New Releases!

My newest CD release: "A Collection of Christmas Songs" produced for this 2008 Christmas season. Peaceful, and relaxing, this CD features piano performance of traditional Christmas music such as:

Away In A Manger
O Christmas Tree
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

For ordering information, please contact Susan Shoemaker: (360) - 867 - 9189
________________________________________________

A Family favorite brought back by popular demand!

"Heart & Home" was recently re-done for improved listening. This recording features original compositions of our family including: "Mt. Rainier Song" & "Lord Heal Our Land" as well as much loved Christmas favorites: "We Three Kings" & "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

For ordering information, please contact Susan Shoemaker: (360) - 867 - 9189

_________________________________________________
The Shoemaker Brothers (four of our five sons) are carrying on the family musical tradition, and have newly released "The Shoemaker Brothers" CD in 2008. Although the brothers have played together their entire lives, they officially formed as a musical group in December of 2007.

For ordering information, please contact Susan Shoemaker: (360) - 867 - 9189

or
For more information, please visit: http://www.shoemakerbrothers.com/

__________________________________________

"Create" - The Shoemaker Brothers first CD is a collection of original composition, folk music, and hymns. Including instrumental arrangements of: "The Minstrel Boy" & "Holy, Holy, Holy" and featuring the compositions of Samuel and Nathanael (accompanied by Daniel and Gabriel) in "Scottish Seas" & "Never Forget", this CD is a blend of the boys' mutual talents.

For ordering information, please contact Susan Shoemaker: (360) -867- 9189

or

For more information, please visit:

http://www.shoemakerbrothers.com/

merry christmas 2012

Dear Friends and Family near and far, Merry Christmas 2012.....It is December 23rd, and in Norway they call this "Little Christmas Eve". I remember a Christmas spent in far northern Norway..Fauske, the home of my fathers birth. We actually stayed in the old home with relatives and shared Christmas Eve together. I remember trudging through the clean, crisp snow to the Christmas Eve service in the Kirk my father was Christened in. The warm candles glistened through the windows reflecting light  as we walked under the clear starry sky. I am sending love and heartfelt Christmas cheer to all of you from our hearth to yours. Thirty-five years ago Michael and I were engaged  at thanksgiving and shared a very romantic Christmas.I remember ferryboat rides to Pt. Orchard as we visited his family freom our school-life in Seattle. He lived in Ballard and attended SPU and I stayed with an old vintage Italian couple..The Paoluchies (retired bakery shop owners). They had a beautiful old home on Finney Ridge. Michael called them Anna and Pablo. I attended the UW. It seems like yesterday. We were married the following July 7, 1978 at St. Marks Cathedral..Capitol Hill. Father Dennis Bennet married us and became such a close friend to our family. He blessed each of our children in the womb before they were born and officiated a formal houseblessing at two of our homes. Michael had initially proposed  July 7, 1977 at Lake Washington by the lily pads. God gave us seven children and has continued to lead and guide our lives. As I reflect back at our life, our calling has always been to lift up the broken and give hope and Gods love to people in need. Michael started in private Christian Counseling for two non- profit ministries. Burden Bearers Seattle...Alpha Branch in Poulsbo, and then Cornerstone in Federal Way. After completing his masters in counseling, he continued completing his masters of divinity. At this time he served as a hospital chaplain with Love The Neighbor Ministries in Tacoma. We were expecting our sixth child when a door opened for Michael with the Department of Corrections. He became the intake Psychologist for the state of Washington. His specialty became Testing , Evaluation and Placement. Later he worked in other areas..IMU etc. He was invited by Dr. Merrit Lawson to join the staff as seminary professor teaching Biblical Counseling at Covenant Bible Seminary , Tacoma. He completed his Doctorate of Ministry...specialty in Biblical Counseling. He also serves as DMHP for BHR Thurston-Mason County. This position involves going into the community and evaluating people in crisis under the Involuntary Treatment Act. Everyday  when Michael leaves our home, I pray Gods shalom over Thurston-Mason County. I know that God loves each of these people and I pray for God to solve the problems. It is amazing how many times we have witnessed nothing less than miraculous resolving of complicated cases. Jesus commands us to become as little children and simply ask. He longs to help us. My message this Christmas is a message of hope. God writes last chapters! The key to everything is allowing God to love us. To quietly sit and allow his holy spirit to come and cleanse us through the cross...through the blood. We are created in His image to be provided for and protected by our heavenly father. The other key is receiving forgiveness..and releasing all who have offended us by forgiving. The third key to freedom and blessing is" Christ- centered relationships." To serve one another in humility and grace. I believe the greatest thing we can individually do this Christmas is extend Gods loving grace to others. To extend kindness and mercy. To keep a pure heart and pray for God's guidance. My dear mother always said.."forgive everyone, everyday , for everything." This is the key to keeping our joy. When we understand how Christ has forgiven us we want to forgive others. Michael's Biblical Counseling class is centered on these themes. I love reading the papers of his students . The freedom in Christ resulting from applying these and other simple principals from God's word are staggering. I pray we will all pause this Christmas and give the pen to God...allowing Him to write the next chapters of our lives. He is , as Hebrews says..."The Author and Finisher of our Faith."  selah  Blessed New Year to all ...Susan Elizabeth Shoemaker   

puget sound morning..early dawn

The smokey grey clouds reflect in early dawn Puget Sound waters. The bay is like a smooth glass mirror edged in reflected fir trees..swirling clouds...the seagull makes a short cry. The crab boat will soon mysteriously appear and part the waterways in silence. How can I sit and not paint this scene? Soon the lone  Kayaker that faithfully paddles past our house each morning will emerge. The clouds now slowly change formation, the last morning star fades and the sky brightens.....Good Morning. As the old Scandanavian custom..to arise early and go outside and say Good Morning to God first. This inland passage called Elb Inlet could be in far northern Norway, southeast Alaska...Scotlands coast. I love my Puget Sound..I love my Islands. I could get in the canoe and literally paddle around the world. That is the  feeling of freedom and liberty  that living on a  bay that connects to oceans gives. Each evening we have a faithful Blue Heron that flutters and croons and silhouettes aginst the massive Madrona tree on our beach. Last week during our Beach Fire I was strumming the guitar. This fabulous bird came closer, closer...stood... listened... fluttered... and flew over us in grand display , as if to say, "I like your song". Western Washington has everything I found and loved in other countries. The British cozy misty days of mues and inspiration toward proes, poetry, fire and brisk tea. It has the Scottish moors and Highlands, Bays and heather,skies of light and glory. Switzerlands alpine splendour. Our Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges are unmatched in beauty. Our Pacific Ocean..like Alaska's rugged shore. Fishing, Hiking, The Rain Forrest...nestled between the Historic Lake Quinalt Lodge....and The Lake Crescent Inn. These centennial old destinations breathe history. Teddy Roosevelt and his cousin Franklin all had their hands in these" natural-setting hide-a ways." It is rumoured Winston Churchill also payed his visit. We haven't yet mentioned the beauty of Lake Cushman..true Hiawatha country. The one and only Hood Canal where Bill Gates has his summer house and the old Alderbrook Inn stands facing the Olympic Mountains with the Puget Sound surrounding in breathtaking beauty. We haven't yet spoke of Astoria to the south at the mouth of the columbia River. Next writing we will go East and follow that mighty river..I thank God every day for the beauty that surrounds me. It is God that created this marvel. It is God that maintains it. The sun comes up...the sun goes down! The moon rises ...the tides are obedient...the rivers do not overflow their banks...the sealife is hidden but complex beyond our human comprehension.  I feel like King David..."When I consider your heavens..the works of your fingers...What is man that you are mindful of him? Or the son of man that you visit him? selah...God Bless..... Susan Shoemaker

Two Brother part II

Gudmund and Arne were both Christian gentlemen that worked hard and led their families in Gods way. When I was six years old my sister Nancy and I visited Uncle Gudmund and Aunt Dorothy. My sister and I were on the couch in the living room. I heard my uncle Gudmund reading his Bible aloud and praying loudly with my aunt. These two brothers were not ashamed of their spiritual commitments. When I was in my early twenties and travelling in Europe and singing in various Christian settings I remember my father talking to me abouit Christians that compromise. He emphasized the importance of keeping that close open channel to thge Holy Spirit. He told me clearly every choice we make affects that relationship. Loving God with all our hearts means...all. He said again.."Don't let anyone talk you out of your convictions and beliefs". He always emphasized the deep love of God that fills our hearts when we do what is right. He made me promise him that no matter what other Christians did that I would not touch alcohol. What an amazing experience I had when in a restaurant in Holland with a group of Christians having dinner, I simply said "no Thank-you" when offered wine. It was as if I had dropped a bomb..Reactio! "why?'etc. I simply said "i PROMISED MY FATHER TO NEVER TOUCH IT" Immediately calm...then respect...then "you are lucky to have someone in your life who cares". I have forever been grateful that I can say I also kept my promise to my Dad. I have only been in every conceivable way blessed because of it. The anointing of the Holy Spirit in one's life comes with a cost. That cost is full surrender...Smith Wiggelsworth the famous 19-20th century evangelist said .."I've never seen a man use liquor and keep the anointing....I've never seen a man use tobacco and keep the anointing". The anointing of the Holy  Spirit is the deepest peace,joy and touch of God. It is usually found in full surrender of heart. The striving is over, the oppression is broken, the depression is removed! The deep sense of Life Purpose replaces vain and aimless wandering. He removes the burden of sin and we live Light...One sign of a true conversion is deep joy . Another is a craving for the Bible and the things of God. Another is a strong sense "old things have passed away, all things have become new". Our eternal soul is the most important thing to attend to. Everything of this world will eventually pass but our soul is forever. We have been" hard wired" for God to lead our lives. Is it well with your soul? It can be. The Bible says "Call upon the name of the Lord and He will answer!!!"  Salvation is a gift...A gift we must receive.  God Bless all the young people of America...may this be a generation that rises up and says.."Enough Already...I will be sober, live sober and be a man or woman of conviction."  The Bible commands "Be sober, Be vigilant Be strong for your adversary is like a roaring lion, whom resist steadfast in the Faith".  Let us walk the narrow path to life and peace and leave the broad path that leads to destruction. Stay as far away from the cliff as possible! We all have impact on others..may our lives bring light , Truth and great Joy to all we meet. amen...susan shoemaker

the story of two brothers

In 1923 two norweigan brothers age  eight and ten traveled across the ocean with their family from far northern Norway (FAUSKE) to AMERICA (Tacoma, Wasington). Arne the eldest and Gudmund his younger brother. They were immediately enrolled in the local Roosevelt Grade School. Because they did not speak English, they were both sent to first grade until they were fluent in English. I believe the parents learned through reading the newspaper and local norwegian immigrants who helped each other. Everyone wanted to be American and became citizens as soon as possible. They had a little sister aged five named Ruth. Arne was excited to almost immediately land a job delivering newspapers. He was able to earn enough money to buy clothes for himself and his brother! Yes at ten years of age. In those days it was called "Pedaling Papers". As they became teenagers a wonderful Christian layman named Mr. Vincent beagan a boys brigade at thr local Roosevelt Heights Christian Church. He included wood working skills, long athletic runs across town to Stadium High School and back. He also included Christian Character training and talked to the boys about the power of making commitments. These included living right with a clear conscience, and making a pledge to abstinence from alcohol and tobacco . He explained the health benefits and the spiritual moral results from having a life purpose with Christ at the center. My father (Arne) and his brother took all of this teaching to heart and made serious commitments to Endeavor to walk and conduct their lives in an upright manner. My father truly took this so serious he never touched a drop of liquor in his life. He also never touched any form of nicotine. My father  was a deeply compassionate man and he always had empathy for those who suffered physically. My clearest early childhood memory was my father every morning kneeling in prayer. He was a quiet man and did nothing for show. This was his genuine habit.prayer first with the Bible. I really respected the fact that you could never think of talking my father out of his convictions!