Communication

I'm sorry that its been so long since I blogged last. I've been busy or tired pretty much since school started, but I thank God every day for the work He has given me. It is a privilege to work with little kiddos and talk to them about Him!

My thoughts this week...

Back in my community college speech class, I had to memorize a diagram of communication. There are many important parts, but the main three are the transmitter, channel, and receiver. Even  cutting out the other parts I had to memorize (but have since forgotten) and just looking at these three parts of communication, there is a lot that could go wrong!

Example from my class today:

Student A said, "I need help spelling 'like'."

Student B said, "Oh, I'll help you. L....I....K...an' E."

Student A writes, likne.

The transmitter transmitted correctly. The receiver received correctly. The outcome did not turn out because the channel was poorly chosen. Spelling aloud has limitations for first graders. Perhaps the transmitter should not have added in the "an'", but how was he to know how it'd be received?

Communication is difficult! The Bible talks a lot about the tongue being difficult to tame and being powerful. These are my suggestions (feel free to add to them in comments) for successful communication (which includes both transmitting and receiving).

First, everyone must understand that communication is difficult and tricky and give grace.

In receiving: 

Assume the best.

Ask questions to clarify.

Respond.

In transmitting:

Think about who should be the receiver, transmit to the receiver (not a bunch of other people).

Think about what channel (and what words) will work best to convey the message.

I just know so many times I and other adults get this all mixed up! It's one of those things that's simple, but not easy.

Off I go because I have some communication to accomplish tonight.

Jordon

Dreams Come True

A couple of years ago, I had a dream about a precious little girl. I fell in love with her.

I fell in love all over again on August 29 when I saw my baby girl on the ultrasound.

She has made my dreams come true.

My dream of taking a pregnancy test and getting a positive result, jumping up and down, and celebrating with my husband.

My dream of feeling a baby move inside of me, and my dream of sharing those moments with her daddy as he spreads his hands over my belly.

My dream of running my hand over my round belly, seeing it grow daily, and knowing my little girl is growing too.

I look forward to her making more of my dreams come true.

My dream of looking into her eyes.

My dream of cuddling her close in the middle of the night.

My dream of kissing her cheeks.

My dream of seeing her first smiles.

And so many more dreams...

I know pregnancy (even the round belly) isn't always fun, and I know motherhood won't be either. That's not the point.

For as long as I remember I dreamed of the beautiful moments, and this little girl makes my dreams come true.

Jordon