Anniversary Blessings

Eldon & I reached 19 years of marriage on June 22. Instead of going off on our own we took the family and went to the Texas Rangers v. Houston Astros MLB game in Arlington, Texas. We took my father-in-law, our youngest child--Chase and Chase's friend Elisha. We enjoyed the game as Houston Astros fans. When we arrived and the Astros were on the field we had the opportunity for the boys to get autographs by a couple of the players. Craig Biggio signed Chase's glove before the game started.

Once we took our seats in center field we were in for quite an unexpected treat. After the opening ceremonies of skydivers, the Texas song, and the national anthem, the Astros were first up to bat. First batter up struck out. Second batter up struck out. Then third batter up hit a home run! The ball was heading right at us. It seemed the ball was going in slow motion and the before I knew it Eldon was jumping up to catch the ball. He had it! Then it rolled out of his glove. The man behind him got the ball. Fortunately for us that they were Texas Ranger fans. His friends were telling him to throw it back. Chase asked if he could have it and the crowd was chanting for the man to give the ball to the child. He smiled and gave the ball to Chase who is a big fan of the Houston Astros.

You can see this homerun hit at the following link: Berkman homer
On June 22, 20007, click Berman homer and enjoy the video segment. If you watch carefully yet quickly you will see Eldon (the good looking man in black) jumping for the ball.

This was such a blessing for Chase and what a gift for Chase from the Lord. And what a way to make a mother and father so happy for their child. The reason this was such a blessing is that after 5 games in the Little League Season, Chase broke his arm and was not able to finish out the baseball season nor play with the all stars. He has his cast off now, but his arm is still in the healing process. We had promised Chase that if God was willing we would take him to this game and the Lord did exceedingly more than we expected!

May you be encouraged that the Lord knows the desires of our heart.

My Husband

I would like to introduce you to my husband and his favorite toy--Eldon and the Great White. You can visit with Eldon at SouthTexas4X4.com.

Romeo Returns from Overseas Service

My dear friend, Romeo T., has recently served a tour of duty overseas with the USAF. Thank God he served safely and has returned home to the US. He spent 4 months in the heat of the desert and is gladly back "enduring" the Del Rio heat. We had a great fellowship lunch with him upon his return which coincided with Elias' arrival. We had a nice steak and potato lunch for both of them.

WELCOME HOME ROMEO!!!

Elias Ngome Visits Del Rio

Elias Ngome from Cameroon is visiting Del Rio until July 2. He has come over to eat with us several times and has visited with us on many occasions while in Del Rio. He is here on an itinerant visit to raise prayer support and financial support for his missions work in Cameroon, Africa. Elias is an agricultural engineer. He teaches the people of Cameroon how to farm and how to sell their goods at the market in order to bring finances into their household. After teaching them to farm, he with other missionaries share the gospel message to those in the village. He has a very good success rate in sharing the Gospel with those in isolated villages. Please learn more about his ministry at Bread for Life or click here to visit his blog.

If you visit my site under the link "The Call", I share about my short 2 weeks in Cameroon while on short term missions trip. Elias was the guy who ensured we went where we needed to go; provided the transportation we needed; arranged the lodging; and ensured we had all our meals. Elias made sure we stayed safe on our journeys as we had the crusades.

I do ask that you keep Elias & his wife & daughters in your prayers!

Blessings!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! I will be posting my thoughts, articles, funny stories, and other insights that I hope will encourage you. Blessings!

About Shonda

When Shonda received her name at birth, the Lord established her testimony. Shonda means God is gracious. “Once wild for the things of this world, now I’m wild for Jesus by God’s grace!” Shonda declares.

Shonda is a speaker, teacher and writer with a heart for women. She speaks and writes to encourage other women to pursue the most important thing worth pursuing—a relationship with Jesus. This pursuit is worth all the obstacles and challenges. God’s grace is sufficient. She points to the One who has the power to transform lives. Shonda connects with other women through her personal experiences and testimony of God’s faithfulness in her life.

As a child, Shonda tasted the fruit of the cultivated olive tree. But then the accuser planted a seed of fear with the thought, “How can Jesus love me after all I’ve done?” Frightened, she ran away while living up to her surname—Savage. One wild experience after another kept her broken and battered. Exhausted and no where else to hide she reached out for the Lord. What the Lord did next, He desires to do for all who seek Him. He grafted her into the Root—Jesus Christ. Nourished, loved and accepted, Shonda is flourishing under the hand of the Master Gardener. Each new season brings pruning, blossoms, seeds and fruit.

Shonda will encourage you to lose sight of the wild, worldly desires by being grafted into the source of wild grace in Christ Jesus.

To learn more about Shonda, please visit her website Engrafted by Grace.

Shonda's Event Schedule

Booking now for 2010 & 2011!

If you're in need of a speaker for your next event, please contact me at shonda (at) engraftedbygrace (d0t) com.

To join the webinars, click on the link to go to the room about 5 minutes before the webinar begins.

January 27, 2010, 2pm EST

CWA Personality Webinar

February 24,2010, 2 pm EST

CWA Personality Webinar

March 6, 2010

Step UP, Speak Up Conference w/Shona Neff

Albuquerque, NM

March 24, 2010, 2pm EST

CWA Personality Webinar

April 28, 2010, 2pm EST

CWA Personality Webinar

May 26, 2010, 2pm EST

CWA Personality Webinar

June 16, 2010, 2pm EST

CWA Personality Webinar

August 18, 2010, 2pm EST

StepUP Webinar, Keep On

September 15, 2010, 12:30 EST

CWA Personality Webinar

Dealing with Difficult People

Log into webinar room 10 min prior

http://connectpro19068335.acrobat.com/thepersonalities/

September 20, 2010, 1pm EST

StepUP webinar, Make a Statement

Log into webinar room 10 min prior to start

https://connectpro19068335.acrobat.com/stepup/

October 13, 2010, 12:30 EST

CWA Personality Webinar

Log into webinar room 10 min prior

http://connectpro19068335.acrobat.com/thepersonalities/

November 10-14, 2010

CLASS Christian Writers Conference

Transportation Coordinator

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

February 22, 2009
Greater Mount Olive

March 20-27, 2009
Puerto Rico
Chase's Baseball trip
~~travel team

April 17, 2009
Chase State Bible Drill Competition
~~chaperone

April 27-29, 2009
CLASSeminar Personality Training Worshop
Henderson, NV
~~attendee

May 17, 2009
Northside Baptist Church
Women's ministry
Beatitude ~ mercy
~~speaker

May 22, 2009
LSWC Family Life Group
Personalities & Parenting
~~speaker

May 26, 2009
Northside Baptist Church
Ladies Bible Study
Personalities & Parenting
~~speaker

June 8, 2009
Protestant Women of the Chapel
Personalities & Relationships
~~speaker

August 13, 2009
Homeschooling High School
~~speaker

August 15, 2009
Community Day of Prayer
~~lead in prayer for the nation

September 2009
Wild Grace--a Study on Hosea
Teach ladies Bible studies on Tuesday's through
December

September 18-19, 2009
Living the Life Conference
Corpus Christi, Texas
~~speaker, volunteer

October 16-17, 2009
Northside Baptist Church
Women's Retreat
~~speaker

November 4-8, 2009 (Not Attending this year)
CLASS Christian Writers Conference
(formerly Glorieta Christian Writers Conference)
Writing at the Ranch
Abuquiu, NM
~~volunteer, attendee

November 19, 2009
Mom's Club
Preschool Personalities

December 16, 2009

The Personalities Webinar

Christian Women Affiliate

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May 17, 08
Northside Baptist Church
Del Rio, Texas
~guest speaker

Aug 1-2, 08
Beth Moore Simulcast
Del Rio, Tx
~altar ministry

Aug. 16, 08
Northside Baptist Church
Women's Ministry
Day of Prayer
~intercessor

Aug 22-23, 08
Beth Moore
LPM Conference
Siesta Fiesta
San Antonio, TX
~attendee

Oct 3-4, 08
"Living the Life"
Women's Conference
Corpus Christi, TX
~greeting & altar ministry

Oct 17-18, 08
Women's Conference
Northside Baptist
Del Rio, Tx
~teacher/speaker

Oct 22-26, 08
CLASServices
Writers Conference
Glorieta, NM
~attendee

Nov 15, 2008
Women's Ministry
Northside Baptist
Del Rio, TX
~speaker

Speaking Topics

Shonda speaks on the following topics drawing from personal experiences and God's word. She can tailor a messages to fit your needs for conferences, retreats and workshops.

Shonda is CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors, & Speaker Services) certified communicator and Advanced Bronze Communicator with Toastmasters International.

Shonda is also a Certified Personality Trainer & can teach your group about the four basic personality types. She teaches personalities in personal relationships. If you would like to discuss personality teaching options, please feel free to email Shonda at shonda (at) engraftedbygrace (dot) com.


More Than A Pretty Blossom --Based on the "Bloom Where You're Planted" cliché, Shonda expands on what it means to bloom. The blossom contains the seed; the seed is the Word of God. We're meant to be more than just a pretty blossom, we're to spread the gospel message where we're planted. Available on CD upon request.

Fit Witness -- "I don't know how to share the gospel with others." Many people don't know how to share the gospel or plant seed of curiosity for those in their community. Shonda shares how any one can be a fit witness for Christ in their everyday lives.

Get 'er Done -- Based on a quote by missionary Hudson Taylor, this message describes three stages of great works of God. This message can be tailored to suit all types of events from graduations, business, to inspirational.

Powerful Wife -- Shonda shares godly ways to be a powerful wife. Using the Word of God and His instructions for wives, she teaches how to be the submissive wife God called us to be without being the doormat the enemy tries to make them.

Our Advocate -- Our accuser condemns us before our Lord. Shonda shares from personal experiences how Jesus, our Advocate, redeems us and sets us free from all sin, guilt and shame.

Character Building 101 -- This message is from Shonda's personal character growth from becoming a mother. She shares how children are a heritage from the Lord, as it builds godly character in mothers.