To everyone who purchased my devotional, Pictures in Glass Frames, at one of my book signings, I would like to say thank you so much! As you know, the proceeds go to Miracles Global, Inc. Last week, two students at Leap Academy in Camden received the Miracles Global Merit Scholarship. The proceeds from books purchased from my website https://shawnrjones.com/books are also going to Miracles Global, Inc. Thank you for blessing others as God blesses you ♥

Pictures in Glass Frames is also available at  http://t.co/BxiNwWRG  and www.amazon.com. It is also available on the Nook, kindle, and itunes.

An except from Pictures in Glass Frames:  “I looked over at a group of boys selling drugs on the corner, and at that moment, I understood the
tremendous struggle within every drug addict, alcoholic, and crazy person I had ever seen in my life. I even thought of pulling my car over to the curb where the boys stood and buying something—anything—to make me feel better.”

To everyone who purchased my devotional, Pictures in Glass Frames, at one of my book signings, I would like to say thank you so much! As you know, the proceeds went to Miracles Global, Inc.

Last week, two students at Leap Academy in Camden received the Miracles Global Merit Scholarship. The proceeds from books purchased from my website https://shawnrjones.com/books are also going to Miracles Global, Inc. Thank you for blessing others as God blesses you ♥

The first weekend in May was the 1st Annual Writers’ Retreat hosted by Stay Focused Magazine.  We were blessed by one workshop after the next.  Besides being well-informed about the craft and business of writing, we had an amazing time.  We talked and laughed like we had been friends for decades, and many of us had just met for the first time.

Our keynote speaker was National Bestselling Author,Vanessa Davis Griggs. We laughed and took notes during her speech, and by the time she was finished, some of us were wiping tears.  I am thrilled to have a couple signed copies of her books.  If you would like more information on her, please visit her website: http://www.vanessadavisgriggs.com/.

Vanessa Davis Griggs

Deanna Davis, CEO and Editor of Stay Focused Magazine

http://focusedplans.net/web/index.html

Teaching my workshop, Poetry & Prose Electric

Workshop Facilitators: Terrence Clark, CEO and Founder at Glory Cloud Publications (http://www.theglorycloudpublications.org/), Shawn R. Jones(https://shawnrjones.com), Vanessa Davis Griggs (http://www.vanessadavisgriggs.com/),  Deanna Davis (http://focusedplans.net/web/index.html), Deborah Wilson Smart (https://www.facebook.com/OneSmartLadyProductions), Poet Rachel Marrianno (https://www.facebook.com/rachel.marianno?fref=ts), and Not photographed, Rhonda Ferbee-Hammond (http://www.isimplyloveher.com/).

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the retreat!  Remember, no more cliches ; )

Fro more photos, visit:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.484319014968023.1073741828.220861371313790&type=1

The past five days, I watched my adorable two-year-old nephew.  I rolled cars and trains across the floor, danced to cartoon theme songs, repeatedly built a Lego tower just so he could knock it back down, chased him around in circles as he pushed a pamper box through each room on the first floor of my home, read “Marvin K. Mooney Would you Please Go Now” twenty times, sang him to sleep, and smiled him awake.  

Even though taking care of him was no simple task.  It was a beautiful way to spend five days. I didn’t concern myself with what I had to do next because I knew the 5 days were his. And believe me, they were all his.  My sister told me I am very “accommodating” when it comes to him, and she is absolutely correct.  I was very accommodating with own kids and I am also accommodating with my dance students and students I tutor.  I took a moment to think about why I am this way.

For one, it was the way my mother was with me when I was a child.  Two, I want children to know that they matter and they have some choices they can make on their own. I have no idea what kind of adulthood these children are going to have. The world can be unpredictable and scary.  I want them to have beautiful memories to reflect back on. People used to always tell me that I spoiled my children, and I used to say, well, I want them to have the best childhood I can give them.  I won’t have much control over their future.  So, while they are in my home and while I am responsible for their lives, I take full responsibility for their happiness.  I feel the same way about my dance students.  Even though they are with me an hour a week, in that short span of time, I am the adult and I am responsible for not only their safety, but also their happiness.  I think all adults should feel this way when they are in the company of children. It would certainly empower the next generation.

Here is a photo of my nephew.  My sister took this picture today.  They were hanging out, enjoying a rainy day : )