Looking Back, Looking Forward

It's been way too long since I posted on here. I had an overall nice December, and was so glad to Skype with many relatives around Christmas time. I spent a wonderful Christmas Eve with my Korean family, and between the Christmas carols and Grandma's ragrug cookies, it was in the top 5 best times of the year. Other highlights of 2011 were my family's visit to Korea, my visit home this summer, the arrival of my good friend Karen's first baby, and I guess I'll leave the fifth spot open for whatever I've forgotten that was really worth remembering (the Handel's "Messiah" concert?!).

This week I worked hard to finish my 12th book of the year, so it would average out to one a month. :-) I wanted to write a blurb about each, but now I'm out of time. I'll just mention briefly how they changed me, if they did. However, they're all worth reading, and the list includes:

           

Peace Child, by Don Richardson

•       Inspired me to study Korean with diligence and discipline (yeah, I didn't expect that either).

Jesus for President, by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

•       Got me so excited about theology and church history that I seriously looked into all three seminaries in Seoul that offer English-language programs.

Enrique's Journey, by Sonia Nazario
 Crazy Love, by Francis Chan
Forgotten God, by Francis Chan
Please Look After Mom, by Kyung-sook Shin
The 33 Laws of Stewardship, by Dave Sutherland and Kirk Nowery
Girl Soldier, by Faith McDonnell and Grace Akallo

•       Inspired a donation to the relief work that Samaritan's Purse is doing in Northern Uganda, and inspired me to watch the documentary "Invisible Children"

Living Water, by Brother Yun and Paul Hattaway

•       Made me hungry enough for communion and faith application to do something about it.

One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp

•       Opened my eyes to grace in undesirable situations, and when at first I couldn't see grace, it at least caused me to search.

And, drum roll please.....
멈출 수 없는 하늘의 열정, by 정진호

•       Helped me see the value of laying down your life to reach your students.

하늘의 언어, by 김우현

•       Inspired me to pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and to long eagerly for the gift of tongues.

(I wanna double the Korean titles next year!)

Well, I have one hour left until the New Year's Eve service (yes, this is Korea, where every special day gets a church service in its honor). 2011 has been a hard year for many around the world, including my family and me, but tonight I want to remember Emmanuel--"God with us". May the hope born at Christmas encourage and strengthen us to walk boldly into 2012, trusting in Jesus for the uncertainties that lie ahead. Happy New Year!