Risk the Ocean

"Risk the Ocean is deeply personal, theologically rich, and full of encouragement and hope for anyone who has followed God into a storm of epic proportions. As a fellow adoptive mother, Shannon's stories of difficulty and attachment disorders made me feel seen in a way that few others have accomplished. - Natasha Metzler, author of Pain Redeemed Few mothers craft their lives with ink and grace; even fewer serve the Great Commission while mothering. In Risk the Ocean, Shannon shares her raw testimony: her journey as a brand new idealistic adoptive mom to a seasoned fortress of strength and perseverance-with-joy. Integrity beams up and out of it on every page. This book will reshape how you parent your children, adopted or not. - Katie James, author of Tetragon Lift Risk the Ocean is a breath of fresh air as Shannon gracefully acknowledges the myriad of emotions that bubble to the surface (or burst through the dam) when we say ""yes"" to adoption. This book is not the neatly packaged ""bless your heart"" version that often pairs well with these stories, but instead this vulnerable account portrays the beautiful, messy, chaotically redemptive version. In her no nonsense way, she gently calls us to rise and reside in this sacred space: trusting, hoping, and believing in his plan for his children, piece by piece, and peace by peace. - Jess Ronne, executive director of The Lucas Project and author of Sunlight Burning at Midnight This book is incredible, not just because the content is so close to my heart but also because Shannon is such a great writer. The rhythm and way she leads the readers through is beautiful, almost like poetry; Shannon speaks with humility and authority as she shares her story. Painful yet honest truth flows through the pages, displaying that hard is not bad. - Lacey Steel, director of Cultivate Relationships Shannon's spiritual insights are delivered with a refreshingly raw transparency rarely found in today's Christian publications, affording the reader a front-row seat to God's immeasurable love and grace toward us. From beginning to end, her personal journey from darkness into God's glorious light confirms the message of the gospel. While Risk the Ocean may be of particular interest to adoptive families of children with special needs, the author's spiritual journey through hardship, grief, sanctification, and healing is highly relatable and anyone fortunate enough to read the pages of this book will come away encouraged and more equipped to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Maggie Montgomery, author of Gethsemane Road This is the book to read if you are looking into adoption. Shannon pulls back the ""amazing"" and ""wonderful"" curtain that society has placed on adoptive families to reveal the true day-to-day struggles, failures, mistakes, and seemingly imperceptible wins. From regression to detachment, Shannon vulnerably shares the blood, sweat, and tears that real sacrificial love requires. As an adoptive parent, I finally felt heard, understood, and even cared for. - Nathan Steel, director of Cultivate Relationships and author UnLove"