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.

Some pics from Sharis' Birthday at MacKenzie River Pizza Company. Sharis was a student with me in Fall DTS 06 and on my outreach team to Uganda. Currently, she is a student with School of Biblical Studies here at YWAM Montana.
#1: Me, Katherine, and Sharis.
#2: My roommate Becky with me.

My Roommate Carrie on a Roadtrip

(*Pictured: Carrie sitting in our crazy room in the early stages, before it was painted!)

My roomie Carrie just left a couple days ago with a team from our bases' Critical Services Department to the Jamaica YWAM base. They have gone to bless that base with help, where it's needed. Some of the things Carrie may be doing is cooking in the kitchen and helping with children. The team is also helping with building projects, especially with cement, and picking fruit from the trees.

Carrie is also moving into a new chapter in her life. While on base, she has mainly served in the kitchen (she loves to cook!) but has willingly served in other areas that needed extra help. But after the Christmas holidays, she plans to work at the base part-time and go to college to finish her A.A. Carrie also desires to be a positive influence in her cousins' lives, who live nearby. So she is moving out as our roommate, a sad time, but she is always welcome here.

Please keep Carrie in your prayers as she ministers in Jamaica and enters new seasons. She truly loves and cares for people and has such a heart to intercede.