Your Internal Compass: A Beacon for Faith and Action

Shannon and Dana are joined by Shandra Madson to discuss following our Internal Compass which is our ability to hear from God and be inspired and directed in our lives.

Shandra Madson started a campus of the Columbus Adult Education Center in her community which teaches English to refugees and immigrants. Shandra had become aware that about one in every five people in their community did not speak English because of a large influx of refugees. She said, “They were new to our city, new to our country, and it created a lot of different dynamics and concerns and ways that these people needed to feel loved and just helped along their path. So the Columbus Center is basically there to teach English, but really it's just a beautiful place where people were able to come and feel God's love for them. And I think that was kind of our main goal. English obviously was important, but they needed somewhere that they could come just to feel safe and feel loved, and just have that humanity where they weren't feeling it otherwise in their lives.”

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:39 Meet Shandra Madson

03:23 The Columbus Center: A Beacon of Hope

07:07 Trusting in the Lord: Shandra's Journey

09:30 Success Stories and Impact

19:06 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

“God doesn't care where we live. He doesn't care what our address is. He wants people to feel loved no matter where they are.” - Shandra Madson

“We don’t have to know everything to be able to contribute and support.” - Dana Robb

“I think it's a beautiful thing that all of God's children are born with that light, and I think it's just a matter of are we willing to flame that light and just help grow it. and I think every little choice we make, every way we help God's children, that light just grows brighter and brighter. . . .It takes effort to recognize and effort to follow.” - Shandra Madson 

“Another thing that's been really interesting is that some maybe came in with different biases or prejudices against another nation. And because we serve so many nations, and they're learning together and have become united through that, I've seen some of those guards that they came with be let down, and actually become friends with [eachother] and realize that they have more in common than they thought at first, and that some of these prejudices that they had in the beginning were really unfounded. . . . That's been such a beautiful, one of my favorite parts to witness, that happening at the center.” - Shannon Russell

“I think anytime we just reach out a hand of love and fellowship and kindness, it doesn’t go unnoticed. People notice and feel that love of God as they serve.” - Shandra Madson

“One thing I love is just that we all came here with different talents, and it's so easy to compare with somebody else of like, “Wow, they've done this thing,” or “They have this ability or this talent,” but it's neat to see how God can use all of our talents differently, and it can help grow to be something beautiful for all of us.” - Shandra Madson

“I love that you said be still, you know, let's quiet yourself down. We live in such a rushed world, but really in order to connect to that internal compass, we have to take moments of stillness every day and quiet our minds and, and listen in.” - Dana Robb

Shannon Russell treasures her roles as a wife and mother, finding that the journey of learning and growing alongside her family is the most rewarding experience of her life. At her core, Shannon is passionate about helping others. Whether it be as a real estate agent guiding her clients to one of their most significant investments – their homes, or volunteering at the Columbus Center supporting refugees in learning English and become assimilated in the United States, or creating nonprofits focused on educating youth, she loves serving those around her and is committed to making a positive impact in her community. Shannon loves connecting with women from diverse backgrounds and perspectives through Big Ocean Women where women are empowered to generate solutions that enable them to live a life of joy and abundance. Her favorite pastimes are playing pickleball, board games, hiking, anything that puts her in nature, and being a beach bum.

Whenever presented with the opportunity for adventure, Dana Robb is all in. Currently, this includes riding the local mountain biking trails with her husband, canyoneering, and climbing the hills of southern Utah. She loves to learn and explore with her six kids. She is drawn to the opportunities being involved with Big Ocean Women provides. Dana loves connecting to a global sisterhood where women’s issues are being addressed through reframing and an abundance mindset.

Shandra Madsen is an entrepreneur at heart and has owned several businesses over the past couple decades.. Shandra and Todd have been married for 26 years and have 5 beautiful children, one son-in-law and two grandchildren. Being parents and grandparents is her ultimate joy. She enjoys spending time with their large extended family, camping, vacationing, playing games and enjoying the outdoors. Her love for Jesus Christ is foundational to who she is and serving her community and neighbors. She has loved serving as the Director with her husband of the Herriman Columbus Adult Education Center that helps hundreds of immigrants learn English. She is currently serving as the Chair over Humanitarian Aid with the Kamas Valley Community Foundation and excited to continue to serve in new and exciting ways.