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Showing posts from July, 2009

My car, Grace

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Since 1997 we have had used cars. I had a serious car accident by avoiding a giant deer on a high way, flipped twice and half, and our first new car was totalled. Right after the accident, we got 1988 Pontiac Bonneville . Even though it did not have any air condition, we used it for almost five years. We named her "Grace" because it was old but gracefully running well. Also, at that time, the economy in Korea was dropped badly, the dollar currency went up to triple . Fortunately, we did not have to pay the car payment which might have been painful. It was true His Grace even though I had side effects from the accident for more than six months. Right before my Joanne was born, we felt that we needed a reliable car and found my car, 1996 Ford Taurus in Chicago. We got her in Dec. 2001. We named her again "Grace" that we were hoping that the car runs long and well. While we have had Grace, Jason got another old car, named little foot, for himself. My Grace died this M...

Remembering my dad on his birthday

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It seems weird to think about some one's birthday who already passed away. Today is my dad's birthday. I still want to celebrate his birthday though even though he does not exist on earth anymore. He lived not that long life but did live and left great influence among his family, students, and friends for sure. He was born as a first son but third child at his family, was always in the first place in his classes according to my grandma throughout his school years. He did not like to fight or do stuff which common boys like to do. So, they teased him a lot. He was into writing, reading, or listening to others' lives. He wanted to study more but my grandfather wanted him to inherit his business. He took off to Seoul to study in Seoul National university in master's degree but his parents did not support him at all and were mad at him completely. He got a national scholarship to study abroad, came to University of Minnesota in 1962. He finished his master's degree and ...

Priority

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A simbol of the retreat center at Lake Junaluska might be the cross on the hill. You can't miss it not seeing the one unless you only look down floor all the time. It is made on the hill toward the lake and mountains and it is decorated with many lights so you can see during the night too. I had moment to think about that cross related to my life. First of all, I thought about which way should be the first considering the cross; vertical line or paralle line? As we know, cross represents the redemption, salvation by Jesus Christ. He restored our relationship between God and people, as well as among people. However, it is very important to think about our priority to accept and live under the cross. If our priority leans on the relationship among people, it might leadto the byroad a lot. Some people calls "liberal" but I do not want to call it as "liberal". I can call it as hearts centered to people. For example, we love our neighbors first like ourselves. It sou...

Say No is....

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more difficult than say yes. I knew it but it was harder than what I thought. I haven't had much experience facing that problems in my life. I had to say no and let a person down today. I am still in shock and feeling beaten badly after what I did even though I had to. Of course, the person spit total curses for me and got hurt. I hope that she can understand that I am also got hurt to tell her. I have many weaknesses; one of them is I do not want to face to a situation that I have to say "no" or turn down something. So, I decided to do it this morning with a prayer before I told her. It stung directly to me too. I have thought about God's response toward us through this morning. He sometimes let us have a bitter moment. He has to say no to our prayers. However, we usually get upset and feel that we get hurt only. I learned from today's experience that it must have been really hard for Him to tell us no. For His big and perfect picture, He has to say no, even thou...

Welcome July!

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Oh~! my goodness! It is truly July! We are starting a new half of 2009! Welcome July! even though the weather is steamy hot. July is a true summer month; VBS, pools, ice-cream, fire-works and so on. It has been a wonderful two and half months with my mom and she is leaving on July 6th to Korea. I have felt some regrets with many stuff. For example, I could not take her out certain places in Savannah but I told her that I need to save those places for later her visit. I wish I could take care of her nearby until she goes our eternal home. I really do wish. However, I pray that God sends loving people around her to make her happy and not lonely without her kids nearby. I am already sad but trust the Lord that He will be with her always. I enjoyed a lot at Lake Junaluska last week. Most of all, I enjoyed seeing 1100 people who are devotional to music to serve the Lord. Each morning, my heart was pounding with expectation and longing for morning worship service. I cried a lot because of Go...