funny #6
Originally uploaded by kimmer67
Jinny gave me this travel mug for my birthday. I love it! We both giggled a lot! Don't trust person.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Why?
I enjoy quiet, slow mornings. Mornings with little activity and space that isn't filled with a lot of sounds. We had a morning like that last week. We had music quietly playing, the candles were lit--our space felt restful and peaceful. Lia was playing with her stuffed animals, Zach was building something amazing with his Legos, Todd was out for a walk and I sat at our kitchen table, reading and sipping tea--two of my favorite things to do.
My playlist on my shuffle was playing the best mix of tunes and one song particularly caught my attention and soon my heart. The song is called Alabaster Box by Julie Meyers. I soon just sat, with my eyes closed in the sweetness of the presence of the One who has won my heart and changed my life forever. I wasn't expecting that moment but there it was, there He was, His presence was near and I wanted to remain in that moment for the rest of the day.
Lia must have noticed a shift in my body language or facial expression. She invaded this sacred space with her sweet raspy voice, "Mom, why do you like to worship so much?" My first response was, "I just do!" If you know Lia, that answer is not going to be sufficient for her curiosity. She asked again, "Why?"
I paused for a second or two, probably three and answered. "Well, He loves me and He changed my life forever."
Lia, not satisfied, "What else?"
"He's wonderful and worthy. He's awesome and great. He's strong and there is no other like Him."
"And . . . "
She's tough I thought, "Because I love Him."
"What else?"
"Well, Lia, I was made to worship Him. I was created to worship. And guess what, that's why He made you, to worship. To worship Him."
That's all she needed. Conversation was over.
Fast forward to that evening. Todd went to Costco with some friends. Afterward, they brought him home and came in to visit the kids and I. We were enjoying conversation and wine when they said they had a Christmas gift for us. They presented us with a beautiful hand-made card. Todd read the card and an expression of wonder, confusion and joy came over his face. I then read the card. I laughed, began to cry and thought, "this is outrageous!"
Our friends left and Todd and I cried and shook our heads in wonder. We went to bed, thanking Jesus for His amazing provision, for friends who follow His promptings and for His amazing, undeserved love.
As I laid in bed, unable to sleep, I thought of how radical grace is. I, we, don't deserve even a ration of His grace, His undeserved favor, and yet, His word says that He lavishes (expends or gives in great amounts or without limits) us with grace. He doesn't measure out small portions, He heaps it over our lives. He freely gives, over and over, without hesitation and without limits.
That's why I worship Him. Who is like Him?
My playlist on my shuffle was playing the best mix of tunes and one song particularly caught my attention and soon my heart. The song is called Alabaster Box by Julie Meyers. I soon just sat, with my eyes closed in the sweetness of the presence of the One who has won my heart and changed my life forever. I wasn't expecting that moment but there it was, there He was, His presence was near and I wanted to remain in that moment for the rest of the day.
Lia must have noticed a shift in my body language or facial expression. She invaded this sacred space with her sweet raspy voice, "Mom, why do you like to worship so much?" My first response was, "I just do!" If you know Lia, that answer is not going to be sufficient for her curiosity. She asked again, "Why?"
I paused for a second or two, probably three and answered. "Well, He loves me and He changed my life forever."
Lia, not satisfied, "What else?"
"He's wonderful and worthy. He's awesome and great. He's strong and there is no other like Him."
"And . . . "
She's tough I thought, "Because I love Him."
"What else?"
"Well, Lia, I was made to worship Him. I was created to worship. And guess what, that's why He made you, to worship. To worship Him."
That's all she needed. Conversation was over.
Fast forward to that evening. Todd went to Costco with some friends. Afterward, they brought him home and came in to visit the kids and I. We were enjoying conversation and wine when they said they had a Christmas gift for us. They presented us with a beautiful hand-made card. Todd read the card and an expression of wonder, confusion and joy came over his face. I then read the card. I laughed, began to cry and thought, "this is outrageous!"
Our friends left and Todd and I cried and shook our heads in wonder. We went to bed, thanking Jesus for His amazing provision, for friends who follow His promptings and for His amazing, undeserved love.
As I laid in bed, unable to sleep, I thought of how radical grace is. I, we, don't deserve even a ration of His grace, His undeserved favor, and yet, His word says that He lavishes (expends or gives in great amounts or without limits) us with grace. He doesn't measure out small portions, He heaps it over our lives. He freely gives, over and over, without hesitation and without limits.
That's why I worship Him. Who is like Him?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Rewind
A few things I want to remember from the past couple of weeks. Time to rewind.
1. Korean Lessons. It's been a few weeks since Hyejin and I had a lesson--we've been talking, enjoying Seoul and simply enjoying time together--not good for my Korean but great for our friendship. My ability to read has improved and though I have no comprehension of what I'm reading, I can read. I feel like I've scaled a mountain or conquered the impossible. I can ask for more of an item at a restaurant, understand money sums when at the cash register and give the taxi driver directions--I'm in no way close to being fluent, to even say that makes me laugh out loud. I do enjoy learning and have decided that I want to be better student--especially since my teacher is so wonderful and is taking the time to invest in me.
Last week we were able for the first time to get our families together for dinner. It was wonderful to meet Hyejin's husband, Son and for her to meet Todd.
2. English Club.
3. Traditional Korean Orchestra. Last week, Yujin took us to the Seongnam Art Center to hear a Traditional Korean Orchestra. The instruments and the musical arrangements were beautiful. I tried to capture a bit of the concert on video but was quickly shut down by an usher--apparently, I was breaking the rules.
4. MissioLux Christmas Celebration. Sunday evening we gathered at Jinny's cafe, Benesian, to celebrate Christmas as a community. We read the Story together, lit our candles and sang to the King who came as a babe and changed our lives forever.
5. The end of first semester. Todd and the kids finished their first semester last Friday. Unfortunately, the kids both got sick and missed their parties and seeing friends before the break. Everyone is healthy and we are all enjoying the break! Spending our days in our PJ's, playing games, watching movies, reading and sleeping in! It's a true vacation!
1. Korean Lessons. It's been a few weeks since Hyejin and I had a lesson--we've been talking, enjoying Seoul and simply enjoying time together--not good for my Korean but great for our friendship. My ability to read has improved and though I have no comprehension of what I'm reading, I can read. I feel like I've scaled a mountain or conquered the impossible. I can ask for more of an item at a restaurant, understand money sums when at the cash register and give the taxi driver directions--I'm in no way close to being fluent, to even say that makes me laugh out loud. I do enjoy learning and have decided that I want to be better student--especially since my teacher is so wonderful and is taking the time to invest in me.
Last week we were able for the first time to get our families together for dinner. It was wonderful to meet Hyejin's husband, Son and for her to meet Todd.
2. English Club.
3. Traditional Korean Orchestra. Last week, Yujin took us to the Seongnam Art Center to hear a Traditional Korean Orchestra. The instruments and the musical arrangements were beautiful. I tried to capture a bit of the concert on video but was quickly shut down by an usher--apparently, I was breaking the rules.
4. MissioLux Christmas Celebration. Sunday evening we gathered at Jinny's cafe, Benesian, to celebrate Christmas as a community. We read the Story together, lit our candles and sang to the King who came as a babe and changed our lives forever.
5. The end of first semester. Todd and the kids finished their first semester last Friday. Unfortunately, the kids both got sick and missed their parties and seeing friends before the break. Everyone is healthy and we are all enjoying the break! Spending our days in our PJ's, playing games, watching movies, reading and sleeping in! It's a true vacation!
Monday, December 13, 2010
MiKyung and Hyejin
These two wonderful ladies have become dear friends.
MiKyung lives north of Seoul, while Hyejin and I live South. Monday morning we met at the largest bookstore in Seoul and spent a wonderful day together. I had no idea that these wonderful ladies had planned to celebrate my birthday that day--much to my delight and surprise they had a wonderful day planned. We had a yummy lunch at an Italian restaurant that Hyejin and her husband use to go to for dates before they were married. After our lunch we took a short taxi ride to the "Blue House"--the President of Korea's home. The area near the Presidents home is beautfiul--mountains, the largest palace in Korea, manicured lawns--it's what you would think of a Presidents home.
When we arrived to our destination, we started to get out of our taxi and were suddenly swarmed by police officers and security agents. They ushered us back into the taxi and said we were to exit the vehicle at another location--which was about 25-30 feet away from where we were.
There are probably several reasons why they didn't allow us to exit the vehicle where we were--perhaps because we were in the middle of the road but Hyejin said that they don't allow vehicles to stop on this road because it looks suspicious. Perhaps we three middle aged woman do look suspicious. I told the ladies they were trying to get me arrested. Later as we were taking photos of the big Blue House--that sounds familiar to me--Oh, ya! Blues Clues . . . I digress . . . I decided to do another video but was told after a few seconds to turn it off. I did and couldn't stop laughing. Every time we tried to cross the street to get a closer view of the house, we were told that we were not allowed and must follow the path we were on. We obeyed and continued the beautiful walk along the walking path. There were a few locations along the perimeter of the Presidents area that I saw guards with machine guns posted high above the wall and agreed it was probably best that we stayed on the marked pathway.
We finished our day by having desert at a wonderful cafe. Throughout the day, I had been looking at wallets--I need something smaller and have been looking for several weeks to find something that I like but that was cheap. Well, the ladies had been scheming all day to find me a wallet or a pair of earrings--they know how much I like dangling earrings. I had no idea they were doing this--"Kimberly, do you like these earrings? Oh, how about this wallet?" We were in a quaint shop and MiKyung saw some cool wallets. I came in and said, "Yes, this is exactly the style I'm looking for but the cost is too much, we can keep looking." Ya, you know what happened, they bought the wallet. Their scheme was a success and they were quite proud that I finally saw something I liked. I'm glad I didn't settle for the Hello Kitty wallet or the wallet that had the pink polk-a-dot bow on it.
MiKyung lives north of Seoul, while Hyejin and I live South. Monday morning we met at the largest bookstore in Seoul and spent a wonderful day together. I had no idea that these wonderful ladies had planned to celebrate my birthday that day--much to my delight and surprise they had a wonderful day planned. We had a yummy lunch at an Italian restaurant that Hyejin and her husband use to go to for dates before they were married. After our lunch we took a short taxi ride to the "Blue House"--the President of Korea's home. The area near the Presidents home is beautfiul--mountains, the largest palace in Korea, manicured lawns--it's what you would think of a Presidents home.
When we arrived to our destination, we started to get out of our taxi and were suddenly swarmed by police officers and security agents. They ushered us back into the taxi and said we were to exit the vehicle at another location--which was about 25-30 feet away from where we were.
There are probably several reasons why they didn't allow us to exit the vehicle where we were--perhaps because we were in the middle of the road but Hyejin said that they don't allow vehicles to stop on this road because it looks suspicious. Perhaps we three middle aged woman do look suspicious. I told the ladies they were trying to get me arrested. Later as we were taking photos of the big Blue House--that sounds familiar to me--Oh, ya! Blues Clues . . . I digress . . . I decided to do another video but was told after a few seconds to turn it off. I did and couldn't stop laughing. Every time we tried to cross the street to get a closer view of the house, we were told that we were not allowed and must follow the path we were on. We obeyed and continued the beautiful walk along the walking path. There were a few locations along the perimeter of the Presidents area that I saw guards with machine guns posted high above the wall and agreed it was probably best that we stayed on the marked pathway.
We finished our day by having desert at a wonderful cafe. Throughout the day, I had been looking at wallets--I need something smaller and have been looking for several weeks to find something that I like but that was cheap. Well, the ladies had been scheming all day to find me a wallet or a pair of earrings--they know how much I like dangling earrings. I had no idea they were doing this--"Kimberly, do you like these earrings? Oh, how about this wallet?" We were in a quaint shop and MiKyung saw some cool wallets. I came in and said, "Yes, this is exactly the style I'm looking for but the cost is too much, we can keep looking." Ya, you know what happened, they bought the wallet. Their scheme was a success and they were quite proud that I finally saw something I liked. I'm glad I didn't settle for the Hello Kitty wallet or the wallet that had the pink polk-a-dot bow on it.
funny #5
Last week was a slow week. I wasn't out much so that made it difficult to find my funny sign of the week. Until I stumbled upon this clothing shop.
STOP KILLING WHALE
I'm not sure if it's the same whale that keeps getting killed or if there is some lone whale that has a bounty out for his life . . . just stop killing whale.
STOP KILLING WHALE
I'm not sure if it's the same whale that keeps getting killed or if there is some lone whale that has a bounty out for his life . . . just stop killing whale.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
People. Lots and lots of People.
Last night after a very full and beautiful afternoon I said to Todd, "I'm not trying to meet people. I'm not seeking people out and I keep meeting people."
O-kay, I know what you're thinking, "Kim, what are you talking about. This is your story." I know. But seriously it's been way over the top lately. I always seem to meet people and have amazing encounters with people but it's usually in a more intentional way. Years ago when I got to hang out on campus with some pretty cool college students, I had a prayer that I prayed each day I headed to campus, "Jesus, what do you want to do today? Let me in some way be an instrument of your life and love to whoever I meet." I always kept my eyes, ears and heart open to see what He might be doing.
That has been my prayer here but it's been a more random prayer--I don't pray it often and if I'm honest, sometimes I don't know how God could use me with the huge barrier of language before me (lame, I know). I have found it harder to have those "chance" encounters with people--mostly because I don't speak Korean.
Over the course of the past several weeks I have met several woman.
Serena. I met Serena several weeks ago while waiting for the bus. Her nephew saw me and called me "America!" There is a blog entry about that first encounter under the title, America if you missed it, check it out. I have run into Serena several times at the bus stop. Serena started an English club for stay at home Mom's and asked if I would be interested in helping them. At first I wasn't sure but decided to visit the group last Friday. We had a wonderful time of sharing about our families and where they had all traveled. They asked about my life--which led to a little about my relationship with Jesus, how we got to Korea and about adoption. At one point almost all of these woman were crying. The moment was sweet and God felt near and I wondered if perhaps there was more to me being there than just helping some stay at home mommy's learn English--I think so. I will begin meeting with these beautiful woman every Friday from 10:00-12:00. When I told them that they didn't have to pay me (which was a bit hard for me actually) they were quite overwhelmed and then spoke in Korean for several minutes. They then said, if I ever needed anything to please tell them and they will help me. Anything--even a Doctor because one of the ladies is married to a Doctor and he speaks English so I don't have to worry about anything.
RiRa. RiRa sat down next to me on the bus a week ago. I had just left my Korean lesson and had my notes in front of me. I noticed that RiRa had notes in front of her as well--English notes. We both laughed and then began to talk. We got off the bus at the same stop and discovered that we live fairly close to one another. She asked if my daughter wanted to learn to play piano--she is a piano teacher. I said, yes, she has asked to learn to play the piano many times. She replied, "Oh, good. I am piano teacher. I teach your daughter and you talk to me in English. Same-Same." What? I started to laugh and replied, "really?" and she said, "yes, we help each other." Wow! Same. Same.
Jinny. Jinny runs the cafe I love to visit. Jinny is like rays of sunshine--not just one ray, but multiple rays. Everyone who enters her cafe is greeted in the warmest and most sincere heartfelt way. I like to say she is oozing with Jesus. I visit the cafe a couple of times a week--mostly to see Jinny!
Yesterday (Wednesday), I decided I was going to spend a good chunk of time at the cafe, reading, journaling and writing letters. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and of course there is Jinny who just makes everything wonderful. Jinny took a break from making lattes and came and sat with me for awhile. We talked, she shared her heart with me, we both cried and we prayed together. Jinny is carrying a heavy burden and because of cultural norms, she has not had a safe place to share her heart. I know that Jesus sent me to that little cafe several weeks ago for more than just a nice cup of tea.
MiYeon. Yesterday as I was finishing up my time at the cafe and met MiYeon and her daughter, Sophia. MiYeon had been sitting at the cafe bar talking to Jinny and kept looking at me. I smiled at her and carried on with my letter writing. As she was leaving, I said, good bye and she smiled and said, "Hello! I was watching you. you have a warm heart. something i see in you is different. you were reading, writing and taking pictures. i want to meet you." Whoah! She then sat down and we started an hour long conversation about our lives and families. What happened next still has me spinning. MiYeon said that she had been feeling lonely and feels like meeting me was like God sending her a friend--she wanted to buy Zach and Lia something special at her friends shop as a gift because she was so happy. I kept saying that it was not necessary and she kept insisting it was. We did this for several minutes and then walked next door to her friends shop. Zach, Lia and Todd then arrived, Todd looking at me like, "who is this and what are we doing?" I quietly told him I would share later and then she put a coat on each of the kids, wrapped Zach up in a scarf and said, "Perfect!" Afterward, we all went to have dinner together.
I'm a bit undone and incredibly grateful for all of this and these beautiful Korean woman that I've met. God is writing some beautiful stories.
O-kay, I know what you're thinking, "Kim, what are you talking about. This is your story." I know. But seriously it's been way over the top lately. I always seem to meet people and have amazing encounters with people but it's usually in a more intentional way. Years ago when I got to hang out on campus with some pretty cool college students, I had a prayer that I prayed each day I headed to campus, "Jesus, what do you want to do today? Let me in some way be an instrument of your life and love to whoever I meet." I always kept my eyes, ears and heart open to see what He might be doing.
That has been my prayer here but it's been a more random prayer--I don't pray it often and if I'm honest, sometimes I don't know how God could use me with the huge barrier of language before me (lame, I know). I have found it harder to have those "chance" encounters with people--mostly because I don't speak Korean.
Over the course of the past several weeks I have met several woman.
Serena. I met Serena several weeks ago while waiting for the bus. Her nephew saw me and called me "America!" There is a blog entry about that first encounter under the title, America if you missed it, check it out. I have run into Serena several times at the bus stop. Serena started an English club for stay at home Mom's and asked if I would be interested in helping them. At first I wasn't sure but decided to visit the group last Friday. We had a wonderful time of sharing about our families and where they had all traveled. They asked about my life--which led to a little about my relationship with Jesus, how we got to Korea and about adoption. At one point almost all of these woman were crying. The moment was sweet and God felt near and I wondered if perhaps there was more to me being there than just helping some stay at home mommy's learn English--I think so. I will begin meeting with these beautiful woman every Friday from 10:00-12:00. When I told them that they didn't have to pay me (which was a bit hard for me actually) they were quite overwhelmed and then spoke in Korean for several minutes. They then said, if I ever needed anything to please tell them and they will help me. Anything--even a Doctor because one of the ladies is married to a Doctor and he speaks English so I don't have to worry about anything.
RiRa. RiRa sat down next to me on the bus a week ago. I had just left my Korean lesson and had my notes in front of me. I noticed that RiRa had notes in front of her as well--English notes. We both laughed and then began to talk. We got off the bus at the same stop and discovered that we live fairly close to one another. She asked if my daughter wanted to learn to play piano--she is a piano teacher. I said, yes, she has asked to learn to play the piano many times. She replied, "Oh, good. I am piano teacher. I teach your daughter and you talk to me in English. Same-Same." What? I started to laugh and replied, "really?" and she said, "yes, we help each other." Wow! Same. Same.
Jinny. Jinny runs the cafe I love to visit. Jinny is like rays of sunshine--not just one ray, but multiple rays. Everyone who enters her cafe is greeted in the warmest and most sincere heartfelt way. I like to say she is oozing with Jesus. I visit the cafe a couple of times a week--mostly to see Jinny!
Yesterday (Wednesday), I decided I was going to spend a good chunk of time at the cafe, reading, journaling and writing letters. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and of course there is Jinny who just makes everything wonderful. Jinny took a break from making lattes and came and sat with me for awhile. We talked, she shared her heart with me, we both cried and we prayed together. Jinny is carrying a heavy burden and because of cultural norms, she has not had a safe place to share her heart. I know that Jesus sent me to that little cafe several weeks ago for more than just a nice cup of tea.
MiYeon. Yesterday as I was finishing up my time at the cafe and met MiYeon and her daughter, Sophia. MiYeon had been sitting at the cafe bar talking to Jinny and kept looking at me. I smiled at her and carried on with my letter writing. As she was leaving, I said, good bye and she smiled and said, "Hello! I was watching you. you have a warm heart. something i see in you is different. you were reading, writing and taking pictures. i want to meet you." Whoah! She then sat down and we started an hour long conversation about our lives and families. What happened next still has me spinning. MiYeon said that she had been feeling lonely and feels like meeting me was like God sending her a friend--she wanted to buy Zach and Lia something special at her friends shop as a gift because she was so happy. I kept saying that it was not necessary and she kept insisting it was. We did this for several minutes and then walked next door to her friends shop. Zach, Lia and Todd then arrived, Todd looking at me like, "who is this and what are we doing?" I quietly told him I would share later and then she put a coat on each of the kids, wrapped Zach up in a scarf and said, "Perfect!" Afterward, we all went to have dinner together.
I'm a bit undone and incredibly grateful for all of this and these beautiful Korean woman that I've met. God is writing some beautiful stories.
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