December 31, 2011
December 30, 2011
'11 DEC: Brother Engaged
Upon returning to Seoul, we jumped back into our schedules and packed our weekends with family outings into the chilled city. Mika and Coby are playing more and more together, the snow is beginning to fall, and we’re eager for this new year and the coming of our third baby in June!
November 4, 2011
Volleyball Season
August-October 2011
This is our second season coaching varsity girls' volleyball together. Mark leads as the head coach, Malia is assistant coach, and the kids are mascots. Tryouts were held in August, and the season stretched to the last week of October, culminating in a two-day tournament on the 28th and 29th.
Our team was smaller this year with just 10 girls: Jessi, Sarah W., Essie, JeeHyun, Joelle, Yuriko, Sarah K., Sally, Suyoung, and Hyerin. These girls were our primary focus this fall season as we invested time into preparation, practices, and games. We've loved leading them in this sport and challenging them to be excellent and disciplined in all areas of their lives.
We finished our season in second place, after having record-breaking wins against larger rival schools. At the end of our KAIAC tournament on the 29th, we came in third place. We are so proud of our team for how they've worked together, grown stronger and more strategic, and encouraged each other through victories and difficulties.
You are welcome to see our page on Mark's sport's website, YISSPN.
The team also has an introductory video, which Mark helped produce, that you can see here.
November 3, 2011
2 Hawaii Celebrations
July & September 2011
We were blessed to take two trips to Oahu within a few months of each other. Each trip was to celebrate a different occasion, and we are thankful we were able to be there for Malia's grandmother's 90th birthday and her older brother's wedding.
For the birthday party, the two of us worked together to produce a slide show in her honor. If you'd like to view it, you're welcome to click on this link and see it: http://bit.ly/happy90. Malia's grandmother, Tereza Baniaga, has such a legacy of hard work and devotion. We are honored to carry on her heritage and to receive her wisdom as a spiritual inheritance. |
| Mark with Malia's 2 brothers: Chris and Jon |
Our Thailand Summer
June 2011
During June, we spent time visiting friends in Bangkok. It was such a beautiful, restful month when we could bond together as a family. Our generous friends let us stay in their apartment, which is in the same complex where we used to live. Therefore, we were close to those we love and miss.
An added bonus was that many of our students from ICS were home for the summer and were able to visit us. Usually, we travel to Thailand during the school year (for a fall break or spring break), and many of our students who have graduated attend colleges in the UK, USA, Australia, Singapore, and Canada. What fun to reunite with these young men and women and hear how they're transitioning to independent adult life through their college scenes.
Of course, we visited our church, Newsong, and were blessed to see them continuing their bilingual services and outreaches to the slum community with whom we were once involved. We also attended church at Nonthaburi Baptist, which is where Mark served as a summer missionary in 2002. Our friends from college, Solomon and Angi, graciously hosted us for a day of reconnecting and rest.
Some fun new places we saw were Safari World and an excellent, kid-friendly beach in Hua Hin. Mika had her first horseback riding lesson on a horse named Nemo. We are so thankful for our friends in Bangkok for their welcome and encouragement. What a blessing to have a home there too.
During June, we spent time visiting friends in Bangkok. It was such a beautiful, restful month when we could bond together as a family. Our generous friends let us stay in their apartment, which is in the same complex where we used to live. Therefore, we were close to those we love and miss.
Of course, we visited our church, Newsong, and were blessed to see them continuing their bilingual services and outreaches to the slum community with whom we were once involved. We also attended church at Nonthaburi Baptist, which is where Mark served as a summer missionary in 2002. Our friends from college, Solomon and Angi, graciously hosted us for a day of reconnecting and rest.
Some fun new places we saw were Safari World and an excellent, kid-friendly beach in Hua Hin. Mika had her first horseback riding lesson on a horse named Nemo. We are so thankful for our friends in Bangkok for their welcome and encouragement. What a blessing to have a home there too.
April 29, 2011
Trips and Visitors
March/April 2011 Update
These have been a full two months for our family. In March, we traveled back to Bangkok during spring break. Our church, Newsong, is active and excited. We noted many new faces, mostly of Thai men and women. It was refreshing to sit in on one of their services and hear how the Lord is moving in their community. We were also happy to see many of our friends from ICS, to catch up on how life has changed, and to wonder at His goodness to those that seek Him. A number of our friends had babies this spring, and two of them actually gave birth while we were in country. What a privilege for us to visit them in the hospital and see their newborns!
We also reconnected with some Thai families, specifically with one with whom we've gotten very close. Please pray that this family will recognize and yearn for the presence of God in their lives. They are so kind and giving, and we just pray they will soon choose the narrow path, which is a huge detour from their Buddhist background.
Upon returning to Seoul, Mark turned around and flew south to Australia where he attended and presented at a technology conference there. Aside from the valuable work and trade experience he gained in the sessions, he was also able to see some of the Melbourne sights and shoot awesome photography.
In mid-April, we welcomed Mark's parents, Ken and Dee, to our home in Korea. His dad was on his return from a 2-week mission trip to Palawan in the Philippines. His mom joined him in Seoul for this week-long visit to see us and their only grandchildren. Mika and Coby were thrilled to have their grandparents around, and we took many trips out to see the city and experience life at the school and with our church. Our favorite day was Saturday, when we journeyed to Seoul Zoo and spent the day admiring animals with our amazed children.
During Passion Week, Mark's school held a special outreach service for the high school students. Over the past month, there has been a more openness at the school, and our community is praying for students to be willing to make that climactic choice to follow Christ. In addition, there are discipleship groups (Mark leads one) that challenge students in their personal lives, apart from the rigors of academic work. Please pray with us that students will see the value and importance of evaluating their spiritual state, that they will recognize the joy and peace amongst their Christian classmates and teachers, and that they will ultimately choose Jesus Christ for themselves.
As we look forward into May, we see a number of events approaching. Mark will have surgery on his shoulder in mid-May. Both of us will be working hard on grad work. The school year will end on June 3, and we have many end-of-the-year ceremonies and responsibilities. We will be staying in Seoul for a week following as Mark leads technology training for staff at his school.
Praises!
~Our family's trip to Thailand
~Mark's trip to Australia
~Mark's parents' visit
~More openness amongst students at Mark's school
Prayer Requests
~The salvation of these students
~Mark's upcoming shoulder surgery
We also reconnected with some Thai families, specifically with one with whom we've gotten very close. Please pray that this family will recognize and yearn for the presence of God in their lives. They are so kind and giving, and we just pray they will soon choose the narrow path, which is a huge detour from their Buddhist background.
In mid-April, we welcomed Mark's parents, Ken and Dee, to our home in Korea. His dad was on his return from a 2-week mission trip to Palawan in the Philippines. His mom joined him in Seoul for this week-long visit to see us and their only grandchildren. Mika and Coby were thrilled to have their grandparents around, and we took many trips out to see the city and experience life at the school and with our church. Our favorite day was Saturday, when we journeyed to Seoul Zoo and spent the day admiring animals with our amazed children.
During Passion Week, Mark's school held a special outreach service for the high school students. Over the past month, there has been a more openness at the school, and our community is praying for students to be willing to make that climactic choice to follow Christ. In addition, there are discipleship groups (Mark leads one) that challenge students in their personal lives, apart from the rigors of academic work. Please pray with us that students will see the value and importance of evaluating their spiritual state, that they will recognize the joy and peace amongst their Christian classmates and teachers, and that they will ultimately choose Jesus Christ for themselves.
As we look forward into May, we see a number of events approaching. Mark will have surgery on his shoulder in mid-May. Both of us will be working hard on grad work. The school year will end on June 3, and we have many end-of-the-year ceremonies and responsibilities. We will be staying in Seoul for a week following as Mark leads technology training for staff at his school.
Praises!
~Our family's trip to Thailand
~Mark's trip to Australia
~Mark's parents' visit
~More openness amongst students at Mark's school
Prayer Requests
~The salvation of these students
~Mark's upcoming shoulder surgery
March 1, 2011
Heil Siblings Visit & Valentine's Banquet
February 2011 Update
The highlight of this month was our visit from Mark's brother and sisters. Scott and Charlene came from Oregon, and Angela flew from Texas. During their week here, they toured museums and palaces, enjoyed a children's theme park with Mika, visited Mark's school, and shared everyday life with us and the kids. They even took a day tour to the border with North Korea. We thoroughly appreciated their help and company during their stay!
In mid-February, we were privileged to attend the Valentine's Banquet for high school students at Mark's school. It was refreshing and fun to get dressed up and enjoy an evening of entertainment and swing dancing!
We did have one medical emergency, though, when Mika suffered from a pulled (dislocated) elbow. However, she was set right by the end of the day and fully recovered within a week. Thank you to everyone who prayed for her healing.
Our children continue to grow and surprise us. Coby turned one! He is now drinking whole milk, eating all table foods, and walking! Mika continues to potty train and learn new words. She now sleeps in a toddler bed and is learning to dress herself.
Praises:
We loved having Angie, Scott, and Charlene with us in the beginning of February!
We praise the Lord for our children, Mika and Coby, and their joy.
Prayer Requests:
We look forward to our trip to Bangkok on March 19.
Mika continues to increase her vocabulary, but please pray with us for clearer communication between us and her.
January 28, 2011
Winterness (in Hawaii and Seoul)
December 2010 and January 2011 Update
The four of us flew to Hawaii to spend our three-week break with Malia's family on Oahu. What a blessing to rest, to visit with so many loved ones, and to celebrate Christ's coming in the warm comfort of the islands.
On January 2, we gathered with a number of friends at Ali`i Beach Park to dedicate our son Coby to the Lord. Our prayers for him centered on our raising him to love and serve God. We continue to pray that we will be good examples and teachers for him and not pressure him to live up to our own expectations (certain career or level of education, etc.); instead, we desire to have him grow up knowing and loving God. If his heart is set on heaven, the Lord will guide him when the time comes for him to leave our home.
A week later, we flew from sunny Oahu to wintry Korea. The snow continued to fall for a month, and taking the kids out into the cold often took an hour in preparation! Mark returned to the classroom, and Malia reset her schedule for the day-to-day sole maintenance of our two young ones and our home.
Praises:
We're so thankful for our much-needed rest in Hawaii!
We're so excited that Mark's siblings will be visiting us in February!
The four of us flew to Hawaii to spend our three-week break with Malia's family on Oahu. What a blessing to rest, to visit with so many loved ones, and to celebrate Christ's coming in the warm comfort of the islands.
On January 2, we gathered with a number of friends at Ali`i Beach Park to dedicate our son Coby to the Lord. Our prayers for him centered on our raising him to love and serve God. We continue to pray that we will be good examples and teachers for him and not pressure him to live up to our own expectations (certain career or level of education, etc.); instead, we desire to have him grow up knowing and loving God. If his heart is set on heaven, the Lord will guide him when the time comes for him to leave our home.
A week later, we flew from sunny Oahu to wintry Korea. The snow continued to fall for a month, and taking the kids out into the cold often took an hour in preparation! Mark returned to the classroom, and Malia reset her schedule for the day-to-day sole maintenance of our two young ones and our home.
Praises:
We're so thankful for our much-needed rest in Hawaii!
We're so excited that Mark's siblings will be visiting us in February!
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