He is Risen!

Even a week after the Easter celebration, those words are still true!

There's something about the weather on Easter weekend... the dark clouds and storms on Good Friday and the transition to sunlight and warmth on Easter day... God seems to be speaking through creation of his miracle of salvation. It is as real as the weather: the storms and the sunlight.

Creations continues to testify through symbols of new life: the eggs, the animals and everything in bloom. The dawn of spring seems to forgive the harshness of winter. Hope is alive.

He is risen, indeed!

Six Years.
Seis Años.
6년.

Sometimes it seems like we're still on our honeymoon, and sometimes it seems like we've been married twice as long. There have been surprises, joy, disappointments, tears and laughter- what an adventure! The fun is in getting to know each other more each day, falling in love with the familiar, and getting swept of your feet by something you never expected. I am still learning the meaning of "for better or for worse" as the worse times often bring us together and in greater need of each other, and the better times probably don't receive enough of our praise or thanks.

How God knew that Choonghwan was perfect for me doesn't matter; what matters is that He knew and he clued me in just in time. I am thankful not only for the relationship we have together, but for the relationship we share in our Lord and the testimony that echoes from our "love story."

Happy Anniversary, Baby! Thanks for these six years of sweet lovin' and here's to many, many more! 사랑해요!

"Tour of the South"

I wasn't going to sit at home alone during my spring break this year, so I started making plans to travel, and invited myself to stay with family along a "Tour of the South" road trip.

The first stop was Knoxville where Choonghwan was able to join me for the weekend. Since Monday was my 30th birthday, mom had planned a birthday dinner with family, and Katy and Chip were also able to make it down for the evening. I have to say that I was especially touched by this birthday. Birthdays seemed like such a special event as I was growing up, but since we've all married and moved away, the celebration has kind of dwindled. I think part of that is just being an adult- boo! Anyway, the sentiments in the cards, the thoughtfulness behind the gifts, and being surrounded by family just because it was my birthday was very, very special and meaningful. A perfect way to start year #30!

From Knoxville, I headed to Athens to stay with Aunt Pat. Again, I was impressed with a wonderful homemade birthday dinner that was cooking as I pulled in. I enjoyed our visit so, so much and was also glad for Pat's help and generosity in getting me to Atlanta to help Kane and Jana with their week.

For those who don't know, my little brother is getting his PhD at Georgia Tech and has just hit the home stretch in that process. The short of it is, because of a glitch in the process, he was in a place to need my help, and I was honored and glad to do it! I really enjoyed just being an extra pair of hands for Kane and Jana and Mara Kate. I am so thankful that we have established a relationship that allows us to ask for and offer help. I was also glad to see God in the details of the timing of my trip, knowing that He will continue to provide for us all as He sees our every need!

From Atlanta, I headed to Birmingham to visit with Patch and Laren. Patch was a HUGE help with our taxes and Laren was a great listener when I found out that Choonghwan's paycheck had bounced... ! On Friday, Laren and I took a tour of Birmingham which included the farm where her family boards their horses. It was such a pretty place, and I was so impressed with Laren's rapport with those beautiful creatures.

To sum up this trip in one word: PERFECT. Travelling was safe and smooth, there were opportunities to give and receive, and I was reminded again and again of just how blessed I am to have the family and friends that I have. I so, so glad the thought of this trip crossed my mind and that I seized the opportunity. Thanks to all who opened their doors!

pitter patter

Our little apartment came alive this weekend as we kept Mara Kate so Kane and Jana could have a romantic Valentine's Day. Okay, so that's a guise... we have been wanting to have her for a while, and it just happened to work out this weekend! Thanks to Tuie and Papa Dog for bringing her our way, and thanks to Jana for meeting us half way in Chattanooga.

We really had a sweet, comfortable time and enjoyed watching each other taking on "parenting" roles. Mara Kate was a gem, which is to be expected from her upbringing, of course. I am really proud of all three of us for the "new" things we did!

Now our apartment is much quieter, and I'm sure Kane and Jana are getting an ear-full as Mara Kate relays all that went on. Here are a few pictures from our time together.... take note of all the smiles! :)

At the library's performance of "Anansi"

making pizza for dinner (no pepperoni's on MKs slice!)

playground!

cute!
Choonghwan is such a good sport!

the "carous" ride

books, books...

and more books!fruit 'naks on the way to meet mommy... a happy girl!

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving has passed, but there is still plenty to be thankful for: only two weeks of school remain til break, I've had SO much fun shopping for Christmas, Choonghwan has been off on Sundays, and there is more Family time to come! Other than that, I don't have much to share, but do have a few recent pics from Thanksgiving travels.

Thankful for some "away time" with Choonghwan!

Thankful for Laren and Patch's hospitality!

Thankful for hugs and lovin'!

Thankful for moms and grandmoms!

Thankful for the finer things in life that we don't deserve but are somehow gifted to us!

F A L L

I wasn't sure this was going to be a pretty fall, but it has been gorgeous and long-lasting on our end. We made a "fall trip" to Knoxville so we could get a chance to be with family. I'm looking forward to seeing lots of them over the upcoming holidays (and a special girl's birthday), but with retail schedules, hospital schedules and travels, I don't think we'll have a chance to be all together in one place. I plan to have fun making the best of it all...

Beading...

Beading has been a hobby for a long time, but I've recently enjoyed spending more time letting the creative juices flow. Here are a few of my recent favorites:

Dak Galbi

This has to be one of my favorite Korean dishes, and cooking it tonite brought me back to the restaurant outside of Mok Dong subway stations in Seoul. We must have visited that place weekly! I thought I would share pictures of the process...




The chicken is marinated in the following: red pepper paste, red pepper, pepper, rice wine, garlic, ginger, soy, sugar and sesame oil. (With all of those peppers, you know it's spicy!)

Add sliced cabbage to the mix and simmer...

Cook until things just begin to blacken...

The final product! (above) Just put the pan in the middle of the table and eat right out of it!

After most of the meat and cabbage is gone, cut the "kim" (seaweed) into small strips, add rice and red pepper paste, and simmer again...

Dak Galbi Bokum Bap!

(just in case you weren't full before!)

Labor Day

Life seems to be setting somewhat of a normal pace for us (if there is such a thing) since we have moved back from Korea. When we first moved back, I felt such an urgency to be with family, probably because I had been away for so long. I would jump an any chance to see family, and if something came in the way of a trip to Knoxville, I was often crushed. The time apart made me realize that it is worth anything- time, $ and any hassle- to be with family. During my first year of teaching, I felt like I couldn't get away enough, and Choonghwan's various jobs have sometimes made it difficult for us to get away together. With us living in Nashville, and family spread out in Knoxville, Birmingham and Atlanta, it is possible to be on the road every weekend!

All of that to say that this past weekend was so enjoyable. It wasn't perfect- We missed Patch and Laren, and Choonghwan and I had to come separately. And, of course, holidays are always shortlived. But, still, it was wonderful time with FAMILY!