Just want to take a second to post about our summer this past year before I forget all of the craziness that ensued and give you an update on what is going on in our lives this year.
Summer update: What an absolutely crazy and fun filled summer we had!! Our first stop was Checotah and Justins wedding in Willow, MO where Tyler and I were both in the wedding party. It was so fun getting them married and sending them off as newlyweds. Next we went to Florida for about 10 days to see family and celebrate July 4th together! We ate lots of seafood, watched my relatives in sailboat races, played lots of cards and bathed in the sun. It was the first time all of my siblings have gotten together since Toler and Amy’s wedding last August!! It was about time the Shepherds all got together! Next we went home for a few days then it was off to Hawaii for what was one of the best weeks of my life! Tyler and I planned for this trip since the year before and we got to experience Oahu with some of our great friends Mark and Laura! Maybe I will do a post just from Hawaii pictures sometime. It seriously was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! With the mountains on one side, and shore line on the other, every where you looked was gorgeous. After Hawaii, we flew straight into Dallas and stayed with my brother and his wife for a few days & then was a part of Alexis’ wedding party. What a gorgeous wedding it was! After the wedding, we drove back to Branson and as soon as I got home I was off to volunteer for a week at Camp Barnabus (a christian camp for children with special needs). I was so tired but super excited to be working at the camp and seeing my little brother there as well! After camp we went to Nebraska to see Tylers parents and hang out with them for a few days. WOW. I can’t believe we did all of that in one summer. It truly was a fantastic summer.
Now, to catch you up to speed with what we are doing now… This whole past year Tyler and I had been trying to figure out what the next year would hold for us. I liked working at the school, my co-workers were great and I loved the students that I had the privilege of working with, but for some reason God started changing my desires and my focus shifted towards the end of the school year. I kept thinking that God might have a different plan for me, but I wasn’t quite sure.
I have had the desire to know more about the bible, to be challenged in my faith, trained in ministry and to learn more about the God I serve. Ever since college, I have thought about attending a discipleship program called Downline. As I became more interested, I looked into it and it would require us to move to Memphis for a year. We were open to moving, but also realized that there was a similar program right in our back yard that would teach pretty much the same things and we wouldn’t have to move! When the opportunity came up to attend the Kanakuk Institute in Branson, we prayed and prayed about it and felt like that was where I was supposed to be. So mid-summer, I left my job at the school and set out for a new adventure! And let me tell you, I am SO glad I chose to come here! I know I am in the right place and I am being challenged in my faith like never before. I have loved meeting the 70 other post-graduate students from all over the U.S. and creating an awesome community of friends. It has been a season of new friendships, new challenges, new opportunities, and even a new living situation. We have had to make a few sacrifices in order to be here, but it has definitely been worth it! It’s so amazing getting to come to a place like this and invest a year of my life to learning about God and what he has done for us and to engage the Word like never before. We are learning a TON and I can’t wait to share it with you all.
While at the institute, I am also interning with The Fort which is a young adults ministry here in Branson that brings in great worship and teaching from around this area. It’s on thursday night at 8pm at Woodland Hills church. I am in charge of putting together small groups, leading some of them and discipling students. It really is an amazing opportunity to do what I LOVE to do by helping others grow in their relationship with the Lord and putting to use all that I am learning at the institute. What a difference the Lord has made in my own life, and I love having this opportunity to point people to Christ and see the the transforming work of the Lord in their lives.
Side note: As if the institute isn’t keeping me busy enough, I am also getting certified as a group fitness instructor! I can’t wait to teach group fitness this year and be able to help others to achieve their health and fitness goals in a fun and welcoming environment! Stay tuned for when and where I will be teaching group fitness classes and hopefully you can come try one out! 🙂
I will be updating periodically to let you in on some of the things I am learning and what we are doing here this year. I hope my writing can be a source of encouragement for you! Thanks for stopping by!
Have a blessed day!
Love,
Dorothy
