to also serve as training coordinator...as well as continuing my work with them as a job coach! Starting: effective immediately. My first little project was today and now I'm just going to steadily learn two jobs at once (as well as keeping my primary one - pastoring!) ...

We came home last night and I began the arduous task of unpacking. I don't really mind packing too much, but unpacking...ugh! It was so good to see the kids. Savanna texted me a bazillion times on my way home, "how much more time Momma?" Finally the last time she texted she said, "where are you?" And I said, "home!" and she came flying out to the driveway with big hugs for her Daddy and me. Maddie went crazy too, jumping all over us and generally freaking out. The boys were pretty much cool as cucumbers as they usually are, with a kiss on the cheek. Although I had done a lot of work on the road this week, I had much to wrap up today for the weekend including my final draft of my message, powerpoint, going over some things with Eddie for sound on Sunday, making phone calls,and more. I'm so excited about my message for Sunday I could just scream! It's going to be a good one, I think. Today when practicing one of my illustrations for Sunday, Eddie...

Yesterday was a phenomenal day at district council. I am so excited about several things that were unexpected yet wonderful blessings: 1) The district credential renewal fee has now been abolished. Give me a shout up here in this blog! :-) lol 2) Pastor Ed Russo was voted in as assistant superintendent! Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!! I absolutely could not be happier about this. And everyone I am friends with is thrilled about it, and can't stop talking about how fantastic it is. Yesterday we had a great women 's luncheon and Maria brought a fantastic message on synergy. Last night was Pastor Betzer's last message as asst. supt and he was excellent as usual. I will miss his messages at council greatly but look forward to what is to come in other ways. The fact is, I tape his weekly messages on TV each week and listen to them so I will still have a weekly Betzer fix. :-) ha ha! We had dinner before service and dessert afterwards with friends and so enjoyed the time and came back to our ...

Today is the second day of district council in Orlando. Yesterday I had to be here early for a women's meeting for the district reps board, and caught up momentarily in there with some of my good friends and then raced off to dinner with Teeb. It was good to just breathe....to sit and just talk for a while - the two of us, about various things we just needed to catch up on, over some seafood. Mmmm. It's amazing that we do live together, work together, yet often don't have the time to connect and have conversations about things that are pending. This is always a good time to do that. Last night Dr. George Wood (General Superintendent of AG) was the speaker and I always love to hear him. I have always been a huge fan way before he ever became Supt. He's a huge advocate of women in ministry and down through the years I have appreciated so much his stand and his willingness to go to the bat for us time and again. He is a real man...a fearless man, who is not afraid of the ...

We are off to District Council in Orlando this morning. Can't wait to see my friends! I'm on the road but thought I'd post something fun before leaving this morning. I was on a serious topic all week last week and then linked to my ministry wives article Saturday...I thought I'd go for something a little more lighthearted today. I came up with the idea of telling you five offbeat facts having to do with each of the five senses. For those of you who know me real well these are old hat, but here we go. Taste: I love brie cheese. My friend Janice Shehan got me started on it. (Thanks Janice, for this calorie laden favorite that you got me hooked on years ago...) Actually I like any kind of cheese but brie ~ warm and gooey preferably ~ is on my mind since I've had it twice in one month thanks to Janice and Gayle. :-) S mell: I love the smell of my husband's cologne when I nuzzle up to his neck. Touch: I love the feeling of baths and showers. I take two a day and alw...