Photoshoot!

We've been "home" in Ammurica now for a little over 3 weeks now, and I feel like there is so much that I haven't blogged about yet! So, I'd like to play a bit of catch-up and post about our last few weeks in Korea, our travel adventures, and the beginnings of our transition back to living in the States. 

The hubs and I really wanted to be able to have our photos professionally taken before we left Korea. Firstly, because we hadn't had photos taken since our wedding day 5 years ago; and secondly, because we wanted photos to mark our time in Korea as it was coming to an end. 

Thankfully, we know this really wonderful photographer! Our sweet friend, Karen, was willing to photograph us in our natural Korean habitat. ^^ We had a blast taking photos with her, she has such an amazing eye and she is so creative! Not to mention, her editing is fantastic. Here are some of my favorite shots from our shoot: 

Thank you so much, Karen! 

We will treasure these photos forever! 

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This is not the end.

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Déjà vu

Around this time, in August 2008, I was crying. 

We had quit our jobs, sold or given away most of our stuff, moved in with my parents for a month, and we were just a few days away from moving across the world--far from cultural familiarity, family, and friends--to South Korea to take jobs that we didn't know how to do. 

I woke up in the middle of the night, weeping. 

I felt so scared, so not ready, so overwhelmed, so emotional, so inadequate, so insecure. 

I didn't want to leave my family and friends, my home, my idea of happy. 

I wept and wept, hot tears covering my pillow, until I couldn't breathe. 

My brother and my husband rushed in to comfort me, 

but they couldn't take away the fear, the pain of being uprooted. 

Anne said it best, 

"'I've put out a lot of little roots these two years,' Anne told the moon, 

'and when I'm pulled up they're going to hurt a great deal.'"

Little did I know then what God had in store for me. 

As it turns out, it was way better than I could ever have dreamed. 

And now, four years later, with a heart full of new framily members (framily = friends that are as close to you as family), a head full of new memories and experiences, and a hand full of new skills, I'm crying. 

And I can't stop. 

There's a big chunk of my heart that is SO excited to be returning 'home' to California. 

I am overjoyed at the thoughts of seeing and doing life with family and friends again. 

And, I'm not going to lie, I can't wait to go to Target and the Safeway produce section.

But...

the other big chunk of my heart HURTS. 

I feel so scared, so not ready, so overwhelmed, so emotional, so inadequate, so insecure.

I don't want to leave. 

I don't want to leave my framily, I don't want to move across the world again, I don't want to make a transition,  I don't want to feel culture shock in my own culture, I don't want to tear apart our little apartment, and I just don't want to 

stop doing life as I know it. 

That tear-stained night in August 2008 helps me believe that these tear-stained days of August 2012 will bring forth more of God's good plans for my life. And just as I didn't expect it then, it may be better that I could ever dream.

 And yet... 

I have put down many roots these last four years,  

and when I'm pulled up, it's going to hurt a great deal. 

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Soaking it up

These are our last days in Korea and I want to soak it all up as much as possible. 

These are the days we will probably remember most vividly in the future, 

so I'm hoping to make them good ones. 

Two weekends ago we visited a beautiful east coast beach with some dear friends. 

We have always wanted to make the trip to this specific area, 

and we were finally able to go. 

It was a super relaxing weekend, filled with walks on the beach, good food, 

and great conversations. 

Other things we've been up to these days:

Teaching the last month of our ESL classes. 

I can't believe that after 4 years of this, we're almost done. 

Enjoying the bright, long summer nights, 

and trying to stay cool in the humid heat. 

I bought a new day planner, and I love it. 

It's full of all sorts of wonderful Konglish. :) 

(Konglish = Korean + not so good English) 

We've been doing a lot of driving these days, which is unusual for us. 

We don't drive our car that much, because Korean public transportation is so great. 

But these days, we're driving a lot; driving to see dear friends and familiar places. 

Driving to save time and stay out of the heat. 

Here's one of those dear friends that we often drive to see. 

He's the cutest. 

I've also been working on something secret and exciting! 

I'll let you know when the time is right. ;) 

I even found some time to sew recently! 

It's been such a long time since I've been able to sit down and sew something pretty. 

What do you think of my new shirt? 

That's all for now, friends. 

Stay tuned for more posts as I try my best to chronicle our last month in Korea. 

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The Countdown Begins...

And I'm freaking out. 

Why? 

Because in 58 days the hubs and I will be moving across the world. 

Again. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm suuper excited. 

But I'm also very sad. 

This move is the very definition of 'bittersweet' to me. 

But those feelings are for another blog post. 

This blog post is about how I've been FREAKING OUT. 

I've been telling myself for the last few weeks that we have plenty of time, 

a whole two or so months until we leave Korea. 

Plenty of time to ship boxes home, get the cat ready for an international flight (!!!), 

pack, clean, soak up time with dear friends, do some last things in Korea, 

prepare for a few weddings, and do all the usual life things as well--

work full time, keep house, be married, etc. 

Well, I was wrong. 

I was Skyping with my mom the other day and she commented, 

"So, the wedding is in 5 weeks! And then you're home again in 7!" 

*My brother is getting married 2 and half weeks before we move home. 

So, we'll be flying home for the wedding and a few days, 

then flying back to Korea to finish our teaching contracts, 

and then flying home for good. 

As I sit here and type this, 

we are now closer to 6 weeks away from our move home. 

! 

6 weeks. 

Two months sounds so much more waaay longer than 6 weeks. 

Needless to say, 

I'm just a wee bit stressed. 

Just a wee bit. 

John and I came across a very helpful tool in the last few months. 

John Piper's ministries released an app called 

Fighter Verses

and it's a fantastic help in Bible memorization, 

which is something that we both have wanted to get better at. 

Every week the app gives you a new verse to memorize. 

You can set your preferences to your favorite version of the Bible, 

utilize different quizzes to help you memorize, 

read the verse in context and with commentary; 

and the app also files each memory verse under different topics

(like anxiety, worry, spiritual warfare, etc.) 

to help you recall them in memory during different situations. 

Totally worth the $2.99

and I highly recommend you go download it.

And as God would have it,
this is this week's verse:

Well played, God, well played. 

May I encourage you, friend, to make choices to dwell and rest

with the LORD this week, 

no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. 

HE is our refuge and safe fortress; 

HE is trustworthy and faithful. 

And, if you think of me, 

I would appreciate your prayers.

read more "The Countdown Begins..."

Today I'm Thankful for Korean Health Insurance.

Today the hubs and I ran some errands around town. 

One of the places we stopped was at the doctor's office. 

John needed to see his doctor and refill a prescription.

I waited for him in the waiting room and played Angry Birds as he talked with his doctor. 

After he was finished he walked into the lobby to pay his bill. 

I was ready with pricked up ears and our open EEBA app, 

ready to input the total amount into our budget. 

$3.25. 

That's how much his doctor's visit cost. 

We walked downstairs to the pharmacy to pick up his prescription 

and dropped a whopping $4.25 on multiple medicines. 

As we walked out the pharmacy doors and I input the amount into our budget app

I exclaimed, "$7.50 for a doctor's visit and meds! Why are we leaving this country again??" 

Our life is much cheaper here, much more secure. 

When we go back to California in the fall, there won't be much security waiting for us.

We will be DEBT-FREE, praise the Lord!!!, but that'll be it.  

No jobs lined up, no immediate health insurance, no real savings. 

It is easy for me to be tempted to stay here--where it's cheap, 

secure, safe, and comfortable. 

It's easy for me to worry about our tomorrow.

And then that old Sunday School verse will creep back into my head, 

slowly it will creep from where I've hidden it my heart all those years ago. 

So, today I will try not to worry about my tomorrows. 

And today I am thankful for Korean health insurance. 

read more "Today I'm Thankful for Korean Health Insurance."

Oh, hi!

Long time no see! 
It's been awhile since I've seen you, so let's catch up. 
First of all, did you see the big announcement that I made the last time we talked? No? Take a looksie over here. 
Did I tell you about my best baby friend's first birthday party last month? 

The party was a "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" themed party. I helped his mama with some of the design work and we had some snacky fun! 
Speaking of fun, I am currently obsessed with this music group.
Ever heard of the 30 Day Shred? Well, what they don't tell you is that Level 2 is kick-your-butt-pinch-a-nerve-in-your-back hard. 

Oh, and did I mention that I updated my blog design recently? Trying to explore this amazing world of graphic designing more and more. 

Korea celebrated Children's Day this past Saturday.  The hubs and I make it a strong point to stay away from the large crowds of little people every year. 

We celebrated the life of my very best friend here in Korea

this past weekend as well. 

A ladies' night out featuring dinner, cupcakes, and noraebang 

was the perfect celebration! 

And I don't know about where you live, but spring has just been absolutely GORGEOUS here in Korea. I can't help but sing when I'm outside and praise our amazing Creator for his marvelous works. I encourage you to step outside today and be thankful for beauty, for breath, and for His faithfulness. 

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We kindly interrupt this blog for a special digital announcement...

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Spring, spring, spring, spring

"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come." - Song of Solomon 2:11-12

As I walked down the street todaythe sun felt warm and the breeze was cool and fragrant. The cherry blossoms were out and blooming fiercely, because that's the job that God gave them to do in this season. The birds were out playing and singing; the sky was an endless blue. 
Truly, ''the time of singing has come." 

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy." - Psalm 92:1-4

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Change

This year feels like a big year to me. And no, I don't think the world is going to end. 
2012 feels big. It feels like a lot is going to happen. My best-baby-friend (new term, folks) is celebrating his first birthday, my brother is getting married, my sister is starting her senior year in highschool, so many dear friends are bringing new littles into the world, and more friends are moving and leaving and traveling. Change is happening, growth is taking place, and the hands on the clock of life never cease to move. 
The hubs and I are also in the process of seeking direction and guidance from the Lord as we plan for 2012. This could be a monumental year for us. 
We've been in Korea for 3 and a half years now. Our teaching contracts are finished at the end of August. We will be debt free. PRAISE THE LORD! The goal that we came to fulfill is complete. We are tired, homesick, and jaded. We have family and friends waiting for us in the States. In a big way, it feels like it is time. Time to go home. 
But what does that even mean? In the last 3 and half years, Korea has become home. Pyeongtaek has become home. This tiny little apartment has become home. God has provided family for us here: friends that have done life with usso much so that the lines of regular friendship have been crossed, life-long familial relationships have been achieved. We have overcome unique cross-cultural situations and work difficulties. We have nested. We have a cuddly cat. We have a Christian community. We have learned the language. We know this place, from the coziest coffee shops to the best samgyeopsal to the train schedule to the open markets. This is home. 
To leave would be life-altering. We have put down such deep roots in this place, to transplant now and pull up those roots would be both painful and scary. And yet, there is a decision to be made. There is no easy answer, either way we are leaving someone. I hope that our closest family and friends know how we wrestle with this decision, how important you all are to us. 
Oh the possibilities. We have so many plans, but we are seeking the right one. 

Needless to say, we need prayer. We don't know what we are going to do or where we are going to go. We don't know how to plan or what to be excited or scared about. We are waiting. And we are praying. Will you pray for us? 

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On bathtubs

A few mornings ago, as I was getting ready for work in the bedroom, the hubs came into the room, huffed, and said,"I hate it when I have to use the toilet after I've showered." Then, he proceeded to take his jeans offand head into the bathroom sporting only his boxers. 
Is that weird to you? 
To me, it made perfect sense...

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W.I.L.D {6}

1. She's here! 

2. Grabbing Jamba Juice @the Incheon Airport (it's one of the only one's in Korea!). 

3. Taking the Seester for her first pedicure. 

4. Making her sit with the Kinders at lunch time. ^^ 

5. Loving on the Kinders. 

6. Trying to decide what to eat @Butterfinger Pancakes. 

7. Teaching the Seester how to play chess. 

8. Having her meet & hang out with my dear friends. 

9. Taking her to see HP&DH Pt. 2! 

10. Teaching her the Korean alphabet. 

11. Singing our hearts out @the noraebang!

12. Having fun on the moving walkways. 

13. Discovering H&M in Seoul! 

14. Being tourists. 

15. Going to see the a m a z i n g show, NANTA. 

16. Just having my cute Seester around. 

Linking up all over the place.

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