Peel some skins

Honestly, this year has not been smooth-riding for me. It's been tough. Very tough. Time did not fly past; it actually crept.

Josh said I'm like an onion -- requires a lot of peeling and so many layers to reveal -- while Kwang once asked me why I only share about my opinions, but never my feelings. Yea, that's me... but I'll begin to peel some skins here, not for anyone's benefit but for God's goodness to be revealed and His name glorified.

I must say that it's truly the grace of God that has brought me thus far and I'm at my best now compared to any other point I have been throughout the past twelve months. You must have wondered which low points or valleys Jan could have been in; well, she did and I assure you, you wouldn't want to know more than this. All I can say is, like what Pastor Kong has preached - I had a withered hand and a withdrawn, grieving heart.

A recap of some significant things... I have not been a fruitful evangelist and by 2003, I have only led my good friend, Asher, to Christ. This year I experienced a breakthrough in the way I shared the gospel and I brought DKnY and their mom to church. Praise God for that!

As for ministry, there were a couple of setbacks and frustrations that I have to deal with, but I am very heartened to see growth in my ushers and help them move on to the next level. And with expectations from my CGL and ministry leaders coming upon me, I can only trust God and believe that I can do it.

Having lost a very dear one in the beginning of the year and having every fiber of my being gone through a terrible patch, I am thankful to God that I have grown closer to Him than I've ever been; and I am still learning to allow my heart to be broken and contrite before Him and let His perfect love sustain me.

I'm tremendously encouraged and happy to see my bro saved and serving Him in FCBC. Both of us are beginning to show our love for our parents and are believing together for the entire family to reconcile with our heavenly Father. God, use us and help us...

Regardless of many unhappiness, difficulties, troubles and worries that infest my life and distract me from my priorities, I have to remind myself that God is still God and all things will work together for good for those who love Him; and that nothing and no one should ever be taken for granted.

Let us step into 2005 with a heart full of gratitude for what He has done for us and expectancy for greater things to come. Cheerios to a blessed new year ahead!