God dances

God:
“I am on the throne to worship,
but I get off the throne to reside with you.
I sing and dance with you.
You and I move about with so much joy—together.
Turning and jumping and throwing our arms in the air—together.
I have placed the song in you.
Hear the music in your soul and the dance in your steps.
I AM the Song, the Music, the Dance.” (SM 01.10.08)

Prayer in January 2008

This won't be a pretty song of eloquent praise to You because today I went from peaceful calm to disgust at my own humanity—my own rejection of You when I need You the most and know You will never forsake me—I choose to believe a lie in the midst of knowing the truth and seeing Your truth and power displayed in my life again and again. I seek forgiveness from this awful place. You are holy. You are worthy. You are truth and choose to act justly and righteously. I thank You, thank You for who You are—never changing all the time. You are a beautiful symphony, all instruments and melodies in Your hymn of praise. Glorify. Gratitude. Strength in my life. I simply say, “I give up control because You are the writer of the greatest song of my life! Not my own—but Yours!” Holy. Worthy. Nothing I imagined, but everything I’ve dreamed. Abandoned—upon the cross.

(Written during YWAM Community Meeting)

January 2008 . . . Winter DTS Begins

After a non-stop Christmas vacation, I came back to the base to find my entire dorm room carpet squishing with water and smelling quite badly! So for about four days, some helpers (for which I am so thankful) and I moved out my roommates’ and my things and ripped out carpet and glued padding and laid new, lovely carpet down. We found that a pipe had frozen and burst over the break, which flooded the room. I am thankful only a few books were ruined, and our room was the only one damaged.

The Winter DTS is under way! It has been a busy first two weeks, but God has been so faithful. It always takes a bit of effort to begin a new school and meet the new students, but it’s exciting as well. I taught on Bible Meditation for a session the first week, and I believe that it went well. I like teaching and would like to grow in it, although it still makes me somewhat nervous.

I love my new small group. They seem to have varying backgrounds from a non-Christian family to Mennonite, but all have similar temperaments. Please pray for God to work in them, for some to open up (it’s hard to be vulnerable), and God to heal wounds. Their names are Crystal (PA), Emily (VA), Hanna (BC), Michele (WA), and Stephanie (ID).

I am planning on going on outreach this spring, mid-March to mid-May! I love outreach, but being a first time leader makes me catch my breath with the newness of it all. Teams were just chosen, so I don’t know them well yet, but they seem great! We are hoping to go to 2 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, but that is not finalized yet. Please pray for our finances if God wants us to go to these countries, as they are expensive and our budget is small.

Thank you again for your prayers and for everything! God bless you. Shannon

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Christmas Day

I spent Christmas with my sister Marte in Minneapolis, MN, and it was so great to spend some quality time with her as I hardly get to see her because of distance and money. Here also is her fiance Devon, and his great kids Amitri and Amari, who were visiting for the holidays. It was a blast to share the excitement and awe of children during the Christmas season! There is such a magical quality to their outlook.

Christmas Vacation

Over Christmas vacation I was blessed to visit my old home and friends in Redding, CA! Here I am with my friend Brandee at Hebrews coffee shop. She is such a prayer warrior and encouragement to me. She did her DTS at YWAM Montana several years ago and completely recommended it to me when I was looking into coming here. She was a bit unsettled that my computer could take pictures! Haha. It works great when you forget your camera.

Randomness . . .

Anna is a friend here at YWAM Montana and staff for the School of Biblical Studies. She loves to lead worship, speak to students, teach, and write. She has such amazing depth--to discuss with her is such a joy!

Our trip to the GO! Conference, a YWAM missions' conference in Estes Park, CO. It included 5 vans pulling 2 trailers, along with assorted other vehicles to carry our caravan of around 80 students and staff driving for 2 days, totaling 18-19 hours(end October 2007). I helped drive one of the vans. The conference had DTS students from several bases, seminars, worship, intercession, and many speakers, one being Darlene Cunningham. The conference was great, but sad to say I got a bad flu (body, not throw-up) on the way home!
#1: Lacey, who is in my small group, and I on the drive.
#2: Snapped by Lacey while I was sleeping.