Anna & Nate (#8 Got Married!)

December was such a busy month - as it always is - and I'm only now getting around to processing and celebrating the events that occurred.

The highlight of the month was that my youngest sister Anna got married. She made a beautiful bride, and I'm so happy for her and for Nate. The biggest surprise for me was that on such short notice I was able to make the trip back to Virginia to celebrate with everyone. It was a fairly quick turnaround - arrived Saturday evening, the wedding was Monday, and I left Tuesday - but it was worth being present and part of the occasion.

The wedding was a small, family affair held at my sister Rebekah's home. Bryan, my brother-in-law officiated their ceremony. It was so low-key and lovely... it really was. The boys moved a bunch of furniture in the living room to make space for the chairs. I thought they did a great job of creating a suitable environment for the ceremony, and I really enjoyed myself. :) Good job, Rebekah and Bryan!

I love the Christmas tree!

A lovely table!

And, of course, we had to have some pictures with everyone (well, the ladies, anyway). It was really special to have all the girls present - all four Clementson sisters, as well as my brothers' wives Courtney and Rebekah, who are like sisters and might as well be! It was truly a special time to spend with these people whom I love so very much. Of course, just our core family has grown as everyone has gotten married. Of the eight Clementson children, six are now married, and there are four grandchildren, so that makes 20 right there... Bahaha! I love my family!

Anna and Mommie

The Clementson sisters (me, Anna, Sarah & Rebekah)

All the Clementson ladies

I really love the picture below, and I'm so glad I captured it. Bryan is sitting down with Anna discussing the final details of the ceremony right before all the ladies sat down together to pray over the ceremony and over the covenant of marriage that Nate and Anna made. 

The other highlight of the event was getting to spend an evening with my nieces and nephews. Rebekah and Bryan have four kiddos - two boys Micah and Nathan and two girls Chloe and Jane - and it was truly a precious time for me to hug and squeeze and play and tell them that Uncle Jody and Aunt Ruth love them a lot. They are growing up so quickly!

With Micah before the ceremony

With Janie!

Angry faces... sort of.

With Chloe - compliments of Jane :)

Another picture Jane took of Chloe and me

With Nathan

Every wedding is another reminder to me of the sacredness of marriage, and I leave such occasions with a renewed challenge to love my husband well. To serve him with all that I am. And that marriage - just like following Christ - is about the business of dying to self (and my selfish desires) day after day after day. It also serves as a reminder to me to pray for the couple, that they would love each other well and submit to one another. Tough stuff... but we're rooting for you, Anna and Nate! Congratulations!

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.    - Ephesians 5:21-28

A Trip to Virginia

A week after celebrating Jody's graduation from Denver Seminary, Jody and I packed up a suitcase, a duffel bag and my carry-on (Eu-mi!) for a two week trip to Virginia to spend time with my family. The end of 2011 marked over three (3!) years since Jody had been to Virginia and seen the majority of my side of the family. I have been to Virginia every year at some point (usually at Thanksgiving), but I always went alone because of Jody's school and workload. I did not realize until this trip how divided I have felt without him. He really has become my family.

The flights (a flight to Atlanta, and then one to Richmond) were uneventful, and Eu-mi was fantastic. She whimpered a little when we first arrived at the Denver airport, and she was stuffed inside her crate. Poor thing. So many smells and sounds. But she was a rockstar, and all three of us arrived in Richmond, safe and sound. Thank you, Sherpa Pet Carrier. And thank you to everyone who prayed for her!

During the course of our visit, we saw my whole family. My parents. My siblings. Their spouses. Their significant others. Nieces and nephews. Pets. It was a madhouse! And yet, there were times of quiet, as well. We talked late into the night and got up late. We went on errands together. We ate dinner and sat around the table. Then we'd go into the 'New Room' (that is actually 10 years old, but will always be called the New Room) and continue the conversation near the fire. It was wonderful, and I pray it will not be so long until we can return.

Here are just a few glimpses from our time at home...

With my sister-in-law and friend, Courtney!

Sarah and her boyfriend, Justin

Sisters!

My football studmuffin brother, Daniel

The Holts' new puppy, Charlotte!

The husbands, boyfriends of Clementson girls + Chris

With the kiddos. Love them!

Jane finally started to warm up to Uncle Jody!

With Charlotte, the new puppy in the Holt household!

Clementson girls + Rebekah

Quality Christmas time with Chloe!

Anna and her boyfriend, Nate

What I learned from spending two weeks back in my childhood home... 

1. My family is big.
2. My family is loud.
3. How did I forget?! You must be the first to take a shower in the morning, because if you are #6 or #7 in line, there certainly isn't any hot water left. 
4. Jody brings a lot of laughter to my family... and he blends right in and makes himself at home. So thankful for a husband that can handle the in-laws with grace, gentleness and humor!
5. Everybody is growing up. Each individual is not the same person he/she was when we were little. Shocker, I know. 
6. Living in Virginia and being a Broncos fan means you have to use First Row to get your Broncos games when they're not aired on TV.
7. I'm an introvert. I love my family... but I also love my alone time. 
8. Virginia humidity ♥ my skin. The wrinkles disappear with each passing day!
9. Eu-mi needs her blanket and a soft, warm place to sleep wherever she goes.
10. There's a reason I do that... and that... and that. Yep, all that 'family of origin' stuff makes sense in a whole new way!

Doggie Training (again)

I cannot believe it, but it has been two and a half years since we bought Eu-mi. She is almost 3 years old (her birthday is December 14th)! When I look back, I can remember her as a tiny 8-week old pup. I can remember waking up two or three times during the night to take her out to potty. I remember boiling water in the middle of the night to put it in a Nalgene bottle and then stuffing that bottle in an unwashed undershirt of mine that would go in her crate with her. Why, you ask? It would calm her down enough to sleep alone, after just being yanked from the comfort and familiarity of her litter. Oh, the things we would do!

The list could go on and on. Teaching her to potty outside. Teaching her to sit and wait until we commanded her that she could eat. Teaching her to lay down. Teaching her not to bark... no matter how much she may want to. Teaching her to be good in the bathtub. And teaching her to get in her crate at night and not whine, moan, yelp even though she may want to get out.

Fat little dog! Eating her nummies!

Her first bath!

Snuggling in her blanket (~ 10 mos. old)

At the park (~10 mos. old)

Fast-forward a few years. Eu-mi has settled down a bit more. She's still rambunctious (don't get me wrong!), but she's not quite as crazy as she used to be. She knows the rules of the home, and - for the most part - she behaves herself. I do believe she's gotten a little lazy....

Well, since we are going to Virginia for two weeks over Christmas and New Years, we decided that it would be cheaper and far less scarring than boarding Eu-mi to bring her along with us on the plane. So we looked on AirTran's website and found out what was allowed. Then we went to the store and bought a pet carrier that is airline-approved.

Now we are using every means we can to help Eu-mi adjust to the traveling carrier, so that she's ready for the challenge in a few months. 

Our goal: for Eu-mi to successfully manage the long flights without  1) hurting herself, 2) having an accident, 3) annoying us, or 4) annoying the other passengers on the flights. 

Our plan of action:  TREATS! We are shamelessly bribing our dog to get in the crate, to be closed inside the crate, to be carried in the crate around the house. The crate is in the living room, and we are going to make it part of Eu-mi's every day experience from now until the day we pack her up. We have also contacted the vet to find out what she recommends for pet travel.

The Ultimate Test: The mall. Or some other such place that will be similar to an airport terminal. 

Please pray for us! And for Eu-mi! As I said earlier, she has gotten a little lazy, so a little training will probably be good for her (and for us). Don't want to get rusty, do we? We'll let you know how it goes...

Anticipation

I love anticipation. The tingling in my stomach that comes with the knowledge of something GOOD coming. And there are three wonderful events that are, Lord willing, going to happen before 2012 arrives. They are the rope I'm hanging on to.

• We are going to visit Jody's family for Thanksgiving. Since we first got back from Korea in 2008, Jody and I have not been able to spend Thanksgiving together (with one another with one side of our families). But this Thanksgiving, we're making the trek down to the Panhandle to spend the Thanksgiving holidays with the Been side of the fam. I'm beyond thrilled. I am anticipating the good times and memories made. 

It won't ever be the same again, but still looking forward to time with the fam.

Maybe "help" Pam in the kitchen!

And see that beautiful Texas sky!

• Jody graduates in 8 weeks. Yes, 8 weeks. Every Monday I write on my calendar one number less. It builds anticipation and puts a song in my heart to carry through the week. Somehow, I can handle anything, knowing that he will be finished in just a few short months. God has been good and faithful, and I am looking forward to celebrating His faithfulness when this is over. The graduation ceremony is Monday, December 12th. It'll be a small ceremony in the seminary, for which I am very thankful. No need for a big May graduation ceremony at Southeast... I am content that we will be done!

Denver Seminary campus

• After graduation (yay!), we are heading to Virginia. YES! Jody, Eu-mi and I are flying back to Virginia to spend two whole stinkin' weeks with my family. I am on cloud 9. Jody has not seen my family since we first landed in America in 2008 from Korea. Three years. A lot has happened in three years. I am most excited for him to see Rebekah and Bryan's kids. He hasn't even met Jane, our youngest niece, and she's 2 years old (well, she will be next Tuesday)! I just can't wait to see 'em all! The best part of this is the timing. We will be flying out December 19th and returning to CO on January 3rd. That will give us 2 solid weeks over Christmas break to spend with the family. We will be guaranteed quality time with family, and maybe even some good friends. We'll see. So thankful for the chance that we'll have to spend Christmas with my family. I haven't had this privilege since the Christmas I graduated in 2004. That's 7 years!

See my parents!

Maybe hang out with some lovely ladies!

And see my  nieces and nephews!

Happy (belated) Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

A few weeks ago my parents celebrated 34 years of marriage. I cannot believe it, and I'm so proud of them. To have a model of godly marriage lived out before me is such a blessing that I do not take for granted.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for loving each other. I praise God for you both.

Merry Christmas!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9, 6-7

Dear Family and Friends,

I wanted to take a moment to write you all and wish you a Merry Christmas. Yay for yearly updates!!! As I am writing, I am sitting in the home of my in-laws. Today is Christmas Eve, and I am starting to get excited. Gifts are piled under the tree, candles are lit throughout the house, and homes throughout Jody's hometown are decorated in lights to celebrate the holidays. It is wonderful to spend Christmas in America this year!

2008 has been a year of definite growth and change for both Jody and me. We finished our season of teaching in Korea - closing a huge chapter in our lives and saying goodbye to many good friends. Then we had to transition back to life in America. It has been exhausting. We have had to move countries, spend months with in-laws, live frugally, coordinate to compile all our stuff in one place, apply (and get accepted!) to Denver Seminary, and find a place to live once we got there. It has been a huge challenge for us, but God has been faithful through it all!

Perhaps the biggest challenge, however, has been the waiting. We had decided that Jody would pursue seminary back in February, but there were months of waiting in Korea... and months of waiting here in America. It has been a long season of growing and waiting in faith on God's timing, but we are thrilled to almost be there! And even now we see the Lord's guiding hand, leading us step by step.

We plan to move up to Littleton, Colorado early January, and Jody will begin classes on January 26th. We will be living in the basement of a Christian family's home about a mile away from the school, which is close enough for Jody to reach by bike. Yay! (I got a bike, too, which I am tremendously stoked about. Scroll down to see a picture of it.) I will begin looking for a job. I do not know yet what my options are, but I am praying for God to prove Himself faithful once again! We are also thrilled to be moving to Colorado - where I was born, where my parents spent significant time and raised part of our family, where the Denver Broncos are (woohoo!), where Jody and his family often vacationed, and where it is easier to live an outdoorsy, athletic lifestyle. We could not be more thrilled. :)

I would be remiss if I did not at least mention another great part of 2008: our first full year of marriage! This past August Jody and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary- woohoo! We are so thankful for the time we had in Korea to start learning how to be a team. In another culture it often feels as though it is 'you vs. everybody else', even if it is not the case, so we learned to work together. Now we are learning new lessons as we face the challenges of life in Amerca. It is humbling and challenging, but we are determined to grow. And the Lord is faithful to multiply love and grace between us as we work through all the logistics of life. We love each other more than ever!

As we start a new phase in our lives, we wanted to let you know how dearly we love and miss each and every one of you. We hope and pray that Jesus, the One called Immanuel, God With Us, will be with you this holiday season and into 2009. May He be the Lord of your heart and the One who directs your steps. God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Please keep in touch!

the beens

jody.been@gmail.com

ruth.been@gmail.com

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

(a little late, but with just as much enthusiasm)

jody is ridiculous. but he's sending you st. paddy's day love. xoxoxox

and here are james and chris, in my step 3 class. chris was the honored student of the moment and so got to wear the special hat.

*** many thanks go out to lauren wenger for the st. patrick's day goodies. they were perfect and totally made the day fun for them.

Ringing in 2008!!

Rather than going into Seoul to see the fireworks at City Hall... which would have just been too much for a weekday night, Jody and I decided to join friends right here in Suji. New friends from church, Brad and Belle opened up their new apartment for some fun and games and food to ring in the New Year. It was a relaxing, fun night with mostly friends from church. We were daring and made the trek over on our scooter. It was cold cold cold, but we survived and had fun!

Happy New Year!

the group... sorry for the bad lighting. the camera was acting up.

carrie and dan buller

chris and dana sikkens. i love these guys!

us!

brad and belle

lynn and veronica

chad, our drummer and a very funny guy.

Happy New Year, friends!

May God bless you all as you start 2008. May you know what it is to walk in relationship with Your Creator, to know Him, to hear His voice, and to see the eternal fruit that comes from walking with Him.

We love you all! Stay in touch.