Coping with Change

Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto,--do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms....The same everlasting Father who cares for you today, will take care of you to-morrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
- Francis de Sales (quoted in Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

To say the past couple of weeks have been challenging would be an understatement. It's almost embarrassing how faithless I can find myself, yet God still continues to be SO faithful.

For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 33:4

I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.

I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD.
Hosea 2:19-20

Though I am incredibly unworthy (which I've been reminded of in multiple ways), somehow He still loves me. I don't understand it.

...the love relationship is why God created you. That is far more important to Him than what you do. - Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
I Corinthians 1:9

He's ALWAYS been faithful to me...
for that, I'm thankful.

China Trip Highlights

• Got to re-connect with my Chinese friend Penguin. Met her family, celebrated Chinese New Year, observed an ancestor ritual service, played Dutch Blitz, learned Chinese paper-cutting, and had opportunities to water the seeds that were planted 2 years ago.

• Tasted lots of interesting foods: dumplings, lamb, duck, tons of fish, eel, pig's tongue, black eggs, dumplings, pig skin, shaddock (delicious fruit), tangyuan (sweet sesame-filled rice cakes), dumplings, bamboo sprout, cabbage, sweet & sour pork/chicken, beef-flavored candy, fried bananas, sugar-glazed strawberries, dried fish, dumplings... and so much more!
  
  
• Learned more about Chinese culture and superstition (ex: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/11/slideshow.chinese.new.year/index.html?hpt=C2).
  
  
• Revisited Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Wanfujing, the markets etc. in Beijing; also got to experience a Chinese Tea House and the Ming Tombs for the first time.
  
  
• Got scammed by a rickshaw man. It was pretty scary, but thankfully our Father really protected us. Psalm 91 became the theme of our trip.
  
  
• Got to re-connect with a family working in Beijing (and re-visited my old stomping grounds).^^
  
  
• Was blessed and convicted by Sara's incredible servant heart and selflessness (and noticed my own flesh coming out more than I would have liked). I'm so thankful for a grace-filled friendship!
  
  
• Treated ourselves to cheap manicures and a hotel (rather than a hostel) on the last night in Beijing.
  
  
• Obtained a greater appreciation and love for Korea.
  
  
• Felt a sense of closure when we were leaving China; knew that it would be okay if I never returned.
  
  
• Sensed the Lord confirming what He's already been placing on my heart concerning the upcoming months.
  

Off to China!

I'm excited to visit my friend Penguin, with Sara over Chinese New Year (and Valentine's Day) this year!!! I wrote about Penguin in previous posts back in 2008 during my PacRim Semester Abroad: First Meeting, Easter Weekend, Yu Yuan Tan Park, & Bowling. I'm so excited to reconnect with this dear friend!!! Lots of reminiscing in store... as well as making new memories!!!

Ice & Cream Social

The first week of January, we had an OEM Small Group event titled, "Ice & Cream Social." It was very cold... but fun. I had a blast with these lovely ladies. In fact, our time together was reminiscent of my college days. Good times for sure!!!


Susie, Ji-Hye, Jennifer, me, Sara


Jennifer, Ji-Hye, Sara, me


OEM Small Group folks


Ice Cream at Cold Stone afterward

After the ice cream, we got to see an amazing violinist performing on the street near the Cheongyecheun (a nicely manicured stream that flows through the center of the city). Ji-Hye, Jennifer and I couldn't resist taking a little stroll past the Cheongyecheun, even though it was freezing cold, we had a lovely, giddy, girly time!

Off to Turkey...

I'm off to Turkey for the next several days. I'll do my best to get things fully up-to-date when I get back. Thanks for being patient until then!

A picture of my team:

Christmas Party with the Teachers

Last year, I had some of the teachers over to my apartment for a little Christmas party. I was really looking forward to using my nice, spacious apartment this year for another party with them. Unfortunately, they've been extremely busy this year. So, I decided to just bring the party to them and invited them to my English Classroom instead. We still had a nice time, although I think I enjoyed last year's party with them a little more...


Just before the teachers came to my classroom for the Christmas Party =)


Christmas party with the teachers



They seemed to enjoy it all quite a bit! I think they weren't quite sure what to think about the nagatolis (Italian cookies from my Nana) though... apparently the anice flavoring is used in Korea with some kind of fish soup to ward off the bad smell of the fish. lol.

Christmas at School

After being in Korea for 16 months together, Sara was finally able to come to my school to watch me teach a couple of lessons. The timing was great! She got to see my Christmas lesson, which was fun.




I taught them the song Away in a Manger - just like last year. Although this year, there seemed to be a little more controversy over the song. Some of the teachers didn't think it was popular enough to teach to the students because they'd never heard it. I didn't realize that it wasn't a well-known Christmas song since I've been singing it for as long as I can remember! It was a good song to teach the students, though. If I had taught them a fast Christmas song, it would have been much too difficult to catch all the lyrics. It all ended up working okay...


Co-teaching with Teacher Min; giving instructions on how to make Christmas cards to send back home =)


In the middle of teaching, I guess...


Merry Christmas to Teacher Holly's family! This student definitely didn't want us to see his face... lol - a typical Korean student!


I laughed so hard when I read this!
To all:
Christmas coming.
I wish White Christmas. Do you have girlfriend. boyfriend?
I wish you have boyfriend. girlfriend before Christmas.
Happy Christmas
- From SJ -
(next to the illustrated gift it says, --> in boyfriend. girlfriend.)


With my lovely and amazing co-teacher, Lee Hye Eun! Gonna miss her next semester, for sure!


At my desk in the teacher's office =)