timui129's Xanga

Friday, November 20, 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:11:43 GMT

Woke up at around 10, didn't sleep too well last night, probably due to pressure for the coming weekend. Totally forgot about calling mom and dad at half 8... today prepared for singspiration and bible study coming Saturday. It's the last bible study for the year, it's a hard one as it's the final summary of the whole year. Spent all day working on that. Rested a little before going to church. Today is CCF's Iron Chef. I'm one of the judges. So didn't have to cook. I feel that I'm just bothering them since there's not much space to even stand in the kitchen, it stuffed. The people are pretty serious about cooking. It was difficult to decide which one is better, but I think I am learning to have a subjective preference in these things. Actually probably because I'm so not involved, I feel like I don't know what I've done tonight... a bit lost. Pretty disconnected with the whole fellowship... The food was pretty good, some were not so good. Helped cleaning up. We played stone scissor cloth and whoever loses drinks up the leftover soup... I won all so didn't have to drink, it's a soup with too heavy pepper flavour... haha. Returned home, helped Ho gor to refine the bible study materials and also prepared for the archaeology session. Made up the mock excavation, didn't take long since I can use the plan I made last time with Edith's kids so didn't have to plan all over. Slept around 3...

Thursday, November 19, 2009

(recovered as at Friday, November 20, 2009)

Woke up at past 10. Finished the dissertation on Covenants, a critique of covenant theology basically. It was OK. Finished it quicker than I thought, so good progress. Rested in the afternoon. In evening Ho gor came to pick me up to church since's he taking Alan to church for EE. We had pre-study there. Ho gor did his best. Took Alan back to his home, and went to supermarket to buy the remaining stuff that I forgot to buy for the archaeology session. Then back home to do evaluation with him and talked with him how he can improve. It's really not easy, and I actually don't expect him to do very well. It would be a difficultly even to me. He left around 11. Slept before 2 after daily devotion.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:58:27 GMT

Woke up at around 9, worked on the church revitalization project in the morning... still had some time after I got prepared, so updated xanga... Long Sum called back saying that she just failed in her driving road test, just calling to express frustration. Talked for a little while, since I got to prepare to go to school... Helped Anthony with his Hebrew. And then went for the group meeting, on the real life church revitalization project, progress is OK, but depends on how disciplined we are after today as we work on our own. Went to Walmart for food but mostly for the raw materials for the archaeology session coming Saturday. Back home. Had dinner, and then set off to church for prayer meeting. After prayer meeting helped Lareina to change her tires since hers gone flat. Then returned home and had sharing and prayer time with Ho gor and Bennett. It lasted until midnight. Slept before 2 after daily devotion.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

(recovered as at Wednesday, November 18, 2009)

Woke up at around 10, did a lot of readings today, very effective. In the afternoon chatted with Graham concerning Timothy stuff. Timothy Fellowship with the change currently taking place is really a bit chaotic... really need a lot more time to communicate with the key figures, June, Graham and Kitty, Gary too... At night cooked and ate dinner, took some rest. Chatted with Ryan, Ho gor, Jacquie, June etc. Slept around 2 after daily devotion. I think the bible reading team is helping me as I re-read Genesis too, which is good. And I am very happy that Ryan is fired up with reading the bible, especially with the team.

Monday, November 16, 2009

(recovered as at Wednesday, November 18, 2009)

Woke up at around 8, sufficient sleep. Started reading a dissertation on dispensational critique on Covenant theology in the morning. Looked over discipleship materials. Went to church to meet Andy, it was good time together. After that returned home, did a little more reading, and then felt sleepy and took a 4 hour nap from 1 till 5... Woke up, studied a little more, then Ho gor came to prepare for the bible study with me, I aided him. Had dinner and a pretty long chat with him in fact. At night, did miscelleneous things. Laundry etc. Actually by 2, decided to go out to the yard and just lay down there for an extended devotion time. Today is the time for the meteor shower, so wanted to see some. It's still pretty bright out there, but I managed to see two meteors. It was pretty cold out there, I had a blanket and laid on the grass. It was good prayer time too. Was out there for around 30 minutes. Pretty happy. Returned back indoor and went to sleep by 3.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

(recovered as at Wednesday, November 18, 2009)

Woke up at 8, breakfast and shower, went to church. Sunday service, there's a newcomer called Ah Chiu, just briefly talked with him, since I got to teach sunday school, didn't have time to entertain him. The sunday school was fine, wasn't particularly very good, but it was good enough. About proverbs today, there was some confusion in the middle and the people weren't so concentrated today. Anyways, good enough. After sunday school, went out to have birthday lunch for Cynthia and Jenny. Didn't have enough time so I actually didn't order, just chilled with them. Left early with Graham and Ruddie, returned to church at 1, actually ate church lunch in the end. Prayed with Andy, Kitty, Graham and Ruddie for Timothy, it was good prayer time, haven't had such prayer times for quite a while. Then discussed a few small things. Lena and the choir is done with practice, urged us to end the discussion. Went to John and Maggie's home. Originally auntie Annie asked me to accompany Sharon to her daughter's wedding, but in the end I played it down since I need to meet with Andy for Timothy and also I was the one who initiated taking care of John and Maggie's babies and let them go out. So after settling stuff for us, Alice, Amy, Vivian and I took care of the house. JJ was asleep at that time, so only the twins to take care. Later Liz, Mindy and Miki came too. I actually fell asleep on the floor since I was tired with last night's lack in sleep. But they woke me up since JJ woke up. So the rest of the time I spent it with JJ while the others took care of the twins. Actually I still don't know how to make the babies sleep comfortably in my arms, the only one who's successfully make them sleep comfortable in arms is Alice, the most experienced nanny since her brother has babies in her home. The children are actually easy to take care of. Amy brought take away back and we had dinner together after John and Maggie returned. Hope this time out served them well. We played a bit more in John and Maggie's home until like 10. Some of the people left early. Zoe drove me back to church and I drove back home. Slept past 11 after daily devotion, was too tired.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

(recovered as at Wednesday, November 18, 2009)

Woke up at quarter to 8. Shower, breakfast. Called Ryan up, who stayed over at my place last night. Not easy to call him up... haha. Set off to church, a little early to set up the tables and chairs. Mission training by Rev. Olsen. It was pretty good this time, better than last time, less generic stuff, talked about short term mission, team work in the field, how to prepare yourself etc. After that, lunch at church, then Ho gor came and drove Sharon back home, then went to visit Vincent together. He's fine, but clearly from him, Eva isn't... Drove back to Richardson, met up with Melissa, she had a few questions on the sunday school stuff. She had pneumonia in the past week, but she looked much better now. We were in Cocoberry, a yogurt cafe place newly opened. Had some yogurt. After that Ho dropped me off at Tapioca House where I met Graham. Talked about Timothy stuff and then had dinner together, cared for each other. It was good one on one time. Then we went South to a place near NW Highway to pick up a birthday cake since it's Cynthia's birthday today, and Jenny had hers on Thursday. Was a little late for fellowship. Today watched the same movie as I did for CCF. Watching it the second time, noticed a few scenes which I didn't catch when I watched the first time. It was good seeing it again, catching things I missed in the first time. Celebrated Cynthia's birthday, then sharing and prayer, discussion about the film. Returned home after fellowship. Chatted with June concerning fellowship stuff. Then started preparing for sunday school. Actually slept two hours from half 1 to half 3. Finally finished up preparation by half 6. Went to sleep. One of the busiest Saturdays...

Friday, November 13, 2009

(recovered as at Wednesday, November 18, 2009)

Woke up at half 8, found out that there weren't enough money in my calling card, so topped up and then called back home. Dad is not at home, it's his birthday today. Just talked with mom for around an hour. Tried to call Dad's cell, but he didn't answer so just left him a happy birthday message. Later he replied and said he received my surprise birthday card, which is good. It was good timing, he received it exactly today! Did two things today, first is set the syllabus for the sunday school for next quarter. I will be teaching 1, 2Thessalonians, bible class. First time to teach bible class. It wouldn't be as flexible as the class I'm teaching now. And it's going to be a in the big classroom, so probably a lot of people will come to my class, there won't be a lot of interaction, it's going to be lecture style, which I prefer less... anyways, done that and then prepared for Amigos bible study for tonight. Still had some extra time, so rested a bit. Went to Arapaho Centre station to pick up Ryan, it's the first time for him to take DART from his home to come to church, reminds me of my life in the first year, have people pick me up from DART station. Freely received, now freely give, since I have a car now... Originally planned to save money and cook and eat, but changed plan, had dinner with him, Josh and Vivian at Vietnamese restaurant. Bought a takeaway for Sharon and went to UTD together to pick her up since there's time. Went to church together. Today there's a newcomer girl called Phuong, a Cambodian Chinese who doesn't know Cantonese coming. She's long time believer but struggling with her relationship with God. She didn't specify a lot, but I can see that she is deeply struggling. She is deeply irritated by the hypocrisy in church I feel too. Prayed for her before she left. Don't know if she will come back. Went to Vivian's home with Ho, Sharon and Ryan. We discussed the stuff we were reading for the bible reading team. It was fruitful time, although we grew tired. Patrick was on the phone at the other end so was involved too, which is good. We discussed until 2, and Ho drove Ryan and I back home, slept around 3.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:05:47 GMT

Woke up at half 6, ate and shower, actually continued to eat as I drove, since I woke up later than usual, so got to get to school. A few minutes late. Lucky that today's traffic wasn't as bad as usual, if not, could have been more late. Ecclesiology class, talked about the office of elders, overseers. My prof argued that pastors is not an office but a role, while elders and bishops are roles. He believes that elders and overseers are interchangeable and are strictly for men, which today also equates with the office of the senior pastor, however, since pastors is a role and not an office, he believes women can be pastors. After that class went to the library to read. Read some Greek textual criticism books, didn't go to chapel, continued to read, read a bit on ecclesiology and finally read a book called "Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership" for my pastoral theology and leadership class, it's a good book, actually can see that I have my dark side too, those dark sides that seek approval, jealousy, paranoia etc. But seems like I am on the whole pretty healthy, without very big dark traits in the major areas. It's a good book, already done like two thirds of it. Today have been ready really efficiently. Went to kingdom and covenants class, talked about Olivet discourse in Matthew, difficult, actually sleepy too during class... then Greek class, learnt to read the textual apparatus of the Greek New Testament, useful stuff, through pretty dry. Drove back home, somehow the traffic today was smoother than normal too, don't know why. Back home, rested a bit, finally no classes for more than 2 weeks! Updated xanga... There's so much to update... didn't finish, went to sleep after daily devotion.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Woke up at around 8, continued and finished up preparing for the message tonight. Drove to school, driving to school on Wednesdays is always enjoyable since there aren't a lot of cars on the highway during the time I go. Went to the bank, then to Luke's Pantry. Then to the library, returned and borrowed some books for bible study preparation and sunday school. Went to class, today talked about leadership in general. After class drove back home. Took a one hour nap, practiced a bit on the message, cooked and ate dinner. Very full today, then set off to church a little early. Back at church, final practice, in fact didn't practice a lot, prayer meeting, shared my message, I think I did OK, could have been better, but satisfied enough, hope God will use. Got some encouragement from others afterwards too. Just hung out with Ho gor at church waiting for Jimmy and Bennett. Couldn't find Jimmy in the end, went to Bennett's place finally, since he didn't want to go out and he's still having jetlag after returning from HK last Saturday. Sharing and prayer with them till 2. It was really good. They are really the core of my supporting system. Ho gor drove me back to church and I drove back home. Slept nearly immediately after I returned home past 2.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Woke up before half 6, had breakfast and shower. Drove to school, was more than 5 minutes late since I woke up later... Ecclesiology class, on community leadership, today talked about deacons. There is no job description for deacons and my prof argues that Acts 6 is not about deacons, but "the seven", which is a special office together with "the twelve". My prof believes that the office of deacon is also restricted to men. Though women can be "servants" which is the generic meaning of deacon in Greek in general sense. Based on 1Tim 3. After that went to the library and read. Finished the book on being leaders, pretty useful book. Then read on NT textual criticism, very boring, just skimmed through many of it. Went to chapel, international student chapel, and then back to reading. By 1 went to Kingdom and Covenants class, on the parables, Dr. Pentecosts views that the kingdom in the parables is the new form of theocracy between the first and second advent of Jesus Christ, which is the current form of theocracy, not the Davidic kingdom. Greek class, on textual criticism, we flew book, lots to cover for NT textual criticism. Since I already had OT textual criticism, not too foreign with most of the concepts. After class, drove to Chinatown for groceries, then back home, rested a bit, took a small nap, cooked and ate dinner. At night focussed on finishing the preparation for the message tomorrow during prayer meeting. Slept past 1 in the end.

Monday, November 9, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Woke up at around 11, got loads of sleep. Had lunch and then arrived at church by 1. Attended the staff meeting for the first time. It was pretty good experience, though never thought there were so many miscelleneous admin and coordination stuff to consider. Like whether there is AWANA will affect mission conference attendence, or the Youth Retreat will affect the Christmas service since the orchestra is made of teens these things... On a whole the staff in DCBC seemed pretty good, enthusiastic and in harmony. After that, met with Andy for an hour or so, talked about many things. Shared about my past week. It was good, and he shared with me about his stuff too. Liked that, hoped there would be more time, but he had to discuss stuff with William, Jade and Rev. Yi... Drove back home. Napped for the rest of the afternoon. Cooked and ate dinner. Then at night started the message preparation, slept past 1.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Woke up at 8, ate a little and went to church. Ensured that Gary didn't need more help in the kitchen, then went to Sunday service. After sunday service, taught sunday school, on apocalyptic. Originally thought it would be pretty challenging, but in the end I think it went very very well, better than I thought. The students seem being helped a lot! Pretty happy. After that went straight down to the kitchen to distribute the food. Worked there just for the prime time, the people got their food not long after around noon. Went out to chat with the CCF people. Then after some time went back in for the mandarin service prime time to distribute food. Cleaned up a bit, but weren't able to finish, went to church annual general meeting, casted some votes. Then back to kitchen, everything's already done. Got to wait for John, Maggie and Vivian for choir practice, so chilled out at a new cafe with Mei, Alice, Zoe and Gary. I was already pretty tired at that time. Just chatted. Then Alice drove Zoe and I to John and Maggie's place, had CCF committee meeting. I'll say really they don't know how to hold efficient meetings... they are not prepared for meetings which make the meetings long... it's just in general hard to educate students and brain wash them to think if they prepare before the meeting, they wouldn't need to spend much time to discuss during the meeting. They always think it's better to think together, which means extended meeting times together is more effective. Anyways, just a small thing. Was so tired, so went to sleep in John and Maggie's home as we waited for dinner time to come. Woke up on time to go to dinner, it's Mei's birthday dinner. Went to a Texas beef place. The steak is really very very good. I'll say if you're going to eat Texas speciality food, it's going to be beef! Probably should take Xiao Chao and Long Sum to eat there when they come. They've been communicating with me, I think I'm going to let them stay in my room while I stay at Joshua's place for that weekend. Then during week day, go around Texas with Long Sum as Xiao Chao goes to Florida. It was a really nice dinner. I was on the same table as Ho gor, Ceci, Joe, Mogun, Jacquie, June and Mei. The chats reminds me of the atmosphere in CCF when I first arrived, it's a sweet atmosphere which the current CCF core group of brothers and sisters seem to lack. Maybe the relationship is not as deep between them, and probably it's due to combination of personalities too... but I sort of miss those days, the CCF 2 years ago. Glad that I didn't decide not to go because I was too tired. Chilled out in John and Maggie's place for a little while more, played a fun and brain stimulating game there. It's a simple game, but real good. Left at 11. Ho gor drove me back to church, picked up my car and drove back home. Slept nearly immediately afterwards since I'm so tired.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Woke up at half 7. Drove to UTD, waited for Cynthia to come. Played Table-tennis for a little. Cynthia plays much better than I thought. A little surprised. Picked up stuff from Sharon to hand to people at church. Drove Cynthia to church. Yeung came as well. Found out that it's going to be in teams, and we still lack a girl, so found Maggie as last minute option since they have CYC fellowship today. In fact with John and Maggie adding to it, we have a pretty nice team. In the end we had 1 wins and 2 losses, a pretty good result considering the group we were in. All the other 3 teams in our group were serious ones, unlike other teams have children etc. They were also the younger fellowships in the mandarin side. I only won one game out of all men singles. My consistency is not good enough. While for men's doubles won one match pairing with John. What's disappointing is that people play conservative, I might be the only true offensive style player. But it is true that whoever has the best accuracy and consistency wins. From the two teams we lost to, one actually ended up being champion of the tournament, while the other was in the semis only to be beaten by the champions... probably we lost to the best teams of the tournament only, too bad that we're in that group. After we got knocked out, since I'm going to prepare for tomorrow's lunch with Timothy, I drove Cynthia back to UTD and continue to watch the rest of the tournament, ended up being referee for a couple of the matches. After everything, went into the kitchen, chopped vegetables and cleaned up. Prepared everything we planned to for tomorrow. Returned home for a shower. Then went to Gary's home to carpool to Graham's home for fellowship boys' group gathering. Had sharing and singspiration, then ate dinner, steak by Graham, which with his secret ingredient, always tastes good. Left at around 11. Returned back home to prepare for the sunday school for tomorrow. Chatted with Sharon online for some during the night. Finally slept past half 6...

Friday, November 6, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Woke up at half 9, called back home. Totally forgot that we changed back to winter time so it's one more hour difference between Dallas and Hong Kong, so I actually called one hour later than normal... lucky that mom and dad were just about to sleep but not yet. Just talked briefly. Afterwards got everything ready and set off to Lavron Lake. Drove the wrong way for a little while, so wasted some time on the road, and some gas, but the drive itself was very pleasant, on the country roads. Took like 45 minutes to reach my destination. Walked the Trinity trail, which is around the lake. I walked for like 2 hours and found a spot and laid on the grass, singing and praying for another hour. The was alright, the scenery was just fair, and it's flat land, no hills, so wasn't very tired. I like hills because it makes me more tired and thus reminds me that I need God. But the walk itself was pleasant. I got a lot of quiet time. There were sometimes riders on horseback around, and some horse poo on the trail, but not really big a problem. Glad that it's been largely dry in the past few days, if not the trail would be very muddy. But still got some mud... God didn't really give me a lot of inspiration of the things I've been asking Him during this solitude time, but I think it just energized me and readjusted my vision towards Him. Drove back home with a good spirit. Called Yeung up for play table-tennis to practice for tommorrow's tournament. It's a tournament for raising funds for the family centre construction, new facility for the church. Played around 2 hours with him, later Ruddie came to help us practice with our doubles. It was good. But clearly not enough practice if I am to boost my condition up... Anyways, time for fellowship, so just went to fellowship. Today was movie night, watched a Christian movie 流浪漢世界杯. I think it's a pretty good movie, better than many of the past Christian movies produced in Hong Kong. Though it's not very evangelistic... the message is varied and pretty good. I identify myself most with the role of the social worker, I think there are similar situations that I get into, certain same challenges and discouragements that I face are similar too... the perseverance, love and patience needed etc. I like the movie. In fact going to watch it again in Timothy one week later... after fellowship, just chilled out during refreshment time, and then drove back home. Slept around 2 after daily devotion.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

(recovered as at Wednesday, November 18, 2009)

Woke up at 6, breakfast and shower. Went to school, Ecclesiology class, finished up ministries of the church. Went to the library, did my Greek and finished the book Seeing God. Actually the reading reminded me of Alan, Ah Wah, Fai, Sin Man etc. who's in the disability fellowship... make me miss Hong Kong a lot. Actually during the whole time I've been also burdened by Timothy. I felt a little down, not just because of the sadness of the death of Alan and Wah that I can't be around them, but Sin Man has been sending a lot of sickness emails asking for prayers, really don't know whether she can last till summer 2011 when I return. Also Timothy's situation is really uncertain and difficult... I felt that I need more inspiration and energy... so decided that tomorrow I need to retreat. Continued to finish the Seeing God book. Went to Kingdom and Covenants class, continued on the Kingdom in the gospels. Then Greek class, finally done with the grammar and syntax parts of Greek! Drove back home, on the way went to Albertson's for grocery for the first time. The stuff is very expensive there! Never going to go back anymore! Cooked and ate dinner. At night researched where I could go for tommorrow... actually took me a lot of time, it's so hard to find a good place to go in Dallas that is close to nature, have good scenery and that I can have solitude... in the end picked a place and went to sleep by 2 after daily devotion.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, November 21, 2009)

Woke up at around half 10, pretty late. Brunch, shower, drove to school, there's not enough time to go to Luke's so didn't go, went straight to class. Talked about financing. After class drove back home, groceries on the way. Drove to church and then went to have dinner with Kitty and Ho gor. Then went to prayer meeting together. Had prayer and sharing time with Jimmy and Ho gor, then played table-tennis with Jimmy. I can overpower Jimmy now, don't know if it's I'm improving or he's slipping back... left church at around 11. Returned home, can sleep earlier tonight. One of the rare Wednesday nights this semester that I can sleep early.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, November 21, 2009)

Woke up at 6, breakfast and shower, went to school, ecclesiology class, started on ministries of the church, starting with worship. A theology of worship basically, pretty good. Went to the library and read, finished the book Being Leaders, a good book. And then did some of my Greek, and read a big part of a new book "Seeing God". It's a really good book. The authors tries to identify traits of real spirituality defining what is affection to God, whereas stating that it is this affection that marks a believer, or mature believer. It's based on Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections. Pretty nice book, and easy to read too. Read all way till 1 when I went to the Kingdom and Covenants class, went through the Kingdom in Matthew and Luke. Then Greek class. After class drove back home. Cooked and ate dinner. At night did my final Greek grammar and syntax exam. Originally it's June's birthday dinner, but finally decided not to go due to school work. Done at night, took quite a while. Rested for the remainder of the night. Slept earlier after daily devotion.

Monday, November 2, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, November 21, 2009)

Woke up at around 10, went to meet Andy at 11, it went fine. After that returned home. Had lunch, then studied Greek, had some rest in the evening too. Cooked and did laundry and other miscelleneous things. Slept early after daily devotion.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Woke up at half 7, went to church by quarter past 8, was usher today, so wore suit. I was the earliest so just got all the leaflets ready and stood there to wait for others. Whistled as the pianists practiced. After service taught sunday school, on Prophets, felt pretty good about today, hopefully useful to them. After sunday school had lunch, Gilbert, George etc. was talking about discount chicken sale somewhere and asked if I wanted to go. I first returned home to get changed, since I really don't like wearing suit. Went back to church to find them, having a car is really convinient. But then Andy suddenly found me and asked me whether I would like to visit Mr. Zhou, the EE convert that my team outreached around a year ago. In fact it was in my heart already when I heard during sunday service that he is in hospital. So no way I'm going to say no. Quickly rushed to the chicken place with Auntie Annie, Ho gor, George, Gilbert and Sharon. First time to drive Ho gor, he has driven me a lot of times. We took a bit of time to find that place. There's a line outside the store, it's the final day of the sales. I don't have enough time to wait, so left first. The hospital was not far from there. Uncle Lun was there already when I arrived. Andy came not long afterwards. Went up and talked with Mr. and Mrs. Zhou for like half an hour. He is really in pain, from his last cancer treatment, and now the cancer has returned, have to do chemo again. Really feel sad for him. Left, returned home. Rachel called many people to come out for dinner. So Ho gor came to pick me up and went to Plano Chinese BBQ for hot pot dinner. There were a lot of people. Sort of pre-celebration for June's birthday. It was nice and full. Talked quite a bit with Gary concerning Timothy stuff during that time too. Since we just changed time, it feels like later in the night, the dinner actually ended before 9. Ho gor drove me home, rested at night. Slept after daily devotion.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, November 21, 2009)

Woke up pretty late. Went to visit Vincent. He's fine. Ho gor drove me back home. Originally planned to practice table-tennis with Ruddie and Yeung but in the end they didn't want to play. At home rested and bit and reviewed the bible study material. Went to fellowship, led bible study. I feel pretty good about this time, probably because it's prepared by me from scratch unlike the past ones prepared with Ho gor together. I do feel that i am more familiar with the material and also probably it's because I didn't have to use English since Jenny isn't here. I feel that I am asserting my role more now, especially after the plan of Andy. Returned home after fellowship. Prepared for sunday school. It's time to switch clock from daylight saving back to normal time, so there's one extra hour. That extra hour actually helped me a lot, if not I might have not finished with preparation. Slept for around an hour only before having to wake up again...

Friday, October 30, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Monday, October 26, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, November 12, 2009)

Monday, October 26, 2009

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:25:46 GMT

Woke up at past 8 again, just barely slept. Shower and breakfast, and drove to church. Sunday service, Kelly was there, first time in DCBC service, actually she trusted in Christ in EE outreach during sunday school time. Taught sunday school after service, today's class is pretty good, a lot to cover but was largely efficient enough, so felt good about it. The people are responding well too. After sunday school, briefly talked with the bible reading team about Genesis 1 and 2. Then some of them went off to choir practice while Bennett and I set off to visit Vincent which we failed to do so yesterday. On the way, seized time to sleep in Bennett's car, actually both to and from. Felt that Vincent was fine, haven't seen him for a couple of weeks, have a bit to talk about. Eva came a little after, feels that she's a bit quiet. It's hard for her. We left at half 2 and arrived at Bennett's home at around 3, and we prayed together before Ho gor came. The long awaited and belated chat with Ho gor. After he arrived, we talked with him for like 3 hours. At the beginning he was still reluctant to share, even though he has come. It took us a while, maybe more than an hour to get into the topic, or really get into talking about his life. He was actually really afraid that we will reject or neglect his feelings and oppose what he's thinking about, that's why he struggled to open up himself and always tried to divert the topic at the beginning. After some time, we successfully persuaded him to take the risk, trust God and trust us, to open up himself. Actually I was very nervous too since I know he is really fragile especially as he's showing his vulnerable side to us. I have fear that we would hurt him by our small unconscious or unintentional small actions or words. But we pressed forward in faith. I think God really protected us and guided us as he opened up. Our fears did not realize, nothing happened as we feared would happen. And through the 1-2 hour talk, I can see that he began to see hope and a clearer sense of direction. He used to be pretty hopeless about his situation in life and also stuck and don't know how to get out of his current situation. I give thanks that God used the two of us to minister to him by giving him clear counsel on which direction to go, to get out of the situation and spread hope that his life will not just continue to be like that and end. The chat wasn't marvellous but was good enough to get him out from where he's stuck. And at this point, Bennett had to go and pick up Jenny from work, so we left his home. That's the point when I called Florence, whom I shared with the Vancouver STM team earlier to pray for us and I shared that the conversation was fine and pretty good. But it is after this that the amazing things occurred! I was fortunate that I didn't go to the Ku's since I ended up having dinner with Ho gor, just the two of us. After the chat, he was much more open, and I see a lot of "lightness" in him already, that his burdens seems to have casted away, being more cheerful, just regaining the sense of direction and having hope in life. It was already a pretty good contrast. But then during the dinner, he couldn't stop sharing with me about his past life, how he became a Christian and his spiritual journey since he became a believer. Wondrously, as he shared with me these things, I think the Holy Spirit just convicted him at that point and everything suddenly made sense to him. He suddenly realized that God has been with him all the time since his conversion, there were times that he left the church or was at the edge of leaving faith, but he didn't, he was deeply moved by how God protected him and hang on to him throughout the years and didn't let him go, even though at some points he was close to forsaking God. He has never thought about it from this perspective, in the past, he always looked at his spiritual journey with guilt and shame, seeing himself as a bad Christian, at a few points nearly abandoning the faith. It is only today as he shared about his spiritual journey that he suddenly felt God loves him so much by hanging on to him and protecting him, not letting him leave the faith. It was this tangible love or "proof" of God's love for him that he asked for long time and didn't really get until today. He didn't even originally intend to think this way, he was just casually sharing with me his past spiritual journey. But somehow at that point his tears just bursted, and he cannot stop. It wasn't too long before I came to realize that those are joyful tears rather than sorrowful ones. He just cried like crazy (a big man crying) for half an hour or so in the restaurant we were having dinner. I kept encouraging him and prayed for him as he cried. We left the restaurant. I have a feeling that we need to respond back to God. I was already filled with thanksgiving, praise and awe with what the Holy Spirit has done so tangibly today. It was raining and we couldn't think of a good place to go. I wanted to find a place where we wouldn't be interrupted and it would be quiet enough that we could just free flow and respond in any way we like and not disturb others. We decided to go back to church to see if it's still open, the only place we can think of, and my car was there anyways. I prayed that God will provide us with a good spot. Originally I was hoping that somehow the church would be open, but it wasn't. But God still listened to my prayer that somehow the DCBC area was not raining at all (where the area where we ate was downpouring). We sat down at the DCBC children playground area. We just sang praises and hymns, prayed. He was concerned about how consistent he could be, fearing that this emotional effect that he's having now would be short-lived and that after some time, he will revert back to his former ways. I encouraged him with a few Christian songs, and built up his confidence in God that He will guide as he did throughout his past spiritual journey. We both ended up so rejoicing for what God has done today. He has totally brokethrough, totally revived! Really amazing God, totally unexpected. I originally thought that it was the end as we left the home... never expected that God would do something even greater during dinner time with him.

I was especially joyful since the dividends finally is paid, my past 2 years of toil and labour on this brother, finally bear fruit today, and hopefully will continue to do so. The joy and fulfillment is really indescribable. In fact my eyes were wet too as he was crying, I am pretty moved too. All the ground work in the past, just totally worths it. I returned home by 9, shared with the people who prayed for today, and rejoiced together, especially with June and the Vancouver STM team. Updated xanga as well. Chatted with June for quite a while as I updated xanga. A lot to recover but recovered them all. Went to be past 1 after daily devotion.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at 8, breakfast and shower and set off to church. Today we have a missionary training led by Rev. Bill Olsen, it was pretty on the basics, so didn't feel I took away a lot. And maybe that's due to my seminary education too, it was also not very specific, just very general stuff on evangelism and some values in missions. During lunch, discussed with Sharon and Ryan concerning the bible reading assignments we were in. I ended up driving them back, Sharon to UTD and Ryan to John and Maggie's place. As I was getting from UTD to John and Maggie's place, my car ran out of gas, finally after one month of driving, really a gas saving car. I went to the gas station, but the gas station failed to authorize my debit card, and I had to use my credit card which is from dad. Don't know why it wasn't authorized. And because I tried to use it a few times without success, I later received a message from Bank of America that they were worrying that my card was stolen and used by somebody else so they limited my card activity... need to go the bank to reactivate that on Tuesday... so mar farn... Didn't have enough time to visit Vincent already, since it's already 2 when I dropped off Ryan. So drove back home. Started preparing for sunday school. Biblical poetry is so difficult, there is much more material than I originally thought... Worked on that until 6, set off to church. Prayed with Graham and Ruddie before the start of the programme. Today is a special programme. Since Timothy failed to form a committee for next year, originally today is the election day, but because we have no committee formed, there is an uncertainty towards what we shall do for next year. We decided that we will change today's programme from bible study to a special prayer meeting concerning our fellowship and our future. It was alright. I was glad that I was in the same group with Melissa, where she got to share a little bit about her past experience in fellowship with me... I didn't want to get further into it with some fear, so just left it there. But I can see tears coming out as she just merely mentions the past experiences serving in Timothy. The fellowship does have a history of hurt... there are many things to deal with in Timothy... not going to be an easy road ahead. Afterwards just hung around and casually chatted. June made cheese cake with rum, very tasty just that the alcohol flavour is a bit too strong. First class refreshment! Left church by 11, drove home. Decided not to go to Jennifer and Liz's birthday party, due to various reasons, the main one is I need to deal with the sunday school, but also I had to dress up since it's in a hotel, and then it's expensive too, and it's far, near downtown... Asked June and Vancouver STM team to pray for me tomorrow with Ho gor. Also sent some emails. Worked on the sunday school hard... slept half an hour between half 2 to 3, then worked all the way until quarter till 8...

Friday, October 23, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at half 9, called back home, nice chat with parents. Then the rest of the day casually did things. Somehow my facebook account was disabled, don't know why... sent an appeal to them. In the evening had dinner and then went to church for fellowship. Today elder Lee shared a talk on inter-relationships in church, main points were be transparent, mind conflicts of interests and conflicts in differing opinions. It's nice experience from him, it's not very systematic though. After that talk just had refreshments and chatted. Drove back home. Slept pretty early before midnight after daily devotion.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at 6, but fell asleep again and woke up at quarter to 7. I decided that I needed more sleep, so decided to skip the Ecclesiology class in the morning. First time to miss class, I can have 3 absences throughout the semester without penalty, I think I might need to use the rest of the two some time in the future... Woke up at 9, breakfast and shower, set off by quarter to 10, drove to school, went to chapel. Today was student chapel, a fellow student with disabilities shared his life story. After that went to the library and read the book on sanctification. Went to kingdom and covenants class, on the Davidic covenant in the New Testament. Then Greek class. Nothing really special again. Went back to the library and finished reading the book on Sanctification, quite efficiently finished the book. Borrowed books for the coming sunday school class too and a couple of books for Clement. Left school at 6, drove to Uncle Wilson's place east of White Rock Lake. My first time to drive this path, local road, Gaston Ave, Garland Road... Arrived safely, helped him with a few minor computer problems. John, Maggie, JJ, Sebby, Gavin and Yeung arrived. John became the main person to deal with the stuff, and Yeung and I just mainly took care of the babies. There is just one person in need for technical assistance today, though one uncle came to hang out a bit. So we were largely free while John dealt with the questions. Left by half 9. Returned home. Ate dinner, was tired, just rested a bit and then went to sleep around midnight after daily devotion.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at around 10, breakfast and shower. Set off to school at half 12. Didn't got to Luke's pantry today, partly because it was already time for class and also I don't plan to cook any of those things this week, and the cans are accumulating. Went to class on pastoral leadership, talked about boards and how they relate to pastors and staff. Dr. Malphurs' opinion is that boards should only deal with the senior pastor and not with the rest of the staff, where it's the senior pastor's role to deal with them. The board and the senior pastor have 3 different relationships, spiritually senior pastor leads the board, administratively or instituationally the board is over the senior pastor, community wise the board and the pastor is together equal. Other committees Dr. Malphurs things should just be advisory while the board and senior pastor makes the decisions. Pretty good class. After class went to the library and read until half 4 on the sanctification book and then set off to Christian Herald to find Kitty and Gary. Just feeding her info concerning Timothy. Went for dinner together at First Chinese BBQ Richardson before going to church for prayer meeting. After prayer meeting, chatted with Bennett and Ho gor in starbucks, just sharing and prayer, didn't read the bible. Before we left, went into a deep conversation with Ho gor which we've been in a few times. Totally unprepared, I think both Bennett and I failed to empathize or show enough understanding to Ho gor... so was pretty bad. Ho gor didn't want to open up at this point, it's already past 1 at night, so decided that we will meet up again on Sunday to talk. Returned home, continued to finish up the Greek, glad that I did a big part of the Greek on Tuesday evening, if not, I would need to work till way late... Worked until 3, slept after daily devotion.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at 6, breakfast and shower, drove to school without problem. Ecclesiology class on models of sanctification. Then started reading the book on sanctification, went to chapel, after that continued to read the book. Went to Kingdom and Covenants class, about the Davidic Covenant in the prophets, it's really prominent. Greek class, after that drove home. Was hardworking today, worked on Greek in the evening and finished reading on tomorrow's pastoral leadership class. Slept around midnight after daily devotion.

Monday, October 19, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at 10, went to church to meet Andy Ho, didn't talk a lot today, left pretty decently a little past 12. Drove to John and Maggie's home to pick up the food that Wai Shu gave me yesterday which I forgot to bring back from their home. Back home, worked on Greek, then rested for the rest of the day. A really light day. Vivian started a facebook group on the bible reading team. They are really passionate about it, so spent quite a great deal of time on facebook today, and I believe will continue to be in the future days ahead with this bible reading team. It's similar with the bible reading team in London, just that this time it's specific towards practicing the skills they learnt during sunday school. Slept early by 12 after daily devotion.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at 8, drove to church, final day of missions conference. After that taught sunday school, on different miscelleneous genres of the bible like geneologies, lists, laws, building details etc. I feel that I made these texts relevant to them and I explained to them adequately in a simple manner concerning the problem of deriving a theological principle from the author's exegetical intent. Felt good about today's class, I feel it was better than last week's. There weren't a lot of people coming today though. After sunday school, met up with Andy Ho, Timothy Committee and Kitty to discuss about what we will do with Timothy's situation. Wai Shu gave me some food, somehow she found me in Andy Ho's office. Afterwards went to John and Maggie's home had a very casual CCF committee meeting, not the most efficient but very relaxed and the atmosphere was good. Zoe, Alice and I stayed behind to have dinner together. During that time, talked with them two concerning their roles. Challenged them further. I am really glad that John and Maggie are taking this step quickly and swiftly. It was good time. Zoe drove me back to church and I drove back home, already pretty late, just rested at night. Slept early by 11 after daily devotion.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at 9, breakfast and shower, went to Gary's home. Met up with Bennett and Gary. Drove down to visit Vincent, but somehow it was closed and unavailable for visitation... so we drove back up and had early lunch Yum Cha. After that, returned home, rested a little then set off to church again. Did pre-study with Ho gor at church in the whole afternoon, done by half 6. Went to the mission banquet, there wasn't any meat left already, so we had free food, but less meat, just veggies and rice. Was good enough for me as a veggie lover more than a meat lover. Second day of the mission conference, I feel that the talk today was better than yesterdays. Melissa and Maxi shared for the Love Corp missions. It was good. Actually very surprised that Melissa was the one to share for the Ahousaht Team, I thought it was Wendy. They did a good job. After the conference, I decided not to hang out with the Cantonese people, but instead, hang out with Henry, Wendy and Melissa. We had real fun and relaxing chat time at Tapioca House afterwards. It's a bit different feel compared with being with Cantonese people. It was good. Returned home, it's past midnight already. Prepared for sunday school, past 3.

Friday, October 16, 2009

(recovered as at Sunday, October 25, 2009)

Woke up at half 9, called back home. Chatted with dad and mom. After that dealt with the sunday school a bit, and did other miscelleneous things. Was a quite light day. Went out for dinner with the CCF people before missions conference. We also went back early to serve in the refreshments, cutting fruits etc. The talk, this first one wasn't that good. It was very sermon like and unlike any motivational speech to touch the hearts of people. After that we cleaned up the stuff. Returned home past 11. Slept around midnight after daily devotion.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:54:09 GMT

Woke up at 6, breakfast and shower, drove to school. Ecclesiology class on the different views of Sanctification, weaknesses and strengths of each. Went to the library, nearly finished the book on the making of a leader, no time to reflect on the content yet, I plan to just finish reading the book first before reflecting upon it altogether. Went to chapel, today was on finances. The speaker was trying to make a case that the USA is going towards a point of no return which will lead to a disaster not just in the US but globally in terms of the economy. It's because the US government is spending more than the means they can repay. I think the speaker expressed his case very successfully, and I do agree that if nothing is done in the coming few years, the compound interest for the US will be unbearable to them. But as a non-US citizen, basically there's nothing much that I can do apart from hoping that the US government, congress and citizens will take up some more responsibility to the world to prevent that global economic crisis to occur because of the downfall of the US economy. The downfall of the US economy due to the bankruptcy of the US government is bad enough, but hopefully I won't be in the US by that time, 2014-2020 maybe, but still it'll affect the world. Haven't really heard a talk similar to this kind before from a Christian perspective. US people really need to trust more in God and trust less in money, and maybe involving quite a change in their lifestyle and ways in doing things. Money does matter to Christian ministry after all, and I believe US is one of the biggest contributors financially to the Christian ministries in the world. After chapel, met Anna again whom I first met during the seminarian lunch last Saturday. Went back to the library. Reviewed the church analysis from the church in South Arlington where our project for the pastoral theology is targetting. After that finished up the book on the making of a leader. Still have some time left, so updated xanga, didn't finish before the 1pm kingdom and covenants class, so went there first. Today went through briefly Joshua, Judges and Saul before entering David. After that Greek class, nothing really special. Today I'm meeting with the pastoral class field project group at 5, so got to stay on campus till later, so went back to the library, finished updating the xanga. Met the group, the meeting was pretty good though Nitin did not turn up. Drove back home past 6. Cooked dinner and ate. Rested at night for the most part.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 15, 2009)

Woke up past 9. Studied Greek in the morning. But there are a lot of verses to translate for tomorrow, exceptionally a lot, so weren't able to finish. Had brunch and then drove to school. Went to Luke's pantry for food, then to the library to return and borrow some books. Went to class, today talked about staffing. Drove back home after class. Had a little nap after I returned home since I was so tired. Finished up the Greek translation on the latter half of Philippians chapter 2. Started a little bit on the study guide. But then prepared dinner and ate. Decided to ride bike to church since it's still not very dark, though already dark, but the main thing is I haven't been riding for more than one week so just miss cycling, and I think I need some exercise too anyways. So cycled to church, sweated quite a bit, which was good. Prayer meeting, prayed for the mission conference together with other customary stuff. After that cycled home. However, at about a quarter of the way, I found that my hind tire was flat again... and only without riding for a week or so my tire has a problem. Luckily Gary was at prayer meeting so I called him back to transport my bike back home. Ho gor and Jimmy came and we just had sharing and prayer. It was good fellowship time. Jenny was sick, so Bennett didn't come. They left at around midnight, and I continued to finish up my Greek study guide. In the end slept past 2.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 15, 2009)

Woke up at 6, breakfast and shower and then went to school. Ecclesiology class on the introduction to Sanctification. Today just read through the DTS doctrinal statements related to it and explained the view of the institution. I think Sanctification is actually one of the doctrines Chafer, the founder of DTS focussed on a lot. It was just much later with Dr. Pentecost and Dr. Walvoord that DTS gave others an impression that Eschatology was very important. After class, went to chapel, preaching by Dr. Chisolm, I think finally I have found a sermon that I can do analysis on with Andy Ho, since a lot of the chapel messages aren't actually sermons, so I don't really want to do sermon analysis on messages which even the speaker doesn't even regard them as sermons. But this one no doubt. I think actually it's a pretty moving message in encouragement for evangelism. After chapel, went to the library, started the book the making of a leader, a book that Andy Ho recommended me to read, and it will be part of both my internship and my pastoral theology class. It's really a pretty neat book, introducing concepts and helping me to identify where's I'm at in the process, how to relate the things that I've experienced in the past into the picture of God developing me as a leader. I think Andy Ho really made a good recommendation to me. Enjoyed reading it and there was a lot of reflection, which I weren't able to finish reflecting upon 1 when I have to go to class. Went to Kingdom and Covenants class, today on how the Land covenant in Deuteronomy 28-30 can be shown and worked out in the rest of the bible, mainly looking at the prophets and the gospels. Dr. Pentecost's argument is that unconditional covenants can have conditional conditions attached to it. The possession of the land which is unconditional is different from the enjoyment of the blessings that come from the possession of the land. Also he explained the nature of the discipline of YHWH to Israel as not punishment but discipline to encourage repentance and obedience so that once again the blessings could be conditionally enjoyed by the Israelites. Pretty good. Then Greek class, don't know why I have a strange stomachache during the class, so was really looking forward for the class to end... drove back home, cooked and ate dinner, first time to cook this dish using ingredients leftover from Saturday's Iron Chef joint fellowship programme, 蘑菇、豆角 and 豆pok. Actually bought a 耶菜 on my way home from school too to add into it. A vegetarian dish. Worked out alright and enjoyed the dinner. Dealt with miscelleneous stuff and started studying Greek a little. Slept around midnight after daily devotion.

Monday, October 12, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 15, 2009)

Woke up at around half 8, a little earlier than I expected, don't know why I didn't sleep a little longer, seems like I didn't need to compensate for the lack of sleep in the past week... Started on studying some Greek, then went to find Andy Ho at church. Drove today since it's a bit wet outside. Talked a bit about Timothy and what he said yesterday when he met with Graham, Gary, Ruddie and I. I can feel that Andy Ho is not in very good condition today, his responses are not a sharp and there's just many things happening, including transition to new senior pastor, Timothy stuff and other things. And I think the sharing of my view with him concerning the situation in Timothy stimulated some thought in him too, which he hasn't totally digested yet. Nothing really outstanding for the chat this week. Returned home and rested a bit for the rest of the afternoon. Made food and ate, at night studied Greek and finally slept around midnight after daily devotion.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 15, 2009)

Woke up at 8, breakfast and shower and then drove to church. Sunday sermon delivered by pastor Yi, on deacon qualitifications, it's rather old school preaching, but it was alright. Taught sunday school, could have done better today. And I totally feel inadequate in explaining how to derive the theological principle from the contextual meaning of the text. And here I really see a need for another class which is a class on theological method, a method to derive a sound theology out from the text, can consider teaching that next year in March or September. After that Joanne and Melissa asked me more concerning that but didn't have enough time and I think if I'm better prepared I can answer them better, so asked them to find me later. Went to the Cantonese ministry meeting. It was more casual than I thought, more loose and less organized. It's a bit similar to the C&C meeting in CCiL, just that the sphere is broader than just caring. After that, a special meeting for Timothy where I was invited by the committee to join with Andy Ho to discuss the situation. Basically Timothy is failing to form a new committee for next year... We had some reflection together and Andy Ho proposed some insights which is still unconfirmed. Shall see how it goes... After that, decided to return home since I'm so tired. Basically rested for the rest of the day. Didn't even cook, just ate leftovers. Slept early past 10 after daily devotion.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 15, 2009)

Woke up at 6:45 at John and Maggie's home. Laid in bed a for a little longer. Ryan and Sharon actually just came in and began to sleep. I woke up and gave morning calls to different people. And later called Ryan and Sharon up. Had breakfast prepared by Maggie and then drove Ryan and Sharon to church. First time to have passengers in my car. At church, prepared food. Joint fellowship with the elderly fellowship. On the whole it was very positive and very joyful to both groups. It is a good experience. Just that the team spirit wasn't as high as last year for the CCF people. It ended around 1. Was early enough for me to join in the seminarian luncheon where all the seminarian students in DCBC were invited and new students were introduced and welcomed. There are quite a number of new students, I am pretty surprised, but none actually in my age and most of them have families. Met a few which was pretty nice. After that, drove home. Prepared for tomorrow's sunday school, went to church again for fellowship at 7. Today is joint fellowship with the career's fellowship at FCBC. It's Iron Chef, cooking competition. It was pretty fun, our relied on one of the sisters from FCBC called Jackie who's a house-wife. Some of the people in that fellowship are non-Chinese speaking, so a lot of times communicated in English. Actually by coincidence, most of them that I talked with were the non-Christians in the group, just happens to got into that group. Also had some time to talk with a couple of the more mature believers in the group about the condition and needs of the fellowship. So I think it's really good joint fellowship where I can connect with them spiritually. Returned home afterwards, continued to prepare for the sunday school. Finished preparing before 3, which was the earliest since the sunday school class began in September, which was nice.

Friday, October 9, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 15, 2009)

Woke up around 9, didn't call back home since dad and mom won't be free, which I already knew. Rested and did miscelleneous things during the day time. Prepared a bit of sunday school too. In the evening went to church to prepare for tomorrow's joint fellowship with the elderly fellowship. There was some incident that occurred with the arts side making presents for the elderly while I was one of those who was preparing food in the kitchen so didn't witness. Afterwards went to John and Maggie's home. Sharon and Ryan was with us too since they don't have a car and their home is not close. They planned for the games while John, Maggie and I had counselor communication time. It is in generally really lacking and I am grateful that we can have some communication done today, although still not the things I wanted to talk about most, but already better than none. It was good chat. Afterwards helped Sharon and Ryan on the run-down and adding more games, since tomorrow will be cold and very likely the elderly will not want to go out to White Rock Lake anymore, although personally I want to go there. We slept before they were finished around 5 after daily devotion.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:22:19 GMT

Woke up at 6, took shower and had breakfast. Seems like the routine now is every Wednesday night and Saturday night I will need to work late, so not enough sleep... Drove to school, today is a bit misty and the ground is cooler than the air above it, creating some problems for me too since the car is cooler than the air, water condenses on the surface of the cars including the windows. However, arrived back to school without delay or problems. Went to class on Ecclesiology, concerning the purpose and ministry of the church. Then went to the library. Finished up the two books on the kingdom of God. Pretty good. Still had some extra time after finishing reading, so opened my laptop, went online and updated my xanga. Went to class on kingdom and covenants today on the Land Covenant, which is Deuteronomy 28-30, which is very important in understanding the Old Testament. After that Greek class, after that drove home. Rested largely at night.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 8, 2009)

Woke up past 8, actually pretty early, but since I slept early yesterday night, I had enough sleep. Ate and rested in the morning mainly, also a bit of MSN with Graham and some others. Set off to school by noon. Pastoral theology and leadership class. I think Dr. Malphurs is really pouring his vast experience onto us, which is really good, he gives us a lot of practical stuff, unlike many other classes that focusses a lot of the theory. Although this also means he cannot cover everything he wanted to cover, but I think it is good itself. After class, drove to a Walmart in Forest Lane, it's a big Walmart, unlike the one close to school which is pretty small (in US scale, not in HK scale). So bought a lot of things, never actually bought so many things, but now I got a car, so don't have to worry about carrying them back home. I think I won't have to go to a US supermarket for a few weeks at least, just need to go to a Chinese supermarket to top up with vegetables and fruit from time to time. Drove local road back home. Studied Greek and then had dinner, just eating the leftovers. Drove to church for prayer meeting. Kitty came as a well, a sister who used to come to DCBC around 10 years ago, returned to HK to work and now returned to Dallas and is enrolling for DTS for the coming semester. She's handing in her application soon. Hope things will go well for her. Looking forward to study and serve with her, however, not sure how committed she will be coming to Timothy Fellowship though, since she's one of the older batch. Ho gor and I went to Bennett's new home around Frankford and Preston. It's a real big house. It's still very empty since Bennett just moved in not long ago and things aren't set up well. Read 1Samuel chapter 4-7 today, it was good, a real good practice for Ho gor to read narrative after the sunday school class. It is really not easy sometimes, and I do expect students to have difficulty as they try it out. But seems that the students are so diligent in practicing the skills themselves outside class... got to think of a way, maybe something like the bible reading plan we had in London? We also had some sharing and prayer time. Left his place by half 12. Ho gor drove me back to church where I drove home. Returning home, continued to finish up the Greek assignment for tomorrow. Slept around 2 after daily devotion.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 8, 2009)

Woke up at 6, shower and breakfast, drove to school, was a little early in fact. Ecclesiology class on marks of the church. Then went to the library and read, concerning the kingdom in Acts and in the epistles. Went to early registration as international student with Lisa for my Spring semester classes, nice that I have worked them out already last Saturday and Sunday. I have crammed the classes in Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I am only required to go to school two days a week, however, might also go some Wednesdays so to do readings on reserve and reference material int he library and also go to Luke's pantry for free food. Shall see. And next semester I will have no 07:45 class which means I won't need to wake up at 6 however that might mean that I need to drive in a rusher hour since my first class on Tuesdays and Thursdays are now 09:10. Continued reading afterwards, I am nearly finished with this two books now, which is 66% of the readings for the class. Then I can continue on with readings of other classes. There was a bit more time left after I finished these chapters and I didn't want to start the next final big chapter which is kingdom in revelation, so read on the pastoral theology and leadership class, and actually finished up the reading amount for tomorrow's class and next week's class. So in fact I am ahead of the schedule. Went to the kingdom and covenants class, talked about the Abrahamic covenant in the New Testament. After that Greek class, on genitives, the lecture today was actually helpful, which is rare, since genitives are just a bit more complicated to deal with, so many ambiguities and also so many different nuances available. After class drove back home. Cooked dinner, and mostly rested at night. Had some chat with Trina (cousin in Calgary) and asked about the situation of gu jeung and herself etc. They definitely need encouragement too. Will remember to continue to support them in prayers. Actually shared with her how God listened to the prayers of the STM team concerning a co-worker of Florence who had a baby who was diagnosed with some brain problem, but after praying later found out it was mis-diagnose. Hope they will hang on in hope and faith in God. Received a mooncake from Billy from HK. Although mid-autumn has already past, but this is actually the only mooncake I've got, so it's good, he is great brother. Was tired so slept early past 11 after daily devotion.

Monday, October 5, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 8, 2009)

Woke up past 9. Ate a bit and then rested a bit. Cycled to church to meet Andy Ho, a pretty nice chat, and actually I feel there's not enough time to talk about everything I wanted to talk about. I don't really know if it's good timing or bad timing that a new senior pastor is coming right at the same time I am beginning my internship. A lot of things just cannot progress forward because of this shift in leadership, since pastor Yi will be in charge of many things but at this time of transition, he has too many things to deal with and has no energy to entertain my internship, which is a relatively very minor thing. So things like preaching schedule, sitting in staff meetings etc. got to wait till pastor Yi has time to take care of me after he settles the most important things. I do hope that he will prevail in his ministry here. Cycled home, took shower, had lunch, rested a bit, chatted with Patrick for quite a while and then started studying Greek. Finished everything pretty late in fact, never expected that I need to study it for that long today. Finally slept before 3 after daily devotion.

Sunday October 4, 2009

(recovered as at Thursday, October 8, 2009)

Woke up at 8, breakfast and shower. Drove to church since it's raining a bit today. Was early, so photocopied the stuff for sunday school. Went to sunday service, the taught sunday school. Today's class was pretty good I think. There was a brother who came in from another class and he said he wanted my notes though he still attends another class, and I gave it to him. Don't know how he heard about my notes. In fact that evening, he shot me an email asking some questions which he didn't understanding after reading the notes, and I found out a major inadequacy in the notes. So he is helping me to refine them. And I basically revised them at night. After sunday school, had a brief talk with Lareina, but later left them to Vivian and Sharon. A little chat with the Vancouver STM people, and later since there aren't much to do, decided to go back home early and rest. Actually took a nap in the afternoon for around 3 or so hours, since I was too tired. After waking up, revised the past notes to improve them and sent them out. I do have a possibility to teach them again in English or Mandarin or even after I leave DCBC, since I do think that brothers and sisters in general are very inadequate in this area of skill in terms reading the bible in its literary setting, and my personal experience has made it clear that it makes a big difference in my bible reading life. Afterall literary criticism is something new in biblical scholarship within the past few decades, so can't blame that nobody in the congregation are taught in light of these. Cooked dinner and ate. Slept around midnight after daily devotion.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:25:43 GMT

Woke up at 8, cycled to church and today is church cleaning day. CCF was responsible for the fellowship hall while Timothy was responsible for the hallways and restrooms for 2nd floor. I mostly was with the CCF people. Worked until past 11. Then went to Kirin Court to Yum Cha. After that went to visit Vincent. Haven't visited Vincent for a while, since he was sick. Glad to see him and talk a bit today, next week won't be able to go again due to the outing with the elderly fellowship. Back home, updated xanga, lots to recover. Recovered all my past entries and also some private entries before 6. Ho gor came to pick me up not long afterwards, and I went to his home. Today is mid-autumn festival and Ho gor's mom invited me to their place for dinner, together with Victor, a non-believer whom I've already met before playing tennis in UTD. The food was really good, with roast pigeon, haven't had that for so long and it's really satisfying. Ho gor's mom is already known as a good cook and it's the first time I really had a more formal dinner with her tasting her food. Really thank her. Afterwards, went to meet Lareina and Sharon. I decided that won't hang out with them and the rest, and would return home, so they dropped us off back home. I need to prepare for the sunday school tomorrow. However, actually MSNed with different people until 1, when I finally started to prepare. Actually as I began to prepare for this session, I found out that I could have done a lot better in many respects for the last session in light of how I am planning to do the coming session. So revised the notes for the last session a bit at the same time, which consumed a fair bit more of time for me. Finally finished everything past 5, and slept before 6 after daily devotion.

Friday, October 2, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at 9. Had a really weird dream last night. It was like I have already graduated and went into ministry in a setting which is foreign to me. And somehow I was with mom and dad. Long Sum was not in the dream, and somehow through my interaction with my parents, I found out that they were having some problems and in the end found out that actually they are going to get a divorce. So in the dream I was angry and questioned them why they never shared anything about their relationship with me, such important things, it's just like not treating me as a close family member. Then my parents told me that actually I am having some sort of mental disorder, due to the pressure in ministry, which I am not aware of that myself. They know that and knows that I won't be able to bear this news if I hear it with my mental health, that's why out of love they aren't telling me... then in the dream, I just cried (both knowing that my parents are getting divorced and I am having mental disorder). A pretty weird dream. And I woke up as I cried hard in the dream. Actually was still thinking about it as I woke up... Shower and breakfast and then called back home. Actually was a little late since por por was using the phone at half 9. It was a long chat today, talked for more than 2 hours. It was a very very nice family time where grace and the love of God was shown. Also, it's the first time that it was made very explicit that my parents see me as a mature adult member of the family, relating to me as a peer rather together as a parent. Got affirmation from them that I have really grown up. I am very happy that I am in this family and hope that I can be an asset to the family too. Actually it's such a coincidence that I had a dream about my parents yesterday night, haha. After the chat, had lunch and then prepared for the bible study I'm going to lead this evening. Just revised a bit of the material I already prepared last year. Received the class schedule for Spring semester and started planning of my registration of classes. There's one class called "Biblical Theology of the Law", that I really wanted to take, but fear that Long Sum will come around that period of time, so shall see, but I don't know if it will be offered again within the next two years that I'm still here. Drove to Panera Bread for dinner. Tried to buy a cake for Cynthia Han since it's her birthday yesterday, drove to Braums in Campbell just to find that it was closed down already... really can't complain it's a waste of gas since this tank of gas is from Eva with the car... Had dinner with Vivian and Sharon in Panera Bread, then drove back to church. Today there weren't any non-Christians, so studied it rather in a Christian way, still pretty good, apart from the latter part. Drove home, rested a little, and slept around midnight after daily devotion.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

The alarm went off at quarter past 6, however, I stayed in bed until 6:40... so shower, ate something quickly and set off to school by quarter past 7. I was still 5 minutes late for class, since there was a bit of traffic on highway 75. Ecclesiology class on church and the kingdom, how the church is distinct from the kingdom God promised to Israel and how the church fits in the whole kingdom programme of God. Pretty good. Dr. Kreider is really different style of teacher than Dr. Horrell, Dr. Horrell is pretty teacher like and gives you good info. Dr. Kreider is more motivating, less giving information or comprehensive details but tries to move you in your practical life more which Dr. Horrell does much less. Nice to try out different theology profs. Went to read on the Kingdom revelation in the gospels, then went to chapel, and then back to reading. By 1 went to class on Kingdom and Covenants, today Dr. Pentecosts just stressed the centrality of the Abrahamic Covenant in the whole bible. It is true that nearly everything is based on the Abrahamic covenant, the Exodus, conquest of Canaan, return from exile, coming of Messiah, and even future hope. However was a bit boring as he just went through all the passages... Greek class was even more boring again... really counting down again... Drove back home after school. Rested and ate, just did some less intensive study and work at night. Was very tired because last night only slept for around 2 hours. Slept before 2 after daily devotion. Today's the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China, however, I didn't really track it and take a look at what the parades are like etc. on TV, since I'm just not so interested or passionate. But it does mean something to me. 60 seems a long time in one sense, but also it's like not long ago too.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up past 9, ate a bit, shower. Did the reading for the class today. But didn't finish it. Had lunch, drove to school, went to Luke's pantry, got food, also to the library to borrow books and put them in the car. Finally don't have to carry them all the way in a bike, which I need to use my leg muscles to move them. And it actually took me less than half an hour to get to school today. Went to the pastoral theology class, finished up the vision part and went into the disciple making process part. Make me think about what it's like in Yanfook. DCBC clearly doesn't have any. Makes me think about CCF and Timothy too, how that can develop, and I wonder how CCiL Cantonese Congregation is doing on this, they have started something, but not sure how it's going. Does seem that my studies are moving me to act. After class drove to Tian Tian to buy some groceries. Then back home. Cooked and ate dinner, just simple dinner. Did some of my Greek reading. Then set off to church for prayer meeting. Was pretty nice prayer and KP and Ceci both came to prayer meeting to my surprise. After prayer meeting, cycled home and finished up my Greek reading. Actually Ho gor and Bennett came very late past 10... We read 1Samuel, started it today. It was a pretty good read together. Applied some of the methods I taught during sunday school. Then had a long sharing. In fact the past few days God has been like burning my heart on various things, through Andy Ho, through chapel and through my classes. Clearly I have lost the aggressiveness I used to have when I was in CCiL. Maybe because the CCiL experiment proved that no matter what legacy I leave, with just a few years, the achievement is still very limited, so makes me think it doesn't worth to be so aggressive afterall if I just have a few years in Dallas. Also no doubt my workload in Dallas is heavier than that in London. I'll say my workload and my passion is no less here in Dallas compared with London, just that I have turned much softer than I used to be, not pushing things forward and trying to make the difference that much, rather just work with the system and the status quo. Should I continue like this so to save more energy to study or should I find once again the aggressiveness that I used to have? Don't have any answer yet. But talking about these things, and also Ho gor's stuff made me us chat until like 2... And after that I still had to finish up my Greek. So finally slept past 4 after daily devotion.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at 6. Had breakfast and got everything prepared. First day to drive to school. Set off at quarter to 7, was a little nervous, turned out pretty good actually. Got my vehicle registered with the campus police. Was still a little early for class. Today talked about the one catholic apostolic church, on church unity etc. Pretty good. Then reading on the New Covenant in the prophets. Chapel, the speaker talked about youth ministry and he was so passion and his passion really infects. Feel moved by him. After chapel continued on the reading on the New Covenant. Seems like now both times before and after chapel will be used for reading for the Kingdom and Covenants class. Soon I'll finish much of the readings for that class and can focus on the readings of other classes. At 1, the Kingdom and Covenant's class, talked about Passover and Exodus and the giving of the law. Greek class, nothing really special, actually really getting bored with the Greek class, not learning a lot. It's rather the reading that makes me learn a lot instead. So was counting down when I can go home... Drove back home safely for the first time. I'll say it's pretty good. But there was some traffic on my way back, which actually delayed my time a lot. Back home, rested, then prepared a bit for tomorrow's class, slept early around midnight after daily devotion. Devotion on Psalm 116, and truly God has been so good to me, that I really nothing can stop me from living for Him... similar to what the Psalmist feel I guess.

Monday, September 28, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at around half 9, seems like my biological clock is rather set, that I'll wake up around half 9 if I don't set the alarm. Had breakfast and then did a little miscelleneous things, until I cycled to church to find Andy Ho. He was very occupied today with a phone call on a complicated matter. So at first I was waiting and then I found Dr. Buehler next door and we chatted for nearly an hour while Andy Ho was talking on the phone. It was nice that I got this hour to get to know him, talked about various things. Afterwards Andy Ho brought me out to a Middle Eastern restaurant to have lunch buffet, actually it's not so middle eastern I feel... but nice time with him, talked about a lot of things too, about CCF, and Timothy. He told me not to put my focus that I only have two years left here and he expects me to shine. This really led to some reflection on my part, as I compare my situation now with my final two years in London. It was only by the second year in London that was I beginning to step up and make an impact, I have already had an earlier start in Dallas... After that, Andy drove me back and the phone rang just as we planned to pray. So left as Andy continued to talk on the phone on the same complicated matter. Cycled back home, it was already late afternoon by the time I arrived home. Just rested mainly for the rest of the day. Slept early past by 11 after daily devotion, got to reserve energy for driving tomorrow to school!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at half 7, followed auntie Annie back to church. At half 8 met with the Vancouver STM team for de-brief with Dr. Buehler and PJ (Pastor Jireh). However, it wasn't really a de-brief but more a teaching session from the two pastors concerning tongues and the work of the Holy Spirit... I wasn't very interested to be honest, so didn't respond a lot. Mostly I do agree more with what they say than the practice of the charismatics, but still not everything, but basically just sat there most of the time, and with the fact that I am quite sleepy too with not a lot of sleep last night. Afterwards there's still a bit of time, so chatted with the team people before going up to teach sunday school. Today was teaching on reading narrative, and it went pretty well. Just that I didn't give time for them at all this time to do exercise in class, which hopefully this will not go on in the future sessions. So far the sunday school teaching experience in the past few sessions has been pretty good. Just that today there were more people coming, already more than 20 in the class, which changes the atmosphere and makes it harder to control especially when classwork is given. I hope that the class will not be so big to maximize the class' effectiveness, but on the other hand, more people come, more people be blessed by my teaching, that's good as well, so coin of two sides... don't know. After sunday school, went to Mandarin service, since I missed Cantonese service due to the "de-brief". I was fishing during the service in fact a lot of times... After the service, did pre-study with Ceci and Sharon for CCF. It's a pretty easy piece of scripture this time. Then Eva came and picked up the car. Drove from that place to Vivian's home where Ryan, Patrick, Lareina was already there. After hanging out a bit there, went out for dinner together to an Italian restaurant. George, Ho gor, Sharon and Jacquie joined us too. Patrick and Ryan left early since Patrick is flying back to Arizona. The rest of us walked to a two stores nearby to look for stuff we're going to us as gifts for the elderly as we have joint fellowship with them two Saturdays later. However, one of the stores were already closed and there weren't anything we wanted in the other store. Eva called that she gave me the wrong sheet of insurance paperwork so went to the gas station at 75 and McDermont to exchange for the right one. Then drove home. Driving really feels like flying, especially on the highway, it's so quick! Returned home safely, real tired so slept not long after around 11 after daily devotion.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at half 9, breakfast and shower. Chatted with dad and mom for a little while, since the reception was not good, didn't chat very long, just less than half an hour. Worked on CCF's bible study leading pre-study on Sunday and also leading singspiration in Timothy today. Had simple lunch. By afternoon people started coming for Amanda's baby shower, which is held at auntie Annie's place. Apart from being a bit noisy, wasn't very distracting. Rather some times people knock and come to find me. And Ho gor and Patrick also once came to find me who came into my room too. Jeffrey and Belinda also came so had some chat with them too. Managed to finish preparing for those before 5. Cycled to chuch. The set up of my laptop with the projector had some problems, which delayed the fellowship. But turned out OK. Also my laptop battery didn't have enough power so in the middle of the bible study it hibernated. Nice that today's bible study's structure is very simple and I could do it even without the notes. There was very good interaction and discussion on the application. I feel good about today's bible study. Afterwards chatted a bit, Lareina came to Timothy too today and expressed some of her bitterness and pressure. Cycled back home. Cooked and ate a late supper. Prepared for tomorrow's sunday school until 3. Slept before 4.

Friday, September 25, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at half 9, checked email and knew that my parents won't be free to chat tonight... I would have slept longer if I have known that earlier... too bad, now I am awake. Worked on Timothy's bible study for tomorrow. Rested and dealt with miscelleneous things. In the evening cycled to wendy to have dinner together and then to church for CCF. Today is prayer meeting. Nice time of sharing and prayer with Mei and Ceci. Really didn't get much chances to talk with them since I came back from Alaska and Canada. Maggie and Lareina later joined in. And basically I already knew what's happening seeing Lareina's sad face, since Andy Ho talked with me about her. But surely she is really sad today. Cycled back home, slept around 11 after daily devotion.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at quarter to 6. Breakfast and cycled to school. As I got off the train and cycled to N. Washington Avenue. One of the screws that secures the rack on my bike was lost... Luckily there was nothing in the rack so nothing fell off and the rack didn't bump onto my tires, if not I might have fallen off my bike. It just rubbed my tired with a little bit of friction, and that's how I knew I lost a screw. Luckily it was just a minor screw, with a little adjustment, I was OK to ride the rest of my way to school without a problem. Was still on time today, which I'm very grateful. Ecclesiology class still on definition of the church. Then studied Greek, praise chapel which was fine. Then did readings on the kingdom and covenants class. Went to that class by one, about burning bush and God calling Moses and started on Exodus today. Then Greek class, nothing really special. I feel that I'm starting to count down for these Greek classes this week because I so wanted to go back home and eat. The post-fasting syndrom is having effect, makes me really want to eat. Went to find help from the Campus police and the plant and facilities department for help for screwing my loose rack up again. Received friendly help from the schoolmates working in the plant and facilities, finding me the right screw and screwed it back up securely. Cycled back home after class, ate. I think by today finally felt a little bit of fullness in food, and the post-fasting syndrome is near to an end. At night just rested mostly and slept early.

Wednesday September 23, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at around 10, slept a lot last night, like 11 hours. Set off to school by half 11. Went to Luke's pantry. Then the library to borrow a few books. Went to pastoral theology and leadership class. Talked a lot concerning a Chinese church that Dr. Malphurs is working with, discussing with us some of the issues and also exchanging ideas. It's his first time working with a Chinese church, so as a Chinese, played some role in giving him ideas, especially towards Chinese church culture and Chinese culture as a whole. It was nice practical discussion. We tried the storyboard process of discovering core values today as well and talked about vision too. Cycled back home. Cooked and ate dinner. Still quite obsessed with food this week with the post-fasting syndrome. Always tend to eat more. At night, went to prayer meeting, and then returned home. Studied Greek, didn't have brother's group since Bennett is away in Ottawa, and also I wanted to finish up my Greek early. Slept around midnight after I finished my Greek.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

(recovered as at Saturday, October 3, 2009)

Woke up at quarter to 6. Breakfast and cycled to school, no problem today to be on time. Ecclesiology class, finished up Greek, chapel by Dr. Ron Allen, readings on kingdom and Covenant. Class on Jacob and Esau, and also Joseph. Finished up Genesis basically. Then Greek class. Really wanted to return home and eat... so was counting down... and really the Greek class is pretty boring... just introducing the grammar, which I have already read about, and then translating verses... Back home, did readings for tomorrow's class. Cooked and ate dinner. Slept early before 11.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:02:24 GMT

Woke up at 10, ate breakfast and went to church to meet Andy Ho. Talked with him about CCF and various things. Shared with him about the things I need to overcome, especially my emotional side. He admitted that I am a long way behind too even now... gave me a reading to read. Back home, cooked lunch, did laundry, rested a bit and then studied Greek throughout the afternoon. I don't feel very motivated to study today though. Updated xanga after Greek. Cooked dinner and ate. At night Ho gor came for Timothy bible study pre-study, that went on until past 9, after that just rested, daily devotion and slept.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

(recovered as at Monday, September 21, 2009)

Woke up at 8, Patrick and Ryan were still lying there in bed, so they are late. Got them moving and off to church. I prepared for church myself and set off to church a little early. Florence and Markus gave me their Love Corp shirt since they knew that my shirt was ruined because of the salmon blood when I cut the salmon in Ahousaht. So nice of them that now I have this shirt for memory of the mission trip. Photocopied stuff for sunday school, and then went to worship. Today is the day when I am officially announced to be the Cantonese intern staff of the church. I was called up by Andy who introduced me and asked the congregation to pray for me. Today I jotted notes and sort of did sermon analysis on Andy Ho's sermon on Psalm 100. After service was sunday school. Today's stuff is pretty difficult, and it went over-time, didn't give the people the time for exercise as much as I wanted to. But I think I got the message across. Then had lunch, but finally ended up having lunch with Patrick, Ryan, Vivian, Sharon, Tsuen, Lareina and Tsuen. Vivian, Sharon and I left early to head to John and Maggie's home for CCF Committee meeting. Today we had a very very long meeting, lasted until past 7... Got back to church, rode bike back home. Cooked and ate dinner. Read a bit of the counseling book Andy Ho borrowed me. But was so tired already because of the lack in sleep last night. So slept before 11 after daily devotion.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:32:26 GMT

Woke up at 8, daily devotion, Watchman woke up at little later to take a shower. Updated xanga. We set off to the archery club where Watchman drove me. Since he will spend time with some of his A&M schoolmates now in Dallas, said goodbye and prayed together in the car before he left. I did some archery with the Timothy Fellowship people. It was pretty fun. Shot balloons at the end where I got a couple. After that went to lunch at Bistro B. My first meal in 6 days, was already very longing for solid food, so enjoyed the meal very much. Finally my fast was over. I'll say this time it has been a very good experience fasting. Experienced a lot of weakness and God helping me. Originally wanted to go to visit Vincent, but nobody's going, so can't go there... a little disappointed. However, Michelle, Alex, Yip and Gary decided to go to White Rock Lake to cycle. With energy renewed by eating, cycled around. First went to Graham and Rachel's place to borrow two bikes, took it up in Gary's car, then went to my place to get my bike, 3 bikes transport them to White Rock Lake. Since it's such a last minute decision, we didn't do a lot of preparation so was pretty lost towards where we should go, since White Rock Lake is pretty big, there are many locations to enter the lake area. Took a while to find out. In the end the 5 of us decided not to rent extra bikes since it's so expensive and there's less than 2 hours before we have to return them. We took turns to ride, didn't ride a lot in fact. Gary drove the bikes back to Graham's place and then to auntie Annie's store. Today there's a hot pot dinner at that place because Patrick from Tucson, Arizona has come to visit due to his business trip in Alabama. He brought a new friend to us, who's already a Christian called Ryan, nice to meet him. Sharon also brought her UTD schoolmate Kelvin here, he's going to the Local Church, so I seized the opportunity to borrow a bible from him to investigate if the accusations towards that translation is true. Seems like the test is pretty original and there is in fact no problem with the translation itself, however, the interpretation of the text in the footnotes aren't all something I would agree with. So I guess it is wrong to say that the translation is bad, but we can question their interpretation of the text in certain areas, especially those that take the text in face value and neglect the tradition of interpretation. After the hot pot, went to Tapioca House just to hang out a bit. Patrick and Ryan originally planned to stay in Eric's place, however they were unable to find Joe, Eric or Calvin. So they had no where to go. They ended up staying in my place, after auntie Annie's consent. Actually in the end, the three of us chatted until past 2. It was such a good chat and I got to know Ryan a lot more. He's a pretty serious person, so sort of similar kind as I am, so easily clicked. He had a lot of theological questions too. After the chat, Patrick went to sleep and Ryan went on studying a bit while I continued to finish up preparing for the sunday school for tomorrow. Ryan slept by 4 and I finally slept by half 5.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:00:02 GMT

Woke up at half 7, had 14 hours of sleep (17:30-7:30), can't recall when I've slept so long already in the past! Though woke up periodically, once at 7, once at 10, once at 2, and once at 6, but still it was nice sleep indeed. Refreshing in terms of my lack in sleep. Asked Dr. Kreider a question through email, then prepared for leading singspiration two Saturdays later for Timothy. Updated xanga a bit as I waited for 9:30 to come to call back home. Also sent happy birthday to Owen (Vancouver STM member), 918 is easy to remember, since I only need to remember Manchurian Crisis on 918 in 1931. Called dad and mom, talked about fasting and prayer. Didn't talk very long, less than 1 hour. Continued to finish updating all past xanga entries. Then did a little research on an Aramaic inscription about Uzziah, which mom mentioned. Then started preparing for bible study. Just revised materials that was prepared last year. Added stuff into that, took less than 2 hours. Rested in the afternoon. Drank fruit juice and before I set off for church, drank vegetable soup, just to prepare myself for solid food tomorrow, so that my stomach will not be unable to adjust. Cycled to the church beside DCBC because the Vancouver STM team is meeting there and we prayed together. Actually I got to leave early since I have CCF, so went over. Led bible study, today Josh and Alvin two newcomers came. However I don't think I did too well today in terms of the atmosphere etc. I might have to revise the materials again next time too to improve it. Watchman suddenly called in the afternoon saying that he will come over this weekend. So I informed auntie Annie. However, he was late, so I returned home first instead of waiting for him at church. Really looking forward, since it's just like the days before when we were in HK as teens, sleeping over at each other's place. Watchman came before 11, settled down and we chatted past midnight on various things, some Yanfook issues Watchman noted to me. I think he is much more connected and involved with Yanfook than I am, afterall, he's pastor So's son. A lot is on worship style, which shouldn't really be a very central issue. Hope Yanfook people will be tolerant on these things and know the freedom they have got and not be narrow-minded onto a particular model. We slept before 1.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)

Woke up at 6, cycled to school. I actually set off early already, there was slight rain after I crossed Plano road, and I prayed and the rain stopped as I passed International Parkway, so it wasn't very bad. But since I am riding more slowly than normal, I nearly missed the train. I guess in the future I should aim for the 7:01 train rather than the 7:06 one so to be more safe. Arrived at church on time. Ecclesiology class still on Israel and the Church. I think this session is more a session on dispensationalism and a critique of covenantalism than anything else. After that class, went to the library to study Greek. By 10, set off with Peter, a classmate from the pastoral leadership and theology class to head off to South Arlington to meet two pastors from Eden Road Community Church, where our real life church revitalization project would be done in. We arrived early. The pastors actually took us out for lunch, too bad that I'm fasting, can only sit there and see them it. In fact it is very tempting, and sometimes I will regret why I chose this week... but I guess the worst thing is the embarrassment when I need to explain to people... I explained to too many people already this week... Tuesday to George when he tried to get me down to have dinner with the EE people, Wednesday to auntie Annie, Michelle and Gary since they wanted to give me their leftovers, and today to the two pastors and 4 other classmates in my team... I think it was a pretty good start, although I can feel that their expectations on us are a bit different from what we wanted to do for the project. Peter drove me back to school, we were 20 minutes late for our class. So I missed Dr. Pentecost's discussion on Ishmael in Genesis 16 to 17. But good that I didn't miss his point on Genesis 22, that unconditional covenants can have conditional blessings attached to it. I'll say this semester my classes are all very dispensational in nature, so learning more about dispensationalism. After this class went to the Greek class. Actually can see that today I'm feeling weaker, like more easily feeling cold in the air-conditioning and less strength going up the stairs etc. Well, the fast is nearly over. Which I am really looking forward. But for now, continue to focus and pray. Rode back home, again escaped from the rain. I can see that there has been a huge downpour during my class time, which I escaped from, there was still slight rain by the time I got out of class, but it stopped as I began riding. Around 30 minutes after I arrived home, there was another downpour... really I don't think it's always coincidence. After checking email and taking a shower, I went to bed since I'm already so tired... slept by 17:30 earlier than ever.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

(recovered as at Friday, September 18, 2009)

Woke up around 9. Finished my reading for the pastoral theology and leadership class. MSNed for a little while too. Set off to church, caught the train and arrived the time I desired. Went to Luke's pantry to get food. Then went to class. Did Storyboarding which is a process to discover core-values, it was good exercise. We tried to discover the core values of DTS, which concluded in Scripture, Theology, Biblically centred preaching and teaching, Development of servant leadership, Original languages and Pastors. Dr. Malphurs also shared with us about a Chinese Church in California that he's working with, shared with us the ministry analysis and what he's thinking about. So had pretty good interaction with that. I'll say this is the best session so far for this class. After class, packed up all the stuff in my bike and set off home. Again there was no rain all day even though I was already prepared to ride in the rain. Finished my Greek readings and the quiz before Ho gor coming to pick me up to prayer meeting. Today is EE prayer meeting, was praying with Ho gor and another brother who speaks Mandarin. Pretty nice. Took Sharon back home first and then Ho gor went to buy something to eat, afterwards headed off to Jimmy's home. Played StreetFighter as we waited for Bennett to come. Then continued to play a little longer. They were trying to make the special moves which a lot of times they fail to. We shared and prayed. There was some time dedicated to reconciliation between Ho gor and Jimmy, I'll say that was the point of going to Jimmy's home. It was good, just that it ran really late. We left a bit before 1. Already near 2 when I arrived home. Still have to finish my Greek assignment... worked on that until past 2... slept before half 2.