Toronto Raptors - One Win Away from the NBA Champion Title

 June 8, 2019

I am not a sports fan and do not normally follow any hockey or basketball games on TV.
But this time is different! Canadians are embracing the basketball game and are excited about the NBA playoffs. So are we!

The entire Canada  is watching the NBA finals cheering on our beloved Raptos basketball team. Raptors won Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors in the finals at Oracle stadium in Oakland tonight! In fact, the Raptors was ahead of the Warrior most of the night and it was a comfortable win. There was no nail biting hoping for the catch up scores moment.

Our son and his cousins are both working and living in the States. They have been cheering on the Raptors over skypes, social media, cell phone etc. I get in the action too. Every time when the Raptors games are on, I text our son and cheer the team on our cells. It is fun! The games are helping us to keep in touch and communicate more often. Thanks, Raptors! 

We are one win away from being the NBA champion, the first time ever!!!
We the North are very proud of the Raptors!

R.T.
Cheering for the Raptors in Toronto! 

Conducting a Dating Workshop at a Youth Retreat, Rice Lake, Ontario

A Sunday morning drive to Rice Lake, Ontario

I am privileged that I have many invitations throughput the year to speak at various gatherings and retreats.

I had a great day today giving a workshop at a youth retreat held in the Rice Lake area. Pastor Cheung came to my house and picked me up at 8 a.m. We were on our way.

Rice Lake is about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Toronto

It took us an hour and 15 minutes car ride to get to our destination, Hastings, a cottage area north east of Toronto.

Rice Lake, Ontario

There are fifteen cottages located on this property fronting Rice Lake, a beautiful lake! A couple of the LW church members bought this cottage property business recently.

This cottage property is owned by a Christian couple

The owners, Esther and her husband, a Christian couple, was generous enough to allow the youths to stay there for their retreat for free!

I met this group of youth and conducted a workshop dealing with dating and choosing the right person at the spacious communal kitchen dining room.












We did the following interactive activities and the participants seemed to enjoy them.

Rice Lake, Ontario - a beautiful location for a church retreat!

It is my sincere hope that the young people will start thinking of the desired qualities they are looking for in their potential mate and able to make that commitment once when he/ she meets that person.


A 90 minute Dating Workshop Program

1. 5 -7 minutes - Introduction of me

2. 5-7 minutes - Survey questions
    Divide the room into 2 sections
    Yes side vs No side
    Youths go to the side for their answers

a. Would you like to get married eventually?
b. What do you need to do to find the right person before getting married?
     Yes – going out for dates       No – internet dating

c. Are you ready for dating?
d. Who have gone on dates?

The young people liked this activity a lot! They were honest in their responses and it was fun for them to see how other responding to each question.

 

The drive to and from Rice Lake was enjoyable as the landscape was gorgeous!

3. 15 minutes - Brainstorming Activity –  Divide the youths into 2 groups
    Give each group a chart paper, a marker and masking tape to tape paper on wall
    Each group write down their answers on chart paper and present at the end to the whole group

   What kind of person (qualities) are you looking for in your future mate?

4.  15 Minutes - Follow up group discussions on the qualities listed. Discuss the importance of setting standards for yourself – wait for the right person, avoid regrets, don’t jump into easy relationships
Look at all the qualities, keep a mental note

5. 15 Minutes Triangle activity – Find out which geometric shape is the strongest?

Divide youths into a group of 3
Give each group 50 straws
Each group will come up with the tallest and most stable structure

10 minutes for the task
5 minutes to share

Rice Lake, Ontario

6. 15 minutes - The Relationship Triangle
Give out the Triangle handout
Go over the model - A God centre relationship/ marriage with God at the top while she and he on the bottom, coming together in oneness in God.

Our body is the temple of God – avoid premarital sex.

Christians and non believers cannot bear the same yoke

7. 15 minutes - Questions and answers

R.T.
Rice Lake
Hastings, Ontario

Painting for the First Time in My Life at 105 Gibson Centre's Paint Night Program, Markham, Ontario

Paint Night at 105 Gibson Centre, Markham

105 Gibson Centre offered a series of  Paint Night events on Friday evenings

I am not an artsy person. I love music, theatre and going to shows. However, painting was one area which did not appeal to me as I did not think I have a shred of talent in art nor had I ever any opportunities of trying my hands in this subject.

Fortunately, 105 Gibson Centre recently offered a series of Paint Nights on Friday evenings.

A sample painting by the Paint Night instructor - Lillian S.

Instead of committing to a whole term or a year of painting lessons every week, interested people could sign up for a particular Paint Night when the art instructor would show the class a simple painting to be completed within that lesson. These painting projects were for beginners.

“ It is only for one night. What would I have to lose? Even if I don’t like it, I would not have to pay for the whole term and I don’t even have to invest in buying any brushes and supplies. Why not?” I thought to myself and signed up for my first ever painting lesson last fall.

Everything was ready for us when we arrived for our painting lesson

I loved my first ever painting experience! Organizers of the Paint Night at 105 Gibson Centre did a super job of organizing the class. Everything was set up by 7:30pm on the Friday evening of the class. Tables, chairs, easels, paints and brushes for all the participants were nicely set up when I arrived for the painting class. 

Soft classical music and nice songs playing in the background while we painted

What made this Paint Night special was the added touches.

A dessert and drink table was set up for Paint Night participants

At every Paint Night, soft melodious classical music and songs were softly playing in the background while a drink and dessert table was set up for participants.

The cheese cake and cookies were served at the Paint Nite

We could help themselves freely to some beverages, cheese cakes and other goodies.

I enjoyed my first painting experience tremendously at the 105 Gibson Centre's Paint Night event

Lillian S., the art instructor was kind, knowledgeable and considerate of each participant’s abilities.

The atmosphere was relaxing and the staff was helpful. Painting has always been a bit intimidating for me. My experience at the Paint Night was so positive that I am starting to develop confidence and an affinity for this subject.

The first painting piece I did was a sunset piece at 105 Gibson Centre

My first painting at the Paint Night was a sunset piece.

Cameron Lake, B.C. as captured by me in my latest painting

I enjoyed painting so much that I went back three more times after my first lesson and completed three more pieces.

My Paint Night masterpieces are proudly displayed in our Toronto home.

My paintings are  currently proudly adorning the walls in our home. Every time I look at my work, I feel proud and happy!

Paint Night at 105 Gibson Centre

Thank you, 105 Gibson Centre for organizing and offering these affordable and meaningful classes to the community. I look forward to attending more art classes in the future at the community centre!

R.T.

Paint Nights

105 Gibson Centre

105 Gibson Drive, Markham

Ontario, Canada