I'm back in Oklahoma city. The place where I started my amazing journey to find my Lord and King as my Father. The year was truly a blessing without measure or words to explain the depth of my findings. I can say that I came out of the year with glorious treasures.
I didn't make writing here a priority like I wanted to but I'm going to try again. Here I am this year, not as a student but as an intern but I know God has so much more to teach me just in a different way this year. I'm excited to see all that he does in the three students for this year. I'm amazed that I get to be a part of their journey.
Coming back to Oklahoma I find myself reunited with four of my classmates: Levi and Mel join me as Interns, Ryan and Hannah complete us as Externs. It's wonderful but also bittersweet as we are missing vital parts in Sarah, Ariana and Joseph (!Brightside! He belongs to the church so we shall see him often)
Tim, Laurie, and Melissa W. will be joining us Saturday as students and a new family will become a work in progress.
Many things have tried to stand in the way of this year but through all the sadness and pain we have come to remember that it is not unto death but unto the Glory of God. He has plans for this year and so far they are getting my blood pumping in a way that only His creativity and joy can! I'm so excited to see what this chapter of my life will tell, writing it shall be more of a priority this year as I plan on making this part of my journaling experience; combining technology with my leather bound greatness of paper.
1/27/10
Otter, Beaver, Golden Retriever
Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Melancholy
Ever heard these terms before?
How about D, I, S, C?
Or even Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever, Beaver?
Temperaments. These are all different ways to say the same things about what a person's tendencies in life are. We recently took a personality test here at MCOKC. It was very insightful and interesting to see how what people's personalities were and how accurate this little test can be, generally speaking of course as there are always exceptions and not everything in one personality will describe you completely.
For those of you who are reading this (and by the way thank you!) and have no idea what I am talking about, I will explain.
Everyone has a personality, everyone has tendencies and little quirks that help make them who they are. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. This quiz is helpful to know yourself as well as know those around you and how to respond (not react) to one another.
Choleric (D, Lion) people are usually very take charge kind of people. They can be described as determined, dominant, dictators, and powerful among other things. They like to be in control and have things their way. They generally are your problem solvers, leaders, risk takers, direct and decisive. They can be innovative, will place high-value on being on time. They can also overstep authorities, be a bit argumentative and will try too much at once. Their greatest fear is that they will be taken advantage of. They are very direct in conflict.
Sanguine (I, Otter) people are the 'fun' people. Everything revolves around having fun. They are known as being influential, inspiring, talkative, and are generally popular. They are people oriented and very carefree. They dislike being controlled and are pretty loud. These people tend to be very enthusiastic, persuasive, optimistic and emotional. They are creative problem solvers, great at encouraging others, good motivational speakers, and have a pretty good sense of humor. They also tend to be more concerned with what others think of them as they are doing something rather than on the something they are suppose to be doing. They tend to zone out on others and be inattentive. Their greatest fear is rejection and they run from conflict.
Phlegmatic (S, Golden Retriever) people are steady. They are loyal, mediators, easy going, and peaceful. They like to take the easy way and are very service oriented. They are calm and cooperative until a sudden change happens and the boat is rocked. They also like to procrastinate. These people are usually good listeners, team players, understanding and friendly. They tend to be a bit possessive but very reliable and dependable. Patient and empathetic can be used to describe them as well. They resist change, hold grudges, but are good at reconciling conflicts when they are not involved. Their greatest fear is loss of security.
Melancholy (C, Beaver) people are competent, dedicated, thinkers, and perfectionists. They like things to be done the right way and are very analytical. They tend to be introverted and have high standards. Usually, they are very deeply gifted but they have mood swings. They are accurate, conscientious, careful, precise, fact finders, and systematic. They are pretty even tempered but very emotional. They are thorough and like to define things. They need clear cut boundaries for action and relationships. They can be bound by procedures and methods and can get bogged down in details. While they are emotional, they prefer not to be open about it. Their greatest fear is being criticized.
So if you haven't guessed by now, my title represents what I am in the order I am. I am very high Sanguine, then Melancholy and a little Phlegmatic. Apparently I didn't register high at all in Choleric like I thought I might (and as Larissa thought I would too but I probably didn't because I was in Master's Commission)
Anyway, the importance of this test and finding out what all goes into your personality is to know yourself. Once you know yourself, you can better relate to others. And once you know others' personalities, you can better relate to them. It was interesting to see all my brothers' and sisters' personality types and then think about how we relate to one another and how I should relate to them in the future. Things about each of us seem to make more sense.
Another cool thing about this test was to see people in the Bible that have the same temperament or tendencies as you. My results were David, Gideon, and Naomi. Pretty cool since I was once told I had a David's heart. =)
So here I am: Otter, Beaver, Golden Retriever!
Ever heard these terms before?
How about D, I, S, C?
Or even Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever, Beaver?
Temperaments. These are all different ways to say the same things about what a person's tendencies in life are. We recently took a personality test here at MCOKC. It was very insightful and interesting to see how what people's personalities were and how accurate this little test can be, generally speaking of course as there are always exceptions and not everything in one personality will describe you completely.
For those of you who are reading this (and by the way thank you!) and have no idea what I am talking about, I will explain.
Everyone has a personality, everyone has tendencies and little quirks that help make them who they are. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. This quiz is helpful to know yourself as well as know those around you and how to respond (not react) to one another.
Choleric (D, Lion) people are usually very take charge kind of people. They can be described as determined, dominant, dictators, and powerful among other things. They like to be in control and have things their way. They generally are your problem solvers, leaders, risk takers, direct and decisive. They can be innovative, will place high-value on being on time. They can also overstep authorities, be a bit argumentative and will try too much at once. Their greatest fear is that they will be taken advantage of. They are very direct in conflict.
Sanguine (I, Otter) people are the 'fun' people. Everything revolves around having fun. They are known as being influential, inspiring, talkative, and are generally popular. They are people oriented and very carefree. They dislike being controlled and are pretty loud. These people tend to be very enthusiastic, persuasive, optimistic and emotional. They are creative problem solvers, great at encouraging others, good motivational speakers, and have a pretty good sense of humor. They also tend to be more concerned with what others think of them as they are doing something rather than on the something they are suppose to be doing. They tend to zone out on others and be inattentive. Their greatest fear is rejection and they run from conflict.
Phlegmatic (S, Golden Retriever) people are steady. They are loyal, mediators, easy going, and peaceful. They like to take the easy way and are very service oriented. They are calm and cooperative until a sudden change happens and the boat is rocked. They also like to procrastinate. These people are usually good listeners, team players, understanding and friendly. They tend to be a bit possessive but very reliable and dependable. Patient and empathetic can be used to describe them as well. They resist change, hold grudges, but are good at reconciling conflicts when they are not involved. Their greatest fear is loss of security.
Melancholy (C, Beaver) people are competent, dedicated, thinkers, and perfectionists. They like things to be done the right way and are very analytical. They tend to be introverted and have high standards. Usually, they are very deeply gifted but they have mood swings. They are accurate, conscientious, careful, precise, fact finders, and systematic. They are pretty even tempered but very emotional. They are thorough and like to define things. They need clear cut boundaries for action and relationships. They can be bound by procedures and methods and can get bogged down in details. While they are emotional, they prefer not to be open about it. Their greatest fear is being criticized.
So if you haven't guessed by now, my title represents what I am in the order I am. I am very high Sanguine, then Melancholy and a little Phlegmatic. Apparently I didn't register high at all in Choleric like I thought I might (and as Larissa thought I would too but I probably didn't because I was in Master's Commission)
Anyway, the importance of this test and finding out what all goes into your personality is to know yourself. Once you know yourself, you can better relate to others. And once you know others' personalities, you can better relate to them. It was interesting to see all my brothers' and sisters' personality types and then think about how we relate to one another and how I should relate to them in the future. Things about each of us seem to make more sense.
Another cool thing about this test was to see people in the Bible that have the same temperament or tendencies as you. My results were David, Gideon, and Naomi. Pretty cool since I was once told I had a David's heart. =)
So here I am: Otter, Beaver, Golden Retriever!
1/24/10
Clear Stone Tree Frog
You put your right hand in, you put your wrong hand out, you put your right hand in and you shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself about. That's what its all about!
Um...no. lol.
So it's not all about bring right and wrong...or the hokey pokey. It's all about Jesus Christ. Everything in life boils down to our Savior on the cross. That is what I'm learning and what my mind is wrapping around right now. God doesn't care if I'm right or wrong, he doesn't care that I follow the letter of his law. He cares that I have a right relationship with his Son whom everything was created by and for. If I have a relationship with him and strive to know him...I won't need to worry about if I am right or not. How mind bendingly awesome!
So in everything I do right now, I'm trying to keep the focus on God. For I find i struggle the most when taking my eyes off of him and only concentrating on my work that has to be done.
I got a prophecy yesterday that I was a clear stone for people to see through to the other side. Yet I tended to let my clarity get clouded by confusion and when confusion came it attacked my teaching gift. So I find that if I keep focusing on God, my confusion melts away.
I've also had a word from God directly calling me his little tree frog for my soul clung to him. He reminded me of that yesterday. So if I can remember to cling to him, to look to him always I will be that clear stone.
Um...no. lol.
So it's not all about bring right and wrong...or the hokey pokey. It's all about Jesus Christ. Everything in life boils down to our Savior on the cross. That is what I'm learning and what my mind is wrapping around right now. God doesn't care if I'm right or wrong, he doesn't care that I follow the letter of his law. He cares that I have a right relationship with his Son whom everything was created by and for. If I have a relationship with him and strive to know him...I won't need to worry about if I am right or not. How mind bendingly awesome!
So in everything I do right now, I'm trying to keep the focus on God. For I find i struggle the most when taking my eyes off of him and only concentrating on my work that has to be done.
I got a prophecy yesterday that I was a clear stone for people to see through to the other side. Yet I tended to let my clarity get clouded by confusion and when confusion came it attacked my teaching gift. So I find that if I keep focusing on God, my confusion melts away.
I've also had a word from God directly calling me his little tree frog for my soul clung to him. He reminded me of that yesterday. So if I can remember to cling to him, to look to him always I will be that clear stone.
11/11/09
LA here we come!
A lot has happened. I am barely being able to keep up in my head what all we have done. God has moved me away from thinking about myself and my experience here to thinking about the group as a whole and what we need to accomplish. He is showing me that the best thing I can do for my classmates is encourage them. And it's fun! It really does bless me to be able to bless them and affirm them in who they are in Christ.
We just finished a book called Strengthening Yourself in The Lord and it was amazing. So many practical ways to call on God's strength so he can sustain us. I will probably refer to this book a lot through the year and my life in general.
This weekend was very busy and seems like a lifetime away already. Jerbarco Arnold, a former MC from CCK and dance teacher at SPA in Kirkland came down to teach us some dances for our tour. So we spend the whole weekend, from morning til evening, learning three dances. It was hard work and sometimes frustration but it was fun and well worth it to me. Even if my knee got aggravated and gave me some trouble. God is in control and these dances are really going to help us minister to God and to his people. What a wonderful way to spend out time!
This week we started a new book called Authority in Prayer and we are learning to declare things and not ask. We are moving towards knowing and understanding the power in prayer and what Authority God has given us and moving in that Authority. It's great.
Well, that is a quick update. This Saturday we are going to be on our way to LA for a Micro Soft Show to raise some money. We will be gone until the 20th, so prayers for protection and safety are welcome! Love you all!
We just finished a book called Strengthening Yourself in The Lord and it was amazing. So many practical ways to call on God's strength so he can sustain us. I will probably refer to this book a lot through the year and my life in general.
This weekend was very busy and seems like a lifetime away already. Jerbarco Arnold, a former MC from CCK and dance teacher at SPA in Kirkland came down to teach us some dances for our tour. So we spend the whole weekend, from morning til evening, learning three dances. It was hard work and sometimes frustration but it was fun and well worth it to me. Even if my knee got aggravated and gave me some trouble. God is in control and these dances are really going to help us minister to God and to his people. What a wonderful way to spend out time!
This week we started a new book called Authority in Prayer and we are learning to declare things and not ask. We are moving towards knowing and understanding the power in prayer and what Authority God has given us and moving in that Authority. It's great.
Well, that is a quick update. This Saturday we are going to be on our way to LA for a Micro Soft Show to raise some money. We will be gone until the 20th, so prayers for protection and safety are welcome! Love you all!
10/15/09
Quick Update!
Hey Everyone!
So a quick update:
It's been about four weeks since I came to Oklahoma City to enter Master's Commission and I am enjoying it. There are hard times to be sure but I've come to the understanding that it is worth it. I've learned that God's idea of pain is different from our idea of pain and that is such a revelation to me. I've actually had a lot of revelations in this short time, in fact there are times that I am just so overwhelmed. In those times I have learned the art of soaking in God's presence. And even the term sloaking. (To fall asleep while soaking.) :)
God's already healing some things in me as well which is exciting, exhausting and yes, painful as well. Not to mention, it's a long process. And I'm learning to enjoy it too. I'm a long way from where He will take me, it is a life long process as well but I think I have a good start.
The class part is good, I've learning a lot. About myself. About God, how to relate to him better. I'm still waiting for him to reveal the vision for my life, I have clues but a picture would be nice. I'm trusting he will reveal himself to me in his timing though. I'm learning different ways to praise and worship, that those terms do not mean specifically songs and singing and music. I'm learning the lifestyle of worship and the act of praise. I've learned that my freedom is in my praise. That is when I shine and how I get free and release things from within me. It's cool!
I'm also loving my host family. Sometimes things get awkward or I'm a little frustrated but on the whole I am where God wanted me and I find peace in that. I enjoy them. I enjoy their daughter and their lifestyle. It's a blessing.
My classmates are great. There are times where I don't necessarily get along with them but we learn to work through it and have grace. God put us here together for a reason and we have to trust He knows what he is doing.
That is the biggest thing I am learning and the hardest. To trust. And it's difficult. So pray for that.
I'm about out of time, so I'm going to end here but I will be back through out the year to give more in depth about my year. :)
I would appreciate emails, comments, face book messages, anything to keep in contact! And prayer.
~ Laura
So a quick update:
It's been about four weeks since I came to Oklahoma City to enter Master's Commission and I am enjoying it. There are hard times to be sure but I've come to the understanding that it is worth it. I've learned that God's idea of pain is different from our idea of pain and that is such a revelation to me. I've actually had a lot of revelations in this short time, in fact there are times that I am just so overwhelmed. In those times I have learned the art of soaking in God's presence. And even the term sloaking. (To fall asleep while soaking.) :)
God's already healing some things in me as well which is exciting, exhausting and yes, painful as well. Not to mention, it's a long process. And I'm learning to enjoy it too. I'm a long way from where He will take me, it is a life long process as well but I think I have a good start.
The class part is good, I've learning a lot. About myself. About God, how to relate to him better. I'm still waiting for him to reveal the vision for my life, I have clues but a picture would be nice. I'm trusting he will reveal himself to me in his timing though. I'm learning different ways to praise and worship, that those terms do not mean specifically songs and singing and music. I'm learning the lifestyle of worship and the act of praise. I've learned that my freedom is in my praise. That is when I shine and how I get free and release things from within me. It's cool!
I'm also loving my host family. Sometimes things get awkward or I'm a little frustrated but on the whole I am where God wanted me and I find peace in that. I enjoy them. I enjoy their daughter and their lifestyle. It's a blessing.
My classmates are great. There are times where I don't necessarily get along with them but we learn to work through it and have grace. God put us here together for a reason and we have to trust He knows what he is doing.
That is the biggest thing I am learning and the hardest. To trust. And it's difficult. So pray for that.
I'm about out of time, so I'm going to end here but I will be back through out the year to give more in depth about my year. :)
I would appreciate emails, comments, face book messages, anything to keep in contact! And prayer.
~ Laura
9/18/09
Today is the day!
So in about less than two hours I will be on the road heading to the new chapter in my life. I'm amazingly calm at the moment. It seems to be hitting me in phases. I'll be really excited, so much so that like last night I can't sleep for a while. Then there are the calm stretches where I feel like its not quite happening yet. But the underlying excitement is still always there.
I said goodbye to my dad and bother yesterday, as I will not see them before I leave today. Kinda sad, but once again it hasn't hit me yet. I'm sure it will Sunday after my mom leaves me....or later in the week once it becomes real that I will be living in OKC and my parents are not within 30 minutes of me. But God is amazing and He will be my strength and He will get me through it.
I'm ready to meet the rest of my classmates and my intern. I'm ready to see Pastor Dwight, Larissa, John, Jordan, Levi, and Melissa again. I'm ready to meet my host family and settle into my new home for the next year. I'm ready to give little Hannah her gift.
But more than all that I'm ready to meet God and learn to let Him work through me at a higher level. I'm ready to jump in and let Him break me to put me back together the way I was meant to be. I'm ready to see me as He sees me. I need this. I need Him. I need to realize I am loved for who I am, that I don't have to earn it. I am ready to look at me and see the Beauty that is Jesus within me.
I'm ready. Today is the day where I truly begin my journey. The preparation is all complete. The money is raised, the items are bought and packed, no loose ends. My journey begins today. Literally lol. It's a five and a half hour estimated drive from Conway, AR to OKC, OK.
So, OKC here I come. =)
I said goodbye to my dad and bother yesterday, as I will not see them before I leave today. Kinda sad, but once again it hasn't hit me yet. I'm sure it will Sunday after my mom leaves me....or later in the week once it becomes real that I will be living in OKC and my parents are not within 30 minutes of me. But God is amazing and He will be my strength and He will get me through it.
I'm ready to meet the rest of my classmates and my intern. I'm ready to see Pastor Dwight, Larissa, John, Jordan, Levi, and Melissa again. I'm ready to meet my host family and settle into my new home for the next year. I'm ready to give little Hannah her gift.
But more than all that I'm ready to meet God and learn to let Him work through me at a higher level. I'm ready to jump in and let Him break me to put me back together the way I was meant to be. I'm ready to see me as He sees me. I need this. I need Him. I need to realize I am loved for who I am, that I don't have to earn it. I am ready to look at me and see the Beauty that is Jesus within me.
I'm ready. Today is the day where I truly begin my journey. The preparation is all complete. The money is raised, the items are bought and packed, no loose ends. My journey begins today. Literally lol. It's a five and a half hour estimated drive from Conway, AR to OKC, OK.
So, OKC here I come. =)
9/9/09
And the countdown gets smaller
Yes, we are in the one digits people! 9 more days!
I’ve been planning for this since late February and its little things that remind me its real. You know when you have been planning for something for so long its like, is this even going to happen?
Well the first moment that made it real for me was Seattle. That trip was amazing and I got glimpses of what changes I had to look forward to.
But then I went home and things were back to normal and I was even more ready to leave and begin my journey. But I felt stuck.
Then I got the call about my Host family and got to talk to my host mom. Cathleen Tichenor. She and her husband are a little older than me, have one two year old daughter, Hannah, and have a baby boy, Levi, on the way. I’m really beyond excited now! I move in 9 days! Next Friday, on the 18th!
There is so much I still need to do. Like pack. I don’t like packing and I am not sure how to get it all in our little trunk but it will work out. God is amazing and knows what he is doing and I am looking forward to trusting in him more with all the areas of my life and not just a few things.
*squeal of excitement*
I’ve been planning for this since late February and its little things that remind me its real. You know when you have been planning for something for so long its like, is this even going to happen?
Well the first moment that made it real for me was Seattle. That trip was amazing and I got glimpses of what changes I had to look forward to.
But then I went home and things were back to normal and I was even more ready to leave and begin my journey. But I felt stuck.
Then I got the call about my Host family and got to talk to my host mom. Cathleen Tichenor. She and her husband are a little older than me, have one two year old daughter, Hannah, and have a baby boy, Levi, on the way. I’m really beyond excited now! I move in 9 days! Next Friday, on the 18th!
There is so much I still need to do. Like pack. I don’t like packing and I am not sure how to get it all in our little trunk but it will work out. God is amazing and knows what he is doing and I am looking forward to trusting in him more with all the areas of my life and not just a few things.
*squeal of excitement*
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