“. . . we found ourselves looking upon a familiar sight. We were home. How do you pick up the threads of an old life?” –Frodo, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (movie)
A little more than eight years ago the Roberts family of four packed our bags and we left our home in Boise for what looked to be a two year adventure in South Korea.
Little did we know that two years would turn into eight!
For Ryan, Dina, Becca and Sarah, South Korea was eight glorious years of high adventure and unique experiences: new schools, job opportunities, sports, music, travel, theater, new cultures, sights, sounds, tastes, challenges, education, growth, opportunity, loss, gain, precious memories and many new friendships.
It is has been said that even though the days may be long—and at times arduous—the years are short. Touché.
Eight years . . .
Becca and Sarah both spent all of their junior high and high school years at an international school in South Korea. They thrived in their academic studies, played sports, performed lots of music, traveled the world and made many friends along the way.
Dina loved on, invested in and taught scores of Kindergarteners from different countries throughout the world.
Ryan completed a doctoral degree, interacted with professionals throughout the world in the realms of education and ministry and learned more about school leadership, business, finance and administration than he ever wanted to know.
Over eight years we all learned so much about the Korean culture. We lived into its rich depth and beauty with the help of the gracious Korean people. There are no words to express the love and appreciation we feel for our Korean friends.
Through it all, the Lord Jesus Christ helped us and sustained us. What a joy it was to experience the adventure of Korea together—as a family. God’s presence went before us and blessed the work of our hands. We thank God for the many good gifts He bestowed upon us over our time in South Korea.
Now, eight years later, we (Dina and Ryan) find ourselves “home”—living again in our house in Boise. Our girls are both away at college. Our years in Korea exist as a treasured memory. On the outside things look the same, but in reality they, and we, are very different.
“How do you pick up the threads of an old life?”
Maybe the answer to that question lies in the midst of a new adventure . . . and a new blog.
With this post, The Roberts In Korea blog comes to an end. What a joy it has been to record and share on this blog - in word, picture and video - the moments and memories of our life in Korea.
Thanks for your interest in us as we have, “lived the adventure of life on the other side of the world.”
Oh Ryan. This kinda stuff gets to me. I remember your first SEW, coffee at Starbucks in downtown and chillin' in the Student Life Office. Seems like another lifetime. A good lifetime. Miss you and your fam.
Posted by: mike loween | November 12, 2014 at 09:29 PM