A Close-of-the-Year Message from the EBF Team
This year has, like all years before it, been full of ups and downs. In many ways, the ebbs and flows of our lives can be likened to the seasons of the year – some seasons offer plentiful harvests and warm, sunny days, while some seasons offer diminished harvests and cold, frosty days.
Our Chief Growth Officer, Gareth Bird, shares a similar sentiment in his end-of-year message to you.
Gareth Bird, Chief Growth Officer:
“First and foremost, I want to extend my warmest and most heartfelt Christmas and New Year wishes to all of you. May this festive season fill your homes with love, laughter, and endless joy. May the spirit of giving and gratitude envelop you, and may you find happiness in the simplest of pleasures.
As we gather around the glow of the holiday season, my heart is filled with warmth, gratitude, and nostalgia for the year that was 2023. It’s been a year of both profound joy and profound loss, reminding us of the fragility and preciousness of time. As we bid farewell to this remarkable year and welcome a new one, let’s embrace the spirit of Christmas and New Year with open hearts and a deep appreciation for the moments that truly matter.
One of the highlights of my 2023 was the unforgettable summer holiday I shared with my wife and kids. It was a time when we disconnected from the demands of everyday life and reconnected with each other. We built sandcastles, watched sunsets, and created memories that will last a lifetime. It was a testament to the power of quality time spent with the people we hold dear.
Through that holiday, I learned that life’s most precious moments are often the simplest ones. It’s not about the destination but the journey, the people you’re with, and the love that surrounds you.
2023 brought the painful loss of my dear mother, a stark reminder that time is our most precious resource. My mother’s passing taught me that life’s most valuable moments are the ones spent with loved ones, and they are fleeting. Time waits for no one, and we must seize every opportunity to express our love and appreciation to those who matter most.
As we stand on the threshold of 2024, let’s remember that the dawn of a new year symbolizes a fresh start, a blank canvas upon which we can paint our hopes and dreams. Instead of making resolutions, let’s set intentions for personal growth, kindness, and positive change. Embrace the unknown with courage and optimism, for it is through challenges that we discover our true strength.
In the face of challenges, remember to stay resilient. Life’s trials may test our strength, but they also reveal our capacity for growth and adaptation. Embrace each obstacle as a chance to learn and evolve, knowing that brighter days are on the horizon.
In closing, as we step into the new year, let us carry the lessons of 2023 in our hearts. Let us cherish every moment, hug a little tighter, and say “I love you” a little more often. May 2024 be a year of growth, compassion, and cherished time with our loved ones. As we navigate the unknown, may we remember that time is the only thing in the world that does not stand still, so let’s make every moment count. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.”
It’s not only change that we should embrace wholeheartedly. As Monica Moldovan, our Major Accounts Manager points out, we should also take the time to fully comprehend the magnificent beauty of this world and its people and show gratitude for the miracle that is life.
Monica Moldovan, Major Accounts Manager:
“Looking back, the year 2023 was a year of cherished moments and personal growth. Spending quality time with my family, creating beautiful memories, and traveling to historically rich places like Portugal and Spain was truly enriching.
Exploring the vivid history of these countries was a deeply moving experience, almost like stepping back in time to witness the events and cultures that have shaped our world. The sense of awe and connection to the past was transformative.
Moreover, witnessing the miracles of nature was a profoundly spiritual experience. Whether it was the grandeur of natural landscapes, the beauty of a sunset, or any other awe-inspiring moment, it’s a reminder of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us.
Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can fill our hearts with positivity and contentment. My journey in 2023 seems to have been a reminder of the beauty in both the world around us and the bonds we share with loved ones.
Heading into the New Year, regularly take time to be thankful for the good things in your life. Gratitude can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what you have.
Make your well-being a priority. This includes physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being. Regularly exercise, enjoy a balanced diet and practice self-care activities – all of which will make a significant difference.
Be kind to others. Your acts of kindness can inspire people in ways you cannot imagine and create a more compassionate world.
In this season of giving, let’s give our thoughts and prayers for a world where conflicts are resolved through understanding and where every life is valued. Let the message of peace be our guiding light and may the coming year bring hope for a world free from strife and filled with unity and love.
Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year!!!!”
In the spirit of gratitude, Kevin Fagundes, our Chief Financial Officer reminds us that we should take pause and truly embrace those in our lives – whether they are lifelong relationships or blossoming friendships.
Kevin Fagundes, Chief Financial Officer:
“May your holiday season be filled with warmth, joy, and the company of loved ones. This time of year is not just about festive decorations and exchanging gifts; it’s a reminder of the precious moments we share with family and friends. May the memories created during this special time remain in your heart for many years to come. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year!
This year, I had the opportunity to visit my family overseas. I connected with uncles, aunts, cousins, and more cousins! Reuniting with some and creating a bond with others. We created unforgettable moments that will stay with us forever.
I am grateful to be surrounded by wonderful people in both my personal and professional life. They made 2023 a memorable year and I look forward to 2024!
As we move into 2024, I would like to offer three short pieces of advice.
Be kind. Each act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to create ripples of positivity that touch lives in ways we may never fully comprehend.
Stay positive. Life is full of ups and downs, but maintaining a positive outlook can make a significant difference. Focus on the good things in your life, express gratitude, and approach challenges with resilience.
Keep in touch. Throughout the year, make sure to stay in touch with your loved ones. Spending quality time with those we care about is invaluable.”
In closing, our Chief Executive Officer, and Founding Partner of EBF, Fred Paatz, reminds us that all our success, our relationships, and our fondest memories, are thanks to a power greater than ourselves – that even when we suffer loss, disappointment, or strife, we have God guiding, watching over, and protecting us.
Fred Paatz, Chief Executive Officer & Founding Partner:
“Dear Friends. I truly value each and every one of you; investors, service providers, brokers, and, yes, even friendly competitors. On behalf of The EBF Group, I would like to sincerely wish you a blessed and peace-filled Christmas season.
This Christmas I’d like to share the greatest gift I have ever received. The immortality, joy, contentment, and peace that is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yeshua!
‘Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel (which means God is with us).’ – Isaiah 7:14.
‘For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son that, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’ – John 3:16.
Talk about good news! Why on earth would He do that for people who don’t care about Him, believe in Him, and even hate Him? These are great questions, and I’m glad you asked!
Because He created you lovingly to be His for eternity. In Psalm 139:1-14, King David expresses God’s intimate love for us.
‘You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me,
and the light becomes night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…’
We are given an invitation (a Gift of measureless worth) from the One who loves our souls, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.’ – Revelation 3:20.
Our heavenly Father is a gentleman, not forcing, just inviting. It’s a gift He offers, and it requires only one action from you… to receive it by believing Him.
In the Torah and throughout the Old Testament, God made a promise to Abraham and confirmed it to Isaac, Jacob, and David to make a great nation of the Israelites and establish an eternal kingdom through an offspring of the lineage of David who would be the perfect sacrificial Lamb. One who would bring blessing not only to Israel but to the whole world!
There are many prophecies from Genesis to Malachi about a coming Messiah who will reconcile you and me to God. Every one of these prophecies was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Proving Him to be this, Messiah. If you don’t know Him, I urge you to read from the scripture of Isaiah 9, which was written more than 400 years before Christ’s birth on that first Christmas.
I pray our joy in Him will be your joy this Christmas, New Year, and forever!”
In conclusion:
The team at EBF would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your support throughout 2023, as well as all prior and post to this. Without the support of our customers, team, friends, and family, this incredible company would not exist. We consider it a blessing to be a part of this wonderful team, and without you, we simply couldn’t.
So, as we head into the festive season and the New Year, we wish you and your loved ones safety, happiness, and prosperity. We cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store, and we are ecstatic to share it with you!
