I have no idea where you’re reading these words but I sincerely hope they find you warm and fed with access to clean water! Thanks to Winter Storm Fern, we have a fresh appreciation of those necessities in my hometown. The historic weather event that battered the Southeast, Mid-South, and Northeast regions of our country, and according to reports impacted over 150 million people, took direct aim at Lake Providence, La. People here are calling it a once in a lifetime storm.   

A once in a lifetime storm

By the time the Beloved Farmer and I went to bed on the night of January 24th, temps had dropped and we could see ice accumulating outside our windows. It was day one and already it was becoming clear. The weather projections filling our screens with repeated warnings hadn’t been exaggerated. Phil and I slept fitfully that first night, listening to what sounded like so much gunfire, but was actually the thick limbs of oak and pecan trees cracking beneath the weight of an extreme amount of ice. Neighbors texted neighbors and family checked on family in that long dark night as the disturbing sounds of destruction increased, and we voiced our mutual concerns. What would daylight reveal?    

At some point Saturday night we lost power and our generator hummed into service. It would remain in service for right at a week. This is the first really tough storm we’ve experienced since we installed the Generac, and we gave thanks for it over and again as the days passed. WIFI was gone and our water supply came and went, but we stayed warm. The steady hum of that generator allowed us to bring my parents and their small dog to our house for the duration, and it gave us the opportunity to offer power and food to our neighbors.

Early in the week, Phil unthawed the valves to keep a check on the propane level, as fuel demand in our area in light of the waiting list and available Propane supply presented another concern. Meanwhile my son and his wife and kids, who were also without power, were working to feed livestock and keep newborn calves alive. The grands took their turns helping their parents, and warming up at Pops and Keggie’s house with their great-grandparents. I wasn’t involved in breaking ice to try and melt enough to water thirsty animals, but my heart sure was with them!

Hank runs into his own trouble

While I’m on the subject of animals, I must share what happened to Hank because I know he is dear to so many of you. Let me quickly say that he is still with us, and getting stronger. However, Sunday morning, a week into this weather event, we found him bloodied and disoriented on our carport. He had been staying on his bed out of the elements, where we had prepared warm bedding and a heat lamp. He had been quite comfortable until…well, we’re not sure. Perhaps he got tangled up with a stray dog, but we think it is more likely that he had a fight with a racoon. Whatever it was, Hank didn’t fare well in the war. I’ll admit that it felt like one too many blows that morning. I cried buckets while we cleaned and bandaged him, and I told him through my tears that a few months from now I would take him on a float boat ride in the heat and this will all just be a bad memory. But I repeat through my tears, Hank is recovering and we continue to give thanks for that, and for the fact that no human lives have been lost here.

About that reveal…    

But, about that daylight reveal…I’m aware I didn’t finish that thought. To be honest, I guess I’m avoiding it. Even now, I’m not sure how to do justice to what we saw when we awoke the morning after the storm. I’ve heard a few sentiments repeated all week.

“It looks like a war zone!”

“It’s like a bomb exploded!”

Those are accurate depictions. It will take many many years for the landscape in my town to recover. Our beautiful oak trees are decimated along with countless pine trees. Mysteriously, as least to me, our magnolias fared somewhat better. The cypress trees that line our lake and have so long stood as our town’s sentries remain standing for the most part, though it looks like someone took a huge machete and made long sweeping motions that topped them in masse. This landscape devastation is emotional, but it pales in the knowledge that there are still so many without power as I type, and others still needing basic resources like food and water. These are the facts, but there are other more important truths I want to witness to with my words.

Generations have built priceless memories in tough times

Here’s a little clip I made this past Saturday of all the living and loving that happened at the same time in our house, (and I know similar stories were being written in other homes!) My caption read: Seven days, plenty board games, countless memories, and far too many pictures and videos later, we have electricity, water, and now WiFi! Several days into this once in a lifetime ice storm, my oldest granddaughter and I were talking about how badly we wanted to see the arrival of energy trucks when Emerson said, “We should greet them with a parade!” Yes! Great idea!! I rounded up all the poster boards and markers I could find and we got busy. It was another twenty-four hours before the high voltage heroes made it to our street, but we were ready with fanfare and snacks.

So, don’t tell me the whole world is crazy. I won’t listen. There are good, good people doing what they can with what they have all around us. Our small town has already been singing the praises of the many many lineman doing the dangerous work involved in restoring power to our homes, and now we’re being inundated with outside help for the massive cleanup necessary here. It will take time to process this past week with the juxtaposition of so much beauty with so much destruction, but for now, gratitude is my prevailing emotion.  

Heroes here, there, and everywhere 

We have also stacked up stories of kindness and heroism. It has been beautiful seeing neighbors tending one another and churches establishing warming stations. It has been heartwarming to watch volunteers flooding into town to help with our recovery, and the response of our townspeople to donate supplies to meet their needs while they meet ours. Throughout it all, our Sherriff’s Department, police officers, and emergency personnel have earned our deepest gratitude logging an untold number of sleepless hours helping our town weather this storm, together. 

There have been other heroic actions. Our friend Zachary Frasier was coming home with his wife after delivering food and water all day when a white bag in the road caught his attention and he thought he saw movement in the bushes. The couple’s  kids were nearby at his mother’s house. Zach had heard the reports of eight accused killers having escaped earlier from Riverbend Detention Center, (which is the facility where his late father Danny Frasier once served as warden). He got out of his vehicle with a flashlight and a firearm to investigate, and discovered two men hiding in the bushes. Zach held them at gunpoint while his wife, Mandy, called 911. Backup arrived quickly and arrested the men, identifying them as the escaped inmates facing murder charges. We all feel like Danny was looking down from heaven with pride at his son’s instinctive actions to protect his family and neighbors.

An unlikely launch

If you’re still there, I’ve got more news. It’s the kind I would normally lead with, if these were normal times. While none of us had historic arctic storms on our bingo cards for January 2026, I didn’t have it in my book launch plans, either! And yet, after months of planning and expectations for the release of my new book, “Don’t Try to Pray Like Her”, Fern wiped out countless interviews and promotional opportunities my publisher had worked hard to secure. Yesterday’s highly anticipated launch day was strange and anticlimactic but my book baby is out in the wild! And while it may have knocked me off balance, we all know none of this has taken our good Father by surprise. I am choosing to trust that He is taking the message of this book where He wills, for His purposes. Here is an introduction to a video series we filmed for Right Now Media, the largest streaming library of Bible study videos inspiring faith across the globe, every day of the week. If your church doesn’t subscribe to Right Now Media, perhaps you can ask them to look into it!  Should you want to order your copy of Don’t Try to Pray Like Her,  I will list some shopping links below the video.  If you enjoy what you read, please consider leaving a review on sties like Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Christian Book, etc. It helps spread the message to others who can benefit from it, too. 

I suppose that covers it. I’ve ran out of words for now. I warned you I was going to be long-winded! Drop me a note if you want to, or a prayer request. As always, I may not be able to respond promptly,  but you can count on me getting back to you. I treasure this community!

Hugs, Shellie

So much has happened since I wrote to y’all. It’s hard to imagine how to recap it all, but knowing where to start is easy. Our family had a close call the week before Thanksgiving. The Beloved Farmer had an emergency appendectomy and things got dicey by the time he was wheeled into surgery. We could’ve lost him. It’s hard to type those words. Not only because it’s still emotional for me, but because I’m all to aware that some of you reading these words may have had different outcomes that have left you grieving this Christmas. Please know I care, deeply. If you shoot me an email, I promise to be praying for you. 

Phil was released a couple days before Thanksgiving, with instructions to take it easy. I hadn’t left his side, naturally, so I was coming in hot thinking about the big meal. Thankfully, my daughter, Jessica, and my daughter-in-law, Carey, pulled the traditional feast together for the entire family. Bless them! We’ve always loved Thanksgiving, but this year, our gratitude was multiplied.

Fast forward, and I do mean fast forward, we pulled together something called “A Night of Prayer and Praise” on Dec.11th! I taught five lessons from the new book, Don’t Try to Pray Like Her and it was videotaped for Right Now Media. When I say “we” pulled it off, I’m including the Good Lord and the Beloved Farmer. I was still watching Phil like a hawk, but he had recovered enough to pitch in during the venue decorating. The evening had been set in motion only a few short weeks before Phil’s surgery, and preparing for the guests and studying the material (while tending to Christmas to-do’s) required a herculean effort from all involved! In the end, it couldn’t have been more perfect. The Hub venue was perfect, the guests were so kind, and Father God was His faithful self to help me teach the material. I’ll drop some pictures here.

By the way, I’ll be pulling together a launch team for the new book soon. If you’re interested, watch Facebook and Instagram for that news. I’d love to have your help getting the word out. I truly feel like this book can help people who love God but struggle to pray! 

It feels like there’s been so much more life to document, like all the Christmas activities that surrounded these updates but you have probably seen them on my social pages. So, I’ll wrap for now with a little something I wrote during one of my early morning visits with the Lord. I call it–

My Prayer for 2026

In a world of plastic and growing landfills I pray we’ll all remember that people aren’t disposable. Let’s give the broken time and space to heal, change, and move forward with the support of our prayers instead of the weight of our judgments and the confines of our expectations.

As we engage online friends may we never forget true relationships require time, trust, forgiveness, and grace— on repeat. Let’s live offering these gifts without count and measure.

As the ability to twist, create, and manipulate what is presented as reality grows, let’s value Truth and speak it. Our defense against the house of cards the culture offers will forever be the Word of Truth in our hearts and on our lips.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Shellie

I’ve since written and released two more works, and I’m preparing to launch another book in early February, and yet, God’s Spirit is resting on Finding Deep and Wide. I don’t know how that will sound to you, but it’s hard to come to any other conclusion.

It began several months ago with an insistent idea about starting a book club in my hometown that wouldn’t get go until I made it happen. I was also strangely certain Finding Deep and Wide should be our first read.  I figured it was probably because the book opens with a kayaking scene on Lake Providence, the body of water that sits in the middle of our town. It seemed a logical choice for Ripples a Bookclub.

Side-note? I thought I was doing something for my town when I offered this book club, but the blessing is being multiplied back to me. Our weekly meetings are yielding such a delightful sense of community because ours is is a win/win God.

Around the same time our book club began discussing Finding Deep and Wide, I started hearing from people across our country and beyond our borders, from Australia to Canada, all with stories of how they were finding the book, enjoying it, and taking their small groups through it. As far as I can tell, sales don’t appear to be spiking in a measurable way, but their emails and social media messages have been moving me to tears. That’s a sweet enough mystery to me, but there’s more.

A recent speaking invitation took me to Lubbock, TX. After the last session of our conference, the host took me to an incredibly special place in their community, Ransom Canyon Memorial Chapel. And what a beautiful experience it was. We arrived as dusk was falling. A winding brick path waited to lead us up to a hillside chapel. Along the way, plaques were witnessing to the miracles of Christ and flowing fountains offered background music. To the right of our path were replicas of the nativity scene, the three crosses of Golgotha, and the resurrection tomb. It all contributed to a setting that felt like Jerusalem!

Melanie and I could hear children singing as we made our way up the hill towards the chapel. We were hoping they would still be there when we arrived at the top, and to our delight, they were. They were part of a local Philipino congregation meeting on the chapel’s porch. Their little kids were leading in song, with their parents and grandparents gathered about them.

And what song do you think they began singing as we stepped onto the porch? If you guessed the children’s song, Finding Deep and Wide— go immediately to the head of the line! I doubt I need to tell you how it wrecked me to see those beautiful children singing and signing those lyrics. The amount of things that had to line up for that moment to happen continue to stagger me.

One extra long-full-of-travel-delays trip home later, I was telling my husband all about that chapel and the wild timing, when I got a notification on my phone. A reader in Georgia had just posted an image of a painting she created featuring the cover of Finding Deep and Wide, and she was talking about the retreat she and her friends enjoying with the material. We scheduled an impromptu zoom call, and I was able to enjoy a short visit with them.

I suppose some people could hear all of this and conclude it was a number of interesting coincidences. I can’t.

God is resting on this book, for His purposes. I’m praying for eyes to see and ears to hear what I’m supposed to with this information. All I know for sure is that I’m called to “speak on a rooftop what I’m hearing in secret.” So, I’m completely ignoring the thought that this might sound self-serving to you, and I’m outright asking you to consider reading Finding Deep and Wide. The subtitle says, “Stop Settling for the Life You Have, and Live the One Jesus Died to Give You.” I want that for you, but God wants it more.

Hugs, Shellie

This fall’s speaking schedule is winding down even though it feels like it just kicked off! I’m headed off to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania this weekend.  True story– I only know where I’m going because it’s the next event on the schedule. My family enjoys teasing me because they’ll overhear someone ask me about a meeting that is weeks down the road and they can tell by my face that I’m clueless about the details because it hasn’t made it to my radar. I can promise you, with the Good Lord as my witness, I do invest my whole heart and prayers in whichever gathering is right in front of me, but otherwise, there’s only so much bandwidth in my head. LOL! 

Of course, I’ve collected stories along the way, and I must share one with you. File this in the SRC (Straight Running Crazy) folder. Have you heard about “The Tired Girl Look”? I can’t make this up, but apparently, there’s a new beauty trend called “Tired Girl.” These sweet young things are smudging makeup under their eyes, using the palest makeup they can find, and wearing messy lipstick, just so they can look exhausted.

Bless their hearts. Here at 62, on the tail end of this travel season, I’m not just on trend—I am the trend.

Should you see me in person or in pics, you aren’t looking at a “tired girl” makeup job, y’all. Between grandkid sleepovers, my parents’ doctor appointments, a water leak in the foundation of my house, (you do not want me to elaborate), editing deadlines on the new book, and people asking me to “jump on a quick Zoom” while I’m searching everywhere for the smartphone –  that’s in my hand—  I get this tired girl vibe the old-fashioned way. I earn it.  And by the way, if my phone was that smart, it would help a girl out and call off the search. 

But seriously, I went down a full out rabbit hole reading about The Tired Girl look and watching influencers give tutorials on how to contour oneself into appearing perfectly exhausted. Please. I’m leading the movement— and my tired is legitimately tired, as in au natural.  Again, I don’t buy makeup for this look.   

Which I’ve decided makes me kind of like a beauty influencer, right? Kinda. Sorta. So, while we’re on the subject, here’s another tip, for free, just ‘cause. Magnifying mirrors are not our friends! I used my bestie’s magnifying mirror one time a few years back and I’m still not over it. Clearly, I have less time on the planet than I realize.  I kept looking for writing on the mirror that said pores and wrinkles and brown spots are smaller than they appear…and y’all do this on purpose? Girlfriend, get yourself a regular mirror. I asked Red why she tortures herself like this and she said, “I have to, Shellie. I can’t see what I’m doing.”

Here’ a Pro Tip if you will, from your novice beauty influencer. Use some of that multi-purpose makeup. I’ve seen it. Eyebrow makeup that can be used as eyeliner…lipstick you can use as blush—just throw it all up there and let it land somewhere close…Watch my socials. I’ll do a tutorial soon…Right now, it’s that time, again! Drum roll…

In other news, 30 Days of Thankfulness is right around the corner. It’s time for us to come together and do something bigger than we could ever do alone! Beginning November 1^st, this community will embark on our annual 30 Days of Thankfulness Drive. Can you believe we’ve been at this goodness for almost two decades! Some of you were here for it’s inception! (THANK YOU for that, no pun intended.) Backstory for newcomers? 

Together, we’ve supported local charities and met international needs. We’ve been part of building a Hope House in Rwanda and drilling water wells for two remote African communities. We’ve sponsored numerous children through Compassion International, and we helped build a high school for 600 orphans in a war-torn area on the border of Sudan! And that’s a partial list!

As usual, I’ll be the proverbial squeaky wheel for thirty days to keep this drive before our eyes with gratitude quotes and anecdotes, (all while praying you don’t snooze me.)

I’m willing to be squeaky because the relentless human need flooding our news feeds once paralyzed me. I felt helpless in the face of so much desperation. Then I made an important discovery. When I’m living giving what I can, I’m able to look at suffering without being overwhelmed by despair. I want that for all of us— but more importantly, I want it for those who need us to see them.

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2: 16-17

Let’s live out our gratitude before we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families because honestly, if our gratitude doesn’t lead us to action, are we truly thankful?

The recipient of this year’s drive is Arctic Barnabas of Kenai, Alaska. You may remember I traveled to Alaska this past April to speak to the AB staff and fell in love with their mission! Arctic Barnabas exists to strengthen and encourage pastors and missionary families in remote Alaska. Fuel costs to minister to remote bush communities that can only be reached by plane and boat are incredibly costly. Let’s help! I have a benefactor willing to match our efforts. My goal is $5,000, and we can do it! All gifts help whether you can give $5 or $500! Give and we’ll trust the Lord for the increase.

One more thing…This year, I’ve built some lagniappe into our campaign. Sierra’s Story, the novel I first read to y’all on my podcast, is now in print. And on Nov. 1^st, I’ll release news of my novella, A Gray Family Christmas: Sierra’s Gift. It’s actually live already on Amazon but I wanted y’all to hear about it first! I enjoyed catching up with the Gray family with this little recap, and I hope you will, too! You’ll find them on Amazon. And beginning TODAY through Nov.31st, 100% of the proceeds from both will go to our drive. It’s my way of saying thank you for joining me in this campaign. Perhaps you’ll want to order a print set for yourself, and a second set for a Christmas gift as a win/win for everyone? (Special thanks to my sister, Rhonda Rushing Faubion for her help catching my mistakes since I’m doing these Sierra projects without my regular editor and publishing house. But if we missed any, do blame me!)  Direct contributions can be sent to 610 Schneider Lane, Lake Providence, LA or Venmo Shellie-Tomlinson with “30Days” in the description.

On the subject of writing, my Feb.3rd release, “Don’t Try to Pray Like Her” will be here tomorrow. I’ve finished edits and I’m knee deep in some marketing efforts. I say that tongue in cheek because my marketing leaves a lot to be desire, though I try. I do try. I’ve even designed some long-sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts for the launch. Only in my true break the rules fashion, when they came in I loved them so much I’m already putting them on the product table. Here’s a pic from an event in Oklahoma. I’m wearing the long-sleeve and my friend LeeAnn Hart is wearing the sweatshirt, (third from right.) Should I put them in the shopping cart? You tell me.   

The Super Six are growing and going. We’re trying to keep up with as many of their activities as possible. 

Oh, and many of you write to me to ask about my parents’ health, and I so appreciate that. Mama took a fall and fractured her foot in a couple places but she’s making the best of the situation with a walking boot. And Papa? Well, he is still trying to do more than she wants him to or thinks he should do, but old habits die hard and the Queen has been overseeing her Longsuffering King’s activities far too long to stop now! 

I’ve got something else on my heart, but I’ll drop it in our Quiet Time Bible Study feature. Blessings, friends. I love catching up! Let me know how I can pray for you.

Hugs, Shellie

The corn field caught fire behind the combine this afternoon. There were some incredibly intense moments as we tried to contain it and keep the flames from reaching the standing grain. It was scary and we’re still processing all the things that kept it from being really bad. We’re listing them, recounting them, and adding to the record as more comes to mind— all to give our Savior God well deserved praise. We’re grateful for His Providential hand and we want to give Him all the glory, because we see Him in every detail.

I was on the combine with Phil mid afternoon. I had sent lunch with Phil this morning. Normally, I wouldn’t have been with him but he is working such late hours that I decided to take him a cup of pick-me-up coffee. He tried to talk me out of it on the phone because it was “too much trouble” for me but I insisted.

Phil had just unloaded on the grain cart Weston, our 11 year old grandson, was driving. We waved him off and headed down the field. Moments later, Weston called on the walkie. I heard him saying something but all I could make out was the word “fire”. Phil has a hard time hearing over the combine (all the years of heavy machinery have taken their toll). If I hadn’t been there to tell him Weston said something about a fire, it may have been another twenty or thirty seconds before Phil stopped and called Weston back. As it turns out, that would’ve been time we couldn’t have spared. And here’s a big one. If Weston hadn’t been paying attention and alerted us from the grain cart, we definitely wouldn’t have known about the fire until it was too late.

We jumped from the combine and Phil went into warrior gear, stomping the edges of the fire, trying to contain it. At one point I watched him fall in the fire, and get back up to keep stomping, while I was hollering, “What can I do!!?” Phil yelled for me to call Phillip, and take Weston to the shop to get the tractor and disc.

I was running for my car, parked a good ways away at the edge of the field, when I saw one of our truck drivers, Mo Taylor, running towards me with a fire extinguisher. He had made it back to the field and saw the flames. Mo said later that he thought I was running through the fire, but I wasn’t. It was his angle. Mo emptied this sole extinguisher quickly. There was a brief moment when we thought it was under control, but then the wind started swirling and it blew up again. I need to note here that the wind was swirling away from our standing grain. Thank you, Lord. Phil and Weston ran to move their machinery further from the fire as Mo kept stomping at the edges.

At some point during these early chaotic moments, I reached Phillip by phone. He was working up the road a piece. He immediately got in high gear to go for the tractor himself. There’s a point in the video where you can see him, minutes later, flying past us on the four-wheeler, headed to the shop. There’s so much more glory I need to stop and testify to here.

For starters, we were harvesting only a mile or so from the shop instead of far from it like we were last week when getting the tractor in time would’ve been impossible. Also, the disc was already hooked up to the tractor— not a normal circumstance— and Phillip had just yesterday taken that particular piece of equipment in for repairs, or it would’ve been out of commission and unavailable.

I was also able to get Carey on the phone. She had two fire extinguishers at their house and met us with them as quickly as she could. Phil and Mo emptied both of them while we all waited for Phillip to arrive with the tractor. In case you’re reading and you don’t know this, turning the ground over is the best way to extinguish the flames. Carey had been leaving her house to run an errand at the feed store when she decided she’d just stop and unload the dishwasher instead— or she wouldn’t have been at home. What’s more, yesterday, Carey had been walking when she saw Phillip doing a “controlled” burn on one of our harvested fields. She’d felt compelled to stop and pray for our men’s safety! God goes before us.

The flames ended up being less than one row from the uncut corn before it was all over— with the exception of a single stalk that caught fire, but Phil and Phillip saw it and were able to stomp it out before it traveled.

Still with me? I’m as surprised as you are that I pulled my phone up and caught some video here and there, but I’m glad I did. Despite everything you’ve read, the single “injury” to the corn, the men, or the machines is the hair singed on my husband’s arms. The Tomlinson family doesn’t count a single thing I’ve recounted here as a coincidence. We see our Father’s hand. We give Him all the glory, and we invite you to join us.

Hugs, Shellie

P.S. If things had turned out differently, we would still have reason to praise because God would still be worthy, and He would be providing for His own, whether that be comfort for our grieving hearts or provision for our bellies, because He is faithful. It’s who He is and He can’t be anything less.

One might think watching your youngest grandson in that setting would be depressing and make a woman feel old. (It’s ok! I would’ve thought that, too!) But, on the contrary, it was a blessing hard to wrap words around. So sweet, such a testimony of God’s faithfulness.  

And now, for the news. Does anyone remember Sierra? She was one of the main characters of a little novel I wrote and read to you on my podcast, one chapter at a time a few years back. Those characters have lived on in my mind. So much so, I decided to check in on them with a little Christmas novella. And that, of course, led to something else, as life usually does. I figured I should get that story in print for those who missed it the first time. So, drum roll. I did precisely that. Sierra’s Story is an ebook on Amazon! You can download it for $2.99 or– if you have Kindle Unlimited– you can read it for FREE! (And, for those who didn’t know this, you don’t need a Kindle to participate in that. You can read my ebook and any others on your ipad, computer, or phone, by getting the Kindle Unlimited free app!) Here’s the link!

That’s about it for now. Let me speak a blessing over you before I go. May you experience the love of God, the grace of Christ Jesus, and the friendship of Holy Spirit, now and until the end of time. 
 
Hugs,
Shellie
P.S. Drop me a note and let me know how YOU are doing. I always enjoy hearing from y’all.

So, I laughed at myself with that random intro reference because the truth is today’s letter is totally miscellaneous, but we just wrapped the 9th Annual Pops and Keggie Kamp and I wanted to visit with you. Well, we actually wrapped Kamp almost two weeks ago but it takes about that long to get the homestead back in order and feel like putting anything down on record! Indeed, your happy hostess is aging and I can feel it, but I’m okay with that. I just want to honor the Good Lord with whatever years He sees fit to give me. 

The Super Six have grown like weeds over the past year. I’ve made a gallery in the laundry room of all the camps and it’s so much fun to look at how much they’ve changed over the years. I’ll put that gallery at the end of this post.

Kamp story? One of my biggest motivations for having Kamp is getting to lead all the grands in devotions. And yes, I’m eternally grateful their parents are leading and training them in the ways of Christ and I’m just coming behind them with reinforcements. This year the grands and I talked about how, at any given moment, we all have the potential to hear the Word of God with a hard heart, a shallow heart, a crowded heart, or a receptive heart, (Mark 4).

We discussed how the way we listen to God’s Word determines the course of our harvest, i.e., our lives. And we decided we didn’t want to be thirtyfold or even sixtyfold believers; we want to be hundredfold believers, so we want to be live reminding ourselves to listen with receptive hearts, receiving the seed of the Word, treasuring and tending it! We chose words from Luke 8:18 to memorize, “Be careful how you listen!”

I had given Kennedy busy work during our devotions. At five, I didn’t think she was absorbing, but her mommy made my heart so happy Sunday morning when she recounted the following conversation she had with Kenny when it was all over. Carey and Kenny were chatting about Kamp when Carey asked Kenny if she learned anything.

Yep!

A quick photo op with my bestie’s family.

Our tribes have grown and it’d been a while since we snagged a pic!

This last picture comes from our late night boat ride and Fireworks Over LP! One of our favorite traditions. (Kenny is half sleepy, half mesmerized. LOL) 

Freebie – Introduction and two chapters of Rocking it Grand

Hugs,
Shellie 

But first, I’d like to offer you some tools for your prayer time. I put these Scripture prayers together when I realized I was currently praying for eight different people experiencing either mental confusion or delusion. My list includes some older friends and family on it, but there are younger people on it, too! That’s a lot of people with the same problem in my circle and that made me think of all of you. I feel like you may be walking a similar path. Please know that God goes before you, and He hears prayer.  Please message me with any specifics if you’d like me to add your concerns to my list. You can find those prayer helps here. 

And now, about Alaska. Have mercy, God was really showing out when He made Alaska! I fell in love with her beauty and her people, and I will be returning sooner than later because of my aforementioned appreciation for the work Artic Barnabas is doing and my desire to be part of it. With that thought in mind, let me just put something out here because we never know what God will do when we partner with His great heart. I have a businessman who has committed to a 10K matching fund donation to support the work of Artic Barnabas. I’m actively accepting any donations towards meeting that goal and having him multiply it. Message me if you want to help.

So, I may have taken one or two thousand pictures while taking in the sights of Alaska. My intent is to use them as I create companion products for my Feb 2026 release, Don’t Try to Pray Like Her. Want a sneak peak? Yay! I was so hoping you’d ask. LOL!

And here are a few more candid shots. My friend Joneal Kirby of Heartfelt Ministries was my traveling companion and because she has been to Alaska numerous times and it was my first trip, she served as a perfect tour guide!

Hamming just a little… 

The female staff of Artic Barnabas. We didn’t let the men come to this party!

We took this little puddle jumper back to Anchorage from Kenai.

And the next picture is of our pilot “Grizzly”. I can’t make that up! 

I wanted to include a video of an adorable otter that swam by on his back, casually snacking on a fish but it was too grainy. Still, he was mighty cute. In this last picturing I’m standing in Homer, also known as “The End of the Road”. Alaska was pretty much the end of the road as far as the Spring 2025 speaking season, too. Summer is here, the men are busy, busy, busy on the farm, and Keggie Kamp will be here before long. The grands continue to grow like weeds. You know that story! The oldest two have their drivers’ licenses now and Kennedy Lee is bringing up the rear at a big five years old! Right now I’m catching up on a thousand and one things that get neglected around here while I’m traveling. I’m also listening for concrete direction from the Lord.

I know many people who use the first of the year to address their schedules and goals, but for me, that’s the summer months. This is the season when I take a good hard look at my plate with God’s leading. I ask Him what’s on it that He wants off and what’s not on it that He is leading me to pursue. He has been faithful to direct in the past with life-giving decisions and I know He’ll be faithful in the future. For instance, I remember the summer I felt called to give up the pressure of my live radio show. That turned out to be a very good and timely decision. Of course, I meant to podcast regularly instead and I’ve been very hit or miss with the Story Table podcast, (sigh), but I’m hoping to talk to the Lord about that, too, and get some supernatural counsel. During all of this planning, I’ll also be listening for how I can serve YOU better. So if you have any thoughts on what you’d like to see more, podcasts that would help you, Bible studies that would support you, etc., by all means hit a contact button and let me know. I’m all ears.

Hugs, Shellie 

Both of my parents have had heart issues since the last time I wrote to you. Papa’s heart actually stopped at 4 o’clock Monday evening, December 16th. We know from the readout on his defibrillator, the same device that brought him back moments later. Papa opened his eyes to find a crowd of onlookers looking down at him. He was lying on his back on a concrete parking lot outside his cardiologist office where he had just had a check-up! He later quipped in characteristic fashion, “I didn’t see a bright light, but I didn’t see any fire either, so I reckon that’s good!” Of course, Papa and Jesus are tight, so he was just having a little fun. That man knows exactly where he is going. We’re just glad the Lord has allowed him to stay with us a while longer. After yet another heart cath and hospital stay, we brought him home, praying and praising.

Last week, it was mom’s turn. The Queen of Us All had been having some concerning symptoms that led to a stress test and her wearing a heart monitor. It caught a problem, but the same wonderful heart doctor scheduled her for a heart cath, letting us all know he wasn’t sure what he would find until he went in. More prayer. Turns out her widow maker was 75% blocked. They put in a stent, and we got her home, too. She’s recovering now, and getting a little stronger every day. Color all of us beyond grateful. This past Saturday we had both of them for Papa’s 86th birthday celebration, and it was a special day indeed!

Our granddaughter Kennedy Lee, Papa’s youngest great grand at the party helps him with the candles!

Papa with his sisters, the last three kids of the original ten children in his family.

Our precious parents and my sisters, Cyndie on your left and Rhonda on your right. 

Meanwhile, back at the farm, it’s time to get seed in the ground so it’s all hands on deck. The beloved farmer pulled in around 9:00 this evening and he’ll be back at it before the sun rises. In and around all of that, we’ve been trying to keep up with the grands’ sports activities. (Whoever came up with the term “sandwich generation” made an astute observation. We’re definitely feeling the push and pull!) I’m also back on the road most weekends, speaking about Jesus wherever I’m invited. I just got back from Indiana. Arkansas, Alaska, and Pennsylvania are coming up soon!

Some of my speaking friends! Tammy Whitehurst, Jaz Pigee, Me, Megan Lynch, and LeeAnn Hart

Still podcasting with my buddy Chrys Howard, too. You can find the Rocking it Grand podcast on Apple and Spotify or wherever you like to listen to your favorite shows.

Last and far from least, there’s the book news I don’t think I’ve even had time to share with you!! Forgive me! I’m currently staring at the business end of a manuscript deadline. This book is called “Don’t Try to Pray Like Her” and I’ve got to turn it in mid-April to stay on the publisher’s timetable for an early 2026 release. I’m not even trying to be funny or “punny” when I ask that you pray for the prayer book! Here’s a social media graphic I posted about it earlier, along with the caption:

Caption: Just had the most amazing 2 1/2 hour zoom session with my publisher about my new book, “Don’t Try to Pray Like Her!” This is the kind of rubber meets the road verb heavy prayer help you’ll find in it, along with a fair amount of storytelling, because it’s how I roll. Watch for it early 2026! I am so stinking excited about this one. If you would like to be on a targeted email list to get notified when it becomes available, drop me your email address. Let’s geaux!!!

So, yeah, other than that, not much going on here. (Insert crazy laugh!) Honestly, folks, I really to aim to start writing more often, like I did back in the day. Does anyone remember those days when I got this newsletter out WEEKLY with five features?!) I don’t know how I did it, but I can’t anymore. I’m just one woman. Can I get an amen? Hit reply and tell me what’s going on with you. I think of you. I appreciate you. And I pray for you! Towards that point, allow me to speak a blessing over you from one of my new favorite verses, “I commend you to God, and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are being sanctified.” Romans 20:32. Praise Him!

Hugs, Shellie