A/N: Thanks to all of you still following this story. Without further adieu, here's installment # 17.

Love Conquers All Ways

Chapter 17

Dreams can leave a lasting impression on us because they seem so real at times. It's as though we're vividly experiencing something at that moment, but we're actually living vicariously in the virtual realm. This familiar feeling would soon impose itself upon Joong Hee. Initially, he slept very peacefully in the serenity of his own bed with Mi Young next to him. Then, suddenly, he dreamt of something that felt so real that he woke up in a haze. In his confusion, he didn't realize that he'd waken up the love of his life with his rustling.

"Joong Hee-shi. Are you Ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Go back to sleep." She smiled and did as he requested. But, Joong Hee found himself unable to follow his own directive. He just stared tranquilly at the ceiling until it was time for both of them to rise.

As they sat down for breakfast, it was clear that the dream left quite a mark on him. He ate his food gingerly all the while looking distracted. After some time, Mi Young realized that something serious was at play with her husband.

"Joong Hee-shi. Are you sure you're all right? You've been really distracted all morning"

"Have I? I'm sorry. I guess I just have something on my mind."

"You guess? I can see that something's on your mind. What is it?"

"Well"

"Tell me. You know that you can tell me anything."

"Well, this is . . . a little strange. Even for me" he said with a slight, sheepish grin.

"Strange or not, I'm still your wife. You really can tell me."

With a quick sigh, he finally divulged what had been bothering him for the last few hours.

"Mi Young-ah. I had a really weird dream. In the dream, I heard a loud, strange voice telling me that someone would come along that would really change my life. I said that being married to a wonderful woman has already done that. The voice then said a stranger would come and provide a new direction not just to my life but yours too." With that, he took a pause to stare at his love. She stared quizzically back at him unsure of where his recollection would lead.

"Anyway, this stranger would be important for our future. And his name is Yoo. I didn't get the first name but his last name is Yoo. How silly is that anyway?" As he finished, he could see that Mi Young's face now displayed a look of utter surprise.

"Joong Hee-shi. It's not silly. It actually reminded me of something"

"What?" She knew that the time had come to explain.

"It happened one day when you were in the hospital. I was sitting on the bench right outside your hospital room, and I just lost it. I felt so worn down by the stress of it all that I started crying. What I didn't know was that a man was sitting on the opposite end of that same bench and noticed me crying."

"He asked me if I was all right and then he introduced himself. He then said a prayer for you not only to recover but live a normal life. He also prayed for me that I would gather strength from this."

She looked at him with a seriousness that served to validate Joong Hee's dream.

"Well, a couple of days after I met this man, you had finally woken up from the coma. And . . . his name was Yoo. Yoo Gil Yong. So, Joong Hee-shi. I don't think your dream is crazy at all"

As he digested the meaning of her words, he felt relief in knowing that his bride didn't find his premonition strange.

"Well, that's a relief. But, I wonder who Gil Yong is. I mean, what does he do?"

"We can find out right now." With that, Mi Young ran over to her laptop and Googled his name. Upon seeing the main results, she suddenly realized just what type of person she'd met in the hospital months before.

"Oh. He's a pastor. His church is on the outskirts of Seoul. Come and look at this!" He soon made his way to look at her computer to decipher the search results.

"You're right. It looks like a big church too"

"I just . . . I just can't believe that I forgot about Pastor Yoo. I mean, he took the time to pray for you and me but I never even thanked him for that!"

"Mi Young-ah. Don't feel guilty. You had a lot on your mind back then. It's understandable."

"Well, I'm glad you had that dream and told me about it. We should go and pay him a visit."

"Ok, we'll do that. Let's finish our breakfast first!"

As they prepared to visit Pastor Yoo, Joong Hee still felt some disbelief that his dream could have any validity to it at all. Moreover, the idea that a total stranger would pray for his well-being made him thankful, if not curious.

It only took about half an hour to drive from their home to the "Light of the World" church. As they got out of the car, they couldn't help but notice how beautiful the church looked in person. They walked hand in hand to the front door which Mi Young knocked on. Within seconds, a young man opened the door.

"Hello" said the man who then bowed. "How may I help you?"

The couple bowed in turn. "We're here to see Pastor Yoo".

"He's occupied at the moment. May I ask what this is about?"

Suddenly, another man came from behind the young man and asked, "Jang Go, who's at the door?"

"It's a couple, Pastor. They say they're here to see you"

As the Pastor keened his gaze at the door, he immediately recognized Mi Young.

"Lee Mi Young. What a surprise! Please come in on. Jang Go, it's Ok." With that, the couple made their way inside the church.

She made a bow before responding. "Hello Pastor Yoo. It's been a long time!"

"Yes, it has. How are things? Is your husband Ok? Is everything Ok?" he asked.

"Yes, Pastor. He's right here in fact"

It was now Joong Hee's turn to offer a bow. "Hello, I'm Ahn Joong Hee! It's an honor to meet you!"

Pastor Yoo looked at Joong Hee with an expression of surprise. "Welcome, Joong Hee! I must say that we don't really see celebrities here in this church! So, the honor's mine as well!"

"That's very kind of you, Pastor!" he said.

"Well, it's great to see the both of you! Let's go in my office!" As they made the walk to Pastor Yoo's office, they marveled at how much more beautiful the church was inside than on the outside. Soon, they arrived at a good sized room fit for a head pastor. He asked that they sit comfortably in the guest chairs across from his.

"So, what can I do for you?"

"I wanted us to come here because I remembered how you prayed for my husband and me. In fact, it was a couple of days after your prayer that Joong Hee-shi finally awoke from his coma. I still believe that your prayer made a difference. For that, I'm eternally thankful, Pastor" Mi Young said.

"Me too. I had no idea that a total stranger would even care about my well-being as well as my wife's. I want to thank you too!" Joong Hee added.

"It's no problem at all. I'm just thrilled beyond measure that both of you are Ok now." Pastor Yoo replied.

As he finished, the Pastor noticed that Joong Hee looked a little bit uncomfortable.

"Joong Hee, are you Ok? You look a little uncomfortable"

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking about the irony."

"What irony is that?" Pastor Yoo inquired.

"Well, given the life that I used to live, I just find it ironic that I'm in a church speaking with a pastor. That's all!"

Mi Young then felt compelled to speak. "I kind of feel the same way, Pastor. I'm not really a religious person. So, it's a little uncomfortable for me to be sitting inside here also."

"I understand how both of you can feel that way. And it's perfectly Ok. If you're concerned that I'm going to start proselytizing, then you need not be worried. But I also want to reassure you that you're welcome to come visit here anytime you wish."

"Thank you, Pastor" they both replied.

"So, Joong Hee. What are you working on now? Is there a new drama you're going to be in?" Pastor Yoo asked.

"It's funny. The day of my accident, I was going to a script reading for 'Sign of the Times'. But, I obviously couldn't be on the drama in my condition"

"Oh, so you were originally going to be on 'Sign of the Times'. That's too bad. I think you'd have been an excellent choice!" the Pastor commented.

"Thank you. But, ever since then, I've thought about my future, and I just don't think that dramas really suit me anymore."

"So, what do you have in mind?"

"I was talking with Mi Young about this yesterday. I'm interested in doing a weekly documentary type of program. Imagine me going to a different locale every week. And by locales, I mean places like orphanages, rural hospitals, senior homes, etc."

"Would you be raising money for these places? Or bringing attention?" the Pastor inquired.

"I would hope both. Certainly, the hope would be that viewers would donate money or other things if they feel led to do so. But, I just wanted to use the fame I've gotten from 'Oh My Boss' in a useful way. I'm just not sure if a network is willing to listen to my idea."

With that, Pastor Yoo smiled brightly at the couple. "I really like your idea, Joong Hee. In fact, our church works with a few of these 'locales' that you mention on a regular basis. If you can get this show on the air, then I can give you leads as far as places you can visit."

"Wow! That's great, Pastor. I really appreciate it!"

"Sure. Don't mention it!"

"Thank you so much, Pastor Yoo. We are both so grateful to you. You've already done so much for us." Mi Young said.

"Oh, that's not so. But, thank you both for your kind words. By the way, are you going to meet with someone about this proposed television program?"

"We're meeting with my new agency tomorrow" Joong Hee replied.

"Well, I'm confident that it will go well. In any event, why don't I say a prayer for you two" he then offered a prayer to God that the show would be realized and would help to shine a light on good people doing great work around the country. As he finished, both Joong Hee and Mi Young couldn't help but feel confident about the likelihood of Joong Hee's dream becoming reality.

"Well, we should get going. But, it's been wonderful to be here, Pastor Yoo. I'm so glad that we came!" Mi Young beamed.

"Yes, it's been such a pleasure meeting you, Pastor. And thank you again for everything!" Joong Hee offered.

"The pleasure is mine. I'm delighted that the both of you came today. Remember, my door is always open. Let me know how I can be of help for you going forth!" Soon, they made their final goodbye and started heading home.

As they left the church, they looked at each other with knowing glances. Suddenly, things seemed to be on the upswing for both of them. Little did they know that it wouldn't be the last time that they'd set foot in the "Light of the World" church. However, they did understand that Pastor Yoo was indeed a stranger that would change their lives. If only they knew how true this statement was. Then, they'd truly appreciate the power, and impact, of a dream – no matter how strange.

A/N: As usual, any and all reviews are welcome!