Letter to My Dad:

Dear Dad,

I was downloading pictures this week and ran across the above picture of you. I framed it and put it on my desk. I cry every time I look at it because I remember how special that last weekend before you went to be with our Heavenly Father was. Although we knew God had better plans for you soon and your body was becoming weaker, you still had the same fighting spirit and cheerful demeanor about you. You laughed, you joked and you were determined to leave the house and travel up to the mountain for one last, huge Jeffries family dinner. It took so much work to get you in the car and on the road. It was raining and I practically carried you to the car. The hard work it took to get you there was worth it! I’d do it again in a heartbeat! The day after our big outing you talked me into staying one extra day in VA. You know that Daddy’s Girl wouldn’t say no; I stayed. Mom told me you smiled when I changed my mind and bragged to her that “I was staying.” That warmed my heart. I am SO thankful that I got those extra 24 hours with you. Those moments will never escape me!

I think about you every day! I miss you so much! I wish you could be here to experience all the wonderful changes in my life. I wish you could see the passion I have while volunteering at the dental clinic. I wish I could call you and tell you about all the power tools I use to work on the house with Brook. I wish I could tell you about all the missions Brook goes on and all that his humble heart is accomplishing. I wish we could take you for a ride in the Jeep – I can see your smile in it now.

Sophie and Dalton are getting SO big! You wouldn’t believe it! I have a picture on my desk of the first time you held the twins. Don’t worry – so many stories will be shared of you with them. Brook and I’s kids will know ALL about you too. Not a single memory will be forgotten. They’ll know all about Papa’s joking manners, your smile and the faith you had until your dying day. I know Brook will tell them your “flying airplane” story that Bobby Brown shared at your memorial service.

Mom misses you but is staying so strong. Don’t worry because she is being taken care of! She is being showered with love by friends and family! Mom and I enjoy talking about funny stories of you on the phone. We laugh knowing exactly how you would react to things going on now. Thank you for being her husband for 36 years and her best friend. Seeing how much you meant to mom means a lot to me!

I know it's been almost a year - I love you so very much and my heart aches knowing you can’t be here to share this next transition in life with me. I’ll miss having you walk me down the aisle, but know that Alex is honored to stand in the gap for you. I know you passed with a peace knowing I am going to marry such an AMAZING MAN who loves me with all he is. He will honor and protect me for the rest of my life. He knows he has big shoes to fill in being my protector but I know he will do a fabulous job of it – he already has! I am so glad that before you passed you knew Brook and I would be together forever. That puts a smile on my face. He puts a smile on my face.

As much as I miss you here, my heart rejoices knowing you are dancing with Jesus! After your long, hard fought battle of five years, you DESERVE it! Dance, laugh and enjoy those shackles being broken! I can’t wait to dance with you again someday!

I LOVE YOU DAD!

Always your little girl – “Boo Boo”

My God is Faithful - Don't Believe Me... Read on...

When I first started attending Seacoast in October of 2006 I volunteered for a year with a program called Celebrate Recovery. “Celebrate Recovery is a recovery ministry based on biblical principles with a goal to let God work through us in providing His healing power through a Christ-centered 12 Step program. This experience allows people to be "changed" spiritually by working through sound biblical principles.” Twice a week I would go to Leeds Detention Center and work with two other leaders. We worked through a faith-based book on addictions, sang worship songs, ate snacks and developed relationships. The people who were participants in this program were in custody at the Detention Center mainly due to drug charges and not paying child support. Each week we would focus on spiritual warfare and battling their drug addiction. Our goal was to prepare them for release, help them become accountable to their families and prepare them to find jobs and be successful in the outside world. I loved my experience. The people I worked with (about 20 males and females) were so excited to see us each week. They were very open with their hang ups and were receptive to us. It seemed like they had a desire to change.

My time working with this program came to an end about a week before my participants graduated from the program. They would attend court to see if they could be released and have to attend weekly meetings (kind of like probation). Knowing their pasts and drug history, I honestly left doubtful that they would be able to break the cycle. I hoped for the best, but know they had a huge struggle ahead.

Fast forward to a month ago: Brook and I went out for ice cream Downtown one night. While standing in line a guy started speaking to me. I looked up and it was one of my Celebrate Recovery participants. He had really turned his life around since the last time I saw him when he was detained at the Detention Center. He currently has a job, is drug free and making the right choices. I wanted to hug him then and there in the ice cream shop. I wanted to get on my knees and thank the Lord for his powerful ways to change this man’s heart and actions! When we were done talking, this man thanked me for helping him three years ago! “Not to us Lord, but to your name, be the GLORY!” Psalm 115:1.

Two things I take away from this encounter: This program was completely faith based and I lacked faith that God would change the participants. God is FAITHFUL and I should have trusted in him throughout the process. I felt running into the participant was God speaking to me and telling me how big and might y he is. I often forget that God works in the most hopeless situations for those who love him! The other thing I learned was how we really can make an impact in other’s lives. If we walk into a situation with just a little faith, God can do HUGE things through us.

"I assure you, if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. Matthew 17:21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Thank you God for being the FAITHFUL God you are and reminding me of your powerful ways!

The Brook and Shannon Recap

Brook and I have been running around like crazy the past few months. We are looking forward to the wedding and life slowing down after! Here is a recap on our crazy, beautiful life:

Wedding – 3 weeks to go! We picked up our marriage license last week (pic above). So much has gone into planning this (and still some to do). We can’t wait to see it all come together and celebrate with friends and family! I can't wait to call Brook my husband! :)

School – I am finishing up my last semester of pre-reqs before I qualify for the Dental Hygiene Program. Unfortunately, the upcoming dental hygiene class is full and I will not be able to start until January of 2011. Until then, I’ll spend a few months after the wedding regrouping, enjoying time with my hubby-to-be and getting adjusted to the transition. I will then look for a job as a Dental Assitant in hopes this will give me more experience and preparation for the Dental Hygiene Program.

Dental Volunteering – I am currently volunteering at “Our Lady of Mercy Dental Wellness Center.” This center provides dental care to low income families in the Johns Island area. The Dentist and Dental Hygienist I work with are amazing. They are very interactive and really want to teach me the appropriate skills I will need. It is great being able to go in and do hands-on work instead of just observing. I have been able to do some dental assisting and take x-rays. My favorite thing to watch is a tooth extraction (I know that sounds sick haha). I love it SO much and can’t wait to learn more professionally and utilize it on mission trips.

Work – May was my last month at work. I was with Max for 3 years and Maya for her first four months. I miss seeing them everyday. The positive – it wasn’t just a job, they are family. I didn’t say goodbye, it was just see you soon! :)

Brook and His Big Plane – Brook has been plugging away at work. He finished his Aircraft Commander Air Drop Course in April. Since then he has been plugging away at getting officially certificed as an Air Craft Commander, which has meant lots of trips and being gone on the road. I've missed having him around but am so proud of how hard he's been going at it the last few months. Recently celebrating the 4th of July makes me even more proud of him and his line of work! He is currently on his last trip which is his check ride, or "the one that gets graded.” I know he will do an excellent job! Keep him in your prayers!

House Projects - Oh my! – Brook and I have been doing house projects galore! We have installed gutters, done yardwork, painted, installed hardware and done 50 million other projects I can’t even wrap my head around now. My favorite project thus far is Brook putting together a craft room for me. I love having my own area to go work in and having all my supplies in proper storage, not one huge box! Thanks babe for being so wonderful and giving me my "special area." :)

There is the five minute recap of our hectic life! We are on the home stretch and looking forward to the "Heiling Household" settling down and working at a slower pace for awhile! :)

Dalton Visits Auntie She She in Charleston

Dalton came to Charleston and stayed with me for five days! This was his first trip away from home so this was a HUGE deal! :) He is such a great little guy and we had the best time! The weather was surprisingly cold and rainy for May, so we made the best of it. I took him to the Aquarium and he got to experience the beach for the very first time! I wish I could have spent more time with him; I couldn't soak him up enough! Sophie has her turn in September! I look forward to many more visits from the two little ones!

Showers, Showers Everywhere!

I was blessed with having three bridal showers! Brook's mom and sister hosted my first one in Arizona in April (see story below). In May, Nikki, one of my bridesmaids, hosted one for me in Charleston! It was great being able to celebrate with all of the lovely Charleston ladies! My sister and mom then hosted one for me in Virginia. I had a wonderful time at this one also and enjoyed having my bridesmaid, Jennifer, join us! Thanks ALL for all the time, effort and love you put into my showers! I had the best time and you went above what I could have ever imagined! I truly appreciate and love you all!

Trip to Arizona in April

In April I was able to travel to Arizona and spend six days with Brook's family! I had a wonderful time! We spent the first portion getting invitations for the wedding assembled (thanks ladies for all of the help)! Then Lorri (Brook's mom) and Brittany (Brook's sister) hosted a bridal shower for me at a cute little Tea Room. It was so sweet for Brook's family and Lorri's friends to attend and celebrate with me! The next day Brittany and I made one of her infamous banana cream pies! YUMMM! What a treat to get to learn how to make it and a bigger treat to eat! Before we knew it, Brook arrived (he finished AC AirDrop School in Altus, OK early) and we were celebrating Easter. We went to church followed by cookouts at Brook's grandmother's and Brook's aunt/uncle's house. It was wonderful having time with his family since it is so rare due to the distance. I extended my ticket so I could spend two more days there before heading back to Charleston. Brook and I headed down to Tempe and Scottsdale for a day and really enjoyed our time together (it had been almost two months since we had seen each other).

Thanks again for such a wonderul trip! We can't wait to host you in Charleston in a few weeks!

More to Come

 Stay tuned in the next month!  Lots of exciting new stories to share including:

-2009 Bridge Run

-My Trip to Arizona

-The Wedding Shower Trail from AZ to SC to VA

-Brook and I getting older (aka April Birthdays)

-The Continued Wedding Countdown

-Dental Volunteering 

Thanks for following! :)

The New Toy

Meet the newest addition to the family - the Jeep!  Since I have known Brook, all he has ever talked about was owning a Jeep.  We would ride down the road and be in deep conversation, yet his eyes would always stray away at the site of a Jeep!  One of his friends decided to sell their Jeep and it happened to work out in our timing for us to add it to our family.  So, here is the newest addition to the family.  It has been so much fun to enjoy in the beautiful Charleston climate! :)    

117 Days - Here Comes the Bride

So WOW... only 117 days until the wedding!  Just a few days ago we passed the 6 month mark of our engagement!  I can't believe how quickly time is flying!  I feel like I am in the "transition" of wedding planning.  When we first got engaged, I started on the fast track of taking care of every possible detail I could - reception site, ceremony site, cake, flowers, dress, etc... you know the drill.  I'm kind of at a lull waiting to put smaller details into place once we get closer to the big day.  Although wedding planning has had its share of stressful moments, for the most part I can honestly say I've enjoyed the process.  Brook has been great with letting me really run with ideas that I have had in my head.  With all the details aside, I am really just looking forward to us being  "married" and merging our two very different schedules into one crazy life! :)  I know things won't slow down for us, but it's encouraging to know the hectic and chaotic days wiill at least be from one household.  Until then, I'll continue to enjoy the wedding planning/engagement days and continue to practice signing my new signature! :)

A Grateful Heart

Webster’s Dictionary defines grateful as “appreciative of benefits received.”  As a Christian, I recently have had an ungrateful heart and God convicted me on it.  I set my alarm clock this morning to give myself enough time to go on a decent morning run.  After 30 minutes of moaning and groaning in bed I found an ounce of motivation to put on my running shoes and actually follow through with my plan.  I decided to change my usual running route and headed out to the beach for a run instead.  As soon as I reached the beach, God captured my heart and I was in complete awe.  I had arrived just in time to see the sunrise.  All of a sudden I had a spark in my step and started my run with a new heart – one appreciative of the backdrop that I was running to.  Thoughts began to collect in my head of how blessed I am to live in such a beautiful city and to have full faith that my needs will be provided for, especially with the economy and the way things are tanking these days.  Recently, I tend to find myself in a very negative mind frame, complaining often of the “woes of my life.”  I find myself throwing weekly pity parties of how “tough life can be.” Ummm, HELLO?!?!  Rough life?  Yes, life can be busy, but I am blessed in so many ways.  I get to marry the  man of my dreams and have the wedding I’ve formulated in my head since I was five years of age in just a few short months.  I am in school pursuing a career that I am excited about and will get to serve others through mission work.  I live at the beach in a captivating city.  I could go on and on – my cup runneth over.  Yet, I tend to find myself focusing on the negative aspects – work and school consume my time, the wedding is sooooo "far" away, I need this, I want that, blah blah blah.  Life is good and I am blessed.  I sometimes focus on the next step in life and what I want from it so much that I am missing the beauty of each moment.  I need to learn to be content in the here and now.  As I started on my run back home I thanked God for the beauty that he displays for us each moment and providing for all of my needs – spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  He captured my heart so much I even thanked him for the soreness I was experiencing in my muscles because that meant the ability to be able to run and enjoy a healthy life. When I got home I looked up a couple of verses on being grateful/thankful: 

“Give thanks to the God of heaven.  His love endures forever.”  Psalm 136:26 

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”  Hebrews 12:28.  

Thank you God for ALL I have to be GRATEFUL for!