A Year of Blessings

As you can see, I haven't been good at blogging this past year. It's been a busy year. A blessed year. In reflecting over 2012, I am struck with how good the Lord has been to us. Always there despite our mistakes and failings. Always faithful and ready to pour out His blessings on us, on you.

As an exercise in reflection, as well as an effort to get caught up (and stay caught up?), here are the headlines of our blessings in 2012. Consider this my belated "Christmas Letter." =) (Click on the pictures to make them larger.)

AUSTRIA
In February David and I flew to Zurich, Switzerland, then drove on to the mountains of Austria for a ski/snowboard camp. David was the devotional speaker for the week. We were blessed to fellowship with vibrant young people and make new friends, as well as enjoy the fresh mountain air and surroundings. We left feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the Lord's protection on the treacherous slopes neither of us were prepared for. Praise the Lord for not only the absence of broken bones or concussions, but for our lives being intact.

SOUTH AFRICA
In April we joined good friends, Ron and Lynda du Preez, in South Africa for a week of vacation in Cape Town, followed by a week of speaking at Sedaven Camp Meeting. We enjoyed the fellowship with our friends immensely, as they took us around to see the beautiful sites of the southern coast of Africa. The Lord also blessed David's messages at Camp Meeting and we were able to witness the Lord moving mightily among the youth he spoke to.

Picture from Trevino Warren Photography

DOCTORAL TRAINING

David has spent many hours this past year thinking and praying, brainstorming and drafting, tweaking and honing. All for the first step in his doctoral schooling, the Thesis Proposal! I've been enjoying his journey as well, as it makes for great theological conversations. I just love it when David talks theology, I really do. We're looking forward to the progress 2013 will bring.

HOOD FAMILY REUNION/SHIN COLORADO TRIP

Over the 4^th of July we enjoyed a week of Hood Family Fun in Denver, followed by a weekend of Shin Exploration in Dillon, CO. There's just nothing like family and the crisp mountain air.

     

  

OLYMPIC TRIATHLON

In August I completed the longest triathlon I've ever done (and plan to do). It was an Olympic distance - .9mi swim, 24mi bike, 6.2mi run.

This was my last-year-in-my-twenties celebratory goal. Yeah, yeah, it's not like doing seven marathons in seven consecutive days in seven countries for turning 60 =) but I still needed to do something "crazy" (pastor's wife-style) before my 30's. Besides, next year I'll be in a more competitive age bracket so this was the best time to do it with a better chance of placing high. ;) 

Back in college when I witnessed my first triathlon, in which swimmers were drowning and calling for lifeguards, I never would have dreamed I would complete a triathlon at all, much less of this distance. For me, it felt like a miracle. It definitely was a milestone.

HAWAII

We were fortunate enough to have a sister(in-law) get married in Kauai in September, so we enjoyed lengthening our stay for what we considered our 5-Year Anniversary Trip (two months early). We had so much fun spending time with extended family, with each other, and in celebration of a marriage. Our hands-down highlight was taking an hour-long helicopter tour of the island on our last day there - just before boarding the plane to depart! Eventually I'd love to get out the video footage I took, but David took amazing photographs of this adventure that we'll treasure forever.

 

Picture from Diane Reynolds Photography

REVOLUTION FEVER

Most people know I'm part of an endurance sports racing team. We're a mission-minded team with the goal of raising awareness and funds for various areas of ministry through racing and obtaining sponsorships. Well this summer David and I officially became the Mission Coordinators for the team. It takes a lot of work and effort but it has also been a lot of fun. I write/organize a weekly(ish) blog called Mission Tuesdays and encourage our athlete members to be active in missions locally and internationally. Specifically, we've spearheaded an international partnership with Amazon Lifesavers, in which we'll raise money for one of their local projects, then later attend a mission trip on-site. This has been a really exciting development for us to be a part of and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it unfolds in the next two years.

In addition to this, David organized a team-sponsored century bike ride, Tour DeWitt, in our local community this past fall. It was a huge success and we're planning to make this an annual event.

WELCOMING MISS BRYNLEY
Brynley Emma entered the world on November 19. My fourth, beautiful, perfect niece.

HERITAGE PROJECT
David's parents flew out here for the Thanksgiving weekend and we enjoyed having them so much. The highlight of their visit was the embarkment of what we've termed our "Heritage Project." Our goal: telling the stories of our parents, grandparents, and ancestors, bringing us closer to our heritage and their legacy.

More to come on this in a future post.

FIVE YEARS OF MATRIMONIAL BLISS
Or something like that. =) No lying, we've had our disagreements (you can't bring that many books, I need to fit my blender in there), debates (to ordain or not to ordain), and yes, okay, arguments (...). But the other night we were doubled-over laughing so hard our stomachs hurt. And that's not all that infrequent. David and I celebrated 5 years of marriage on November 28. I can hardly believe it's been 5 years. 5 years? Are you sure?! It really has been so incredible. The Lord has specifically blessed us with a deeper spiritual connection to each other this year. We've been able to open up our hearts even wider in a way that only God can do; sharing our spiritual struggles, and victories, and yearnings. I can't wait to see what the next five years bring. Wow, I'm so proud of you Love, and so grateful you chose me to spend your life with. 

WINTRY CHRISTMAS
David and I left for "home" (North Dakota) quite dramatically as Storm Draco was starting to rage through the Mid-West. We realized a little late in the day that if we waited to leave until Thursday morning as planned, we would likely end up stranded somewhere in Wisconsin. So we packed up the car with our bags, the dogs, and ourselves in 30 minutes and headed out through the UP of Michigan for an all-night drive. Praise the Lord for His protection. We only hit the edge of the storm in northern MI and WI just as it was starting to snow. We arrived home safely by Thursday afternoon.

We spent a wonderful week in North Dakota, in Christmas family fun. Playing with my nieces was a highlight. Seeing their awe and amazement over the simplest things was a treasure. "Hey, watch this," I'd say, as I did a jump heel click in the grocery store isle while we were "helping" mom shop for groceries. Their eyes widened; I tried to hide my laughter. Oh, I love it! Other highlights with them included geocaching, playing board games, puzzles, and reading bedtime stories. Our family also did a reenactment of the Christmas story which was a lot of fun.

GYC
After Christmas we flew from Bismarck to Seattle for the Generation. Youth. Christ. conference. Since we flew in a day early, I was able to drive down to Oregon and spend some time with a dear college friend. Oh, it fed my soul as only a girl friend can do.  I was also able to reconnect with my old running buddy who now lives in Seattle. Thank the Lord for good friends!

David was the evening speaker for the conference. He became sick with fever and chills the first night of his sermons and was ill throughout the weekend. Though seemingly less-than-ideal, this ended up being a tremendous gift as he recognized his frailty and relied solely on God for strength and clarity of mind. Through the Lord's blessing, he shared the messages laid on his heart to the thousands of young people present. "I went to inspire, and I left inspired." Surely, the Lord blessed. I know, because He blessed me. Through the morning devotionals, seminars, afternoon meetings, and evening meetings, I left feeling revived, renewed, and ready to partner with the Lord for whatever He has in store for 2013.

Picture from GYC Facebook Page

What stands out the most to me in my reflection of the past year is relationships. The time spent with family, friends, and most importantly with our Lord. Nothing can take that time we've spent with them and Him away, and we treasure those moments. Thanks to all of who you have given us the gift of your time; for the good conversations, the leisurely bonding, the prayers, the meetings, the brainstorming sessions, for the inspiration and the encouragement to "press towards the mark" (Phili. 3:14) this next year.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us.

The Proposal

I was in Kenya, he was in Michigan.

Though not officially engaged, we had been dreaming about our future wedding for the past several months. It was probably going to be in May of next year, in the backyard at home. But the reality was I really didn't want to have to plan a wedding. And even though I dreamed of getting married in my backyard, when the sweet-smelling lilac bushes were in bloom, the size of that little stretch of lawn was already giving us complications as we had preliminary talks of a guest list. In fact, it was downright stressful. And we weren't even engaged yet! I wasn't even close to real planning.

So when David mentioned flying out to Kenya to spend my last week there with me, it was simply a no-brainer. Let's get married! (Makes sense . . . right?)  =)

Well anyway, we were talking on the phone about whether or not we should get married when he came out to visit me in two short weeks. We had talked about this in length over the past month but we kept going back and forth, weighing the pros and cons. Finally, it came down to it. We had to make a decision. Either we had to say "Yes, let's do it" and move forward with planning, or we had to say "Forget it" and move on with no more second thoughts. Well, we both said, "Let's do it!"

We quickly hung up so I could start planning my wedding that was now suddenly happening in two weeks. A minute or so later my phone rings. It was David.

"So, will you marry me?"

We both laughed.

"Yes!"

It's hard to believe that we've now been married four years.

Happy Anniversary! I love you David Shin. Thanks for being the most amazing husband I could ever dream of having.

Our Wedding Hug =)
(to be more culturally appropriate, they said)

Has it really been three years?

For our three-year anniversary, David and I headed out for a two-night stay in Chicago.  

Our church very generously paid the hotel expense - a gift for Pastor's Appreciation Month.  We are so blessed!

In preparation, we purchased Chicago CityPass tickets, 

which, for one discounted cost, we were given tickets to five of Chicago's main attractions:  


the Shedd Aquarium, 

the Adler Planetarium, 

the Willis (Sear)'s tower skydeck,

the museum of science and industry,

and the Field Museum, which we didn't have time for. =(

Despite being Thanksgiving weekend (we were expecting large crowds), we got lucky and happened to have our anniversary on the day there was a Bears game, so the museums, etc. were empty! Although I have to admit that I was a little bummed that the CityPass tickets, normally used also to skip in front of long lines and save time, were useless for that. The lines were so short that they didn't even respect the fact that, Excuse me! We are Very Important People, don't you know!?

Oh well. That's exactly why I don't agree with elite status stuff, like Delta platinum memberships for example. It just feeds into your ego.  =)

It wasn't completely useless though - we did get to skip past two people at the aquarium.  =) 


Another highlight for me was ice skating in Millennium Park. 

I can hardly believe, though, that David and I have been married for three years. It really feels like it should be something around 1.5 years. But THREE!?

It's been a wonderful three years, though, that have brought me so much joy, growth, refinement, and... the list could go on. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I read a passage yesterday in Prophets and Kings:

Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience, of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths of the Saviour's love.  -p.347

In many, many ways over the past couple months have I felt very closely the "mercy and loving-kindness", the "matchless depths" of God's love. His goodness. His graciousness. I could speak of many different ways the Lord has overwhelmed me with ... Himself, His character, His goodness ... lately. But one way, a profound way, is through David. And I am forever grateful for the graciousness of God in saving him for me, and saving me ...very undeserving...  for him.

Thank you, David, for three wonderful years.

Thank you, Lord, for Your deep, unfailing, goodness.

Here's to Two Years

I've never really been good at remembering important dates.  But recently, my forgetfulness has increased.  Yet lately, something must be helping me with cover-ups and second chances.

Preface:

Just yesterday I decided I should call my sister.  We don't talk on the phone much at all, but I wanted to let her know that a Christmas package was on its way.  After some pleasantries, Lace says, "It's Lauren's birthday today."  Oops.  Lauren is my niece.  I couldn't believe I had forgotten.  I always call on their birthdays. Yet, I was saved!

Our Anniversary:

David and I technically have two wedding anniversaries, but we only celebrate one.  We married in Kenya on November 28.  We married legally in the U.S. on Dec. 18.  We celebrate on Nov. 28 ... until now.  This year, I knew we would be at my parents' home in North Dakota during our anniversary, so we really didn't talk about doing anything to celebrate.  We both want to start road biking and so we decided that buying road bikes would be our anniversary gift to ourselves.  And that was that.  I didn't think anything more about it ... until Nov. 27,  the day before our anniversary.  I thought, "What was I thinking? I should have brought a gift for him, or, at the very least, a card!"  I was really kicking myself for being so forgetful.  Sure enough, David greets me the next morning with a kiss and a gift.  And I had nothing except an apology.  I felt so low!

After we got back to Michigan, I started right off with Christmas shopping.  David and I limit our Christmas gifts to each other to our stockings.  As I was shopping, I found much more than a stocking amount of gifts for David.  Since I had forgotten an anniversary gift earlier, I thought I would just give the excess to him as a belated anniversary gift, but I really hadn't figured out when or how.  So I put it up on a shelf and forgot about it.  Really forgot about it.

Then today came and it was just like any other Friday.  Friday night came; I was reading, he was preparing for his sermon.  Then all of a sudden, something came over me and I remembered the significance of today's date and I blurted out "Today is our anniversary!!"  (I still hadn't remembered the gifts though.)  David was confused and responded, "huh?"  "Yeah!" I said with a playful grin, "Happy anniversary!  It's been two years!"  "Oh, you mean our other anniversary.  Yeah."  Then he got a funny smile and said jokingly, "So did you get me anything?"

"Uh.."  I said. *light bulb* "Oh, yes, as a matter of fact I did!!"  I started giggling and his eyebrows furrowed.  "No peeking!"  I yelled as I ran into the guest room where his gift was hiding.  I scrambled to get it off the shelf and into a gift bag with tissue paper.  At this point, I'm laughing at myself because I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of this sooner.  In fact, I wouldn't have thought of it at all if he hadn't jokingly asked about a gift in the first place!  David was so shocked that I had something for him and yelled, "Are you sure this is supposed to be my anniversary gift?"  We had a good laugh after I responded, "Yes!  I just forgot about it!"

So here's to being two years legally married my love! :)  Happy Anniversary.  I hope we have many more laughs in the year to come.  

The joys of having two anniversaries.  I've been saved yet again! :)

Thanksgiving Fun

This Thanksgiving Holiday, David, Lilly, George and I visited David's parents in Virginia. This was my first time out east and I was excited!

We spent Thanksgiving day at the home of David's cousins. We ate all kinds of cultural dishes including: Kim-chee, Mook, Chee-jim, Tee-kak, Nah-muhl, Kong-jang, Sweet-chee Potato-jang, and bread-roll-muhl.

This picture makes me want to sing that old Sesame Street song that goes something like "which one of these isn't like the other?" I think it's the blond hair that gives me away.

I do enjoy having married into a cultural experience and I concluded two things: 1) knowing Korean would be handy, 2) I need to brush up on my chopstick handling ability. HOWEVER, I AM proud to say that I can certainly keep up with the ping pong! I won't say who won the tournament, but it's the same as the answer to the Sesame Street question. 

Another excitement for me was the two days David and I spent in Washington DC!  There is way too much to see in two days, yet I was determined to do everything possible. Needless to say, by the end our feet ached, our faces were red from the sun, and we spent the rest of the vacation recovering.  Thank you to whoever added massages to our health insurance plan. Bless you.

Here's a quick run through of where we went and what we saw.

National Museum of Natural History

The oldest wheel-looking-thing ever discovered (or something like that).

3-D Imax Film Fun

Botanical Gardens

The Capital Building made out of plant life.

The rarest and most exotic tree in the christmas family

Arlington Cemetery

Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Ceremony of the changing of the guard.

The Capital 

The White House

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

This statue is HUGE! 

I thoroughly enjoyed this Memorial and consider it at the top of my favorite DC places.

World War II Memorial

Holocaust Memorial Museum

We also saw the Korean War Memorial and went through the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of American History--where we saw the Gettysburg address written by Abraham Lincoln. 

And David and I celebrated our actual 1-year anniversary as well! Happy Anniversary my love! 

A lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

We Made it 11 Months!

David and I decided to celebrate our 1 year anniversary a month early. After all, what is one month when you've already gone through eleven of them? 

A few things prompted us to do this. 1) Our anniversary is over the Thanksgiving holiday, which we'll be spending with his parents. Fun yes, but not exactly a time to celebrate our love. 2) This past weekend was a married couples get-away weekend that we (I) was really wanting to attend.  And it was fabulous!  It was located at Crystal Mountain Resort, in the north-western part of lower MI. It was a friday--sunday weekend get-away, involving great food, wonderful seminars by John and Angela Lomacang, and, of course, lots of couple time. 

Crystal Mountain is also a winter ski resort. We took advantage of the "mountains" and did some hiking.

Views from the top

A really nice aspect of our 1-yr-minus-1-month anniversary celebration, was the spiritual setting of the weekend. The event planners continually reminded us that this was a time to draw nearer to God, and therefore nearer to each other. Near the end of the weekend we participated in a communion service and foot washing, where we, as a couple, recommitted ourselves to God.  This was followed by a recommitment ceremony of our marriage. Complete with vows, a unity candle, and a wedding cupcake. 

It was truly a blessed weekend and tremendous gift to take the weekend off (the busiest time for a pastoral family) and bask in each other's presence.