Perfect ending!



This morning when I came downstairs for church wearing my Canada hoodie, my mother was all dressed up in her Sunday best. Then she saw me sporting my national pride, and she went upstairs to change into her Canada shirt too! =)

It was the perfect ending to the Olympics, and the perfect way to top off the month. To see the country united as one as we celebrated our win in hockey. Waiting in line to get into the bar hours before the game, the bar going nuts, the streets going nuts.........and then to top it off, walking proudly into a fancy Chinese restaurant with the words "Go Canada!" proudly written on my face!

For the last two weeks, the entire country was united in the Olympic games. Random people would talk with strangers about games, events, results, medals.......everyone was excited! The days when our social lives revolved around hockey games and wins and losses.........

I'm so glad I was in Toronto for these Olympics........on our homeland!

Onto March, let's see what God brings!!!

GO CANADA GO!!!!!!!

Olympic fever has hit T.O with the women owning bobsleigh, Alex Bilodeau getting our first gold on Canadian soil, etc etc. Women's hockey final tonight, the men advance to the semi-finals. The excitement in the air these last 2 weeks has been unforgettable! GO CANADA GO!!!

4 years ago....


Olympic fever has hit Canada, and I started thinking about where I was during the last Olympics, why I didn't really pay attention. And then I remembered, "Oh ya, I was in Nicaragua around that time!" Wow, it's been 4 years! So last night, before heading to bed, I whipped out the Nicaragua DVD and reminisced a little bit about that missions trip 4 years ago.

It's hard to believe 4 years have already flown by, yet so much has changed in my life. I still remember never being interested in missions ever, and then God called me to join this trip, so I went. And even afterwards, still feeling that missions just wasn't for me. And now look where I am.....back from 4 months in Jordan, and praying about full-time. Chair of the Mission board at TCBC.

Just like the song on the DVD says, "It's not what you can do for me, but what can I do for You my Lord?" Only He knows the future......

What a month!

What a month January 2010 has been! Joining Executive Board, EMC meetings, getting back into the swing of work, Pastor Tanya resigning, frisbee starting, Tyndale, new fellowship, trying to figure out my life........and to top it off today, my niece was born 10 days early!

Welcome to the world Misha!

Phew, what does February have in store for me? Again, only God knows! =)

Peace that transcends all understanding

Last night, I went to Rani & Phil's wedding as my dad's date, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a LOT of people there who I knew, people outside of the TCBC crew! So, most of the night was spent schmoozing and working the room between each course and just catching up with old friends, some whom I hadn't seen in ages! There's nothing like spending time with good friends to put a huge smile on my face!

I was really happy last night. But I also felt God speaking to me through all of that. I have a LOT of things going for me here in Toronto - this is MY home. I have a lot of friends, and lots of activities. I have SUCH a life here. Most, including me, would find that hard to give up. Why would I ever do such a thing? But instead last night, I just felt this peace fill me, peace that transcends all understanding. God whispered to me, "You see Grace? I took care of you for 26 years. And I will always take care of you." Yes, going overseas will not be easy. It will be VERY difficult in fact, since I won't have the comforts of home (like consistent hot running water), my support group, the people who know me best. My busy activities. But God will be there. And through it all, I know that He will take care of me. So as each day passes, I am more and more certain that He wants me to go out again. I guess we'll just wait to see how the details unfold this year. =)

Happy New Year!!!! Here's to 2010!!!!!!

A new year has begun, and boy am I excited to see what God has in store for all of us in 2010. He really is creative, as my friend Julia puts it, and so every detail will fall into place, all part of His perfect plan. A plan that I just need to trust in, and be patient with.

The past few weeks were good for some much-needed rest and catch-up with friends. This was also the first time I partied on New Year's Eve, as.....if you know my parents, you would know that I'm not normally allowed out on this festive night.

After a night out with the girls, I learned what it meant to recover from New Year's Eve festivities the next day. But it was a really fun night, and I'm glad that I was able to ring in the new year with my ladies by my side.

Christmas time was also really good to catch up with people. The parties were a big success, as parties provide a good venue for people to catch up with people they don't normally see. The Jerk Crew and CCF parties were a raving success, and who knew that re-gifting could be so much fun?

And for those who know me, you know I don't like to sit around, idly doing nothing. So I'm glad that the new year has started, because then I can get busy busy again! I'm excited for frisbee to start, and yesterday my friend Lilian convinced me to take skating lessons with her. Oh wells, could be fun! Plus I'm hoping (if all works out) to take a missions course at Tyndale. Since I'm here for a year, might as well try to learn more to prepare myself to go back out to the Middle East someday.

Right now, my January is going to be super duper boring, but February is going to be crazy busy and packed with work.

So cheers to a brand new year! YAY!!!

Baby Steps

As Christmas approaches, I'm reminded of Rev. Byrne's sermon a few weeks ago on Mary. I remember what stood out about that sermon was how he discussed Mary as a person. Normally, we think about Mary and her obedience, her utter faith in God. But for this sermon, Rev. Byrne focused on grace. I won't do the sermon justice, and I'll probably lose all of you on the point, but he pointed out that in the Bible, there is no mention anywhere that before the angel Gabriel visited her, that she was renowned in Galilee as being a young woman of upstanding character. There was nothing to suggest that she was anything exceptional. She wasn't famous for being a woman of God, just an ordinary girl. What makes her exceptional, is that God chose her. He gave her His gift of grace. And she obediently accepted it.

Faith. Trust. Obedience.

God has started to make things clearer to me, in small baby steps. The pieces of the puzzle are slowly coming together - a slow and painful process, and a definite true test in faith and patience. First of all, I know that as much as I want to go back to the Middle East right away, I know that God has called me to stay in Toronto for at least 2010. When speaking with Krista at IS, she advised me to discuss with my church whether they wanted me to go, as they are my sending body. And my church needs me right now. I've been elected chair of the Mission Board and I really feel that I should really serve the church for at least a year. I don't know what the heck I could ever accomplish, but all I know is that He wants me here. So that is where I'll be.

Sooooooo hard..........when it could mean giving up so much in Jordan. So many friendships and relationships that could be damaged by the time and distance. But I have no choice but to be obedient to my Lord, and to just trust that His timing and His way will be the best plan for my life.

Secondly, I do feel at peace with going back to the Middle East. I think God has made it clear to me that He does want me to go back there, it's not just my fleeting "I miss Jordan" whim that is calling me back, or the friends that I miss. Because friends or no friends, I do think that He wants me out and about. Such a scary thought........all that remains to be seen now, is where, when, and how.....

Baby steps, taking it all in, day by day. =)

Patience. Love. Understanding.