Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I really don't have much to say other than this has been a very different Christmas for me. I have worked the past three days. Working Christmas day at Pita Pit was an interesting. Regardless, I had a nice Christmas morning with my parents and have spent the evenings with my parents and the Broomers. As for my immediate family, we celebrated Christmas together last Tuesday night.

I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. May God bless you richly.

Beca

Are You Ready?

Today I was reminded of how easily we take life for granted. This morning I woke up with a dream of an accident that left me feeling shaken. I had this eerily feeling that something bad was going to happen. Being my selfish self I naturally thought to pray for safety while driving to school. I remember leaving home thinking: this could be the last time I see my parents. I don't know why I had such a morbid thought, maybe God was trying to get me to pray. Next time I feel that dark feeling I should just start to pray in general.

Regardless, this afternoon one of my classes was held at a funeral home. It served as yet another reminder that we do not know which day will be our last.

Tonight I discovered that last night in Cambodia (which was this morning here) over 300 people died after attending the water festival. A festival that I attended two years ago. Friends posted photos on facebook of just a pile of dead bodies. Please remember their families in prayer. Please pray that the Christians will be a light during this difficult time. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1332111/Hundreds-feared-dead-following-Cambodia-festival-stampede.html

Let's not live life as if we have an endless amount of time before us; rather, let us live life as if each day might be our last.

~FoOd FoR tHoUgHt~

I just read this quote from Basil the Great in one of my text books and I thought I was worth sharing and reflecting on:

"If one who takes the clothing off another is called a thief, why give any other name to one who can clothe the naked and refuses to do so? The bread that you withhold belongs to the poor; the cape that you hide in your chest belongs to the naked; the shoes in your house belong to those who must go unshod."

(Quote taken from: Gonzales, J. The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation. Vol. 1. USA: HarperOne, 2010.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all my friends and family, I hope you had an excellent thanksgiving! There are so many things to be greatfull for. God has truly blessed me indeed.

This past week has been a challenging one. I felt like I was living under a grey cloud. I kept injurying myself. My stomach was sick all week. I didn't want to do my school work or read my Bible (since at times those things are one and the same.) This weekend has also been busy, but I have enjoyed it.

There is something about nature that just reminds me of God's greatness and I feel completely at peace and rest with Him when I am surrounded by it. This weekend I have made time to just be outdoors with God. Even though I have a mountain load of work to do, I find myself in a state of peace and rest. The song that comes to mind is Still by Reuben Morgan. Listen to it and reflect on the words.

Lyrics:
Hide me now 
Under your wings 
Cover me 
Within Your mighty hands 

When the oceans rise and thunders roar 
I will soar with You, above the storm 
Father, You are king over the flood 
I will be still and know You are God 

Find rest my soul, in Christ alone 
Know His power, in quietness and trust

This week, take the time to just reflect on God and his greatness and just feel His rest.

Can you say... GEEK

This week was my first week of classes at MacDiv. I find it hard to believe that I am in Seminary. I just sit in class and eat up all the words of the professors like a starved child. I remember when I was a kid and my friend Jenn used to practicing preaching on the phone to me. She was the one who was going to be the preacher (and hopefully she keeps that up) and I wanted to be the missionary -- I still do.  Now we both find ourselves in Seminary (though she may be finished by now and I am just beginning).  It's just crazy to look back and see how God has been leading us and I wonder where He will take us in the future. All this week I kept thinking, "wow, I am so privileged to be here" and "why me?" Why am I in seminary?  I guess I won't know until later but I plan on enjoying the journey.

Freedom

I was sitting outside today reading my Bible. I was reading Galatians which is all about the law and faith.  It talks about how we can get so caught up attempting to justify ourselves by trying to live up to God's law instead of allow God to justify us through our faith in Him.

As soon as I finished reading the last chapter, I heard a scratching noise. I went to check it out and I discovered a chipmunk was caught in a trap. He was running back and forth in the cage trying to escape. When I lifted up the trap door to release him he just stood there instead of running to freedom.

I realized that often we are like that chipmunk. We try and try to work hard and do good to please God. Even things that are good, such as spending time reading the Bible, can become a trap to us as they become something we have to do to please God instead of doing it because we want to build a relationship with Him. We become trapped by our legalism. Yet, Jesus came to set us free. He is standing at the trap door holding it open for us to walk out. Yet we get so caught up in our trapped mentality that we don't accept the freedom He offers.

Thank God for the grace and freedom He gives to us!
(As for the chipmunk...he eventually gained the courage to walk out of the trap.)

Another Transition

This summer should be called the summer of decisions. A few weeks ago I read the book "Is That Really You God" by Loren Cunningham. (If you haven't read it, I recommend you do.) This book got me thinking and I realized that going to Summit just wasn't jiving with me. I was going because certain individuals recommended that I continue with my education, and, after having a little ousting match with God, I felt a peace with the decision. So, I decided that I would return to Summit for another year. However, going back to Summit seemed pointless to me: it would be expensive to go back to BC, I would have no health coverage there, and I would just be getting a certificate. Many individuals whom I talked to this summer recommended that I consider doing my masters. The problem was that the idea of doing my masters overwhelmed me and I had no clue what I wanted to do it in or where to go. A week ago my pastor asked me to come and talk with him. He recommended that I go to McMaster to do my masters in theological studies. He even called them to see if I could still apply this late in the game. Needless to say, after much prayer and confirmation, I will be attending McMaster Divinity College instead of returning to BC. I am super excited about this change in events and I have this crazy peace about it. The best part is that I get to be around my family this year, I can continue to volunteer at the Door and be involved with my church in Collingwood. It seems like every question mark that I have had about returning to Summit has been answered. This decision has clearly been a God thing. So now on to yet another chapter of my life.

The Door

Working at the Door has been such an awesome opportunity as it is basically missions on our own front step. The teenage years are a time when kids are evaluating life and trying to figure out who they are. They go to extremes to both create an identity for themselves and to be accepted by others. What amazing opportunity for us to step in and provide for them a place where they are accepted and to guide them towards finding their identity through Christ. Through building relationships with the youth who come here we are able to offer them hope. 

Over the course of the summer, I have been able to sit down and really get to know one of the young girls here. One time when we got together we talked about her hopes and dreams. What she wants to do with her life. Where she wants to go to school in the future. I told her that God has a plan and purpose for her life. I challenged her to work hard towards those dreams and not get distracted by life's ups and downs. I wish you could have seen the smile on her face after that talk. I wish life were easy and I could rest assured knowing that she will make all the right choices, but I know that is not always the case. My prayer is that she will encounter God, because I know that if she truly encounters Jesus it will affect her life and He will revolutionize her world.

Struggles and Blessings

Today was a bad grocery shopping day. It was bad because because I was tempted like crazy. They say never to go grocery shopping while hungry; well, the same can be said about going grocery shopping while experiencing cravings for food you can't eat. Today I had a mighty craving to enjoy either a delicious chocolate chip cookie or a mouthwatering brownie. Somehow the gluten free and every other kind of allergy friendly options just did not look satisfactory.

Well, I decided that I would treat myself to a special dinner instead so, obviously, I headed to the Asian foods aisle. I had to forgo the butter chicken idea, but I decided to go for Pad Thai. Then I had this crazy idea of modifying my favourite green salad (which is actually made out of pistachio pudding) into an ice cream...minus the dairy part. Dinner and dessert was scrumptious. I don't know which part I like better.

Anyways, the point of writing all this is to say, isn't God good. It is like God knew I was struggling and gave me something good to eat that won't make me sick. I may have enjoyed my dinner and dessert more than I would have enjoyed the cookie or brownie. Isn't God good!

Braeside

This coming week is youth camp at Braeside so I am taking kids from the Door to the service on Tuesday night. It may only be one person who comes, it could be four...but please pray for us that night. Please pray for our safety and also for awesome conversations on the way there and back and that God would touch their lives. I really want to see these kids making good choices -- including choosing to live for God.

THE DOOR

This week I began a new job -- working at a youth drop-in center here in Collingwood. I am super excited about it as the job entails building relationships with the youth here and just loving them and walking with them on their journey in life. Please pray for me as I begin this job that I would be able to just be real with them and that my life would reflect Christ. As well, please remember them in prayer, that those who have already chosen to believe will grow in their faith, and that those who are are not, would see that there is a God who loves them and  that they would choose to follow Him.

Thanks for your prayers :)
Beca

Anticipation

All day today I have had this feeling of anticipation. In response I keep saying, "Lord have your way."  It is such a weird feeling to be in this unknown state yet knowing that God is leading the way. I don't know exactly what I am anticipating but it bubbles out of me none the less. I pray that we would constantly keep our eyes on Jesus and allow Him to lead us wherever that may be.

How He Loves Us!

Last night at Bible study we began to talk about the practical ways that God has shown His love for us in our lives. We talked about His provision, His grace, His goodness, and His Holy Spirit. Through it I am reminded of how amazing God is. Not only did He send His Son, Jesus, to die for us, but He continues to demonstrate His love for us each day. I am just overcome by thankfulness for how good God is and how much He has blessed me. Even this week God provided a new battery for my computer via a recall. Cambodia drained the life out of my computer battery so that it was only good for about 10 minutes. Now God has replaced it. This is just a small thing, but it is a practical way that God has blessed me recently.

~Psalm 118:29~
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

The Battle: Fear Vs: Faith

This summer I was offered a job at Braeside camp working in the kitchen. I was told that I had to respond as to if I will take the job by May 31st --aka today.  Meanwhile, I have been living at my parents in Collingwood and discovering that I love it hear. I have made some awesome friends here and am helping lead the young adult group. The thought of moving to Braeside to live alone and start all over again makes me sad. So, I have been applying for jobs around Collingwood but doors just keep slamming in my face. I have been wondering what I am doing wrong. I can't even land a job as a camp counselor. I was given an interview for an awesome job in my parent's backyard but they told me that I wouldn't find out if I got it until today or tomorrow. So I have been waiting and praying.


This past week, with the deadline to notify Braeside rapidly approaching, has been a challenging one. I have been wavering between where I should work/live. I didn't want to give up the job at Braeside in the event that I could not find a job here. Last night at church I realized that I have been holding onto the Braeside job as a safety net and that I wanted to go there because I am fearful of the good that could come with staying here. I also recognized that I did not want to make a decision because I am afraid of making a mistake. I have been letting fear rule me.


1 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."


So, I have decided to let go of my safety net and trust God to provide a job. It's so hard to trust God because that fearful voice keeps whispering to me -- but a spirit of fear is not of God. I am choosing to step out in faith and have a little trust in God. Please pray for me that I would not longer be held back by fear but rather that I would live my life with faith. 

The Heavenly Man

I have been reading this book, "The Heavenly Man," and it is wrecking me. Honestly, I don't know if I would be able to handle being persecuted for my faith, to the same degree as this man has done, and still be faithful. Not only that but this man prayed and fasted just to receive a copy of the Bible and then committed to memory. If you want to be challenged in your faith, I highly recommend reading this book!

Home Sweet Home!?!

Dad and I arrived home safely. We stopped in Burlington for a day to spend time with my sisters and their families. Then, we headed to Collingwood and family friends from Texas came to spend the weekend with us. It was really nice to spend time with them. I also started a course on Teaching English as a Second Language which will happen over the weekends this month. Needless to say, I am exhausted. Now, it is time to inaugurate the job hunt.

As a side note: I have seen more snow here in Ontario since being back then I saw all winter in Abbotsford. It's MAY! How does that add up?!

New Adventure

School is out for the season and I am on my way home. Dad flew out for my graduation and to drive home with me. The weather has been crazy and we have driven through rain, wind, and snow. Can you believe it?! I have seen more snow on this journey home then I did all winter in Abbotsford. Here are some pictures so far:

Thank You!

Today I was thinking about you -- about all of you who pray for me, encourage me, think about me, care about me. I am so grateful for you! I received another card in the mail today and it just overwhelms me as to how amazing of a support network you are. Thank you for your encouragement! Thank you for your prayers!


As a quick update, I will be returning to school here next year for another year doing general Bible courses. I will also be a Residents Assistant. Please pray that God would use to me to encourage, love, and challenge the girls on my residence wing next year.


As for the summer, I still do not know what I will be doing. I have sent out several resumes but I have not received any responses. Regardless, the plan is to return to Ontario so that I can spend some time with my family as I really miss them. Please pray that the Lord will show me what He wants me to do this summer and that He will open up that door.


Finally, school is winding down for the year. Exams start next week. Please remember me in prayer that I would finish strong. Please also pray that through the stressful period I would continue to fix my eyes on Jesus and encourage others to do so too. 


In conclusion for today:
"The LORD bless you 
       and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
       and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
       and give you peace."
 ~ Numbers 6:24-26 ~

Psalm 37

Lately I have been wondering how much more I can handle in terms of the junk that happens in this world. My heart breaks every time I hear about someone getting raped or another child trafficked or molested, etc. I get angry and I wonder why God lets it happen.

Anyways, today I was reading Psalm 37:1-20 and it really spoke to me:

 ¹ Do not fret because of evil men 
       or be envious of those who do wrong;
 ² for like the grass they will soon wither,
       like green plants they will soon die away.
 ³ Trust in the LORD and do good;
       dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
 ⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD
       and he will give you the desires of your heart.
 ⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
       trust in him and he will do this:
 ⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
       the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
 ⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
       do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
       when they carry out their wicked schemes.
 ⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
       do not fret—it leads only to evil.
 ⁹ For evil men will be cut off,
       but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
 ¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
       though you look for them, they will not be found.
 ¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land
       and enjoy great peace.
 ¹² The wicked plot against the righteous
       and gnash their teeth at them;
 ¹³ but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
       for he knows their day is coming.
 ¹⁴ The wicked draw the sword
       and bend the bow
       to bring down the poor and needy,
       to slay those whose ways are upright.
 ¹⁵ But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
       and their bows will be broken.
 ¹⁶ Better the little that the righteous have
       than the wealth of many wicked;
 ¹⁷ for the power of the wicked will be broken,
       but the LORD upholds the righteous.
 ¹⁸ The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
       and their inheritance will endure forever.
 ¹⁹ In times of disaster they will not wither;
       in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
 ²⁰ But the wicked will perish:
       The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
       they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

Isn't this an awesome reminder that God is more powerful than Satan and evil will be defeated!

3 Things In the Past 24 Hours Worth Mentioning

1. My Broken Heart

So last night on facebook I saw this link of a newscast on the sex trade in Cambodia. It's just so real and heartbreaking. (Note, the places shown were two of the places I was supposed to help, but that didn't work out.) I think I have a more difficult time dealing with the sex trafficking stuff now that I am at home then I did there. I think I may be experiencing a slight burn out. It breaks my heart and makes me scream "why God?" Tonight someone asked for prayer for a family friend who had been raped and all I could do was fall to my knees and moan. Somehow, I have to choose to entrust those girls to God and trust that somehow He will reign over the situation. If you haven't watched the video yet, watch it. And, please remember the girl who was raped and her family in prayer as well as those mentioned in the video and the countless others.

Cambodia Children Sold Into Slavery - ABC News

2. Awesome Opportunity to Feast on Other's Brains

So today there was a special PAOC deliberation at the school where a bunch of big wigs gathered to discuss a redefining of the term 'pentecostal.' At first I went only because my professor cancelled our class to give us the opportunity to sit in the back and listen. But it was so interesting that I stayed for the whole thing. They discussed how the identity of Pentecostals has vs: hasn't become obsolete, and if there is a need to define Pentecostal and how it should be defined. Anyways, it was very intellectually stimulating and it was an honor to get to participate. 

3. The Blessing of a Church Family

This evening I attended the weekly Bible study at my church for the first time. It felt so good to attend and be a part of the intimate gathering of the church. It was so insightful and you get to know the people way better. We also ended with an awesome time of prayer that brought back old childhood memories of listening in on the church prayer meetings my parents attended. Then a couple came in off the street asking for food so my friend offered to take them to McDonalds. Many people from the meeting started putting money in her hand to pay for it. Then the pastor decided to show up at McDonalds to join us after he locked up the church. It was a really good demonstration of leading through example. It just reminded me of how good it feels to be connected to a church. 

The Ugly Truth

I realize that I haven't exactly written from my heart much lately. 2010 has been a difficult year for me so far. At the beginning of January I prayed asking God to open up old wounds that have not healed properly and bring complete healing. I was actually praying this for the whole student body...but God seemed to have answered this prayer in my own life.

Since returning to school in January I was told that I potentially have celiac disease. Celiac disease is a severe allergy to wheat and gluten. One of the symptoms of this disease is depression. Basically, the more you eat the food you are allergic to, the more you destroy your small intestine so that it is unable to absorb any nutrients. So now I have to watch what I eat and work on self control. As long as I stick to the rules I feel great... but it is really hard to stick to the rules when everyone around you is enjoying cookies, muffins, delicious bread and so on.

To add the physical battle, the door for me to return to Cambodia with PAOC has closed. I know God has a reason for this and I am praying to see what He wants for me. Nonetheless, this closed door has ripped open a wound in my heart and brought out a lot of nastiness that I wish was not in me. I am trying to learn to just TRUST GOD. When living at Wakil (where I lived during university) we used to always say "trust and wait." Well that is a lesson that I have to learn again and again and again.

Well that is the ugly truth about what has been going on with me this year. Thank you for all your prayers!
Love, Beca

Olympic Fever

Friday night I went down to Vancouver with some people from the school to celebrate the Olympics. 

It was awesome!

We drove to Surrey (which is just outside of Vancouver) to ride the Sky-train downtown. Right beside the station, at Holland park, there were some Olympic festivities which we decided to check out. Mainly we ate some sweet Vietnamese food in a tent packed with people watching the hockey game on the big screen. As soon as Canada scored a goal the tent would turn into this big awesome frenzy.

(Adina and I at Holland Park standing in the rain.)

Then we rode the train downtown and went to see the Olympic torch. 

We then walked to Robson Square for the fire and light show. 

Here is a little clip of the mania.

My Birthday Party

For my birthday, my friends surprised me with special wheat free, gluten free, dairy free cake ( I potentially have celiac disease). It was really special because I was wanting cake so badly.

We watched part of the opening ceremonies and then migrated to the bowling ally for some fun combined with watching the ceremonies. It was a lot of fun!

(They decorated my door with balloons!)














Praise God for friends!

Abbotsford, My Playground

Quick Testimony

Last week I was talking to my friends and one of them really challenged me about praying for my ministry. I used to do that all the time while in Cambodia but somehow I allowed myself to get out of the habit. Anyhow, last weekend I took some time to pray, and I could just tell it made a difference...even if it was just in my attitude.

That same friend who challenged me also works with Metro Kids but she helps out with Junior Youth on Saturday evenings. Anyways, she came back this week super excited because she had the opportunity to personally lead one of the youth to Jesus. Isn't that just super awesome! I want to see more kids decide to follow Jesus.

Here are some pictures from Metro Kids, where I help out on Saturdays.

This is a picture of me telling the kids the creation story.

We also have fun worship times and as you can see below...

lots of fun and games too.

Excitement

Over the course of last semester, I have been praying for God to move at Summit. Today was super exciting because a few other students who are hungry to see God to move in our school started a prayer meeting. A bunch of us gathered together to pray. It was so exciting. I just feel so excited about what God is going to do.

Christmas in January

Saturday's are ministry days for me.  I drive down to Surrey (1 hour drive) to help out with Metro Kids -- a bus ministry. Anyways, today we just had a staff meeting and I did not want to drive down for it... but I did. It was awesome. Apparently, the church/people were overly generous this year in making shoe boxes for us to give away to our kids. After Christmas we had tons of boxes left over so today we went to a low income area and knocked on doors giving kids presents and inviting them to come out to kids klub. It was so awesome! I felt like Santa. The look on some of the kids and parents faces to see people knocking on their doors handing out gifts was priceless. Praise the Lord for an awesome day and the opportunity to bless people!

Joy

This past year I have been struggling with depression. I wrote about it earlier because I needed prayer but then deleted the post because I was ashamed. For those of you who were praying for me, thank you very much. Since coming back to school, I have been trying to really get my focus on God. Last night while praying I started to pray the armor of God over my life. I realized that our helmet is salvation. Helmets protect the head. I am saved so why am I allowing the enemy to shoot his darts at my mind?! I asked God to protect my mind and to renew it and to replace these depressive feelings/attitude with His joy. He has! God gave me the joy back that I have allowed satan to rob. The battle may not be over, but I know that I have God on my side and God is more powerful then the attacks of the enemy.

A Reminder...

This morning Mom and I went to get a manicure and a pedicure. The shop brought back so many memories. It was run by people from Vietnam. One of their sons was there and he reminded me so much of one of the kids from the orphanage that I worked in last year. Then, as I was getting my pedicure, I was talking to the lady doing it. She told me how she has no education and that she can't get one now because her English is not good enough, she can't afford it, and she thinks she is too old. She kept telling me how lucky I am to be able to go to school. I wanted to cry because I was reminded of just how amazingly blessed I am. Just being Canadian and living in North America we have so many priveledges that others don't have. I thank the Lord for blessing me. At the same, I hate that we live such priveleged lives while others struggle. All together today was a nice reminder to be grateful and work hard. I pray that God will use me to help others so that they have a fair chance at life too.