I was born and raised in South Korea. I studied Horticulture and Interior Design and was a part of College Orchestra Members playing violin. I've always been passionate about food culture and the environment. I've always loved the beauties of nature, music and any form of art and design.
I moved to NYC for ESL at the end of 2005. Later, I applied for an associate program in FIT and finished the degree and started working in the field. I met my honest, funny, diligent, considerate, thoughtful and loving husband through my best friend/roommate. I moved to Ireland where his job was based right before our marriage. We stayed there for a couple of years. While we were there I dedicated my time to learn Spanish to communicate with my in-laws. We relocated back to NYC after 2 years. Soon we had a beautiful baby girl. While I was working in the fashion industry, we had a sweet baby boy and I decided to be a homemaker and worked part time for my church as an admin for a bit over a year. And then we recently moved to WA for my husband's job.
I do feel blessed getting to know people and different cultures throughout moving and visiting places. It definitely widened my perspective on people and the world. I became more open minded on differences and resilient on changing. It wasn't always easy going through moving and changing to new places and adopting new life styles. What has sustained me steadily and held me tightly through all was the faith in Jesus encountered back in Korea when my mom was ill and passed away. My faith had evolved deeper and wider during early years in NYC when I was alone. There were only God and me. The sermons and fellowship between church members fed me spiritually and nurtured me emotionally. That's when I got my name "Joy" on one morning in the middle of the prayer. Faith in Jesus kept me from falling apart. Here are my rock verses that kept me alive. I hope some of these verses speak to you and give you hope, strength and JOY.
- "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."-Jeremiah 29:11
- A psalm of David.
1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me n the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."-Psalm 23 - "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,"-Psalm 30:11
- "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."-Psalm 94:19
- "He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy;"-Psalm 105:43
- "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy."-Psalm 126:5
- "...I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."-Jeremiah 31:13
- "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."-Romans 12:12
- "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."-Romans 15:13