151115 Thank you for the first service together

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I had an opportunity to visit a different church. Ever since I started going to my current church, which was about 4 years ago, I have been consistently attending my church. The three years that I've been attending as a member at this church, I grew the most spiritually in my life, I got to know and be in relationships with many great people who have now become my friends and mentors (including Mr. K), I discovered God's vision for me, and I now have a church that I can finally call it my "home church." Anyways, I've been going to the same church every week except for those days when I'm away from home. So it was a good break in a way to attend another church where the service is different, the people are different, the atmosphere is different, yet, the same God is worshipped. What was exciting was that today was the first service that Mr. K and I went together as a couple. I've always wanted to do that but we just never got a chance because he's always busy on Sundays with his service, so we had different worship time. It was good to sing together, read the Bible together and listen to the sermon together, sitting beside each other.

We were invited for dinner at the pastor's family's house that we visited today. They are a good friend of Mr. K and I. They are in their forties, and have been married for a while now. We had a good time of sharing our stories and listening to their stories. There are ups and downs in every relationship, and that's also the case in my relationship with Mr. K as well. But listening to the fun and sometimes not so much fun memories in their dating relationship, engagement, and now as a married couple, encouraged both Mr. K and I. We are so lucky to have friends and mentors like them. As an older couple, but also as more mature bother and sister in Christ, they teach us and provide insights for not only my relationship with Mr. K but also my relationship with others, and most importantly, in my personal walk with Christ. I'm really thankful for their family in my life. I hope to follow their example and be like them when I'm married and have my own place - to be hospitable, caring, loving, sharing, counselling, listening, guiding, praying, encouraging, rebuking, challenging the people around me, especially those who are younger than me.

no.6 130506 Thank you for the mentors in my life

I forget where I got this from, but I read somewhere about the importance meeting and maintaining a good relationship with these types of people in your life - your best friend (spouse) to love you for who you are, your friends to support you, and your mentors or teachers to guide you. I want to focus on the last one today. There can be a career mentor who is more experienced in the field you're in, such as your professor, who counsels you in regards to your career path. There can also be a Christian mentor. The role of a Christian mentor is similar to that of a career mentor - as a more seasoned Christian, he/she counsels and disciple you in your spiritual life.

I met my Christian mentor for lunch today. She was my one-to-one Bible study leader that I met in my first year of university, and she helped me shape my spiritual life eversince I became a Christian. When I have questions about my spiritual life and Christianity, she is my second go-to person to seek advice (My number one go-to person is Jesus for anything and everything in my life from the smallest things to the biggest problems!). Before knowing her, Christianity was merely a religion to me. I never knew that you can have a personal relationship with God (read my testimony below to learn more about how I became a Christian). I'm so glad and thankful that God has provided me with such a wonderful Christian mentor in my life.

As I am given with wonderful mentors in my life, I also want to mentor people. Whether I be a Christian or a career mentor (I prefer both!), I hope to mature in both my spiritual life and career to counsel younger friends who are in need of advice and help.