LOOKING FOR A NEST

“The bird finally has migrated back to the US across the Pacific Ocean.
She has built a nest on the other side of the world, but it’s time to restart the process here.
Her feathers are all fluffed up after what feels like a long winter.”

Hello to my dear friend,

You probably know that I’m back in the US! My green card finally got issued after a 2 year process. Immigration can be so complicated, even for someone like me who spent 10 years legally in the States, and expensive, even though David and I did it ourselves without hiring a lawyer. I decided to wait for the green card in Korea, so I could spend time with families and friends there. This time, I spent most of my time in Seoul with my parents. I ate 3 different types of homemade kimchi everyday. Often I enjoyed sweet times walking to coffee shops with dad and ordering hot americanos. David came to live with us at this special time, and we hosted dear friends from the States, poured our hearts for the immigrant community, and adjusted to not only Seoul life but married life. Our life together in Korea questioned us about the meaning of ‘home’ and eventually guided us to embrace both Korea and the US as home. Our plan now includes living half a year in Korea and the other half in the US. Oh yes, Lord, help us to make this possible.

I began this year with an artist residency, a 5 month program offered at Fuller’s Brehm Center. David, who claims to be my artist assistant, encouraged me to join for my personal growth in art & faith. The residency provides an online gathering space where artists and ministers of all sorts–poets, sculptors, theatrists, painters, graffitists, etc–come seeking understanding of art as a gift to ourselves and the community. I have been asking myself what it means to be an artist. Do I even want to be an artist? I have thought about artists as taking on such sincere, scary roles that I have been struggling to be one. What can I make that proves meaningful? Am I committed enough? I feel like my young, passionate bonfire burned down, and I became ash, barely holding a fistful of ember.

The artist residency often raises questions about church life. It focuses on how art can foster better hospitality in church. Also, it talks about the church's role to foster artists. To develop our ministry of hospitality, the residency offers an in-person retreat this month. Excitingly, some fellow artists will gather in wilderness studio spaces, not only making art together but also sharing morning prayers and evening liturgies. As wonderful as it sounds, this retreat costs about $1500, which is more than I would sign up for. Since it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the facilitator encouraged us to ask our church for financial support to participate.

This recurring question of church makes me think of a church that felt like home. About four years ago, we lost our church in TN, and we are still processing this loss. In Korea, I attended a church where my parents were ministering. As a pastor’s kid, I sensed the obligation to attend their church, and I never felt connection with their congregation. Having two countries as home will be continue to be challenging for building a community.

Suddenly, I became aware of the churchless life I’m living, and this started bothering me. These days, I am wondering “Is it possible to build a virtual community where I will feel connected no matter where I am? I need a community who will follow up on my art journey, pray alongside me, and hear my intercultural story.” So I decided to send a monthly artist letter to you. I want to develop a way to be connected with you so we might find a steady belonging together through this practice. I want to tell immigration stories interwoven with art. Not just mine, but also yours. I want to make stories about transition that you find relatable. I want to be vulnerable with you because that’s what the Church is for.

Here are three roles I ask you to consider taking for me: birdwatcher, birdlover, and birdfeeder.

These three roles are what churches would do for their community. Caring, praying and supporting. As I take on the role of artist as a lifetime mission, Lord willing, I ask you to be a partner in this journey. You don’t have to be the bird feeder. I don't want to burden you or push you to give financially. If you want to give me your time to read my story and pray for my journey, that is exactly what I ask you to do. But if you are willing, I carefully ask you to consider giving.

There will be multiple ways of feeding. It can look like supporting me monthly and getting to pick an artwork of my making end of year. Or supporting specific events like art retreats or community art events. Or purchasing art pieces. Or simply giving support.

I’m nervous to send out a monthly artist letter because I am loading them with personal stories and requesting you to walk with me. But I have faith that you care about me and value my story. I hope that these letters will build a nest fostering art and faith. May this journey feed both of our souls as we migrate this earth to heaven together.

Would you lovingly pray for Songbird in these ways?

1. That I will go to the art retreat with open hands to receive wonderful spiritual and artistic blessings.

2. That the Creator will grant me with abundant ideas and creativity as I wonder in questions of migration and identity.

3. That I take art-making for fun. I take art so seriously that I get scared. Pray for excitement to flow as I think about art-making.

4. That your support and prayer will uplift me in the midst of doubts and uninspired days.

Nesting Together #1

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry with three lines. It follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern and often focuses on nature and seasons. Would you join me in a moment to write a haiku regarding a prompt below? Early morning with or golden hour will be great time to write this haiku! Please share one (or many) by the next letter.

"Where are you from and where are you going?"

Here's ways to feed the bird!

Sunflower Seed
Become a patron. Support monthly (you can decide on an amount) and receive a surprise artwork a year later. My favorite mediums are Korean fabric, thread and paper. I will be praying for you as I make your piece.

Canola Seed
Support for specific events. When there are opportunities for attending art retreats or hosting a community art events, you can donate by one time giving.

Millet Seed
Come to the art sale! There will be a list of available artworks, and you can support me by purchasing them. You will be the first one to know about the sale.

If you are committed to support financially, I want to thank you first! Your seed will be a source for me to explore the world of creation, and encourage me to make beautiful things.

Fill out a few questions below, so I can follow up with who is feeding the bird seeds