#tryanyway – rootedbythewater.blog

The Dilemma

January 7, 2026Leave a Comment

It’s the first Wednesday of 2026 and I have been praying about stepping down from a “role” that I’ve been given for the last 7 months. In this “role” half of me wants to continue and half of me wants to stop. The reasons behind the desire to stop stem from feelings of inadequacy and wondering if it’s making any difference at all. So I’ve been praying.

This past Sunday I started participating in a 21 day fast to align myself with God’s Will for my life. This “role” has been one of my prayer points and it is amazing that in four days I have already discerned four prompts to continue. The first prompt came as I was reading a devotion. I sensed God saying to me, ””“speak”. Ummm…. Okay Lord! The second prompt came when a friend directed me to a post on Facebook. Right now I am really limiting my time on social media but it was a story on Beethoven who was hearing impaired. The story shared how Beethoven had limited social skills but was brilliant on a piano. One of his friends lost their son and when he went to comfort his friend, he just sat down at the piano and poured out his grief through piano music. This gift touched his friend deeply. What I got from this story was that I too feel socially awkward at times with the way I hear and see but I can bring the “skills” I have and let them bless others.

The third prompt came through a devotion from Free Chapel Church. They have a daily devotion during their 21 days of prayer and fasting. On day 2 the devotion was on Elisha helping the poor widow, with scripture from 2 King 4:1-2; “One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.” (NLT‬‬). When Elisha asks the widow what she had, it took the focus off her lack and onto what God could use. The miracle happened through her obedience to what was asked of her. The widow obeyed Elisha’s instructions and the limited amount of oil she had flowed until there were no more empty vessels. Wow!! This hit me right where I needed it. When I stand up to do the devotions at the homeless outreach I feel so limited by what I myself bring to that podium. I have no clue if anyone is really “getting” what I’m sharing. I don’t “see” the responses. But, from reading this devotion God prompted me to not focus on what I can’t do but to bring what I have and let Him multiply it until every vessel is filled. (Every person is reached for His glory). It’s a reminder that it’s not me, but Him who does the reaching. It doesn’t matter if I can see their responses or hear what they say. What matters is to obey what God prompts me to do. I’ll tell you this is one of the more challenging things I’ve ever done. I don’t think I will ever be “comfortable” in this “role” but I need to be obedient to what God calls me to do. This third prompt came from the e mailed devotion from Free Chapel 2026 Day 2 Devotion, which was such a nudge from the Holy Spirit. (I’m not sure how to reference the devotion that came through e mail but if you google Free Chapel church I’m sure the website has information about their 2026 fast that is going on now. The daily e mailed devotions are “spot on”!!!)

Tonight I received a fourth prompt. Tonight during the devotion, I talked about how our perspective on things and situations spills over into our outlook on life. I used four scriptures to talk about this point and used the demonstration of a glass of water that was half full. I asked them what they saw: a half full of half empty glass of water. Two key verses I used were Philippians 4:8 and Romans 12:2. After the ministry time was over, my husband Ron and I were leaving. One of the men stopped to talk with us. I look forward to seeing him every week. I remember a few months ago after teaching on the “great’s of faith” in Hebrews, he accepted one of the Bible’s we have available for anyone. Tonight he told us he has been praying for us and reading his Bible. WOW!! Glory to God!!! It seems God is clearly deciding this “dilemma” for me. I am listening and will obey.

Moral of the story: listen because God speaks through many things. It might be a spoken word, a facebook post, an emailed devotion or a man at a homeless shelter. We just need to “be still”, listen and obey. Don’t be afraid to do things you feel led to do even if you yourself don’t have all it takes to do it. When God asks you to do something, He will equip you, just obey and do what He asks.

Be blessed! Better yet, Be a blessing!

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Faith~ Story of my life

November 15, 20252 Comments

Now don’t get me wrong, this is not the “story of my life”. That would take a long series with hilarity and tears and I’m not going there in this blog. Rather…. Faith itself is the “story of my life”. Everyday I wake up and choose to have faith that God has me and my family in the palm of His hands. No place I’d rather be, than in His hands and His loving arms.

Last week at the homeless outreach in Rock Hill, SC I shared on “living by faith”. On the way there I teared up in the car as my husband Ron was driving down I-77 South. I held those tears back as I didn’t want him to know. It is amazing how God works these devotions in me before I present them to the people. And…. Lord I do want it to be YOU speaking through an empty me and never me just up there speaking”.

Living by faith is not an easy task when you find yourself in circumstances less than appealing. I’ve actually been gaining confidence as I share on Wednesdays, noted by others who have said so. Last Wednesday, they handed me a microphone though and out the door went my confidence. Something about a microphone un-nerves me. Why? Well, honestly I use my hands when I talk. I also have to zoom in to see my notes on my iPad. Let me tell you, when you have to constantly zoom in on an iPad it starts doing a little jiggle and rushes to the bottom of my notes. 😳 God please! Yep, that happens pretty regularly and thus the microphone in my other hand, throws me off. Some of the people said they could hear me better though so I’ll do it. Life is a “learning curve”, each step prepares us for the next.

I began last Wednesday with a question,”Have you ever prayed hard and it seemed like God doesn’t answer?” I shared with them that I have, in fact kind of regularly. Sometimes we pray about something so much we lose sight of who we are praying to – God almighty, our creator and sustainer, the One who knows whats best for us.

The Bible is full of “great people” that God used for His glory. If you study the scriptures you will find that often what made them “great” was the trials and struggles they endured and came out the other side glorifying God. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NKJV‬‬) Ok Lord, you know I don’t “see” a lot of things but I’m trusting you in this “daily grind” and the long run. A little further in that chapter of Hebrews we see the following verse: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (NKJV‬‬) That is so true! When we surrender to Jesus, Heaven is our home. We are just passing through down here on earth. It’s kind of a hard truth when you live a constant trial, BUT GOD! I say that because, His power is made perfect in our weaknesses when we give it over to Him.

Let me mention the last two verses of this chapter; “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬) So they did not receive the promise but saw it from afar and God had something better for them. It boils down to trusting God. I look at it this way, God is my Heavenly Father and He knows whats best. I had an amazing earthly father and I sure do miss him. He always listened when I needed to talk. He loved me and my brother and gave us wise counsel. How much more will my Heavenly Father do these things plus more. He sees the “whole picture” of our lives.

No I don’t understand why I have to live with hearing and vision issues. I don’t understand why I have to depend on others to get places because I can’t see well enough to drive. I really don’t understand why our son has to have my similar limitations. Lord it’s just a hard hard thing to witness. I don’t understand why the majority of people don’t care. They are too busy with their own lives I suppose. I can relate to the homeless people in a sense. The majority of people don’t care but God does. He has me stand before them each Wednesday and testify of the loving, all powerful God He is. We just keep on keeping on. I will smile and trust God has us and won’t ever forsake us.

This Wednesday, God willing, I’m going to continue with the subject on living by faith. I’m going to check our pantry, as I think I have some mustard seeds in there. I got mustard seeds thinking they were ground mustard, God knew I’d need them one day. I’m going to find that container and show the people how small amount of faith we need. A mustard seed is tiny. Pray God gives me the words to share, the words that will reach their hearts and encourage them to put their hope in Jesus.

That’s all for now. Maybe I will follow up after this Wednesday’s ministry. Where ever you are in life, have faith in God! He watches over us so carefully and tenderly when we are under trial and temptation. Let me encourage you with one last verse. “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job‬ ‭23‬:‭10‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

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Roll on~

February 25, 20252 Comments

See that piece of old tape on that zoom dial?

One of my least favorite things to do is organize our study room. If I could see well it wouldn’t be so bad, but I have to put every single paper under my video magnifier to see what it says. Not to mention that old video magnifier has a zoom dial that is broke. As I’m looking at whatever, it zooms extra large to small at the tiniest touch of the broken dial. Lord help me! Ron was looking into replacing it but I said NO! Those things cost a lot of money and I can just tape it at a reasonable zoom level….again!

Yesterday I asked Ron if we could switch our large desk around. It’s a large L shaped desk with the computer at the angle, my video magnifier on one end and his stuff on the other. I wanted to try switching ends. What was I thinking? I created a pile of papers that now need to be looked through and probably shredded. In the midst of those papers and notebooks that I had tucked things into, I found some “GEMS” Tucked in one of my journals from 2006, I had put a Christmas card picture from an old childhood friend. Wow! I don’t even remember getting the card. It was in the envelope, with return address. Wonder if she still lives there. Gosh, it’s at least 17 years old from the looks of her children who are now grown adults. I also found a card I received 19 years ago when I was getting ready to have my cochlear implant surgery. Lord have mercy! I really need to look through these things but…. like I said, I have to put everything under my machine to see what it says.

Sometimes we have to “roll with it” and get it done but oh my word, I’m not looking forward to this. Speaking of “roll with it” I don’t mean literally. We have two office chairs in the study that roll on the wooden floor. Last night when I sat down in one of the chairs, I just made it to the edge and the chair started rolling backwards across the floor. The treadmill saved me from busting on my butt. That would not have been good with this being week two of being out of the back brace.

We really do have to “roll with it” in life. My day started wonderfully. My friend Katie who is a Pastor/Missionary’s wife came to visit. I really loved seeing her and having time to catch up since we haven’t seen each other in years. When she left I sat at the computer to put in a Mary Kay order and things went downhill from there. I haven’t sat at that computer in months and my bookmarked page was no longer there. Keep in mind I have to “Ultra zoom” to see the computer. I’m talking so zoomed the font becomes like little pencils. AND my bookmarked page was gone. After much frustration I finally got it figured out and Ron bookmarked it for me again.

Next thing….. yes there’s a next thing. There is always a next thing. The tax booklet from the accountant still needs to be complete. I’ve got one more section. That means back to that machine, and I’ll be sure to not “fall out of the chair” when I “roll with it” this time. Ron told me we are also having a house guest tonight. I told Ron, I just washed the sheets so they would be clean when our son returns from out of town next week. I joked that our house is the “Hinson Inn & Call Center”. If you’re having a rough day and need a sounding board just give us a call. (Well Ron, not me) If you need a place to crash, come on by. (I’m kidding but it’s kind of what happens). Years ago our son Joshua was always having friends over. He’s an only child, so we always welcomed them. I used to look out the window and know who was here by whatever car(s) were here. Yes sometimes more than one. I used to tell Ron we needed a sign for the yard. “Hinson Inn ~ NO Vacancies” ~ drive on!😂

We go through seasons in life where there is change and we have to declutter, making room for new growth. After the stressful afternoon I decided to get out in the sun. This is my kind of February day, sunny and 67 degrees. Perfect! I needed to trim the bottom layer of limbs on Dad’s tulip tree. We planted that tree in his memory almost four years ago.. Trimming the bottom branches will help me be able to see if anything is hiding underneath when the tree blooms. It has buds all over it and always buds around the time he passed. It’s bittersweet.

That’s the thing about life, it gets cluttered, you have to trim things back, you have to “roll with it” and continue to be a blessing despite the stress. Tomorrow is RiceNBeans day, which brings life into perspective. Our homeless friends don’t have a place to call their own. They don’t know where their next meal will come from. Two weeks ago my friend gave a lady the boots off her own feet because the lady’s shoes were soaked from the cold rain. That was one of the most beautiful things. We are beyond blessed; papers I can’t see, machines with the broken zoom dial, phones to enable people to call who need a listening ear (Ron’s) , clean sheets for the next guest. There is much to thank God for. He is faithful. Even when we don’t understand why He doesn’t fix things the way we want. He sees the big picture. Let’s just raise a Hallelujah and “roll on”.

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Love a Challenge

November 27, 2023November 27, 2023Leave a Comment

Truth be told, I do love to challenge myself. Today was no different. I sent a text to my 80 year old mom to let her know I would be available to help her with her Christmas decorating. My husband Ron was stuck at our house since our garage door was being replaced. He said he would join us later in the afternoon.

Mom picked me up and we headed over to her house. She had five containers of Fall things in the garage to put upstairs before starting on Christmas. I really didn’t want to wait all afternoon until Ron came. I told her I could get the containers up and down the stairs, just one step at a time. I’d lift the container a few steps then move up, then do it over and over. Once reaching the top, I’d just slide it in place then went down to do it again. On the first trip up to the attic I was searching for the light and smacked my head on a low ceiling board. Thank God I didn’t break the skin and it was behind the hairline. Whew! That was close. I didn’t want a “shiner” for the Christmas season. That knock “upside my noggin” was just the beginning. We girls could do this. I got all the Fall boxes up, then it was time to bring Christmas down.

Mom came up and picked out all she wanted me to bring down. We were just going to put up the window wreaths but once we got started we kept going. No surprise there. The same process for taking boxes up the stairs, worked just fine to bring them down. I would take a few steps backward down the stairs and slide the boxes along the edge of the stairs. It worked like a charm. Even the two Christmas tree boxes worked that way, turning them long ways, I slide them right down.

Our next task was for her to decide where she wanted her big tree and the pencil tree. We rearranged a few pieces of furniture until she decided where she wanted things. I put the pencil tree together and she decided she wanted that in the foyer so I moved it there. It was a perfect place for that skinny tree. I originally had no intention of putting the big tree together. We wanted to see if it would fit in a corner with the furniture where it was. I told her I’d get the bottom part out and see the tree limb spread so we could get an idea. Putting the tree stand on the floor in that corner, I inserted the bottom portion of the tree, expanding the limbs, it was a perfect fit. The oddest thing though was I couldn’t find a power cord. I laid on the floor under the tree, fluffing limbs and searching for the power cord. I did notice two light connections with a bit of red tape on the ends. I have low vision but I can see red. This was beginning to be like a big puzzle and I was determined to figure it out. I went to the garage and for the next section of tree and the power cord was on that part. I also noticed another cord that had five light connections on the end. Ummm…. Okay there were five connectors and power cord on this piece and two connectors on the bottom piece. I decided to plug the power cord in and connect all the light connectors I could find. The lights started to light up. There was still one more light connection I could not find. I went and got the final top piece and attached it. I found one more light connector there and attached it to the remaining one and BINGO!! It all lit up. I lifted my hands and said “YES”! I was so tickled and pleased that I was able to do it myself. Ron was pretty astonished. Truth be told, there was a whole lot of prayer going on. “Lord helps me do this”. “Lord where are those light connectors”? On and on it went and piece by piece God allowed me the ability to connect the pieces. Christmas lights are my favorite part of decorations. Just having the lights turned on the trees is so soothing.

When “push comes to shove, it’s ok if you’re pushing yourself. Persistence pays off. I started today like I start every day, in prayer. I asked God to help me be a blessing to my husband and also to my mom as I helped her decorate. We had not put the big tree up since my dad passed away in 2021. Dad loved Christmas decorations. I told mom today our “tree fluffier” was in Heaven. He always fluffed the tree limbs. He would be pleased. Now to help her put the decorations on. That’s another task for another day.

Tonight Ron was telling me how I’m always consistent. I think persistent is a better word. I dont give up or give in easily. I keep trying until I get it right. That’s something he admires about me. I see it more as a way of life. Being hearing impaired and having low vision makes every day life a challenge to some degree. God has given me a positive perspective to look at tasks kind of like a game. The game of life. The goal is to get through every day with a sense of humor and giving God glory through whatever is thrown my way. Perspective is key. Ask God everyday to help you see it from His point of view. I promise that makes all the difference in the world.

I was going to put a selfie as my blog picture BUT I was a sweaty mess today. It was a no makeup, no frills kind of day.I will spare you all the chuckle. Be blessed.

If you liked this blog post please subscribe and share. I’m thankful for this gift to share when God puts something on my heart. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. (Hard cover soft cover, and e-book formats.) I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. All for the Glory of God.

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He sees me!

September 18, 2023Leave a Comment

When you dig deep, revelations come to light. Some people read the Bible on a “surface level”. You know just read a few verses and give yourself a check mark for the day. One check off on my to do list. God wants us to go deeper. He wants to bring things to light as we study. When I read the Bible I invite the Holy Spirit into my quiet time. I invite Him to bring things to light that are hidden. I invite Him to change me for His glory.

My Bible study group has started up again, studying women of the Bible. Lately I have been studying the account of Hagar in Genesis 16. What a fitting place to start. The girls have asked me to teach this go round. It is through Hagar that God reveals Himself as “The God who sees.”

God sure has a sense of humor. If you only knew the inadequacy that I feel in accepting this role. My hearing loss is not an issue since others in the group are deaf and one is hearing. However with my low vision I can not see the book without my video magnifier. Okay Lord you are going to have to really help me! (And that is such an understatement). This is just a little “scratch on the surface”.

As I began the study, I had my iPad out to take notes, iPhone out to use YouVersion for scripture reading and the study book itself. I put it all under the video magnifier except my iPad. (which is always zoomed large.) I figured I could use the notes to teach. As it turned out, I felt led to simplify the notes to also share with the group. In all honesty it is a time consuming process but when one friend said it helped her to understand better, it made it worth all the effort. When somone is deaf at a young age, it affects their language skills. This is going to be a team effort. Where I lack good vision, they see well. Where they may lack fluent English skills, I can help there. My friend Tami said she would be my eyes. So this week we will go over our first chapter on Hagar.

Speaking of Hagar, what an ironic place to start. Let me briefly sum up Genesis 16 if you’re not familiar with the story. God reveals Himself to Abraham and tells him to leave his place of birth for an unknown land God would give him (Canaan). Once Abraham and Sarah reached the land, there was a severe famine so they lived temporarily in Egypt. Abraham asked Sarah to tell the Egyptians she was his sister because she was very beautiful. Using this deception shows Abraham did not fully trust God with their protection in Egypt. Sarah was brought to Pharaoh and he gave Abraham servants and animals. This is how they gotHagar, Sarah’s servant. God sent a plague on pharaoh because of Sarah, so he sent them away. They returned to Canaan and settled there. God had made a promise to Abraham, that he would be the father of many nations yet Abraham and Sarah had no children and were very very old. Sarah came up with a plan to “help God out” by taking Hagar and giving her to Abraham as a wife so she could have children for her. This was not God idea but a shortcut to the goal. God doesn’t want our help. He wants our obedience. Hagar conceived then despises Sarah, who then blames Abraham for the problems with Hagar. Sarah mistreats Hagar and she flees to the wilderness. There the Angel of the Lord finds her and reveals Himself to her. God reveals Himself as El Roi, the God who sees.

That was the shortest version of Genesis 16 I could share. Please refer to the scripture if you aren’t familiar with the story.

One of the key lessons I learned from Hagar is “God sees me”. He sees me when I hurt. He sees me when I fall short. He sees when my attitude isn’t right. He sees the good, the bad and the ugly, yet He loves me.

Recently I came Isaiah‬ ‭48‬:‭10 that says, “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”(NKJV) Yeah Lord I surely know. In all honesty I do find myself wondering, “God do you see all this? There are many afflictions in life that not only touch me but also my family. Like Hagar I find myself crying out to God. Yet I know God is sovereign. He is in complete control. I can fully trust Him. He is with us regardless of what we go through. We are never alone. There is scripture in Isaiah that touches me deeply. “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1-2‬ ‭(NKJV)

I find this to be very encouraging. I know I’m not alone. There are many going through hard difficulties right now. God sees us. I don’t know the whys. All I know is to trust Him and live in obedience for His glory. When He opens a door, even if you don’t feel adequate, step forward! He will meet you there. So this week I’m going to be obedient and lesd Bible study. Well honestly, I’m going to be a willing empty vessel for Him to fill and pour into others. God is doing a deep work in my heart. It’s hard and humbling but I’m grateful. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

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A plate FULL = Life

August 10, 20232 Comments

Me wearing my new reading glasses to blog.

Today on the way to my optometrist appointment, Ron and I were talking. He mentioned people having “a lot on their plate”. I responded, “Yes life is like a full plate of issues… Lord I want to go on a “Diet”. Will you take away some things on my plate?” I know others would like less problems and more joy. In this fallen world though, we will have struggles and trials. I guess it’s all in how we respond and who we cast the burden on.

Seeing an optometrist was a new experience today. Walking into Target to get my eyes checked was much less intimidating than seeing an ophthalmologist. The examination room was pretty much the same set up as my other doctor. This doctor was so kind and took the time to listen to my concerns and try to optimize what I presently see. We started with the chart on the wall. I could see the big E and the next line. The third line I could partially see. I explained I don’t see it all. Some of the letters I don’t see. If I look to the right of what I am trying to see, it looks a little better. Same thing happens when I look slightly below what I’m viewing. We tried different lens which brought a little clarity but not much. We went on to check to see if reading glasses would help. There is a slight improvement but she said prescription glasses were so pricey it might not be worth the cost. She said to try 3.25 strength reading glasses. There was the temptation to shed some tears because once again there was really nothing that could help much. She said to speak LIFE over my eyes and vision. I sure did appreciate that! In 49 years of eye exams, that was a first! My doctor actually spoke life into my situation.

Ron and I left the appointment and we’re heading to get groceries. We decided to stop at a Walgreens on a whim, to try out some 3.25 reading glasses. Ron found some and I went around the store seeing if I could see any better. There was a slight improvement. In the greeting card section, I could read the category markers: birthday, baby boy, baby girl, etc. We decided to buy the glasses and Ron immediately opened them for me. I was excited to try them out in the grocery store. In the produce section I noticed “Pink lady” apples. I had never seen that before. Ron usually finds most things in the store but with the glasses I was trying. I found the fresh shredded parmesan cheese in the deli. Although Ron saw a cheaper variety so he helped me with that selection. I wanted to see if I could notice differences on canned tomatoes. I asked Ron if it said fire roasted diced tomatoes and I was right. When he was checking out, I looked at magazine covers and was able to make out more than usual, although still not a substantial amount. But these tiny improvements made my heart happy.

When I got home I tried them out while texting my mom. I wanted to let her know about my appointment. I can see the iPad keyboard a little bit better. Usually I have so many typos it could crack you up with laughter or make you cry. I typed a text and sent it without editing it. I explained what I was doing to test out if I could see while texting better. There ended up being just a few typos and it wasn’t too much of a puzzle. Each of these tiny improvements are a win.

If you have good vision, you have such a huge treasure. If you have good hearing as well, then your cup of blessings runneth over. Seriously! Sometimes while reading on social media, I notice when people complain about every little thing. I just shake my head and think, if they only knew. Life happens to us all. Don’t sweat the small things. Live in the moment and don’t worry about tomorrow or what people think. I told the doctor today that some people don’t understand I look slightly beside them when talking to them. I’ve had people to try to get in my “line of vision”. I just happen to see a little better when I am looking to the side or slightly down. I’m not being rude, it’s just how my eyes work. She said not to worry about what people think. She’s right.

So tonight I am wearing my new reading glasses while blogging. I see my iPad keyboard slightly better. Ron took thee picture of me blogging. This is me! Every little victory is worth a celebration dance, I’m so thankful for my husbands support. He actually might understand a bit more about the way I see now because the doctor took the time. He is such a big help and doesn’t complain about taking me places. I’m thankful to the Lord for my many blessings. I’m also thankful that God can fix what’s broken in my body. All in His perfect tim, according to His perfect will.

On another note, I hit my two year blogging anniversary recently. In two years I have written 150 blog post and had 4,459 views. The blogs have been read in United Kingdom, China, India, Ireland, Canada, United States, Kenya, Philippines, Ecuador, and so many more. I am totally shocked and humbled. I don’t have a proud bone in my body. I know it’s only through God it has come this far. Many weeks I wonder if it’s my last week because I feel there is nothing to say, then the Lord speaks to my heart once again and I begin to type. One blog at a time, spreading encouragement and God’s light to a world in need of HOPE. Yes it can be tough but God has us and leads us every step of the way. To God be the glory!

Www.shannonkhinson.com

My first Zoom meeting

July 26, 20223 Comments

I accidentally took this screenshot while my iPad was under my video magnifier. The lower right square was supposed to be my face but it’s the machine 😂😂

I just had my first “Zoom” meeting experience. Let me just say, that was interesting! The Advanced Bionics Cochlear Implant Consumer Specialist (CICS) in the Southeast region invited me to attend the nation wide zoom training for mentors. I certainly have my doubts about this. Yes, I would love to share my story! Yes, I love to positively encourage others and share tips. I’ve had my CI for 16 years but I also am legally blind. My success rate has been all over the scale during the last 16 years.

Yesterday I had another mapping with my Audiologist. She turned my levels up and made a few adjustments so I could understand better when I left her office. She encouraged me to try the mentor training. She said there are all levels of success, so I gave it a try today.

The zoom meeting was closed captioned but it was so small I had to zoom in on my iPad to follow along. When I zoomed in on the iPad I could no longer see the speakers. I finally decided to use my video magnifier for people with low vision. This machine makes things large. Once the iPad was on the video magnifier the group could no longer see my face but rather saw the magnifying machine. When the main group broke into regional groups the captioning disappeared but I saw a familiar face. With the captioning no longer working I decided to just zoom in on faces. Oh the things I try when faced with a new challenge. Zooming in large in a zoom meeting! How ironic!

One big take away from this experience, for a good zoom experience, either hearing(even with cochlear implant technology) or sight is so helpful. If you are like me and limited in both categories you will need a big dose of patience and a determination to try anyway. One thing I bring to the table of mentoring is the mentality to never ever give up. Where there is a will, there is a way. I will try again if I’m sent another invitation to the next meeting in September.

The picture below sits on a table in our family room. It’s a reminder to me and anyone else who sees it to believe in yourself. Everyone brings a unique set of abilities to the table. We all fall short in some areas but God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses. That’s one huge reason to be thankful.

My website is currently down as I wait for the release of my files. I’m hoping to combine my website and blog together. In the meantime if you’d like to check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” you can find it on Amazon in hard over, soft cover and e book formats. Thank you for journeying with me. Please subscribe to my blog and share it with others. Blessing to you all.