This has been a really really good weekend; jam-packed with activities and meetings, yet not draining at all...funny how that contrasts to last week's stress and all. Amazing how God can change our perspectives on things just like that!
Preparing for HYPE was a breeze, and the teens were really good...not destructive at all!!! Sunday school went pretty well; was a small class, but people seemed interested...and the Christ Awareness Week meeting was awesome. We got through lots of stuff, set deadlines and everything...YAY!!! And after all that, I still was able to make it to the Sunday night Bible study at Roger and Pam's (that I'd been meaning to go to all year, but never "had the time to").
I am soooo glad I went. Roger is so wise!!! I want to be like that...which means I'm gonna have to be studying the scripture alot harder.
I wish all of you could've been there for Roger's study...was sooo good!...It was really really good...it's kinda late, and I'm tired, but tune in tomorrow night and I'll try to summarize the study and what I learnt!

YAY GOD,
Connie

Accreted Crystalline Anthropoid Homologue (ACAH):
- Is a solar recyclable, compacted aqueous transition state hominid isomorph, assembled as a juvenile peer bonding mechanism
--->just a fancy way of describing a snowman =P

words of wisdom:
"It is fruitless to become lachrymose over preapitantly departed lacteal fluid"
---> translated: "Don't cry over spilt milk"
=)

WAH..can't believe I did it...two days in a row...early morning prayer meeting!!! (only snoozed once this morning =P )
Was really really good...if you're around the London area, we are starting to meet every thrusday, 7 am, UCC. COME ON OUT!!!
=)

"Father, I want You to hold me,
I want to rest in Your arms today.
Father, I want You to show me
How much You care for me in every way.

I bring all my cares
And I lay them at Your feet,
You are always there,
And You love me as I am,
Yes, You love me as I am."
(lyrics from Faithful Father, by Brian Doerksen, Mercy/Vineyard Publishing)

- Learning daily about God's faithfulness,
Connie

Ok...so I've rambled on forever now...hope that makes up for the days I've missed. Oh but don't worry, I'm not done...still have lots to share, but I need to be going to sleep now, and I'm sure you guys need a break off reading about me...so check tomorrow or something to see if anything new's up =)
Goodnight all!
CONBALL

Second thing learnt at retreat...that God really really is Faithful!!! I've always believed that, but God once again reinforced it. And not only does He provide, He does gives exactly what you need, when you need it!
So the next day at retreat, after my little revalation (if you don't know what it is read the post before this), I was sharing about it with Sheena over lunch. I was telling her about how the Chair of the Christ Awareness Week Planning commmittee had pulled out last mintues, and how everything just fell on me...Sheena looks at me, thinks a bit, looks at me again...and then goes..."hm...*thinks some more*...hm"...and then totally unexpectedly...she says "I might be able to help"...turns out her roomate Roxanne was on the Christ Awareness Week planning committee last year. She was really involved and all...and Sheena promises to go ask her for me...and Sheena wants to get involved too!! So the day right after retreat, she calls me back, Roxanne's in and she's not only helping...she's gonna take charge. And just like that, the burden was off me. All this time I had been worrying and wondering what to do about it, and all this time God had someone prepared to takeover!....WOW!

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." This was the first passage that kicked off our winter retreat this past weekend. This very familiar verse had me dumbfounded. I had heard it, recited it and quoted it about a zillion times, but never before had it had such an impact...it really did hit me that I could do nothing without Christ, not "just a little bit", "or some of it", but absolutely NOTHING!
I've always known that I should rely on God and that he gives strength, power and help...but I usually do that in desperate situations...after I'd tried it for myself. I think it's part of my personality; I like things in order, and when they're not, I have to do something to change it. I take a problem, think out a solution and map an action plan (probably why I'm an engineer). I like to think of myself as independent and able to manage on my own (that comes from those years in boarding school)...so this idea that I can't do anything on my own has never sunk in...until now.
If you've seen me at work, you'll know I never really get stressed; I'll be busy, tired, or over-worked, but I usually pull through without much trouble...but these past couple weeks I felt stressed. It started out with a few extra responsibilities, then things that I had planned started going wrong, and more responsibilities pilled on, and a couple people dropped out, so more fell into my lap...and more things went wrong...I kept grinding away at the work that had to be done (and let's not forget school work)... then one day I just looked at it all and I'll I could feel was hopelessness. And the worse part was that I felt I couldn't show it. I felt that I had to finish it, and that I would be letting people down if i didn't. I don't know if it was pride, or just plain stubborness...but that verse hit me like a slap on the face...I was working...me, Connie, LCAC spokes person, CAW treasurer, sunday school teacher, youth group councelor...I was trying to be used by God, but I wasn't letting Him do it...Now I know better; I don't do anything FOR God...God does things THROUGH me! It had taken me a while to learn this lesson, but I'm glad I did!!!!!

hmm...so people actually read this...or so I'm told. Wongs was getting sick of seeing the same post for the past couple days and yelled at me to start blogging again. It's kinda cool that other people are interested in what goes on in my little unimportant life...but what's cooler that I'm really starting to learn is that God's interested in my life. The past couple days God has been doing wonders in my life, teaching me, reminding me and humbling me...so many things I've learnt I don't even know where to start...

ok lots has happened...lots and lots of stress...but that brought out opportunity for me to learn and be reminded about alot of things. There's too much for me to tell you guys about now; I have a billion things to do for the retreat tomorrow and I still have a full day of classes coming up...but I promise I'll "blog" it all down with all the other things I know I'll be learning.
Just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive under all my work, and need your prayers!
CON

oh yeah...I was talking to Rob this morning at the bus-stop. We started talking about ACF, then retreat, then we moved onto the topic of the Holy Spirit (that's the theme of our retreat). So we were talking about prayer and stuff, and how we hoped that the Spirit would touch people and bring about some sort of revival...and then we got on the bus and started talking about Spiritual gifts, like tongues, prophecies and stuff, and for the first time I noticed that we were the only ones really having a conversation on the bus; which means that a lot of people were listening to what we were saying. The first thought that came to my mind was..."what will these people think of me, talking about such things in public"...but then I felt guilty for my thoughts...I was uncomfortable talking about God infront of non-christians. But we kept talking, which was a good thing and Rob shared an experience of his with the Holy Spirit...and it was really cool.
So I guess the experience was good...and I realized what I need to work on. I think sometimes I forget that God isn't only present amoungst my Christian friends...he's in every part of my life and everyone else around, me should know about that...so I'm gonna need to start letting it show more!

Remembering what a great God He is,
Superfatconball

the last page has been stapled and last assignment handed in...well last one for this week that is..can't wait, another two days till the weekend...but....then it all starts over again. "sigh" the endless homework cycle of the engineer-to-be. This semester the profs are really forcing us to keep up, either a quiz or assignment for every class every week...total insanity!!!...but I guess it is good for me in the long run. But somedays, I just feel like climbing into bed and never getting out. A day like that would be today.

Dreaming ever so fondly of sleep,
Supa

Prayers needed!...aiya...just looking at how much stuff I'm responsible for...Paul asked me last night to help lead bible study for retreat this weekend, Sarah's pulling out from Christ Awareness Week planning, Jesse wants help teaching sunday school, still have to do LCAC stuff, there's youth group and let's not forget school work. The stress hasn't actually hit yet, but just looking at all this is kinda scary...I'm really scared I won't be able to handle it, but there's nobody else really to do it...currently trying to pray for other people to help out and help tin setting my priorities straight...thank goodness J.Lo volunteered to help out with CAW planning!
Ah...this week is going on forever...can't wait for it to be over!

ah it's hard to have a meaningful conversation with people...I kinda feel i'm like "how's the weather..oh yeah and God really touched me last night..." Maybe coz I'm really not used to it or something, so I'm really gonna have to work on it!

Ok...enough superficial postings...I have a new New Year's Resolution (I know it's kinda late to make one, but this one's a big one)...I'm gonna be genuine.
Jesse just stopped by and we had a long talk about ACF, and we've been hearing it for a while now, that "AFC's just not the same".
If any of you talked to me at all last year, you were probably sick of my raving about how absolutely awesome ACF was and how much it helped me grow...and you've probably been wondering lately why I've been so quiet about it. I'll be honest, I wasn't wanting to talk about it...I think we've taken a blow from Satan...people are tired, burdened, and burnt out, and not as genuine. The enthusiasm's gone, and sometimes I feel almost obliged to go. I could ramble on now forever about things that aren't how they used to be, how wonderful things were last year, and how it sucks now in comparison, but that would only be letting Satan have his way...so starting today...I'm gonna do something about it! No more superficial conversations with people, no more holding back or being "polite" with what God wants me to be/do/say. So often I get so afraid to offend someone or scare them off that I hold back and miss out great opportunities to share what God's doing and get to know the other person better.
I want some real relationships based on something more than the the weather, fashion or how classes suck...I want to know these wonderful people that God has placed around me and talking about superficial things isn't gonna get me there...so as Jesse was saying just before he left..."share share share"...and I'll add to that ...CARE CARE CARE!
I pray that God really opens my heart and gives me that love for others. (And you guys had better pray for me too!)

sincerely yours,
the new GENUINE Connie

H.Y.P.E. H.Y.P.E. H.Y.P.E. H.Y.P.E.!!!!!!!
What is it?
H.Y.P.E. --> Here's Your Place Eternal

When is it?
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 7:30pm

Who's it for?
Junior High / teens

What do you do at HYPE?
Learn more about GOD, worship HIM, and have fellowship with other teens, and have a blast!

hehe...we had our first meeting of the year last night...Oh I love my HYPE kids!...even though at times they can get pretty rowdy...no really rowdy...no extremely rowdy...AHHHHH...but I absolutely adore every single one of them!
I am so exctied about this year...we have so much cool stuff planned... and our next meeting Steph's mom invited us to have it at their house...and we're having hot pot....YES!!!...now if I could only figure out what to teach them for Sunday school...hmmmmmm

Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for me life
To know an follow hard after you

aiya aiya...the girls were talking about wedding rings today. Tiffany's, DeBeers...freaky stuff!!!

Nachos, Mozzarella sticks and sweet potato fries (...yes sweet potato...) just came back from McGinnis Landing...mmm unhealthy fried food at 1 in the morning! Now don't get the idea that I eat all the time, we just went after ACF because Steve Wong (aka Wongbongo) is in town from Germany. Was fun times, lots of love and laughs...*sigh*...I kinda missed having him around...but don't be telling him that =P

Oh yeah, we had our first ACF meeting of the year today...there are so many new people every week I almost feel like I'm new coz I won't know half the people. But no worries, I still managed to make a fool of myself inspite of that. Don't know how I let them talk me into being Marge Simpson for a skit...had my hair up in a pony tail on the top of my head with a blue scarf wrapped around that...AIYA!

someone remind me why I'm doing this again...engineering...ack!

yumyum...DQ Icecream cake...one of the perks of it being your roommie's birthday. Yup, Bettina is 19 now! Yeah, she's a young one, almost makes me feel old...thank goodness for even older people (namely Cindy and Matthea) who were around so I didn't feel THAT old.

backpacks, paper and pencils...ah yes, school has started once again! Was rudely awakened by the cruel beeping of my alarm clock way before I was ready to get up. But this semester it's better coz Bettina has 8 am classes too...it always feels better when you don't have to suffer alone =)

hahaha...Bettina said she likes looking at football players' butts...taken slightly out of context, but she said it all the same! =P

Cure for death by lightning:
"Dunk the dead by lightning in a cold water bath for two hours and if still dead, add vinegar and soak for an hour more. "
- Gail Anderson-Dargatz. The Cure for Death by Lightning

wasn't a big fan of the book...but thought this was kinda funny...someone should try it someday and let me know if it works!
- SF

mmm...hmmm....just had my first taste of meat after three days of eating nothing but plain white bread.....HOORAY HOORAY!!! the evil stomach flu has past and I can eat again!!!!

...feel ever so slightly sad today...probably because the holidays are over and all excuses to eat lots and be lazy have been all used up...and of course school is starting again. But added to that is a slight feeling of emptiness...you know, that kind you feel after something really good has come and then gone again. SIGH...I have just finished reading the Lord of the Rings (yes all three books) today. Such good books that I was entirely consumed by the adventures of Frodo (and even more those of Aragon =P ). Even the language was getting to me...my thoughts for once were carried out in proper english, and phrases like "come hither", and "such things shall come to pass" were used. But now I'm done, and I don't quite know what to do with myself anymore. Perhaps I will crawl into a corner and sulk...or go twiddle my thumbs?

Ah...only just started and already I have missed a day. I appologize to all whom I have disappointed (but I figure there are not many of you). But have no fears...Connie is still alive and kicking despite the past three days of near death, and will "blog" on!

Ok...I know this is not the most original thing to do, but with a new year come new resolutions. As all know most do not likely stick to them, but as tradition they must be made. So this year along with the usual ones like time and money management, staying in shape (or merely trying to get in shape) and surviving school, I have decided to try to keep a journal of all doings, thoughts and realizations in hopes to better understand myself and what I am doing with my life.

I am not sure who will be reading this, but if you happen to stumble across this log and have something to say please do email me at superfatconball@hotmail.com

But there is too much in my mind to be said at the moment, so I will just take this time to appoligize in advance for the numerous grammatical errors, speling misstakes and typso that I know are sure to come =P

So until I figure out what to write next, Happy new year, and may all new resolutions be carried out =)

- Superfatconball (as for the name, laugh if you like...i'm sure i'll come around to telling the story about that sometime soon)