Sacred Space

"Teach me to slow down, to be still and enjoy the pleasures created for me. To be aware of the beauty that surrounds me. The marvel of mountains, the calmness of lakes, the fragility of a flower petal. I need to remember that all things come from you." -- from Sacred Space

"Teach me to slow down, to be still and enjoy the pleasures created for me. To be aware of the beauty that surrounds me. The symphony of many tongues, the warmth of a mug of tea, the comfort of many friendships and the peace of early mornigs. I need to remember that all things come from you." -- from 'the beauty that surrounds me'

What beauty surrounds you?

(Typed while enjoying a mug of Earl Grey tea in a tan-colored mug)

Temptation

A couple of weeks ago - the Pastor of the church we're attending talked about Temptation.

He opened with this video.
It's adorable. funny. honest. and...
a little insightful.



Oh the desire of having what is right here
in front of us
EVEN if we know greater things are yet to come.

Tea Time

Since arriving in Daejeon
I've been wanting a Teapot...

I want to invite friends over and enjoy a cup with them.
I want to take Daejeon forward another step or two in becoming home.

So, here it is -- the Teapot!
One step closer to being 'settled' in our new home ^^ First Pot was Green Tea
Purchased in Thailand, summer 2010
I've enjoyed it with a man I adore and admire
We drank from 'cute' Korean mugs.

(Typed while drinking the above tea, from the above teapot and mugs)

Thinking Ahead

A friend of mine has been posting about...
Halloween!!!

Mor accurately, Halloween costumes.
This gets me to thinking...
What will I be?
(Will I even celebrate Halloween?)
I don't know.

If I do, I think I want to be a K-Pop Star
I mean
Don't you?

The following are some of my favoriet K-Pop Outfits...the last one is #1, but probably impossible. The second photo is the one I most want to have in my closet. And, this first one, I'd like in my closet as well :) ... or should I put ^^



(Typed while at work, drinking water from my hardcore stainless steel water container)

iConnect

iConnect to this iPhone 4 Commercial:



I know these emotions
to be living somewhere new
living a dream

the anticipation of what is to come from this new situation

I know these emotions
to be missing friends and family
missing home

the difficulty of being far-away from what is familiar

(Typed while enjoying a Yellow Teacup filled with Earl Grey tea - just as if I were home...)

For curious minds: The commercial shows a young Korean preparing the Chuseok feast (a holiday that is described as a mix between Thanksgiving and Memorial Day). I think she calls home, to her mother, to make sure she's set it up correctly for her 'new' family - the in-laws.

A Year Goes By

During a sweet phone call 'home'
I was reminded of a special anniversary.

One year ago,
I saw this face in person - for the first time

I had NO idea at the time
how my life would change.

I was about to witness
some dear friends take on parenting with grace, humility, beauty and joy.
a young boy discover love, family, home and a changing identity.
a process of compassion, patience and dependence
on a Sovereign Lord

On that day, I met a child who would teach me
how to play,
to enjoy each moment,
to laugh and to cry
to be passionate about it all.

I know now that that moment changed me
that the year following that moment changed me
and...that it's still changing me.

Because, like I mentioned in my previous post
Knowing I'm not with this family
is the one thing that consistently brings tears to my eyes.


I love them.
All three of them.
They're a beautiful family
and I wish you could all have a family like them to look up to and learn from and be amazed by.
But then I'd have to share...

(Typed while enjoying Korean Chrysamthemum Tea from a favorite Yellow Teacup!)

My Forever Home

This morning began with a sweet Skype conversation with our dear friends at 519.
I love them.
Not being with them, brings tears to my eyes more than ANY other event or thought.

(I know SaraJane will not love this picture - but, for me, it's a reminder of a beautiful morning spent with friends)

519 is my forever home.
It's where I discovered the beauty of community
of living intentionally
and deeply.

Korea is setting up shop
making a home in my heart
offering me a physical home...
and it's going well
I think Korea knows that my expectations of 'home' are rather high.

(Typed while drinking a cup of Korean Chrysamthemum tea from a precious Yellow Teacup)