Wedding Checklist

Jenny and I had the chance to do a bulk of the wedding planning in Toronto before she left for Vancouver on Saturday. I am pretty happy about our progress. It was a busy two weeks of running around while she was in town, but I feel we are well ahead of the game... well, at least we survived that meeting my mom "called" in regards to the wedding. Jenny and I were more prepared going into that meeting than my mom was.

Here are the details of our wedding so far.

Date: Saturday, May 24th, 2008
Place: Logos Baptist Church (Miliken)

Toronto Reception: May 24th @ New Century Palace Restaurant

Vancouver Reception: May 31st, location TBD

Wedding Party:
Bridesmaids: Robyn Mulvena, Annie Szeto & Angie Tang
Groomsmen: Evan Chu, Genuine Lam & Jonathan Nip

• Pastors and officiant are booked
• Pre-marital counselling arranged
• Colour scheme determined, bridesmaid dresses picked out and taken care of
  
• Found help for decoration, photography, wedding cake, florist, and ushers
• Found traditional gown and attire for the tea ceremony
  
• Got a good selection of bridal gowns to choose from, just need second professional opinion

Oh, I'm so excited!!!

Engaged at 1685 meters above sea level!!!

Dear beloved brother and sisters,

Thank for your prayers and encouragements over the past few months. I am excited to announce that Jenny and I got engaged on July 24th, 2007.

Due to construction of the highway near sea level, Jenny and I were forced to attempt a more difficult ascent up the mountain. Jenny and I spent seven hours hiking up Brunswick Mountain. The hike was grueling; we passed through the land of giant slugs, swamps of flying insects, and we spent the last 200m ascent on our hands and knees scrambling up a rock slide. At times it was discouraging due to the cloud covers on the majority of the climb and the difficulty of the ascent. I had thoughts of postponing the proposing due to the conditions but I knew you were all praying for me so I turned to God’s leading. And praise the Lord as we summit Brunswick Mountain we were greeted with clear blue sky. The sky cleared the moment we reached to top and I took the cue from the Lord. We were treated with the majestic view of the coastal mountains north of Vancouver.

I told Jenny that I want God's majestic creation to witness this occasion and at that I got down on my knees and proposed. Jenny managed to whisper a “yes” and the rest is history. :-)

Thank again for all your prayers and for allowing me to share this wonderful chapter of my life with you all. Feel free to bombard me with more questions when I am back in Toronto with Jenny in a few weeks.


Blessings,

Joel & Jenny

How the month has quickly flew by...

Exactly one more day till my sweetie return from her mission trip in China. And only 39 more days till I get to see her in Vancouver. :)

Leaving on a Jet Plane (Jenny's China edition)

Flight:	CA 992 (Air China)
Depart:	Vancouver International Apt			3 May	13:00
Arrive:	Beijing Capital Apt			4 May	15:00
Aircraft:	767		Stops:	Non-Stop
		Travel Time:		11hrs

Jenny is on the plane on the way to China as we speak. In another 10 hours, her team will arrive in Beijing, China. To be honest, I do not know exactly how I feel right now. Don't get me wrong, I am SO proud of her and SO excited for what God has to teach her. But bottom line, I do miss her. I have sent her off last Sunday and she had a 4 days long orientation with her team, so we only had minimal email contact over the past few days.

I believe this time alone is very good. You may think I sound ridiculous because I only see her twice a year anyways, and more time "apart" is good? LOL. To be honest, yeah! This gives me the time to think, reflect and pray about our relationship. Meanwhile it gives me the time to focus on my task here at home.

It is funny that exactly 11 months ago, the roles were reversed. Jenny and I were in Hong Kong, and I left Hong Kong for Bangkok and not knowing when I'll see her again. Oh, and look at how our relationship grow during our time apart. I was able to do when God planned for my on my mission trip, and Jenny was able to witness to her family in Hong Kong and China. We kept in contact through letters and blogs.

I am so proud of her. I know God is shaping her into the beautiful, young lady He had in His mind. And I cannot wait to meet this masterpiece of God when she returns. And the best part is that I'll get to see her in July. What else can I ask for? I am so blessed. God has already spoken to me in volumes over the past days, I am waiting with high expectations on what God has in store.http://jenny-chinagp07.blogspot.com/

Pray for the safety of their flight, and for rest and jet lag recovery. Also pray for strength in the Lord, and for the spiritual attacks. Susie Colby (the wife of one of the staff leader) has already fallen ill and had to miss the 4 days orientation.

God speed, Jenny, and serve him well.

Vancouver Visit

I cannot contain my excitement. My flight to Vancouver is booked for this summer. I get to see Jenny in:

The Dare

Dare To Move
by Switchfoot

Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next?
What happens next?

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
The tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself
Lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before

At times, life seems like a dare. We can refuse to accept the dare and let life passes us by, or we can take the leap of faith the accept the dare as a challenge. What is the consequences of the dare? If you fail at the dare: Humiliation. Embarrassment. Defeat. Rejection. If you succeed: Triumph. Achievement. Liberating. Growth.

Humiliation. Embarrassment. Defeat. Rejection. These are all extremely traumatic experiences. There is an inert fear in everyone of us to avoid these experiences if possible. Does the exultation of succeeding at a dare out-weights the possibility of these traumatic experience.

Two biblical characters came in mind. Jonah (because we are currently studying the book of Jonah) and Jacob.

Jonah. At the call to witness to the people in Nineveh (Assyrians), the brutally violent most hated enemies of Israel, Jonah refuse to accept the dare and fled. He did not want to face the ridicule of the people of Nineveh, or worst, face to crudity at the hands of these people. Also he did not think these people deserves the mercy of God. What happened to Jonah? In the belly of a fish... good as dead...

Jacob. When given the opportunity of meet face to face with God, what did he do? He took the dare and wrestled God. Is he out of his mind? The consequences of wrestling with God is far more serious than humiliation, embarrassment, defeat or rejection. It could cause him his life. Yet in the end, God blessed him

Jonah seek to save his life, but 'lost' it. Jacob took the dare that could of caused him his life, find life.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
~Matt 10:39

Do you dare?

One Short Day In The Emerald City

One Short Day In The Emerald City
"Come with me to the emerald city."

one short day in the emerald city.

"hope. i've always wanted to see the emerald city!"

one short day in the emerald city.....

one short day in the emerald city,
one short day, for there's so much to do!
every way, that you look in the city,
there's something excusite.
none to visit, before the day's through.

there are buildings tall as quats with trees.
dress salons, and libraries!
palaces, museums, 100 scrons.
there are wonders like I've never seen,
it's all grand!
and it's all green!
i think we've found the place were we belong!
i want to be, in this hoyologe!
so I'll be back for good some day
to make my life and make my way,
before today we'll wonder and enjoy!

one short day in the emerald city.
one short day, to have a life time of fun!
one short day,
and we're warning the city,
now that we're in here, you'll know we've been here,
before we are done!

"Elphee, come one! we'll be late for wizamania!"

whose the sage, whose savior?
aterararius! making all us marrier!
whose the sage? who saved me?
tell them to save, artararius!

whose a doose provide,
air baloony.
as all of us funny moonie!
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
isn't he wonderful?
our wonderful wizard!

part 1&2

part 1:
one short day! in the emerald city!
one short day to have a life time of fun!

part 2:
whose the sage, whose savior?
aterararius! making all of us marrier!
whose the sage? who saved me?
tell them to save, artararius!

one away to be seeing the city!

where so many rome to,
we'll call it home too!
then just like now, we can stay.

we're just 2 friends,
2 good friends.
2 best friends.
sharring a wonderful one short...

"The wizard will see you now!"

Dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

When Elphaba and Galinda arrived at the Emerald City to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, they were filled with expectation and awe. Hence the above upbeat number "One Short Day In The Emerald City". However, with out spoiling the story, they were met with disappointment. The highly anticipated wonderful wizard was not who they though would be.

Both Elphaba and Galinda thought one day they will return to the Emerald City for good: "so I'll be back for good some day // to make my life and make my way". But just as most self-proclaimed, exceedingly high expectations will eventually come crashing down, this was truth for these two best friends.

I have had the songs for Wicked in my mind all week this week, and this serves as a reminder for me not to place exceedingly high expectation on things of the world. More precisely, similar to Elphaba and Galinda, not to place high expectations on a certain trip in July. Yes, it is exciting and I look forward to this trip with high anticipation for various reasons. I must focus on the task and calling I have at hand and "Be strong and do the work." (1 Chronicles 28: 10 ff)

Conversations

Just came home from Ottawa/Montreal/Quebec City. Near 20 hours of driving over the past 3 days. From the Parliament Hill, to St Joseph Oratory, to Petite Champlain, the highlight of the trip were the conversations we had.

From our past, our present or our future, we covered it all -- including certain topic I was afraid of bringing up since our relationship began. God is gracious. He has filled her with love and mercy. Thank you, Lord, for filling her with the prayer of Col 3:13:

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I am left speechless -- in awe of God's love. I asked her why, and she said in response "I'm learning to be like Jesus." Jenny still amazes me with her faith just as the day we first met. There is so much I can learn from the Lord and from her. I only pray that I can be the example for her as she has been for me.

blessed.

blessed. I feel extremely blessed. I cannot put into words the richness and the overwhelming joy. The support from Angie, my family, and friends.

On Thursday night during the Seminary Christmas Coffeehouse, I was blessed with the countless words of encouragement from my fellow classmates and facility. I was busying running around take photos and taking care of council matters, at time I'd left Jenny alone socializing with others. And boy, she was an angel.

To me, the highlight of the night came when we were about to leave. After a night of praises and encouragements, as I was stepping out of the cafe Andrea suddenly calls me, "Joel!" I peeked my head back through the doors and Andrea gives me two thumbs up and said "I like her."

Thank you, Lord. I am overflowing with your joy. All night, one verse echoed in my mind:

[Joel] is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
~Prov 31:23

However, the more I feel blessed, the more fear I have for the future. But I was blessed with a wonderful conversation with Jenny what calmed many fears. Thank you, Lord, for reassuring us as we discovered we are on the same page in terms of intimacy and vision. Thank you for those are praying for us. Candy, come back from England and we've got some much to thank you for.

She's here

Jenny arrived this morning. I cannot contain my excitement. Praise God. It has been more than 5 months since I've seen her. We talked about the very thing Candy is keeping me accountable of. Praise God for getting us off on a good start.

One funny story. While I was making breakfast for Jenny, I was so nervous that I made a mess. :P

However, though I might be nervous, yet I am at peace because of the things Jenny and I can talk about. To help each other face challenges together.

Now that F06 is done...

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
~Phil 4:8

Now that this past term is done... time to celebrate. Time to relax. Time to relax. But best of all, Jenny will be in town tomorrow and we'll get to Christmas together. When we said our goodbyes back in Hong Kong International Airport this past July, December seem so far away. And in a blink of an eye, that day it tomorrow.

But in the mist of all the excitement, I must remember the challenges and growth opportunities ahead. There will be times where emotions will run wild, but don't mine me saying again:

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
~Proverbs 4:23

Think about what's true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praise worthy.

I would like to revisit the notion, what is love? Not the worldly notion of love, but God glorifying love. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. The challenge is to keep these things in mind for the next two weeks.

Last but not least, Candy, thank you for all your prayer. And with your daily prayers, I will keep my word and we will celebrate when you return from England.

One more thing, I thought this while I was driving. Even though I'm going to take these few weeks as a challenge and an opportunity to grow from God, and I must not let my guard down, this should not stop me from having fun in the Lord. Not to hang my head low because of a challenge and trials, but to "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil 4:4).

Something exciting

Flight Number:AC162

Departure		Arrival
Airport:	Vancouver (YVR)	Airport:	Toronto (YYZ)
Date:	Tue 12-Dec 2006	Date:	Wed 13-Dec 2006
Scheduled Time:	23:30	Scheduled Time:	06:55
Terminal:	M	Terminal:	1
Status:On time

Now this is exciting!!!

Life story triumphs...

"Life story triumphs over love story."
~Louie Giglio, Feb 08/2005, My Really Bad Date Series: Part 1 (It's not you, it's me)

Today Rev Lau and I had our weekly chat. I arrived in his office with a question in regards to next Sunday's sermon. Thanks to God for His Spirit in guiding us through another insightful conversation. This is an hour and a half I look forward to every week. :)

In the end, the conversation led to our outlook into the future. My future is something I had been avoid thinking about. The next 2.5 years is a given, my #1 priority is to complete my M.Div. Afterwards, it is up in the air. The mission field? I dunno, maybe I should have some pastoral experience under my belt first. And beside, how can I run off to the global missions while the local missions is still not addressed. So the next question is, Toronto or else where?

My ministry had just begun at LBC (York Region). And according to Bill Hybels, it takes two years before the effectiveness of one's ministry begins. As I continue my studies and continue my ministry at York, I am actually securing my future job. But, there are so many variables... of one, my heart is tugging at me.

Like in a chess game, I do have to think and plan out my next moves. But from what I learn on my mission trip, we need to do our part to plan, but ultimately we need to be flexible enough to allow room for God to change our plans.

All in all, my heart is in a emotional tug-o-war. Every fiber of my body screams Vancouver, but my logic tells me otherwise.

It is funny though how God can deliver a message. As I was sharing with the high school boys and girls a session on dating and relationship. We were watching part 1 of 722 "my really bad dates" series. The last point in Louie's message was "life story triumphs over love story". What is God's life story for me? How would my life story interact and intertwine with my significant other's life story? And if I let God work in our life stories, I can trust that He will write us a love story.

Countdown

Okay, I'm starting the official countdown. :D

12 Years Longer Than the National Average

"19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." ~1 Corinthians 6:19-20

After a conversation with someone, I had a over last week I had a weird brainwave. I check the Canadian national life expectancy on Stats Can, did a little math and realized I should aim to live 12 years longer than the national average. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 echo through my mind and I should honour God by taking care of my body.

This coincide with the physical examination today, to ensure Joel is healthy. I an glad Dr. Chu is my family doctor. He was very thorough in the examination, which took about an hour long. And he also included the digital examination. The sound of the snap of the latex gloves strikes fear in any man... I must remind myself I am honouring God by taking care of my body.

Oh, one last thing, thank God for lead aprons!

Is this glorifying God?

It is funny how yesterday I asked God why I could formulate words for my letters and journals, all of a sudden I cannot stop writing today. And this is good because I have some time to kill between the Philippians Bible Study and Life Transformation Group tonight.

The Philippians Bible Study was awesome, maybe because I led it. :P But seriously, even though the attendence was not great (Mostly just Tam C. Mo, along with Darrin, Johanna, Gab, and Genuine), I learn a lot about joy, being content, and running the good race. It might be selfish for me to say I think I got the most out of the Bible Study, but good thing C. Mo and Darrin gave me very encouraging feedbacks too.

Well, hmmm... what was on my mind beside what wrote this morning on Legacy? When I talked to Candy when I came back from Asia and told her the news that I began my courtship with Jenny, Candy was so excited. But I told her that this is the beginning of a challenge because now we need to be total focused on God's will and not on our emotions. Plus we are again on the opposite ends of the country. Candy then said "Don't worry, you are in your honeymoon period."

The honeymoon period...

I began to ponder what that means. Yes, I know is the term people used to describe a period in a relationship where there no arguements and where the other is ALWAYS right. It is also a time where one sees the other is "perfect". It is bliss, a time when one thinks about the other all the time, a time when one "falls in love".

The question I have is "is this glorifying God?"

I am beginning to think the whole process of "falling in love" is not love at all.

"And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is"
~Life is Wonderful, by Jason Mraz

Love, in my limited understanding of it, is when you care about someone (or something) so much that will you sacrifice anything.

(NIV) 1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

During this "honeymoon period" when one falls in love, one sees the other as "perfect". But if you say she's perfert, you are depriving her of any chance to grow. Well then, I don't call that love, I call that over protective. Also when one thinks about the other all the time, even thinking more than about God, isn't that called idol worship?

When one is preventing another other to grow and worshipping an idol, that is definately not glorifying God.

"31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble"
~1 Cor. 10:31,32a

Do it all for the glory of God, and do not cause a sister/brother to stumble.

Dear fellow saints, please continue to encourage me to focus on Christ. Pray for Jenny and I in our courtship. I do not want to be in a "honeymoon period", I want to be challenged by God in this relationship so that I will grow in faith and in love.