So today for no apparent reason I was incredibly homesick. I have no idea why, maybe its the jungle surrounding me instead of my beloved woods, or the base instead of my comforting home, but most likely it's the fact that I miss my family more than any words would ever describe, or that most of the time people have no idea what I am trying to say. Nonetheless, today was rough on my heart being so far away. I love the idea that "A man shall leave his mother and father and the two become one flesh" in all honesty I don't notice much that I even miss my home when I am with my beloved. It's those days (which happen a lot lately) that he works nights and goes in while I am asleep and is sleeping when I am home. I have the cutest puppy and a group of great people so I know that I am blessed beyond all belief, but that doesn't mean we all don't have days...
1. It rained ALL DAY (anyone who knows me knows my phobia of rain... It's gotten a lot better but still stirs that icky goop in ourselves that everyone has and tries to push away)
2. The checker lady made me jump through loop holes today acting like she didn't understand and then I used my small amount of Korean and she laughed finally and said good job I wanted to see if you could speak, I knew what you were saying the whole time :/ *annoying*
Anyway so I really wanted to just wake up my hubby and be like, MUR MUR MUR MUR COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN, but my better side said no your being dumb and he's awfully peaceful sleeping. So whats a girl to do... then it hit my like a ton of bricks MOM!!! Korean MOM, she is so lonely she must feel like this all the time! So I went to the store and picked up some Moccoli (Korean milky yogurt beer stuff, it's weird but it's apparently really good for you) it's mom's favorite she gobbles that stuff up. So I went downstairs and I was instantly so happy I did. She opened the door and threw her tiny arms around my and kissed my cheek saying "Ell-o Ell-o Brit-tiny" and grabbed my hand and took me inside. So of course I pulled out the Moccoli and her eyes lit up that I was here to stay a while, she pulled out four eggs, two tomatoes, and kim-chi (a must at all meals). She sat me down and made dinner which consisted of fried eggs, sugared tomato (don't judge I was skeptical, it was AWESOME!) and some kim-chi (I am always on a love/hate relationship with the stuff but the more I am here I find myself craving it and wanting it so badly). Anyway so I had a great dinner with mom and she was just as happy to have my company as I was her. Now, for a really funny picture imagine the tiniest old lady and me sitting there not knowing 90% of what the other is trying to say but having such a good time anyways. I pulled out the google translate and tried that, well sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not... today was most def. a NOT! In the middle of like the 4th time we had tried to translate we both just looked at each other and laughed so hard. We spend the next hour just enjoying what little we could understand of each other. It's funny, honestly, that is the last thing I had in mind for a comfort friend and someone that I could just go see whenever, but God sure knew that was just what I needed. I could not be more grateful that I have my Korean Mom and she loves me and I love her.
Like any other mom, the topic of BABIES came up and well BABY is the only English word I understood so it's one of two things she was trying to tell me...
1. She thinks I am pregnant (hoping its the latter)
2. She wants my to have a baby, she kept pointing up to our apartment saying Husband BABY!! and pointing at me saying/ yelling BABY, BABY, BABY. In return I would make a face and say NO BABY. we did this for about 20 minutes.
Seriously, I should wear a hidden camera because me and mom's adventures are HILARIOUS between how different we both look, our ages, and the language barrier it looks like a bad case of charades with your great grandma! HIL-FREAKIN-LARIOUS
Well anyway we had a blast and I am not homesick like I was, don't get me wrong I still miss my home and family, but I am so lucky to have such a loving and kind mom here, even when she has no idea what I am saying or I her.
God sure knew what He was doing when he put us in this home and brought me mom. I am ever so amazed at his orchestrating of my life, I step back and look at all the broken puzzle pieces to be put together, and realize every time that I have no broken pieces I have traded them all in for a wonderful tapestry that is yet to be complete and everyday is a new thread and color weaved just where I was meant to be and at just the right time by the best weaver possible. Even when I don't see the big picture and think you-must-have-straight-bumped-your-head! He never ceases to amaze me
Friday, July 6, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
New Adventures Abroad!
Here we in the gorgeous, concrete filled, sky tower, brisk weathered Seoul, South Korea. The flight here was a little less than superb... If you ever have the choice I would highly advise you to not fly AMC if it can be helped. On the bright side we have arrived and the worst thing was some turbulence, and lost baggage so I can't be too harsh we did after all arrive in one solid piece. we landed and got into here at something like 1 in the morning, honestly I had this grand plan to stay awake and take in the full experience of seeing everything on the bus for the first time; however, my body had other plans. After being awake for nearly two days other than sleeping on the plane with some 200 odd soldiers that seemed to be expelling gaseous substances from their bodies the entire trip, I was pretty stinking exhausted. The grandeur of the city and the lights was spectacular I was so amazed by the beauty and could take my eyes off of everything new, the sights and sounds and smells in itself were enough to feel any ones need for a change a pace... that or something along those lines would have been what I wanted to tell and say about the trip.... In all actuality and honesty it was more like I remember a blur of lights and a crying baby and my mind thinking I need to look at this. HEY! Eyes down there on that face open up, but the reality is that was as much as I could take and I don't think anything could have gotten my eyes to open...
Our first couple days here were pretty uneventful and not a whole lot to say. We can't leave base until we are out of processing and this part of base was not very big and to get to the other half you have to go off post so we are confined to our hotel, but it does have its perks. For example, the courtyard outside with the fountains and gazebos, pretty gorgeous (pictures on facebook). On the downside I would love to have a kitchen and be able to make something other than the Korean take on Mexican food, or pizzahut express downstairs... hopefully soon we will have a new home with a kitchen. =] Until then I will just have to be patient.
Yesterday however was Easter here. It was nice to see that even though we were far away little girls still dresses in frilly pastel colored dresses with their shiny new shoes and twirled around saying He is Risen. Austin and I decided to get some air and go for a walk. Outside the hotel I was taken aback by this young boy who was going on and on about how he didn't like it here, I looked over to see an exasperated mother, who counteracted with "Your not happy anywhere, In Florida we bought the boat and you weren't happy you have a Mac book, Ipad, Nintedo DS, Mac Pro, Kinect, etc... some kids have nothing." Well after hearing that I was really interested in what this little punk had to say for himself... I am a grown woman and I can't think of any of my friends who have those things let alone a nine year old (or what looked to be around that age) boy! I turned and looked at Austin and he said "No" before a word even left my mouth... "I am really biting my tongue here Aust..." The little boys next words FLOORED me "Well I can't feel bad for other kids or people I am sorry I just can't, Its like the starving kids in Africa thing whether I eat all my food or not there will still be starving kids in Africa so what am I supposed to do. I don't feel bad. I looked at Austin gave him that sorry babe gonna do it anyway turned around and let into this kid, I told him of a little boy I knew of that someone very dear to me picked up in Africa on the verge of death and had nothing and started to share about Living Hope Ethiopia and kids and mothers both there would be lucky to have enough food for today, and told the mother about the website and to have him look it up, and maybe suggest giving some what hes been given to the kids that don't have anything. So in all reality the kid will probably still be a little turd and nothing will have changed, but God opens doors in the strangest of situations. A woman turned and said "I help run an orphanage here my husbands platoon just took over sponsoring it and we work with the kids, every weekend we go visit. We are stationed at Camp Humphreys, Where are you?" Well it just so happens that Camp Humphreys is our new duty station and we will be arriving there Wednesday. Her eyes lit up probably about the size that mine were and she gave us the "Best Realtor" for housing and some good advice like whatever you do do not get oil heating, and people will show you Ace Village, Break ins are high don't go there. I immediately asked for information on program she worked with and she was just so gracious and gave me her number told me to call if we need anything when we get over to Humphreys
One more thing... this humidity is doing wonders for my curls! gotta love a girl with some bounce!
Our first couple days here were pretty uneventful and not a whole lot to say. We can't leave base until we are out of processing and this part of base was not very big and to get to the other half you have to go off post so we are confined to our hotel, but it does have its perks. For example, the courtyard outside with the fountains and gazebos, pretty gorgeous (pictures on facebook). On the downside I would love to have a kitchen and be able to make something other than the Korean take on Mexican food, or pizzahut express downstairs... hopefully soon we will have a new home with a kitchen. =] Until then I will just have to be patient.
Yesterday however was Easter here. It was nice to see that even though we were far away little girls still dresses in frilly pastel colored dresses with their shiny new shoes and twirled around saying He is Risen. Austin and I decided to get some air and go for a walk. Outside the hotel I was taken aback by this young boy who was going on and on about how he didn't like it here, I looked over to see an exasperated mother, who counteracted with "Your not happy anywhere, In Florida we bought the boat and you weren't happy you have a Mac book, Ipad, Nintedo DS, Mac Pro, Kinect, etc... some kids have nothing." Well after hearing that I was really interested in what this little punk had to say for himself... I am a grown woman and I can't think of any of my friends who have those things let alone a nine year old (or what looked to be around that age) boy! I turned and looked at Austin and he said "No" before a word even left my mouth... "I am really biting my tongue here Aust..." The little boys next words FLOORED me "Well I can't feel bad for other kids or people I am sorry I just can't, Its like the starving kids in Africa thing whether I eat all my food or not there will still be starving kids in Africa so what am I supposed to do. I don't feel bad. I looked at Austin gave him that sorry babe gonna do it anyway turned around and let into this kid, I told him of a little boy I knew of that someone very dear to me picked up in Africa on the verge of death and had nothing and started to share about Living Hope Ethiopia and kids and mothers both there would be lucky to have enough food for today, and told the mother about the website and to have him look it up, and maybe suggest giving some what hes been given to the kids that don't have anything. So in all reality the kid will probably still be a little turd and nothing will have changed, but God opens doors in the strangest of situations. A woman turned and said "I help run an orphanage here my husbands platoon just took over sponsoring it and we work with the kids, every weekend we go visit. We are stationed at Camp Humphreys, Where are you?" Well it just so happens that Camp Humphreys is our new duty station and we will be arriving there Wednesday. Her eyes lit up probably about the size that mine were and she gave us the "Best Realtor" for housing and some good advice like whatever you do do not get oil heating, and people will show you Ace Village, Break ins are high don't go there. I immediately asked for information on program she worked with and she was just so gracious and gave me her number told me to call if we need anything when we get over to Humphreys
One more thing... this humidity is doing wonders for my curls! gotta love a girl with some bounce!
Monday, January 16, 2012
just some random thoughts
Righty- Hoe!
so a lot has been going on, and I mean a lot not like the normal "oh you know a lot happened, I went to the store I bought some cheese; I ate the cheese, I went to sleep...etc.." no not like that, I'm talking about BIG BANG BOOM Your whole life changed-kinda-change. Well in this whole shin-dig of sometimes crappy sometimes great list of somewhat catastophic events has somehow seemed to grow in my life lately...
heres some snazzy stuff I learned...
1. YOU CANNOT CHANGE IT!
I know we hear that all the time, how you can't change anything so you mine as well be a happy camper in it all. Well here's the thing... emotions happen you can't always he happy by any means, but that doesn't mean we can't be joyful. In fact we are called to be joyful and in more cases then not in those times when we are least likely to be joyful is when the Lord shows his face more and more and reveals more and more and more grace which we all NEED. I've found that more times than not it is ummm... what's that word I'm looking for... Oh I got it! Pride that, especially in my own experience is our greatest downfall, Pride Pride Pride! the feeling of I can't ask for help or let anyone know what's going on because of how awful I've made a mess of things or the embarressment we think it will bring, but isn't that the glory of it all that God already knows our problems and the issues that are going on? Does he not know everything???? Whats his promise that when everything fell we'd be HELD held HELD . Why is it so hard to accept that things happen and no matter how or why they do, we KNOW that someone else has a greater plan! "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord..." Declares he's not just muttering under his breathe thinking man I hope they don't really hear this cause I'm kinda winging it, NO! He DECLARES! He screams though every aspect of his being love and plans for us. So knowing that why is it so stinking hard to accept that he just wants to help and be there for our every need. Why is it when suffering or any kind of troubles come our way instead of thinking wow I know he's got a plan we point the finger saying, "hey man I know you say you've got this, but really can I give you some pointers?" I have so been challenged lately to be still and rest. Knowing, and TRUSTING that He's got this and accepting whatever comes my way trusting that He will guide everything to work out fot them that know Him.
which brings me to my next point...
I was having coffee with my ole morning buddy Ravi, and he brought up an interesting point. Which at the time I didn't think much about, but later on that day soaked up the full meaning and application of what he was trying to tell me...
2. YOU CANNOT PLAY GOD! not play as in acting romeo-juliet status, play in the sense were dealing dirty and gonna play those loser cause they don't know what's coming. We get so caught up in the LIE that literally takes over our entire being and state of mind, and in return we build this worldview around the idea we can play God, right about now your probably going oh my who would do this??? that's not me whats this crazy-spaz-of-a-girl talking about. Well let's own up! How many times do we live off the lie it won't hurt anyone else, think of a criminal and what do most of them say? "If I had only known that it would hurt my family and kids I NEVER would have done it" That sounds sooooo good, soooo innocent and so meaningful, of course he never would have done it if he had known..... well folks REALITY CHECK Uh... Ya, you did know and ya you still did. Sure maybe you didn't know every detail of what was going to happen. When you believe into the lie that you can somehow lie and get away with something that goes DIRECTlY against what we're supposed to do, yes you do. In reality your believing you can somehow play God and get away scotch free... People wake up! IT doesn't work like that! IT never has! Once you buy into this lie it starts to fester and spread like the plague to every other aspect of your being until you are so totally consumed by lies that it is all you know and the very core of what you are believing, isn't true because you bought into the lie that you can somehow play and do a better job than that which created you! it just doesn't work....
well just some things to think about I guess....
so a lot has been going on, and I mean a lot not like the normal "oh you know a lot happened, I went to the store I bought some cheese; I ate the cheese, I went to sleep...etc.." no not like that, I'm talking about BIG BANG BOOM Your whole life changed-kinda-change. Well in this whole shin-dig of sometimes crappy sometimes great list of somewhat catastophic events has somehow seemed to grow in my life lately...
heres some snazzy stuff I learned...
1. YOU CANNOT CHANGE IT!
I know we hear that all the time, how you can't change anything so you mine as well be a happy camper in it all. Well here's the thing... emotions happen you can't always he happy by any means, but that doesn't mean we can't be joyful. In fact we are called to be joyful and in more cases then not in those times when we are least likely to be joyful is when the Lord shows his face more and more and reveals more and more and more grace which we all NEED. I've found that more times than not it is ummm... what's that word I'm looking for... Oh I got it! Pride that, especially in my own experience is our greatest downfall, Pride Pride Pride! the feeling of I can't ask for help or let anyone know what's going on because of how awful I've made a mess of things or the embarressment we think it will bring, but isn't that the glory of it all that God already knows our problems and the issues that are going on? Does he not know everything???? Whats his promise that when everything fell we'd be HELD held HELD . Why is it so hard to accept that things happen and no matter how or why they do, we KNOW that someone else has a greater plan! "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord..." Declares he's not just muttering under his breathe thinking man I hope they don't really hear this cause I'm kinda winging it, NO! He DECLARES! He screams though every aspect of his being love and plans for us. So knowing that why is it so stinking hard to accept that he just wants to help and be there for our every need. Why is it when suffering or any kind of troubles come our way instead of thinking wow I know he's got a plan we point the finger saying, "hey man I know you say you've got this, but really can I give you some pointers?" I have so been challenged lately to be still and rest. Knowing, and TRUSTING that He's got this and accepting whatever comes my way trusting that He will guide everything to work out fot them that know Him.
which brings me to my next point...
I was having coffee with my ole morning buddy Ravi, and he brought up an interesting point. Which at the time I didn't think much about, but later on that day soaked up the full meaning and application of what he was trying to tell me...
2. YOU CANNOT PLAY GOD! not play as in acting romeo-juliet status, play in the sense were dealing dirty and gonna play those loser cause they don't know what's coming. We get so caught up in the LIE that literally takes over our entire being and state of mind, and in return we build this worldview around the idea we can play God, right about now your probably going oh my who would do this??? that's not me whats this crazy-spaz-of-a-girl talking about. Well let's own up! How many times do we live off the lie it won't hurt anyone else, think of a criminal and what do most of them say? "If I had only known that it would hurt my family and kids I NEVER would have done it" That sounds sooooo good, soooo innocent and so meaningful, of course he never would have done it if he had known..... well folks REALITY CHECK Uh... Ya, you did know and ya you still did. Sure maybe you didn't know every detail of what was going to happen. When you believe into the lie that you can somehow lie and get away with something that goes DIRECTlY against what we're supposed to do, yes you do. In reality your believing you can somehow play God and get away scotch free... People wake up! IT doesn't work like that! IT never has! Once you buy into this lie it starts to fester and spread like the plague to every other aspect of your being until you are so totally consumed by lies that it is all you know and the very core of what you are believing, isn't true because you bought into the lie that you can somehow play and do a better job than that which created you! it just doesn't work....
well just some things to think about I guess....
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