Happy New Year from Thailand! We have recently learned a new Thai Phrase (dtem jai/ paw jai) that literally translates something like "full heart."  It is a good description for how our family feels these days.  It is somewhat embarrassing for people who have been followers of Jesus for as long as we have, to admit that only recently have we begun to discover that life with him, and life the way he said it was meant to be lived, is incredible!  As we begin a new year with you, our friends and family, Audrey and I want to urge you to try it out for yourself.

Christmas!

One happy little guy!

Ez is a hit with the ladies

Whether you are a long time religious person, or completely nonreligious, or somewhere in between, read the things Jesus said about love, about fear, about money, about joy, and about life, and try it out right where you are.

No one is meant to live an unsatisfying life.

A new year is as good of time as any to make some changes, to start a new beginning.

(Plus, we will be doing it together, so we can cheer each other on and share fun life stories---of succeeding and failing, and trying again). 

Advent at Church

Cool dudes!

Ez and Mom trying out their new Christmas gifts

One of my long-term life goals is grow downward.  I want to become more childlike and more simple as I get older.

A lot of our unhappiness comes from our over-complicated and over-stuffed lives.  Clearing out the clutter in our hearts and in our closets can help us find the joy in simplicity.

 Learning that happiness does not come in possession, but in relationship can free us from the stress and craziness of modern life.

There are not rules for this (like everyone should get rid of your tv) only rhythms (like gauging how stuff affects your overall happiness).  Most addictions get us right here.  They make us miserable (and a part of us knows it) but we somehow can't find the strength to change (When was the last time you checked Facebook?  How did you feel afterward?---see my point?)

In some ways, making changes in your life is simply about taking your happiness more seriously.

Not the selfish kind of happiness which tramples on people or uses them for its own satisfaction, but the simple kind of happiness which brings wholeness and joy to everyone.

Tiida and Matt and the Christmas boogie

One of our newest little boys, Taxi, had a great time

Samuel bringing the Christmas intensity

If we take our happiness more seriously (and consequently the happiness of others) we won't put up with junk in our lives which hinders, or harms it.

And we will take time to think seriously about what makes life meaningful and pleasant.

This may not require major overhaul of your current circumstances, such as a new job or a new city (though that is possible!).

But it will require an overhaul of how you receive them, respond to them, and allow them to shape you.

Our kids came up with this hilarious skit

Doing life...together

Computer training can be fun...or not so fun

RECEIVE:

We have to find some peace in our present circumstances.

Otherwise we are always believing the change needs to happen outside of us, instead of inside.

We need to believe God can meet us where we are now, and give us peace here.  There may be intolerable things that must change.  But we have to start where we are, the good and the bad.

What can you be genuinely grateful for right now, right where you are?

If you are struggling, I can provide some prospective by introducing you to some folks here.

Receive those good things with intentional gratitude every day.

Thank God for them and think about what kind of God would design and gladly give such things as those (Hint: It is a God who delights in the joy of others).

These boys at our dorm in the mountains were excited to try out the new gear!

Presents!

Matt gets to play Santa (he didn't dress up very well)

Happy Chaos!

RESPOND:

Here you have some real power.  You cannot always control your circumstances, but you can control your response to them.

And not just the fake smile you can force your face into, but the decision of the will to not allow this circumstance to rob you of joy, or to overshadow all the other things in your life.

Gratitude gives us power.

Terrible things can happen, but gratitude refuses to allow us to believe those are the only things that happen.

There is no magic here.  By choosing to focus on gratitude, by refusing to give in to worry and fear, by choosing to not return ill for ill, we are taking control of our own hearts.

We can be honest about what we feel like doing.  But by determining to do what we ought, instead of what we feel, we can change the way we feel.

Giant inflatables are good for all occassions

Phillip building his own new wardrobe

Grandpa time

Carols at our house!

ALLOW:

Allow your circumstances, good or bad, fun or difficult, to shape you into a better version of yourself.

You can find something good in the worst of circumstances.

DO NOT allow your circumstances to make you bitter, jealous, insecure, or hopeless.

This is your choice.

It may not always feel like a choice.

But whose else is it?

Let everything you experience in life become a tool for making you better.

You do not have to like it.  Or pretend you do.

But take time to think about it, to examine it, to ask 'Why did this happen?'  'What can I learn from it?'  'How can I bring about positive change?'

Don't just bury it, don't just pretend it didn't happen.

Receive it, respond to it, and allow it to make you better and eventually, happier. 

Our kids are amazing, so talented!

Ploy is our newest college student at Faithful Heart

Ez loves his new fire engine from Grandpa and Grandma

Sometimes you just need to snuggle in a hammock with someone you love

  Thank you for doing life with us!  We love you and are so grateful for the love so many of you show us.  We are so excited for this new year!  We are eager to begin work on the new land Faithful Heart is purchasing.  We are excited to host friends from the States who are coming to help us host our annual staff retreat.

And we are eager to hear how God is working in each of your lives!

One New Year's challenge for us to do together.  Sit down with your family and/or friends and look at three dimensions of your life: body, soul, spirit.

How can you positively change your body? (exercise more, eat better, lose weight, find a hobby you love, etc.)

How can you positively change your soul? (the person you really are on the inside, the heart--become kinder, gentler, more patient, etc.)

How can you positively change your spirit? (your mind and emotions--find more joy in everyday life, purpose in your work, be more happy, etc.)

From our family to yours, may this new year bring new joys and new mercies for each day.

Matt, Audrey, & Fuzzy Ez