You Know You've Lived in Korea Too Long When...

1) You forget to use articles when speaking
2) You can only remember the Korean word for something and not the English word
3) You bow to everyone...even Americans...
4) You give your money to the cashier using two hands
5) You have no problem with pushing people out of the way
6) You stop at the top of the escaltor to plan your day
7) You stare and comment when you see a foreigner
8) You barely notice people staring at you
9) Konglish comes naturally
10) You own plenty of forks but never use them
11) You're ok with eating in barefeet in a restaurant
12) You feel safe all the time except when you're around foreigners
13) You find it strange if there is no corn on a pizza
14) You answer every phone call with "Yoboseyo?"
15) You see a roll of toilet paper on a restaurant wall and think nothing of it..in fact, you use it because you are thankful for the abundance of napkins
16) You use scissors to cut all your food
17) You can walk down the street at 2 in the morning and not be afraid at all
18) You refuse to hang out in Itaewon
19) You don't bother lining up
20) You replace the word "yes" or "ya" with "uh uh uh" (grunt)
21) You see a kindergartner on the subway alone and think nothing of it
22) You don't have to turn around to see if cars are coming...you just know and glide to the side
23) You ALWAYS take your shoes off before going into a house
24) You're really good at rock, paper, scissors
25) You can hum the song that plays in the subway and mimic the announcers
26) You take multiple pictures of yourself with your cell phone all the while not cracking a smile
27) YOu use instant coffee packets but you only fill the cup half full
28) You don't drink water with your meals
29) You carry toilet paper around with you because you know the public bathrooms might not
have it
30) All white people look the same to you
31) You see a real bathtub and stare at it in wonder
32) You're used to having the door swing shut in your face
33) You don't even flinch when the taxi driver cuts off a bus and misses it by inches
34) You're shocked when you see a trashcan
35) You can stand up in a bus without holding on

more to come...

"Rejoice always" 1 Thess. 5:16.

I love that verse, but I forget it so easily. Rejoice always. A simple command that means so much in 2 short words. Does it mean "rejoice unless you have a trial" or "rejoice when everything is going great?" No, it means just what it says : rejoice ALWAYS. Dictionary.com defines "always" as : all the time; continuously; uninterruptedly; forever; in any event; at any time." There is never a reason for a Christian not to rejoice. What about trials? I like to ask myself some questions when I'm tempted not to rejoice because of a trial. 1) Is God always in control? (yes) 2) Does God always give His children what is best for them at the time according to His perfect will? (yes) 3) Will God always give the strength to get through each trial? (yes) 4) Does God know the outcome of the trial (yes)....and the questions could go on and on. Point being, God knows, He cares, and He's with us. There's never a time when God says "Here's a trial. I'll be back in 2 days. You handle it for now." No. God never leaves and never stops helping us carry our load. So, the question again: What about trials? A Christian can rejoice in trials. Trials help us to see our inadequacies and turn to God for strength. They also teach us about who God is, and they help us to become more like Him. He knows what we need, and that's what He'll give us.

Rejoice always. So important to remember, yet so easy to forget. Don't just rejoice when the sun shines, but rejoice when it rains.

When you say:

“I can’t figure this out”
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“I can’t do it!”
God says: “You can do all things (Philippians 4:3)

“I feel so alone”
God says: “I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

“I don't have what I need ”
God says: “I will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19)

“I’m afraid”
God says: “I have not given you a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7)


"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, they are plans for good, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and prayer for mercy. I will pray as long as I have breath." Psalm 116:1-2

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Psalm 91:2

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

For I the Lord God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not, I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:1-2

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

But thanks be to God who giveth us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians15:57

"There is no need to worry about what will happen tomorrow, because God knew what would happen tomorrow before yesterday happened." (Hope that doesn't confuse anyone!)

Things here have been pretty busy what with the Christmas program and all. That was Friday night from 7:30-10, but the kids came at 1 and we had class until 3 and then practice. Because my kids are in 5th grade, they are in the elementary program and then they are in the beginner band and orchestra with the high school. So, right after the elem. program finished, I had to whisk them upstairs to change. I'm running from basement to 3rd floor down to 2nd back to 3rd then up to 4th then back to 2. I get them down the the basement on the stairs where I find out they're way too early so I take them back up to 2nd then back down. Still too early so back up then back down. It was really crazy but SO fun! At least I had fun! :) Not sure how some of the other teachers felt. But, it's done. Praise God it went well. A few mess ups here and there, but overall it was great.

I leave for China on Saturday afternoon! YAY! I couldn't be more excited! We'll be in Shanghai from the 19th to the 22 and then onto Xian until the 25th. We'll be in Shanghai again from Christmas day until January 2nd. I'm so excited!!! :D I'll get to use my limited Chinese once again. And when I say limited, I mean LIMITED!

Well, I'm off for now. I have a lot of work to do still in the classroom. Peace.

It's Dark Outside

Actually, it is dark outside right now. That's because I am sitting at the computer in the library staring out the window while I attempt (key word being attempt) to enter grades into the new online grade book. It would be easy expect that sometimes I'm a little electronically slow. I got 2 classes put in just in the later hour. I'm pretty tired so I think I'll head home very soon.

Nathaniel left *shed a tear*, but I will see him in 10 days. Actually, less that that. I'm very excited to go to China!! I've been studying Chinese again the last couple days. I can read and write 你 (you), 好 (good), 叉 (fork). 公园 (park), 船 (boat), 出租汽车 (taxi), 茶 (tea), 我 (I), 也 (also), 高兴 (happy), 哥哥 (older brother), 很 (very), and a few more...pretty good for 2 days! haha It's going to be slow, but I actually enjoy learning the characters rather than sounding out a word letter by letter ( because each character=one word) They're random words, but I can say simple sentences like "Hello, how are you? I'm fine and you? I'm fine as well." At least I can be polite!!

The Christmas program is coming up on Friday. It will be a long day, but I'm sure all the parents will enjoy it. The elementary is doing the story behind the song "Silent Night." It's going to be very cute, and they've worked very hard! I can't believe it's less than 2 weeks until Christmas break! I feel like just yesterday I landed in Korea in August!

I'm looking forward to going home this summer to visit my family and go to the wedding of my 哥哥. It should be fun! I love Korea, though, and I'm starting to think of it as home.

Oh, glory be! April, one of the women in our church and also a friend of mine, got saved on Sunday!!!! I had been praying for her since I met her a few weeks after I came to Korea, and others had been praying for her for a looooong time before that. But, God drew her to Him and saved her! Now I have a new sister!! I was so excited for that!

This Saturday is the last week of Korean class. I've really enjoyed it, because I haven't taken any kind of language class in so long! Korean is a HARD language. I think Chinese will be easier. MUCH easier.

Well, better run. My bed is loudly calling my name. Pardon any grammar/spelling/punctuation mistakes...I've found my English going downhill since I came here. :) Peace!

Oh and also it snowed yesterday!

Twinkle

So, life has been fun but seemingly uneventful. I mean, the event of the year! Seeing NATHANIEL! Yeah that's right...he's here in Korea, and I couldn't be happier. We've just been hanging out and talking and going to fun places in Korea. I learned that he really...I mean REALLY...likes doughy white pancakes and he will eat the batter too. I'm so thankful that God brought him here!

Other than that school has been going well! My kids are cute as ever. The Thanksgiving party for the kids went off well, and the one for the teachers was even better! We had all the American fixin's and a lot of laughing and smiles. It was really nice to have a bit of American stuck in my life. Although, I do consider home to be Korea right now.

I played kick ball with my kids today. I didn't know what to do so I just kept running around the bases and they told me that I was not supposed to run because our team wasn't up to kick. Hmm...very smart teacher. :) It was fun anyways.

Our class will be India for international day. I'm pretty excited about that. Korean's already like curry, so that should be easy and fun!

Christmas is coming fast...and we all know what that means! CHINA!!! 2 whole weeks in the country that I love the most!! I'm soooooo excited and blessed that God is giving us this opportunity to go even just for a short time. I'm so excited to see what we'll be doing there.

I went to Korean church on Sunday after my church was done. It was really interesting. They had us stand up, focused the camera on us, and sang to us. After that they presented us with a rose each. It was strangely wonderful. I was carrying my Korean friend's Korean baby and, of course, got many strange stares. Overall it was a wonderful experience.

Well, time to clean the classroom, put in book orders, write a quiz (or 2...or 3) and then go to someone's house for dinner! The madness never ends, but I wouldn't change a second of it.

Peace!

***praying for grandma who is in the hospital***

저 는 영 어 선 생 님 이 에 요.

I think that's right...haha

Things are good. :) A little boy fell fast asleep on my lap at the orphanage, and then while walking home, it started to snow! I love snow! It's been pretty cold here lately...that meant me giving up my flip flops for the dreaded shoes. But, it's ok because it means snow will fall!

Tomorrow is the day! Nathaniel comes in tomorrow evening. I'm so excited! I'm sure there will be many things to write about while he's here and after he leaves, so I'll keep this one free of mindless chatter.

We went to the zoo today for our elementary field trip! May I just say that I love the elephants and rhinos and baby tigers. We saw a seal/dolphin show with a tiny monkey in a pink dress thrown in there for the cute factor. It was cold, but the kids had fun not sitting in a desk all day. We even had a gorrilla smoosh his mouth against the window and rub it around. We now can truly see where humans evolved from... :)

Well, I'll enjoy the snow and animals and coldness. More to come.

Peace.

Run, children, run!

So, I'll start with most recent news. I have a roomie now. On Tuesday afternoon I went to the office and was told that I was getting a roomie the next day. Merry Christmas! Thankfully, she's very nice and sweet so it's fine.

This evening I went to a place where they have a whole huge floor covered in bead shops!! A dream come true!!! I bought some beads...but I'm telling you...there were SO many!!! After that we went to an Uzbekistanian restaurant. We walked up this tiny staircase, opened the door, and almost walked out. It was litterally a hole in the wall with about 4 tables. At one of the tables there were 5 or so fast talking Uzi's. We were served by a girl who we later learned didn't even work there but was just a friend of the owner. Hmm...anyways, before our food came out (which, by the way, was AMAZING and soo tasty!) one of the men came over, set two shot glasses down on our table, and poured some vodka into them. He proceeded to tell us that he wanted us to drink. When we refused and told him we were Christians, he told us that he was muslim and was not allowed to drink either but did. We refused and refused and refused some more. So, he poured more into our glasses. Finally, his friends told him to leave us alone, and he did. He told us he was hurt inside. Well, needless to say, we never drank it.

I've decided that I love parent teacher conferences because the parents almost always bring a gift. :)

I decorated my classroom for Christmas!! :D I bought a 4 foot tall Christmas tree and a strand of 650 white lights which I put up around my blackboards and on the tree. I made a star for the tree and my kids cut snowflakes to hang from the ceiling and also made paper chains to hang on the walls. We need more lights, but it looks very festive!! :)

It's been a pretty slow week overall. Fun things are COMING in the form of NATHANIEL! Next Saturday. We're going to the zoo on Friday...hmm....

We've booked our hostels and plane tickets for China. Tomorrow we'll be going to get our visas and then all we have to do is wait until December 19th. Oh when that day comes! We're going to Shanghai and then to Xian for a couple days and then back to Shanghai for Christmas and New Years. Then back to Seoul on January 2nd.

I was able to go to my Korean friend's houes on Thursday. We ate and then read 3 chapters in Philippians together and talked about them. It was a really good time. God's been so good in helping me have enough strength to do everything I need to do and giving me wisdom in teaching and giving me awesome friends. He's so good!!

Other than that, not much is really going on. I'm baking a cake for the church pot luck tomorrow. Then I will sew buttons onto my winter coat. It's getting very cold here. I bought pink ear muffs which really help in keeping my ears warm. I've heard it gets much colder than this, but I am ready. I like the cold. I heard it gets so cold at times that you don't even want to go outside. Bring it on.

There's a song I really love:

Verse 1:
Before the cross I kneel and see
The measure of my sin
How You became a curse for me
Though You were innocent
The magnitude of Your great love
Was shown in full degree
When righteous blood, the crimson spill
Rained down from Calvary

Chorus:
Oh, the precious blood
That flowed from Mercy's side
Washed away my sin
When Christ my Savior died
Oh, the precious blood
Of Christ the crucified
It speaks for me before Your throne
Where I stand justified

Verse 2:
And who am I that I should know
This treasure of such worth
My Savior's pure atoning blood
Shed for the wrath I'd earned
For sin has stained my every deed
My every word and thought
What wondrous love that makes me one
Your priceless blood has bought

Bridge:
A crown of thorns, pierced hands and feet
A body bruised, and Mercy's plea

Ok well, time to be done rambling.

Peace.

Ha ha YAY! Pumpkin Puree!

I was on the metro last night and we had 14 stops before home so I was standing up working on my Korean homework. This younger Korean guy was standing very close to me since the metro was pretty full, and he kept glancing down at my paper. They're always curious. Anyways, I turned the paper over and wrote "I am American" in Korean. Then, to see if he was really watching, I crossed out American and wrote Korean. He was watching and he chuckled. So I crossed that out and wrote Canadian. Then I wrote "what is your name" and he told me and asked mine so I told him. I said nice to meet you, and he wrote something long that I only got bits of. Then he translated it and I wrote that his English was good and he said no and I said yes!! And then he said something else and I said cool and then he wrote that he had to get off because it was his stop and I said bye. No words at all, just writing. It was interesting.

My English is failing me! I just said "it looks very pretty color." Oh dear...I'm doomed!!

Last night we went to this market (very large) and it was gushing rain. It's so interesting to look around at all of the things that they have everywhere...so much stuff. Some cheap, some expensive. Very cheap jade and expensive clothes all mushed together with isles through which you can barely walk. I learned the Korean word for "cross" which I...amazingly enough...still remember.

The field trip went well. A few downs, bust mostly ups. Right when we got off the subway when we got there, one of my kids said that he had left his cell phone on the train. Of course, there was no consoling him, and so we went to the metro police where one of my kids translated so we could find a number to call lost and found. As it turns out later, he found it. Then we went out of the metro and really had no idea where to go from there. We asked around and finally found a bus that we hoped would take us to the museum. It did. We had a blast! We ate lunch in this basement room that had a bunch of tables and a big open floor space. There was literally no one else at the museum that day except the workers, and so we had the whole room to ourselves. After lunch (and thanks to the grumpy kids) we turned off the lights and made them take a nap. Of course, the teachers didn't mind a little shut eye. This all went well until a man came down and ordered us to turn the lights on and open then doors because this is a public room for everyone to use (because all the people were banging on the doors wanting in...) It was great fun!

Well, time to eat some dinner. Peace.

Bunnies In the Metro

Yes, walk through the metro in Sillim and you are bound to find cute brown, black, and white bunnies sitting in a tiny box with an old lady gaurding them. They are so preious, in fact, that one of the teachers saw them, loved them, and bought one. We were on our way to Krispy Kreme, and so can you guess the name? Krispy. Precious. The lady takes a tiny cage about the size of a 3X5 card (ok, so a BIT bigger...) and plops not one, but TWO bunnies into the cage, shoves the lid on, holds it out and smiles. Bunnies in the metro...imagine the possibilities.

Yesterday was my class party. Every time the students turn in all their homework (sometimes they have 5 assignments a night, they get a sticker on their chart. When everyone in the class fills up their charts (20 stickers each), we have a party. I brought them to my apartment, which looks big when it's just me living there. Try stuffing 14 rowdy 5th graders into a living room and not having Mt. Popcorn erupt. Thankfully, they have able hands and swept up MOST of the popcorn, chips, frosting, and sanity that was lying on the floor. There were only a few pieces jammed into the couch cushions. All in all it was a success. They laugh during the movie, were too full to eat cake (fancy that) and had a blast at the park. I'd like to see the day when someone else can fit as many bodies as they did onto my couch.

Tomorrow we're going to 서대문 자연사박물관. It's a museum of natural history. AKA many dino bones and plenty of evolution. A whole floor dedicated to it. What a great teaching opportunity. We just got done studying fossils and dinos in Science and we also had a section on Creationists and Evolutionists. Hopefully they can remember all that we discussed and apply it.

My favorite word in Korean so far is 화장실. Don't know why. Oh, it means bathroom btw. Just in case you were wondering. I guess it's just a very useful word to know.

It cracks me up when little kids look at me and whisper to their friends or parents "미국 사람" which means American. I just look back at them with an awestruck look on my face and say 한국 사람 which means Korean...and is very obvious yet brings gladness to my heart to see their confused faces. I just laugh, say 안녕하세요 (which means hello) and walk away. It's great!

Well, not much else to say...I mean, I'm sure I could say more, but the spacebar on this computer is sketchy. And so, I shall bid you goodnight. Or goodmorning...wherever you are.

Peace.

Does Anyone Have A Giant Bow?

Wow, it's been FOREVER since I've posted! Much sorryness (is that a word?) Things have been in uproar lately with my visa and then getting my alien card. Where to begin.

Well, for starters, I still LOVE everything about what I'm doing right now. God confirms every day that this is where He wants me. My kids keep my laughing all the time (even when they're bad they're cute!) and I love teaching them. I look forward to school each day. Sure, it's work, and lots of it, but seeing them learn is amazing to me. I'm so thankful God allowed me to come here and teach them.

I've gone to the orphanage a couple more times, and I still melt every time I see the kids. They're so precious!! Blessed be! I wish I could take them all home. They seem to be catching on with the English, but of course they don't speak it except on Fridays, so I don't know how quickly they will retain it. Please pray for this ministry that we'll be able to reach them. We have a Bible story each week, and they are very attentive and they answer questions readily. Please pray they will be saved.

I had a marvelous time in Guam! Everything worked out, and I was able to stay with a friend from college. The island is AMAZING! Blue water, lush green countryside, and really bad drivers. I got a chance to go to Harvest Baptist Church and the school, and it was such a blessing! They were just starting their revival meetings, and I got to help with the bus ministry one night. A supertyphoon was rollin' in, so it rained off and on and everyone was expecting the worst, but it passed us and hit other islands farther north. I got to go snorkeling and get lots of rest. When I got back, though, I had mounds of papers to grade and kids who asked upon my arrival, "Did you bring us jello?" I was just glad I was so missed...and my jello apparently. And yes, I did bring them jello and we all enjoyed it. :)

I've been enjoying Seoul. I've been many many places...huge malls, outdoor shopping at night, an old palace and museum, the Drum Festival, tons of Korean restaurants (I bypassed the fresh--and I do mean fresh--fish, eel, and octopus...) and a bunch more places. I've worn bunny ears in public, sang on the metro, twirled in the street, laughed in the taxi, walked around until my feet were dirty and sore and then walked some more, photographed little children, been told by old ladies who collect cardboard that they love me, made a shopkeeper upset because I said her goods were too expensive (in Korean, of course), been on a sardine packed metro carrying my big backpack on the way back from the airport, helped announce over a microphone at a little shop that had a sale, laughed much about many random things, seen a stuffed bear hanging on a clothes line, swept up tons of cat hair, used a broken shower for 3 weeks, sang "This Little Light of Mine" with the bus kids in Guam, attempted to gesture to ask for directions after getting hopelessly lost (and it worked), navigated my way around the city...successfully, stayed up way too late, graded hundreds of papers, tripped up the stairs, got caught in the rain and had to buy an outrageously priced umbrella or suffer the consequences of not getting one, got really excited, pet bunnies in the metro, bought cute pink nail polish, driven through the crazy streets, got my blood drawn and didn't faint, sat next to a crying baby on the plane, got my picture taken in one of those crazy Korean photo booths...wearing a giant rainbow wig, ate strange food, had chocolate pancakes for dinner, gone to the top of a really tall building, spoke Korean to the shop keepers and pretended to know what they meant when they spoke back, threw a coin backwards over my shoulder into a replica of the Trevi fountain, and oh so much more. And loved every minute of it.

I went to Korean class on Saturday. We learned the alphabet, and the teacher listened to our pronunciation individually and she said mine was good except for a couple letters. I'm going back every Saturday for a couple months, so hopefully I'll pick it up.

I found an iceskating rink at a mall near my house, and they have my size skates!! I was surprised because Koreans have such small feet. I'm excited to go soon. :)

THis week is spirit week. TOmorrow is fashion disaster day, so I will look very strange. I have a mental image of what it will look like, and it won't be pretty!

Nathaniel is coming in a little over a month! I'm so excited to see him! And then I get to go see him again for Christmas because my friend found super cheap roundtrip tickets to Shanghai. The hotel is dirt cheap and everything else it too. It should be a cheap vacation. We'll be there for New Years too.

Thanksgiving is coming up, and I can't believe I've been here almost 2 months. It sounds short, but I feel so comfortable here. I'm picking up some useful phrases. I can say hello and goodbye, how much, I am American, you're mean, I'm tired, stupid, that's too expensive, thank you and please, and a couple other ones that I can't remember. It's fun to learn it and I can't wait to pick up more because I just want to be able to talk to and witness to the people! With God's help!

So, that's basically my life in a nutshell right now. Nothing overly exciting. I'm having lots of fun, staying safe, washing my hands regularly, and just trying to swim through the mounds of grading. It's my fault because, after all, I do give them homework in almost every subject each night.

Time to write a worksheet so I can go to bed and be up bright and early tomorrow morning. God really had been good, and I've enjoyed getting to know Him more. I'm so thankful for His forgiveness and love, and I really wouldn't be anything without Him. I give all the glory to Him for everything everyday. He's everything to me.

Peace.

I Love Cat Hair

Actually, I don't. But it's one of those mental things...if you tell it to yourself enough, you'll start to believe it. In this case, if I tell myself I love cat hair, eventually I won't mind the natural rug that so gracefully covers my "wood" floor. I do, however, love the cat which makes the rug.

I am happy to say that I have a clean house once again. It took some doing. I was scrubbing my fridge and I looked at the clock. "It's getting late" I thought, but kept scrubbing. There's no Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for this job, so nothing's going to get rid of the nasties except scrubbing. So I did. And as I did I was thinking...it's kind of the same way in my walk with God. I'm not going to keep the dirties of sin out of my life unless I work work work at keeping in the Word and prayer and trying to obey God. There's no Mom to pick up after me (thanks mom!) and it takes time and dedication. If I want a clean house, I have to break out the elbow grease. If I want a clean heart and life, I have to work at building my relationship with God.

I was also thinking about soap. I was at a friend's house tonight, and I mentioned that their handsoap smelled really good! And, by George, it did. By the way, I've never understood the phrase "by George" and yet I use it anways...hmm. Anyways, off topic. So I was thinking that soap smells really really yummy but tastes just awful if you put it in your mouth. And it can make you sick too. It's the same way with sin. It might look, taste, sound, smell, feel appealing, but really it's nasty and it can raelly hurt you. Just a thought.

I've had quite the interesting yet fun week. Four, possibly soon to be five, teachers have turned into pigs. Rather, they have H1N1 swine flu. So, 4th grade teacher is home sick, so I have been teaching them as well as my 5th graders. It's been...interesting...to say the least. I'm afraid today I felt a bit grumpy inside...I don't think I took it out on the kids, but my patience was a bit short and I had to pray a lot today. Anyways, the poor 4th graders have been handed around a lot (seeing as this is only our 3nd week of school.) I think their teacher has had them a grand total of 2 days because she's been sick, bless her heart! They seem to being going with the flow, but we'll see how they hold up this week.

I have to say, I've been very blessed to have the kids I have. They have their (sometimes many) moments, but God has been with me and given me strength and patiences and wisdom and many other things that I need to help train these kids. I know He'll continue to do that.

Here goes nothing! It's actually 12:30, and I need more sleep than I've been giving myself. Fancy that. So, goodnight all. Sleep well or have a great day...whatever floats your boat at this time.

Peace.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith.

Flea Fly Flo

Well, camp is officially over, and I'm back. It was amazing! Pretty much wonderful. We got there on Monday and the kids started coming around 3pm. The two teams were red Army and blue Navy. As the kids were sent to their teams, all the counselors were going crazy jumping up and down and cheering. I don't think the kids really knew what to do...I've seen confused Koreans in class but not like this. It took the girls about a day to warm up and then they started cheering and getting into it. The boys, however, waiting until almost the last day. :) But that's ok because we had fun.

The girls cabins were actually in a big house. It had a livingroom/dining room, a "bigger" bedroom and 2 smaller bedrooms downstairs and a "bigger" bedroom upstairs. Blue team had the livingroom/dining room and the bigger room downstairs and my cabin had the 2 smaller rooms and the other red team had the upstairs. THere was one bathroom for about 40 girls. Throw in 4 girls with the flu, several more with coughs and stomach aches, amazing games, a smelly bathroom, great food, the water turning off randomly, an uphill hike in flip flops, and a language barrier, and you've got yourself a great week! No really, it was awesome!

The preaching was just stellar. I learned some new things, and the kids really seemed to respond. I was able to talk to 4 girls one on one about things like assurance of salvation, choosing the right friends, controlling your tongue, etc. It was amazing the opportunities God gave me to help these girls see from His Word how they should live their lives. Many times it was a rebuke to me. Many kids responded to the messages, and a few got saved. Others had sin in their lives that they confessed. It was awesome!

The food was great! A couple times they made things like fried chicked and mashed potatoes with gravy and rolls, French toast and eggs, and the like. The rest of the time it was Korean food...rice, various veggies, noodles, and meats. It was delicious! I've never had such amazing camp food!

The camp was set at the foot of a mountain. It was smaller, but the buildings were nice. There was much dust and dirt (it wouldn't be camp without it!) and flowers here and there. The girls and guys took turns hiking the mountain. The counselors were asked to go, so I said ok...even though I only had flip flops to wear. So, about 5 mins into the hike...no surprise...I tripped climbing up a rock because my shoe caught on the edge and I skinned my knee and shin and twisted my wrist. I tried for about 5 more mins, but then I headed down. Dangerous lol...but fun nonetheless.

My team (red Army) won by literally one person saying one verse...10 points. It was close all week. THe kids had so much fun, and so did everyone else. It was great to see them relax and get into the fun.

When we got back, I didn't want to sleep because I knew I'd sleep for way too long and get groggy. So, I put on fresh clothes and showered and ventured out. We went to the foreign zone (where all the foreigners are) and walked around. I saw some interesting shops and ate at a Turkish restaurant. Then we decided to go around the...block? haha We came across a Mosque so we went up the big stairs. We started to go up to the men's prayer room (without realizing it) and we were called down. Ooohhh....of course the men and women are apart. So, we found the women's prayer room, put on the head dresses and ankle length skirts, took off our shoes, and went up. It was heartbreaking. I saw women there bowing and praying. Then I looked over the edge (I'm not sure if that was taboo) and saw countless men...I stopped counting at 100...bowing in unison to...nothing. There really was nothing. So we watched for a bit, I prayed to my God, the one true God, and we left. We went downstairs and started exploring and then this woman came up to us and started talking to us. She gaves us books on Islam. We talked to Eve for about 15 minutes until her husband asked her to come to go home. She asked me for my e-mail and I got hers. She told us all about Islam and verses kept popping into my head. I'm praying I can build a relationship with her and witness to her.

After this, we saw a little alley way and went down it, only to get lost (which we were trying to do. Sucess!) We walked around for a bit and eventually found a bus that took us to the metro stop. I got to swing around in revolving door, ask directions from someone who didn't speak English, and laugh a lot. We caught the metro to our next stop and squeezed into the crowds. It was a ton of people in a ton of stores with lights and stuff everwhere. We ate at an amazing restaurant where you have a big pot of water on your table cooking over a gas stove thing. You put bean sprouts and other veggies into the water and then, when it's boiling, you put very thin strips of extremely lean meat into the water. The water cooks it and then you eat it. It was so healthy and very yummy. In the shops here, the people have mics and they announce their sales and stuff to get the people to come in and buy it. So, I asked this nice looking lady if I could announce for her shop which had a deal on 1,000 won earring, and she let me! It was fun! THen we got icecream and coffee. The coffee place was darkened and it had plush couches with curtain and tables. Like private rooms almost. It was interesting.

Well, I'm tired of writing for now. My diploma should be here soon so I can go to Guam and get my visa! Then I can have my health check and get my alien card! And then...the process will be done! Time to get ready for another day.

Peace.

2 down....tons to go

Chicago, the kitty I'm looking after.

On the street near mine

Mia!!! So precious!

A shop on my corner

One of the 6 kitties that live on the roof across from the school. I've "made friends with them" but in reality they won't get close to me."

My street! My apartment is on the right just past that brown thing.

My classroom

More of my classroom

So…an update. That’s what everyone wants, so I guess I have to churn it out, huh? Well, I’ll start off by saying school has been AWESOME! I’ve really seen God at work in my own life just keeping me from getting stressed and helping me slow down to really get to know my students. My students…they’re A-MAZING! I have some…hyper…ones, but once we establish our routines, they will be ok. I technically have 13 students, but 5 of them only have me for Bible, so I realistically have 8. I love having a smaller class because I can really focus on each student a bit more and help them understand and get them involved. God is working things out perfectly and giving me new ideas all the time. My greatest prayer is to see all my students saved. I don’t know who is and who is not, but my journal question tomorrow will be “I know I’m going to Heaven because…” So, please pray that they understand and will respond correctly so I can really know if they have accepted Christ into their hearts and have their sins forgiven. I know God can use me in any way He wants, and I pray that I can make an impact on these students for His glory.

I’m learning every day about Korea…for example, trash is not a simple task (not for someone who doesn’t know the system anyways.) Food trash (only food) goes in the small yellow bags. Recycling (bottles, cans, paper, etc.) goes in the white bags. Trash (all other) also goes in the white bags. They don’t take it if it’s not in the proper bags. I went to Costco the other day and saw not so yummy (but very dead) looking whole fish. I tried to find one with a peaceful expression. Alas, it was not to be. All of their faces were contorted in a horrific display…very interesting. I stuck with the VERY dead beef. It’s amazing how the little side roads can be quiet and slow moving and then turn the corner and BAM! Trucks, busses, cars, bikes, motos and people everywhere…moving so fast! It’s amazing. The people are so friendly here too. As you pass they stare like they’ve never seen (very) white skin before. Then, you greet them in Korean and their faces light up. It’s great! My little apartment is amazing! Although I often go to sleep without washing the dishes (yes, folks, I AM the dishwasher) it stays…relatively clean. J I blame it on the kitty. There’s a lot of dust here. It sort of bothers my eyes, but I’m learning to deal with it. Guess I have to, huh? I learned that *gasp* boys don’t hold doors for girls! I was told that by one of my students who then added that the boy often shuts the door in the girls face. I said “Not in my class they don’t!” And they all laughed. I think they thought I was joking… I don't think the children ever sleep here. I'll be walking down the street at 11:30pm (no joke) and there will be children walking with parents, other children, alone...I guess it's safe and no one gets tired. Some older people go around and collect cardboard so they can recycle it for money. I come across this one lady...she really did look like she was in her 70s or 80s...carry this cart FULL (I'll have to take pictures some time) of cardboard. She saw me and promptly repeated, "Hello! I love you" several times. That was nice. I doubt she knew what it meant, but I said it back. The bigger the car, the faster you should get out of the way. I recognize where to turn by things such as "the 7-11, turn at the shop with the cartoon pigs on the window, look for the tires stacked out front and take a left, pass the pet shop, look for the stationary store and take your first left, turn right at the restaurant with the movie poster faces as the sign, if you pass the hole in the wall toast shop you know you're going the right way" and so on. It's fun to learn my way around! :) I saw the PERFECT bike. Pink with a basket in the front...I drooled. Alas it was out of my price range. For now... Don't put kitty litter in the black bag because they will dump it all over the sidewalk and then clean it up later. If you leave your door unlocked, the landlord will walk right in. And lastly, asian babies are very cute (but we already knew that.)

On Friday night and ALL day Saturday we have training for camp. We’re going to camp with the Junior high and High School students from Monday to Friday. Please pray that they are saturated with God’s word and that the devil doesn’t have a chance to sneak into that camp (as he’s so good at slithering…) I would love nothing better than to see every student make a true profession of faith or accept Christ. I know that camp can be a great place to have that happen.
I can’t tell if I’m getting a cold or if it’s all the dust, lack of sleep, and excitement. In any case, yes Dad, I’ve been taking vitamins and the like, so hopefully it clears up. I was actually able to get all of my lesson planning done and leave school by 6 pm last night and be in bed at 7:30 at which point I fell into a deep sleep that lasted until 6:30am.

On Sunday afternoon we had a joint birthday party for another teacher and me. It was great time…everyone came! We had an interesting time making cakes the night before. The BUTTERcream icing was…different. Let’s just say that the cocoa and icing sugar and BUTTER here must be a bit different. It sorta of…slid around the bowl in a big ball. But we mixed it with peanut butter and it tasted phenomenal. I’ve been surprised by what they sell here…EVERYTHING. I mean, more things that even in the states. There are a FEW (and I mean very few) things you can’t get here. I learned that their smoke alarms are required by law to be built into the ceilings in every building, so that’s nice to know.

Well, as I think of more and have time I’ll keep you posted. Until next time!

Peace.

A New Start

Tomorrow is the first day of school! I have my class all set up, and I'm read for the kids to come! I think it'll be a good day. A couple of my biggest prayers is that I can stay consistent in a couple areas: my walk with God, my portrayal of a Christian, and my discipline. God will help me, and I know I'll mess up, but His grace is greater than my slips. I want to make an impact on my students and show them God's love through what I do. I don't want them to see a fake Christian or one who doesn't love them and only cares about grades.

Church was good today! I was a bit zoned because (before I knew it) it was 1am yesterday and I was making cakes with 2 other teachers for a birthday party we had today. I had a good time reading for my devotions today.

I realized, and this is very obvious but not always to me, that if I just look for it more I will see God's answers to prayers in tons of ways. AND that will lead me to pray more. It's amazing how much I can overlook...but, like I said before, God gives grace and He's still working even when I'm clueless.

Well, time for bed. Bright and early tomorrow! :D Peace.

The Three P's

I wrote this a over the summer:

I’ve been reading a bunch of missionary biographies in the last few weeks. I’m doing this because I want to study the ways of those servants of God who gave their all for Him and we used in mighty ways. Why did they do it, how did they do it, what did they do, and what did God do? I’ve read 7 at this point, and my goal is 30. So far I’ve noticed three P’s. I honestly didn’t have to think about these to make them all start with the same letter, but they really were what I noticed. I wanted to expand on them for my own sake because I’m really trying to learn from these warriors how to live a life of faith and service to God. I might not be the next Mary Slessor or George Muller, but I can have a mindset and heart like they did. My goal isn’t to become world famous and have books written about me, but my goal is to win souls to Christ and to spread the gospel across the world, all of this with God’s help. I want to be a servant who is totally willing to do her Master’s will. I want to be a worker who does everything with all her might for God and no anyone else. I want to be the person is spends and is spent all for Jesus. I want to let God use me however He sees fit, wherever, whenever, and with whom ever. Just to be used by God is my greatest goal next to loving Him. The three P’s:

Prayer was a theme that was woven throughout all of the missionary biographies I have read. The power of prayer was evident by God’s working through these missionaries to reach people for Christ, bring in resources, money, and food, and overcome barriers such as language, culture, and physical needs. These people who dedicated their lives to God would not have been successful in their prayer lives had they not held, in an unwavering way, to their faith that God can move mountains and break down any walls as He sees the need. 1 John 5:14-15 reads "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.” Prayer works, it is effective, and this was proven literally countless times through these prayer warriors. They went through life on their knees, spending sometimes hours a day begging God for the salvation of souls that were bound to sin’s death, for basic every day needs like food and clothing and building supplies, and for mountains that seemed too high to climb like language barriers, cannibalism, terrain, government, and many other horrific sins. And what did we see happen because of this? They were always provided for, many people became children of God, and countless walls were broken down, some that seemed too strong and high. James 5:16 states “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” God hears, and God works through those who are willing to daily give life’s struggles and burdens over to Him so that He can carry out His perfect plan. These missionaries did not rely on themselves or those around them, but they solely and confidently relied on God alone to get them through every day. They relied on Lamentations 3:23’s mercies that are new every morning and 2 Corinthians 12:9’s grace that is sufficient and power that is made perfect in weakness and Psalm 73:26’s strength of God when our flesh is weak. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” This life of prayer was consistently lived out by these missionaries. They were not perfect people by any stretch of the imagination, but instead, they let God use their sinful weaknesses to show His power, glory, might, and will through them. They had nothing going for them except to trust in God and give their lives daily to Him so He could use them.

Passion drove these humble spreaders of God’s word. The passion of living life completely for God and nothing else, the passion of seeing lost souls won from the grip of hell, the passion of relying on God for everything, the passion of going wherever He wanted them to go, and the passion of working for the ultimate goal of a crown in Heaven and their precious Jesus saying “Well done good and faithful servant.” Romans 12:11 commands believers to be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” If you look at people such as Paul and Stephen and many other preachers and martyrs of the New Testament, you see that they were so passionate about doing God’s work that they endured shipwrecks, stoning, jail, persecution, and in many case, death. They didn’t have a love for the world, but a passion for God. They didn’t care what people thought of them in respect to worldly things, but they cared only about getting the message of Jesus’ death and love to a dying world. Psalm 126:5-6 says “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." I’m sure that these missionaries, both in the distant past and in the present, wept over the lost souls begging God to save those who were dying and going to hell every day without knowing God and the eternal life that they could have. They were passionate about these things, and they did reap the harvest of souls in joy. Psalm 97:10a says “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil…” These people hated evil and sin that trapped and cocooned the world, and they desired nothing more than to see God lifted up and the sin thrown away and crushed by the power of God. God used their passion for Him and things of His word to work in mighty ways in hearts all over the world. If these missionaries had not had this undying passion for God and souls, they would have done their work half heartedly and would have possibly given up when times got hard. But they cared little of other things except their passion for God.

Perseverance was the third common trait that I noticed in these missionaries. They were lifers. Once they realized their goal in life, to serve God, they kept going until their dying day. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12. These people did rejoice in hope. They loved Christ’s appearing, and they never took their eyes off of Jesus and Heaven. They knew what was ahead for the servant who gave it all for God, and this was their hope. All of the missionaries I read about faced the same thing: persecution. It came in so many ways, and no matter what, they all had the same outcome. They just persevered for the sake of the gospel, for the will of God, for the love of their Jesus, for the hope of glory, and for the salvation of souls. They didn’t have fancy, easy lives. Usually they lived with minimal comforts, and they adopted the culture and ways of living on whatever mission field they went to. They were very patient in suffering. And, as I wrote about before, they did persevere in prayer. God knew everything that they would ask before they asked it, but He still loved their fellowship with Him. Prayer was not a ritual or drudgery, but rather a special, intimate time talking with their Father and giving up burden and heartache and troubles onto His much stronger shoulders. Prayer was a beautiful communion between a Father and His child, and it was cherished. Romans 8:25 says “for we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” They couldn’t see Jesus and Heaven yet, but they had the promise and they clung to the hope. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. This is the verse that these missionaries lived. They did fall down, sin, and fail, but they got back up, put on the Lord’s armor, and fought the good fight against sin and death, and for life and peace. They were courageous soldiers for Christ who knew that their commander, Jesus, had already won the victory. They kept pushing on in this fight until they won as they passed from this life into glory. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” This was the reason that they persevered: for the kingdom of God. For furthering it and for entering it. They did not shy away from the greatness of the number of unreached people or the trials and would be ahead, but they pressed on. “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14-15. Their eyes were on Jesus and the prize, on Heaven’s shore where they would finally see Jesus, be perfect, and rest forever. They persevered for God’s sake. They were passionate for God’s sake. They prayed to God for the sake of the world.

A lot of people don’t think it’s necessary to go to other parts of the world to reach the lost because workers and people are needed right where they are to carry the load and reach out to the lost. This is true, but how many people have heard the gospel, especially in America, as opposed to some parts of the world that have literally never even heard the name of Jesus? There are many places, I’m sure. More workers are needed in the rest of the world that will go and reap the harvest of souls. They’re ready, and God is looking for people who will devote themselves to prayer, passion, and perseverance for the cause of Christ and the cross. So, maybe we won’t all be missionaries, but anyone can have this mindset wherever they are. God has also given us a job to do right where He has put us, no matter how small. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24. God is looking for our best wherever we are. He chose to use these missionaries in great ways all over the world, but a small work in a small town by an unknown person is just as important to God. Whether we’re a missionary or a worker where we are, we’re doing it for God. TO bring Him glory and to see souls saved should be our greatest joy. WE might not always see the results here, but we will in Heaven when He says, “Well done,” which I personally cannot wait to hear.

Lord, use me however you will. I give myself, my life, my wants, my hopes, my dreams, and all of my heart to you to do with what you see fit. Send me and I will go. Ask me and I will do it. Help me and I will thank you. Bless me and I will praise you. Bring me trials and I will praise you. Let me life be pleasing to you and let it be used to reach many people for your kingdom. Let me hold nothing back, but let me move ahead on my knees and in confidence that you who have begun a good work in me will continue it until I reach Heaven.

Wow...

So, the orphanage...really really REALLY a gift from God! I fell in love with those boys...in 2 seconds flat. I wanted to cry and smile at the same time...it just confirms what I want to do. They just wanted to look at my eyes because they said they look like jewels because they are blue. :) And they gave me a Korean name!! :) It's pronounced Joo-nee. Spelled differently. I gave them English names...David, Nate, and Daniel!! (from right to left in the first pictuer) :D Haha...at first they laughed but I explained why I chose them and they liked them. Hopefully they will keep them forever. I also met our translator, Song-he (sp?). She's a Christian...very VERY friendly!! We had a good time.

There's my orphanage update!! :D Pray that I have more chances to go. :)

Run Along

Quick update! Got my classroom all set up AND got the approval of a 5th grader. :D I decided to leave at 6 so I could actually scarf dinner down before heading out to meet Jason at 6:40 to go to the ORPHANAGE!!! But I got a little sidetracked taking pictures....oops! :D Still, I was able to eat a hot dog and drink something. Almost time to leave...and I refuse to be late!

Today I asked my student (whose mom works at the school so he's there all day) if he likes the classroom. He said "Yes, but Miss Janke, if I'm good and don't talk will you not make me sit in the middle of the girls?" LOL! I couldn't help but laugh! So cute. I said no, of course (what kind of a mean teacher would I be?)

So, I'm off to see the bebes at the orphanage! I'm so excited!! :D :D God just dropped this opportunity into my lap. Thank you Lord! More later.

Peace.

My Great God

I can only imagine the feeling in the air that day. The cries of the people peirced the stillness as the whip came down again and again on His back. The skin hanging raw, tattered and torn, bleeding. A King slumped over in missery as He was beaten over and over. His cries of pain must have mingled with the people who shouted "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" The eyes of love looked directly at these people who wanted Him to die a horrible, cruel death and saw through to their sinful souls. He saw their need for life and peace and love. Unconditional love. In spite of their hateful words and actions, He loved them. During this time when they spit on Him and mocked His name, He loved them. When they cursed Him with their lips and heart, He loved them. While they kicked and beat and pushed Him, He loved them. He loved them while they fashioned a crown from sharp thorns and pushed it down on His head. They did not ask for love, but He loved them anyways.

The rough wood must have splintered in the jagged flesh that hung from His back, rubbing against it. Like a million knives stabbing in to the already angushing sores. He carried the huge cross on a back that had little strength left. He carried the rugged cross with hands that reached out to the lost that surrounded Him on all sides. He carried the cross for one purpose. He walked the road of sorrow, up, up to the place of the skull. But, before He reached that dark hill, He stumbled beneath the weight. So weak, He could not continue lifting this heavy burden. And so, another man was forced to bear the load. They led Him...they led the King. Our great King of love.

Huge spikes were driven into His hands, into His feet. Right through tender flesh and bones. Up they hoisted the wooden structure of pain and death. And there He hung. He hung on the cross of Calvary with a sign over His head that read "King of the Jews." And that He was. King of everything, actually. Hours passed, and He hung there. Suspended between life and death. The eyes of His mother beheld her Son, dying. Dying for a world that would reject Him, but knowing that many would accept Him. The veil was torn, the sky blackened. As black as night. And He died. JESUS died. The blood that flowed from His head, His hands, His side, His feet. This blood poured freely for those standing before Him, for all of mankind that would ever live. His life blood. And He passed from life to death.

The moment the cries of the people went up upon finding Jesus dead, head slumped on His chest, must have been deafening. But louder still the cry of "VICTORY!" Death, or so it seemed, had won. Jesus' death had crushed death. As backwards as it seems, Jesus' death brought life. "For the wages of sin is death..." Sin was demolished, the price of sin was paid in FULL at that very moment. One perfect, holy Man, Jesus, died once for all. One time. Every drop He shed was shed for every sin of every human on the earth. "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Every person can look to the cross, to the blood that Jesus shed, to the debt He paid for all sin, and they can receive freedom. Freedom from sin's curse, freedom from it's slavery, freedom from unrest, and want, hate, and bitterness. Freedom from death itself. It's through Jesus' blood.

An amazing truth, that my Jesus could die and pay for the sins of the whole world. Yet, so often I forget to trust Him. If God, my Jesus, could take the chief of sinners and cleanse me sins, make me His own child, and teach me to be more like Him, can't He do anything? The answer: yes. My God can do anything. So why should I even doubt? Why should I ever worry, or fear, or wonder what the future will hold? Why would I ever want to commit the very sins that literally nailed Him to the cross? My heart hates sin. My heart is unspeakably thankful and joyful for this act of unconditional love that my Jesus lavished on me. Me? Yes, me. The one who deserves it the least.

That's my great God.

When It Rains In Asia

It rained today! Haha I was able to wear flip flops and I found a cheap umbrella next to the bus stop, so I was good to go. I was thinking...I wonder if one of those raindrops fell over my hometown and was evaporated and carried over to Korea. Wouldn't that be swell? Hmm...something I'll have to ask God when I get to Heaven.

I went to Wednesday night church tonight! It was wonderful!! The pastor spoke on where a Christian can find true happiness. And he compared it to the world and how they look for happiness in things that only satisfy for a time. And it's so true...I remember those days when I tried this and that new thing and went here and there and it was good for a while but then it got old and I'd look for something else. I was never satisfied or content. I went for a walk today and saw the people walking around. I can't talk to them...I only know a few words...and I know so many of them (probably the grand majority) does not have salvation and forgivenss and true happiness in God. And that drives me to learn the language so I can explain that to them. Sooo...I'm going to be taking Korean classes starting in about a month. I'm so excited! Please pray that God will help me to learn it quickly so I can build relationships with my students, their parents, and other Koreans who might not know English.

I'm now able to take myself to several places around our area of the city. I'm branching out more and more every day! :) My classroom is taking shape and I got my class list today. 14 students! :D 5 girls, 9 boys. I have my long range plan done, and I'm working on my schedule and first week lesson plans. Only a few more days and I get to meet my students!!!

I think it's very awesome how God gives us little things to show us that He cares about us. For instance, Robyn, one of the teachers, really wanted a piano because she loves to play. But, of course, they're expensive and so she just dismissed the thought. Well, just 2 days ago, one of the men asked if she knew of anyone who would like a piano for their apartment because there was one sitting in one of the classrooms not being used. She said she would, and they moved it in yesterday. In fact, I can hear her playing right now! She was thrilled, naturally, and it just brings to light the fact that God is planning for our needs AND wants even before we think about the little pleasures. He loves us and loves to shower us with blessings. He's given me a more than enormous apartment with hot running water, a brand new washer/dryer, food, a purified water, airconditioning, and awesome teachers to work with. That's just naming a few!! I couldn't ask for a more amazing God, and I couldn't love anyone more. I don't deserve any of it...I deserve hell, in fact...but God's mercy and grace are greater than all my sins. So, thank you God for keeping me safe and well. My prayer is that I can show Him love in return by keeping His commandments and getting to know Him and grow in Him.

I suppose I should lesson plan...hmmm...now that's a thought! Thank you for all your prayers!! Until next time!

Peace

I'll Sleep Well Tonight

Well, in-service started today. The first meeting/challenge was VERY good. I didn't take notes because I was unprepared (shame on me) but it was good nonetheless (I don't like that phrase...why did I use it?) We all sorted through 125 boxes of textbooks and then took them up to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor. We were all sweaty by the end and hungry for lunch. I was able to work on my room...taking books out of plastic, sorting them, putting them on the shelf, moving desks and shelves, cleaning, sorting, etc. I was at the school from 9:30-6. It was fun and it passed quickly, but I know I'll sleep well tonight!

I met one of my students. If he isn't just the cutest little thing, I don't even know who is!! He was PRICELESS! So adorable. :) I'm so excited!! And his English was very good which gives me a glimmer of hope.

I went shopping with another teacher and got some school supplies as well as more items for my apartment. It's amazing how many little things you need (and want--but I've been pretty good in only getting things I need...pretty good :) On the way back (which I can now find my way around pretty well in a small area) I tried Korean toast. It was this little shop...maybe 5 feet wide and 15 feet long. The shopkeeper cracked an egg into a square thing and cooked it along with cheese, sausage (which is more like ultra processed hotdog...) some interesting sweet sauce, and really sweet pickles. It was soo hot and delicious! I didn't particularly care for the pickles, but they weren't horrible. I'm not a pickle person. I found my way back and even walked myself to the grocery store. I saw some of the administrators there and they asked me if I ventured out alone. I said yes and then they told me that they were right behind me and wanted to make sure I found the way. I did! I was very happy. I'm starting to recognize landmarks. Now to get a cell phone so I can really venture out alone. I feel VERY safe here. Even at night there are scores of people walking around and cars going by.

Well, I really should be working on my long range plan that's due Wednesday, so until next time.

Peace.

Tunnel Vision

Lately I've found myself with severe tunnel vision...it's like there's only one thing I'm focused on. Everything else really does fade into the background, it's not attention grabbing anymore. I just keep hearing the words in my head. "Well done good and faithful servant." Standing before Jesus, the one who died to save me and give me life, I will hear these words. I will look into His sweet amazing face, and I'll be home. Where I belong.

So many times it's easy to see things in the world that entice me. They might not even be wrong, but they don't allow me to use my time for the two purposes that I'm here: to spread the gospel and to become more like Christ. They don't let me redeem the time. It's becoming less and less difficult to turn my back on those things and have heavenly tunnel vision. My life on this earth serves no purpose but to bring glory to God through my service to Him. I love what that entails. It allows me to meet people with whom I can become close and share what God has been teaching me, encourage them, and point them to Christ. It allows me to go places and speak the name of Christ unashamed. For my purpose God has given me gifts and desires such as changing lives through teaching. It allows me to spend time learning about God, talking with Him, and getting ready for Heaven. I'm a stranger here...this world really isn't my home. I understand what Paul said in Phil. 1:23-26 "I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again." I want to be with Christ, but I am needed here. Until God says it's time for me to come home, I'm going to push on with the goal of Heaven in mind.

So in everything I do here, I have to ask the question, "If I was to lay this offering (my time, my actions, my words, my things, etc.) before the throne of God, would He say well done?" If the answer is not 100% sure YES! THen I need to reevaluate what I am doing. I'm a stranger here on earth, and my life has to be sold out, totally dedicated, 100% given to the furthering the name of Jesus and becoming more like Him. It's not about me or the world or anything, it's a life of Christ.

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

In other news, church was great today! Everyone was very welcoming, and I felt part of the family as soon as I walked in the door. I'm finding it more and more necessary to gather with believers. I can't imagine not having that and God has been gracious in allowing me to worship Him freely each Sunday. I think of other believers in countries like China, and I am so much more grateful for what I have.

The message was about endurance. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2. Jesus' joy was doing the Father's will. He had one purpose on earth and that was to accomplish the mission to which He was sent and then go home to glory. That's my mission too. It goes along with the tunnel vision. My perfect example of endurance and pressing on is Jesus Himself (as always :) He endured and went to the cross. He knew what the pain would be like, but He didn't waver or give in to the world. He pressed on and so will I. When it seems to hard, I think of Jesus' death. That was much harder. So where there's pain and sorrow, there's greater comfort, joy, and peace.

In-service starts tomorrow!!! I'm so excited!!!! Then in a week I get to meet my kiddies. Oh, I just realized it's almost 12:30! I have to be up early tomorrow, so tata for now.

Peace.

One Step Down

Well, I've officially graduated to step 2 of the metro training. Actually, the metro is very easy to use. I got a reloadable card, and all the maps are easy to read and follow. I went pretty far with two other teachers today, and we used hand motions and limited Korean to ask where a certain shopping center was. A smile and a thank you go a long way! We were tired by the end, but it was so fun!

One interesting shirt I saw today said "peanutbutter, jelly, banana & sandwhich" :) I'll keep updated on the translations.

Chicago (ma kitteh) is fitting in nicely. He's very sweet and likes to sit on my lap and purr. He did keep me up last night by meowing pittifully every couple hours and jumping on the fridge and the top of my wardrobe. But he's getting used to it. I like having a companion! I filled and cleaned a litter box for the first time ever in my life!! I was very proud of myself! :D Cats aren't as fun as dogs, but they're still cute, and Chiggy is really cuddly.

We're going down to the stream tonight, so I get to use the metro again. :D I think this adventure is going to be amazing! In-service starts on Monday, and then school starts the following Monday. In 3 weeks we are going to "camp." I don't know any details, but I pray that some students make decisions to accept Christ/change their lives around if they're already saved. Camp is a good place for that, and I would love nothing more!

My feet are tired from LOTS of walking, but I'm happy and hot. My airconditiong is going full blast, and Chiggy and I are resting in the apartment. I got some fun bead curtains things (only they're not beads...) for my room. It gives that little funness to the house. Hopefully I'll be able to add more accents soon! Only that invovled $$...hmm...we'll see what bargains we can find!

Until next time.

Peace.

Another Day, Another Dollar

Well, I had my first official sleep in Seoul (the airport bench didn't count.) I went to bed last night at 1:30am and woke up widely at 7:30am this morning. I wasn't tired, so I got ready and started unpacking. Like climbing Everest...I tell ya! Took me almost 3 hours, but I did it. EVERYTHING is unpacked!! It feels more like home now.

The people (teachers and Koreans) are so friendly! They make me feel right at home. I'm having a great time!

God really has gone with me. I had to pray a lot in the airport so I wouldn't get nervous or worried wondering when I would be picked up. I opened my Bible and turned right to the verse in Haggai 13 that says "I am with you, declares the Lord." It was comforting, and I was able to relax and take in the surroundings.

Until next time!

Peace.

Home Sweet Home

Well, I made it home. When we finally broke through the clouds and I could see the city, I fell in love with it already. It's beautiful! I met some interesting people on the flight over (which was long but not too bad.) I sat next to a young guy, about my age, who was from Mongolia. I talked to an American who was living in Hong Kong with her 4 kids and another family going to HK. I talked to many other people who were very friendly and made my flight over not so boring! haha.


When I got to the airport, I checked out normal for my temperature (what a great greeting!) and cleared customs with barely any questions. Then I waited...and waited...and waited. I got in at 6pm and wasn't picked up until 11ish. I was able to get some sleep, but I got some interesting stares from various asian passersby. I tried paging my ride, using a taxi driver's cell phone, using a pay phone, and I finally got the message across through the internet. There had been a simple mix up of flight times. So, all that part was over and we drove through the city (sooo wonderful!) and to a cute little side street.

My apartment is awesome! When you walk into the rooms, the floor is raised a bit, so I'm sure that'll be the death of me. If not, it'll be the mountain climber stairs. But it's very quaint and cute. I haven't even bothered to unload and get settled because it's already almost 1am. The teachers are sooo friendly and we had a great time talking (although I was in that strange brain stage.) So, it's off to bed for me. We'll see what Seoul holds for tomorrow.

Peace.

I Love Ya Tomorrow!

Joshua 1:9 ...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

A command and a promise. What a great truth to take with me! :D

I've said goodbye to my church family, told my bebes not to grow up while I was gone, and ALMOST gotten everything packed. I won't bore you with the rest of the details. I'm ready to embark. I leave early tomorrow morning and I'm so excited!! I can't wait to see what happens. I'm glad I have verses like these to hang on to.

See you on the other side!

Peace

Soon to Depart

So, in 4 days, 45 minutes and 2 seconds (as of writing this right now) I will be on a non-stop flight to Seoul, South Korea. What adventures await me? Only time will tell. This is how the conversation goes with the people I tell:

Person: So, what will you be doing now that you've graduated?
Me: Oh, I'm going to teaching in South Korea for two years.
Person: Where?! (flabbergasted)
Me: South Korea
Person: Wow, that's a long way away. Are you nervous?
Me: Nope.

And then the conversation generally goes on from there. So, if I'm not nervous, what am I? Well, aside from a human, I'm excited, in wonder, dreamy, and freaked out of my mind. Well, sort of. I've pack my favorite two books (the Bible and Guess How Much I Love You), my neck pillow, my money belt, and various other little odds and ends that I'll need for my 5th grade class. The rest of my clothes have been puked out of my suitcase and repacked for various other summer jaunts, spilled out again, and will soon be washed and repacked. I've talked to God a lot about this trip, and I'm very peaceful. I'm ready to see what the near future holds for me.

I titled my blog "The Road" because that's what the rest of my life will be (and has been). A road that leads to Heaven and God's "well done good and faithful servant." Everything I do will be along this road. My greatest prayer is that I am faithful to God in everything (including and especially the small things) and that I stay on His narrow road. That I live within His will every single day, and that I aim to please only Him. The Road is hard, exciting, confusing, fun, beautiful, stormy, amazingly wonderful, and much much more. But the road is one that I walk with God. Always. His path is perfect, His timing is perfect, and there is not a single milisecond that I don't walk right next to Him. His protection is sure, His love is unconditional and unending, and His forgiveness is complete. THere will be times when the world will entice me to just step even a toe off His path, but by His grace I won't. I'll stay strong like I've been preparing to do. The devil will follow me to South Korea, but so will the armor of God.

I'm sure I'll have many interesting and funny things to write about (although those who know me know that a lot of stories I tell are the maybe-you-just-had-to-be-there kind, so we'll see.) Until then.

Peace.