Christmas 2022

Hi all, 

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

2022 has certainly been a remarkable year for the Knecht family.  We have had our ups and downs, but are thankful and blessed that God continues to provide for us so that we may thrive as a family.   

I continue to minister at Holy Cross. Since the outset of COVID, our congregation has partnered with Calvary Lutheran Church in Cranford, with Holy Cross using space in their building and the two congregations increasingly working on joint ministry and mission.  I am blessed to be working with Pastor Carol Lindsay who is an outstanding, faithful, and caring pastor.  It is been decades since I have had a regular ministry partner and I am thankful for privilege.  

Thanks to my wife Mei, I was able earlier this year to make some lifestyle changes and lost over 30 pounds and started to be more disciplined about exercise and sleep.  I have more energy and feel better than I have in years.  I also had successful cataract surgery and can now basically see 20/20 and can even read without glasses.  I am thankful for the doctors and staff who helped me see clearly again. 

Earlier this fall, my father Robert entered into life eternal with Christ.   It was certainly a very emotional and confusing time for us all.  However it was also a time when I experienced so many acts of love, grace, and kindness from so many people that my faith has in Christ has been strengthened.  There are too many people to thank in this short space, but I praise God for every one of you. 

Mei recently came back from Taiwan where she visited her father who is 95 years old.   She also had the joy of reconnecting with old friends and family while enjoying the good food and tropical weather.  She was blessed by so many people opening their hearts to her as she returned to the country of her birth.  

Beata is already a junior at Smith College.   She is majoring in Statistical Data Science and Economics and is doing well in her classes.   She has a steady boyfriend Gilbert and is thriving at school.  This past summer she completed an internship in New York for the British bank Standard Chartered and this coming year she will be interning in Manhattan again.  She keeps fit by running, enjoys cooking, baking, pen palling, stamps, and good food.  It s a blessing to see her thrive. 

Paul is a sophomore at Oratory Prep in Summit.   He is doing well and has a great community at the school.   He is thriving in his swimming and is looking to train hard so he can compete at higher levels of competition.   He is planning to continue swimming in college and will start the search in the coming year.  He began work as a lifeguard at the Summit pool and spent two weeks at Crossroads Camp in August.  Paul is active in school, sports and social life and has multiple networks of friends, he is great to be around. 

As a family we were able to travel to Lake George this past Memorial Day weekend for the first time since COVID and it was such a blessing to be at one of the most stunning places on the planet again.   In June, we spent a week at Shawnee on the Delaware with close friends and played a lot of golf.  In August, we went to Atlantic Beach NC and enjoyed a week on a great beach.  

Overall it has been blessed year.  While have our challenges God has blessed us and seen us through them.   We pray that you are well and wish a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. 

Blessings from the Knecht Family