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. 

2014 Quarter 1 Review

I was unsure about continuing the quarterly updates this year - but since I have found it increasingly difficult to maintain the blog, I decided one big post about what we have been up to would help relieve the pressure to post often.   Soooo.. its 2014.. what have we been up to?!

Emmalyn turned 2 in January, Marc turned 4 in February.. and Alaina keeps getting bigger.. her food adventures will start soon!  I started exercising, which sometimes proves to be challenging with little kids around - but overall have a really supportive family!  Jarrod has started working out with me at the YISS school gym - which I really enjoy - while our kids run around us (mostly).. and Alaina naps in her carseat.   It feels good to be moving again.  I am also continuing to occasionally take pictures for friends.. and am learning more about my hobby with each new photo shoot.  I really enjoy photography... and already am "booked" for a few more events/sessions in the next few months. :) 

Jarrod finished another class at Liberty, ended the basketball season (a highlight of his year at YISS!), started a discipleship group with his basketball boys, fulfilled all of his Seminary internship hours, and has begun his final class in his Master's degree program.  He has been working hard - and has become quite accustomed to independent learning and meeting deadlines quickly (and with excellent work!).   We are looking forward to his graduation in May!

Jarrod also went on a mission trip to the Philippines with a group of 16 YISS high school students and two other teachers.  In short, it was a fantastic experience - but more on that soon!  Jarrod's mom has been staying with us while he was away, we are so thankful for her help... hopefully more on her visit, soon, as well! :)

 AND, this past Sunday, we dedicated Alaina to the Lord at our church, Onnuri English Ministry.  It was extra special to have Jarrod's mom at the service!

Other photo favorites from the past 3 months:

The weather seemed to get warmer quicker this year.. and we are already enjoying the cherry blossoms in bloom!  Springtime always gets me thinking about cleaning, sorting, decluttering, and switching out our clothes for the warmer seasons.  This year, springtime marks the beginning of the end for us in Korea.  We recently bought our one-way plane tickets to return to the US in late June.  With Jarrod finishing Seminary in May, he will be looking for a job with a church... so while we are unsure of where we will be living in a few months, we know we will make our first stop in Virginia.  

Please pray for us as we job search and as we get ready to move away.  We are starting to sort through what to keep... and preparing our hearts - and our children's hearts - to say goodbye to this place we have called home for the past 5 years. Tonight, as we were packing Jarrod's mom's bags with stuff I had set aside, knowing we wanted it back in the States with us.. Marc saw me piling it all on my bed, and decided he need to get ready to pack for our move as well.  He took all of the toys out of his play area and set them "out" to pack.  Sadly, he does not realize that we will not be taking most of the toys that he wanted to pack.  Please pray that we would have wisdom as we guide our kids on how to move, how to say goodbye well, and how to help them decide what to keep and what to give away.  It is definitely a new experience to move internationally with children - and right now, being unsure of where we will end up, we are looking to provide them with as much stability and consistency as we can.. both here and when we get back to the States.  We are excited about the possibilities of next chapter in our lives... but we still have three months left in Seoul! It would be easy to become fixated on "what's next" - as that is the most frequent question that we get when people hear we are leaving Seoul - and for a while, I was.. constantly looking for jobs, etc.. but the Lord is teaching me to trust Him, and to wait for His timing... not to worry about tomorrow.  Proverbs 19:21 says, "many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose  that prevails."
For now, we are trying make the most of our time left in Seoul, with the students at YISS, our international playgroup, families and friends from church and our neighbourhood community with playdates, picnics, and potlucks.   I find myself not as annoyed with traffic as we are trying to get home late in the evening - but instead enjoying the street signs that have Korean writing and the city lights.  This has been a good place for us to live and become a family.  I hope that in the next three months, we are able to continue to have wonderful experiences - and to really enjoy being here in this place, at this time, to be used for His purposes.

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven... 

a time to plant and a time to uproot.. a time to keep and a time to throw away... 

He has made everything beautiful in its time." 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

2013 Quarter 3 and 4 Update

Happy New Year's Eve!

This 2013 year I started writing quarterly updates instead of waiting until this [busy] time of year to write a year-long update.  It started out well, with the Quarter 1 update coming out on time, then Quarter 2's update was written a month late... Quarter 3 ended when I was in the hospital to give birth to Alaina, and I didn't think about writing the update until November... and by that time I just figured I should combine 3 and 4 into one.  So here's what we've been up to this second half of this year:

We spent the month of July in Virginia, watching our kids play, learn, and grow alongside their cousins while making s'mores, eating cotton candy, swimming, and running around playgrounds.  Marc jumped off diving board for the first time (hooray!) into the waiting arms of Mommy or Daddy... and so our little copy cat, Emmalyn, climbed out of the pool and went right off the board as well.  She won't be left behind!  We helped my mother move to Virginia from Maine, which makes it much easier for our kids to now visit all of their grandparents- all living in the same state!  We are so thankful for the time we spend each summer reconnecting with family and friends in the States.  It was with full hearts and a fun memories that we headed back to Korea for our 5th year.

This fall has been busy!  In August we settled into our new apartment, made new friends (and neighbors!) and got reacquainted with old ones. In September we got ready for the baby to come, getting a crib set up just in time as we then welcomed Alaina into our family on October 7th.  My Mom arrived to Seoul the day before she was born and stayed with us the entire month of October.  November came and went quickly beginning the holiday season and colder weather.  December was full of Christmasy fun with intermittent sickness, and our 6 year anniversary!

More specifically, 

Jarrod completed another semester of seminary, two classes on global theology and the first half of a 300 hour internship with the Third Culture Kids at YISS.  This was a tricky semester, both of his research papers being due during some of our most busy/difficult weeks (Alaina's birth in October and hospitalization in December) and still his diligence and hard work paid off and he managed to pull out top scores in his classes.  He has been busy at YISS, in addition to his job responsibilities, Jarrod completed over 150 hours of extra-curricular activities, pouring into the lives of the YISS students while: coaching middle school cross-country, coaching high school JV basketball, sponsoring a club,  leading a GWAM (Gardians With a Mission) trip - in the initial preparation meetings for their actual trip this coming Spring Break, and taking Korean 1 classes.   Despite all that he does for work and seminary, he comes home and jumps in to help around the house, play with the kids, hold Alaina, or do whatever is necessary to keep this ship sailing smoothly.  :)  We are so thankful for Daddy and all that he does!

Stephanie (I)... gave birth to another child... which has taken up most of this Fall. And, in addition to keeping Marc and Emmalyn alive, relatively healthy, and learning about God and the world around them, I try to support Jarrod however possible... even just with taking cookies to his basketball team or having them over to our house for a party.  

I joined BSF international to begin studying the book of Matthew, which has provided a rich learning environment, sweet community, and the only 2 hours during the  weekday that I am away from the kids.  I am thankful for this ministry, and especially the childcare -  that they actually teach Marc and Emmalyn about the Lord while we are there.  I also tried out an online Bible study facilitated by Good Morning Girls.  It was really neat to be able to daily connect with friends around the globe on a spiritual level, and be encouraged every time I opened up Facebook!  I took a more supportive role in our international playgroup, remaining on the leadership team but more involved in the planning and preparing than the actual running of this event.  It has been a good semester, focusing on how God gives us good gifts.  We have so much to be thankful for!

Marc went to the dentist for the first time, upgraded from a tricycle to a small bicycle with training wheels, learned the difference between numbers and letters, memorized Genesis 1:1, learned to use a point-and-shoot camera, entered the "why" stage, and took a huge step toward independence (thanks for the help, Mom!) in learning to get dressed and use the restroom all by himself. What a big boy!  Marc loves being active - and blames his body for why he is so wiggly.  He will settle down for a good book or movie though.  Mickey Mouse is still his favorite.. everything! TV show, movie, app, clothes, play toys, bibs, cups, utensils... generally anything with Mickey is "what I've always wanted", as he likes to say.  Marc does love to play with his friends, and Emmalyn is his best playmate.  He has a special place in his heart for the "new baby", too - and it is so sweet to see him excited as he tenderly interacts with Alaina.  

Emmalyn is our almost 2 year old, going on 6! This girl won't be left behind and can do - almost - anything that Marc can do!  She is speaking a lot (although not always clearly) and shows understanding of complex ideas.  She was potty trained in September, and in October consistently started having dry nights as well.   Her favorites include: baby dolls, digging in the sand, swinging on swings, playing on the iPad, copying Marc, helping bake (and taste) in the kitchen, reading stories, and singing songs (especially with motions). Emmalyn has loved "Baby Laina" from first sight, and wants to help with her however she can - holding, rocking, kissing, patting, hugging, and talking to her as much as.. we allow.  :) While she has adjusted amazingly well to becoming a middle child, Emmalyn thoroughly enjoys our undivided attention - and will sometimes linger on the potty or before bed to sneak in a few extra private giggles with us.  Jarrod often says, "she's such a doll" with her contagious smile and laughter and her precocious comments and actions.

Alaina has outgrown newborn and most 0-3month clothes, mastered nursing right away, sleeps best when snuggled by Mommy, enjoys being in her carseat, puts up with all of Marc's and Emmalyn's antics, survived her first illness and hospitalization, has found her hands and is starting to enjoy her toys more, and is generally adored by all!

We are so thankful to be blessed by these children every day. They bring so much joy to our lives and enrich our days in so many ways.

There you have it: our family update.   In addition to all of those things mentioned, we do them while being expatriates in a foreign land - a family of 5 on a mission to live and love, play and pray, give and care while we are here in Seoul.   It has been a good place to live, a generous culture to learn from, and a rich community to be a part of; however, we are not planning on returning to YISS next year.  We eagerly anticipate what (and where) the Lord might have for our family. While our future is unsure, the mission still stands:

"Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known among the nations what He has done!"
     ~ 1 Chronicles 16:8

Thank-you for how you have joined with us in prayer, support, and friendship this year.  May you be blessed in this new year!

2013 Quarter 2 Update

The second quarter of this year: April, May, and June have been such a whirlwind.  Everything seems to move a little faster with the warmer weather, end of the school year, and beginning of summertime travels.  Each Springtime, with the rejuvenation and new life sprouting out of the earth, it is hard to deny that this season is full of hope.   

April brought beautiful cherry blossoms to decorate Seoul and usher in Springtime and the beginning of many outside adventures.  It has been a delight to watch Marc and Emmalyn grow even more into playmates - Emmalyn tries her best to keep up with her big brother!  It is our hope that, as these children grow, they spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).

In May, we cried and "cheered" as my sweet young nephew, Super Shaun, finished his race on this earth and went home to be with Jesus.  Shaun fought hard for his life, loved others unconditionally, and spread joy to all who knew him.  From our earthly perspective, it is hard to understand why such a young child would be taken from this earth so quickly- but, through Jesus Christ, we have hope that this is not the end of the story.  In John 11:25-26 Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 

May also brought changes for our family as we packed up the house we have lived in for the past 4 years.  We lived up several flights of stairs, which has always been difficult on Stephanie's knees, and even more so toting a couple of kids and bags along.  As we expect our third child to come in October, we were hoping for a place to live that would be easier for Stephanie to get in and out of the house with the children while Jarrod is at work.  

Praise the Lord that everything fell together and on June 1st, we moved a kilometer away - which distance wise, isn't much, but it has already proven to make such a difference.  One of the unexpected blessings that has come with this move is that we moved into an apartment complex that not only has a great playground for the kids just outside our door, but 3 other YISS families (along with the YISS family already there) are moving there this summer - so there will be lots of friends for the kids to play with regularly!  Moving in Korea is really incredible and efficient... more to come on that. Through it all, we praise God for a smooth transition and are filled with hope that this new place will be a good change for our family as we return to Korea for our 5th year.

After a week in our new place, on June 8 we flew out of Korea and crossed the international date line to start the day over again in Hawaii!

After a wonderful and relaxing 10 days of vacation, we made the cross-continental trek to Virginia to enjoy the beauty of our homeland and reunite with family and friends.  It has been good.

We will be up and down the Shenandoah Valley this month.  We hope we are able to connect with you.  Please let us know if and when you are available.  

This second quarter of the 2013 brought us to the end of Jarrod's fourth year teaching at YISS.  He was asked to take over teaching responsibilities for the Ancient World History teacher, who had to leave YISS due to unresolved illness. He was busy learning, preparing, planning, and grading, all while completing two more courses of seminary.  It was not easy, but he somehow managed the balancing act of work, study, and family life while continuing to pull out top scores in his course work. I am proud of him! He is now half way done with this Seminary degree.  As we look to another year in Seoul, we are hopeful that Jarrod will be able to complete his degree and are excited about what a new school year will bring.

Stephanie has had her hands full with two fun-loving and mischievous children while completing her 1st trimester and moving into the feel-good 2nd trimester (woo-hoo for more energy!).  She has enjoyed getting out with other moms to enjoy some of Seoul's parks.  

Playgroup wrapped up a wonderful year, and as we look ahead, Stephanie is really excited to help the leadership team to come up with themes from the Fruits of the Spirit for this next year.  We are hoping to be more intentional about teaching the kids, parents, and childcare workers about God and how He shows us good things (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control) as we interact with this world.  

As we left Seoul for another summer in the States, we realized how different it would feel if we were finally moving away from this place where we have grown so much as individuals - and more importantly, as a family.  As we look ahead to this fifth year in Seoul - which could be our last - we are hopeful and expectant for what God has in store through our living situation, job opportunities, ministry opportunities, and as our family grows to 5.

Hopeful. It is a good place to be.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13