Spring & Summer Terms

I have not blogged for the longest time. Did not even use the computer much since my final exams were over. Since I was not stuck at my desk studying, I have not been keeping up with my blog. I know it's weird but when you see a lot of blog entries, that's a sign that the exams are approaching! My means of release and 'distraction'. Much has happened since my last entry. I thank God for His faithfulness in seeing me through a very hectic term last term. Too 3 courses of total 9 credits and average of 12-hour week is quite a full plate. On top of that, managed to keep up my involvement in Alpha on Friday nights, church and swimming routine. Managed to stick in 3 musicals since a lot of good performances are put up nearing the Easter season. Managed to keep up my grades so far, with a little sacrifice of sleep. All in all, it was a fruitful term by the grace of God.

Visited the Canadian Rockies, at Banff with a few friends. I love the sight of the mountains. They are majestic, awe inspiring and simply breath-takingly beautiful. It was a 900km drive and I went with some friends from College. The drive was not easy on the little ones but generally we all made it alright, despite the distance. It was beautiful and scenic drive, and we broke the journey for a night on the way there. I love the quaint little towns that we visited and stayed in. It was good just to take time off from reading, studying and internet connections. Hikes, walks, visit to the Columbian Icefields, the historical Banff HotSpring hotel, taking lots of pictures and not forgetting, eating. Some parts of the beautiful lakes and waterfalls were still frozen cause it was still Spring. Then again each season has its own beauty. We managed to keep within our budget even though we took a number of meals outside that was not factored into the budget. I enjoyed the opportunity to drive a 7-seater Dodge-Caravan for some of the journey. No joke considering I can't see all the way to the front, my side or the back and vehicles here are not installed with reverse signals! It was great fun familiarising with driving on the wrong side of the road and trying to remember not to use my Malaysian driving skills thereby giving my co-pilot and passengers a scare.

This week's been pretty busy as I had the opportunity of serving those who attended the Pastors' Conference. The sessions were superb and felt really blessed by the messages. The Lord really moved among the participants and my heart was thrilled to see these ministers being refreshed and ministered to during worship, the messages and also the Communion and commissioning service at the end. Truly the Lord is so good. Most of the speakers had pastoral experience and even practised as a psychologist, but more importantly they all had gone through many painful experiences. They range from wayward son who turned to drugs, infertility that led to an adoption of 4 children from different races, and another who after choosing to adopt a daughter only to find that she would be permanently disable from birth. We were blessed by their honest sharing from their own journey. It gave us a glimpse of how the Lord brought them through their painful experiences and continues to sustain them in them. It was a soul-searching time for all and I'm glad the conference timetable was quite relaxed, giving the participants enough time to rest and reflect on what's being shared. Darrell Johnson was the Conference Pastor and took one evening session to help these pastors attend to their prayer life. It's basic and vital lifeline to keep our walk with God and ministry fresh and alive.

One important highlight is I got a scholarship for another year of studies. It is not a full scholarship but will cover major portion of my tuition. This is such a tremendous blessing. I've been praying, thinking but trying not to be anxious about it. God came through and I can only whisper my humble and grateful thanks. I am taking 3 courses this Spring and Summer term although the scholarship does not cover for this. But with the annual rising tuition, I hope to do as much as I can, as fast as I can. I am grateful to the Lord for the part-time job He has provided me which I will continue to work. I love the job and as Spring School starts next week, I'll be able to see all the preparation work my department has been doing slowly being executed. It's pretty exciting. I also have 2 short-term part-time jobs this Summer, which is to assist Dr Karen Jobes who will be lecturing 2 weeks on Esther, and the other is to coordinate the one day Prayer Retreat led by Dr Christopher Hall. Since there is only one Prayer Retreat this year, I expect the turn out will be quite good. Then in mid-August, I will have another job to help to organise the Orientation for incoming international students. That should be fun but that means I must be really disciplined and try to cover all my base with all that I am seeking to do and still want to play and do sight seeing! I am hoping to catch the Jazz Fest, Folk Festival, Dragon Boat competition, visit Bruchard Gardens in Victoria Island, etc.

Yet there are painful and sad news in the midst of all these praise reports. This is a season of goodbyes for me as many of my closest buddies will be returning home. God has provided them at a crucial time of my stay here and almost as if just to see me through this season, because they will be returning home although had initally planned to stay longer when they came. Another piece of sad news, came from a friend who had returned to Singapore with her family (she is married) for a visit, only to be told that her father was to be admitted for a major operation upon her arrival. What a shock but the family had chose to keep it from her until she reached home. Then this week, a fellow volunteer a death at the Skytrain (equaivalent to the MRT in Malaysia) station. He was on the way home in the evening and suddenly a man loomed in front of an oncoming train. He witnessed the entire ordeal although he could not tell what the man looked like or whether he was pushed, fell or jumped into the track. This is such a traumatic incident to witness even though it was a complete stranger. Thus the landscapes of our lives are full of highs and lows weaved together at any one time.