1 Year into her Reign

One Year into her Reign as Princess

One year ago today . . .

My brother became Daddy

My sister-in-law became Mommy

My Mom became 2Gran

& I became AUNT Shannon

One of the best year’s ever. But, let me start from the beginning . . .

One year ago yesterday I got a panicked phone call from my older brother. As soon as I picked up the phone I heard, “GO TO THE HOSPITAL, NOW!” Knowing that it was almost time for the arrival of a new baby into the family I had a feeling this was the reason I was going to the hospital. Trying to calm him (something I rarely have to do, in fact it’s typically the opposite, him giving me the “chill out” talk). I’m not sure I responded in the best way but I said, “Is there something going on?” His response, “SHANNON, DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK I’D BE CALLING YOU IF THERE WASN’T SOMETHING GOING ON!?!” I knew then I just needed to get to the hospital. He tells me to go to St. Joe on Harrodsburg Road, thankfully I was close by, as my house is only a few miles away. However, I arrived at St. Joe to some interesting news. There’s no labor and delivery unit at St. Joe. I call Michael back, he says, “No, no, no, go to St. Joe EAST.” If you’re familiar with Lexington, I had to get to the entirely opposite side of town, & it just so happened to be very close to 5PM, nonetheless, off I go.

I pull into the parking lot, see my Dad’s truck and my cousin Douglas. Michael has apparently called both of them panic stricken as well. However, as I get out of my car I ask, “why are you just standing in the parking lot?” Well, we can’t find her!?! Ohh no, hospital number 2 & still no sister-in-law. Calling Michael again I say, we’ve been to St. Joe and St. Joe East, any other ideas? At this point it becomes a little funny. He is clueless to say the least, so I call my sister-in-law. A last resort, considering she’s in labor, but if I don’t call her it’s likely I’ll be driving all over Lexington for the remainder of the evening, rather than get to where I need to be. Thankfully she answers and we find out we’re actually suppose to be at Central Baptist. Another trip across Lexington & we’re finally at the right hospital. Moments after converging at the right hospital we find my sister-in-law and I call my brother to let him know we’ve made it.

Upon answering the phone my brother says, “PLEASE TELL ME YOU’VE FOUND THE RIGHT HOSPITAL THIS TIME!” In fact, we finally did, not in thanks to you though. J Michael then continues his ranting on the phone, “I CAN’T FIND THIS BAG!?!” My response, “What bag, Michael?” “Katie wants some bag! Who needs a bag to have a baby!?! I don’t understand, why am I looking for some flippin’ bag!?!” Trying to remain calm & not bust out laughing at the panicked state my brother is in (This is a rare occasion, so it’s ok that I laugh at him about it.), I explain to him that there are things a person needs while in the hospital preparing for a baby, and in order to bring the baby home. Eventually he finally came across the bag he was supposed to be finding and then began to make his way to the hospital.

After arriving at the hospital the prominent conversation was, boy or girl? My brother and his wife did not find out what they were having, so of course, at this moment, we’re all making our last minute bets on what it could be!?! My answer: “No clue!”

Katie and I had been sitting in her room for quite a while when my phone rings, my brother was calling. I step outside to answer (thankfully) and answer to , “I CAN’T FIND THE HOSPITAL!” Me: “What!?!” Michael: “Shannon, I know it’s right here, but I can’t find it! Help me!” Yet again caught in the predicament of, trying to remain calm but wanting to bust out laughing at the same time, I say, “Ever been to Commonwealth Stadium?” Michael: “Duh, Shannon!” Me: “Act like you’re driving to a football game at Commonwealth but before you get to the right turn, there’s the hospital.” Michael: “I FOUND IT!” Me: Hang up the phone, bust out laughing! As a little sister to someone who is fearless, there have been few moments in my life when I can laugh at my brother’s panicked state, so I took full advantage.

Katie was only in the beginning stages of labor so later that evening I went home to get a few hours of shut eye before welcoming the new Marshall baby into the family the next day. When we were making bets about the gender of the baby my response was, “no clue!” That all changed in my few hours of sleep before coming back to the hospital. That night I had a dream, about a little girl with black curly hair. I walked into the waiting room the next morning and announced to everyone, “it’s a girl & she has black curly hair!” Being the sole person who continuously said, “no clue” on the baby gender question throughout Katie’s pregnancy, my family was quite shocked when I was so certain of my answer. That night I had fallen asleep praying for this new little one who would be entering the world and had a dream that it was a girl, I was certain now.

Hours later, the time drawing nearer, everyone was still making last minute bets in the waiting room on what the gender of the baby was, I stood firm, girl. Katie’s Dad went back to stand close to hear the news the moment the baby arrived into the world. Moments later, we hear footsteps running down the hall, it’s Frank, he ambushes into the waiting room, “IT’S A GIRL!!!” Just steps behind him is my brother, he looks straight at me, “SHANNON!!” Me: “What?” Michael: “IT’S A GIRL WITH BLACK CURLY HAIR!!!” I gave my brother a big hug then ran back to meet the new addition.

Mary Emily Marshall entered the world on November 9, 2010. Now, let me tell you, on November 8^th, 2010, as my sister-in-law sat in a hospital bed in labor I told her, “I don’t do babies.” Well, for the past 365 days I have eaten those words and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

There’s one precious treasure, a baby girl who changed my entire thinking and world. After she arrived and the nurses whisked her off to the nursery I followed them. I stood outside the nursery window and watched her every move. Three and half hours later, someone walked up to me & said, “Are you ok?” Me: “Yes, why?” Well, you’ve been standing here for nearly four hours! What!?! No way! I had stood staring at a precious baby girl for three & a half hours! THREE & A HALF HOURS!

I’m thankful God gave me a special reason to eat the words, “I don’t do babies.” This year has proven to me that I am crazy about a special little girl. She is worth the eating of my words and a whole lot more.

Here are a few of the things I love most about my Mary Emily:

· her giggles

· the way she makes her Mommy & Daddy so happy

· her snuggles

· her fierce independence

· her opinionated sassy nature (even at one J)

· watching her grow

· her enthusiasm for life

· her smile

· watching her learn new things

Mary Emily is a sweet treasure, one that will always be the reason I went from Shannon to Aunt Shannon. I treasure every moment I am able to spend with her, and always crave more. Being an aunt is by far the greatest blessing I have known.

As an Aunt there are a few things I will always want Mary Emily to know:

· the love of Jesus

· the joy of giving

· that no matter where the road leads, I will always love her

· that sometimes a simple smile can go a long way

· that I’m always happy to listen

· that her faith will take her on great journeys

I know I’m not this precious little girls Mom or Dad but I can say, I’ve never known a love as great or deep as the love I have for this little girl. I can’t thank my brother and sister-in-law enough for the time they’ve allowed me to treasure their sweet little girl.

Throughout this year I’ve reflected on my own life and who I am or becoming. I have, more than once, through prayer asked God to let His light shine through me. As I watch this sweet little one grow, I think of how much I desire her to know the love of Jesus and how I want to be a representation of the love Jesus has for His children. I find myself taking steps back and thinking more deeply about simple things, as I want to make decisions that I’d be proud of Mary Emily for making. I hope that God will show himself through me, as there’s nothing I long for this little princess to know more than the love of her heavenly King.

Mary Emily – you are the greatest blessing I have ever known. I love you more everyday and it excites me to know that God has laid out your every step. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to be your Aunt. I love you to the moon and back sweet princess!

Conversations with Kindergarteners

Substitute teaching hasn't made me want to rejoin the teaching field but it sure provides for some great laughs. Teaching kindergarteners is always entertaining . . .

Student: I'm going to see my Grandma for Fall Break!

Me: Ohh Great! Where does your Grandma live?

Student: (with a serious look on their face) Somewhere

Me: Ohh wow! That sounds like a great place.

Student: Yeah!

Student: I can't wait until I'm 16! (Note: student is currently 5.)

Me: Really?

Student: Yes, I'm going to buy a Range Rover.

Me: Wow! I hope you have lots of $ saved up.

Student: I do! I have a blue piggy bank & a white one!

Student's were asked to draw a picture of their favorite thing about Fall.

Me: What is that?

Student: Darth Vader

Me: What does that have to do with Fall?

Student: I'm going to be Darth Vader for Halloween & that's in the Fall.

Me: Great logic. :)

Finding a New Normal

Normal doesn't typically describe my life. Nor does it now either. I've been back from Africa for a few weeks, purchased a new car, living at random places, & finding a job. Many of you have asked, what's going on, so here's a brief update . . .

I'm working ... all the time. I am currently subbing in Scott County. Thanks to the quick admissions process of some wonderful people there I was able to jump right into subbing when I returned. I've been called everyday & have spent the majority of my days at Southern (where I taught last year).

I also have a job at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Lexington. Do I like it? No. Do I love it? YES! I simply walked in one Thursday, handed them my resume, got offered an interview Friday, & began working the following Tuesday. I'm completely blessed that God opened this door to work with such a fun group of people. I love being able to say my job is fun! Really, it's fun! I work here in the evenings, after I sub. My typical shift will be from 3-11PM.

I'm also starting a 3rd job soon at Baby Bundles, just part time, here and there. I'm happy to be beginning this as well. This is a shop that sells baby clothing in Lexington Green.

I did buy another car. Everyone has been asking, were you sad that you sold your other car? My response: do you know me? I obviously love change, having to go car shopping did not hurt my feelings one bit. I'm now the happy owner of a Toyota Camry & I LOVE it!

As for my condo. I have wonderful renters whom I'm super thankful for! I can only hope that they are enjoying living there. As for when their lease is up...well, that's a long time away & I'm in no way ready to make a decision about what I will do then. So, for now, thanks to them! I appreciate knowing it is well taken care of. :)

Now the question everyone has been asking....are you missing teaching? & in fact my answer is .... no. Yes, you heard me correctly, I'm not missing teaching. I currently have no plans to go back into the field. Obviously life has not been what I expected so I dare not say I will never be a teacher again, but as for now I'm perfectly happy not being one & don't plan to look for a full-time position anytime in the near future. My entire former classroom is stuffed into a storage unit & I don't plan on opening the door anytime soon. If next fall I still decide that I have no desire to pursue a teaching career, then I will open the door & allow all of my fellow teacher friends to dig in. :)

A brief glimpse into the life I live ... & currently love. :)

Blessings sweet friends!

Operation Re-Do!

Umm ... let's just say life certainly has some unexpected events, obstacles, turns & twists. I'm back in the USA, figuring out where to go from here. After some bumps in the road in Tanzania I decided it was best to terminate my contract. I'm thankful that I did but now completely lost & confused on where to go from here. There's no need for any long, drawn out explanation, things just didn't work out. I'm currently in the great (incredibly HOT) state of Texas, visiting family. I'll be flying back to KY on Monday to begin the job search. I suppose it's only right that I change the title of my blog to "Lost & Confused" rather than "Teacher Traveler" since I am neither at this point in my life. Right now I'm not really interested in stepping back into the education realm but ready to pursue other options and interest. However, I'm also open to the idea that the job market isn't exactly wonderful & I need to be open minded about where I could end up. Just resting in the fact that even though I thought my life was all figured out & I'd be 1/2 way around the world for at least 2 years I'm simply clueless as to where my life is going or what I'm suppose to be doing. So, here's to new beginnings & finding a new path in life . . .

Questioning

Thank you again for all of your sweet encouragement as I decide what to do with my future. I have had a great experience here so far. I have a great apartment (minus the no hot water thing, haha!) & a great roommate. I've enjoyed seeing the city thus far and the few people I've met that I will be working with have been great. Stacey & I were even able to have a few relaxing hours on the beach today, which I wanted to use to hopefully clear my mind & rejuvenate my heart!

I simply question whether my heart is in teaching, which many of you know I've questioned a lot. I'm praying through the wave of emotions that have hit me within the last 24-48 hours. I only want to give students my best & if my best isn't here then I'm not willing to put them through my regrets.

I have told my wonderful friend Stacey & director that I will be making a decision within the next 48 hours as to what I will be doing, whether that be continuing on with this journey or finding a new road. Lots of conflicted feelings right now but I know God has a sweet plan for such a crazy mixed up heart like mine. I simply hope that my prayers & heart will focus on His plan & be at peace with whatever He should ask me to do.

I appreciate all your friendly & wonderful insight! You are great people with tremendous hearts.

Love you all!

Today is Rough

So, today I was super pumped about seeing my classroom & visiting our school. I wish I could say that I ended the day on just as good of a note.

I'm tremendously grateful for all of your prayers of well wishes & your sweet comments as today I've had a "pity" day. I saw my classroom, but it is not yet finished. My classroom was the former art teacher's classroom. It was not what I expected.

Well . . . maybe I should just say today is a day that has made me realize all the things I'm grateful for back home. A place I thought I wanted to give up, now there's nowhere else I'd rather be. It's crazy how coming 1/2 way around the world showed me that a Saturday night sitting with the sweetest princess in the world, is a huge blessing. That even though I can't stand packing, moving, & unpacking a bazillion boxes every school year, at least I have those things to help make my classroom what it is. My furniture might have splotches & cuts but I have a great home. That although I do not always show them the love & respect that I should I have great family and friends.

I'm struggling today . . . & hoping & praying that the days get better. :) Thanks for your prayers too!

Arrival in Tanzania

Well, for the most part we had an uneventful trip. (Praise God!) Other than a slight downpour during our layover in Ethiopia where our bags got soaking wet, all flights were on time, all luggage arrived, we made it to our apartment, we got some shopping done, & finally we slept for 13 hours, so I'd say we're doing much better!

Funny thing, we got to the airport in Cincinnati only to realize that one of my suitcases was 14 lbs overweight & the other was 18 lbs overweight! Yikes! So, thankfully at the last second I had thrown an old suitcase into my Mom's car to take just in case. Well, thankfully I did that (definitely just God looking out for me). For my overweight suitcases to come it was going to cost $210 PER SUITCASE! But, to add an additional bag it was just $150! So grateful. Of course, Stacey packed 3 suitcases, 2 of which were exactly 50 lbs & 1 that was only 53 lbs! I'm notorious for overpacking. Although, I don't really feel like I overpacked, since we're here for quite sometime. I think what made my suitcases way overweight was that I used vacuum packs, which although it is great for space conservation it also allows you more space to pack which adds weight.

I have taken lots of random pictures of our apartment so you can see where we live. Pre-decorating & post-decorating. We brought a few items from home to help make our place a little more home-like. We love our kitchen tablecloth, it's very girly but also very colorful (& our apartment definitely needed that!).

We have met our landlord, she lives directly below us. She's very nice & thankfully her children speak English so we are able to communicate with her. She has cute little grandchildren. I'm sure we will be loving on them soon. However, I met Natianela today (her 3 month old granddaughter) & realized I wasn't totally ready to start loving on those children yet. Gave me a big lump in my throat when I was talking to her, I miss my Mary Emily like crazy! The day & time will come when I am ready for that but having only been here a little over 24 hours I'm not there yet. The other good thing about where we live is that directly next door to us is a teacher that works at the same school that we do. She's currently in the U.S. for summer break but will be back at the end of August. We're excited to meet her. Our bathroom has been interesting, there's no rod for a shower curtain so it is currently draped across the room using sticky tack & a push pin. Check our my FB soon for some interesting/innovative things we've done since coming here. Something we've had to adjust to is, outside of our window at night we can hear a Muslim worship service. We're not sure if that's just during Ramadan (sp?) or not. Reminds me of Haiti, except there it is Voodoo.

We also met a guy at the airport that we quickly became friends with. He is here with the University of Minnesota working on a project to eliminate blood born pathogens (I think!?!), he is the country manager. He has spent time in Tanzania before, except in Arusha. He is now in Dar (the same city we live in) for about a year. He does however live in a different part of the city & because of the traffic & bad roads we are about 2 hours apart.

We haven't had much of a problem adjusting to the time change. We got here Thursday afternoon (Thursday morning in the U.S.) & we did a ton of shopping, set up our internet & a few other quick things before making it to our apartment. It was totally dark & early evening before we made it here. So, after unpacking a few things & showering we slept for the next 13 hours. Then, today we got up & got to it with other things. So, the transition went quite well.

I must say, I'm so thankful that I came with a friend. Having Stacey here has helped a lot with the transition. We are able to do our shopping together & get our house in order together. She even made a yummy spaghetti dinner tonight! Otherwise, I'm not sure I'd be coping as well. Especially considering upon arrival we found out our apartment does not have air conditioning or hot water. Ugh! What a bummer but so far we have managed. We are buying additional fans for our rooms but it has actually been a bit chilly here at night. This is their "winter", summer will not be until December or January.

We will hopefully see our classrooms on Monday. We have not been to the school yet at all, but we also haven't really had time. I'll update you on that soon. We have gotten to meet a couple of people that work at our school & they have been very kind. In fact, one is coming tomorrow morning (Saturday) to take us shopping again! We've been told tomorrow we are going to the "Wal-Mart of Tanzania". I'll let you know what I think. Haha! Our school did not have a moving allowance, which we were somewhat disappointed about, but after arriving we are able to see why. They purchased brand new beds, mattresses, double hot plate (we don't have an oven), & refrigerator for us! We were also each given $200 upon our arrival to use to purchase household items (mainly kitchen items as our kitchen had nothing in it). So, they have been very accommodating and helpful since our arrival.

I'll post pictures soon! Please keep the prayers coming that things continue to go well here. :)

Saying Farewell to the Princess

1st I must say a HUGE thank you to the many people who came to my going away party last night. Wow! I felt loved! Thank you! Thanks to my Mom for the yummy treats and being the work-a-holic of the event. Thanks to the Stephen's for allowing us to take over their home. & thanks to Derek for being the "wine expert" that purchased the wine for the evening.

Then . . . on to the question I've been asked 10,000 time since announcing I'd be moving to Africa. How are you going to cope with saying goodbye to sweet Mary Emily (my niece)? YIKESS!!! My heart hurts just thinking about leaving my favorite princess. But, through a few tears and lots of prayer, God revealed something I totally didn't expect.

As I spend every precious moment I can with the cutest princess in the world...God laid it on my heart that Africa isn't just a selfish dream I've had for so long. Instead, it can be a teachable journey for my sweet niece. Through my journey/adventure she can see that sometimes dreams are hard to follow, but with God all things are possible. Although, the world thinks you're crazy or seems to provide every reason why you shouldn't go follow some crazy dream, my God is far more powerful than any silly distraction of this world. I hope that as Mary Emily grows older she can see, yes, her aunt is insanely crazy (& crazy about her!) but if you have a little faith & a heart for the Lord, you can do absolutely anything.

There's nothing I want more for this sweet princess than for her dreams to come true & for her to love Jesus! & I simply hope, that though I'll miss her more than ever, she can see that her Aunt Shannon, had a dream & a love for the Lord....& she got to live a dream & serve the Lord.

Mary Emily - Aunt Shannon loves you to the moon & back! & here are some of my prayers for you: - that God gives you a heart of adventure & faith on fire, - that you may know God so intimately that upon every heartbreak/tear/frustration/fear you can know that you are NEVER alone & He LOVES you like crazy, - that your every dream comes true, - that you have the faith to seek out what God has in store & the courage to achieve all that He has planned for you.

Africa bound in just 2 short days ....

The Journey Will Soon Begin

Since the word is out I decided it was about time (after more than a year) to finally update my blog. Especially since I've told many of you that I'd do that during my time abroad for the next 2 years. It's true, in just over 3 weeks I will have 2-50 lb bags packed to board an airplane to spend the next 2 years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa. When the opportunity 1st presented itself for me to go, I thought, there's no possible way. I talked with my Mom about it, since she's known for a long time this is something I've dreamed of! She encouraged me to apply and simply see what happens. So, I did. After much prayer and thought, I applied & then....heard nothing. For those of you who don't know, one of my good friends also applied for a job at the same Academy. She applied & immediately had a returned e-mail. I began to think, this just isn't what God intended for me. Days passed by & then I finally got an e-mail from the Elementary Director, that said ... Shannon!!! We've been trying to reach you for days, your e-mail is account is blocking all of our e-mails. So, after thinking this simply wasn't God's plan for me, I had to then begin rethinking the whole situation. I turned off all of the security settings on my e-mail, only to soon realize that still, for some reason, all e-mails from the directors at DIA were being blocked. I finally solved this problem by opening a gmail account. Within hours I had scheduled my 1st interview. Following my 1st interview I thought things sounded good. I couldn't wait to begin this new journey in life. Then....I began to allow the world sink into my brain & to believe this was still completely impossible. I drove down the street in front of my condo that day & it seemed every house on the street was for sale or rent. I nearly started crying in my car, as I thought of all the things that were standing between me & pursuing a dream. Then, a sweet song came on the Christian radio station I listen to. A song that encouraged faith and perseverance, a song that reminded me, I have no control. I decided to pursue the opportunity & let God take care of the details, & that He did. About a week after my 1st interview, another interview/meeting with the director, & a contract, I accepted a position to be the newest 2nd grade teacher at Dar es Salaam International Academy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I didn't know how God was going to work out all the details, but I knew He would. Soon after my house went up for rent/sale, I had renters within a week. I sold all of my furniture & put the rest of my belongings in storage. I resigned from Southern Elementary & packed my classroom into a storage unit. As the crazy frenzy to get everything done ensued I had a complete sense of peace that God was in total control & had a perfect plan. Months ago, before really beginning my search for a job abroad I knew God was calling me to downsize. To realize that it's not "things" that make life worth living & to put those things aside & focus on what is really important in life. I did just that, as I watched each piece of furniture leave my home I felt yet another sense of relief, knowing that to the world my life & ideas were completely crazy but for me, God was just removing the obstacles that I had allowed to come between me and Him. I've known since my 1st trip to Africa in 2005 I wanted to go back, yet I kept allowing the world to get in the way. But now, God has the reigns for an amazing journey that lies ahead. Thank you for all the sweet well wishes & prayers for the journey ahead. I'm excited to see what God has planned & am happy to soon be serving Him in Tanzania.

Take my life and let it be

All for You & for Your glory . . .