I think I promised to give a more thorough update about Onnuri English Ministry (OEM), the church that Sara and I have decided to attend. Thank you so much to those of you that have bene praying for us to find a church "home!" Several of the teachers at my school recommended that I visit OEM (http://www.onnurienglish.org). One of the teachers even connected me with her sister so that I could visit with her.
There are several things I appreciate about OEM (focus on God's GLORY, presence of the Holy Spirit, missions priority, emphasis on small groups, solid & exegetical teaching, etc.). The English service that we attend is a reasonable attendance size - about 200ish, but OEM is a pretty huge church (the Korean membership is 60,000+). I wasn't really looking to join a megachurch, but Sara and I really believe this is where God has led us. There's no doubt about it... He is working here!
This past Sunday, I particularly appreciated the sermon. Pastor Eddie is beginning a seven-part series on the Marks of a Healthy Church. This Sunday's message was about Our Life Purpose. The stuff he preached on is the stuff that makes my heart beat:
1) I am created to KNOW God (Mt. 28:19-20, II Peter 1:2, Mt. 7:20-23)
2) I am created to GROW Closer to God (Mt. 28:19-20)
3) I am created to SOW THE GIFTS of God (Mt. 22:39, Ro. 12:6)
4) I am created to SHOW [share] THE GRACE of God (Mt. 28:18-19)
5) I am created to DO ALL FOR THE GLORY of God (I Cor. 10:31, Is. 43:7, Mt. 22:37, Ps. 29:2 to name a few...)
Truly, there is no greater joy than knowing Christ and making Him known... all for His glory!!!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Sweet Sunday with Alice
SO much to blog about... I'll have to do it in segments. I've got a couple of pictures uploaded from my time with Mrs. Park on Saturday... and then LOTS of pictures from an amazing time with Alice on Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. Park & I... notice all of the beautiful GREEN around us (a real treat for a girl that lives in a metropolitan city!)
Yes, that's a mountain in the not-so-far distance!
More beautiful GREEN!
So... Sunday with Alice:
After going to OEM (Onnuri English Ministry), Alice and I spent the ENTIRE afternoon and evening together. We had lunch at a cheap, but tasty Korean restaurant in Insadong (a tourist/traditional section of Seoul). I ordered non-spicy bibimbop (which Alice referred to as white bibimbop)... and it was delicious! I also tried anchovies and a few other Korean side dishes.
Following lunch, we walked up and down the streets of Insadong... and I actually took lots of pictures this time!
A little mall in Insadong:
Me with Alice
Yes, I've got the Asian two-finger pose down pretty well...
Alice posing as a model on a magazine cover... too cute!
Another Asian pose that I learned (perhaps unique to Korea... I'm not sure). I think I'm supposed to have my hand closer to my face and kind of covering my chin... it's supposed to make the face look smaller. Some of my friends get complimented on their "small" faces... I've even heard that some people have plastic surgery to try to make their face smaller here. Interesting, huh?
Another one of those tricks to try to make your face look smaller. Oh Alice...
Selling tasty snacks... we sampled several of them!
These guys totally cracked me up! I took a video of them. (Unfortunately, I wasn't able to post it... which is a bummer because I think you would have enjoyed it...) They made really delicious honey cakes - it's incredibly entertaining to watch them. They totally ham it up!
I got a little bit of extra special attention... since I'm a young foreign girl, you know... oh dear! They sure were funny.
This was really sweet. This guy was sitting near the street painting Chinese characters with pieces of wood. There were multiple colors of paint on each piece of wood. It was fascinating to me!
Yeah, those beautiful drawing are really Chinese characters! (The Chinese had some significant influence on Korean culture. I don't know enough of the history yet to tell you exactly...)
Mountain fruit. I'm still learning how to take close-ups with my camera, so I apologize for the fuzziness.
The fruit was mild, but sweet. I liked it. It was the first time Alice had ever tried it too. It's kind of expensive fruit since it is only grown in the mountains. I'm not sure if there is an English word for this fruit. Alice didn't seem to think so.
Posing with Snow White at this super-sweet cafe that Alice took me to. Can't wait to go back again - the atmosphere was amazing, the prices surprisingly low, and memories sweet.
Alice's turn.
You can see a little bit of what I mean by atmosphere... just look behind me!
Alice is SO cute!
We're standing in front of the entrance. Unfortunately, the sign "Cafe de Marina" got cut off. It's totally my new favorite place!!! When we sat down to enjoy our warm hot chocolate/green tea latte, we had the most amazing conversation! I am really growing to cherish my friendship with Alice. We talked more about the service at Onnuri and what it means to KNOW God. She asked me when my personal journey with the Lord began, so I got to share my story with her! We have a lot of things in common, it turns out.
After the lovely cafe, we caught the HiSeoul Music Festival along the Chunggyechun. (I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the Chunggyechun - a lovely stream that runs through the city). I'll have to take some pictures next time I'm there. It's becoming one of my favorite places in Seoul, thus far. This picture was taken to help me remember the name of the festival (thanks to the back of someone's shirt). :)
This was a really popular rock singer, Kim Chang-wan - famous especially to the older crowd.
These guys were so fun to listen to! SG Wannabe (meaning Simon & Garfunkle wannabe) was great. Apparently, they are a really popular band among the youth (not quite as popular as "BigBang" but almost). Alice told me that these guys were initially rejected as artists several times because they're not attractive by Korean standards. Finally, they got a record signing and are actually popular because of the quality of their music, rather than their looks... what a concept!
So... that pretty much sums up my amazing Sunday with Alice. We had such a sweet time together. I love her!!!
Mrs. Park & I... notice all of the beautiful GREEN around us (a real treat for a girl that lives in a metropolitan city!)
Yes, that's a mountain in the not-so-far distance!
More beautiful GREEN!
So... Sunday with Alice:
After going to OEM (Onnuri English Ministry), Alice and I spent the ENTIRE afternoon and evening together. We had lunch at a cheap, but tasty Korean restaurant in Insadong (a tourist/traditional section of Seoul). I ordered non-spicy bibimbop (which Alice referred to as white bibimbop)... and it was delicious! I also tried anchovies and a few other Korean side dishes.
Following lunch, we walked up and down the streets of Insadong... and I actually took lots of pictures this time!
A little mall in Insadong:
Me with Alice
Yes, I've got the Asian two-finger pose down pretty well...
Alice posing as a model on a magazine cover... too cute!
Another Asian pose that I learned (perhaps unique to Korea... I'm not sure). I think I'm supposed to have my hand closer to my face and kind of covering my chin... it's supposed to make the face look smaller. Some of my friends get complimented on their "small" faces... I've even heard that some people have plastic surgery to try to make their face smaller here. Interesting, huh?
Another one of those tricks to try to make your face look smaller. Oh Alice...
Selling tasty snacks... we sampled several of them!
These guys totally cracked me up! I took a video of them. (Unfortunately, I wasn't able to post it... which is a bummer because I think you would have enjoyed it...) They made really delicious honey cakes - it's incredibly entertaining to watch them. They totally ham it up!
I got a little bit of extra special attention... since I'm a young foreign girl, you know... oh dear! They sure were funny.
This was really sweet. This guy was sitting near the street painting Chinese characters with pieces of wood. There were multiple colors of paint on each piece of wood. It was fascinating to me!
Yeah, those beautiful drawing are really Chinese characters! (The Chinese had some significant influence on Korean culture. I don't know enough of the history yet to tell you exactly...)
Mountain fruit. I'm still learning how to take close-ups with my camera, so I apologize for the fuzziness.
The fruit was mild, but sweet. I liked it. It was the first time Alice had ever tried it too. It's kind of expensive fruit since it is only grown in the mountains. I'm not sure if there is an English word for this fruit. Alice didn't seem to think so.
Posing with Snow White at this super-sweet cafe that Alice took me to. Can't wait to go back again - the atmosphere was amazing, the prices surprisingly low, and memories sweet.
Alice's turn.
You can see a little bit of what I mean by atmosphere... just look behind me!
Alice is SO cute!
We're standing in front of the entrance. Unfortunately, the sign "Cafe de Marina" got cut off. It's totally my new favorite place!!! When we sat down to enjoy our warm hot chocolate/green tea latte, we had the most amazing conversation! I am really growing to cherish my friendship with Alice. We talked more about the service at Onnuri and what it means to KNOW God. She asked me when my personal journey with the Lord began, so I got to share my story with her! We have a lot of things in common, it turns out.
After the lovely cafe, we caught the HiSeoul Music Festival along the Chunggyechun. (I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the Chunggyechun - a lovely stream that runs through the city). I'll have to take some pictures next time I'm there. It's becoming one of my favorite places in Seoul, thus far. This picture was taken to help me remember the name of the festival (thanks to the back of someone's shirt). :)
This was a really popular rock singer, Kim Chang-wan - famous especially to the older crowd.
These guys were so fun to listen to! SG Wannabe (meaning Simon & Garfunkle wannabe) was great. Apparently, they are a really popular band among the youth (not quite as popular as "BigBang" but almost). Alice told me that these guys were initially rejected as artists several times because they're not attractive by Korean standards. Finally, they got a record signing and are actually popular because of the quality of their music, rather than their looks... what a concept!
So... that pretty much sums up my amazing Sunday with Alice. We had such a sweet time together. I love her!!!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Mrs. Park & finally... a Movie Night!
I met up with Mrs. Park, my vice principal this afternoon. She invited me to hang out with her. We went on a lovely stroll around the Yangjae chun (Yangjae stream). I learned a few new Korean words. She practiced her English. We were able to communicate better than either of us thought we would be able to, which was a blessing. I really had a great time with her - it was relaxing (even though it definitely took a lot of energy to communicate) and it wa lovely to see green trees, grass, and bushes! We ended our stroll with cheesecake and coffee at a cute little coffee shop. It was grand - totally my idea of a perfect afternoon!
Sara popped over tonight on her way home from a long day of sightseeing. I've been wanting to have a movie night with popcorn since we got here... and this was the first official movie night with popcorn! (It's the little things in life...) My dear cousin sent me microwave popcorn and trail mix... which was so exciting!!! We watched part one of a four part series on Jesus in China (compliments of my Aunt Diane). It was so refreshing to my heart and made me all the more eager to learn Mandarin and soak up as much about Chinese culture as possible! Although I am loving my time in Korea and find the Korean people to be incredibly endearing, I still really miss China... and have had a difficult time feeling terribly motivated to learn Korean since it is not really necessary for survival. I'm asking God to give me a "learner's heart" (Bok ja's words) for the Korean language.
Tomorrow, we get to go to church for the first time knowing that it is our church "home" for the year! Alice, one of my Korean co-teachers asked to come along too... which I'm super-excited about! I love her... God is doing great things!
Good night friends...
Sara popped over tonight on her way home from a long day of sightseeing. I've been wanting to have a movie night with popcorn since we got here... and this was the first official movie night with popcorn! (It's the little things in life...) My dear cousin sent me microwave popcorn and trail mix... which was so exciting!!! We watched part one of a four part series on Jesus in China (compliments of my Aunt Diane). It was so refreshing to my heart and made me all the more eager to learn Mandarin and soak up as much about Chinese culture as possible! Although I am loving my time in Korea and find the Korean people to be incredibly endearing, I still really miss China... and have had a difficult time feeling terribly motivated to learn Korean since it is not really necessary for survival. I'm asking God to give me a "learner's heart" (Bok ja's words) for the Korean language.
Tomorrow, we get to go to church for the first time knowing that it is our church "home" for the year! Alice, one of my Korean co-teachers asked to come along too... which I'm super-excited about! I love her... God is doing great things!
Good night friends...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Happy October!
The best month of the year is here and I'm ready to fully enjoy it! Fall is in full swing. The weather has changed significantly and I'm enjoying light jacket weather. Apples are in season and absolutely delicious (brings sweet memories of apple picking to mind). I ate an apple tonight (compliments of Mr. Chung) and lit my apple cinnamon candle followed by my pumpkin spice candle in honor of autumn. So delightful.
Loving my school... and my teachers. The students have been better behaved this week.
This morning, I was reminded of God's incredible GRACE, which I am so undeserving of! I am so thankful for the power of the cross... so unworthy of His unconditional love... and so in need of it! Bok ja gave me a belated welcoming gift on Saturday - a 30-day Max Lucado journal titled, It's Not about Me. What a timely reminder! Tonight, I had some extra time to just reflect on this journey thus far - the preparation stage, arrival, and getting settled in. Once again, I'm overwhelmed with all He's done. I don't ever want to lose that awe... praise the Lord for reminding me that this is all about HIM and HIS GLORY!
Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
-John 15:4
Loving my school... and my teachers. The students have been better behaved this week.
This morning, I was reminded of God's incredible GRACE, which I am so undeserving of! I am so thankful for the power of the cross... so unworthy of His unconditional love... and so in need of it! Bok ja gave me a belated welcoming gift on Saturday - a 30-day Max Lucado journal titled, It's Not about Me. What a timely reminder! Tonight, I had some extra time to just reflect on this journey thus far - the preparation stage, arrival, and getting settled in. Once again, I'm overwhelmed with all He's done. I don't ever want to lose that awe... praise the Lord for reminding me that this is all about HIM and HIS GLORY!
Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
-John 15:4
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Persimmons & Apples
Yesterday Mr. Chung (the umbrella man, as my mom likes to refer to him) gave me a persimmon with my fruit purchase of mandarin oranges and grapes. Tonight when I was walking home from the subway, he handed me an apple and told me "an apple for a beautiful girl." So sweet... he has no idea how meaningful his little gifts are to me...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
A Refreshing Weekend
Refreshed. I think that's the best word to use to describe this weekend.
Friday night
Good times with Sara, Josie, & Taryn (even though our classical concert plans didn't work out). Tom & Tom's is a great place with great hot chocolate and great pretzels... and it's even better when you can share it with fun people.
Saturday
Got to skype with my lovely familia... attempted to run... good times.
Met up with Bok ja for lunch and some discipleship time. I'm excited to learn from her and grow together with her in the Lord. Very encouraging to my heart.
In the evening, I met up with Hannah Cramer's friends from Word of Life, David & Tae. I had SUCH a great time with them!!!! They speak English really well, so it was easy to communicate and such a great evening! Tae and I met up earlier and saw a Korean-Japanese festival, then had shabu shabu at nearby restaurant. David came to join us, which was really good since we had SO MUCH food! Afterwards, we grabbed some hot chocolate and took a walk down a really pretty part of Seoul and had some great conversations about the Lord and missions and comparing Christianity in the U.S. to Korea. Definitely interesting! I'm looking forward to hanging out much more with David & Tae... it was so much fun! I think we're going to plan on going to the Passion Conference when it comes to Seoul in a couple of weeks (David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and other amazing people that love Jesus!).
Sunday
Made a decision about a church!!!! Sara and I are going to be attending Onnuri Church. I'll be updating more about that in the future. God is really working there and I'm excited to join in fellowship with the body of believers.
I also got to practice hospitality today!!! I made lunch for Sara and dinner for Brianne, one of the girls that lives in my building. It was so much fun to put my new dishes to use... and to share a meal... and to feel domestic (like my dear mother)... and to eat Italian food and veggie omelettes! Great fellowship too - over coffee and tea... how lovely.
Sara and I worked on our budgets too... we got paid for the first time on Wednesday, which was exciting! So, I think we're going to be trying Mr. Dave Ramsey's envelope budgeting system... we'll see how it goes!
This weekend was much-needed. I can't imagine my life without Jesus... there is such JOY in knowing Him!!!
~Holls
P.S. I'm missing you all (especially my dear family) a lot, but resting in the fact that I can trust the Lord to care for and love you much better than I can... and praying for you! Much love!!!!!
Friday night
Good times with Sara, Josie, & Taryn (even though our classical concert plans didn't work out). Tom & Tom's is a great place with great hot chocolate and great pretzels... and it's even better when you can share it with fun people.
Saturday
Got to skype with my lovely familia... attempted to run... good times.
Met up with Bok ja for lunch and some discipleship time. I'm excited to learn from her and grow together with her in the Lord. Very encouraging to my heart.
In the evening, I met up with Hannah Cramer's friends from Word of Life, David & Tae. I had SUCH a great time with them!!!! They speak English really well, so it was easy to communicate and such a great evening! Tae and I met up earlier and saw a Korean-Japanese festival, then had shabu shabu at nearby restaurant. David came to join us, which was really good since we had SO MUCH food! Afterwards, we grabbed some hot chocolate and took a walk down a really pretty part of Seoul and had some great conversations about the Lord and missions and comparing Christianity in the U.S. to Korea. Definitely interesting! I'm looking forward to hanging out much more with David & Tae... it was so much fun! I think we're going to plan on going to the Passion Conference when it comes to Seoul in a couple of weeks (David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and other amazing people that love Jesus!).
Sunday
Made a decision about a church!!!! Sara and I are going to be attending Onnuri Church. I'll be updating more about that in the future. God is really working there and I'm excited to join in fellowship with the body of believers.
I also got to practice hospitality today!!! I made lunch for Sara and dinner for Brianne, one of the girls that lives in my building. It was so much fun to put my new dishes to use... and to share a meal... and to feel domestic (like my dear mother)... and to eat Italian food and veggie omelettes! Great fellowship too - over coffee and tea... how lovely.
Sara and I worked on our budgets too... we got paid for the first time on Wednesday, which was exciting! So, I think we're going to be trying Mr. Dave Ramsey's envelope budgeting system... we'll see how it goes!
This weekend was much-needed. I can't imagine my life without Jesus... there is such JOY in knowing Him!!!
~Holls
P.S. I'm missing you all (especially my dear family) a lot, but resting in the fact that I can trust the Lord to care for and love you much better than I can... and praying for you! Much love!!!!!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
What a Week!
This has definitely been my most challenging week in Korea, without a doubt. Teaching... missing my family... feeling tired... feelings of anxiousness... lots of tears. That sums up the difficulties in a nutshell. Challenges are to be expected. It's part of the journey. God remains gracious and faithful.
In the midst of the difficult times, there have also been several highlights this week...
1) Onnuri Church Visit - really loved it on Sunday! I'm visiting one more church tomorrow, but hopefully I'll be able to decide at the end of this weekend! We joined a small group and had dinner and coffee afterward - it was a whole day event... and I thoroughly enjoyed it! So refreshing...
2) Early Mornings at School - I found out that about 4 or 5 Korean teachers get together a half hour before school begins every Tuesday-Friday morning for Bible reading and prayer... and breakfast! They invited me to join them. Although it is all in Korean, one of my co-teachers (Alice) graciously volunteered to attend the morning sessions with me to translate the Korean into English. It's really sweet... so many of the things I would love to share with her are the things she is telling me as she translates! Kind of ironic... and definitely sweet!
3) Meeting up with Hil - We had dinner together on Tuesday night and had such a great time of fellowship - sharing life and fully enjoying the friendship God is blessing us with. Pretty sure I don't even want to think about her going back to the States in February!
4) Time with Native Teacher friends - Several of the girls met up in Dongdaemun (my territory) for dinner Wednesday night... and then some of us got together again for dinner last night. Although I really am LOVING my time with Koreans, it is definitely good to be able to spend time with other Westerners. We were planning to attend a classical concert last night, but the tickets (within our price range) were sold out by the time we arrived. So, we had galbi (fire meat) for dinner.. which is one of my favorite Korean meals. Then spent the rest of the evening at Tom & Tom's, a cute little cafe with delicious pretzels and hot chocolate (which I've been craving!).
5) Dinner out with Korean teachers - The teachers from our morning Bible study offered to take Alice and I out to a really nice restaurant that serves duck. I think my tolerance for spicy food and seafood is gradually increasing... thanks for all of your prayers! Here's some fun pics from the evening:
My first completely authentic Korean meal out with ONLY Koreans... sitting on the floor at that! I loved it... it was totally a special treat. Mrs. Moon treated us (she's the farthest one back on the left... she always brings us breakfast to Bible study/prayer in the mornings... Alice said she's going to make us "fat" soon... I laughed in agreement).
Ham, I think... along with sesame leaves and radishes (one form of MANY)
Frozen, raw crab... yes, I actually tried it (sorry Mom)! Will I try it again? Uh...probably not. But apparently it's a delicacy here.
I think this is a form of galbi (fire meat)... excpet this looks mostly like kimchi over the fire.
Pig skin. Do you think I tried it?
Yes, I actually did... with Alice! This was the "before" picture. She was pretty nervous (which surprised me... it's encouraging that not all Koreans like this stuff...)
This would be a "during" shot...
And this would be us trying to compose ourselves as we finish swallowing. It actually wasn't terrible... but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.
I'm not sure what got into me, but I was really in the mood for trying stuff on Thursday! Mrs. Moon brought some spicy-ish Korean food to breakfast and I tried it (much to my surprise, I kind of liked it!). The total meal she treated us to after school was NINE courses!!! I'm still feeling bloated... two days later! But any Korean that you talk to will tell you that Korean food is VERY good for your health and well-being. They pride themselves in it... every time I ask them to identify a food for me, I can count on them telling me that it's "good for well-being!" That's encouraging... particularly as I sip on soup made from various roots and disect fish on my plate that is staring me down with eyes still intact. (I'll have to get a picture of this sometime for you...)
6) Mr. Chung, the Fruit Man & my new best friend
So, Mr. Chung is pretty much one of my best friends now. I buy fruit from him in between my subway stop and apartment building. He has met some of my Native Teacher friends and he always tries to speak English to me. Last week he started calling me "Miss Indiana Jones Wonder Woman." So funny! I see him multiple times each day... and I look forward to it! He is a sweet older man and is so concerned for me!
On Thursday, on my way back home from the elaborate duck meal, it started raining and I realized that I forgot my umbrella at school. Fortunately, I didn't have to walk too far in the rain. When I walked hurried past him and gave him a quick wave, I guess he followed me with an umbrella. I don't know how long he was holding the umbrella over my head before I noticed, but it may have been a good 20-30 seconds. He walked me all the way to the front of the Co-op and then waved goodbye. Such a small thing (I only live about 2 minutes away), but made a HUGE difference to me... I love how God reminds me of His love and care through such things!
Today when I bought my mandarin oranges from him, he noticed that I was wearing short sleeves and since the weather has cooled down significantly, he expressed concern about me wearing a jacket. I pointed to my sweatshirt in my hand and assured him I'd be okay. :)
He's such a sweet old man. He sings in his church and studies his music while he's passing time at his little fruit stand. I'm not sure if he's like a dad, a grandfather, an uncle, or what... I haven't decided yet. For now, he's just my new best friend.
So much more to share with you all, but it's time for me to go meet some more new Korean friends for dinner (friends of Hannah Cramer's for those of you from NLB). :)
In the midst of the difficult times, there have also been several highlights this week...
1) Onnuri Church Visit - really loved it on Sunday! I'm visiting one more church tomorrow, but hopefully I'll be able to decide at the end of this weekend! We joined a small group and had dinner and coffee afterward - it was a whole day event... and I thoroughly enjoyed it! So refreshing...
2) Early Mornings at School - I found out that about 4 or 5 Korean teachers get together a half hour before school begins every Tuesday-Friday morning for Bible reading and prayer... and breakfast! They invited me to join them. Although it is all in Korean, one of my co-teachers (Alice) graciously volunteered to attend the morning sessions with me to translate the Korean into English. It's really sweet... so many of the things I would love to share with her are the things she is telling me as she translates! Kind of ironic... and definitely sweet!
3) Meeting up with Hil - We had dinner together on Tuesday night and had such a great time of fellowship - sharing life and fully enjoying the friendship God is blessing us with. Pretty sure I don't even want to think about her going back to the States in February!
4) Time with Native Teacher friends - Several of the girls met up in Dongdaemun (my territory) for dinner Wednesday night... and then some of us got together again for dinner last night. Although I really am LOVING my time with Koreans, it is definitely good to be able to spend time with other Westerners. We were planning to attend a classical concert last night, but the tickets (within our price range) were sold out by the time we arrived. So, we had galbi (fire meat) for dinner.. which is one of my favorite Korean meals. Then spent the rest of the evening at Tom & Tom's, a cute little cafe with delicious pretzels and hot chocolate (which I've been craving!).
5) Dinner out with Korean teachers - The teachers from our morning Bible study offered to take Alice and I out to a really nice restaurant that serves duck. I think my tolerance for spicy food and seafood is gradually increasing... thanks for all of your prayers! Here's some fun pics from the evening:
My first completely authentic Korean meal out with ONLY Koreans... sitting on the floor at that! I loved it... it was totally a special treat. Mrs. Moon treated us (she's the farthest one back on the left... she always brings us breakfast to Bible study/prayer in the mornings... Alice said she's going to make us "fat" soon... I laughed in agreement).
Ham, I think... along with sesame leaves and radishes (one form of MANY)
Frozen, raw crab... yes, I actually tried it (sorry Mom)! Will I try it again? Uh...probably not. But apparently it's a delicacy here.
I think this is a form of galbi (fire meat)... excpet this looks mostly like kimchi over the fire.
Pig skin. Do you think I tried it?
Yes, I actually did... with Alice! This was the "before" picture. She was pretty nervous (which surprised me... it's encouraging that not all Koreans like this stuff...)
This would be a "during" shot...
And this would be us trying to compose ourselves as we finish swallowing. It actually wasn't terrible... but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.
I'm not sure what got into me, but I was really in the mood for trying stuff on Thursday! Mrs. Moon brought some spicy-ish Korean food to breakfast and I tried it (much to my surprise, I kind of liked it!). The total meal she treated us to after school was NINE courses!!! I'm still feeling bloated... two days later! But any Korean that you talk to will tell you that Korean food is VERY good for your health and well-being. They pride themselves in it... every time I ask them to identify a food for me, I can count on them telling me that it's "good for well-being!" That's encouraging... particularly as I sip on soup made from various roots and disect fish on my plate that is staring me down with eyes still intact. (I'll have to get a picture of this sometime for you...)
6) Mr. Chung, the Fruit Man & my new best friend
So, Mr. Chung is pretty much one of my best friends now. I buy fruit from him in between my subway stop and apartment building. He has met some of my Native Teacher friends and he always tries to speak English to me. Last week he started calling me "Miss Indiana Jones Wonder Woman." So funny! I see him multiple times each day... and I look forward to it! He is a sweet older man and is so concerned for me!
On Thursday, on my way back home from the elaborate duck meal, it started raining and I realized that I forgot my umbrella at school. Fortunately, I didn't have to walk too far in the rain. When I walked hurried past him and gave him a quick wave, I guess he followed me with an umbrella. I don't know how long he was holding the umbrella over my head before I noticed, but it may have been a good 20-30 seconds. He walked me all the way to the front of the Co-op and then waved goodbye. Such a small thing (I only live about 2 minutes away), but made a HUGE difference to me... I love how God reminds me of His love and care through such things!
Today when I bought my mandarin oranges from him, he noticed that I was wearing short sleeves and since the weather has cooled down significantly, he expressed concern about me wearing a jacket. I pointed to my sweatshirt in my hand and assured him I'd be okay. :)
He's such a sweet old man. He sings in his church and studies his music while he's passing time at his little fruit stand. I'm not sure if he's like a dad, a grandfather, an uncle, or what... I haven't decided yet. For now, he's just my new best friend.
So much more to share with you all, but it's time for me to go meet some more new Korean friends for dinner (friends of Hannah Cramer's for those of you from NLB). :)
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