MORE LEARNING

Just a few of the things we are learning about lately-
A little more clarifying on what we are doing here. This is not a place where we are building on our biblically foundation as the main emphasis. That will of course happen some as iron sharpens iron. But that is not the focus of this program. The focus of this program is YOU (me). More foghorns sound in our minds (Hee hee) as we talk about feelings and thoughts, our gut reactions. We do an activity and the question is how do you feel about that? What feelings did it invoke, what thoughts did you have? What you think and feel will tell you where you are at.
We talked a lot about seeing the same event in two different ways, neither necessary being wrong-the paradox thing. We have then talked a lot about the fact that we need to love one another. They didn’t give the statistic, but most missionaries leave the field because of other missionaries and their values clashing with other missionaries, their lifestyle choices, their convictions.
During our worship yesterday morning we mediated on Bartimaeus, the blind man in Mark 10 who was crying out to Christ as He passed by. First everyone tried to shush him, but then when Christ called to the man, the crowd happily pushed him forward. He got up to Jesus, Christ asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Are you thinking “DUH!”? But you see, Christ doesn’t assume for us; He wants us to ASK! Even the obvious-and maybe keep asking? I sometimes struggle with asking for the same things over and over. I ask once and trust that God will take care of it. But maybe He wants me to keep asking-it’s not a lack of faith to keep asking? Maybe I am suppose to do a little more on my side? I need to call and keep calling; not listen to others or even satan try to shush me?
We did a little on culture shock. Brian experienced this in Zambia this summer. We’ve probably had a little bit of it here too.
Today was mostly about expectations. The girls were told a few days about that they were going somewhere today, but weren’t told where. The point was to build expectation in them (unfortunately for them, we often say we are going somewhere and don’t tell them, so the girls weren’t as excitable about it as the staff maybe thought they might be!) We talked about the things in life that can TWANG us when we create expectations (reality, fear, desire to name a few).
We also talked about our lifestyle choices and who we think they will affect, or do affect, or who should be considered when we make them. We have seen this in our journey so far. We have changed the home plans taking more of this into consideration. The choice we have made of sending a sea container over with most of our possessions has affected others. Just the virtue of our going over there affects many people. And the way it affects them is different of course.
Once a week we also have personal coaching. Our gal is someone who was a missionary in Nepal for seven years. She also has an adopted son who is now seven from Eastern Russia who has RAD. We could have talked about adoption forever! Today was mainly introductory and where we are, where we came from; just letting us know we can talk about anything on our path-she’s there to be a support and answer any questions. Our time is right at 1:30, the session is 45 minutes, then we have until 4 pm without the kids!
So the kids had a GREAT time at Focus on the Family. They did three scavenger hunts, went in the imagination station, the Narnia wardrobe, ate at Wit’s End, and even got to do a recording in their studios (I will see if I can figure out how to post that). It was a great time had by them. We were a little bummed, because we of course are planning to take them; I guess they will be our tour guides!
This afternoon after class we went for a walk with a couple of other families. It was a beautiful day here with sunshine and 45 degrees. It would be easier to sit in class if the weather out side would be a lot worse and we weren’t looking at a beautiful mountain all day!