Visiting Family & Attending PFO

June 2010 Update

June marked the start of our two-month vacation, and we were ready for it! We started out in Hawaii with Malia's family and enjoyed barbecues and days at the beach and zoo. On the 8th, we flew to Oregon to visit Mark's family. Together, we drove to the coast, hiked to waterfalls, and shopped at outlet malls. After a week, we drove up to Seattle to visit Malia's aunt and her family. There, we enjoyed visiting a science center, seeing an Imax movie in 3D, and celebrating Father's Day by eating pho.

On June 21, we flew to Memphis to attend the Pre-Field Orientation for NICS. For two weeks, we were blessed to hear challenging and insightful seminars on culture shock/stress, TCKs, and educational strategies. While we learned, our kids were taken care of by volunteers at the church--and they had so much fun! Even though this conference was physically draining (stretching from 8 until 5 every day), we appreciate all the knowledge gleaned and the friendships made. Our hearts are renewed in our passions for overseas mission work, and we are excited to return to Seoul and do what God has for us there.

Praises and prayer requests:
~We are so thankful to be able to visit family this summer.
~Mark is teaching an online class for YISS and must find time to complete his planning and grading each day.
~Mark is also taking an online graduate class, which certainly demands time and work.
~At the end of this month, Mika and Coby are both fighting illnesses. Please pray that they heal quickly and return to their usual joyful selves.