Happy New Year’s Day, everybody! I can’t believe it’s 2008. Last year seemed to fly by so quickly; I guess being out of school does that to you.

Lately I’ve been looking back to see what happened over the course of the last year, and it’s interesting to see what became of things. Here’s my year in review:

Spiritual Life

Worship and Music

We started an acappella group, Overflow, in January. We prepared two songs and performed twice, but then disbanded due to wavering commitment levels. I started a class for the younger students interested in guitar and worship leading, but scheduling difficulties and decreasing interest caused it to stop. Steph and I had the idea to start the FCBC Hymns Project, a home-brewed musical compilation CD, but that never came to fruition.

Despite all these failed plans, there were other major developments in this area. In 2007 I served extensively on the Sunday worship team, and in September by God’s grace was unofficially appointed as the worship coordinator for the English service. I also had the opportunity in June to lead all the bilingual worship sessions at Family Camp, which was an amazing and blessed experience. And despite the discontinued Worship Leading Class, I’ve been able to continue encouraging Steph and mentoring Jonathan individually, helping and watching them grow, which has been a huge blessing.

College Fellowship

ROCK started reading through the Bible together in January, but the commitment gradually faded out and stopped a few months later. But our ROCK-in (spring lock-in retreat) at Big Bear and our recent Winter Camp really served to grow us together as a family. This fall we also began meeting during the week in local, gender-specific accountability groups, which I think has been strengthening ROCK spiritually as well.

Personal Walk

God has been teaching me a lot. Last year my eyes have been open to see more of the greatness and fullness of the gospel on a daily basis, and to more fully recognize and enjoy and the glory of God in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. In October, I made the commitment to read through the entire Bible by the end of the year. I finished last night… the entire Bible in one quarter. I may blog about it later. My teaching responsibilities in ROCK and in Sunday School have helped develop diligence and discipline in my own personal Bible study. My prayer life has been slowly developing in depth and consistency, for which I praise God. Going to prayer meeting regularly has been a blessing, allowing me to see the heart of our pastors, particularly Dr. Lum.

Work Life

Programming

I got a couple new clients this year, and I am really thankful for the abundance of work the Lord has provided for me. I enjoy it most of the time, especially the freedom it provides to immerse myself in ministry part-time (and during the day). But despite that am still awaiting either a solid transition into photography or the call to seminary or full-time ministry, as the Lord wills.

Photography

Early last year I assisted shooting my first wedding, which was a great experience. It built in me a greater confidence that I can do this, and I do enjoy it. Since then, I have been secondary photographer at another wedding, shot two engagement sessions, a couple of business events, senior portraits, two birthday parties, two sets of family portraits, and other random things. The opportunities have been increasing as well, and I have some stuff lined up for me in 2008 I’m excited about! In 2007 I’ve been more diligently studying photography (although not in the classroom setting), and I’d like to thank Tim, Scott, and Matthew for their encouragement and inspiration.

Personal Life

Friends

Much of my social life is now just among church friends, mainly ROCKers since I work extensively with the college group. It’s been difficult to keep up with college friends outside of the Row. The Row has gathered a few times, to go to Knott’s Berry Farm, the O.C. Fair, hiking in Malibu, and other events. My departure from using AIM in the last 2 months has really killed the rest of my contact with old college friends. But there are others I’ve drawn closer to in the last year who I’m really thankful for: my accountability group, because it’s always encouraging to have fellowship with them; Pastor Tony, because I’m able to serve alongside him, learn from his example, and also meet and share anything personal or church-related with him; and also Steph (such an unlikely friend, seeing as I’ve known her since she was 3), for our like-mindedness and passion for the centrality of the gospel, the role of worship, love and care for FCBC, and mutual encouragement.

Family

Living back at home for a full year now has been great. The rent, room and board are the best deals. I’m really thankful for my parents and Doreen. I’m definitely closer to my parents now than I was in high school. The highlight of this year was, by far, the family reunion last September in Vancouver, Canada. Seeing my grandparents and all my aunts and uncles and cousins was a blast, but the best part was seeing Camille again (my favourite cousin from London) and sharing late nights and walks and talks together about life and faith and Christianity. Please pray for her salvation.

Well, 2007 was a blast. Since the end of high school, each year has honestly been better than the last. And at the end of each year, I’ve looked back and said to myself, “Well, you can’t beat that!”… but God has kept proving otherwise.

So let’s do it. 2008, here we come!