2014: Highlights

What a year it’s been. As with every year, I’ve seen many highs and many lows in my life, in the lives of those around me, and in the world: births and deaths, marriages and breakups, celebration and mourning, peace and war. And I’m grateful that I can say God has been faithful throughout it all.

Psalm 116:12-14:

What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,

I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

I pray that wherever life finds you on this last day of 2014, you know the hope and peace and joy and love of Christ.

January: Our church’s Leadership Community Retreat, a time of refreshment and preparation for the coming year (planning a wedding and getting married among a number of transitions to come!).

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February: Super Bowl champs. #gohawks

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March: Our community comes together to pray for Relisha Rudd, an 8-year-old who went missing from DC General Homeless Shelter. Many in our church volunteer at the shelter and were personally affected. Relisha remains missing, even though the man who kidnapped her was found dead. The pic below is from a vigil that was held for Relisha.

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April: Easter at The District Church! We’d been feeling led to ask Matthew Watson to take over leadership of the East Side parish, and here he had his first opportunity to preach an Easter sermon.

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May: Moved into what would be our first apartment as a married couple. Painted, with the help of great friends.

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June: We celebrated the East Side parish’s first birthday with a baptism service and a party afterwards! Later in the month, I got to hang out in the mountains with some of my guys.

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July: Well, wedding = Fung family reunion + BFF in town.

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August: Accepted. Back to school we go!

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September: Introducing Carolyn to Seattle.

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October: I finally get to meet Zoe (Tim & Tiff’s daughter) in person!

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November: I discover the truth of this.

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December: Celebrating the end of the year with a phenomenal team, Raleigh for Christmas, and I get to say, “Happy birthday to my wife!” for the first time.from the staff of The District ChurchIMG_8649 IMG_8707