Day 03: My Parents

My parents are kind of a big deal. They stand alongside heroic stars like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman... just to name a few. They're the reason why I am who I am today.

Their names? Sandy and Jidon.

Both of my parents are of Korean descent. They met while they both lived in Korea and were introduced to each other through his mother and her brother. (Somehow they knew each other.) Well, it sure wasn't love at first site... it wasn't until their second meeting (after a few years had passed) that they hit it off and fell in love. Well, we fast forward through a couple years and there they are leaving for America--the land of opportunity--woot woot! There had actually been several periods of time when they had to be separated--dad was in NY, mom was still in Korea--but eventually, they started their life together here in good ol' VA. Virginia was where they raised both my little sister and I. (Even though I often complain about having lived my whole life in VA, I'm pretty grateful for it being VA. It is a great place to grow up.)

The reason why I say my parents are kind of a big deal and compare them to superheroes is because I've seen them go through tons of struggles together, but through it all, their love still stands strong. Take a look at them today, after 26 years together, their romance is still alive and the spark is still as strong as ever. And I mean, they did raise two pretty awesome girls as well.... haha. ;)

A glimpse into what they've been through:
Back in 1991, one grey morning, our apartment burned on fire. The fire was so big that basically nothing could be salvaged. All of their hard work, they had to see it go down in flames; but that didn't discourage them. They just had to start all over again. And they did.
They've had people wrong them, people use them, but somehow things always work out in the end for them. I believe this is all through God's grace because they are such strong warriors of Christ. God always sends them one blessing after another, because they do show persistence and faith, and when he does, they always give those gifts back to Him to further His kingdom.

My mom is especially a woman of prayer. I've seen her go through so much struggle, especially on her end, and I'ver never really seen her at a weak point--as sensitive and emotional of a woman as she can be--she always remains so strong and ever faithful. I look up to her so much. She's taught me to live a life of prayer, to seek Him through the good and the bad. She's always telling me, "Michelle, don't forget to pray and spend time with God!"
When I look at my mom's life, I'm always so amazed at how she can be so faithful and so strong, but behind a strong woman, I see a loving Father.  It's definitely challenged me to be at least half the person that she is today.

I love my parents to death. And I'm so grateful for their love and suffering which brought me the blessed life I live today.