Breaking News!

The last time I used "Breaking News" as a title of a blog post, it was because I was SO EXCITED that my child slept through the night.  I was chided that, though exciting (for me!), it wasn't news enough to elicit such a post/title.. (sorry, Geniene.).  But this time, it is big, life-changing news. 

So... without further delay...

We are moving!.. from the heart of Seoul to the Heartlands of the USA...  Orange City, Iowa to be exact.  

So much has happened the past few months, so let me review:

In May, Jarrod graduated from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and began an intense job search. 

In June, we ended our 5th year in Seoul and work at YISS.  We packed up 11 suitcases and made our last (for now?) international flight from Seoul to Virginia on June 24th.  

Since then, we stayed at Grandaddy's and Grandmomma's house while continuing the job search. Jarrod interviewed with Maurice 1st Reformed Church in Maurice, Iowa (pronounced "Morris") for their Sr. High Youth Pastor vacancy.  On August 5th, right after Jarrod's second interview with the church, they emailed and said that they wanted to fly us out for the weekend.  We decided to go check it out (but leave Marc and Emmalyn behind with Grammy and Grandpa Puff); so in anticipation of that trip, we went ahead and moved all of our family over to Jarrod's parents house to get the kids settled before we left them for 5(!) days.  Then, on Thursday, August 14th, Jarrod and I (along with Alaina) said goodbye to our kids (who couldn't care less.. they were having fun playing with cousins) and tearfully drove to the airport.  (Don't judge, we have never -both- left them before!!)  Soon we were off - and after two really quick flights (compared to the long, international ones that we were used to) we found ourselves in Northwest Iowa with smiling faces waiting there to greet us.   

The head of the church's search committee arranged for us to meet a lot of different groups of people over the next few days for informal.. and more formal.. interviews (plus sight-seeing, house hunting, etc).  We were all getting to know each other, and having a great time. We were encouraged to see what God is doing at the church and in the community and excited about how we could join that work.  We found the area to be safe, friendly, and family-oriented.  The church is very active and growing.  It has a large children's ministry, with three different pastors over the children, jr. high, and sr. high groups.   Each of those pastors has a large team of people volunteering their time to share ideas, plan events, and love on kids throughout the year.   Jarrod and I were excited to think about the ways we could fit in with this ministry, and how our children could be involved at the church, too!

On Sunday night, after the last interview with the church consistory (the church's governing body made up of 9 elders and 9 deacons), Jarrod officially received the call from Maurice 1st Reformed church to be their Sr. High Youth Pastor.  On Monday, he signed the contract.. and we looked more seriously at houses.  Then we flew home to Virginia to be reunited with our kids on Tuesday morning.  What a whirlwind it was.  But so good.  

Since then, we bought a house (yes, you read that correctly) in Orange City (about 7 miles away from Maurice) that is just down the street from the high school where most of the church youth attend... complete with a guest room for all the visitors we will have.  You know you want to come visit Iowa!.. 

Random Iowa facts that may (or may not) entice you to visit:

• Mealtimes are... different.  We were told that people routinely eat:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Lunch, Supper, Lunch.  Which translates as: Breakfast is in the A.M., Lunch is a snack.. not at a meal time, Dinner is the noon-time meal, and Supper is in the evening.  So..  that could be confusing if I invite someone over for our lunch or dinner... :)
• Orange City has a large Dutch population that is evidenced in the "Dutch village" style shopping on their main street, parks, foods, annual Tulip festival, and souvenirs.. even the high-school mascot is the Dutchmen.
• Le Mars, Iowa (close to where we live) is known as the "ice cream capital of the world" (I knew I liked Iowa!).  Blue Bunny ice cream is made there.. and it is delicious! :)  

We are excited about this new chapter of our lives.  We will be moving to Iowa once we close on the house we are buying.. tentatively the beginning of October.  The Lord has clearly opened this door for us and we are excited to step out in faith and see how He is continuing to work in us, around us, and through us - specifically with the people in Sioux County, Iowa.  

Please keep our family in your prayers as we move and seek to serve the Lord in this new place!

2014 Quarter 2 review

As I think back over the last three months.. April, May, and June.. I mostly think about how we have been packing and preparing to move. For the purposes of this update, let me recap the last few months to the best of my ability... 

In April, we got outside our house and even outside of Seoul as we enjoyed the warmer weather together.  

Alaina turned 6 months old and started food adventures!

She is such a joy!

In May, we celebrated with Jarrod as he completed his seminary degree and spent lots of intentional time getting together with friends to say "goodbye".  

June brought more goodbyes, give aways, packing, and Grandaddy's visit!  

 Marc and Emmalyn made pillow cases that their friends drew on to remember them by.

Jarrod's mentor, Lee Parsons, spoke about the person that he is and impact he had at the high school staff goodbye dinner.

We also had lots of hello's as we returned to the USA and introduced Alaina to many of her anxiously waiting family members!

As we have made it half-way through this year (where has it gone?!).. and end a significant part of our lives - I look back and think about what a wonderful place.. and community that it has been for us to start a family.   As we have been preparing our hearts to leave this place we called home for the past 5 years and these people who walked beside us as we grew up from a young professional couple to a family of five, I know that we will miss Korea.  We do miss Korea and the friendships that have impacted our lives for the better.   Still our home is not one place but wherever our family is - and so we move on together with hope in our hearts of the unknown that is to come and trust in God that He is with us through this transition. 

Grandaddy and Moving

Our last week in Seoul, my dad flew out to help keep our kids company while we packed up our house to move back to the USA.  We had a fun time seeing some of the sights in Seoul with him as a sort of "last hurrah" and goodbye.  

Here are some of our pictures from the week:

We went to Gyeongbokgung, the largest palace in Seoul, and watched the changing of the guard.
Our children were photographed (a lot) by the Chinese tourists there while Dad towered above everyone and got a good view.  Marc and Emmalyn didn't know what to think of all these strangers giving them so much attention!

We spent a lot of time packing and going through all of our stuff to see what would make the cut into one of our 11 bags and what we needed to sell or give away.  Dad had some quality time with the grandchildren and we appreciated his help!

What a mess!  Dad was patient with us while we slowly packed...

Marc and Emmalyn shared their favorite lunchtime meal with Grandaddy.. Kimbap!

Jarrod took Dad out for a night of Screen Golf! 

As we drove around Seoul, we all packed into our small car.. Jarrod and Dad up front, and me with the three kids in the back..

Finally... all our bags were packed!

And it's off to the airport!

We were a sight... so glad that Dad was there to help push all our stuff through the airport!!

Only 14 hours between us and the USA.  Hooray for a direct flight to Virginia from Seoul!

Yeah!  We made it!  Safe and Sound... and TIRED.. finally to Grandaddy's and Grandmomma's house!