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.