Nearing the end....of the semester

It's unbelievable how the weeks have flown by. Some thoughts and feelings:

- I'm thankful for my friends here
- I love Florida
- I miss lccf very much
- iguanas here are very cute and big!
- the gnats disappear by late October/early November
- don't be quick to judge
- love people no matter what
- everyone needs someone to vent to
- I need to join a fellowship or a small group next semester

I"m excited about coming home on Dec.12. My body will probably go into shock from the bitter cold, but I'm sure I'll adjust soon enough =)

Living away from home, my family, and from the usual church and lccf environment has made me even more grateful for those things. It's also opened my eyes to the real world because I'm absolutely surrounded by it. Everyday I'm challenged.

Life is full of valuable learning experiences =)

Wisdom....teeth

2 weeks ago, I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted. Before that, I had heard many stories from people about their own experiences. Most of them were positive, and I was comforted.

However, I think I was one of the unfortunate ones who learned to endure pain for several days. My mouth swelled up for about 5 days. For the first 2 days I didn't eat, because i could barely open my mouth. The next 2 days, I ate jello and applesauce...the latter took a lot longer to swallow. By the 5th day i could talk, and eat soft solids like congee, and little bits of pizza cut into really tiny pieces.

One week later the swelling went down, but I began having stomach problems as a result of all the tylenol 3 and toradol i had taken to ease the pain. So again, i couldn't eat for 2 days.

Now (2 weeks) later, the swelling has gone completely. But it is still painful to fully open my mouth.

Although my wisdom teeth experience was mostly negative, i'm thankful for the experience because I learned that:
1. We should never take our health for granted.
2. Having the ability to eat and sleep without any pain is a huge blessing.
3. Painkillers are harmful to the stomach.
4. Having swollen cheeks from a wisdom teeth extraction is the closest you can get to looking like a chipmunk =)

In the end, I'm thankful for the whole experience, and I'm VERY thankful that it only happens once in a lifetime!

Faithful Father

Despite being unemployed and going through some tough times, this summer has been an exciting and encouraging one. God is so gracious, His timing perfect. I've been reminded again of the importance of patience, and allowing God to answer prayers in His own time. Letting God unfold His perfect plan in my life is the only path I want to take. I will definitely share more about my summer soon =)

In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Empty room

So it's finally my last night in waterloo. I didn't realize how much stuff i actually had until i looked around my room and had no idea where to start. For the whole days i felt quite nostaligic. It's sad to think that after tonight, my time in waterloo will officially be over. These past 4 years have been a blessing, and i think i've learned more in university about life than i ever have in previous years.

One point that dawned on me as i was reflecting a few days ago is that:

I entered the music program at WLU thinking that i knew so much about being a pianist. I even wondered how much more i could learn in the next 4 years.

Now, as a graduate of Laurier, with a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance, i recognize that i've only gotten through the tip of the iceberg. 4 years is not nearly enough time to fully develop one's musicianship. There's just too much to learn.

The truth is, i don't know much at all.

So what is a true musician? It took me 4 years to finally answer this question. The next step for me is to complete the journey that i started here at laurier.

See you all in Toronto =)

unforgettable

There's so much i want to say, but all my thoughts are scattered. God is so amazing. He's opened my eyes and taught me so many lessons in these past 4 years here at Laurier. One of the most important lessons is the value of community. Haha, I guess we (fellow lccfers) have been using that term a lot lately =) But really, I think what we have here is so precious and unique. How often do you find a fellowship that lives life together?

Through these 4 years, LCCF has impacted me in countless ways. God has always been working in lccf, touching individuals by the lives and testimonies of others. He's still working now, and I have faith that He will continue to do so.

There were so many things I wanted to share during grad night, but knowing me, i got slightly tongue-twisted =) But I wanted you guys to really understand how i've been impacted to lccf this year:

Coming into my final year of university, i wanted to make school my priority. I consciously made a decision to "back out" of lccf for the year, and to get the least involved as possible. Why? I think I was so preoccupied with graduating, and prepping for grad school that I lost a sense of certain priorities, such as God. I became so wrapped up about my own future, that I began to rely on my own efforts and desires, instead of leaving it to God. I worried a lot and got stressed out during first term.

INitially i thought that by doing less in lccf, i'd have more time to practice, do homework, etc. In other words, i wanted more time for myself. Was it worth it? Was it beneficial? Thinking back, i'd have to say no. And this is one of my biggest regrets of the year: Not investing more of my time into lccf. I'd have to say that this is the year that I was the least involved, out of my 4 years here. I wish I hadn't been so selfish.

At our winter retreat in february, it finally struck me how much i missed the lccf community. I didn't realize it earlier, but it was always there - a longing for...something...
Actually when i was in 2nd year, i remember that lccf was how it is now - we lived life together, had meals together, studied together, prayed for each other, loved one another...it was great.
i think our sense of community faded quite a bit until this year, around 2nd term or a little before.

God has restored this community to be just like, if not stronger than, it was before. LCCF is the best fellowship i've been a part of. The bonds that we have, united by the Holy Spirit, are unbreakable. The ppl who make up LCCF truly love God, and in turn love each other. This is what i've experienced in my time here.

I'm thankful for each person in the fellowship. You've all taught me so much about the meaning of sharing your life with others, being vulnerable, serving wholeheartedly...

Froshies, you've been such an encouragement and inspiration to me this year. The fact that you jumped right in and got involved from the very beginning reminded me that God uses anyone, young or old, when they have a willing heart. Each of you has been a blessing to me.
Don't ever let fear affect you...as it says in Corinthians, God's grace is sufficient for you, His power is made perfect in your weaknesses.

To my fellow grads, it's been an honour journeying these past 4 years with you. I have a deep respect and admiration for each of you. Thank you again for caring and praying for me. You guys are the core group of ppl who have always been there. I know that God will do amazing things through you as you begin another chapter of life next year. I hope that we'll all keep in touch no matter where we are or what we're doing. I thank God for blessing me with you.

Thanks to all of you who put grad night together, and thanks to all who attended. I was deeply touched during the whole night.

I love you all so much and will miss you. I pray that you'll continue to keep God at the centre of lccf. Allow Him to strengthen the community, and may your passion be spread like wild fire across campus =) Continue to encourage, challenge, and love each other.

I love LCCF, i love the community.

3 days left!

3 more days until my last class at wlu. i think i'll feel both relieved and a little sad...right now i don't feel anything. i want wednesday night to last forever. i wish i had more time to practice for my recital, i'm quite worried about it.

countdown begins

Today was half productive and half awesome fun =) For the productive part, I did 2 loads of laundry (clean clothes and socks!), german homework, and practiced a bit of piano.
We had Bible "study" at Jon's place...there were some interesting discussions and lots of crazy moments =) AFterwards a bunch of us headed over to Benny's for a late dinner which was lots of fun too.

I'm feeling better now after getting lots of sleep on wednesday and thursday, but i get tired really quickly throughout the day. By early afternoon i'm ready to go back to bed! But i can't because there's so much to be done, especially practicing which i'm sooo behind on =(

It's almost April, oh my gosh! Us 4th years are approaching our last week of school! I'm starting to get nostalgic....Even though everything's hectic right now and i feel like i'm going crazy, i still feel so blessed to have come to WLU. I wouldn't trade my experiences here, good or bad, for anything!

I"m going to miss Laurier, especially LCCF....the community here is so precious. I can't believe the grads' last wednesday night lccf EVER is in 3 days...