M.I.A.

I know my posts have been few and far between...  my apologies to you and my future self for not properly documenting this season of life.  I'm caught between wanting to post about life-happenings and not wanting to just login to complain... which has led to my cyberspace silence.  Karl has been gone for 4 weeks today.  And it feels like he has been gone for 4 years.  So basically I'm not feeling too optimistic about the speed at which this year will go by, time is certainly not on my side at this point.  Friday nights are my loneliest time as my sisters and parents usually go on dates with their spouses... for which I am thankful- I am very aware of people feeling sorry for me, changing plans because of my solo-status, and even more acutely aware of my own pity parties so I'm not particularly interested in playing third-wheel on date night each week- praying my pity parties away because I know that is certainly Satan trying to break my spirit.  So, how about a little written gratitude now that I've given my honest take on the past month?  I am thankful for my job.  I haven't written about it yet but I am really SO excited about it!!  I have been hired on for a part-time nursing position at the @rlington pregnancy center!  This is my dream first nursing job that I have been praying about for months, literally.  Long story short, this job just fell into place perfectly, in God's perfect timing.  I really look forward to going in, so enjoy what I will be doing, and couldn't ask for better coworkers- really all the women there are such servants.  I never imagined that I would have the privilege of working with such supportive, encouraging, and Godly women.  Not sure how much blog-time this position will get from me as confidentiality plays into basically everything that happens there, but I'm excited to share my job news with you today!  I've had this position for maybe 5 weeks now;  right now I am just going in once a week for training, however starting in January I'll be working about 20+ hours a week.  I'm thankful for busyness- planning Maddie's wedding is basically a full-time job, helping my parent's with decisions about the renovation of their new home is really fun for me, and shopping for/talking about/obsessing over Callie & Jeremy's baby boy, Oliver Ryan, is plenty of fun as well!  I am thankful for friends and their outreach to me and I am especially looking forward to a trip to Little Rock next week!!!  Thankful for health and wellness for Karl and my family- especially my sweet newborn cousin that came home from the NICU after a 3-week stay this past week!!!!  Thankful for great TV shows, a supportive family, and mostly for how God has protected my heart during this time.  I have been praying that Karl & I wouldn't feel lonely, empty, or sad and He has certainly provided.  I kind of just feel numb- like, don't think about what is actually going on in my life, Korea-wise, in fact, it still doesn't even feel real to me that this thing is 12 months long.... maybe that will catch up with me in a bad way but for now, it's working.  So, now are you glad I've been quiet?  Because most of my posts would read similarly to this... kindofdepressing, but I'm working on it.   How's that for honesty?  And speaking of honesty- go ahead and lower your expectations of me in that department- when I'm asked about how this is all going face-to-face with someone, I'll tell you it's fine... I mean, what am I supposed to say?  "This really blows, I'm pretty lonely, and time is going by at snails pace."  So I just lie instead.  God is working on me.  Maybe another month and I'll be totally over it all.  Maybe.  Annnnnnd now some cheery pictures to send you on your way:

Maddie & I at her most recent shower- SO FUN!

Sending Karl lots of Christmas packages- LOVE doing this!

Billi, loving the house plans too.

And last, but OBVIOUSLY not least- a picture I recently sent Karl to brighten his day.  Never looked better, I tell ya.

Happy week to you,

Hannah K.C. Burton

Hey Karl- how about another guest post from Korea?!?  Your fans are demanding more from you!  You're so popular!!