Take time to grieve. Take Time to heal

I just heard that my grandma has just passed away.
She now rests in peace. I do miss her and really wish that I could have talked to her more over the phone. Grandma really loves me and she has a great impact on me. I was going to record a short video clip for her yesterday, but now.......

I'm not sure if I shall go back to HK for the funeral though I'll have a reading break in two weeks. In the meanwhile, I'll take time to think of her and grieve for her. Please remember us in your prayers, especially my mom. Thanks.

2 weeks of time = Ages

Week 2 is over and it's time for a short reflection.
My feeling is that time flies so quickly!!! I can recall a song that I used to sing a lot in the past--
So many books, so little time (Michael Card)
How I wish to have more time to read! In fact, the topics that we're going through are really interesting and I really long to spend more time to read and get the most out from the bible and the textbooks. Here are the quick recaps:

Intro Hebrew: I had to learn all the 23 Hebrew alphabets in lesson 1!! Wow, that's really a graduate-level challenge. However, I really thank God for giving me a good time in learning. Professor Philip Long has a good method of teaching. Learning Hebrew reminds me of teaching my primary school kids how to learn English as a second language. The strategies and skills that I've developped with the children in APS really help me to have a better grasp in learning Hebrew now.

Christian thoughts and culture I: This course really stretches my thoughts! I'm learning from the teachings and theology of the great and faithful christians from the early church ages. It is a challenging course not only because of the many terminology and vocabulary, but also the diversity of the ideas that come across to challenge my present beliefs. We recently are discussing about dualism--the topic about body+soul. It's quite stunning to notice that I've been actually believing in some kind of Gnostics ideas....Oh....really need God's grace to help me find out more of our faith.

The Old Testament Foundation: Guess how long you need to read all the OT? 12 weeks!! So basically I've to go through 15 chapters every day....but I'm behind my schedule ~_~ But I'm really happy to read the textbook too as it gives a really good outline of each book in the OT. Interesting!!!

One of the great experience I had at the beginning of the term was to visit my Hebrew professor. We had some yummy dessert at his home and we had a good chat with other classmates who are also interested in studying OT. I was so glad that Connie and Abby could go and had a wonderful time there too. ^_^

Our whole family will go to the US tomorrow for our first retreat organized by the school. I hope to enjoy the fellowship with my schoolmates and our Lord Jesus Christ.
To enjoy and complete my readings and assignments, I really need your support in prayers.

Culture Shock

The experience I had in the orientation last week was profound (this is a new word that I learned last week ^_^)

To describe my feelings over the last week, you can imagine me having a roller-coaster ride.

Up: Having been anticipating for a new start for a long time, I enjoy meeting many people from all over the world: UK, New Zealand, Australia, Asia(China, Indonesia, Singapore, S.Korea), Africa.......People have different stories to tell of why they come to study at Regent; people from different cultures and backgrounds....and we're coming together to learn to love and support one another, and to learn about our faith....This is just so exciting.

Down: On the second day of the orientation, I began to feel stressed. As the faculty talked about the program, I just felt uneasy as I would drop 1 course to reduce my load, which means it would delay my year of graduation. Oh, how I wish to finish sooner and go back to HK!! In addition, I would need more money to finance my education and living. It's really an act of faith. Indeed I had thought of quitting my studies and go back to HK. This thought came across my mind many times along the week.

Up: The chapel (service) on the next day was my turning point. During the singspiration, we sang out a song which has a wonderful melody and lyrics:

"You're King and You reign over all things. You're King and You reign over all......"

I was so moved by this song as I noticed that God is in control of my life. I would learn to struggle and then submit to God. This song helped me to focus back to God again. I said to myself, "Who's the one to decide how much time would I stay at Regent?" God is my Lord and if He would like me to slow down a bit, I'd trust in Him and walk at a slower pace. After accepting the new decision, I do appreciate the notion behind this 'slower pace' , which make time available for more reading and reflecting on the things we learn in lectures. Other than the song, I was more relieved as I could share my concerns with a few other schoolmates that were sitting around me. We prayed together. I'm happy to make new friends through sharing and praying.

Down again: After four days of orientation, I started to make a number of friends. However, I began to feel lost and I felt a sense of loniness inside. I guess I had a yearning for more intimate friendships but which could not be easily developed quickly. I sensed that when all of the students were having coffee breaks and lunch, they tended to form small groups...but I was in neither of them...I felt quite strange as I really long for being accepted by people from different cultures and background. I guess I was in search of my identity. I could understand that we may need to overcome certain psychological barriers in order for us to become closer friends, but the feeling of being left out just simply couldn't be shaken off.

Up again: That very last day of orientation, God gave me hope again through a very familiar song I used to sing in Chinese.

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

The chorus of the song really caught my glance. It seemed to call my attention back to Jesus at Regent instead of merely in search of satisfaction in relationships.

The next verse also gave me comfort:

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

I would not deny my yearnings, but I really thank God for reassuring His love and grace to me so that I could face the different challenges ahead.

The most touching moment was the benediction at the end of the service. Before Professor Darrell Johnson proclaimed the blessings, he asked us to be silent for a moment as he needed to wait upon more of His instructions. Then after a while, he said, “I think this is what God wants me to say….

‘I called you here. Though it seems that you decided to come to Regent, it’s me who called you.’……”

I was so moved and truly thanked God for such assurance. No matter what the obstacles are ahead, or the many changes that I may have to face, I can rest assure that God would take care of me. May Him be glorified when people see the path that I go through.

What an unforgettable orientation week!! ^_^

Magic Number: 33

33.......It meant quite a lot to me......

a) I live on West 33rd Avenue in Vancouver
b) I just celebrated my 33rd birthday
c) My Lord Jesus Christ was cruxified and resurrected when He was 33
(of course I'm not saying that I'm gonna die this year....who knows? ^_^)

I am so grateful and thankful to God for surrounding me with love. The Chows gave me a surprise celebration a few days ago. They bought me a really nice birthday cake and they really surprised me for I didn't know that they would remember my birthday.
Thinking back....one of my unforgettable birthday was the year that I entered university. My parents drove me to the resident and helped me settle. We had dinner and they returned to Toronto. I felt extremely lonely afterwards for I had to face a new life at the university alone. I wept while I was taking shower and I prayed to God for grace.....Now as I celebrate my birthday this year, I'm on a new journey again. But I really thank God for having Connie and Abby to walk with me....It's not the same anymore.....

One more blessing to my birthday this year is that my Mom is here in Vancouver!!! She arrived on 4/9 and would stay with us for 5 days. Then she'll be returning to Toronto. It's so nice to have her celebrate together because I could thank her for all she and dad did over the years. We went to a Japanese restaurant for dinner and Mom was delighted of the yummy food.

Later on the evening, I got another surprise--Anson and Charis(my landlords) came down with a birthday cake!!! What a surprise!!! I really thank them for their love to me and my family. They're not only my landlords, but good neighbours and a loving brother and sister in Christ. Though we met recently, I pray that our friendship grows strong.

I also want to thank lots of other buddies in HK and Aussie, who also sent me SMS/FB greetings on my birthday.
I got 46 presents on my birthday!!!!! They're my shipment goods that I've packed to Vancouver and they were delivered to my home today. Connie and I were so pleased now that we can get our stuff from Hong Kong and settle down in our new home. We spent the whole day unpacking and putting them in place. We're almost done. Abby was so happy to see her stuff too. These things we used in Hong Kong really made our new place a home-sweet-home feeling as they're our cherished memories.

When our house is settled, I hope to focus in my study as lessons will start on next Tuesday.
I would really like to share about the orientation that was held last week but I guess I'd share with you more in later posts.

Last night I dreamed of my colleagues, students and school life. I know I really miss them. I would love to see their faces and chat with them. Just wish them all the best as school has started this week.