section 2
RemeMber & Reflect
A Guide for Journaling and Creative Reflecting
Embedded Files
Contrary to popular belief, human beings do not learn from experience. Instead, we learn by reflecting upon our experiences.
Instructions
This section helps you to remember what you have been through, what circumstances and people have influenced you, and to plan how you want to say goodbye.
Section 2.2: Relationships
Section 2.3: Singles - Couples - Parents
Section 2.5: On the Brink of Departure
TIP: Take a look at the suggestions and creative approaches below before you begin Section 2.1.
Enjoy trying them out!
Journaling Ideas
Journaling Ideas
You don’t have to reflect in perfectly written sentences. You can record your memories and thoughts in:
Bullet points
Brief phrases
Post-it notes (their small space can help you focus)
Word storm (think of all the adjectives / verbs / phrases that illustrate a memory and the feelings associated with it)
Poetry
Draw. Sketch. Paint. Symbols can be helpfully representative of feelings as well as circumstances. Stick figures work! Different colors can communicate emotion or other meanings.
Free writing / stream of consciousness. Capture questions that are arising, ways you are seeing God answer prayer, how you are feeling, things other people say, and anything else that you want to record and remember.
Further Creative ideas
Further Creative ideas
Create collages describing special places, get-togethers with friends, special memories built with family, teammates, and nationals. You can do this with pictures you draw yourself, photographs you take, or images you collect from other sources, such as magazines.
We mentioned inserting sketches, drawings, paintings, and/or photographs into your journal above. You can also start a 'Reflections Art Book' –a collection of sketches, drawings, etc. that help you to reflect and remember.
Tiny Treasure Box: gather small items that remind you of a special place or person. The items can be found, purchased, or given to you. Design the box itself in ways that reflect your time in the country. Creating a "tiny" box is key since you will have to carry it home!
TIP: For Families
A number of the workbook’s "Reflection Opportunities" apply to children as well as to adults, and can be answered pictorially and visually.
Let the activities and discussions serve as catalysts for prayer time, family time, and team time!
Photos
Photos
Capture people, places, everyday objects and happenings in pictures! Capture the places/people you visit regularly, and especially remember to capture your last visit!
Children often like to take pictures of themselves and their friends saying goodbye to each other.
Review/Organize your photos as a way of remembering and sealing what has happened. Make this part of a party with family, friends, or teammates!
Storybook: Gather a collection of photos from your last months in the country. Create a picture journal, scrapbook, or storybook to hold the memories of what your last year in your host country held for you. Incorporate sketches/drawings, etc., as well!
CONversation
CONversation
Create opportunities to share what you are feeling–with God and others–as you prepare to depart.
The questions in Section 2 will give you fuel for thought as well as discussion.
Remember that during this time you (and each person in your closest circle) may very well feel and process circumstances quite differently.
Some may look longingly backward; some may hardly be able to think past today.
Some may be full of hope with a future-oriented perspective.
Some hearts will be full of grief.
Others may be experiencing relief.
It can be easy for some of us to be impatient with others if they process more slowly than we do, or if they process with greater – or even just different – emotion.
Whatever the case, accept your feelings as your own as you move through this transition, take responsibility for how you navigate them, and seek to listen with lovingkindness to people with different perspectives and emotions around you.
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