and i'm desperate for all You are...

Vicky — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:22:28 +0000

I’ve moved, but I’ll keep this up as reference.

That is all. : )

The Bubble

Vicky — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:56:41 +0000

My church celebrated its 40th Anniversary yesterday and leading up to that, my church had revival meetings for each congregation. We had the intern worship pastor from RHCCC talk to us and he really touched on things that have been happening in my life in the past few years. The first night, he talked about not becoming a Jonah and idolatry. The second night, he talked about being missional and the biggest thing was being in that Christian bubble.

The Christian bubble was what hit me the most. There are four phases of the bubble:

Phase 1: We become Christian – we’re learning new things and are being “fed” and really excited to tell our non-Christian friends about our new faith
Phase 2: We become a part of the church life – we start getting involved in church activities, while making friends with Christian friends and start losing touch with our non-Christian friends and rush to be baptized
Phase 3: We become part of the Christian sub-culture – we start thinking that evangelism is the responsibility of our church leaders through programs and events and not ours anymore; we get excited about going overseas on mission trips instead of doing it in our own neighbourhoods and we start inviting non-Christian friends to church events instead of hanging out with them to build relationships and eventually we stop socializing with out non-Christian friends – eventually we find that most, if not all, our friends are only Christian
Phase 4: We become like Jonah – we start to complain and blame others about the things that are happening in our culture like Jonah; we start choosing our churches based on the performance of the leaders, of the worship team, of how well we’re being “fed”. We don’t realize this because other Christians around this are doing it too.

When he talked about these four phases, it really hit me: this is exactly what I’m going through, unfortunately. It makes me think, “What can I do to break out of this bubble? What can I do to help others not fall into this?”

At the same time, I want to get more involved in my church this summer and really get to know more people at my church. I don’t want to continue being a part of this bubble, but I’m still at that stage where I’m still meeting new people at my church and I want to do more in my church.

Another year over

Vicky — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:53:38 +0000

Second year’s over and I’m now halfway through university. I still can’t believe it. This past year has been crazy. It’s been filled with many PTL moments and I definitely praise God for everything that has happened, especially passing stats, BDM and econ. I don’t think I could’ve passed those courses without God and just trusting in Him and knowing that He knows what’s best for me. However, I’m still waiting for my marks for OB and accounting, but I trust that He will provide. If I don’t get the marks that I need, it’s not the end of the world, but that it is what He wanted to happen. All that matters is that I tried my best, right?

Other than marks and passing courses, not much else is happening for now. Summer’s looking pretty good with softball and not having to do summer school. I still need to get my G and maybe I’ll get to go to France with my church. I’m still searching for a job, but I know God will provide. Just trust.

Realize

Vicky — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:17:23 +0000

Sometimes it takes a lot to make you realize how much someone means to you and how dear they are to you. Even just one thing can change such a big part of you. These past few days, I’ve been trying so hard not to be angry at God and to be accepting of what’s happening back home in Toronto. I’ve shed many tears, but all I can do right now is pray. Pray for comfort and peace for my family and pray that I can be accepting of what God is doing. It’s something like this that makes me really cherish every moment that I have with my grandpa and my family and my friends. I’m trying to remain optimistic and to be accepting, but it’s hard trying to stay strong through all of this, knowing that anything could happen at any time.

I’m so thankful that I have brothers and sisters to go to in times like this and have them pray for me and for my family. I’m so grateful that they’ll listen to me at such late hours and give me comfort knowing that I have the support that I need.

The next few days, weeks will be hard to get through since all I want to do is go home and visit my grandpa and family. I want to see him again before his health becomes even worse and before it gets to the point where he might not recognize me anymore. Really cherish every moment you spend with your family and friends and make the best out of everything. It’s sad that I’m only really learning this now, but it’s definitely something important to learn now rather than later.

Coffee…

Vicky — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:37:24 +0000

… is my worst enemy. Hahaha! I’m never drinking it at such late hours again or having two cups in a day. Even though it makes me really tired mentally, my body was pretty awake and I couldn’t sleep until 5:20AM. Oh yay… No more caffeine for me!

GOLD!

Vicky — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:17:59 +0000

Canada wins gold in men’s hockey!! We also set the new record for achieving the most gold medals in the Winter Olympics AND this is the most medals Canada has ever achieved in the Winter Olympics! How exciting!

Now that the Olympics are over, it’s back to studying and not procrastinating by watching all the various events. Farewell for another 4 years. Haha.

Perseverance

Vicky — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:38:14 +0000

Many things have been happening lately and they’ve either been leaving me speechless or very confused with many mixed emotions.

This term has been one of my hardest terms so far, with serving on comm and preparing for Winter Retreat and dealing with school and exams. But to be hit with the fact that someone did something that I had contemplated doing for a pretty long while, has left me frustrated and annoyed. When we have been called to serve and be in a role that God has placed in, you don’t just give up and leave.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Find joy in the trials you face and learn from those lessons and continue to grow stronger in your relationship with Him. By accepting the role you’ve been put in, you accept the fact that you will go through these trials, these struggles, but you continue to strive to bring Him glory by serving Him. You do not get to choose if what you go through is easy or hard. Like it says in verse 4, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” As you serve, you learn along the way. You can’t just give up and expect to learn what you might’ve learn through the trials and struggles in another way. He put you there for a reason. To learn from those trials, you gain the wisdom needed to continue to mature and really build your relationship with God.

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

Reminders

Vicky — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:31:43 +0000

Be joyful in all things

don’t complain

you are blessed.

He is always there with you.

Rid me of myself

Vicky — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:40:39 +0000

It’s been about a week and half since the new term has started and I’d say classes are going pretty well and I’m really enjoying everything that I’m learning. I’m trying to stay on top of everything and not fall behind in my readings and homework. I’d love to say that everything in my life is going well, but unfortunately, they aren’t. The school aspect is fine, but it’s my relationship with friends and myself.

There’s just been so many issues and problems lately, that I find many habits and many aspects of my old self coming back. It’s like I’m living a life of this world and not a holy one. What’s happening to me? How does such issues and problems with friends bring out the worst in me? I’ve been trying to think more before I speak and before I act and not jump conclusions about various situations or people. It’s been extremely hard and it’s definitely something I need to improve on.

I’m definitely trying to improve on many of my bad habits and it’s hard, but I’m trying. I have faith that God will work through me to help me through this rough period to rid me of myself.

Farewell 2009!

Vicky — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:21:49 +0000

It’s New Year’s Eve. Where has the year gone? I could go on and on about the many things that have happened this past year, but I’m going to keep it short and simple.

I’ve been so blessed with many things and many events. God has definitely opened my eyes to many things old and new that have helped shape and mold me. Winter retreat, living away from home, getting baptized… There have been so many memories I’ve made during this past year. From everything that has happened, I’ve definitely changed a lot and I strive to be a better person everyday. I’m kind of sad that 2009 is almost gone, but 2010 will be an even better year!

I pray for God to continue opening my eyes to things unseen and keeping my mind open to everything. To continue to find joy in things that I already have and really appreciating what I have around me, as well as loving all the people that I have in my life. So, farewell 2009, hello 2010!