How to Organize by Joy: Ministry and Personal Life

The first thing to consider is whether you will work best with your notebook as a hard copy or as a file on your computer. I tend to be very visual, so whatever method I choose, the Project Notebook must be easily within view, or I will not remember to use it effectively. With this in mind, I have determined that I will keep a printed out copy on my desk, but will keep the primary copy on my desktop on my laptop in the OneNote program. The copy on my laptop will be the updated revised version that I use as I go along. Occasionally, I will print it out, to create a hard copy that will stay on my desk in front of me, as a reminder to stay focused.

You can use many ways to do this based on your goals and needs. And on what is easiest and simplest for you. If your project notebook becomes a lot of work to keep, you will eventually abandon the idea.

Project Page:
For every project you must complete, insert one page. Keep this simple and include only the information required to complete the project. I try to keep this down to one paragraph and never more than one page. If your project requires research, etc. then add a folder labeled with the projects name to the back of the section of the notebook that includes the project sheet. At the top corner of each project page, I write (or type) the due date of the project. This is very important because I file each project in its section of the notebook according to its due date. The project due to be finished the soonest witll be the one of top of that section.

Calendar:
The front page of my notebook is a calendar for the year. You can do this by month or the year if you like, but I would not include a calendar that was daily or weekly. This gets too involved, and requires too much work. The calendar is just to make a quick note of project due dates for all projects under all sections. This way I have easy access to what is due when at a glance.

Resources and phone numbers list:
The last section of the notebook is a reference section which lists contact information for commonly called numbers and address, websites, etc that I use for many projects. These are organized just like an address book, with only required information for easy access.

Here is a sample page of a project in a Word Document on my laptop.

I am a missionary and an artist. I was born in East Texas, but left at age 19. Eventually, I settled in Tennessee. Over the years, I have raised two children who now live in Tennessee. Missionary training began at RBTC in Oklahoma in September 2005, with graduation from the missions group after two years in May 2007. Then, after returning to my hometown, Clarksville, TN, I began preparations to head out to Northern China, which took place in May 2008.

Drawing is a new skill which started in Spring 2009. During a time of recuperating from an illness for several months, I found ample time to spend in prayer. Out of that prayer time, I began to draw and write cards for various people, in which, I was led to spend time in prayer. Before I was finished with these cards there were a little over 60 of them. They were very rough sketches, but none-the-less, what I was led to do. Through this process, I realized what He was doing, and I continued to draw and develop this skill, and still continue to grow and develop. These drawings are the result. As I travel through China for my primary purpose of ministry, I draw, creating a visual journal of what I see.

I really enjoy the drawing and the purposes for which God has placed this gift in my life. A whole new door has opened, and I am walking through that door, eagerly awaiting to see where the road beyond it leads.

In mid-May of 2009 I moved into Southern China. I love the people and the ministry work here. I still travel around China and work where needed in association with another ministry here, also. This year, to help share the people I meet with my friends and supporters back home I am working on The 110 Faces of China Drawing Project. I have six of these finished, and working hard to get more finished as time permits. I also have started a blog with regular updates about the people, myself, and the drawings. You can check out this and my blog," What is it like to be a Missionary Today", in the links on this Squidoo lens. I also have a Fine Arts America website (linked to this lens) where prints and cards of my drawings and photos are made available to everyone.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Blessings,
joy neasley

P.S. - if you want to support this ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation via www.WorldOutreach.org. Go to "Donate" and select Joy Neasley - Asia. The system can process USA and International cards. Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061, and designate for Joy Neasley Fund Code #87.