Life is changing for Mel Part 2: New Adventure

If you read Part 1 of my post yesterday you've possibly been hanging out for this post (or you're wondering what all the talk about traffic and lights is means). If not, you can read it here. What has been happening in my life over the past year or so has been such a significant ride for me that I needed to describe it somehow before I could tell you the outcome.

All the 'red lights' helped me to clarify what my purpose is in life, what I'm shaped for and the visions I really want to pursue. Like I said yesterday I have a strong passion for helping young people grow to have the fullest life they can have on this earth and in eternity. First and foremost that means giving them an opportunity to meet and know their maker and saviour Jesus - the source of life. Jesus transforms our whole lives and draws us together into a family. So I'm a believer in a wholistic approach to sharing Jesus with young people and helping them following him with ever part of themselves, as well as build quality relationships with people from all age groups. I want to further explore Emotional Intelligence (EQ/EI), developmental stages, learning styles, relational skills and more, in order to find a way to integrate helping young people grow in these ways as we share Jesus with them (evangelism) and nurture them in their faith (discipleship). I want to study Biblical foundations of this also, so that I have a good foundation for the approach that honors Jesus and doesn't distract us from sharing Jesus with people.

At the same time I want to develop my skills more so I can apply what I discover, and help others apply it. I have a vision of how all this might work that includes bringing generations together, which excites me and if I don't take the opportunity now to give it a go, I could easily never really try.

An opportunity has come my way. If you read yesterday's post I would say that a gap in the traffic opened up... My church contract ends soon which has meant my Ministers and I have been trying to discern what's best for all of us next year. Im thankful I have such great Ministers/bosses. There's been no 'road rage' between us in this. They genuinely want what's best for me, I genuinely want what's best for my church family, and me too. When the gap opened up the turning lane was on a red light. I had to decide whether to just take a punt and get in that lane (resign next yr) or stay. Then the green light came in the form of a job as a Project Manager and Coach for a youth personal leadership program called Max Potential. I was involved as a community coach for 2 yrs in port Mac and looooved it! Adults from community organisations get trained to coach a young adult (usually students grade 11) over 22weeks through the MAXIMISERS Principles to help them think seriously about their life, habits, character, belief system and values, as well as develop skills to grow (and take responsibility for their own growth without a coach after the program).You can check it out here http://www.max-potential.com.au/

Well I said Yes!

It's a massive shift. It's definitely stepping into the unknown. I don't know where I'll live, exactly when I'll move, how I'll get there, what church I'll connect with, what it will really look like financially and even practically in terms of time what a normal week will look like. I do know though that no matter how all the unknowns work out, it's worth it. Over time you'll more than likely be hearing more about it from me.

I'm in the turning lane now, driving slowly to the lights because I still have to wrap up my work here. In early 2013 ie Jan/Feb I'll be moving back to Sydney. Leaving port is going to be tough. I will miss sooo much about the people and the place and the work I've been doing. Yet I'm pretty darn excited about my new adventure and where it could lead in the future. I actually jumped up and down and squealed after I accepted the job over the phone. 

A little while ago I drew this pic - on the edge of the cliff - because I felt like that that's where I was at... wanting to abseil into the unknown, but frozen on the edge... not anymore :D