Not Just Fun & Games--But Learning Too!

I'm guessing that you may be wondering just what I've been up to here at MTI. Lest you think it is all hiking adventures and trips to the ice cream shop (which I have enjoyed), I thought I'd make up a little list of some things I've learned in the past two weeks.

• When it comes to conflict under stress, I am often a "turtle". We each learned our conflict styles and how it will play into our dealing with issues that will come up on the field.
• I met with 5 other women in differing walks of life that are all leaving for different fields in the upcoming week. We spent time together as a small group--getting to know each other and reflecting on God's word together.
• Yesterday, I had to meet with each of the women and tell them 4 strengths and 1 weakness I see in them and they did the same for me. It was a little terrifying but mostly encouraging and special to listen and to share.
• In our unit on managing stress, I took a test called the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. My stress levels due to life events (good, bad, and change are all stressors) were double the most severe in the scale. The last year has been a time of many good things and a lot of exciting change. But even good can be stressful. This session on stress was a wake-up call to me. I don't want to arrive in Uganda already burnt out. As I talked over the results of the test with a personal coach, I decided I need to make changes as I prepare to come home for the next month before flying to Uganda. I am looking forward to lowering those stress levels!
• I walked across a "bridge" made of unstable chairs and exercise balls while connected to 5 other people. We learned about the bridge of transition, all the stages of transition we're going through (and about to go through), and how we're connected to others on our team that are at different stages on that bridge.
• (If you might be coming to MTI--skip this one because it'll be a big spoiler--I warned you!) I took part in a pretty realistic simulation of hiding and then being held hostage with 20 other people, standing in a tiny wooden box in the dark for at least an hour. Why are they torturing us here at MTI? Because it revealed our true colors under stress and more than one of us were surprised at our reactions!
• After that experience, we were given a full day of guided Sabbath in silence and solitude. I didn't realize how much I had been craving away and alone time with God. As a strong storm came rolling over the mountains, I took my spot on a bench under the entryway overhang. The wind began to whip, the rain fell hard, and I was amazed by God's majesty yet again. And as I looked over the horizon, there was one small patch of sky that remained blue and bright with all the gray around it. Thank you for that, Jesus!

Well, I could go on for quite some time about all that I've learned. I'm excited for these last few days of learning that we have left. I feel strangely unsure about going home. I want to spend this month making memories with my family while not having that sense of "impending doom" (to put it dramatically) of the painful good-byes to come. I don't want to say the good-byes to those I've grown to love and connect with over the past few weeks here at MTI. I don't want to go home and have reality hit. I don't want to face packing my life into 3 bags. I don't want to say good-bye to my dear college friends. I don't want to have that last Sunday in my home church. There's plenty of things I'm not looking forward to.

But, I have much to look forward to! Special times with family, laughter with friends, loving on nieces and nephews, the chance to show my love by saying good-bye well. And despite the many good-byes and painful realities of leaving, I also have many hellos to say! I am about to embark on a new journey with God in Uganda and I am so excited to become a part of the team there. Thank you Jesus for being with me wherever I go and providing me with loved ones all around the world!