I know a lot of us are grinders and will be full-send grinding winter term, but speaking from my own perspective, I think it's good every once in a while, (i.e. now during winter break) to take a step back, re-examine where things are going, ask how the time spent (4 years is a good chunk of life) fits into the grander picture, and make a tentative plan going forward on how to approach the new year. At least personally, I feel like the incredibly fast-paced environment at Caltech has a way of driving me to focus only on the upcoming deadlines and what other things I can do outside of academics to "keep up" in order to get an internship for the next summer / secure work after college. This pressure feels great when everything is going the right way, but often is the case when it doesn't and then it becomes this really dangerous and crippling anxiety. Maybe this is something you can relate to. If you're like me and find it really hard to trust God about the future, I'm afraid I don't have an answer for us but can only say that I'm in the same boat and that even people who saw Jesus faced unbelief (see Mark 9:14-29). I will continue to pray for all of us at CCF before winter term starts, and if you would like prayer for anything specific, feel free to let me know so I can have something specific to pray for.

If I don't see you, merry Christmas and happy New Year. Enjoy this time with your family, and if you are able, do something to show your love for them.

Blessings,

Victor Li