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news from Ratas
I will try to post some pictures I postefd already on my facebook profile. We are in Charlotte NC and we are having a wonderful time. People in the South are nicer , walking on the street people start talking with you. I am even getting used to polite drivers. Comming from Korea where no one (almost) lets you cross the street unless is red (even than they might pass)….this new change is pleasant.
We have a park within walking distance and a YMCA where I will take Isaiah to learn how to swim….
got to go now, Cristi needs to use the laptop!
Blessings
The Gift of Gifts
O source of all good,
What shall I render to you for the gift of gifts,
your own dear Son?
Herein is wonder of wonders:
he came below to raise me above,
was born like me that I might become like him.
Herein is love;
when I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace,
to raise me to himself.
Herein is power;
when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart,
he united them in indissoluble unity,
the uncreate and the created.
Herein is wisdom;
when I was undone, with no will to return to him,
and no intellect to devise recovery,
he came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,
as man to die my death,
to shed satisfying blood on my behalf,
to work out a perfect righteousness for me!
O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds,
and enlarge my mind!
Let me hear good tidings of great joy,
and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore,
my conscience bathed in an ocean of repose,
my eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father!
Place me with ox, donkey, camel, goat,
to look with them upon my Redeemer’s face,
and in him account myself delivered from sin!
Let me with Simeon clasp the newborn child to my heart,
embrace him with undying faith,
exulting that he is mine and I am his!
In him you have given me so much that heaven can give no more.
Puritan prayer from The Valley of Vision
Baby boy
Here is one of the latest news from our family. We are expecting a baby boy. As far as now the doctors say that he is fne, growing well! We pray that he will continue to grow and stay healthy. He should be born around middle of July. Keep us in your prayers!
AMAZING GRACE -IL DIVO
BE BLESSED!!!!
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid271552717/bctid1913313052
Great book for children
I am fascinated by a book I received last summer while we visited a family friend in California, they always give us “take home” (books) food for the soul. First I was a little reluctant about taking the book over seas because it’s kind of big and heavy and our luggage were full but since we were on our way to the airport when we received it, we had to take it…. and what a great decision!!! I started reading it to Isaiah and it became one of our favorite books. It’s soo well written and soo deep. I am sure that it will take Isaiah a few years to grasp the depth of this book’s teachings but I feel responsible to sow the seeds of God’s Word in his heart.
The book is called : The Big Picture Story Bible, by David Helm (Author), Gail Schoonmaker (Illustrator)
The book presents to the readers a BIG GOD with a BIG LOVING HEART who KEEPS HIS BIG PROMISE!
The book takes you through the stories of the Bible to show you the big picture of God’s love for you!
There are many passages filled by so much depth but here is an excerpt that I really like – it talks about the birth of Jesus “While Caesar, the king of the Roman world, was showing everyone how great he was by counting all of his people, GOD, the king of the universe was showing the world how great HE was by sending His Son into the world as one of his people.” (page 255) Don’t you think this is so beautiful, so humbling and so loving!?!
Here is the link of the book from amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Picture-Story-Bible/dp/1581342772/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND IT TO YOU IF YOU ARE PARENT OF A TODDLER/PRESCHOOLER. This book’s content will bless not only your child but also you as you read it. The images are very clear, big and beautifully colored.
BE BLESSED!
JUST A MOM?
A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk’s office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
“What I mean is, ” explained the recorder, ”do you have a job or are you just a …?”
“Of course I have a job,” snapped the woman. “I’m a Mom.“
“We don’t list ‘Mom‘ as an occupation ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, ”Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”
“What is your occupation?“ she probed.
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
“I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.“
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?“
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,
“I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t) in the laboratory and in the field, ( normal lie I would have said indoors and out).
I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanity, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another Mom.”
Motherhood! What a glorious career especially when there’s a title on the door!
Does this make grandmothers “Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations?”
And great grandmothers “Executive Senior Research Associates?”
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts “Associate Research Assistants.”
P.S. I received this story from a dear friend of mine that has three credits and works for her Masters with all her might! I believe she also received it from another “RESEARCHER”… but I want to post it here because there might be out there a mom that needs a little bit of encouragement!
Have a blessed day dear FELLOW RESEARCHER!
Ready to return back “home”
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We've been "on the road" for the last 4 months and 1/2. It's been a wonderful experience with lots of challenges and more blessings than we have asked. God's grace has been soo good to us.
I have not been able to post much from where we were. But God willing, once we return to Korea I will be able to put up ore thoughts and experiences from our experience in Middle East.
We are grateful to God for the wonderful Christmas holiday that we were able to spend with our family from Romania. I am still in Romania with Isaiah. Chris had to leave earlier because he tought a course.... but we hope to see eachother on Sunday afternoon.
Please keep us in your prayers as we have one week of travelling and packing ahead of us.
I will try to post a few pictures - it might not work - taken here in Romania.
Be blessed and rejoice always,
From around the world….
For those of you that check on us… we just want to say that we are all well. I will try to write a short note later on today. Right now Isaiah Is playing with some markers on Chris’ books so I have to watch him.
Blessings and joy from around the world.
