Welcome to our Blog!

Can you believe we've actually started a blog?  Personally, I can't.  Nor can I believe that I am using the term "blog" and that I think I am currently "blogging".  Ben and I usually poke fun at technological noun-turned-verb words and phrases, such as "just google it".  For those of you who in turn poke fun at people like us, we non-facebooking internet users, please overlook our lack of tech-savviness and welcome us into this new realm of communication.

For those who aren't quite sure where we are or what we are doing, well, either are we.  Our plan to teach English in Korea in early September has long passed us by.  After moving out of our apartment in South Bend, we never anticipated having such a long delay for our visa paperwork.  During that time of waiting, our anticipated jobs were cancelled, as there were ten other teachers also waiting for visas to process, and thus a school that had no teachers.  Unsure of how long we would have to wait for a new school opportunity, we came to Arkansas to visit with Ben's family.  During our stay, we've had a handful of interviews with English schools in Korea, and we finally signed a contract with a particular language institute just north of Seoul.  

We are currently staying in Arkansas with Ben's family, where we have been very encouraged throughout our time here.  We have also been very enlightened into Arkansas culture, which is  quite a bit different from Indiana.  Today, we packed into the Suburban after church and drove about 45 minutes south to a fall arts & crafts festival (the boys only agreed to come because of the promising beauty of the Ozark fall foliage).  The highlight was the pig races. Yes, that is what I said. The day's entertainment was watching four pig races, in which three or four pigs would race around an enclosed track chasing...an Oreo cookie. The emcee, who spoke like an auctioneer, creatively named each pig according to that particular race's theme. An example was the Hollywood Ladies, in which Lindsay Loham was racing Brittney SpareRibs. I couldn't stop laughing, to say the least.

The drive was beautiful, though we all agree that no foliage (or foil-age, says Ben) quite matches the beauty of the northern midwest.  We are privileged to be in the States for the Fall, our favorite season, but we do truly miss the brilliant reds and yellows of the trees that are up north.  The colors are less vibrant here, and the apple orchards less common.  Even so, there is something about Fall that just makes you feel good, no matter were you are.  Dad started the first fire of the season in the fireplace, which is the perfect balance to the chill in the air.  These small things have helped to make our time waiting--still waiting--not only tolerable, but enjoyable.  

We have been frustrated by our situation, but blessed and encouraged by friends and family.  God, in His grace, has been opening our eyes to understand this time of waiting.  For the last two months, we have experienced so much joy from our loved ones, people who have taken time to spend with us, to call us, or just to let us know that we are important.  One of the reasons for us to have this journal is so that we can do the same for you.  We want to be involved in your lives, and want you to be involved in ours.  We often joke about it being just the two of us for awhile, but that is a reality that we are preparing for.  Any updates and encouragement from the States is going to be much appreciated over these next 12 or 13 months.

So, please keep in touch, please take a few minutes to read about our adventures in Korea (we'll try to keep it interesting!), and please please please write us and share what is happening where you are!

Jen (and Ben)