We are in the middle of a lockdown because of COVID 19. Everyone is home and we are all driving each other crazy. The boys are fighting while my husband is on the phone with coworkers, and I do not like it all.

I don't like it so much that I actually prayed it was alright for Jesus to take me during the night. 

But I woke up the next morning to find them all fighting again.

What would you do?

I took away their screens. The fighting actually got louder.

I talked to them about getting along with each other. Justin yelled at Aidan and Jordan for not listening.

I yelled at them when the noise was just too much for me to bear it all.

And then I saw something...

In the living room, dog-piled on the new chair, were all three boys lying on each other laughing, playing, and carrying on.

I was shocked!

They were speaking loudly.

Is this just their way? I ask this so quietly I barely heard myself.

That moment is just how my clan rolls.

They fight and argue with each other. It's loud and brash and awful.

They also have loving moments where you are just so surprised that you are witnessing it.

Yesterday, Justin was trying really hard to get Aidan to get the healthy rice that was served for lunch. He actually recorded it on his phone.

I did catch both Aidan and Justin laughing later at the video that resulted. Aidan knew how ridiculous he was being.

Jordan had trouble that day with food, which is just him in a nutshell. My baby that had so many food allergies has many food items that he does not like. He has trouble with spaghetti, not enjoying the sauce. He also does not kimchi or kimchi.

Yes, you read that right. He is a Korean kid that does not like kimchi. 

Their stubbornness comes out when they are fighting, but the love they have for each other also spills forth.

And this the blessing of family in all of its unusual glory.

We all have moments where we put things aside, work with the person who is telling us something we really do not want to hear, smile, and keep going.

We are all children of God and we know it.
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We give because we love each other.

But I really do wish the house was quieter!

​God bless your New Year!
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The boys and I were doing a Bible study the other night where some genuinely fun and funny things were said. The theme was generosity. I was attempting to teach them that we are to generous with what we have, sharing freely with others.

We were looking at Luke 12:32-34. Jesus was teaching, turns and addresses the disciples about money, possessions, the heart, and the kingdom of God.

I started off my asking them if there were Christian men and women that they admire. Aidan talked about King Solomon.

"King Solomon wanted to be wise and he asked for wisdom and he got it. I think that is cool!"

Justin talked about Lee Tae Seok. "He was a Korean to Africa who taught people how to play musical instruments. Brother Lee. He was also a medical doctor! His whole life was in service to others!"

Jordan was not listening well. He asked, "What is a Christian?" I answered that it was someone who believed in Jesus. He smiled and said, "Mommy!" I knew it was more about not knowing anyone except immediate family. 

What is the "kingdom" God has given to us? Aidan thought it over for a minute and decided the kingdom was a big house where we would all live. Justin also thought about it and said that the kingdom of God was all around us. Jordan just looked confused. He had no idea what to say. In the end, I got a smile and a "Good" out of him.

Another question I asked was this. What does Jesus mean he says to pursue "purses...that will not wear out"? Aidan admitted that he just wanted sure about that. Justin voiced something about Soviet Union and communism where everyone shared what they had. I told him it was a good thought but that had not worked out in reality. Jordan, again, just looked confused.

How can your heart be in heaven? Aidan and Justin both thought that if we think about others, our hearts would be in heaven. Jordan was not listening at this point.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34.

I have always loved these words. There are just so things that one can treasure that have nothing to do with money.

We ended the study asking God to help us make deposits in our heavenly bank accounts. We prayed specifically to give up some things so we would have more to give to the poor.

Interestingly, right after the Bible study, everyone went back to their treasure. Justin was watching his phone, Jordan was watching his device, and Aidan decided to do the dishes. I was reading on my Kindle.

What is your treasure?

,Most of the time my children behave quite well. During Bible study the other night, that was not the case. 

The Bible study was Colossians 3:15-17. This is about the Colossian church. The Colossian church was vulnerable to divisiveness, so Paul instructs them to set aside the old way of life, and to put on the new self in Christ in order to live in peace and love. It's a lesson in encouraging one another, using only words that build up and bless others.

I started by having everyone say one thing they are thankful for about everyone else that was around the table. Aidan started and began well enough. He told Jordan that he was thankful for his smile to which Jordan grinned really widely. He told me that he was thankful for a Mom that could cook so well. and then he said that Justin was smart.

Then it was Justin's turn. His upper half was lying on the table. He sort of looked up and said, "Aidan! Good! Jordan! Good! Mommy! Good!" while giving everyone a thumbs up. The other boys thought this was funny and laughed. 

When it was Jordan's turn he followed Justin. "Mom! Good! Justin! Good! Aidan! Good!" with a thumbs up. 

I was not impressed. Both Justin and Jordan were told to do it again. Justin looked at me confused as to why this was not the time to make a joke! 

We managed to get through the introduction and then worked on the actual text. 

I asked, "How do you 'let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts'?" 

Aidan launched into Christ always being in his heart. He could do it.

I left this alone and asked another question. "How do you 'let the word of Christ dwell in you richly'?"

They all looked at me confused. Justin was still lying on the table. He again said, "Good!" Again, the boys laughed and I told Justin that he needed to behave himself.

"What about memorizing scripture?" I asked. I started singing a song from an old Slugs and Bugs album that I knew they would all remember. It took about 10 seconds for everyone to clime in.

Justin, again, put up his thumb and said, "Good!" At this point I was really angry.

"Why are you doing that when we are talking about encouragement and building each other up? How is that supposed to help? Can you take this seriously?"

I decided to try again. "Why is being thankful so important?"

Jordan answered first. "It makes people happy!"

"That's a good thought Jordan. If we are thankful, we are positive. We are in the right frame of mind to think about God."

We prayed from there. We prayed for the peace of Christ to rule in our family. We also thanked God for Jesus and the Bible. 

The blessing was that Justin was upright and paying attention. The boys were serious. Maybe, just maybe, they understood that we all need to encourage each other. 

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17

Autumn is definitely here. The weather is a little colder. The air is a little crisper. And the most telling sign is that the leaves on the trees are starting to turn their beautiful shades of crimson, gold, and orange hues. It's just glorious!

I heard there are only two seasons from a friend this week. There is autumn and waiting for autumn. I completely understand...

As well, it is Chuseok here. Chuseok, of  course, is Korean thanksgiving. It's a three days holiday this year. The boys are loving all the free time. I can see the gleeful look on their faces when they wake up and realize there are no lessons and they get to do what they want.

Except for yesterday morning! We took a walk down by Kobok Reservoir. My husband was insisting on the boys getting some exercise before they vegged out with books or screens in the afternoon. We toured the board walk which circles much of the reservoir and we took over two hours to go through it all. 
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Justin was very talkative as we walked. He told me all about a special class he has where feminists come in and teach him and the other boys at his school. I got to hear all about why he thinks feminism is a good idea but does not enjoy this special class.

Aidan was great as well. He ran way ahead while Justin and I walked very slowly. He was excited about spending his pocket money at the grocery store at the end of the walk. He loves to treat people, and I got a fresh lemonade.

Jordan made my heart melt near the end of the walk. He was lagging behind because his brothers were making fun of him. He put his little hand on my arm and wanted to touch and rub it. I let him do this and I hugged him close. We walked like this for a while. We eventually came to a special part of the reservoir where we saw ducks resting on logs. It took a moment, but I also turtles resting on a different set of logs. I said, "Look at that!" to Jordan. He looked, he blinked, and then, "Oh!" with a very slow exhale.

And there we stayed for a quiet moment just watching the birds and the turtles take a rest on the logs. Jordan was wide-eyed and taking it all in. We did eventually catch up with the others...

This was my family on Sunday with their masks off! We were trying to get a family shot for a church project. The boys had some fun with it since we were near the swings. And my husband is kind of smiling here... 

I have to admit, I like my schedule right now. I teach in the mornings. I organize and plan in the afternoons. And I just sit and encourage little boys in the evenings. It has been much easier and I am thankful!

The other night when we were getting ready for bed some cute things happened. We were having our usual story time, which takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Aidan started it as we were reading Mr. Putter and Tabby Paint the Porch. 

"I hear Daddy eating ramyun! I want some!"

"I don't think so, Aidan. I think Daddy said 'Amen'!" I was trying to keep him in the bedroom, so I said, "I'll go check."

Daddy was seated in front of the television. There was no ramyun in sight!

"Aidan, there is no ramyun. You need to go to sleep!"

"I smell it! I want some!"

He came out to an empty kitchen and no spicy smells from anywhere!

"There's no ramyun! I am so disappointed." He looked completely dejected, but he did go to sleep five minutes later.

Jordan had memorized a Bible Verse and was quoting it five minutes earlier while we were reading stories. When I was finished the story, I had him read it in Korean. The child reads super fast! He read it aloud at a ridiculously fast pace and I laughed hysterically at the mistakes he was making!

He just smiled and said, "I love you Mom! I have to read! Here I go!" 

And there went the freight train! He was a blur and he was incredibly quick with it! He did lie down and breath shortly after he did that!

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The quiet hour is not that quiet.

Justin likes to come in just as everyone is sleepy and tease and tickle his brothers. 

It can get incredibly loud as I hear giggles coming from the bedroom. I usually smile at this part of the evening.

It is astounding how this always turns into wrestling. It's when I hear screaming that I come into the bedroom. I pretend I am angry, and end up telling Justin to leave.

We pray before we go to sleep. This seems to be the sign for everyone to calm down and stop talking.

That's usually when I cuddle Jordan while he squirms and try to catch a few ZZs. 

I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, LORD, make me live in safety. Psalm 4:8 (CSB)

When is your quiet hour? ;)

This month there was relief from CoVid 19. The boys have gone back to school. My husband has gone back to work. Everyone is being careful to not get infected.

Just as spirits were beginning to rise, I watched the video of George Floyd being killed by the police. I looked at my children differently that night. I was thankful for their lives. I was thankful for the fact that we are very far removed from what is going on. I was just thankful.

I was also a little disturbed. The boys and my hubby carried on as usual. I was disturbed because it seems like I was the only person who was thinking about George Floyd. I was also thinking about Breanna and the myriad of other names that we should know but the memories have faded.

I was more than a little curious about race relations when I was a teenager. My mother had encouraged me to read To Kill a Mockingbird. I remember being enraptured by that world. I also read Cry the Beloved Country, a novel about apartheid in South Africa that was just as beautiful and poignant as To Kill a Mockingbird. 

Justin and I had a conversation about George Floyd and it went something like this:

"You are blessed Justin."
"Why?"
"You look Caucasian."
"I suppose I do. No yellow here!"

God bless that child for making jokes.

Aidan looked at the TV screen carefully. He took it in with his eyes. They flickered and he scrunched his nose. He didn't say anything. 

Jordan was not in the room when the rest of us saw the video. He was playing a game somewhere. I am not sure he would have understood that the officer had been on the man's neck for nine minutes. He probably would have thought it was a video game of some kind. 

We turned off the screens for a while. We turned them back on and saw all the demonstrations that were taking place all over the world. 

The following week KOTESOL, a non-profit for English teachers, put out a statement saying that black lives do matter. I was a little stunned, but thought it was good that people were being supportive of what was going on in the U.S..

Was the situation accentuated by CoVid 19? I think the fact that so many people were at home has made it a reality. 

It rocked my world. Why wouldn't it rock somebody else's?

In the end, I pray. 

I ask the kids to pray.

Everything about 2020 has been disturbing. 

It started with classes I was taking.

Then it was CoVid 19.

Then it was 19 hours teaching a week while taking a class online.

Then it was George Floyd. 

Then it was a CoVid 19 scare. 

I pray for change.

I pray in the morning. 

I pray during the day.

I pray at night.

I pray for my family.

I pray for people who are living in poverty.

I pray for people who need a little assistance.

I pray for black lives.

I pray for leaders.

I thank God for all the good, small things around me.

I pray to God for all the terrible, horrible things that I know need change. 

I pray.

I pray for Justin, Aidan, and Jordan. 

Praying is starting to feel like breathing.

And that is really what I want you to know.

Love and justice are trying to breathe.

Amen. 

Things are calming down here in South Korea in regards to the virus. A number of schools will be going back to the in-class format. I have absolutely loved this time with the boys, but it is time for a change. There is just way too much down-time in their daily routine.

What is their daily routine?

For Justin - He gets up a little before 8:00, hugs his father, gives me a hug, has a shower, eats breakfast, and then spends the morning online. Around 12:30 he sheepishly comes out from the study room, asks about lunch, makes a few jokes using an accent (he has many), and eats noodles.  After lunch, he sits in front of the computer for a few more hours, wanders into another room to take a nap or play a game for about an hour, and then wanders back. In the evenings, he is playing games, giving me a hard time, or just joking around with his father.

For Aidan - This child absolutely hates getting up in the morning. The wake up call starts at 7:45 and lasts until 8:15 or 8:30. I usually have to come back to wake him up about 3 times. He will sit down, eat breakfast, and enjoy his morning if he has had enough sleep. He is online with his teacher by 8:50 and offline by 9:20. He will do whatever it is the teacher asked him to do, and then wanders off to play games. He won't come for lunch until he is called. After lunch, he is off to Study Room. He usually plays outside for a few hours in the afternoon. He is also playing computer games in the evening. 

I should add that Aidan is the child who enjoys attention from the teacher the most. He would be considered the teacher's pet and he can turn on the charm in regards to this. He is not so charming if his food is cold or if you bother him or ask him to do something during a game. 

For Jordan - He is the first one up after me. He is actually pretty good at eating, getting dressed, washing his face and hands, and brushing his teeth. He is in a hurry so he can go play computer games before school starts. He is online by 9:00 am and he is done by 9:30 as well. He is then back to the computer games for the rest of the morning. He is a pickiest eater in the house. He wants to eat cereal, noodles, and rice and soup. He has quite a few preferences in terms of what kind of soup he likes which drives me crazy. In the afternoons, he goes to piano and plays outside. Sometimes he goes to play soccer in the soccer field beside his elementary school. 

A recent addition to the routine is to write in Korean and English diaries in the evening. Both Aidan and Jordan are able to churn out about ten sentences in Korean and two or three in English. I also love reading books to them in the evenings, but they do not seem to love this as much as I do. I am hoping to add handwriting to this little routine in the evenings, but we will see how things go.

Weekends, of course, are a little less stressful for my husband and myself. The boys are to help with cleaning up on Saturday mornings and then they are free to do what they want for the rest of the day. Sunday has turned into the most social day with church in the morning, a rather lazy afternoon, and our Sunday night family prayer meeting. 

What is your family doing? How have you passed the time during the quarantine?

Last night we all went out to see a comet that Justin was talking about during the day. It was kind of fun to listen to him get so excited about something way up in the sky. So, I decided to take the kids out with their masks on and look at the beautiful stars that night.

At 8:50 we were all out the door with our masks on. We climbed up the hill to get a good look at the sky. The lights from the apartment complex do not allow for much star-gazing, or comet-gazing, to occur. It took a few minutes for everyone's eyes to adjust to the change in the light. I believe I stumbled over little Jordan. Aidan and I danced while we were up on the pathway. I kept thinking it would all be very romantic if this was not the time that the Corona Virus had everyone scared!

Justin took over explaining about the big dipper and how the comet was easily seen from the big dipper. As I looked up I did manage to see something big dipper like in the wrong section of the sky. I was looking west and I did manage to see two stars that were blinking more than usual. Justin was just staring at the sky looking very confused. 

"Mom the comet is easily seen if we look north." 

I looked north but didn't see anything. I was just generally sweeping over the sky trying to see anything. Aidan and Jordan were playing with each other in the dark. 

We did manage to enjoy the stars that night! It was fun to get everyone out of the house and enjoy a little bit of spring weather in the dark. 

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In other news, Justin is having trouble with staying in the house. He actually said he wants to go to school! (Music to this mother's and teacher's ears!) He gets up in the morning, has a shower, eats breakfast, and then sits at his study desk and actually studies until around lunch time. After lunch he disappear into his break zone and he doesn't return until around 3:00. Then he studies math or English until it is supper time. At supper, he tells a little about what he is learning. He then helps with the dishes, does whatever chores need to be done and then studies again. 

Aidan and Jordan are just plain bored. They get up, eat breakfast, get dressed, and play computer games for most of the day. If they aren't playing a game, they are watching a screen, which is definitely not the best thing they could do with their time. We do read in the evenings which helps a little with this. 

Myself? I am so busy with teaching online and dealing with another class I'm taking that I am barely thinking about the Corona Virus. The class is called Second Language Acquisition and the professor wants a paper and a presentation in two weeks. Hmmmm. This is a great distraction and it is focusing my time. 

Can we say that everyone is struggling? Yes, we can. Except for maybe my husband. He actually did a little dance the other night in the living room. 

"I don't have to go to school! I don't have to go to school!" Aidan and Jordan were both so floored by this that they actually joined his little dance. I just laughed. 

​What are you doing? How are you coping with this virus? Are you staying inside? Let me know.

It's been a while since I posted here. I got a little busy with work and classes these past eight weeks. Just as I was finishing the Christian history class the Corona Virus scare was beginning. It's in full force now, if you haven't heard the news. The boys and I are enduring a self-induced quarantine that started at the end of last week. I FEEL like we have been inside for days!!!

It's not true but I definitely feel this way. The news is full of doomsday stories. The number of people with the virus has increased from less than one hundred to over a thousand people over the last five days and the general fear is rather incredible. 

On Saturday, my husband's student postponed our meet-up for the second time since this started. On Sunday we did not go to church. Instead we held a service in the house.

It was actually fun. My husband led the worship. The last song was Go Tell It on a Mountain. The boys remembered the song from two years ago and got into it with some side by side clapping. I read scripture. Justin preached on Genesis 1. Hansung and I were both trying terribly hard not to laugh while he was doing it. I prayed for us, gave announcements (the kitchen is closed), asked about birthdays and newcomers, and then our little service ended.

In the evening we had a prayer service, which was also a little bit fun. Jordan thanked God for no one catching the virus and about eight other things. Aidan was grinning with his closed eyes when he thanked for God for no Sunday School. Justin thanked God for the opportunity to preach that morning, which was kind of fun. 

Other activities during this break have been down at the reservoir when it is not raining. There is a board walk around the reservoir that takes a couple of hours to complete. It would have been great, and just the kind of thing I like to do, if it was not for my right foot. I must have pinched a nerve because it hurt on Sunday afternoon and it hurt today when we went. 

The boys had a Foosball tournament the other day. I played and was beaten by Aidan who really does have some good moves. Who knew at the age of ten that he would be so good at making the ball spin? Excellent plays by Justin and Jordan as they played against each other. But it was Daddy who won the tournament. 

The other general routine is waking up, meals, playing on devices, a handful of lesson from the brave souls who have decided not to close their doors, and long naps. 

For those of you in Korea, I hope you are safe, warm, and sane from all of this. For those of you elsewhere, I hope you are safe, warm, and sane.

My son Justin is pictured above. He is working with the sound team at church most Sundays.

There is a Bible Verse about hard work that is worth mentioning. “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13:4

It may be difficult to teach children the value of discipline and hard and work, but it does have its rewards! 

Justin, my eldest son, came home from school last week with two awards. It was a pleasant surprise for this parent! He and his friends got a bronze medal for an English project where they interview yours truly about Sejong High School. The other project was more individual. He received a silver medal for creating an anti-smoking poster. Apparently, my child’s artistic talents are starting to blossom! And Daddy rewarded him with fried chicken as a late night snack.

The English project that he and his friends won for was something! I remember the day they interviewed me. I was simply asked to say, “Tell me about your school, Justin! I want to learn about your school!” It was one of those days where I had many small things to do and I was a little annoyed because it was an unusual request. The rest of the video is Justin and his friend walking around school showing anyone who was watching the video the buildings. The English was quite good even if my initial question was more than a little awkward!

Jordan also did some great work at school. He and his classmates put together a multicultural show for parents last Wednesday morning. They all prepared little dance numbers! Jordan was wearing a Chinese traditional hat and I was genuinely wondering what they were going to do before they started dancing to ‘Kung Fu Fighting’. His friends and he were reasonably coordinated as they performed it and the parents broke out into laughter when they heard the song. 

The other song that the whole class performed was ‘Jumbo’. It’s an African song that has a Korean counterpart. While they were performing I understood why I had heard him humming the song so many times at home. While they were doing it, I could hear many of them singing. And, of course, they broke out into hysterical laughter when it was all done! I commend the teacher for pushing all those second-graders to perform so well. I will remember that day for a long time!

Aidan and Jordan go to Taekwondo every night at 7:00. When they have worked hard, the teacher gives them tickets. These tickets are 10 points, 50 points, and 100 points. Aidan was pleased as pie to receive a ticket for 50 points last week. It was the same night that they all received chicken from Daddy so all was well with the world!

Hard work and perseverance are difficult things to teach. Each boy was able to show some aspect of perseverance last week and I was very proud of them all!

“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13: 4

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Advent begins on Sunday. They boys looks forward to the little chocolate gifts in the Advent Calendar but I look forward to the read-alouds!

My family will be reading Ann Voskamp's The Wonder of the Greatest Gift along with other holiday favorites. This year I will wrap up books for them to choose, two or three, and we will read that book in the evening. We will light candles, read The Wonder of the Greatest Gift, hang an ornament on the tree, and read the book they have chosen. I look forward to this bonding time with the boys!

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For those of you who are curious, there has been a delay with the book I’m publishing. The Giver: The Life of Jesus and the Book of Acts (Fifty Sermons for Children) will be published in January. I am still very excited about the book!  I hope you will be too!