Thursday, May 15, 2014

Emotional Funks

Emotional funks. We all get em. Which way do I go? What do I do? Why am I not moving? That's just the thing! Emotional funks are misunderstood. They're friends in disguise that remind us simply to DO SOMETHING. MOVE. They're opportunities to choose faith instead of fear. Emotional funks are reminders that we can choose to live in joy and hope.

They remind us to do something for someone or give someone a gift. Giving with a joyful heart always sends you into a higher place of joyful vibration. We are at our best when we're givers.

They remind us to say thank you, for anything and everything. Thank you for my new nail polish. Thank you for my sweet pets, for the flowers on my porch, that I have groceries in my refrigerator and dishes in my cabinets. Thank you for companionship. Thank you for love. Thank you that the sun is shining today, or thank you that this rainy day put me in a relaxed, chilled place. Meditate on the good things and more good things will come to you (Phil 4:6-8). The more you say thank you, the more you find you have for which to say thank you. Before long, you'll be so overwhelmed with gratitude that you just won't be able to stop!

They remind us to listen to music, exercise, dance. Our bodies were created for movement, and our souls for celebration. You may not feel like getting started, but once you do, you won't regret it.

They remind us to do that thing you've been dreading. Once you're on the other side of it, you'll find that it wasn't so bad after all. Let it off your chest. Don't allow anything to hold bondage on your soul. If something is holding you back, break it. Free yourself.

They remind us to move forward in faith knowing that everything is already taken care of. Everything has already been worked out for you. The only thing you have to do is choose joy, right now. We were given THIS very moment to live in joy. This one simple act of obedience is one of the most powerful.

Entertain the feeling of joy and more joy will come to you. All you need to have this very moment is your next breath. If God has given you that, you can rest in peace that he will always give you everything you need!

-Shan


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Two Wolves





I love this old Cherokee tale. Bottom line, we have to be aware that whatever we feed ourselves be it spiritually, emotionally, or physically, that is what will win in our lives. Make wise decisions, choose to be healthy. Choose to study your Bible or read a devotion. Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people. Choose to eat things that have positive effects on your physical health. Reject negative thoughts and starve them 'til they no longer exist. It's just that simple, you do have control over how you feel about life!

Be encouraged, seek encouragement, give encouragement!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, April 8, 2012

God Works In Mysterious Ways

We were in Standardsville, VA today. Over lunch the promoter's son, Jordan, casually mentioned that our group's Facebook page had Standardsville, PA listed for today's event instead of VA. You see, every Monday I post our upcoming tour dates for the upcoming and next weekend on our page. Eager to correct the error I had made earlier in the week, I instantly went into my Facebook app to post a correction status:

"In Standardsville, VA today, 7PM, at William Monroe High School. Come see us!"

For the past few weeks anytime I've tried to post from my phone, it's shown up as though Shannon Easter posted on the Jeff & Sheri Easter band page wall instead of showing up like Jeff & Sheri Easter posted a status update, the way it should always appear when I do this. Explaining this to Madison while attempting to post, I discovered that today it posted as it should have without any problems.

Shortly before the concert began, a previous employee and family friend showed up with her mom. They began telling us that just yesterday they had buried her husband and Kimberly's father, and had gotten home at 3 am. When we posted our status update, Kimberly saw it while browsing Facebook and quickly asked her mom if she had time to get ready. This was at 3pm and the concert, an hour and a half away, was to start at 7.

With Kimberly and her family on their minds, during the second half of the concert, Jeff and Sheri asked me to sing Hold Me While I Cry. After it ended, the promoter began explaining that the song that was just sung was one that had gotten him through the darkest days of his life.

I can't believe that any of this day's progression of events was coincidental. I'm so amazed at the thought that God uses us and directs our paths in even the most unnoticeable ways. Isaiah 55:9, my favorite scripture, says "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts". God works in ways that we can't even fathom. He directs our paths even when we don't know to be listening to take care of others that need it. The most comforting of that fact is that the reverse is also true. If he can use us to help someone that needs it even when we may not know it, he can use others to help us in our time of need even when they don't know it. Isn't that a beautiful thought?



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location: Standardsville, VA

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

52 Days!

Hey guys,
There are only 52 days left of fundraising for Relay for Life. I want to take a moment and explain in more depth why I relay.

Giving back is something I believe we all should do and that we're all capable of doing, despite our obstacles. Because of my travel schedule I am unable to be a part of Relay for Life when it comes to actually walking for the cause, but because I am aware of the effects cancer can have on a body, on a family, and on our society, I wanted to get involved anyway. How am I doing that? By raising money for cancer patients and cancer research! I have a personal goal of raising $250 and I'm already 8% there. I would love for you to join me in giving back by making a donation to help me reach my goal!

Donate HERE.

You're the best!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Excited!

Ahhh, I'm so excited, I'm so beside myself! Madison surprised me today and showed me that he ordered me an iPad which I've been wanting for a while! Not only that but I also found a really cool shop where I ordered sleeves for my iPad as well as a custom made guitar strap! Have I mentioned yet how excited I am??? The sleeves I ordered are below. You should definitely check out this shop, they make accessories for all kinds of devices!




Just for a very brief update on what I've been up to lately, I've just started my final quarter of classes for this year and I'm taking 3 while a normal load for me is 2! I'm still reading Unbroken as of now considering my work load, but plan to finish it and post a review by May. Right now I'm also raising money for Relay For Life and if you are interested in helping me reach my goal of $538, you can donate by clicking HERE. ANY amount is greatly appreciated and will go so far in fighting cancer! Thank you so much in advance! I hope you all are doing well! =)

Thursday, February 9, 2012

What Prayers Are For

I am writing this post to follow up on the prayer requests I made via Twitter yesterday evening. I can not thank those of who you responded to me or prayed for those family members I mentioned enough. I told you I'd provide details once I knew them, and here they are.

My grandmother on my mom's side, and my only grandmother since age 5, was admitted into the hospital late last week because she was unable to breath or stand. After running tests, they've discovered that she has severe sleep apnea which she's been dealing with for some time and her oxygen levels are low. At the beginning of this week it looked as though she was taking a turn for the worst, but was admitted back into the hospital and is being treated now. More than anything at this point, please pray that she feels encouraged. She isn't keen of the idea of having to live on oxygen for the rest of her life, and we all know how much attitude matters with anything, especially life itself. She's never really been sick, so dealing with it isn't coming easy for her.

We had a distant cousin who lost his battle to cancer yesterday so please pray for his closer family/friends who are dealing with this right now.

My aunt was having symptoms last night that lead us to believe last night that she was experiencing a heart attack, so she was rushed to the ER. She's back at home now after being diagnosed with low potassium levels and anemia.

Tomorrow morning we're leaving town for 2 weeks so none of this was seeming to occur at the most appropriate time (not that illness can ever be appropriate). In a moment of concern, I requested your prayers. After all, that's what prayers are for right? Moments of concern!

Again, thank you all so much.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Relay For Life: Making A Difference

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer, either through his or her own personal battle or through someone they love. Just within my family and extended family, I know 9 people who have battled:

My step-mother's other brother, Randy, who is a 3 month survivor of throat cancer

My cousin, Kathy, who is a 5 month survivor of cervical cancer

My step-mother's brother, Mike, who is a 9 month survivor of colon cancer

My step-grandmother, Kitten, who is a 1-year survivor of breast & colon cancer.

My mother-in-law, Sheri, who is a 3 year survivor of breast cancer

My grandfather, Robert, who is a 6 year survivor of prostate cancer

My aunt, Elaine, who is a 16 year survivor of breast cancer

My aunt, Agnes, who is a 16 year survivor of cervical cancer

My mother-in-law's aunt, Janis, who is a 21 year survivor of breast cancer

I am working to raise money for the American Cancer Society in honor of these people and many others we have met who are facing similar battles.

Every day, the American Cancer Society is helping us stay well by preventing cancer or finding it at its earliest, most treatable stages. They assist families in finding the best resources to help their friend or loved one deal with a diagnosis and their journey to get well. The American Cancer Society is also rallying communities (like ours!) through events like Relay For Life, to fight back and find cures for this disease. Please join my team or make a donation to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together, we can help make sure that cancer never steals another year of anyone's life!

When I say that your support is more appreciated than you know, I speak on behalf of every soul who has lost their battle, every soul who may be battling right now, and every soul who may battle in the future. I speak on behalf of every soul who has been touched by cancer, and that volume is high. Thank you so much in advanced for your donation. Any amount, large or small, is greatly appreciated more than you know!

Donate here!