Debbie Chun

Stories of Faith & Family

Memorable Weddings

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Debbie

Today Jeff and I celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. Feels like just yesterday, until I start looking through pictures and see how much my nieces and nephews aged. My niece, who was a flower girl in my wedding, is getting married in just a few weeks! We had a virtual bridal shower for her yesterday and recalled a few funny wedding stories. In honor of our wedding anniversary today, I thought I’d share some memorable wedding moments Jeff and I have had together.

The first was in 2004. My best friend from high school was getting married in the Chicago area. I was a bridesmaid in the wedding, but I lived in Wisconsin and I was taking high school kids to Young Life camp the week before the wedding. Eventually we figured out that I could hitch a ride with a Young Life group from Michigan who would take me from camp in Minnesota and drop me off *sometime* and *somewhere* in the Chicago area. Jeff would pick me up and take me to my parents’ house. To make matters more complicated, I was still suffering from a bad concussion and head injury. And it turns out, taking high school kids to a week long camp of fun and adventure is not the best mix with a head injury.

Me half asleep as all the bridesmaids are getting ready for the wedding.

My fellow Young Life leaders carried me onto the bus at camp because I couldn’t walk on my own. Hesitant to leave me with strangers, they made sure to tell the other leaders to take good care of me. Our bus departed only to run into more complications. Some mechanical malfunction sidelined our bus for hours until a second bus was able to pick us up. This delay meant that instead of arriving in Chicago around 8pm, I was going to arrive at 1am. Thankfully Jeff didn’t care and still drove to pick me up. Note: Jeff and I were NOT even dating at the time.

Jeff picks me up. I warn him that I couldn’t walk myself onto the bus and he may need to carry me. We manage. He takes me to my parents’ house where I fall into bed exhausted and trying to get a few hours of sleep before I have to get up, get my hair and make up done, and manage to walk down the aisle.

Thankfully the next morning I was feeling much better. I did tell another bridesmaid friend about my walking issues, but I kept that a secret from the bride. Certainly brides don’t need to worry about their bridesmaids on their special day. The wedding was beautiful, I made it down the aisle without difficulty, and we enjoyed celebrating my friend.

I have more memorable wedding moments to share, but I got caught up looking at old pictures and now I’m out of time to write more. Stay tuned!

The Grass is Greener

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Debbie

The grass is greener… Here. Have you seen my yard? Greener, thicker, taller. It has been growing like crazy. My dad, brother-in-law, and I usually share fertilizing methods. This year my brother-in-law bought a new spreader. So my dad borrowed it and used it to fertilize my yard a few weeks ago.

In the beginning you could see light green rows where the grass wasn’t as tall or thick. Those were actually sections where the spreader missed so they didn’t get the fertilizer. I’m kind of glad some small areas were missed because then we were able to see how well the fertilizer was working. It grows so fast now that the yard should be mowed every 3-4 days (but Jeff only mows every 7 days… sorry neighbors!).

This blog post is not sponsored by the fertilizing company. I don’t even remember which brand we used. I think it’s a good illustration of our lives. The old adage says “the grass is greener on the other side.” Meaning no matter the situation you’re in, it’s easy to look around and think other people have it better than you. You may start to wish for a different job, your neighbor’s house, your friend’s spouse or kids. You don’t need a genie in a bottle to grant those wishes – or for those thoughts to even leave your head – to realize their devastating affects in your life.

Wishing and wondering about what life would be like if you had (fill in the blank) only leads to discontentment, envy, and jealousy. Even if you don’t speak the words, the thoughts themselves become apparent as your attitude with your own life becomes negative.

Too often people look over the fence, decide they could have a better life with that person, and leave… Only to find themselves looking over another fence months or years down the road. Our culture has viewed marriage as just a piece of paper instead of the sacred lifelong commitment it is. The easy way out is to leave, but often the harder, more challenging, and more rewarding choice is to stay and work things out.

I’m grateful Jeff and I have a heritage of committed marriages to learn from and pass on to future generations. Although we did discover recently that on Jeff’s Chinese side a great great grandfather actually had a wife and a concubine. To what degree the wife knew about the concubine I don’t know. The man had children with both women but then the concubine died. What do you think happened to her kids? The wife raised them as her own children. That takes forgiveness. That takes an attitude of “the grass is greener here.”

Whenever you’re tempted to start wishing for a different life – in marriage or work or anything – choose instead to see the grass is greener here.

“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

Sharing Your Failures Part 2

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Debbie

My last post talked about Abraham and how his son, Isaac, made the same mistakes. I said I would write about my mistakes in hopes others could learn from them. But I seem to be avoiding blogging… it’s not like I’m anxious to tell you the ways I’ve messed up in life. Nonetheless, here are a couple thoughts.

Listen to God
Do you ever hear that still, quiet voice pointing you in a direction, yet you figure it’s nothing and ignore it? Well I did that. Senior year of college there was a guy who wanted to date me (during one of those rare times where Jeff and I were not dating each other). I felt like God told me not to date him (we’ll call him Joe to protect his identity). In fact if I pulled out my journal from then, I’m sure I even wrote it down: “Joe asked me out but I feel like God is saying no. But I don’t understand why…”

My mistake was questioning God’s instructions. It doesn’t matter why. I knew what God was telling me, but I ignored it. Joe was a good guy, a Christian, athlete, nice, and he really liked me. Why wouldn’t I go out with him? After a few weeks getting to know each other I did end up dating Joe. All along I noticed little inconsistencies in stories he would tell, things that didn’t matter, or so it seemed. Six months into dating it ended. He had lied about things and about who he was. While I was sad and hurt, I knew I had no one to blame but myself. God told me not to date him and I chose not to listen.

As I’m thinking about other mistakes I’ve made, I realize several of them involve not listening to God. Why I think my plans are better than what God has told me, I don’t know. It’s a dangerous line to walk. Not listening to God and following His plans can lead to a lot of negative consequences. Not because God’s trying to punish you for choosing wrongly, but because He tried to save you from that destruction.Even if its confusing, or inexplainable, or doesn’t make sense, or the hard choice, listening and following God is the always the best path.

What mistake have you made that you wish people could learn from and choose differently? Take the bold step to talk about it. Admit your failures. Better yet, look around you and learn from others’ mistakes.

The Bed Rest Photo Album #2

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Debbie

The first few weeks of bed rest were charted in Photo Album #1. The photos below are from February and March. Enjoy!

Here’s the bed I would go to in the Baby/Music Room when my sheets were being changed.

Quite a few of these photos involve a Starbucks cup.

Operating a computer sideways… a skill one must learn with practice.

Visitors! Lauren and baby Connor (asleep in his carseat) and cousin Kristi and Tyler.

Tyler pretending he’s on bed rest in the guest room.

Lauren making notes for me of strollers and sleeping tips.

Mom, Dad, Cathy, Lauren, and Tucker came to visit.

While I go to the bathroom Mom and Cathy make their “bed rest” pose.

Look – I’m wearing real clothes and on a couch downstairs!

Rob from Young Life came to say hi.

Trying to figure out how much money I owe Mom, my personal shopper.

Jeff and I at my parents’ house. That’s right, I left the house!

Dad came over to fertilize our yard. When he ran out of fertilizer, Mom and I decided this would be a great time to go to Starbucks, conveniently located in the same shopping area as Ace where Dad can get fertilizer. We may have also stopped at Burger King to get Cinnabon minis. Those things are great!

That’s all I’ve got for now! See Facebook for Baby Shower pictures. I’m not sure if my photographer has taken pictures in April. Perhaps there’ll be a third album.

The Bed Rest Photo Album #1

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Debbie

If you know my mom, you know she always has a camera in her hands (except when she was pushing me in a wheelchair in Babies R Us). Mom has been the source of most of these photos documenting the days of bed rest. I thought you’d enjoy these…

Photo Album #1 – January: the first two weeks of bed rest

A pre-bed rest shot taken in mid January

The "Happy Pill" which seems to laugh endlessly

Stay tuned for Photo Album #2 featuring more visitors and me actually getting dressed some days.

Emotional Moments

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Debbie

Did anyone else cry while watching Survivor last night or was it just me and my extra pregnancy hormones? Last night’s episode featured the Survivor Auction where contestants are given $500 to spend or to save for home. Items auctioned are mostly food. Most players didn’t think twice about spending a few hundred on three donuts and iced coffee, or chocolate and peanut butter, or a BLT sandwich. Tarzan, a tough fifty-something plastic surgeon, was saving his money so he could replace the shocks on his Jeep back home.

But then the one item no one wanted to pass up: a letter from home. “$500” said Alecia without a hesitation and through tears already streaming down her face. “My dad has never written me anything,” she said as she read his letter out loud: “I’m proud of you, I know it’s tough, you can do it, I miss you.” Alecia said it was worth every penny.

Tarzan decided the shocks for his Jeep weren’t so important. He paid $500 for his letter. Although everyone else wanted their letter, and everyone was crying (me included), no one else had enough money. They had spent it on a shower or a donut or a sandwich. I wonder if they wished they could get a refund and make different decisions.

So many “lessons” could be drawn from this.
1. As Jeff Probst, host of Survivor, tweeted yesterday “Dads, write notes to your kids!”
2. Let the ones you love know how you feel.
3. It’s ok to cry during Survivor 🙂
4. We don’t always know what good things lie ahead. We have to choose wisely how to “spend our money” so we have enough left for what really matters.

Things I Want to Write About

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Debbie

I’ve been meaning to write again for days. I feel like I keep getting partial thoughts of what to write but nothing complete. Instead of waiting for complete thoughts, I figured I’d share some ideas, which maybe will become complete posts later.

Competition and Cussing
It may come as a surprise if you didn’t know me in high school, but I used to be very competitive. I don’t swear often, I’m not proud of times I do, but I typically swear when I’m in a competitive situation. Soccer, golf, and Donkey Kong for Super Nintendo. Jeff and I had been playing Donkey Kong recently since I’ve been on bed rest. I used to be really good but I’m not anymore. Unfortunately not living up to my own expectations brings about a foul mouth.

Church in Sweat Pants
Up until a few weeks ago I was having “church” at home. A friend joined me recently which was fun. We laid on my bed, both in our sweat pants, and watched a sermon on video. We weren’t in a church building, but God was still present. I don’t think God cares what we are wearing to church – at home or in a building – as long as it is appropriate. I think God cares that we are at church.

Up From The Grave
Celebrating Jesus’ resurrection made me think of things we want to rise from the grave. Hopes, dreams, plans, loved ones. About a month after Caleb was buried, I remember standing at his grave reading the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. I prayed God would raise Caleb and I believed He could. I wasn’t sure how the logistics would work, but if God can raise him from the dead, he can work out logistics. But God didn’t raise Caleb from the dead. Maybe instead He brought my hope back.

I’d love to write about things you are interested in. If there’s a topic you have in mind let me know. Or let me know which things I’ve written you enjoy most: Bible passages, travel stories, pregnancy updates, etc. Thanks for reading!

Don’t Go Changing

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Debbie

Being on bed rest has had it’s advantages, like saving money on gas. I’ve only driven about 3 miles a week for the last 10 weeks. The poor Mazda doesn’t know what to do… it’s used to being on the road for 50 miles a day. The last couple weeks I’ve heard people complaining about how high the gas prices have risen. I didn’t think they were lying, but I just didn’t know for myself. The last time I filled up my gas tank was January 16 at approximately $3.60 per gallon. Until a few days ago when my gas light finally went on. Now I believe the rumors of high gas prices!

People seem to be naturally opposed to change, like gas prices rising. Every time Facebook changes, everyone’s status update is how much they hate the change. We complain about the weather, waiting for the next season to come, but when it does come we wish it were warmer, or colder, or different.

Yet at the same time as we oppose change, we’re also a people desiring change. We want bigger houses, nicer cars, better jobs. We live in this in-between, comfortable with some things and discontent with others.

I’m looking for a new car these days. With the baby coming we figured I needed a bigger family-friendly car. It’s hard to narrow things down when I can only read reviews and look at pictures online. But sometimes I stop and think, what is really necessary. A lot of people get by with not a lot. Yet I can’t imagine living without a multi-disc cd changer and sunroof.

I have no conclusion, no solution, no lesson for you to walk away with. But I hope you’ll stop and think about what you have – no matter how much or how little – and be thankful. And be content.

The Next Thing

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Debbie

One of my baby information books said I need to sign the baby up for preschool now. Are you serious? He’s still in the womb! Is there really a three year waiting list for preschool? Which got me thinking about school. What is 3 year old preschool anyway? It exists just to prepare you for 4 year old preschool, which exists to prepare you for kindergarten. In fact every level of school is to prepare you for the next level.

I remember several teachers saying I had to learn this because I “would need it next year.” This was true especially in junior high. Everyday of 8th grade I was late. I would walk into the office to get a pass to class and Mrs. Quinn (mother of our current governor) would write me a pass and say “Debbie, you can’t do this next year in high school.” Being late wasn’t completely my fault since my mom drove me to school and she had to wake my little brother up and bring him with, but that’s beside the point.

Obviously school is very important. But I think the idea of preparing us for the next thing can create a challenging mindset. For the majority of us, it is decided that after junior high we go to high school, and after high school we go to college, and after college we enter the real world. Although that was how it was for me a decade ago, but now college probably just prepares you for a masters degree. Either way, you think after 20+ years of “preparation” you would enter the real world in a management position, not an entry-level, anyone-can-do-this-job position.

School ingrains in our minds an expectation of advancing to the next thing, not to mention getting regular progress reports via tests, homework, and report cards, which don’t exist in the real world, leaving most people little feedback on the quality of their work.

What’s wrong with expecting the next thing, you ask. I’m not sure it’s biblical to expect advancement. I do know that we are supposed to be content in all circumstances. It’s hard to be content when you are waiting for a promotion or pay increase. God puts people in a variety of jobs and we should learn to be grateful and content with what we have, not comparing ourselves to others, but embracing where God has placed us today.

After college I worked in a start-up ministry for a year while volunteering with a youth ministry. I felt like God was calling me to be more involved with the youth ministry, so I quit the job that paid me, volunteered 20+ hours a week with youth and worked part-time at a coffee shop. I was living in Wisconsin where things are cheaper, but there were still many times I needed God to provide financially and He did. Meanwhile I’d come home to Chicago for my friends’ bridal showers where it seemed like everyone was in law school or med school or had some lucrative amazing job. Then they’d ask what I’m doing… But I wasn’t ashamed. I knew I was right where God wanted me. And the coffee shop was my favorite job I’ve ever had.

Instead of looking for the next thing, learn to be content. Look to Jesus as our example who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11

When was the last time you made yourself nothing and took on the role of a servant? Jesus wasn’t promoted to earth, He was demoted. He was sent to earth as a man, a servant. It wasn’t until after He accomplished God’s purpose that God exalted (promoted) Jesus and gave Him the name above all others.

People say to accept any job you can get these days because of the economy. But regardless of the economy, I’m saying take a good look at your life: are you living in contentment? Have you humbled yourself? Are you willing to be a servant? Are you willing to do whatever God has purposed for you?

BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Debbie

The key to this pizza is Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce. It is my favorite and makes the pizza delicious. But if you have a favorite BBQ sauce you can use that instead.

Ingredients
Chicken (2 chicken breasts thawed and cut into pieces)
1 Green Pepper (chopped into small pieces)
Onion (as much or little as you like)
BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Rays or your favorite)
Boboli pizza crust (you can do wheat if you like healthy, but it really doesn’t taste as good)
Cheddar & Monteray Jack shredded cheese

Preheat oven according to Boboli directions. Cook chicken in frying pan. Add some BBQ sauce. Add green pepper. Add onion. Cook until chicken is done and green pepper isn’t crunchy (unless you like it crunchy).

Cover pizza crust in BBQ sauce. Add chicken mixture so it evenly coats the crust. Top with loads of cheese. Put it in the oven for a few extra minutes than Boboli suggests. Cut, serve, and enjoy!