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.