family line

...today we spent with family with time out for errands and packing in between...earlier in the day we went to bell christian home in garden grove and visited claire's beloved grandparents, who are so rich in faith and fervent in prayer...don't they look sooooo good for their age (grandpa is 92, grandma is 87)?...we love them so much....we count on and covet their intercession...and after spending time with them, we praise God that we stand in a strong family line of faith...

...i wish i could tell you all the amazing things God has done in their lives....stuff that would make spielberg salivate...meta-themes of war... poverty... faith... love... suffering... blessing...all cast against the canvas of God's sovereign grace and abundant goodness...

...but one thing stands out...while living in japan many decades ago, our grandfather (an orphan at the time with his 4 brothers) was essentially rescued and discipled by canadian missionaries and, as he grew strong in faith, he helped to established churches, schools, and hospitals....

...after reminiscing on their journey of faith beginning many decades ago, our grandparents shared their belief that God used these missionaries to bless them and forever change the course of their lives and so they believe that our going to japan is our family's way of offering up our family to God and being a blessing to japan for God's glory....so, as grandpa said, "you must go to japan and we must pray for you always"....we love you grandpa and grandma and thank God for you!!!

...beauty and grace run strong in the family...

...a living hymn of praise...

...after lunch w/ grandparents, we took them to arirang market and bought them their favorite treats...



...no matter what age you are (grandpa is 92), the hubbie is always holding the purse...



...we closed our time w/ grandpa and grandma by going to their room and praying with them...grandma prayed for us with tears...what struck me most was her deep gratitude...an attitude of gratitude goes a long way!...nearly 3/4 of her prayer consisted of thanksgiving and adoration to God for his manifold blessings...on the basis of gratitude, she humbly looked to God and lifted us up to Him...surely we can learn a lot from our forefathers and foremothers in the faith...

...in the evening, my mom gave claire a crash-course on how to make korean side dishes like kim-chee and pickled veggies called "ban-chan"...

...later my brother john battled over 2 hrs of traffic to have dinner with us...we went out and had a good time!!...thanks john for loving us with your time and presence...meant the world to us!...