Preparing for Home...

I am planning to be in INDIANA THIS SATURDAY!!!!!! I've certainly been busy with preparations. Fortunately, I've been blessed with so many people that have been eager and willing to help me.

Sara and I did some shopping last weekend at Namdaemun Market. She also helped me pack up my apartment last weekend. She's such an amazing, thoughtful friend. I'm SO thankful she'll be sticking around for another six months!

Kang Meesuk offered to help me move. So, on Monday, she came to my apartment after I finished teaching for the day. We loaded up her car with my stuff (I'm so thankful to report that I have not accumulated too many things to fit into a small car)! Then we picked up my camera from the repair shop before heading to the school to keep all of my things stored away while I'm gone. [The teachers offered to move my things into my apartment for me while I'm gone... so amazed by their thoughtfulness!] After dropping my things off at school, Kang Meesuk invited me to spend the night with her family. I had the most marvelous time.

Tuesday was a very busy day of business, which included:

• Receiving and printing my e-ticket (I was starting to get nervous...)
• Wiring money home
• Going to the hospital to get an HIV & Drug test for the Education Office Records
• Stopping by the SMOE office to pick up my newly stamped contract
• Picking up my new ARC card and getting my Visa renewed at the Immigration Office

I was thankful to spend that time with my main co-teacher, Lee Hye Eun. We had some great conversations and times of sharing and reflection. I'm so thankful for her...

Now I'm pretty much packed and have just a few loose ends to take care of. My Narnia class will be finished tomorrow morning.

I can hardly believe that I'm going home this weekend! I'm not sure if it has really hit me yet. I've been pretty busy with preparations and just trying to enjoy each day as it comes... but wow, the time is almost here!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to seeing many of you soon!^^

Sleepover at Kang Meesuk's

At the Blue Coast Buffet with Kang Meesuk and Hyo-Rim.

After helping me move all of my stuff on Monday, Kang Meesuk invited me to spend the night with her and her family. It was an absolutely wonderful time! I went with her to pick up her son from his academy (hogwan) and dropped him off for French lessons. In between his classes, we enjoyed wonderful conversation and delicious coffee at Tom & Tom's. Her son is in his first year of high school at one of the Foreign Language High Schools (definitely an elite school).

When we arrived at her house in Bundang, we were greeted by her dear daughter, Hyo-Rim. Hyo-Rim is in middle school and ever so sweet. We had absolutely no trouble finding things to chat about. She has such a beautiful heart. [And I'm so thankful that both of Kang Meesuk's children can speak English almost fluently!]

For dinner, we went to a fancy buffet called "Blue Coast." Definitely amazing food... there was even a chocolate fountain for dessert! I was feeling spoiled again. For breakfast the next morning, she proceeded to make french toast for me! I don't think I've had french toast for a whole year... oh how she spoiled me!

Perhaps my highlight of our time together was having a long chat with Kang Meesuk and ending the night in prayer with her and both of her children. It was such a precious time.

During our evening together, I shared with Kang Meesuk (once again) how much God has blessed me through her this year. I have just been absolutely overwhelmed over and over again with her thoughtfulness, generosity, and friendship. She is not even an English teacher at Cheongryang, so she has no duty, no obligation to even speak to me! Truly amazing....

Anyway, she shared a very dear story with me. When she lived abroad with her family, one woman demonstrated incredible generosity to her. Years later, when Kang Meesuk tried to repay her, the woman refused to accept anything. Instead, she told Kang Meesuk to simply return the gift to someone else. So, that's what she's been doing for years... with several people... and continuing to do with me. Returning love that she received. She asked me to do the same in the future. She also reminded me that everything she has shared with me has simply been from the Lord.

I feel like there are so many people here in Korea that have just lavished their love upon me... what a great responsibility I have to pass it on. I am eager for the opportunity. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at foreigners in the US in the same way ever again. My perspective has been forever altered.

Hudson Taylor

I recently read OMF's publication of Hudson Taylor's autobiography. What a blessing and encouragement it was for me to read! I want to read more about his life... such a man of faith!

Some quotes that really grabbed my attention:

God often leads his people into difficulties on purpose, so they'll get to know him in a way they couldn't know him otherwise.

When we do Christian work, what counts is to keep looking at God. God's work isn't so much about what man does for God. It's about what God does through man.

...even so, we shouldn't forget the most important thing, which is obeying God and glorifying his name. And making our Father's heart happy by living and working as though we are well-loved children.

When the soul struggles with sin, then gets tired and disappointed, the calm rest that comes from trusting in the Shepherd of Israel is so sweet.

Teacher's Trip

I went on a trip with the teachers to the southern part of Korea last Monday & Tuesday (July 20-21). It was stretching in many ways and I learned a lot about Korean culture. It was good for me to be the only foreigner (waygookin) traveling with 52 other Koreans. I'm really glad I went.

Unfortunately, my camera wasn't working very well, so I didn't get to take many pictures. However, one of the teachers shared his pictures with me, which I was quite thankful for!

Highlights of the trip included:

• Great bus conversations with Kang Meesuk
• Hae-in-sa Temple
  
  
  
• Visiting the Wetlands
  
  
  
• Singing A Whole New World with one of the math teachers at the Noraebang (karaoke). It was special.
  
  
  
• Good chats with teachers.
• Arguing with Kang Meesuk about who would be sleeping on the floor.
• Being flooded with memories of New Zealand with some beautiful breath-taking scenery. Perhaps GREEN is becoming my favorite color (they say absence makes the heart grow fonder...) I also learned that Korea is 70% mountainous.
  
  
  
• Geo Jae Island (the second largest island in Korea)
• Visiting the POW camp on Geo Jae Island. It was quite educational and fascinating to me. I have so much more to learn about Korean history!
  
  
• Had a full meal of hway (raw fish). It's true. It was emotionally/mentally somewhat traumatizing, but actually didn't taste too bad.
• Took a cable car ride and did a little bit of mountain climbing.
  
  
  
• Watched some Korean TV - the Beautiful Ladies show (foreign women who speak Korean fluently).
• Was treated to a nice cup of coffee by the vice principle
• Enjoyed observing the younger, single teachers - quite entertaining.^^
• Had a lovely chat with Kang Meesuk about journaling.
• Thankfully did not have to go to the hot springs and public showers (something I was a little nervous about...)
• Had extra time to read on the bus.
• Observed how quickly everyone ate dinner on the way back. Kang Meesuk and I laughed about the cultural differences I noticed. Everyone was finished in less than 10 minutes. I totally felt like there was some type of competition. I finished last... and was even doing my best to hurry. It was quite humorous as we reflected on it later.
  

I definitely had a good time. At the end however, I was ready to eat some western food (kimchi and rice for breakfast just doesn't work so well for me... followed by the raw fish... and then a race to see who could eat their dinner the fastest. lol.

I also decided that I'm really ready to go home and be with people that speak the same language with jokes that I can understand and truly laugh along with and feel connected with. I'm so thankful for Kang Meesuk's companionship, though. She is a dear and faithful friend.

Perfect Timing

I officially signed my contract for renewal today.

Yesterday, I re-confirmed my flight to go home. I'm SO thankful that I get to come home for FOUR weeks. Over and over, I've been reminded that it is a great privilege to be able to be home for that amount of time. I'm getting so excited!!! And of course, have an ever-growing list of things I want to do, food I want to eat, people to see, etc. Definitely looking forward to it!!!

This afternoon turned out to be a little hectic:
I found out that I must have my ARC card to renew my visa.
My visa must be renewed before I leave the country.
It takes 5-10 business days to get a new ARC card.
There are exactly 10 business days left before I leave Korea.

So, I had to leave school early and go to the Immigration Office. I went by myself because almost all of the teachers had a business trip after school today. It was quite a feeling of accomplishment after I successfully turned in my application for my new ARC card.

I've definitely been feeling like more of a foreigner as of late, that's for sure! I'm so thankful for God's provision, though!

It's still possible that my lost items will be returned to me. I know that God knows exactly where they are. Regardless of whether or not I get them back, I'm thankful for the Lord's perfect timing. If I hadn't called about renewing my visa today, I wouldn't have known how long it takes to get a new ARC card... and I wouldn't have known that I had to have it in order to leave the country... and maybe I wouldn't have been able to go home on August 1! Praise God for His perfect timing and provision. I am so thankful...

Lost Wallet... AGAIN!

Last night I lost my Alien Registration Card (ARC), T-money card (transportation), and apartment key. I was sitting on the subway talking to my friend Sara on my cell phone... and was so distracted that I missed my stop. So, I had to get off at the next stop and switch trains. At some point, I managed to lose my wallet/keychain with all of the afore-mentioned important items. Thankfully, I didn't have any cash inside.

When I realized that I had lost my wallet, I was slightly frustrated... but mostly laughing at myself. I remember losing the same wallet when I was in Busan with Sara over winter vacation. At that time, Sara prayed and asked God to restore the missing items to me. I didn't think I would get them back, but God surprised me and provided for me incredibly. So, this time, I decided not to worry and looked at it as a faith-building exercise.

After reporting my loss to the subway workers (via a translator on the phone), I headed to my apartment and reported the loss to the receptionist at the front desk. I requested to have the locks changed since my address is on my ARC card. He was very accommodating for a slight fee, which I was already expecting. [I can only laugh at my ridiculous timing... especially since I'll only be living in the Co-op for a couple more weeks.]

I've been asking God to restore my wallet to me since Wednesday. I know that He's more than able - he already demonstrated that to me in Busan. I have a feeling He's teaching me a few other things through this whole process, though.

Honestly, I'm quite thankful that I haven't felt much anxiety about this whole episode. It's just struck me as funny more than anything else.

~*~Chocolate Party~*~

Due to the monsoon rains, frantic busyness of the teachers, and the closing of this semester, Kang Bogil and I decided to host a Chocolate Party for the teachers on Monday. Things have slowed down for me at school quite a lot, so I had some extra time to plan and prepare, which was quite lovely.

We made invitations and handed them out to all of the teachers, which was quite fun. Several of the teachers smiled and kind of giggled when I handed them their invitations. I was happy to see them smiling. They've all been SO stressed!

I was hoping I'd be able to do chocolate fondue for the teachers, but since I was unable to find a fondue pot, my friend suggested that I make chocolate-covered bananas. They actually turned out to be quite a hit! Much more successful than my brownies, I'm afraid... accidentally burned them beyond salvageable repair in my toaster oven. I was VERY sad.

However, I'm quite thankful that our first Cheongryang Chocolate Party was a success. Several of the teachers told me that they appreciated having a few moments to just sit down and chat together. I was praying that it would be a time of refreshment and encouragement for them after such a long semester. Even though it was a quick party, I'm thankful for the time we were able to share together!

Good-bye Vince

Friday night was Vince's going away party. As I mentioned before, we were all quite saddened by his sudden departure. We knew it was coming though... and are excited for what God has in store for him next, wherever and whatever that may be.

It was a special evening. I finally got to make my mom's homemade pizza (she sent the recipe a long time ago) and Sara finally got to make her pumpkin pie with the ingredients her brother (and new sister-in-law) sent months ago.



Pizza & pumpkin pie



We had a nice time of sharing memories, eating lots of food, and taking silly pictures.





Vince gave away a bunch of his stuff - almost all of it. I was especially blessed by the China stuff I inherited from him: language study books, a map of Eastern Asia, a Mandarin Bible, Mandarin Bible software, Hudson Taylor's auto-biography, and a lovely purple Chinese silk shirt. Lots of tools to re-ignite the vision... His last words to me were, Get yourself to China, Holly!



Here I am, trying to present Vince with his going-away gift... but he kept making me laugh (just like my Dad...).



Since Vince was getting rid of most of his stuff, we decided we didn't want to give him anything too big. So, instead, we decided to make a notebook for him with encouraging words and photos of some of our memories together.

We ended the evening praying over our dear brother in Christ. He really has been a part of our Seoul family, and we will miss him dearly. It's definitely not going to be the same without him. However, we are excited for the next step in his journey with the Lord.

Praying for you, Vince!

An Eventful Week

LOTS of things happened last week... I will share just a few:

1. During our usual Sunday night dinner after church, our dear friend Vince informed us that he would be leaving Korea within a week. Although we knew it was coming, we were quite shocked and deeply saddened.
2. Saw God answering prayer in unexpected ways.
3. Enjoyed thunderstorms and the beginning of my first monsoon season.
4. Was privileged with two students who performed a few K-pop dances for me before and after class - just for fun.
5. We had our first small group meeting at City Hall. While there, we were informed that we may need to find a new place to meet. God will provide.
   
6. Explored some apartment options for next year. [This could be a whole post in and of itself... once the decision is finalized, I will share more of the details.] Let's just say God is at work and answering prayer, I believe.
7. Found myself wondering if I'm crazy for staying an extra year (sandwiched in-between emotions of absolutely being so thankful that I'm here).
8. Conflict Resolution practice - finally was able to [hopefully] work through some issues with a co-teacher.
9. Got my hair cut with Sara and Jina. It's much healthier and happier now.
10. Had a going away party for Vince Friday night.
11. Had an encouraging conversation with Pastor Liz.
12. Was blessed with an incredibly refreshing Saturday at a clean, beautiful park.
13. Experienced a few lessons in forgiveness and reconciliations.
14. Received a bouquet of lilies and a lovely plant from a dear [female] friend.
15. Heard awesome testimonies from my little sis (who's apparently not so little anymore) and my brother about Youth Camp.
    

Definitely a very eventful week... with a lot of highs and lows. Praise God for overwhelming me with His amazingness and faithfulness, once again. He is Sovereign and SO in control.

BBQ & Kum-ba-yah

A couple of weeks ago, we had planned to have a Friday night BBQ in the park with our small group members (both new and old). We hadn't realized that it's illegal to BBQ in parks in Korea... until we arrived at the park and were informed by the park manager. It was somewhat disappointing, especially since one of our members (Ian) had gone to great lengths to secure a BBQ pit from the Military Base, along with lots of hotdogs, condiments, etc.

After several phone calls, we found another location for our BBQ that evening. One of our OEM administrators (Eunji and her husband David) offered to let us come to the rooftop of their apartment. We had to travel about 45+ minutes, but it ended up being a great location and exactly what we needed.


We weren't exactly thrilled about carrying all of the stuff across the city and through the subways...


But we ended up having a great time of fellowship together! David and Eunji were incredibly gracious impromptu hosts.

I think my highlight of the evening was when Carrie brought a cake and we all lit candles, sang Kum-ba-yah and held hands (not even kidding). It was incredibly cheesy and marvelous...