Student Council Photos...

Here's some pictures of this years Student Council ...

Thanks Jessie Golem :)

- T.

My Last Paper!

My last paper is due tomorrow and ... I am finished all my papers and assignments!!!!

I finished 1 hour before I played basketball and jammed my finger, so it was good timing! But All I can say is I'm two exams from graduation!

- T. :)

Women of Emmanuel, Women of Faith!

Yesterday was the WOE WOF banquet. I sang in the choir by the end my voice was basically dead. I guess I'm just not used to that much strain on it. It was a good day away though, the event was long but the food was spectacular and quite a large amount of money was raised. It was great to hear the stories of women that came from the college and the amazing ways they are living out there faith for God.

Later that night we went to the Symposium to celebrate my friend Jessie Golem's birthday! Happy birthday Jessie!

 

 

- T.

Most snow in 4 years!!!

Yesterday we had the biggest snow we've had in 4 years... what a strange but awesome thing to have on the second day of spring!

So Thanks to Jessie Golem we got some fantastic shots in the snow ! :)

• http://godarlinggo.smugmug.com

- T.

Thank you Friend.

I was chatting with a friend of mine today and he passed along this passage to encourage me. It was much needed. I'm very thankful for the times when God speaks through others in such a time of need.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

(Phil 4:6-7)

- T.

A photo of my floor from my first year at Emmanuel!!!

Present Day Concerns

"Not my will or my plans or the way I want it I’m so tired of my hands in the way So reveal to these eyes the true heart of my Father, today" - Teach me how to pray by Jason Upton

I went for a walk this morning to clear my head because this weekend is a tough one. I have so much going through my mind. I realized I'm so focused on my own issues that I forget how blessed I am. I've been feeling so broken hearted lately, that I have forgotten to remember those are facing so much worse, especially with the recent disasters; like those of Japan and New Zealand. As I remembered this I realized just how selfish I have been, people are dealing with there family and friends dying, having no home, or food and I have so much to be thankful for.

As I was listening to the Jason Upton song above I realized that I need to refocus and although it is hard right now, I want my plans to be Gods, and I keep trying to push my own way. So my prayer is that I would continue to be focused on the things God has and see His heart.

Some Blessings in my life :)

- T.

Mental Health Association

Tonight I went out with some friends to a benefit for the Mental Health Association, we all got dressed up and headed to Ceaser Martinis in Waterloo. The music was loud the people were loud and non of won any prizes. But afterward we went to Burger King and all in all it was a great evening! It was nice to hang out with some people I do not get to hang out with very often and meet some people I didn't know and support a cause that is definetly worth supporting.

To just share a bit about the Mental Health Association, it is an organization focused on the resilience and recovering of those suffering from Mental Illness, this includes things like depression and suicide, to eating, mood and schizophrenia.

Here is a picture of the girls of the group, both Sam and Marilyn looking fabulous! :)

- T.

St. Patty's Day...

Well Its St. Patrick's Day! This is one of my favourite days, so much green. I had planned to go with with a couple of friends for a fun evening out to see a friends band. It was cut short when my friend and I forgot our ID's, and were kicked out after the sound check of the band we weren't even there too see. :(

We were a bit bummed but it was nice to spend time with the girls...

This is a picture of Wendy and Jessie just before we got asked to leave... 





















Well Jessie and I were quite disheartened because we were the ones who forgot our ID's so we decided to drink tea and I made a sign about proper toilet usage ...


When using the washroom hold the flush until all contents have gone down! If you clog it, plunge it right away!

Then Jessie and I decided we would not let this defeat us, so we went out to shoppers enjoyed looking at feminine hygiene products and taking fun photos before we came back to EBC to listen to a fun Irish song and do a jig.

All in all, I think we made it work!

- T.

Time Flys...

Its very close to the end of my time here at Emmanuel. Its been three years of laughter, fun, pain and tears, and I've grown greatly because of it. Jesus has changed my life through the love of amazing friends and challenging circumstances, and has proven time and time again that no matter what God is with me, and I need not worry or fear. This has been far from easy and I've failed and continue to fail but I've also learned that His grace is enough.

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9.

I do hope that as I continue to go forward in life, I strive to be more like Christ and that I have this grace for people, even though I know I will not always have as much as need that they will be gracious to me. I hope I remember that grace is undeserved and our love should go beyond expectations. As I continue to finish this year I hope I keep motivation, finish strong, and remember to treasure each moment.

September 2008 my first year, wow!

- T.

Did we come from Chimpanzees

For my Science and Christianity class we were to read an article called "Homo divinus: The ape that bears God’s image" by Graeme Finlay. In this article the author uses the genes of an ape and chimpanzee and that of humans to try and prove evolution in light of Biblical text.

On page 18 the author states,

"Our close genetic similarity to the chimpanzees is an extraordinary concomitant of vast differences in mental capacity. We are connected genetically to primate antecedents. There is intense interest in identifying qualitatively altered genes which (it is stated) ‘make us human’. They may have remodelled brain structure, modified brain sugar biochemistry, or conferred the ability to speak. It has been suggested that gene expression patterns in the brain will elucidate the difference between humans and other apes". 

I find it interesting that the author tries to prove this by saying that the make up of our genes are similar. But it seems a stretch to say similar genes does not make us the same. It also seems he tries to bring scripture into his box of science. In this I believe the author is trying to change God into his own pocket sized God that "makes sense" to him. I think that we run a huge risk when we do this. We make God into what we can grasp instead of knowing that God is bigger than this. We try to make Him fit in our pocket, and then take Him out every once in a while when it feels nice. Although the author tries to prove his point he leaves me unconvinced. 

Definitely an interesting article to think and talk about though.

- T.

Happy Birthday Wendy ! :)

To one of my best friends Wendy I wish you a very happy Birthday :). We went to celebrate this day at Martinis with the girls a fun filled evening with some wonderful ladies.

-T.

Are we playing favourites...

"My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?"- James 2:1-7.

As I've been doing a lot of reflecting on our church and on my own life I am realizing more and more how often we play favourites; whether this be in regards to personalities we prefer or the money someone has or seems to have. We live in a materialist society in which those who look good are listened too. We play into the worlds view of worth but this is not the way God measures us. As in a previous blog I wrote called "The last shall be first", I quoted Luke 6, in this we see Jesus saying that the poor are blessed because they inherit the Kingdom of God. It is clear that God measures our hearts, not our wallets, clothes or the things we have. So why then do we pour favouritism onto those who wear "a gold ring and fine clothes" over the "poor filthy" one? Why do we turn people away in need? Why do we bend over backwards for those who feed into our selfishness but will in the end be our ruin? Again I think this is how we've fallen prey to the way the world works instead of keeping our focus on the kingdom of God.

I love fashion and clothing. A struggle for me is the willingness to give this up in order to give someone else more. As I was talking with a friend of mine about a week ago we were discussing whether we would give up our comfort to make someone else feel comfortable. Are we so focused on our looks and how people perceive us that we forget about the man James talks about in those verses; the one that will inherit the Kingdom of God? hmm.

Street Children - Guatemala

Guatemala

New York City

What am I willing to give up for them?

- T.