Hurdle #6 Grief & Loss

Wherever there is change, there is loss, and loss takes you through the journey of grief. Most of us want to resist this journey of grief because it is painful, hard, and long “Loss is not the enemy, not facing its existence is…” – H. Norman Wright.

Losses reveal our heart of how well we love, our core values, and belief systems that defines us. Each loss has impacted our lives in one way, shape, form, or another which is why it is important to pause and reflect and grieve our losses.

Take time to acknowledge and name the losses by writing them down. Name the emotions felt with each loss. How has this loss impacted your thoughts and actions in moving forward? Find a friend, pastor, counselor who is a safe and healthy presence to talk about how your losses have impacted you.

The journey of grief is a gift and as you walk through it gives you permission to find a new place to live from. Where are you in the journey of grief?

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October Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER The Saga Continues… The trip to Malaysia consisted of a two-day spiritual retreat with the theme of ‘Come Away With Me’ and a six-day conference with about 230 missionaries who serve in some aspect of translating the Scriptures. One of the many people who I met was a missionary who served in Cameroon for many years and now is in a new role. As he was sharing, most his words were very negative and depressive. I encouraged him to sign up for a time of prayer and care. At the end of the retreat, this missionary shared with me that he did have a session and I could see that his whole countenance changed, and he was hopeful. His new word he used to describe where he was now is ‘delightful.’ Our time there was creating a safe space for these missionaries to have a place to share what they are struggling with and to connect with Jesus. One missionary is at a crossroads in her life. Another finds himself in the midst of betrayal. A missionary is in a new role as a caregi...

September Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for this ministry. Each debrief is a sacred invitation—a chance to step into someone’s story, even if only for a short stretch of the journey. It feels a bit like being allowed to glimpse a painting still in progress. We may not yet see the final picture, but we trust the One who promises to complete the good work He has begun until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6). Recently, in an online debrief, the missionary shared: “ I am in a much better place since our initial meeting. Taking the time to process my lived experience overseas and to grieve the losses, I now feel I have the capacity to move forward here in my new season of life. ” We also had the joy of walking alongside three third culture children. To see their eyes light up as their stories were received with understanding and care was priceless. These children do not often have many who truly grasp their unique li...

November Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER Gratitude…Happy Thanksgiving! In the last newsletter I shared that God turns pebbles into tidal waves so have I got a story for you. I was asked to read the history of Cherry Run Camp and a piece of its history spoke loudly to me as it has impacted my family for eternity. Around 1934 the pastor of the Rimersburg Methodist Church, Wilson R. Ross known as “Daddy Ross,” and the Men’s Bible Class took an interest in revitalizing Cherry Run Camp as it had fallen into great disrepair and deep into debt. Fifty some years later, my dad was the pastor of Rimersburg Methodist Church, and it was at Cherry Run Camp in the 60’s where he came to know Jesus as his Savior. The story of Cherry Run Camp is one of God’s Spirit moving across generations to form and to sustain a place which has become a spiritual home for many. I am so, so grateful for God turning this pebble in the 1930’s into a tidal wave for eternity. A global worker from across the ocean i...

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