Keys to Kingdom Living- Intimacy

Well I don't blog much but I feel that is going to start changing due to the tugging at my heart by God. This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the first PWOC Asia Region conference. For those who don't know PWOC= Protestant Women of the Chapel. There are many ways to break down that acronym in all reality. We are a group of women who come together weekly to fellowship, praise God and study His word. You can find PWOC on any military instillation no matter the size. I will say that being able to attend as been a wonderful and joyful experience. There have been quite a few ladies in this group who have been a wonderful blessing to me by allowing God to use them in so many wonderful ways that have truly brought me closer to God. I knew God had some sort of plan for us in bringing us to Korea and He is starting to show them to me but it has taken me awhile to get to that place with Him. This now brings me to my title of this blog.

 This past weekend at the conference the theme was Keys to Kingdom Living. The "keys" that we talked about in our main session were Intimacy, Simplicity and Legacy. I could talk about all three but at the moment God wants me to share with all of you about what took place in my heart last weekend. On the first night of the conference we talked, well listened, as the key speaker talked about Intimacy. I can believe that when we all think of intimacy we think about the type of intimacy that comes between a married couple or even with our children, family and friends. Well on this night we talked about the intimacy that comes from knowing and spending time with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  As our speaker said, "Intimacy- is an investment of time on our knees and in the word."   Okay- I can understand that and even get that as the more time we spend with God the more our intimate relationship with Him grows and the more time we want to spend with Him.  She also asked a couple of questions and the one that really got to me was. "What is it you have not yet released to God?"  I had to think about this and I did. I realized that I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior years ago but had I really released myself to Him, No I hadn't. Well I did this past weekend, I told Him, He could have every hair on my head, every freckle on my body, my husband, my son and my life. Let me tell you there is a new pep to my step. I don't have to "make time" to spend in the word as I can't wait to spend time in the word. I am currently reading 2 Peter and can't wait to see where He leads me next. I wake up praising God for the good night sleep or as in this past week the lack of but knowing that he would get me through the day. Those frustrating times that come with helping a 4 year old grow are changing. I am remaining calmer and seeking out God more and more in every situation that occurs. I have given Him everything and my burden, stress, seems to be disappearing.

God give us this command.  Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

He also says, Matthew 11:30 "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

If we give it ALL to Him, He in turns give us what we need. The more time I spend with Him the more my eyes open to what He wants me to see, the more my heart loves Him and my loved ones, the more I listen the more I hear Him. It has been an amazing week and I have no idea where it went either!

I am sure that God will give me the chance to share about simplicity and legacy as well. Right now we are working on the intimacy part. I have realized that I also don't need to change the title of this blog either as it will still be about our adventures in Korea. It won't just be about the things we do or go and see but the adventures that God is taking us on as well. I have seen wonderful changes in all three of us and can't wait to see where God is taking us on this wonderful Adventure!

Love you all,

Liz

This is the group of us from the area we live in Korea that went to the conference. We had 40 ladies that went to the conference.  I know that God has wonderful things planned for this group and it is going to be amazing to see them unfold!

Shabu Shabu

Last night we had dinner with friends at a Shabu Shabut restaurant. Shabu Shabu isn't Korean but Japanese but either way I love it! I decided that it was time to introduce Jim to the wonderful food and Zane as well. Zane didn't eat but played as this particular restaurant has an indoor play area. I also decided it was time to start taking pictures of some of the fun places we go and even eat at so we can share those experiences with you as well.  Shabu Shabu consists of thin slices of frozen meat or seafood, lots of fresh vegetable and a pot of boiling broth. You cook all of the food in the pot of boiling broth and then either eat alone or wrap it up in a lettuce leaf with rice, kim-che, garlic and all sorts of other goodies of your choice.

This was the bread and salad area of the buffet.

This had lettuce for wraps, sauces, garlic and other goodies.

This was full of fresh veggies: mushrooms, bean sprouts, zucchini, green onions and sea cucumber. 

This was all the meat: beef, pork belly, shrimp, muscles, and clams.

Back at the table getting ready to add the food to the broth.

Of course we didn't take any pictures of any one eating. 

Wine Tour

  

Earlier this week a friend of ours set up a wine tour independent of the ones that the military offers and we had a lot of fun. Zane didn't want to "go pick grapes" this morning but when we left this afternoon we asked him if he had fun and he said yes. We all did!

 

This is the outside of the winery. Notice what the building looks like.

 

 

This is the "house" where we got our instructions, made our wine, tasted and played games.

 

The row we chose to go down to get our grapes. 

 

Zane and his first bunch of grapes.

 

I am cutting my first bunch of grapes. 

 

Zane watching Jim cut his first bunch of grapes.

 

Zane cutting his second bunch of grapes.

Zane with all of his grapes.

 

 Me coming out of the vineyard with my grapes.

 

The container that will  hold our grapes. Right now it has gloves and sugar inside.

Zane trying to put on his plastic glove.

 

Zane putting his grapes into his container.

All of us crushing our grapes, well sort of, Zane is still putting his into his container.

 

Grapes waiting to be crushed.

Jim crushing his grapes while Zane watches.

Me crushing my grapes.

                                        Zane getting ready to try out the grape skin spitting contest.

 

Me getting ready to spit my grape skin. I came in 2nd!

 

Jim getting ready to spit his skin.

I hope that you all enjoy the pictures. Now we have to stir our wine twice a day for the next 7-10 days and make sure that the top was not on tight or we might have an explosion. Then we have to strain the wine and pour it into a wine bottle, filled almost to the top. Then it will have to sit again for 30 days, strain it again, pour it back into the bottle, put in the fridge then after 30 more days we can drink the wine. At least I think those are were the directions we were given. I do remember that being told that if we did leave enough room in the bottle for lots of oxygen to form that we would get vinegar. I think we are going to try that with one of the batches. I will keep you posted on how our wine turns out.

Love you all,

Liz

VBS-Pandamania

This past week Zane and I attended Vacation Bible School for Area IV and we had a blast! The theme was Pandamania - Where God is Wild about You. The kids all had a wonderful time and every day was centered on a different theme of how God love us.  The kids were divided into 2 groups: preschool and elementary. Every days lesson was based on the age of the children and all of the volunteers did an awesome job of showing how God is Wild about You.

Day 1-  God made you.  The children all learned about the story of creation and how God made all of us. The pre-schooler's received Panda ears to wear all week. I think that Zane managed to wear his for part of day 1 at the most.

Zane, his friend David and his crew leader. They are in arts & crafts.

 

 

Day 2- God listens to you. All the children learned the story of Elijah and how God sent fire down from heaven to Elijah's alter even after pouring water on the wood and rocks. God answered Elijah's prayer.

Day 3-God watches over you.  Today's lesson was about Jonah and the belly of the whale. The children learned that even when we choose to not listen to God, He will still watch over us and in the end we will do as He wants us too.  The elementary kids even got to sit inside "the belly of the whale," came complete with cans of sardines to give it life like feel. I don't have pictures as I didn't take my camera on a daily basis.

Day 4- God love you, no matter what. Today the lesson of Jesus dying on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection- eternal life.

Day 5- God gives good gifts. Here the children talked about Hannah asking God to bless her with a baby. The children learned that God blesses us every day.

These pictures are from the last day of VBS.

Zane sitting with his crew during the morning gathering.

Zane and his friend David, dancing to the songs.

Zane and I at the end of the day.

Rock Climbing II

I can honestly say that we have found an activity that we all like to participate in, Rock Climbing. We have been going for awhile and when we first started, our friends were kind enough to share their equipment. We now have our own which makes it a lot easier.  Today we all had a few challenges and overcame them.  Jim climbed a part of the wall he hadn't climbed before but it took awhile to figure out how to get the rope to the top. The day started with our friend, Randy, getting stung by a bee trying to get the rope to the top. We moved panels, away from the nest and had to figure it all out again. The door to the wall was locked so Danielle climbed over, opened the door and carried the rope to the top. I tried climbing the harder section and made it up about 3 panels, Zane made it up 1 maybe 2. We are all having a great time and will continue to go and get better. Zane climbed half-way up the side we normally climb and we are so proud of him. Of course I didn't get pictures of this as the camera battery died. I am sure he will climb again!

Jim climbing a section he hadn't climbed before until today.

 Jim is working on a section of the wall he hasn't climbed before. He kept getting stuck at the bump but I know that he will get it eventually.

Zane getting ready to climb. Zane and his friend, Johnny, seeing who is going to go the furthest.

Zane landing after "flying." He would much rather fly than climb but he gets right back up to climb again. He didn't quite seem to understand that he needed to climb higher in order to fly higher. I think he will figure it out one of these days!

Balls

This past weekend I went to the Signal Corps Regimental ball with my wonderful husband. We seem to attend one ball a year. Well after this past ball I have made a few decisions. I do enjoy getting to dress up like Cinderella and spend an evening with just my husband. The location of the ball was very nice, The Grand Hyatt in Seoul. During dinner the 8th Army Jazz Band played and they could have played all evening, wouldn't have bothered me at all.  The food was good as well. Anyway, back to why I am posting about this ball. The decisions I have made are: 1) I will no longer wear high heels, they are so over rated and I would rather have happy and comfortable feet than miserable feet that have been stuffed into heels. 2) I am going to learn to do my own hair. It is nice to have someone do your hair but after this past experience I think I might just teach myself. I started taking bobby pins out of my hair before the ball even started as they were digging into my head. My hair had gotten pulled, teased, and my poor head hurt from the stabbing of multiple bobby pins.  We had a good time and it was even better as we had a lot of friends in attendance. I supposed that I could do the hair thing again as it is only once a year but I am not so sure about the heels. I am now on the search for a cute pair of platform flip-flops that I can wear under a ball gown!

Before the ball began during the reception. The ice sculpture is the Signal Corps Regimental Insignia.

This was our salad. It was smoked salmon with chive and onion on top of a thin bread piece with quail eggs. It was pretty good!

Rock Climbing

Zane starting his climb with some help from Jim.

                                        

Where does one start when talking about rock climbing. I have wanted to try climbing for awhile now and well today we got the chance.  Zane has climb a rock wall at the indoor play area and enjoyed his time.  Today all of us went climbing and I think we might be looking at a new family hobby! We were very blessed to have friends introduce us to this activity and share their gear with us- down to a harness for Zane! We have, let me say Jim, has already checked out prices on-line.  Zane had some problems climbing as his arms and legs are long enough to reach all of the hand holds. Jim climbed up about 4 times and a couple of those where after he got dropped by me, his wife who was on belay and gave up skin as well. He said falling and I had the rope locked- next thing I know he was falling and I was grabbing the rope- of course using the hand that wasn't wearing the glove. Our friends, Randy and Danielle where there to help and Jim didn't crash but did have a "fast" landing! He got right back up and went climbing again. Lessons learned: don't grab rope with non-gloved hand-yes there are blisters- and make sure if you weigh less then the climber you find a way to tie yourself down!  I did climb once and made it almost to the top. I didn't look down, wouldn't have been good and would have climbed again if I hadn't given up my skin! We will go back and continue this new found adventure!

Liz starting to climb.

 
Jim climbing.