Goodbye 2022, Happy New Year 2023!

 Turning the page on the calendar, it's a new day, a new month, a new year. 2022 has slipped away and 2023 crept right in. It's been 2 years, but it's the first time Covid has made an appearance in our household. So instead of singing auld lang syne with friends, we've done our own little countdown and toast on the hour. The kids were excited about being able to drink grape juice out of wine glasses, and Mya even woke up at 12pm CST to usher in the new year with us.  

2022 for me is well captured by the GRATEFUL acrostic. I am thankful to the Lord for - 

God and His Word (esp. the minor prophets, 1 Peter and TGC's Good Faith Debates )

Renovation and new kitchen

Arthur, Mya and Elliot, and coming home to them each day (esp hard ones!)

Trips to Charlotte, Singapore (MBS, yay!), London, Zurich and Giessen

Endurance, help and favor from God at work

Finishing up at OTB for Arthur and hopes of a fresh beginning vocationally

Uneventful mammogram and biopsy (phew!)

Life Group and the Orchard, despite hard times with Chicago and Pastor Scott leaving

Mya and Elliot have also made more progress in the Chinese language. Mya is able to converse more with Po-po, Gong-gong and Yee-Yee in Chinese. I was proud to see the kids rock the Singapore public transport system - buses 88 and 13 to Bishan MRT, oh yeah! And enjoying hawker food like satay and wonton noodles. They've also plunged right into the world of Hogwarts and made imaginary friends with Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The family embarked on 2 new sports this year, with taekwondo in the spring and soccer in the fall. 

New experiences and kitchen aside, we've not made very much progress in a few of the weightier things I'm afraid. As I look back at last years' post, Arthur and I have not been exercising or praying very much together - at least not after "returning to office". We've not been very consistent or diligent in ways that will help form character and Christ in the kids. Neither have we shared the Gospel with more people - though Arthur's time with Steve has been fruitful to help him get plugged in with the church.

So with that, as I look forward to 2023 and answer Pastor Colin's call for the church to grow in love. Praying that God will help me to love faithfully with the "small" daily things - 

1. Love Him and enjoy time in His Word and devotions more
2. Love Arthur by encouraging his God-given gifts
3. Love Mya and Elliot by being more creative in "Mommy's school" and be more disciplined about disciplining them 

4. Love the church more by meeting up with the ladies in my life and praying with them

5. Love my neighbors more by getting to know them

6. Love my family in Singapore more by checking in more often 

7. Love the world more by seeking out the mountain He wants me to help move 

May God revive His church with an fresh outpouring of faith, hope and love for Him and our neighbor!