Snow, snow, everywhere snow!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I'm sure this one captures many.
Last night my class had their commissioning service. The weather did not cooperate with us very much. The snow just came pouring down along with nasty winds that would brush snow up your windshield. I know I don't drive, but I was riding along with two of my classmates when this happened. The roads weren't too bad, just corners and intersections. The snow was quite deep in places due to the snow drifts, but it does look pretty. I spent about an hour shovelling my walkway around the house and to the sidewalk, and the sidewalk. Some places taking three or four shovel fulls before finally hitting ground. Some spots were past my waist, which doesn't say much as I'm short haha. Last night after the commissioning service I had to shovel in front of my door at least to get it, the snow drift was up to the door knob. Again because I'm so short I wouldn't be about to leap over that haha.

Anyway, the commissioning service was rather small (due to the weather), though it was very good. I left feeling so blessed and encouraged by the message and the warmth of the Punjab people. Also four of us shared our testimonies and they were also encouraging. Then each of us were prayed for in a different language all down the line. It was amazing to say the least to hear just a few different languages in our world of thousands of languages. I can't believe that this semester is almost over and it will be time to be heading back to Ontario. I am looking forward to that but at the same time will miss the people that I have come to know and love here in Calgary.

A little adventure, in God's great creation

A few weeks ago I went to Banff with a girl from my program. I was in awe of the amazing moutains that took my breath away. We dressed for the weather in Calgary which wasn't too cold and there was no snow either. I brought my spring/fall jacket in case it was windy. When we were getting closer we saw that there was snow everywhere. Despite the cold and lack of proper winter wear we went for it a short hike. The snow and ice was beautiful, little did we realize that we would end up slipping and sliding everywhere. I am very thankful that we had railings to hang on to along the cliffs, or else I would have lost my friend! Ok, I slipped a little too, I admit it! Anyway here are some pictures for you to enjoy. Sorry that they kind of run into one another. I fought quite a bit with these photos. Some of God's creation at it's best!

Encouragement followed by discouragement

Although I sent out an email a week or so ago stating how encouraged I was. I almost did not last. Satan saw how happy and bubbly I was even though I was tired and weary.

As many of you know I am currently raising support for my first overseas missions journey that is to come in January. I am super excited to be able to serve God in this way. However, there are also those times when we should see what other missionaries are up to. So off I went to see missionaries that I know well and are serving in Saskatchewan. I was so encouraged and blessed to see them in action and the ministry that they have there as well. After the few days that I spent there I went on a retreat with fellow CrossTrainers past and present. This time was also wonderful and encouraging.

So what is so discouraging about that? Well I am struggling with my support raising, truth be told. This is not an easy task when you are out of province that is for sure. I am trying every tactic out there without making people feel bad and send me money out of pity. I am writing letters to hopefully encourage others and to ask for prayer. I am not coming right out and asking for money as I find that rather rude. haha. If a person is going to give they are going to give. I was happy giving this over to God, allowing him to full in the gaps in his timing. That said the mission agency I am going with kind of threw me a discouraging ball. I know where I am sitting as I keep on top of that so that I make sure that I send out thank you cards right away. They just said "you are at 40%, that's a great start." Now I know that this is not really discouraging words, but they were to me. I believe that Satan was taking the "high" away from me to gain a moment of joy over my feelings.

Please pray for me as I work through this dark moment. This too shall pass! Actually I received a yesterday (personal) and today (missions), so I know God is working at taking that glory away from Satan.

Altars

Altars are a very Biblical thing, you see how many people built altars. For example; Abraham built an altar to sacrifice his son on. God however; sent an angel down to him just as he was about to kill his son and told him not to harm him, in that he sees that he was obedient to God. Then he spotted a ram which was tangled up in a bush. He sacrificed the ram instead, knowing that God deserved a sacrifice even still. He called the place "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided." Abraham was blessed by God after this because his heart was in the right place.

I have built up many altars in my life. Places where I offered something up to God and give it back to him, allowing him to have more of me everytime. The last time I did this was four or five years ago and I remember very vividally how free I felt afterwards. God really shook up my world back then. However, he has not let that be the last time or place. That place holds a huge piece of my heart even though I haven't been there in four years. I know that a piece of me will always be there because of that being one of my altars spots.

I have created another altar spot with four other women. What an amazing way that he grabbed our hearts. We stated that it was an altar spot for us. We let go of something and allowed God to have it instead of us. This place will now forever remain in my heart, along with the ladies who were involved in the process. My heart is free yet again. I can rejoice, not only is my heart freed but so are others.

Thank you Lord God, for caring so deeply for us that you picked and chose that moment for us to build an altar and to offer up ourselves to you once again. Thank you for your forgiveness and freedom that goes with it. ~ Your daughter

A screw in the ceiling

I am one of those people who does a corner check first thing in the morning. What does a corner check do you might wonder? It reveals those creepy crawlers that most women are afraid of....Spiders. There is this screw in the ceiling of my hallway and almost everytime I walk past it I look at it with fear thinking that it is a spider, obviously forgetting that the last time I saw it, it was a screw, however it still scares me. This morning I woke up and them when in for my shower, came back into my room and turned on the light. I saw a dark spot on my bed and thought "hmmm, wonder what that is?" "Could it be what I think it is?" "Is it a fluffy or a spider?" So I stepped close to see what it was. About 6 inches from my pillow sat a spider!!! It freaked me out, but I think that I am getting braver in my "old age" I walked over to it and smacked it with a book, then got tp and cleaned it up. Normally it would take me forever to commit murder to a spider, but lately I just grab something near by and do it. A few weeks ago I was clearing of my bed from books and such to go to bed. On my binder sat a spider and I didn't notice it until my hand was almost on it lol. So I grabbed a shoe and killed it instantly. Then just last week I was in the washroom and opened the door to come out and there was a spider hanging there at my face level, so I waited for it to go back up to the ceiling so I could go grab a shoe to kill it. I did it, I cannot believe that I am becoming more brave. This should help when going to Czech with creepy spiders, well at least I hope so.

Christina

My heart is no longer yours

As many of you know my heart broken a few months back at the end of a relationship. I was dating a man of God whom I began to care about a great deal. I thought of a future with him and enjoyed spending time with him. It seemed like we were a great match and we both thought that it was what God wanted. We spent four months trying to get to know one another, after six or so months of prayer wondering if each other was the one for us. I thought that he was, we had many of the same ambitions and a heart for missions. I do not blame this man for the things that happened, because it did happen for a purpose...God has a plan.

God changed our course durastically. Valentine's day weekend we had a blast, one of my best friends got engaged and our best friend came up because she knew the occasion was going to happen. We went out and celebrated with the new couple, we spoiled each other the best that college budgets would allow. The high of the weekend ended, and so did our relationship. I did not understand at all for the longest time. I wanted an esplanation from him, I wanted to find closure in worldly terms.

Eight months later, I finally have a peace about it all. First of all I do not intend to demean him at all. He is a godly man and still a friend. Though we are far from being as close as we were and ever will be again. I was his first girlfriend and he was my first boyfriend in ten years and first Christian man I dated. I am seeing things that I was blind to before.

His heart is in missions, but I believe that he has the heart of a pastor, his passions lie in the Word and in the church. He wants to do this now and teach pastors cross culturally. I still want to pursue missions. I am not ready either, I'm trying to get my schooling done and God has so much he wants to do in me and it is not fair for me to be sidetracked with an man on earth, even if he is a godly one.
I thought that I was getting to the point of loving him, but in reality I just cared a great deal for him, and still do. However, I believe that I loved dating him, I liked to hug someone and feel their warm embrace in return and to hold hands on a cold day. I did not want to think about being alone and yet alone I am, in worldly terms. I have realized that I put sooo much of myself into that relationship that I forgot about God being my warm embrace. I want someone to love, care for and cherish me, but I realized that godly man was not the one that God had for me. I couldn't open up to him like I should've if he was to be the man God wanted for me. I was afraid, and held back for some reason I didn't fully comprehend. Although now it makes complete sense, he doesn't want me to open up fully like that to just anyone.

I know it may sound strange, but I do not know how else to explain it, but I believe that if God has someone in mind for me that he is going to have me open with him from the beginning. There has to be a connection with him more than spiritual and physical. I don't know what term I am looking for here, but I know what I mean lol.
I did not fully understand what God had up his sleeve at the time, but I am certain that he did it to cause me to grow and reflect on Him and His power and comfort. My heart does not belong to man but to my God, my creator!

The majesty of it all

I went out this morning to go to Wal-Mart and on my way to the train station I saw the mountains in the distances. They were so clear that you could see the snow covering the caps of them. Because they are so far away I at first thought that they were just clouds, but then I realized that they just were not changing. I could also tell the difference between the clouds and pointed mountains. This picture was breathtaking, I loved every moment of being able to see this. I sat on the side of the train where I could watch the mountains as we rode along. Wow, then the down town area came into view with the mountains behind it. I couldn't believe my eyes.

It got me thinking after seeing something so majestic and caused me to reflect on God's Majesty.



It also made me think of this song by Delirious:

Majesty (Here I am)

Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty

Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Here is a Bible verse as well.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"

This is who and what we as followers of Christ should be doing? Am I doing my part is proclaiming peace, bringing good tidings and most of all proclaiming salvation?

Just some thoughts to be pondering, maybe you can ponder too.

The people I'm with :)

Alright so I am posting another blog today, but in my defense my mom mentioned that there were no pics of people lol. So I thought that I would quickly post something about some people.

My class is great. There are only 7 students, which is quite normal for this program; 4 girls and 3 guys.

It has been a true blessing to have these people in my class. We really feed off of one another in our discussions and they are just great people and I feel as though we can really connect. Yes we have only known each other for a month or so, some of us longer, [Some of you may recognize one of the fellows :o)] but we do have a great time together. We are already teasing one another and praying for one another too.

I love to hear and see their passions and desires, these things speak so much about the people.

Our directors are great people too, very kind and caring. They are very interested in what we are doing in our lives, they really take the time to invest in us. Mags the guy in the front was our first "prof". He was great, very open and honest with us and definately showed his heart for people and his love for his family. That alone was a true blessing! There is a pic for you and for my mom lol. Enjoy

Motivation

Motivation?! What is that? Well it something that someone needs to complete a task or at least get to it!

I need some, where has my motivation gone? I have a plethora of assignments to do and I do want to do them. I would rather sit at my computer, checking email, watching Reba and writing blogs lol. I have no desire to read books and write papers. What is wrong with me?

I had a prof tell the class the other week that procastination is a sin. I never thought of it that way, and it hit me really hard at the time, but now I could care less. I am tired and just want to sleep. Is that such a bad thing? I did walk for almost 3 hours total today. Perhaps that long walk has something to do with my tiredness? I think it should be deemed as legitimate.

Oh well, enjoy a nice picture from my walk to church or back on Sunday. Just a scene with the Rockies in the background :)

In the midst of physical pain

While talking to a friend today, I realized something that I need and want to happened within me. This has been a very hard and trying year of my life, anyone who knows me and is reading this probably already knows this. If you don't well it has been. Currently I am in physical pain, but I am also in emotional pain...

Just as we sit there and wait for the sun to set and see its beautiful colours become more vibrant. I am waiting for the Lord to work something within my heart. Actually, I know that I need my heart to be broken, to be rebuilt again. I have hardened my heart over the last year and I know that I need a rude awakening. I haven't dealt with my emotions the way that I feel I should have to let go of my hurt. God is my salvation, but I found that salvation from my pain in people, not my Saviour. I feel as though I let my light dwindle and here I am in the process of going out intentionally to show this light that I am supposed to be to another nation.

I need to be broken, I need to rest in His everlasting and strong arms. I need to allow him to work in my heart and create in me a passion for him like I have never had before. Please pray that this would happen. I can feel it coming and I definitely desire for it to happen and soon.

Oh the AGONY of it all

I hurt myself! I am not sure how, but I put my shoulder out something fierce, it hurts no matter what I do with it. Just standing there with in beside me causes it to throb. I do not like it, it took my twice as long to dress and of course it had to be cold this morning requiring me to put on more layers. I put on a t-shirt, then a zip up hoody, then a vest. I cautiously put my left arm into my sleeve, trying hard not to hurt it more. That was quite the task, especially when the vest was getting stuck on the bulkiness of my sweater. Then came the backpack...placing it on my bed I gave enough room for me to sit on the bed, so I could slide my left arm through the strap. then slip my right arm through. SUCCESS...It only took me five minutes! So I headed out the door to walk twenty minutes to the bus stop...at the bus stop the thought runs through my head ok, so the bus is usually full, no sitting by yourself, if you are lucky enough to sit. So I see the crowd and think how is this going to work? I decide that standing would be best because then I wouldn't have to take my backpack off, causing myself more pain. So I stood on the bus...hmm pain anyway. I couldn't hold on with my left hand so everything was up to my right hand. A sudden jerk of the bus...shooting pain. I couldn't get around it no matter what I did. So I grinned and bore the pain. Get into my classroom and go to a table backwards depositing my bag ever so carefully to refrain from experiencing pain...so much for that. Shooting pain again.

I tell this story, because it made me think of how weak I was today. I am weak, but Christ has strengthened me. I am weak and chose to find my strength in God today to make it through without crying.

After class, one of the program directors came to my aid, she held up my backpack and I just slid my arms through, that was a lot easier than stooping to the level of my backpack on the table. I did not ask and I am very independant and find it very difficult to ask for help. I blame my mom for encouraging this...I am too far the one way rather than down the middle. Anyway...it was great to know that someone else was also there to back me up when I was weak.

Let's talk Diversity!

I was born in Canada EH! I was riding the bus this afternoon in Calgary, I already knew how diverse the city was, but as I was reading I caught tidbits of people's conversation. There was a group of teens (4) all boys, one was from Hungary, and one was born there in Calgary, but he was the only one born here...I don't remember the other places mentioned. Not one of the boys looked Canadian. Then two ladies came on the bus dressed in the Indi wear...I heard one lady ask the younger lady if she was from a certain place and she replied "no from Nigeria" (I think) It was facinating to me that so many people are from so many foreign lands. Here I am feeling foreign in my own country, but learning so much about other cultures. It is amazing!

The strangeness of my new life

Here I am in Calgary Alberta, the furthest I have been from my Ontario home. It is like a whole new strange land. The city has a population of 1 million and here I am from town's of 130,000 people. HUGE DIFFERENCE.

The city is soooo diverse, which is a good thing, I mean you cannot get bored with the people here. They are all so different. In the area of town that I live in it is full of different cultured people.


Traffic lights are sideways, there are hardly any driveways, but allies behind the houses with a parking spot behind it. My home is nice though, I can't complain. :) Stay tuned for more later.