SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. Making space for the stories people have. Over the past month, I have continued providing online debrief care for ministry workers and families in different parts of the world. Some individuals and couples began and completed their debriefing process this month, while others are still in the process of working through their experiences. Each person's story is unique, and the time needed to reflect, process, and make sense of those experiences varies. Through these online conversations, I am reminded that even across geographical distances, we can create a safe space for people to share openly, explore their emotions, and give voice to the hard things they may have been carrying. One of the meaningful aspects of debriefing is helping people recognize the many layers surrounding an experience or loss. Sometimes, we carry the weight of a situation without fully realizing how much is connected to it—the relationsh...
The mountains have a way of capturing our attention. They are beautiful, breathtaking, and filled with opportunities to experience awe and wonder. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend time in the mountains between West Virginia and Virginia. My eyes gazed upon the beauty surrounding me—the fall trees displaying their vibrant colors, the crisp, clean air, the warmth of the sunshine, and the quiet that seemed to invite me to slow down and simply be. There was no need to rush to the next thing or accomplish a particular task. I could just be present in the moment, taking in the beauty around me. Something about being in the mountains fills my soul and refreshes my mind, body, and spirit. The beauty reminds me of the importance of making space in our lives to experience awe and wonder. Life transitions can consume a great deal of our attention and energy. Transitions can leave us feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or emotionally depleted. We may become so focused on figuri...