Candy – Page 4 – True North Missionaries Journal

Giants in Fort McMurray

I am on my last stretch of mission here in Fort McMurray. It’s my first time to come here and see the beauty of the place. I thought the way to Fort McMurray was a winding narrow steep and by the cliff road. I also thought that Fort Mc was like one of those small town where after a 500meters there’s no more establishment. I thought this place was small and somewhere you just want to be for a weekend. However, I stand corrected. When I thought it was a small insignificant city, I was wrong. There are giants here, like those photos above. (That was taken near the camp where all those mining companies are). I learned that Fort Mc is the one getting the oil from below but it is Edmonton that does the distribution. No wonder Edmonton has cheaper gas then Fort Mc – an average of $10 difference.

I guess that’s how it is. Like Fort Mc, we don’t have to wait and take the credit if we do something good or worthwhile. When we give, we give without telling the whole world but we make sure that it will reach many people. This city is actually a sleeping giant, not because it has those big machines but because of the richness within it.

“Lord Thank You for the simple reminder that we are not called to be noticed and appreciated, we are called to share.”

Candy

Philippians 1:29

Brown Combat Boots

Before I left Vancouver going to Winnipeg for the SFC NLS, I had fitted a brown combat boots but decided not to buy it since I don’t need it. While I was in Winnipeg, it was colder there that I really had to wear my boots. Right after NLS I unpacked my clothes for the weekend and repacked my whole luggage to bring with me to Calgary since I came with the Fourniers driving back. After 30hours (we slept over at Regina) we got to Calgary. I unpacked and then I found out that I left my boots in Winnipeg.

I was worried since it was snowing in Calgary and colder and that’s the only appropriate shoes that I have. Since then I decided to by a pair of boots. Then I remember the brown combat boots that I fitted in Vancouver, that’s what I want to get.

I did not find it in Calgary and now that I am here in Edmonton we’ve been to the biggest mall in Canada and other smaller malls but it is either they only have size 10 and I am just size 5½ – 6 or they only have the black one. After a lot of reasoning and I even prayed about it, I decided to raise my budget and get whatever is the most appropriate to the weather and the closest similarity in terms of design of the brown combat boots. (I did not know that the shop where I saw it in Vancouver was a generic shop and not really branded, so all their stuff are relatively cheaper).

So I prepared myself that I will not find the same design. We went to Southgate and went to the shoe store there. Then in this one particular shoe store, they have the exact design but it is more expensive. Since I was ready to buy it, I got it after 2 hours.

I was happy and I feel contented and told myself no shoes for me for the rest of the year anymore.

With the whole process there are things I realized.

When there is something that we like, it will take a while for us to forget about it
When we know that we really need something, we do everything to get it to the point of going beyond our comfort zone
At the point that we accept that some things cannot and are not for us, the Lord will give us something similar but so much better we just have to let go of it and wait.

I Will > I Want

One of the realizations that I had after our retreat is the importance of the “will” than the “want”

Will entails a decision while want is just a consideration
Will is willing to sacrifice while want can be foregone
Will gets to the destination while want can be dreaming of the vacation
Will fuels the spirit while want can be not refueled
Will never give up while want can be given away
Will doesn’t get tired while want seeks the easy way
Will does everything to make it happen while want does only few things to make it happen
Will understands the heart and spirit behind while want doesn’t
Will sinks into the very core of the heart while want stays to the lens of the eyes.
Will honours higher authority, wants honours self
Will is when we want to live with while want is we can live without.

“Lord you are God of infinite chances, You are considerate and kind. You know the state of my heart right now. You know my past and my future. You are there ahead of me. Lord God teach me to desire what you will more than what I want. May I learn from your son the humility and trust to be able to say, “Not my will but your will be done.” Amen”

Candy

Philippians 1:29

Like Isaiah

Tonight is the start of the CFC-Youth North American Leaders Summit. This is affirmed by the gospel of the day. It is from Luke 10: 1-9, when the Lord appointed seventy followers and sent them two by two. Both events talk about missionaries, opening our hearts for the mission. I am just thinking, if the setting of the gospel story is today will I be part of the seventy that the Lord appointed to go on mission?

“Lord you are God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. You are the same God. You call people to bring your words. You’ve called the seventy before and You are still continually calling people to do the work today. The call is the same, to let the whole world know about You. Lord, teach me to be a modern day disciple. May I be ready to bring you to everyone at all times. Lord I pray like Isaiah I will be able to say, “Here I am, send me”

Candy

Philippians

MR: Mission Ready

I always thought that being mission-ready is always about going out, going somewhere something that involves leaving the place. I am mission –ready when I am ready to go anywhere, anytime. Being a CFC-Youth fulltime pastoral worker for the last 9 years prepared me to be always mission ready.

As I am now in full transition as SFC fulltime pastoral worker, I noticed that I haven’t left BC to do the mission. I thought I did not experience the fullness of being a missionary coz I am just here in my base area. Though I have been helping in all the SFC activities in Vancouver, I had a different mindset about it.

In my reflection, the Lord corrected me. Being mission-ready is not about going somewhere or leaving my place. The reality of the mission is still the same here in Vancouver. The call to be mission –ready also means living out the mission everyday of my life. Everyday I have to be mission-ready not because I will be sent out but because I am going to reflect Christ in whatever way I can.

“Lord Jesus Christ you are mission-ready. Teach me Lord to have a heart like yours ever ready to beat with the people. May I have a sense of urgency to bring You to other people. May I be filled with the Holy Spirit so I will catch every opportunity to witness for You.”

Candy

Philippians 1:29

No Expectations

I had my first one-on-one with a sister, as I started my new assignment. One of the few things that I always make sure when I have my first one-on-ones is to set each other’s expectations especially that I am their Fulltime Pastoral Worker.

I was surprised when she said that she doesn’t expect anything from me. Great! Then I can just choose not to be cautious of myself around her. Before I went to bed I was reflecting on what she said. Is it really how it should be? What is the Lord trying to tell me in this encounter?

Yes, of course! More than focusing on meeting the expectation of people, I have to meet God’s expectation first. More than doing what is expected, I have to do everything because of love, because of God first. More than the delivery of output, I have to express love first so they will know that I am bringing God. More than being a missionary, I have to acknowledge that God loved me first.

“Lord you initiated this relationship with me. You already knew me before I was born. You already loved me before I even knew you. Lord remind me always that it is all because of You. My actions, words, thoughts and my emotions are Yours. You are the reason of service. Direct me what to do and say so I will give glory to Your name at all times.”

Candy

Philippians 1:29

Loving in mistakes

Last Monday, I went to London drugs to purchase my 1-zone bus ticket, it was $21. I gave the girl $25 and she gave me a change of $19. Without counting I just held it in my hand then I realized she gave me more. I was already away from the counter so I went back and returned the $15.

I was just trying to imagine how she would feel after doing her inventory. I’m not sure if she made a mistake to other customers as well but still covering a certain amount to balance the inventory is not pleasant. I could tell her mind was on something else.

While walking to the train station, I was telling myself that that is so hard, instead of getting paid, she ends up paying for her mistake. She has to face it and be accountable for it or she can be fired for a series or repetitive mistakes if it was. She can apologize and be sorry for it but that doesn’t assure her of her job.

Is there anyone who wants to cover for someone else’s mistake after saying sorry? Is there anyone who wants to pay/ take on the accountability? Why would someone be so kind to do that? Why will someone still keep on giving infinite chances after a repetitive mistake or series of mistakes as long as there is a sincere apology?

“Lord thank you so much for paying for my sins. Thank you for waiting for my apology for my repentance. Thank you for your infinite chances whenever I fall.Thank You for loving me unconditionally. Teach me again and again Lord to focus on you. Place me in situations and opportunities that will make me choose you. Lord I pray that you will be glorified in every step of my way.”

Candy

Philippians 1:29