Communication and Public Speaking!

Our first speaker this week introduced us to the 5 Voices, a test that defines the different kind of voices, and helps us to understand our strongest voice. Like most Personality tests, it builds upon character traits and values. Considering the topic was 'Communication' none us had considered that understanding who we are affects how we come across to others. Although, once it's broken down, it makes perfect sense.

• If I am strong-willed and opinionated, I probably come across as bossy and forceful. This helps me to recognize that I need to apply more gentleness and warmth when I am speaking. (or)
• If I'm quiet and unsure, I probably come across as weak and uniformed.This means I would need to be more assertive and portray self-confidence. (Even if I don't feel it.) 

In my case, I really can be on both ends, depending on what's going on in my life or who I'm speaking to. So I truly recognize the value of being aware of how my personality comes across to others. 

Our second speaker built upon this foundation and moved us onto 'Public Speaking.' Besides learning the basic guidelines for creating and presenting a speech, we discussed how maintaining eye-contact, shifting, using our hands, smiles and/or frowns, voice tone, etc. can all affect the message we are trying to portray. This is actually vital in one-on-ones, public speaking, leadership meetings, teaching... anywhere we are exerting our thoughts and ideas.

We each had to choose a Biblical Worldview and prepare a five minute speech to give before the class. After which, we were each critiqued for both the compilation of our topic and how we presented it. My speaker put down the most confident speakers last. I got the very last. Evidently I'm good at faking it. There are good and bad advantages at going last. Good: You can make a mental note of all the others before you go up. Bad: You begin to doubt your topic because everyone else's is so good. Either way, for whatever reason, speaking in front of a small room full of people I know has always made me more nervous than speaking in front of 50-100 people I've never met. 

This past week brought up a lot of memories of being in MLM. I read so many leadership books, attended so many training seminars, gave so many business presentations... I discovered I came alive taking visions and discovering how to make them a reality, presenting, and implementing them. Of course, I also got a lot of discouragement back then too, and that stripped away a lot of my self-confidence.

But it's no longer good enough for me to learn the Bible, leadership skills, develop visions, and how to speak in pubic, mentor and teach. I have to start applying all of these things. That's also a part of what God created me to be. To try a deny that I love public speaking is to deny that I love coffee! 

...and anyone who knows me knows that would be a dark lie! 😆

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This has actually been a very full week and full of events!

One of my fellow trainees had her 23rd birthday and was very excited about it. ...In fact, I don't think I have ever witnessed another person of any age as excited about a birthday as she was! (One of her endearing qualities.) Our dessert night was actually adjusted from the usual 'ask questions of the base leaders' to include a small party for her.

Apparently, a bus was donated a couple of years ago, and YWAM turned it into a mobile cafe to use during our annual events on the base. It was fun to climb inside and enjoy tea, coffee, and dessert, sing Happy Birthday, and visit with our hosts that evening; asking them questions about their experience in missions.

Saturday night my SOMD group also helped the local Methodist church with an annual gathering for the local kids. Since 90% of my working with kids in the past has always been overwhelming, I confess I was dreading the evening. But I was actually very impressed with the mannerism of the local kids. Of course there was some rambunctious, but overall, they were very good. Perhaps dividing the kid groups into all-boys and all-girls helped too! I've never been gifted for working with large groups of kids, but I cannot say it was a terrible night. It turned out nice.

Afterwards, three of us went to the Harpenden Grill and Kebab to get burgers and kebabs. (Working with kids does give you an appetite!) I think this place is one of the 'musts' for YWAMer's. I was introduced to it during my DTS, and have missed it while away. 

This week has been very much a 'social week.' I think I've spent some time visiting a lot this week rather than getting much homework done! (Yikes!) I have another book report due in a week. I've read most of it in one sitting, but now I'm going back over and taking notes! Keep your fingers crossed for me that I get it turned in ahead of time!