Parent's Day At NGU

Recently Gary and I attended Parent's Day at North Greenville. This is where the parents can come and hang out with their child, attend a football or soccer game, have lunch and dinner with them. We were able to attend church with him on Sunday before returning to Wake Forest. We had a great time. Once again I am reminded of God's goodness. There was a time not so long ago when we were not sure we would ever get to experience this day. But praise be to God!!!!
The picture above is of Dylan at the football game that evening. He is doing really well. He continues to make progress with his health.
We enjoyed our time spent with him, it was just not long enough. We thank God for how He has touched Dylan and realize each and every day that Dylan is our miracle.

Birthday Blessings

We had a wonderful weekend. Dylan was home for the weekend and we celebrated both of his birthdays with the most dearest friends in the world. We are so blessed!!! Thanks to all of them for celebrating with us and the helping hands as well. I could not have done it without you.

We have also made contact with Dylan's donor. She is a 42 year old single mom with 3 children. She lives in Michigan. We hope to be able to meet her face to face at some point. I pray that the Lord will pour out His blessings upon her for the gift of life she has given to Dylan. What an enormous heart she must have to do what she did for a complete stranger. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude to her for this gift. Once again, we are truly blessed by our Lord!!!!!

Hello Friends and Family,
I knew this was going to be a challenge for me. But don't give up on me, I hope with time I will get better at blogging.

We have lots to share with you all. This is the anniversary of Dylan's bone marrow transplant, yes, it has been 1 year since his transplant. I can't believe it. We praise God for His faithfulness over this last year. I am amazed at His goodness to a wretched sinner such as I. I truly do not deserve it.
Dylan has just arrived home from school ( we have not seen him in over a month) it is also his 22nd birthday this weekend, so he is home for some celebrating with friends and family. He is really enjoying school. It was a long time coming and again our God was faithful!!!!!! Praise His Holy Name.

Last weekend my friend Kim and I attended the "Deeper Still" Women's Conference in Nashville, TN. The speakers were Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. What remarkable women. God has truly gifted them to minister to women. They are all 3 very humble and grateful as to how God has used them. We had a great time. There is something about meeting with thousands of women, closing out the world around you and worshipping our Lord. It was manna to my soul.

OMV is still the greatest place in the world to minister. We would not want to be serving our Lord anywhere else. Alot of great things are happening there and we are excited to be a part of it. We have the best pastor in the world. I stand amazed at this "barely wet behind the ears" young preacher. My, my how God is using Pastor Kyle.

Gary has started classes and is now officially a seminarian. Once again, I stand amazed at how God is working in our lives. Four years ago we moved to Wake Forest for Gary to just get an Associates Degree and then we would move on to ministry. I guess God had other plans huh.

Last but not least, I just want to say how much I love my Lord. Regardless, God is good. His hand is so evident in the lives of my family. It is my prayer that He will be pleased with His servants, the Shugart's.
Joyfully His, Gary, Debbie and Dylan

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Georgia we go!!!!!!

We are going to Georgia for a short visit. We are all looking forward to seeing family and friends. We can't wait to see my great niece, Rylee. That will be the highlight of our trip, at least for me. She is growing up quickly. It is my prayer that me, Gary and Dylan will be a light to her so that she will have a desire to know our Lord and Savior when she is a little older. We are taking a trip to the zoo with her. I can hardly wait!!!!!!! More about our trip when we return. Georgia bound!!!!!

The beginning of blogging with the Shugart's

We have joined the rest of you and decided to create our own blog. It is much easier to update friends and family with what is going on in our lives this way.
Dylan is 10 months post transplant. We praise God for the progress he has made. Recently Dylan moved to North Greenville University and has just completed a summer school class there. He will start full-time in the fall as a sophmore. We continue to praise God for how He has touched Dylan's body and granted him his hearts desire which is to go to college.
Me and Gary are adjusting to the "empty nest" syndrome. This will require some time for me to adjust, but we are excited for Dylan. We welcome this new chapter of our lives.
We are busy with church and school. Gary will begin classes in a few weeks in the seminary. I am still working at SEBTS.
Galatians 2:20 "For I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."