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)