Grad...wow. I am officially graduated! While we were sitting on the stage I was reminded of the morning I woke up in December 2001 and said, "I'm going to FGBI....What?!?!" It doesn't seem that long ago, yet at the same time it seems like such a long time ago. I guess that's because time wise it's only been 4 1/2 years, which really isn't that long. But so much has happened and changed in those 4 1/2 years that it seems like forever ago. I know I am not the same person as I was when I was curled up in my bed that morning, and I am glad for it. I mean, I couldn't picture myself in my first year dressing up in a pink bunny costume for grad alongside of some of my dear friends (my fellow on-campus graduating interns - Randy the Wrangler, Shawn the blinged out Schmemann, Rachel the Lion, and Bo-yeun the bride of Legolas). It was a great evening. This has probably been the best past month for being able to see that I have changed, whether it's with the "dressing up", my relationship with God, my heart and mind as I worked on assignments, the award I received that I know is ONLY thanks to God, the outcome of my courses, and my relationship with my friends. I know that all of this has stemmed from being face down before my God every day and from the goodness that is God.

Sorry. I meant to update sooner. Oh well. I guess it's only been 2 days. Wow! Is that all??? Anyways, Amy arrived last night and my parents arrived this morning. Good times. I'm tired. It's 7pm. Hm. Still got a long night ahead of me. I will survive. Buck-buck. Is that how you spell it??? Whatever. It's being played now I think. It's quite entertaining. The guys are really good at it. The girls...not so much, but it's all good. I now hide away in my office, enjoying being able to take a moment to rest. I love my friends. I love my family. I miss my niece. I miss the ocean. I miss the mountains (shhh...don't tell anyone). I want to travel. I want to go to Italy and Ireland and across Canada and the States. I have a good feeling about Surrey, well, about me moving there anyways. I have 6 school pictures sitting in front of me: Amy, Hyun Ju, Tracy, Colleen, Rachel, and Sarah. I also have 2 Bibles, a journal, some left over Coke.... Ok, I'm done now. Sorry for rambling. Grad is so close!

LIES, LIES, AND MORE LIES...BUT THE TRUTH WILL OVERCOME!
Stupid attacks that get me down but will not overcome me! I'm glad I could recognize at least one of them right away this time. As I draw closer to my Father's heart I become a little more aware of the lies of the enemy and I become very aware of my big Brother and my Father standing up for me, protecting me and encouraging me.
To my friends: I love you all so very much.

Happy Easter to all! Resurrection Sunday...It is a time to CELEBRATE!!! Let us gather with friends, family, and strangers alike to share and to celebrate this wonderful news: that 3 days after Jesus died on the cross, He rose again. Death has lost its power. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has once again proved the power and intensity of His love for us. He has set us free. Let us walk in that freedom.

I was so thrown off last night when I went to chapel. We were having a good time of worship. I found myself zoning out a bit and being drawn to a Street Invaders brochure. As I read through it, I saw that there is a Bootcamp in Surrey this year (which, for those of you who don't know, is where I am planning on moving this summer). Not only that...there are also specialized teams, one which is a Relief Team. I'm not sure HOW I want to get involved exactly, but I know that this is so close to my heart that I think I NEED to be involved in some way or another. It's no guarantee that the Relief Team option will be available in Surrey, but I know that Surrey would be a good place for it.
Anyways, that was one reason I was thrown off last night. Another reason is because I heard the words "this is the last chapel of the semester". I was so not prepared for that! I knew things were coming to an end, but I didn't realize some things were ending sooner than others.
It was a Commissioning Service last night. I wasn't sure which group to go to to get prayed for, so I just kind of waited around. I got a sense of direction and went for it. They prayed for me and God had given 2 of them "pictures" for me. I needed to hear them both.
When I woke up this morning, I had my own plans set out, but as I walked across the street to the college, I looked back and was stopped in my tracks by the beautiful sunrise. I stayed for a while, enjoying the picture God was painting before me. He is the greatest Artist ever!

I was going to post something regarding a quote by Ghandi that I read yesterday, but the person who introduced it to me beat me to it. I know I could still write something about it, but I think I will leave it this time. If you want to check it out (which I highly recommend), go to this site.

I wish more people would pause to enjoy the rain rather than hiding from it or running from it. There were times when I lived on the West Coast, where it rained more than it did anything else, when I would sit inside, diappointed that it was raining, or when I would run from the car to the store, trying not to get too wet. But there were many more times over those 20+ years when I would slowly walk home in the rain, allowing myself to get drenched, soaking it in as if it were the last time I would ever be in it. And I've got some great memories of playing soccer during some downpours. I didn't think I would ever actually miss the rain, but after coming to SK I have come to appreciate it and enjoy it all the more. I loved being woken up at like 3 in the morning to that wonderfully familiar sound that i had missed so much. I would get dressed and go outside to stand in it or to walk in it or to lie on the grass, staring up into the sky. It was great to have it just wash over me. (Daydreaming). I love the sound, the smell, the sight, and the feel of rain...

2 8-page papers due by Wednesday. AH!!! I don't know why I can't focus on what needs to be done with enough time to do my work well. I don't try to procrastinate; it just kind of happens. I sit down to work, and I DO work, but it seems like pointless work because I can't seem to get anywhere on my papers until like a day or 2 before they are due. Thankfully I'm over 1/2 way done one paper, but seriously! Anyways, back to work.

P.S. Hi Nancy!

The Time Has Come...WOO HOO!!!

So as I was reading a blog today I came to the realization that I am totally unprepared to go into "the real world" due to the fact that I have become greatly re-sensitized to a certain area, so much so that I want nothing to do with it. In fact, it makes me want to throw up. But how can I live in a world where it is everywhere (and that is only a SLIGHT exaggeration)? I have a hard enough time dealing with my own sin, which I can sometimes ignore, but I don't know if I can handle the words and images that are so blatant in this world. I know I need God so much in this area. He was so repulsed by sin, yet He still came (and comes) to us to have a relationship with us because He loves us. How can I live out this kind of love?

As I was walking across the field by the clinic on my way back to the college I looked up and was in awe of how big the sky is, which then caused me to be overwhelmed by the incomparable, unimaginable greatness of God. It boggles me. My mind cannot even contain what I know about Him now, let alone all that He is. He is a mystery that I get lost in over and over again. I enjoy going deeper and deeper into this mystery even though, or maybe because I know that I can never solve it. I am forever lost in His love.

Federal Government Plans to Fight Crime.

Thank you Stephen Harper and government!

Grad is drawing near. I am excited to finally complete something! But I am not looking forward to leaving this place that has been my home for 4 years and these people who have become my family. I am thankful that I have a bit of extra time with those who are staying for Jr. High and even more time with those who will be around till the middle of June (when I leave), but it will also be so hard to have those "goodbyes" and "see ya's" drawn out for that much longer.

Anyways, before I get drawn into this feeling anymore I am going to go spend some time with some good friends and I will make the most of the time I have left with these people who are so intertwined with my heart.