These Things Happen, Stories of MPD Bloopers

Bust Out the Awkward Turtle
Friend A was an acquaintance who I haven't seen or talked to since high school. When I called her up I caught her at a bad time. As I was trying to build rapport I found it to be hard. From my POV there were long awkward pauses.

"Awkward, awkward, awwwwwwwwkwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard," I chanted to myself in my mind until my real voice followed suit and blurted out,

"Awkward!"

Needless to say I immediately tried to finish the conversation as fast as I could then and there.

Chinese Time
This past Saturday I had three appointments scheduled back to back. Despite being stuck in traffic for a tiny bit I had made it to my first appointment on time. As I waited for my friend I begin to remember the concept of "chinese time" meaning that chinese people usually showed up 15-25 minutes after the appointed time.

I kept this in the back of my head as I parted ways with my first friend to meet my second. Standing in front of Second Cup I was sure that he was going to show up. After all we confirmed over Facebook. But as the 15 minute mark passed and then the 25 minute mark passed, my confidence wavered. Worst of all I had forgotten to ask him for his cell phone number and I didn't give him mine. At the 40 minute mark my stomach was aching for food, and I was pretty sure he wasn't going to show up. In any case I just couldn't wait any longer. I hadn't eaten a thing all morning except for a few bites of stale croissant from Second Cup. So I left. Moral of the story? Confirm by phone and get the cell number!

5k in 1.5 Hours
The same day that Divine Appointment #2 happened, Blooper #3 occurred. In between the two Doris called for our weekly phone appointment and I had asked her to pray that the appointment later that night in St. Kitts was going to happen because so many things could go wrong on the way.

Well to start off with I left a bit later than originally planned because my alarm clock didn't go off for my nap. I was still going to make it on time though if I drove at a decent speed. I hurtled down highway 6 towards Hamilton all the while torn between a desire for more speed and the fear of the sign that said: 100km Fine: $95. If I got a ticket would that be reimbursable under MPD? I consoled myself with the fact that once I got on to the 403 I would be able to go much faster. Little did I know...

Two lanes on the QEW were closed due to an accident. This meant that the 403 was backed up from the QEW all the way to highway 6 where I had turned off. As my car inched along the 403 at a whopping 0km per hour the road signs again taunted me with: QEW 5km. Finally after 1.5 hours I got to the turnoff for the QEW. Straining to see ahead I could tell that the traffic wasn't moving much faster there. By this time even if the QEW was moving along smoothly I would have arrived 2 hours late. At the very next turnoff I left the 403 and doubled back to Guelph.

But it wasn't all for naught. When I got tired of the music that I had in my car I tuned into 680 news where I heard all the juicy gossip I mean news from this past week. Apparently the Governator and some dude in Ottawa have a bet going on who's going to win the Stanley Cup, and Toronto wants to put microchips in its garbage bins.

Moral of the story? Listen to 680 before leaving.

Divine Appointments

I love MPD because a person can witness God do crazy things and see prayers answered.

Last week I was praying for more contacts. That same week I had my newsletters printed up.

"That's good work you're doing there Shelly," the printer guy said to me when I went to pick it up. We spent a few more minutes chatting, and then I leave. As I drive away in my car I realize...
"Hey! That guy was a Christian. He seemed interested in campus ministry. Have I not been praying for contacts?"

"Go back and ask Him!!!" One voice in my head screamed at me.

"No that'll be so WEIRD," another one protested.

(Please note, I am NOT a schizo)

I pulled into the parking lot of my next appointment debating with myself whether to go back or not. Finally gathering all my courage and blanking my mind to block out all my fears I drove back to the printers and asked for an appointment. He gave me a business card and asked me to contact his dad. End of Divine Appointment Story #1

This past Monday I was anxiously online doing some administration because well, I didn't have much else to do. My contact list was starting to dry up like a creek bed at the beginning of a drought. One of my friends who I've been trying to meet up with came online, and we tried setting up a time. It just so happened that he was very free at that very minute for the whole day. Well so was I! I quickly jumped into the car and drove to the Loo area. When I walked into his apartment to meet him who should be there but another one of my friends who I haven't seen since high school. We set up a time to meet up on Tuesday, but in the end he tagged along too.

But that's not where God's hand on the whole thing ends. Two weeks back I had been referred to a pastor in T.O. I was just told to call the pastor up. To be honest...I was a bit apprehensive about calling up a pastor point blank, but I was going to do it. It just so happens that friend #2 goes to said pastor's church and was close to him. Who do I ask for a favour? Friend# 2.

Mmmmhmm...God is gooooooooooooood!

The Fat Duck and Tofu Burgers

If I could only eat one type of food for the rest of my life it would be burgers. I love my burgers.

There's a new pub in Guelph called "The Fat Duck". It has the MOST delicious tofu burger ever. It's not a mish mash of stuff thrown in to make a veggie burger. It's just one huge honking piece of mhmm...tofu with spicy mayo. Delicious. It is my newest addiction. I'm sad that I just discovered it. Becky had it first last Monday when we were having our sabbath together. Only three more months to enjoy its bean curd goodness. Well technically two since I'm gone for half of July and God-willing moving into Toronto by mid-August. Another thing to say "See you later to," when I move.

Shifting Into "FAITH" Gear

Faith gear.

Get it? Faith, sounds like fifth? I know cheesy.
I don't even know anything about driving a standard transmission although I would like to learn.

The first 1.5 week of MPD was "easy" in terms that I could live more by sight than by faith. I had all these appointments lined up so spiritually it was somewhat easy to just coast. But now as second week draws to an end along with my contact list, it's time to start really living by faith,

Things I Enjoy About MPD

1. Catching up with people, and getting the down low on their lives
2. Driving everywhere with the music blasting
3. Sharing my call and my vision
4. Seeing other people get excited about the ministry
5. Being able to try a lot of Starbucks' drinks
6. Witnessing God do a lot of fun, crazy, and unexpected things
7. Getting closer to the Lord
8. Learning to improve my listening skills
9. Being able to pray for others
10. Buying lots of pretty thank you cards

Confirmation!

Dear Shelly:

On behalf of the University of Guelph I am pleased to inform you that your application for
the Summer 2007 convocation has been approved....

I am graduating for sure with HONOURS!!!
How did that ever happen?
Must totally be a God thing.
I'M EXCITED!!!
HAHAHA

I Heart T.O.

I've been going into Toronto every weekend thus far, and the frequency of the trips will only increase. I'm getting to love it more and more especially now that I'm a "working girl", I'll be able to explore more of the city.

Things That I Love About T.O. As a City
1. Being able to go 70+ on major roads and still be ok.
2. BBT and T&T
3. The arts scene
4. Ashbridges Bay
5. All the cool restaurants

Things That I'm Looking Forward to in T.O.
1. Celebrating my 22nd birthday at the Panorama restaurant
2. Trying to get rush seating for the Ballet
3. Going to the TSO for $10 a pop, and great seats at that
4. Getting involved in a church
5. Shakespeare under the stars
6. Beach volleyball at Ashbridges
7. Karaoke
8. The occasional DDR...although I AM out of university now...
9. Being close to my fave Japanese restaurant so I can get Sushi Pizza more frequently now
10. Taking piano lessons

Getting Back to My Roots

Saturday night I had a chance to hang out with my high school friends again. Things I like about hanging with my high school crowd:

1. No one cringes when it comes to squid.
2. People know what Initial D is.
3. The history and the inside jokes.
4. The azn jokes about stereotypes.
5. The way we celebrate birthdays.

Limitations

I. am. so. very. exhausted.

I think I've pushed myself to as far as I could go in terms of Ministry Partner Development this week. I was three appointments away from the all-time record number of appointments in a week. So close yet so far. I'll try for the record again another week, but now that I know my limits, it's time to work out a schedule that would actually be sustainable for the next 2.5 months.

God has been so good in big and little ways this week. I am thoroughly enjoying MPD, but I definitely need to catch up on some R&R.

I loved how God showed up in little ways yesterday. It was so sweet. In the morning I dashed out of Guelph, running a bit late for an appointment in Toronto. In my bag was a stash of thank you cards that I had to mail out that day. The area I was heading to was not part of my "hood" when I lived in TO so I had no idea where mailboxes or post offices were. Plus I had three appointments scheduled back to back so there was no time to stop in between anyways.

Upon finishing my first appointment, lo and behold, what should be parked outside the building, but a Canada Post truck!

Then later in the day I was running low on gas, but I had no time to stop and fill up since I was dashing between appointments. I was looking for an Esso gas station since that's the only place that I fill up because of their aeroplan awards, but I didn't know of any Essos around the place I was driving to. As I pulled into the plaza, what should be there, but an Esso gas station?

Truly, truly God is good.

Three Words

My cup overflows.

I am so happy right now. My heart is just brimming over with joy. The more I practice my VACA, the more I love where God has placed me.

Placement

I am going to Toronto!

I was so nervous before I opened up my placement because never has such a major decision been made for me, but I am so ecstatic to be a part of such a cool and fun team.

I literally jumped, screamed, and cartwheeled when I found out. I was outside by the freeway so it was all good.

God is good!

Ministry Essentials Training

Well we are half way through MET.

I can't believe I'm here. After gunning for staff for all these years I'm here. These past four days have blown my mind away. This really is Ministry ESSENTIALS Training.

There was this one point when Dave was addressing us at lunch as staff, and I remembered looking up expecting to see the staff that I knew. I blanked for a minute before I realized he was talking to us. I definitely don't feel like a staff. What's a staff suppose to feel like? Hahaha.

Loooooooove it!