Mourning and Comfort

Two months ago I was entering the Valley of Shadows
with some dear and beloved souls.

My heart was breaking for and with them.

I'm being drawn to that place again.

The trouble with being so far away
is that I carry these burdens just as if I were there
but I miss the opportunity to cry, to hug, to pray
with these beautiful souls, beautiful souls
who are being broken.

The beauty of being so far away
is that I carry these burdens just as if I were there
my heart is downcast, my sould aches for a redemption
that reaches every corner of every heart ache the world over.

Matthew 5:4 says

"Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted."

I beg the Lord to make good on this promise
I trust the Lord to make good on this promise.

To those whom house beautiful souls which break in this season
you're on my heart and in my prayers --

(Typed while sipping coffee mix from a delicate and cherished Yellow Teacup)

Meditation:VI

Approximately one and a half months have passed since I used this space to mull over and work through some scripture. However, I've been mulling over a bit of scripture and am quite excited to share some findings and have a place to put them down. First of all, I really enjoyed being in Psalm 139 for an extended period of time therefore I've decided to continue forth with scripture memory in a similar fashion and will spend the next few months in Matthew 5:3-12 ~ The Beattitudes. I'm also considering remaining in the red words of the Bible throughout 2011.

To begin this round of meditations, Matthew 5:3

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

What does it mean to be 'poor in spirit'?

From the perspective of various translations, here is what I learned:

Blessed are those who...

are at the end of their rope

are humble, who rate themselves insignificant

realize their need for [the Lord]

depend only on Him

realize their spiritual poverty

who recognize they are spiritually helpless

are spiritually needy

know that they need Him

Initially, this passage really tripped me up.

Sometimes, I read: Poor in Spirit (i.e. Holy Spirit)

rather than sprit, personality, character, need.

Seeing these translations help me to see just how

blessed

we can be when we recognize our need for Him.

(Typed while finishing off a Brown Bone China mug of Earl Grey with a bit of Sugar and Milk)

Blogging Pride

Recently I wrote about the reasons I blog, about the number of blogs I update regularly and even mentioned that I have a new blog. Apparently I'm going through a phase of: "I'm so happy to be a blogger and I'd like the world to know" because I have more to say regarding the blogs...

I'm proud of them.
Two in particular.

The Harrington Times
makes be proud because it serves so many functions;
keeping family and friends up to date
chronicling our daily lives (something children and grandchildren will be thrilled about I'm sure)
preparing strangers to come live and work in Korea
offering tips and tricks to living and working in Korea for expat friends and strangers
A few months into living in Korea our request to be included on a popular Korean Blog List was accepted.
Since then, we've seen our daily page views soar...it feels nice, in a "I feel popular and helpful" sort of way.
I'm proud of The Harrington Times.

More recently, I've had 519 Kitchen added to some foodie blog lists.
Foodie Blog Roll and Petit Chef.
And here's the truth: I Love, LOVE cooking and baking. I know that I make some kick ass dishes and have some natural capabilities when it comes to kitchen activities...I also know there are plenty of cooks who are much better than I am. Regardless, I love cooking, I love receiving compliments on dishes I make, I love being inspired to make new dishes or improve on something recent. It's a comfortable, fulfillng place for me.
So, I'm kind of hoping to see my stats soar there too.
(Now, two shout-outs: Annalise, you and your sisters ought to 'apply' for the Foodie Blog Roll and Erin: Thanks for being a recent commenter at 519 - I really, really appreciate it).

Then there's this blog and my newest blog.
I'm proud of them, too.
Because people who read them are good friends of mine.
Because whatever words or ideas I put here - aren't meant for the world.
They're meant for people who know me, make a point of coming to this space, and understand my heart.

Sure, others stumble upon this space.
But, it's more private and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I feel like a momma, proud of her children's accomplishments -- go blogs, go!

(Typed while drinking a Jeonju University mug filled with Korean Brown Rice/Green Tea waiting for 4:30 to arrive...finished the day after at 9:50 am while 6th graders graduate Elementary School.)

Feelings of Fondness

I'm feeling a particular fondness toward Korea and life right now.

I'm sure there are plenty of reasons for this, but that is not of any importance.

What is important, is that I soak in these moments everytime they happen - they are soooo
good and crucial for my soul.

Work started up again
I'm thrilled to see my students.
I'm happy to be teaching.
I'm satisfied with school lunches.

Korea is warming up.
Korea gave me a dog.
Korea's dog gets me outside more often.

I'm simply feeling fond toward this foreign land right now.
I even feel a slight bit more motivated to learn the language.

And, I'm falling in love with the music scene...
I mean, who wouldn't?

(Typed having finished a Strawberry-Chocolate snack and drinking a HOT cup of Korean Green Tea from a small paper cup at Seongchon Elementary School)

This is 27

I'm sitting somewhere between embarassment and unabashed excitement.

I've started another blog.

This is 27

There's no real need for it.
Except my real love of writing,
of recording life,
of seeing where I've been
of sensing where I'm going.

27 is my golden age
(the year when my age matches the date of my birth)
by Korean calculations: I'm 27 now.
by American calculations: I'm 26 and will be 27 in 2012.
That means: 2 years of being 27 - my golden age!

In my life, I've used a lot of journals, simultaneously
to record things just the way I wanted them.
For my 27th year(s), I want a new 'journal'

This is 27 will reflect me
as honestly as possible
using as few words
yet as regular updates as possible
or so, that's how I envision it at this point.

Join me, or not.
I'll still be drinking tea, here in this space.
And leaving recipes on 519 Kitchen
And writing news for The Harrington Times

(Typed after taste-testing a new cookie and preparing to enjoy a couple more with a mug full of milk, a Christmas mug to be exact).

Book: The Ginger Tree

I've just written a review on Goodreads...
You can read it here, in the space below this sentence.

The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received this book via care package (thanks to Heather) and had no idea what to expect. It was 100% enjoyable. The main character is a traveler who shares such insights and wisdom regarding traveling that make me feel 'connected' to the world of travels. It is a a story of life, exploring, accepting, changing, overcoming, and being set to the backdrop of Asian culture, conflicts and world conflicts - a fascinating read made even more so while living in an Asian nation.

A few quotes which stuck out: (For the blog, I'll add some additional thoughts regarding the quotes, in italics)
"Travel seems to put more than distance between you and the people at home, an increasing number of things you have seen and thought about which you can't mention for fear they would shock, and this is really sad." (pg.26)

This resonates with me to a certain degree, although technology, blogs, facebook, email, skype, etc - have greatly decreased the vastness of such distance. This quote however sums up an aspect of travel that is consistent and at times quite challenging. So often in my own travels I have yearned to share the experience and location with a number of good and cherished friends and family members.

"In Edinburgh it is easy to believe in Heaven as a reward for the good life carefully lived, but from what I have seen of the Far East I am having doubts of what once seemed certain." (pg. 38)

I've never quite felt this, yet understand where it comes from. I understand how things which once seemed certain, suddenly seem shakeable and changable. If anything, for me, travel stretches my view of heaven and the necessity of bringing Heaven to Earth.

"She isn't a restful woman to be with, your mind isn't allowed to go slack in her company, and this is what I needed." (pg. 149)

Ah, the joy of friends who cause us to think and act deeply. I am blessed to have an abundance of such friends the world over.

"I sometimes wonder if under the disguises I wear to make myself more bearable to me I am really hard and selfish, pursuing what I want and brushing aside anything that is likely to hinder me in acheiving this." (pg. 168)

Wearing disguises to make myself more bearable...can only imagine how often I am prone to such behavior.

"At the back of my mind is the feeling that there is a kind of virtue somewhere in not just being able to walk into a shop to buy a pair of shoes, but having to save for six months before you can re-shoe your feet, perhaps cutting out a meat meal a week in order to manage it." (pg. 221)

Yes.

"Some days, reading the papers, being forced to accept the truths lying under the exaggerations, I feel like a ghost returned from another age and, as a punishment for distant sins, forced to watch the crumbling away of everything I had once known, and lived in, and believed to be solid forever." (pg. 285)

Another statement that rings so true to my experience.

View all my reviews

Mary McKenzie, the main character shares these quotes and her experiences in journal entries and letters to friends. I love my blogs, yet reading The Ginger Tree encourages me to get back into my journals and perhaps send a few handwritten letters to friends back in the homeland.

The Blog(s)

Better to write for yourself and have no public,
than to write for the public and have no self.


~Cyril Connolly

Seems a lot of friends of mine are currently undergoing the process of processing.
Processing the 'purpose' of blogging.
of putting it all out there
on the world wide web.
of being vulnerable
in a multitude of ways.

Their insights have encouraged me.

"Now, I have to say this. You guys had the right idea with blogs. I usually feel better when I write in my journal but on a blog, it's out there, and although you don't have to tell anyone about it, someone might read it. And for some reason that makes all the difference. You feel that you are heard, known to some small degree, but known none the less."
~Hannah

This followed some equally well spoken words from another dear blogger friend
words I cannot seem to relocate...

Anyway, all this to say
to confirm
to share
to inform
to encourage

that I enjoy writing. I have three blogs. I will not be ashamed.
Nor will I expect to become famous or well-known because of
one, two or all three.

They each serve a specific purpose for me
a purpose I need from them
a purpose, with one blog in particular, that others 'need' from me.

I blog for oh-so-many-reasons
And it is a beautiful contribution to my soul.

Thanks for stopping by.
If you're so inclined:
I cook and record recipes here.
I post regular updates on life here.

(Typed while finishing off a Brown Bone China mug of honey citrus tea).