Shannon's Corner

  There is something deeply countercultural about intentionally stepping away from work, ministry, responsibilities, and the constant demands of life. Many of us feel guilty when we rest. We worry that things will fall behind, that people will need us, or that taking time away somehow means we aren't committed enough. Yet our bodies, minds, and spirits were never designed to run without pause. Even Jesus regularly withdrew from the crowds. He stepped away from the needs around Him to pray, to rest, and to be with the Father before stepping back into ministry again. Taking time away isn't an escape from your assignment—it is preparation for it. When we intentionally create space for play, rest, and renewal, we give our whole selves permission to breathe. Our  bodies  begin to recover from carrying stress and tension. Our   minds   become quieter, making room for creativity, wisdom, and fresh perspective. Our  spirits  reconnect with God, reminding us th...

  If I asked you to describe who you hope to become in this season of life, what would come to mind? Not your next accomplishment. Not your next job title. Not your next destination. Instead... What image, word, or phrase captures the person you are becoming? Maybe it's a tree with deep roots, standing firm through every season. Perhaps it's a lighthouse, offering steady light to others while remaining anchored in the midst of storms. Maybe the word that comes to mind is  peace . Or  courage . Or  whole . Or  free . As we move through life's transitions, it's easy to become consumed with what we have to do next. We make plans, solve problems, and focus on the practical details of change. Those things matter. But transitions are about more than changing circumstances—they are also shaping us from the inside out. The questions shift from: What should I do? to Who am I becoming? When we have an image, word, or phrase that reflects the person we desire to become, it...

  SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. As I watch the power of a storm, listen to the thunder and downpour of rain, gaze upon the beauty of a sunrise, watch the trees dance in the wind, hear the gentle rain falling on the foliage, listen to the birds sing, see deer leap through the fields, and experience both the coolness and warmth of changing weather, I am reminded of God's beauty all around us. Being surrounded by such beauty these past few weeks has ministered deeply to my spirit, body, mind, and soul.  It has been especially meaningful as I have listened to difficult, and at times traumatizing, stories from global workers serving and living in hard places around the world.  As they courageously share their wounds, burdens, and struggles, I find myself returning to this verse:  "From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth in glorious radiance"  (Psalm 50:2, NLT).   The beauty of creation reminds me that beauty is not simply...

  This morning, I sat listening to the steady, gentle rain falling on the leaves of the trees. There was no thunder, no fierce wind, no urgency. Just the soft rhythm of raindrops landing on foliage, one after another. As I listened, I found myself thinking about the way rain gently cleanses. The rain washes dust from leaves that have quietly accumulated dirt over time. It nourishes roots hidden beneath the surface. It refreshes what has become dry and weary. And it does all of this without force. Transitions in life often require a similar kind of cleansing. When we walk through seasons of change, we can accumulate things we were never meant to carry for long. Disappointments. Unmet expectations. Worries about the future. Grief over what was lost. Even old identities that no longer fit the person we are becoming. Sometimes we think growth must happen through dramatic breakthroughs or major life overhauls. Yet often the most meaningful transformation comes through gentle, consistent...

  Have you ever found yourself driving through a torrential downpour? The rain is coming down so hard that the road ahead seems to disappear. Your windshield is covered in water. Visibility is limited. Everything feels slower, more stressful, and more uncertain. Recently, I found myself in exactly that situation. As the rain pounded against my windshield, I felt the tension rise. I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and focused intently on what I could see. In moments like that, I become incredibly grateful for a few things. First, I'm grateful for windshield wipers. With every swipe, they clear away enough water for me to see what is directly ahead. They don't remove the storm. They don't clear the entire journey. They simply provide enough visibility for the next few moments. Life transitions often work the same way. When we are navigating a career change, a relocation, retirement, grief, burnout recovery, a ministry transition, or a major life adjustment, we oft...

  This past weekend, I traveled to watch a swim meet. It wasn't a long trip. It wasn't a major vacation. It was simply a few days away from home. Yet once again, I found myself surprised by how even a small trip can throw off my normal routine. Maybe you can relate. The things that usually anchor our days—our sleep schedule, exercise habits, meal planning, quiet time, work rhythm, household responsibilities—can suddenly feel out of sync. We return home and wonder why we feel slightly disoriented, tired, or behind before we've even unpacked our bags. For years, I would become frustrated with myself when this happened. I would expect to jump right back into life as if nothing had changed. I would come home and immediately start tackling the to-do list, trying to make up for lost time. What I've learned, and continue to learn, however, is that transitions—even small ones—require adjustment. Travel is a transition. A change in schedule is a transition. A weekend away is a t...

  Spring and early summer bring a familiar rhythm. Gardeners prepare the soil, plant seeds, water faithfully, and wait. They do not expect tomatoes the next day or flowers the next week. They understand that growth takes time. Life transitions often work the same way. When we are in the middle of a major life change—a new career, retirement, an empty nest, a move, a relationship shift, a health challenge, or a season of rediscovering who we are—we can become focused on immediate results. We want clarity now. We want the next chapter to unfold quickly. We want assurance that our efforts are producing something meaningful. Yet transitions are often less about harvesting and more about planting. Every small step you take is a seed. The conversation you finally have. The boundary you establish. The class you enroll in. The resume you update. The morning walk you begin. The counseling appointment you schedule. The journal entry you write. The dream you allow yourself to consider. These ...

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.  His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1) Twenty years of being on mission with Jesus — and with YOU. His love endures forever. Individuals, families, and churches who have supported, prayed, and encouraged me from the very beginning. His love endures forever. Hours upon hours of learning a new language, never imagining I would one day understand it, let alone speak it. His love endures forever. Being far from family, friends, and familiarity. His love endures forever. Loving and caring for children and teens in Peru. His love endures forever. Building and cultivating amazing friendships. His love endures forever. Eating incredible cuisine. His love endures forever. Walking through a medical crisis scare. His love endures forever. Experiencing an earthquake. His love endures forever. Traveling and having many adventures. His love endures forever. Walking a hard and painful road through burnout — wounded and weary. His love endures for...

  SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. This year marks   20 years of ministry , and I am continually amazed at the faithfulness of God and the incredible people who have walked alongside me through every season.  Thank you for praying, encouraging, giving, and saying “yes” to being part of this journey. Together we have seen lives touched, hearts encouraged, and people strengthened through seasons of transition, growth, and healing. What began as simply saying “yes” to God’s leading has grown into opportunities to serve individuals, families, Third Culture Kids, and ministry leaders around the world.  Thank you for being part of these  20 year s. Over the past month, ministry has been full and meaningful.  We’ve had the privilege of facilitating   four in-person debriefs with our partners Tributary Retreat Center and Safe Place Ministry,  and   two online debriefs   with our partner Refresh & Resound Internati...