Inspiration from this Volleyball Season

Inspiration from this Volleyball Season

My dad always says, "Participation and effort can lead you to unbelievable results." I finally realized how true it is from this volleyball season.

Good morning, teacher and fellow students,

The volleyball season started in September, and the players from Grade 8 were split into two teams ---- the blue team and the gold team. The blue team players were mostly new to volleyball and the gold team was for the pros. It was my first year playing volleyball and I was put into the Blue Team.

Honestly, my Blue Team sucked at the beginning. Only a few of us could get serves over the net. Most of us weren’t even able to pass or volley at all.

Even though we were terrible, every one of us participated in morning and after-school practices. We played many schools but haven’t won once. Game after game of losing made us all disappointed and faithless. However, our coach told us we were doing amazing, but my team mates and I still thought we didn’t improve at all.

On the 26^th of October, Collingwood partook in ISA, which is a volleyball tournament for private schools. While we were warming up with Mulgrave, I felt upset. Mulgrave Titans’ strong overhand serves and beautiful high passes reminded me of the game that we lost them badly three weeks ago. I didn’t even want to bother thinking about the result when I knew the winner wouldn’t be us. However, after losing the first set, we were actually cheered up, because there wasn't much difference between the scores of our two schools. The coach encouraged us. “If we have put in a little more effort, we could have won that set.” Hearing that from our coach definitely gave us a lot of confidence and courage. We cheered with our strong Cavaliers’ spirit and were ready to face Mulgrave. While playing the second set, the techniques and strategies we have learned seemed to come back to us. Every time before the Mulgrave Titan stepped behind the service line, tossing the ball, we were already on our toes, ready to make a high pass to the setter. We yelled ‘mine’ as the ball flew hard across the gym and dove for every ball no matter what. As soon as the ball was passed onto the other side of the court, the front role players hopped to the net and were ready to block the ball. I saw that both the players on the court and on the bench put a lot of effort into the game. The players on the court tried their best to get a point as the people on the bench screamed the cheers and encouraged them to do better. A while later, the referee blew the whistle before we realized the game was over. The judges added the total score from each team and our score was higher!

No one seemed to understand or believe the final results. It took about a minute for us to wake up and realize we beat Mulgrave! The gold team started to cheer and the applause from our parents broke out like thunder. Anyhow, it seemed like we were the only group of people on earth at that moment. We shouted in bliss and couldn’t stop hugging or sending compliments to each other. The Mulgrave Titans were looking at us like we’ve gone crazy yet we didn’t care, because we won! Then we learned that our ranking position came from the last to the third last! I felt like I was going to explode because too much good news was attacking me at once. Nevertheless at the same time, it felt like heaven. The glory, the pride, rushed in my veins faster than ever.

That night, after playing the moments of glory over and over again in my head, I realized we won because we participated in practices actively, and at the same time, put effort into the game. All of the players improved throughout the season gradually, so when we put effort into winning, we were able to play well. My speech ends here and I shall leave you with this, as long as you participate actively and do something industriously, you will see the good result. 

Liz with Grace and Sam

1.    Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

2.    WinterGirls by Lauren Anderson

Liz with Grace and Sam

Liz became friends with Grace in college. Grace and Sam have been together for two years. Liz began to get her bad disease because she thinks Grace was skinnier and prettier. She tried to cut herself again but Sam found out. Sam realized what was going on and tried to stop Liz. Liz was mad and wanted to get rid of Grace. There were so much going on but Grace didn’t know anything yet. Grace realized Sam and Liz were against each other and Sam couldn’t convince Grace with the truth, but Liz doesn’t admit. So Sam had no choice but protected Grace without her knowing. Grace found out Sam was always stalking her so she dumped Sam. Finally one night Sam went to find Grace and saw Liz stabbing her. He tried to stop it but it was too late. Grace said she’s sorry and gave one last kiss. Sam as heart-broken and he was ready on revenge. He was so mad that he changed into a wolf suddenly! He hadn’t change into a wolf for years. Anger made him change and he ripped Liz apart and ran off.

It was September, Liz moved to a city near the US border for college. She loved that city. On the first day of school, when she was lost in the building that was like a maze with nobody, she saw a girl coming from the opposite side. She is pretty. Liz only saw pureness and kindness in her eyes. The girl gave Liz a small smile and stopped walking. “Are you lost?”

“I’m going to Room 79,”Liz faked a smile, “sorry I have no idea where that is.”

She replied, “Oh, Room 79, Natural Laws right? I’m going to that class as well. Just come with me. I’ll show you.” She started walking and she said again, “I’m Grace. You can always come find me if you have any problems here. You’re more than welcomed. Oh, and you are…?”

“Liz, I’m Liz,” Liz smiled. “And thank you Grace.”

Liz and Grace hanged out more and more often. They had a lot of things in common. They both loved the nature and they always go hiking together with Grace’s boyfriend, Sam. Liz learned that Sam and Grace have been together for two years. After a few months Liz knew almost everything about them. One night she was in bed and she realized something was wrong.

She was going to sleep but she couldn’t help thinking about her best friend Grace. Liz always remembered the nice and cool things about someone. Liz remembered the perfectness of Grace’s thin face, her shaped jaws, and her fit body with curves shown clearly.  Liz didn’t know how she started and she couldn’t get it out of her head even though she wanted to. She tried not to think about it and to go to sleep. She finally realized she was going to the old her years ago ---- when she had anorexia nervosa. She didn’t know how many times she shook her head that night to try to get that thought out of her head. She once again brought up the shadows of anorexia nervosa. She felt disappointed in herself but at the same time, she was mad that Grace just seemed so perfect. In every kind of way.

The next day, Grace saw the difference in Liz’s eyes. The way she tried to avoid looking into Grace’s eyes made Grace confused. Grace thought she had done something to Liz. However, only Liz knew, she felt guilty but couldn’t stop to heal her sick mind. Liz didn’t want to be with Grace anymore. Liz thought, in front of everyone, Grace is the shining star and I am nothing compared to Grace. I need to be better than this. I need to get skinny. Then, Grace will look at me the way I look at her. She then felt she was so helpless. She began to stop eating food with calories over 300 per 50 gram. However, she saw her ugliness comparing to Grace. She remembered she still kept the knife she always had under her bed though she hadn’t use it in forever. She thought it was not a good idea.  She tried convincing herself to not to think of it. After a week of controlling herself to not do this, she gave up. She was tired of all this and she just want to be perfect.

One day, Grace and Sam came over to her house and they were going swimming. When Liz once again saw the amazingly beautiful Grace in bikini standing in front of her, Liz felt so ashamed and disappointed in herself. Liz went in her room immediately and took out the knife. She looked at the reflection of her naked in the mirror and tears ran down her cheeks. She hasn’t done this in such a long time and she knew she was scared. Be brave and cut. Be brave and cut…

Outside, Grace was looking for food in the kitchen and Sam was sitting outside Liz’s bedroom reading a book he found on the table. Ah. Sam heard the loud noise from Liz’s bedroom and he was on his feet.  The noise wasn’t loud but sounded painful. Then Sam heard Liz sobbing and Sam knocked her doors hard and said, “Are you okay in there?? Need some help?”

Liz’s sobbing was louder. Sam was worried. Few seconds later, Sam heard her replying, “I’m sorry… Don’t… don’t… wait… Sorry…” Sam got anxious and had no idea why Liz was saying sorry. Sam pushed the door with his right shoulder. In one shot, the door opened.  

“What the…” He was shocked of what he was seeing. Liz sitting on the wooden floor naked… a knife in the right hand… blood flooding on her left wrist… tears and blood mixed together on the floor… Liz stopped crying but Sam almost fainted. Liz said, “Sam, don’t look. Please go away.” Her voice was uneven, sounded like she wasn’t able to breathe. Sam remembered the moments when his parents tried to cut his wrists when they found out he was a monster. “One. Two. Three…” the voices of his parents were ringing in his ears. He couldn’t get himself focused. When he finally got out of his nightmares, he saw what is really in front of his eyes.

“What the hell are you doing!?” He wanted to yell more but no words came out of his mouth, because he didn’t understand.

Liz answered quietly as she could read his mind, “I know you don’t understand. But I wasn’t trying to kill myself.”

“What…”Sam stared at the blood. It seemed it has stopped.

“See? It’s not very deep. It’s stopped.” Liz sounded proud, but she wasn’t. She didn’t want any of her best friends to see this. She was only trying to convince Sam she’s safe.

Sam thought Liz sounded like nothing had happened. Sam got his mind right again, and said, “okay, I’ll get Grace. You wait here and -----”

“What!? You seriously going to tell Grace!? Please don’t tell Grace.” Liz didn’t want Grace to think she was jealous of her, because she knew once Grace asks why, Liz wouldn’t be able to get away.

“Then what do you want?” Sam felt very uncomfortable.

“I’ll clean up and act like nothing has happened. Please, don’t get Grace.”

“What the hell is going on with you!? What are you thinking? Would you tell me?” Sam was mad but more worried actually.

“No…” Liz thought and continued, “Yes, I will tell you but just don’t get Grace. I’ll be okay. Don’t tell Grace though. I’m serious.”

Sam thought Liz was afraid of Grace or something. However, he asked no more. He got out of her room and shut the door tight. He sat there in his seat and stared at the door of her room until Liz got out.

After a few days, Sam still couldn’t get that gruesome scene out of his head. He headed to Liz’s house alone early in the morning before Grace woke up.

Sam ringed the doorbell until Liz opened the door after a minute of ‘ring ring’.

“What do you want?” Liz was still in her pajamas. Her eyes barely opened.

“Would you tell me now?”

“Tell you what?” Liz said annoyed, “I wanna sleep, Sam.”

Sam hesitated when Liz didn’t realize what he was talking about, “Liz, why did you cut yourself? I mean, you’re so happy every day and… isn’t that good enough!?”

Liz waited until she was sure Sam finished and said, “Yeah… I’m happy. Actually… No it’s not good enough. You don’t understand. Leave.” As she was about to shut the door, Sam sticked his foot to stop the door from closing.

“Try me.” Sam said calmly, staring at Liz, trying to convince her.

Liz opened the door, “Come on in.”

“Well, why did you cut yourself? I know how it felt and I don’t understand. I was forced to be cut! My parents thought I’m a monster when they knew I was a half wolf. They were scared and I had no choice. It’s awful. Why did you do it?”

Liz knew that he used to be a wolf, so she wasn’t surprised. She sighed and replied, “Don’t tell Grace, but… Grace is so perfect! She is so much better than me! I want to be like her and I want to be as skinny as her. It’s so not fair! Do you think I have a choice!? I need to be skinny but I can’t because I am not as skillful as I used to be… you know… I just can’t help it, Sam. Don’t tell ----”

Sam was really confused. No, actually, Sam got it all clear but couldn’t believe what she’s saying, “Are you kidding me!? You want to be like her… Alright… Heck, this is just stupid Liz. You can’t be her. You aren’t like her.” Sam didn’t like the thought of Liz trying to be like Grace. He hated it. Grace is his girlfriend and someone else is jealous of her and trying to be her.

“I can’t? I’ll prove it to you! I won’t be her, but I am going to be the best. I will someday get rid of her and guess what? Poof! I am the best!” Liz yelled.

“What…? You will get rid of her? You mean kill her?” Sam almost laughed.

“Yup. Kill. Her. I swear to kill her. No matter what.”

Sam’s ears were ringing. He thought he was listening to the story of SnowWhite. Evil Queen tried to kill SnowWhite just to be the most beautiful person in the world. This is ridiculous, Sam thought. He never liked the story when Beck once told him when he was young. He just couldn’t believe there would be such evil people in the world. He didn’t want to believe. However, right now, there is one person like Evil Queen right there, in front of his eyes. “Well, you know what? You can’t. You’re just out of your mind, Liz. I will be the one who is going to stop you.” Sam answered quietly but harshly through his teeth. Sam walked out of the door before Liz said anything.

Liz grinned evilly, like Sam was still there in front of her. “Haha, we’ll see about that.” 

As soon as Sam got home, he bawled his eyes out. Grace didn’t know what happened. He loved Grace so much that he wanted to tell Grace. However, he knew Grace would only think it’s a crazy joke.

Grace comforted Sam though had no idea of what was going on, “Hey Sam, what’s wrong? You can tell me anything.”

Sam couldn’t think straight. He knew Grace wouldn’t believe.

“C’mon, tell me. What’s wrong? It’s okay Sam. We’ve been through so much already. Why aren’t you telling me?” Grace sounded so sweet that Sam’s tears just wouldn’t stop.

Sam couldn’t speak and he knew clearly Grace was going to laugh at him. However, he would give it a try. He calmed himself and told the truth of everything.

“Haha, you’re totally lying to me.” She laughed at him. Sam knew she would do that.

“Do you even think I’m joking? Do I look like I’m joking?” Sam looked into Grace’s eyes.

Grace fell silent. She looked away and looked back at Sam, “No. But it surely isn’t funny, if it’s supposed to be a joke.” Grace waited for Sam to laugh. However, his face was dead serious.

They stared at each other for a while. Grace broke the silence and said, “Yeah, well, okay, honestly, I don't believe she would really do so. She was probably just mad or something. She may not have meant it. I’m going to talk to her anyway. She wouldn't kill me right away, don't you think so?” Grace walked away before Sam could answer.

“Stop! I don’t know!” Sam ran to catch up while yelling, “Wait up Grace!”

Sam got in the Blanco that Grace had for years. No one talked on the way to Liz’s house. Grace got a lot of things in mind, but Sam was just afraid that the more he speaks the more Grace would not believe him. Grace got down fast while leaving Sam behind. Grace ringed the doorbell several times. Sam walked to her.

“Well, I don't think Liz is home. We can come back some other day.”Grace said calmly.

      “Yeah, okay, we will come back right? You believe what I said right?” Sam asked her, wishing to hear Grace’s definite answer.

      Grace didn't speak.

      “She’s probably so afraid to face you.” Sam thought out loud.

      “I don't want you to speak like this! She’s my best friend! Do you think I’m going to just be cool about you talking behind my best friend’s back?” Grace yelled at Sam.

      “Sorry.” Sam whispered, “I was just trying to ----”

      “Okay. Enough already. Thank you for being nice, but to be honest I think you just need to take a break, Sam. I’m not saying I don't believe you at all. But I think you’ve been talking craps these days. Stop all this and I’ll figure it out.” Grace sounded cold.

      Sam tried to rebut. However, he was scared that Grace would be angry again.

     

      Grace had gone to Liz’s house the next day without Sam knowing. She waited at the front door of Liz’s house. Her mind kept replaying yesterday’s memory. Grace knew Sam was only trying to convince Grace. However, she was upset but she didn't know why. Grace thinks she was just really tired these days. Maybe she is the one who needed to take a break. As Grace was about to leave, Liz opened the door, “Hey, What’s up? I didn't expect you to be here. Where’s the wolf boy?” Liz gave a big smile.

      “Hey. He’s still in bed. I’ve been trying to talk ----”

      Liz interrupted, “Ah, you want a talk. Come on in and we can do that.”

      Grace smiled and suddenly shivered as she sat down. “Where have you been yesterday?” Sam and I were trying to find you.”

      “I was in the library.” She threw away the jacket of hers and emptied the armchair for herself, “Oh, do you want to make some coffee for yourself?”

      “You don't want to any?” Grace walked to the kitchen.

      “Nah, I’m fat enough.” Liz answered and laughed.

      “Are you kidding me? You’re as skinny as a stick Liz.” Grace joked, but she suddenly remembered what Sam told Liz was doing ---- losing weight to beat Grace. That brought Grace a shiver. She didn't want Liz to notice about anything she knew. So she softened the effect with a laugh, “It’s supposed to be a joke. You know.”

      Liz smiled and looked out the window. She seemed to be caught up with something outside and narrowed her eyes and asked, “You sure Sam is still in bed?”

      Grace looked outside at where Liz was pointing. “What the…”

      Liz laughed and asked, “Did he used to be like this as a wolf too? Because he’s surely not a great hider.”

      Grace ignored Liz and walked outside quickly. As soon as the door opened, the cold air peeled off Grace’s skin. Grace ran straight to Sam, “What the heck do you think you’re doing?”

      “Nothing. Just thought you might be with Liz. It’s not safe with her Grace.”

      Grace’s heart was softened at the way Sam said Grace. However, she got back in her mood, “You are stalking me. Liz is my best friend. Do not tell me you don't want me to be with my best friend. You’re so selfish. You think I’m all yours alone? Guess what!? Wrong! That's the sickest idea I have ever heard. Why am I supposed to believe all your crappy theory? You know what?! This is not cool.” Before Sam could say sorry, Grace continued, “Sam, I’ve got enough of your apologies. We’re done.”

      Sam fell silent. His heart broke into thousands of pieces. He felt so cold that he thought he was going to change. He imagined his back hunching and his bones twisting. He even wished he could just disappear into a wolf in front of her than standing her, not able to anything to change it. He suddenly remembered the song he had written for Grace when they met. And all the happy memories. He smiled and thought out loud.

“I fell for her in summer, my lovely summer girl,
From summer she is made, my lovely summer girl,
I’d love to spend a winter with my lovely summer girl,
But I’m never warm enough for my lovely summer girl,
It’s summer when she smiles, I’m laughing like a child,
It’s the summer of our lives; we’ll contain it for a while
She holds the heat, the breeze of summer in the circle of her hand
I’d be happy with this summer if it’s all we ever had.”

      He continued it,

“And now, my lovely summer girl had left me,
And I know our time is up already.
Though I had been so happy with my lovely summer girl,
now it’s time for me to leave.
I shall go or I shall stay?
I have no choice
but all depends on my lovely summer girl.
Oh, my lovely, summer, girl.”

      Grace knew exactly which song Sam was talking about. She felt the words piercing her heart like needles. She regretted what she said, because she knew it was just harsh and mean. She wanted Sam back, but all she gets is watching him turn and walk into the woods. Useless.

     

      Tears rolled down Grace’s cheek. Sam hadn’t been home for four days. She knew she couldn't live without Sam. She wanted Sam desperately. She needs him, and she knew it clearly. She went to the bookstore where Sam works at. She went to the candy store Sam brought her to on their very first date. She went to the forest, the golden woods. She went to Beck’s house. She cried out her eyes and screamed into the sky. She yelled out so many ‘sorry’s but knew Sam would never forgive her. She went everywhere, but found no sign of Sam. She was afraid Sam would be gone. Again. And that would all be her fault.

      Sam watched Grace from behind the bushes, wishing Grace would see him. Though he was still mad, he wanted Grace to get back to him like nothing had happened.

     

Grace had no choice but go to the only person she had, Liz. Liz tried to talk her out of the sadness. Liz seemed all nice and easy on her. She comforted Grace and Grace actually felt better.

Sam had been watching Grace going to Liz’s house almost every day. He didn't understand. He thought Grace loves him but couldn’t understand why she didn’t believe him and stay away from Liz as he told her to. He prayed every day to not let Liz kill Grace. He bet that Liz is so happy that Grace had lost Sam. Sam was so mad whenever he thinks about Liz, but whenever he thinks of Grace, peace just come in and flood away the rage.

Sam always thought about whether to get back to Grace or not. However, his presence may bring anger to Liz and Liz would not hesitate to get rid of Grace.

One night, when the night was quiet, Grace decided to watch a movie with Liz to try to get used to a normal life. Grace sat on the couch. She couldn’t remember Liz trying to kill her, or at least she didn’t want to remember. Liz was being really great and thoughtful these days after the lost of Sam.

“I’m just gonna go get a drink for you. What do you want?”

“Grape juice would be good.”

Liz had gone to the kitchen. She grabbed a knife from the kitchen and walked quietly toward Grace and a strike was on the door. She knew exactly who it was. Grace looked at Liz and Liz didn’t hesitate. She raised the knife high and Grace screamed. She stabbed it into her back through the heart as Sam forced opened the door. Sam swore loudly and ran to stop Liz. Liz stared at Sam and laughed, “Well, I’m sorry. But you’re too late. Look at Grace now. She’s almost gone. What are you going to do, wolf-boy? You gonna bite me and rip me up? Too late. Nothing saves her. I am the best now. Unfortunately you lose the bet and I win! Yay for me heh?” Liz looked at Grace and laughed.

Sam just glared at Liz and ran to Grace. “Grace, listen to me. You will be okay.” He said as he shook her hard.

“Yeah, I will be.” Grace forced a smile, “Thanks for coming Sam… I’m so sorry.”

“No, I could’ve stopped it Grace.” Sam’s tears were shiny on his cheeks, “I’m sorry Grace. I was too late. I’m sorry I had you cry for so many days. You know I was there right?”

“Yeah, I knew. I felt you there. I smell you there. Somewhere…”

“Why did you not listen to me? Why didn’t you stay away from Liz? Why Grace?”

Grace smiled with blood in her mouth, “I knew you would come out to save me. I knew I would see you again… Even like this… right now…” Grace coughed softly.

      Sam said nothing and his tears couldn’t stop. He watched and said, “I love you Grace. I always do.”

      Grace smiled again and whispered, “Yeah, I know. I love you too… So much it hurts.” Grace gave one last smile and her breath stopped.

      Sam put Grace down slowly and looked at Liz.

      Liz smiled and said, “That was dramatic but really romantic.”

 “You are out of your mind Liz! She trusted you and you did this to her!? You are going to pay for this Liz.” Anger rushed up his nerves. There was asperity in his eyes. He didn’t know what he was doing. He only felt he was shaking uncontrollably. Liz stared at him, scared. His body twisted and a wolf appeared in front of Liz. Liz never really believe that he used to be a wolf. However, there he is right in front of her. She shook her head and stood there awkwardly.

Sam jumped and ripped Liz into so many pieces. Liz’s broken body and dead Grace were there lying on the floor.

      Sam stared at it and turned. He jumped out of Liz’s house, then he finally disappeared into the woods silently under the cold harsh wind of winter…

Dear Tracey

Dear Tracey,

      Hi. When you’re reading this again, you’ve hopefully finished Grade 8 already. You have had joy, tears, happiness and fear in the past 300 days.

I wish you will try your best on everything. Your sister always says to try something three times before giving up. You should be like that. Do not give up easily because things can turn out great if you have faith and courage. However, even if things don’t turn out as you wished, you just got to try harder next time because there will always be opportunities for you.

      Tracey, do not be proud when you have done something better than the others. You should always tell yourself the glory is of the Father’s. If the Father in the heavens never helped you, you would have achieved nothing. To the contrary, you need to glorify the Father.

      You need to set a goal. It can be a short-term goal or a long-term goal. Or maybe you should set several goals. When you read this again after finishing Grade 8, you should compare yourself in Grade 8 with yourself in Grade 7.

Do you think you should use your free time properly? I know you’ll have a lot of free time, but that free time is for you to use properly. If you’re a bad student, you will be playing video games, watching movies whenever you’re ‘off-leashed’. However, I know you good enough that you will never do that. If you’re an average, you will finish your homework before doing anything else. However, if you’re a good student, you will study hard, concentrate on school work, read books, prepare for exams and only be on Facebook on the weekends. You want to be an average-good student, don’t you? Then you got to put in your effort. Efforts lead to results.

      Tracey, I know you have always been a little addicted to Facebook, but will you try controlling yourself to stay away from it as much as possible? I know Facebook is harmless, but it is very meaningless as well. Facebook is just a waste of time. You don’t want to waste your precious time, technically your life, in some kind of a ‘fake’ world right? You had opportunities at school to chat with your friends, right? You had chances to share your thoughts in class right? Facebook is just so unreal and pointless. I know you knew that very well, but it is just so hard to get rid of it completely from your head right? So you should consider putting it into your ‘goal list’, or make yourself a schedule and stick with that schedule.

      You need to sleep early. You always waste your time in front of the mirror before going to bed. That’s what girls do right? And I also know you get hyper before going to bed. Yeah, I totally understand that. You can be so exhausted in the day. However, when you get into your bathroom, you’re the sleeping beauty finally waking up ---- you become wide awake. It might be because of the really bright lights or something that gets you all excited… I don’t know… but anyway, my point is, you need to sleep. Get ready quickly and go to bed already. You’re growing right now and you need very good sleep. So, if you want to grow tall and pretty, like you have always wanted to, you need to get rid of your habit of doing your hair and stuff in front of the mirror before bed. Also, I don’t see the point of that because it’ll be all gone when you wake up anyway.

      Dear Tracey, you have to love the Lord. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Pray to Him when you have troubles. Sing His hymns when you’re upset. Read His words when you feel empty. You should go to the young people meeting and the Lord’s Day meeting every week so that you may gain Him and receive His life.

      Well, Tracey, this will be a hard year, but you will have a lot of fun as you grow up. So, please keep it up, and do your best. May the Lord be with me throughout this year. Amen. J

Love, Tracey

Summer School of Truth 2012

Summer School of Truth 2012

       This year’s SST was my first time and I really enjoyed it. Our junior high’s topic was the Triune God and the Person and Work of Christ. What I enjoyed the most in all of the messages was Christ’s Human Living.

      Through incarnation, Christ became a genuine man. He was the carpenter’s son, and has a mother, brothers and sisters. He ate with other men. He was once thirsty and asked a woman for a drink. These facts and actions prove that Jesus Christ is a man, not a bit different from an ordinary man.

       Christ was the most perfect and the finest. He was obedient. He cared for His Father’s will and also obeyed to His natural parents. Some of us, the young people may say, “I am of God!” But at home, we would be disobedient to our parents. This is not the fine and balanced humanity of Jesus.

       Mark 10:45 says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.” We, the young people may always expect our parents to serve us. No! That is not the humanity of Jesus. Jesus Christ was the son of God! He could just tell His disciples to get food for Him. But why didn’t He do so? Because that isn’t the humanity of Jesus! Instead, He served His disciples! The humanity of Jesus is one to serve, not to be served. We need a spirit to serve others diligently.

       Christ Jesus had no appearance of evil. In John 3, Jesus met an elderly man in the middle of the night. In John 4, when He spoke to a woman, He did it in an open place. Not only He was very careful to avoid evil, also He avoided appearances of evil.

       Jesus also had the finest personality. He was meek and lowly in heart. He was so meek that little children could come to Him. He was so lowly that a sinful woman could weep at His feet. In all things, Jesus was so fine and balanced.

       God wants a group of people who are filled with Him and can express Him. For this, we must have the proper humanity. Satan tries to frustrate God’s purpose by attacking man’s humanity, so man will be useless for God’s expression. We need to be careful and always remember the Lord is living in us. When we realize the Lord is telling us to stop doing something, or when we see that we’re short of standard of Jesus’ humanity, we should open to Him, call His name out of a pure heart and become one with him! Then His highest, finest and perfect humanity will be in us and that is what we need today for our church life! If we always have this humanity of Jesus, the others will be touched and become attracted to the church! Hallelujah! May the Lord be expressed through us!

August 3rd

August 3rd, 2012

      I’m back! I’m back in Canada. I love it here! I miss the freezing icing cold weather so much! J haha I’m just joking. Well, it’s a lot cooler here. It felt like heaven! I’ve been back for 2 days already. By the way, did you know my Grandparents from my Mom’s side are here!?

It’s really great that Grandpa came because we can play Ping Pong together. Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you that I had a Ping Pong table, but no one played with me. Mom was busy and Sister Soefae is too short and unskilled to even get my serve. Grandpa’s and my skills make no distinction of rank of Ping Pong skills. He knows some fancy tricks but he’s not really good at using them. So he teaches me and I learn fast. J

I’ve got a new basketball hoop in my back yard on the solid ground. It’s not only a hoop. It’s a full one with a pole holding the basket on a board. It’s really easy for the ball to get in because it’s got a big hole (I think it’s even might be even bigger than the ones at school) because the whole thing is put together by Dad. It isn’t very strong but shaky, so the ball can get in easily. Dad’s tough. You know what – I actually like my basket hoop better than the ones at school because it’s easy to get in and I wouldn’t be pissed for not shooting in.

I took out my Wii Player. I haven’t touched it for such a long time. I only have two sports’ CDs and one dance’s CD. It’s totally enough for me and Sis. I only play Wii Sports now. I’m too lazy to take out the dance pat. Sports are fun. Haha.

I’ve been thinking about inviting my friends to my house when school begins. Or I can open my house for home meeting someday. It’s going to be so fun! I’ll have so many cool stuff to show off – practicing basketball, learning Ping Pong, playing Wii. Oh yeah, and I have a baseball glove and some balls. I’m okay in baseball. I was on our grade’s team two years back in Shanghai at my school. We can play Frisbee too. It’s very suitable to play in my narrow but long and pretty big back yard. Also, what really excited me is that I think I’m getting a punching bag. When I say punching bag, I mean those ones that you practice with in boxing, not fluffy Teddy Bears that people punch when they get mad. I’m so excited, but I’m also a little afraid that I would regret getting one, because seriously, it’s a big-boy thing. :P

I’m so happy to be back and finally, I found some great things to do other than wasting my whole day on Facebook. Yay~ I’ve been seeing visions of my fun and awesome future these days in my head!! Haha, I’m really happy. Let me fill my summer and school time with happiness but not boredom. :D

PS: I’m going to Summer School of Truth next week for six days. SST is a Christian camp for Grade 8s to Grade 12s. It’s going to be my first time. I heard it’s really cool. Both of my great friends, Selina and Rebecca, are going. So I’m not nervous at all but excited! J Lord bless the trip and may you be with us all the time. May the evil be away and our hearts be turned to you. Let me enjoy you fully and through this trip, I hope I can love and understand you more. Lord Jesus, I love you for that I’m your lamb and you are the powerful and mighty God and shepherd for eternity. J

July 27th

July 27th, 2012

      I went to the hospital again today. I’m a little better but still coughing and having fever. It’s annoying. But who am I going to blame? Myself? Yeah, I guess, then I’ll shut up complaining because being sick is my fault anyway. L

      I had to have a blood test again. I was so scared when I was in line. Having an hardly-enjoyable experience made me nervous and unwilling. This time, this nurse was really bad and stupid. Lord Jesus, forgive me for judging other people. Anyway, The nurse is really slow and she makes every move as slow as possible. She pushes the small needle deeply into my ring fingertip and takes it out slowly. She leaves my hand on the table and grabs the tube slowly. I can feel my blood flowing and going through the tiny hole that seems impossible to allow the blood to come out. Until she’s ready to suck the blood into the tube, I was almost dead. She squeezes my ring finger hard until it was numb and, I believe, pale white. She stops and threw my hand onto the table and stuffed a piece of cotton on my tiny hole where the needle was stung. (Oh Gosh… I can’t write this anyway. I’m going to faint.)

Though I was not watching her doing it, but my imagination was incredible. Lord Jesus, what you gifted me can be very helpful and sometimes deadly. My imagination told me not to ignore the pain but remember the blood scene in my brain. The moment kept repeating in my head like and echo that never ends. I tried to stop my own mind, but I felt so helpless. As my mom and I were leaving together, I couldn’t take it anyway. I told her I need to stop for a second. Good that she knew I faint blood, she held her questions and doubt, and rested on the side with me. Suddenly I felt so tired and dizzy that I couldn’t even make myself to keep my head up. Randomly and suddenly, I was dreaming and it felt amazing. I don’t remember what I dreamed about but it was sweet. I couldn’t remember how I even fell asleep and I didn’t care. It was nice. Suddenly I opened my eyes and couldn’t remember where I was temporarily. I quickly realized I was on the floor and I freaked out. I sat up, saw people walking by and looking at me. It was strange, because I felt I was the center of something. Embarrassment rushed through me, however, mom told me to slow my moves down and don’t worry. Then people who were sort of watching me walked by. I felt better and I asked for some water. I knew I only fainted for a few seconds as mom told me. Mom told me that I was too heavy after I fainted so she had to put me on the floor slowly as I was falling. I said I was fine and told her not to worry. She wasn’t worried because she knew I faint blood. It’s probably a gene thing, because mom used to faint blood too. It was really no big deal. We then kept on moving and went home. It was okay. I’m glad mom didn’t freak out and call the ambulance and that will really be awkward.

That was the second time this year. I was glad she was with me that time. The first time was because of a paper cut. I was at school in the washroom trying to wash away the blood. I tried to hold myself, but it was bad. I fainted and went to the nurse. Then my teacher, Ms Duteau knew and even came to look at me when I was in class. By the way, I’m going to tell you a story Ms Duteau told me of her husband. Once, she was out and her husband was doing chores. Her husband cut himself very deep and told his brother beside him to call 911. However, his brother fainted as he saw the blood dripping down. Her husband was cut really deep and his brother fell and trapped him at the corner. So he had to do something. Her husband kept kicking his brother to wake him. He kicked his brother until he woke. Haha. It’s really funny, but it can be dangerous. Trust me, it’s no fun. Gosh, I can’t be a surgery doctor. :3

July 26th

July 26th, 2012

      Last two days were hard. I went to somewhere I haven’t been in two years. I went to the hospital.

I was sick. First, it was Mom who was sick. Then my dad was sick, but they both healed in one day. Then my sister Soefae is sick. She was very sick and it never ended so far. After a few days of her sickness, I got sick too. I thought it was her who infected me until yesterday. Yesterday, Soefae and I went to the hospital (of course, with our parents). I had a blood test. It hurt even though it’s just a teeny tiny hole on my ring finger. However, I hadn’t had one since at least two years ago. I wasn’t used to it. It was bad, but I went through it. Then the doctor told us that I am of the virus(病毒). I’m sorry but I don’t know the English character for it. My sister’s of bacteria which means I didn’t get sick because of her. Darn, I was so disappointed! I didn’t get anyone to blame now.

      Today is the third day of me being sick. I really don’t like being sick anymore. I prayed so much. I wasn’t better at all. Well, today’s over. I have to keep praying and hope I get better~

July 24th

July 24th, 2012

I saw a great movie few days ago. It’s called Tom and Jerry! Haha, I’m just joking, man. It’s called Inception.

It’s made in 2010. It’s not very new but it's fantastic. It is about people with technology that can enter people’s dreams and search for their secrets. This skilled thief called, Codd is offered to plant an idea into Robert Fischer’s mind by a professor named Saito. Robert Fischer is the son of Maurice Fischer who is the boss of a big company. Maurice Fischer was dying, and Robert Fischer is taking his company. Codd’s job is to make Robert Fischer think that it’s the best to split up the company by making three layers of dreams – enter the first dream, enter the second dream in the first dream and enter the last one in the second. It’s really complicated but so awesome. This movie is really exciting because the problems they’re facing were all out of their expectation. There were people against them. Not people from the dreamer’s reflection but real people who were trained. Then, they had to run and fight. Also, no one can die. Normally, if you die in a dream, you can wake up. However, in this case, if you die, you don’t wake up instead you go to the Limbo where it takes forever to wake up because the thieves took drug-anesthetic to keep them sleeping. Saito got shot and was dying. Robert Fischer was dying too. They had to keep out and make time and wake up. It’s so complicated to write about because so many happened. However, this is a great movie but not hard to understand. Just watch it, people. It’s amazing!