Midterm Blog Audit

     When re-reading my blog posts, I could help but laugh a few times. In the beginning my posts were strictly from the article and very little personal thought. As the time went on, I could see my blog posts getting more opinionated and I was much more willing to put my 2 cents in (okay maybe more like a 25 cents). I even went on rants a few times about topics in the articles, when looking back on them I think I actually wrote some of my personal beliefs very well! I actually thought to myself, "I wrote this?! Wow!" and basically gave myself a mental high-five.
     When looking through my blog posts I did not find a recurring theme. I thought it was really helpful for me when we were given more freedom of speech (so to speak) in our blog posts. I was afraid at first to speak my mind, but as the time went on I was much more open to sharing my thoughts. Reading "The Other Sheep" magazine has been very interesting for me, and it shows how much the definition of "missions" has changed over the years. I also thought the terminology was interesting, such as the word "heathen", and personally I am glad term is not used as much any more.
     From what I have read in the articles (though I did not agree with some of there tactics/ terminology) God still used these pastors, church members, and missionaries to reach others for Him. The main lesson I have learned is that missionaries and churches are not perfect. Of course we know that nobody is perfect, not even Christians. However, I think subconsciously I had the idea that missionaries would have the supreme capability to choose the right way to preach the gospel in the area they were in. That missionaries would be an unfailing beacon of light in there society, and they would know what to do when difficult situations arose. Missionaries are not superheroes, they are real life people like the rest of us. Much of their work is trial and error, and they are not always going to get it right the first time. Some stories I read made me go "Obviously that was not going to work, why on earth did they think people would respond to that!", but they did not know that. They had to learn from their mistakes, and change and grow along the way. I have learned that doing missions work can be challenging spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, but rewarding in the end.
      "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James1:12