The New Year is a time to reflect on the previous year and a time to peer into the year to come. I am not a person to set goals or resolutions going into the new year. I like to reaffirm the covenants that I have made with God and try to strive towards Christlikeness as an ambassador, disciple, and servant.
In the past few days I read one of my favorite passages in John 15, Jesus is the True Vine.
Jesus said to his disciples, […] Stayed joined to me and I will stay joined to you. If you stay joined to me and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. John 15:4-5
I love to read the promises of God. This is yet another promise to hold onto. We must stay joined to the vine, the source. Christ is our strength, He is our source which is the vine. Without the vine, we lose our life, our aim, our purpose. Though the flip side is great, if we do our part, then Jesus will remain connected to us.
This year I reaffirm and hold to the promise of John 15. I pledge this year to stay joined to the vine, the source of life. I know God will remain in me as long as I remain in Him.
This past Christmas holiday, Emily and I had a chance to relax and enjoy some downtime. We took some guests to Malolo Plantation which is a black sand beach 45 minutes north of Madang. We were lucky to be the only beach bums there that day. We both took our hammocks and laid gently between two palm trees. It was a true delight to let the worries of the 
day slip away as we our eyes became gazed over. We also enjoyed the cooler weather of breeze and rain throughout the Christmas week. Not to forget that we hosted 14 fellow teammates for Christmas Eve dinner that is a traditional dinner for Emily’s family.
An evergreen Christmas tree is hard to find in PNG. I expressed the idea of using palm leafs but they would dry up to fast. Emily found an idea to make a non-traditional tree out of books which we did. We were also fortunate enough to have three care packages to open on Christmas morning. It was a challenge for Emily to have to wait though she agreed it was a fun surprise and a taste of home to open presents on Christmas morning.
For the record in 2013, I managed to post a total of 22 articles. The blog site had little over 3000 visitors. Yet today, I still draw those you love to live vicariously through me. I will make no promises going forward in 2014 but I do enjoy sharing what is happening in our lives in Papua New Guinea. Happy New Year! (The top picture is clipping from the Tok Pisin newspaper.)
Tyler and Emily in PNG 
I love to hear you talk about the vine and the branch. One of our most important things to do is to be CONNECTED to the vine…more important than doing works and bearing fruit. Too often Christians get that turned around. Focus on your vine connection first. Great blog, good insight. Way to go!
Great job on diigently writing updates to share with us! We love hearing about your life, and you both always paint such beautiful images in our minds with your stories and descriptions. Thanks for sharing. Happy 2014! Sending hugs to you both!!
I love to read your writings! You are an inspiring couple!
Blessings to you throughout this year of 2014!
Happy New Year, Emily and Tyler! What a fantastic job you both do writing to tell us about your work and lives there in PNG. We thank and praise God for your devoted service and lives lived for Him. May He give you wisdom and direction and protection…you continue to be in our prayers. We love you and are so very proud of what God is doing through you both.
Tyler and Emily…what a wonderful post! We miss you so much but it is so nice to hear about the blessings God has sent your way. We pray for you often!! Love you both very much…Christina