"It Has No 'Flavour'"

It's been one of those weeks. I probably haven't had one like this all summer though.

So many late days and sleeping in.

I've missed multiple breakfasts and my lunches took a toll.

I've had three skype meetings this week 8-9pm or so, I went out to see Pacific Rim Tuesday night (such a great movie) and got home at 1 to then spend an hour writing and sending an email got to bed at 3. Woke up late (no lunch left in the fridge). I think I had three bananas and two peaches left. That night after a short time at the gym we went out for sushi. xP Also I got to officially meet W(?) and W(?). We went to pool after sushi until midnight. Got home, passed out, woke up late. Decided I could not do anything Thursday because I needed to do dishes, cook, clean, and all this other stuff. So I didn't go to the gym. Got a bunch done I think..? Managed to get a free lunch yesterday by going to a seminar. lol Free subway is probably a bit better than the half bag of dry mr. noodles, a pepper, and four uncooked hotdogs. lol... Went to bed at midnight. Woke up exhausted and half an hour late to leave. >.< Tonight I got to go to "The Taste of Saskatchewan" event downtown. xP. Good times. I went with YF and his friend P(?). Good times eating, joking and laughing. "Someone must always make a sacrifice, today, that is me." Haha.

Gotta sleep.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

July 14th Unknown Hour ~8:45-9pm ish

"This situation is pretty funny. I mean, I was having dinner and watching anime and then the lights went off kinda suddenly. Like all of them. So I finished watching the show (it had managed to load fully. lol) and then kinda just went around the building. I felt like this was one of those times where complete strangers would band together for the common good simply because they live near each other. lol. Not exactly.

I guess cell phones get in the way, however, I did not have mine. I had left it in FB's car accidentally. >.>

I went out on the balcony to see what was happening outside. It seemed to really get people going. I have never seen so many people outside by my house. They all seemed to be walking in the same direction: towards the landlord's office. So I went too. I was disappointed to not find a crowd, but whatever. He tried calling Sasktel. Busy. As far as he knew, a couple blocks in each direction (but North) were out too. He figured since we are on a rural grid, someone may have hit a pole and set it all off, potentiall for a while.

So, I set off to find power.

Rather, I am going to go to work (the direction that had power). FB had kidnapped me from work yesterday, so my bike was still there. When I started writing this I was sitting at the bus stop. One bus, only going to the nearby mall, appeared. So I asked about transfers (I usually just take one bus).

Not today.

?

Sunday night there are no buses apparently. Since it was close she didn't charge me (Yuss! I only had one ticket left. xP). So I walk.

Now I am maybe halfway? I'm playing  with the idea of hitch hiking. CW would approve and it would be fun. lol. So far I ran into a Chinese lady with a bike. She didn't know about it all. Her English was not great, so now I am prepared for the next one (probably sketchily prepared): 我的家没有电气。你的家有没有吗. (getting eaten alive by mosquitos)."

So I kinda ran the rest of the way..?

Anyways, I'm about to bike home. It was like 10:45 when I ended up getting here and is now 11:40. >.>

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Sorry for being lazy.

Today was a long day at work. I ended up staying til 7 then was doing other stuff online til 9:15. XP.

Met up with YF for lunch. A little talk I guess. It's kinda funny how I want to talk more about God with him, but we actually have other things to talk about. I never have other things to talk about with anyone. Lolll. Good times though. I'm gonna miss him when I leave in seven weeks. T.T

Anyways, I'm going to bed. Lol. Below is the manuscript for the testimony I gave at Alpha last week. Thirty or so people, many who do not know Jesus as their saviour yet. Glad to be able to speak and share a bit of God's plan in my life.

"Unlike some whose first time at an Alpha course was 7 weeks ago, for me it was five and a half years ago. But like many, I came because a friend who invited me to go. I didn't really know what to expect, maybe some games, maybe some videos. Time with my friend.

What I found was life changing, a time to meet and get to know a new friend, named Jesus. Over the weeks of the course I heard about God and His love for us, but also about our sin, the wrong things we have done that separate us from God. Lying, stealing, cheating on a test. Each of us have it, but no good deeds, could make up for them. Jesus came down to earth to take our punishment and die for each of us and rose again. Now we can ask for His forgiveness and ask Him into our lives.

For a couple years I tried to just fit Jesus into my life. Go to church, prayer meetings, help out at church, while living my life the rest of the time. That isn't how it works though. God doesn't want us to give Him an hour Sunday morning, he wants us to know Him and be in relationship with Him. Experience Him in every aspect of our lives.

I asked Jesus to come into my life about 4 years ago, and since then have been baptised and seen Him do amazing things in my life as well as the lives of people everywhere I've been; Canada, America, Asia, Africa, but this was still a lesson I need to learn more each day. I think alpha course this time has really helped me to see this more. Talks on prayer and walking with the Spirit and trusting God in every moment. And actually each morning before alpha I ended up reading a passage in the Bible that was talked about later. This just further showed how God is act work all the time and how His plans are not restricted to the church building.

I have been so blessed by God's plans for me here in Saskatoon and want to learn more and more what it means to trust in Him wherever He sends me, whatever time or place.

If you don't know Jesus, or if you have for a while, I encourage you to seek Him more. Taste and see that He is good."

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Well Fed

I have food again. lol.

I was down to like 3 carrots, 4 boxes of KD, 3 cans of tuna, and random little bits of stuff. >.>

Bought a lot of groceries. Probably enough for the rest of the summer aside from more vegetables.

I also bought an avocado and ate it. =D

So today I had some interviews. One went very well I think, the other not so much. lol...

Had a really good lab meeting, all the background information for everything we are doing. Now I fully understand.

Ummmm. ya. Got to talk with PG a bit after work. I finally stopped being a coward, prayed, and just asked him how he knew about SCAC. He apparently goes to the only other Chinese church in Saskatoon, and has gone pretty regularly for more than 3 years and his parents back in China are Christian. So, I look forward to talking more to him about what it all means to him, and he said I could come to church with him sometime. xP And because his church is sharing a building the service is at 2, so I could actually go between SCAC and the other church I'm going to. But, three churches..? Hmmmmmm.....?

Ya. haha.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Thorns Hurt

Hey guys,

last night I got to talk with a brother who struggles with a lot of the same things I do. It was really good to be real and talk about these things and know that someone else has gone through this all and still is trying to hold onto Christ as best he can. It was really encouraging. The first time I heard his testimony I was very impressed with the boldness he had in even being able to tell it.

Hypothetical question:
You are on your death bed. Would you rather have healing or forgiveness?

Now I fully understand that the question is vague and no context and ya, but I think I just realized how this applies to my situation.

At alpha I was going to say forgiveness; But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:15

But I guess I've been living the first answer, that I'd rather have healing.

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor 12:7b-10

Paul wasn't healed, but he was still was able to see God use his life to change the eternities of multitudes.

I don't like this answer.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Field of Vision

So, yesterday was microscope day!

The microscope I had been using until this week had the fluorescent lamp's bulb die (of old age), so it needs to be replaced... Meantime, I am still requiring a microscope for hours each day and the other one is usually being used, so I need to check each day it's availability. Yesterday I had it 8:30-10:30 and I needed to get to work early to make sure I could finish the staining / destaining process before then because I had 5 samples and WZ was going to have a few, adn they each take 15-30 minutes or so if done thoroughly.

So, I slept in a bit. Bad morning. Biked. Got 3 of 5 done for 8:45ish, left WZ to finish for me. Got on the microscope and she tells me I have until 3? Ok. =D No pressure. WZ comes in with all the samples prepared. He had 10. >.< . . .

Ya... I ended up on the microscope straight through lunch until 2:54. >.< But!!! I got to see cool fungal structures!!! =D So, I'm not too upset. lol.

Last Alpha Course session about the church and telling others. YF said he wants 'someone to be nice to him as he slowly learns to trust in God, no pressure'. But it's true, God has definitely been slowly at work in him. So, I don't really want to push, but it would be so awesome if he did come to know Jesus as his saviour now so we could do discipleship stuff. >.>

Today was not much. Tower Defense. Pokémon Tower Defense 2. lol..... >.< So much wasted time.

So, I'm still going through the New Testament this summer and posting my thoughts on my other blog. Cool stuff: people from Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Cuba (as well as a lot of the other countries that have seen this blog) have seen posts.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Not Registering

Yo, so it's that time of year again. Everyone is registering for courses for the coming fall.

I'm not?

Well, I actually am, which is odd. It's also odd that that is odd. I mean, I haven't graduated, so why would it be odd for me to register? Co-op. I have two more terms this year, so I'm not gonna be at school full time again until nest September, like 2014. But I am thinking of applying for a course or two to make my last year easier since I am allowed to take a course or two.

So, ya. I'm registering? I have a very limited selection having only classes that are between the hours of 6-9pm. Hmmmm..... Plus I want it to help me so I can take less courses next year, and hopefully really easy ones next year, so hopefully I can take a single 'hard-ish' course each semester. Seems like I have no choices if I want to do that. It's so weird... I actually want to take Bioinformatics really badly despite knowing it will suck. haha.

Shoot. . . If I take classes, I will have to go to school? >.> Hmmm. That may ruin my plans. . . Let's find an online course for the fall! =D

. . . (Three hours later)

Ok! All fixed up. xP. Hopefully this will all work out as I have been hoping. I guess I should pray about my plans too.

Anyways, ya... with all this registrations stuff I kinda stayed up late last night and didn't wake up until 9. >.< Everything was ok though. I just missed a boring meeting that was irrelevant to me.

Got to talk with PG a bit more. Praying that I'd be able to share the hope and security I have in Christ with him soon.

I got the package from FedEx Ground yesterday. Only open 8-12 and 4-6:30 and it's 30 minutes by car away. Like, it's at the furthest North point of the city. Past the correctional facility. >.> It's a bunch of 'Exploration Bible's with Bible studies for people who have never read the Bible before. DH was really curious about it and KA was restraining interest, but FB is still as adamant as ever that I need to cut out the Bible studies from my schedule and go to the gym more. Hopefully we can have a discussion through this.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

A California Driver's License

Hey guys.

Yesterday was ok. My first Canada Day away from Ottawa, the capital city. Not much happened until 6pm. I kinda slept in, cooked a bit, checked out the "gym" in my condo complex (super old running equipment and a monstrous machine for every type of weight training), then sewing my shirt back into one piece. lol.

At 6 I met YF and his friend P(?) to go to the main event. It was at this giant park and there was just a lot of people, a small stage, and a million booths selling stuff. Also some inflatable games we didn't play. Got to learn a bit about P(?) who is from Mexico where she studied immunology.

I found an awesome gospel tract on the ground. It looked like a wallet! So we were all like "I wonder whose wallet this is?" Surprise! =D And so we went through the personality test on the inside largely about lying and stealing, which quickly gets into sin and what God did about it all. YF was helping keep the conversation going and was asking her questions. xP. I got to have great conversation with P(?) about grace and the law and learned a bit about her experience in the Catholic church in Mexico. By this point it was almost firework time and YF was really distracted. >.> lol... oh well. next time.

Had no idea what was going to happen this day, but just keep your eyes on Him, His Kingdom and His righteousness, eh?

Today was boring. lol.

Ttyl.

D.Fa




PS. Pakistan!

A chair and a laptop

Pretty much wasted the whole day I think.

It kinda really annoys me that KA will not do anything 'social' outside of work hours. Like, how am I supposed to get to know you when we only get to talk for like 20 minutes at lunch 3 or 4 times a week? And even then he hardly talks. >.<

And sitting here all day is so useless.

>.<

D.Fa

The Goal is Holiness in Christ

Sometimes I wish I could just be honest with you. like 100%. Cause there's so much I wish I could just get off my chest right now, but here in this forum like this isn't the way it should happen. Some things are better left unsaid until better figured out and, no offense, but my blog is nearly never going to be the first to hear anything from me.

Anyways, yesterday was kinda boring. lol. It was like official cleaning day at work, so we had a meeting at 9 am to organize ourselves and then got to it at 10. Our lab was by far the messiest. Like stuff from 40 years ago? Stuff from people who have never worked with anyone still in the lab. >.> Additionally, it is a pretty big space.

I actually had to dip the last half of the meeting because I had an interview to do on the phone. On two days notice I had to email everyone in the co-op office to get the interview onto a media I could do (phone or skype instead of in Ottawa in person). It was figured out, but then the interview was pushed back an hour.

At lunch FB came with me to have lunch with YF. LOL. I think it was a good time. Now FB can't make fun of my 'asian friends' as much and it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. lol.

Alpha as always was sweet. Talked about healing, a topic I am quite skeptical of. But like, it's called a miracle because it goes beyond what is normally possible. A miracle is hard to believe because it is, hard to believe based on normal conditions. It is like being able to see a tiny bit of what God is actually capable of. The non-Christians in our group were very skeptical of it and asked if any of us had actually seen someone healed, which a few girls had. But they also wanted to emphasize that physical healing isn't the most important thing. If you are healed physically, you are still gonna die. If you are healed spiritually, there is so much more left for you whenever you do pass from this life to eternity.

Today: sin. Mewtwo Strikes Back (with the 10 minutes that were removed about the girl who died and mewtwo's childhood which should never have been removed. >.<). Dish washing / laundry. Missed a bus. Finally read the Bible. Bussed downtown. Messaged a brother about my sin (good talk. Really blessed to have met him recently). Watched a couple hours of JazzFest with some friends (so many songs from Dixie band. The second band, like literally every song was from our song package, and in the same arrangement. >.>). FREE PC brand food. xP. Bussed home with an interesting talk with a guy whose name I never got. Now I'm here, still grieving.

*sigh*

But I know God is greater and even this somehow is in His plans for the greater good. Lessons to learn. Humility to remember. Gotta get the Spirit to help me stay on track, cause this sucks.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

PS. Greece. Sweet.

Don't Drown

I have an interview tomorrow so this will be written in less than 5 minutes.

So, for the last few days I have been very serious about taking my breaks at work. Not just because looking through a bright microscope for hours hurts my eyes, but also because I have kinda been missing breakfast a bit and breakfast is when I read the Bible, so I really need to prioritize that.  So at 10 and 3 I got upstairs to the old lunch break room place and read and pray. It has been a really sweet week and I think I have really heard God speak to me, whether or not I like what He said. Today FB found out that I was taking breaks up there. He's kinda against Bible reading and Bible studies and everything, so when he got up there we just had to play pool instead of letting me keep reading. lol.  Pool is cool I guess. I really pray FB would be open t going through a Bible study himself in a week or two.

Talk to you later.

D.Fa

Excited

Yo.

So I guess I said I would tell you some things. lol

As I tweet, I am really excited. xP

A friend I met a year or so ago met one of my friends. I only got to spend a little bit of time with him, so we didn't get to talk all that much about Jesus or anything, but he had a bunch of good conversations with him about the Bible and Christ. xP. He even was thinking about sin and came up with an analogy of a dot on a piece of paper. I had never actually heard that before so that's sweet. xP

Additionally, my friend YF really enjoyed the Alpha retreat and had a lot of fun and it was great getting to spend more time with him outside of the food court or church. lol. He also started reading the book I got him about Science and faith in God. xP. Says he's really relating to the concerns raised by Lee Strobel. The book is called "Case for a Creator" and I really enjoyed it. Strobel, as a journalist, goes to the experts to ask questions about science's portrayed incompatibility with faith, and along the way everything that had caused them to become atheistic originally now were actually in support of intelligent design and God.

Anyways, ttyl.

D.Fa

我们一起吃

Yo.

It's been a couple days, eh? Ya. It has been. lol.

It was a couple days where I didn't get back home until like 12.

Friday there was no Alpha course at night so I told FB we should do something. He had been sick all week, so it was a long time. We went to Costco and then back to his house. He made spaghetti and we watched Bleach. lol. Filler episodes. >.> Then we ended up watching Superbad. The trailers made it look way better than it actually was. The last five minutes were okay though. lol. I don't think too many people cared, but the moral of the story seemed to be that you shouldn't do all this stupid stuff to impress the girl. Just be yourself. But that kinda gets lost among all the highschool drunkenness and cops who should never have received badges. >.> Not recommended.

So I got home late. lol. Sleep. Immediately.

Next morning. Saturday. Wake up at 7. Picked up at 8 and away we go. Alpha camp weekend. xP Drove like 20 minutes away, a small town called Aberdeen. Apparently, a couple who had been going to SCAC had moved out there and opened a restaurant which also has a large room suitable for us. We watched three sessions with two group discussion times. It was really good. YF asked a bunch of good questions and we really discussed the work of the Holy Spirit. It's a little funny how cultural norms are just different. Like I would feel awkward having a conversation about each of our thoughts on premarrital sex, but not our group. lol... But ya. Good talks about the Holy Spirit.

At lunch I got to meet this group of guys that I thought were all in highschool. Nope. All in University. We went bowling after. This 19 year old killed it. He got like 158. lol. it was fun.

Later that night we were going to go for KTV with some of the others that hadn't come with us. So we chilled around downtown for a bit. Art gallery. Chase a rainbow. Dinner at a vietnamese restaurant.

KTV was good. I learned so much Chinese. lolll

Today was pretty standard. Well, for me anyways. lol. I read a lot of awesome things, but I'll save it for tomorrow.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Who's There?

*knock knock knock*

*knock knock knock* "205??"

*knock knock* "205..?"

"Is everything ok? Your door was ajar."

So, kinda odd way to wake up.

Ya, I often forget to lock, and sometimes even close my door when I get home and once I'm here I usually don't leave. So, that happened. Awkward.

Today I had a lab meeting and gave a summary of what I've been doing to our lab supervisor guy who is always in another province. Interesting.

It started raining as I biked home. >.>

Applied for a job. Pray for that. Thanks.

D.Fa

Forgot the Word for Water

Yo.

I got a application for a job to finish by tomorrow at midnight.

Today was cool. I got to talk to KC, like a new KC who went to Brock about his heart for and call from God about student ministry. Pretty cool.

I was on the microscope all day. not cool. lol.

Everyone in the lab now knows that I speak some Chinese. lolll.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

He Will Be My Light!

Yo.

I want to get out of this valley already.

I've been just digging deeper, and each time I tried to climb out I slip back further.

But this is it. I'm done.

I've stopped long enough to realize there was a rope ladder on the other side attached to a helicopter ready and waiting to pull me out and upwards.

Multiple times this week God has just been so clearly planning everything. Like on Friday I was texting a bro and talking about a verse in Psalm 119. I was feeling really down about what I had done that morning, so on my break I ended up reading the whole psalm. Later that night was Alpha and it was about the Bible, God's word. And they mentioned Psalm 119 a few times since it is a psalm all about God's word.

Saturday, I don't know what I was doing, but I googled 'Christian pickup lines'. They are all hilarious, trust me. lol. Sunday night's sermon started with a verse I had read in the comments on one of those pages. Psalm 56:1a "be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me" (read out of context it is a verse many women have joked about including the speaker that night). But her talk was really great. David called out in danger, but also praised God for the fact that He fulfills His promises and although still in the situation, God will work and get him through it. And the last verse of the psalm is really great too.

Psalm 56:13 "For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."

God has freed us from slavery to sin, from fear of death, from all of the punishment we deserve so we could walk in light and life. That's amazing. He did it. Not us.

A sister sent me this verse and encouragement about sin: " “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great namethe Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to makeyou his own. (1 Samuel 12:20-22)

This has always encouraged me when sin seems so big. Even though we have done evil, we don't have to be afraid to come to God. And out of fear for the Lord, we RUN to him to walk in the light and He is the Light! 

God is bigger! God wants us still! "

So my prayer right now for all of this situation is out of Psalm 119:

Psalm 119:132-133 "Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me."

As well as praise for Him, knowing that He is greater than sin and can set us free.

So, ya. Walk in the light. Seek His guidance and power to fight temptation. Trust in His goodness and plans.

D.Fa




PS. This song is great too.

May They Be Brought to Complete Unity (John 17:23)

Hey.

Do you know what communion is? It is this thing in church when we eat part of a loaf of bread, or a cracker, and drink a thimble of juice or wine. That is what it literally is, but it has so much more meaning than that. This we do in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, where his body (represented by bread or crackers) was broken and his blood (represented by juice or wine) was poured out for the forgiveness of our sins and for us to be made new in Him. So when we do that we remember Him and what He did. It is also done together with other Christians as a reminder that we were all adopted into God's family through this act on the cross.

So, ya, ever since I first saw communion back in like grade 10 I wanted to do it together with everyone. I couldn't wait to be baptized (I didn't understand what it all meant at the time). When I was finally baptized I did know what it meant. It meant dying to self and being made alive in Christ again. From that point on I never turned down communion. It means so much to me that God would send Jesus to die on the cross for me despite my many imperfections, selfishness and sin, as well as the body known as the church and how supportive and encouraging they have been being able to take it together with them, unified in Christ and by the Spirit.

So, why did I turn down communion the last two weeks?

I was so pissed at that church for their lack of welcoming newcomers that I pretty much disowned them as a legit church, which is absolutely not my place to make that judgment. Absolutely not.

I was just being bitter, selfish and prideful.

Each week I felt this conviction that what I was doing was wrong. They are a part of the body of Christ too. Not perfect, in the same way that I am not perfect. But rejecting them was like rejecting God.

So when I finally gave in and asked God to help me forgive them, asd then took communion with them I think this was a pretty big thing. >.>

Anyways, ttyl.

D.Fa

Dim Sum and Dads

Definitely the first time.

Today is Father's day. For sure the first time I have ever called my Dad to say 'happy father's day'. Kinda slept in, got a drive to church. Today was a guest pastor speaking about marriage. Seemed phrased a bit like a list of things tp.do and things not to do, but it was ok. Lol. "Tell your wife she is a beautiful doe."

After we went for Dim Sum! XD So good. Mmmmmm. With 15 people it is also cheaper. Lolll. Was only 12$ for so much tasty food. S(?) is crazy. He seemed to know all the waiters. His French is not good though. Lol.

Fun times.

Got home and called my dad. My mom is doing a lot better, otherwise things stay the same. KFA is still not doing anything productive, Max is still being a crazy puppy.

I didn't tell them I will be in Ottawa for the fall yet.

Oh! I was watching a video the other day. Andrew Huang grew up in Ottawa?!??!?!! He has to do a show there eventually. Yes. Now we wait.

Anyways. Ttyl.

D.Fa

PS. I think I will know so much Chinese by the end of the summer. XP

Saturdays are Slow

Yo. Saturdays are so lazy. lol.....

I feel like I never get anything done on weekends.

I guess I slept in, read some news (very rare), did laundry, dishes, cooked the last three brown bananas, uploaded pictures, am nearly done writing an update, but otherwise not much.

Started a prayer group for EA'14. There's three of us confirmed that want to go really badly, so it's like, let's dream a bit bigger, what can we ask God to do, how many people do we want to see come with us? =D So today we are gonna pray about what God would have us pray for. It'd be easy to just ask for us to be able / called to go. 3/3 But it'd be crazy to say, ask for 10 people to go with us, which was the sum of everyone who went on a project this year. o.O But anything is possible with God, right?

So ya. Not much happens on Saturdays, especially when FB is sick so we don't crash his house and watch movies. >.<

Anyways, ttyl.

D.Fa

Where are the Men?

Today was by far the most boring day of work. On a computer all day looking at colourful dots. >.<

But Alpha course was really good. Today was about how to read the Bible. Always good discussions.

So, I'm trying to find some guy who is older than me to be like, good influence, and disciple me. Today I focused on getting to know one guy who said he was 27. I thought he was in highschool last week until he drove away. lol. So, he is actually 27. >.< lol..... But he's still very young in his faith. Only heard about Christ 8 years ago, and has only been going to church regularly for 1 year now. He's a really cool guy and hilarious, but I feel like I need to be encouraging him to grow in a relationship with Christ. >.>

Ah. I don't want to be at the top of the food chain, so to speak.

So I guess I need to talk more with the other guy who is older than me who hasn't said out loud that he isn't Christian. I don't really want to talk to the pastor... lol... Reminds me too much of AN. >.> lol.

And there's always AB to meet up with.

Ah.

Why is discipleship so hard?

D.Fa

Faith without Action is Dead

Yo. So when stuff happens I just gotta blog. Tell someone. Share my joy. XP.

So today I got to meet up with YF for lunch again. And not too long in he asked me to help explain the first couple chapters of John. He had read them twice. XP. We really didn't get too into it with only like 40 minutes, but it was a good talk about prophets and sin and prayer.

One thing he mentioned that he thinks is stupid about relying on God is that you then don't do anything. The analogy we came to was about finding a job. People relying on God will sit at home and pray for a job. Very unlikely (not impossible though). You gotta get out there and put hard work in so you can get that job. I totally agree. If I want a job I need to apply, but at the same time I can ask God to help me: give me the right opportunities, words to say in interviews, help making decisions, peace while uncertain about the future, etc. The saying goes 'do your best, and let God do the rest' not 'expect God to do it all 'cause you're lazy'...

There was a story of someone drowning, waiting for God to help in a miraculous way. He drowned because he didn't accept the help God sent in seemingly ordinary ways.

Gotta keep our eyes open for what God is doing.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Why I Don't Normally Buy Butter, Eggs, or Flour

Transplanting barley on what appeared to be a lab field trip was hilarious.

That was my day. lol.

Then I had an interview. Ate the rest of my 'banana cream pie'. Then I washed the dishes. Made cookie dough.

That was my night.

Gotta sleep. Bye.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Josiah was 8 Years Old

Yo. I actually woke up on time today! =D

>.< Was exhausted by 3:30... lol.

Oh well. I gotta make sure I sleep earlier today. >.>

After work was the semi-weekly P2C book study and today I was leading. All new people again! =D >.< So, no one read the chapter..? Instead we just read the Bible. xP. The chapter was all about Josiah's revival and the things he did as a young man and how we can learn from him. So we read 2 Chr 34 and talked about what he did. Then we got into the book and looked at the five things Josiah was and I basically asked "how is that important to revival?" and let the discussion go until awkward silence. lol Bible studies aren't that hard. I wish I had three extra Old Testaments though. Cell phones are not allowed at my Bible studies.

Anyways,

ttyl.

D.Fa

Broken

[June 8]

Hey, so today was interesting.

It was pouring all morning... Woke up frantically at 7 for nothing. So I went to sleep. Woke up at 9 semi-frantically and waited hours for nothing. I was supposed to have an interview at 9 am Saskatchewan time. I haven't heard back yet about what happened. ... Next Saturday. >.> Ok. Lol.......

Anyways, the rest of the day was different. Dim sum, Menchie's, work, dubbed Bleach anime, pizza at FB's, and Kill Bill Vol.1.

Yeah.

Rom 1:30 speaks of those who have turned from the knowledge of God to their passions. They 'invent new ways of sinning' says the NLT translation.

Honestly, I have seen this in my life. So many things can become a means to sin. So many. And then you never see it the same way. It is then always a foothold the devil brings back to haunt us.

I cannot overcome sin on my own. I cannot.

My flesh doesn't want me to.

I couldn't change if I tried, I couldn't change even if my flesh wanted to.

But what is impossible for man is possible with God.

Seeking His Kingdom and righteousness; being filled and lead by the Spirit of power; walking in the forgiveness of Christ which leads to repentance; experiencing the firm, but loving embrace of God each day as He disciplines and teaches.

He can change us, even if we can't.

I'm praying He gives me faith, to trust what he says, to see His goodness and the greatness of His love.

I know I am broken, but if I give You this life, You can do something with it.

Free Time

Yo. Today was the first day that I have had a drive to church from someone who wasn't my housemate in a long time. J(?) picked me up and we went to school to pick up YF.

Service was interesting. Today was Mandarin / Cantonese with English in the headphones. We left pretty quickly after service so I didn't get to talk to the pastor about getting an English / Chinese Bible for YF, but in the meantime I let him borrow one of mine.

I waste way too much time when there's nothing due.

I went to church again tonight, but AB is apparently on business trip for another week. >.> So I don't know what to do. I think I need to pray more about this church because I'm really stuck on this whole not forgiving them for not welcoming me. >.<

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Sovereign means His Plans are Higher

Yo. Have I ever told you that God has it all figured out?

Well, ya, He does.

Today I got to have lunch with my friend again. As usual we talked about seemingly random things. I kinda feel bad after these lunches for not being able to share the good news, the hope I have, Christ, more during the conversations, but I just prayed for a chance to after work before going to church.

And that is exactly what happened. xP

I was just reading my Bible when he got to the place we were meeting. And he asked what book is that? He then flipped to the table of contents and asked what the difference between old and new testament is, and if I had read it all, which just led to more good conversation about the Bible. He's actually amazed by how many people's lives have been changed by this book. He asked where he could buy one, and (this may or may not be a valid assumption) thought he could buy one at the book store. o.O Is that possible??? The closest 'Christian store' is like really far away. >.> So hopefully. =P

Yeah, so our friend picked us up and we went to church. Friday night is Alpha course. It's week 4, so I hope I can go through week 1-3 material with my friend during our lunches or something. Alpha course starts with a home cooked meal. So good time to meet people and laugh at people. lol. Next was trilingual worship. Sweeeeeeet. Then a video. Today's topic was prayer. Really good. Small group time to discuss. I'm in the old group again. lol. Found out our friend and his wife were trying to have a baby for a long time and their parents were getting really pushy. His wife prayed like Hannah that if God would make her pregnant the baby would be named Samuel. A couple weeks later it was confirmed. He was doubtful, what if it's a girl? Nope. Samuel is 4 months away now. =D Yet, he still has trouble trusting in God? My friend asked a bunch of good questions and seems to have really been listening and trying to learn. I hope to give him a Bible soon and discuss whatever he wants to about what he reads.

Seriously, Alpha was awesome. I love God's family. SCAC is definitely my home for the summer.

Thank God for my friend, thank God for SCAC, thank God for even bringing me here.

His plans are higher than ours, but they all work for the good of those who love Him.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

If I was a Stranger to the Church

So, I haven't told you about the church I've been going to on Sunday night. Last week was my first time and this week was my second. I'm sure that it is a good church, but the evening service has one small problem and it kinda pissed me off.

I have been getting angry easily lately, and I don't know why, but this one is for real.

So, church hopping. Trying to find a good church by going to a number and really trying to figure out where God wants you for the next while. I thought this was a good idea. I'd get to see a bunch of different churches. I've really only been to OCBC. It was my first time at a Lutheran church a couple weeks ago. It was my first night service a couple weeks ago. But there are things that I am looking for in a church.

I am looking for a community of passionate believers that seeks to understand God's word better and put it into practice each day. A community that I can call a family because of the warmth and love found there. I want discipleship to encourage and rebuke those who are younger and point them back to Christ.

One thing I really wanted to see was a dedication to welcoming newcomers, as a sign of prioritizing outreach to those who are both new or who are still seeking to know more about God.

So it was really annoying that no one approached me, the guy sitting alone whom you've never seen before, in either last week or this week's service. That includes the 15 minutes before and after.

So, this week's service I was just praying against this attitude of condemnation against the church, I was praying for them and those who might walk in. As I mentioned the other day my friend had walked in looking for help and God really provided by my cell phone, CAA membership and everything, she had a church background and was fine asking me for help, but if someone who knew nothing about God walked in and was too shy to approach someone they might walk away without getting the chance to feel what the church body as a family can be when they invite others in to share in the joy they have in Christ, when they go out of their way to offer friendship, assistance, and ultimately hope to those in need.

So I was so angry, not for me, but for those who could walk in and walk out.

I was just about to walk out and not come back.

Then AB approached me while carrying his son. lol. With like 30-40 young adults I would have expected one of them to do something, but this is good too. He said we could meet up for lunch or coffee some time. So I am looking forward to that.

Grace.

We did not approach Jesus, the stranger in our world. How would God have felt? And then they crucified Him.

Gotta forgive as He forgave us in Christ.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

A Bowl of Beef and Noodles.

I was just about to write a post about church last night then realized I didn't post about what happened in the morning. Lol.

So, my friend. ...

Ok. I guess I need to start even earlier than yesterday... Lol...

It was the camping trip. Remember how I met a bunch of Chinese international students going to UofS? One of them wa studying Biochem for his masters. I ended up meeting up with him to give back the fishing rods we borrowed, which was kinda awkward because we had lost a part. >_< But he didn't care. Lol. Instead he asked if I had eaten lunch yet, and we went to the food court and talked over lunch.

It was a really good conversation. XP. Afterwards, I was texting him and keeping in touch. I was really hoping to become good friends and then eventually share the gospel. XP

He added me on facebook. Ok.

I think it was Thursday night. I was talking to a buddy back in Ottawa and then my friend commented on a facebook post I had written about a week earlier.

The post read as follows:

"'Man does not live on noodles and beef alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' Matt 4:4

If that was how the Bible was written I don't think we'd go for Pho after church anymore. Chinatown Ottawa would lose a lot of business. lol"

He then text me "You go to church?" I told him how I was church hopping right now to which he responded "Cool man. I have been trying to find someone who can lead me. You know to get me access to this stuff. I just have no idea how I can get myself involved in this kind of."

=D

What? ... What?!?!?! ... That's CRAZY!

In less than a week of knowing him, and really only like an hour and a half of talk / text he is asking about church?!

This was one of those "as if this is happening God! This must be why I am here this summer" moments.
And so I asked if we could meet up on Friday to talk more. He had said he had been before, but it sounds like it was a gingerbread house decorating outreach event..? So ths would be his first time at a service. Although I hadn't really planned to, I found out where / when the Saskatoon Chinese Alliance Church had it's English service.

It was a 40 minute bus ride away. Not bad. And guess what? One of the post-docs working with my friend goes to this church!!! =O How is this happening?!?

It was pretty similar to OCBC. Not fully. It was kinda like a good version of the English / Chinese congregation compromised joint services. I was a little not looking forward to a joint service, but with my friend there it makes more sense for it to be a joint service, make sure we both understand. xP

And they have billingual Alpha course on Friday nights? Nice!

I didn't realize how stupid church hopping is until recently. Having brothers and sisters in Christ is an amazing thing. Church hopping means you meet a lot of people, but don't actually get to know them or ever see them again. >.> So, I'm really glad my friend likes this church / he already has two friends here, so why would we leave?

I did want to check out a less conventional church which has people sit facing each other with the cross at the center, so it's focused on Jesus, not on a preacher, but ya, SCAC is sweet. And I'm getting a drive to church now? =D

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Two Strangers in a Strange Church

Yo. Another kinda lazy Saturday. Probably not as productive as I could be.

Ended up playing a bit of Plants vs Zombies, going to Costco with FB and JB, and now we just had pizza and will be going to the movies in about an hour.

Anyways, as I promised, I will now tell a story that I was too tired to tell the last time. XP

So last Sunday after church I planned to go to a Chinese church and then chill around for a little while and go to another church in the evening.

I walked like 40 minutes, not bad, but then the girl at the door told me that the service was only in Mandarin... >.< Oh well.

So I had a lot more time to do nothing. Haha. So I was like writing up my thoughts on a Bible passage.

But where I was sitting had a bunch of mosquitos, so I ended up walking over to the church around 3:30, like 3 hours early.

But then a girl came by to like babysit for one of the worship team members who were practicing at like 4. So we talked breifly, but I ended up reading all the stuff on the walls.

At some point a girl walked in and was kinda freaking out a bit. She ended up asking if she could borrow my phone. She had left her keys in her car and her spare key and phone and everything.

She asked very politely but with an air of desperateness if she could borrow my phone to text someone. See, these days, with cell phones, no one remembers other people's numbers; the phone alone knows. So the only person she knew she texted.

He was far away.

He suggested calling CAA. So she went off and used the church's phone (1-800 number). She came back disappointed. 'The card holder needs to be here in person'. While she had been away I recalled my dad giving me a CAA card, but I probably left it at home, I mean, the car is in Ottawa, what do I need a CAA card for?

I had one.

So she called back using my phone and a long phone call later we were outside on the curb waiting.

She had overheard me say I was from Ottawa to the CAA lady and told me she had gone to school there for a few years, now working as a dental technician, which is sweet. XP Then the guy arrived.

Paperwork.

Then he drove us over (we had to both sit in the front seat. "nice to meet you" was my line after getting out of the truck.) and with little time had opened the door and retreived her keys.

She was very thankful for all th help I had provided. I was just glad I could help. I had no idea what I was gonna do for a few hours before church, but this was sweet. She wanted to repay me. I really didn't need it or want it, but she insisted, so I ended up getting a large frozen lemonade from Timmies.

I wish I needed to go to the dentist while I was here. XP.

Maybe I'll run into her sometime.

I remember praying for her while she was flustered and texting. Wish I had shared more about how it was God's love and faithfulness that had propelled me to act like that.

She was kinda French too. XP. Remimded me of a classmate.

There was a cross on her rearview mirror.

Anyways, I pray God would become more real in Julie's life and I thank God for using me to help her that day. May she walk into more churches in need, and find more help and salvation in Christ.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

[PS. Fast and Furious 6 was really good. But how could they kill them?!?! D=<]

This May or Maynot Become a Thing

So, I have been seeing recently that some people with a blog, or a vlog, or a bunch of people following them will sometimes have certain things they do on certain days of the week. I think this would be good for when I don't have things to say, like now (as long as you don't remember that I have things to tell you about from a couple posts ago. >.>)

So I think one category would be just sheer honesty. Something that could slightly embarrassing / humorous that I probably wouldn't just tell everyone. lol.

So, I probably spend way too much time looking in mirrors, and all that vanity, but one thing I've always wanted to do is try those like nose strip things that you put on wet, let dry, and then peel off leaving your nose really clean. The girls in those commercials always looked really happy. lol.

I don't think my nose is that dirty. >..< but it would be an experience. lol. I just don't want to pay for it, or even bring it to a cash register at a store. lol. Maybe someday I will just happen upon some? =D

Anyways, today was super busy at work, but I get to play with a camera for work!! =DD

Ttyl.

D.Fa

[oops, posted this in the wrong place yesterday. lol]

Hand Machines are like Hand Cuffs

I think I need to stop.

This morning I lost my phone (in my house) and could not find it no matter how hard I tried. So I left the house without.

Do you know how freeing it is to not have your phone with you? As long as you aren't thinking "oh no! I've probably missed someone's text! or worse!!! That one person who isn't in the country now who said they would call!!!! This'll be the day they call... my luck. >.<"

If you do leave all that behind it is freeing.

No need to watch the time.
No need to worry about irrelevant emails.
No need to be split focused.
You can take the extra second since no one can get a hold of you anyways.

But still, I think I need to stop and just hear from God. I get so caught up in 'I have to do this, I have to do that, I have to do this" that I just can't.

But all the free time I have is wasted.

Priorities need to be figured out and set into a proper order. Especially seeking God and to be filled with the Spirit always.

Smoke // On the Plane (GHT13 Bonus!)

So, I've been going to the gym a lot lately. One thing I have noticed, and still continue to notice, is that when I am sweating I smell smoke.

This started after the camping trip (and it smells like the fire from the camping trip), but seriously? Still? It's been over a week. >.>

Anyways, it's too late to blog again. >.>

Luckily we have more in my Haiti Journal. xP



"[On the plane]

Hey! How was Haiti?

Way too short. haha. It was a really great experience. We were working alongside an orphanage and church in a small town. There was quite a lot of heavy work to do at the orphanage. One day we mixed + poured a huge slab of concrete, other times we had a new house to paint, a wall to jackhammer and  other stuff, but that was just the mornings. We got to play with the kids, do crafts with them, sing songs and one time we played charades with Bible stories.

One thing I really saw this week was the true unity of the body of Christ. Us from Canada, the local church, a team from Germany. We could all come together, pray together, work together and worship together, because of our Father in heaven [and the blood of his son on the cross].

I also really saw first hand how when we place our trust in God he can use our weaknesses and make it a strength.

I was also really encouraged by their faith. With so little they actually thank God for more. It was kinda eye opening to our situation in Canada."





"Feb 24 ~ 11am

Yo, when did I become like this?
When did I become the guy who has been on 14 flights in the last 2 years?
When did I become an encourager?
When did I gain a knowledge of so many Bible verses?
When did I truly surrender my life to Christ's plans?
How can I continue on this path? On His path for me?

I pray His Spirit continues to direct and empower me.
I pray this hard working ethic would apply to the gospel.
I pray that I seriously encounter God in life-changing ways again and again.

Lord, use me.
Lord, guide me.
Lord, give me boldness to count all as loss compared to knowing you.

Amen.

D.Fa"

Accountable Blogging

Yo, God is amazing. I'll tell you more later.

- Two Strangers in a Strange Church
- A Bowl of Noodles and Beef

Night!

D.Fa

Baptize and Repent Daily

Hey,

so today is by far the real beginning of a search for a church. I was kinda excited for 'church hopping' since I had never really been to any other churches other than OCBC (excluding places I have done VBS). But this is the first time I have to actually go find a church to worship with.

Today I checked out Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Lutheran.

It was quite different, but also quite similar in some ways. I mean it was kinda like a service at OCBC where BI is leading worship, except without him reading. lol. They had a full worship team of like 9 people, all who were like 35 years old or something, so I was a little surprised when they were playing such contemporary songs and some contemporary arrangements of old hymns. xP.

Today was confirmation Sunday. They were talking all about baptisms and stuff, so I was wondering "where is the baptismal pool?" I figured it out though. Child baptism, confirmation being the point where they make their faith their own. So I think I understand child baptism a bit better now. I was still like 'why not just get 'rebaptized'? It's way cooler.' lol But ya, I'm still not sure what I think on the specifics, and I still think it makes more sense to be baptized when you come to faith, but with confirmation it's ok. Point: repent and be baptized. Both happen this way too.

But ya, the 'priest' (? Is that what they are called in Lutheran churches? They never referred to her as such..? lol) really encouraged us to rededicate our lives each day. It is not simply being baptized and you're good, but walking each day in God's grace.

Liturgy is interesting too. Powerful words always and being able to pray together as a church. Structured. Not all bad, but also kinda not as free. Not sure what I think. xP

Ttyl.

Gotta go to church now. lol

D.Fa

Go and Send

It's kinda weird, you know, having a job and being able to spend money.

But it's also awesome.

I've been reading the Gospel of Mark lately and the end of chapter 12 had the story of the poor widow who gave all she had. And in 13 Jesus talks about the end times. I know very little about the end times, but the part I do know for sure is that the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sin, that and so much more which make up the good news; the gospel will go to the entire world, every tribe, nation, tongue and people group.

It's awesome because I can be part of not only going to the world, not only welcoming the world, but mobilizing and sending as well.

To be able to reach out to the world here or there, while also inspiring others to go by sharing what I have seen God do, as well as being able to support them in prayer and financially.

I've been able to skype or meet up with a few of my friends who are going to be spending the next year over seas or in Canada working with P2C and it's sweet. xP

When You Forget to Denature

Hey guys,

Another long day at work followed by time at the gym.

I invited a couple friends to play badminton tomorrow. I actually can't wait now. After getting to talk to BL about Bridges I am really excited for this summer. xP

Time just flies.

but I guess I've only been home for 4 hours. But still I feel like there should be more time between getting home and sleeping.

I got to spend a couple hours with one of the post-docs in the lab today. We were collecting leaf tissue samples and then extracting and quantifying the DNA. xP  He's pretty funny. Only been out of China for a few months now and straight into a research position. The sudden shift in vocabulary would kill me. >.<

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Climb a Mountain

Hey guys,

today was boring a bit. I had fire extinguisher training, did a PCR, lunch, SSR plate, planted some wheat, some cleaning. Then me and DH went to the gym and was on the treadmill for a good half hour. lol.

I got to talk with my bro BL. Funny thing: we haven't legit talked in two years. lol. From my last conversation with him I thought he was way more Chinese. lolllll. It was good to catch up and just chill. Skype is starting to win me over more and more. lol I gotta start making some more skype calls that aren't just business.

Hoping to play badminton Friday after work with coworkers and/or new friends.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

PS. I got on a bus going to a highschool today by accident. >.> Awkward...

I Need More Protein

Hey,

so I didn't really explain too much about the camping trip did I?

It ended up just being me, FB, and his girlfriend. Thought it might be awkward, but it was sweet.

Her family is Christian, so she has heard a lot of the gospel and everything, but has also seen a bunch of the bad side of Christians (cause they are still just people and make mistakes and are stupid sometimes). FB has only seen the judgmental side of Christian parents with a daughter dating a non-Christian, so his opinion wasn't great.

So this weekend was sweet. I got to know both of them a lot. Got to hear of her good memories as well as difficulties, and FB asked me a lot of questions which I got to just answer honestly. xP.

By the way, Christian Mingle commercials? So annoying. Just saying.

So, throughout the weekend I think I really was given the opportunity to build friendships with both of them and be real about my faith.

Plus! Bonus! I got to meet like 12 Chinese international students! We borrowed fishing rods from them and I got to meet up with the guy who is studying biochemistry today. xP. We kinda lost a part of one fishing rod... but he didn't care, and asked if I had had lunch yet. Nope! So we went downstairs to the food court and we talked for the whole lunch hour. xP Sweeet.

Gym after work again. So sore.

Oh. Our supervisor was sick, so we didn't have much to do, but we also had a sweet tour of the NRC building and all the cool equipment. xP

Anyways, gotta sleep.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Palm Bay (Camping Day 2)

Yo yo yo.

I am not drunk. Definitely not.

Today was great. Sleep was not. Lolll. I did not plan for a cold night and I was really cold. Lol... Like I barely slept for the first couple hours, then was woken up not too many hours in, got a towel for a blanket, but the next time I woke up it was so bright and cold that I just woke up and made the fire. Lol.

Oatmeal. So good.

Beach. Mediocre. Water was freeeeeezing so we really didn't go in much.

Lunch.

Fishing!! =D Ticks. Broken rod. No fish. But it was very relaxing and sweet learning how to cast the fly fishing tackle.

We went back and chilled.

Dinner.

More chilling.

Today was extra sweet though because I got to have good conversations with both of them, together and apart. Largely the conversations were about relationships. Christian mingle... But ya, good times. We played a game of 'Never have I ever' with alcohol. Lol. First drinking game. Lol.

But ya, I think this weekend has been awesome. I got to know them a lot, they got to know me a lot, and I got connections to the group of International Chinese students. XP.

God is so good.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G Song (Camping Day 1)

Hey!

So right now I'm sitting by the camp fire. Today was pretty sweet. I mean, I didn't do too much this morning. But now we've been out here camping all day.

Started kinda interesting. When we got here our reserved site was being used to cook a lunch. There was like 8 Chinese international students. So we asked them what was up. They were just there for the day and our site was empty. They said they would move, so we went for a walk over to the main beach area. It was a long path. Lol.

I've kinda been camera happy all day. Saskatoon is like my first chance to play with the camera my parenta got me for Christmas. I think I took like 100 pictures just today.

We got back and they were still kinda there. We went to get the car and some fire wood. When we drove over they had nearly all moved. One guy was trying to back out in his car and was like getting stuck in the sand. So I went to help push. It seems he had a parking brake on or something. Lol.

We had lunch then started setting up camp. FB and J(?) had bought a tent for themselves, so I was borowing from AS. He gave me a 6 person tent! LOL. So legit I set it all up and it takes half the camp site.

The Chinese students went fishing. They didn't really know how to get their rods setup right, so they asked us for help; us being white Canadians who have obviously been fishing. Lol Poor assumption. I found out he was here studying Biochem. =D I wanted to be his friend. Lol

We really didn't do that much. Just talking and stuff. When they got back I asked if we could borrow some rods. It was kinda like East Asia project. Lol. We got to borrow some, exchanged numbers, I took their pictures, learned a bit more about their group (they live near me. XP), and said goodbye. I look forward to meeting up with the one guy and maybe inviting the whole group to a P2C international weekly meeting thing sometime.

Yeah. Sunset. More talking. I got to share about traveling on missions trips and VBS and stuff. FB is a little quiet. I know a lot more about both their families now. Lol.

Ya. Today was cool. Ttyl.

D.Fa

Gotta Catch 'Em All..?

Yo,

so, I was kinda wasting time on facebook. My friend NYC had discovered this site:  http://pokemon.alexonsager.net/. And so it began.

On the site it has a pokémon fusion generator for, like most of the first 150. It is way too much fun to play with. It pretty much takes the face and colour scheme of one pokémon and pastes it onto another. Kaktortle looks so cool. lol

Below are some of the ones I found amusing. Dosey is so hilarious. It reminds me of something, but I can't figure out what.


It wouldn't ever make sense for Pokémon to introduce fusions, but if they did, catching them all would become impossible.

Anyways,

Ttyl.

D.Fa

PS. can you  guess what each fusion is made of? =D (It's name kinda gives it away.)
PPS. w00t! Senegal and Serbia!

Camping

Yo.

So, I don't know what I am thinking. lol.

This long weekend I'm going camping with FB and his girlfriend.

Could be awkward.

Could be a great time to get to know them both a lot better.

I don't want to be judgmental. I just want to share Christ with them; share life, share God's love, share hope.

Just went to the store with them and got supplies.

So, ya. Gonna be gone for a couple days.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Long Weekend? / New York (GHT13 Day 8)

Hey.

I really need to blog earlier. By this time (10:30-11pm) I am just brain dead.

Honestly. I have no thoughts right now. Gonna go camping this weekend apparently. Should be a great time.

One thing I thought earlier was about the long weekend. It was along the lines of 'wait. what holiday is it again?' I actually haven't done anything about Victoria day in a few years considering how much I have been out of the country...

Holidays like this seem needless to me, oh well, no work on Monday. =D

That is all. Enjoy more Haiti blog posts. lol

"Feb 24 ~ 12:30 AM

   Yo. Today was long. We are not in Canada right now. After sleeping in until 6 we got up, had a good chunk of prayer time, breakfast, signed encourage cards and packed. I played with the puppies one last time then we got in the bus back to the airport in Port au Prince. Long bumpy hot bus ride later we were there and JW, MC, JS, and JM weren't coming with the rest of us to New York, so we had said goodbye. Guess what, 3 hour delay, which meant missing our later flight to Montreal, so we are staying overnight in New York. Free accommodations. I really wanted to get back to church. I really want AW to see my hair. lol. I miss him. But ya, this should last long enough. No! Darn it. I'm not going to church next week... Retreat. Oh well. I do not care that I have less time to do homework tomorrow. Haha, I hope I get NSERC! I hope I didn't miss an interview... I forgot to autoreply email setup.

   Anyways, gonna sleep with a blanket and giant comfy bed now. lol.

   The others aren't at our hotel so we said goodbye and got on the hotel shuttle bus.

Ttyl.

D.Fa"

When'd That Happen?

Yo.

I've been reading a book recently called "God Space". It's been kinda a cliff-hanger and bummer so far. lol. Just telling me what I'm not doing right and telling me 'oh, we'll discuss that in later chapters'... >.>

So, here's one thing I am not good at. It came up today in chapter 3 which was all about noticing. It suggested watching a video, here: sermonspice.com/product/14972/get-service

The video explains greatly what the chapter was talking about. Simply by noticing things about people great conversations can happen with anyone, but we can be so self-centered and distracted and ignore these things we notice and so never start that conversation.

That's what I suck at. Not an inability to noticing, but an inability to act on it. And that is what is the worst. Knowing God has pointed something out to you, someone to talk to and share with, something I should be doing, but I have more important things to do or am scared or think it will be awkward.

Deal with it, D.Fa.

So, gotta press on and fight the good fight by the Spirit the whole way.

Ttyl.

D.Fa



Ps. Even more sore today, and then we went to the gym again. Gonna die. lol.

P2C this Summer / Why I Was There (GHT13 Day 7)

Yo.

I feel like I had something awesome to talk about earlier. o.O

Oh well. lol.

I got to meet up with LN in person finally, and met a guy from P2C who's applying to go on a Project with GAiN in August. Gonna be doing Bible studies together. Should be sweet.

Oh, I never finished my Haiti blog posts did I? <: p="">
"Feb 22 ~ 9:30?? PM

   Yo today was pretty great. First I woke up early and needed to figure out deovs. The stars were like so many and so bright and the lights turned on... Oh well, I needed to focus so I got to finding a verse or two, but ended up flipping through like my whole Bible. I'm really bad at doing short things though. I found like a million verse about working for God, not our own ambition, but I needed to shorten.

   Turned out really well apparently. Where your treasures are, there your heart will be also.

   Work waa really hard today but a lot of fun. Jackhammering a wall for 5 hours. Haha. Then lunch + not work. We were not officially working in the afternoon today. I ended up talking to this teacher at the orphanage. It was a really weird situation. I was speaking French, he was speaking English, and it was basically like he was sharing the gospel with me and really emphasizing the importance of thanking God for our salvation in praise, studying, prayer, and teaching others about God. The conversation went on for litterally two or three hours. It was awesome. I really needed it. It was seriously like this is why I was in Haiti, to be rebuked in love and encouraged to a greater love of Christ.

Ttyl.

D.Fa"

Full Body Workout

Yo, so today I biked to work! >.> It's pretty far... At least for now, once I get more used to biking for 15-20 minutes I'll be okay.

But then I also got a gym membership and was there for like 2 hours after work...

I'm sore, but I'm making friends. lol.

They want to go everyday after work. >.<

Ttyl.

D.Fa

SECF

So, that was interesting.

My first time as a visitor to a church service, like, knowing no one to begin with. Hmmmmmmm...

I went to the Saskatoon Evangelical Free Church. Took a bus 50 minutes west because it is part of the Evangelical Free Church of Canada (EFCC) which OCBC is also part of.

Lots of similarities. 'Sunday school for all ages' starting at 9:30. Service at 11. I ended up in the highschool class since adult sunday school isn't happening right now. We had a good Biblical talk about the woman who had bleeding, but was healed when she touched Jesus. About how she was considered unclean and she needed to go against the crowds to get to Him. Good talk, but the only students were these two sisters who have sibling issues. Lol. So there was a lot of distractions too. Lol Down the hall I heard some kids singing 'My God is so BIG so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do, FOR YOU!' Lol.

I met a few guys and service began. Just a piano and three vocalists singing hymns. It was good. There was communion, a storytelling time with the kids and they gave all the mom's flowers, and then they had a guest speaker who used to be their youth pastor. He is director at a Bible Camp now and came to give a short message on Discipleship.

I think it is a good church. There was even a short greeting time, but I think the demographics mqy be slightly off. If I was a young adult with my first child I'd fit in perfectly. But there's this gap between 18-25 with only a couple people recently graduated. There are tons of kids and a whole bunch of adults and seniors, but not really anyone my age.

It also appeared that the only ministries during the week were for women, moms, and youth.

This in no way disqualifies the church from my selection. The people were all very nice. I do think I will look around a bit more.

I'm going to a P2C Bible study on Tuesday evening. I hope the guys there can point me in the right direction. One of the guys I talked to after church suggested a couple with more young adults. I think I will also check out the one just down the street.

But who knows. I'm gonna keep praying about it.

Random Thoughts

Hey!

Today was less productive than I had hoped, but still a bunch happened. lol

I kinda ended up on facebook most of the morning and afternoon. It just happens that way. lol.

But I ended up getting a bike. lol.

I don't know which church to go to first. The one that might be the most similar is an hour by bus away. >.< And there's a whole bunch of churches closer. >.>

I almost went to a P2C Bible study tonight. I biked all the way to campus then was told it was actually on Tuesday. >.< But I got to figure out how the locked bike area at work works, see more of the campus, ride by the river at sunset, and play a game of 'Hey Cow!!' by the dairy research area. lol.




But ya, I really want to get connected to a church with brothers and sisters that can encourage one another and point each other back to Christ.

Like, this is the first time I have actually been like away from the people I know and the accountability. I don't really know anyone here and everyone I have met at work isn't Christian. It's like my chance to stop following God and do what my flesh wants cause I have no accountability and a house all to myself.

But I don't want that.

I want this time to be even better than the last times. I want to really seek God with all my heart. I want to be a light in my workplace. I want to seek His will for my future.

So screw the flesh. lol

Umm, ttyl? lol.

D.Fa

Hanging Out

Hey! So today I was a lot more prepared. I had breakfast, made lunch, and got to the bus in time. Funny thing is that my dad woke me up. Lol... After I slept in my dad sent me a text telling me to wake up.

Work was cool. I got to do some actual work today. My project is still not ready, but I got to use the multichannel pipet! =D

We also set up the pots for the wheat we will be planting later and did some various cleaning. Apparently my supervisor is the only force acting to clean the lab in the last 40 years. So today I got to look up the MSDS for a whole range on Chromatographic resins and gels that were like 50 years old so we can safely dispose of them. Lol.

After work we went to a restaurant for dinner. Just me, three other summer students, one of their girlfriends and my supervisor. Lol. It's kinda awkward that our supervisor is trying so hard to get us to know each other and be comfortable here in Saskatoon. Lol. Plus she's at least 8 years older than us. >.>

Hanging out with the guys now.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Day 1

Yo.

Not what I expected.

My boss wears purple pants and was really excited about the half priced Frappiccinos at Starbucks during 'happy hour' and she's pretty forgetful. >.>

But ya, first day of work was sweet. I didn't wake up as early as I wanted to and then RW told me I should be at work for 8 (since I actually didn't know when I was supposed to be there), and I had scheduled to leave at 8, so I got to the bus stop and hoped the next bus would take me there. =D

When I woke up I was kinda in a lot of pain though. Wikipedia really helped. Yes. It did. Yesterday my right tonsil had started really hurting like it never had before and my immediate thought was "this thing is inflamed. It's gonna need to be removed. No. Not now. Not my first week. Well, I did just get my health card reactivated... No. This too will pass." (Ok, I didn't think 'this too will pass') My next thought was "there must be something stuck in it that is causing this." *insert 15 minutes of squeezing my tonsil* "I wonder how bad this really could be. Maybe I don't need it removed... but maybe I Absolutely Have To Have It Removed Before It Explodes!?!" *Google it* *read wiki page* something along the lines of 'often goes away within a week with or without medication'. Yay! Doesn't solve the current problem. >.> *has hot oatmeal and hot water with honey for breakfast then goes to 7/11 to buy sore throat lozenges with cash to get bus fare change*

But ya, work was cool. I think God has really answered a lot of prayer and I see that in many facets of even just today's work. Not only in that I even have this job, but also in the other students working here, my friend who was showing me around, even in the coffee breaks. lol.

Walked home, looked around a bit, got bedding, groceries, a bus pass. Much more prepared for tomorrow.


Ttyl.

D.Fa

Saskatoon!

YOOOO!

I'm in Saskatoon! Unbelievable.

So I kinda just got on a plane this morning hoping and praying for the best. lol. Didn't really know what I was doing. lol. Read the Bible, read a couple papers about wheat. Ended up in the Saskatoon airport...

What next?

My phone was about to die. I google mapped where I lived....... 36 minutes away by car..? >.< Way to start the day... Maybe I'll get there before the sun goes down? Do I even have taxi money? I don't have a credit card........

Surprise! AM appears behind me (it was easy to find me since there is currently only one baggage claim / he knew what time I was getting there. lol.)!

And so my tour of Saskatoon began by car. He pretty much showed me the whole city. We had Chinese food for dinner. =D

I met my 'landlord' guy? Kinda is in charge of the whole complex I am in. We played pool after checking out my crazy huge apartment.

Anyways, I should sleep. I have no idea when I am supposed to be at work for tomorrow. lol.........

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Procrastinated Anxiety

Why is it that when you think you are all prepared and ready to go that is when fear and unease and everything sets in?

All week I have been itching to leave already, but today I get this weird feeling like I don't want to leave. >.<

Not to mention procrastinating the ledger, update, health card renewal, packing, clean up, reorganizing my room, and a whole bunch of things to today... lol....

*sigh*

We'll be there soon enough. Like really, less than 12 hours and I'll be on my way to Toronto (for the connection to Saskatoon).

I have so little planned, but I know God has great plans lined up. I was talking with RW tonight about her internship with Creative Communications team next year and then we ended up in a really hilarious conversation about idolatry, which was right on the edge of joking and going too far... >.> but ya, wherever God is it's gonna be great. That's just how it works. I don't need to worry about where I am going becase I can trust that God will be doing awesome stuff there whether or not I help, but by helping we can experience Him so much more and so much more deeper. I can't wait for what He has planned.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

A Blowing Wind

Yo.

Today was another amazingly awesome day.

It was the last day I get to go to church here in Ottawa. A little sad, but it's also pretty great to have seen them all before going. It was also pretty great to be able to reflect on our new life in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come.

But this weather is awesome too. Lol. Amazingly sunny and warm, the bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds, a cool sweet breeze, the green leaves coming out of the buds casting just enough refreshing shade. *breathe in and sigh* And yet, I am leaving in a matter of days.

Why does summer in Ottawa have to continue to become so appealing to me?

It's kinda gonna suck that I can't be here in person to spend time with my younger brothers, ZL, SC, AW, YD, DL, to name a few. *le sigh*

But I know God has so much planned in Saskatoon.

Why else would a job just fall into my inbox the minute after praying about my highly potential lack of employment these next few months? It's all for His glory. Wherever He sends me.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

Medical Institutions.

Ok, so, I don't like dentists that much, I do not like pharmacies, I dislike doctors offices, and I definitely dislike hospitals.

Each of those are for different reasons, but still.

Dentists aren't that bad. I actually really like all the nifty tools and cool things they do. Mouths and teeth are really cool and interesting. This is a valid future career aspiration right here. But this is an exception to the rule. (unless you count vets, then there may be two exceptions to the rules (and I guess I don't dislike orthodontists or optometrists that much. Irrelevant.))

In general, I dislike public medical institutions.

Pharmacies I have a large problem with because I dislike medications and pills and drugs and everything they sell to you to 'make you better.' Before it was just this uneasy superstition that they make them in such a way that you don't quite get all the way better so you have to buy more and keep buying more, or make it slightly addictive to keep you coming back. Anything to make a million dollars off the guy who is dying. But now, in addition to that, in the last couple years I've heard a lot more about how the medical system in Canada looks for a problem and then prescribes the solution, which may or may not treat the problem. That absolutely stinks. And I have definitely seen these happen in my mom's life. Like there's gotta be a problem when the only way you can live is by consuming massive amounts of medical powders in coloured pill form or capsules. >.>... Like I don't even like the idea that people need coffee to wake up in the morning.

Anyways, lol. I dislike doctors offices. All the prodding and cold things and etc. >.> But especially is the shots. I can not stand shots. >.<

Finally, hospitals. I kinda feel like they end up being the place people die... Like 70-90 year-old people who are not in really good health end up here every other week, pretty much until they can't leave then they die. >.> Not really enjoyable. There's just this mood in the air, this stuffiness, the sounds of incomprehensible groaning, the inevitability, no one actually getting better or leaving. >.>

Now, all this is not to say that I don't think people get sick. Viruses exist. Bacteria exist. Injury and wounds and disease exist. And God is our healer. That isn't to say I will to the death avoid these places. God can use doctors and nurses and medicine to heal, not just miraculous healing. I am really glad I got to go to a hospital when I broke my wrist. I am very glad I could take some pills that gave me funny dreams instead of getting malaria. I am very glad that people are willing to take on the years and years of studying and working to become doctors and nurses, especially those who just exude joy to the patients.

But that isn't going to stop me from praying that God would heal, that He would step in and guide the doctors to the real problem, that He would work powerfully and remove the need for prolonged medication, that He would step in and heal my mom.

I praise His name for how my mom has been getting better. And I will continue to pray for her.

I just won't like being in a hospital when I go to see her. lol.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

D.Fa

The Score

You know 36-9 would normally be a pretty bad score, eh?

But it's not the score that really matters. lol. And honestly, we did get one inning where we kept them from getting anyone home. AT was really surprised when he found out we had 9 runs. lol.

So, if you couldn't tell we had a softball game this evening. First game in the season. Last game for me in Ottawa. Who knows if there will be games in Saskatoon?

It's really weird that it is Friday already. I mean the week passed by so quickly. What started as a really long and kinda weirdly empty week  has really continued to be just as full as normal. So many things I have to finish up before I go.

Ah. lol. So, in my parents' house there are always leftovers. Always. Always something else that could be eaten. I have never seen our fridge empty. Sure there's 'never anything to eat', but if you look just a little bit harder, there really is. lol. I have been having Nutella and toast with old bread all week and I'm finally nearly done the bread in the fridge. Nearly. To the point where the fridge is actually starting to look empty. I think a fridge should be emptied every few weeks or so, keep things fresh, right? So it's kind alike my job to clean out the fridge. lol.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

7 Minutes 'Til Tomorrow. lol.

Yo,

so today was slow? I think I mainly did only a couple things, but I could be wrong.

First I got to shower / breakfast. Whatever.

After that I got to Matthew 4-5. I'm on a summer reading plan with a bunch of people (I think) and so I am taking the initiative to encourage them to do it with me and share thoughts. So each day I am sharing a thought of mine on a facebook group. If you wanna see them you can check them out here: Summer Bible Readings.

Then I got to go see my mom. She is doing a lot better. And the nurse was super hilarious. lol........... Chinese lady. So good.

We ended up playing tennis (me and my bro) at this park near the hospital. Yesterday night we were gonna play at our usual courts, but as we drove up, the club president was there, aka, we can't play without signing up and paying, but I'm gone in a week anyways, and we didn't have money. But this court was public. I think I got sunburned. lol...... But I still got it. =D haha.

Ummm. Pretty much it.

I got to talk to some friends on fb again.

Spending lots of time talking to one  guy in particular. I don't know what to think of our conversations. Kinda plays into another topic I want to think more about "The World Will Hate You". But does that mean you should hate everything about the world? No? Hmmm. Cause I think he was going a little overboard fuming about leaky con and breaking the world record for biggest gathering of people in footy pajamas. That's pretty innocent fun that can easily be used as a chance to get to know someone better. ..?

Hmmmmm.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

(Just put my fb friends on hold to finish this post. lol)

Always on Project!

Yo.

So I woke up.

I was in bed.

In Ottawa.

It's May isn't it? Why am I here?

I shouldn't be here. I should be somewhere far far away by now. >.<

For the past couple years, few years even, I have not spent summer in Ottawa. I don't intend to be here much longer either. I'll be going to Saskatchewan in a week. But still, like, I've been going on missions trips every year, so it's super weird to me that I am here right now.

But Monday's trip to Montreal felt like I was on a Project for many reasons:
- I was far away
- I was eating food in a food court filled with many people
- I had a friend who was here long term to show us around
- We went onto campus and saw around for a bit
- People  all around were speaking a different language that I had been learning a bit of
- We had a type of tea not common to Ottawa (in this case bubble tea. lol. I got Mango / Coconut. xP)
- I almost ordered food in a different language, one of my friends from Montreal did for us once.

Many other reasons too.

But I am excited for what is going to be happening here in Canada at home and at my work place, and also for all the guys I get to pray for who are going to the world with the message of God's love, justice, and redemption in Christ Jesus.

Ttyl.

D.Fa

BEDM, as in, "I want to Blog More"

When did this become a show? When did I have to write excellent posts or none at all? This blog is supposed to just be real. Just be what I am learning, as I am learning it. So, I don't really care if it's a bit messy sometimes; life is messy.

Decided: BEDM. (lol) (Blog post Every Day May!)

I mean God has been doing crazy things recently despite my heart and condition.

The other day I got to go be a tourist around Parliament with SD and AS. I thought we were meeting at 10:30, so I ran out the door to catch the bus, but missed it so I was going to be late, like 10:50. We were actually meeting at 11:30. So I went to the Ridea Food Court to like, spend time with God, read the Bible, etc. I noticed someone I recognized. It was RN who I met on the bus to Toronto last year! We talked a bit. He's gonna go to Carleton next year! =D It was short, but good to catch up. lol

Yesterday I got to go to Montreal. I got to drive (longest highway experience yet) and it was good. It was gonna be me, MC (who I met on the bus to Urbana, who lives in Montreal), and one other guy each. I ended up inviting ZL. He said there was a guy at church who should really come too, so I met and drove YD for three hours yesterday morning. Turned out to be super awesome. YD and I got to have a sweet conversation for like an hour and a bit after dinner. We also all had great conversation over Bible study of 1 Tim, and praising God on the mountain was awesome. His grace is amazing.

I have a lot more to blog about. lol. Like an actual list on my phone.

I really want to spend some time looking into Suffering though before I blog about it, but God has been really working and speaking to me lately about it.

Ttyl.

D.Fa