Finishing Well

I think learning how to finish well is a life long lesson that will be tested and perfected with every transition.  I was lucky to get some great advice about finishing well with a month to go before I left Vienna.  It is the acronym RAFT.

Reconcile-reconcile yourself with people, things or situations at the place you’re leaving or where you are going to.  If there is a conversation that needs to take place before departure-do it.  If there is a necessary but tedious task that has to occur at the next destinations-get over it, it will have to take place no matter what.

Affirm-Encourage and affirm the people that have made a difference in your life.  Spend some quality time with them and tell them what you really think about them in words or in letters.  Leave a positive impression on the people who have made a positive impacted in your life.

Farwell-Actually say good-bye.  Don’t wimp out of it because it is uncomfortable and could get emotional.  Saying good-bye is very important for closure and being able to move on.  Besides say good-bye to people, say farwell to your favourite haunts and rituals if you have any.

Think Ahead-After doing the first three steps now it is time to look ahead.  Start looking forward to what lies next in your life and start dreaming!  Get excited because life is an adventure and change is always a good way to start another adventure.

These four steps really helped me finish well in Vienna and I was able to have great closure in all the aspects of my life there. 

My soccer season ended with a bang. My Team finished Champions of the League and in the Championship Match I scored the winning goal from thirty yards out in the upper corner with my left foot and I was playing centre defense.  The team gave me jersey as a memento with my name and number on it.  A couple of the girls still want to stay in contact via Skype and Facebook, plus I have invited all of them to come and visit me in Canada.  I will miss playing for Neulengbach and I am very glad I played with that team for the past two years. 
 

 

SBUX Finish- I was able to host one last Unity Brunch in the month of May and then the group of leaders prayed for me and sent me out.  I also was able to finish our study of our identity in Christ the week before I left.  I shall miss teaching and serving within the SBUX ministry-it was a great ministry to be apart of and most of my close Vienna friends are involved within that Ministry.

Leaders of the SBUX Ministry

Surge Finish-I was able to treat my co-workers to a breakfast at the local tea house and expose them to high society teas.  It was a great end to our ministry together and I am sad to be longer be serving with Stefan, Liz, Anthony and Karissa.  It took us a while but by the end of my time there we were really working well as a team and being able to support and guide each other in ministry.  

  Vienna Surge at the Tea House

 

When I went away to Scotland I was able to start the process of processing these past two years overseas.  I really had no idea what would be the best way to start so I decided to write out all the things I have learned over these two years. Some examples are: 1) God has a great adventure for my life 3) positivity & joy go a long way  5) Not everyone likes sarcasm 7) prayer changes things 16)Start conversation with strangers- you discover a lot 17) rely on God to guide you daily –surrender daily, every morning first thing 20)Listen, Listen, Listen 33) Scottish is my favorite accent 54) Relationships that last are the Christ centred ones 58) Most people will let you pray for them…the list is at 105 right now and will get longer as I continue the "processing process".  Summary: I have learned a lot about myself, God and the world around me through these two years over seas.

Now the Soccer Missionary Chapter of my life is coming to a close, the obvious question is what’s next? Well this summer I have been given the chance to work at Barnabas Family Ministries (http://www.barnabasfm.org/) as the boat driver.  This is a camp I love and I am very excited to be up there all summer.  What September has for me is still up in the air-maybe an internship at the Vancouver Aquarium, maybe working to save up money for grad school or something that isn’t even on my radar right now-God knows and I have come to learn that his plan is soo much better than my own, so I will let him have control. 

Thanks for following my blog and updates as I was overseas.  I might write every once in a while on this blog but not as frequently.  Thanks again for your support and prayers,

All for God, Gillian