Quick recap
The meeting focused on sharing praise reports and challenges from the past year among the group members. Jen shared her gratitude for her family, academic achievements, and financial stability. Sarah expressed happiness for her personal growth and improved relationships with her family. Loudilee discussed her commitment to daily Bible reading and journaling, as well as her challenges in balancing friendships and family responsibilities. The group members encouraged each other to prioritize their faith, families, and personal well-being in the new year. They also shared insights on setting boundaries and maintaining healthy relationships, particularly in the context of their cultural backgrounds and personal experiences.
Next steps
Jen: Read 1 Peter 4:1-11 as assigned for the next meeting
All members: Prepare for and participate in the annual prayer and fasting from January 12-17
All members: Review the Bible reading plan for January
Jen: Share pictures from the first big group meeting of the year
Summary
New Year Group Worship Meeting
The group began their New Year meeting with worship and prayer, led by Jen who offered thanks for the past year and blessings for the year ahead. They discussed their weekly meeting schedule, with Loudilee confirming they would start at 8:30. The meeting included birthday celebrations for Janice, who turned 40 on January 6th, and the group shared messages of encouragement and greetings.
Jen's Academic and Personal Achievements
Jen shared her praise report, expressing gratitude for her mother's 60th birthday, the completion of her car loan payment by March 2026, and a scholarship from the Korean government that provided financial support for three years. She also discussed her recent academic publication, which was accepted by a journal ranked in the top 10%, and highlighted the challenges of managing a team of senior faculty members who needed to improve their performance and adapt to new learning methods. Sara acknowledged Jen's achievements and encouraged her to continue adapting to the academic environment in Korea, emphasizing the importance of patience and understanding when dealing with sensitive situations.
Leadership and Decision-Making Insights
Jen discussed handling different personalities in meetings and emphasized the importance of making decisions collaboratively. Loudilee shared a personal reflection on faith and leadership, encouraging Jen to use wisdom and boldness in her role. Jen explained how she uses biblical principles to guide her decision-making and interactions with colleagues. The conversation concluded with Loudilee expressing gratitude for blessings in 2025, including family, health, and financial stability, and expressing hope for continued growth in wisdom and influence through D-group activities in the coming year.
CCF Ministry Expansion and Gratitude
The group discussed their involvement with CCF (Christian Community Fellowship) and shared experiences about cultural differences in English pronunciation between Filipino and North American accents. Sara reported that she and her team had graduated, with 14 members, and mentioned her desire to expand the ministry's reach. The conversation concluded with a screen-sharing session where Jen shared a message in Chinese characters expressing gratitude for the "happiest year of my life."
Finding Happiness and Community
Sara shared her personal journey of finding happiness and community after isolating herself for several years. She expressed gratitude for regaining her ability to experience the sunrise and for finding a supportive group leader. Jen listened intently and offered encouragement for Sara's emotional and spiritual growth.
Personal Challenges and Hopeful Outlook
Sara and Jen discussed personal matters, including Sara's health concerns and her mother's recent hospitalization due to high blood pressure. Sara expressed gratitude for the support she received during this difficult time. They also touched on religious beliefs, with Jen mentioning that 60% of people in Korea have no religion. The conversation concluded with Sara sharing her hopes for the new year and expressing thanks for the positive changes she has experienced.
Kindness and Support in Dgroup
The group discussed the importance of kindness and understanding towards others, sharing personal experiences of overcoming challenges and finding support in their Dgroup. Loudilee shared her journey of struggling with burnout and finding healing through faith and community support, while Sarah described her experience with a neighbor who had been suffering silently for years. The discussion emphasized the value of sharing experiences and learning from each other in their Dgroup, with Jen highlighting accountability as a key aspect of their meetings.
Cultural Exchange and Language Learning
The group discussed cultural exchange and language learning, with Jen expressing excitement about sharing stories and experiences with others outside her usual circles. They explored the benefits of speaking different languages and the importance of understanding cultural nuances. Loudilee suggested that exposing children to both Canadian and Filipino cultures could be beneficial for language and communication skills. The conversation concluded with a discussion about setting accountability goals for the new year, with Jen sharing her personal challenges and strategies for managing household tasks efficiently.
Office Space and Bible Reading
Jen and Sara discussed the allocation of office space, with Jen requesting a quiet area for work. Jen also shared her personal challenge for the year, which involves reading through the Bible in a year, starting with Genesis and Matthew. Loudilee reported on her Bible reading habits, mentioning that she and her husband finished reading the Bible last year and plan to start again from Genesis. They also discussed the importance of maintaining a balance between professional and personal relationships in the workplace.
Balancing Filipino Culture and Finances
Loudilee discussed challenges in balancing friendships and family responsibilities, particularly with Filipino friends who encourage spending and socializing. She expressed concerns about her husband's meticulous record-keeping of finances and the pressure to maintain certain social expectations as a Filipina. Loudilee also mentioned her children's education, including homeschooling, and her concerns about her son Jonathan's delayed speech development.
Gratitude and Parenting Insights
Sara shared her personal experiences and reflections, including her journey with journaling and daily gratitude, which helped her overcome challenges and improve her well-being. She also discussed her concerns about her adolescent son's behavior and the importance of seminars for teachers and counselors to address such issues. Sara expressed gratitude for her son's positive changes and shared a heartwarming story about a meaningful gift he gave her on Christmas Eve.
Family Celebrations and Travel Plans
Sara discussed her experiences and challenges, including her son's participation in a seminar and his ability to understand and speak English. She expressed gratitude for her son's progress and shared her plans for celebrating the New Year with her family. Jen provided information about the next gen program's age groups and mentioned upcoming holidays, including Chinese New Year and her birthday. They also discussed vacation plans and potential travel dates, considering the availability of flights and long weekends.
Reflections and Prayer Event Planning
The group discussed various personal experiences and reflections, including Sara sharing her journey with medication and mental health. They also talked about an upcoming annual prayer and fasting event scheduled for January 12-17. Jen mentioned that everyone should read 1 Peter 4:1-11 for their assignment, and the summary was shared regarding believers adopting Christ's mindset and living with urgency and prayerfulness. The group agreed to continue their discussion in the Dgroup.
Prayer Event and Bible Study
The group discussed plans for an upcoming prayer and fasting event from January 12 to 17, with daily sessions at 7:30 PM. They reviewed a Bible reading plan for the year and discussed the MacArthur Study Bible, which was sold out on Shopee. The group also shared personal reflections and prayers, including a closing prayer led by Loudilee for the new year. They agreed to meet again next week for a clothing giveaway event.
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