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The year of trust
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). I recently came across a New Year’s resolution I had written during my junior year in college. They were short and sweet aspirations written out as prayers to God. In addition to listing some lofty health goals, I also asked God to help me prioritize my quiet time and trust Him more, especially with my future.

A song of thanksgiving
It was a Thanksgiving I’d never forget. A few years ago, I stayed home while my family traveled out of state for the holidays. Fresh out of college and wanting to assert my independence, I didn’t let my grandmother, who lived down the road from me, know that I would be home alone. The day before Thanksgiving, I drove home from work in some light snow, thinking it would stop after a couple inches.

What’s in a name?
Recently, I’ve been reflecting on how long it’s taken me to appreciate my own name. It’s a funny story: When my mom was pregnant with me, my parents were so convinced that I was going to be a boy that they picked out the name Samuel months in advance. Once I was born (and they got over their surprise), a quick search through a Korean name book brought them to Daneem, a variation of the word for “moon.”

Staying hydrated
The room where I teach Barre at my local YMCA is sweltering in the summer. With no AC and what feels like perpetual humidity, I remind students to drink lots of water, though that’s usually a given. During breaks, I find that we all naturally reach for our water bottles.