Attending Henry's Moon Yuet Celebration

A Moon Yet celebration dinner held at a restaurant in Markham

Being a part of a big family, we are fortunate enough to be invited to share with my siblings' happiness and celebrate with them in their milestones and happy events.

The proud new grandma with her guest.

Both of my sisters have become grandmothers recently, one of whom for the first time. Last fall, we were invited to celebrate in their grandchildren's Moon Yuet celebrations.

Little Theodore and his proud parents!

First it was Theodore's Moon Yet in September.

Little Henry all dressed in  his red outfit at his Moon Yet dinner party

More recently, it was Henry's Moon Yet party!

Moon Yet - means a full month, referring to the new born baby being one month old.

The new parents showing off their new baby to the guests

 In the Chinese tradition, both the new mother and baby are supposed to be resting at home for the entire month without receiving any visitors (except for the grandparents).

This post birth one month period allows the mother ample time to rest and recover from the delivery while giving the baby time to grow strong.and gain immunity without contracting potential germs from visitors.

 After the one month both the new mother and baby are stronger and doing better.

Family and relatives come together to share the joy of the new family

The new family will hold a Moon Yuet dinner where the proud parents will present their new born baby to the relatives and friends.

Theodore\s proud parents and grandma

Though born in Canada, many Canadian born Chinese still carry on this century old Chinese tradition.

Moon Yuet is a happy event to share with friends and family.

Our niece and nephews were no exceptions and held their baby Moon Yuet dinners for their extended families.

But instead of holding the dinner a month after the birth, it has now been modified as a hundred day celebration.

The coloured eggs - a must at the Moon Yuet dinner celebration

We enjoyed attending the celebrations and going to the dinners.

Luke and his parents!

With all the negative reporting and news of violence being reported daily on TV, it was nice to have a break from all the bad news and be among family and loved ones to celebrate a new baby's arrival.

Harper and her dad at the dinner

Children are gifts and blessings from God;
they are precious!

Great grandma with some of her daughters and grand daughter

We had a wonderful time sharing the new parents' and the grandparents' joy and happiness with them!

We were glad we were there to share with my sisters' bundle of joy!

R.T.
Markham, Ontario

God Sends Angels to Help Me in Times of Needs!

Finally, I could breathe a sign of relief after handing in my final major paper for my first course in seminary study. I could not believe how fast time flew by since September. It seemed like yesterday when I was starting my study. I attended every one of the lectures faithfully, did all the required readings, completed all my essays on time and got to know some great Christian folks! 

I enjoyed my student life last fall on campus

I still remember the nervous experience I had when submitting my paper online for the first time last fall.  The last time I took a university credit course was over fifteen years ago well before the internet age.



I enjoyed every one of my professor’s lectures and worked hard at completing all my assignments.  I was very excited after finishing my first paper on time. However, not being computer savvy and with a techno phobia, I had difficulty navigating my way around the college website and  locating moodle to which students were supposed to submit their assignments online.

My favourite spot for enjoying my meals at the Tyndale Seminary

 I was not prepared to miss the assignment deadline due to my poor online skills. I packed up my computer and rushed to the college heading straight to the library. I was sure the librarian there would be able to help me. But she could not! We tried different ways yet we were unsuccessful. I was getting discouraged. Was I going to miss the deadline for my first assignment?

Just then, a lady who had been standing at the counter for a little while but I had not noticed until then asked.” Are you taking Professor D’s course? You are trying to submit the paper via moodle?”

“ Yes, I replied, “ Do you know how to do it?” Crossing my fingers, I was hoping for a postive answer..

“Yes!” she replied cheerfully with an angelic smile. ” I can help you with it. I am also taking the same course in the afternoon session and I just handed in the same paper today.”

The Chapet at Tyndale Seminary, Toronto

“ Thank you so much! That would really help me.” I was filled with gratitude.

This kind lady took me to a computer station and in no time at all she assisted me in submitting my paper. I was relieved, and elated. There were springs in my steps as I handed towards my class afterwards.

After a couple times of handing in my writing assignments, I have finally learned the skills needed for online submission for my seminary courses.

I know there are many people who don’t believe in God and His mighty power.  I do! Looking back the many decades I have been trusting God with my life, I truly believe that God cares for me in everything I do. I could feel His presence in my everyday living as He sends angels to help me in times of needs.

I just wish that many more in the world could find God, trust and follow His way. If we do, then there will be true peace in the world!

R.T.

Toronto

Reflections on the Post 2016 American Election

For days, weeks and months, Canadians have been bombarded with news about the 2016 American election. There was no escape from  all the  reporting and negative news. 

Finally, last night the big day came when Americans went to the polls and cast their ballots.

My husband and I watched the election at around 8pm last night. However, we were disappointed with the results when Trump won Ohio and Florida, the key battleground states for this election and a must win for Trump. We went to bed at around 11am hoping that when we woke up today, Americans would have elected its first female president and made history.

How disappointed we were waking up to the result!  Many Canadians share our view and are saddened that such a well qualified candidate was bypassed and her opponent was elected instead.

It was reported on CBC ( Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)  radio this morning that on the go bus this morning, it was silent like a graveyard as commuters were so shocked by the result of this election.  

The Canadian immigration website crashed this morning after the election results due to heavy traffic from Americans. We also have family members living in the States; we sincerely hope and pray that Canadians and other temporary residents studying, living and working in the U.S. could continue their lives in a peaceful society without any interruptions, fear and violence.

R.T.

Toronto 

Last Day of Our Retreat on Silence and Solitude

We spent almost three days at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre.

We have gained and learned a  lot from our silence and solitude retreat.

Today was our last day.








All of us had a bittersweet feeling about it. Some were glad to go home to see their families while part of us wanted to continue in this journey of silence of solitude.

A small pond outside the dining hall at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

The Renewal Centre is a very quiet, tranquil place for personal reflections.

Under the guidance of a spiritual director, some can seek spiritual growth in this beautiful peaceful setting.

I would always remember the delicious meals, the enlightening conversations and the new found friendship forged in the dining hall.

Worship in the Chapel

I thoroughly enjoyed the simple yet moving worship with singing and words of God that touched our souls deeply in the chapel.

Experiencing God and His wonderful creations in nature

Most of all, we could always find God in nature. Through His creations, I see beauty, colour, symmetry and life.

Thank you, Abba father for this wonderful three days of being in your presence!

R.T.
Mississauga

A Retreat Experience on Silence and Solitude

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

Today was the second day of our retreat. I didn’t have a good sleep at all last night. So I got up shortly after 6 am and started doing my devotion.

 It was a nice and quiet time. I do hope that this is God’s way of helping me to get up early each morning to meet with him.

Dining Hall at the Renewal Centre 

Breakfast was at 8 am in the dining hall. it was a nice buffet style with sausages and eggs as well as fruits and hot cereal.

We had our worship in the chapel

After breakfast, there was a short worship service in the main chapel.

We had a lecture on Listening to God after the morning worship. The most interesting exercise I had ever been asked to do was the afternoon exercise on silence and solitude.

Beautiful ground at the centre

For almost five hours, from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm, we were supposed to be completely silent.

We could do whatever we feel like such as reading, taking a walk, drawing, praying or mediating on the ground of the Renewal Centre or around the area.

But we would have to do that chosen activity without speaking a word with one another. The idea was to be silent, spending time alone with God, resting in Him and trying to hear His voice.

We walked down  the wooden staircase with 125 steps leading to the edge of  Credit River.

I have been looking forward to this period of silence and solitude for a long time.

I have no problem finding things to do in silence at all.  Since the retreat centre was such a beautiful place, I decided to explore its surrounding area.

I walked down the wooden staircase with 125 plus stairs leading to the river edge with another classmate.

Credit River, Mississauga, Ontario

Enchanted by the beauty of the forest by the river side, I stayed a little longer looking at the changing color of the leaves.

I found a perfect maple leaf with round dew droplets on it lying on the forest ground! Alone by myself, I reflected on God's love and grace in my life. I kept praising God and trying to hear His voice.

After a little while,  I went back to the centre and napped for about forty five minutes. Then I went outside and explored the neighbourhood and took pictures of the grand mansions. I came across a few people from my course. We just nodded without talking

I went for a walk in the neighborhood of the Renewal Centre.

.It was a beautiful warm autumn afternoon, perfect time to be outside.

Coffee/ tea/ cookies for the retreat participants

I came back to the centre. Having poured myself a cup of tea, got a cookie and a book, I seated myself comfortably in the lobby and enjoyed some good reading. 

I enjoyed my silence and reading time in the lobby of the Renewal Centre

In no time at all, it was 5:30pm when the silence and solitude exercise was over! 

For me, I totally enjoyed my few hours of silence and solitude at the Renewal Centre!

It gave me time to be alone and enjoy nature and its beauty on a great autumn afternoon!

R.T.

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

Mississauga, Ontario

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

I have been looking forward to a three day retreat out of Toronto for a long time.

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

Many of my classmates and I are excited about attending this Silence and Solitude Retreat as a mandatory part of the course.

We arrived at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre at around 3pm 

I met up with Julianna, Nicole and Karyle at the college and hitched a ride with them to the retreat centre. I really did not know know too well as we rush in and out of our class, never having an opportunity communicating with them.

A beautiful and quiet setting for our retreat

Sitting in the car for almost an hour gave us time to talk and get to know each other. I found out so much from them and discovered the other side of Karyle, a very humorours side of him. The ride was enjoyable and before we knew it, we reached our destination.

Main lobby at the Renewal Centre

The Quees of Apostles Renewal Centre was built in the early 1960's.  It occupies a site of about twelve acres surrounded by mature majestic trees.

The forest  behind the Renewal Centre. 

A beautiful retreat located just steps from city streets. It is spacious, peaceful and quiet, away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

We all have a single room with private bathroom!

As we were the first one to get there, we got to pick our own room.

Each one of us got a room with our own private bathroom with shower facility.

The small garden with a waterfall outside the dining hall

The centre is clean, spacious, quiet and peaceful.

The renewal centre is perfect for people seeking some time off to be quiet and reflective for a little while.














After putting away our luggage, I went out for a walk before dinner time.


This is a very mature and affluent neighbourhood of the city of Mississauga. I was glad that I could have a quick walking tour of the area before dinner.

Dinner was at a local restaurant not far from the retreat centre. I met two other people from the other session, Peter and Minhee. We sat at the table and same a meal together.

Great food and interesting conversation at dinner!

We decided to order and share our food so that we could have a variety of dishes rather than one big individual one. We had pulled pork nachos, chicken and shrimps, BBQ ribs and different kinds of vegetables. The food was delicious and the conversation was fantastic and stimulating!

Peter was sharing with us about his three year MBA experience which cost him over $80,000,00 in tuition fee about ten years ago. That was interesting as he recounted his business project experience in detail. I haven;t had such great conversation in a long time!

We had our first session at the Chapel 

We got back to the retreat centre in time for our 7pm first session. Our professor was there explaining to us about various housekeeping items and our schedules for the next few days.

The chapel is full of symbolism and interesting architecture  

Before we started the worship program, we were asked to get together two or three and shared with the other what we expected and hoped to get out of this retreat. I shared with the lady sitting next to me, Dorcas.

Though this was the first time we met, we shared and prayed with each other as if we had known each other for a long time.

Professor D. sharing his message at the retreat

Professor S. played the music softly and we began our worship. What a peaceful and joyful experience that was! I felt wonderful and blessed as we started singing, My youthful voice came back and I was able to sing like I used to, strong, clear able to hit the high notes!



After our worship in songs, Professor S. shared a message with us on the power of tongue - our words to others. The evening ended with some hot drinks and cookies and great fellowship with the other participants.

A great first evening! I look forward to our next two days in this great facility!
Praise God for giving me such a wonderful opportunity!

R.T.
Queens of Apostles Renewal Centre
Mississauga, Toronto