Happy Father's Day!

Dear Dad,

Happy Father’s Day! I am truly blessed to have you as a father who nurtures me spiritually. You are also a great role model who shows me how to live a Godly life. If I were to compare your life with Jesus, the one big difference would be that you are a sinner and He isn’t. You both are very nurturing, loving and caring. What I am trying to say is you are a great father and you are doing a great job. (you have three great children to prove it) I’m so thankful I am part of your family and I am truly blessed to have you as a father. I hope you have a great day , and remember, even though we are not there physically we are there spiritually!

Love,
Elijah

Hey dad!

Happy Father’s Day! I miss you so much! You are the # 1 dad in the world! (not including God) Thanks dad for being awesome. Thanks you for caring for me. You are truly the best! I love you and miss you!

Your daughter,
Sebene

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Dear Dad,

Happy fathers day. I know its been really hard for you to be away from us, but I want you to know that I think of you everyday. Even though you may not hear that from me, please always remember I am always thinking of you. I miss you very much. Even though I really don’t want to go to Korea, I will go just for you... and God. I miss you and love you.

Love,
Your Most Favorite Second Son

Five more dollars!

Elijah and Jeremiah are in College Station with Joanne for the Grand Slam. While she is away, Joanne asked Sebene to watch her dog. The deal was $25 for four days and $1 for each extra day. I have been helping Sebene walk the dogs, feed the dogs, and help take them out for potty.

Today, Sebene said, "Mom, I am going to give you $5 for helping me with the dogs. You did a lot. You deserve it." She has such a sweet heart. She is such a beautiful person inside and out! She is such a joy. God knew what He was doing when He added her to our family.

She is also going to treat me to frozen yogurt tonight. I can't wait!

$6,400

On Wednesday, during our time of listening to God in our small group, K saw a picture of me receiving many gifts. She felt that God was going to give me gifts--many gifts in fact. She also sensed that it was going to be financial. I was excited! I wondered if that meant that God was going to provide freelance work so that we can have the funds for our move to Korea.

Today at church, K gave me an envelope and said that when she received the prophecy, she saw herself giving me a gift. She gave me an envelope and said she and her husband prayed and are only obeying God. I thanked her and thought, "Oh, that must be the money I need for Elijah's plane ticket to the Worldview Leadership conference." I looked at the check. It was for $6,400. I was shocked! I couldn't even think! Immediately, I felt that I couldn't take it. It was too much. I had never received anything like this before! I felt I had to give it back. Service started so I couldn't do anything.

Throughout the service, I asked God, "Why, Why, Why?" and He responded by saying, "I want you to completely trust me with your finances. I love you and will ALWAYS provide for you." I said, "God you know that K's family is not wealthy. You know they are expecting their fourth child. You know that the husband has pain and has a difficult time working. You know that that they could use this money." I heard God speak to my heart. He said, "I know. I will bless them for their obedience." I cried because I knew they were giving not out of abundance but out of obedience. It's hard to understand God sometimes. Why didn't He speak to someone who had lots of money? He probably did, but they probably weren't listening to Him.

I have issues. Lots of them. One of my biggest issues, is my sin of self-reliance. I have a hard time of letting go and trusting--especially in finances. I started working when I was 12, and I have always worked since then. I know that God provides, but I always feel that God will provide through me working. I have a hard time trusting my heavenly Father for financial provisions because my earthly father really didn't provide for me. It has gotten better, and I have experienced God providing in many different areas. But when it comes to finances, I always feel that God will provide through me working.

The last four years has been a time of pruning for our family. When we moved to Texas in obedience, Richard took at 70% pay cut. We were initially very excited and felt that God was going to do something big and amazing through us. I mean why else would He ask us to take such a big pay cut? It has been an amazing experience, BUT it has been a very different experience than what we had originally thought. It has been very difficult financially. For the first few years, I tried looking for a job. I knew that if I could find a job, I could improve our financial situation. However, it was hard to work full time because I was homeschooling our children, and I knew this is what God wanted us to do. It was very difficult for me to not work and just trust God. However, God has been faithful to provide for all of our needs.

We have had to completely deplete our savings and had to completely readjust our lives. I think this is what it took for God to get my attention--to hit rock bottom financially. This is what it took for me to look to God and not on my savings or in my abilities. This check is the biggest single financial gift that I have ever received. Ever. It is painful for me to receive this gift because I know that K's family gave not out of abundance but out of obedience. I am truly humbled by their obedience and by God's love for me. Yes, God is trustworthy. He is Jehovah Jireh. Now I also know that God is serious about getting us to Korea.

Elijah's Graduation

Elijah graduated last month. He graduated with 19 other homeschool students from THEO. It was probably the best high school graduation ceremony I have attended. It was also very different. Most high school graduations focus on the achievements, the colleges the students will attend, and most often leave out God. The focus of this ceremony was on God and how He will work in each of the graduates' lives.

I am thankful that Elijah was a part of this ceremony. I am thankful that God allowed me to homeschool him for the past six years. I am thankful for the time we had to grow together. I am thankful that I didn't ruin him. He turned out okay. In fact, I think he turned out better than okay. I think he is a pretty amazing kid. I am very proud of him. Really proud.

SAT

Jeremiah and Elijah took the SAT today. Elijah was taking it for college admissions, and Jeremiah just took it. My intent in having Jeremiah take the test was so that he will see that it's a difficult test and that he would need to study very hard for it in the next few years.

After the test, I asked Jeremiah how it went. I expected him to say how difficult it was, but instead, he shouted, "It was so much fun! Can I take it again?" SAT, fun? That was a first for me. He didn't even have a scientific calculator with him. All he took was a small solar power calculator. Then I asked him what he learned from the experience, and he answered, "Mom, I think I am ready for college!" Jeremiah is my, "I can do anything" child. We will have to see when the scores come back.

God is really awesome

God did something totally cool today. Today Justin, Leslie, and I were reading an article about the tornado in Massachusetts. This was the conversation:

Me: There are so many natural disasters these days.

Leslie: Jesus is going to come back.

Justin: He is?!!

Me: Yes, the bible says He will come back, but no one knows when. But we do know that everyone will have a chance to hear the good news of Jesus and get to know Him before He comes back.

Justin: I don’t know Jesus.

Me: Do you want to get to know Him?

Justin: Yes.

Me: God wants to be your friend, but He can’t because there is sin that separates you and God.

Leslie: Sin is the bad things that you do.

Me: Have you ever lied?

Justin: Yes. A LOT!

Me: Have you ever stolen anything?

Justin: Yes, once.

Me: Have you ever gotten angry at your sister or parents?

Justin: Yes, lots of times.

Me: What happens when you do something bad?

Justin: You get punished.

Me: Right. We should be punished for our sins, but God didn’t want to punish us. Instead, He punished His son for the bad things that we did. Jesus died on the cross for all the bad things that we did, and will do. All you have to do is ask God to forgive you and ask Jesus to come into your heart. It’s not easy, but do you think you will want to obey God in your life and have Him help you stop doing bad things?

Justin: Yes, I want to do that.

(I lead Justin in prayer and he asks God to forgive him and invites Jesus into his heart and be his friend.)

Me: You know God wants to talk to you and have a relationship with you. He wants to be your best friend.

Justin: Really?

Me: Yes, really. Do you want to see what He thinks of you?

Justin: Yes!!!

Me: Let’s ask God what He thinks of you Justin. (I briefly explain the ways God can speak and we listen for a few minutes.) Justin what do you think God said to you?

Justin: I saw the word, “good” and I felt good all over. I saw the word “bad” but it was smaller than “good.”

Me: Justin, God thinks that you are a really good boy! He sees the bad things too, but he sees more of the good things in you. He is really pleased with you.

Leslie: I saw the word “loving.”

Me: Wow, God must really love you Justin!! (Justin has a big grin)

Leslie: Mrs. Yi, what did you see?

Me: I am not sure. I saw Justin dressed up as a soldier. I am not sure what that means.

Justin: (His eyes wide open.) THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP! How did God know that?

Me: Justin, God loves you very much and He knows everything about you because He created you!

Justin: That’s really awesome!

Me: Yup, God is really awesome!