When we reflect on 2022, the word that sums the year up would be “calm.” By calm, I do not mean that the year did not have challenges common to each of us. Instead, it was unlike 2020 and 2021. In the year 2020, COVID-19 took the world hostage. The year 2021 proved to be full of uncertainty and change for us. However, as the twelve months of 2022 progressed, we finally felt a calmness that we are grateful for. Through the year, God has kept us, provided for us, blessed us, and helped us grow in knowing him.
Allie (12) has summarized our year through her perspective in this review.
At the beginning of 2022, our family walked everywhere — in the snow. During our walks, God protected us from injuries and the cold. Mia and I walked in front and played an imaginary game called Snow hopper and Heidi — inspired by the book Heidi — while Mama and Dada walked behind. During one of the coldest days, we were walking on the bridge above an interstate when Pastor Kenny, a pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church — the church we belong to — offered to give us a ride to church. On another occasion, God gave us the strength to walk through the cold. God’s providence in each case.
Spring crept in… We watched for tulips because we knew they were the first sign of spring. The first tulip we saw was yellow. Soon, our garden was filled with white and pink hyacinths and a single red tulip in their midst. We remarked on how short the flower’s life and momentary beauty were. The maple tree in our backyard was laden with leaf buds and flowers. The maple’s flowers turned into seeds in a little while. The lawn grew tall and needed mowing.
Spring turned to Summer… A friend in Dada’s seminary was going away and left his car in our garage. He permitted us to use the car. First, we visited Lake Harriet and the Rose Gardens. The Rose Gardens were filled with tulips and grape hyacinths. We took pictures in the boats. On the same day, we walked around the lake admiring the birds, leaves, flowers, and the lake itself, which was teeming with life. In later days we visited Lake Nakomis and Minnehaha falls. The day after Memorial Day, Mama hurt her leg and needed to rest it, resulting in a pause to our everyday fun. Our church organized a Wednesday evening meeting in mid-Summer at the Minnehaha falls — at the Wabun picnic area. Food, Fellowship, and Fun! On the second Wednesday, Mama’s leg was well enough that she could come too. We played in the play area and the splash pad. We also went to other places in the summer, such as the Como Zoo and Sea Life in the Mall of America. But Summer isn’t eternal, and holidays are not either.
Soon our school began, and the trees changed color. Mia and I enjoyed drinking apple cider for the first time and had fun raking. The Fall is colorful. Mama, Mia, I learned how to make Pecan Pie in October. We made it for Thanksgiving Day. It was amazing! Snow was all around us on that day, and it was beautiful. Yes, there was snow on Thanksgiving Day!
We greeted the beginning of winter this year with the arctic blast and had fun playing a snow war with Mama and Dada. We made Kuswar — goodies that are made and distributed around Christmas time. We made diamond cuts, sweet dough curls, Roce cookies, and sweet pockets stuffed with coconut, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, raisins, and cashews. Finally, we enjoyed a winter visit to the Como Zoo. We saw the polar bear, penguins, reindeer, arctic foxes, Dall Sheep, and American plain Bison. We love the sea lion show at the zoo. In this way, the year has ended — too fast!
From Allie’s summary, the children enjoy outings and events as they ought to at their age.
This year, Eddie completed two semesters of seminary studies. His schoolwork keeps him busy. The intensity increases as each semester brings more learning. Nevertheless, he enjoys his classes and his education. Lauren’s year has been busy schooling the children, keeping the house in order, and reading. Among her many accomplishments this year, Lauren cooked an Indian meal for the church’s Wednesday night gathering. That is no ordinary feat to cook for about 150 people in another country. And she did a splendid job. She also serves in the preschool Sunday School at the church.
Allie has turned 12. She picked up knitting at the end of last year and has completed many projects this year. Mia has turned 6. She can read well and reads to herself. Both the girls pick up some Greek and Hebrew from Eddie as he practices for school. They are eager for him to teach them the languages.
Life in Minnesota is lived from season to season. Therefore, each season requires different clothing. And we have a different schedule owing to Eddie’s school schedule or the need to mow/rake/plow. Our life in Mysore had a predictable weekly rhythm all year round. But now, we are adjusting to living life by the season. By the time we learn how to do this well, it will be time to head back home.
