Rollerblading!

I rotated the wheels on my Rollerblades today! Such a fun activity! :)

-T.

A great Man...

Today we mourned the loss of a great husband, father, friend and man of Christ. He was truly a man who walked with God, and loved Him deeply. His passion for Christ showed in his great love for people and his search of knowledge. I had the great privelidge of graduating with him this year and he will be deeply missed by many, as seen at the funeral this morning.

March 26, 1964 - May 20, 2011

- T.

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

Marilyn you are truly a blessing! Happy Birthday !

- T. 

The Healing Path...

“We befriend the world whenever we demand that others be what only God has promised to be: faithful and sure. All human relationships, even our most intimate alliances, are temporary and incomplete. When we demand that another person provide safety, certainty, and fulfillment of our deepest desires, we turn from God to an idol for the fulfillment of our needs.” - Dan B. Allender, The Healing Path (pg. 53). 

Over the past few years I have been facing many of the things I have been running from my whole life. This year especially I have been walking the path of healing, which has involved facing an intense amount of pain. Psalm 24:4 says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me". I spent many nights crying myself to sleep and praying that God would take away my pain, and heal my heart. I had shut my heart off from dealing with the pain for so long, thus I had shut my heart of from allowing to really be loved and trust. I knew I had to walk this painful path in order to get to the other side. As I walked I could not see what life could be like on the other side. The pain seemed to grow more intense than get better, I did not know what life could look like without the shame and pain of my past luring over me. 

Just over a week ago I realized that for about a month or so for the first time in quite some time I am happy, and my heart is healing. It is healing from the pain of my family, the loss of friendships, and from a painful past. Although my circumstances have not change, and life is still tough my heart is healing! And I truly feel the comfort of God. And I am so thankful, God has truly kept His promises. Life is not short of its pain, but He is faithful even through the deepest scars. I am climbing the wall that I once could not even reach let alone see over, and as I climb it I know that one day I will be able to see and reach the other side. 

"You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons" (Isaiah 42:7)

- T. 

Here are some photos from our girls photo shoot in April before we all parted ways for who knows how long! I wish I could put them all up, but that seems a little excessive! 

The last one is symbolic of us all going in our different directions, Wendy travelling the world, Kristy living in KW and working, Christie going on to get her Masters, and I well moving to Toronto and we'll see...
Jessie Golom Photography

Jays Game!

So I went to a Blue Jays game with some friends the other day! Here are some photos!

- T. :)

In Hiding...

A good friend was visiting from out east a few days ago and she at one point she said "It's easier to hide who you are when you only see someone 2 hours a couple times a week rather than when your with them everyday all day". What a true statement, the less time we spend with someone the easier it can be to front who we really are but once we live with them, it is an exhausting thing and our true selves come out. Our insecurities, our loves, the things that make us unique and beautiful. These are the thing we try to hind from everyone, try to cover up. But they make us who we are.

Yesterday was my birthday. I was dreading the day for so long, and then it came. I realized that day how truly blessed I am. It doesn't matter the things I didn't have, because I had more than enough. I had amazing friends who gave me so much; they gave me their love in the simplest yet most powerful form. It was a simple day, they gave me flowers and cheesecake, and we ate taco salad and watched a movie and it was perfect. These are friends that I see everyday, friends that get the real me happy, sad, and very crazy. The friends that dance and sing with me. The ones I know I can always be me with.

So to all my friends, thank you!

- T.
Here's some photos from Swing Dancing on Monday night ! :)

Rain, Rain, Go away...

Soo it's been raining a lot but we are trying to make it fun :)

And we were already soaked from our walk from Zehrs so we splashed!

And then enjoyed our Shirley Temples and movie :)

- T.

Vengeance

"Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people's minds the thought of victory and the thought of punishing the enemy coincide" - Barbara Deming.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about vengeance with the recent assassination of Osama Bin Laden. I saw many of my friends rejoicing in his death. And I wonder is it only me that does not see this as a solution to the problem (I have found it is not)? Since when is vengeance a solution? To find this one man many innocent died, and in killing this one man, I am positive only more hate can be generated. This can be the small hate sparked by a small, seemingly insignificant facebook status' but it will snowball. Many see Osama's death as a victory for Americans, but I wonder what was the cost of this 'victory'.

"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord" - Romans 12:19 (Deuteronomy 32:35 is Paul's here in Romans).

Many people die everyday in hate fuelled wars, genocide, and instead of mourning the loss of them, instead of standing up for peace and justice. We rejoice in the death of one man. Many around the world are dying  of AIDS, or do not have clean drinking water or enough food to eat and yet our focus is on one man. We see it as justified because he orchestrated the killing of many, but how many were killed in attempts to kill him? How much money was spent on this one man, and for what, one moment of relief in which will be quickly followed by more hate, and distress. Are we not the same as this one man for the destruction we have caused? I refuse to rejoice in the death of one man, but will instead mourn the death and pay respect to the many that were lost in the process, both soldiers and civilians and continue to pursue and pray for peace, true justice, and be thankful for God's great grace.

"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?... For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!" - Ezekiel 18: 23; 32.

- T.

CNN - U.S. deaths in Iraq

The number killed in 'War on terror'

The first is a count of the soldiers that have been killed, the second gives a total number including those from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Happy Mother's Day!

To my wonderful Mom,

I know that we have had our ups and downs but know that I could not ask for a better mother. You have taught me so much. You showed me what it means to truly love, and about following God in even the toughest circumstances. I know that part of the reason I am the women I am is because of you, and I am glad. When I am a mom, I do hope that I can be like you in so many ways.

Love you Always!
Tina :)

Job Hunt!

It has been three weeks since I have graduation here at Emmanuel. I officially have a degree and am jobless. I know that there are many of us in this place, although at times it seems like most of my friends have it all figured out. They either have a job lined up or more school ahead. Well honestly I have no idea! I have applied for close to 20 jobs, and had one interview (which I did not get). At times it can be a bit discouraging trying to find work, as well as I am really praying that it will be something I will enjoy. I would love to finally do a job in the type of career I would like to have. Sometimes I do wonder if life will get easier, if there will be a time when I will not be wondering about whether I can afford groceries or other life things. And although I pray that day comes, I also know that I will follow God regardless, because no matter what He provides. And while at times it may be discouraging when I am not working I know that in His time God will provide just the right job. 

Matthew 6 tells us "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6: 25-27; NIV). Life is so much more than the cloths we wear or the food we eat, and although I do see the value in this it is important to remember that the God we serve is a mighty, loving God who looks after each and everyone of us. So as I continue my search for work and so do some of you, I pray that God will provide you with the work you need, and that we truly serve Him through everything we do!

- T. 

This is a photo from our last photo shoot at Emmanuel... what's Missing!

Fall Photo shoot... clearly we were missing something in the Spring!

I love these shoes!!!

I was at Goodwill and saw these shoes in which I absolutely love but couldn't afford so, I took a picture!

- T.

A song...

- T.