the unexpected life~

I have too much time on my hands if I can write more than one blog today. Well, it is true. Yesterday I met the general manager of a local popular restraunt, including his team of supervisors. We talked for a nice, long time. He said he'd call me TODAY to inform me of his decision, but he made it sound so positive. In the back of my mind I was wondering about what his hesitation was, and why didn't he just hire me on the spot? On the other hand, I do like the extra time if has afforded me to THINK more about the position, and to get even more EXCITED about it everytime I think about it. Mind you, I have been teaching English in Korea for the past 2 years, so this would be my FIRST job in the states in that amount of time. I SHOULD spend some time thinking about it!! So, the phone's been ringing this morning, but, it hasn't been the GM (general manager) yet. What am I going to do today? I thought I'd do some extra cleaning, always a good thing, and will keep my parents happy. I'm also planning to walk around the neighborhood to SOAK IN AND ENJOY the California WARM sunshine!!! That is one thing I absolutely LOVE about southern California. Having said that, I'll get some extra time today to rest, relax, make a few phone calls, and read my Bible. I love how one of my friends told me recently, that God has something BETTER in store for us. I'm looking for that, His goodness, in my life; I believe that I have it, but I also believe He's giving me this time with my family and friends as a SPECIAL GIFT, so I want to ENJOY it as much as possible.

do you like to hold hands?

How cute are my parents? Even after 40 years of marriage, they hold hands for all to see!! Last nite we watched an old movie on tv with Richarad Gere and the beautiful Miss Julia Roberts. Can you guess which movie it was? Did you guess "Pretty Woman"? I was glad for my parents physical sign of emotion between them. It was very cute, and adoreable. I want to be the same way when I get up in years too.

friendship connections

So, last nite I had this very warm feeling in my heart. Why? And, last week, after having a girl's nite out with my mom, aunt, and another friend, I also had a warm feeling in my heart. Last week I met my friend Andrea for lunch and afterwards, you guessed it: a warm feeling in my heart. When I was in Korea one of the girls (Jo) taught me the importance of social networks. That's just a fancy way of saying that she showed me through her words and actions how to meet with other people and to connect with them. And, I've brought that experience back with me. As I've been able to meet and talk with my local friends, I am experiencing a warm glow in my heart. It is everything I have ever been searching for for all my life; it is LOVE; and that is why my heart feels full.

culture shock, or not?

So, I did my laundry today. I love pulling my clothes out of the dryer and feeling how soft they are. And, they smell good too. (I didn't use a dryer to dry my clothes in Korea; I did the hang dry option, as many locals do too.) The other culuture shock issue I've been experiencing, on a very mild scale, is the feeling that people don't understand me here, or why I took off to Korea, or the experiences that I had abroad. Sometimes people ask me seemingly strange questions. But, overall, my culture shock has not been as heavy as I would have expected, so far. And, that's okay. Thank God, thank God!!

remember

I want to take some time to remember. I want to remember all the good things God has done in my life. This list is by no means exhaustive, but, it is a start of remembering His faithfulness to me.

1. God has always provided food, clothing and shelter to me. Shelter through Hanna when I was in between places summer of 2005; shelter through Jo when I needed a home; Jo gave me sister-hood, mother-hood, family-ness.
2. Jobs and employment~God has often provided me with just the right job at just the right time: my job at Polly's when I was in college; my job at the Warehouse where I worked for one Christmas season; my job teaching at Little Fox; even at Jung Chul; He never fails!
3. My friend Andrea from college; when I prayed for and needed a friend, God gave me her. He's also given Cate, Jo-Jo, and many others; Hanna, and Dave, are some of my lifelong friends.
4. Food and provision~God has never failed to feed me enough, and has provided for my needs. Should I not be thankful? Of course I am, that's what this blog entry is all about.
5. TBC...to be continued...

Become a Better You, excerpts from Joel Ostteen's book

1. "Time is short. Find one thing that you're passionate about and start giving yourself to it. And God will lead you one step at a time." p.80
2. "If we're going to live in peace with ourselves, we must learn to put our food down and say, "I may not be perfect, but I know I'm growing. I may have made mistakes, but I know I am forgiven. I have received God's mercy." p. 86
3. "Nothing that you've done is too much for the mercy of God." p. 93

forgiveness

When someone apologizes to you it's an amazing thing. It takes guts and courage to do that. So, when my dad made his apology to me last night, needless to say I was pleased yet flabbergasted. We all make mistakes, hurt each other and say things we later regret. It is such a nice feeling to have this situation cleaned up, especially before the holidays!! I have something to really be thankful for this year; a newness and freshness in my family relationships, at a time before I leave abroad again. What a gift family time can be!! We should choose forgiveness, no matter what. Let God deal with the other person. Forgiveness frees us to live, and, we might even get a response from the other person in due time. Let us follow the way of our Master and Creator.