Hello there!  I told you that I would return.  You knew I couldn't stay away too long!  I cannot believe that we are almost through the month of March.  Isn't that crazy?!  Anyway, there are some exciting things that I need to share with.  But, before I get started, I need to acknowledge how precious this week is.  Today, is Palm Sunday.  It is really hard to wrap my brain around all of this.   I sat in church this morning and saw a painting of Jesus on the screen.  He was sitting by himself and he was up high enough to look out in the city.  What was going through his mind?  What was he thinking?  Well, in the painting he was weeping.  Because he knew what lied ahead for him.  Yet, we all know how this story ends.  He arose!  How powerful are those two words?

Lately, I have been reflecting.  A lot.  I'm reaching the end of a chapter; the end of a book.  I start class again this week on Tuesday.  This is my last class.  After this, I will begin the practicum part of my certificate.  I will be done soon.  Last year, this moment seemed so far away.  Now, it seems so close.  When you reach the end of a chapter it's so hard get through the last few pages of it.  I just want to rush and skip ahead to the last page so that I can finish.  For me, I just want to end this book so that I can start on a new one.  But do you know what happens when you do that...you miss a crucial part of the story!
 
Let me explain it in another way....You know that feeling of running in a race.  You are on the last mile.  Your legs are so heavy and you can barely breathe.  You want to just stop where you are and just end it here.   It seems so right to just end it now because it's too hard to finish.  You make the decision to quit.  And because you quit, you never know what might have been waiting for you at the finish line. 

I wanted to quit.  Many, many times for so many different reasons.  I told myself that this is too hard and I'm just not smart enough to do this.  But, those were just lies that Satan tried to get me to eat and swallow.  That is not God's truth.  Don't let these lies keep you from what God has for you. Otherwise, you will never know what is waiting for you on the other side.  I have come way too far for all of this to be in vain.  Whatever you are going through right now...please don't give up.  Finish your race!  It's ok to rest when you are weary.  Get up child and keep going!  Don't let go of God and don't let go of his hand.  He is right there with you.  C'mon let's finish.

Have a blessed Easter, everyone.

Happy anniversary to me, happy anniversary to me.....Happy anniversary to meeeee! Oh, I'm so sorry.  I got caught up in the moment.  Well, you see on this day last year, I started this blog! Isn't that exciting?! Woohoo! Ok, maybe it's only me that is excited.  I can't believe that it has already been a year.  Even though I wished I had written so much more than what I did.  But, it is alright.
I know that it's Valentine's Day and people were out celebrating. Getting flowers and eating chocolate...need I go on?!  For me, today meant something else.  I hung out with my crazy,wonderful friends and simply enjoyed their company.  And that was priceless.
So, this year I want to continue to update you on all my adventures. I know that God has it all worked out!  Stay tuned for the next fabulous post.....I mean it!

It's so nice to be back.  I know that you missed me!  And at the moment...It's the most wonderful time of the year!  You know you want to sing along with me.  It's December and we are just a few weeks away from Christmas.  I will admit to the fact that I was kind of freaking out about that.  My Christmas shopping is definitely not done yet but I only have a few more gifts to get.  I always get excited about this month.  I love how beautiful all of the decorations are and just the feeling of it all.  Being with my family, baking cookies and watching the movie 'A Christmas Story'.  Ok, you will have to forgive me because I have to see Ralphie get his revenge on Scott on the night before Christmas.  That is the best part!

This has been quite a year for me.  I am so thankful for everything.  The good and the bad.  But, I have realized that I am simply just worn out!  Now, I want you to understand what I am about to say to you.  I know we all have so many different things to do everyday.  Working full-time and going to school is more than enough for me right now.  So for me, it is important that I slow down and rest.  I think that I forgot how to do this.   When we begin to get busy, we spend less time with God.  Do you remember what it means to rest?  For me, it means to do absolutely nothing.   It may look like something else for you.  As important as our jobs are we only have two hands.  We can only do so much in one day.  I have left things to do at work for the next day instead of staying late to complete it.  Because I value my rest.  That is important to me.

So, ask yourself...what do I need to 'rest' from?  Take some time to really think about this.  Find rest in God.  Because this is the only way that we can find our peace.  Don't let yourself get caught up in the whirlwind of life.  Enjoy the rest of your year.  Merry Christmas!

 
        

Oh, my!  Has it really been this long since I have posted anything?  I am so very sorry.  But, I must say that I have been crazy busy.  I know, I know....I've probably said this to you all before.  I feel like I have been on this wonderful adventure lately.  I wanted to let you all know that I officially started my TESOL Certificate Program in September.  And let me just tell you that it has really been a challenge.  I haven't been in a classroom in probably like 10 years!  Having to juggle work and school at the same time is quite a task.  It's funny because now, at this moment, I finally feel like I am getting closer to something.  Do you know what I'm talking about?  Have you ever had that feeling like you know that something is about to happen?  It feels like I have been walking down a long road for quite some time.  My feet are tired and my legs feel like they will just give out at any moment.  Yet, there is something inside of me that tells me to keep going because I am almost to my destination.  I hear God's voice just simply saying to me, "Natasha, just a few more steps!  C'mon, you are almost there!" 

Now, sometimes it seems as if things around you tend to get harder the closer you get to your destination.  I have definitely had days where I questioned everything.  The pressure of just all of the stuff that we encounter everyday is overwhelming.  Many times I truly wanted to just stop and quit.  It's so easy to give up.  But, what good would that do me?  I've come way too far to walk away from it all. 

I read something very powerful in my devotional last week.  It was about the mountains that are before us.  The author gave the perfect visual of us holding onto the Lord's hand while continuing to climb up the mountain.  If we let go of that steady hand, we get off balance.  We start to find different ways to get to where we need to go.  And, we get off track.  This delays our journey.  I know that there have been days when I have gone in a different direction.  Yet, God has always brought me back to the place that I am supposed to be.  So, I have to keep going and so do you!
We are almost there! 


 

Good evening, ladies and gentleman this is Seoul!  A beautiful place that I hope to see one day. I don't know why I felt the need to share this picture tonight but, this city looks so wonderful.  Simply breathtaking.  I'm pausing for a moment and thinking to myself that someday I'm going to be there.  Feeling hopeful.....

안녕하세요.  It feels like it has been way too long since my last post.  I am so sorry. I know that you missed me! (admit it you have)  But I have been crazy busy these days.  I didn't even realize it's almost been 2 months since my last post.  So much has been happening lately that it's been hard to get back here and keep you updated.

But before I go any further, let me bring your attention to the very first word that I typed up top.  You may be thinking to yourself...What is that?  Well, it's actually a Korean word and it means....... Hello!  It's been such an interesting experience learning this language.  I don't know what it is but I just find it so fascinating and cool!  It is also very hard to learn.  Maybe it's because I have gotten older and more forgetful of things. Those that have been helping me with learning it, have all shared with me that it is a hard language to learn.  So I don't feel as bad.  Well maybe a little.  Ha!  But for now I have to study, study and study as my tutor would say.  I can hear her little voice in my head right at this moment!

Anyway, I want to just touch on something briefly today.  Lately, it has really been on my heart to just talk about being single. You know I just have to be a little direct and just put it out there.  Some days it is just hard being a single woman! Some days it can be a struggle. I can't put it in any other way than that.  Don't get me wrong, I have my good days and my challenging days.  God has really allowed me to do so many great things because of my singleness.  It's a different kind of freedom to have.  Now, for those of you that are married and reading this please hear what I am about to say.  I want to be sensitive to everyone that is reading this now.  I want you to understand where I am coming from.  Being single has given me the opportunity to serve God in a whole different way.  I'm thankful and grateful for that.

Yet, there are times when the little moments start to play with my emotions.  For instance, when I'm going to a store to pick up a few items and I pass by a couple holding hands.  Romantic movies alone are tough to watch at times!  Getting invited to yet another wedding and being told....Oh, you're time is coming.  Or when I'm at church on a Sunday morning and I'm surrounded by married couples. And when people ask me if I'm married and I tell them that I am not, they just give me that look.  It's what I call the "Sorrowful Look".  They look at me and touch my arm.  It's usually followed by these words...Oh, I'm so sorry. Why?  I'm so confused!  Did something just happen to make you give me that look?  So when did being 'single' become some sort of disease? 

Just so that you all know...please don't think that I am being a 'Bitter Betty' about all of this right now!  These are all things that I have experienced for myself.  I think that I will end these thoughts today on this note.  For all of you that are on your 'single journey' right now please feel free to share your thoughts.  Don't be afraid to share because I've already told you some of mine. I want to hear from you.  What's the hardest thing for you right now? 

Hello there! I told you that I would be back.  Forgive me for the slight delay but there has been so much going on that my head is just spinning.  Ok, not literally but you understand what I am saying.  I can't even believe that a month has passed since I have written last.  And today is Mother's Day!  It really has been such a beautiful day.  This morning, I had the wonderful pleasure of hearing my beautiful mother lead a song at her church.  Now, don't get me wrong....I think I've heard my mother sing like a thousand times throughout my life. Yet for some reason today, before she even put the microphone in her hand, I was already crying.  What a wonderful moment it was to watch a women who has been through so much in her life sing her heart out for God.  It almost made me feel like the mother-daughter role was reversed for a brief moment. Still, I was so thankful for being there with my parents.  Today made me think back on how things were going at the beginning of this past week.

It was such a busy one for me. Some of those days were just a bit challenging for me and I felt myself starting to get weary.  And we all know what happens when we begin to get a little worn out and frustrated.....maybe I shouldn't say it...ok, are you ready to hear it?  We start to COMPLAIN! Whew, I'm so glad that came out.  I feel so much better!  Well, I have a story to share about this particular word.  It's a good one. Trust me.  It was Monday evening and I was already at home.  I got a phone call from a good friend of mine.  My friend asked me how my day was and everything.  And I just started in with the complaining.  I just felt it just coming out of my mouth.  It probably went on for just a few minutes. After I was finished, I asked about his day.  My friend told me that it was his last day working at his job.  A rush of guilt just pulled my head to the ground.  As I sat on my bed and I listened to his story, I was so shocked. Things can change in our lives in a matter of seconds.

Hearing his story let me know how faithful he is in God.  I was quickly reminded of everything that I was so fortunate to have in my own life.  I had something that he now didn't have anymore.  It made me realize how much I have been blessed with in my life.  Even though he didn't know what was next for him and his family, he knew that God closed that door for him.  I was astounded by his courage to keep moving forward.  I heard the joyfulness in voice.  God has closed that chapter for him and now he is getting ready to start a new one.  I wonder what God is going to do next....

My friend is getting ready for the next lesson in his life.  What he taught me this past week I know that I will never forget it. We have to just keeping taking these great steps forward in faith.  Trusting and believing in God.  Please, let us also be mindful of what is really going on around us. Open up your eyes because you never know what people are going through in their lives.  All I know is that this was exactly what I needed to experience.  When we complain or grumble about things, we take seconds off of our lives that we can't get back.  And I don't feel like wasting anymore time.  I've got things to do!  What about you?

Well, it's that time again.  I know, I know!  Alright now, this should hold you until the next post.   I'll be back again, I promise.