'12 JAN-FEB: Coby turns 2!

We returned to Seoul in mid-January and eased back into our routines: Mark to his teaching and Malia to our home and the international playgroup. After the one strong snow storm, we enjoyed a special snow day during which we took our children sledding for the first time!

Coby turned two on February 11, and we celebrated with his friends! He is growing quickly, learning constantly, and impressing us with his humor and energy. We thank the Lord for our healthy, kindhearted son.

Likewise, we are grateful and proud of Mika who is now completely potty trained!

And on February 16, the two of us were privileged to attend the school's Valentine's Banquet. It was a lovely time of laughing and talking with students and friends as well as enjoying each other's company as we remembered our first Valentine's Day together: ten years ago!

Praises & Prayer Requests:
-This semester, Mark teaches more (new) classes. Please pray for him as he manages more planning and grading.
-Malia is nearing her third trimester and feeling quite uncomfortable and fatigued. Please pray that she has the energy and patience she needs to care for Mika and Coby daily.
-As Easter approaches, the international playgroup will be teaching stories about Jesus' ministry then finally His death and resurrection. Please pray for these special meetings on Wednesdays--for the children, parents, and caretakers who hear the Gospel.

Affirmed in My Role

Recently, I finished reading three books: Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas, Home By Choice by Brenda Hunter, and Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Trip. I hadn't planned to read them simultaneously, so I found the contents 3x as encouraging since the Biblical viewpoints were supported and reiterated continuously. I'm also amazed at the timing that these books came into my hands--right when I needed affirmation in my role at home. Praise God for reminding me of His purposes and what He wants me to do while in this season of my life.

The main truths I gathered and treasure from this time of reading, studying, and accountability (with other moms) are the following:

• To best help my husband, I must be the excellent wife. Some practical ways to start doing this is 1) asking him what I can do better in our relationship and also in our home and 2) showing him support and love in ways he recognizes and appreciates it rather than in ways I find convenient or effective with myself.
• Being home and dedicated to my young children is a gift to them--but also a gift from God to me. If I spend this season anxious for the next, I miss out on the joys of day-to-day interaction and discovery. Research shows how important it is for young children to bond especially with their mothers, and I need to make sure that while I'm physically present, I'm also emotionally and mentally present as well. 
• Discipline is not about me. The purpose of training a child is to show them their need for God and guide them toward the One who can redeem them. While discipline does help me with management, it should never be my goal. The goal is to disciple my children through sincere and thorough communication and consistent demonstrations of how wayward behavior leads to consequences. 

I recommend these books to other women and would also advise anyone to read it along with a friend to allow for discussions. I thank God for my friends here with whom I've learned and grown much in the past few months of studying these topics.