Day 22... Wordsearch!

Wordsearches are loads of fun!
The word with the left over letters if 'afternoon'. 

- T.

Day 21... Finishing Assignments!

This is the second last submission for I & A (Interpretation and Application of Biblical Text)! 1 More and I'm done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- T. 

Day 20... Truth.

Psalm 56:3 - "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you"

I am clinging to the truths of God's word. 

- T.






I made this in April to remind me to arm myself, I haven't always done this well I am changing this.

Day 19... Christmas Production!

Friday and Today (Saturday) was Christmas production here at Emmanuel, my wonderful friend Christie was Mary, she sang 'Breath of Heaven' and did a great monologue! Great job Christie!

- T.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!!

It's the first official snow of the season! Its staying on the ground, its fluffy, and I love it :)

- T.

Day 18... Starbucks!

Honey experienced her first starbucks today ! :)

- T.






 Kimberly, Honey, Wendy, and Kristy sharing in this festive experience!

Day 17... Challenges!

I have never really had a strong women mentor or someone who would challenge me. As I do my internship at GVI for women my supervisor is doing this very well. Each time I meet with her I am challenge in my own life, she helps me to see things that I did not see and grow in ways that I never thought possible. And this helps me to better aid the women because I need to be able to go the places I ask them to. 

- T.








This is a painting I did for my best friend in Christmas 2009.

Day 16... GVI

Grand Valley Institute for Women, the women there continue to change my life.

- T.

Day 15... How sweet it is!

 A picture of the lights at Victoria Park taken on my cell phone. About 2am on November 23, 2010.








There's nothing like an oddly warm, slightly raining November night at Victoria Park.

- T. 

Day 14... Christmas Cards!

Today I wrote about 100 Christmas Cards to prospective students of Emmanuel, and I really enjoyed it. I hope they enjoy getting them! :)

- T. 

A missionary life...

What does it mean to live missionally, or to be a missionary? Are these things different? And what's the point in a short term mission trip?

I believe that we are all called to tell people about Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. Today my professor said, "Do you remember when you first were born again, and you wanted to tell people about what Jesus had done for you, what happens to that?". We all feel the call of the Holy Spirit on us to share this message but it often fades or is crushed as time goes on. Each one of us has a call to live with a mission focus. This may come in different forms, but whether its here or in overseas missions we all have that call.

I was discussing with a friend of mine what the point of short term missions is. Some people don't see the point. They may wonder why don't we raise money and send it there, and the trips only have impact on the people going, not for the people there and often result in spiritual highs and lows. Although these things can be true the importance of short term missions goes far beyond that. I have been to Muncie, Indiana; Gulfport, MS; New Orleans, LA; Sydney, Australia; Guatemala; and Montreal, QB on short term missions and I could tells stories on stories from each of how I've been impacted and on how God has impacted others through these trips. But first I do not want to discount the importance of being fully there wherever that may be. Jim Elliot once said "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God". 

I have many stories from my trips in which people have impacted my life and I believe that God used me to impact theirs. A specific story of this is of a lady named Zofia. She was an elderly women I met in Australia. She called Hillsong (the church we were working from) everyday for 20 days until my team of 5 returned to her because of the one conversation we had with her. This women to this day still impacts my life and the way I think, and I pray for her and her family each time I think about her. I know God is moving there, even though I am not physically present or will possibly ever see the effects of this. Another example is the hurricane relief I did, I went twice because I was so moved by what I had seen once to Gulfport 6 months after Katrina and once to New Orleans 1 year after. While in New Orleans I worked in the 9th ward. I was able to gut a house that hadn't been touch since the hurricane. That summer teams from all over North American came together to help families with this daunting job that was greater than what could be handle on their own. This yes changed my life, but God also enabled me to give someone tangibly what they needed but couldn't afford. 


God moves through people when we open ourselves up for His service. If we live for Him wherever we are, he will move, people will be changed and so will we. 


- T. 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

The above photo is of my team in Australia with Zofia. 







The photo to the left is of my team member in New Orleans in what we would wear when gutting the house. 

Day 15... Church!

Church was a lot of fun today, Dave and I brought Candice and Dan. The pastor preached the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) by memory from a mountain built on the stage. Hearing it that way was very powerful, it reminded me how important and how often we skip over certain parts of it.

- T.

Day 14... Hockey!!!

Us behind the players bench during pregame warm ups

David, Ang, Trevor and I went to a Buffalo Sabres game today. It was a great time in Buffalo even though they were beat by Tampa Bay.

- T.

Day 13... Remember

Bondi Beach in Summer 2007, Shyanna, me, Jacob and Brooke :)

Today I was looking at pictures and remember so many good times. I miss all the places I've been, but I especially Australia, hopefully one day I will be able to return.

- T.

Day 12... A sweet surprise!

Today I came back to my room to find a bamboo, a red rose, nibs, a red hat, a red scarf, 3 flower clips, a flower headband, a pair of socks, nibs, a letter and a cue card with a very sweet note! Thank you Dave I can't describe how excited I was! :)

- T. 

Day 11... Fun Songs!

I love songs that make me smile, laugh and want to dance ridiculously; even if there country/pop haha.

- T.

Day 10... A sweater worthy of the Christmas card!

Today I made the purchase of my new favourite sweater. A turtleneck, knitted Christmas tree sweater.
- T. :)

A special thanks to the amazing ladies in the photo with me, Karla, Monika and Jocelyn.

Day 9... A house that's Green!

The following link is a house built by a couple in Wales. - T.

Hand-Build an Earth Sheltered House for $5000. 

What's the point?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" - Galatians 5:22-23


As the days go on and as fall continues to move quickly into winter I wonder what is the point of being on Student Council, or what is God's purpose for me here?

Each day I want God to change me and to grow in the fruit of the spirit; to grow in Christ's likeness. But I'm not perfect, I am still learning and growing each day; I probably make at least 3 mistakes. But I learn, there is a need for those who will walk along side of us, who will help us to grow. Those who aren't afraid to grow themselves, who understand that no matter who we are we have work to do and that for many of us this is our first opportunity at leadership. Whether we crash and burn and need a hand to pick ourselves up from the goals we tried but couldn't meet in order to try again, or encouragement to keep going with what we are doing.

I just want to exercise my ability to grow, in an environment that when I came I believed would help nurture that. I came here hoping that God would help me to grow and that I would find those who would walk along side me as well as a place that would be safe for learning. I have found the first two, the third I'm still working on. I want to help to provide this safe place for those who need it.

- T. 


Emmanuel Bible College Photo on the hill 2010-2011.

Day 8... Forgiveness

What makes me smile is God's grace and forgiveness of a friend.

- T.

Day 7... The One Flaw In Women

 These two women amaze me everyday ! :)








The One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
However, if there is one flaw in women, it is this; they forget their worth and how remarkable they truly are! - Author Unknown 


- T.

Day 6... TWLOHA

TWLOHA

I know this seems odd to post as something that makes me smile but to know one is not alone is something to smile about, is something full of hope, and is something that can begin to bring healing.

- T.

Day 5... Cookie Night!

Every Thursday night the encouragement committee bakes cookies for Emmanuel and brings them to students on break from class or hanging around the Activity Centre. Thank you Encouragement committee you have made me smile today!

- T. 

Day 4... A place I've never been!

Today I went to Redeemer University, where I met the President and Student Council President. So today I smile because I have met new people and been to a place I've never been.

- T.

Day 3... Squirrels

Today was a rough day for me, I was quite sad and tired all day. But one thing that made me smile was squirrels... I know this may seem a bit odd but it was actually Dave cheering me up after he let me vent to him while we were sitting on a tree stump. He cheered me up with the squirrels that were attaching me... aka him tickling me... something very small but very hilarious.

They say a picture says 1000 words, I think these little Jedi's say it best :)

- T.

I Surrender All

How many times do we hear the songs I surrender all, or Surrender. If you haven't heard them look up the lyrics. The basic of it is surrendering our all to God; laying down our lives. 


Today in chapel a girl spoke about growing up in Saudi Arabia, she openly shared with us the struggles of what it is really like to live in a country where there is persecution for being Christian. The people in countries like these lay down their lives each day for the Gospel and they are afraid but trusting God. She gave the example of what one could go through in order to read their Bible which is something we take so lightly.

People around the world die for that name, but our society has trained us to do what feels good for us. Let's us not forget to remember our brothers and sisters who are dying for a faith that we believe in and a grace that we were given so freely.

Often we truly do want to surrender all to God, to really give Jesus our all but when we walk away from singing we soon forget, we pick up the things we dropped at the door. I think its important to remind ourselves each day to truly surrender everything to Jesus. It may be hard and it may be something you really like, but I believe there is no greater joy than that in Christ Jesus.

- T. 

                                              Let's Pray for these countries.

Day 2 ... Is that your hair?

Last night Robbie decided to shave his hair into a Mohawk for a few days. Not only was it funny to see last night but as well this morning in class seeing our professors reaction was priceless. So today the something that makes me smile is Robbie's hair.

- T.

Day 1 of Something Fun!

For the next 30 days I will be putting up something each day that makes me smile.

I will start with silly photos :)
- Fun to take and fun to look at later !

- T.

One Voice...

"Unfortunately, I have realized that we cannot completely erase all the evil from the world, but we can change the way we deal with it, we can rise above it and stay strong and true to ourselves." - Zlata Filipovic (Freedom Writers Diary).

Change begins with us, it begins with our choices to serve God and from that one person at a time we can begin to change the world. I heard a sermon this morning from a natural path doctor who started clinics in Africa around 2004. He was telling us about God's provision in his life and the need for us to be missionaries wherever we live and to be sharing God's love in real, practical ways.

What a statement that we need to be serving God wherever we are. Trusting in Him completely to guide our paths and to plant the seeds. It is not the planter but the seed this meaning that we do not have to persuade we must love.

How will you practically love someone today?

- T.

A week of Reading

Well what a week its been, I can't believe reading week is over. I was asked near the end of the week, "How did not getting done as much work as you hoped go?". I thought what an appropriate question because we never seem to get as much as we would like to achieve.

This was a draining but quite amazing week for me. I don't know if I've said this yet but my internship is taking place at the woman's prison here in town. I spent quite a bit of time there this week. Each time I go I learn so much and I am more excited each time I leave. The women there and my supervisor are amazing and they teach me so much and stretch me to work harder and be better just by who they are.

I had the privilege of joining something called Alternatives to Violence (AVP) this weekend. I had never heard of this program before but after this weekend I believe it should be offered everywhere especially in schools. We grow up believing that fighting is necessary to gain respect or if someone challenges you your weak if you back down but this program helps to challenge that teaching.

This group gave me so many great tools for conflict management that can be used in any disagreement. As well taught me about myself. Lately I've been really struggling with how to trust, and why I'm so afraid. This feeling has really surfaced in me lately and has been the majority of my prayers/questions to God. On Saturday we were doing an exercise on transforming power and one of the pieces of it was expecting the best. This really struck me, I realized especially in my close relationships I expect the worst. For example with Dave, I go into conversations with him expecting him to say something or do something. And so I look for every wrong thing and disregard the good and I realized I'm looking for another reason to stay hard and not to trust.

As I reflected on this Saturday night, I felt a sense of freedom. And even more when I came back to the group Sunday and we discussed the next steps. The freedom of realizing why it is so hard for me to trust and beginning change that thinking. Changing the thinking that I can't trust, and to continually think positive. I try to live my life never giving up no matter what is thrown at me, looking for the best solution. I needed a reminder of who I am and the strength and joy God has given me. I never want to be a victim of my environment and I am thankful that God has allowed me a way out, and I want to help those who did not have that gift. I'm so thankful for the reminder I got this weekend, and the freedom I was given.

- T.









      Elin and Gabriel's first time sitting in at Tim Hortons :) 
On Tuesday of reading week when we all went bowling :)