What Direction? - Part I

In the movie The Devil's Advocate, Kevin Lomax, a hotshot attorney, finds that one bad decision spirals his life so completely out of control that he ends up employed by Lucifer himself. While Nike says "Just do it", and encourages us to make bold decisions like Lomax did, our better judgment tells us that caution is a more trustworthy guide.

We live in constant fear of making the wrong choice; taking the wrong job, marrying the wrong person, choosing the unfulfilling career. So as the major intersections in our lives arrive and we find ourselves needing to take action, we are paralyzed with this fear. We agonize, pray, stress, but mostly make no decision at all hoping that some magical sign in the sky will tell us what to do.

When I was single I lived in constant fear of marrying a guy one day, and then meeting the "perfect guy" the next day. This fear kept me from dating through most of my high-school and college years. Trevan was my first real relationship.

As I look back on those years I now wonder if God put that fear in my heart to stop me from dating the wrong guys. What if fear is not keeping us from true happiness, but preventing us from making that wrong decision that will spiral our lives out of control.

Belize

There are two things that made this year's trip to Belize better than last year's.

1. Trevan was there and got to meet my granny for the first time.

2. The family reunion was much bigger this year. It had been over 10 years since my dad had gone back. My granny was really happy to see him again.

It was a very festive trip because my granny was celebrating her 95th birthday. We had these bright yellow T-shirts made for all the family members to wear to the party.

I enjoyed seeing all the little people again! They grow up so fast and are so cute...
(Yasir wearing my glasses, Trevan and Leah (lives in LA), and Leah, Samane and I - the girls had just finished eating chocolate)

The most thrilling adventure was snorkeling parts of the second largest barrier reef in the world. Trevan even got to touch a sting ray as our guide held it for him.

As I reflect back on the trip I realize that having Trevan meet my granny and my family in Belize was more important to me than I realized. Many of my childhood summers were spent there, and a big part of who I am was formed during those years. It was wonderful sharing some of that with him.

My Niece!

Last Monday I became an aunt! It is one of the happiest things that has ever happened in my life. Little Ainsley Rebecca Ng is the cutest baby ever...I know, everyone says that, but this baby is really the cutest ever!!! I have pictures to prove it.

I told you she was cute!

Happy Birthday to ME!

As I look back on my 25th year of life, I realize that I had no expectations for that year at all. Yet, that year brought me to a new city, a new job, and a fabulous house.

Looking to my 26th year I can foresee no major changes. No big moves, no new jobs, no big purchases. Yet my anticipation for the adventures ahead are not dampened.

To be honest, this birthday totally snuck up on me. With all the trips and work, I did not realize it was almost my birthday till Friday. Usually I look forward to this day from the beginning of October! Yeah, birthdays are big in my book.

Still, my joy was not lessened by the belated realization that October 15 was closer than I imagined. I guess the great thing about birthdays - my birthdays anyways - is that there is always hope that this year will bring me closer to my goals. The anticipation that maybe this year I will accomplish something that was not accomplished last year.

Or maybe it is just a positive way of saying that I am getting old!

Great Sermon, Great Body!

In the front of the church a table filled with bread and oil beckoned me. I noticed that the bread was arranged in the shape of a body.

People took their seats and the service began. The scripture reading was taken from I Corinthians 12. This chapter talks about the body of Christ, and how God has chosen each one of us and given us a specific function as members of His body.

Trevan started his sermon by talking about our diverse gifts, then about how we are all part of a puzzle, and of our responsibility to each other as part of one body. "God", he said, "has destined each one of you to be here. When He created you, he had October, 2007 in mind, and gave you the gifts you would need to serve humanity today."

My favorite part of the service came when he uttered the words: "If you want to continue being a professional church attender (benchwarmer), and have no intention of using your gifts for God, then you should stop coming. Get out of here!".

Service ended with Trevan calling those who where committed to action to partake of the bread on the table. We were to dip the bread in the oil, symbolizing our desire for the infusion of the Holy Spirit. That through the Spirit's power, we would truly be made one, and we would find God's plan for our lives as part of a grander puzzle.

It was a powerful experience, and definitely the kick in the pants I needed!

If you want to hear the sermon check out the Far West End SDA Church website. It probably won't be up for a couple weeks, but it is an important message.

Snapshot

Ok, so my life has been one big trip after another for the past couple weeks. I just wanted to give you a snapshot of what happened since September 26, then I will try to write a bit more about each trip, journey, whatever.

September 26 - October 1: Trevan and I went to Belize to celebrate my granny's 95th birthday, which turned out to be a huge family reunion.

October 7 - Morning of October 9: Was at a conference in Williamsburg for pastor's and their families.

October 8: my niece, Ainsley Rebecca Ng, was born.

The afternoon of October 9 - October 11: Went out to Sandy Point for a retreat with my job.

Yesterday: Trevan preached an amazing sermon at church.

Tomorrow: My 26th birthday.

Yes, I have been busy. More to come later!