My Seoul's Story

My spiritual journey begins in Seoul, Korea; my birthplace. I was abandoned at age 6 weeks old, which in 1960’s Korea, was considered an “older” baby. Most infants were abandoned immediately after birth. I was left on the doorsteps of a police station, which I’ve been told indicates that “whoever” left me wanted me to be found. Most infants were abandoned by the roadside, left to die. Consider me one of the lucky ones, I guess, but I know luck has nothing to do with it. God’s sovereign will and grace was at work in my life from the very beginning. I was placed in a Christian orphanage run by Holt International. It was there my adopted father, an American soldier, saw me for the first time on my first birthday. Two months later, at the age of 14 months, I was headed, with him, to America.

My parents had 2 biological boys of their own and ended up adopting another Korean girl later on. We moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1969. My parents were “religious” people but did not know what it was to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. My mom, being the religious person she was, started looking for a church for our family to attend. She was captivated by a church deaf interpreter that she saw on TV. My sister is profoundly deaf. No one knew that at the time of her adoption and my parents didn’t realize it until she was about 11 months old. So, with that being said, my mom hauled us off to this Southern Baptist church and the rest is history. My parents became believers in their 30’s. I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart at the age of 8. I went to Christian schools all the way thru high school and practically lived at the church as a second home. I grew up in a very loving but strict home. I would love to say that my walk with the Lord has been a consistent and committed one but such is not the case.

As you know, we have a powerful enemy—Satan. I don’t blame everything on him (wouldn’t want to give him that much credit). I know I battle my flesh and the world, too. I went to college and lived on campus and got a dose of “real freedom”. Being mostly timid and quiet growing up, I soon discovered alcohol loosened up many of my inhibitions and in all honesty, I have to say I liked the way it made me feel. I started down a path of heavy drinking, partying and sexual promiscuity. All I can say is God is faithful. His unconditional love and relentless pursuit of me to bring me back into the fold was what saved me from myself.
In short, I have survived having an ex-husband who sexually abused my daughter , being raped yet spared from contracting any disease and driving drunk without ever getting into an accident. Can I explain why this is?—NO. Do I believe there are consequences to sin?—YES!! That is the natural and spiritual order of things yet I praise Him and am humbled by the fact that God did choose to spare my life and give me more than one chance to "get it right."

Twelve years ago I made a vow/commitment to live my life as close to Him as I possibly could. He has been faithful to keep me near the fold thru His love and yes, at times, His discipline in which I am extremely grateful for!! I feel like the prodigal son—I have finally arrived—come home for good.

Today I am happily married to a wonderful Christian man that I don’t even come close to deserving. Thru his unconditional love for me, I have first-handedly seen and now am secure in God’s unconditional love for me. I have two beautiful children: Lauren age 20 and Justin age 16. It’s been a long road back to knowing and believing in my heart that I still am His child after all the mess I’ve made of my life.

This is my testimony—simple but the message is profound!! I may not have the testimony of severe human degradation but bottom line is in God’s eyes ALL SIN IS SIN!! “We are all as filthy rags in His sight.” “There is none righteous, no not one.” None of us is better or worse than the other. We are all on the same playing field: Lost and going to hell without accepting the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. I love that poem by Maya Angelou—“When I say I am a Christian”—I have it posted on my “myspace webpage." It’s a statement of who I am, in a nutshell. All thanks and glory be to my Lord Jesus Christ for my testimony is truly His testimony. It’s not about me. It’s all about Him. Praise God!!!