Auf Wiedersehen 2016!
It has been a very long year — of plummets and crescendos, of thrills and much loss. I will be glad when it is finally done. But I do try to remember, for remembering reminds me that the Lord is good and does good. Of His abundant grace, I am sure.
So without further ado, here's a recap of my year. In writing it, I see traces of God's providence and goodness. I hope you see it, too.
Spiritual/Personal
This year, I turn 25. That's halfway to 50!
The past comes back with a vengeance. I wonder what I did to deserve this, and remember that God had ordained it thus; I can trust Him.
Went on my first date in almost 6 years.
I learn that people change a lot slower than I want. I'm not very patient with them.
I learn that I change a lot slower than I want. The Lord is exceedingly patient with me.
I read Do More Better by Tim Challies and implement his system of life management. I really like it!
I started following a Bible reading plan for the first time in my life. It's been pretty nice actually.
Family
My grandma has a stroke. A few weeks later, on February 12, my grandma passes into glory to be with her Savior, the Jesus Christ. I miss her dearly, but I know that I will be with her soon, in Heaven, where I long to be.
My sister starts high school. I am afraid. She is growing up too fast.
My brother graduates from UOP [early] and starts an internship with Intervarsity. World, be afraid! He is a force for good.
My other brother chugs along with one more year of college. Go, go, go!
Church
Awana at my church (Evangel Bible Church) continues to be a delight. It's a blessing to be able to see God work in these kids' lives.
My small group at church continues to be the best. Over the year, we read Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves and Resisting Gossip by Matthew C. Mitchell.
Come to love my church elders [even] more. They are literally a Godsend for me. I don't deserve such self-sacrificing shepherds.
My pastor begins preaching through the book of Proverbs. God disciplines me to show me I'm a fool. Oh, for His wisdom!
Enroll in my church's evangelism training class as a trainer and train GY with LM. By the power of God, we get to share the gospel with ten people over the semester!
Friends
Continue to be blessed in my friendships with JMak, JFan, Z&J Koltun, F&S Gan, C&J Woo, D&N Shin, and many others.
Finish reading Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen with a group of brothers. This wins my book of the year award.
Learn to cook Korean food with my roommate, AC. His Korean Pride is off the charts.
Chill in Mammoth, CA for a mini EBC<3 reunion. Such sweet times. I want to go back.
Watch more movies with friends than I have in the last three years combined.
Witness my friends R&O Lu, P&S Hong, J&N Hsu, D&A Kim, and K&J Liu get married! What a blessing to see Christian weddings!
ZK's mom has a stroke. She, too, soon enters into glory. I will miss my adopted SoCal mom.
Work
Transition to a new role at work. I'm now officially an "Technical Escalation Engineer" at OSIsoft.
My boss MM (aka WCCT) leaves the company to go back to work. This was a sad, sad day.
Travel to Johnson City, TN for training. Go to a gun range with my coworkers and shoot for the first time. It was fun. (All my coworkers said I had deadly aim. I think they're afraid of me).
Random
I go to my first live Warriors game. They won!
Think about buying nice clothes. Try to find ethical companies to purchase from because I learned about slave/sweatshop labor. I only found one legit one: Patagonia.
Build a projector screen so that my victories again AC are even more glorious.
Buy a 3D printer begin my first ever post-college hobby [unless reading/writing counts]. So far I've made a lightsaber, phone stands, a skull, and a headphone stand.
Start looking to purchase a house in the Bay Area. Sticker shock is real, folks.
All in all, it has been a year of learning to love Christ in the little things, of failing in manifold ways, and yet being cleansed and strengthened by His grace. My God is good to me. Slowly [and many times frustratingly indiscernibly] the dross is being smelted out. Fire, and sanctification, never came without pain. Yet, in my better moments, I say, "Thy will be done." His sovereignty is my anchor. And I've needed it desperately.
2016, you've come and gone. Auf wiedersehen, goodbye! This is an end I look forward to gladly. 2017, come what may. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store.