Shaarda's Story - It's God's Story!

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Easter Dances

I had the honor to dance with my girls on Good Friday. Lydia is the gifted choreographer of the dance to King of Kings by Hillsong. All for His glory!

Emalai had the opportunity to worship the Risen Lord in a stick dance on Easter. She is such a natural up there praising God! So thankful we can worship God with the gift of dance. (Emalai's dance is at about the 40min. mark in the service.)

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Message on Suffering

I want to share this message on suffering from Pastor Gomes whose month old son died two weeks ago. Each one of us suffers in different ways, but God can use it in similar ways. I was encouraged by this message because God spoke to me the same way He spoke to Pastor Gomes. I feel affirmed because I heard God in our suffering and have grown to know God more intimiately.

If God is Good and Just, Why do we Suffer?

1) I don't know. God doesn't owe us an answer. He wants us to trust Him. I don't know but I know God. We don't have all the answers but we don't need all the answers, we have a good God. He is enough.

2) Suffering is one of the best ways to mature our faith. Job 42:5 I have heard of You, but now I have seen You. I know and experience God through hard times. From information about God, to intimate relationship with God. If I avoid suffering, I will miss the transformation.

3) Hope. God will make all things right. Suffering will end. God is renewing, restoring, and rewarding all things. Jesus took all our suffering upon Him. He is a personal Savior, God with us. We don't understand because we only have a little piece of the puzzle but God has the whole puzzle figured out and put together. He is not out of control, He is fixing the world one person at a time.

I think I would add one more, we have an enemy who hates us and wants to kill, steal and destroy. The result of sin is suffering. It is not God's will was never that there was sin, suffering, sickness, pain and death. It is because the enemy lies and the fall. That is why God came to save us from sin! And that is why He is coming again for the final victory! Thank you God.

https://vimeo.com/groups/201612/videos/697990092

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Makai 2nd Birthday, Trip to the Ozarks, Wrestling and a little Winter too

Makai turned 2 on February 16!
He is so full of life, expressive, funny, busy, fast, a character and cute. He loves to play sports, sing, read books, get into things and play with his siblings. He loves people, he prays and talks a lot. We love him so much! He really is a miracle and precious gift from God! Thank you God for choosing us to be his family and Makai to be our son!

Makai looked at his birthday cake all day waiting to celebrate.
Since two of his siblings had just had their birthdays, he's been singing happy birthday every day and has us light a candle so he can blow it out. He was ready for his birthday!

Still enjoying the beauty and fun of winter in Michigan

Sledding country style at Uncle Marks

Luka looked forward to wrestling all year! He loves it and had great improvement this year. I think he only lost one match and even won against a guy no one thought he had a chance of beating. We are proud of him. He works hard and has a good attitude.

For the kid's winter break from school, we headed to the Ozarks.
Lydia and Grace wanted to check out College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri. We stopped at the arch in St. Louis on the way down.

Mississippi River

In Branson

We had a great time exploring an area new to us.
The Ozark Mountains are beautiful, the weather was prefect, and our family had fun.

After church Sunday we headed for the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas.
It was beautiful and our favorite day for sure! God's creation and creativity are awesome!

We had a great day at College of the Ozarks. It is a great college. You work at the college to pay for your tuition. They have a farm, fire dept., hotel and restaurant, mill, school...so you can work in an area of interest. The girls have nothing bad to say about the college but don't necessarily know yet whether it is the place for them either. Thankfully God knows the place and time for them!

Took a break on the way home at Abraham Lincoln's tomb.
History class for the day!

Thankful for my wonderful family!!!

Monday, January 24, 2022

Sanctity of Life Testimony

I want to share our Sunday morning service with you. It was very meaningful because of a beautiful testimony a friend from Life International made. A testimony of God's redeeming love! She courageously and graciously gave her post abordive testimony because God is glorified through it. Josh also gave a powerful prayer and message on forgiveness. I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit's work through His servants. I know I was totally moved and blessed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2r8G9pBBaA&t=681s

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Christmas and Much More!

So I know holidays are over, but I still want to share our Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter fun and so much more with you. Here is some of what we've been up to...

Happy Thanksgiving!

A first, Thanksgiving in McBain with the Shaarda family.

Makai loves sports and watching (playing too) football!

Our High School, Unity Christian, went to State for football so we went too!
It was exciting to see them play at the Ford Fieldhouse, but we lost in huge comeback by the other team. Bummer to say the least.