Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012 From the Kwan’s Family
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (Bible)
This September, we went to Port
Macquarie (mid north coast of New
South Wales) and met up with Paul’s
mother and two sisters, who live in
Sydney. It was a rare chance for taking
a family photo. Honestly, this is the
only one where all five of us appeared
in the same picture. Lucky!
Evan turned 4 in
August. He attended
long day care 2 days
a week, and made
many friends (some
from overseas like
himself).
Hanna turned 12 this year. She graduated
from primary school, and will be a high
schooler from February. Hanna in year 1 (left)
versus formal dress for year 6 dinner (right).
Amy turned 14 in
November. She was
praised for her ‘hard-
working’ attitude at
school. As birthday
gift, she went to
Sydney for the K-Pop
Music festival. Where
is she in the photo?
The massive
earthquake in
March brought
the Japanese
community
together for a
fund-raising
event (Kyoko).
Paul visited Hong Kong and Shenzhen in May. The last visit was August 2004, just before we
settled in Australia. It was great meeting old friends who had blessed us with their friendship
and support while Kyoko and I were young (and inexperienced) back then.
Out of desperation for exercise and fitness, since August we have started to play basketball on
most Sunday afternoons with a mixture of friends from church and the Japanese community. It
was fun. Hopefully, the momentum will keep us going in 2012.
This isn’t much of a newsletter, I reckon. But, the ritual of spending time sifting through photos
taken at different times of this year brought back fond memories. It gave me all the more good
reasons for thanking God for his grace and blessings to us as a family. Likewise I hope you (and your
family) have had a wonderful year.
As the curtain closes on 2011 and re-opens for 2012, I take this opportunity to wish you and your
family a new year filled with blessings and joy through the ups and downs of life’s experiences.
Paul, Kyoko, Amy, Hanna and Evan (Christmas 2011)