An Early Gift

The artist - Hannah Thi Grace Taylor

The art - A painting of my MT mountains, so I won't forget them. :) I was informed that the worm is coming, and the moose is going... from where and to where I am not exactly sure... lol

- Shannon

When "Because" is More Than Enough

The following scene was taken from a horrible accident that occurred in an Amish community, in May of 1993.

“Cresting the knoll, the red 1993 Pontiac Lemans swerved to miss the tourist’s pickup truck parked on the road. As his tires spat gravel on the left berm of the road, the teenage driver overcorrected and lost control, hurtling toward the happy group of children walking toward him on the grass to the right of the road… For an awful instant, bodies, birthday presents, shoes, and a tiny hat exploded into the air as the red Pontiac barreled through the column of children – tossing bodies over telephone wires, across the ditch, and beyond the creek. The car flipped over the embankment and a creek, landing on its roof in a hay field, pinning a child beneath it. A small girl dangled by the hair of her loosened braids from a barbed-wire fence. Two other bodies lay beyond the car, over 100 feet from the point of impact.”

Ten Amish children had been walking home from a birthday party. Five were killed instantly, and most of the other five were left in critical condition.

As a parent of one of those children, how would you have felt?

The response of the Amish families involved was incredible. There was no hatred, or self-pity, or questioning God. Agonizing day after day, hearts torn by grief, they comforted each other with the same assurance…

“All that comes into our lives has been allowed by God; and God will bring an ultimate good from everything He allows to happen.”

Wow… Was I ever blown away when I read that. Sure I believed it to be true, but that is definitely not the first thought to enter my mind in the event of a disaster such as the one described above.

In a culture that demands solid answers, that’s basically the equivalent of a “because” to a child’s insistent “why?” - Gods saying, “Just trust me. It will all work out for the best.”

One of my favorite quotes, by a woman named Lilias Trotter, states the following:

“So long as our idea of surrender is limited to the renouncing of unlawful things, we have never grasped its true meaning…”

It’s easier to trust God’s “because” when we can see the benefits derived by a wrong thing surrendered.

Going beyond that, it’s understandable to trust God’s “because” if we can see behind the “why” involved in the giving-up of some seemingly good thing.

But when the good thing denied cannot be justified by the outcome of the immediate earthly circumstances? What consolation then?...

I like the way that Sara Groves portrays the answer in one of her songs…

“I believe you’ll outlive this pain in your heart, and you’ll gain such a strength from what is tearing you apart…”

Or, even better put…

“To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven… He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1,11

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

That’s one thing I find so incredible about God… Only He can turn that kind of sorrow into joy. Satan can create a false sense of happiness when things are going good; but when things turn bad, all happiness is gone. Only God can take our most devastating circumstances, and mold them into something beautiful. He can take the pain that we’re experiencing, and use it to build our character in ways we never could have imagined.

As I think on the story of those Amish families involved in the accident, I’m amazed at the healing that comes through implicit trust.

What do I know about that kind of suffering? Not much, really… And I can’t imagine the depth of grief that must be involved. But I know what it’s like to be left without answers, and to feel as though all your questions are being answered with a “because.”

But God’s “because” is more than just a brush-off for lack of a better answer. It’s a promise that if you put your trust in Him, you will gain strength from the very thing that is tearing you apart. And even if you never find your answers here on this earth, in the end all will be made known… and you will agree that you wouldn’t have had things any other way.

And as the chorus to the song by Sara Groves goes, (If you can imagine with me, two six-year-old little-girlish voices singing from their bedroom, at the top of their lungs…)

“It’s gonna be alright! It’s gonna be alright!..”

- Shannon

Basic Combat Training

This past Thursday, I drove out to Fort Jackson, in South Carolina, for my sister Sveta's graduation from Basic Combat Training. Dad, Mom, Michael, and Elise met up with me there, after having spent some time with Vica in West Virginia. Seeing as we were all supposed to have been somewhere else this weekend, our coming was a complete surprise to Sveta. :)

We arrived at the PX on base, (the military shopping center), and I called Sveta up and asked her what she was doing. She said that she was there at the PX with her battle buddy. I then asked her if she wanted to meet up with me there... she nearly went ballistic! lol She tried asking if there was anyone else with me, but I avoided the question with some comment about me heading in right then. lol

When we walked in the building, there she was coming towards us, tears streaming down her face, saying, "You guys are so bad! You're so bad!" lol It was great. :)

The rest of the afternoon was spent getting a tour of the base and her dorm, and sitting around chatting. It was so good to see her again. :)

Friday morning found us up bright and early, there at the base, in order to get good seats for graduation. The ceremony started at nine, but Sveta and her company, along with the three other companies graduating, were standing out in the sun for an hour beforehand. Dad had brought his binoculars, and we could see the sweat pouring down her face. lol It looked pretty miserable.

After the ceremony, we were allowed to take Sveta off base for the rest of the day. We weren't exactly sure where to go, but Sveta just wanted to get AWAY from Fort Jackson, so we drove into downtown Columbia, and found a Barns & Nobles to hang out at for a while. :) Then around noon we went to Mellow Mushroom for lunch.

By the time we were through in Columbia, it was getting close to 3 p.m., and we still had a 4+ hour drive home that afternoon. We took Sveta back to base, and stopped by the PX so she could pick up a backpack that she needed. While we were in there, a female voice came over the intercom, "Attention Kmart shopp... I mean... Attention shoppers..." lol We all died laughing there in the backpack aisle. :)

Not long after, it was time to say goodbye, and we dropped Sveta off at her barracks. She had to do laundry and pack that night, seeing as she was flying out to Houston, TX for Medic her training, today.

The drive home was much more enjoyable, seeing as I had Michael and Elise in the car to keep me company. :) I don't like long car rides alone. :(

Sveta called today, and she made it to Houston. She says it's very pretty there - everything's green, but very hot and humid. She says it's hard getting used to the relaxed atmosphere there, compared to Basic; but I guess she'll get used to it soon enough. :) Hopefully now too she can have a little more contact with the rest of the world... and not have to do 25 push-ups for every letter she receives. :p

Sveta's Platoon - The "War Dawgs."

The barracks.

Elise, Sveta, and I.

Sveta's Company at graduation.

Sveta and two other Privates who are attending Medic training in Houston, TX.

(Wearing her favorite BCG's - Birth Control Glasses. ;)

- Shannon

Maid for a day... or week...

Right now I'm sitting at the computer, trying to ignore the boisterous pack of wolves tearing through the living room, howling at the top of their lungs... thank you National Geographic... I don't think we'll be watching that one again for a while...

This week finds me here at home with the three youngest Taylors, the rest of the family having taken off for a few days. You'd think with there being only four of us here at home, that things would have quieted down a bit... not so. Take, for example, this very moment... I believe one of the wolves has just caught a deer, seeing as there are two children rolling madly across the floor, clawing at each other... Mind you they're both in good spirits... at least I assume so... although the cry of "struggling prey" and a distraught child seem quite similar.

Yesterday I believe we were somewhere in the Dark Ages, as there was royalty running all about the house, leaving a trail of dress-up clothes in their wake. I was, ever so graciously, dubbed the maid/housekeeper, and given the only piece of dress-up clothing they could find to fit me (see picture below). I suppose it could have been worse...

As for today's excitement, (besides the wolf hunt), we have already had Thanksgiving dinner! lol Little did I realize what I was getting into when I decided to cook mashed potatoes, corn, and stuffing for lunch. ;) The minute the kids found out, they got all excited and started pulling out the Thanksgiving decorations. By the time they were through, we had a candle-lit dinner with name tags at each plate, pumpkin centerpieces, and turkey salt-shakers! lol I was surprised they didn't ask to pull out the pilgrim and Indian dress-up clothes! Half way through the meal we decided to go around the table and say something that we were thankful for. It was fun to hear what had brought joy to their lives.

Anyhow, I'm enjoying myself. :) Among many other things that I have learned from my younger siblings, one thing I have learned is to embrace spontaneity. :) One should never grow too old to play dress-up, or enjoy Thanksgiving dinners in the middle of June. :)

Two of the "royals."

Queen Heidi.

The royal maid/housekeeper.
(Don't ask where they got me from...)

- Shannon

Oh, to Beat the Heat!

- Shannon

TSA Graduation

Well, we just got back from our trip this afternoon. The ride home was fairly uneventful, minus the almond war that mom started from the back seat of the van... boy can those things sting! lol I lost track counting them when I was cleaning out the van this afternoon. ;)

Anyhow, the graduation weekend was a blast, and Michael and Krisit are now Freshman all over again. :p It was great seeing Jerry and Linda, as well as a bunch of other friends, a few of which I haven't seen since I graduated from TSA. Those guys truly are some of my best friends. :)

Although the Montana weather stayed pretty overcast and drizzly, the wildlife didn't disappoint us. In just that weekend we saw a moose, a black bear, elk, and plenty of mule deer... but do you think the camera was anywhere near by??? lol

So, now the excitement is over and we're back here at home... I nearly died when I stepped out of the van, it is SOOO HUMID! But that's Georgia summers for you... hot and humid. lol

Anyhow, here are some pictures from the trip... hope you enjoy them! :)

Boy am I glad I brought these books along... they provided much in the way of silent entertainment for some of the more noisy passengers. ;)

Our campsite along the Missouri River, out in the middle of nowhere, somewhere in North Dakota... and this was the place that had wireless, go figure.

Three of my lovely sisters - Hannah, Audrey, and Heidi.



We told them to smile... guess they'd had enough with the traditional grins... I just love their expressions! lol

The Rocky Mountains.

Potluck on Sabbath afternoon - I was saved at seat at this special table. lol From left to right is Heidi, my cousins Aaron and Adam, Isaac, and Hannah.

Saturday night us five girls spent the night at a little cabin up the North Fork road. Sunday morning we woke up to this awesome breakfast made by Brittany's mom.

The graduation ceremony was held in the solarium due to rainy weather. Papa presented the challenge.

The two graduates - Michael and Kristi.

The two graduates and their parents.

My sis Lizzy and I.

I love this picture of the two of them - fits them perfectly! lol

All the TSA alumni there at grad, with Jerry and Linda on the far right.

- Shannon

Road Trip - Day 7

Well, we made it to Kalispell, MT, and we're headed up to Polebridge today! (that's where the school is located).  It's so good to be back here again... I missed this place so much!  Anyhow, we'll be up in Polebridge for the rest of the week/weekend, with graduation on Sunday.  Looking forward to an awesome weekend! :)

- Shannon