No more cold lips for you, sir.

Mr. Blue and myself.




Pawpaw and Mr. Blue
Mawmaw and me!
Cheyanne and me!
Speaking at Gloryland.
Display at Gloryland.
Pawpaw and me, before I left!

No pepper shakers after 8 pm.

I have been re-reading Galatians and in 1:10 it reads, "For am I now seeking approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Last night at POD I was really convicted of not taking advantage of every opportunity and why? Because I was afraid of hurting someone's feelings? Didn't want to be too pushy? Wasn't sure how that person felt? Dumb excuses. One of the girls had just gotten back from a leadership conference and she shared a quote, "You can't light someone else's flame, but God can use you to fan it". That really spoke to me, even if fear of man was holding me back it's not really because I am going to fail it's because I'm trying to protect God from the disappointment. (dumb) It's like I'm telling God "hey ummm....I'm a human so let me handle this because I know how to communicate better." (dumb) So afterwards I realized that I need to take advantage of the relationships in my life and share how important Jesus is to me. Who cares if they are uncomfortable? (I enjoy making people uncomfortable, btw.) I should be doing it more often.

Shannon's life lesson #362

I spoke at my Uncle's church and it went fantastically! It was such a blessing to share and get practice talking about what God's doing and being vulnerable in front of people. I had the opportunity to meet a girl that's my age and is on fire for Jesus. It's exciting for me to hear about what adventure God is taking her on! And how it's totally different from the one He is taking me on, but just as impacting! Also, they will be supporting me monthly and taking up a special offering for me this Sunday! God's basically awesome with a bag of chips.

I am speaking at my church this Sunday. I am almost ready I just need to edit a few things and call some people. I'm really excited to share with people who are in my life weekly, people who supported me and prayed for me the first time.

God is still on me about His timing. I would say it's getting easier...but I still have times where I have to sit and focus. (literally, I have to stop and sit.) I've been getting places early and so I read just to ease this obnoxious feeling in my chest, which is odd but it's helpful.

Well, I need to do some productive things before the girls wake up. Thanks for all your prayers and support, I appreciate it greatly.

Have a fantastic day, remember to spend time with Jesus! It'll be worth it, promise! (:

Worth 20000 words.

Where's Waldo?

There is a few things that I can share...
First, I have been working a lot. The girls are fantastic and teach me things, daily. Second, money has started to come in from my support letters, which is very exciting. Especially because I know some of the people giving me money don't have a lot to give. Which makes the gift even more special to me. For example: I was at bible study on Thursday night and I was talking to a girl about my finances (which was $40) and she gave me a $10 note and said, "I know it's not a lot but take it". That brought so much joy to my heart.

I am leaving for WV this week to go speak at my Uncle's church. PLUS I get to see my brand new cousin! (: I will probably end up going by myself, but it will be fun. I like road trips, they make for excellent Jesus time!

God has been teaching me to wait on His timing in everything. Anxiousness goes hand in hand with that for me. I keep having to remind myself to not be anxious about ANYTHING not just the future or finances. The small things is what always trips me up, the being late, or fighting with a family member, or whether or not things get done and lack of sleep. It's very comforting when I actually apply it to my life. Lately questions of the future have been on my heart, which is helpful for learning this lesson. It's probably the best time because I have complete peace with things that I never thought I would. (vague I know, but trust me it's good)

God has also provided me with amazing friends. That are girls! It's tough sometimes but totally worth it. The girls I hang out with are all in different stages of life so it's nice to see what functional, God-based relationships/families look like and it's nice to be reminded I'm not the only girl who doesn't live for guys.

I also have been challenged recently about how I display Christ in public. Do I go places ready to share what Jesus did for someone? Do I have a Christ-like attitude at 0530 when I go to wawa before work? Do I help someone when I see them struggling? I have found myself getting wrapped up in my own little world so I'm trying to make myself more aware of the fact I live for Christ, not myself. Which is tough, but worth it.

I do have a few prayer requests:
Continuous peace about my trip, finances, leaving my friends and family.
Consistent times with Jesus, that I would realize how much I need Him.
Challenges would be faced with confidence in Christ.


Thank you for taking time out of your day to read about my life, it means a lot!
Have a fantastic day and spend sometime with Jesus! It will be rewarding.

<3 to you all,
Shann

Movies

I am speaking at my home church on 22 May. I'm sharing about 5 minutes about my past trip and my upcoming trip. I also, after weeks of dumb computers, have made this video to show some visual of what God did while I was over there! Thank you for your continued support through this adventure! The weekend before that I am speaking in WV at my Uncle's church to share what I am doing as well. I'm excited about that because I will get to see my cousins, Aunts, and Uncles!

I'm already starting to get letters back! One of which is from a family I babysat for during the summer I turned 13! Now the little girl is 13 and 2 more kids were added to the bunch. It's fun to catch up with people!

VISA UPDATE: I forgot to put my middle name on the application so I had to get my passport notarized. By the time I got it all worked out it was approved within 12 hours!!!!!

God has put such amazing friends in my life over the last few months. I have never really had friends that we can joke around and be completely silly with and then have a serious 3 hour conversation about how amazing our God is. ALSO!!!! I am watching two little girls while their mom goes back to work. Keegan is 3, Ryann is 2 months. They are such a blessing.

I have a few prayer requests:
That I would follow through 100% with speaking about my trip, no half hearted stuff.
That a plan ticket would be provided
God is glorified through my words and actions over the next few months.
And that people would see why I'm doing what I'm doing, to glorify Jesus.
One last one, that my heart would stay focused on Jesus.


Side note: My brother is a firefighter and was fighting in a structure in our neighborhood and the roof collapsed. He WALKED out of the building but apparently was over heated and threw up. His officer told him he was going to the hospital. He has a mild concussion, but no burns or other serious injuries. Matthew, for those of you who know who he is, called me and told me just in case I hadn't heard that Zach was being transported but to his knowledge was ok! Matt then said that my brother was a good firefighter and that he was proud of him. (: It's good to hear from someone who has been doing it for 12 years that Zach is doing a good job. This was such a blessing. Zach is currently sleeping on our couch and is safely home! Thank you to all of those who prayed for him!


Okay, I believe that that is all for right now. Let me know if you have any questions!
Love you all!
Shannon

Testing Video

Accomplishment

Well, I have my visa. Is it the right one? I hope so. They have changed the visa application process so I'm praying that it's correct. Out of my hands now, though.
I'm still looking for a plane ticket. The cheapest one I've found happens to have a 14 hour layover in LAX so I can visit my family! Such a blessing.

I miss the ladies in Australia.

God has been doing awesome things in my life. I, after much debate, have pulled my membership at the volunteer fire department and turned in my gear so I am completely done. It was good while it lasted but God has other things for me. It's been good so far.

I have people in my life that have been with me through a lot. It's kinda cool how things change and your lives run into each other. Jesus, you are quite the character.
I have lost, yet again, my bible. It's starting to distress me.

Last, I am almost completely healed from my surgeries. Blessing.

Support letters have been printed. Pledge cards have been made. A trip to WV for support raising is in the works. Visa is being processed. Addresses being printed is next!

Thanks for taking time to read. (: