Thankful: Catch up day

Day 14: A blessing

I am so incredibly thankful for the blessing of friendships! God has gone above and beyond any expectations I could have when I think about friendship. With every chapter in my life, every job, every home, I have had the blessing of loyal, trusting, caring friendships. I love my dear friends! 

And would would you believe I'm missing people?!

Day 15: An annoyance

Something that really annoys me is lack of manners. My mamma raised me right, but there is a funny story from when I was younger that seems appropriate to share before I move on. It was Christmas morning, and remember how my grandparents would pack up and bring gifts super early for us? Well, my mom always made sure we said please and thank you if we didn't do it on our own. So this particular Christmas morning I was 2 or 3 years old and had just opened a gift from my grandparents. My mom said, "What do you say?" Fully expecting a "thank you" in response, I actually said, "Open it!" Sure there was laughter, but I think my mom was pretty embarrassed!

So, back to the annoyance, it just irks me when people are rude, disrespectful, and lack manners. I am thankful for this because it reminds me to be kind and courteous, regardless of how I feel or what I have going on in my life. 

Day 16: Something I own 

Two items popped into my head when I thought about this prompt, so I'll give you both. 

1. I am thankful to own my Bible, in my language! So many nations lack this gift. Even more, I'm thankful I live in a country that I can take it with me wherever I go and read it at anytime. 

2. I am thankful to own a passport. That little book has allowed me to see so much already, and I can't wait to put it to good use again! 

Thankful Day 13: An ability

I am thankful for the ability to do triathlons! May seem silly, but really, physical activity is a gift that a lot of us take for granted. Plus, how many people are willing and able to swim, bike, and run in one event?! I've done four indoor sprint triathlons at the YMCA. They're a blast; it's just a 500 yd swim, 6 mi bike, and 2 mi run. My strongest leg is swimming, and my weakest is running. Most people I talk to about competing with me cringe when they hear the word 'swim.'

I'm at the point where I don't really have to train for these triathlons which isn't necessarily bad, I just don't always get the times I would like because of it. Eventually, I want to do an Ironman 70.3, which is a half Ironman. 70.3 is the total distance. These bad boys consist of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a half marathon, 13.1 miles of running. I will need proper gear, I will need to be able to afford to eat a LOT of food, and there wouldn't be an option not to train!

Beka and I before our first triathlon in 2009! 

This was taken Sunday after our third Tri for KP. 

We race this particular event in honor of our former executive director at the Y. 

He cheered us on at our first tri, and passed away months later. 

Beka actually posted a blog about triathlons today too! You can read it here. 

Thankful Day 12: An opportunity

I'm thankful for the opportunity to travel. 

The last year and a half I've traveled on 3 continents, consisting of 7 countries and countless cities and towns. Every chance I get, I travel. Traveling teaches you so much about the world, new cultures, and yourself. With each trip, your outlook on life and how things work changes. The world is oh-so-big and yet so tiny. I met a girl at a hostel in South Korea from my (considerably small) hometown!

South Korea 

Taiwan 

Japan 

Thailand 

South Africa 

U.S.A. 

Mexico 

I'm looking forward to more opportunities to travel in the future! 

Thankful Day 11: Something I was taught

I'm a day late, but who's counting? 

I am very grateful for this lesson I learned from my good friend, Beka. One semester we took a Bible class together. It was an intense class full of the word and in depth learning. Throughout the class, there were a few times I didn't quite understand the teaching. The lesson taught that I want to talk about is to always go to the Bible when in doubt, whether that be with something going on in life, or whether you're confused about the word itself. If the latter is the case, she taught me to clarify the word with the word. This has greatly influenced how I go about living life. I am so thankful for the knowledge of truth and the wisdom to know that I can always go to it! 

1 Corinthians 4:33

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. 

 

Thankful Day 10: A memory

A memory I'm thankful for is of a family tradition we had while I was growing up, and it happens to involve my favorite holiday, Christmas!

You see, when I was younger, every Christmas morning, my grandparents would wake up super early, pack their vehicle with gifts for the grand-kids, and start their route. They stopped at our house first, I think because my brother is the oldest grandchild in town. When they arrived, honestly many times I was still sleeping (that's a whole new blog post!) but my brother made sure that I wouldn't delay opening presents and had my mom drag me out of bed, many times hanging limp over her shoulder. We would open our stockings first, and then on to the gifts! My mom usually made a breakfast casserole that we would enjoy also. Once the presents were all opened, my grandparents would say their goodbyes and head to the next house full of eagerly waiting grandchildren. Around noon we would pack up and go to my grandparents house where the whole family gathered for a delicious feast!

I didn't have time to search for the perfect picture to capture this memory, so I settled for these:

Christmas, probably '87 or '88

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Thankful Day 9: A photo

 Ok, so I am cheating a bit on this one by posting more than one picture. I'm justifying it because the subjects are the same in all three.

I am beyond thankful for these two! I mean, they traveled across the WORLD to see me. 

We also have fun at home. 

We love a good beach too! 

My mom and grandma are key people in my life and I wouldn't be who I am if it weren't for them. 

Lentil Chili

Today I made lentil chili. It's so delicious, I wanted to share the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 T olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 1 red pepper
• 3 small-medium carrots, coined 
• 1 1/2 C lentils 
• 4 cups water
• 2-3 tomatoes, diced 
• 1/2 avocado per serving (optional) 
• plain yogurt (optional)
• shredded cheese (optional) 
• Spices:
• salt
• 2 T chili powder
• 1 T cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Saute chopped onion, pressed garlic, and chopped red pepper, add a bit of salt 
2. Add water, lentils, and spices. bring to a boil, cover and simmer.
3. Add carrots about 30 minutes in
4. Add the tomatoes the last 10 minutes 
5. The lentils will take approximately 45-60 minutes 

Once the lentils are soft, add desired toppings and bon appétit!

Thankful Day 8: Words

Where has the day gone? 

I am most thankful for the word of God. I'm thankful that his word is living and active. I'm thankful that his word will not return void. I'm thankful that the Word is God. 

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Isaiah 5:11
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, 
    and shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

John 1:1 
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Thankful Day 7: A job

Hands down the job I've been most thankful for was my job as a wellness coordinator at Breakthrough. This is one of the many examples I have to show that God knows what's best for me. You see, my job at BT started out as an internship. Before BT, I had big plans to go to Australia for my internship. When that fell through, this position was offered to me. To be frank, I wasn't too thrilled about the opportunity, but I decided to give it a try anyways. I immediately fell. in. love! After my internship, I said my goodbyes but two weeks later I got a call, and they offered me a job! I worked there after university until I moved to Korea last year.

Breakthrough is a non-profit organization that helps adults with mental illnesses live productive, meaningful lives. Breakthrough meets each individual where they are at. If someone needs a job, they'll do their best to help them find one or work with them on acquiring job skills. If someone needs help with education, they'll provide a tutor or someone to help them enroll. If someone needs an exercise plan and help with their food, they'll motivate and encourage them to improve their health. If someone needs a place to go every day to get out of the house and to be needed and appreciated, Breakthrough provides that.

As a wellness coordinator, I was a health teacher in many ways. So I taught, but let me tell you, they (the members and staff) taught me more than I ever taught them. I met some of the most caring, loving, and accepting people I've ever met in my life. Breakthrough taught me that we are all valuable and have something to offer. Breakthrough taught me to see the good in everyone. Breakthrough taught me that there are times in life when things just get hard, and it's okay not to hold it all together at every second of every day. Breakthrough taught me the importance of work, and the importance of rest. Breakthrough taught me that life is all about relationships. Breakthrough taught me that mental illness does not discriminate- it effects people of all races, religions, education levels, ages, etc. Mental illness is real, and 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year (NAMI.)

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be party of such an amazing organization. Breakthrough will always have part of my heart.

Thankful Day 6: A failure

Let me begin by saying, this is a deep and personal prompt! Sometimes we succeed, and well, sometimes we don't. Hopefully with every failure comes learning and growth.

In my life the failure that resulted in the most growth was from a past relationship I was in. I met someone and against the advice of fellow believers, I began dating him. To be honest, I fell hard and fast, which is very unlike me. Before I knew it, the relationship headed south and I was in over my head. As quickly as I had gotten myself into that mess, God graciously pulled me out of it.

During that time I felt God's grace and mercy more than ever. I realized that I am part of the body of Christ, and what I do has an effect on them. I learned that discipline is necessary and can be painful. I learned that I am not on a pedal stool and I am just as capable of sin as the next person. I learned that I need to guard my heart. I learned how important it is to live in community & accountability with other godly women.

Thankful Day 5: A talent

A talent I am thankful for is that I am a creative person. I love crafts and working with my hands. I've dabbled with photography a bit too. I have fun thinking about projects, finding or buying the supplies, of course making it, and lots of times I love to give it away as a gift! It's also a great way to bond and spend time with friends.

Thankful Day 4: An experience

I had to think about this one for a while. I've decided I'm most thankful for my trip to Spain in 2006. I went to visit my best friend, Kelsey, who was studying there for the semester. It was the first time I went to another continent, and the first time I stepped foot on an airplane! I give thanks to that experience for opening my eyes to the world (literally) of traveling abroad.

Segovia, Spain 

Thankful Day 3: A place

I'm grateful for places that remind me how vast God is and how small I am. The place that came to my mind first was Rialto Beach in Washington. Kelsey and I were in Seattle and discovered we were only 4 hours away from Forks, the town the Twilight books take place. Naturally, we had to go and am I glad we did! To this day, it has been the most beautiful day of my life. We saw mountains, the ocean, walked through a rain forest, and throughout the day it was sunny, rainy, and snowy!

Rialto Beach 

Other shots from that day 

Thankful Day 2: A role I've played

I'm most thankful for the role I played as a kindergarten teacher. Yes, you read that correctly. It was a whirlwind of a year, but it was worth it. Kids are so intelligent, eager to learn, energetic, accepting, and loving. What a joy it was to love them, to watch them grow, both physically and mentally, and to share the gospel with them. It was also a very humbling job. Think you're patient? Work with children! Don't be surprised if I end up working with little ones again.

The Thankful Project Day 1: A person

Happy November!

I'm excited Beka found The Thankful Project over at Chasing Happy. It's 28 days of intentional gratitude and community. Each day there is a prompt, and a lot of them are going to be challenging, but I'm going to give it a go. I'm also attempting #30thankfuldays on Instagram, follow me at lisha85_04. Without further ado, a person I'm thankful for:

Do you ever feel like you take the people that love you the most for granted? I know I do. Everyday, whether I show it or not, I am grateful for Christ. I am thankful that he loves me more than I could ever know. He loves those that deny him. He loves those that spit on him. He loves sinners. He loves me.  He loves you.

You always want what you can't have

I've found that saying all too true many times in my life. For example, I grew up with an oven in my house all my life, but I never really cared for baking much. I can count on two hands how many times I used my oven in my apartment that I lived in for almost two years. Then, I moved to Korea, where ovens are few and far in between. Their food just doesn't require an oven, so why would they put them in their apartments? So, naturally, I wanted to BAKE, but alas, I could not! 

Our 'oven' in Korea 

When I got home in May, after being inspired (like I needed inspiration after wanting to bake for over a year and not being able to...) by these delicious cookies at Beka's wedding, I became a baking machine! Some foods I've baked are those chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies, apple crisp, cheesecake, scones, and recently pumpkin bread and pumpkin coffee cake! 

Mmm Mmm Good! 

Who knew baking could be so much fun? It's a fun activity to do with people too. However, I write this post knowing that my baking is going on hold until Thanksgiving. Why, you may ask? Beginning tomorrow, November 1st, I'm cleansing- Alisha style. I've wanted to detox from refined/added sugars since I've been home so I'm doing that. Also, I want to focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods. Wish me luck! 

PS- Happy Halloween! How cute is this mini I found at the Y? 

¡Viva México!

Typically on vacations, or while traveling I stay in hostels or with family and friends. I love traveling this way and wouldn't change it! However this time was different. We (my mom, grandma, and I) stayed at an all-inclusive resort. This was a first for me. While I won't make this my new way to travel, I definitely enjoyed it! Below is a shot from the beach at our resort, Cancun Bay. 

Most of my time was spent swimming (laps, pool, ocean!), playing volleyball, playing card games, and relaxing in the hammocks or on the beach. I also danced my heart out two nights with some hilarious Australians I met. Generally I 'do' more on trips too. This is just what I needed this time around and I still got to see and do some amazing things.

I will warn you, don't get roped into a 'tour' of a resort like we did. There were very official, charming people at the airport that convinced us to sign up. In return we got great deals on two day trips. More on that next. I'm telling you though, the discount wasn't worth the sales pitch we endured. haha. Really though.

Our first trip was to Chichén Itzá, a Mayan town in Yucatán, México. It's one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It was incredible to see! While there we learned about Mayan culture. The Maya people created a written language, probably first in the Americas, and were mathematicians. As many of you have heard of the Mayan calendar, for people feared the end of their calendar would be the end of the world, but we learned that it was just the end of an era and that's why that calendar ended.

Our second trip was to Isla Mujeres. We took a boat across the Caribbean Sea, and we snorkeled and saw tons of fish! After snorkeling we relaxed and swam in the insanely gorgeous water. 

Another day we spent the day at a beach down the road from us. It was also incredible! Being around the ocean reminds me of the depth of grace the Lord has for his children. It's so vast and overwhelming and beautiful. My latest song addiction sums it up nicely. You can listen to it here. 

That about wraps up our trip. I couldn't have asked for a better time with better company! 

Let the Streaking Begin!

Before I begin, let me ask you this: what areas of life do people tend to neglect when they are busy, or dare I say, lazy? If you thought spiritual and physical aspects of life, I completely agree. We put God on the back burner right along with exercise.

I decided a few weeks ago that for the month of September I wanted to run at least a mile a day, every day-a runnovation, if you will. Personally, I like to exercise and try to 4+ times a week. I wanted to do this for something new and challenging. Tonight while I was gearing up for my run, I thought, why not take this a step further? I'd be lying if I told you I spent time in the word everyday, although I desperately need it. So I added to my challenge, in addition to running, I am committing to a minimum of reading the Bible for 10 minutes each day too.

Tonight was a success. It was hot and sweaty but I ran 2.5 miles and read through the second half of 1 John. Day 1- check! 29 more to go. Feel free to ask me how I'm doing and help hold me accountable!

On another note, on Wednesday I will jump on a plane and head to Charlotte, North Carolina for 5 days of interviews and learning more about SIM, the mission organization I applied to do international missions with. I liked this organization because I agreed with their statement of faith, and I love that they serve worldwide with a variety of service types. If you'd like to learn more, click here. If you think about it, please pray for my time there. I'm excited to go and excited to see where this may lead.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

For God Alone my Soul Waits

Lamentations 3:25-26

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

  to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly

  for the salvation of the Lord. 

It seems as if nearly every time I open the word, God shows me yet another verse on waiting. I'll admit, I've become a fan of my e-Bible, and I've set a specific color for highlighting such verses. Purple, to be exact. 

So what does it mean to wait on the Lord? It looks different for everyone but this is what it looks like for me.

Find rest in Christ, and be still before him.
Find peace in where you're working and where you're living.
Find hope in his word.
Trust that he has a perfect plan for you. 
Hold fast to him and keep his ways! 

Psalm 138:8

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

  your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

   Do not forsake the work of your hands.

I find peace in this promise. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Every new road I'm on, every road I return to, is intentional. Thankfully, over the years I've learned that God's plan is always better than my own. I tried to do it my way for a long time, but this is life, not an order at Burger King. 

Currently, for those of you that don't know, I'm applying to do international missions. I'm still in the early stages of the process, and I don't know what the outcome will be. To be honest, I'm still pretty scattered at the thought of it. Meaning, I don't really know where I want to serve or what I'd like to do. All I know is that I'm trusting God to make my path straight and lead me in truth! 

1 Samuel 12:24

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 

Sonia Girl

Meet Sonia

She looks sweet, loving and innocent, right? 

Let me tell you about her. When she was my student she was about 5 years old and seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. I don't know her exact living situation, but I don't think it is ideal. She had a hard time interacting with other kids, bullying, and disobeying adults. The year before she had to switch classes because she refused to speak English for her teacher. She would sit under the table speaking only in Korean. Needless to say, she was a bit behind when I got her and a hard shell to crack. 

But boy is she smart! And creative! Did I crack her shell? You bet! But it didn't happen overnight. As a matter of fact, it was over a course of months.  

The first time I truly connected with her was a few months in at a field trip over a good ol' game of tag. She's fun, fast, and competitive. I began to look forward to field trips and gym class to specifically have time to bond with her. I noticed she started listening to me more in class, and she began to realize that I really did care about her. 

A few months later, she got into trouble, big trouble, for bullying kids, and perhaps hitting, I can't remember for sure. What I do remember is that she was sent downstairs to the owners of the school, which rarely happened. I went down to make copies and there she was sitting with the stern look on her face that she often had when she got in trouble. I talked to her about what she did, and she sat there with the same look on her face. I was disappointed in her, and she knew it. Before I left, I told her I loved her, and gave her a hug. 

Would you believe that she went from one of my worst behaved students to one of my best behaved students? Of course, there were still some bumps in the road but the improvements were huge! I had gained her trust. She knew that I meant it when I told her I loved her immediately after she got in big trouble. 

I like to think that my Sonia-girl got a glimpse of how much Jesus loves us. I know I failed her and my kids daily, but God didn't. It reminds me of these verses in Romans and 1 John. 

Romans 5:7-8

For one will scarcely die for a righteous person- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

1 John 3:16-18

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 

A Year in Review...Late is better than never, right?!

February

Beka and I exploring our new town just days after arriving.

March

One of the first pictures I took with my kindys. Little did I know what a challenge this job would be and what a huge blessing it would be.

Beautiful hikes & sunsets

Reunion with a Kansas friend in Korea!

Co-teacher run! 

April

Beautiful blooms! Cherry blossoms and azaleas! 

May

Trip to Seoul: Shopping and food! 

Fancy night @ Samsung Hotel thanks to our dear friend, Anders!

Shipbuilding Festival right in our backyard! 

Trip to Tongyeong with Anders

June

World Expo

July

Beka's Birthday Race Trip
Yeongdok Beach Marathon 

August

A much needed vacay to Taiwan 

September

A visit from my mom and grandma!! 

October

Chuseok & Sarah's Visit!

November

Yoga November & Thanksgiving with chopsticks

December

Celebrated my first birthday and Christmas away from home. 
Plus I took a trip to Japan! 

January

Spent time with the people I loved most!!
Miss you chingus! 

February

Walked through history at the DMZ, and said my farewells. 

 DMZ photos courtesy of Amanda Grove!

Kindy Graduation Day