The End of 2008

Today, on Dec. 31st, I remember my friend Midi and her son, Nathan who were tragically lost in a car accident on New Year's Day 2008. I thank God for the ways that God has sustained her surviving husband and son. In midst of all the holiday celebration and preparation for baby Elijah's arrival, I can tell that my mind is also processing and trying to prepare myself for this tragic anniversary through dreams. I can still recollect vividly where I was and at what time I heard the news, and in some ways, it feels surreal that it has been almost a year.

Year 2008 has been a particularly hard year for many people with whom we are close. It has been a year where suffering through losses, especially death have particularly affected our friends' lives (and directly or indirectly affecting us). I end year 2008 ever more aware of God's mysterious ways and His sovereignty and acutely aware of my frailty and humanness. I thank Him that He is God and we are His children, that He is the Creator and we are creatures who He created in His image and for His glory. I don't know what year 2009 holds for all of us (in reality what tomorrow holds), but I am grateful that God gave us today and that He can be trusted today and tomorrow. I thank God that death does not hold the last word for those of us who are in Jesus and that He is the giver of life.

An Invitation to Chat

I was on skype this morning with P. We have been able to talk almost everyday for free for an hour or more, which has been so wonderful. As we were talking, P interrupts me and tells me that he just got an invitation to chat on skype from "--- sexy" with a skimpy bikini top photo of herself. We thought it was humorous that "she" would send this invitation while he and I were on line talking. So, we decided that he should respond. The chat conversation went like this:

---- sexy: Chat?
P: No I’m on the other line with my wife.
----sexy: My husband just left the house. Feeling lonely…. Wanna chat.
P: No, maybe you should chat with my wife if you’re lonely.

After the last answer, I guess she got the point and gave up. She basically let him know that if he wants to chat, he can go on this particular website. He found "block this user" function and blocked her from skype. I had no idea that even on skype they are prowling for people to devour... It's really sad when I think about it. But, we also found it humorous since we were both on line and P was telling me what was happening. I jokingly said, "How do these people know that we have been apart for almost 8 weeks?" There are some wonderful things about the internet and skype (such as being able to stay connected to your loved ones even from thousands of miles apart), but it is another thing that can be used to tempt and lure us into indulging in sin. I was reminded of the story of Cain and Abel, where God says to Cain after he was angry that his offering was not accepted by God, "....if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. It's desire is for you, but you must rule over it." (Gen. 4:7b) Although P and I found it some what humorous, it was another reminder that sin is crouching at the door (on the internet, t.v., etc.), that it's desire is for us, and that we must rule over it.

On a different note, I am soooooo excited that P will be home in two (yes!!!) days!!! I was sharing with him that I haven't been this excited in a while!!!

A Historical Election

Barack Obama is the new president-elect of the United States of America. What a historical election it was. I am grateful that I got to participate in and witness it. Having read and heard of the struggles of African-Americans in the U.S. for their equal rights, it is a tremendous victory for the nation that the first African-American president has been elected. Personally, except during the early days of the election process, I have to admit that I hardly even thought about his race. When Obama and Hillary Clinton were contending for the democratic nomination, I remember asking P whether he thought America was ready for an African-American president or a woman president. I found the possibility that either of the two can happen during this election quite interesting. But, once Obama was nominated as the Democratic nominee for the presidency and he and McCain were busy with their campaign, I don't remember thinking about race as a factor. So, as I watched the election coverage and saw the faces of various people who were involved in the civil rights movement and tears streaming down the faces of many African-Americans, as well as whites, I couldn't help but to be moved by the historical moment that we were all experiencing together.

I voted for Obama. Eventhough I don't necessarily see eye to eye in all the things he had to say, I felt at the end that I could trust his leadership more than McCain's. I appreciated hearing McCain's speech last night, which was thoughtful, gracious, and generous. I am hopeful that he will work with Obama for the service of his country and I commend him for that. I listened to Obama's victory speech too and at the end, it made me feel more reassured about for whom I had cast my vote. Some commentators talked about how subdued he was and how sobering his speech was. As the electoral votes came in and it was clear that Obama was going to be the next president, I thought to myself, "He has a long road ahead of him. I hope he is ready for the challenge." So, when I heard his speech, it became quite apparent to me that he did understand the challenges that are before him and that even at one of the most joyous moments of his life, he was focused. I felt like he demonstrated humility, soberness, and determination rather than using the moment to hype up the crowd or give empty promises that he cannot fulfill. If anything, I felt like he demonstrated his understanding of the time that America is in. His speech made me feel a bit more reassured that I chose the right candidate. I may not agree with him on everything, but at the end of the day, I feel like I can trust that he will listen to all sides, do what he can to promote unity, has a good head on his shoulder, is even-keeled, and will make the decision that he, as the president feels is the right decision. He is the kind of person I would want sitting in the seat of the presidency.

Now, that the election is over, let's just say that I am glad that it is finally over! I am ready to move forward and see what the next four years will be like. I definitely feel more motivated to pray for our nation's leaders (current and future) and for this nation. America is far from perfect and there are some disturbing things about this nation, but having lived overseas, I have deeper appreciation for the democratic process that exists in this nation. It is a rare thing to see and experience....

Riding the Public Bus

I had to get to the Burbank airport yesterday to catch a flight (with the doctor's permission) to Sacramento to spend some time with my sister and her family. I know that I could have called friends to ask for a ride to the airport, but I also had this thought that there must be a public bus route from Glendale to Burbank airport. I really wanted to try the Los Angeles public transit and see what that was like. So, I went on line, found a phone number where I can call to get some help figuring out the most direct route to the Burbank airport from where I am currently staying in Glendale. I got the help that I was looking for, found out that if I was willing to walk a few blocks to catch the 93 bus to Sylmar from Colorado and San Fernando, I can get to the Burbank airport in about 35 minutes. So, that is what I decided to do. I packed really light so that everything I need for the week would pack in a small backpack (knowing that maternity clothes awaited me at my sister's) and off I went. It took me $1.25 to get to my destination, I got to see parts of Glendale and Burbank that I normally would not see, and was impressed by the kindness and courtesy that bus riders showed one another as the elderly or the handicapped came on the bus. I was surprised initially that the bus was completely full. There were Caucasians, Asians, Latinos, and African-Americans, the elderly, students, and people going off to work. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Furthermore, the bus dropped me off right at the entrance to the airport near long term parking and I just had to walk across the street to catch the free airport shuttle which took me right to the drop off area. If you can catch a bus or some form of public transport that is convenient, it is a great way to get to the airport!

Catching Up on Blogging...

Tomorrow, we are moving into a new flat in N'pal for the duration of our stay here. The British couple from whom we have been renting the place is coming back so we need to move out. I haven't seen the inside of our new home for the next two and a half weeks, but I heard that the bathroom is inside, for which I am really happy about! :) It also means that we probably won't have internet access (although we might), so I am catching up on blogging.

This past week, I realized when sending out our monthly update that our friends who are on the monthly yahoogroups list did not receive June/July issue as we typed in the wrong yahoogroups address. It was the issue with our big announcement about our pregnancy and I really wanted people to hear it from us, and not others. It was unfortunate that it happened the way it did...

The baby is moving around so much and the movements are getting stronger and stronger. Furthermore, I think I am finally starting to look pregnant. Our land lady who lives below has been carefully monitoring my tummy and she said to me the other day, "You are showing just a little." I got lazy and forgot to take a photo of week 21, but I'll make sure to take one later today or tomorrow for week 22. P loves to tell me that I am fat! Oh yeah, I got myself a stretchable bottom and two fairly baggy t-shirts as my pants don't fit anymore. When I travel, I like to travel as a "westerner," meaning, wearing western clothes. So, in preparation for our upcoming travel back to India, I made my first "maternity" purchase, although you can wear them not as maternity too. ;)

It's been really interesting to keep abreast of the U.S. election process from here. In some ways, I feel like I have been able to appreciate the process more having lived abroad in unstable regions. It's been nice to have a T.V. too and get the latest analysis from CNN and BBC.

I have no new update on placenta previa. I have no idea what is happening in there and we won't know until we go in for a check-up when we're in Thailand. I've had a couple of people ask how I feel about it. My feelings haven't changed much from two weeks ago. I won't know what my next steps are until I get a check up again and worrying about it isn't going to change anything... I've been getting some good additional information from the States thanks to friends. I'm just gathering info so that P and I can make a good decision together, if needed.

I was sharing with P that it is incredible to feel our baby moving inside. When I was in the thick of morning/evening sickness, I wondered, I don't know if I can/want to do this again... this is horrible. But, now that I am feeling better and I can feel our baby having fun in the oven, I feel like the vomiting and all was so worth it. I was telling P that I feel a little sad thinking that this may be our one and only child. Nevertheless, we are so grateful for our baby Graf! We think we have narrowed down on a girl and boy name.... you just have to wait, sorry! ;)

I love it when P feels the baby move and he says, "Whoaa... that one was an earthquake!" Our baby also seems to be on a schedule in terms of his/her activity level... The Ken/Barbie doll (baby's current size) is really active in the morning, falls asleep maybe 15 minutes before I leave for class, wakes up at noon, takes a nap in the afternoon (time varies), and is active for a few hours before I fall asleep. I've been kind of keeping an eye on the clock to see if I can see a pattern, and I totally can. Of course, s/he has sluggish days, but I wonder if our baby is going to be a morning kiddo, just like his/her parents!

I have also started doing "worship time with mommy" with baby Graf. When I spend some time singing praise music, I put one of the headset on to my tummy, while I listen with the other and spend some time singing to God. I have no idea whether the baby can hear it but I thought, "Why not. S/he can be part of it." Sometimes s/he would be kicking up a storm and as soon as the music begins, s/he quiets down, as if s/he is listening.... I enjoy this time together. ;)

Happenings....

• Nepal is now in the process of forming a functioning government as the prime minister, the president, and vice president have been chosen. Politics is a hot topic here these days.
  
• P is kicking my butt in vocabulary memorization. His ability to focus still amazes me.
  
• I sometimes wonder whether I am getting enough protein since I am still having trouble eating meat and I can't eat dhaal (lentil) because the smell makes me sick. I've been eating yogurt, cheese, meat (once in a while), and drinking lots of milk to get protein. Hopefully, my new found pleasure for ice cream is also helping!
  
• I have been feeling the "flutter" regularly these days. The little baby is moving around quite a bit, especially at night. However, it's not strong enough for P to feel the movements yet.
• I got a friend request on facebook from an acquaintance from high school that I vaguely remember.... I've been trying to remember as much as possible who this person is... I remember her name but I don't remember what she was like and whether I even hung out with her at all! Weird...
• My nephew, Jeshua started kindergarten today. He sounded excited when I spoke to him this morning. Kids really do grow too quickly! I miss my nephews and niece.
• It's been fun to find out about friends who are also pregnant!
• I've been wondering what kind of support network I will need to create for myself back in India when I become a mom. I've been praying about it a lot.
  
• I'm so thankful that I have a husband who doesn't insist or care much about having delicious meals everyday... I really don't enjoy cooking... I cook so that we can eat in order that we might continue surviving.... It doesn't mean I don't enjoy or have appreciation for delicious food because I do! I just have absolutely NO interest in being the creator of such meals.... So, I really appreciate P for loving my other strong suits and feeling okay about telling me to give the finger to the pressure that I feel to be this person that I am not. (I will write another blog about this later because it needs more history and explanation.) I never felt this kind of pressure living in the States, but I feel it here all the time!
• Now my stomach is calling me for a snack....
  

My musings lately....

I have been mulling over a lot of stuff recently but I have failed to get them on to my blog. Now, I don't think I can write about them all because it will take too much time and you might get bored reading about them in one sitting... so to give you a glimpse into what I have been thinking about recently, I thought I'd just write down the questions I have been asking. Some are deeper questions, others are just random questions, but I have been finding myself asking more questions lately. Here I go....

• What does economic development really look like in a developing a country, and what pieces of the puzzle must be there for it to be successful? How does development that comes up from within and development encouraged from the outside look different?
  
• What does the Bible really say about the Kingdom of God? Sometimes I feel like people emphasize certain pieces that they resonate more with, but at the core, what does Jesus say about it?
  
• How can I grow in being grateful in midst of difficulties? Living here, I can count many things that I can complain about, but then I also realize there are many, many things to be grateful about. How do I deal with both - which I often feel at the same time?
• What middle name do we like for a daughter? What first name do we want to give to our baby if he is a son?
• At what point, do you become fluent in a language? I've been feeling greater level of sympathy for immigrants. I think many people who complain about immigrants who can't speak English or not so well probably have never really tried learning a foreign language. It is not easy.
  
• Why do many Americans talk as if they have the solution for whatever problem is being discussed?
  
• Why is it that there is so much talk about finding alternative energy source and about offshore drilling (for the U.S.), but hardly anyone is talking about changing our lifestyle?
  
• How do you discern how much or what kind of change is realistically possible when no particular behavior stands on its own and are all a part of an interconnected cultural web?
• What does it look like for me to love my neighbor as myself today? It is easier said than done....
• Why did God create a nine and half months gestational period for humans?
  
• Why am I not constipated when other pregnant moms seem to suffer from it? I'm not complaining! ;)
• Why is it that I've been craving Taco Bell/Del Taco the most? I don't get it!
• I wonder how active our little bean is and will be! I hope he/she is not hyper! ;)
• I wonder if we're having a boy or a girl?
  
• A friend told me that someone had commented on the difference between taking an epidural and not taking it as difference between hell and heaven.... come on, really? I mean is it THAT different? If it's THAT different, why isn't everyone taking the epidural? Heck, I would choose heaven over hell anytime! :)

So, there you have it.... here are some of my serious and not so serious questions that I have been asking and thinking about.

Pregnancy Update: I hope to find out the sex of the baby, if possible, this Sunday, but we will see. If there is gas available for taxis and there is no strike, maybe I'll actually get to the hospital! (On a side note, I was asking our language teacher about how do sick people get to the hospital when there is a strike and all forms of transportation is closed? She told me a story of a woman who went into labor during one of these transportation strikes, was in labor, delivered her baby near a bus park, and died. She said many sick people die during strikes just because they can't get to the hospitals! It made me so sad and angry at the same time to hear the story....Luckily we live pretty close to a hospital!) Anyway, hopefully, the baby will be still long enough in order to get a good look at his/her anatomy! The last time we had the ultrasound, the technician really tried, but gave up because the little bean was so active. We'll let you know what we learn! ;) I also just posted my 16th week belly photo... tomorrow will be week 17!

Reverse Culture-Shock? Part III

I have a little more time on my hand today so I thought I'd blog a little. I'm not going to give an extensive commentary on the things that I noticed and experienced while being back in the States here, but I will just note them.

* The refrigerators in the States are huge!
* Although homes have land-lines, most use their cell-phones for long distance calls. It was not like that when we were living there 22 months ago.
* Clothes, electronics, durable goods are cheaper in the States than in India. The clothes in the States are of higher quality, I noticed. If I want to buy quality items that are equivalent to the ones in the States, I would have to pay more here than back in the States.
* While I was back this time around, what I perceived, intuited, or felt (not sure what the exact word is) that many people in the States are seeking or are in search of significance. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but I sensed in people a desire for more meaning or significance to their daily existence. I don't find this as much here... well, at least not in the way I felt it back at home #1. (Maybe I'll write more about this when I feel more motivated to write...)
* America is really rich. After having lived here for over 21 months, I realize that being rich is not a bad thing in itself. Being poor is not more virtuous. In our wealth, it is easy to get caught up on our own wants and pursuit of more wealth. However, if we are able to live more simply in order to share our wealth and resources with others, then, I think wealthy people can do much good.

* I noticed scooters and even scooter shops! I guess with the gas prices going up, people are opting for a cheaper mode of transportation.
* The lack of trash piles or visible dump areas make us forget how much trash gets thrown out.
* Contentment can be experienced anywhere in the world if I know where it comes from. I'm still learning it but I do feel like I understand it more having lived away from the land of abundance.

I'm not complaining but wondering....

what is going on? This summer has been so incredibly cool that I'm not sure what to make of it. Unlike last year, I have not been taking multiple showers, I'm not sweating while cooking, and I can almost expect the cool breeze to come across during the late afternoon with some rain. I love it!! Hopefully I am not jinxing myself by writing this! ;) Anyone from California wanna come over here? ;)

I'm having trouble with the internet again where I cannot access blogs and certain U.S. sites. I seem to be able to using my cellphone but not using my cable connection. Oh well. Hopefully, it will fix itself!

"Sarita" H. from Epicentre who is currently in Delhi visited us this past weekend as she had to do a quick visa run. We took her up to the Sikkim where it is even cooler and we had a lot of fun being tourists together. It was nice having a familiar face in our corner of the world.

Oh yeah, I also have a few more reflections from my time back in the States but, I'm finding it more difficult to take time to blog these days... I am not feeling that inspired to write these days, but if I feel that again, maybe I will...

A quick hello!

This blog will be ultra-short, but I wanted to let everyone who reads know that we are well, enjoying being back, fighting off jet-leg, and surviving the heat with a smile! We definitely feel like both places are our home! When I have a little more time and not dosing off here and there, I will write more about some of my reflections. But, I just wanted to say Thank You to ALL of you for welcoming us back! We are really looking forward to 2009 when we'll get to spend more time with you.

Gosh, I miss Taco Bell's hard shell taco and bean and cheese burrito! ;) Random... I know... hee hee

Some Randomn Thoughts on Food

Yesterday, I read about the rising food prices all over the world. It said that one out of many reasons for the rise in food prices has to do with the increase in number of Chinese and Indian middle class who are consuming more meat and putting more demand on the grain supply. Interesting, I thought... I remember growing up in Korea and eating beef was such a treat (and we were middle class). Today, to have eaten Korean food is to have had Korean BBQ. I chuckle at that because "real, everyday" Korean food consists mainly of vegetables. I remembered being shocked at how much kalbi (Korean bbq) was available all the time with no end in sight when I immigrated to the States! I find it interesting that increase in wealth translates into increase in meat consumption.

Since we have been in India, we have been eating meat once or twice a week....usually, chicken, maybe pork once a month, and beef, probably once every six months. We have even talked about becoming vegetarians.... maybe we will one day. I don't know...it's been harder for me to enjoy eating meat when I see them getting slaughtered or when I see what they eat around town... Less meat and lots of vegetables are good for your body! I definitely feel like we have been eating better since we have been here.

Talking about meat consumption, when bird flu was here, restaurants didn't serve chicken for some time. Bird flu has definitely affected the poultry industry, although for consumers who understand that you cannot get sick from eating it, seem to be very happy with lower prices.

For some odd reason, today, I am craving granny apples. I am actually really looking forward to having variety of fruits when we're back in the States. I have noticed that I hardly eat fruit here, except for oranges. I don't like bananas and I only like granny apples, which are not available here. Actually, I saw them at this new "supermarket" in a new mall (the first one in North India) that just opened up but it was around 200 rupees for one kilogram of granny apples....way too expensive to even taste it! It looks like we will have imported fruit here very soon, but the price is outrageously expensive. Maybe when I am really in need of one of those "treat myself to something nice" time, I might splurge and get myself some grannies. But for now, we're sticking with what our fruit stands by the roads have to offer.... Let's just say I am looking forward to having the option of choosing between granny apples, peaches, plums, melons, juicy Asian pear....yummy, they sound really good!

Besides having tofu last month in Thailand, I have had tofu once since leaving the State. I am SO looking forward to eating lots of tofu!! I love tofu!

Paul is looking forward to a good hamburger and Mexican food!

We're looking forward to sushi, of course, but we had it in Thailand so we're not dying for it right now.

Hmm...It's kind of nice to be able to think about different kinds of food you can have! :)

No quitting on blogging yet...

I'll be blogging again soon. I needed a little break. I'm also experiencing some problem with blogspot--I can't view any blogs from blogspot, including my own. It looks like I can post but cannot view...

We returned a couple of days ago from Thailand feeling refreshed. Unlike last year around this time, I have experienced absolutely no culture shock upon returning and the transition has been smooth. I've been sharing with folks that I feel as though I have crossed some invisible line of cultural adjustment and the place where I live and work feels more like home. I have had a lot of time to think, reflect, pray, eat variety of food, enjoy the beach, read, and be with some wonderful people. I'll be writing more later, but I need to get off now... but I wanted to post a short blog so that people won't think I have quit blogging! Hopefully, I could figure out what the problem is and why I can't access blogspot. See you all soon.

Introvert Time

We returned yesterday from attending our first Indian wedding. I am sooo tired. We got the insider scoop on the wedding from planning, set-up, to the whole shindig which meant a lot of fun and a lot of work for three days! I am exhausted. I will post photos and maybe some thoughts about the wedding soon. For now, I badly need some introvert time.

Country Roads...

Imagine two 1/2 Bengali 1/2 Nepali men, three Germans, one Tibetan, one South Indian, one American, and one Korean-American belting out the song Country Roads! We made friends with two couples from our church who are middle-class. We were invited to a birthday party and they whipped out their guitars and started singing, among other things Country Roads. Paul and I decided to switch West Virginia for California for nostalgia sake. Here's the video of the crew having a little fun...



Interestingly, we were all inter-racial couples: German-Begali/Nepali; German-South Indian; Tibetan-Bengali/Nepali; American-Korean. Throughout the night, Nepali, German, and English were being thrown around while we enjoyed Bengali food and lots of singing and laughter. I don't know all the words to the song, but the Indians sure did! Other features of the night were Beatles songs, a little CCR, and a Bob Dylan impersonation. Who would have guessed the song Country Roads would be a common thread between three continents and five ethnic groups!

Three Unrelated Thoughts

Thought #1: We are currently in Mirik, another hill station to conduct training for the leaders of the Winter Gospel Trek. Fifteen FECA India staff are here to receive training for 90 hours of Bible Study that they will be leading for a month. They will trek through various villages sharing the good news and doing survey of the needs in these areas, and doing Bible Study in their teams 3 hours a day.

I'm having so much fun! Our Nepali has improved (although not as much as we would like), but significantly enough that we can carry on conversations and understand a lot! I can now ask people about what is happening in their fields and understand what they share. Also, it's nice to have a small group of people to train and get to know in depth. Anyway, I'm really enjoying myself. I love leading small group discussions.... it's my preferred method of teaching.

Thought #2: I learned today that I am going to have a niece!! I am so excited! I have four adorable nephews, so it would be fun to have a niece too. My nephew, Jeshua has been praying for a baby sister, although Seth has been hoping for a baby brother. My sister shared that Jeshua is thrilled!! She is also overjoyed as she has been hoping for a girl.

Thought #3: It's been surreal to read about the mass evacuation in SD due to the raging fires in the area. My brother and sister-in-law were evacuated, but have returned home. I hope that the Santa Ana wind dies down quickly. Those of you who are in S.Cal are in my prayers.

What is she?

I have been noticing that people have been staring at me... When I sense a stare, I usually stare right back at them with a smile and I usually get a smile in return. Once in a while, someone would be bold enough to come and ask me, “What are you?" or "Where are you from?” I’ve been attending a training seminar for children’s ministry workers and I have been finding that people (both whites and Indians) are not sure what to do with me. It’s quite funny actually… the white westerners are quite taken back when they hear my perfect English because they had assumed that I was Nepali/Indian. The Indians are taken back because I speak Nepali (these days, certain phrases I sound like a native) and English and I seem to feel comfortable mingling with the westerners and Indians.

During dinner Januka, one of my friends shared that a couple of people from the training had approached her and asked what I was. She told them that I was Korean, but that I came from America and I am married to an American. Then she said to me, “Didi, they were all surprised that you were married. They all thought you were a young 20 something year old girl!” Maybe that’s why people have been staring…trying to figure out my age! ;) j/k Gosh, the last time I heard something like this was when I was 27 years old and someone at the gas station thought I was a sophomore in college! What’s my secret? No make up and my mom’s gene. :)

3:30 AM

I am wide awake at this odd hour when I should be nuzzled close to my husband and sleeping. I can't get myself to go back to sleep... I already checked my email, caught up on friends' blogs, and the news. If I am still not sleepy after this blog entry, I think I'll read Harry Potter! I am really enjoying the first few chapters....bummed that I didn't bring the other Potter books.

Hmmm..... I really love the silence at this hour. With the exception of the ceiling fan and the crickets, I can't hear a thing...... I love watching Paul sleep. He looks so peaceful and is so still....I wonder how he can sleep so still, without moving a limb and not changing his position at least for the last 45 minutes I've been awake. I want to lean over and give him a peck on the forehead but I'm afraid I might disturb his sweet sleep. Sleep looks so tasty watching him.....I wonder if those embies are still alive and growing. They're probably working and not sleeping. :) I have absolutely no symptoms this time around, unlike the last time. It is very different. But, as I said before, no point in obsessing over it. It has become second nature to rub my tummy and talk to it. It's comforting. You should try it.... I can't believe I can count 9 weddings (and I'm predicting a couple more) by end of 2008. I thought I had passed the wedding going phase a while ago, but I guess not. :) Too bad I will be unable to go to any of them, except to my bro's in April. I promise to post something dedicated to all couples (engaged or not) soon. I think it's about time for me to share my secret theories about coupling. Really, I think you will find them quite fascinating. :) ......By the way, what is Facebook exactly? I had a friend tag me to join and I joined, and it's way too confusing. At this point, I think I'll just stick with blogging....Hmmm......I think I'm finished with this blog.... maybe I will disturb Paul a little bit...I'm so wicked! ;) j/k

Counter

Today, I put a counter in my blog. I am just curious to know how many of my friends and supporters are actually reading it or just stopping by if only for a moment. Thanks for reading my musings, for those of you who stop by! Come and visit us again! (Gee, I sound like a business sign...) :)

Pray for the 22...

This blog will be short as I'm using my mobile phone to access internet as ours have been down all day. Please pray for the 22 Koreans who are held as captives in Afghanistan. You probably have heard by now that the 42 year old pastor, Bae Hyeong-gyu who is the founder of the church has died. There is a debate as to whether he was shot 10 times in the head, chest, and stomach after he had already passed away due to illness (had lung problem) or he was murdered. But in either case, a life has been lost. It is hard for me to understand the senseless brutality we see in the world... I am sad and have been praying even more urgently for the captives. I can't imagine the sorrow that the family and the church must be going through at the loss. We have hope, for death does not have the final word in Jesus, but nevertheless, the pain is very real too I imagine. If possible, if God willing, I am praying that the rest would be released and no more lives would be lost.... I'm not sure if the actual number is 22, as I have heard that 8 may have been released... I have also been wondering about what kind of effect this would have on the future of missions in Korea... I pray for comfort that only our Father can give and for courage for the 22, their families, and for the Korean churches. I pray that the gospel will spread and that the Afghans would know how much Jesus really loves them as they hear about this incident.

On a completely different note, I would appreciate your prayers that rain would cease in Sil'guri for a couple of days. It literally has been raining non-stop since last night (heavy rain), the river is rising (already homes have been lost), and we really need a break! Our street is deluged and it is becoming quite difficult and uncomfortable to move around in.

23 Kidnapped Koreans

I've been keeping up daily with what is happening in Afghanistan with the 23 kidnapped Korean Christians. I can't help it, but at times like this I am acutely reminded again that deep inside I still identify myself with Koreans even after 25+ years of living in America. I find myself deeply concerned for the welfare of the twenty-three... much more so than when I heard about Heather Mercer and Dana Cury who were kidnapped during the Taliban regime. Frankly, I think it's because they are Koreans. I am praying while I can that He would bring the 23 back to Korea safely. You can go to this site to watch a youtube video encouraging people to pray. Please pray. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXASxck3htI

This intense situation (along with the horrible Virginia Tech incident) has made me think to about my identity. I used to call my self "Korean-American," but here in India, I've become "Korean." When people ask me, "Where are you from?" I answer, "Korea," even though I hold an American passport. It makes more sense to them, but if I say, "I'm from America," they look at me with a puzzled look. In many ways, it makes my life a lot simpler just to answer Korea. (In America, I changed my name to Rebecca because I couldn't stand having my name mutilated and having to correct it all the time and now, I'm answering Korea because I don't want to get into this long explanation about my life, although I end up having to in order to explain how Paul and I met. Actually, I have even used an Indian name "Rekha" here with folks I meet at the market or acquaintances for simplicity sake. They know how to write it and pronounce it the first time.) The truth is I feel fine saying, "I am Korean," but in all honesty, I would feel quite uncomfortable saying, "I am an American." I feel like I have better idea what being a Korean is like, but what does it really mean that one is an American? I am definitely an American citizen, but I'm not sure what it means to be an American. Anyway, I'm afraid I will start going off into a tangent and we will all be confused... it's too complex to try to write out all my thoughts about this in a blog.

Moving on... sometimes, I do think about what our kids would say (when God gives us children) when someone asks, "Where are you from?" Do they say, "I'm from India?" or "I'm from America?" or go into this long explanation that their mom is a Korean, who was born there, but lived in America most of her life, and their dad is a mix of German, Irish, and English (or simply, he is an "American" ) and that I (the child) was born in India or Bangkok, or wherever, but I live in India... I guess we'll get there when that happens.

The truth is when I speak Nepali really well, they will ask me what "jaaThi" (ethnic group) I am... a Lepcha, a Rai, a Gurung, etc.? Maybe this identity thing will never end for me. For now, I am Korean, and back in the States, I am a Korean-American, but for many here, I'll just leave them keep guessing. :) One identity that never changes no matter where I am is that I am a Christian. No identity crisis there!