It's That Time of Year Again - A Warm Christmas Greetings!

Dear Family, Friends, and Faithful Supporters--

Have you imagined of a journey, a time, a moment when many unanswered questions, wonders, and anticipations finally find its place in the sovereignty of the Almighty God? By this time last year, my thoughts on my journey were foggy and full of regrets. Ashamed of myself while thinking about the many blessings I received and a longing heart to serve...but had to wait. 

Since receiving Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I often reflected on the impact Jesus had on His disciples. Most of them were fishermen, tax collector, and wanderers. Citizens of a low class and sometimes considered a nobody; but they became man of faith who influenced many to find truth and were set free. To me, I was satisfied with what God has given at Logos. Satisfied with so much He has done in my life. But, far beyond what I can imagine, He poured out even more. Trinity is a current “next step”, a journey, a chapter of my life. And, I am super glad that I did have this opportunity!

Last year at this time, I was overwhelmed and emotionally unstable because I was not able to progress into the next nursing course. Because of that I have to stay behind for a year. Yes, FOR A YEAR! L Just like complications I had in Bangkok to obtain the student visa, instead of having to stay there for three to four days, I was there more than a week! And now, I will have to linger at Trinity for more than 5 years...

Thus, every day I am overjoyed of how blessed I am to be able to attend Trinity—One of the best universities in Canada and have such a wonderful home-stay family who love and support me no matter what. To be honest, there are so many people who could have this opportunity and would do so well and much better than me! Every time I walked into the Registration office at school, I am overwhelmed of God’s richest blessings, especially when I see many who struggled to meet their school’s payment. The question, “Why me?” often comes up. Who am I that He continues to faithfully commit to walk with me and desire to see me finish Nursing? There are so much that I do not understand. In the midst of my unfaithfulness, God is still so faithful. In the midst of my failure, Christ still leads me by His hands. Where else can I go without Christ? What a wonderful Savior!

Every blessing comes from above… and that is so true. Yet, those blessings come through God’s faithful servants. To all whom I related my "failure" last year, they were so encouraging and supportive. Without them I probably would not be able to get back up! Community of believers and supporters are necessary, and I am so thankful for their trust and commitment to invest and continual support.

This past semester has been a great learning experience. Getting back into Medical/Surgical the second time allowed me to learn so much more! Clinical experience was an enjoyment rather than a stressful atmosphere. I flew through the course and was able to appreciate the teamwork within the hospital setting. In fact, I made friends with nurses on the ward! That tells a bit of my confidence level =) More so there were so much that I inquired. God is good!

Here I am once again on the journey, stronger than ever! But… nursing is still a difficult and challenging road. It always will keep me on my toes! Just these past few days I am able to connect for a bit with some other nursing students from different years. Everyone that I talked to was feeling the same way! The anticipation and uncertainty after every nursing exam often will not allow students to rest until they know the results. I am so thankful for this term for God’s grace and goodness in helping and keeping me in the nursing loop. (And, the opportunity to have that second chance to go back into the nursing program!) =)

As for the next semester I am going into Maternity! An exciting time and also the first time to receive new lives coming into this world! What a joy to celebrate the gift of life!

More so, for this coming summer, I am so excited to inform that I have the privilege to lead a group of seven Trinity students into a rural community in Kompong Speu, Cambodia, to start planting seeds and connect with local organizations to learn and invest and to go through a life-long-changing process under this short term mission trip for the team. More so, I am so excited to be back home connecting with my family, girlfriend, and old friends! What a joy that day will be! However, in order for that to take place I will need both prayers and financial supports. Please pray for that =) This Christmas break I am doing a lot of planning, connecting (emailing), writings, and coordinating. Please continue to pray for me, my co-leader (Sarah K.), and also for this trip that God will grant the team, especially the leaders, wisdom, strength, and ability to support and train the whole team.

Thank you so much for all your support (in whatever ways possible) and faithfulness in this journey together with me.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas. May our Lord God shines forth Himself to you in new ways as you celebrate His birth and tells others about His coming both over 2000 years ago and in the coming age.

Blessed Emmanuel!

Merry Christmas!

In His richest blessings,

Sureyah

Updates - Fall 2012

To all my friends, family, and supporters!!

Dear All,

Summer is soon coming to a close, and everyone is trying to gather together school supplies and started to adjust their alarm clocks…once again. Yup, this is another chapter of a student's life, when a routine and a need of punctuality invoke the coffee machines from one house to the next to broil at the appointed time.
It is so wonderful for me to start writing and updating my life once again. My summer break had been wonderful, despite that I was mostly working and trying hard to catch up and refreshed on some of medical/surgical course. Monica W., my summer teacher, had worked hard and prepared me for this coming year. I am both excited and nervous at the same time when coming back to school.
As some of you may recall, these past four months I was working with the conferences at Trinity Western University. Although there were not a lot of students around, I am thankful that there were at least a few friends and mostly staff on campus.
Having soccer as a favorite hobby, I enjoyed staff’s soccer during lunch time and friends getting together every Wednesday’s evening to dash around chasing the ball. I don’t know… I think soccer is still the best sport on earth. I’m really bias. When I get back to Cambodia, I seriously consider putting a team or doing a soccer camp with Bible study for youth or some young children. Won’t that be so much fun?
This year’s summer job had taught me many valuable lessons. It does make a different when working with different people with dissimilar personality, more so from a different background and culture. For the first few months I often questioned myself. I tried to check whether I displayed what I believe. Have I honored God through my whole being? Often times, I was afraid that I might offend my co-workers or hurt their feeling in any way. Yet, I am so thankful that I am serving a God whose Spirit is so alive and active in me. I do understand that at times I felt empty due to situations that I was facing. However, I am taking everything as a lesson: something that is worthwhile and contributed to my life’s experience. And, thus, I am learning from them.
Yes, life is not always about work. I did take sometimes to have fun and spend time hanging out with my friends as well. All in all it had been a good summer… a life far from home that is.
School-year is upon my shoulders once again, and I am so glad to be able to absorb all these wonderful knowledge. This fall semester I am retaking one of my nursing courses (Medical/Surgical), Statistic, and Principle of Biblical interpretation. Yes, and a lot of prayers is needed. This year I am re-accessing and re-evaluating what I need to work on and probably develop a different learning style. At the same time, I am committing this year to the Lord. I will dedicate a life of prayers and a year of giving God my first. This year is my last chance to be in the nursing program within Trinity Western University. I will need to do well and do my utmost on it.
As far as the near future plans, I am looking forward to go to Cambodia for a visit, if the Lord is willing. More so, if it works out fine, I may have a team who will be going with me to help out at the province and a few other places. Yes, I am really excited for this!! Plus, I will be able to refuel my deep yearning for Cambodia and to see the people I love!
All in all, may you keep me in your prayers, as I am trying to accomplish the journey and giving God’s glory with all that I am this year and afterwards.
Many thanks to all your prayers and faithfulness in keeping me in your thoughts and continue to support my stay here. May you be blessed abundantly. May His peace and love go with you as you continue to serve and bless others in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Sincerely,
Sureyah

A Greeting Letter

Greeting to all my lovely family, friends, and supporters,

It is, indeed, such a shame that I lack my responsibility as a friend and a receiver of good things in sharing how life has treated me thus far. A journey that is full of many ups and downs. Yet, I do praise the Lord in all circumstances, knowing that in all things He does bring about good. Thank you so much for the journey and the support that you have been so faithful in my life in prayers, encouragement, and finance. I am now done for another year!! Three years ago, I was not sure what to do, no plan, no goal, only one thing in mind… the Lord will provide and that all things are in His hands. Yes, all things are still in His wonderful plan. It is out of such an amazing love that has brought me into this wonderful journey! 

Many of you have already heard or may not hear it yet that during last year, Fall Semester, I did not meet the requirement for one of my nursing courses. This put me behind the schedule. I have to wait for one whole semester, feels like a whole year! Yet, until today I am still waiting to hear the result from the committee for my re-entry to be able to repeat the same course once again. In the moment, I gave thanks to the Lord and to all who have supported and gave hopeful encouragement to me in that such hard time. Even though I completed another year, I still feel that this year has been of little accomplishment. Such reflections of the past, of the past failure, and an inability to achieve what many put their trust in me. But, anyways, life still continues. Again and again, I gave thanks to the Lord for all that you have done in my life. I always be grateful.

For the past months during spring semester, I took three religious studies courses and a psychology (Lifespan) course—a requirement for nursing program. As I have mentioned a few posts earlier that my hope was to desire to bring the gospel through Health Education. Though I am falling behind, there are definitely new wonderful discoveries about living and accepting the Word of God. I do enjoy much of this past spring courses. It has a different feel, but the Lord still continue to speak to me a life of thanksgiving and obedience: to do things that is far beyond my contemporary situation. Despite my feelings, I know that as long as I continue to trust and obey his calling his power will shines through me. Amen!

Once again, the summer is here and the academic life slows down for a bit. This summer I got a job on campus as a conference staff helping and hosting different groups that are coming in. My job varies from making beds, to cleaning up, to moving furniture, to office work, etc. For the first weeks into May, it is quite hard work because of a quick turnover and renovation of certain buildings. Yet, the job is enjoyable and always keeping me on my feet. Besides working, I am planning to work on a self-study with the help from my Canadian Mom, Michele, on Medical/Surgical course as I am going to take it once again this coming Fall Semester.

Thank you all for your concerns and supports. Life in Canada is beautiful and amazing, too good to think that it is still happening! My one main prayer as I am heading into the summer, I ask that my perspective on who I am and what I cherish (the love for others) will not fade or switch into self-interest.

This is my third year now, and I do miss home a lot. As far as life here in Canada, it is a lot different from Cambodia. I began to adapt to the easy life. It is okay, in a sense, but I believe that my life is not about being practical. It is about a journey which God’s hands and blessings are upon it. Sometimes, I need to understand that God is at work and He is still faithful in all the things that He has in store for me and each one of us. I am fortunate to experience life outside of my country; thus, it is important for me to still contain the perspective about life and what I once was without all these blessings. I want to continue to live a life of trust and seeking God’s miracles and full of faith.

I cannot say enough how grateful I am to you who have walked this journey with me since the beginning. I know that with your faithfulness, the Lord will result and accomplish what He has set in place in this journey of mine. May God’s abundant blessings and His goodness be with you and fill you with His Holy Spirit.

In His grace,

Sureyah  

Some Pictures Over the Break!!

They say a picture describe a thousand words ... Well, I have a few thousand words for you all to see =)


Some pictures from Hemlock Ski ResortNo one to take a photo... so I took it myself.
An overview of some skiing areas according to its difficulty.

Ski lift to the top of the mountain... I went on there a couple times -- pretty proud of myself.
Here I am on top of the mountain felt good... but a bit hesitant when going down when thinking about the steepness at certain parts of the mountain. But, all in all a fun ride down the hill.
The yellow poles are for the ski lift -- it stops half way. I did well on this level. Smooth ride and enjoyable feeling.

Christmas Village from Calgary ...

It is incredible to see the scenery of the life-like village. Some of the buildings are painted by Grandpa Regehr and family. Such intricate and beautiful details, something I love to share =)

One of the buildings here is named after Grandpa Regehr
Can you spot the nativity scene?
Love the moon...
The ice-skaters are moving in circle using the magnet...
Isn't that something??

On the way back to Abbotsford from Calgary ...
Driving through the snow and seeing the magical winter atmosphere is awesome. The majestic whiteness that make one wonders and surrender to God's mighty handiwork. I tried to capture with the camera though it is not the same.
Though the road condition was not predictable, the scenery was worth the drive =)

Starting off with some wind and nice clear sunny afternoon ...
Just have to capture this particular scenery ...My drivers =) Tim Regehr (Dad) and Jason Ho

The over-pass -- guess for whom?? For animals passing =O

The gap -- cut through the mountain -- to open up for the road!!
An attempt to capture icicles... frozen waterfall =D
Snowing and snowy road ... just along the road there too, there are trains but could not capture--too dark when it started to appear.
Snow plough -- clearing the road for travelers' safety.

And, that is all =)

Happy New Year!