First off, I want to apologize because I had originally planned to write personalized letters to each one of you but due to my poor time management and lack of self-discipline, I must resort to one letter to all of you instead. While this letter is addressed to all of you, there are certain parts that I had specific people in mind while writing, I hope they know who they are. (I will make one shout-out to my best friend Lisa Lee though: yours was the first letter I was writing before this process became one conjoined letter, so don't say I'm putting any brothers before you!)
Anyways, it's been a while since I've written letters to people (or even since I've formed coherent sentences after finals week ended), but I wanted to wish everyone the very best for the coming new year. I pray that it may be a year of few regrets and may God's Grace overflow for the grievances we do let slip past us. As always, I'm grateful to have everyone as a fellow brother or sister in Christ and friend; I give thanks to God for each of you. I pray that out of His glorious riches that He may only continue to bless you and deepen our relationship.
For those at/from home in NYC, it's been very encouraging to see you grow so much spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Even though I haven't been away at college for that long, sometimes it feels like it's been a few years already. But I'm very glad I always have your company to look forward to when I return. I'm thankful that no matter the distance, I can still rely on you. And for those who know me well enough, I hope you can forgive me when I annoy you with trivial matters (and then don't listen to your advice), or if I have ever failed you. I can never express how happy I am to have friends who accept me for who I am and forgives my faults like you do.
To those I have had the pleasure of meeting in Philadelphia, you've been an amazing testament of God's love in my life. To truly leave home, friends, and family for the first time in my life, meeting everyone in Philly has shown me what it's like to be cradled in God's embrace. I thank you for making Philly feel like a second home. I'm glad to have met people who I feel I count on in college as well as many years after college. I look forward to the many more good times that we'll spend together in the future.
Continue to be a servant for Him and an example for those both younger and older than you. Stay true to the charge given to you to look after the spiritual health of those around you. May God's Word always be a lamp unto your feet and streams of living water in the desert. Praise be to Him always and may you let Him be your Rock and Redeemer when storms come in your life. But of course, remember your brothers and sisters will also be there for you. Not sure what God will have in store for us, but He is faithful and I know He will complete the good work He started in us. So continue to stand strong in Him, remembering your identity in Christ Jesus. To the brothers, continue to look after the sisters. To the sisters, continue to look after the brothers.
Let us continue to encourage one another to never give up hope. While uncertain paths may lie before us, let us nevertheless turn our gazes heavenward and rejoice that we have victory in Him and fellowship with one another. Have a happy new year =)
Your Sister in Christ,
Peony
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