The last mile....

Hello people!  Yes, here I am once again strolling in late but just right on time.  Now, I understand that it is already close to July of 2025 and no, I have not written anything since last November.  I do apologize but you guys already know that I am a terrible blogger.  I will just go ahead and say it out loud so that you don't have to!  But I do have some exciting things to share with you so please keep reading.

Here is our timeline...

Back in November, I shared with all of you that my husband and I started our Visa process back in December 2023.  Well on March 31, 2025, we received an email from USCIS indicating that our I130 application had been approved.  Let me just tell you when I first read the email, I didn't even know what to say because I was just in complete shock.  Even when I called my husband on the phone (at about 6 AM his time there in Korea) he did not quite believe it either.  Probably due to the fact that we had been waiting so long for an update that we just didn't even know how to react.  As we were on our video call, we just kind of looked at each other like, hey is this really real?  Why yes...yes, it is!

Now, from this point USCIS sent our information on to the National Visa Center (NVC) for the verification of income process.  My husband and I had to gather more documents to send over to the NVC for approval.  It kind of felt like we were starting this process all over again and it was a little stressful too.  This time there were two new applications we had to pay for and complete. (And yes, you have to pay the fees first before you can even start filling out the applications).  

At this time I had just started a new job, so my head was just spinning with new information to remember and trying to get all of these documents uploaded on their website.  When you don't have a printer in your home it can be a bit challenging to get it all done too.  All I am going to say is that I am very thankful for my parents and for the people who helped me at Office Depot every time I had to go in there and scan documents! 

We got everything submitted online on the NVC website the first week of May and we heard back from them a few weeks later and all documents were accepted and approved!  On June 9th, we got our email from NVC about the interview being scheduled on August 4th!   This part of the process has gone by so fast, and we are so happy and exhausted! (Whew).

Though I am excited for what is coming, I have to just be transparent with you all about how worn out I have been with this whole process.  This has definitely tested both me and my husband mentally, physically and spiritually.  Going through an experience like this really shows you things about yourself, your spouse and your marriage.  We feel like we are on the last mile of a race, and this is the point of the race where you feel like your body starts to give out on you.

Your breathing gets heavy, your chest starts to hurt, and you feel like at any given moment, your legs are going to give out on you.  You can see that finish line and every step that you take gets heavier.  There have been times when we both might have had thoughts of quitting because this is too hard and too heavy to deal with.  And you all know that Satan has a way of slithering in at these times and filling your ears with doubt and fear.  We have both felt the effects of all of this on us, but God has been consistently right there in the midst of all of this.

I feel as if he is at the end of the finish line; cheering us both on by saying, you can do this.... keep going don't quit!!  So, as we approach this interview date all I am asking is that you pray for us.  Pray for us on this last lap of our race.  

I will be praying for you and your race as well.

Stay tuned....

Did you notice....

Well, a very big HELLO to all of you.  It seems like it has been so long since I have sat down and written anything on this blog.  For those of you who have been reading my pages, I just wanted to take the time to sincerely thank you for taking the time out of your days to venture over to my little blog.  As you guys know, I started this page to share fragments of my life and to talk about the journey that I was on when I was a single woman.  Because I had been single for a long time, I felt like just sharing some of the things that I have been through, and I also wanted to share with you all about experiences that God was growing me through.  

I did not start this blog for financial gain or anything like that.  I just knew that there were many people out in this world, like me who have experienced the growing pains of being a single, Christian woman.  Looking back at older posts, I wish that I would have shared a little bit more about myself, but I am still a very private person, and I always want to be respectful of my family and friends anytime I share my experiences here on this page.  But as I sit here reflecting on all of these things, I will let you know what has been happening in my world since last year. 

Now, before I get started, please allow me to talk about the obvious changes that have happened.  I wanted to change the name of my blog to "Being Mrs. Lee" because I am definitely in a completely different chapter of my life at this moment.  I got married two years ago to the most gracious and patient man that I have ever known.  He is such an amazing human being, and I thank God every day for him.  However, our story is different because I am here in the United States, and he is there in South Korea.  So, we have spent our first two years of marriage not being in the same place at the same time.  

It's so funny when I meet new people and I tell them about how we met each other, they always ask if my husband is in the military.  I always understand why they ask this question, and I always respond with a chuckle and tell them no, my husband is from South Korea.  He was born there and he has lived there his whole life.   

My husband and I both know that being in a long-distance relationship is not easy.  We have known this for quite some time now.  But for those of you that know what this feels like, you know that every moment that you have with that person, is so precious.  The current time in Korea is 14 hours ahead of my time here.  When my husband wakes up in the morning, it is evening time for me and at this time of my day is when we call each other on the phone.  We have visited each other three times out of the eight years that we have been together.  (The last visit was much longer than the first two visits) Yes, I did say eight years. But that is another story for another time...

So last year, two days before Christmas, we filled out our I130 Visa application with USCIS.  And let me tell you all, it has definitely been a journey for us.  I have to be honest with you guys, it has not been any easy thing to do.  Waiting is so hard.  Let me say that again because I don't think heard me the first time...WAITING IS SOOOOOO HARD!!!  I will admit to the fact that it has definitely challenged me, my marriage and my mental health.  It is has taken me a long time to sit here and write about this because quite frankly, I did not even want to talk about it let alone even write about it.  But I want to be really transparent about my feelings now because I know that we are not the only ones that are going through this. 

Every day I feel the effects of me and my husband not being in the same place.  I believe that we both have good and challenging days but that does not mean that things are always easy.  This time of year, when many are celebrating the Holidays, is always our toughest season and we have had our dark days. But I know that through all of this, God is using this 'waiting season' in our lives to help us grow.  This week, I was having a good conversation with a friend of mine at work, and we were just talking about some of the things that have been weighing heavy on our hearts.  She shared a song with me in her office and as I was listening to the lyrics of the song, I was deeply moved.  There was a part in the chorus that really got to me and it was this specific line...

In your darkest hour, I'd light your way  

As the tears welled up in my eyes, it was just the fresh reminder that I needed to hear.  Even in our darkest hour there is someone there who will light our way.  I know who that is and that is God.  I needed to again understand that even in those darkest moments, He is still there and he will guide us through it.  I cannot say it is easy to thank God in the hard times, but I always want to do it.  We have to thank him always, no matter what we are going through.  He is taking me and my husband through this time to help us and for us both to lean on him even more.  We are never going to be exempt from problems, but what God does promise is that he will light our way for us.  

Well, I think that I have said enough for today.  Once again, I thank all of you for listening to what has been on my heart.  I hope that you all are in a good healthy space in your lives.  Take care of yourself and your mental health!!

Remember to always be thankful not just because Thanksgiving is coming.  Be thankful and gracious to those that are around you.

Now, I know that I have said this before, but I promise I will be back...Please stay tuned.

What happened to 2023?

Here I am!  Strolling in again, literally a year and a few months later since my last post!  Wow, I cannot even begin to tell you the changes that have taken place since then.  First of all, let me apologize for the millionth time for not keeping up with this blog!  You guys already know that I am a TERRIBLE blogger, and we are already more than halfway through this year!  Good grief where did the time go?

But before I get started with all of the details...let me catch you up on a big event that took place last year in September.  I got married and it was a beautiful evening.  Though I wished that more of my family and friends could have been there, it was still so special to us.  I cannot believe that it has almost been a year since it happened! 

A few months ago, I started a new job and let me tell you, it definitely keeps me busy! I am so much happier now than I was before.  I know that you all have heard me talk about my previous job before in some of my posts.   Last year, I had really reached a point in where there was just way too much toxic stuff going on around me.  Poor leadership, unethical behavior and work gossip were just a few of the things that were happening on a regular basis.  And it was taking its toll on me.  It was wearing me down mentally.  I think I got so tired of it that I did not even want to talk about it anymore.  I wanted to write, but I felt like if I were to write a little something, it would just come out in a negative way.  I believe you all understand where I am coming from.  

Throughout that time, I kept seeing God work.  He was keeping me quiet for a reason and in that quiet time, he was teaching me how to handle people.  Showing me how to not react to things as the world would react.  It was hard.  But I believe all of that was preparing me for what I am doing now, and I am so grateful for that.

Even though there are still many things going on around me, God reminded me last weekend to not focus on those trials; he reminded me to focus on Him in the midst of it.  Because when you focus on those storms happening around you, you lose your focus.

Well, I hope and pray that all of you are doing well.  I hope and pray that you always keep your focus on God.  Do not lose sight of what you are here for!

See you next time...hopefully it will not be year from now!  I will work on that......

How are you REALLY doing?  

Hello, my people!  I really do hope that all of you that are reading this blog right now are doing good.  It's been a while...but I haven't forgotten about you.  Just like all of you, I have been dealing with a lot of changes.  Some really good and some that have really been a challenge for me.  But give me a moment and I will get to some of this.  

I woke up this morning and I remembered where I was three years ago.  I was in Ulsan, South Korea.  It was the most amazing day of my life.  For many reasons.  I will never forget the moment when I was on this bridge, and I was looking out at the water.  I thought to myself, "I can't believe that I am here and that I have been blessed to see this!"  

In that moment, I was just reflecting on many things.  I remember just breathing in and out, taking in everything I could in those quick minutes.  Looking at things I had never seen before through my own eyes and being grateful for the journey that it took to get there.  And later that day, when I really wanted a cold Coke to drink and a nap, my boyfriend proposed to me!  It's a day I will never forget.

Now, let get back to the statement that I made earlier about having some challenges.  This year so far has definitely had its moments.  I've had a lot going on at work and in my personal life.  I know you have too!  A few months ago, I realized that I was trying to take on battles that I was not meant to fight.  Those battles are the Lord's and not my own.  And let me tell you it started to mess with my mind a little bit.  

I also began to see what was happening around me.  I felt like there were so many people around me going through the same stuff that I was.  Weary and worn out with everything in their own lives.  Don't get me wrong, I am so blessed to have the people in my life that I do.  But there's nothing like going to your heavenly Father for help.  I needed to have those real prayer closet moments with God.  

He is so good for our health.  Let me put another spin on it...he is good for our Mental Health!  Everything in our bodies is so connected with each other.  

When our minds go to that dark place, we just begin to spin out of control.  People are dealing with so much heaviness right now.... depression, anxiety, suicide and addiction.  You don't ever know what the person at your workplace, that person on the street or even the one you meet at the grocery store is dealing with right now.  But God does and maybe he is using you to be that little light for them.  This is what he put us on the earth to do.  If your light is dim, how can they see Him through you?  

Someone was that light for me, and I definitely want people to see his light shining through me.

I could talk about so much more and believe me I really want to, but I think for today, I'm just going to leave you with a question...

So, how are you doing today?

 Life of a terrible Blogger,

I am laughing right now. You all already know why I chose this title for this post.... because I am a TERRIBLE BLOGGER! Haha.  I think that most folks who start a blog write with the intention of posting ideas or thoughts as often as they can.  But apparently for me, it takes me awhile to get my thoughts together. 

I went back to see when the last post was, and I believe it was in 2020.  I am literally sitting here laughing and shaking my head at myself right now.  Hopefully this year will bring more of my crazy thoughts and more posts to you.  So, for those of you that have been reading my blog since the beginning, please know that I am very thankful for you.

I started this blog almost 7 years ago...good grief where did the time go?  Life for me has definitely changed sinced 2015.  When I started this, I was single and now I am engaged (Engaged to such a wonderful guy by the way).  At that time, I wanted to just share my heart and maybe even share a little bit of my struggles with being a single Christian woman.  I was also feeling led to go to South Korea and in 2019, I was blessed with the opportunity to go and see this country.  It was an experience that I will never forget. 

Now we are already a month into 2022 and I am reflecting on all that has happened.  A lot of things have taken place in my life and I have shared a few with all of you.  It's funny too because I am a pretty private person, so I always found it interesting that God put it on my heart to start a blog.  Weird huh?!  But I am so glad that I did start because I do believe that maybe this will reach someone across the globe.  Because I want every single 'seoul' to be touched by God! 

I will end today's post by saying that I hope that all of you are doing good.  I pray that you are doing well so far in 2022.  I've got some new challenges but don't we all?  I know that there are some things I will have to say goodbye to this year in order for me to walk through the new door that God is about to open for me.  And I'm pretty sure he's probably doing the same for you.  

Please take care...and stay tuned!  I promise I will be back

Everything changes

Hello, people!  Oh, how I have missed you and all of that gushy stuff.  I REALLY want to apologize for almost letting a year go by without checking in.  Last year, life was kind of crazy and this year has put all lot of that stuff to a halt.  But, I am ever so thankful for the trip that I took to Korea last year.  It was beyond amazing!  

Now before I get started yapping about stuff, there are some thoughts that I need to share with you.  When I started this blog, (Good grief, it's been 5 years!)  I really just wanted to share my experiences and also share my journey to get to Korea.  Plus, throw in a few thoughts about some of the things that we go through when we are single.  Well, a lot has changed over the years, including my "single" status. 

Last year during my trip, I did get ENGAGED!  I'm not sure why it took so long to share this information but if you knew me you'd know that I'm a pretty private person.  I am excited about this new chapter of my life.  But, a lot of things got put on hold because of Covid 19 (Of course!!!).  So, I'll try to keep you all posed about this crazy stuff.   I do have some other news to share....I started a brand new job about a month ago.  God has definitely been busy doing his work, let me tell you!

Well, I think I've dropped enough news on you for now!  As always, I'll be back!  Hopefully, sooner than later

Take care

 

  

One amazing trip and it all started at the beach

Hello, hello!  I am back...well, actually I've been back for several months but you know I'm always a little late to post stuff.  So sorry!  But, I know that you missed me.  Well, I just wanted to share some of the highlights from my trip to Ulsan, South Korea.  I was actually there for about nine days and it went by so fast.  I'll fill you in later as to why I was in Ulsan; so as usual stay tuned.  I'll be back to share more stuff in a little bit.   But for now, please enjoy a few photos from my trip.  Take a look....

Beautiful views

A peaceful look out at the water....

Walked up and down some crazy steps and my body still hurts.  Can you see

the guy way in the back on the rocks?  

Very tasty eats

Some traditional Korean clothing...beautiful

Yes, I promise I will return...sit tight!