Part Three: Love is Enduring - My Family
	29. My Mother’s Advice
	I was never reprimanded by my mother during my childhood. I only remember her teaching me by the Word of God and giving me words of encouragement. Whenever I saw a mother spanking her child on the street, I thought how ignorant she must be. But at times, I even saw educated women yell and spank their children. I thank my mother every time I experienced such scenes and wondered how she could have loved me with such a steadfast love when I did something bad. Now I realize that it wasn’t human love, but the love of Jesus. When my mother saw that my fourth brother wasn’t walking sincerely with God, she fasted for forty days. I was greatly moved by this for fasting even one day would make most of us hungry and would be hard to bear. I asked my mother during her fast, “Aren’t you hungry?” she replied after three days, “I was all right with the help of God’s power.” I respected her greatly. It was very touching and my heart still aches when I think about it. My brother has been grateful all his life for my mother’s fast. One time, my mother told me about a story she witnessed while visiting the Lim’s. When Mr. Lim returned home from work at dinner time, he was in a happy mood, but when his wife told him all the children’s misbehaviors which bothered her that day, his smiling face gradually became stern and turned into anger. My mother then advised me, “My dear child, when you get married, don’t become like this foolish woman. Husbands work all day and they come home completely exhausted. Wives who stay at home should think of all the good and interesting episodes that happened with the children during the day to tell the husbands. Share them with their husbands, don’t nag. Husbands would be happy and renewed.” I followed my mother’s instructions and tried to remember all the good things to tell my husband about when he came home. I saw my husband relaxing and forgetting about all the stresses he encountered during the day, when I shared with him all the children’s good deeds. When raising my children, I followed the example of my mother’s instructions and have never reprimanded them. Whenever they misbehaved, I would compliment another child and when that child saw another brother or sister get such attention, he or she would correct himself or herself so that they would to be praised as well. When they received a low grade on their exams, I would ask them, “Do you know what your mistakes are?” When they said yes, I told them, “That’s good. If you got the right answer by guessing, you are will bigger mistakes when it comes to an important exam.” I also told them that when I went to school, I remembered my wrong answers more than the right ones, knowing more when it came to the next exam and that everything would be all right. When my children heard this, I saw them encouraged and they put more effort into their studies. The whole purpose of raising children is to give glory to God in the highest, to share joy in the family and to help them contribute to society. But abusing them by putting too much emphasis on their studies is a serious problem that we should refrain from and think about. These were my mother’s crucial pieces of advice which prepared me for my future family life. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6). Likewise, if we want to raise a wonderful family, we need to read the Word of God and live according to it. Our homes will always be filled with love and harmony, raising good, peaceful children. My mother taught me so much about the Bible in my childhood. I learned from her how to live well even in this dreary existence. I give thanks to God, then to my mother for my successful family life. She has always taught me in her faith and in light of the Bible, so that I could become a wise woman. I also put much effort so that when I leave this world, my children may have beautiful memories of me. The best way to educate children is to have a daily family worship. I am confident that the children of such families will grow and contribute greatly to this society and our nation. Though we are weak human beings, if we lead a good family life, which includes worshipping the Lord daily and loving one another, we would be able to enjoy heaven on earth. Problems never occur in such homes. On the contrary, the children will grow to be exemplary individuals, and the household will have many things to be thankful for, for God will pour out His blessings like rain.
	22. My Husband, Soo Keun Kim, a Successful Businessman
	23. My First Son, Young Tae, Dedicated to God
	24. My Second Son, Young Min, and His Temperate Lifestyle
	25. My First Daughter, Young Joo, Born with a Talent in Painting
	26. My Second Daughter, Jung Joo, Dedicated to Jesus Christ
	27. My Third Son, Young Hoon and the Cross
	28. My Last Daughter, Sung Joo, a Businesswoman
	29. My Mother’s Advice
	30. My Conviction for Children’s Education

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