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Wednesday, 10.29.08 1:15pm
The seminary cafeteria, though nearly empty, is loud. It’s always loud. There’s a whir of air conditioning or something, which makes a private conversation very easy even when the place is packed at meal time.
Most of the current chatter comes from a half-dozen middle-aged Korean women. I’m not sure why they’re here, but I’m about to find out. One of them is my dear friend Mi-Suk (MEE-sook). My guess is that they are from her church. Even though she’s a full-time student and mom, she is also the women’s minister at a large Korean church in Boston. She is a great woman of faith, and very serious about her ministry. Last year, she and I went on walks every Friday. She was wise and would speak (through broken English) GREAT truths to me. With each walk, I would realize the depth of her words only after our conversation. I would replay the context – the subject matter – what I shared – the story that she told – and then divine revelation would hit. Without fail.
Her friends take an empty table next to me, and soon all the women with hot teas in hand have gathered to chat. I walk over and get Mi-Suk’s attention – interrupting whatever she’s passionately and seriously expressing to her friends. She lights up, grabs my hand, and explains that these ladies are all from her church. She speaks to them in quick Korean – pointing and gesturing towards me – all the while holding my hand in hers. She is thoughtful enough to hit the high points in English so I can understand: “worship leader” – “sermon… Mandy, you were in one of my sermons” – “one of my best friends.”
“One of my best friends.”
I never thought that someone from across the globe would consider me one of their best friends.
“I never thought that someone from across the globe would consider me one of their best friends.”
i’d say that there are quite a few from across the globe who would say the same.
(first of all, WHOA Alece, can you make some comments?? and I agree with her, even though I’m just across the US)
8:28 am
breakfast dishes are done. the 6 year old has no school today so she is playing with her little sister. sort of.
she’s trying to bounce a ball in the house and bounce it too high for the toddler to reach. not nice.
i had an appointment with the gym EARLY this morning that I flaked on. my husband kept me up late last night watching TV so I couldn’t roll out of the warm bed this morning. So, I’ll try to fit it in later today.
I’m also flaking on my mom’s group this morning. I’m tired. The kids are tired (except for the bouncy ball thing) and we want to stay in our pajamas.
we don’t have that option very often so i am taking advantage of it.
oh, and i saw a fabulous pink sunrise this morning. amazing.
8:31
(miss you mandy)
(hi sarah!
i’ve been trying to catch up on blogs slowly but surely, tackling one blog at a time. i go bottoms up (oldest to newest) and when i have the time to dig in and do it, i actually enjoy my very-late readage and commentage! it’s therapeutic!)
Mandy,
I haven’t been over here in a while… your site looks great! And I loved this post. A great reminder that friendship can cross many miles, no matter how far.
I love the stories you tell when you do these!
6:43 PM PT
I woke up about 20 minutes ago from an unintentionally long nap…it’s a good thing I don’t share my actual room with anyone. I am NOT in a good mood now.
I completed midterm #4 today…only 3 more to go over the next two weeks.
There is slight throb in my ankle as it continues to swell.
Trying to decide what’s for dinner. The only thing I seem to have an appetite for is cookies. Is that so wrong?
I think that’s all my boggled mind can come up with right now.
11:32 pm
Hard week…
I faced a chair
I faced my past
I faced forgiveness
I face the urgency not to forgive
I wept
I got angry
But I did not sin.
God Still Reigns