The Mallaris - 2020

Should nothing of our efforts stand

No legacy survive

Unless the LORD does raise the house

In vain its builders strive

To you who boast tomorrow's gain

Tell me what is your life

A mist that vanishes at dawn

All glory be to Christ

2020 has both crawled and zoomed by. It seems nothing has happened, but a lot has happened, or more likely, what just happened? Some of us are still confused and tired of this pandemic, but God has remained the same -- faithful and sovereign.

Our 2020 started with Bryan entering his senior year at The Master's Seminary and going back to work. He leaves early Monday morning and comes home late Thursday night. The LORD has been keeping him safe on the road and the car in pretty good shape.

Then the happy birthday celebrations began with Boo turning 9 in January, about the same time we learned about Kobe Bryant's death. In March, Andrew and Nate turned 3 and Rafa 5. Then came the coronavirus pandemic. Toilet papers and paper towels vanished. The world was in lockdown. Everything was closed, from airports to zoos. Panic and death enveloped all four corners of the globe as cases soared. The new normal was facemask, physical distancing, and Zoom meetings. One good thing was that the seminary shifted to distance learning which meant Bryan was home for the rest of spring. Amazing how God's providence worked that out!

The children are used to the stay at home setup; we should be alright, I guess. And it is a blessing to have a backyard where they could stretch their muscles and exhaust their endless energy. And again, our Daddy was home!

During that time, the church was closed too and worship services were through online streaming. We have also been spiritually fed as we were able to enroll and study the Marriage Counseling course online, a great blessing to our own marriage. We have been reminded that God's design of marriage is primarily for companionship. We were also able to join Zoom Bible Studies from Qatar, where Bryan was given the opportunity to teach mostly from the gospels of Matthew and John. Thankful to the LORD that he was able to deliver the Word and could exhort to our brethren in Qatar. We immensely miss them, and it was a joy joining them week after week.

Cali turned 2 in May, then ABS-CBN was shutdown. The following month, Yael turned 5. Around that time, there were civil unrest and protests around the US. It was mayhem. Almost half of the year gone, there was no end in sight for this pandemic, and not some good stuff jumping the bandwagon. Not a clear 2020 vision so far.

By summertime, the children were bored. They couldn't even play in the backyard anymore; it was too hot. Even their music lessons were done online. Thank God the church was allowed to offer outdoor services with restrictions, and the kids could go too! That was a treat for them, having been quarantined for months. They were really glad when we said to them, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122.1)

By fall, most places have eased their COVID restrictions. The seminary has re-opened in-person classes, and Bryan was back to driving back and forth. For the third straight semester, he hasn't been approved scholarship. One time, Pastor Marc, the head pastor of Quail Lakes, the church we have been attending, emailed Bryan asking for prayer requests. After a few days and some email exchanges, Pastor Marc met with Bryan and awarded him a scholarship! Praise be to our heavenly Father, who knows our every need and provides generously without reproach! Comforted by His mercy and humbled by His grace.

Another blessing, I have a new student! Yael has entered kindergarten. He has been jealous of his big brothers getting monthly subscriptions, having school supplies, and attending music lessons. When I told him he could have the same, he was happy as a clam. When we got his books, he breezed through his math lessons. He also gets to go to piano lessons.

Boo is now in 5th grade. He has just finished his novel study of The Magician's Nephew. He had a blast reading it, which is a feat since I find him to have the attention of a butterfly. He needs supervision in doing his lessons, or he won't finish at all. But if he is focused, he is excellent. He also finds interest in doing his Tinker crates, doing news reports, and playing the violin.

Rafa, on the other hand, could work independently, and even with all the distractions, could finish on time. He is in 2nd grade, loves geography, history, and science. He would often do creative writing on topics like the States and capitals, American presidents and patriots, the Torchlighters, his favorite race cars, his own Superbook stories, and many others.

Andrew and Nate are growing like weeds; they are almost as tall as Yael. Their siblings, even Cali, could easily tell them apart by now. As we have observed, the twins have developed their own "private" language, thus a delay in their speech. But their chitchats are definitely both baffling and amusing. Potty training is a challenge: one step forward, two steps back.

Our baby girl, Cali, has finally given up bottles and binkies. It was a cold turkey transition, so hard, so sorry. She is full of vim and vigor like her brothers, she is clumsy like mommy. She is tiny but tall; fragile yet feisty. She is a Daddy's girl, she is my mini me.

Bryan has two courses left for spring, Lord-willing it will be his last semester. We are a little behind than planned, but we have been reminded this year that only the Lord's purpose prevails (Proverbs 19.21). We have made it this far with your encouragement, generous support, and prayers. Our God has been exceedingly gracious in answering our prayers, even differently. And we ask that you continue to pray with us for wisdom, provision, direction, and ever increasing faith, as we move forward.

Quail Lakes has been our solace and haven since we’ve come back to Stockton. The kindness of literally everyone is profoundly uplifting. Just before Thanksgiving, the church was compelled to close again. Back to online streaming, thankful to technology, but we sorely miss the fellowship and corporate worship. We pray that the church will be allowed to open again very soon, because church is essential. Hebrews 10.24-25.

I feel I'm on a roller coaster ride that is supposed to be fun, but I'm not a fan. Bryan said he is excited about what the Lord will do next. Though there is the fear of the unknown and the certainty of difficulties at some point, when I hear my husband talk that way, I'd say, "bring it on." I have learned to value his perspective and appreciate his godly wisdom. He sees things as a husband and a father differently than I do, which is a good thing. I remember when I told him I was pregnant for the 48th time, I was sobbing miserably. Instead of sympathizing with me, he said it was another blessing and that he was thrilled! THRILLED??!! Why couldn't he see that it was difficult to have another child, having five already? Why couldn’t I see it as a blessing? As I prayed for God to help me with my misery, I realized I should be thankful that my husband was enthusiastic. What could have happened to our baby Cali if we were both distressed? And he would always console me with, “As long as we are together.” Thank God for my husband!

Though 2020 has been challenging, may we still be thankful and hopeful to our heavenly Father, who is in loving control of every single, even the minutest detail in our lives. The psalmist encourages us not to forget any of the Lord’s benefits (Psalm 103). As believers, we are His children, and we live as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), and we have nothing to fear. Even though it is a trying time for all of us worldwide, our prayer is that may we still celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and focus our hearts on Him.

All glory be to Christ, our King

All glory be to Christ

His rule and reign will ever sing

All glory be to Christ!

Have a Blessed Christmas!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12