A process of choices for University

I am happy to be the mediator between Terence and his Dad in narrowing their gap in the choices of University.

Terence originally wanted to further his study in Japan or UK. His innocent reason is "I studied Primary school, Secondary school in HK and later likely to work in Hong Kong too. If I don't get the chance of studying University in overseas, my life will end up all the time in Hong Kong. " "I just want to study media, audio production and etc. but not other subjects." After some researches, Terence concludes that he wants to stay in HK for one year and study in CityU (Creative Media) so that he can continue some of his underground music commitment. Then, he may like to continue his Media Arts study in Canada. He finally well aware that studying in UK is 3 times more expensive than Canada and HK where he can pay the Home fee instead of International fee.

On the other hand, Ben thinks, "You must study hard and get in to a (well-)known university. Which subject to study is not important." Result! Result and Result again! Therefore, Ben wants Terence to get in to either HKU or HKUST for the undergraduate course and if possible later to finish his Master Degree in overseas.

One evening, Ben met with KC at the MTR station and they chat about their sons' further study and found to have a common view - study in a good university is the basic.

Below are the summary of choices Terence may pursue in the upcoming months:

Hong Kong
HKU – Fine Arts (Arts) or Psychology (Social Science)
CU – Psychology (Social Science)
CityU – Creative Media (Media)

UHKST – only available to one Business course because most require Maths ( not appropriate)

Canada
York University/Sheridan College Joint Program (Fine Arts cum Media Arts)
York University (Fine Arts – Film/Music/Visual)
U of Toronto/Sheridan College Joint Program, CCIT (Communications, Culture, Information and technology)

What is Humility?

While on the way to church on 25 Mar 2007, Terence asked me , "Mom, I feel humility is just like telling lies."

"Why you feel like that?" bonnie asked.

"When people try to be a humble person, usually they say "No" when being complimented or they try to hold back their feelings and expressions. Those are not real."

"Do you want to hear how I look at Humility?"

I am glad that Terence took off his earphone of the MP3 and gave me his ears.

"People understand the real humility when they aware the Greatness of God and the smallness of themselves. It's not a matter of behavior but rather a value to orient in an individual's life." I continued, "You could be very successful in an achievement but a person who has humility awares that he/she is only part of the WHOLENESS. A word of "No, don't mention it." is a lie or not?"

Terence sprinked his eyes to close the conversation. I did not ask further for I would like to give him room to continue his thoughts.

Learn how to respond/react to chao

I have understood my love to Terence is by "Patience in Love" in order to respond to his "Empty in Spirit" rebellious to parents and God.

To react, I will certainly:

• feeling disappointed;
• discouraged;
• anxiety or anger
• lost etc.....

To respond, I did:

• said "sorry" to the school teacher and request their understanding of his unintention in violating school rule;
• asked for help in maintaining his school progress during the period of absence from school;
• checked with the school whether Terence has honestly spoke up the causes.

And at last, I asked desparately for help from God:

• How could I help Terence in this case;
• What does it mean to Terence and me for the happening of this case;
• Thanks God for given me and Terence a lesson to learn, and what is it be specific and all about?
• How could this case could become a valuable turnaround point for Terence in his future adult life?
• What scripture is right to support his heart to repent and restore in Christ?
• Who should I talk to in order to calm down my feelings?
• How to explain the course to Ben, and what will he react?

Terence went to sleep over a Clavin's home at Tung Chung on last Saturday. Clavin is Terence's friend in SIS and went to US to pursue his high school two years ago. Clavin and Terence became good friends to each other because Terence was well taking care Clavin when he was burried by others in SIS.

Surprisingly, Terence returned home with a bull head. He shaved all his hair off. Of course I was astonished with his decision but still want him to take his own responsibility and consequence. I could feel that he also found regret for he originally just wanted to have the hair cut very very short but not bull. Only until late Sunday evening, he recognized that there may be some punishment from the school.

I received a call from his teacher right after lunch with Annisa, Sany and Mom at Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong. Teacher said that they have to send Terence home until his hair comes out again (this Thursdau).

This is the second time Terence made big mistake. I thought his act of this time is lacking consideration on the condequence of whichever he made a decision or an act. Last time he was drunk and hurt his head by playing basket ball. What he learned last time was not to drink and drunk because that will make his mind unclear. What did he learn from this time?

As a mother, what did I learn as well?

• I came to understand how teenagers are acting witout deep thoughts on the consequence.
• I came to understand that a deep and self-awakening learning requires a suffering.
• To the teenager that may be a suffering and to the people around him is a matter of disturbance and hurt which requires lots of understanding, patience and acceptance. If there comes a real repentance, people around will be joyful for the future of that teenage.
• I came to understand that if one cannot learn anything from the lesson, he then indeed hurting himself and people around.
• I came to understand that anything happenings have its own reason and timing, learn how to respond calmly is better than react fiercely.
• I came to understand how much I had hurt my parents when I was young too.
• I came to understand how God has forgiven my sins.
• I came to understanding how much I need God so as my children for their lives.

Where are my children?

Terence:

Where is he now?

• he went to church with me since he was 1 year old in Canada, then after we moved back to HK, 3 years to the Taikooshing church and 8 years in the hkcoc.
• he is in the teens ministry since Sep 2005
• he goes to Sunday Service consistently but without participating in any BT and group QT
• his best friends in the church are Peter and Joshua (boys) and Miko and Michelle (girls)
• he is not close to the teens' disciples because he sees the others are too serious in ministry, school studying and else (he claims that there is no fun and freedom)
• he neither read Bible nor pray by himself
• since 2006, he stopped meal prayers for the family

How could I assist him to get close to God: (WHY - WHAT - HOW)

• Lawrence suggested me to get some Christian books for him to read
• I reviewed his rebellious: prideful (empty in spirit) and needs to learn humility
• Humility comes from the awareness of the Greatness of God and the smallness of himself
• I need to bring him humble in God's Power >> Surender, and HOW?
• I need to seek advise first...........(to be con't)

Michelle :

Where is she now?

• she goes to church since she was born
• she goes to hkcoc for 8 years already
• she is now in the teens ministry since Nov 2006
• she has just started her bible study with Renee and Clara but not stable
• she does not ready bible in her normal life
• she does prayer faithfully before every meals and sleep
• her best friend in church is Miko and she gets along well with most of the aunties and uncles

How could I assist her to get close to God: (WHY - WHAT - HOW)

• I reviewed her rebellious: ingratitude (I deserve better) and needs to learn gratefulness
• Gratefulness comes from the awareness of God's Grace and one's limitation (5K + 5K servant)
• Submissive to stand in God's Grace creates a pure movtivate in total acceptance, and HOW?

Above all, prayer is the first of everything. May God set His plan for my children. Amen!

Michelle Share Faith to her Mandarin Teacher

I was so delighted that by the Neighbor Day's (11 Mar 2007) invitaiton card, Michelle has shared faith with her mandarin teacher and today 3 Mar, Teacher Zong has brought along her 81 years old mother to come to our church.

Moreover, Michelle sat besides her guests (separated from her normal teens' seating) and served them for songs and explanation on the communion. At the end, Michelle also saw off the grandma at the lobby.

Michelle was happy that Grandma got to know Auntie Roxana and they did exchange some conversations.

I pray for Michelle's continuous heart in searching God and his Truth. Amen!