Shannon's Corner

  SHANNON’S CORNER HAPPY NEW YEAR! I got to bring in 2022 with all my family except for Rachel’s family as they were sick.  The new year is a time of new beginnings and for many goals setting for the new year.  I have set some goals for myself this year but like to think of them as desires more so than goals.   Last year at a women’s conference one of the speakers spoke on goals and desires and the differences between the two.  We can be so focused on reaching our goal that we can tend to knock whoever or whatever down to reach our goal because we want to be in control of reaching it.  Whereas desires are what we would like to have happen, but we have no control over if we reach them or accomplish them.  Another way to look at it is goals are closed fists and desires are open hands. Here are some of my “desires” for the year 2022. Continuing to learn and develop in my professional life with member care and nursing.  D...

  SHANNON’S CORNER December 2021 MERRY CHRISTMAS! “This is what the Lord says:  ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’  But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”—Jeremiah 6:16 In thinking what “ancient paths” can represent it reminds me of well-worn paths that people and even animals have trodden.  They may be weathered paths like the Inca Trail hiking to Machu Pichu.  In our spiritual lives they can be the various spiritual disciplines or practices to help form our spiritual lives.  I have been reflecting on this verse during this Christmas season and some of the “ancient paths” can even be our Christmas traditions and rituals we do this time of year.  But whether they are spiritual disciplines or Christmas traditions they should all point us to Jesus. Are we too caught up in our traditions, the busyness of the season,...

  SHANNON’S CORNER November 2021 I enjoyed my trip to One Mission Society (OMS) headquarters in Greenwood, IN.  It was surreal in a way as my family, the churches where my Dad served and even Cherry Run Camp have hosted so many missionaries who have or still are serving with OMS.  I was asked to participate with Duane Brown, Darryl and Kelly Chambers in presenting to the OMS leadership the importance of serving and equipping the sending church to provide missionary care in partnership with OMS so that the missionary will be well cared for throughout their missionary service.  I got to meet one-on-one with some of the leadership as well for them to get to know me better and ask any questions.  One question that I was asked, “How much do other agencies budget for member care?”  I shared that I do not know as I have never actually seen anybody’s budget, but I believe your budget for member care should reflect how much you value your pe...