November 2009
The cold has set in here in Seoul, and even Mark’s Wisconsin-bred blood requires a coat for warmth! With temperatures hovering around freezing, we find ourselves indoors almost constantly, enjoying the floor heat in our villa and our family time together in the evenings. Our coaching is on hold as we now prepare for our second-born to come in just three months—February 20! As the holidays approach, we’ve enjoyed some excellent fellowship with our friends. Malia’s dad dropped in again early in the month on his way to Taiwan for humanitarian work, and we enjoyed visiting with him for three fun-filled days. Our Bible study group continues to meet and challenge each other in the Word, and on one Tuesday, we went out to eat Vietnamese pho. On the 14th, Mark joined with other teachers from YISS to play in the Turkey Bowl (a soccer match). For Thanksgiving weekend, our family joined three others for an excursion outside of Seoul and into the mountains. We rented a cabin for one night and enjoyed the fresh air, barbecued meat, and smores made over a campfire. Upon our return to the city, we joined up with our church family for a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal of steak, noodles, and salmon—it was delicious!
Mark made a weekend trip to Nagoya, Japan in mid-November to run workshops on technology for a fellow NICS school there. We’re thrilled and humbled that his expertise is recognized and utilized by our mission organization, and the trip afforded him the opportunity to indulge in tasty Japanese food too—a bonus!
We have much to be thankful for this year—our health, our coming baby, Mika’s development, our fun marriage, our placement in Korea, the prayer support from you, and God’s continuing guidance. As we still look for part-time jobs and/or financial support, we know that the Lord will be with us in this search too, for He has never let us down. Praises and Prayer Requests:
~Malia’s pregnancy is going well! Third trimester now begins…
~Mika is walking so confidently and energetically.
~We look forward to spending Christmas with family in Hawaii. Please pray for safe travels in December.
