My Oh My

Here I am in my warm house just minding my own business. The time: 10:30pm. The place: My house. The conditions: Calm. Unsuspecting situation, isn't it?

From out of nowhere, my green, round, dollar store brush attacked me. It wrapped itself with my hair and created a death grip on my long strawberry blonde locks.

Ok well maybe my brush didn't attack. Maybe I unknowingly wrapped my hair around my brush, tried to untwist it, and realized that it was a hopeless mess. I tried for about 30 unsuccessful minutes to untangle the situation.

After realizing it was a lost caused, I grabbed my phone and called my awesome friend, Lisa. Lisa would know what to do!! She promptly came over and found me sitting on my floor with a green, round, dollar store brush hanging from my long strawberry blonde locks. After laughing with me, she got to work. It didn't take long for her to spell it out to me: we're going to have to cut it. It's hopeless. So, I held my breath while she utilized the...*gasp*...scissors. It was over before I knew it. It really was over...

Now I sat, looking like a redneck with a mullet, with a brush full of hair. Awesome. I unmatted what I had left of my hair and decided that it wasn't THAT bad. I mean, a chunk of jagged hair that's about half as long as the rest smack dab on the side of my head isn't life changing or anything, really. I mean, really, it's not that bad. Just funny.

Yes, this time I laughed a lot at my mistake as well as shed a few confused tears and a few of frustration. It could be a lot worse...like the time when I was 5 and my sister used plastic Playschool scissors to cut my hair which resulted in a boy short cut later on. Yes, this was much better. I guess I'll just be wearing my hair curly until it grows back. Now I'm left with a green, round, dollar store brush covered in hair. Maybe I'll burn it...

In other news...my floor is warm right now. That's one thing I'll miss about Korea is the heated floors. So nice in the morning. You can roll out of bed onto the floor and continue sleeping on its warmth. I'm thankful for heated floors.

Wednesday was a half day of school. We had an assembly in the morning with grades 1-6. Each class had prepared something. My class recited Psalm 95:1-6 and sang "Count Your Blessings." They did a great job! All the other classes did as well. One class did an adorable play about the pilgrims, one class led a sword drill using verses about thankfulness. Of course the kindergartners were just precious. After the assembly we had 5 different stations (game, food, songs, etc.) in 5 classrooms. Each one was led by one or two teachers. The kids were in groups and moved around to the different rooms. The 1st grade teacher and I led the the games. We played music chairs except instead of using chairs we taped turkey foot prints on the floor. We also played a game where you had to pass foods such as cranberries, nuts, and oranges with chopsticks and spoons. The final game was "Duck, Duck, Turkey." Go figure. :) The kids had a great time, but the best part was the end. Like, the end where we get to leave. At noon. To start our vacation.

Lisa and I went to Costco and then I promptly fell asleep for several hours. Because I accidently slept from 6pm-12am (I'm a night owl with an early morning job...it catches up to me) I had to stay up until 5am. But it was alright because I'm on vacation. Yesterday I went to the City Hall area of town as well as the bustling popular shopping area, Myeongdong, and shopped. Three different groups of people asked me to do interviews. One had a large TV camera. It was an interesting day. I came back to a lovely turkey dinner and a fun time with the other teachers and Lisa's kitten.

Today was a relaxing day of shopping in Insadong, the long street that is filled with traditional shops, tea houses, and art galleries. And now I come to...now...as I write this thinking of going to bed with my redneck hair. I think it's time. Peace.

Night Walk

Two in one day. This is just a story.

So, tonight my friend Jen comes to my house to stay the night. She was telling me about her day when I got the idea that we should go for a walk. So we bundled up and went out. I stopped to buy a drink, she stopped to take something out of her shoe, and we went a different direction than we had planned to go. I was going to take her up a big hill, but since we were talking, I figured that it would be difficult to walk up the steep hill and talk a lot at the same time. At one point I thought we should cross the street to go up the big hill, but I changed my mind at the last second.

So we're walking and talking and all of a sudden we hear a huge screech and pop and RIGHT next to us a white car swerves all over the road and eventually slams into a small parking garage with a metal cage covering it. We stopped traffic and had someone call 119 (our Korean is limited) and we ran over just as the guy, about 25, was staggering out of the broken driver side window. He had a huge gash above his eyebrow that was gushing blood and was obviously in shock and possibly semi-intoxicated. Jen grabbed him around the waist because he wanted to walk away, but she knew that was a bad idea. So while she asked him questions, the police were called and the ambulance as well. Jen told me that cars don't blow up like on TV.

Anyways, the police took care of him and they all left. Jen wanted to take some pictures of the crash scene, so we stayed for about 5 more minutes while she took pictures. We began walking again and were about 500 meters away from the next intersection when we see a taxi hit a white car at the intersection. We ran down to the intersection to see if everyone was alright. The white car turned out to be an undercover police officer. We used our detective skills and presumed that the taxi driver was at fault.

We finished our walk that was supposed to be half an hour and ended up to be an hour. Quite an eventful night walk.

I just have to say that I saw God's hand in it all. He obviously gave me the thought, "Let's go for a walk." At midnight...on a cold night. And Jen agreed to go. I stopped and she stopped along the way. He didn't allow us to cross the street or go up the hill which might have put us directly in the path of the car. Jen stayed to take pictures so we weren't at the intersection when the second crash happened. Why? To help the man in the first car. Maybe. All I know is that God has every one of my steps planned out. He's a good God.

SO

SO. I'm in my new apartment, 3/4 of the way through November, and loving every minute. Back to that November part, I cannot even believe that this month has passed so quickly. Did we even have October? Christmas is coming...only 17 more school days, in fact. Then it's on to Taiwan for some fun in the sun Christmas style, and then on to Detroit for the much anticipated nuptials of my sister! Someone recently called me crazy for doing so much in 2 weeks, and I might be crazy. Crazy excited! Sure, jet lag might be my best friend during that time, but it's worth it. I was going back to past Christmas traditions, and I was thinking how strange it will be to spend Christmas in a Taiwanese hostel where the weather is 70 degrees and there isn't the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers and dazzling trees everywhere. I think it will be awesome! I'll miss my family, though, but we'll be together soon.

School has been going really well! I got a new student who has extremely low English. My other students are all excellent English speakers, and it makes it difficult to have two completely different levels. The new boy is very smart and super precious! I know in time he'll learn quickly and improve leaps and bounds. I'll just keep working with him.

We were reviewing States and Capitals recently.

Me: "What's the capital of Hawaii."

Student 1: "Honolulu!"

Student 2: "That's where Obama was born. Or so he SAYS, but I think he's lying."

We recently celebrated the birthday of my new student. The mother had brought chicken, pizza, oranges, kimbap, juice, soda, and a cake (a feast!!) The kids had just finished eating their pizza, and some had started on their chicken. There were two plates left so one of the boys went over and brought both plates with him.

Boy 1: "Which plate of chicken do you want?"

Boy 2: "JOY. I left the bigger one for you."

JOY means Jesus Others You. I taught the kids that a while back, and I was so happy that they were not only listening and remembered it, but I've seen them put it into practice. Sometimes they struggle back and forth with what they want to do and what they know would be putting others first, but they always choose others. I'm so happy to see God working in their lives.

When I was in school and report card time rolled around, I always got 3 (1=highest, 3=lowest) in "cheerful prompt obedience." I shared that with my students because we all have trouble obeying at times, some more than others. They were surprised, but I'm human too. We looked up "prompt" in the dictionary, I one of the boys summarized it as, "obeying right away with a happy heart." Pretty good! We call it CPO now. It goes well with JOY, DIC (due in class), RO (rip out), RB (reading buddies), and our various hand signals for "repeat", "bathroom", and others.

I got back into beading. I found out that Esther loves to bead, and that fueled my fire. I also discovered that the wife of another teacher also enjoys it. I found that I can go to this massive underground shopping place where they have loooong necklaces for a dollar, buy a bunch, and then take them apart and use the beads for all sorts of new projects. It's MUCH cheaper than buying individual beads!! Anyways, that my new hobby too.

I learned how to make this yummy cinnamon tea using fresh cinnamon sticks (I'm never going back to powder) and ginger root. A perfect fall/winter warm up! When I was making it, I discovered that I in fact have an electric burner! I grew up with electric burners, but since being here and using a gas oven, I've gotten so used to it that I forgot how easy an electric one is. WOW! I just turn the dial and BAM! :) Granted, I only have one and no oven, but it's better than nothing. They thought of everything in this apartment. The kitchen sink even has a pulley-outey thing. Not sure what it's called. There's a hanging drying rack, built in closets and desk, a fridge, and it's just really really nice. God has totally blessed me with this apart.

The other day I decided to give my students a short break because they had been working hard all day, and I felt like they were fading. I hardly every give breaks...maybe never, except recess and lunch of course...anyways, they looked at me with quizzical looks.

Me: "I'm going to give you a five minute break to walk around and talk and stretch."

Student: "Really?"

Me: *laugh* "Yes. YOu better start before the time runs out."

a few minutes later...

Student: "I'm not sure what I think of this. I think maybe you're testing us."

Of course I died laughing. Later on they were working on a worksheet. I don't usually let them talk because then they don't get their work done. I decided to allow them to talk because the worksheet was basically just coloring the different regions of the U.S.

Me: "You may talk while you work as long as you don't get distracted and keep working."

Student: "Miss Janke! Why are you letting us talk and have break time? I really think you're testing us and I'm kind of nervous!"

Me: "Ok." *chuckled*

They didn't know what to think. It was pretty great.

One girl walked up to us at lunch, said "my tooth is very loose," touched the tooth and surprised us all when it fell out as if on command. We laughed, and she was shocked because it started to bleed. I'm not sure what she was expecting...glitter to fall out or something?

The 4th grade class was learning about plants and how they need carbon dioxide to grow. The teacher came across one boy breathing on the plants.

Teacher: "What are you doing?"

Student: "I'm helping his plant grow. It needs help because it's very small."

I love kids and their logic!!

I forgot how cold winter can be. I haven't pulled out my winter coat yet. I read that it's snowing in some places in the U.S. I'd like to be in Taiwan right now where it's sometimes in the 80's and 90's. Ahh sun!

^"27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

BECAUSE OF HIM

Because of Jesus I was found in my sin

Brought to a cleansing stream and washed from within

Because of my great God I stand on a solid Rock

I have new life and it's all because of Him

Because of Him, I am saved

Redeemed, made new, and justified

Because of Him, I cannot boast

Except in Christ the crucified

I find the strength to fight

My hope in life

The peace I cannot understand

In Him

Because my Savior loved me more than His life

Unconditional, He bore the cross for me

He knew how I would sin and went there anyways

I'll never die and it's all because of Him

I recently experience deja vu, and it brought my mind spiritual deja vu. You know, when you sin, ask forgiveness, and then ask God to help you defeat that sin. Then later on, you commit the same sin and repeat the process. It brings to mind the thought, "I've been here before." Spiritual deja vu. Only this kind is real, not simply an imagined thought. It's one thing to ask God for forgiveness and help. It's another thing to actually take and put on the armor of God, daily, hourly, even minute by minute if need be ask God to help you fight Satan and his attacks, and consciously think about the right. I've had too many times where I've experience spiritual deja vu, and I for one would like to get rid of that and start taking up the armor of God.

^"10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," Ephesians 6:10-18

Here are some pictures of my new place. Peace!

Oh Great God

I taught Sunday School for the first time today. It went very well. One of the kids in Sunday School is in my 5th grade class. I guess that was good because it meant he was comfortable with me and my teaching style. All in all it was a good first time. :)

I began tutoring two boys twice a week. They are both...high energy! That's one way of saying it. We went to the nearby stationary store and bought "power pencils." I let them each choose a pencil that they would use to help them study very hard. It didn't make too much of a dent in my budget, and it was very exciting for them so it was money well spent. One boy who has been doing quite poorly actually memorized most of his Bible verse for the week. I was very proud of him, and it makes me want to help him even more. They are very precious children!!

Tomorrow is our first class party. We'll be playing some party games (I know they'll beg to play "three on a couch" and I'll consent.) I baked rainbow chip cupcakes with chocolate frosting because tomorrow is also the birthday of the only girl in my class. Often times the mother of the student who is having a birthday will bring snacks or even pizza and chicken. We'll have drinks and whatnot. It should be a fun time. :) I THOUGHT I would get to bed early tonight, but now I get to clean my previously cleaned kitchen that is now covered with cupcake stuff.

I will for sure be moving in about 2 weeks. This time it is a guarantee because the contract for this apartment expires. Who am I kidding? Nothing here is ever a guarantee. I've learned, however, to just go with the flow.

The weather is slowly but surely getting colder. I now sleep with a shirt and hoodie, flannel pants under my sweat pants, fuzzy socks, and two blankets and still wake up with a cold nose. It's partly my fault because I refuse to turn on the heat when I'm not getting hypothermia or anything like that. Plus the fact that I don't even know how to work the heat...Today was the first partly cloudy day in a long time. The sky has been so blue and the air so dry and crisp. The leaves are really changing colors, and fall is quickly turning into winter. As I was typing this I saw the clock change to 12am on November 1. I think we skipped October...where did it go?

I have to say that I'm thankful that the Lord has allowed me to not succumb to the many ailments that strike elementary schools across the world around this time of the year. My students have been getting colds and whatnot, but I've been able to avoid them. Praise God!

^"12I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, ¹³though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:12-17

I've been reading the Timothys in my devotions in the last few days. When I read these verses they never cease to amaze me that God would love me in spite of what I've done and die to save me to glorify Himself. Mind blowing. I've also been reading in Jeremiah. I especially love these verses:

⁴Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

⁵ "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you;I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

⁶Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth."⁷But the LORD said to me,

"Do not say, 'I am only a youth';for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,and whatever I command you, you shall speak. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."

⁹ Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me,

"Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. ¹⁰See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down,to destroy and to overthrow,to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:4-10

I sometimes wonder if people will even listen to me when I tell them that I want to start an orphanage in China. Will they hear my message and say, "Oh, she's just a child. She doesn't have the experience or schooling or money to accomplish this." What if I can't answer questions that I'm asked? What if I stumble on my words when I'm speaking in a church? What if? What if? Well, Jeremiah said that he was just young and didn't know what to say. God assured him that He would put the words in Jeremiah's mouth. He also commanded Jeremiah not to be afraid because God would be with him. I'm not a prophet, but I am a messenger for God who will bring the good news of Jesus' love and salvation to China. He will give me the words, the strength, the time, the money, and everything I need to do the job. When God gives someone a job to do, He gives them what they need to finish the job. A promise I can hold on to.

Sometimes I look at my life and compare it to Paul. Of course, Paul wasn't perfect, but his life as a worker for Christ seemed so amazing. He was so selfless and giving and he followed God no matter where it took him. He was so in love with God. Then I look at my life and see the job that God's given me to do as one that is not as great as Paul's. But then I think...God's given me this job. Doesn't that make it great? Even if it's teaching a class of 5 5th graders for 8 hours a day or go around preaching in churches, it's what God's asked us to do. That makes it necessary and worthwhile and rewarding. One task isn't any more important than the other. The fact is that if God gives me something to do, I need to do it with all that I have knowing that it fits into God's plan somewhere and is just as important as anything else. Now I'm rambling...

To close I'll post a poem that I wrote today. I was reading in Psalms and a few other books and combined some verses into a poem.

He keeps my heart in perfect peace

As my soul trusts in Jesus' care

He is a rock that never moves

Jehovah al my burdens shares

God's steadfast love will never end

As He pours mercies on His own

He'll be my portion, says my soul

Until I stand before His throne

The Lord is love, and He is good

To those who seek His precious face

He'll ever lead us through the fire

As we trust only in His grace

His love will fortify our faith

He knows my sin and loves me still

I will make known His faithfulness

And I will sing forever more

I'll praise Him with my dying breath

My heart is glad, He's done great things

And on my tongue are shouts of praise

I'll love the Lord for He is good

And will be good through all my days

The Lord is love, and He is good

To those who seek His precious face

He'll ever lead us through the fire

As we trust only in His grace

His love will fortify our faith

Remember to look for the blessings that God showers on your life and praise Him and thank Him for them. He's a great God! Peace.

Like a Tree

I'm not sure why I think that making cookies will be a quick and easy process. It started around 9 and, in between the computer and the oven, I baked and baked and baked until midnight. Granted, I was using a cake pan for lack of a better option, and I did make a double recipe, but 3 hours? Next time I need to rethink this idea. :)

I have been told by a few people recently that they consider me a strong Christian. I shouldn't have been, but I was caught off guard each time. By caught off guard, I mean that I didn't know what to say. Of course I didn't say thank you, and I did say "praise the Lord" but I feel like that's not enough. If someone says that to me, this is what a really want to say:

Well, in and of myself, I am not a good Christian. I have no good in me. I show no love, and I have no kindness. But praise God that He has used this weak, sinful person to show Himself. Praise God that He patiently works in me every day and shows me my sin, helps me to correct it, and allows me to learn from it. Praise God that His grace is greater than my sin. Praise God that He allows me to use my life to serve Him and through that to glorify Him. All the praise and glory for anything good in my life must go to God.

Now, I realize that I'm not going to recite that spcheal to someone, but I just want to be very clear to myself and others that God gets all the glory.

I don't want to be satisfied with my spiritual state. Are the enormous redwood trees satisfied to be tiny saplings that have to be held up by rope and secured at the base because they are too weak and their roots are not in the ground yet? No, they grow and grow and grow until they are massive and unmovable. I want to be unmovable in the Lord. I want to be alive in the Lord and striving to become more like Him. I want to keep growing and growing and growing until no wind of evil can topple me and no storm can break me and no battle against satan can make me move.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

God

God

You're bigger than the mountains I face
You're richer than the monetary needs I have
You're stronger than the devil who tempts me
You're wiser than those who tell me I can't do it
You're more faithful than my closest friend
You love me more than I can imagine.

I will trust and follow.

Today in Heritage we were discussing the World Wars. We talked about Belgium wanting to remain neutral, and I was writing the world neutral letter by letter on the board so the students could guess the word. When I wrote "n-e-u-t-r" one boy yelled out "NEUTROGENA! MY MOM USES THAT!" I couldn't suppress my laughter.

The cheese factory field trip was a success. The kids only asked 999,999 times "how much longer till we get there?" I sang the song for them that I had grown up listening to "How much longer till we get there? Everybody would say. How much longer till we get there? Complaining all the way...." A couple girls held bags over their mouths, but nothing was expelled. The noise was kept to a dull roar on the 1.5 hour bus ride, everyone wore their seat belts (granted the teachers had to literally buckle some of them in who didn't want to wear them), no one broke bones (yes, it happened last year) and no bloody noses or black eyes were acquired. The kids laughed and cheered all day, thoroughly enjoying themselves. They went sledding, made and ate pizza, stretched cheese, held bunnies, played on the playground, made a traditional Korean popped rice, and promptly passed out on the bus ride home. I also passed out and woke up with scratchy eyes. The aircon was turned on during the last 5 minutes, and we were grateful for that. Yes, it was a success. I wouldn't say I'm ready to do it again tomorrow, but it was fun while it lasted.

I made the Korean staple, kimchi, yesterday. I looked up a recipe on the internet, and followed it. I did, however, put way too many onions and garlic in. Let's just say that my breath is less than desirable after I take a few bites. I've also learned first hand why Korean's use a separate fridge for kimchi. It was fun, but since I'm not a very good cook, I didn't feel overly accomplished. Oh well another day another bucket of kimchi. :)

School is wizzling by! Just another month until Thanksgiving break and a few weeks after that is Christmas. Then it'll be a new year and spring will come. Soon school will be over, and another year will be conquered. Wow...

Pray. Then wait. While you wait, trust.

Peace.

Oldies

I dug up some old quotes that I wrote or read and some old poems that I wrote.

"I do not desire to be known, but I desire that through me, God might be known."

I found this quote in a biography I read about Isobel Kuhn, a courageous missionary to China....

Often on the Rock I tremble,

Faint of heart and weak of knee;

But the steadfast Rock of Ages

Never trembles under me.

This next quote was from a biography that I read about George Muller:

"Lord, is it really possible that You will provide whatever I ask You for--especially concerning the orphan house? I praise you, Lord. Truly You are great and greatly to be praised that a mere man can ask of You, the God of the universe, and receive whatever he asks. Help me to be faithful to Your calling, Lord."

Two poems that I wrote:

GOD, I ASK

God, I ask why?

My human heart can't understand!

But I have confidence in you

I know that by your grace

I'm safe in your mighty hand

God, I ask where?

My feet don't know where they should go!

But I have confidence in you

That you will lead me where

Your perfect will has called me to

God, I ask how?

My mortal strength is gone, I'm weak!

But I have confidence in you

That you will give to me

From your hand all the strength I need

God, I ask what?

I do not have the words to speak!

But I have confidence in you

That you will speak through me

And that my tongue your grace will lead

God, I say yes!

Just send me where you need me now

For I have confidence in you

That if I give my life

You will use this sinner some how

ON MY KNEES

The power of prayer, I know it well

I see God's love at work in me

Though others doubt, in God I trust

I'll live this life upon my knees

It's pressing on when people fail

And waves arise and break on me

It's lifting up my voice to God

It's living life upon my knees

The power of prayer, to win the lost

To open blinded eyes to see

It's God who hears my earnest pleas

When I live life upon my knees

And when I reach that glorious shore

My Savior's face I'll finally see

I'll praise His name forever more

Before His throne upon my knees

I read a great quote from a book about the missionary C.T. Studd.

"Some wish to live within the sound

Of a church or chapel bell.

I want to run a rescue shop

Within a yard of hell."

I want the hard hitting, near the flames, crying out and pleading, rescue the dying, head over heals love for Jesus, total faith, trial soaked, nothing witheld kind of life. Somethat that I can lay at Jesus feet and He can say "Well done good and faithful servant." Something that I know I didn't just barely get by, but I gave every tiny bit of me to be spent by Jesus who so willingly gave Himself for me.

"You can trust God too little, but you cannot trust Him too much."

Well, there you have it. Peace.

Hermit Crabs and Bibles

Today was show and tell. I'm not sure if the kids have ever done it before, but I think it's just the cutest thing. It also helps them practice their English, speaking skills, and helps to make them comfortable in front of people.

One boy showed us his wallet and said that it was very precious to him because his friend gave it to him and now he has somewhere to put his money.

One girl showed her hermit crabs, and they even crawled across the desk much to the delight of the students.

One boy showed his ninja headband. A friend bought it in Japan and gave it to him as a gift. He wears it when he does ninja games.

One boy showed us his musical instrument. Actually, it was one that he created. He took a plastic whistle that a coach might use and a syringe style water dropper thing. He cut a circular hole in the side of the whistle and glued the syringe to it. Then when he blows into the whistle and moves the stopper on the syringe in and out, it plays different notes much like a trombone. Very creative child.

The last one really got me. The boy showed his Bible and said, "This is my Bible and it's very important to me because it tells us how we can have Jesus in our hearts and how we can live a good Christian life for him. It is from America but I bought it here and I read one chapter every day because I want to be more like Jesus." Wow, talk about choking back tears. I've prayed that God will work in the hearts of my students, and He's shown me that He is and I'm so thankful for that.

In other news, tomorrow is the big field trip to the cheese factory. 4-6 grades will ride a bus for 2 hours to the farm where we will make pizza, cheese, feed cows, and sled down a grassy hill on some sort of sledding contraption. It should be a whale of a time.

I was standing in the hallway while the kids lined up to go to Tae Kwon Do and one boy kept staring at my eyes. "Ms. Janke, your eyes look like...the earth!" Haha I love kids.

God's been doing some amazing things in my heart and life, and I'm growing to love Him more every day. I've been able to see His blessings all along the way. On many sidewalks and in the metro they have raised pathways for blind people. I was walking on one today and closing my eyes to see if I could trust my feet to follow the path. I kept peeking because I was afraid that I would run into someone or step off the path and run into a wall or something. Then I was thinking how God leads us through life on His path and even if it's dark and we can't see the way or we don't know what's up ahead, we don't have to have that fear of "will I run into a problem" because we know that He's leading us and won't let us stray off of His path. Maybe a little far off, but it's just a thought. God's been leading me, and there were many many times where I couldn't see what was up ahead, but He helped me to trust and just to be led by His hand and His perfect plan through those blind times.

One more sleep until the weekend. This year really is flying by, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Peace.

Off in Lala Land

Nothing much happening since the last update. The moving date is set for November 14, so I have a little over a month in my current apartment. I like this one, so either way it's okie dokie.

It's like pulling teeth when I try to make my kids write neatly. I take off points, threaten with zeros, make them redo it, and they are STILL messy. I guess I should learn to have more patience and keep correcting them in love and not give up on them. After all, God doesn't give up on me when I keep on sinning. Even when He corrects me and I turn right around and do wrong again. Yes, I'm very thankful for God's patience.

Yesterday while I was waiting for the weekly Wednesday teacher meeting to begin, I was vacuuming the classroom in which we meet (because I love to vacuum.) I often leave the lights off in rooms because it tends to be more peaceful. I thought the floor looked pretty good...until I turned on the light. Then I realized how much dirt was still left on the floor. To my mind came a Biblical parallel. If we look at our lives in comparison to the rest of the world in general, we look pretty good. But just like I had to turn on the light in order to see the dirt on the floor, so we have to look at ourselves in the light of God's word in order to see the sin in our lives that we need to vacuum up. I pray that I am never satisfied with my spiritual state. Rather, I want to constantly be looking at my life in light of God's word in order to grow more like my Savior.

Another endlessly scrumptious day today. Clear blue sky, a slight breeze, and crisp cool air. Ahh I love fall! Peace.

As of Late

The days have been getting colder here in Seoul. I finally figured out why the air during the fall often smells like smoke. People build fires to keep themselves warm. Obviously. It took me 24 years to realize that.

As the days have been getting colder, I've wanter warmer dinners. One of my favorite Korean meals in shabu-shabu which is basically soup with tons of veggies and very thin lean meat. Some types of restaurants won't let you go if you're alone because they have portion sizes. So, I decided to make my own shabu-shabu. I bought beef stock stuff, bean sprouts, potatoes, onions, little sausages, and for the first time in my life (drum roll please) mushrooms. Yes, folks, I am eating mushrooms. I can't say yet that I LIKE them, but I will tolerate them. It's boiling on the stove as I type this, and I'm excited to eat it.

Today I was VERY sternly instructing the 4th graders, who were being overly rowdy at the time as 4th graders can be, to line up and be quiet. After I finished snapping my fingers and making them face the front, I sent them on their way. I turned around and one of my students was standing next to me. "I'm such a mean teacher." I said with a smile. "No, Miss Janke, you're a REAL teacher," she said emphatically. "REAL teachers are stern. You're stern but you're nice too." Good to know I have found a balance...at least in her eyes. :)

My students have very spread out band and orchestra schedules. Two kids go on Monday/Wednesday from 1-1:50, another two go on Tuesday/Thursday from 2-2:50 and one goes on Wednesday morning from 9:50-10:40. Pretty odd, huh? Anyways, I didn't know what to do during these random time slots, and I didn't want any kids to miss out on a lesson. So, I decided to do creative writing. I wrote very general topics on strips of paper and instructed the students to choose one and write 3 paragraphs about it using their imagination and making it as interesting as possible. We had been talking about what a cul-de-sac is (they don't have them in Korea) and one of the girls asked how to spell it. I wrote it on the board so that she could copy it. I thought nothing of it until the next day when I got in to class. One of the boys who is often in his own little world (bless his heart), asked, "Miss Janke, when is our cul-de-sac due?" I was very confused and asked him to repeat the question. He did and I still didn't understand. He said, "You know, our cul-de-sac!" and held up his paper. He had written the word at the top. I couldn't help but laugh. "It's called Creative Writing." I said. "You mean it's not called cul-de-sac???" He threw up his hands, growled, and put his head on his desk in embarrassment. It took him a while before he believed me that it was called creative writing. We now call it cul-de-sac instead of creative writing.

I was very joyful because we were watching a short video clip about fossils in Science the other day. We had talked at length about creation and evolution with Biblical support, etc. We had watched other clips about dinosaurs and things, and I had warned the kids that they might hear references to "millions of years ago." As we watched this clip, the narrator said this exact phrase. Without raising his hand, one boy said, "Hey! That's evolution! That's not true." With a furrowed brow. I commended him not only for actually listening, but also for being able to pick out lies from the truth. I'm thankful that the Lord is teaching them to discern for themselves what is right and what is wrong.

My favorite type of oranges that come from Jeju Island will be coming out soon. They are called hallabang (sp.) oranges. They are the size of a regular orange, but taste like a mix between a regular and a mandarin orange. They're so absolutely marvelous!

The landlord of my apartment would like a relative to move into the apartment in which I currently live. This means I have to move. I will be moving to a one room apartment called an officetel. It has a tiny kitchenette and a bathroom about the same size as the kitchenette. I'm excited because I enjoy small spaces better than large ones. Not only are they easier to clean, but I feel like I don't need all that extra space. If I want space, there is a wide world waiting for me. It's basically be big enough for my bed, dresser, desk, fridge, and possibly a small two seater couch if I can find a place to put it. I move in about 2 weeks.

Time to eat my soup. Peace.

The Trip

I stepped off the bus in Taiwan, and hot air warmed me. Seoul has been getting colder, but Taiwan was like going back to Seoul a few weeks ago. It was stellar.

My hostel was a bit less than desirable, but it was adequate. I'm not even that tall, but the bed was too short. My bed had a curtain, a small fan, and a light. I quite liked it. :)

The highlight of my trip (next to seeing Nathaniel) was surely Baishawan Beach. We spent the day there on Wednesday. It was somewhere between 90-100 all day. We took the metro and bus from Taipei and arrived after about an hour and a half at the beach. After changing and walking through the little sea-side town, we finally hit the beach. Miles of white sandy beach with nothing but the sun and time.

The water was a beautiful clear blue with coral jut outs that created tide pools full of little fish, scuttling crabs, and coral roaches. I wore water shoes (thankfully) and we climbed on the coral and jumped off into the bathwater warm salty ocean. The sand was white and soft, and the ocean felt wonderful after being completely exposed to this blistering sun.

We walked down the beach and eventually came to a rocky path.

The path wound through what looked like the jungle. Green trees provided a canopy of sorts that was a wonderful welcome from the heat.

The path led around a rocky point. The rocks, big and small, piled high around massive boulders.

We climbed all over the rocks and swam in little beach-lets that we came across.

We eventually made our way to the end of the path and began walking the boardwalk. It was especially hot there because there was absolutely no protection from the sun.

We saw a nice little pool formed by the surrounding coral, and we lost track of time floating in it. That cooled us off nicely.

Then we finished the 4 mile hike to the sand dunes and climbed up the scorching sand. The view was beautiful. Coral spread out into the ocean, the sea that went past the sky line, beautiful mountains and greenery behind us, and soft white sand underneath us.

Eventually it was time to go, and we showered, changed, and finished off the day with milk tea and a beautiful sunrise that we watched from the "scenic lookout point."

The perfect end to a perfect day.

I was also able to visit the Taipei 101, which is the tallest building the world (as far as I know.) I looked at the overpriced shops and went to the book store where I read for hours (Where's Waldo and Guinness World Book of Records...) The day was foggy when I took the picture, so they top of the 101 was covered.

We also hit up the zoo with all the cute animals! It was super fun!!

It was an amazing trip all in all. I didn't want to leave, but I did and came home to chilly Seoul. I'm glad to be back and teaching again, but I'll always love Taiwan. God really blessed me with the money to take this trip and the time to go. It was relaxing, inspiring, and a really big blessing! Peace.

All His

Friday was "Talk Like a Pirate Day." The kids were to dress up like pirates, sing pirate songs, watch pirate skits, participate in a treasure hunt, and play pirate games. Some kids had great costumes and looked like little cartoon pirates.

I had recess duty, and as I sat an watched the kids play, I dubbed the day "Un-Pirate Day." I then called it by a number of names.

Hobo Day

Pajama Day

Birdwatcher Day

Tourist Day

Poor College Student Day

Ninja Day

Motorcyclist Day

I'm Just Trying to Get Out of Wearing My Uniform Day

I Raided a Thrift Store Day

and Gramma's Closet Day

...among others.

All in all, it was a fun day. We got to act a little crazy in the afternoon after we studied hard in the morning. We have school on Monday and then we have 6 days off for a Korean holiday. I'm quite excited about that. I will be going to Taiwan for 5 days to visit Nathaniel and a missionary family.

Today I'm making cupcakes for the church potluck tomorrow that takes place on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Real American style cupcakes thanks to Betty Crocker, a little Korean oil and water, and the chickens that gave their lives to make this cake possible.

I have to say that this year is passing by quickly. I know that Chuseok holiday will fly by and after that it's almost the end of September. Before I know it the winter chill will set in and then fade away as swiftly as it came. Before too long it'll be a new year and then the end of a school year. And I know for a fact that I'll be able to look back and see how God has provided, met my needs, and blessed me. I'm looking forward to seeing what He'll do in the future.

Not a whole lot more by way of updates on my life. I still find great joy in bike riding, and I've found some pretty spots to which I ride. I frequently stop at the pet store near my house to see the infant chihuahuas and pray for the little runt who seems to have little life left in him. His siblings are growing, but he's not. I want to take him home, but I know that's not possible. Such is life.

I'm continuing to pray for my future in China. I want to be totally submitted to God's will and make His desires mine and not the other way around. Things have been changing a lot lately, and at first I resisted. God taught me much about trust and submission in the last couple weeks. It's exciting to see what happens when God has FULL control of my life and I don't try to do ANYTHING in my strength. I'm praying for encouragement, and I've received much lately. I'm praying for wisdom and guidance, and God's showed me some closed doors and others that seem to be opening wider. I'm praying for faith that when it doesn't make sense and I'm led farther away from what I desire, that God knows, is in control, and has a greater plan than mine. Please keep praying that I simply do God's will and let mine fall away. Peace.