Installation pics!

Thought I would post some pictures from my installation service! Photos courtesy Dwight Morita.

me and my parents too! I feel like i don't look like either of them in this picture.

A GOOD WEEK

YES WE CAN!

I am pretty much still buzzing and joy-filled from Tuesdays election of our new President-elect, Barack Obama. I found a place with a TV and sat there in tears and a full heart of hope. I think what I especially liked about Obama's speech is his attempt for unity and acknowledging that the road is not going to be easy, but Mr. President, you definitely have my prayers as you face the rough path ahead of you and guide this nation.

I'm not totally big on stating my political leanings out like that, but Tuesday night, it was bursting from me. I hope that this election doesn't make people think that racism is a non-issue, but acknowledge that we are moving forward.

Anyway, it's been a good week and will continue to be for lots of different reasons... I get to get out of this area tonight and drive up to Berkeley to have dinner with a new friend (yay for new friends!) and tomorrow night I have the privilege of babysitting! YES, babysitting...





And there is a picture of me and the cute little monkey I get to play with for an evening! Hurray! Her name is Nahyun (Natalie). Her parents tell me that I'm doing them a huge favor, but little do they know how much they're doing me a favor.

It's a packed weekend at the church with youth service projects and an outreach event, but it will all get done!

Keep praying for me as I begin my third month of work now... :)

Saying THANK YOU

It feels impossible to write and explain the depth of gratitude I am feeling as I get ready to celebrate my ordination. It has been quite the journey (in other words, it has been quite the rollercoaster ride) to get to this place, which I know is only just another beginning.

I'm not sure that "Thank You" expresses even an inch of the gratitude that feels like is pouring out from my heart...but I must still say it. Thank YOU for being part of the journey. However big or small you feel your presence has been in my life, however long ago or recent that was, thank you.

It has been through meeting you, knowing you, talking with you, crying with you, laughing with you, praying with you, dancing with you, singing with you, arguing with you, hugging you, worshipping with you, being frustrated by you, and loving you, that I am able to be the pastor I am today. Thank you for surrounding me in this time in body and in spirit.

Miracles happen. God is good. Thank you.

With love, Irene

Getting ordained...

This beautiful picture is a chunk of the graduating class of McCormick Seminary, May 2007. We're all crammed into my former apartment... aren't we a lovely bunch?

Anyway, as my ordination is quickly approaching (this Saturday!), I can't help but think of these folks...these folks who made my life more rich and wonderful and challenging during my seminary training years. We were a community like I know I will never have again, but am so thankful to have experienced in my life. There are a lot of us in this picture that struggled to get to the point of ordination, and it's kind of awesome because a lot of us just received our first calls or just got ordained within the past few months. There are people in this picture working as chaplains, pastors on campuses, in churches, in social agencies, some traveling the world or serving in the world, and some still discerning. :)

I miss them so much, and as I approach my own ordination, I am thankful that even though we are apart now, we are tied together in so many ways.

I can't wait! Next time I write, I'll be "Rev." and I'll definitely post some pictures from the ordination. :)

Pockets of joy

It has officially been about one month since I moved here to California. In some ways, it feels MUCH longer and in some ways, it feels like it's only been one month.

Thanks to everyone with their encouraging words with my former post about Irene & Loneliness. I'm still lonely and I have days where I crave "outside church" company, but today, I want to share a pocket of joy I do have. See this pic of youth girls? Yep, although not all of them, this is some of the youth I have the privilege of ministering with and to... They are a GREAT, loud, fun bunch and most of them are in junior high, so it will be really fun to see them grow up in the next few years. I forgot what it's like to be around youth on such a regular basis, and I have to say that in a lot of ways, they are my saving grace in those times when I feel really blegh. Their energy and the fact that they are looking to me to be there for them and lead them reminds me of how much I have been given and how much I want to give back.

It sounds cheesy and corny, but these days, I have to find those little pockets of joy. I'm happy to say and show you one of those pockets. :)

Irene & Loneliness

Irene & Loneliness...
We've actually been quite the pair lately. It sounds super sad and semi-pathetic and almost wants to make you call me and keep me company on the phone, right? (Maybe I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt). :)
Transitioning to a new place is HARD when you're in ministry and when for the past about 5 years of your life, you've had INCREDIBLE community. You get used to living intentionally, eating with folks everyday, welcoming people into your home, having deep and honest conversations about everything and then one day it can just stop cold turkey. Just telling you out there in case you haven't experienced it yet or in case no one told you. :)
It's been quite the shock actually and everyone else thinks I'm handling it well, but I'm not quite sure I am. I mean, I own NO FURNITURE right now... like, I have a bed frame but no mattress. Thankfully, someone let me borrow an air mattress or I'd still be sleeping on the carpet with my comforter. Also included in the "no furniture" category is "no TV, no internet at home, and no CD player." Aigo.
So I thought I'd list things that my life consists of now/lessons I'm learning for humor's sake:
1. I eat on the carpet/floor, lunch and dinner. I guess it's good I cook at home now. Saves $$ and I swear I'm losing weight just b/c of it.
2. Every bit of hospitality from anyone is a HUGE moment of gratitude for me. Like that air mattress I sleep on, THANK GOD for air mattresses & for people who let you borrow them temporarily until you can buy your own bed! :) And that one dude who walked past you and said HI... THANK YOU!
3. Writing sermons to preach every week is hard. Especially when there's not really anyone to process it with and you don't have experiences or interact with enough folks to have new stories... gotta make them up! j/k...sorta...
4. When you're a pastor, you're ALWAYS a pastor. No matter where you go. I ran into someone from the congregation who works at the post office when I was picking up boxes!
5. Taking walks alone can be all right.
6. I seriously don't understand Korean very well. Especially sermons. (I attend Wed. night worship services that are all in Korean to try to connect with the Korean congregation. I feel like an idiot).
7. You still have to be a pastor even when you don't feel like being one. Personal stuff has to be set aside and you have to keep serving. Yes folks, I'm only beginning week 3.
8. Eating alone sucks.
9. I go to bed early and wake up early. So weird.
10. God is still good to me.
Anyway, this is totally a boring post, but my life aside from work...which is going all right actually... is boring.

In California!

Um, guess what everyone?

I now live in Sunnyvale, California.

So, God is good and I found a place to live that I love. It has absolutely no furniture inside of it and right now I'm sleeping on an air mattress, but I love it and it will be exciting over the months to slowly add things to it. Which means my housewarming won't be until sometime in November or December... Oh well!

I have officially begun my role as an associate pastor at Daesung Presbyterian Church (see picture). Tomorrow is actually my first Sunday, so first sermon, and in a lot of cases, meeting folks for the first time. This is when I wish I had a great memory for faces and names. Especially Korean names.

I am SUPER excited because Jen and Analise are coming in today to help me settle in some more! HURRAY! I actually miss Louisville a lot in so many ways... I think particularly the community and wonderful friends ways... Analise and Jen threw me a wonderful sending and blessing and as I sat there seeing everyone who showed up, I was surprised at how many folks I had the privilege of meeting and knowing in the course of one year.

Anyway, I've hit the ground running and will continue to do so! Please if you think of me whisper a quick prayer as I adjust to a new life and new work. Ordination is October 18 in Utah and Installation is tentatively November 2 in California!

Loves.