New Year, New Goals

And so starts our first week of the new school year.  I'm happy to say that it's going well and I am excited about getting to know my kids.  I am teaching the same courses I taught last year, so everything will be a bit smoother and easier, now that I know what to expect.  I am glad to be here for two years; it was definitely worth the investment.  I hope to give more this year, grow more, teach better, love better, reach higher.

My goals this year:  

1.  I want to make Team Taiwan a priority.  I want to build stronger relationships with the other Americans, pray for them, help them when they need help, and take time to enjoy their company.  We are a team and the body of Christ.  Our relationships with each other set the tone for our relationships with others around us.  

2.  I want to clear our my schedule and make room for new ministry opportunities.  Last year tutoring filled my schedule.  This year I'm not doing that.  Instead, I'm starting with nothing but my teaching hours.  In a week or two, I will look at the different options and see where God is leading me to be involved-- in Friday Night Bible study, or an on-campus Bible study?  A music ministry?  A student prayer time?  We'll see, and I'm excited and open to being more intentional in sharing God's Word outside of class.  I'm learning that it's better to be fully-invested in leading a few ministries than be divided amongst all of them.

3.  Studying Chinese.  I want to actively make time to study the language, so that I can continually improve my understanding of the Taiwanese people and culture.  That is so important for missionaries and something I enjoy very much.

I hope that your Labor Day was relaxing and memorable!  For all the teachers and students out there, enjoy your new semester and work hard!  

"God sells us all things at the price of labor."  Leonardo da Vinci.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."  Colossians 3:23.

In Christ,

Anna