I can't believe it's almost been a year since I have written on here and I have no clue if anyone even reads it anyways, however, I thought I would update anyone that was interested in what is happening w/ life these days.I don't quite even know where to start, so I'll just stream of consciencness type what's on my mind. My job is amazing. I've been there just over a year, working at a hearing aid center fo
r a nation wide company where most of my co-workers are very strong ppl of faith and it's a full time, Monday thru Friday, 8-5pm job that has been such a blessing. I became a member of City Bible Church back in May. After searching pretty much the entirety of Portland surrounding area, and trying church after church, week after week, I was finally lead to City Bible and met some of the most geniune people who have become great friends and have been very much a blessing to my life and I'm growing in so many new ways. My fam is good, it's great to be back and get to see them whenever I would like... I'm living about a mile away from downtown Portland with two fabulous roomates, in pretty much the "Keep Portland Weird" part of town -- and I LOVE it, it's so me...
r a nation wide company where most of my co-workers are very strong ppl of faith and it's a full time, Monday thru Friday, 8-5pm job that has been such a blessing. I became a member of City Bible Church back in May. After searching pretty much the entirety of Portland surrounding area, and trying church after church, week after week, I was finally lead to City Bible and met some of the most geniune people who have become great friends and have been very much a blessing to my life and I'm growing in so many new ways. My fam is good, it's great to be back and get to see them whenever I would like... I'm living about a mile away from downtown Portland with two fabulous roomates, in pretty much the "Keep Portland Weird" part of town -- and I LOVE it, it's so me...God has opened up a door for me to work w/ jr. high students on Tuesday nites and I have a 
group of 6th grade girls who I adore. Also, on Thursday nites He has opened up a door for me to work alongside Youth For Christ in St. Johns, a rough part of North Portland, working in a drop in shelter for at 
risk teens, who fight and cuss and I LOVE IT.. It's exactly what I was doing in Northern Ireland and it's pretty amazing that that exists for me now here...
group of 6th grade girls who I adore. Also, on Thursday nites He has opened up a door for me to work alongside Youth For Christ in St. Johns, a rough part of North Portland, working in a drop in shelter for at 
risk teens, who fight and cuss and I LOVE IT.. It's exactly what I was doing in Northern Ireland and it's pretty amazing that that exists for me now here...I have learned a ton as well this year, man, it has been trial, to triumph, to wanting to give up, to feeling on top of the world. Below I am going to post what I had written to a co-worker, during a really difficult month, just to give you a glimpse into how God is working in my head and heart all the time:
You have all been so kind and understanding this last week and I am definitely having my fair share of trials
, but just wanted to say thank you for your prayers and support and to give God the glory rite now because God's hand is over my life regardless of my circumstances or feelings and I must just say praise Him thru this storm. I have no answers, no resolve, nothing. Nothing has changed, but I am called to praise and just wanted to encourage you all for His glory. I can stand on this; His truth is sure, His promises remain, even when it feels like I have lost my mind and even though I am completely out of control. Praise God that thru our weakness, He is strong.. I believe in faith that 
God works all things together for the good of those that love Him and have been called according to His purposes, that when we trust in Him with all of our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding, rather, acknowledging Him in all things, that He will direct our paths. Even though my circumstances have not changed and I feel so depressed and so confused, I choose to believe and stand on what I know is true. That God is Sovreign, that He is 
my perfect rest, He is my peace, He is my strength and my joy when I have none. That He gives beauty for ashes, strength for weak, gladness for mourning and that His faithfulness is new every morning. I believe that He is healer, restorer, provider and my perfect, good Father and He promises that His load is light and He daily carries our burdens. He promises that when we come before Him with all our anxiety, that He gives us peace beyond what we can understand, He promises to answer prayers according to His will, and His delight is in us and He desires us to know His goodness and blessings and all thethings He has for us. So.. that all being said, I just had to say thatGod is good. Right now. With everything going on in my mind, amidst all the strife and confusion in my mind and pain in my heart.. He is good. He is not an author of confusion, but of peace, He has given us a sound mind, and I have the mind of Christ.. So, with His strength, I rest in His goodness and His control and His care, with all your prayers, I know we will see Him do something so much greater than we could ever ask or imagine in all of this. Thank you for standing in faith with me. Praise God for what He is doing and what is already is done. I stand and rest in who He is and what I do not see. Praise God for all of you and for who He is. God be praised. He is good. Thank you for loving Him and for your grace this last week.
, but just wanted to say thank you for your prayers and support and to give God the glory rite now because God's hand is over my life regardless of my circumstances or feelings and I must just say praise Him thru this storm. I have no answers, no resolve, nothing. Nothing has changed, but I am called to praise and just wanted to encourage you all for His glory. I can stand on this; His truth is sure, His promises remain, even when it feels like I have lost my mind and even though I am completely out of control. Praise God that thru our weakness, He is strong.. I believe in faith that 
God works all things together for the good of those that love Him and have been called according to His purposes, that when we trust in Him with all of our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding, rather, acknowledging Him in all things, that He will direct our paths. Even though my circumstances have not changed and I feel so depressed and so confused, I choose to believe and stand on what I know is true. That God is Sovreign, that He is 
my perfect rest, He is my peace, He is my strength and my joy when I have none. That He gives beauty for ashes, strength for weak, gladness for mourning and that His faithfulness is new every morning. I believe that He is healer, restorer, provider and my perfect, good Father and He promises that His load is light and He daily carries our burdens. He promises that when we come before Him with all our anxiety, that He gives us peace beyond what we can understand, He promises to answer prayers according to His will, and His delight is in us and He desires us to know His goodness and blessings and all thethings He has for us. So.. that all being said, I just had to say thatGod is good. Right now. With everything going on in my mind, amidst all the strife and confusion in my mind and pain in my heart.. He is good. He is not an author of confusion, but of peace, He has given us a sound mind, and I have the mind of Christ.. So, with His strength, I rest in His goodness and His control and His care, with all your prayers, I know we will see Him do something so much greater than we could ever ask or imagine in all of this. Thank you for standing in faith with me. Praise God for what He is doing and what is already is done. I stand and rest in who He is and what I do not see. Praise God for all of you and for who He is. God be praised. He is good. Thank you for loving Him and for your grace this last week. 
Guess I should write on here more, huh? Since then, that was in August, God definetly has been faithful in rescuing my heart, mind, will and emotions, because it says all over the Bible
that I am His delight, and that I am the favored, beloved, child of the Most High God and His righteousness in Christ... So that in all the crazy things I experience and see and with all my emotions, these truths still remain. I praise God for the adventure that is life, whether I am here or there or somewhere else.. That He has a purpose and a destiny and a place beyond what I can ever imagine!!Also, in 17 days, I get to go back to Ireland!! (Just for a visit this time) But I have been blessed w/ the oppor
tunity to go back for 3 weeks and see all my kids and ppl! I'll be staying in my old bedroom and I can not wait. So I'll keep ya posted on that.
tunity to go back for 3 weeks and see all my kids and ppl! I'll be staying in my old bedroom and I can not wait. So I'll keep ya posted on that.Thank you for your continued prayers in my life, pray God would abundanlty make His paths clear in my life and lead and guide me into great things for His kingdom. That He would continue to provide relationships for me and fellowship and community and all of that. Merry Christmas. I will be on here again soon.
2 comments:
Shawnda. You are an amazing women! I was so glad to read your post from your heart about the past year. Yes, God has been clearly working in you. Keep writing. Glad to hear the update on what's on your mind.
Great to read your news Shawnda....will always love you and if you are ever out this way....would love to have you come over to catch up. You are awesome.
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