Update Email: Happy New Year!

* This is the update email that was sent out to our Google group on Jan 23rd.
** If you would like to receive our update emails, please send us an email and let us know if you would like to receive it in English or Korean.
*** The Korean version's always sent out a few days after the English one - the translation for this one was sent out in the early hours of Jan 26th (our time) in time for Lunar New Year in Asia! :)

Dear friends and family,

Happy New Year! We hope that your 2009 will be full of His blessings upon you and your family.

Here's a little recap and update from us.

Nov '08. Our four-week vision trip to Japan was filled with d*vine appointments. We met some awesome people, and they shared so much knowledge and experience with us that we'll be much better prepared when we get to Japan sometime in 2009. Did you know that the Japanese have a very high view of X-ianity? We learned they have such a high view of X-ianity that they feel like they can never measure up, and feel like they can't join a community of X-tians because they'll never be good enough. We pr@y they may experience a community of bel*evers who will shower them with the grace of G0d.

Dec '08. After returning back to the States in early December, Sara Juhee was sick with vomiting and diarrhea, so adjusting to jet lag took a bit longer than we thought. We were so grateful that she became sick after we arrived in the States and not while we were still traveling – thank G0d! We had a great time celebrating her first birthday, and spending Christmas and New Year's Day with family too.

Pioneers. We have some exciting news! After enjoying our holidays with family and friends, we attended Pioneers' (m*ss*ons agency) Candidate Orientation Program in Orlando, Florida at the beginning of January. We had a great time meeting other m*ss*onaries who were excited about their calling and the opportunity to work with like-minded, passionate people. After vigorous screening including psychological and personality testing, a very interesting and helpful counseling session, and an in-depth interview, we were officially accepted as Appointees on Friday, January 9th. Thank you, thank you. =)

Preparation. During our orientation, we learned that there is so much we need to do before we can depart for Japan! We definitely thought that we'd be in Japan by now, but we're at least a few months away from going, and even that would be a miracle! Just to give you an idea, both Peter and Jenny have required reading (by Pioneers) to complete prior to our departure, we need to create a display table, brochures, newsletters, pr@yer cards, etc. to be able to better communicate our involvement of what G0d is doing in Japan. We also need to invite more people to participate as part of our pr@yer and financial support team, complete medical examinations, as well as attend Pre-Field Connection (another week of training at Pioneers headquarters in Orlando, Florida). Jenny also needs to complete 15 units of formal Bible training within the next 5 years, preferably prior to departure as life will only become more hectic once we're in Japan. You might ask, "Is all this really necessary?". Well, we could just go without Pioneers, without building relationships, pr@yer and financial partners. But we would be severely handicapped if we did decide to go it alone because we wouldn't have a team of people journeying with us, and a family back home rooting us on. There's a lot we need to do, but it's well worth it because we know that everything is to help us be better prepared for a long-term journey in making a difference in Japan.

Partnership. We would like to ask that you pr@yerfully consider partnering with us through prayer and/or financial gifts. More information to follow, but if you would like to know more in the meantime, please let us know.

When, Where, and What. The questions we've been hearing the most these days is "So, when are you guys going back to Japan?", "Will you guys be going to Osaka?", "Do you know what you'll be doing out there?". The short answer is, it all depends... In terms of timing, we have several criteria to meet (like those mentioned above) including raising up to 90% of our monthly support schedule and 100% of our departure expenses required by Pioneers. We were hoping to be able to return to Japan in March, but it looks like it will take a miracle for that to happen. As for the "where" and "what" questions, G0d is continuing to open up doors for us so we don't know that yet either. But we know that in His time, He will guide us as we continue to seek His will in trying to answer those three questions.

OHayo OHsaka Blog. Remember to keep checking our blog for pictures and updates!

Thank you. To you, as always, and also to our G0d for blessing us with you, your pr@yers, and for providing for us in every way. He is good, all the time. =)

Pr@yrfully yours,

Peter, Yeonsook Jenny, and Sara Juhee Oh

PS: If you do not understand any of the terms used within this email, please email us and we will explain in a separate email. Thank you for not forwarding this email on to anyone.

Fresh Fruit

Fruit doesn't get much fresher than this! Juhee loves being outside and one of her favorite places to be is her maternal grandmother's backyard with lots of flowers, vegetables, and fruits. She really really enjoyed the persimmons and little tiny Asian pears that she picked together with grandma that day - can you tell? ;P

It's great that she's able to spend so much quality time with her grandmother while we're still here. She probably won't remember these good times, but I know my mom will. :)

Happy New Year!

Happy (belated) New Year! :D

We spent New Year's Day with Peter's side of the family, starting with the traditional dduk-kuk 떡국 (rice cake soup), bowing to grandparents, and lots of pictures! Peter's brother's kids (1 son, 3 daughters) and our Juhee all dressed up in their Korean hanboks 한복 and did the traditional Korean New Year's bow for the first time. The hanboks that our nephew and the older two neices wore were the ones from our wedding, so they're a bit short now. I taught the girls how to bow and say "Please receive lots of luck this new year" 새해 복 많이 받으세요 while Peter's brother taught his son how to do it as the way boys and girls bow are different. They all got gifts for their efforts too, including our little Juhee. :)

It was great to be able to spend time with extended family at the start of the new year, especially as we probably won't be here for next year's. It's going to be a new year's day to remember!

Looking forward to everything God has in store for us and you in 2009! :D

Christmas 2008

 
(Our "Christmas Tree" this year was a poinsettia we received as a gift.)

Christmas this year was small, we were so busy with Juhee's birthday and other family events that we didn't have time to put up a Christmas tree and we didn't spend as much as we used to on gifts this year, but it was one of the best, 'cause it's not about the gifts and how sparkly our decorations are. It was about us being together as a family, being able to celebrate the birth of Jesus as a family, being able to attend Christmas Eve service together, and be able to eat, share, live, smile, and laugh together - as a family.

On the Monday of Christmas week, Ina flew back to Dallas, on Tuesday, Dennis came down from SF to stay with us for a couple of days, on Wednesday (after a rushed family portraitsession), Jonathan flew back to Dallas, and then we attended Christmas Eve Candlelight service together where mum and John performed. On Thursday, Christmas Day, we spent the day chillaxing and then in the afternoon opened up our presents. Then us Ohs went to Peter's parents house to have dinner and open up presents there too. We bought presents for my siblings from Japan and they all seemed to like them so we were very happy. :D On Friday, Jade flew back to Dallas :( and then on Saturday, dad flew back to Korea. :( It was so great to have the whole family around for the holidays and it's going to be a while before we'll all be together again so this Christmas was especially meaningful.

Pictures and video are a great way of remembering the precious moments our minds forget and of sharing these experiences too.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of love, laughter, and joy too!

About Korean 1st Birthday Parties “Dol” 돐

 
(This is a bit of info I put on the back of the programs I made for the birthday service. Could write a lot more, but here are the basics...)

The first birthday party is an event where blessings are prayed upon the baby. The mortality rate used to be high in South Korea due to poor medical access, four extreme seasons, and many childhood related diseases. The survival rate of children increased sharply after one year of age, so this milestone was a major achievement and a very happy occasion for the family.

The food and items placed on the small round birthday table signify different blessings for the baby. Traditionally, the table used is either round or one with 12 angles and is either red in color or a red tablecloth is put over it if not red. Flowers and rice cakes of Korea’s five basic colors (black – north, red – south, green – east, white – west, brown – middle) adorn the table to bless the baby’s future and to pour in “ki/chi” energy. The foods placed are plain white rice cake, red bean rice cake, rice cake with sesame seeds & honey inside in five different colors, noodles, (uncooked) rice, fruit, Asian parsley, etc in small portions in a small stack (not piled high). We also place items like arrow & bow (for boys only), needles & ruler (for girls only), string, money, calligraphy brush, etc for the baby to choose to “predict” her future. Usually, the baby’s “helped” by the parents who strategically place certain times. :P

Rice – rich and eat well
String, noodles – long life
White rice cake – purity
Money – wealth
Bow & arrow – become brave and strong
Book, pencil, calligraphy brush – scholastic
Ruler, needle, scissors – talented with her hands
5-colored small round rice cake – north, south, east, west, middle, heaven and earth are all in peace with each other during her life
Asian parsley (or other long green vegetable) – lively, many descendants, long life

And as we’re in Silicon Valley… Mouse – IT engineer :D

Juhee's Future

We celebrated Juhee's 1st birthday on Sat, Dec 20th, a couple of days early. We've been so blessed this year with her smiles, her laughter, her exuberance, even her screams and cries! :) We're just so grateful that God's given us such a precious gift.

She received many gifts on her birthday, one of which was a short, sweet, very meaningful sermon from our head pastor, Pastor Peter Chin. The message that he had for her was Hebrews 11:23 "By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict". He spoke about how when his family went on missions to Kenya, their youngest, Sarah, was about 1 and a half years old, the age our Sara Juhee will be when we're hoping to head out to Japan. He said that Juhee was no ordinary child, and that God has a great purpose for her, will keep her, will guide her, and will use her to do great works for His kingdom. It was such an encouraging message and I'm glad we got most of it on tape. Hopefully we'll be able to show it to her someday when she's older.

Well, we don't know what she's going to become when she's older but during the Dol Jae Bi 돌잽이 part of her birthday, she picked up money (symbolizing wealth) and the calligraphy brushes (scholastic / academic). Then with the brushes, she started to "write" on the money! People joked and said that she would become an accountant and then her Uncle Jonathan said that she would become a counterfeiter / money launderer! :D She also grabbed for the coins in the rice later on too.

Well, we don't know if she's going to be wealthy, academic, or what profession she's going to end up in and I don't think we have a particular preference, but one thing we do know for sure is that we want her to be a woman of God. One who has a close relationship with her Savior and a passion to share His grace, love, and mercy with all that she meets.

She loves reading, she loves people, loves socializing, loves laughing and making those around her laugh, she's very determined and when she's really into something (like walking, playing, going out, reading...) she won't eat or sleep! We love the way her eyes disappear and her nose crinkles when she smiles and laughs, the way she throws her head back or hits the floor with her head dropped low when she's doing one of her dramatic cries, the way she puts her head to one side when she's trying to be cute, the way her barrettes always flip over or start to slip down 'cause she doesn't have a whole lot of hair, the way she kicks her legs as you're lifting her up when she's really excited, the way she'll look at you so seriously when she's signing to you, how she loves to eat so many things, her love for animals, and so so many other things! :D

We love very very much the beautiful daughter that God has blessed us with and we thank each and everyone of you for being such a blessing to her and loving her so. We feel your love for her through your smiles, your hugs, your concern, and most of all, your prayers.

For more about her dol: http://peterandjennyoh.blogspot.com/

Week Four + Korea Review

 
(One of the most interesting and THE best Japanese meal we had while we were in Japan. We had a proper Japanese style sushi-boat experience thanks to the Murrays while we were in Hiroshima. I can't explain it all in text, but the next time you see one of us, ask us to explain how it works. It's very clever, very efficient. Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery Yummy~~~ :D)

It seems like such a long time ago now...

Mon, Nov 17 Cleaned the futons, rest of apartment

Tue, Nov 18 Rested at home

Wed, Nov 19 Originally planned dinner appointment was postponed due to illness so went to Amerika-mura (see older post titled "Amerika-mura" for pic)

Thu, Nov 20 Had dinner at a Korean restaurant owned by Korean friends of sister-in-law and discussed things like what life in Japan is like for Koreans, how Japanese and Korean business styles differ and how that sometimes makes it different for them (for example, Koreans tend to be very straightforward and make quick decisions with action following quickly behind, Japanese tend to take their time and be a bit ambiguous), and about more ideas about the type of businesses that we could open in Japan (like a weekend American home-stay experience in Japan).

Fri, Nov 21 Had lunch with a deacon from the Korean church we attended in Osaka, which the KM side of our church visited during two consecutive summers a few years ago. We found out that she's been teaching at Korean schools in Japan for the past 30 years or so and so our eyes were opened to a whole new aspect of life in Japan for Koreans through her (see older post titled "A (Nearly) Full Picture"). After lunch, we rushed to Shin-Osaka station to catch the shinkansen to Hiroshima. It was packed as it was the beginning of a long weekend in Japan. There were no seats so we were bracing ourselves to stand in the aisle during the nearly 3-hour trip when the family sitting right in front of stood up and asked us to sit in their seats! We were sooooooooooooooo grateful. Praise God!!! :) We arrived in Hiroshima around 5pm and reconnected with the Murrays. But I'll write more about that in a different post!

Sat, Nov 22 We took part in a Thanksgiving event with the Murrays at the new church plant site. After the event, Juhee and I stayed with Susan and the girls at their place, while Scott and Peter went to Koyo chapel for a youth event. We left with the last train going back to Shin-Osaka a bit after 10pm and arrived home sometime after 1am. Long but very fun day! (Again, will write more in separate post.)

Sun, Nov 23 Cleaned, cleaned, cleaned and packed. Met Korean store owner and had a good chat with him.

Mon, Nov 24 Cleaned, left the place cleaner than when we arrived, made it to the airport just in time, arrived safely in Korea, took limousine bus to City Air Terminal, driven to my aunt's apartment where we stayed for the duration we were in Korea.

Tue, Nov 25 Paid respect (did big bow 큰절) to my paternal grandparents and had lunch with them, went to my maternal grandfather's 2nd anniversary memorial service in the evening. We met when my maternal grandfather passed away so it was very meaningful for us to be able to attend his memorial service.

Wed, Nov 26 We found out that I had an infection (mastitis) so I had to go to the hospital to get it checked and receive medication. I was put on a course of antibiotics and given a shot Korean-style (if you don't know what that means, ask me the next time you see me ;D).

Thu, Nov 27 Dad came over for dinner at my aunt's and we had good family time. Juhee loved spending time with her granddad! :) These moments are precious for my dad as he's the only one in our family in Korea and misses spending time with family.

Fri, Nov 28 Through dad's connections, we were able to visit a big Montessori kindergarten (120 5-7 year olds!) and able to receive more valuable information. Divine appointments! :) We then went to my paternal grandfather's 93rd (?) birthday party and had a great time with the relatives on my dad's side.

Sat, Nov 29 Had lunch appointment with a deacon from the church I used to attend as a child in Korea, went to the hospital for a check-up and was given the all-clear but was given another prescription to finish off a week's worth of antibiotics. Found out that you pay more for meds if you pick-up meds on a weekend! Then we had dinner with my dad and paternal grandparents (my dad always buys his parents dinner on Sat nights so we offered to join him so we could spend more time with him and our grandparents).

Sun, Nov 30 Attended the church my dad attends and then went to my maternal grandmother's house to attend family worship and eat dinner together.

Mon, Dec 1 Packed, went to another Montessori kindergarten to discuss the possibility of training with Dr. Jun (she was the first to open up a Montessori in Korea) in preparation for mission next year. We walked back and took a walk around the neighborhood. We had dduk-bok-ki 떡볶기, calamari 오징어 튀김, and bought gifts, and then went to have dinner with my paternal grandparents and uncle.

Tue, Dec 2 Packed, cleaned, checked in & sent off our luggage at City Air Terminal, took limousine bus to Incheon Airport, had lunch at the airport, was fast-tracked through security and immigration, front row seat again in plane (all four flights) - yeah! And 11 hours later... We arrived back in the US!!! :)