shirleyann
Things are moving okay...
Aug 05, 2011
Good morning OH family!!! I am glad to say that I have attended the weight loss seminar at Palmetto Baptist and all went well.
I loved Dr. Prickett because he is as honest as you can probably be about the surgery and all it's risks...not that I haven't studied enough these last few years.
I was told by one of the nurses at the facility that there are many medicaid patients starting their required six months diets and are waiting to have surgery.
The doctors only complete 12 medicaid surgeries a year and so far this year 9 has been completed. Well, I started to get a little worried and called the facility and spoke with a person in scheduling and was explained the process a little better
. So, I started my six month diet last month and I am well on my way!!!Just please keep me in your prayers OH family and I know all will be well. We must not forget who is the source of our strength...GOD!!!
Be Blessed!!!!
Shirley Ann
Back on Track
Jul 06, 2011
07/06/2011
Greetings my OH family,
I pray all is well with each of you! I have truly missed being on the website but due to alot of things going on in my life, I was unable to be here.
I have exciting news...I have a 9 month old baby boy now!!!! His name is Grayson Dashon and he is our little BLESSING!!! God is so good!!! After the death of our daughter, Dashawna, I thought that was the end for us but God knew best! He is a joy to our lives! But now that I have conquered having a baby, I am ready to start my weight loss journey again. I had so many problems with both pregnancies due to my weight. I had gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. The death of my daughter was a direct result of my diabetes. Maintaining a healthy diet with diabetes is a challenge. But God was with me every step of the way. I owe it all to him!
Even though I eat healthier, I still only loose a pound or two and that is so frustrating. I had chosen to do the lap band a few years ago but was unable to do so but after ALOT of studying gastric bypass and prayer, I have decided to go with gastric. It is the best option for me. I was able to receive SC medicaid and learned that gastric bypass is covered with a six month diet!!! YAY!!!!
I am only looking for the best to happen!!! So please OH family be my support through this transition because I am going to need it! I have the WLS class on next Tuesday so I will keep you all informed. Please pray for me as I pray for you all!
Love Always, Shirley Ann
Through it all I am still BLESSED!
May 13, 2009
May 13, 2009
Greetings to all,
It has been a long time since I have had the pleasure to check on everyone but I have been so busy and life has changed! As most of you know I was pregnant and because of the pregnancy I was unable to have lap band surgery.
Well, on February 16, 2009 I had a beautiful baby girl (DaShawna Jennae) who weighed 6lbs. 5Oz's.! Dashawna was born still born and therefore did not have the pleasure to make it into this world.
I was so devastated and shocked but I also know that God does everything for a reason. See, we feel as if we know what our life should hold but God is the one that determines the direction and paths we should take. Although having a baby girl was a goal for me and my husband, God felt as though the time was not right.
But through this tragedy, I am still blessed. You might ask how...well during this time I had the opportunity to learn exactly what life mean and how important it is to live a healthily life. During my pregnancy I struggled with diabetes that ultimately led to my daughter's death but now I know how important it is to watch what you eat and how much you eat. Not only did I loose my child but I also lost a job that meant the world to me but how many of you know that the same God that blessed you with that job will bless you with a better job.
I was out of work for almost six months with this pregnancy and therefore the company I worked for needed to fill my position. In a round about way I am glad they did because this experience has taught me how to trust God and God alone. I have been broke, busted and disgusted but I have never been without food or a roof over my head. 
That is a TRUE blessing. We take the little things for granted but I now count it all joy!!! I also realized what a good husband really mean...during my entire pregnancy he waited on me hand and foot. He took care of me with great compassion and care. I am THANKFUL. The loss of our daughter has brought us so much closer together and I thought we were already as close as it gets but see how God works...he showed me that we can be even closer and we can love each other more. 
I have enjoyed this time to bond with him because I have saw a side of him I never saw in ALL the years we have been together. Trust me when I say God is good!!!
Our son, Jachaei, took the death of our daughter hard as well but he also has been such a blessing to me. Each day I look at him I am reminded of how God blessed me almost twelve years ago with a beautiful son. I love him even more and please take the time to tell your children how much you love them...it means alot to their little hearts. 
So, I encourage each and everyone of you to embrace change and learn to accept the things you question because God always have a plan in place for our lives. We may not understand it because we can not see the horizons but live faithfully knowing that God has our BEST interest in mind!!!
I love each and every one of you and please keep me and my family in your prayers!!!! 
Shirley Ann
"Shocking News"
Jul 13, 2008
July 13, 2008
Greetings OH family,
I hope and pray everyone is doing great! I have truly missed chatting with each and everyone of my OH friends but I have to admit I have been VERY busy!! 
That is still not the best excuse to not stop by OH to say hello to the friends that has helped me realize the steps I need to take for better health. Today, I thought I would drop in to let everyone know that I will not be having Lap Band surgey for a while due to the shocking news my husband and I received...we are expecting a BABY!! 
I was a little disappointed because I knew this would set me back having surgey but I quickly came to terms that God does everything for a reason. Having a baby is a blessing and I count it all JOY! So, please continue to keep me in your prayers and I will also do the same. And you all can still keep in touch with me. 
Thanks my OH family and I look forward to meeting a lot of you soon on the LOSERS BENCH!! Take care and may God continue to bless each and everyone of you!! God's Blessings to all~ Shirley Ann
"Attitude"
May 01, 2008
Greetings to my OH family,
The only thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is THE WILL TO TRY IT and the FAITH to believe it possible. Some of you may be saying, "where is all that coming from"
, well today I was sitting at my desk and thinking back to a year ago.
During a year's time, how many things have you accomplished that you actually set out to accomplish? That is the question rolling around in my head at this very moment! I can say that with the help of God, I have accomplished things that I had no idea I would do!
If we just gain the mentality, that we can do all things if we just believe...we would be so further up the road. I do not know why God has this in my spirit so strong today but I want each and every one of you who read this post today or in the future to think about what you have accomplished in the last year.
If you are not where you feel you should be, please ask yourself why and make adjustments! (including me) If you are where you thought you would be a year ago, then give God the praise and the honor!! 
Give it to him regardless and see what happens! Thanks for listening to me and God Bless!" In the confrontation of the stream and the rock, the stream always wins...not through strength but by perseverance" H. Jackson Brown
Shirley Ann
Still Blessed!!!
Mar 24, 2008
March 24, 2008
Greetings to all,
I know it has been a long time since I have made a post but I have been so busy!! (no excuse, I need to do better) 
Don't shoot me!! Things are going quite well and life is great! God is still blessing and keeping me strong each and everyday! I have missed all of you and I wanted to make sure I made a post today to let all of you know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers. With Easter being such an important holiday I wanted to make sure I said Happy Easter to you all. If he had not risen from the dead, where would we be?
As far as my family, they are doing well. My husband is doing great from his surgery and is back at work in full force. See that is how God works, he will make things Alright, if just trust and believe in him. My son is doing what most ten year olds do...play, play and more play.
Thanks for all the prayers and emails I received through the hard times. It kept me lifted and hopeful!
As for surgery, all is in order. I have to wait until May to schedule an actual date because I have used all my sick and vacation time during my husband's trials but I know this is my year. Knowing that this is my year, I am content! I know it is coming....I just have to be strong and wait. The race is not given to the swift or the strong but the one that endureth to the END! Amen.
I encourage you ALL, to stay prayed up and to keep GOD first in everything! And as always:
P ~ Pray
U ~ Until
S ~ Something
H ~ Happens!!!
THIS REALLY WORKS, JUST GIVE IT A TRY IF YOU HAVE NOT AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS! Shirley Ann
Footprints...
Nov 24, 2007
November 24,2007
As I am sitting here thinking of all the trials I have endured in such a short time, I am reminded of the famous poem "Footprints". I am quite sure all you are aware of footprints and the story that is told. I feel as if I am that very soul God carried when I was unable to walk. I am pleased to say that I have been through some very hard and trying times but God has saw me through all of them. At times I felt like no one would understand or should I say could not understand what I was going through, but God gave me the strength and power to speak to the devil with much authority. I am so thankful for all of my friends here on OH because without the prayers and comforting words of encouragement, I am not for sure what the outcome would have been. I am sending my THANKS to each and everyone of you. 
I am here to tell anyone that may be going through a hard or difficult time, to just hold on and let God be the one to do what is required. I have learned that it is not just enough to say we believe, we must put belief into action. Saying I am trusting God but having a doubting spirit is not the answer. We must take our problems to throne of grace and leave it there. Learn to worship God with your whole mind, body, and soul. Sometimes all I had was a praise in my heart. But that praise kept me going. My husband, son and I are doing much better than we were a month ago and things are looking up just as God promised they would. We should be moving into our new home within a month or less and my husband's health is better as well. I know I do not say much about our son but believe me, he is spoiled rotten(in a good way)
! He is a good child that sometimes need the rod of correction but overall he is loving and compassionate about life like you would not believe. I try to keep him grounded in church at an early age so that when he grows old he will not depart from it. As far as me and surgey...I am more passionate about it now than I ever was. I had to lay things down for a while in order to take care of my husband but I am ready to journey on to the loser's bench.
I was so happy when I found out that our insurance did not change for Obesity surgery. I just pray that next year this time I am sitting here at least 50 lbs. lighter.
Eventhough, I have not been posting, I have been on the boards and keeping up with everyone's progress. I am so proud of each and everyone one of you that have had surgery!!! To God Be The Glory!!! Again, thanks for all of the prayers and encouraging words during my difficult time. Always remeber that there is nothing too hard for God. Continue to pray and put God first in all that you do and the rest will be added unto you! May God continue to bless and keep each and everyone of you in his care.
Always pray until something happens!
Shirley Ann
Calling All Believers to Unite in Prayer!
Oct 30, 2007
I am sending out a request to all believers in Christ Jesus to pray!
My family and I are going through a hard time and I really need some strong men and women to pray for the strong holds of the devil to be removed. As most of you know, my husband has had a really hard time with his health...but God healed him and raised him up to be able to go back to work. How many know that when God starts to bless you in many ways, the devil starts to stir up his wicked brew! We are in a battle with the devil right now and things are not looking so good! 
I know that God is able to do the impossible and I also know when no one else can make things all right, he can. The bible states " when two or three gather together in his name, he would be in the midst". The Lord is on our side and I know that trials will come, but sometimes we as Christians need a little encouragement to keep looking towards the heavens for help. I am a true believer of his word and I know that all it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed. So, I pleading and asking every one who read this blog to stop and say a prayer for my family. I would like to say thank you now because I have faith that everyone will do as I have requested! And as always I will continue to lift everyone up in prayer as I always have. 
Thank you so much and may all have a blessed day! Shirley Ann
Faith to stay strong!
Oct 24, 2007
Greetings to all,
I would like to take this time to say thank you to all that have visited my blog and for all that continue to pray for my family and I.
Life has not been the bowl of cherries I have wished for but I am still trusting in God's grace and mercy. I have one more peice of the pie to eat ( pysch test) before all information will be submitted to my insurance company for approval. I am trusting in God that all will be approved and I, too, will be on the LOSER'S Bench soon. As for the update with my husband's health. He is healed in Jesus's precious name. All has been well with him and I am so thankful. He has been released to return back to his job. God is good!
But as most of you know, when God starts blessing the devil starts messing. After all that we have endured, we have yet another hurdle to cross. But, I am here to serve notice on the devil that I am geared up to run this race with God's speed and patience. I have come to far to turn around and I will not. We were blessed to be able to get approved for a new home, so that is some wonderful news I would love to share. I feel that every trial that we as a family endure is just a step further up the ladder. When you began to climb higher and higher in Christ Jesus, trials will come. The bible says, Jesus will not leave us nor forsake us and we as christians must believe and hold strong to his word. I often feel as if my testimony of ups and downs, is a shadow of light beaming through a cloud for someone who is going through and have no feelings of relief. I look at each experience (good or bad) as a lesson learned and as a required piece of the puzzle to make a final picture! So, I encourage all who are experiencing trials as myself to look towards the hills from whence cometh your help. Jesus is still alive and well and he is performing the impossible each day! Prayers are being answered and strong holds on God's people are being released! Please continue to seek God for all your answers! I am somewhere where I know I do not belong in my life but I am trusting God for his deliverance. My family and I will be living proof of God's annoiting to release and deliver! Until next post, continue to stay lifted and encouraged! Remember all things, big or small, God is able to do!!! Please pray for my family!
Shirley Ann
Tears of JOY!!
Sep 17, 2007
September 17,2007
Greetings my friends,
I guess you are looking at the title of this message and wondering what do I mean when I say "tears of joy"!
Well, let me start off by asking all of you a simple question, have any of you loved someone so much (besides GOD) that you could not imagine life without them? That is how much I love my husband!! He and I have known each other for so many years that living life without him being a part of it would be hard for me. I know God is able to see us through everything but reality is I would be devastated without my sweetie, Dashon. On Friday September 14,2007 I experienced almost losing him and I was a wreak! It was determined a couple weeks ago that my husband has sleep apnea and he also had very large tonsils that needed to be removed so he could sleep better at night.
So on last Friday he went into the hospital for outpatient surgery for his tonsils to be removed and ended up in intensive care. Yes intensive care!!! My husaband also has had open heart surgery, that caused him almost not to awake once he was put under to have his tonsils removed. The doctor came out and informed me that he had not awaken from them putting him under and they were waiting for him to awake. He also informed me that he would be placed in intensive care because of his breathing! I was so devasted and hurt. I felt like my world was coming to an end, my husband and I are best friends and we share life together with a passion. I kept asking myself how could you go from just talking to someone to them not being able to respond at all? I knew God was able and I knew he was a believer as well. I begin to call my parents, the prayer warriors themselves, and we begin to lift him up to God. I finally got a chance to go back and see him and he was not himself. His response was slow and he could barely look at me but I gently leaned over with a face full of tears and said "baby can you hear me and I love you very much", he opened his eyes a little and shook his head and at that moment I knew he was still here with me. His cousin, Brenda, gently grabbed me by the hand and lead me out of the room. Today he is here with me and doing better, but when faced with the worst I advise all to pray and most of all pray before the BAD comes. Pray when all is well. I just had to share this with my OH family and let you all know that GOD is still working miracles in my life. My husband and I took vows to love and cherish each other through sickness and health and that is what I plan to do. I LOVE that man with all my heart. He is the apple of my eye and the king of our castle:) I pray and ask all of you to continue to pray for me and Dashon, that we both will have a long healthy life.
Thanks for the prayers and I will continue to pray for each of you! Shirley Ann
