ignite 'n inspire

This weekend getaway to Ottawa holds a special spot in my heart as I watch another one of my close  childhood friends say "yes" and enter into a new chapter of her life. I think it is often during these life moments when I am extra thankful for these long, meaningful friendships. As I write my "congratulations" card and watch her say her vows, a myriad of flashbacks come to mind as I think back to our younger days. In my memory bank of D, I remember standing beside each other in children's choir nervous as the choir director told us to "audition" for a potential Christmas solo. I remember sitting beside her in orchestra as we counted the 30 bars of rest before we had to play again. I remember leading worship with her in the middle of a campsite, resting the piano on a picnic table. I remember hanging out in her car after a long dinner and conversation, and she introduced to me to her wedding pinterest board. For the first time, I learned that teenage g

Several months ago, I was a facilitator for a mother-daughter Christian conference. Prior to the two-day conference, moms were asked to write a letter to their daughter. It seemed like the cutest idea and I begged my mom to write one for me. As a "words of affirmation"-kinda girl, I have written countless letters to my close friends, loved ones and younger mentees...but I sometimes long for words of encouragement as well. On the day of the conference, my mom sent me a picture of a short-but-sweet note. In the corner of a church classroom, I read it with tears welling up in my eyes. Although my mom's letter oozed with love, it was nothing in comparison to the unconditional love she has given me, C and S these past couple of months.  What happened these last couple of months? Aren't we in our young adult years? Shouldn't we be living "independently" by now? I will spare you from the details, but these past couple of months has been filled with some highs a

It's 11:30pm right now on a Monday night. It was a rainy post-baptism Sunday and I scurried home after a quick lunch with close friends to figure out my lesson plans for the upcoming week. My SAP plans were already prepared so I was just adding my finishing touches to my grade 10 Family Studies lessons. As I try my best to plan an array of activities, I am confident about these plans but it feels very different from last year. Unfortunately, I am coming out of a week where I am teaching very interesting topics with celebrity references, relevant materials, interesting videos...but have been met with students who disrespect me, stay on their phones the entire lesson and challenge my instructions. Day after day, I try to draw from my well of love, care and perseverance...but I seem to be running really, really dry. My lessons feel no different from fully coloured print advertisements that just gets soaked in the rain and eventually ends up by the sewer waiting to escorted away by ano