Signs of Spring

This afternoon I headed out for an 8-minute walk to the nearest coffee shop to skype with one of our colleagues in the Turkic-Arabic world. But before I left the flat, I grabbed my camera hoping to catch spring time in the 11th district of Budapest.

And, that I did! Everybody is enjoying the high-60 temperatures in their light weight sweaters or jackets, minus the boots we see all winter. I love a walk through the flower section of our district market. Pussy willows everywhere, along with bright tulips and lilies.

The Easter markets are up around the city filled with colorful displays of art work, handmade crafts, and candy. The warmer temps, the atmosphere of the markets, the signs of new life are refreshing.

Trees budding and blossoming

Just one display of pussy willows at the market

Pansies are all over the city

Wooden, paper-mache, and real blown-out eggs

Of course I had to make my own pussy willow tree

Last, but not least, ice cream is back!

One Year Ago...

Remembering our precious Margot June. Today would have been her first birthday.

Lifelong Learning, Life Change

It was the first day of the Leadership Matters Course in Usslan, Germany, and I was introducing myself.

I like to write. So I carry lots of pens with me so I never run out. People ask me, "Do you have a pen, Gwen?" I like action, but I'm not as fast as action Jackson. (referring to Dennis :) pen-Gwen-action-Jackson

Introducing ourselves in a creative way helped the other 27 participants and 9 trainers to remember our names.

Two weeks ago Dennis and I arrived for LMC, a course offered to Christian International workers all over the world. Dennis attended the course in England several years ago and highly recommended that I attend.

"Honey, you would love it!"

And, I have.

Life-long learning is something I want to be about. My Grandma lived to be 100, and I often say that if I live that long, I have a lot of life left to keep on learning and growing.

Now, on our final day of the course, I would say it is the most beneficial course I have ever taken in my life, and would venture to say, possibly in my lifetime.

I don't know that I have ever had a course where I am leaving with so much material - retained and practiced - that is relevant to life and ministry.

 

Though it’s 12 days long, it doesn’t feel like it at all. The days go by so quickly! The creative ways the trainers teach and engage the participants in learning keeps the day flowing. It never seems to lose momentum. Affirmation and encouragement is an overriding element throughout the entire course. It really is incredible.

On that first day we were asked to share what we hoped to gain from the course as we looked at the overview of nine skills beneficial to life and ministry. My desire was to learn creative skills that would enhance teaching and speaking. I often have plenty of content, but without the know-how to really engage those listening.

This weekend I will return home with new tools in my toolbox; creative ways to engage others and telling effective stories to name a few.

LMC is lifelong learning and life change all wrapped up in 12 incredible days. And, it all begins with an introduction. Pen-Gwen-action-Jackson.