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.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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 classroomSo…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.
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.
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