Empty Nest

Well, it’s not a completely empty nest.  I mean Norah, Ben, Eunkyung, and Suzie are still here, but now the house is just quiet.  My life is quiet, and still…. Which isn’t a bad thing… it’s peaceful, but just feels empty now. 
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Eunkyung’s sister’s family just moved away to San Jose, CA to settle down.  Which is amazing and I am so proud of them!  But for the last 2 months, they were living with us as Eunwoo (the husband) was frantically finding a decent job.  For two months they stayed with us, in this nice home in Altoona, PA.  We wondered when they arrived if the living space in our home was going to be cramped, stressful, and hard to manage.  But we were wrong.  The space was cozy, but not crammed, the living was filled but not stressful, and the house was more than enough for all of us.  As a matter of fact, the house felt alive for 2 months like a never-ending joyous party. 

Noise filled the rooms, kids playing, the dog running up and down the stairs, activities, games, and great cherished moments.  For 2 months they stayed with us and every day there was work to be done.  In this short amount of time, they got their social security cards, got their two boys into the Altoona Area School District, got the boys settled in their studies, got their drivers licenses, and bought their first car.  We went to Gettysburg for veteran’s day, traveled to State College, Pittsburgh, ate at amazing local eateries such as Tom and Joes and other fine places.  We celebrated Suzie turning 1 years old.  They celebrate Halloween for the first time buy going Trick or Treating and an early Thanksgiving with the proper sides and big juicy Turkey.  Did cabin shenanigans at Canoe Creek State Park, went fishing at Glendale.  A lot of things got done and accomplished in these shorty 2 months and there was never a dull moment. 

While they stayed with us, they made an impact on church life as well.  Eunwoo sang in the choir, the boys (Juhyeong and Sihyeong) went to Sunday School faithfully.  Eunwoo also fixed up many things around the church property as well.  The whole family also participated in all the church fellowship events.  They just gave the church just a little bit of flavor, reminding us of all that as Christians we are the salt of the world, and they were the salt in the church and in our lives. 

But now they have left to go to San Jose, CA.  They will be missed and now, I feel empty, but also delighted.  I know that God will bless Eunwoo, Jieun, Juhyeong, and Sihyeong.  I know that God will be with them to watch over them and guide them.  Now they will make their American Dream happen on their own!  Once again, we miss you and love you guys a ton!  Godspeed!

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