A Challenging Week

I think this week has been the most challenging week I've had over the past three months.

Discipline Challenges. One of my co-teachers struck almost every student before they entered my classroom on Monday. (Yes, it's legal for teachers to hit students in Korea - a completely different world than what we're used to in the US). They were late. They're typically a difficult class, so I can't say they were completely innocent, but I wasn't at all comfortable with the discipline that took place. Several of my students entered class crying. I wanted to cry too. I'm thankful that he's being more supportive in the classroom, but I did mention that perhaps we could work on finding some non-violent discipline methods in the future.

Had the opportunity to share the Gospel with a teacher I've been praying for over the past year. During English Bible Study, we looked at John 6, the Bread of Life discourse. She understood everything pretty clearly, but rejected Jesus... Words can't completely express how I've been working through this. I'm thankful God's been reminding me that this story isn't over yet.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I think being away from home during Thanksgiving last year was actually harder than Christmas... already I've been feeling more homesick. I've been doing pretty well for the past three months... I guess it's bound to happen from time to time. I love teaching my students about Thanksgiving, but I wouldn't be surprised if the repeated lessons contribute to the homesickness.

My co-teachers have been extra busy and there's just been a heavy atmosphere at my school lately. I know so many of the teachers are burdened with a lot of extra work. I've been trying to remind myself that their busyness (therefore our lack of communication) doesn't mean that they don't care. Quality time and conversations are so important to me.

Also, I think the cold weather just makes me more easily irritable and sad. It's so much harder to be motivated to exercise too. Instead, I find myself just wanting to stay wrapped up nice and warm in my apartment with hot chocolate.

Although it's certainly been an emotional week with some tear-filled moments, I would be remiss if I neglected to praise God for the following blessings:

• My 1-7 Class (usually the worst 1st grade class) behaved phenomenally this week. My co-teacher and I were in awe. I'm so thankful that God answered my prayer of desperation on Tuesday. I knew I just didn't have the strength to face this class on my own. It was nothing short of a miracle.
  
• Random conversations with co-teachers during lunch. I SO value our time together!
  
• God has been demonstrating His provision for our Small Group - providing some much-needed wisdom and just some really great times of sharing.
• Friends with listening ears
• Time to clean my apartment
• Wisdom with my Thanksgiving Lesson. I had really wanted some input from my co-teachers, but they weren't available. God reminded me that I could talk things over with Him and He gave me some great ideas that seem to be working well.
• Promises and encouragement from Luke 1.

I've also been really encouraged by the songs, Good to Me & Your Faithfulness this week. How good He is! I'm so thankful that the Jesus I know and love is ALIVE and GOOD and so merciful... He is truly all I need.

Reading, Reading, Reading!

I've been blessed with a decent amount of time to read recently. As of late, I've read:

1. Daring to Live on the Edge: The Adventure of Faith & Finances by Loren Cunningham - an excellent read. Definitely broadened my perspective of faith, generosity, finances, missions, and God's undeniable faithfulness.
2. The Shack by William P. Young - I wasn't a big fan. There was a lot of theological stuff I didn't agree with. However, I appreciated his attempt to make God seem more personal... also attempted to flesh out the three persons of the Trinity more and displayed their interdependence a bit. I definitely wouldn't recommend this book to a new Christian... and not to a teenager, either - not unless they are pretty solid theologically.
3. Get Married by Candice Watters - Definitely an interesting read. One of my friends passed it on to me. Lots of good things to think about. Although I didn't agree with everything, I was encouraged/convicted to pray more boldly!
   
4. From Wheaton to the Nations by David M. Howard - The story of cross-cultural missionary outreach from Wheaton College. Definitely fueled my excitement and eagerness to prepare (Lord-willing) for Wheaton eventually... to prepare for missions!
5. Teaching Cross-Culturally by Judith E. Lingenfelter & Sherwood G. Lingenfelter - A more scholarly read on how to teach and learn incarnationally in a different culture from your own (kind of obvious from the title). Certainly a beneficial read for my current employment status!
6. The Little Woman by Gladys Aylward with Christine Hunter - I may have mentioned this in a previous post. Basically an autobiography of Gladys Aylward, missionary to China. Certainly challenging and faith-building!

I feel like I may be forgetting a title or two... but I am certainly thankful for the extra time I've had to READ this semester! I have several books just waiting on my shelf for me to savor. I'm having trouble deciding which one to read next. We'll see... I generally find myself reading a few different ones at the same time anyway.

Overdue Posts from October

So, I had several posts that I meant to publish in October and never got around to it. I'm on a blogging kick now, so I'd best do it while it lasts!


Lotte World is Korea's version of Disney World. The castle brought back a lot of memories of my family. Was sweetly reminded of my Dad and how he called me his "Belle" when we were in Disney when I was 17 years old. Thought about Zac and his internship in Disney right now. Got excited for Mom and Dad's 25th anniversary trip to Disney (which I think they thoroughly enjoyed!).


One of several bouquets that I received from friends when I was baptized on October 18, 2009.


On my birthday, my co-teacher surprised me with choco pies, candles, and a rendition of Happy Birthday with my first hour class.


Sara made HOMEMADE cupcakes and satisfied a craving I'd had for awhile. (Also served homemade bulgogi that night...).


Was blessed to have so many friends come to my place to celebrate my birthday. I was excited that my place can accommodate 18+ people somewhat comfortably! What a change from last year... never would have been able to manage it!


We had a marvelous time and played Apples to Apples as a whole group.


Sports Day at my school. I ran in a relay race against teachers and students. I happened to be the last runner and actually crossed the finish line first! It was a first... and probably a last! lol...


Made s'mores with Sara and witnessed an unexpected show of fireworks right outside my window on a lovely October Saturday evening. It was certainly an evening to remember and cherish!

Mask-uh!

This morning, my vice principal (in her somewhat broken English) told me that I must wear a mask at school now (due to the H1N1 flu frenzy). I'm not sure if she meant to come across as harsh as she did. It seems like such a small thing - to wear a mask. For me, it's quite challenging for a number of reasons.

I wish I could say that I immediately responded with joyful obedience. But... I asked a few questions, attempting to persuade her that I don't need to wear a mask. I even told her that we don't wear masks in my country! NOT a good idea!!! [I am so ashamed that I used that line...]. I don't think she was angry... I think there was just a lot of misunderstanding.

After our uncomfortable conversation, I escaped to my classroom for a little bit of time to think and pray. I couldn't believe how much her words affected me emotionally! It seems so silly to get upset over a little mask... but I think it was about so much more than that - a lot of it having to do with my pride, I think. Anyway, I decided to comply with her demand/request. She IS the authority that God has placed over me at this school (Interesting sidenote: Pastor Eddie mentioned submitting to authority in his sermon just this past week). When I returned to the teacher's office, there were two disposable masks waiting on my desk for me.

Later on in the day, I talked things over with my vp. I apologized to her for not saying "Yes, okay" right away. She explained that she was just worried about my health and wants to make sure I don't get the flu. (She really does genuinely care for me a lot). I then asked her if it was okay for me to not wear the mask in the teacher's office when I'm sitting at my desk. She said I can have "free choice-uh!" I was shocked/relieved by her words.

I realized that when she originally told me that I "must wear a mask," I misunderstood her. As my co-teacher explained it, in Korea, they don't often say things like, You might want to consider... Have you thought about... It might be a good idea to... Instead, they say, You should... You must... You better... I knew these things before, but I forgot about that until this most recent encounter.

Ohhhhh, the challenges of cross-cultural communication!!!

Swine Flu Frenzy

It's no doubt that the H1N1 flu has swept across the globe.

Since my return to Korea in August, I've noticed the following changes in Seoul:

• One week quarantines at home mandated for all Native English Teachers (like me) who work for the government and have traveled outside of the country.
• Hand sanitizers prominently placed in each subway station. (Before hand sanitizer was almost impossible to find in this country)!
• Mandatory temperature checks for each student entering our school building. (Mind you, the thermometer is only wiped with the same napkin in between each student.)
  
• More prominent hand-washing. (Signs are even posted next to sinks in subway stations now).
• Even more limited physical contact. No more hand-shakes or high fives at church for now...
• Numerous events canceled due to swine flu concerns.

Last week, I noticed that The Korea Times posted these two headlines on the same day:
S. Korea Raises Flu Alert to Highest Red Level
Public Advised to Be Calm Over Flu Alert

Although I've found the seemingly hyper-sensitivity a little over the top, there are people that are really being affected by this. One of my English teachers came down with H1N1 and was out of school all week. One of the second grade classes at my school was canceled for the entire week because 15 of the students were absent on Monday, due to H1N1. I believe the public was shocked even more when Korean actor Lee Gwang-gi's only son died from H1N1 over the weekend.

It's not an issue to take lightly...