Its been a while since I (seth) have written anything on the blog. So, I'm going to write something. Ya ready? Here I go:

So, we've been here for over seven months (that's the typical way to start a blog entry). Wow, its hard to believe how fast the time has gone (that's the typical comment to make when referring to the passage of time). We've been so blessed in our lives here and in our ministries. Thank you all for your prayers (typical words for a Christian to convince the reader's that everything is peachy and offer some appreciation).

So...sometimes it can be hard to know how to escape from the typical. While everything above is true [We have been here seven months, the time has flown by, we are blessed in our ministry and marriage, and we are hugely grateful for your prayers], being in Korea has helped me realize how much I desire not to be typical. Living in the most homogeneous culture in the world along with again reflecting upon typical American ideas has caused me to celebrate that which is untypical and realize how many things should never be typified.

In fact, I would say much of that which is untypical is that of greatest value! For example, God is not your typical being. What splendor and majesty are His in His untypicalness! What glory is displayed in His untypical love and grace! Is there anything typical about dying to save an unrighteous person? (Check out Romans 5). But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8). What an untypical God we worship!!!! Indeed, we are called to live in this untypical essence that we might reflect His brilliant glory to this typified world!

Perhaps one of the things that brings me the greatest joy is hearing forgiven sinners sing praise to God in a language I've yet to learn. How untypical are the ways in which God is praised around the world! To see a people praising Jesus Christ in their own culture and their own tongue... to see them rejoicing in His greatness and reveling in His mercy! Oh the wonder! Worship should never be typified for God's untypical nature is revealed through the living worship of His untypical Church. Indeed, God has given us a heart to see His name praised in untypical ways!

Also, how untypical is God's creation! Emily and I are in awe with the beauty of the Korean people, culture, food (!!!), and landscape. Indeed, Korea is different that any other place in the world! Its amazing that no matter how much you travel God's creation never become typical! Korea has a beauty all its own. So let me tell you about some of the not-so-typical things we've done as of late.

The day after Emily's birthday we went to Daegu and visited the "Doctor Fish." It was fascinating! The fish eat the dead skin off your body! There were a bunch of small fish that just gummed at our feet (and legs). We put our feet in the shallow pool for about 20 mintues, but the first minutes tickled so bad that we couldn't help but just laugh (hard!)! Anyways, it was quite the experience! (If you want to know more you'll have to ask). Our feet have never felt so soft!

To celebrate the end of April I decided to turn another year older... and so I'm now 23 (I had to think about that for a while)! I typically don't celebrate my birthday in South Korea and this was the first time I had both a birthday and a wife! Emily must have been happy that I was getting older cause she sure threw a big fuss! ;-) It was wonderful. I could write a page about all she did, but perhaps the highlight was all the "words" (and stories to match) that she collected from some friends and family that described me. She gave them to me throughout the day...It was a wonderful gift and huge blessing! It was a great day! [I think birthday parties must have been created to distract people from how fast time is going (and how old they're getting...not that 23 is old)].

Also, we went to Gyeong-Ju (the former capital of the Shilla dynasty...google it if you want to know more)! It was an fascinating city with ruins and tombs and artifacts all over! While we didn't get much opportunity to tour the city itself and view all the sights (we hope to go back) we did see a few on our hike through Nam-san park and up a "gumo mountain". It was a day I won't soon forget. We had some amazingly intimate time with our Savior and Creator as we sat on the edge of a mountain and looked out over the world. Its amazing what clarity there is when looking on the world from above! I suppose its only by the power of Christ that we can allow this clarity of sight to penetrate our hearts so that even after returning from the mountain every beat might be in sync with God's above.

And yet, its amazing how even after being drawn into the very heart of God we can go back to living such typical lives. Sometimes I look back on days or weeks or months and see how "typical" they are. This is not what I desire. This is not what my heart was made for. This is not what we are called to. Would you be drawn into the heart of God and captured by His untypical love! May your life song be of an untypical tune! For we follow and untypical God!

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." Psalm 40:3