Hey All!
Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know me through my blog. My hope is that, for those of you who know me, this entry will bring a smile to your face, and for those of you who don’t yet know me, I hope that you will begin to feel as though you do! 🙂
Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know me through my blog. My hope is that, for those of you who know me, this entry will bring a smile to your face, and for those of you who don’t yet know me, I hope that you will begin to feel as though you do! 🙂
So here it goes… my name is Shannon Shirice Ahola. My friends & family call me many variations of my name: Shan, Shanny, Shanners, Shananigans…you get the picture. I grew up in the suburbs (of Flint), and when I was 10 years old my parents moved our family out to the country, 30 mins away from civilization. At the time, I thought it was the cruelest thing my parents could have done to me. Once I got over my fear of dirt and worms I realized the country wasn’t so bad (if my brothers are reading this I can imagine they are saying, “Yeah right Sis- you are still afraid of worms!!!” haha I won’t comment. 😉
Speaking of family, my parents just celebrated their 32nd anniversary 3 weeks ago. I can only pray that someday I will be able to do the same. 🙂 I grew up in the home of a Vietnam Vet, and I am so proud of my dad for putting his life on the line for others. My dad is one of the most patriotic men I know, and he is a wonderful provider for my family. He is also one of the funniest people I know. Most people know him as “Dennis the Menace.” 
My mom is my best friend. She has always been the prayer warrior in our family. No matter where you are or who you are with, if someone needs prayer she will stop everything right then and there. Words cannot express my love and appreciation for the example she has laid out before me, and the closeness we share. 🙂 Next come my brothers and my new sister-in-law! 🙂 I am always telling stories about “my little brothers”…they bring so much joy to my life! I once had a co-worker ask, “Shannon exactly how “little” are your little brothers? 8? 10? 12?” to which my response was, “No, 19 & 22″ I just have not been able to come to grips with them growing up into men. I’m sure one day it will finally hit me. 🙂 First off, we have Derek,22, he married his childhood sweetheart, Tracy, just under a year ago, and I believe they truly will live out the definition of happily-ever-after! He and I have this uncanny ability to read each others’ minds in funny situations. Derek is also the one that I look at when I think I’m funny- if he is holding back laughter then I know I was funny, if not, well…then I pretend I didn’t say anything. 🙂 Brady,19, is the baby of the family, although with his 6’4” frame you’d never know. He is one of the most creative and quick-witted people I’ve ever met, and he has the ability to always bring a smile to your face.
My mom is my best friend. She has always been the prayer warrior in our family. No matter where you are or who you are with, if someone needs prayer she will stop everything right then and there. Words cannot express my love and appreciation for the example she has laid out before me, and the closeness we share. 🙂 Next come my brothers and my new sister-in-law! 🙂 I am always telling stories about “my little brothers”…they bring so much joy to my life! I once had a co-worker ask, “Shannon exactly how “little” are your little brothers? 8? 10? 12?” to which my response was, “No, 19 & 22″ I just have not been able to come to grips with them growing up into men. I’m sure one day it will finally hit me. 🙂 First off, we have Derek,22, he married his childhood sweetheart, Tracy, just under a year ago, and I believe they truly will live out the definition of happily-ever-after! He and I have this uncanny ability to read each others’ minds in funny situations. Derek is also the one that I look at when I think I’m funny- if he is holding back laughter then I know I was funny, if not, well…then I pretend I didn’t say anything. 🙂 Brady,19, is the baby of the family, although with his 6’4” frame you’d never know. He is one of the most creative and quick-witted people I’ve ever met, and he has the ability to always bring a smile to your face. I grew up in a small Christian school from 1st-12th grades. When people find out how big my graduating class was they are always shocked…. I won’t leave you in suspense…I graduated with a whopping 7 people! I was able to build many strong relationships with friends and teachers throughout school- I wouldn’t have traded it for anything! It was a true blessing to be able to spend 5 days a week with people who shared the same beliefs and who were able to challenge me in my faith on a daily basis. Throughout high school I was involved in many extra-curriculars including: basketball, volleyball, and Student Council. I have a very competitive nature, so I’m typically interesting in anything where score is being kept…as you can imagine this has also proved to be a negative attribute at times… 🙂
I graduated from Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, MI) in December of 2007 with a Business Management degree. 
It was a totally “God-thing” that I was able to graduate early considering I changed my major 4 times…Business Management, Youth Ministry, Accouting, then back to Business Management haha. Why I didn’t just stick with Business Mgt from the beginning is beyond me! Apparently women are known for changing their minds, and well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone. 😉 During college, God blessed me with an AMAZING group of women that soon became my closest friends and confidants: Maggi, Hannah, Rachel, Megan, and Lynae. 
I will never be able to thank Him enough for these friendships and all the memories we have made together (and have yet to make). 🙂 We are now approaching over 2 years out of college and we are all spread around the world: Ecuador, Alaska, Florida, and Michigan. I don’t know that we could seem farther apart at times, but I’m very thankful for Skype and this great invention called an airplane- they have allowed us to remain close despite the distance. 🙂
It was a totally “God-thing” that I was able to graduate early considering I changed my major 4 times…Business Management, Youth Ministry, Accouting, then back to Business Management haha. Why I didn’t just stick with Business Mgt from the beginning is beyond me! Apparently women are known for changing their minds, and well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone. 😉 During college, God blessed me with an AMAZING group of women that soon became my closest friends and confidants: Maggi, Hannah, Rachel, Megan, and Lynae. I will never be able to thank Him enough for these friendships and all the memories we have made together (and have yet to make). 🙂 We are now approaching over 2 years out of college and we are all spread around the world: Ecuador, Alaska, Florida, and Michigan. I don’t know that we could seem farther apart at times, but I’m very thankful for Skype and this great invention called an airplane- they have allowed us to remain close despite the distance. 🙂 Right out of college God, once again, opened doors for me in the workplace. I began my career with an IT company in Grand Rapids, working as their Human Resources Coordinator. I have been there for 2 1/2 years and have had the opportunity to learn so much and develope many great relationships with co-workers (who now see like family). Our company is privately owned by Christian owners, and I have been able to witness first-hand what it means to demonstrate great leadership/management. It was with great sadness that I told them about this next step that God was calling my to take, but I could not have asked for a more understanding, supportive response. Once again, God was at work through every step of this journey…
So that’s me in a nutshell…well, a pretty large nutshell. 🙂
Just a few more random facts about me: I love…. life, and living it to the fullest!…Family…Friends…Traveling…Laughing…Volleyball…The beach…Outdoors…Camping…Skydiving…Rollercoasters…Flying…Lasagna…Sushi…The smell of rain…Dancing…Watersports…Walks…Bonfires…Country Music…Boston Coolers…Dark Chocolate…America…Dressing up for 80s night, just not the music…Flip-flops…Girls nights…Karen Kingsbury books…Praise & Worship…My Smartphone calendar that holds my life together…and last but certainly not least, my Savior, Jesus Christ 🙂
