Twenty Ten!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of may kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:2-4

I still continue to feel as if my presence in Boise is one that has been intended to stretch me, to cause me to rely more on my faith in Christ and less on myself and it's evident it's a continuous process in learning perseverance.

And although difficult some days, I am loving it. My life is rich. I am blessed and I am daily reminded that I get to share my life with some pretty special people each day.

The holidays were good. I am glad I was able to be home to experience both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

Mom and I - Thanksgiving Day

Mom and Dad - I love that they love each other so much!

Chanceman - Christmas

My dear friend Marty and I out on the ATVs on Christmas Day

Grandma Yo! I absolutely adore this lady.

New Years! My good friend Benj

Marty's Birthday!!! Marty sadly leaves tomorrow for Moscow. I will miss him terribly, but am so excited for this new season in his life.

In some other (and VERY exciting) news.... I head to the southern states at the end of this month! I couldn't be more excited for the adventure of heading to Arkansas and Texas. I'm heading over to visit a very good friend and to explore the big city of Dallas! Can't wait :)

The Little Brother

Chance is one of the coolest and funniest kids I know.



Whether he knows it or not, he's my hero and I absolutely adore him.

Living For Today

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

“Invest yourself entirely in the here and now.” -Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese scholar and activist

What an incredible amount of time that has passed since my last blog. I traveled through Europe, (which sadly, I still need to post pictures of most of the trip), moved back to Boise and have been doing my best every day to basically relearn life as an American IN America :)

Since I've not done my due diligence in keeping things updated, I guess I just lay it out there the best way I can.

My first week back I was incredibly blessed to line up a job, get a car, phone and new place to live. I stood back and marveled at how well it came together. I spent my summer enjoying every marvelous thing I could: family, friends, grass between my toes, river rafting and floating, hiking, BBQs, fellowship with my church family at Calvary Chapel Boise, celebrating turning yet another year older, Taco Bell... I really could go on.

Sarah, Kara at a fabulous 80's party

Me and Pops out in Sweet


Chance and Sissy

In Portland to visit Christina :)

Saturday Market with the girls :) Linds, Kara and Alex

Silly times with Grandma Yo and Chanceman

Along with these amazing things I was able to experience during the transition of moving back, there have also been many painful times of heartache, confusion, uncertainty, a new found realization of self and the learning the importance of boundaries. Naturally an optimistic person, this process I have gone through over the last few months has been a shock to my entire being. Once the 'Reverse Culture Shock' skeptic, I have now been living and going through exactly that.... and in a very big way. I have been more homesick for Korea than I EVER was homesick for Boise while living abroad.

BUT... I am getting through it.

With that said, I am a continuous work and testimony to God's grace and faithfulness.
I encourage us all to live fully in today, to not be so busy looking ahead that we forget to invest in what's coming at us right now.

More to come, folks. Stay tuned :)

XOXO
J.

My Father

It was Father's Day last weekend and I'm just now getting around to sharing with everyone why he's such a great Dad.

We have somewhat of a unique family situation and because of it, I've been able to see my Dad's love for me as completely unconditional.

He's taught me some really important lessons about life, has made me a strong person and has always been someone I can completely trust and depend on.

The older I get, the more I see truly what a great guy he is.

His approval means everything to me and there's not a single time I am not thankful for him in my life.

I love you Dad.

Greece

Greece really is as beautiful as you see in any photo. I wish I had more time to write about the places I've visited. I will most likely have to update at a later time. I want to get somewhat caught up though.

Sarah and I are having a great time in Italia so far... especially with all the shopping around us. We might be getting ourselves into trouble. Our motto? When in Rome...

But here's a look at what I had the opportunity to experience in Greece:

Athens







Ios Island







Me and Sarah

Manchester. London. Amsterdam. Berlin

I have spent the last week and a half traveling around with about 17 or so others from Calvary Chapel Boise. What an amazing group of young men and women the Lord brought to Europe. I have been so thankful to spend such a great amount of time with my church family from Boise. It makes me eager to spend a good amount of time at home with friends and family beginning July.

From community BBQs in the suburbs of Manchester, England to sharing the Gospel with prostitutes and those who walk the streets of the world-famous Red Light District in Amsterdam and then to experience the culture and history existing within the city walls of Berlin, there has been much to see, much to reflect on and so many things the Lord has done!

The power of the Gospel changes lives.

Here's a few photos to capture the essence of what has happened lately and what I've seen in the last week and a half:

Meet Sam Crager:

Kirk and Mindy Crager serve as missionaries and pastor the church in Stockport, England. This is their oldest son. He's absolutely hilarious and all of their kids are delightful.


Pablo sharing with a man on our train to catch our ferry to head to Amsterdam


London:



The beauty of Amsterdam completely captivated me.

Dublin

I have arrived in Manchester as of this morning and almost missed my flight! I sprinted for about 8 full minutes and was able to make it to the gate in time to board. Go figure it was the last gate in the ENTIRE Dublin airport. Here are a few shots from Dublin.

So far travels have been great and I'm so glad to be meeting up to do some ministry and evangelism with my home church.

Ahnyoung!

Friday May 22 marked my last day teaching at CDI. It was hard to say goodbye to some of my students, but I feel confident about moving on. Saturday was the going away party.

I am in awe of how many amazing people I have in my life. I feel so loved. I felt the same way I did when I first left Boise to come to Korea. It's really cool to see it come full circle and to see the thriving community of friends that I have in Korea.


Thanks to everyone who came out! I proudly proclaim that each person who was there has been a valuable part of my life in Korea and has taught me about life in one way or another.

Her Morning Elegance

I figured this was worth a post. I think it's beautiful.

Enjoy!

Baby Bumblebee

A piece of preciousness with my student Jack. Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy being his teacher!

Love Love Love

Today is Mother's Day. I called my mom to wish her well, but my absence by living abroad leaves me feeling empty and powerless to actually let her know how thankful I am she's my mother. She's a wonderful woman who has always directly and indirectly taught me about life. There are moments when I realize I am becoming much like her and it always brings a smile to my face.


She's made many sacrifices that upon thinking about, choke me up because I realize I don't know if I'd truly have the courage or strength to pull through the way she has.

I love my mother and I gladly call her my friend.

That being said, I'm two weeks away from my big Europe trip and that much closer to being back in Boise to spend time with my family and friends. Destination?

Ireland

England

Netherlands

Germany

Greece

Italy

Spain

I'm also two weeks away from being finished with my job. I have been amazed at how wonderful it's been to work here; however, a few weeks ago I experienced frustration that has been somewhat of a challenge to deal with. The challenge has been a learning experience and overall positive, but I will be glad to move on to the next chapter, but will greatly miss many of my dear students.

I feel like maybe this challenge has a lot to do with what Mr. Oswald Chambers has put really well:

"Now He commands me to show the same love to others by saying, ". . . love one another as I have loved you" ( John 15:12 ). He is saying, "I will bring a number of people around you whom you cannot respect, but you must exhibit My love to them, just as I have exhibited it to you." This kind of love is not a patronizing love for the unlovable— it is His love, and it will not be evidenced in us overnight. Some of us may have tried to force it, but we were soon tired and frustrated."

I am sorry for the love that has not been true or genuine and am challenged by the reminder that God's love will not continue to grow in me unless it is nurtured.

What an amazing Lord I serve that deals with me in such a gracious way regardless of my faults, failures and insecurities.

Praying for authentic love,
- J.