Life Reflections & Vision Direction

This past week brought some renewed challenges and reflections for me. What is it about ministry that stretches us to examine everything we know about ourselves and God?


First Topic: Developing a Personal Vision & Mission Statement.

Assignment:

1. Write down 10 things you're passionate about.
2. Write what you would like your eulogy to be.
3. Write down at least 10 things you value.
4. Use that information to create your Vision Statement (what you want to achieve).

I had been faced with this kind of question before, and I never could give an exact answer. But I'm not a quitter anymore. I won't give up on answering this question. So, I did something that I really don't like to do: I asked for help.

It only took the speaker a moment reading my info before stating, "You've already written it," and told me reread my passionate list and eulogy. They connected. I just needed to be able to see it. So, after staring at what I had written for a few more minutes I realized that I needed to change my perspective. So I copied/pasted it altogether as one paragraph and read it again.

Then I saw it.

But that stirred up a whole new series of questions.

....To be continued.


Second Topic: DISC

What is it?

DISC is a work assessment test. It helps us identify what are work behaviors are like. D=Dominant, I=Influential, S=Steady, C=Compliant.

Click this link if you're curious: https://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/

I've actually taken the DISC assessment test in a previous job about 4-5 years ago, and my results then and now were similar with a strong S and a weak D. But unlike before, I wasn't satisfied. I'm a nice person, but these past few years I've been getting to know myself for the first time, and there's no way my D is only 2% strong.

We broke down each characteristic in class, and I realized that I was very strong in all four. Then I was able identify my work patterns and I realized that I had answered the DISC assessment according to the way I had trained my mind to think, but not from my natural instincts. Retaking the test with a different mindset, my results almost completely flipped: DCSI. When I test this against my attitude and instincts in my past work history (and personal life) I realize this fit.

So what happened?

I recently asked someone "Is it possible to spend so much time trying to be someone else that you forget your own personality?" The answer was, "Yes."

One of my greatest faults in life is that I spent it trying so hard to be my mother that I never really got to know myself.  A friend who used to act told me that if people can lose their identities in their acting field if they never grasped who they truly are as individuals. I realized I had done the same thing, and that's why I could never develop my own vision and dreams. I was so busy trying to realize my mothers that I neglected my own. (Something she once warned me about.)

I'm very grateful for this SOMD training. Weeks like this test and stretch me in areas that I have neglected for too long. I'm not yet ready to share what I'm realizing about my Vision Statement, or how all that's affecting some of my focus and goal setting, but I can tell you that I'm beginning to realize something:

God hasn't necessarily been calling me to serve in particular places, but rather He has called to particular services that involve those places. 

************************************************

On the social side of life, it's been pretty busy!

I completed my book report on 7 Habits of Highly Effective People two days early. I was pretty proud of that accomplishment! (Now if I could just complete some of this endless homework ahead of schedule! lol)


I've been working to reduce my sugar and caffeine intake, but it's not very easy when you live in England. We have tea breaks every morning before lunch -complete with various goodies to eat, and we have a British Fika every Wednesday because someone learned about the Swedish Fika. (Click this link to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRIeytEXGhQ&t=4s)

...Not to mention the Dessert Night's every Thursday at various leadership homes. I mean, it would be rude for me not to eat the absolutely sinful desserts they make us. They go through so much effort to bless us I have to be self-sacrificing in this. Right? ;)

Speaking Dessert Night, it was at the Peachy's, who founded the Orphans Know More in Uganda. Suzi and I have visited about OKM a few times before, but it has been a while. It was good to discuss more on that and get to know her husband a little better. I do need to be more intentional in talking with them and praying about working with their ministry.

We celebrated another birthday this week, and one of my roommates introduced me to a couple who are her supporters. I learned the wife, Immaculee Hedden, was from Rwanda, like my roommate, and was a survivor of the genocide that took place in 1994. Her husband, Richard Hedden, had actually written a book based on her testimony titled 'Under His Mighty Hands: A Story of Faith and Overcoming from the Rwandan Genocide.' And wouldn't you know that there just happened to be a copy of the book found on the bookshelf in the lounge? So now I can read her story.

I am looking forward to reading the full account of how God protected her against many odds, and how she now uses that experience to bring honor and glory back to Him.

...But I was a little envious when I learned she will be attending the Queen's annual Garden Party this Tuesday. :)

My church here celebrated the Nations today complete with celebratory singing and a buffet lunch full of various foods from different cultures. Everyone was invited to wear their cultural dress. -I dressed like an American. ;)

I've also been amazed at how the Lord keeps blessing me with various clothing and items through our Blessing Boutique. I've found two pairs of nice ankle boots (my fave) that fit perfectly, as well as some quite clothing my size. I also found a movie today that I have been wanting to get again 'The Robe' and some more books to rebuild my personal library.

All in all, it's been a fun and productive week/weekend.