looking back..and forward!

So it has been a while since I have had a blog up, i'm sorry! for all those who have been reading up on me.



I guess i'll just give a little summary of the past couple weeks and what to expect in the upcoming ones!



I had an Intensive Training Weekend, where we were tested and were give simulations on what to expect in a forgein country but most of all a closed one. Now i'm going to Japan, pretty safe and Tokyo is very open so worries for me. But what was very eye opening were some simulations.

Now I can't give detailed descriptions about what we did because it's a secret and anyone who decides to do ISP I hope for them to have the same experience!!!

But we were given the opportunity to have speakers who were in a real life disaster, similar to Haiti and the quake in Chili that was very recent.

As we look at the photos and see the people scared, crying, homeless, some orphaned and just in sadness. We do feel pain but the reality is that imagine just being in that situation.

You are watching tv, relaxing then out of no where your room is shaking the floor is moving, but instead of stopping it is growing stronger and stronger and suddenly things are falling on your, books are flying everywhere, it's like the indiana jones ride, but reality!

....so you kind of get what i'm saying. Just this doesn't hit us till we might be in a situation like that. Women would be running around everywhere, looking for their husbands, children, children histerical. Crying, screaming not knowing what is going. But can you do? you can't think you just want everything to stop for a second, so you can THINK! but you can't you just have to go. Go, help, comfort and just be a someone to someone.

As the speakers went on about being these situations, it was very sad to see them start to cry because you would think after so many years they would be able to talk about it easier, but they can't. It's real and it happens. Those pictures are just a moment of the tragedy.



So through ITW that really hit and made me want to do this trip even more. But not just Japan, I want to go to the rural areas. I want to stay in a hut for a week! it's an experience that only changes yourself but you can make a difference to those around you. I want to make a difference.

This time was also a great way of bonding with my team and I had a blast! it was so much fun to be with them and really getting to know them 24/7. seeing everyone and their reactions to events as well as the positions that they played and immediatley went into in certain situations. It's an amazing thing to see yourself grow but to see someone else is very eye opening.



Then in the past couple meetings, we have discussed spiritual gifts and personality tests (Meyers Briggs). Really fun and very interesting. To get to know yourself and see if that is really you. I am ENFJ and my spiritual gifts are, Mercy, Server, and Encourager/Organizer? i'm pretty sure was the last.

Now the personality test, was really funny to see how I fit in with the rest of my group. I'm an Entrovert, iNtuative, Feeler, and Judger (a planner, organizer, detailed) I always kind of knew i would be an extrovert i'm very involved, i love getting to know people. But as I discussed this with my teammates I realized that I have Introvert tendencies. In a new envoirnment, I need to get accustom to what is around me, i'm eager but i'm not all out there. After really long days or being with a lot of people, i like time by myself to just debrief and just think. Alone time is not always a bad thing (: then for intuative, i thought it was funny, it was considered having the "6th sense" these are the people who, although have never been in a certain city "just know" where to go! they are the ones to watch out for because we tend to drift away lol..that pretty much sounds like me. Feeler, basically because i'm a woman and i care about other peoples feelings more than my own and the planner, is very true. If i have a task i really like to get it done and be done soon!

It has been a wonderful experience so far and just seeing the team work together is truly amazing!

just recently my team leader has lost her father. it's such a horrible thing to go through and although she's in a time of grief she knows that we're all praying for her and there as support. i love that we're all there for one another and it's such a special opportunity. not only travelling but this bond a friendship, sisterhood that we're making (=
it's going to be a blast and i'm so ready for this adventure and where God will take me.