ALREADY BUT NOT YET

The beauty of living in the already but not yet creates a space for the practice of waiting. Waiting is hard. Our sense of control is diminished or lost and our expectations of how and when crumbles. It fuels impatience, strengthens impulses, and heightens our desire to just do something.

The practice of waiting creates and gives space to acknowledge, grieve, and release the things in our lives that need to die such as unmet expectations and hopes, so that we can make room for new growth and new life. We cannot do this on our own. The invitation is to wait with the Lord. He is the one who tends the restoration process.

How are you celebrating this season of waiting?

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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...

August Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER Camp News! Cherry Run Camp is my green pasture and quiet waters where the Lord continuously restores my soul. This camp was even more special as I was invited to be the missionary in residence for the nine days of camp. Sharing with all age groups about missions and how as believers and followers of Christ we are all called to go and make disciples by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. It was a week that was fulfilling to be with my family and the family of God as we fellowshipped one with another. As missionaries, we first need to make connections and build relationships with people before sharing the Good News. The youth were given the mission to level up: 1) make connection by introducing themselves to people and making them feel welcomed; 2) ask the person what they need prayer for; 3) the youth to pray with the person on the spot; 4) the youth to share their testimony; and 5) the person is asked to share their testimony. The yo...

September Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER I will be joining my team with Refresh & Resound International as we will be in Penang, Malaysia. Some of the team will be doing worship and the rest of us will be providing care and prayer for the spiritual leaders’ retreat and conference for around 220 global workers who work in translating the Scriptures in SE Asia. Please be in prayer for my team as well as for everyone at these events. I will share with you more next month so stay tuned. I have so enjoyed the slower pace this month and the opportunity to finish all of my nursing continuing education classes as well as some life coaching continuing education. The slower pace has also given me time to be able to pause and reflect on this past summer and check-in with myself. There have been some things that surfaced to the top of some transition losses that I needed to acknowledge, process, and grieve them. God gently reminding me that I am still in the season of re-entr...

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