AHHHHH!!!

I'm still in bed, in my sweatpants as I write this. I have begun to fester in this lifestyle we're living. If you're just tuning in, Rebs and I are living the semi-nomadic lifestyle of living with family and friends for three and a half months until we return to Korea. So far, we have stayed in Tulsa, OK, at my parents, Colcord, OK, with my sis and brother-in-law, Fayetteville, AR with Preston & Leslie, and with Rebs' mom, Rogers, AR with Rebs' grandparents, Kansas City, KS with Rebs' cousins, Lawrence, KS with Rebs' Uncle Brian, Ft. Scott, KS with Rebs' grandpa, and now we're back in Tulsa with my parents again. Some of these places we've stayed more than once.

There have been so many blessings in this life. We've been able to spend time with people whom we love that we would not have been able to if we were working a normal job. God has provided us a unique opportunity, living the way we are. But on the other hand, this lifestyle is not all glamorous. I can't think of how many times we've re-packed our suitcases, all along the way collecting more stuff and wondering in the back of our minds how we're going to get it back to Korea. I've personally gotten an almost entirely new wardrobe since we're going to be "professors" (believe me when I say that I use that term loosely). What is "business casual" anyway. Up to this point in my life, I've been able to get by wearing only jeans and t-shirts most of the time with an occasional dress up to spice things up.

But yes, packing and re-packing is getting old. I've come to recognize that I am a type-A personality in a type-B situation. There is nothing going on right now that I have to do. Nothing calling my attention. When I was a kid, my parents gave me this card that did some sort of definition of what my name meant, which supposedly Dustin means "valiant fighter". I know, a little cheesy, but in many ways it fits me. I have this drive inside of me that just needs to come out-- sometimes in the form of anger, sometimes competitiveness, sometimes general exercise. But it's definitely there. I feel this need to do something worth doing. Do you ever feel this? I don't want to just check stuff off my list of stuff to do. I want to feel like what I'm doing matters.

Normally, my life is reflective of this drivenness, and the drive within me expels itself naturally. But in this rare situation, I have become irritable and restless. I do not get high off shopping like my wife does. She dances around the room in her new shoes that she's so proud of, especially since they only cost her $7.50, which she continues to remind me of with a big smile, like a child to her father, wanting him to be proud of her. I love my wife.

I'm thinking about the people who might be reading this and the jealousy that it might ensue. That's not my purpose. My writing feels more like a description of who I am right now. A little sporadic, a little unfocused, a bit pent up. So for those of you at work, keep it up. I'm slightly jealous of you, especially if you love what you're doing. I want to work hard for some projected goal, whatever it is. But I know that this is where I'm supposed to be right now. Maybe not in bed at 1:20 in the afternoon, but here, resting, storing up energy for our next big adventure that should start just over a month from now.

May God show you his work that you may be a part of it and find joy in doing so.
-----dusty--<><--

Reflections of a year, dreams for the next

What a glorious year I've had! It's been packed full of joy, love, fellowship, and growth. I have shared more love with my husband than I ever knew possible. The most amazing people have come into my life and loved me just as I am. Life in the last year has become for me, all about relationships. It's the people in my life who teach me about myself, my relationship with God, and how to live on this earth as a follower of Christ. Thank you to ALL those who've been a part of my life in the last year. Every one of you have blessed me in my life in one way or another. Thank you for loving me, supporting me, encouraging me, teaching me, challenging me, imparting your wisdom and discernment, listening to me, confronting me, and being patient with me. Words can't describe how appreciative and honored I am to have such amazing people in my life.

The last year has also brought many new experiences, challenges, adventures, and travels. I'd like to share a few. I have seen more of the world than I ever thought I would. I've lived in and explored Korea and vacationed in Thailand. I have climbed LOTS of rocks. I've climbed big rock, steep rock, overhung rock, slick rock, grippy rock, sport, crack, slab, multi-pitch, rocks in Thailand, rocks in Korea, and rocks in America. I have fallen more in love with rock climbing! I've spent many nights sleeping under the stars in a tent. I've challenged myself both physically and mentally and grown stronger. I mountain-biked 113 miles around an island south of Korea. My butt and legs were more tired than they've ever been. I learned to read and speak enough Korean to get around the country. I ate a lot of weird food. I learned to like kimchi and rice. I drank soju. I relaxed at the jimjilbang (bath house). I sang at the noraebong (karaoke). I let little fish eat dead skin off my feet. I watched KU win the national basketball championship. I sang the rock chalk chant all by myself. I survived a year without a car, stove, and microwave. I had one English television channel. I rode on lots of subways and trains and in countless taxis. I wore out one pair of running shoes, one pair of chacos, and lost 2 pairs of climbing shoes. Along with Dusty I started a young-adults ministry at our church. And, I loved on the thousands of Korean children who I had the pleasure of teaching English to.

It was a great year indeed.

I have lots of hopes and dreams for my life in 2009. I hope for good health for my family, friends, and myself. I hope to share another year of love and adventure with Dusty. I hope to continue growing in love with my family and friends. I hope to touch the lives of those who come into my life. I hope to show others the love that Christ has shown me. I hope to love people the way that my God and my dog love me. I hope to become a more faithful, graceful, joyful, peaceful, gentle, supportive, encouraging, wise, discerning, patient, and kind, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, neice, cousin, friend, professor/teacher, co-worker, counselor, acquaintance and servant of God. I hope to learn more about being a mother without actually becoming one yet. I hope to see more of the world. I hope to climb lots of rocks. I hope to grown stronger and climb bigger and harder rocks than ever before. I hope to remain active in my life (in every sense of the word). I hope to learn more Korean. I hope to serve North Korean refugees. I hope to find fellowship with other Believers in a healthy church. I hope to find a place to practice yoga. I hope to see many beautiful sunrises off the beach and sunsets over the mountains. But more than all of these things, I want God's will for my life.

No one can ever know what the next year will hold. Each day is a gift and an opportunity. Just like the subtitle of our blog reads, I aspire to live my life in color. I pray for the courage to be bold and intentional with my life. I know there will be challenges and disappointments. I know people will hurt me and I will be hurt by others. I know I will have some successes and some failures. But more than anything else, I know that through Jesus, there is a merciful God who will always love me. It is with Him, I leave my hopes and dreams for the future.

Love Peace Joy,
Rebs