Another Announcement

So tonight, in the 4th day of Winter Conference, I confirmed God's calling of being a full-time local minister in Canada. I don't have much to say about it; just that I now have a clearer direction of how to equip myself in the near future. Pray for my family since I don't know when and how to tell them the news, and I have no idea what reaction they would get into when I do tell them. And for my future husband (if God desires me to get married) since I would very much like him to support my ministries (or vice versa)

Thank you Lord Jesus. There is NO ONE I would serve but You.

Announcement

I just agreed to become the president of my fellowship in Vancouver, so I WILL stay in Vancouver for at least a few months after my master graduation. What will happen thereafter, I seriously don't know. Let's see what God has in store for me.

Apparently, UBC's pass of a course isn't only 50% ... hai~

Christmas Time Is Here!

... Happiness and cheers
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year

What is the meaning behind Christmas? Is it a time for family reunion? Is it a season for gifts and parties? Or is it just another holiday to get students out of school and adults out of work temporarily?

All of the above is true, except there is another meaning which is infinitely more important. Hymns, carols and stories have said that Christmas is the day when Jesus Christ was born. It is not a myth, it's the Truth! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, King above all creatures, descended to earth and took on flesh! Why? Because He loved us. He understood that we were all sinful and we could not save ourselves from sin despite what we did, so He, who was sinless and was the most holy, offered to save us. Not only He offered to save us, He fulfilled His promise using the most humble way - becoming a human (given He is God), born in a manger, living in poverty for all His life, being ridiculed by many people, and eventually sacrificing Himself on the Cross. Who would express this kind of genuine, compassionate and unconditional love other than God? And His love endures forever (Psalm 136).

The Lord our God lives high above, and He could have let us wander in sins alone. But no, He is heartbroken that we are lost in the dark, so He rescues us. He would like to reconcile with us. So folks, don't think that God is someone unattainable. He is everywhere, and He always loves us. Would you return His love? This is probably something you can ponder upon in this festive season. Merry Christmas and a bright New Year. May God's grace shower upon you.

Good Morning, A&W

So I immediately went to work today, the day after my arrival at home. That's not the problem. The problem was, I had to get up before 6am to get to work at 6:30am. Horrendous. Thank God I was able to function at a relatively okay level so I almost didn't make any mistakes. The shop was busier than when I left in the summer, like my mom mentioned many times in the past semester. I don't know why people have so much money to spend, and I don't know why they choose particularly A&W to spend their spree at. I saw many old folks today and it was nice, as they infused a slight flavor of joy within the stressful environment.

So, I really need to think about three things over the holidays - being the president or not in my fellowship in Vancouver, where and how to launch my career, and you. Hmmm ... drop my two cents about these later.

Say Goodbye ... Temporarily

It was really God's grace that I got to be the last person saying goodbye to you before you headed home today. What a privilege! I hope you would have a full recharge during your holidays. Pray for you.

Whereas I, would be leaving tomorrow afternoon. Starting Wednesday I have to switch myself from being a night owl to a morning person since I have to work at 7:30am for the rest of the week!!!! I don't know why I suddenly become a night owl, never go to sleep until 2am ... I don't particularly like this sleeping habit. But anyways, I shall turn this around during Christmas.

Goodbye Vancouver ... for now.

Now on to the Holidays ...

Finally, finally; every piece of work on my list is done! Now I get to clean, pack, and prepare to go home for Christmas!

The past couple of weeks were of course quite painstaking. First, after the orchestra concert I studied my butt off for the world music culture exam, which was held on the 7th. Thank God it was a rather easy exam to prepare for. The professor gave us a detailed outline of what to study, and we had a long time to write the exam. So I'm not worried about this subject at all - I can probably get an A. After the exam in the morning of the 7th, I jumped to bed to take a nap, and restored energy for hard-core working on my jazz history paper, which was due on the next day (8th!!). Since I had been occupied with other aspects of my school work previously, I didn't really commence working on it, other than reading a few articles and listening to recordings, until the afternoon of the 7th. It sucked since I had to do research AND write a paper (luckily it wasn't a long paper) in a 24-hour span! I only slept for 3 hours that day, and the sleep was divided into three portions. How pathetic was that! I needed to sleep since my brain was dysfunctional, but I couldn't sleep for long since I was still panicking for not having enough time to finish my paper. So finally, I finished it 45 minutes before the absolute deadline, and to my surprise, I got a B on it, which really boosted my overall course mark up. Praise the Lord!

After the paper was the preparation for the percussion olympics and the jazz history exam. Well, I went to a party and had a beer on the night I handed in my paper, and I stayed out pretty late since I wanted to relax. I had the best poutine ever in downtown. That morning I hit bed at 3:30am and didn't regain consciousness until well into the afternoon. Anyways, percussion olympics. I wanted to opt out of the olympics because I had to study for exams, but my professor urged me to still be part of it by preparing something easy. And so, I prepared a couple of etudes and a few excerpts which I was fairly familiar with. The olympics (on the 11th) was really fun. The most fun parts were the trivial questions (with goodies and prizes!) and the obstacle course. Thank you V for organizing it!

Following the olympics was the jazz exam. Wow I never knew how to study for it, and I never knew how much I needed to study. I couldn't concentrate in the morning of the exam date (13th at 8:30am) because of lack of sleep and not sleeping well. I had pretty terrible dreams that night. I managed to finish the exam within the short time limit ... but boy I know why I'm not a historian. I passed the exam, AND the course. Praise the Lord!!! I'm now one step closer to graduation! I was afraid if I failed the course I wouldn't be able to graduate ... but hey "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

I played in church celebrations in the weekend. It wasn't hard; just time consuming. Plus I (and some others) had to move the timpani back and forth between the two church campuses, and in and out of UBC. It was troublesome. Oh well, for the goodness of the Gospel! Hopefully the music ministry in VCAC will develop even more adequately in the future.

So, something else happened in the past two weeks too. Things have been fluctuating between us, and within both of us. I won't get into details here now since it's a rather serious matter. All I can say is, God is great; His grace is amazing. He has forgiven me utterly my wrongs, trusted me wholeheartedly, protected me from danger, and listened to my prayers. He has the absolute authority over everything, and that I can do nothing but to obey Him. I pray for self-submission to God, staying faithful to God, and His grace showering upon you.

Apology

Sorry I haven't been activating the "comment" function in my blog; I didn't know by choosing to hide the comments from being shown on the blog, I actually eliminate the function altogether. I thought people could still leave comments somehow. Anyways, to make your life easier, for those who actually want to leave a comment, I have changed my setting and you should now be able to leave comments.

Won't be able to write so much these days since I'm frantically studying for my finals! So, sorry to those who read my blog regularly ... :-(

Belzhassar's Feast

Finally the orchestra concert is done!!! Sincere thanks to those who came!!! I was thrilled when I heard there were actually a few fellows coming!!! The concert was not forgotten!

I almost cried when I played Belzhassar's Feast. Simply because of the move from the Holy Spirit. This oratorio is based on the Book of Daniel, and it has a hint of Revelation. This is what the End Time is about ... and what are we going to do about it?

Awfully distracted these days ... I don't know why the distraction is so sudden. Continue to pray la hai~

One paper and two finals in the next two weeks - all the best to you Music Monster.

(P.S. Now I can retire from playing gigantic cymbal crashes ... for a while.)

Last Day of School!!!!!

Finally, the last day of school is over ... now I don't have to worry about forcing myself out of bed early in the morning and running into class without food in my stomach. More importantly, no more school around the clock!!!! (for a while)

So now I'm devoted to my paper and final exams. Wait ... concert first ... in 20 hours. Belshazzar's Feast at 8pm in Chan Centre, with UBC Symphony Orchestra, University Singers and Choral Union. The concert will be great except, he WILL NOT come! I really wonder why! Oh well, he has no obligation though. Seems like the "dark force" is quite powerful these days. Last time I sang my new spiritual composition and he missed it because he had to get prepared for his own act in his room. This time the concert is biblical, and he is going to miss it also! Is there any way I can coerce him to come!? Hai~

Helpless ...

... again ... when I think of "the situation" ... but then ...

"Consider the work of God: who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him." (Ecclesiastes 7:13-14, ESV)

After all, the situation is not bad at all; I am just too impatient and have too much expectations too quickly. Keep praying and waiting la ...

"Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools." (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9, ESV)

Hope I don't become hopeless though ...

The current news are mostly about dropping bombs, installment of suiciding bombs, soldiers being killed, natural disasters, parties of the parliament going against each other, separation among nations, etc. Quite miserable since there is almost nothing positive. Well, that fulfills what Lord Jesus said in Luke 21:10-19:

"Then he said to them, 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.' "

This is yet another reminder that Christ is coming back soon - Christians, be alert!

Hai~ I hope you would become a Christian soon ...

One last day of school and I don't have to deal with it for a while ... I don't like staying in school around the clock, but I have no choice!