new chapters

I'm starting to get a little nervous about this upcoming time in my life.

I think I am pretty capable of everything heading my way but  it's strange to think about.

I am leaving for a month to go tell people about Jesus and be an example of love for them.

Am I qualified for that?

Truth:: none of us are. 

I come back and continue working in marketing and start school in February and jump into this thick chapter of my life that there is no way to skim through, thumb through, or skip through.

I feel like it's a chapter bound to have errors and corrections that people are going to have no fear pointing out. 

I can almost feel things irking up that are going to be things I have to work on, things that I have to turn around, things that I have to change.

Thats normal, but having those things pointed out can be painful, I think.

I know the next few years hold huge opportunities.

Tomorrow holds huge opportunities, for that matter.

But sometimes I am not sure I am fit to do all of the things I am about to jump into.

Thank God that He sees me in a way I don't understand because I swear it is the only thing that is making me not fold the corner of the page and set the book down.

Good.

"Walk with integrity because every choice you make will effect your next opportunity."

Halloween

I got my halloween costume. I am going to be a fairy. I am going to cover myself in glitter and sprinkle fairy dust on people all night. hehe Here is my costume!!!

Traditions

Do you have any traditions?

The Holidays are so warm for me. Despite my family life being a little crazy, I have been so blessed with the traditions and love that surround me. Every year around this time I just begin to get a little loopy.

When I was growing up, we would listen to mariah carey christmas and the carpenters christmas CD every summer on Family vacations. My Dad and I recently started making Thanksgiving Dinner together. We are the kind of people who eat it while we cook and end up stuffed before anyone else gets there.

I cant imagine not having siblings. What would Christmas morning be like without the sister or brother running in and jumping on your bed to wake you up to open Stockings and see what Santa brought? My aunt's coffeecake...my mom's hashbrowns..."Its a wonderful life" and "White Christmas". Thanksgiving day parades. Game nights by the Christmas tree. Yahtzee. Saturday Market with My dad in portland the weekend before Christmas. Our family Fudge. 

I just love the holidays. I love what they do to and within people.

I cant wait to have my own family and create our own traditions. 

Life is so magical. 

: )

I can't believe that in nine days I will be getting on a plane to leave the country.

There is no other time in my life where I will be able to just...pick up and go. It's really quite shocking to me that all of this is happening.

Life is so crazy!!

I graduate high school.

Leave to Argentina.

Pack and up and buy a one way ticket to LA.

Deal with all my issues until I realize how amazing it really is here.

Leave for Guatemala

plan to start school in February...

Can things get anymore exciting?

I AM GOING!!

I was sitting in my office last night thinking about Guatemala and how badly I wanted to go.

I told God that I had absolutely no more means within my own capability to get the rest of the money to go. I told Him that I had done everything I could do and the rest he would have to take care of. I needed $605. Plus money for while I was down there. Plus money to get things I needed before I left. I told him that He had 12 days and I knew He was bigger than this.

I have been opening at 5 AM on saturdays at Starbucks to get money for Guatemala. The great thing about Saturdays is all our regular costumers. One of them is this tall good looking older guy named Patrick. We started chatting a few weeks ago and my trip came up. I explained to him what I was doing and why I was going and he was so excited about it. I brought him one of my letters about my trip so he could read more about why I wanted to go. That was probably 2 weeks ago.

This morning Patrick showed up to get his iced grande red eye and gave me an envelope with "Shannon Rae Galford" written on the front. He told me that he probably wouldn't see me before I left  (in eleven days) but to have an amazing trip. I had a huge line so I couldnt open the envelope. Once my line was gone and people were waiting for the drinks, I went to the back and opened the card. This is what the card read...

"Shannon,

I think what you're doing is a wonderful, giving, selfless gift to those children. That kind of spirit is what this world needs more of. You definitely do shine. I, too, was a complete mess and a discovery and surrendering to a higher power saved me and my life. Please take this contribution to your trip with all my love and prayers.

Best, 

Patrick."

I was so touched. In the envelope was another envelope. Inside was a check for one thousand dollars. ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. I started crying immediately. I could not believe that someone, who is virtually a stranger, would invest so much into something I believed in. Not only did this pay for my trip but everything else I would need. I went to thank him but he was already gone.

The really cool part, that Patrick doesn't know, is that not only is helping send me, but he created a walking testimony to so many people. A lot of the people I work with and even most of my family are not christians. But they have heard me going on and on and on about how I knew God was going to take care of it all. Even in my few moments of doubt, I told them. And now, they can see first hand, just how big, and how amazing and how faithful God really is.

I am so excited to go help.

I am so excited I get to go.

I am so excited God is sending me.

Adventure mode just kicked in.

Adventure

Can I just say that I love my job?

God continually surprises me. Everyday He shows me something or tells me something that leaves me whispering, "Really? Me?"

Some of the things He has asked me to do, I didn't even know I was capable of doing. Now, I am working for amazing people, a part of an incredible ministry working to transform LA and, potentially, learning how to help change the world.

That sounds big, doesn't it? CHANGING THE WORLD. But that's truly what I want to do. I'm not sure how, or even where to begin but I want to be a part of it. I'm only 19. I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to be working where I am, doing what I am doing, gaining the experience I am and working for people with wisdom and Godly character. I am young. Do you know how much more I can still do?

I don't really know what's next.

The next few years hold opportunities and possibilities that I have yet to ever encounter in my life. I am at this pivotal point in my life where I can do ANYTHING and all I have to do is decide what it is.

Ultimately, I just want to be helping people with whatever I am doing, behind the scenes or in the streets. I want to never stop learning from others. I want to thrive. I want to reach people. I want to change lives. I want to love in a way that makes a difference.

Ever feel like anytime now your life is going to take a dive into adventure mode and all you can do is strap yourself in and get ready for the ride??