I can’t believe it is already 2008. Yet somehow in the lead up to this New Year I’ve been feeling quite flat. Maybe it’s a combination of this cold I have and the medication that’s making me feel quite apathetic. I don’t know. I wish I could feel more certain and excited about this year, but yeah… nothing.

This New Years eve was quite chilled. Feeling quite sick and weak I didn’t really want to do the clubbing option and it being cold over here in Hong Kong, I didn’t really want to be outside (it proberly wouldn’t of helped with my cold either) or be standing like a tin sardine in a crowd at a public event. Thankfully Ruth and I were able to hang out with some friends at someones house. It was really nice and relaxed. I saw in the New Year in gathered with 20 other people in an apartment with our glasses raised toasting in the new year. I met a lot of new friends, we ate, sang and prayed. It wasn’t till 4:30am that Ruth and I made it back home.

I woke up this morning feeling a bit homesick. I was missing my friends, my church, my cats and sleeping in my own cushy queen sized bed. I think I’m realising what a sentimental sook I am when it comes to the things I am grateful for. I’m so grateful for my life in Perth, and sometimes its not till I am away from the things I love that I begin to see it again with new eyes and renew my appreciation of what God has given me. Theres so much blessing to be thankful for. Maybe its the combination of not having internet access on demand which is making me feel somewhat cut off to whats going on at home. I can’t just pick the phone and call someone, or send someone an email. I think these past 3 weeks is the first time my Mac hasn’t really been used!

But today was the first day of the year and I was feeling really flat. In the morning I just sat on the couch still in my pyjamas and looked out the window from the 18th floor. I wanted quiet. Not busy shopping centre malls or the rambling on TV. I just wanted time to slow down for just a moment, because here it goes by so fast.

When I think about 2007 and what God has taken me through and challenged me with I can honestly say I feel proud of myself. I still can’t believe I made it through my first year of teaching plus doing everything else I needed to do in regards with responsibilities in church and in making time and building relationships. It has been a crazy year and I felt the growing pains.

One of the major things I had learnt this year was boundaries. Boundaries to know where I stop and you begin. Knowing my limitations. Knowing when to say ‘No. Sorry I can’t.’ Knowing when to stop when grace and mercy isn’t enough. Learning some of my own boundaries is what has kept me sane, its helped keep me balanced. Learning to draw boundaries at work has helped me keep my priorities in check. Church is a given – I am there, as well as mid week cell groups and time with friends. I don’t know how many people I know who are so busy they have to set date night to see their friends, but you make time for those things which are important to you. So for me I had to set time aside each week to spend time with those people who are key in my life.

Another thing God had been talking to me about was compromise. How I never have to compromise my beliefs, values or the promises I know God has given me. I guess compromise always comes down to a trust issue, and we all go through ebbs and flows with this, but I’m realising the more I learn to trust God the less I feel I need to settle for the second best that only I can conjure up. Sometimes for me its more that I need reminding of what the original promise is so I don’t deviate from it.

I was at Pacific Coffee with Ruth tonight, checking my email and my Facebook and I saw photos of my church’s 1920’s new years eve party. It looked like a great night. New Years with Sunset Coast is always a fantastic night (usually the hugest dance party of the year!) I looked over at Ruth and sighed “I miss home.” And she smiled at me and said something so true. She goes “Anna, we are always in Perth. We can’t be missing Perth whilst we are on holiday in Hong Kong, if we do that we’ll miss this moment.”

I don’t want to miss this moment. I don’t want to miss where God has placed me now and I don’t want to miss the God connections God has brought across my path. I want to engage in the here and now.

I want to engage in this conversation with you and the essence of who you are.

The thought of this is making me excited for this year. Yay!