Shannon's Corner

  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...