january 2025.

Our first full month of 2025 has come to an end. I hope that you enjoyed Chapter 1 of 12 so far. I was grateful to have the first week off of work to enjoy spending time reflecting on the past year, setting intentions for the new one, spending time with friends, and exploring Kenya. The weather this month has been beautiful and sunny for the most part, although we did have a few days of unexpected heavy rainfall. I set a goal this year of reading 25 books in 2025, so please share with me any must-read books and/or books that have made an impact on your life. I would love to hear from you!

I recently finished a short book by John Mark Comer titled My Name is Hope on anxiety and depression and two quotes struck a chord with me. The first is a challenge “to learn a way of living in which we default to trust, not worry.” I would consider myself a very anxious person, frequently worrying about the future, struggling with making the ‘wrong’ decision, and what-if mentality. This is an area where I need to continually cast all my cares on the Lord because he cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). This is more often than not a part of my daily morning prayers. Our school’s theme verse continues to be a fitting reminder for me to trust in the Lord with all my heart (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The second quote was on the purpose of hardship in our lives… “Because he loves you, he’s willing to hold back the answers to your prayers and allow a time of pain, if that’s what it takes, in order to make something beautiful out of you.” I recently received an answer to a prayer that I had been praying for over a year and throughout that time often wondered what God’s plans were and am reminded that our God is one of refinement and molding. & His plans for us are good. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). What has God been teaching you lately? I would love to hear.

Before I went back to work, I attended a child safety training for Christian international schools. It was informative, sensitive, and important. I enjoyed meeting people from other international schools across the country and the globe.

We began our second semester this month and it has been filled with intentionality. The fourth grade class began learning about baptism and I was one of the adults on their baptism panel. I had the opportunity to share with 40 10-year-olds my baptism story, why people get baptized, and what God says about it. It was also a special time to hear from other adults as a variety of Christian denominations and cultures were represented (a perk of an international school!). It was not a time to pressure anyone to get baptized, but rather to gain a curiosity and interest in learning more about baptism and the Bible. It was amazing hearing their questions from “Does it matter if you get baptized in the sea or in a pool?” to “What if your parents don’t think you should get baptized?” It was an amazing reminder that it is a gift to be able to share the Gospel openly and honestly at school.

At our school, we also have weekly chapels – like a church service tailored for kids. Fun worship to dance to, instruments to play, a hands-on, interactive lesson focused on a passage or person from the Bible, prayer, and learning Scripture. This month, parents who were able and wanted to were invited to come and help lead small groups. I loved seeing parents get involved within our community to teach kids about our mighty God. It’s also so special and fun for the students! We have been focusing on the different people God used from the lyrics to the song That’s Who I Praise by Brandon Lake. This month, we focused on the second verse and learned about Mary breaking her vase, Daniel in the lion’s den, and the walls falling in Jericho.

At the end of the month, our elementary school held a sports day. This was a fun-filled day for students to race, cheer, swim, and play. There was even a toddler race, dad race, and mom race which all the kids enjoyed. I was in charge of the tug-of-war, three-legged race, and sack race stations. It was awesome seeing the parents (and grandparents) come to support their children. The days leading up to it had been rainy, so we were praying for sunshine, and boy, did we get it – I am not tending to some burnt shoulders! But, we are grateful, the kids had fun, encouraged one another, and the weather was beautiful.

Here is a photo of an answered prayer. When I first moved to this new school, I asked God for a friendship that was intentional, life-giving, and fun. Friendships take time, so I am extremely grateful to have found this type of friendship in Lindsay. She is my coworker, neighbour, and workout buddy. I am so thankful to have a close friend in my new part of town to do life with. Thank you God, for answered prayers! 🙂

Here are a few other photos from this month that make me happy. Facetimes with my nephew, beautifully painted gates, views of my city, and tea fields.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. This month, I received a number of emails from some of you and I cannot tell you enough how meaningful it is to receive emails and letters from you. I wish we could meet more often. I would love to meet up for coffee and talk about life here for me and life there for you, but it makes me think how amazing heaven will be. The entire family of Christ together with the King himself. Now that’s something to look forward to – no distance across oceans and time zones!

Gratefully,

-j.