To study or not to study... that is the question...

Firstly, yes this is not Chapter 1 of Song of All Songs...  We'll just have to wait on that one.  I've been given more responsibilities at work that have kept me from writing as much as i'd like to AND i have had other more important things to write about tonight...  Like a sample writing essay for the masters in counseling program at MNU!!!

that's write (haha) folks i'm officially applying for the June 2013 masters in counseling program pastors track at midamerican nazarene university.  be excited!

Here's the 500-1000 (716 to be exact) word writing sample i'm turning in soon after i get some one to proof read it.  Guess what, it's not due till  December 1st.  That's right, totally submitting this one early!  I don't think i've actually ever done that... hu...

Jeremy M. Nienhuser

Masters in Counseling

Writing Sample

11.12.2012

My mother has been the single most influential factor in how I listen and communicate.  One of my very first memories was her teaching me how to have a conversation.  I was sitting on the stairs at our church.  She threw a ball to me and said ‘When someone speaks to you it’s like they threw you a ball.  You catch it and throw it back by speaking back to them.’  We took turns speaking and throwing the ball bank and forth until my mother was sure I understood the concept.  This is only one example from many I could choose from about how my parents, mainly my mother, helped me develop my listening and communication skills.  Another example is from when I homeschooled. 

As a homeschooler I got to go on lots and lots of field trips.  Every field trip, or any time we got in the car for that matter, we listened to Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s radio show.  We would discuss the different situations people called about.  Mom would explain why she agreed or disagreed with Dr. Laura’s advice and I would ask her questions.  Looking back I realize Dr. Laura probably was not responding the way a counselor would, yet these conversations with my mother helped me develop a sort of emotional type of critical thinking and listening from an early age. 

My last example comes again from my parents.  It was not uncommon for my parents to host meetings with our pastor and a couple experiencing difficulty with their marriage in our home.  If they thought it would help a friend’s marriage, my parents would even let some men stay at our house a few months while they worked on the relationship.  Recently, some of my own friends are going through similar relationship struggles and I find myself lacking the skills and wisdom to speak into their situations.  Now, I have decided I want to adopt my parent’s commitment to helping marriages succeed and improve my ability to do so. 

This brings me to what I would do with a masters in counseling.  Thinking about it reminds me of a verse from the love chapter in the Bible.  Paul says in first Corinthians 13:11, ‘When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.’  I believe that this program is my next step in becoming the man I want to be. 

Firstly, I am motivated by how it will affect my personal relationships in my future family.  The relational skills and knowledge I learn now will help me communicate will with my future spouse and translate naturally into my children as they develop.  I want to put in as much work into improving my communication now so I can be a great husband and father when the time arrives.

Secondly, I will use the skills I develop to strengthen my community by encouraging young men into their full potential.  When men are emotionally healthy and secure, families can be emotionally healthy and secure.  Healthy and secure families will lead to a healthier and more secure society.  It has been said that my generation is a fatherless generation.  Young American men are in a crisis.  Some statistics say that 18-30 year olds are playing more video games than 13-17 year olds, sometimes 4-8 hours a day!  I want to learn all I can about what is causing this extended adolescence in order to combat it.   

Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase that means to repair or redeem the earth.  Ultimately, Jesus is the one who redeems the earth but we each need to contribute our best.  There is so much pain and suffering in our world.  It seems overwhelming, but if I focus on doing everything to my best ability as unto the Lord I know he can use me to change the world.  That is how I want to use the knowledge I gain by completing the masters in counseling program from MidAmerican Nazarene University.  To grow emotionally, spiritually, and professionally, so I can more effectively work with the Lord to help others grow into their full potential.