Hello Again!

I am not sure if anyone out there is still checking in. I am sure it has seemed as if I had given up on my little blog. I don't know about you all, but May has been the busiest month with all of the end of the year get togethers and parties. It is almost as busy as the month of December!


I have been thinking about what to write about, and there are a number of things I could share with you from the past month. We spent several days at the lake last week for Memorial Day. This was our first time at the lake for the summer. For those of you who don't know, the Shelton's love the lake. We have a place on Smith Lake, and we try to stay there as much as we can during the summer months. All of the boys love the water and have grown up swimming and spending summers at the lake. Last summer when Nathan was being evaluated for transplant, we learned that he would not be able to swim in the lake after transplant. This will sound crazy - but of all the things I heard that day, this probably made me the most sad. I realize in the grand scheme of things, this should have been the least of my worries. And I have been able to put things in perspective since then. But, with the first lake visit of this summer upon us, I wondered what it would be like for Nathan. He has always loved to swim, swim, swim - probably more than anyone else in the family. I must say that he was really great though. The other boys swam, rode the inner tube and all the usual stuff and Nathan did not complain. For those of you who know Nathan well, you know that he is extremely strong willed. If he wants to do something bad enough, he can make it hard for everyone with his fussing (I say that very lovingly)! But he was great. There were times when I could tell that he was disappointed and he would quietly say, "I wish that I could......" It did make me a little bit sad that he couldn't do things that he has always loved doing. Nathan found so many other things to do, thanks primarily to my dad. Nathan got to ride in the canoe, go on a late night fishing trip, play in the sprinkler, play in the sand.... all of these things were a treat for him and made him feel special and not left out. I thought that I would share a few pictures.

Now that I have told you about our Memorial Day - I have to tell you that I was looking for a new song to play on the blog, and I came across a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that I had not heard before called Moment Made for Worshipping. I think that God led me to this particular song. I never intended for anything I said above about swimming or not swimming to be negative, but I think this song was a gentle reminder to me that each and every moment is special. Our summer may be a little different from before, but often times we can learn fun, new things when given the opportunity. Nathan may find lots of new interests that he can enjoy. I am so very thankful that we are able to have fun, happy and healthy days. This was not a reality for us just a few months back. Each and every day, each and every moment we are given is special and is a moment made for worshipping, a chance to be thankful for the blessings in our lives. It can be easy to get caught up in our worries and in the day to day things of life. I know I struggle with this. But isn't each and every day a gift? When you might be tempted to do a little complaining this week (like me!), remember the words of this song and take a moment to worship and thank God for the blessings in your life. Check out the words below:

6:30 Monday morning
I'm here hiding in my bed
A song plays on my alarm clock
As I cover up my head
And somewhere in the distance
I remember yesterday
Singing "Hallelujah"
Full of wonder, awe and grace
But now I'm just wondering
Why I don't feel anything
At all
CHORUS:
This is a moment made for worshipping
Cause this is a moment I'm alive
And this is a moment I was made to sing
A song of living sacrifice
For every moment that I live and breathe
This is a moment made for worshipping
When I'm praying with my children
As they're running off to school
When I kiss my wife good morning
Just to say I still love you
When I'm feeling loved and happy
When I'm feeling all alone
When I'm failing to remember
All the love that I've been shown
Every single beat of my heart
Is another new place to start
To know
CHORUS
Every single beat of my heart
Is another new place to start
Right now
CHORUS
From the rising of the sun
To the setting the sun
The name of the Lord is worthy to be praised