A one week break for Chinese New Year was most welcomed although physically more exhausting. Family from US staying with us for 3 weeks. We've had guest in our house every month since October.

Today is the first day back at STM. Realised the many assignments due in March and knocking them off one by one. I am enjoying the one hour drive every morning and evening as it gives me time to pray and to sing praise. They have been moments of pulling everything in order and into perspective, The Lord has blessed.

This semester I am doing NT and OT survey, Greek 1, Christian Spirituality, Liturgy and Worship and Field Ed (which I am able to do at CDPC!)
Total of 16 credit hours

Classes are in full swing and assignments are piling up. Knocking them off one by one. I feel that coming back to school after a stint in the workforce and 2 decades older; it is surprisingly easier to understand, relate and process the lectures right there in class. There seems to be more spontaneous analysing and questioning of assumtions (in my mind at least)- perhaps only learned in the 2 decades of work life.

I am getting used to the schedule although there are Sunday church visits (Field Trips) over the next 2 months which I don't really look forward to. The lecturer in charge have given me the liberty to skip SOME if I have duties at CDPC. Its these weekend activities and an upcoming "freshies night" that I don't particularly like as I stay 80Kms away and have a full family life and church life. Praying for God's grace in this area.

OK...going back to revising my greek alphabets...alpha, veta,....

DAY 3 of Lectures

Well, have had my first class in Greek on Tuesday afternoon, Christian Spirituality and NT Survey on Wednesday and today - Worship & Liturgy and this afternoon OT Survey. I am enjoying the classes thoroughly and what a privelege to be able to study this way. If only undergraduate was this fun!

I'm still getting used to campus life and the community but have made some good friends. Just going to try whatever is required and see how much I can take. For now, I'm taking it like a full time job (8 to 5) - trouble is I've not had to do this "full-time" work hours for the last 15 years! Need some adjusting to.

Connie has been so supportive, making me a wonderful sandwich for lunch, taking over my laundry duties at home :) and taking the kids everywhere. Yesterday, I sat with Bryan and Ellisa to do my Greek homework :)

Day 1 and 2 of orientation

Sat there and realized suddenly that this is not church camp, or retreat or seminar.. .I'm not going back to business after a weekend of great teaching. This is it! Reality bites. Ouch!

Did not know that it was compulsory (strange word -related only to government, I thought) to go for a weekend annual retreat for STM community. Busy weekend at church with CCEF seminar. Doesn't look like I'm able to get an exemption. I'm also weary from traveling 160KM both ways everyday and by Sunday it'll be 6 Days straight. Not sure if I can do this.

Full campus life apparently is quite compulsory and I understand why, but I have a family life 80 KM away and with an hour in between and I'm not sure if I can cramp campus life + study + church. All the other students live on campus or within 5 mins drive away.

going to speak with the dean and with my pastor today for some counsel.

Entering 2012 seem like another new year celebrated with little fanfare- quiet evening with the family at home knowing however that 2012 is going to be anything but normal. It's going to be a new experience for me and for my family. In January 2012, I leave my 20 year (To the month, as I started my first job in 1992 at NCR) career and business to pursue a Masters in Divinity (MDiv) at the Theological Seminary of Malaysia.

In a sense this has always been my desire to devote myself to the study of The Word of God Wth the view of serving in a full-time capacity in a church. The time is right, I believe, and He has given me the measure of Grace sufficient for this task. About 7 years ago, at the height of my career and busy schedule - my business required me to travel extensively - I had enrolled with some brothers from our house church to realign and to discern what God's plans were for each of our lifes. This was over a 6 month mentoring program where we had spent a weekend away each month. It was during this time that my desire for full-time ministry was reignited.

At 44, I would have 20+ years left of fruitful service and I knew that if ever I wanted to fulfill this desire it would have to be now. And so the process began about 4 years ago of quietly praying and asking the Lord to make this possible. Quietly discerning, counseling and finally praying through with Connie and our dear pastors at CDPC.

I would not have made this leap if not for the following :
1) God making the path clear of every obstacle from finances to my business responsibilities. Each time I took a step, the next one opens up. the Lord gently showing me the way.
2) A wonderful and supportive community at CDPC and authentic pastors who served with commitment and conviction. Connie and I appreciate the counsel of our pastors and their wives who not only gave advise but lived out the gospel in their lives.
3) Connie and the kids who affirmed my calling and gave me the green light to even explore the possibilities at the early stages. My brother, Andre (He's not French) and his wife Kathy who are always spurring us on to live gospel centered lives just by their example. My father-in-law who supported us all the way like Jethro and Last but not least the spriritual legacy left behind by a faithful mother, and the example of my father who never cease to stand up for what is just. The combination of all this, over the last 4 years, is what has led me to this next phase of my live.