Happy Birthday, Jody!

I want to take a moment to honor my wonderful husband. On Friday, Jody turned 30 years old. It's a big birthday, I think, and there has been much time and thought put into what this birthday actually means. Haha. I think we've decided it means the end of childhood, for good. He's an adult now - with no more excuses for his ridiculous behavior. :)

For some reason, this birthday has also reminded me of the passage of time since I met him. Jody and I met in October 2006 at our friends' Stefanie and Brittany's apartment in South Korea. Almost 4 years ago... I was 23 years old, and he was 26. We met, started dating 2 months later, were engaged 3 months later, and married within 10 months of knowing each other. Not a situation I would recommend to the average couple, but for us, it was perfect. God's plan and timing for us was perfect, and I'm truly grateful that the Lord brought Jody into my life. He is the best man for me, and I see it now more than ever.


I am truly proud of Jo, and I marvel at what a godly man he is growing into. I pray the Lord continues to lead and guide him, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for him in the years to come.

Happy birthday, love!

Father's Day Picnic

The summer is flying by. I'm trying to catch my breath and actually enjoy the season amidst it all. Last weekend was Father's Day. According to Jody, Father's Day isn't nearly as important to men as Mother's Day is to women, so it didn't seem to be a big deal. Nonetheless, it is a noteworthy holiday, and I wanted to stop for a moment and thank both my Heavenly Father and my earthly father for their incredible kindness towards me. God has indeed been good to me. I was so sad, too, because I could not be present to hug my dad and tell him I love him and how very much I appreciate his hard and faithful work to provide for my family.

I also wanted to highlight a few pictures from our church's Father's Day picnic. We went to Centennial Park and just chilled together following church. The weather was perfect - a bit cloudy and just the right temperature, and there were games to play, lots of food to eat, and more than enough people to chat and catch up with!

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,
that we would be called children of God;
and such we are!
1 John 3,1

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there... may God give you the strength to lead your children in godliness and truth.

* pictures taken by suzanne vogel

entry from a few years ago... haha...

Monday, September 18, 2006

So a little over a week ago I returned to Korea after spending two weeks at home. It was a marvelous trip in all, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing family and friends and just being back in the good ol' US of A.

Whoever says that America sucks has probably not spent a year in Korea.

Now, when I say this, I mean it with no animosity towards Korea. I have met some amazing people here, and they have showered me with kindness and generosity. God has indeed been good to me here. He has taught me a lot about what it means to live overseas, and to operate in a country where I cannot speak the language, and where I stand out like a sore thumb. And even where (in their eyes) I am on the same level as Brooke Shields.

However, there are enough cultural differences to show you that you are not in Kansas anymore, and even though you have met Tinman and all sorts of wonderful people along the way, in the end, there really is no place like home.

And so now I am commencing on month 13 (of 18.5), and I am seeking God's plans for me in the next 6 months and what I'll be doing post-Korea... Prayers are appreciated!

respite in the mountains

as the year marches on, i find myself craving silence. silence from the noise of cars, silence from the garbage man picking up trash at 6am as i get ready for work, silence from the busyness of life. i am ready to spend time in the mountains again this summer.

saturday morning jody and i were able to get up in the mountains for a little bit, and it was just wonderful. we didn't go too far... just beyond the foothills and up around 7-8,000 feet. we went to an open space place called meyer ranch, that is private property and yet open for public use. it was absolutely beautiful.

one thing i noticed about this level in altitude is that this is where the aspens grow. usually i head immediately as high as i can get - up around 12 and 13,000 feet, preferably. but saturday showed me that i have been missing out on gorgeous aspen trees. have you ever been in a field with aspens when the wind blows? it is the most calming sound of rustling leaves that i have ever heard. it makes you want to stop and close your eyes and reach out to heaven, because surely the Lord must be speaking. :)

i had a wonderful time just walking... and watching eu-mi be her curious, mischievous self. how i love this dog! she has brought more laughter than i ever thought a mere animal could. i'm so thankful for her.

i am also thankful for this season, because except for one last paper for his two week summer class, jody is not taking classes until the fall semester. i am thrilled. as we discussed the pace at which jody would take classes down this home stretch (1/3 left to go), we decided that it would be wise to use the summer for him to focus on his job at englewood. there is great need for focused attention on the needs of the church, and i know that jody will be able to better serve the body and help tj (our lead pastor), by taking more of his load. so we are breathing a bit more slowly, and moving a little slower. and it's wonderful.

praise the Lord for summertime.

come visit, if you are in or passing through colorado!

love,
jody and ruth