Things I'm Thankful for in 2022

Thank God, my Savior. In 2022, the world is so turbulent. Different countries have their own sins and absurdities. If we only had this life, how hopeless would that be? The wicked run rampant, while the upright are suppressed. Evil isn’t punished, and justice seems impossible. But thank God, His kingdom is holy, righteous, perfect. That’s my hope.

Thank God for giving me strength in my heart, allowing me to pray. When I’m weak and in a valley, it’s hard to pray. But when I do, I’m renewed and strengthened. I know every time I turn back to God, it’s the Spirit working in me. But I also feel the importance of willingly turning to God: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.’

Thank God for keeping me healthy and safe. As I age, my body declines. My hair thins, my neck bothers me, my right ear rings (only since coming to the US), and my astigmatism seems worse… yet because I have hope for eternal life, my inner self can be renewed daily.

Thank God for forgiving my sins and setting me free. My sins are great—thoughts of impurity, greed, pride—and worries, depression, despair, emptiness. Sinners like me have no part in God’s holiness and eternity. Thank Jesus for saving me, bearing my sins, and enduring the punishment I couldn’t. ‘The punishment that brought us peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:5, NIV)

Thank God for letting me live with my parents in Changsha from December 2021 to February 2022 during the pandemic. It’s the longest I’ve spent with family since college. (Probably won’t happen again.) Thank God for letting me experience a beautiful winter snow in my hometown, reliving many childhood memories.

Thank God for keeping my family healthy and safe. Between 2021 and 2022, our family traveled between Shanghai and Changsha multiple times. Thank God for safe journeys.

Thank God for giving me the courage to share the gospel with my parents and brother through face-to-face and WeChat conversations. I pray the Lord will lead them to know the Lord of life.

Thank God for letting our family enjoy the fun of fishing in Changsha and Shanghai.

Thank God for the Linyun family who drove 30-40 kilometers to bring us groceries during the first lockdown in Shanghai, and for the Ruie family who gave us snacks and coffee.

Thank God for leading us on May 9th, just before the quiet lockdown in Shanghai, to drive to Changsha. And, protecting us with smooth and safe travel. Though we experienced some hiccups changing quarantine hotels in Changsha, our hearts were at peace. (We went to Changsha to ‘clear’ our travel record for a June visa interview in Guangzhou.)

Thank God for the EB1A US immigrant visa prepared for us. I must say, it’s not because of my outstanding ability. Over the years, I’ve been keenly aware of who I am—a person of average talent, limited knowledge. Often, what I receive doesn’t match my abilities. So, I can only thank the Lord.

Thank God for my parents and brother’s family caring for us during quarantine in Changsha. They welcomed and helped us with everything they had. Also, grateful for their understanding of our move abroad.

Thank God for helping us arrive safely in Guangzhou on May 29th. Thank you, Lord, for the chance to meet up with colleagues HF, the O family, and the David family. Meeting others in person, chatting, and sharing meals was wonderful.

Thank God for blessing us with a smooth interview at the US Consulate in Guangzhou on June 13th. Special thanks to brother Lujia for sharing his EB1A interview experiences.

Thank God for the teachers at Shanghai KFC School who helped our children’s learning. Also grateful for providing our living room for the second-grade children’s study space.

Thank God we found a buyer for our Shanghai home after our interview success in Guangzhou. My wife and I marveled many times at the Lord’s help, and many friends envied our great timing in selling.

Thank God when we shared about our upcoming move to the US, many brothers and sisters in the Shanghai church invited us for fellowship meals (Y tao / Z hong / H guo / M jian / Z jun / …). Thank God for knowing everyone in the Lord, sharing nearly 10 years in church life, sharing joys and sorrows. Also, thank God for the farewell album from YT, filled with blessings from each brother, sister, and family. On the flight to the US, browsing and reading brought me to tears.

Thank God for brother YG who helped me handle the transfer of our Shanghai car and property sale. Our words were few, but YG’s quiet help was precious.

Thank God for leading our family through the year’s changes in prayer. Even the kids prayed. Lord, help us have thankful hearts, adults and kids alike, and not forget your grace.

Thank God for bringing us back to Hangzhou on August 6th, the city where I began my faith journey in 2006. Thank God for meeting old friends and family again. Reuniting with old friends brings mixed feelings. Leaving is bittersweet, yet there’s joy and hope— a Christian’s privilege. Lord, help us hold on to our faith and run the good race ahead.

Thank God for helping us board a flight to the US from Shanghai on August 8th with the help of brothers and sisters. On the surface, it seemed like a spur-of-the-moment decision, but it turned out the timing was perfect, and friends envied us. I must admit, this wasn’t due to foresight but God’s protection and guidance.

Thank God for providing all we need for our life in the US, lacking nothing, and even having abundance. Constantly amazed by how God cares for someone as weak and of little faith as me.

Thank God for brother LV’s family helping us settle in Los Angeles. From finding a rental, opening bank accounts, setting up utilities, accompanying me for driving tests, recommending churches, taking us out on weekends, providing all kinds of selfless help.

Thank God for continuing my previous work in the US, allowing face-to-face communication with colleagues. Thank God for attending a conference in Orlando and meeting fellow professionals, inspired by their love for God.

Thank God for meeting Mr. S in Los Angeles, who helps us grow in our faith and cares for our needs.

Thank God our two children could smoothly enroll in a Christian school here and quickly adapt to the study and life.

Thank God for keeping our family life in the US. Living together as four, between husband and wife, parents and children, siblings, there’s always conflict and tension. Thank the Lord for helping us come before God during tense family times to restore relationships.

Thank God for our current church, pastors, brothers, and sisters.

Thank God for our marriage. Marital tension and distance appear, yet thank the Lord for helping us restore our relationship in time. Without God, my marriage would surely fail.

Thank God for healing us from COVID after getting infected here in the US.