Merry Christmas from the Yang family! We love that this time of the year, we’re reminded frequently of the gift God gave to us in His Son, Jesus Christ—the way, truth, and life. Christ has come, and He will come again. We look back to His birth, and we look forward to His return!
Amos, Emily, Genevieve (7), Camille (5), Asher (3), Isabelle (1), Not-Yet-Named Baby Boy (-0.5 years)
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P.S. In terms of some random life updates:
Amos continues working as an independent private practice anesthesiologist and serving New Life Community Church as its Lead Pastor. This past month, he graduated with his Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology and is relieved that chapter is now complete. His dissertation was on the advantages of bi-vocational ministry.
Emily has continued homeschooling the children, especially Genevieve and Camille. Amos has no idea how she manages so much each and every day and often says that Emily is his hero, and he really means it.
Genevieve takes some online Chinese classes that Camille and Asher (& Isabelle) often sit in on. They always run over to root her on when she is playing a game quiz. Her writing (in both Chinese and English) is getting better and more useful.
Camille started piano this past year and loves singing as well. Recently she learned “Joy to the World!” and loves belting that out anytime someone will listen. She also loves blowing up balloons; the bigger, the better!
Genevieve and Camille loved being flower girls together in a wedding last month and are in Awana and enjoy memorizing verses.
Asher has finished his first 500 Chinese words and now loves doing most of the reading during our family devotions (in Chinese). When he doesn’t know a character, he asks Camille. If Camille doesn’t know the character, she asks Genevieve, who almost always can help.
Genevieve, Camille, and Asher recently began gymnastics, think it’s a blast, and now are constantly doing rolls and flips seemingly everywhere. Isabelle tags along and does her best to imitate her siblings by playing with the equipment at the gym.
To encourage their Chinese learning, anytime Genevieve, Camille, and Asher are able to read an age-appropriate portion of a menu, they're each allowed to order an item from it. So far they’ve tackled the menus of a boba shop and dim sum restaurant.
Isabelle likes painting and making her preferences known. She loves trying to do whatever her siblings are doing. Amos is regularly astounded at how much she understands and is able to communicate even without being able to talk. She loves to nod in response to questions but now also knows how to shake her head no, which Amos says has made life and communication with her much easier. Emily recently taught Isabelle how to roll her “R”s, the utility of which Amos wonders about.
Trips taken by the family this year include Yosemite and attending conventions in Los Angeles, including the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.