Saturday, April 25, 2009

You are So Special, All Things are Possible, Believe in Miracles

Special blog just for Grandma in Chandler, Arizona.

Hi Grandma,

It was so wonderful talking to you on the phone yesterday for your birthday. I miss you so much. I hope you had a wonderful day. Today I was cleaning my apartment and came across the letter you gave me right before I left. It means a lot to me that you took the time to say the things that you did. Sometimes life passes us by and we hold some of our thoughts in our heart and in the end we never get to share them. I thank you for always having an open heart and willingness to share your opinions and thoughts with me.

I have lost so many people already in my life and so many of them I didn't get the chance to say so many things to that I wish I would have. I don't feel that way with you, nor will I ever.

You remind me constantly of what a good person looks like and acts like. You are a God fearin woman and I love you for your compassion, strength, encouragement, and steadiness. You are the pillar of our family and you wear the badge so proudly.

I guess I just felt compelled to write this blog just for you as a way of showing you that I am truly grateful and honored that you are my grandmother. I know you read this blog faithfully and you deserve to have your own special passage.

I'm going to conclude this blog, with words from your letter.

1) You are so special.
2) All things are possible.
3) Believe in miracles.

And finally:

My story, Your story. How it is told in the end and what the story says depends on what each of us does with Jesus.

Love you Grandma. Hope you had a very special birthday. In closing, here is the lyrics to a special song that fits you to a "T" and I will always remember the day that I played it for you and mom. I love you!!!!!

Randy Travis "When Mama Prayed"

Daddy never went to church on Sunday
He said that's one thing I'll never do
But mama never gave up she said one day
He'll be sitting here beside of me and you
I can still hear mama softly talking
With her tears falling on her folded hands
So that Easter Sunday Daddy walked in
That's when I began to understand

When mama prayed, good things happen
When mama prayed, lives were changed
Not much more than five foot tall
But mountains big and small crumbled all away
When mama prayed

Seventeen and wild I hit the bottle
Doing anything I dang well please
Burning down life's highway at full throttle
While mama burned a candle on her knees
Then one night I came home half sober
I saw mama kneeling in the den
As I listened she and Jesus talked it over
And I knew my restless days were 'bout to end

When mama prayed, good things happen
When mama prayed, lives were changed
Not much more than five foot tall
But mountains big and small crumbled all away
When mama prayed

It isn't like every one of them got answered
But the times they weren't it seems to me were rare
You almost felt sorry for the devil
'Cause heaven knows he didn't have a prayer
When mama prayed

Not much more than five foot tall
But mountains big and small crumbled all away
When mama prayed
They crumbled all away
When mama prayed

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Quick Message for Family

Hello to everyone back home. Hope you had a good week. Everything is going well here in Seoul. Work is as busy as ever. Had a great Saturday hanging out with a new teacher from Chicago. Spent Sunday hanging out at home and playing with Kay.

More than anything I just wanted to check in with everyone and let you all know I am thinking of you. Grandma, I am so sorry to hear that Larry's sister died. Please let him know I am praying for him as he travels for the funeral and I am praying for their family.

Life is sometimes suprising. Sometimes we can enjoy a long and fulfilled life before we are called home. Sometimes we live short, brief lives that are full of life lessons. Either way, we always end up in the same place at the end.




Thursday, April 9, 2009

Another Week

It is so hard to believe how fast time is flying by out here. Next week, I will have been here for two months already. For those who are looking for an update, everything is going well. School is busy and tons of fun and yet fustrating at times. Keeps me on my toes though, so thats good. Kay is doing great. House training is going good so far (besides a few mishaps). We are settling into a good routine for both of us. She has a vet appointment on Saturday to have them check her stitches, and then she is going to her babysitters for the weekend. Haha. My co-teacher and my boss are trying to decide who gets to babysit her first. They both love her already. I'm going to spend Sunday south of Seoul, and I am very much looking forward to some time away from here. I hope everyone has a good Easter weekend.

Grandma- I was sorry to hear about Larry's niece passing away. I will continue to pray for his family.

Mom- Thanks for the care package. Even if I did pay for it. Haha! I really needed everything that you sent me. Thanks so much for taking the time to do so.

Sheena- Hang in there with school. It's coming to an end soon. You have worked so hard and now your in the final stretch. Just remember there is an end in sight.

Lorrie- Miss you so much chica. Can't wait to hear all about Vegas.

Ingrid- Killian is almost here and I am so running the countdown for you. 10 days to go and counting. I am so excited for you, Shawn, and Elayna. I love you guys so much. I'm sorry I won't be there, but I am thinking of you everyday.



To end this blog, a fantastic moving performance from this past Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.




Saturday, April 4, 2009

Weekend


Hope everyone has a great weekend. Kay came home with me today. She is still recovering from being spayed and has to go back to the doctor next week, but it is not slowing her down. She's totally active but so far all she wants to do is sleep after such a long day. Tomorrow we are going to enjoy the good weather and go for a long walk nearby. For those of my friends who are in Vegas, hope your having a blast! Can't wait to see all the pictures and hear more about everything that is going on. How can I be so lucky in one week? I get Kay, I get a NASCAR race, and I get the ACMs. Woohoo!


Friday, April 3, 2009

Newest Member of My Family


My new forever baby girl. Her name is Kay and she's a yorkie. I'm picking her up tomorrow. :)


Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Teaching the Youth of the World

What a powerful and emotional day. I have one student named Emily who was chosen among thousands to do an interview to compete to be sent by the Korean government to Washington D.C. to study abroad. I was asked to do any extra class on Wednesday's to help her prepare for the interview. Today, truly broke my heart. I asked her what motivated and inspired her. She didn't really have an answer. We talked for over an hour about her and what she wanted out of life. Then, together we came up with three short statements to help keep her motivated. She totally broke down crying when she said them repeatedly.

I am smart.
I am excellent.
I am beautiful.

Three powerful statements that we should all believe about ourselves. How my heart broke when she began to cry.... sometimes we all need to be reminded of how amazing we are.