Giving Thanks

My sister and her hubby Craig came down from Seattle to celebrate Thanksgiving with me... we had a good time. Sending love to all of you all and I pray that you all had a great one as well!!

Happy 33 Years, Mom and Dad!

My cute parents, celebrate 33 years of marriage today. :) They're headed to Zion National Park to go camping and then having Thanksgiving dinner down there... read post below to see the awesome e-mail from my mom.

I love them.

From my mom...

So, my mom (umma) sends me e-mails once in a while, and I LOVE them. I think I need to start printing them out and putting them in a binder/book so I can go back to them one day. She just started using email a few years ago.

Anyway, she and my dad are celebrating their 33rd (or 34th) wedding anniversary this week! YAY MOM AND DAD!! I had sent them a card and below is her e-mail reply... I just HAD to share. :)

***
Hi, Irene
We got your lovely card yesterday.
I love so much that card, 2 flowers and your lovely word.
Thank you never forgets out anniversary and never skip send us your love.
Start today I am work back to my place. Well we are going to leave trip to Zion 1^st and camping.
Most I like a part is Dad made reservation inside Zion national Park hotel lodge restaurant for Thanksgiving Dinner for our anniversary.
Isn’t that romantic? Inside a nature!

I know you guys so exciting too. Well have a great time with your sister, Craig and Mary.
I love you so much!

Mom

YEAH!

I just finished 4 weeks of exercise bootcamp!!!! I went FIVE DAYS A WEEK without missing one day! Um, and let me add here that it was at 5:30AM-6:30AM.

It is one of those big milestone accomplishments in my life. I am just proud of myself and taking care of myself in that way.

WHOOT WHOOT!!

Even in pajamas....

I love this child. She is growing so much and I am so privileged to be a part of her day to day life.

Halloween Festival for the kids at church

Pictures usually say it all. :)

Happy Birthday to my "little" sis!

HAPPY 28th Birthday to my Sissy Linda!!! She is 28 years old today... which means I'm older than that... which is weird. :) Love you sis!!! Happy happy BIRTHDAY!!!

Some of the folks I serve... :)

My One Year "Ord"iversary

One year ago today, I was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament at First Presbyterian Church, Ogden (UTAH BABY!).

I can't believe it's already been one year. In some ways it feels so significant and in other ways it feels like a small fingernail of an entire hand that is learning how to reach out and be the serving hands of Christ in this world. I have a long way to go, but dangit, I made it one year. :)

Life feels so different--and it's been an up and down journey already. There were moments why I wondered why I got on this ride. I still grieve that I will be alone without my family on Christmas day, and rejoice with a full heart when in a prayerful moment, I see transformation happening within the heart of a youth. It is a position and place of sacrifice and of privilege. And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I am sustained by a deep and wide family of faith and support, and as I remember my ordination celebration one year ago, I remember it seriously feeling like a wedding. In some ways it was a wedding--a commitment to the church and my life there. There were flowers and a lunch reception and everything! ha ha ha ha...

I have certain snapshot memories in my mind I want to share...

• I remember coming in to the "rehearsal" the night before (the choir was practicing for the service, "Total Praise" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv9-WlymKg0) and I walked into the church with a line of women at my side... ha ha ha... it makes me laugh remembering that.
• I seriously think there were like 6 or 7 women walking with me... you know who you were.
• I remember Hardy moksanim giving the sermon and actually telling our Starbucks story publicly...and everyone then wondering why I asked him to preach my ordination... hee hee... ;)
• I remember Jeannikus putting the stole on me and Lindsay anointing me with oil...
• I remember being so nervous as I officiated communion with Rodger for the first time.
• I remember my cello professor and church member doing a duet together...
• I remember my mom during the service singing and crying and raising her arms when we sang "How Great Thou Art"...
• I remember my pastor and mentor, Rick, giving me an emotional charge...
• I remember that same pastor and mentor, Rick, then presenting me with the stole he was presented at his own ordination and giving it to me--oh man, everyone was crying at that point, I think...
• I remember looking out and seeing a full sanctuary of people I loved from everywhere who were there in person and those that were there in spirit...people who affirmed this call to ministry after a long and somewhat arduous journey.

The journey has only just begun--but I wanted to pause today to remember, to celebrate, and to express my thanksgiving to all those who continue to pray for me, who support me and who love me. My heart is full today. And special thoughts of gratitude to Daesung Presbyterian Church for entrusting me with mutual nurture and growth as we seek ways to faithfully follow Christ's footsteps. It has been a privilege and a joy.

God, thank you for calling me into this path of ministry. Although we have debates about why I am here, thank you for continuing to guide me and walk with me as I walk with your people. I love you. Amen.

CHEEEEEEEESSEEEE!!!

Me and my girl

Nahyun (Natalie) is now 17 months old. Her parents had been traveling around the world (well, to Spain), and she spent about a month in Texas with her grandparents. This meant that she was away from ME for about that long!

She's getting to the age where she could forget you after that long of a separation, but when I went to pick them up from the airport, she gave me a big smile and came right into my arms! I'm pretty sure my heart melted a little at that moment.

Anyway, things are definitely back to normal now. She is so different and changing all the time... although she is still without hair. :) She has earrings now (which you can't see in these pics)... AND... she's going to have a baby sister in February!! So, I get to be "emo" (auntie) again!

Hopefully, the next one will be able to call me "emo"... N called me "appa" for the longest time (which means dad) and after her away time now calls me "Amy" which means "emo" in her language. :)

Um, can you tell I adore this child?! :)

Haircut!!

It's been almost one year (technically 11 months) since I last cut my hair. It was time.

Before and After:

I enjoyed my long hair, but it will always come back. :)

Hyeyoung and Kurt are married!

Wonderful seminary friends were married September 12, 2009 in Chicago! I was privileged to share in their special day with them... Congratulations Hyeyoung unni and Kurt!!! Love you both.

My One Year Mark today

Yep, it's true. I arrived to California to start a new life here exactly one year ago today. Funny how life turns out... just never the way you think it will or expect it to sometimes. SO much has happened in the course of just one year... even the fact that I'm ordained now!

As I led worship this morning, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be in this place. Wow. Just, wow.

With all the ups and down of this past year, I pray that keeping my heart focused on God and what it is that God calls me to do that I will continue to faithfully minister to this church and continue to root myself in this place.

Thanks for the love ya'll. It's been a good year.

Rich and Emily are married!

And I was lucky enough to share in their special and SUPER FUN day. :)

CONGRATS TO MY COUSIN RICH AND OUR NEW COUSIN EMILY!!! LOVE YOU BOTH!!

VBS 2009

It's been a while, but my life has been consumed with VBS (Vacation Bible School) for the past few weeks in terms of prep and execution, but today was the last day!! HALLELUJAH! It went really well and I'm so thankful for all the volunteers and the kids that came!!

I pray you all are well!

sharing a poem

Nothing So Wise
Jeanne Lohmann

There is nothing so wise as a circle. -Rilke

The arc of an egg
bends hands
to shape prayer,

the shell
unbroken,
the heavy yolk
floating.

Our fingers
curving always
inward, become a cup,
an open bowl.

Prayer is
circumference
we may not
reach around,

space for all we cannot hold,
the rim of Love toward which we lean.

We're back!

We have officially returned from an incredible time of service and building relationships! It's a busy time playing catch-up/keep-up for me now, but thought I'd post a few pics. Hopefully I'll be able to write something more reflective soon!!

I really love these youth and this church!! Praise God for being able to do exactly what I love!!