For me, 2018 was a special year in which I accomplished many objectives and learned a bunch of things. Having the flexibility to work and travel is a great blessing. 🙏

Here are a few highlights of this year. ✨

My Experience in Ecuador 🇪🇨

Perhaps the most touching experience I had this year was living and traveling in Ecuador for three months (September—December).

I visited many wonderful places, met lovely people and made a couple of close friends. I learned a little bit of Spanish, enjoyed the diversity of fresh fruits and vegetables. During this time I was in contact with the Church and made the important step of baptism. 💖

I was amazed by the diversity in this country. It made me remember what one of the Bahá'í teachers said about on this subject:

The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord. If you meet those of different race and color from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness. Think of them as different colored roses growing in the beautiful garden of humanity, and rejoice to be among them. (Paris Talks)

One thing I am sure about — I want to return and si Diosito quiere, me voy a volver! 🚀

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Después de tres meses en #Ecuador aprendí muchas cosas, conocí lugares bonitos y personas amables, también hice algunos amigos cercanos que los voy a extrañar mucho. Gracias a Dios por su protección y por las lindas experiencias—de ser parte del Cuerpo de Cristo y disfrutar la Fraternidad de su pueblo. ✨ De verdad, este país es como un Canaan—donde yo pude comer frutas y verduras, libremente. 🥗 Gracias a todos por este tiempo y ojalá pueda volver. Cuando uno de ustedes vaya a balancear rocas, me va a recordar. 💖 Y no olviden: Libre es mejor. ¡Hasta lueguito! 🚀 ¡Que Dios nos bendiga! 🙏

A post shared by Ionică Bizău (Johnny B.) (@ionicabizau) on Dec 19, 2018 at 12:33pm PST

Europe 🇪🇺

Given the nature of what I work, I had the joy to travel in a couple of European countries in 2018: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and Spain.

Cycling 🚴‍♂️

I found the winter cycling and night cycling to be beautiful when having the right gear. Cycling from Amsterdam to the North Sea was another dream that came true in 2018. 🏖

And of course, in Ecuador, I enjoyed the downhill cycling at volcanoes like Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, and the route between Banos and Puyo is astonishing: from the Andes Mountains in the Amazon. 🚵‍♂️

Musical Activity 🎹

Spent beautiful moments playing the piano with those boys from the Ammiel Group.

Had a nice time working on a couple of music videos with Bianca Rusnac (btw, check out her Facebook Page). 🎶

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Wrapping up ❇️

What have I learned? To value each day, each minute, each moment of the time I have got. To celebrate the diversity among us—we are different and that is amazing! ☮️

For 2019, I hope our goal is to grow and help the ones around us to grow as the Scripture says:

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (Hebrews 12:13, NIV)