| Ich bin... |
| [Tana]. Child of God. Teacher. Youth leader. Music-minded. Blessed.
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| Ich liebe... |
[Jesus]. My Family. My Church. P & W. Mission Trips. Music. Prayer. Traveling. Writing. Drama. Sunshine. Languages. Photography. Badminton. Nature. Snail Mail. Fruit. Green. Simplicity. Listening.
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| 25 July 2006 |
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Toronto blog entry #3
sunday i attended people's church (supposedly with my friend, but she slept in...whoops), where the pastor spoke about Jesus' views on religion. his three points included rules replacing religiosity and externals replacing internals. i suppose a lot of people have a distorted view of Christianity because of all the legalism and 'strictness' they anticipate they have to abide by once they are 'converted'. may God's light shine through His people, that all may know Him.
sunday after church, Annette, John and i went around Pacific Mall, which i found to have more interesting and varied boutiques than First Markham Place. my cousins tried out two massage chairs, and ended up buying one, while i got to enjoy a free fifteen minutes also (auto massaging, so there were different areas targeted and using different amounts of pressure)! at night, all the family ate out, along with Shirley and Laureen, at a restaurant in Harbour City.
yesterday afternoon i did some window and self-shopping at Eaton Centre, then had dinner at Baton Rouge with Su, my friend from high school. we had some good catch up, and it was interesting to reconnect after so many years of not seeing each other. then i took the public transport (TTC) back.
my uncle's family from San Mateo arrives today, and it'll be exciting to see them all again. my parents and i head off on our East Coast tour tomorrow morning and will return August 1st. i'm so looking forward to seeing all the beautiful views, and escaping the plus 40 weather (yes, with humidity it's supposed to be like this all week here in TO). signing off till next time :P
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posted by simplejoys @ 08:43
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| 22 July 2006 |
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Toronto blog entry #2
it's been a busy few days here in Toronto. after meeting up with Tina the first full day, that night our family went for 'tong sui' at a place in Times Square. the next afternoon, my parents and i visited an elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Lee, whose children grew up with my dad in his former church and fellowship. i was greatly inspired by their servant heart, compassion and unending faithfulness to the Lord. Mrs. Lee especially was an encouragement, as through each word and action of hers, i saw a reflection of His love and goodness. then yesterday i had lunch with Vivienne (my former teammate from the Zuerich MissionsEinsatz 2005) at Bayview Village, then walked around Fairview Mall. at night, the cousins, Laureen, Shirley and i went to Go For Tea, which served not only a wealth of drinks, but fine dining (steak etc.).
which brings us to today, which was also a full schedule, beginning with exploring Vaughan Mills, the largest indoor shopping centre in Ontario, with Annette, Jeanette and Laureen. then, off to First Markham Place with Annette, John and Shirley, and finally a tour of downtown and midtown Toronto via Yonge Street, Avenue Road etc., including stopping off at La Banache (sp?), a Japanese bakery, and dinner at a Korean BBQ place close to Eaton Centre. at the moment my parents are in Hamilton, both visiting friends and McMaster, plus my dad will preach at his old church tomorrow.
i'm enjoying it here, though of course rest is scarce, since i want to maximize the conversation and gathering time with my cousins, aunt and uncle. praying that He reminds me each minute of the importance of life witness to these unsaved yet generous, kind souls, and uses me to the fullest to reach them.
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posted by simplejoys @ 19:19
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| 19 July 2006 |
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Toronto blog entry #1
okay, Helen, you were right about being able to find out about my travels this way. ^_^ the weather here in Toronto is humid, but for the moment, not unbearable, though they say that if you factor in the humidity, today's high is supposed to be 34 (and 36 tomorrow). oh well, weather is weather, and if you are on vacation, you don't want to waste a minute and see one less thing, so it doesn't really matter as long as you dress for it.
got in around midnight last night, and was greeted by two of my three Toronto cousins, John and Annette. we took the 407 (the only paid freeway, apparently) back to their place in Richmond Hill, where i also chatted with my aunt, uncle and parents before sleeping. this morning i met up with Tina, my long-time friend from junior high, for a walk around Unionville in Markham. it's a quaint, picturesque European-style area with lots of flowers (both hanging and in pots), little boutiques and eateries, and also a trail going off into a bit of woods that also has tall grasses and cattail-like growths that i've never seen before. we had brunch at a Viennese cafe, on the patio and under a nice little *green* umbrella. i enjoyed all the catching up chat about careers, travel, family etc., and the joys of friendship over all these years. now i'm home with my uncle and aunt, waiting for John to get off work to see where we'll go next :)
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posted by simplejoys @ 12:43
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| 11 July 2006 |
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leaving for Toronto in one week, and nearly all packed and prepared, which allows for days of relaxing and time with friends, since the school term has finished. the weeks ahead will be a real-life mission field, and i sincerely pray that God will help me to maintain a strong witness and convey His gospel to my cousins and relatives. after all, each opportunity may be the last.
most of my closest friends are back from their holidays now (but still waiting for and missing you, W&H!!), and today, JS, FL and i met for a quick, delicious lunch at kyoto. the food was great, of course, but the conversation was better, as it always is! and thanks so much for thinking of me during your travels ^___^
(ae played hawk nelson's "one thing i have left" yesterday. that was interesting.)
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posted by simplejoys @ 19:53
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| 01 July 2006 |
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a brief farewell to my lovely friends who are leaving on their trips (and study summers) starting today and within the next two weeks. can't wait to see you again!
work is finished for the summer, and whether or not to continue in the fall is still a decision i need to make. while i appreciate the freedom to share my faith and establish/deepen relationships with parents, i've realized my calling truly is not with children so young. yet i probably couldn't find a better work environment (accessibility to and presence in my former practicum school, and also the understanding, wise staff) elsewhere. God has been so gracious to grant me this opportunity, and i don't want to waste it. hmm...
highlights from the past few days:
"what happened to her legs?" (got to love PW's honest assessment of bright pink nylons)
olympic field day
conversation over vietnamese salad rolls (not hard to make!!)
BBQ with friends and co-workers
playing grounders and trying to wedge myself halfway up the slide (and failing miserably!)
attending my first-ever sixth grade graduation
"i'm haunted by daughters"
and counting down the days till my family and i head east also brings a smile ^_^
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posted by simplejoys @ 22:49
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