Last Thursday Matt and I met with Dr. Steve Allison to go over some psychological testing that we did a few months ago. Psychological testing is a normal phase of training through Halbert (so don't worry, we weren't the only ones!) There are two different tests that couples have to take, the first primarily looks at personality type, stress responses, working styles, etc. The second is a marriage test for couples, woohoo! Matt and I did premarital counseling before we got married, so we thought a test two and a half years later would be kind of like a tune up for our marriage!
No need to fear, we don't have any issues that are out of the ordinary...seriously though the tests were really helpful. The first brought to light things about our personalities that I've never really thought of before (and trust me, Matt and I have done our fair share of personality testing). I've tried to store the things I learned away in my mind for whenever I look and Matt and think "what in the world is going on inside your head?" Not that he doesn't do the same to me...so it's okay!
The marriage part of the test was interesting as well. There's nothing like talking to a total stranger about your communication style, budget, and sex life! But hey, if you try to hide who you are as an individual and as a couple then you'll never really grow into who God wants you to be. Too many people miss out on a joyous marriage because they're not willing to see things that they might need to look at differently or change about themselves. Overall it made me appreciate Matt even more.
On a totally unrelated note I'd like to thank my aunt-in-law Angela in Australia for being a follower of my blog. I'm really inept when it comes to blogging so I don't even really know what that means...but I'm sure I'll learn!
26 January 2009
20 January 2009
Getting back together
Our team got back together for the first time after the school break this past Sunday. Getting back together after long breaks always makes me a little anxious, because that first conversation could have any number of surprises contained within it. However, we had a blast hanging out on Sunday! Gregory and Jenica both seemed to have a really good holiday with their family . 
We got to tell funny stories, tell embarrassing stories, talk about how our families are starting to open up and ask more questions about what we're doing, and many other things. Jenica's in the process of looking for a job, so we got to talk about that. As usual Gregory took on more hours at work than he should have, so we also got to give him a hard time about that! Everyone was really pumped about getting ready to get a lot done this year, which was awesome. It seems like only yesterday....
One year ago we had our first module after "signing on the dotted line" as we liked to call it. January 2008 was the deadline we set for the people showing an interest in going to Australia to say yes or no to joining the team. When it was all said and done and the dust settled, Jenica and Gregory were standing there ready to jump into this adventure. I remember how freaked out I was that first module (weekend long training session, we have them every couple of months), it was a weekend spent talking about personalities, spiritual gifts, and other very deep things. I'm sure we were all in shock at what was going on, but pretended like it didn't phase us. We've come a long way, and I'm excited about where we will continue to go.
We got to tell funny stories, tell embarrassing stories, talk about how our families are starting to open up and ask more questions about what we're doing, and many other things. Jenica's in the process of looking for a job, so we got to talk about that. As usual Gregory took on more hours at work than he should have, so we also got to give him a hard time about that! Everyone was really pumped about getting ready to get a lot done this year, which was awesome. It seems like only yesterday....One year ago we had our first module after "signing on the dotted line" as we liked to call it. January 2008 was the deadline we set for the people showing an interest in going to Australia to say yes or no to joining the team. When it was all said and done and the dust settled, Jenica and Gregory were standing there ready to jump into this adventure. I remember how freaked out I was that first module (weekend long training session, we have them every couple of months), it was a weekend spent talking about personalities, spiritual gifts, and other very deep things. I'm sure we were all in shock at what was going on, but pretended like it didn't phase us. We've come a long way, and I'm excited about where we will continue to go.
18 January 2009
A Great Day at Work
I had the most wonderful day at work this week. I work with a woman who is a pillar of strength in hard times, in the year and a half that I've worked at my job, she has had more hard times than I can count on both hands. Her burdens are a constant burden on my heart. We get along well, but we're not very close on a personal level. There are so many things I want to tell her about the redemption that God offers, but to just walk up and say "Hey, God can bring you peace and healing" when one thing after another goes wrong in her life doesn't seem to fit. I want sharing the Gospel with her to be part of a natural conversation, not just something I spew out at her as I'm walking past her desk. I had been praying that God would give me a chance to just sit and talk with her.
The other day she, another co-worker, and I started chatting about teeth of all things. You know, dentures, braces, the usual. Somehow the conversation switched to just she and I talking about television shows, and then to books. Then she started talking about the Left Behind book series and asked if I had read it. She talked about how she believed in God and that Jesus died on the cross for her, but that she did not believe much more of the Bible. She said there's just so much to it and it's hard to know what has been lost in translation. I got to talk about the church Matt and I are part of, it's in a home with about fifteen other people. I said what we like about it is that with such a small group we all get to talk about what we like, new things we're learning, or don't understand in the Bible. After a little more talking she said that she hopes her believing in Jesus is enough, because she's kind of a loner. I got to share that God did not create us to wander through this life alone, but that we need each other to learn from, help, and depend on. I got to invite her to our church gathering, and it all started with a conversation about teeth!
I share this story for many reasons, the first being that God is totally awesome. I am a pusher, when I get an idea in my head that someone needs my help (whether they do or not) I will force my "helpful opinion" on them whether the timing is right or not. I have been praying for this woman for a long time, because I wanted God to present the opportunity for conversation instead of me attempting to construct it on no foundation. I think she was ready and open to the conversation, and that's why God allowed it. I also share this story because it really pumped me up. God knows that we are creatures who need tangible landmarks, if we go too long without seeing some living sign that He's working, we get in a rut (at least I do). God allowed me the opportunity to share some of His words of truth, and I believe that He is going to grow them in my co-workers heart.
The other day she, another co-worker, and I started chatting about teeth of all things. You know, dentures, braces, the usual. Somehow the conversation switched to just she and I talking about television shows, and then to books. Then she started talking about the Left Behind book series and asked if I had read it. She talked about how she believed in God and that Jesus died on the cross for her, but that she did not believe much more of the Bible. She said there's just so much to it and it's hard to know what has been lost in translation. I got to talk about the church Matt and I are part of, it's in a home with about fifteen other people. I said what we like about it is that with such a small group we all get to talk about what we like, new things we're learning, or don't understand in the Bible. After a little more talking she said that she hopes her believing in Jesus is enough, because she's kind of a loner. I got to share that God did not create us to wander through this life alone, but that we need each other to learn from, help, and depend on. I got to invite her to our church gathering, and it all started with a conversation about teeth!
I share this story for many reasons, the first being that God is totally awesome. I am a pusher, when I get an idea in my head that someone needs my help (whether they do or not) I will force my "helpful opinion" on them whether the timing is right or not. I have been praying for this woman for a long time, because I wanted God to present the opportunity for conversation instead of me attempting to construct it on no foundation. I think she was ready and open to the conversation, and that's why God allowed it. I also share this story because it really pumped me up. God knows that we are creatures who need tangible landmarks, if we go too long without seeing some living sign that He's working, we get in a rut (at least I do). God allowed me the opportunity to share some of His words of truth, and I believe that He is going to grow them in my co-workers heart.
05 January 2009
What is the image of God?
I was thinking over the weekend about sharing the Gospel with teens, thinking about what would really relate to them. I thought about how Jesus is like that one kid in school who seems to see the good in everyone, he befriends all the students and doesn't put up with bullies. Don't ask me how, but thinking about this led my mind to wandering and wondering about the image of God.
I look at people all around me and see nothing but differences: race, sex, size, you name it. However, we're all made in the image of God. He said it himself when he made us. So then what's this image look like? You can't say it's a body part, a color, or an intelligence level. I'm sure there's some good exegetical answer, but I don't really have one. I have my own ideas, but I guess this is just more of a question than an Bible lesson.
Okay, back to Jesus being that one kid in school who accepts everyone. When Jesus came to the earth he lived to remind (mainly teach) us that we are all made in the image of God. He showed people that they were all welcome in the presence of God. Just look at Mark 14, who was he eating with? It's truly amazing how Jesus found it easy to include so many, but all we manage to do is draw barriers that people find it impossible to cross.
Okay, back to Jesus being that one kid in school who accepts everyone. When Jesus came to the earth he lived to remind (mainly teach) us that we are all made in the image of God. He showed people that they were all welcome in the presence of God. Just look at Mark 14, who was he eating with? It's truly amazing how Jesus found it easy to include so many, but all we manage to do is draw barriers that people find it impossible to cross.
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