Guess I haven't blogged in a while. Exams have officially started...3 down, 3 to go¡¦
but despite the gloom of studying, quite a bit has happened in the past two weeks. (yup long..)
For one Nolan (the English congregation pastor) and Pam (our Chinese congregation pastor) got married! The whole church was celebrating, some of the elders in the church kept saying that our church is "gaining a daughter law and marrying away a daughter at the same time." They are really a match made in heaven, its funny sometimes how God works. When I first heard that they were dating, I found it hard to believe. Nolan is a typical non Chinese speaking (well a little bit now) CBC, into hockey and movies where as Pam is a soft-spoken traditional Chinese female. I still remember Nolan sharing his disbelief that Pam had never seen a Star Wars, and how he went through all the previous episodes and explained all the intricacies and implications of the dialogue. And I think that¡¯s the key; when two people are willing to take the time and effort to understand each other and encourage each other.
And it¡¯s such a blessing for our church. I could already see that their wedding uniting our church as we celebrated together. Their differences really complement each other and encourage each other to grow. My mother was telling me that even in the process of planning of the wedding, contrasts between western and Chinese traditions were evident, but they were able to reach a compromise and the result was a blast =) But think that applies to the larger church community as well. I think they add to each others understanding of the community they are leading and preaching to, regardless whether it's the Chinese or English congregation. Both of them are people I am really thankful for. Pam was the one who encouraged me to start helping out with children¡¯s ministry at the church, and her humble attitude is something I really need to learn from. And Nolan is always available for words of wisdom, but especially after my father¡¯s passing, his sharing about his own experience with the loss of his mother helped me put things into perspective.
I was really glad that I made it to the ceremony on time, cos I had Dragon boat practice in the morning and missed my ride downtown=p. The TTC got me there just in time though. Yes my back is still sore and the sun was shining so I have rosy soon to be tanned cheekbones =p its hard work, but so much fun to be working together, the laughs and jokes. Looking forward to more practices. I just need to work on my physique¡¦
Most of my study week including Saturday night (the wedding banquet=( ) was spent studying.. pharmacology in particular. It never ceases to amaze me how students can cram so much information in their head in such a short period of time. At first glance all the words seem unrelated¡¦ but after hours of toiling, things slowly start to make sense.. words.. pretty amazing things¡¦
Words¡¦. Yes that has been on my mind for a while¡¦ random thoughts from this week¡¦
For some reason during exam time, I do a lot more outside reading. Read Confessions of a Shop alcoholic¡¦. a witty book about a girl who had a problem keeping her plastic in her wallet. It's predictable, but I don¡¯t think I was reading it just for the plot, rather the light amusing detailed narration about the art of shopping was a really good mental break¡¦ same thing words.. some put together can be tiring, others amusing¡¦ interesting
Blogs are also another one of my ¡°study breaks.¡± Two of my classmates started ¡°woeandenvy¡±, one of them posting a poem he wrote a while ago.. I wish I could write in an artsy style.. just a few words can express so much.
Hmm¡¦ a friend said that my blog doesn't sound ¡°sanitized¡±.. asked her what that means, and she replied that it doesn¡¯t sound like I wanted to set a better impression of myself.. it just sounds like Amy.. wonder that I sound like¡¦
Even now when Tammy¡¯s autobiography, tears fall¡¦ a mixture of comfort and sadness
Ecclesiastes. A book in the bible I didn¡¯t start reading until last summer when I started reading it after my dad¡¯s funeral . It stars off with saying how everything is meaningless¡¦ I like the verse ¡°Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.¡± 12:12
But the last couple verses were repeating in my head this week:
13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
More on the word.. God¡¯s word..
From Psalms 119
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD ;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
I'm thankful for:
- Pam and Nolan and the TCBC family
- my sisters.. connie and jamie are done exams and back at home.. an apartment with 5 women.. crazy but fun!
- gabe - definitely understands and encourages me (he's back soon!!! yeah!!)
- words - being able to read, learn and be inspired.
Verse of the day: Pslams 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
but despite the gloom of studying, quite a bit has happened in the past two weeks. (yup long..)
For one Nolan (the English congregation pastor) and Pam (our Chinese congregation pastor) got married! The whole church was celebrating, some of the elders in the church kept saying that our church is "gaining a daughter law and marrying away a daughter at the same time." They are really a match made in heaven, its funny sometimes how God works. When I first heard that they were dating, I found it hard to believe. Nolan is a typical non Chinese speaking (well a little bit now) CBC, into hockey and movies where as Pam is a soft-spoken traditional Chinese female. I still remember Nolan sharing his disbelief that Pam had never seen a Star Wars, and how he went through all the previous episodes and explained all the intricacies and implications of the dialogue. And I think that¡¯s the key; when two people are willing to take the time and effort to understand each other and encourage each other.
And it¡¯s such a blessing for our church. I could already see that their wedding uniting our church as we celebrated together. Their differences really complement each other and encourage each other to grow. My mother was telling me that even in the process of planning of the wedding, contrasts between western and Chinese traditions were evident, but they were able to reach a compromise and the result was a blast =) But think that applies to the larger church community as well. I think they add to each others understanding of the community they are leading and preaching to, regardless whether it's the Chinese or English congregation. Both of them are people I am really thankful for. Pam was the one who encouraged me to start helping out with children¡¯s ministry at the church, and her humble attitude is something I really need to learn from. And Nolan is always available for words of wisdom, but especially after my father¡¯s passing, his sharing about his own experience with the loss of his mother helped me put things into perspective.
I was really glad that I made it to the ceremony on time, cos I had Dragon boat practice in the morning and missed my ride downtown=p. The TTC got me there just in time though. Yes my back is still sore and the sun was shining so I have rosy soon to be tanned cheekbones =p its hard work, but so much fun to be working together, the laughs and jokes. Looking forward to more practices. I just need to work on my physique¡¦
Most of my study week including Saturday night (the wedding banquet=( ) was spent studying.. pharmacology in particular. It never ceases to amaze me how students can cram so much information in their head in such a short period of time. At first glance all the words seem unrelated¡¦ but after hours of toiling, things slowly start to make sense.. words.. pretty amazing things¡¦
Words¡¦. Yes that has been on my mind for a while¡¦ random thoughts from this week¡¦
For some reason during exam time, I do a lot more outside reading. Read Confessions of a Shop alcoholic¡¦. a witty book about a girl who had a problem keeping her plastic in her wallet. It's predictable, but I don¡¯t think I was reading it just for the plot, rather the light amusing detailed narration about the art of shopping was a really good mental break¡¦ same thing words.. some put together can be tiring, others amusing¡¦ interesting
Blogs are also another one of my ¡°study breaks.¡± Two of my classmates started ¡°woeandenvy¡±, one of them posting a poem he wrote a while ago.. I wish I could write in an artsy style.. just a few words can express so much.
Hmm¡¦ a friend said that my blog doesn't sound ¡°sanitized¡±.. asked her what that means, and she replied that it doesn¡¯t sound like I wanted to set a better impression of myself.. it just sounds like Amy.. wonder that I sound like¡¦
Even now when Tammy¡¯s autobiography, tears fall¡¦ a mixture of comfort and sadness
Ecclesiastes. A book in the bible I didn¡¯t start reading until last summer when I started reading it after my dad¡¯s funeral . It stars off with saying how everything is meaningless¡¦ I like the verse ¡°Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.¡± 12:12
But the last couple verses were repeating in my head this week:
13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
More on the word.. God¡¯s word..
From Psalms 119
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD ;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
I'm thankful for:
- Pam and Nolan and the TCBC family
- my sisters.. connie and jamie are done exams and back at home.. an apartment with 5 women.. crazy but fun!
- gabe - definitely understands and encourages me (he's back soon!!! yeah!!)
- words - being able to read, learn and be inspired.
Verse of the day: Pslams 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
