My New Apartment

Finally, I'm (somewhat) ready to post pics of my new apartment. I am still waiting for some more furniture from my school. Then I will hang up more decorations. For now, things are somewhat sparse, but spacious and CLEAN. =)


Welcome!




You may notice that there is actually glass separating the shower from the rest of the bathroom - somewhat unique for bathrooms in Korea.


The stairs are currently serving as shelves for future decorations.


TWO burners on the stove this year!!! (100% increase from last year)


The loft - still not exactly sure what I'm going to do with this space. (Some teachers stopped by earlier this week to bring the blankets and helped me take care of settling-in business.)


The other half of the room is empty - thus no picture!



This is my view from the window - pretty sweet, huh?



So far, I'm thoroughly enjoying my new "home." Although I'm much further away from downtown (where I was last year), I actually get to see trees and grass and mountains and blue sky! It's a refreshing place to live. I'm also looking forward to hopefully having lots of opportunities to be a hostess (especially since I have more space for guests this time around).

Highlights from Home

I think I've been putting this post off for awhile because it's just too hard to sum up how meaningful my four weeks at home were. There are so many stories to share... but a few pictures will have to suffice.


Such a comforting sign!!!


Silver Beach, St. Joe, MI - ALL together for an entire week!


Gorgeous sunset


Mom's amazing homemade pizza - the food I missed the most!


Mom & Dad's surprise 25th wedding anniversary party


Loving each other more than ever...


Making a Korean meal for the fam...


Got to help Sara with a completely surprise visit to her parents!


Visit to Chicago - also checked out the Shedd Aquarium


Had an amazing visit! Hope to spend a few years here in the somewhat near future, Lord-willing...


Cassie surprised me with a mini-fondue set to take back to Korea for chocolate parties!!! =)


Of course, we had to test it out... ;)


Egle 101 roomies


Our Jana Alexis got married!!! (and I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in her wedding!)


Re-connecting with WONDERFUL friends - Charity, Nora, and Marissa


Visiting Kate in Toledo!


The starter decided not to work when it was time for me to leave Toledo, but my Dad willingly came to pick me up! =)


Had LOTS of great times with this girl... (who is now taller than me!!!)


I'm spoiled with an amazing and loving family...


Pedicures and manicures with my mom. =)


My family trying to pose like Koreans...

I'm so thankful for my four weeks at home in August - such a gracious gift from the Lord. Totally blessed and overwhelmed with the amazing people God has placed in my life...

Back in Seoul

So, I'm back in Korea and just got internet connected in my apartment this afternoon. I like my new apartment and area a LOT.

Besides moving in, cleaning, and organizing, this week has been pretty chill (and refreshing) since my school doesn't want to risk having me teach and potentially carry the H1N1 Flu after traveling and being in the States and all. No complaints here! I do have a bit of a cold, so it's nice to have some built-in recovery time.

Goodbyes were hard and I'm of course missing my family. So thankful for Skype... and thankful for God's Sovereign Hand.

This year is going to be a lot different from last year, which I'm mostly pretty excited about. More to come later with more updates and pictures...

Home

I am home in Indiana and loving it!

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.