This blog entry is brought to you today by the letter F and number 4!

It's been almost a month since I last wrote. Right now I'm sitting in our classroom "supervising" the homework night! Each week two staff members are on the roster just in case the students have questions. So far I've gotten asked one question! Which is good! It means I have time to finish up some homework myself.

Our school officially start on 4 August. We had a welcome dinner that night with my favorite meal, chicken Alfredo, and get to know you question games! Afterwards we had a bonfire in a flower pot and talked! It was such a fun evening. We had orientation on Friday and Saturday then we traveled up to Redcliff for our student retreat. We stayed in the church and took that time to share testimonies! It was so encouraging to hear 25 peoples stories! (:

When we got back on Monday we unloaded and just hung out. Tuesday we start lectures on the Character and Nature of God. Our school leader Kimberley Brinkman taught that whole week. She is absolutely amazing and has a superb relationship with Jesus! The students were very excited about topic. I think the third day I was walking out of the bathroom and one of the students was walking in and was sobbing. Normally crying students would be a bad thing but this student started to realize that God was the PERFECT father and that he had unresolved issues with his father. It was great! There is a long road ahead of him but he's well aware and has many people to stand beside him and fight with him! The second week was intercession and hearing the voice of God. Two different people that work on the YWAM Brisbane centre taught these topics. It's very usual that students come and have NO IDEA that God is a speaking God. Many of them struggle with the confidence of actually being able to hear his voice. It's very rewarding to watch them be frustrated at the beginning of the week then have a revelation and watch them share it with the whole class with a love displayed all over their faces! Each week we meeting in smaller groups to process life, lectures, and anything God is teaching us. Today was the second one. Me and another staff member, Alicia, are co-leading a small group. We have four students all together. We decided to walk down to McDonald's and get 50 cent cones!!! When we walked down there we played two truths and a lie just to get to know each other. Also it was a good example of building relationship which is how you can recognize God's voice! We then talked about different revelations or struggles we are going through. And for the next week we will be secretly blessing one other person in our small group! I personally love this! (:

I am completely exhausted and ready to go to bed. I need to update more on my life possibly this weekend. Know this though, God is amazing and is truly challenging and blessing me. I miss everyone tremendously. Thank you for reading!

Send me letters, people! (:

Shannon Baxter

YWAM

671 Samford Road

Mitchelton QLD 4053

I would like a little water with my lemonade.

This is Nico ^
Alyssa Jo (AO! Jiley)
Dustin (DusyCole)
DustyCole
Myself and my ginger bread look alike
Messy room
making sure the noodles are done!
4th of July!
Secret flowers!
We made ice cream!

"Your love never fails, it never gives up, never runs out on me..."

This song has been super great in my life lately. Right now it's Sunday around 0931, I have homework to do, laundry to fold, and a staff bonding time to attend. It's still really cold here but it gets super lovely during the day.

there really isn't much to report if you have read my newsletter...but I will try to think of something exciting. Well yesterday we have ministry time and I was on the roster for hanging out with some local kids. A fellow staff member, Glenn, and I were together for this. Well...these local kids...they are 13 year old boys. We played ping pong for alittle bit then they got sick of it and walked away! haha So I went and made some cordial and just left them to be boys! I went and helped out with a girl was watching some little munchkins. Which made me miss Keeg and RQ.

I had pulled off ALL of the crap on my shelf two days ago and just left it on the floor. I organized, cleaned, and put it all back. Our room is super small and there isn't much floor space without my crap on the floor, much less with! Butttt my roommate was a good sport about it!

I will post a few pictures of our Christmas in July party, Canada day, and our messy room! Enjoy and thank you for your support.

love you all.

TAA=Terrrrific, Amusing, Accelerating

Gosh, it's week three that I am here I suppose. Like I said in my previous bloggage we did first aid the first week. Then we started TAA (teaching and assessment) We learned different learning styles, barriers to learning, intelligence's, how to teach a skill, how to assess students, how to set up a class room, how to lead intercession, and how to encourage each other when we want to pull our hair out. So far it's been really good. It's been pretty challenging to organize and write my thoughts. Which if you're reading this I'm sure you can understand how hard this is for me! I tend to need things spelled out for. And I don't fluff things. I say the bare minimum and I think that should be good enough. Which is ironic because I tend to yammer if you're talking to me. So yeah, TAA...fantastic. (No sarcasm, I really do enjoy it) Our leadership training starts next week. Our staff team is going on our "get to know each other so that we can love,encourage, and spend the next 2 years together happily" retreat. I'm super excited. It's almost dinner time so I need to go but I;m really trying to be better at communicating to people back home. So please bare with me. But if you want some specific information PLEASE EMAIL ME.

kbye.

Actually Laughing Out Loud (Just for you westcoasties)

Soooooo I'm here. Here being YWAM Brisbane. Here being my room that I share with my lovely friend, AO! Jiley. Here being a cold country. Here being my new life.

All of our staff is here except our school leader. We did some first aid training yesterday, which was nice, but kinda hard because of the training I have previously received. Today we are doing orientation of our new lives. Also at some point today we are having birthday festivities for two of our staff peeps. A random fun fact: my alarm clock wishes me a good day.

I would really love prayer. I don't really know how to explain it other then I just need it like woah.

I need to go eat brekkie.

Love you all.

So hot we'll melt your Popsicles

I'm in CA with my Aunt Shannon and cousin, Kim. I'm leaving on June 16th for Brisbane. I have all the funds I need to get over there but still need some monthly support. I really don't have much to write about other then I'm super sleepy! My excitement is building...which is good!

And also, my friends are awesome. I lost my passport and one of them suggested my purse which I laughed at him but turns out...he was right. Then I had like 12 people just show up at my house to hang out and help re-pack my bags. It was grand fun and I love them all.

I am just saying that I love letters.

YWAM

Shannon Baxter

671 Samford Road

Mitchelton QLD 4053

I hope that your summer days treat you well, remember to serve and listen to Jesus.

Shann

I got them for you!

I leave in 5 days. Today is my last day at work, then to bible-study, then EMT test site, and then HAMPTON! I get to see my Benjamin and Dana and Chris! I still haven't packed. I still need a few things. But I have a plane ticket. I need to write a support emails. One minute at a time.

I love my friends. They are pretty great.

He (Jesus) must be inked.

Tikets are bought.

Shannon has no more hair.

Stress possibly alleviated.

13 days left.