I hope you were able to receive my last post like two months or so ago. Thanks to Mr Weiss, I am now able to get a good blog where I can really work with it.
May our gracious Lord's abundant blessings fall upon you all.
This is it! My first semester was over. Lots to learn, many things to catch up, new experiences, and quite a challenge. The result, I survived--Survived in the cold land and was able to make quite a few friends. I felt like my first mission was accomplished. My first semester results from all the courses were not so well, but I somehow felt good, because none of them fail. However, I am willing to work harder and do better the coming semester. And I will need your prayer for that.
As I have mentioned quite often, University was a great time of learning for me. I learned and is still learning to make decisions. Coming from where I used to be, I did not have to decide by myself so much. I was taken care of. I did not have to worry, now I have a hard time deciding. It seems like there are so many roads I can take. So much freedom I now received, sometimes I do not know what to do with it. Where I came from I did not have to choose what I like. I just take what I had and given. Right now, even buying a sandwich there also choices. "What do you want?" have often given me a hard time. "I don't know." Because I don't really care. I have no preferences. I take whatever that is on my plate. Since I faced so many "challenges" like these, I am, now really learning to choose. This was my first times that I will no longer follow. I am now in my own boat, directing my own life, well with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, it is just overwhelming to know that I am now a free man, well in a way because I have always been a free man. I feel like it, and it's not so good of a feeling. But, I guess I have to learn these.
Many of you might know that I am living in a dorm on campus. It was, somehow a great experience and at the same time kind of let down moments. I just recently discovered that my dorm is known as the slow students dorm. We arrived late. There were many things that were going in this dorm. My room is by the lounge--the gathering place. Often, my friends were watching TV. Some night they went crazy. Loud noises. As a Cambodian, I am not used to this. Is this something I should learn from? Maybe not. Sometimes, I felt like I am working hard but did not reach the same amount of grade that my friends in this dorm were receiving. I would have to say that they like to procrastinate quite much. At times, I felt pressured. However, I thank the Holy Spirit who has always been my faithful companion. He helps me to go through such things. It was annoying sometimes to feel and be different. I don't want to feel different, but I guess God called me to be different.
At the same time, I also learned to love the Library. It is such a great place to study and concentrate; however, it is also a good place to have a nap or sleep :)
During these past months, I also learned to adapt to the cold weather. In fact, this is my first time ever to experience the snow! Well, maybe Abbotsford's weather is not too bad for Cambodians. I wear sweater and normal clothes like anybody on campus, so I feel one in the crowd.
I guess you all have heard about my host-family (the Regehr family) here in Canada. It is another great blessing that the Lord and you all have given to me. I grow in great attachment with them. They make me feel so much welcome and with warm love that it is so hard for me to call them names. Also, since I'm a Cambodian, it is not polite to call older people names. Because of this respect and love, I decided to call both of them, Mom and Dad. Once again, I am just so happy to experience the Love of God. He knew exactly what I needed. Through this family, I experienced the love that I lacked while I grew up. From my past story as you might know, I lacked that love and comfort. Praise God for such a great Father He is! He knew each one of us very well. Blessings to you all :)
From left to right: Tim Regehr, Michele, Sara, Greg, and me :)
As for now, I am on a break. It will be my first time ever to experience my first Christmas in Canada, with Christmas trees and the common tradition of the Santa Claus. I will also miss the family back home who will be doing nativity as usual, and being a part in a large family celebration on Christmas Eve.
About my future plan, I am heading into Nursing Program. Thus, during this break I am trying to put together application for it. I will need your favor, may you pray that it will go well and be this be the way He wanted to lead me into.
Thank you all for following on my story and as well as supporting me so that I got the experience that I had and will going to get still.
Many blessings and I ask that our gracious Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit reveals you all new things in this special time of the season and on the coming days. May your days be full of enrichment.
Merry Christmas!
In Him,
Sureyah
