Today is MEMBER MONDAY, my favorite blogging day of the week. I just love getting to know fellow FaithWriters members, don’t you? Today we meet Shann Hall-Lochmann VanBennekom (betcha can’t say that 10 times, fast 
). Instead of an interview, Shann opted to write her own monologue, which I think is great. Something a little different to keep things interesting.
So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and get to know Shann.
Hi there,
My name is Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom and if you’re wondering about the name, I really have only been married once. The Hall is my maiden name and the rest is from my husband’s Dutch roots.
I used to be an RN in the obstetrics floor of the local hospital until a chronic illness forced me to slow down. It was at that point when I turned to my love of books to keep myself sane. I also kept a daily journal of my children’s lives as well as my own prayer journal.
I have three delightful children and 95% of the time I have a wonderful husband. The other 5% I have 3 whining, look-at-me, can I borrow the car-type kids and a tired, grumpy, overworked husband.
Emily, my oldest, has her Master’s degree in school counseling and is presently working at a local college. Quinten just finished his 2nd year of college and dreams of becoming a minister. Lydia still has 2 more years of high school where she excels academically and enjoys the swim team.
My husband, Chris, is my computer genius. If not for his knowledge and patience with my impatience, our house would be computer-free — or at least damaged somewhat by my throwing one out of a nearby window.
The day I realized I needed to write in order to survive came fairly late in my life. I had always made up stories for my children and also did some local storytelling. Once in a while I would dabble in poetry, but I would basically write only when the mood hit me.
My epiphany came one day when my illness had been causing unbearable pain for far too long. I cried out to God, asking why he wouldn’t help me. I very clearly heard a voice say, “Have you ever heard the story about the man who was caught in a flood? A fire truck stopped and offered to help him evacuate and his answer was ‘No the Lord will save me.’ Next a boat came along, and then a helicopter. The man refused to be rescued each time proclaiming ‘The Lord will save me.’
Finally, as he clung to his chimney, he looked to the heavens and asked God why he didn’t save him. God answered ‘I sent you a fire truck, a boat and a helicopter what more do you want?’
Then I heard God say to me, “Shann I’ve given you what you need to overcome this pain, I gave you passion for books, especially the Bible, and I gave you an outlet in your writing to express your inner most thoughts and feelings. Why haven’t you read My word or written a single story?”
I realized I did feel better when I read and wrote in my journal or made stories up in my mind if I was too weak to hold a pen. These are the gifts God sent me to survive my flood and I, in my ignorance, ignored them. I understood the meaning of humility when I realized I was the man in the old joke, clinging to nothing but a chimney. After that, I tried to read and write when the raindrops started falling instead of finding myself crying out for salvation in the middle of the flood.
As of yet, I have not had anything published, but in all fairness I haven’t submitted very much either. I’m still working on that fear of rejection, or worse, ridicule.
The last book I read was one of the Harry Potter Books, I’m not sure which one, as I’ve read them all at least 10 times each. If I can’t get to the library, I read whatever is in the house, whether it’s romance (I’m usually desperate if I’m reading that) or my favorite Young Adult books. I’ve read almost every book my kids have read, although Lydia may have forged ahead some now that she is older.
My biggest pet peeve is one many have seen me comment on in the little gold boxes when I critique an article and that is the improper use of pronouns. If you pass by my door, you might even hear me scream at the TV, “The letter was left for Meg and me, not Meg and I!” Oddly (or maybe not so oddly), my screaming at the TV is one of my kids’ pet peeves.
In five years, I hope I will be a grandma, spoiling my babies’ babies, enjoying life as much as I can, submitting my devotions and children’s stories to someone on a regular basis. But mainly I suspect I’ll just be taking it a day at a time. That’s what has gotten me this far, and I hope it’ll keep me going for many years to come.
Visit Shann’s FaithWriters profile
Related posts:
9 Comments until now.
It is SO nice to get to know you, Shann! You are an amazing woman, and FaithWriters is blessed to have you
So wonderful to know more about you, Shann! (and I like your “pet peeve” it’s a fun writer quirk!)
It’s nice to get to know you. I am new here myself. Don’t be afraid to enter things. It is fun even with rejections just to know you are trying. I figure if you get even one item accepted in a lifetime…you’ve done more than most people.
Teresa
Shann, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you a bit on FW boards and FB, and love this further glimpse into your life. As someone with chronic health problems myself, I love hearing how God helps each of us to survive.
Shann, It is so nice to learn all about you. I love that you appear all over the forums- encouraging and helping and praying. Blessings to you, Ruth B
I really enjoyed reading your story, Shann–and so much of it I could relate to. Thanks for being candid and real.
And, also, thank you for keeping us out of the ‘I’ ‘me’ quagmire. I fell in years ago and have been bemuddled ever since… until you got me sloshing back onto the beaten trail with your pet peeve a while back
. God bless you,
Heather
Hi Shann:
It’s really good meeting you on Faithwriters. I have been with Faithwriters for a while – a few years but I have not been actively entering the Challenges these days. Before I forget let me say that “Good for you, you are married only once!” There would not be space for any additional names! What sweet names you have!
As a new member, I’ll tell you a little about my experience at Faithwriters. You have chosen a wonderful site or rather God has lead you to the right place. I grew up at Faithwriters, so much that I do not have time for entering the Challenges though from time to time I read the stories. I would like to give my Testimony at the Conference in August, hopefully I’ll raise enough money to attend. I live in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies.
Faithwriters’ members, Deb Porter(from Australia) and this guy who in his photograph he wears a kind of cowboy hat – Dub, Dub, that’s his name: They literally held my hands while I wrote for challenges back in 2005 days.
I cannot forget all those Monday mornings, when I had my head up for Challenge results. Girl, I felt like I was back in elementary school. I have learnt to critique from Faithwriters. I have been asked by organisations in Jamaica – schools and so on to judge and comment on stories. This site is a God-sent and may God continue to bless all of us. Scott Lindsay is a great guy! I remember one week there was a NO TOPIC posted on the Challenge board. I misunderstood and wrote a story on NO TOPIC. I felt so silly after submitting it. But Scott responded and told me how they enjoyed reading my story anyway. From then on I never felt silly at Faithwriters – so you don’t have to feel too timid to submit your work.
Faithwriters has the best critique group which I have met so far. Why? Because they tell you the truth. They do not polish up things to make people feel good about something that just ain’t good. Critiquing, is the best way to grow.
I think I have written enough for now. I can see your husband’s grumpy face.
Ha! ha!
So to you and your family and to the Faithwriters family too I say:
Blessings In His Name.
Hope I got the Pronouns right!
Shann, it was neat to read your story and learn a little bit more about the woman behind the name!
It is really neat to see how God has worked in your life and has enabled you to be such a blessing to those around you.
Blessings,
Ben
Shann, this was great! I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning about the beautiful person you are.
I remember praying one day asking God why others were seeing their dreams come to fruition when mine were still an idea. His response… “When will you quit complaining and start doing?”
Within a few days, I “stumbled” across Faith Writers. That was in July 2008 and it’s been a great two years.
So when you mentioned praying and God’s response, I giggled; I felt as though somehow it was similar, although different.