Deanna Doss Shrodes

Sightseeing for two days led to a craving to do nothing and everything at the same time, yesterday. Sleeping in. Staying in jammies. Reading. Watching movies. Cuddling. And all that's great about spending a quiet day together. When evening came, Larry said he wanted to try a spot that was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives . It's a place called Sherman's with locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Something hilarious happened soon after we arrived. The server overheard Larry and I having a conversation about the selections on the menu . We were just talking in the same manner that we always do, but she took something more from the conversation. Something we never said!  Larry overheard her tell her co-workers, "These people are food critics!" She thought we were there to scope it out and write a story about the place. We decided to say nothing and let them think what they wanted to. You know what they say about assuming. Staying quiet w...

"You learn something new every day!" I wish I would have coined that phrase but of course I didn't -- it's an old one. Each day I look for opportunities to learn and usually learn more than three things. Yesterday was no exception as Larry and I spent the day at Joshua Tree National Park, taking in the sights. I had no idea what I was in for. I mean, I knew it was a desert, but oh my lands, it's the mother of all deserts! It's a desert on steroids. The first thing anyone needs to do is get yourself a Big Gulp before you go, because it will take you a minimum of two hours to drive through it. Don't let the word PARK fool you. This thing is the size of the state of Rhode Island. No, I'm not kidding. And it will take you two hours only if you don't stop at any of the exhibits along the way, which of course, we did. Speaking of a big gulp, the first thing I learned is this: 1) If you want to know where you should eat or drink, just watch where ...

We don't have some things, because we don't ask God for them. James 4 tells us that. I also believe that as we delight ourselves in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our heart. (Psalm 37:4) Sometimes God answers when we don't even ask for the desires of our heart. Perhaps it's because we don't see how God would do it within our current structure. Translation: our current box.   We forget that His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. (Isaiah 55) He can give us our desires even when it doesn't seem feasible at all. He is truly omniscient. I love that, and so much more about Him.    I'm a homebody at heart. Most would never guess it, but at the core I'm an introvert who could live in my pajamas, with a dog by my side, writing books until Jesus comes back. But  I was convinced   that one day upon retirement I was going spend my days in between pj's and book writing, taking road trips. These jaunts would be for purpose of encouraging le...

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.” 2 Peter 1:12 My daughter and I were doing some shopping in Grand Turk last week on vacation. As we went from store to store, the owner or salesperson would quickly move to greet us, and point out their inventory for sale. “Necklace! I have many necklaces! Bracelets, for lovely ladies like you…handbags, right here…” they would say. In store after store, we experienced the same thing as is common when you are shopping at different ports. We entered one shop and there was no one there to greet us. I was shocked. I immediately sprang into action, to give “the spiel” we were missing. “Necklace! I have many necklaces! Bracelets, for lovely lady like you…handbags, right here…” I quipped to Savanna.  I got the, “Mom, you’re so silly,” vibe from her.   “Hey, the lady’s not here to give us the same spiel we’ve already heard and point th...

Finishing up in North Carolina today and flying home to my family later tonight. Actually I'll get home at about 1:00 AM. I can't wait. No matter how great conferences and trips go, there is nothing like being with my family. That's the ultimate! Today I'm going to finish this post with five ways our family stays close. 1) We are planted in the house of the Lord. The Bible says, "Planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the house of our God." (Psalm 92:13) If you wonder why some families are falling apart, take a look at whether they are planted or not. 2) We laugh together a lot. This is a really important part of health. We love sharing funny stories and moments together. 3) We love to share meals together. (Family favorite: my recipe for roast with gravy and mashed potatoes.) 4) We apologize. Forgiveness is important. Lots of it! 5) No secrets. See you in just a few more hours, family!

I'm up in the air again this morning, this time flying to North Carolina to serve as the keynote speaker for the "Generations - It's Your Time" Conference at Church Alive in Fuquay-Varina. (Ummmm did I mention Rita Springer is the worship leader for the conference? LOL  Yes....I think I've mentioned that just a time or two. So excited. Loooooove Rita. If she sings, "I Have to Believe" they might have to get somebody else to get up and preach. I may be out under the power, on the floor...where I've been a lot of other times just listening to it on CD.) Even more excited to be with Pastor Laura Lee , one of my favorite people, and the host of this conference. She's a power hitter...someone everyone loves to be around, especially other leaders like me, who can learn from her. One of my favorite things to do is listen and learn from others. Well, my suitcase is packed, I'm on my way to the airport, (or maybe up in the air or arrived in R...

This is what my life feels like this upcoming week and it's not even started yet.  Not complaining! Just sayin'. Thought I'd share and ask for your prayers. I can always use them, but I could REALLY use them in a super-duper way over the coming 11 days. Pray my strength! I just got home from Idaho , and caught my breath and now...

"The Lord told me to share something with you," said a new friend I had just met in Idaho, a precious pastor's wife named Joy Powell. "What did He tell you?" I said. "He said for me to tell you: "Don't underestimate what can happen in just ONE day!" Joy had no idea of what had taken place just the night before on my trip to Idaho...

I'm leavin' on a jet plane super early this morning, for Boise, Idaho!  Never been to Idaho and I'm super excited. I am going for the purpose of being the speaker for the Idaho District of the Assemblies of God women's conference. Their theme for this weekend: GET CONNECTED!  (What a coincidence...I love connecting!) Join me in prayer that the women of Idaho make a major connection with God this weekend. That they have a life changing power encounter!   If the Lord so lays it on your heart please pray all the way through the weekend. I will minister at the women's conference in Twin Falls through Saturday and then be preaching at River City Church in Boise on Sunday. I fly home to Tampa Monday, arriving super late and jumping back into my "normal life" whatever that is. Larry looked at me the other day and said, "Honey, there is no normal with you..." I chose to take that as a compliment. :)  I will greatly miss my family and Celeb...

Today I'm headed to Ocala, Florida through Saturday   afternoon where I'll be the keynote speaker for The Freedom Conference. Super excited about what God will do! I love Jan McIntyre and can't wait to spend some girl time with her as we lead women in the presence of God this weekend. How blessed are we to get to do this? Please keep us in prayer, for a powerful time.  It's been a challenging week for me, but when great things are about to happen, isn't that pretty much the way it is? New level, new devil.

One thing I love about traveling to different places to minister is the learning factor. When I travel to speak somewhere I have three goals. The first is to give 110% to what I've been brought in to do. I want to give above and beyond what is expected. The second thing I love is encouraging and affirming the leader(s) publicly as well as privately in between sessions. And the third thing I love is learning all that I can from others. I'm like a sponge! When I travel somewhere as the speaker I usually come home with pages full of notes of what I've gleaned from other people.  When I travel alone it's always a challenge to come back and try to explain to Larry whatever it was that I experienced and learned. During times like this weekend, it's great that we are together and there is no explaining to do.  I have always loved North Carolina and in recent years it's become even more special to me with the connections and reconnections I've made with pe...

  I've heard it said: “If you want to DO more for Jesus, stay single; if you want to BE more like Jesus, get married.”   What is mean t by this admonition to "be more like Jesus" regarding marriage ? He was single, after all. Simply put, you will have to become a lot more like Jesus (loving, forgiving, etc.) in order to stay married. Because it's hard. Really hard.  Even when you choose well.  Even when you start out the "right way." Even in the best case scenario. Anything worth while is hard work. Being like Jesus means cultivating the fruit of the spirit.   Last night Larry and I opened our hearts vulnerably to the couples here in  North Carolina, sharing some of the challenges we've had in our relationship.  Without a doubt, marriage has required me to become more like Jesus more so than anything else in my life . My husband often tells people he's responsible for making me a prayer warrior ! :...

In honor of Valentines Day today I'm re-posting three of my favorite marriage posts. Larry and I are flying to North Carolina this morning, as we'll be the speakers at a marriage conference there this weekend. I love North Carolina and can't wait!  Keep us in prayer. The thing I'm looking forward to most is seeing what God does in the marriages of those present at the conference. But I do have to say that a close second is having Larry Shrodes with me in a hotel room for four nights! Yipppeeee! We are so hot for each other, we set hotel rooms on fire . You think I'm kidding? Okay, for three of my favorite posts... Why You Should Have Sex As Much As Possible Living a Honeymoon All The Time 3 Ways to Succeed In a Marriage With Someone You Don't Agree With  

So, here's all we had to concern ourselves with, here in the past 24 hours... I sat in front of the fireplace and wrote to my heart's content in the quiet, while occasionally glancing out the window. Love the change of scenery while I write. Jordan was king of the mountain. Savanna made snow angels. We stayed in this beautiful place. We watched two movies last night. Made dinner, did the dishes, tidied things up, sunk down into a bath. Slept. That's all folks...  

Today's our last day in Boston before we head to the Berkshires.  We had a fantastic day yesterday, painting the town with Lou and Nina Zinnanti. They've been showing us all the hot spots of this beautiful town, and been so gracious. Savanna found this necklace for me. Since this is what lots of my friends have called me for umpteen years, it was just perfect... Plus it was 50% off. How could I not justify wearing the wonder, at half the price? I want to point out that this is my first Wonder Woman purchase. All of the other stockpile of memorabilia  that fills my home and office comes from friends, co-workers, church members, etc. over the years. Shout out to all who have given me everything from WW pajamas to lunch boxes to mugs to you name it. Then, I also found a phone case, for me. I got a new phone back in August, when I was at Ormond Beach and forgot that my phone was tucked into my bathing suit top and spontaneously decided to run and jump in the waves. Y...