Lucy Wong

I’ve always wondered why certain things make me cry, and why certain other things which make other people cry don’t make me cry. I know I cried a bucket load in one particular scene in the movie “The Notebook” and I know many other girls would be able to identify with me on that one – but then again I know some other girls who felt nothing, in fact I know one girl who fell asleep the first time watching it! (yes, you know who you are.)

It’s interesting observing the things that trigger our tears. Last night my family had a special dinner celebration at a family friend’s take away shop. We ate heaps of gourmet Asian dishes – abalone, crab, fish etc. At the end of the night, I went inside the kitchen to thank the chef and his wife for cooking the meals for us. I asked how business was going and he shared how challenging it has been having come from a non English speaking background, with rent being very high and with a very energetic 4 yr old son who he worries is delayed in his English. As I listened to him share about his concerns and challenges, I teared up. I thanked him for his generosity in preparing such wonderful food for us and he replied, “No worries, my pleasure, really.”

I told Tina in the car afterwards about how I always feel so sad when I see and meet people like him. Tina said, “Well, I guess because we’ve been there before we know how challenging it really is.” For those who don’t know, I pretty much grew up in a Chinese restaurant. My whole life up until the age of 18 I witnessed my parents slave away in a kitchen to provide for the family. I remember back to all the sacrifices that my parents made to make life enjoyable for me as a kid – presents, toys and games which they bought for me, extra curricular activity fees which they paid for me, parties which they allowed me to have, provisions of the best education possible and cooked meals of whatever I wanted just at the moment of a request. There were times when my dad would be busy with multiple orders and little Miss me would come along and ask dad if I could eat a particular dish, and he would always without fail cook it for me before finishing his customer’s orders. Yes, my parents gave a lot. They didn’t always have time to attend my school performances, or time to drive me to my extra curricular activities – but with what they had they gave it all to me. It was pretty much a 8am-10pm job for my parents looking after that restaurant. When they weren’t cooking, they were grocery shopping, cutting vegetables, washing dishes, mopping floors, cleaning & setting up tables, managing accounts and orders. Some kids from this background may resent their parents for not being there for them, but I’ve realised that every bit of what my parents did, they did it with their family in mind. I appreciate it tremendously.

I really believe God had His reasons for bringing me up in the environment that I came from. I would love to see that one day we as a church can find ways to reach and support people of this busy lifestyle. Jesus isn’t just for those who have time to attend church on Sundays, Jesus is for EVERY person – for the hard working Chinese family with a take away shop, for the truck driver who spends most of his/her life on the road, for the road workers who work while the world is asleep… there must be a way to make church available, and the gospel relevant to these people. I thank God for how I have been brought up because it’s brought about this discontent in my heart. God has his reasons for placing us where we are, with the experiences and knowledges that we have – all for the purpose of building towards the calling that He has upon our life.

Ever wonder why you cry about what you cry about? It’s not just because we’re cry babies… it some cases it may be, but for others, it may be a God burden, a seed of His call and purpose for your life.

I can’t believe it’s the end of 2009 already! As well as it being a season of full on family and friends bonding time, for myself personally I’m looking forward to being able to reflect, plan and envision for 2010. Over the next week, I’ll be having my own personal get away with God – and more than anything I’m just looking forward to being able to fall deeper and deeper in love with Him. I don’t want to complicate my walk with Jesus. I really want to be so fixed on knowing Him more, and on loving Him with all of my heart.

Something that I realized this year (don’t know why I realized it THIS year, but yes…THIS year) is that the hardest project I’ve ever had to work on is ‘me’. God’s grace and the fact that His mercies are new everyday, has never ceased to amaze me.  Something that I love about God is that He doesn’t guilt trip me or condemn me into doing the right thing, but that He draws me into obeying Him through His love. He sweeps me off my feet, and speaks quietly into my heart words like, “Hey, I’m concerned for you. Please don’t be so hard on yourself. I love you…let’s start again.” He is an encouraging, warm, hearty God that generously pours out His love. I’m far from perfect, yet He commits to working on me. Why, I don’t know. But I’m drawn to Him.

I really want to love God more and more and more and more times a billion trillion!! I don’t know about guys, but I know for girls – it’s so easy to search for validation and importance in something or someone other than God – to be known as the most beautiful, the most admired, the most loved; and our whole life and decisions end up being determined by those desires. But I pray that God would rise up women who pursuit God’s heart, and who would find their source of security in Him. I pray our steps would be determined by HIS Love, and our thoughts and our feelings of ourself and others would be defined by our knowledge of our wonderful Saviour’s undying, unconditional love. I so want to see an army of women who are head over heels in love with their God more than anything else. More than fashion, more than their appearance, more than Mr so and so, more than their dream of marriage and having kids, more than ALL things! Jesus – you’re our man! J 

I so can’t wait to spend this week just seeking His face, and in indulging in His presence. It’s going to be awesome!

Have a wonderful Christmas week guys! Celebrate it with the people you love.

Hello again world! Okay yes, I know it’s very naughty of me to have left my blog dead for such a long time. Here goes with trying to update you all… 

Update #1:
Got married and had my first kid        

(Just kidding)  

 Update #1 (The real one)
As most of you would know, I left my teaching job and am now working as a family support worker where I have the opportunity to help families build stronger relationships with one another. It was truly God who made a way for me to get this job as it fully could not have been because of my qualifications, experience or knowledge and understanding. I’m in awe of how God paved the way for me to be working in this job by first planting a seed burden in my heart for families over the past 2 years.  

Further along while working as a teacher and while serving in youth ministry, I began feeling extremely frustrated by the affects of broken families to young people. My whole reason initially for becoming a teacher was so that I could be in a position where I could reach young people; however I began to feel extremely discontent with my role in teaching as I felt limited in how much I could really help the young people in my reach. At the end of the day, my primary responsibility was to educate them – not to parent them or to support them pastorally. On countless occasions I had students come to me in tears regarding issues occurring at home, young people who were being physically and emotionally abused, and every now and then I’d meet a young person who had been severely neglected or kicked out of home and so hence affecting their behaviour and their ability to succeed in school. It was hard not being able to help these kids – and having to be primarily concerned about getting them to complete their exams and assignments didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t want to care about that – but as a teacher I had no choice.  

At the same time while serving in youth ministry, I came to realise that everything in a young person – from their behaviour, their perspectives, their self esteem and self confidence, their achievements, their emotional and mental state – all of these things are molded and shaped by the family culture and environment. I’d meet young people with parents who would trample over their children telling them that they are dumb and comparing them to other smarter kids. It was due to all these experiences that grew a discontent in my heart, and I knew that I couldn’t stay in the role that I was as a teacher in any longer.  

By faith I applied for a Family Support Worker position that I spotted online. Usually I wouldn’t bother applying for something that would require for me to send in more than just my CV and cover letter, but this job advertisement requested for all applicants to write in response to 6 selection criterias. By faith I wrote up my mass essay response and sent my application in. Reflecting back over that experience now, I can really see how the Holy Spirit guided and anointed me to write – it certainly wasn’t me.  Some how, I miraculously got the job amongst many other applicants with welfare and social work experience. What can I say, if God wants something to happen – He’ll make a way for it!  

The other very wonderful thing about my job is that it’s a community organisation initiated by a Southside church, and everything that we teach our clients in the parenting courses is based on biblical principles. Working in this new role has been an incredible experience, and it has most definitely enlarged my heart for young people and families. I’m so excited to see what God will do in the years ahead! 

So what now with dance and drama? To tell you the truth – I really don’t know J I still have a heart to use the performing arts as a tool to reach out to the community, especially to young people, however at this stage I don’t fully know what to do with that yet. Will see where God leads J  

Update #2
Other than that – my other major personal update is that I have bought a house (together with the help of my sister and parents) and have been living in it on and off with my new housemate Lizzie Barredo J It’s been heaps of fun living with Liz, cooking together and sharing life with one another. Lizzie is by far one of the easiest people to live with. I’m so super blessed to have her company in the house.  

Update #3Our high school life groups have been going through restructure and we have changed from being two mixed gender senior high school groups to now being two Grade 10-12 gender specific groups. Over the past few months, the grade 10-11 girls have been having a ball getting to know each other more and building stronger sister relationships. I look forward to seeing this group be a safe place where every young woman can discover who God has called her to be, and to find confidence and joy in walking in the way that God has designed her. I pray that every girl in this group would fall so deeply in love with their Saviour Jesus, and to pursuit intimacy with Him above all else. God’s mighty women are on the rise in 2010! J  

Okay well that’s all from me for now. I have heaps more to share but it will have to wait another day. Hopefully the next update won’t take me another month J Until next time, CHOW! 

Little _____________ Wong born today on 4th October =) I’m an Auntie!!!!! And yes… he has no name yet.
So for now, he is “It Wong” (haha)

BIBLES!

Hello again world! Gee it’s been a while! I even nearly forgot my login password!

Well, what a busy few months it has been indeed! Those around me would know that it has been absolute chocka blockas for me the past few months. If you didn’t know already…(which surprisingly a lot of people don’t seem to know), I have been teaching DRAMA this year at Macgregror State High School, not Dance… and surprisingly, teaching drama has taken much more out of me then Dance did when I taught it last year. It’s required a great lot of research on my part, especially since Drama is my second teaching area. I’ve also been involved in organising a lot of extra curricular activities which at one stage felt like more work than my classwork. Seriously, teaching is so much more than just classroom teaching or just a 9am-3pm job. I don’t think people know how many extra things Teachers have to organise outside of their own classroom work. Teachers are a great many other things. They provide administration, coordination, management, forward planning, paper work, news articles, letters to parents, family support, counsel, cleaning…arrghhh the list goes on! We don’t have the luxery of having our own P.A… no no, teachers play the role of P.A too…. their OWN P.A. =) Honestly, if you want to be well developed all round - teaching is the place to go!

My most recent and very exciting news is that I am preparing myself for the unknown next term =) Yep that’s right, I will be farewelling Macgregor State High School; unless God suddenly wants me to stay, but otherwise I’M OUTTA THERE!!!!!!! I have no doubt that God had His purpose in positioning me at Macgregor. Working in this school has sharpened me and enlarged my capacity like no other place ever has, and it’s equipped me with a heap of knowledge, understanding and skills which I can now carry with me into the next journey. It’s enlarged my heart for young people, particularly for the type of people that God has put a burden in my heart for; for the broken, disadvantaged and the poor.

I think one of the biggest things that God has deposited into my heart during my time at Macgregor is a heart for broken FAMILIES. I realise that to help young people holistically, change needs to take place at home first. I’ve encountered heaps of kids who I’ve tried to encourage, help and support, but then only to discover that they go home to an abusive family, or to no family at all; and we wonder why they lack motivation and confidence in them-self. So what can I do as a teacher who only sees them so many times a week for 35- 70mins each time; and even within that lesson I’m managing at least 25 other kids. How much attention can teachers really give to that ONE person who needs it? I’ve concluded that I so, so sooooo want to be involved in Family Support work, because that’s where the answer is!!!

So right now, I’m in the midst of looking for work for next term and onwards. I’m open to things other than teaching right now. In fact, I am BUSTING to get out of teaching. I know that I want to work with youth, but I’ve discovered that it’s not in the context of classroom teaching. But who knows, God may still want me to stay in teaching for a season, and if so I’m cool with that. I would certainly still struggle, moan and groan every morning and over every time that I have to prepare lessons, but I’ll still do it.

Other than my work situation – I have also bought a house! =) yes yes, very exciting indeed. But honestly, I don’t feel it’s much of an achievement because Tina and my parents have done most of the work =) hehehehe… Tina has helped me out with the down payment and my parents have been on the look out for furniture for me. The other day I went to visit the house with Lauranne and we saw all this furniture inside! I just thought…”Oh wow…hello…my house???” But yes anyway… apparently “I” own a house now, and I most definitely will be having a house warming party – so stay tuned party people!
I most likely won’t be moving in until the School holidays. It will be so good to have time to just focus on moving in =) I’m looking forward to living out of home for the very first time! Time to grow up Lucy!!!! Oh and if anyone knows of someone who is looking for a place to rent, let me know!!!!!!!! I am desperately looking for a house mate. They need to have a car though because unfortunately my place is pov when it comes to Public transport.

So yes, that is my very quick PERSONAL update. More to come! =) Exciting days ahead!!!!

Wow, it’s been a while since I last blogged! I must say, I’m getting pretty bad at this. I really do admire those very faithful bloggers such as Justin, Lauranne, Chris…and sometimes Mei. Whenever I click on my feeds for blogs, I always look straight to these few names knowing that they will very likely be highlighted in bold =) Good work guys. You inspire me to be more open about what’s happening in my life! Thanks thanks

Well, my mind works best in point form, so I’ll try my best to explain everything in that way. (Yes, that’s what happens when you’re an administrative Melancholic/Choleric who likes structure, order and organisational charts.

UPDATES

1. Am praying very hard right now for this person to get better ASAP!

As most of you would have heard by now, Nick has been extremely sick for the past few months and we discovered recently that he has Hyper-Thyroidism. This has caused his immune system to drop and so as a result he unfortunately developed the Shingles. So yes, if you have never had the chicken pox before and would like to get it soon, go see Nick.

Praise God Nick is now on his way to recovery, however it will be a few months until he will be fully back on his feet and into the swing of the usual routine. Due to his low immune system and the treatment which he will be needing to take, the doctor has advised for him to stay away from people as much as possible for the next 6-8 weeks. 

It has personally been quite challenging without Nick around; especially for all the high school champs and leaders. I think with Nick being out of action, it’s brought a lot of new lessons and thoughts to our attention. Firstly- I think we’ve re-realised even more of how much we really appreciate and value Nick’s leadership. Sad to say but we don’t seem to realise how important someone is until they’re not around. Secondly – we’ve been challenged to find our own confidence in God and to not rely on the knowledge that our leaders will always be there for us to “fall back on” if we cannot do something. It’s challenged us to rise up and to take full ownership and responsibility over what God has entrusted us with. This is not just our leaders thing, but it’s “OUR”thing!  Thirdly – it’s brought the high schoolers together in prayer, and to realise that we so need God. We’re not going to experience break through by our fancy programs and efforts, but it will be through the power of the Holy Spirit, moving in response to the cry of His people calling upon the name of the Lord. We’re realising once again of how weak we are if without God’s leadership over us. We REALLY need Him. I thank God for this humbling process.

Although it has been a challenge holding the fort, and terrible to see a good friend and valued leader be so ill, I am at the same time so blessed to see what God is doing in the midst of all this. I’m overwhelmed with joy to see various individuals rise up and flourish in what God has anointed them to do! It’s like a new season has just arrived and God has birthed these new upcoming leaders, filled with something fresh from God and confidently proclaiming those revelations. The past few weeks, we’ve seen young men and women coming down to the front at service during worship to share a word that God has laid upon their hearts. We’ve never had this before!!!!! GOD IS DOING SOMETHING!

So despite what seems devastating with our own human eyes, through God’s lenses I see His purposes and plans taking place. Praise Him all the way! I’m determined to fix my eyes on God, and to remain prayerful on all occassions, knowing that I cannot do anything without Him. If you’re reading this, do please keep Nick in prayer as well, and pray for the high school group as we continue to hold the fort together.

 2. Totally in love with these people

I love VS. I love each and every one of their unique quirks, unique giftings and their super duper inspiring hearts for God and commitment to one another. Today before life group, I was feeling troubled by a few things, but the moment I stepped into the presence of these guys my spirit was lifted up and I felt so overjoyed. I’m super blessed to have been able to witness the incredible growth journey of these wonderful young men and women. Right here in this picture are the leaders of the next generation. Yep that’s right, every one of them in their high pants and sneakers. =) God has chosen them. 

My prayer for these guys is that they will rise up to become STRONG leaders- not just in their capacity to manage and do many things, but in their stability and firmness in faith. I pray that they will be planted deep in God’s word, and absolutely certain with all their hearts that Jesus is the way. I pray that each and every one of them will be Christ followers for the rest of their lives, running the race until the very end. I pray that every one of them will hear the words “Well done good and faithful servant!” This has been something ringing in my heart the past few weeks; of REALLY wanting to see every high schooler built STRONG in their faith, such that they will be unmovable in every season of their life. In Jesus’ name!!!

3. Personal learning lessons

Lesson 1.One thing which God has convicted me about recently is about my involvement in the lives of those around me. Torch preached 2 weeks ago about “A Church for everyone” and he shared about the need for us to plugged in with one another. I was so, so challenged and realised that I had been running with an independent spirit. Through out the week, it’s just me and God- and then on Friday it’s a brief catch up with people, and Sunday another brief catch up. I realised that I wasn’t fully in the know of how the people around me were going, and after attempting a few “How well do you know…” quizzes on facebook, I realised that my knowledge of people was pathetic.

So I have been trying to make more of an effort to go on Msn, (because that seems to be where everyone is), and making a conscience effort to get myself familiar with the various interests of those around me. Trust me, it’s been a very interesting learning curb. Going back on msn was weird, but I really do want to be available for people, because God has never failed to be available for me. I’ve realised that I’ve been too caught up in busying myself with the operational matters of Ministry, whilse all along the most important thing really is PEOPLE. I’m finding myself learning this lesson over and over again. Much needed for the task orientated choleric =)

Lesson 2.PURITY & HUMILITY. God has been speaking to me a lot about the purity and humility of my heart. Purity in my determination and commitment to be set apart and different; not swaying into doing what is popular or seemingly okay and acceptable (even to other believers), but standing firm in what I know is right and pleasing before God. God has also been speaking to me about HUMILITY- about my willingness to be wrong when I honestly am- and my willingness to be moulded and changed. I think to sum it all up, I’ve been stirred to just be completely emptied out of everything that is me, emptied of what I feel like is my right, emptied of what I want, emptied of how I feel I should be treated, emptied of everything that I WANT, and filled with everything that HE WANTS. I really want nothing within me to get in the way of God’s plan. I don’t want my impurity or pride and stubbornness of heart to get in God’s way. This has been my second major personal learning lesson.

In light of purity and humility- I have been stirred to see the church fully function as God’s mirror of glory; because this is what we’re called to be! Mark spoke a word to the church 2 weeks ago, “Purify your hearts, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders”.I so want to see that the church is different, and that we don’t in any way blend in with the world or look anything like them! We’re called to look and to be different in how we act, how we think, how we live, how we speak– we are called to look totally different! My prayer is that we would never be a church that knows how to lift up our hands and sing praises to God on Friday night, but then on another night spill words that do not edify others or bless God’s heart. I always wonder- Jesus, if you were sitting at the table with us at our outings, what would you be thinking? Would you be proud to call us your church? Would you take part in this conversation that we’re having? I pray that as a whole church, we would reflect God’s glory! yeah sure we’re called to be relevant to the world, but we’re not called to look like them! I pray that we would run with purity and humility so that God can truly set us apart for His purposes.

So yes…. a long update on what’s been happening in Lucy’s world. Plenty more other things but that can wait another time. Praying you are all drawing closer and closer to God!

Wow. Isn’t that incredible? People in China risk their lives just to run church, while for us, we often feel too exhausted, too tired, too sick or too lazy to even go to church, yet it’s so accessible to us. How often do we attend church like it’s just another normal occasion? Nothing different to just another social event. How often do we feel church is too far away for us to get to when really, it’s just two bus stops away. Meanwhile for people in China, church is 30 feet below ground.

God, thank you for blessing us with what we have here. Let us not take it for granted, but let us use every bit that we have to be a blessing and to bring the Church of Jesus Christ to be on the very forefront of change. We are the light of the world. I don’t want Friday night to be just another Friday night at some lecture theatre. Friday night, I am entering into God’s holy sanctuary, God’s house, God’s vessel of change and home of the answers for the world’s pains. God is there, I WANT to be there and don’t ever want to miss it!