tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79395560768043196422024-03-12T22:09:03.443-04:00The Long Lifeline"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-22059809708442552852014-05-14T15:45:00.000-04:002014-05-14T15:46:00.264-04:00Culture Shock - The New "Normal"It hit last weekend. That's how it always gets me. It's not so much a gradual process, I guess they wouldn't call it "Shock" if it were. But it hit me last weekend.<br />
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Culture shock to me isn't experiencing the differences between cultures. I think anyone with some level of 'cultural elasticity' can experience and process the differences between Culture A, or their "home" culture, and Culture B, the foreign culture they are in. I've traveled to over 20 countries now. I've laughed at bathroom door signs, marveled at driving on the left (i.e. wrong) side of the road, eaten things that would make a hotdog factory blush. I've seen the riches of Paris, the slums of Haiti, and while they all elicited an mental and emotional response, I still wouldn't say that it was the dreaded shock that I hear so much about.</div>
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The shock comes later. It sneaks up on you as your elasticity wears down. Your elasticity is the honeymoon period after you get married. Those first few months are great. Sure he's different, but he's fun different right? Life's an adventure right? But.....then again, what's with picking his toe nails while watching TV, and speaking of TV, I don't mind the commercials, but nooooo, Commander Remote-Control over there is trying to watch three shows at once, gosh that's so annoying. Who knew guys were so stinky, forget car emissions, I think he's personally responsible for global warming. </div>
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Simply put, your cultures are different, and you're built to prefer your 'normal'. You start out nice and all, and your cultural elasticity is in full-effect, but soon the conversations change from your romantic future, to a realization that he smells worse than you thought, and your apple pie is like 'ashes in his mouth' compared to his moms. But you know what, you get through it, and slowly you develop your 'new normal'.</div>
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It hit me last week. The real culture shock. It's that moment when your elasticity is tired. Your emotions and mind have the following conversation:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmleShSJxDkFI_LoHfulez5QGkxMGDs2-Z7ZVSmYJkDE-85fJkOM_miV65f5oiSKL_9iP2j5qC3UjJpx1h-Vuyei5I54EQppAlJJ7zlrDTXm6_3AY6_IgANPDLZEHQltG9l9w-If-iUX0/s1600/IMAGES-2013-10-cultureshock-1.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmleShSJxDkFI_LoHfulez5QGkxMGDs2-Z7ZVSmYJkDE-85fJkOM_miV65f5oiSKL_9iP2j5qC3UjJpx1h-Vuyei5I54EQppAlJJ7zlrDTXm6_3AY6_IgANPDLZEHQltG9l9w-If-iUX0/s1600/IMAGES-2013-10-cultureshock-1.png.png" height="171" width="400" /></a><b>Emotions</b>: Wow, this has been fun.</div>
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<b>Mind</b>: Yep.</div>
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<b>Emotions</b>: I think I'm ready to go now.</div>
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<b>Mind</b>: Really?</div>
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<b>Emotions</b>: Yeah, I would kinda like to go home (culture A), I miss the house, our friends, my office. I miss monday morning staff meetings, my cublicle, my leather desk chair. I'm ready to be able to go, to understand, to communicate, to be near family, to go to our home church, to celebrate holiday's, to cuddle our dog, eat a Chick-Fil-A sandwich, see a movie without subtitles, yada yada yada.</div>
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<b>Mind</b>: Sounds great.</div>
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<b>Emotions</b>: Yeah, don't get me wrong, it's been great, but I'm ready to go.</div>
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<b>Mind</b>: Too bad, you live here now.</div>
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And that's the shock.</div>
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Please don't misunderstand me. It's not a commentary on this country we live in, our calling, or even culture B. It has nothing to do with the fact that we love Hungary, and even if we weren't here as missionaries, I'd strongly consider just living and working here. But there simply the point where your body flips a switch and says, "I'm ready to go home now." Except this is your home. You're not on vacation. You're not going anywhere.</div>
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So what's the cure. Well....it's the same cure as it was for dirty socks under the bed, and the burnt dinner last night. Simply, it's commitment. It's time. It's pushing through to the other side, when it's not simply Culture A vs. Culture B, but rather Culture AB. When assimilation occurs and you find that while you love your friends, family, tastes of home, etc, you find close friends as we have, favorite foods as we have, and even those who feel like family. While you'll never be fully Culture B, assimilation to a certain extent is a must. Otherwise you will always live in culture shock, a nomadic emotional waste-land where you constantly pine for what you can't have. That's no way to live at all, and will simply burn out.</div>
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So we chose to push on through to the other side. Why? Because we're committed, we believe in what we're doing, and we will see it through. Our family will become Culture AB, loving home, but making a home in Hungary.</div>
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The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-61158427988342240592014-04-28T15:44:00.003-04:002014-04-28T15:44:40.813-04:00Settling Into HomeWhen traveling internationally with three children and 14 bags, I kept telling myself that once I made it to my seat on the Boeing 777 aircraft, it would all be downhill from there. My former boss, current friend, mentor, and all around good guy, Tommy, had dropped our troop off at the curb and I was pretty pumped when the Delta lady suggested we just check in curbside for a small tip. <div>
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I thought things were going well until she mentioned that the extra baggage fees were quite a bit more than we had thought. $800 lighter, and a little annoyed, we made our way to security, said our sad goodbyes, and settled into our gate area waiting for our flight to board. A quick sandwich, a tearful protest from Noémi, who refused to get off the moving walkway, and we finally were relieved to hear that boarding was commencing. I was closing in on that seat.</div>
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About 8 hours later we were hurdling 500 miles an hour in the aluminum aircraft at about 38,000 feet, and I felt pretty good. Noémi had been crying with Corinne for about an hour, and I finally offered her a bit of respite and took our two year old to sit with me in the row ahead. You can imagine how please with myself I was when she quickly fell asleep and I'm confident that Corinne probably sighed something about me being the child whisperer, or something like that. I was smug in my fatherly prowess.</div>
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Then Noémi vomited all over me.</div>
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So I found myself standing in the tiny airplane bathroom washing my clothing in the sink before putting the wet jeans and dress shirt back on, realizing the extent of this grand adventure. These are the moments that we as missionaries look back on and laugh...or at least I think I will.</div>
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Now we have been here a few weeks, settled into our flat, even done a little car shopping. Finding something clean that seats 5 comfortably on our budget has been a battle, but I'm confident it exists. The physical things don't scare me, those things will be worked out in time. Those are the easy things. We know what to expect, we've dealt with the culture shock, we know our way around....this isn't our first rodeo.</div>
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It's the emotional parts of setting up a new life in a foreign place that wear me out. It's little things like Noémi asking if we can go to Papaw Pious' (Mathias) house. It's Grant repeatedly telling us how much he misses his friends, and how badly he wants to go to school. We have been looking at homeschooling him to save money, I don't really have the heart to drop that on him yet. Carter looked at me our second day here and said, "Dad, I didn't want to come here, I wanted to stay in Indiana and keep Milo and see our family." (We gave away our Milo the Boston Terrier before moving here.)</div>
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When I hear these little things it hurts. After Carter's comment I literally went into my bathroom and teared up. I know those feelings all too well. I remember saying goodbye. Goodbye to friends, goodbye to family, goodbye to pets who snuggled us all night in our beds. I know that hurt, and a part of me hates that they now know it too. Even while writing this I feel that familiar pang.</div>
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Missionaries aren't "normal". Most careers don't completely uproot your family to this extent, but we remain convinced that this is God's direction for us, and I know He loves our children more than we possibly could. Looking back now, I don't regret growing up an MK for a minute. Someday I trust that they will feel the same.</div>
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After two weeks I feel blessed. We are surrounded by many Hungarians who care about us. Catching up with friends from our first term has been cathartic and I know that in time these tough feelings will fade, as in time, this will be home again. </div>
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Yesterday as we got out of the van in front of our building, Noémi looked up at our flat and said, "Home! Dis our home." It was one of those moments I felt like God's was saying, "It's going to be alright." </div>
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So now the kids are asleep in their beds, Corinne is in the living room and I'm in the office writing this long overdue blog update. The warm glow of the desk lamp illuminates the room. Yes sweetie, this is our home.</div>
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In the coming years we hope to write our life and all that God does through us here. We invite you dear reader to join us as we follow God on this grand adventure.</div>
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The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-29829407161524090132014-03-24T14:58:00.003-04:002014-03-24T14:58:37.113-04:00Ready for TakeoffThe first international move that I can remember was coming home from Colombia. In those days everything was packed into steel barrels and sealed for transport. Come to think of it, I recall that those steel barrels never made it to Kentucky and we kinda had to start over, but I still remember packing them.<div>
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Everything changed with a simple flight. The culture changed, the language changed, our house, bed, toys, changed. Mom and Dad's job's and schedule's changed. It was quite a lot to take in. Everything was new and different.</div>
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Perhaps this is the reason why, as an adult, I still thrive on change. Variety is the spice of life they say, so I guess being a missionary seems a natural fit. As we prepare for our jump to Hungary, I thought I would take this blog post and catch you up on where things stand. I realize that our last post was 2 months ago, so I will try and catch you up with the latest in the form of 3 quick updates.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC5LiW5NaBQ5trqAF2LiGz0EZV-JmH-tLQk-8mPJW3P_h2II5LqpqL-RVibKyDqYT0FDQdWoq9IReicjC1lbcIpSWB95yMoK2PQIi6VSwAOe4o-ovQwq2jeZVKRgke5oIu-GyUvwCro8/s1600/1441402_607206809367797_317091506_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC5LiW5NaBQ5trqAF2LiGz0EZV-JmH-tLQk-8mPJW3P_h2II5LqpqL-RVibKyDqYT0FDQdWoq9IReicjC1lbcIpSWB95yMoK2PQIi6VSwAOe4o-ovQwq2jeZVKRgke5oIu-GyUvwCro8/s1600/1441402_607206809367797_317091506_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a>1. We have leased a flat and we are returning to Hungary on April 10th. </div>
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It's kinda funny that in our entire time in Hungary, we have only looked at three flats, and leased two of them. In our first term, we leased the first place we looked at, as we felt instantly after walking through the doors, that this was where God wanted us. </div>
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During our last trip to Hungary, the first place we looked at was clearly not the right fit for our family, but after looking at just the second place on our list, Corinne and I again knew that we had found 'home'. A place for ministry, space for guests, and a yard for the kids. Amazingly, it's about two blocks from where OMS first started in Hungary. The above picture is our building and we have the top floor and attic space. The value we got was astounding and we are truly praising God for it.</div>
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2. OMS has asked me to assume responsibilities as Field Director when we return. </div>
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God has placed a vision in my heart for church planting and training of local leaders and pastors. I believe that we can plant churches and equip existing churches to better reach their communities. We have connections with several churches including some of the major denominations in Hungary that have asked for help. We have a building that we purchased to be renovated into a training center. God is preparing a good work for us to do.</div>
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3. We're almost funded.</div>
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As missionaries, fund raising is a constant, but there is a point where you have to go. We have felt that we needed to be in Hungary by April, and we are going to meet that goal. We're only slightly short in faith promise pledges, but we're confident that God is going to provide for our needs.</div>
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In the coming months, I believe that we will fill this blog with stories of God's faithfulness and power in Hungary. As we prepare to 'take-off' please be praying for our ministry. Pray that God would empower us to share the gospel effectively. That he would work in advance to create divine appointments for us. Ask him to provide all we need to stay and minister effectively.</div>
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Thank you for being a part of the team. </div>
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God Bless,</div>
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Jonathan</div>
The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-26561515070030566062014-01-04T22:43:00.001-05:002014-01-04T22:43:21.047-05:00These are the categories of our lives…New Year’s often comes the saying “out with the old, in with
the new.” In years past, the New Year has prompted us to clean out the closets
and throw or give away the old toys and clothes to make room for the many new
items we received under the Christmas tree just a week prior. This year has
been no exception - but this year it is also for a different purpose.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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As our family prepares to return to Hungary, we are faced
with the task of determining what items and possessions will make the trek
across the world to our new home. The first time we went to Hungary, this task
was a longer process for us as we moved in with family and travelled many
months fundraising before we moved. This go around, we have been living in an
OMS rental home for the last 18 months and a church parish for 6 months prior
to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks to family and friends (and craigslist) we have pieced
together a comfortable living space with furniture and all the necessities…plus
a few wanted items to personalize our space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But now, with the target of an April move, we are once again facing the
five S’s of moving overseas:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Sorting, Storing, Selling, Saving, & Shipping</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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We sort through every possession and must decide – <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Do we store it?</i> - Do we keep this? Does this have use later
(perhaps during a furlough)? Is this too expensive to replace should we find
ourselves in the US again? Will it fit in our storage crate?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Do we sell it?</i> – Does someone want this? Would someone buy
this? Can we sell a few things to help our house fund for Hungary?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Do we save it?</i> – Does this hold a memory? Do we want to save
this? Do we need to keep this for our children? Will we wish we kept this
someday?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Do we ship it?</i> - Do we need this? Do we take this to
Hungary? Does it take part of a valuable corner of luggage space? Can we buy
this when we get there?<o:p></o:p></div>
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You might think this process would get easier over time –
and in some ways it has. Our value system has shifted a bit and our once
sentimental sides have become slightly less attached to every knick-knack once
lying around the house. We have come to recognize that “things” really are just
“things” and can fairly easily be replaced. It also becomes harder in some ways
as we realize the family photo albums will go back into a box and the beloved
children’s drawings that line the refrigerator door will not be carried on to
our new home. It’s freeing and overwhelming and stressful and releasing all
wrapped into a few monumental weeks of packing chaos. This time around our kids
are older and understand more that they too must choose to leave behind some of
their favorite things. That all of their toys won’t make the cut and the soccer
trophies will go into a memory box for future enjoyment. It is a time of sacrifice
that the missionary family must face with each and every move. And it reminds
us, that this earth really isn’t our home. That the things we store up here are
only temporary and will not last for eternity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-69057087716075268532013-12-27T23:09:00.001-05:002013-12-27T23:19:55.042-05:00Thoughts on Christmas Past, Present, Future.<div class="MsoNormal">
The first Christmas I can remember took place in Colombia in
1983. I think it was 1983, I can’t remember exactly because this was the year
that my parents, in their infinite wisdom, gave my brother (6 years older, by
the way) a set of boxing gloves, thereby subjecting me to a series of mind-numbing
beatings. Now that I think about it, it’s really a miracle I can remember
anything at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qBE_vK4DDtrWEoiTSO8xGlRz71Cdd8UlIFnC-TFhTByRQYaIMa-RJJ-ZId0YuWZ0svf_FWT-JaDmBJm4rEB6TB9PLb-IvFrJevrwmPsvnHAhvAc44EN1cdpA-qNG48Td_IXip75LjSw/s1600/EK_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qBE_vK4DDtrWEoiTSO8xGlRz71Cdd8UlIFnC-TFhTByRQYaIMa-RJJ-ZId0YuWZ0svf_FWT-JaDmBJm4rEB6TB9PLb-IvFrJevrwmPsvnHAhvAc44EN1cdpA-qNG48Td_IXip75LjSw/s320/EK_0072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 1987 I recall that the vast majority of my gifts were
apparently purchased at a travel plaza. Eighty percent of my presents had a
shell gasoline logo on them. Didn’t matter to me though, that truck and trailer
combo were pretty cool. That was also the same year we got a VCR, which
basically allowed me to tape my favorite show, Air Wolf. Until that time I had
never seen an episode all the way through since the show ran from 7-8 and
bedtime was 7:30. This wasn’t the first year that I was to receive branded swag.<br />
<br />
In
1991, I received a slick duffle bag and a football shaped telephone. The duffle
bag was green with the Quaker State Oil logo on the side. Apparently my father
received said bag for purchasing two cases of motor oil. The football phone, in
case you forgot, came with a Sports Illustrated subscription, which I suspect
was my brothers gift that year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you look on my bookshelf you’ll find a book that is
perhaps my second most treasured book behind my Bible. On the inside of the
hardcover the following is written:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBDe0M2VijCUdGvDjLNAEt8I3Rqk46H2SUzVJ4ur6OYLTbx9nk7RTyX0GHNbhS2WTAbXY3eCEc3A0KQn2-J7-aqVPbbwIRh0KuEOt0oaWrCNOl3xiBKlldTrX4ZKHmB0VEWvJr80DJ8Q/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBDe0M2VijCUdGvDjLNAEt8I3Rqk46H2SUzVJ4ur6OYLTbx9nk7RTyX0GHNbhS2WTAbXY3eCEc3A0KQn2-J7-aqVPbbwIRh0KuEOt0oaWrCNOl3xiBKlldTrX4ZKHmB0VEWvJr80DJ8Q/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book was entitled “Eclipse of the Crescent Moon” by Geza
Gardonyi. It was our Christmas in Hungary and my parents had purchased me a
copy of the famous Hungarian novel based on real characters and events in
Hungarian history. This book spawned my love affair with Hungarian history and
laid the groundwork for the passion that God inspired in me for Hungary. As far
as Christmas gifts go, it’s probably had the most profound effect on me of
anything I’ve received. Not bad for $15.99.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I give my parents a little teasing about growing up without
traditions and constant change. Our presents weren’t the most expensive name
brand item, and some were ‘complimentary’, but we never doubted the love that
was behind them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year I sat in my in-laws living room thinking about the
fact that my children are now the MK’s. They’re living the life that I lived. I
hope that they can avoid some of the struggles that I had. Perhaps the fact that
I was an MK gives me a little more in common with my kids than most parents. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was a lucky kid growing up as an MK. I saw and experienced
life in a way that many never will. I never bought into that, ‘poor me’ garbage because we traveled around or didn't have a standard American
Christmas. Christmas isn't American anyway. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think my kids are pretty lucky too. Not because they have
the greatest dad or anything, I don’t own a mug making such a claim. But my
kids know that regardless of the place, the traditions, the change, or the
gifts, that have a mom and dad who love the Lord and are serving him, and we love
them more than anything else. As a father it’s my goal that they experience the
best of being an MK, and I’ll do my best to limit the rough spots.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So next year, we celebrate Christmas back in Hungary. Christmas
2014 will find our family sitting around the tree, more than likely plastic,
forging our own traditions in a land far from ‘home’. We’ll have hot cider,
sing a few songs, and then presents. I don’t know yet what those will be. I
haven’t seen a football phone in years. Now that I think about it, maybe Carter
would like a copy of “Eclipse of the Crescent Moon”, or perhaps I’ll just let
him read mine.</div>
The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-23748230036435350682013-11-13T11:47:00.002-05:002013-11-13T11:56:06.306-05:00The Sound of Silence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd397OCTj4b2ATo6gaNChxE8KObZWZWhAO6viPJPhwurV6Nm5hTLZ_xwbE0r3GWBCwz21fbnnXxZ77mrrTbz8RX8dqrvKfjAdcFR6JWtfAfGzYGap9SXX2qgYjU1eFWmfu0s7O7r8xYCk/s1600/clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd397OCTj4b2ATo6gaNChxE8KObZWZWhAO6viPJPhwurV6Nm5hTLZ_xwbE0r3GWBCwz21fbnnXxZ77mrrTbz8RX8dqrvKfjAdcFR6JWtfAfGzYGap9SXX2qgYjU1eFWmfu0s7O7r8xYCk/s320/clock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you
ever just listened? I mean really listened? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m not
talking about how we listen to the TV or the radio, or how we men exercise
great listening skills when our wives need to share about something important
(you do that right?). I’m talking about shutting it all off, turning your phone
off, turning the TV off, no computer, nobody speaking, no distractions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday in
chapel, our speaker decided that we should take 5 minutes in this kind of
environment. What’s 5 minutes right….well, when you’re just sitting in a chair
with your eyes closed, not moving, not fidgeting, just simply being silent….it
seems a little longer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are my
observations from our silent time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Wow, five
minutes is a long time.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Is that the
air conditioning or a water pipe, sounds like water running through a pipe.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The
dishwasher in the staff kitchen is running.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“How loud is
that clock?! Seriously, how on earth do we have chapel in here with a minute
hand CLICK, CLICK, CLICK’n away like that?!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“Wow, do I
normally breathe that loud? Everybody must be hearing me breathe.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After five
minutes of silence, a thought struck me. Why is it that I have never heard any
of these things before, despite spending countless hours in this room?
Seriously, I have been here before for hundreds of events and I have never once
heard the clock, the dishwasher, or the water pipe. I didn’t realize I breathe
so loudly, or that the person sitting in front of me did as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I realized
that there is a whole world of sounds that I never hear, because I’m not
listening for them. I’m simply too noisy to hear them, and all these sounds go
unheard. My ears are turned off to the clock on the wall, the dishwasher,
etc….in the same way that when I go to visit family in KY, I no longer hear the
train roaring by despite the fact that it does so regularly and just down the
road. I’ve tuned it out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then a
thought occurred to me. Have I tuned out God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">’m serious,
I confess to complaining that I haven’t heard His voice lately. At times I
really need to know what to do and He’s silent, and I have expressed my
frustration to others. “IF God would just speak, I’d go in that direction, but
He’s not saying anything!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps God
is saying something, but I’m not listening. There among the clock on the wall,
the dishwasher and that water pipe is a still, small voice, and I am simply
being too loud.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s not New
Years, but I’ve made a new resolution and today I found myself in our small
chapel upstairs. Why? Just to listen. And sure enough my old friends came back
to me. There was a familiar clock on the wall, the water pipe humming, and the
sound of the dishwasher was replaced with the muted conversations of those on
the other side of the wall. And there was the still, small voice, a quiet
whisper. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“Do not be
afraid.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-6323977072298443202013-11-07T16:28:00.001-05:002013-11-07T16:28:57.294-05:00Frequent Flyer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ7q16TziQsaHCUJk81RlnIWtJRkel4tgbzb-ZPlookYVk8tknTco-ZEQM5TZByfX4rY0wktTqmycEtX7athiuLPxoBen2Aw2X9zXs9qC_b3LG7-LA_XHbGgjCN2wZjTtWTGyDz_FJM8/s1600/hand-luggage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ7q16TziQsaHCUJk81RlnIWtJRkel4tgbzb-ZPlookYVk8tknTco-ZEQM5TZByfX4rY0wktTqmycEtX7athiuLPxoBen2Aw2X9zXs9qC_b3LG7-LA_XHbGgjCN2wZjTtWTGyDz_FJM8/s320/hand-luggage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sir can you help us?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I looked up from my boarding pass to identify the person who
made the request. I had just stepped aboard my airline flight and was checking
my seat assignment one more time before making my way down the aisle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Excuse me,” I replied. “Are you talking to me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes sir,” a flight attendant said and moved slightly to
reveal a woman standing behind her in the entrance of the aircraft. The woman was
in her mid-60’s with shoulder length gray hair and a thin face that revealed
concern and bewilderment. Her hand tightly gripped the handle of her carry-on
suitcase.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you fly a lot sir,” the flight attendant inquired. I
replied that I did. “Would you be willing to help this lady to get situated?”
“I’d be happy to,” I quickly answered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I turned and headed down the aisle with my new companion
in tow, my first thought was, “Don’t they employ flight attendants to do this?”
I asked for her seat number and discovered she was sitting behind me. We made
our way down the aisle to her row. I helped stow her bag and get situated in
her seat. It was then that our conversation began.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the next ten minutes or so as we waited for our fellow
passengers to board, I learned that despite being in her 60’s this was her
first time ever on an airplane. She told me that she knew it was safe, but she
had always been afraid of flying and even confessed she had been crying at the
gate before boarding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After entering the
plane she began to panic a little, and since there wasn’t another flight
attendant around, the woman who had greeted her offered to find someone to
help her….me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What stuck with me from our conversation was a statement she
made after sharing about her children and grandchildren in Atlanta. She said,
“I guess I just have to want to see my grandkids more than I want to get off
this airplane.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few days later I was recalling our conversation and
realized how there are parallels between this woman’s fear of flying and our
life in missions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preparing to move overseas presents a thousand questions in
our minds. Not questions like, “Does God want us to go?” But seemingly more
trivial ones like, “Where will we live?”, “who will our children play with?” or
“Can we raise the all the financial support that we need?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, we are trusting God for
our future, but we still do sometimes feel the stress of worry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So much of our lives during these transitions seem up in the
air. And as scary as it is, I think about the statement the lady shared with me
and how it applies it to our own lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>“We just want to see churches planted and growing more </i><br />
<i>than
being ‘home for the holidays.’”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>“We just want to see lives transformed more than my kids growing </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>up in America and playing American football.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>“We just want to share hope with young people more than we
want </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>the </i><i>security of a paycheck and 401k”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>“We just have to want God’s will, more than our own.”</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So with that in mind we grip our bags tightly, we take a
step onto the metaphorical plane, and we choose to want Him more than we want
the trappings this life has to offer.<o:p></o:p></div>
The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-13554844098176037662013-10-07T13:24:00.001-04:002013-10-07T13:24:09.652-04:00Hello...hello...is anybody out there?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NgRLgzeZz4GYgBAY_LzXnQy2-QLvuSTI8ABTvWS8PyNu0vBwGgCGd3jhHqda2Qcf3187T50Id1nUY-nPCrmGMwKROQIMn_GWWDU0c8ztQbIMnR7Wce-UssW2So_z2vkRYcwaeWAiqP4/s1600/phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NgRLgzeZz4GYgBAY_LzXnQy2-QLvuSTI8ABTvWS8PyNu0vBwGgCGd3jhHqda2Qcf3187T50Id1nUY-nPCrmGMwKROQIMn_GWWDU0c8ztQbIMnR7Wce-UssW2So_z2vkRYcwaeWAiqP4/s1600/phone.jpg" /></a></div>
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The last few weeks (months really), Jonathan and I have been
discussing the state of our blog. We realize (quite shamefully) that we have
not posted a blog for literally almost a year. The truth is that blogging isn’t
just a fun way to share our lives, but that it really can be a chore. It
requires discipline to post regularly. It requires effort to market and tell
everyone how he or she should be reading our blog (and subsequently supporting
our ministry). It requires (in my case, at least) inspiration and motivation to
jot down my random thoughts into a cohesive article. And it requires that we
actually have something important to say (well, maybe that’s not required for
all the blogging world, but for us…we prefer it be the case).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And truthfully, the last year has been kind of a holding
pattern for us. Oh, we’ve been busy. We’ve been working. And we’ve been making
a difference for the kingdom (that’s our prayer, anyway)…but we really haven’t
been doing the very thing that we <i>want</i>
to do, or maybe even feel <i>called </i>to
do. That fact coupled with all the aforementioned responsibilities means that
we have failed to keep you informed. We have felt lackluster in our desire to
write and share and post what’s going on, because frankly, our day-to-day life
just isn’t that exciting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Jonathan has been busy completing the learning platform for
the Leadership Initiative project. OMS University (or OMSU) is starting to come
together as he finalizes the production of training modules for use around the
world by OMS missionaries and partners. I (Corinne) have been working
faithfully with ECC (Every Community for Christ) providing financial
administration and budget oversight. In
addition to my work responsibilities, I homeschool Carter (who is in the 2<sup>nd</sup>
grade) and care for Noemi (who just turned 19 months) and Grant. Grant has been
working through his therapists to develop those areas identified as delayed
skills and progressing in the areas where we have seen deficits. He attends
preschool three days a week to work on those things. The kids are all growing,
learning and flourishing (as you would expect).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But all those things are not why you have come here. It’s
(probably) not why you began supporting our ministry or following our blog.
Many of you, if not all of you, jumped on this train back when we first started
telling you about a place called Hungary. A little country in central Europe
that called out to us and captured our hearts. God saw fit to draw us there and
He somehow drew you to us and to our ministry. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><b>And we can finally say with some
relief that He is drawing us back.</b></i></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></span>We don’t have all the details worked out,
but God is slowly opening the door for us to return to our first love. We have a
lot to do and some money to raise, but in early 2014 we will go again to reach Hungarians
for Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You may have gotten bored with us, or with our blog. You may
not really know what we’ve been doing or why we’ve been doing it. <i>But we thank you.</i> For your support. For your
prayers. For your steadfast patience. Because we’re not done yet. And we hope
you’re still out there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-35990691249399919132012-11-26T13:55:00.003-05:002012-11-26T13:57:01.602-05:00Baby Steps on the Plane<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXgwpD8VC0it__VTC5dngfm1epAihN6FaZeXybYpQPOVvpqJ3WnLUZXK-L9mgMusTltPE7C5fUUPmBzcpDXYect-JZcuHmPfzm3oPAVcL6_Z80OWEl48oYoQRDjEaC-oW2Ry2qHgkmL8/s1600/hungary.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXgwpD8VC0it__VTC5dngfm1epAihN6FaZeXybYpQPOVvpqJ3WnLUZXK-L9mgMusTltPE7C5fUUPmBzcpDXYect-JZcuHmPfzm3oPAVcL6_Z80OWEl48oYoQRDjEaC-oW2Ry2qHgkmL8/s320/hungary.gif" width="320" /></a>I'm assuming that the people who read this blog most likely also receive our newsletter. For those of you who haven't seen it yet, this last issue of the Long Lifeline announced plans to eventually return to Hungary and continue ministry.<br />
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The last two years have been rough ones for us, but at the end of the day one truth remains; the passion, the same passion that I came out of the shower with 8 years ago is still there. In all honesty there are a lot of questions that have to be answered, plans that have to be ironed out, doors that have to be opened, but at the end of the day the objective remains the same. We plan on returning to Hungary.<br />
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The how's and when's still have to be precisely worked out for two reasons:<br />
1. Grant hasn't yet reached all of his milestones for therapy. He is doing very well and the therapists seem <br />
please with his progress, but he still has to finish strong.<br />
2. I promised OMS that I would see this project in leadership development through to the end, and I need<br />
to honor that commitment. So I continue putting together the program.<br />
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The other side of returning is funding. Honestly we did lost a substantial amount of support when we returned from Hungary. Most of it was policy related and not personally, we understand that, but most people don't just save your place in line when it comes to support. There are other great missionaries with great opportunities, so our support has already been re-pledged to others.<br />
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All of the financial pieces really bring into focus the idea of tent-making. In some ways this would be ideal, working to supplant part of our support. But at the same time, there are drawbacks there as well. Knowing which route to take is really one of trusting God and allowing him to open the right door. Regardless, we don't doubt the destination. The time frame and support, our son's needs, all of these things while they remain a little hazy will be worked out in the right time. We're hoping around a year, but that timing is unknown completely for now.<br />
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Thank you dear reader, for being a part of this journey, you are more important than you know.<br />
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God Bless,<br />
Jonathan<br />
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<br />The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-47127836330310521592012-10-24T11:33:00.002-04:002012-10-24T11:33:55.864-04:00Happenings...As missionaries one of the biggest challenges for us personally has been in leaving behind the life of perceived financial security and stepping out in faith for our support. It really has been a blessing though as God has taught us much about trusting and relying on Him. Our faith has been expanded by all the little miracles and ways that God has provided.<div>
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There are many different ways in which missionaries raise their support and it's great that we have many tools in the toolbox for sharing God's direction in our lives and the important visions that he's laid on our hearts. I think though that the greatest lesson I've learned through deputation has been that deputation IS ministry. Traveling with 3 kids can wear you out, logging so many miles on our van can really kill your resale value, but I can't tell you how many times we've been blessed and encouraged through the opportunities we've had to share at churches.</div>
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We've been traveling a lot lately and in the last 2 1/2 months I've spent 30 days in the Pennsylvania and New York region casting visions and asking the Lord to raise up our support. But during this time we've met amazing people that have been blessed as we have by sharing with them. We've shared with youth and young adults about missions and have heard back reports of kids still talking about our time with them. I had the opportunity to laugh, share, and even cry with people in PA. I was able to cast a vision for missions in NY. While we are raising support to continue our ministry at home and abroad, we appreciate how God uses this time of deputation to minister not only to us, but those whom we speak to. </div>
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Fund raising IS ministry.</div>
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This next year we have to raise more support and will continue to travel and share to groups from one to a thousand about the tremendous ways God is leading us. Please pray for us as we travel that we would be safe and that He would speak through us. If God may be calling you to support our ministry through faith promise, please drop us an email at long4hungary@aol.com.</div>
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Onward and Upward,</div>
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The Longs</div>
The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-61686014110192843212012-09-10T15:33:00.003-04:002012-09-10T15:33:49.808-04:00Leadership in the Face of Fear<b><i>"Watch me," he told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon." Judges 7:17,18</i></b><br />
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I remember the first fight that I ever got into. I was in fifth grade and can only say that it did not go my way. First off, her name was Nicole. I know, I know, I got beat up by a girl, but the first thing you must know is that she was like 6', 220 in fifth grade, and secondly, I never fought back. Dad has always warned me about what would happen to me if I hit a girl, so I just stood there in the corner of the playground at Sandstone Elementary in Billings, MT and took my pummeling for the penalty of losing her mechanical pencil she loaned me. The fight ended when I finally blurted out that I would buy her a new one. Weeks later I found out she actually liked me....women have a funny way of expressing interest sometimes.<br />
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I had been afraid. She had warned me earlier in the day that she would be waiting for me. I thought about telling a teacher, but embarrassment kept me from saying anything. I certainly wasn't going to tell my other guy friends. So I made my way out the back doors that I usually left, hoping that somehow she wouldn't be there, scared to death, feeling impending doom. She was there.<br />
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Have you ever felt like that? Maybe it wasn't a freakishly large girl, but rather a task that you had to or a speech you had to give. What it was, it's gnawing at your gut, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, under prepared, facing certain doom.<br />
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Early this week I was re-reading some portions in Judges that I've been thinking about in regards to the difference leadership makes in others. As I read through the account of Gideon, I tried to identify, not so much with Gideon, but the other 300 men he was leading. The account reminds me of another character leading 300 men, Leonidas, though this account ends differently.<br />
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Imagine that you're part of a 32,000 man army, getting ready to do battle with the Midianites. This wasn't clean 'war-movie' battle either, this would be a stab or be stabbed battle, with spears flying and blood everywhere. Where people get mixed up and the next fatal blow could come unforeseen from behind. Oh yeah, you're facing an army of 135,000 in front of you. You're outnumbered 4 - 1.<br />
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Then, just when you thought that was bad, Gideon says that anyone who is afraid can leave, and 22,000 of your fellow soldiers go home. Did you hear him right? He's going to let 22,000 men leave his already badly outnumbered army. You're outnumbered 13.5 - 1.<br />
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Then Gideon takes you all down to the water for a drink, and you and 299 other guys drink the water lifting it to your mouths. You're not animals you know. Suddenly everyone else is sent home, and it's you and those same 299 guys that Gideon is going into battle with. You're outnumbered 450 - 1.<br />
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Those kinds of odds are enough to send the bravest men running for the hills. But that's not what happens. What happens is God delivers the Midianites into the hands of Gideon, and an army of 300 defeats an army of 135,000 and sends them running for the hills mingled with the cries of "for the Lord and for Gideon."<br />
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Gideon wasn't perfect. He himself struggled with inadequacy, struggled with confidence to make such a maneuver. But once God put his head straight, he never looked back. Apparently neither did the 300 men following him. Clearly the Lord taught a lesson to the Israelites about where true might comes from, but He clearly also worked through Gideon, and his men who had confidence in him. God raises up earthly leaders to accomplish his goals and lead his men.<br />
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Are you the kind of leader that inspires your men and women to trust God no matter the odds? Do they trust you? Do the trust the vision God has given you? Like Gideon's army some will be too afraid, some will not be suited or prepared, but if God has given you a vision, He will accomplish it for you and through you, no matter the odds.<br />
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<br />The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-40751906554288599122012-09-05T08:56:00.002-04:002012-09-05T08:56:47.225-04:00Millennial's Defined<i>Apologies for the delay. Over the last two months we've been traveling and working through some changes with setting up house in Greenwood. The blog fell to the back of the list. Not an excuse, just an explanation.</i><div>
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Dates vary, but if you were born after 1978 you are considered to be a millennial. If you were born before this time, than chances are you work with, or perhaps manage millennial employees. To the baby-boomer generation millennial employees seem to be high-maintenance, needy employees, while to the millennial, the baby-boomer seems to be stuck in their ways, and frankly, 'old fashioned'.</div>
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Regardless of what the generations think of each other, the reality is that a generational hand-off is coming. The world is facing the largest retirement boom in the next ten years, and that little 'brat' down in sales will probably be running a company some day, but will it be your company? Only if you can face a few truths.</div>
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1. The era of going to work for GM for 30 years is over. Today, Millennial age workers are more mobile than ever in the history of the world, and that mobility includes their employment. Once you hire someone, it's not a slam dunk. The recruitment process continues to keep that employee with your company. It's cheaper to keep a happy employee, than continually hire new ones to replace the ones you are not satisfying.</div>
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2. Filling your leadership pipeline is not purely an issue of experience. Experience and wisdom are clearly linked, but people often equate experience with solid leadership, and experience has proven many times to be a poor indicator of leadership. If you're going to have a leadership pipeline that will meet your needs, it won't come from simply keeping employees, but INTENTIONALLY developing them for those roles in the future. Oh, and guess what, intentional development is one of those things that will help you keep your employees, because millennial workers don't just want it, they demand it, and they will find another company or organization to get it.</div>
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Here's the deal. Religious workers aren't any different. I heard recently a statistic that 80 percent of pastoral trained workers will not be working in their field of training in five years. On the missions side of things, I can sit here and easily outnumber my fingers with the number of 30 somethings that I know who have left mission agencies for one reason or another and have either left altogether, or gone to a different agency.</div>
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The reality is that mission agencies have to do a good job of managing and leading our people. God may call people to missions, but it's less often that we hear that He's called them to an organization, and there are more organizations out there than ever. If a millennial feels that their impact is muted with one organization, or that they aren't progressing forward, they can, and will leave.</div>
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<br />So here are three suggestions for leading millennials in missions or business.</div>
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1. Communicate - They are the Facebook generation. A recent poll of 1000 millennials found that 60% expected to hear from their boss once a day. A top reason that 90% did not expect to be with their organization in 10 years was because of a 'lack of communication.'</div>
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2. Win their favor, but don't cross the line from advocate to friend. - Millennials will have many friends, but only one boss. The chief reasons millennials will stay at a company is also the chief reason they leave.....the boss. People most often stay for somebody, or leave because of somebody. This also goes back to communication because millennials expect their boss to be close and in the know, but their boss, not their buddy.</div>
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3. Millennials need several things to work on. - Believe it or not it's estimated the millennials are 10X better multi-taskers than the previous generation. Forcing a millennial to work in the same manner as you do will drive them nuts. They are impatient, but quick learners. They will take orders well, but don't care for mindless busy work. They are team oriented and don't see themselves as independent agents.</div>
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These are some practical tips for that are pretty well documented all over the internet and generally agreed upon. As a mission agency, we are working to be better at leading and developing our younger employees, because they will be OMS in the future.</div>
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Hopefully we will have some things to announce in the near future. I will be taking this blog from a 'leadership' orientation, back towards a ministry orientation and would like to transition is as a tool for regular updates on what we're up to beyond just the Emerging Leadership Initiative. More to come!!</div>
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Jonathan</div>
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The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-26554385730679625412012-06-19T14:14:00.005-04:002012-06-19T14:22:12.431-04:00The Emerging Leader'Emerging Leadership' is a new buzz topic these days. When I first began working on developing the Emerging Leadership Program for OMS, I had barely scratched the surface on what's been written on the topic. I've since found that emerging leadership is becoming a hot topic at many of today's companies. I recently talked with a representative who worked for a subsidiary of one of the worlds largest pharmaceutical companies that expressed that they were grappling with the topic in his office just that same week.<br />
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As cultures change, companies and even non-profit organizations are forced to adjust their human resource and sometimes even corporate strategies to deal with the differences in cultures. A large cultural shift took place between the 'Greatest Generation' to mid Gen X, and again between mid-Gen X and the Millennial generations.<br />
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So how do we define an emerging leader today? Let's start with a look around the business or non-profit world for other definitions of emerging leaders, and then I will share with you mine.<br />
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Some organisations define emerging leaders by age. They make the assumption that all of the people working for the organization are leaders, or capable of leading, therefore the defining factor is built on the age of the person. A year ago, during a private conversation with the president of the Banana Republic clothing store company, a colleague of mine asked about the types of employees that he is looking for. <span style="background-color: white;">"First and foremost, I'm looking for leaders." he replied. But is everyone that works at Banana Republic, or any organization a leader? Would that organization be healthy?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Other organizations are suggest that age is not a factor, but that the gift of leadership is 'emerging'. It was suggested during a recent conversation that a 60 year old man could change positions that allowed him to use his leadership skills and therefore would be 'emerging' as a leader.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I have a hard time buying into this line of thinking though because everyone has a need to work within their gifting. It's hard to imagine that a person could go through a career as a genuine leader, and not have had that skill or attribute recognized or revealed itself prior to this experience. Spending ones life as someone gifted in another area, only to find out that you've had the gift of leadership all along, and were unaware of it until its emergence years later seems unlikely to me. Leadership is a quality that generally self-identifies whether the leader is aware of it or not. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I found yet another organization that used the term 'emerging leader' to represent any individual who had donated $1000 and contribute 20 hours of volunteer time. Clearly this is a misuse of the term in my mind, but this non-profit is one of the largest in the United States, so perhaps they know something I don't. How about this, why doesn't everyone who is reading this send me $1000 dollars, and donate 20 hours of your time to OMS and we'll see if the term fits.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The reality I think is that all the answers above are correct in some way. I think that emerging leaders are leaders first, by this I mean that they have the natural gift to lead, motivate and inspire people toward a common goal. Secondly, their leadership gifts are in an 'emerging state', which isn't necessarily bound by age, but I tend to believe that that vast majority of individuals whose leadership gifts are 'emerging' will be identified probably by their mid 30's, some much younger than that.</span><br />
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The point of this is that emerging leaders are men and women who have been gifted with a natural leadership ability that currently is in it's raw or emerging state. These young men and women are in need of development to become tomorrow's leaders, and that begins with an intentional, well thought out plan that consists of a combination of both teaching and refining professional skills, and personal growth development.<br />
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This is what we're developing at OMS.<br />
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In my next blog post I will tackle the agreed upon characteristics of emerging leaders and how they are different from their parents and grand-parents generation of leaders.<br />
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God Bless,<br />
Jonathan<br />
<br />The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-4242479540429621552012-06-19T13:42:00.000-04:002012-06-19T13:42:08.452-04:00Apologies for DelayBack in 2008 I had the joy of experiencing a gallbladder attack. This gut wrenching experience left we with a tremendous soreness, and while the Dr's couldn't say for certain my gallbladder was failing (based on tests), they wanted to yank it out. <div>
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I was reluctant to have my gallbladder pulled with a 'smoking gun', so I elected to live on with the occasional pain until a week ago last Friday when testing confirmed it was indeed diseased and had to come out. I am happy to report that I'm doing fine, and healed enough at least to sit at my desk and be productive.</div>
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Now back to the blog....</div>
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-Jonathan</div>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-62810639704584490062012-06-18T13:33:00.003-04:002012-06-18T13:33:51.574-04:00Family LifeGreetings (from Corinne, this time!)<br />
I wanted to take a moment and to say "THANK YOU" for all the prayers and questions regarding Grant and his therapy. Quickly, I will say that we are seeing huge progress being made in several areas of his life. However, we have lots of challenges still. Because this blog has been designed to keep you updated on our ministry, I have been hesitant to write post after post about our kids or things going on in our family life. SO... I have decided to start a separate blog to contain all of those personal rambles. The Long Lifeline blog page will continue to function as a ministry update (with primary writing by Jonathan) and <a href="http://tolivealonglife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">To Live a Long Life</a> will be a place to keep updated on our family and our kids (primarily written by Corinne). We welcome you to check it out and follow Grant and our journey there.<br />
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God Bless,<br />
Corinne, Mommy/MissionaryThe Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-17085845041086053772012-05-29T11:35:00.000-04:002012-05-29T11:35:03.791-04:00What is LeadershipI had a recent conversation in which the goal was to accurately define leadership. This is a harder task than it may seem at first because leadership is often a subject on which most people have their own definition. This doesn't make them right or wrong, but simply suggests that everyone has experienced leadership, good or bad, and has come away with their own modified definition.<br />
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On this particular afternoon the question of defining what leadership is, turned quickly to defining what leadership isn't. One person shared that leadership is not consensus taking. "It's not putting your finger in the air and seeing what people want to do," they said emphatically,"anyone can take a poll, that's not leadership."</div>
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Most of the group nods their heads.</div>
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Sometimes it's easier to say what something isn't, than to define it. So for about 20 minutes are little motley group shared experiences with leadership, frustrations and victories, but mostly talked about what leadership is not.</div>
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So what is leadership? I will give you my definition. You don't even need a pen to write this down...it's one word.</div>
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Influence.</div>
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Leaders have a natural ability to influence others. This isn't born of position because many people in 'leadership' positions today, across both the non-profit and for-profit worlds, aren't leaders at all. A job title doesn't make you anything. </div>
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I asked someone recently about how you can identify a leader. They responded, "put five people in a room and give them a project. In fifteen minutes you'll know who your leader is." They are the one who in very short order will have people looking to them for direction. It happens naturally and you know what...everyone is happy with it. Leadership is a gift, and it's just one of many. Others who bring different skills to the party look to leaders. When someone has confidence in their leadership, when they know that they are serving their needs and have given them the greatest opportunity for success, they thrive great things happen.</div>
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I can put a gun to someone's head and demand their wallet, but this isn't influence it's coercion. Some people lead this way, using fear and intimidation to achieve their goals. But pure leadership draws in people, it creates something that people flock to, want to be a part of. Real leadership will have real followers. John Maxwell once wrote in his book 'The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership', "He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is taking a walk." Robert Greenleaf, the creator of the Servant Leadership concept has said that the 'only test of leadership is the evidence of followers."<br />
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Leaders have followers, otherwise your not leading. In our society where leaders are often celebrated its tempting for people to try and take on the mantle or convince themselves that they are leading when in fact they aren't exercising anything of the sort. <br />
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Every person brings unique and important skills to the party, and humility should be a hallmark of leadership. Good employees should recognize their own skills, and good leaders should praise and value those skills. It's when everyone is working in their strengths that great things are accomplished. </div>
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<br /></div>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-35173114050999031612012-05-15T15:56:00.003-04:002012-05-15T15:56:59.939-04:00What is emerging leadership?Take a moment and Google 'leadership'. Go ahead, I'll wait. I know right....594,000,000 results. Amazing! Leadership is one of the most talked about, and I thought often misunderstood topics. Thousands of books, millions of seminar hours, blogs (ahem), websites, have been dedicated to the subject of what leadership is, what good leadership looks like, and who leaders are.<div>
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Now imagine adding another dimension. 'Emerging.' What is an emerging leader? It doesn't seem that there is all that much consensus on that either. Some focus on the 'emerging', others on the 'leader'. Others ignore both and come up with crazy definitions that are clearly focused only on using a popular term to market themselves. One large non-profit organization that most everyone in the US knows has defined 'emerging leader' as someone who donates more than $1000 dollars and volunteers 20 hours of their time. If anyone of you would like to become 'Emerging Leaders' in my financial support, I'll be happy to sign you up! Fantastic!</div>
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The next two blog posts will be focused on the subject of Emerging Leadership. First, what is Leadership? Then Secondly, what is an Emerging Leader? I understand that this is just another drop in the leadership ocean and I'm sure that everyone could provide their opinion or take, but I will try and synthesize together my research into one consistent definition. Just understand that like all 594,000,000 other thoughts out there on leadership, that this is my take on it.</div>
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</div>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-54019577447698401472012-05-08T11:13:00.004-04:002012-05-08T11:16:45.818-04:00Introducing ELII would like to introduce you to ELI, or the Emerging Leadership Initiative. OMS has launched this initiative with a recognition that God has blessed us with a generation of new leaders coming through our doors every day. As a 111 year old organization, we know that OMS is bigger than any single generation, and if OMS is to exist in another 111 years it will be because we've successfully managed the transition of the mantle of leadership between generations.<br />
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With every generation comes different opportunities and challenges. Each generation is unique and leadership must find a way to engage each successive generation in a creative and relevant manner while holding fast to the core values that have built the organization. </div>
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With this in mind ELI was designed as an initiative to address the needs of emerging leaders today and help train and equip new leadership to step into vital roles as OMS continues growing. Last year OMS realized over 600,000 decisions for Christ, and almost 6,000 churches planted. Tremendous results but we want more, and to get there we understand we'll need the right people, in the right places, doing the right things.</div>
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Over the next couple years I have been given an opportunity to work with top leadership and create a development plan to help refine our raw and not-so-raw leadership to rise and meet the challenges that OMS will face in the coming years. What an awesome opportunity.</div>
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I will of course be discussing leadership and development, as well as Hungary and foreign ministry regularly on this blog. I would appreciate your prayers and support as we begin this awesome initiative.</div>
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God Bless,</div>
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Jonathan Long</div>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-26743016770690869462012-04-05T18:06:00.000-04:002012-04-05T18:06:57.225-04:00Can you hear me now?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcdiA0YkZFRl3MRVQvrifvle0SeymS-Y5chjFkr1XqDgCuHb6ON3WXygsAhta16TUkZ9p64T_wr8LYaINNEbbd8nJgKscXVTODhujSgPDhyphenhyphenX1sdeFSQsWONmzhWGc604RvtBuas3ujzc/s1600/cell.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcdiA0YkZFRl3MRVQvrifvle0SeymS-Y5chjFkr1XqDgCuHb6ON3WXygsAhta16TUkZ9p64T_wr8LYaINNEbbd8nJgKscXVTODhujSgPDhyphenhyphenX1sdeFSQsWONmzhWGc604RvtBuas3ujzc/s1600/cell.jpeg" /></a></div>I'm sure most of you are familiar with the cellular phone commercials that made this phrase popular. If you have ever owned a cell phone or used a cell phone in a rural area, you may have found yourself using the phrase as you move from spot to spot trying to gain reception. It can be immensely frustrating when you are trying to communicate something important and your call keeps being dropped.<br />
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I have to admit, sometimes I find myself asking God the same question. After days or weeks of unanswered prayers, it is easy to become discouraged and find yourself searching for a better connection. <i>If God could hear me, why hasn't he answered me? </i><br />
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Just a few weeks ago our little Noémi was born and following her birth I began to have very high blood pressure. The doctor assured me that within a few weeks or months, my blood pressure should return to it's normal level, but in the meantime I was placed on medication and told to "rest as much as you can." Well, any mother knows "rest" is virtually impossible with a newborn and two small children at home, but on the couch I lay. I felt pretty exhausted and miserable and when Jonathan had to travel away for a mission conference, I felt horribly discouraged. I was praying each day (many times a day) that God would heal me from the high blood pressure, so I could get back to a more normal activity level and to meet the needs of my family. But day after day, it seemed to creep higher and higher despite an increase in medication.<br />
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Jonathan called me on Saturday evening after the services at the mission conference and told me he had shared with the congregation about my health and they had anointed him in my absence. Hearing this gave me a bit of hope that maybe God would move in some fashion, but Sunday morning I woke up to even higher numbers. Sunday we also asked our small group at church to pray (incidentally, we have been doing a study on prayer in the group) and again I thought "Ok, God. Can you hear me now?" Monday came and went with no change. Tuesday morning was my scheduled check up with the doctor. When I arrived at the office, I was so surprised to hear my blood pressure was completely normal - Praise God!<br />
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It may seem like a small and insignificant answer to prayer to some people, but it was HUGE to me. Beginning that very day, I started to feel more like myself and was able to start returning to my normal routine. God answered everyone's prayers with a miracle in my life. I'm not sure why He chose to answer their prayers on a Tuesday morning at the doctors office instead of the many days before that I had knelt before Him at home, but I know that I was able to share this testimony with those others that prayed for my healing and it has been a great encouragement to everyone.<br />
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In thinking of the cell phone call, it occurred to me that some times I am on the other end of the line...I hear the other person emphatically repeating "Can you hear me now?" Often I am even responding "YES! I can hear you!" I realized that God is on the other end of the line telling me the same thing! <i>I CAN HEAR YOU!! </i> I just have to trust He is there and He is listening.<br />
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<i><b>Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.</b></i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><i><b>1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)</b></i></div><br />
<i>Being heard,</i><br />
<i>Corinne</i>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-40349287752296962882012-03-16T16:43:00.000-04:002012-03-16T16:43:09.988-04:00Our special delivery<div style="text-align: left;">The Long Family is so excited to announce our special delivery has arrived! We welcomed... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Noémi Grace Long</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>3/5/12 @ 7:58pm</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>9 lbs, 1 oz.</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>20 1/4 inches</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The labor and delivery was uncomplicated and quick and Noémi is perfect. Her big brothers are completely in love with their little sister! She seems to be very laid back and doesn't cry or fuss much at all. She even sleeps through the loud squeals and commotion that come with 6 and 3 year old siblings! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Corinne's recovery has been good, but she could use her prayers as she deals with high blood pressure following delivery. It has required her to be much less active than she would prefer and we are praying that the issue resolves quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes from each and every one of you, and look forward to sharing more photos with you in our next newsletter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Proud Parents,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jonathan and Corinne</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-83604522482388363482012-02-20T20:14:00.000-05:002012-02-20T20:14:09.628-05:00Life in the Circus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh713z95Lryja6Aq8PKqYpY_o-9V93HZLGo7I8QrLLVbknCXW924M9H4CXs5oPZHrM689HD3ZobEVnOIX1Yc1JJYjyNw5Q6ldAnQXuA2UobMfslCV5L56leZMyrBkh5uUt9Xmf18pRz3iA/s1600/family+circus.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh713z95Lryja6Aq8PKqYpY_o-9V93HZLGo7I8QrLLVbknCXW924M9H4CXs5oPZHrM689HD3ZobEVnOIX1Yc1JJYjyNw5Q6ldAnQXuA2UobMfslCV5L56leZMyrBkh5uUt9Xmf18pRz3iA/s1600/family+circus.jpeg" /></a></div>On February 29th, 1960, Cartoonist Bil Keane began drawing his iconic cartoon strip "The Family Circus". Now syndicated in over 1500 newspapers and media outlets world-wide, Keene's funny glimpses into a fairly normal, yet funny, family are now the widest reaching cartoon strip in the world. His son Jeff, who is featured in the daily strip has taken on the role as artist now, so its safe to say that the Circus will go on.<div><br />
</div><div>I've always described the missionary life as a circus. Not in a derogatory way, of course, but in the manner in which life is lived. The circus life is one of constant variety, weeks filled with big changes, and always something going on in Center Ring. Constantly changing geography, languages, cultures, ways of communicating messages typify this life.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I grew up this way. I'm 32 years old now and I still feel an alarm clock going off in my head every year or two telling me it's time to pack up and go someplace completely different, much to the chagrin of my wife. I got very used to saying goodbye to friends, making new ones quickly, and only putting down enough roots to survive, but not so much that you can't dig them back up again. I was very much the carnie in school as a kid as I was the only one in my high school that had traveled to over 20 different countries, experienced a variety of exciting adventures, and I quickly understood that other kids couldn't relate, so why try. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Please don't misunderstand me though, I don't regret a bit of it. I've sometimes heard from others that we should somehow be pitied for all the change and travel, but I don't view it that way at all. Firstly, I didn't know anything else, so that was normal to me. Secondly, I have had the opportunity to see things that people inside and outside the church dream of. I've been to twenty something countries on three different continents, I've seen revival break out, and experienced miracles and wonders. Sure I didn't go to school with the same kids K-12, but honestly....most days...I kinda pitied them. I think for kids, they'll think what you tell them. I'm sure if my parents had told us that we were somehow missing out, we probably would have thought it so, but as my parents never did, I have never come to that conclusion on my own.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I think in a way maybe this is why many missionary kids come back to missions. It's as though God has hard wired us for this life. Six months ago I was a funded missionary living and ministering with my family in Europe. Today, I'm an under-funded missionary living in a former parsonage in Noblesville, IN, working in an area that while within my skill set, and what appears to be God's will, is not directly related to my ministry in Hungary. If I were 'normal' this sudden change probably would have been far more devastating than it was, but to me, this is life. The show must go on.</div><div><br />
</div><div>My activities today include networking and fundraising in an attempt to shore up our support base. I'm working at OMS headquarters to create a development plan for missionaries, specifically emerging leaders. I'm getting ready to welcome my Daughter into the world in the next couple weeks or so. I feel like there is so much going on, and you know what, I'm fine with it. This is the circus life. This is my life.</div><div><br />
</div><div>God makes us all for a reason, and the life experiences as I mentioned in my previous blog are not wasted. There's a role to be played and He needs carnie's like us to play an important part in it. </div><div><br />
</div><div>From the Center Ring,</div><div>Jonathan</div>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-76101060974639963002012-02-07T09:42:00.000-05:002012-02-07T09:42:40.519-05:00Nothing is WastedI remember writing an essay in elementary school. As a 6th grader in Billings, MT we naturally studied a good deal of native american history, and we as a class had been assigned essays focusing on different elements in an indians life. I can no longer remember exactly the topic I was assigned, but I recall writing and being fascinated by the fact that the indians didn't seem to waste anything. When a buffalo was killed the pelts were turned to blankets, the meat of course eaten, and even the internal organs were used for various purposes. Years later I saw a needle that was used for sowing made out of buffalo bone. Indians were truly masters at using everything at their disposal.<br />
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So to it is with God.<br />
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One of the reasons that I have confidence in our direction is that I have seen God's coordination of events in our lives. Several years ago I was quickly and accidentally thrust into leadership of the young adult program (YAM) at our church. We worked hard at it and it was fairly successful ministry. At the time I had no idea why I was in the role I found myself in, but years later I sat back and realized that the time I spent with the young adults laid a foundation for the next steps in my life.<br />
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Prior to YAM, I had never done public speaking. As a missionary I soon found myself speaking publicly on many occasions, often drawing on things that I had learned working with the Yammer's. When we arrived in Hungary and founded our Young Adult and Youth Programs, I drew extensively on my experience from my church. 75% of our program was similar to the program we had run stateside.<br />
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Later when I began to work on my MBA, my experience speaking publicly in both YAM and on the fund raising trail helped me excel in my speaking opportunities and develop a decent reputation as a public speaker.<br />
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It's so much easier to see God's hand in things when you're looking backwards. Standing in Hungary looking at the various tasks we had, my leadership in YAM suddenly came into focus. So many things became obvious. I could suddenly see how my experiences in Hungary in 1993-94 were a part of our ministry. I could see how my time in leadership of young adults ministries were not only for those young adults, but helped me know how to work in Hungary.<br />
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Today I look back and I realize that the MBA that God led me to in Hungary (answering three fleeces and making it obvious), played into where I am right now. We are engaged in the questions of leadership and management, personal and professional development of our missionaries, and I realize what the MBA was all about (and I suspect far more than I even realize now). Had I not gone through that time in my life, I would have been ill prepared and most likely not even working in the capacity that I am now. How encouraging it is to find areas of your life that you didn't realize were so intentionally placed. The string through my life continues.<br />
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So today, if you find yourself doing something for God that doesn't seem to make much sense or you feel isn't worthwhile. Hold on, you can't see the big picture now, but in this world, when we yield all to God, Nothing is Wasted.The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-28993400535775335002012-01-10T23:08:00.000-05:002012-01-10T23:08:13.118-05:00New Year, New Direction, New LifeHappy 2012. I don't know about you but I'm still not used to writing 2012 yet. Traditionally a New Year brings a lot of optimism and 'resolutions' with it. Health goals, financial goals, spiritual goals, and the like are launched in early January with a hope and prayer of change. As I think about the future and directions, it occurs to me that we have some amazing things to look forward to in the first quarter of this year, and these things actually will happen, unlike giving up ice cream for example.<div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wxneFtTPFVBwp6GsUHjKDKtv4kg-U-1tW-nCTyR0eg9cairJYg8Qz79QbR4Z4SvMuPcMa9DUJFMjszT2LfkaCN8Dbjh5_jloXKEfQxcl5ji52AwEN3NvVYyx2YA7yYt4dADJzwBu1Zo/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wxneFtTPFVBwp6GsUHjKDKtv4kg-U-1tW-nCTyR0eg9cairJYg8Qz79QbR4Z4SvMuPcMa9DUJFMjszT2LfkaCN8Dbjh5_jloXKEfQxcl5ji52AwEN3NvVYyx2YA7yYt4dADJzwBu1Zo/s200/IMG_0145.jpg" width="149" /></a>If you read our newsletters than you already know of some of the new changes going on this year in the Long ministry. Grant has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, and while this is saddening, we praise God that it hasn't been accompanied by Autism or severe ADD which I have recently learned is often the case. He has begun therapies with three different therapists, and we are already seeing progress. We will update you from time to time on this blog.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjragzbrJj1HdmCIEdmaXFTIkjLkVX9v4axzzPX537IehJJ9I8vPAOKuS4Fg0iSfXaucc_xmBc5hQO0xsbR_eTqsLm7hAFw8MYyvR7d2VIkSfa4CPthoGaofwcxVn0XZ0IwIy9W2mBPJmg/s1600/boxes_babygirlclothingbag_sleeveless_sub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjragzbrJj1HdmCIEdmaXFTIkjLkVX9v4axzzPX537IehJJ9I8vPAOKuS4Fg0iSfXaucc_xmBc5hQO0xsbR_eTqsLm7hAFw8MYyvR7d2VIkSfa4CPthoGaofwcxVn0XZ0IwIy9W2mBPJmg/s200/boxes_babygirlclothingbag_sleeveless_sub.jpg" width="200" /></a>As many of you know, Corinne and I are expecting our third child this Feb/Mar, and unlike our first two, this one is a girl. As you can imagine this has brought on a lot of excitement, and suddenly I'm seeing t-shirts with dinosaurs and motorcycles giving way to pink dresses. After two boys it seems odd shopping the other side of the aisle. We're very excited about welcoming our baby girl soon, though for some strange reason I'm a little nervous as well. I understand boys, I've been one....well....my whole life. Girls are new territory, uncertain territory. I think to some extent I know that what everyone tells me is true and that I'll soon be wrapped around a very small little finger, and maybe that adds a little nervousness as well.</div><div><br />
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<div>New place, new life, oh....and a new role. As you also know if you read our newsletters, I will be working with OMS leadership to develop a plan for identifying, developing and fitting leaders within OMS' 58 fields. This position is right up my alley of interests and I'm super excited to see how I can help our organization become even better at how we manager our resources and people, which will translate to results. In the short term we'll also be raising funds as we are not fully funded. We also plan to return back overseas and will have to raise additional funds for that as well. M</div><div><br />
</div><div>So as you can see, we have a lot going on this first quarter of 2012. It's an exciting time in the Long Family and we are going to endeavor to update you through this blog on a weekly basis. So please stay tuned to the Long Lifeline.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Jumping in to 2012,</div><div>Jonathan for the Longs</div>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-1987170850470688662011-12-16T23:00:00.001-05:002011-12-16T23:00:25.131-05:00Merry Christmas!!<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; height: 482px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 14px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 14px; width: 105px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; box-shadow: none; cursor: move; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Qbt3LFm2cs3q&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/8Qbt3LFm2c0/8Qbt3LFm2c07C/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1324094330000/0/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; box-shadow: none; cursor: move; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px; text-align: center;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Charming And Lovely Christmas Card</div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">Customize your Christmas cards</a> this year at Shutterfly.com.</div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img border="0" height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; box-shadow: none; cursor: move; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="1" /></div><div><br />
</div></div></div>The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939556076804319642.post-15381301793982638022011-08-17T16:16:00.000-04:002011-08-17T16:16:30.650-04:00Our little guy...An Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pwu5358zIlYBA3d5VrBToSiF4hY8NcKgJsS7-UBNJSoEQIAAym0tu3iXyQa0xUIeBnHspWY6NbhOJZB84b_Vmn0etYUItVaUE_a4y9tMqf36P5obXrxhhLkCcFyGLNVuW5h2IGfR9vI/s1600/grant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pwu5358zIlYBA3d5VrBToSiF4hY8NcKgJsS7-UBNJSoEQIAAym0tu3iXyQa0xUIeBnHspWY6NbhOJZB84b_Vmn0etYUItVaUE_a4y9tMqf36P5obXrxhhLkCcFyGLNVuW5h2IGfR9vI/s400/grant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Many of you have been curious as to our little guy, Grant. We have written before that he was diagnosed by our pediatrician in Hungary with a somewhat significant speech delay and that there were concerns because he also toe-walks. We were blessed to have a speech therapist at the International Christian School of Budapest offer his advice and give some direction regarding testing for Grant once we returned to the United States and the assistance of our wonderful pediatrician in Indiana coordinating appointments for us.<br />
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The past couple days have been eventful in the diagnosis of Grant's delays. On Monday, Grant saw an audiologist who confirmed that Grant does NOT have any hearing deficit. We didn't feel there was a case of hearing loss, but when a child has delayed speech it is important to rule out. On Tuesday, Grant had an extensive evalation with speech and physical therapists. They were both wonderful ladies and Grant was at ease and enjoyed the entire process. They work specifically with children under the age of 3 and asked lots of questions regarding our concerns and Grant's abilities.<br />
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They finally concluded that the many seemingly minor issues we were noting actually can be drawn together under one diagnosis: Sensory Processing Disorder. <br />
<blockquote><em>Sensory processing disorder or SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with taking in, processing and responding to sensory information about the environment and from within the own body (visual, auditory, tactile, olfaction, gustatory, vestibular and proprioception). </em><em>For those with SPD, sensory information may be sensed and perceived in a way that is different from most other people. Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information can be received by people with SPD, the difference is that information is often registered, interpreted and processed differently by the brain. The result can be unusual ways of responding or behaving, finding things harder to do. Difficulties may typically present as difficulties planning and organising, problems with doing the activities of everyday life (self care, work and leisure activities), and for some with extreme sensitivity, sensory input may result in extreme avoidance of activities, agitation, distress, fear or confusion.</em></blockquote>While we don't feel he has a severe level of disorder, there are definitely areas in which Grant will benefit from therapies. Most likely he will undergo physical therapy because he has low muscle tone and difficulty sensing his body position. This probably is part of the cause for his toe-walking as it allows him greater 'input' and stability. Occupational therapy will assist him in sensory integration which will help him to chew and swallow easier, and to be open to eating new foods and textures. And of course, speech therapy will help with the increase of his vocabulary and use of words. The therapists were very encouraging that with therapies and time he could overcome most if not all of his deficits. Also, we were relieved that they did NOT feel Grant has autistic characteristics, which often coincides with SPD.<br />
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We are just very grateful for everyone who has prayed for Grant and our family and to have some direction as to the course of treatment. Grant truly is a joy in our family and brings us plenty of smiles and love everyday!The Longshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115130463678343744noreply@blogger.com1