Summation of December, Ringin' in the New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It has really been that long since I've posted! I guess I got to the point where I didn't know what to write since there was so much to write. So, please, sit back and relax - perhaps brace yourself, for a potentially long but of course exciting post :)

My Top Ten Highlights of the Winter Holiday!

TEN:

Getting into the Christmas spirit! It's become (almost) an annual tradition for Mike and I to deck the halls of my house and transform the usually homey house to a homey plus festive one! Putting up the tree with 97.3 in the background started my December off with a kick!


NINE:

I absolutely love watching musicals. I think I've seen 10 different ones in total - I'm definitely a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber! In any case, a non-ALW musical came out in Toronto last year and a ton of people have been raving about it. So Mike, being Mike, took me to watch 'Wicked'! It exceeded all my high expectations and was truly wicked in it's fullest sense! Thanks hun :)

EIGHT:

After our exams there's nothing like getting rid of stress than boogyin' on down with a few of your friends. Howie's 22nd birthday was a night to remember as many of us watched our tall gentle giants rock the dance floor! Great music, great fun, great memories! Learning to appreciate the amazing friendships God's blessed me with - especially the Yorkies :)

Meeting up with friends from all different circles during the break and catching up is one of my favorite parts of being exam-less! I love how we can always pick up where we left off from - those are truly special friendships :)

SEVEN:

Christmas dinners galore! 'Tis the season to eat whatever and how much you want! Talk about delicious gluttony! From turkey's to hams to pork roasts to potlucks. From secret santa to holiday birthdays. Every year I tell myself that I'll lose the pounds after the holidays - after all, we only eat like this once a year, right? :)


SIX:

Family gatherings are always a tricky thing to work around since so many parties are involved. From immediate to in-laws to boyfriend's family. But what makes family gatherings so special and unique is that despite the chaos of the season - being with people you love remind you of what the holiday is all about. Those close around you. I love it when my sister is back in town because our family of four is complete again. I love the rowdy-ness of my four nieces running around the house while the older sibs and adults talk about everything under the sun. I love how the Lau's have always opened their arms to embrace me, share inside jokes, talk about deep and shallow things with the cousins...it's simply, really nice :)

FIVE:

The fourth annual Winter Crystal Ball - another year has passed and another charity ball successfully completed. Every year it seems as though we pull it off by the skin of our teeth but we pull it off! Much thanks and appreciation goes to all the performers as well as those who came out to support us, whether for the first or fourth time, we're grateful! We raised money for the Save Darfur organization as well as the Toronto Humane Society - thank you guys SO much!


FOUR:

My lovely JLC girls and our constant hangin' out at GFT, otherwise known as Go For Tea, also known as our second unwanted home. The eight of us all go to different schools from Toronto to Kingston to London to New York. But when we all get together - it's as if it were like yesterday back in Gr.9! I love how we can maintain nine whole years (and counting...) friendships. I couldn't ask for better girlfriends who pee in their pants laughing with me :)

THREE:

Special visit from H to the K! The Ma's are in town! The 180/SCP-er's that hail from Toronto could not be more happy to have Derek and Janice in our midst! Mike and I went to pick up the Ma's the other night and went out for a much needed catch up dinner. Personally, I'm SO glad they're here! It's kind of strange to see them in my context of life in Toronto but the friendships that started in the summer in HK are continuing to grow here.

TWO:

The departure of one of my favorite girls. Today, I bid farewell to one of my dearest sisters close to my heart, Cora. We knew this day would come, but what I didn't expect was to feel such a mix of sadness and excitement. Carrie and I spent the last few days with our beloved Bobora trying not to bring up the fact that she was leaving us soon (although I did cause some tears!). Yet, reality came and our dear sister is being called to Hong Kong. We couldn't be more overly excited for her, but the missing her part is still lingering. Until next time, we stay committed :)

ONE:

Urbana 2006. You have a calling. My second time attending this conference and potentially my last. It was much different from 2003. Perhaps it was because I was at a totally different stage in my life back then. But whatever it was, this year was simply amazing for me. God used the 5 days of that conference in St.Louis to affirm my heart of my calling to serve the Chinese people whether in North America or in South East Asia. He opened my eyes with the HIV/Aids crisis not just in the world but in Asia. He spoke so audibly, so loudly, so clearly to me those 5 days.

Each day was jammed pack with rich spiritual food. I fell asleep physically and spiritually full every night and even had a bit of indigestion :S There was so much to learn, so much wisdom and knowledge to take in. It definitely got overwhelming at times. But in the mind brimming state God still spoke to me in such a personal and loving way. Not only did He cause my heart to break for the injustices of this world, He ministered to me as an individual, as His beloved. He healed me of things in the past, strongholds, sins. He brought TRUE reconciliation to one of the most important relationships in my life. He reminded me that I have a specifically unique calling and purpose in my life.

There is so much to say about Urbana and if you're interested in learning more - feel free to email me! But the highlight of my trip has got to be the time I spent in the Prayer Journey Room. Unexpectedly stumbling upon this room with Carrie we spent the next hour going on a extremely deep deep place with the Lord individually. I've never experienced such intimate and close fellowship with the Spirit. That room - what God did in there for me - was what I truly needed before coming home. It prepared me as a lover of God and as a follower, disciple-making, missionary of Christ. He spoke a specific promise from His Word to me that I hold dear to my heart as He calls me up and out.

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

I hope your holiday was as fruitful if not more! Happy 2007 - know that you enter this year with purpose and a hopeful future :)