After watching a recent interview with Denzel Washington, where he asked God to let him see His face, I decided to ask God to show Himself to me as well, but not in the same way. I wanted to hear Him. I wanted Him to speak to me in real-time and so clearly that I wouldn’t have to question if it was Him. And y’all, He did it. Of course, I didn’t hear His voice, but He answered a very specific question, in detail, through someone else. Listen, can’t nobody convince me that God isn’t real. The crazy thing is that He always talks to me, but sometimes I second guess what I hear. Him answering me as He did only made my relationship with Him stronger.
Seeing this Facebook memory from three years ago puts my request into perspective. God is real, so very real. And the best part is, He loves me!♥️ ~Shaun
Every time you dim your light, you betray yourself and minimize the glow God has placed inside you. Let your God-given light shine through and let it shine bright!♥️
Yes… I’m back. Hopefully this is the last of my posts about the movie and my military experience.
As a soldier, airman, or seaman, the mission always comes first. You don’t have the luxury of being in your feelings while working. No, you suck them up and get the work done. I was one of the “lucky” (written with lots of sarcasm) ones like the women of the 6888 battalion because my job was mission essential. Meaning, we worked around the clock, 24/7, no weekends or holidays off. We were blessed to have superiors like Major Charity Adams who were generous enough to work breaks in. Morale was everything!
Being a single mom in the military added another level of stress to a job that was already stressful (if you only knew all that my job entailed—whew!). I remember my desire to always overachieve because I didn’t want anyone to use my status as a single mother against me. I never missed work. I always made sure I had a babysitter even when my daughter was sick. I never wanted to be the burden to the group.
When I received orders to go to Turkey, I asked if I could turn them down and accept another location stateside. I was told I couldn’t. That if I didn’t accept the orders I would be forced to get out. So, I had to make a decision—to leave my daughter with my mother who was already struggling to care for my siblings or out process. I told the person handling my case that if I could not take my daughter with me, I would out process. After reviewing my enlistment papers and the orders, I was told I had exactly enough time remaining on that enlistment to do an accompanied tour, which meant I could take my daughter with me. Y’all, that was God! Because I was ready to give it all up if she couldn’t go with me. Then, when I got Turkey, I had 30 days to find someone—a stranger—who could escort my daughter back to the states if a war broke out. Whew! Just thinking about it all brings back so many memories and feelings. I was 24 years old with a little one. I remember walking around base with her in tow trying to get things done. I had a car but it was being shipped over, and I didn’t have the money to keep taking taxis. I would make our little trips adventures so she wouldn’t complain or cry. Most of the time it worked but not always. She was still a child, and when she got sleepy it was over!
I remember this one time when missiles were launched towards our base (yes…Turkey is in a war zone) and the sirens were going off (again, I can relate to the movie), I had to choose between grabbing my chem gear to protect myself or not. I was at home at the time. Had just gotten off of a 12-hour night shift and my daughter was at daycare. My thoughts were if she’s not going to survive, why should I? Fortunately, the missiles were intercepted and life went on. Those were crazy times.
Y’all, I actually made it through those times. This is why I praise God. I have soooo much to be grateful for. So much! I made it and my baby girl made it. We’re here!
Okay… THIS is the last of my military story…at least for now.
Thanks for allowing me to spill.♥️ ~Shaun
To lighten the mood, here are a few pictures from our stay in Turkey. She was 3 when we arrived.
With my friend Destiny (Kader). She owned a tailor shop.She loved taking pictures…and I loved taking them of her.Forever posing.ChristmasIn Cappadocia. Nothing like the Cappadocia today.In a hotel in Cappadocia. This was taken after a 6.3 earthquake hit Adana. I was stationed at Incirlik, which is 5-10 minutes from Adana. We had just arrived at the hotel, which was about 3 hours away, and we felt the earthquake there. I had just checked in and was sitting on the bed when I felt the tremors. The electricity went out. And this was 3 hours away! Talk about divine timing on my part! We could’ve been at home when it happened, or on the road. The only damage I had was cracks in the wall and pictures knocked down. Others had it worse. So many in the city of Adana and surrounding areas lost their lives. The next week, we had another one but it was only about 4.5.
I finally watched The Six Triple Eight! I waited almost two years to see this movie, and it did not disappoint!
Y’all, I felt as if I had been transported back to the 1940s. However, I heard the commands of “dress right, dress,” calling the room to attention (I hated being that person), and the sounds of Reveille and Taps being played as if it were yesterday. It’s funny how I have been retired from the Air Force for almost 13 years, and tonight, I found myself unconsciously following some of the commands. I know I raised my hand to salute a few times, and I’m so glad I didn’t. I would have been so embarrassed.
One thing I didn’t expect was to cry as much as I did. I believe I cried during three-fourths of the movie, and the majority of it was during Lena’s scenes. I won’t say too much, but y’all, this was so much more than a military movie. It was a love story, a beautiful love story. I didn’t expect that at all! Again, I won’t say much more. You have to watch it.
Overall, the movie was great! Everything was phenomenal, from the writer (my fav – have to give him his flowers) and producers to the fabulous cast and settings! I can’t wait to watch it again tomorrow. Yeah… it was that good!
Here’s a clip of one of my favorite scenes, the marching scene. Y’all, this scene made me so proud. I felt like I was marching with them.☺️ 6888 Marching Scene (Facebook clip)
Well, this is all I have for today! Wishing you a peaceful night and blessed weekend.♥️
As I suggested two years ago, we trust our instincts to protect us from harm but rarely use them to guide us toward good things. How about we consider reconditioning our mindset to expect good things to happen instead of bad or expecting the best of people instead of the worst?
Trust your instincts to expect and accept good things.♥️
I KNOW y’all probably think I’m a little loony because of the way I praise and interact with God, but I promise you I’m not. This connection I have with Him is surreal.
I shared my last post, “Welcome to Freedom Fridays,” almost 3 hours ago. How about I just opened YouTube, and the first sermon was Pastor Steven Furtick’s message “Freedom From What’s Holding You Back,” which was posted five hours ago, hours before I wrote my post. Well, it gets even better! Y’all, why was he talking about the limits we keep placing on God and how they’re holding us back?! In my post, I wrote, “I’m releasing the limits I’ve placed on myself and the ones I have placed on God.” I had no idea he had already preached this in a sermon. Talk about confirmation! So, yes, the limits must go!
You see, this is why I have to write more. Soooo much happens between posts. So many testimonies and revelations to be shared. Listen, get you a relationship with God. He’s so amazing!!
I believe successes are just like blessings; no matter the size, each should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Each success means that you are one step closer to achieving your dreams. I know the tiny ones may feel like drops in a huge bucket that seem impossible to fill. Believe me, I am right there with you. However, I also believe that one day, that bucket will overflow with success. You just have to keep filling it. You must stop looking at the size of the bucket—it’s a distraction. Instead, lean into the size of your God. With Him, what might be considered a tiny success could be enough to fill that one bucket, then some. But the only way you’ll know is if you keep going and keep adding to the bucket—adding to your dreams.
Please, do not give up. Keep going. The impossible is possible with God.♥️
Love you,
Shaun
P.S. I’m ditching my posting schedule. It’s way too limiting. I have too much to share in between scheduled times that never gets posted. As I have said before, some people make videos, I write. Looking forward to sharing more!
Hmmm… I think I just reached another level of freedom.
1 Kings 5:4 – But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster.
Only God can give absolute peace. Not only does He have the power to calm our hearts and minds, but he also has the power to calm everything around us. Rest in Him, knowing that He has everything under control.
Last week around this time, I was headed to visit my daughter. It feels so wild to have a child that’s almost 30. As I wrote in Almost 30 Years, she’s been through it all with me. Words can’t even begin to describe how grateful I am that God gave her to me.
I decided to take a real trip down memory lane this morning, a 30 year trip. I didn’t write anything on this day 30 years ago (December 19, 1994), but I wrote something two days before. Here’s what I wrote. Hope you can read it.
December 17, 1994— My baby journal
I had no idea if I was having a girl or boy so I always referred to them as “Honey” and “Sweetie.”
I was excited and nervous at the same time. Had no idea of what to expect but knew I wanted to be the best mom ever. The kids and twins I was referring to were my siblings.Me and my sweet baby girl today.🥰
From where I was then, to where I am 30 years later, I am so very blessed.♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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