Definitely a year with lots of thanksgivings.
It's our second year of living on this tropical island. We are more accustomed to the weather and the culture, and it feels more like home to us. Our community has been expanding, we made more friends (although said good bye to a few too), got more involved at church, hosted more dinner parties and play dates, traveled to see family and friends, and explored more places in and around Singapore.
It's also a year of growth and change.
Kodi started school early this year. It was initially 2 mornings a week and became 3 mornings after 6 months. She likes school and often talks about the things she did and learned from school. I am very thankful for her loving teachers and her lovely friends.
I joined BSF to study Acts this year. I benefited a lot from regular bible study and devotions, and made local friends through this group.
Joy, our loving and wonderful babysitter, who became an integral part of our family. She plays with Kodi every week and they enjoy each other's company.
I also started Japanese lessons. Learning Japanese has always been something I would like to do, part for the culture that I am interested and in some ways adore, part is to support hubby because he has to learn Japanese as an unofficial job requirement. Matsuyama San is a great teacher who is creative and effective in her teaching. I actually look forward to the class on Wednesday evening. I feel like it's something I do just for myself!
It's a year of peace.
The year started out with the lingering sorrow of a miscarriage. I was not sure whether we should have another child, considering that I often felt overwhelemed with hubby's constant traveling, and I sometimes have doubts about whether we are good parents. Thanks to God that He used Kodi to remind me that yes, in my heart, in hubby's heart, we would like to have a second child. Kodi has been praying regularly for "baby sister and brother" since she turned three. She wanted to be a big sister, taking care of the baby, sharing her out-grown clothes and toys with them, and teaching them the various tricks or little things that she knew. She has been so confident that a baby is going to come, albeit she doesn't know the timing. Her sheer faith makes me ashamed that I don't surrender to God and His plans. We have been praying with her for God sending us a baby as a family. We don't know if God would grant us our wishes, but we decided putting forward our request before Him is all that we could and should do.
Another exciting thing about this year is that I am getting back to cooking!
Well... the statement isn't exactly true as I am always cooking. What I meant was the passion for cooking, to make something that tastes yummy and looks good, and to try new recipes.
Well, my first ever home-made apple pie didn't turn out so great. The apple fillings were tasty but the crust was hard as rock!
