Graduation Charge

OK, it's been a long time since I posted, but now that graduation is over, I should have slightly more time.

The seniors asked me to speak at their graduation, and I was very happy to do so. I usually do speeches from a short outline, but I wrote this one out. I'd thought I'd post it here if anyone was interested.

I’ve had the fortune (yes, I mean that) to teach this class five out of the last six years. As I prepared for what to say today, I was taking a trip down Memory lane in my head.

I remember one student single handedly winning us a class competition by putting a stocking over their head and pulling it off to great effect.

I remember a female Ghengis Khan coming into the classroom, giving a rousing speech, and then promptly losing their beard.

I remember a few students who had the set goal to distract me from whatever I was teaching by getting me to go down rabbit trails.

I remember a student who got Mr. Olling to click the electric pen not once, but twice in front of the student body.

I remember five of you trying to push me back onto the boat in Maylasia.

I seem to have forgotten a lot, though – and I often find that I’m having trouble remembering what happened last week.

That’s why I’m glad we have yearbooks. They preserve many of these memories for posterity. As it’s been ten years since I’ve graduated from college, I still can go back to the yearbooks, and recall things and people from college – good memories.

Not all memories are good.

I remember the fun times that we’ve had, I remember the crazy things that have happened in class, I remember the times where I’ve been proud as all get out because one of you stepped up to the plate either in a spiritual or academic way. But I also remember when some of you messed up, when some of you ended up visiting Pastor Weaver, when some of you disappointed us in a variety of ways.

That goes both ways. I’m sure you can remember some really good times with the teachers, and things that you’ve learned; but you probably can point out boring times, or times when teachers didn’t live up to your expectations.

But this is it. After this week, many of us won’t meet again, or rarely. And what do we have left? Our memories.

That’s why, when I decide to cull my book collection, to lose some of my books – getting rid of yearbooks is one of the last things I do. I treasure those memories, and sometimes it’s nice just to sit in a chair and reminisce about years gone.
For the past six years, you and I have both looked forward to this day. A day of commencement – the beginning of the rest of your life, but the end of your time here. And all we’ll have is the memories.

As time goes by, we’ll forget some things. You likely won’t remember how exactly the Pythagorean principle is applied in every situation, what happened in chapter 7 of The Scarlet Letter, and why dissecting a frog was important. You’ll find out that many of the things we’ve taught you DO have an actual use in real life, but when you have your own high schoolers some day, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve forgotten. (Although I suspect some of you have forgotten it already).

But there are some things we don’t want you to forget.

In II Timothy, chapter one, Paul is talking to a young Timothy, and talks about his mother

when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also

Here he talks about how Timothy had a godly heritage as he was raised.

Later on, in chapter 4, he gives Timothy a charge

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

He wanted Timothy to remember the things that he had learned. He wanted Timothy to remember the Bible which he had been taught by his mother.

We’re a Christian school here, and over the years you’ve been taught the Bible – not only in Bible class, but in your other classes, whether they be History, Math, Literature, etc. You’ve been taught truths in chapels once a week, you’ve been through a “Spiritual Emphasis” week twice a year. You’ve been taught much about God’s Word.

And I say to you – remember it. Remember it.

I told you just a few days ago, that much of my Bible memorization when I was your age was done by me speed memorizing minutes before the quiz. Some of those verses I still know until this day. But it’s not because of my speedy memorization those days – it’s because I have gone over those verses countless times since. I’ve read them so much, used them so many times, that I know them. I remember them.
When you learn a subject, you have to keep studying it, keep spending time in it, or eventually it will become a faded memory. We don’t want the Biblical truths that we’ve taught you to become distant memories. We want them to be things that you remember.

So whether you go to college in America, or China, or stay right here in Uijongbu – you may leave us teachers behind, but we encourage you to remember God’s Word. No matter where you go – take your Bible, spend time in it – remember it.

In Ephesians 1, Paul talks to them, mentioning this
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding[c] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Paul prayed constantly for the Ephesians. So I say to you,

Remember to pray.

And remember to pray for one another, and for us.

Many of you are good friends, and so part of today is a bit of an unhappy time, as some of you are travelling far, and won’t see each other for a while, if ever. Are you good friends? Then remember to pray for one another.

Two days ago you gave me a quiz to see how many of your Korean names I knew. The answer was: not too many.

But when I pray to God for you guys, making mention of you in my prayers, He knows who I am talking about. And I will do my best to continue to pray for each and every one of you. You are the first class I’ve taught here at ICS-Uijongbu, and I’ve always felt a special fondness for you – more than any other class. I’ve been praying for you, that God would use you, that God would take you all and do great and mighty things with your lives.

Remember that. I’m not alone here on staff – many of us pray for you, and will continue to do so.

There have been unhappy times in the past years. Times that some of you are trying to forget, and I understand. Today is a happy day. It’s a day of achievement. You’ve made it! You’ve survived through boring lectures, difficult processes, and countless pages of homework.

Some of you have bounced around from school to school, ending up here at the end, while a few of you have been here for a LONG time.

But we all have memories. Despite all of the things that have happened that I haven’t enjoyed, despite me pulling my hair out over some of the choice you have made, I love you all, and I will not forget you.

But knowing this class, I’m sure some of you will hunt me down when I’m eighty, to ask me what your name is, and probably I won’t know at that point. (OK, maybe this will happen at 50, the way I’m going). But I serve and follow a God Who will never forget you, Who will never leave you, and Who will never forsake you.

I’ve forgotten a lot of things over the past decade, and I often struggle to remember many of the concepts that I’ve learned in school. I can still diagram a sentence and solve a formula, but I can’t remember my physics formulas and what exactly happened at Owl Creek.

But I do have memories, and I will always strive to remember God’s Word.

The bad parts of school will fade away.

Did you ever think about how funny memories can be?

Noah’s ark – I see cute paintings of it in nurseries and children’s bedrooms. Did you ever think how odd that is? I mean, the whole earth died except for eight people and two of every kind of animal. But we don’t do that, we don’t paint the people drowning on the walls of kids’ bedrooms – unless you’re a bit of a psycho. Instead, we remember God’s goodness, and all that He did to save that family from the flood.

Remember that – remember all the good times when we saw God work here at school, and remember that as you go off to colleges and the work force, and remember what He did here.

So I leave you with this, on a day that will hopefully become one of your pleasant memories.

Our staff and faculty have been praying for you, and we will continue to do so. We – I – love you guys, and we hope that you continue to remember the truths that we’ve taught you while here.

We have holidays to remember things – whether they are soldiers in war, or great people, or even people’s birthdays.

Today we honor you. Today, we remember you. I’ve had six wonderful years interacting with you. Thanks for the memories.

And may God bless you as you continue on. Remember us, and remember Him.
- Tom Vasel, May 30, 2009 - Commencement address, ICS - Uijongbu

Who uses crutches?

I know this is true, because every time a student comes to school on crutches, I don't think I ever see them use them. But their friends? 24/7


see more Funny Graphs

Top Ten Soups / Stews

As a kid, I was really keen on eating soup or stew. I didn't dislike soups, but I always felt like they were a side dish, or something you ate when a "real" meal wasn't available.

After college, however, I found myself eating more and more soup. Soup is especially awesome for lunch - and even better when you are slightly sick. I'm constantly wanting to eat it more and more. So I figured that I would list my top ten favorite soups and stews. And for the record, I'm still confused what exactly the difference is between a stew and a soup. I still say that they are the same thing. So I'm including them on the same list. You can argue in the comments.


10.) Chicken Noodle Soup - Okay, is this a bland addition or what? Everyone in the world eats this stuff, or reads incredibly sappy books that use it as a title. But when you are sick, there is NOTHING better. Now, the chunkier it is, the better, and it absolutely needs celery. I don't eat this often, but when I do get a chance, I relish every moment. It also probably has the best "drink" when you are done. And oddly, I like it with white meat. I need a bit more chewy-ness in my soup.


9.) Split Pea Soup - I know that a lot of people don't like this soup, and it does have one of the nastiest colors in existence. But this soup - which needs to be thick and delicious, can be simply amazing. Now, it's almost required that you put in chunks of ham - and directly off the bone is probably the best way. It does have the worst after effects of any soup I know (except for the deadly 16 bean soup), but I say it's worth it. Needs a drop or two of Tabasco to be perfect.


8.) Beef Stew - Now this one is subjective. Beef stew is good. Dinty Moore is not. I like beef stew, but it needs to taste at least slightly fresh, not like it's been sitting on a shelf for twenty years. Sadly, I've seen many people who seem to aspire to having their stew emulate the taste and texture of Dinty Moore. I want to chew my beef and potatoes, not slurp them through a straw, thank you.


7.) Mulligan Stew - This is what I prefer to eating beef stew, actually, simply because I like my own homebrewed brand. But while the basic gist of this soup is "put whatever is on the kitchen counter in it", I still enjoy it. I add in my secret ingredients - some would likely suprise you - and make about 100 servings of this once each year. And then I eat them for the next several weeks. And I'm happy.

6.) Ham and Potato Soup - Now this may seem similar to the split pea soup mentioned above, I enjoy this one more because of the potatoes. However, much as I love the picture to the right, I love a variation without the cream. Simply boil ham, potatoes, and green beans in a broth, and then add copious amounts of vinegar. That, my friends, is heaven.


5.) Chili - Yes, I know. This could be a whole category in itself. But three things are important to note here. First of all, while rice is optional - Saltine crackers are a MUST. Secondly, the amount of meat needs to be at part with the beans, and the meat must be in chewable chunks. And finally, while I don't need to blow my brains out with spiciness, it better have a zing. This is one thing us Yankees can't get - to make our foods that serious five alarm hotness.


4.) New England Clam Chowder - This soup is found at almost every buffet I've ever gone to. However, don't these people realize that you actually have to put more than one clam in per soup bowl. Lots of clams are needed, and then you also need a good amount of bacon and cheddar cheese. Then you can sit back and be simply happy as you eat one of the best dishes in existence.


3.) Mandu Guk - What? A soup you haven't heard of? That's because it's native to Korea, and it's one of the best soups in existence. Made from mandu (basically dumplings filled with meat), rice cakes, onions, and seaweed - it tastes much better than it sounds. I ask for this soup on a continual basis, and given the vast different amounts of mandu that are available - I think the variations are tremendous.


2.) Manhatten Clam Chowder - Why yes, I do enjoy me some clam chowder, how could you tell? I like the creamy flavor of New England, but tomato trumps milk, in my opinion. I get this one less often, because it requires more ingredients, but that just makes it better when I do get to eat it.

1.) Kimchee Chigae - And my favorite is yet another Korean soup. It's made of the kimchee - the most famous Korean dish in existence, and it's spicy as all get out. Now you can have it with spam and tuna, but it's at its best with pork. I love it, and think I could eat it every day. I never thought I would be keen on eating tofu, but this dish just makes it delectable. Wonderful. Wonderful. And wonderful.


Think I'm wrong? Got some better soups/stews? Tell me in the comments!

The dishes

Laura is laid up, so I'm doing the dishes while she takes a much deserved break. How often do i do them?

Well....

More baby pictures.

I know that all babies look the same to disinterested parties. But some people get a kick out of seeing the babies time and time again.

By the way, I had fun trooping into the hospital with five girls in tow. People everywhere were stopping to stare. I can say for certain that at the Shin's Woman's Hospital in Uijongbu, I am the only American who has had their sixth girl there.

Ah, perhaps I can write "Cheaper by the Dozen: the Vasel version" in ten years. I sincerely doubt "cheaper" will be in the title, though.

Ruby Rose Vasel

Ruby Rose Vasel was born today at 11:41 AM, March 18, 2009.

She was 3.33 kg (which is about 6 pounds, 10 ounces).

Both the baby and Mom are doing fine.


Six girls! Hooray!

Enough is enough!

I'm joining this guy's campaign.