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 pres

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

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 encoura

"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 cha

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 absolut

We spent the evening with the Mackleys, as they are in for the weekend.  They came for Jordan's party, and Pastor T , Larry and Jordan spent the day together doing a special project at the church.  We are getting ready for what I believe will be an amazing service this morning...gearing up for what God will do at Celebration Church .  This morning is Jordan's last Sunday on the drums.  He's experiencing the plethora of "lasts" this week here in Tampa before he goes off to basic training.  I'm trying not to think about it too much.  I've had two horrible crying jags...by myself when no one is around.  Crying isn't something I do a whole lot in front of people, at least not to this point in my life, for many reasons.  Maybe that will be something profound to write about in future days, but not today. I hate the fact that there has to be a "last" anything this morning but since we're not in heaven yet it's just the way life is structur

Jordan's party last night got a little insane.  The police showed up (after being called by some neighbors who had their panties in a wad) and literally told Larry that they can put a homeowner in jail for the night if they don't comply with what they ask them to do regarding breaking up a party.  [sigh]  So what happened? Well I knew we had over 100 people on the premises when we ran out of 100 cups in a blink of an eye!  I had to quickly have Irene help me wash some cups.  Cars were lined all the way around down both sides of the street, even the corners.  The entire front yard was filled with kids, the adults took up the back yard, and more people filled the house and even on the side of the house all down the sidewalk.  (We are the corner house.)   So the police came and talked to Larry and then both of us together and first they addressed the car issue.  They were upset at the amount of cars lined up on the sides of the street.    I said, "no problem, we'll g

Tonight is Jordan's farewell party.  If you are just tuning in here on the blog, let me bring you up to speed -- he leaves Tuesday for the Air Force.  He will be at boot camp in San Antonio, TX for the next eight and a half weeks, then tech school after that, and then he will be stationed somewhere.  Yep, he's officially growing up.  After getting back from Naples I've been busy getting everything ready for the farewell party.  There are so many people who have RSVP'd to come.  I'm a little concerned about parking and space, but trying not to think about it too hard.  Actually I'm trying not to think of anything too much right now concerning him leaving.  :)  I don't know whether to avoid it or fully embrace the emotions and just deal with them.  This is the first time I've ever had a kid move out, let alone go into the military and off to boot camp and God knows where from there.  Okay, that's enough thinking about that for now...it's about all

There is no way I can adequately describe how amazing the ministry time in Naples was.  HE SHOWED UP!!   I couldn't really articulate it beyond that (and that's pretty rare for me) so I asked Candy to share about it at church last night.  Speaking of Fusion last night...WOW, so glad we made it home in time.   No blog yesterday...we were in Naples all day without internet, and rolled into Tampa just in time for Fusion...came home afterwards to be with my family.  Although Naples was unforgettable, home is sweet. :)   Back with my husband, my kids, and my dogs.  Slept in our own bed last night.  Oh yes.

Candy and I are on the road this morning, headed to Naples. I'll be speaking tonight at Parkway Life Church of God , where   Motivated by Love Ministries is having an outreach.  This is not a women's event, it's for everyone.  (If you live in the Naples area, bring everybody you know and come on over!  The church is located at 5975 Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples.)  Tonight I'm preaching about Pentecostal Power...one of my favorite things to talk about!  Somebody give a shout up in here!!!!  Wahhhhhhhhhhhooooooo.....................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What's happening at the intersection of womanhood, marriage, parenting, ministry and career this week?  An amazing array of stuff!!   I knew I'd be in Naples today and tomorrow so I worked like crazy yesterday.  I worked from home but finished 12 church projects that were on my agenda for this week.  If I didn't work from home they would have never gotten done, with the way interruptions go.  I knew if I didn't

I love words. As a kid I collected words like some kids collect crayons. If there's a better way to say something, I want to find it. Writing words, saying words, singing words, typing words... any way to utilize words to increase others, is what I love to do.  Martin Luther said, "If you want to change the world, pick  up your pen."  I believe that with all my heart.  I wake up each day with a passion in my heart to do that. I've decided that some time during each week I'm going to share a "word of the week."  The word will be one that I particularly enjoy using and want to share with others.  I will share the definition but also ways that I might typically use the word in a sentence. If you want to increase your vocabulary, try adding just one new word a week.  Find ways to fit that word into your converations in some way every day.  In doing so you will have practice using the word and it will become a regular part of your vocabulary that