Thanksgiving Celebrations

Earlier, I mentioned that my Korean "parents" invited Sara and I to their place for Chuseok in October. Since Chuseok is somewhat similar to Thanksgiving, we decided to invite them over to my place for an American Thanksgiving meal (or as close as we could get).


We didn't have turkey, but the rotisserie chicken worked out just fine. =)
My Korean oma (mother) brought along some delicious japchae (sweet potato noodles mixed with veggies and pork... SOOOO amazing) and kimchi (the Korean trademark food - fermented cabbage in hot pepper paste... [not] my favorite)!


Another pic with my Korean family =)


American Thanksgiving Korean style - on the floor

Also, I promised a long time ago to post pics from our OEM Thanksgiving Banquet. Here they are... finally!!!

With Liza and Jackie. I'm so thankful we could meet through Korean class!!!


With Susie, Sara, and Kristen


me and Sara =)

*Special thanks to my sis, Emma, for being my outfit designer (via Skype). I had quite a time figuring out to wear, but she very patiently helped me figure something out, which I think ended up working out pretty well. =)

Overdue...

Dear friends, I apologize for neglecting the upkeep of my blog so terribly over the last month or two. Life has definitely been busy! I don't have time to catch up on everything right now, but I'll give you a preview of what's to come (accountability for me to post and something for you to hopefully look forward to):

• Thanksgiving celebrations
  
• Korean weddings vs. western weddings
• Small Group Semester End
• Drunk Neighbors & Midnight Disturbances
  
• Nutcracker Ballet
• Christmas Eve Party & festivities (note: I successfully baked homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch!!!)
  
• Princess Emma Byun
• Answers to Prayer

I hope to get things back in order soon! So, please stay tuned (if you're still reading)...

~Holly

There are better things ahead than any we leave behind. ~C. S. Lewis
(Seems appropriate with the new year 2010 upon us!)

Good News

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

I had this thought on the bus this morning, as I was contemplating homesickness and all... you know, I'm pretty sure Jesus understood homesickness better than anyone else. I mean, after all... he left His real HOME and Loving Father for 33 years! I truly am thankful for the life we have in Him because He made that huge sacrifice - giving His life, suffering through homesickness, desiring to be re-united with His Father once again, loving His disciples (though they weren't always strong and dependable, especially when He needed them most)... Come to think of it, I don't think anyone else understands that kind of homesickness and isolation better than our Lord!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

This morning, I was comforted knowing that He KNOWS and understands and has been there. Truly, this is a time to celebrate the message of the Gospel, the GOOD NEWS. He is my Wonderful Counselor (good news since so many of my counselors/sources of wisdom are back home), my Mighty God (good news since I'm so weak and frail...), my Everlasting Father (good news since I'm separated from my earthly father), my Prince of Peace (good news since I'm so prone to anxiety and worry). Yes, this is a hard season, but a good season. Hard because of the emotions that come along with it all. Good because of what this whole season means. Yes, HE is the reason for the season (cliche, I know). We celebrate His birth because it is GOOD NEWS. His Birth means salvation. This is the Gospel! For this reason, we can have hope... even in the midst of unsteady/uncomfortable emotions, HE is who He Is - Emmanuel, God WITH us! Now that, is GOOD NEWS.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

Success!

I am pleased to report that I managed to successfully made homemade chicken noodle soup tonight (for the first time ever)!!! Many thanks are due to my dear friend Alison, for her inspiration and recipe!

*More life and picture updates are coming. My apologies for the delay...

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!