Lift off in two days

 We will be leaving for India Tuesday afternoon. We have almost cleaned out the apartment. Only bedding, pc's chairs and desktops remain to be thrown out or broken down.

My priority when we land will be a attend the meetings, and look into other matters closely associated with that. One that I am ok to mention here is meeting and spending time with our Indian brothers and sisters.

This is my priority. 

Next we will be looking for housing, and getting into a new job field that will require some training. 

All the while worshiping Jehovah actively. I will not do as I did in the past. I will rely on Jehovah in prayer and daily reading of the bible. This move was so difficult yet we prayed and acted on those prayers. The result? We will leave for India in good time. Also other matters have been taken care of meaning we will have the means to handle these affairs. That meaning getting acclimated to Indian food, climate, language, and the culture. This will take time.

South Korea was great for us, and still is. But not so for our boys. They have the option of living in India or the USA. For now they have chosen India. I too have chosen this location. India, is a nice place with pros and cons. This is the same for South Korea, and the United States.

We will be informally witnessing as well. This will be done in one part by living our lives based on bible principles. The goal is a free bible study. We will see how this goes.

Ok more  packing and wieghing to be done. 

/tata 

A time to relocate!

Well, it is that time again for us. If only South Korea would give permanent status to children born in South Korea, we could actually settle here in the long term. As it is, we will be leaving for India at the end of next month. I am working hard to make sure this move does not stress us out too much. Our goal is to link up with the friends in Lucknow and attend meetings and join them in field service right away! 

It would be dangerous for us to "take it easy," so to speak. That state of mind could last for years. We need to figure out, while we are resting, where we ought to settle. While being active in our ministry, and worshiping Jehovah. This also means maintaining a regular spiritual routine. These things are the core. We have been receiving update after update, gently telling us to do this. Especially when we face stressful situations like this.

So we are prepping paperwork now and setting aside funding. along with getting papers ready for our dog to come with us.

Our friends are very sad, and we are as well, but we are so preoccupied that we don't feel sad. Well, at least this is how I feel.

I want to remain in Lucknow for some time, then move to South India later. We will have to see.

For now, the preparation continues. 

tata

Honor your Father

 I felt wronged by my father when I was young yet I forgive him. To honor him I will state the good things that he did and only the good.

My father cared for our material needs, and that emotional need to have a father in your life. I knew where he was, I knew that he lived at our house. He did not leave us or abandon us when we were babies. He could have but he chose not to do this. 

He did for a time stick to the wife of his youth even though she was going through a disease that was poorly understood and the treatment was harsh on the body. He had issues with my mothers family basically they alienated him because he was not black. He told this to my wife when they spoke on the phone a long time ago. 

So even with these struggles he stayed with us until we were all young adults. I am thankful for this. I am also thankful for the fact that many of these struggles went on behind closed doors.

Dad, felt isolated in his own home. He fought with these feelings and bad traditions passed down by his father. I am sure that to some extent he thought it was ok. I hope to see him again build a real relationship with him from scratch. 

Mother and Father made mistakes but they did their best. I must remember that, and forgive them of their mistakes, as I too want to forgiven for mine. I too am a sinner!

So Dad when we meet again lets worship Jehovah and lead our families according to his will! Basking in the love peace and security that will pour out from our King The Prince of Peace when his kingdom rules over the earth!

/tata

The family head

 We have a saying, "Trouble begins at the top, then trickles down".  Of course, it refers to leadership in a company causing issues to trouble those below them. 

I am talking about Fathers. Today, so many are not doing what they are supposed to be doing. The bible clearly states what dads should do. Discipline their children in Jehovah's way. In that sentence it carries a number of things fathers should do. 

When I was a child I thought it meant beating a child when they did wrong things. Well, can be used but it should be used out of love, not anger,  or any negative emotion. Fathers, should take the lead in worshiping Jehovah. Not the mother if the father is alive. We need to pay attention to them, and really listen to them. Sometimes it means we should be quiet more as we listen. Active listening is important because with Jehovah's help you can see your child's heart. 

A father must make the truth his own. This is so important. If I am going through the motions so to speak because of my wife, the family will know it. The children will feel it. I know this from my own experience. I was happy when we could not make meetings. I thought to myself "yes! now I can play more!". 

Now, I view the meetings for what they truly are: worship to Jehovah. When I pay attention and make changes, or decisions based on what we hear at the meetings my life becomes full of happiness. It does not become easier. But, I have tools to use to make things bearable while being on a strict watch. 

I can see my sons looking forward to Sunday meetings, and enjoying the mid week meeting, and looking forward to our family worship!!! 

This makes me so happy. It also teaches a lesson when I compare my childhood. My father didn't make the truth his own. I know this especially now that I am father, and I followed his bad example, then stopped. Now, I love talking about Jehovah to my sons. I love listening to them as they meditate on the things we are learning. 

Well, time to vacation is next week so I plan to use this time for family and time with my wife. 

/tata

oh i feel so bad for Korean kids....vacation homework....on vacation......WHAT?!??!?!

Times of distress masked by so called luxury

Today, we are living in the pangs of distress. This is the period before the great tribulation. The restoration has already taken place, or I should say actively taking place all over the world.

These pangs of distress can be clearly seen some parts of the earth, but in others it is hidden beneath so called luxury. South Korea builds so many apartments that is doesn't make sense. The population growth is slowing down. So many of these units are bought up by investors and are traded back and forth. It is really crazy. Schools are being shut down left and right. 

So a lot of the nice looking high rises have many empty units. 

People have nice smart phones, and luxury clothes. This is true but they do not really own those clothes. They are deep in debt purchasing them. There was a documentary where young people admitted they purchased the items to show off to their friends. In addition they felt great wearing these over priced goods. "A showy display of ones means of life" which is dictated not on how much money you really have but on how much credit you can get to buy these showy things.

Many people are buying new cars left and right. My friend bought a new second hand car. It looks great! But to others it would look like a trash car. These people sometimes change cars right after paying off the car note. 

South Korea like many other affluent nations on Earth is a turd wrapped in an expensive designer cloth, It is still just a turd! 

Why are people thinking about suicide? Why is it when my former student and current student both medical professionals admitted that many no most of the emergency room visits are suicide related. One student paused and said "many", the other I think he said most. As of right now only serious cases are allowed to level 4 trauma centers. Level 4 means they can take the most serious cases. This is due to the student doctors who quit over a year ago. So imagine that thousands of doctors have just left their posts. Now only the most serious cases go to the ER. Most of these visits are suicide related. Imagine that! Such a nice looking place many people want to end their lives. 

This is not unique to South Korea, this is global! In the US military suicides are hidden. You would think in the world's most powerful military people would be happy...NOT!

The desire of this world is indeed dying. 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away and so is it's desire. 

I wonder if this is why so many children tell me they have no hopes or dreams for the future. Why many young people around the world have just given up on trying to do life the way it has always been. In China they call it the lie down flat movement. 

But it was also written that people would not be able to see these things even though they are not blind.

They ignore the warnings we give them from the bible. The bible which is the most published book in the world tells us all of these things!

/tata

Jehovah's arm is not short!

 I went to a gathering several months ago. Actually, I think it was either this year or late last year.

At the gathering my friends and I were talking. One friend has a son which he and his wife had in the USA. So even though he is living in South Korea at the present the boy has two nationalities. He is older than I am. In Korean culture people tend to give advice with out asking for it. It is usually someone older than you. In, the USA age does not matter, people spit stupid advice if it is asked for or not.

I say stupid advice because a lot of this advice is tied to the ideals of a dying system of things as the time we are living in called in the holy scriptures. 

So, we are sitting and my friend keeps getting on my case as to why my sons should work and make money. Heck, they should go to school here in South Korea and make money on the side. The reason? You will not always be here. This pissed me off because one even if their father or mother should fall asleep in death they are promised by Jesus that they would get many fathers and mothers with Jehovah's people. Mainly, those to fear, love and worship Jehovah. In fact we are encouraged to seek the kingdom first and all these other things will be added to you. Namely, clothing, transport, housing food, even family members and friends. 

In other words Jehovah will make sure we have what we need! If I really think about it I have exactly what I need to go to work, live at home, worship at the kingdom hall and go into field service. I also have what I need if I want to have some fun as there is a time for everything I also have what I need in that regard!

I have a house. It is not the newest or best place. It is comfortable, and in a beautiful area. 

I have work. It is not ideal but what really is ideal in this system of things? They pay on time and do not abuse me in any way. They try to help me as much as they can. 

I have a car that runs very well! It is not the best on the road but it is mine, and it is so comfortable and reliable. Really, the best car I have ever owned!

I have more computers than I have ever had in my life. I always wanted computers. Now, I have so many of them. It is like Jehovah saying "i will give you what you want and need as you need it" Also according to his time table. Our Gods thoughts are higher than ours!!! 

Money well we make less than we did before. Our food is more tasty than it has ever been. We get so much help with food from our brothers and sisters. We try our best to help them as well! 

Jehovah's arm is strongest one there will ever be! We will see wonderful things regarding Jehovah's power in the near future and for all eternity! 

/tata

Family we have to be united

 A family is a unit. Everyone has a role to play. The bible tells us this. This is why so many parents feel guilty about holidays; deep down, they know they need to be around their little ones. Instead, they spend more time with people at work. I used to be like this. Monday to Friday, working with other people. Ignoring my children. I would say things like they are doing ok. But, really, how could I know that if I was spending more time with OTHER people? My wife was not doing well for years. Our time was always cut short by my spending more time with other people. 

A family needs to be united. A family is a unit, not a strange grouping of gender or age. The Bible tells parents to inculcate his will in their children at all opportunities. It sounds burdensome until you try it. It opens their eyes and yours as the parent. It becomes fun and enjoyable. 

I now see what my father was missing. I can see why my mother seemed so on edge. She was worried about us; she knew her husband had not made the truth his own. Without that, the old personality is more dominant. Those traits, those ugly traits, start to spread. In time, it spread to all of us in different ways.

I openly defied and disobeyed my mother. She would say, "I will tell your father." Eventually, my disrespectful attitude grew to the point where I responded, "So what?" I did not have a fear of Jehovah, so how could I have a fear of my own father? 

Now, I am developing and learning to fear Jehovah. To fear displeasing him. I have not seen his powerful acts with my own eyes. I hope that when I do, the fear I will feel will be rooted in love, awe-inspiring, and trying to do things that make Jehovah happy. So, when I see that power displayed, I will not be quaking in morbid fear, I will be shaking due to the grandness of Jehovah's power. In my heart, I will know that this thing I am seeing will help me to teach my future children to love, worship, and fear Jehovah!

I now know this is not possible with a united family loving and fearing our heavenly father Jehovah!

/tata

An unstable world becomes more unstable

 There are reports that the current leader of China is in big trouble. According to reports, he is fighting to maintain his position as his supporters are losing a lot of money. 

In the USA, families are being torn apart due to recent changes in immigration law. In China, over 14 million people are graduating from universities and seeking jobs. Most of them will fail and stay with their parents.

This is the same in India and the United States; there are just not enough jobs, and many are too lazy to work the available jobs. My friend from Nigeria told me (he works at a mat processing plant) that his co-workers are in their 60s and 70s! 

There are reports that China is gearing up to attack Taiwan very, very soon. 

This is only scratching the surface of the many problems that are growing worse and worse.

For example, today I went down with students to buy them some ice cream. I saw one of the students' fathers sitting in a very expensive SUV. I looked at him and I saw myself. I knew right away that he did not own that SUV. He is paying some monthly payments for it. Likely, he has a few credit cards and a household debt that worries him. When I saw him, he did not smile. How can he? He is likely stressed and does what I used to do. Hang out with friends, drink, and try to forget our problems. While doing this, he and his friends brag or show off the things they have. In short, this man's life is not stable.

South Korean families have a huge amount of debt on their shoulders. This does not lead to stability. Who wants to be a slave to a bank?

Last week, a man driving an expensive Benz sedan smashed into two other Benz vehicles (one was an SUV and the other a sedan). The SUV he hit lurched forward and crashed into a minibus that was parked in front of the SUV.  He was speeding down that narrow road. Now this leads to even more loss of stability for that man and two other families, and a school that owns that minibus. 

From worldwide issues to small local examples, this world is not stable. It is getting worse! 

I am so glad that the veil is ripped off my eyes. Here in South Korea, the snare of materialism is strong, and many are caught by it.

In South Korea, many people think chasing and worshiping money and acquiring things will make one happy. This is not the case in reality. They stab themselves with these pursuits. This lifestyle is not the one Jesus, our reigning king, tells us to follow. The fact that people are so stressed out in South Korea really shows that running after the wind makes for an increasingly unstable world. 

/tata

Spring is coming close

Well, it is that time of year again. This year was really odd with prolonged dry periods and many warnings of forest fires. Actually, there were some really bad fires in March. In fire was started by a family cleaning up a burial site. 

But here we are Yogita and the boys are still pioneering and I am active in service as well. This I feel the happiest about. We are also still regularly attending meetings with me attending the mid-week meeting on zoom. I feel worshiping Jehovah together draws us closer to Jehovah and to each other. This is something I will never stop doing. I feel that there is eternity in doing this. A story our story which will never end.

My wife and sons smile at me more. We all know we must continue to fight with our old personalities, and we are winning. I know this because there is peace in our house. Also, when there are difficulties, we work them out after praying to Jehovah sooner. Sometimes we do not pray right away, but we are working on this. 

I have not missed family worship in nearly four years, and I understand more about why this must always continue. It roots us in the truth and builds our faith. It also serves as encouragement and a continued refinement. 

Right now all eyes are on July as Yogita Goerge and Jeyo have ben invited to pioneer school. Our convention is also in the same month. So a very exciting time. Then, after that, is our summer vacation late July or early August.

So on we go, putting the kingdom first!

I will post a tech update soon.

/tata

updates!

 It is visa renewal time again. So next week, we will go to immigration to apply for a one-year visa extension. This time is unlike other times. I am so ready to either leave or stay. Both offer great things for me and my family. 

In India, my sons would be even busier in the preaching work, doing other things like working part-time, enjoying their hobbies, spending time with family, and making new friends. Yogita and I would also enjoy it very much. Being treated like a normal person makes life easier in small ways. Being able to purchase things online, get a smartphone, or sign up for internet service under your own name. 

Basically, the things people do every day. For example, we are getting jobs in most sectors where we are looking for flexibility. In South Korea, I am locked into teaching English. There are other jobs that offer flexibility of hours. It would be so nice if we could all just get jobs. India also offers a way for our boys to settle in the way they want to. In South Korea, this is not so easy. We will find a way, though. Actually, we have already found one but we will not mention that here now.

So we are not planning years in advance for South Korea, only a year at a time. With mini goals in those years. The main is pioneering, keeping Jehovah's kingdom first. Yogita, George, and Jeyo will go to Pioneer School this July. So this is one major goal for this year. 

Keep making the meeting regularly, assemblies, and conventions, and pay close attention; this is another mini-goal. 

Make sure family worship is regular every week! This is a major goal. As this ties every other mini-goal in and makes them become major goals. 

Another mini goal is to keep talking about the coming kingdom and inculcate Jehovah's word in my heart and the hearts of my family. 

What will we say tomorrow when today is but a memory? We will have good stories of us working towards Jehovah s day.

Hobby side, I will be making minor upgrades to the PCs this year. The only major one will be Yogita's PC.

Oh, and always spend time with our friends when the opportunity arises.

/tata

What is the real life?

 When I was doing what I thought was right I felt very comfortable. I was like a pig sitting in its own excrement. That waste felt just right, my father held a similar view it was a tradition of men of his family line. That is to distance yourself emotionally from your children, especially your male children. He would come home and go to his room to watch TV. He would eat there, sleep there, and exist there. 

This must have made him comfortable. Sometimes sin can feel comfortable because we are sinful due to Adam. I was doing the same. Using my rationale to live my life according to MY will. I was dreaming my own dream. It was an ugly one. My children stayed away from me, and my wife was constantly being ignored. I was irritating my children and mistreating my wife. These are things that Jehovah hates among other things. 

So what is the real life? Here on Earth, people think that world governments have the answer. They claim to have a plan for this or that. Yet in the USA people to moving in with each other to pool money for rent. More Americans are living in tent cities. Millions more are just a few paychecks away from going into foreclosure. 

Here in South Korea, it is very bad as well. Real life is about making enough money to afford your own apartments. Then enough money to afford one or two "nice" cars. By this I mean high-end new Korean cars that are a few years old,  So most people in South Korea feel like failures. 

They have normal cars, but one is usually a bit old, They do not own their apartments. Many gave up and sold the units that their families helped them get when they were first married. This puzzles me they chased the dream of living in a "new better" box in the sky and ended up a slave to the banks. 

Yesterday we had family worship. We all discussed this and found that we are living the real life now. Putting Jehovah's kingdom first, and trying to live in harmony with what we learned. We are not in debt, we are chasing the wind as in the endless upgrades for computers, smartphones, apartments, or recent trends. We find cheap ways to enjoy our time together. I replaced my GPU with an 87000 won replacement. My old GPU went into Yogitas PC (better cooling), and we cleaned her GPU and put that in Jeyo's PC. Now I will upgrade Yogita's GPU very soon and then pass that powerful but capable unit on to George. I am looking to get my severance pay in February to prepare for expenses this year. 

I will update about that further if that happens or not.

But the real life isn't what people think it is. It is recorded in the bible for all of us to read and to learn to practice. This leads to feelings of contentment, not getting attached to things, and staying spiritually awake. When the Prince of Peace comes again, THEN OUR REAL LIVES WILL BE STARTING!

/tata

Happy New year?

 Is it a happy new year? I think those to worship Jehovah are happy. Others, well lets see about South Korea. 

The president is resisting the impeachment proceedings, and an airliner crashed with only 2 people serving. A holiday is coming in which families spend large sums of money and most adults do not even look happy when talking about meeting with family. Children are given cash gifts and other presents. Remember, South Korean families are buried in debt. So, families are giving but also crying at the same time. So 2025 is not a happy new year in any sense. 

In the USA President Trump wants to take over the Panama Canal, and buy Greenland. In Europe, World War 3 is still ongoing in a proxy phase. 

In California, there is a massive wildfire that is still burning and spreading. I could write a book about what is wrong with the world today and how it has gotten worse. 

We are all sick from this flu-like bug that isn't going away.  There was a powerful earthquake in Tibet that killed over 100 people. In the USA there was another mass shooting the men involved claimed to a part of ISIS. This shows the time we are living in. It is so ugly that some students see it and just do not want to study. It is as if they can feel that this system makes no sense and will soon be done away with. 

It has sparked a movement in China, South Korea, and Japan where students just don't do anything. 

So this year things are only going to get worse. However, to those not listening, and not hearing they will say "this is normal" or "it has always been like this".

/tata