Blessed by School Life

Occassionally...
working here drives me to the brink of insanity.
The same was true in the U.S.

Occassionally...
more frequently than insanity
I stare blessings straight in the face

Today, I was 'Blessed by School Life'
when the science teacher sent me this note:

I'll work here at Bongam by today. My contract finishes today.
I may come to this school again or move to another school.
I was very glad/happy getting to know you.
I tried , however, didn't make good friends with you since I can speak English a little. Anyway I was very happy when I met you on a bus. Take care of yourself. Let's keep in touch with each other.
And this song:



Friendship is a sweet, sweet gift.
And while the lyrics may be corny...
I love them and I love reflecting on the
Blessings
I have that are directly related to 'school' life

(Typed having just finished enjoying 'Chinese' lunch extravaganza with my co-workers and a cup of 3-in-1 coffee mix)

Needs

Today I'm realizing some 'needs'

I needed this and this.

I needed this
to further confirm my love and need
of Love

I need this
Because it doesn't feel an ounce
like Christmas -- and I need it to.



I needed a bus driver who dressed as
Santa Claus
and gave away candy.

I needed a Korean co-worker
to send me this song mid-morning


I needed to re-read these words from a friend
"I think thats my soul recognizing that your soul is extraordinary. I see something in you that many people don't have, which is an ability to love wholeheartedly. I want to thank you for that! I think a lot of people are scared to love with all parts of their heart, but yet you do it daily. That's pretty incredible."

I need to know that a good friend
will soon be arriving...
and that we will hug.

I need to let go of some things
to move on
get over it
have some conversations
bake some cookies
write some blogs
and breathe.

I need encouragement. love. joy. Christ.

I need to remember it's Christmas.

(Typed with nothing to drink but because I needed to. I needed to remember what has brought joy in the last few days and that even though today is tearing me down...I have all I need and more.)

Of Falling in Love...

Again.
and Again.
and Again.

Saturday morning

Awoken by sweet kisses

The voice of my love

"We're leaving in an hour,

I'll make French toast,

you shower and get ready -

make sure to look your best!"

Unaware, unsure, un-awake

I obeyed.

Out the door, boarding the metro

arriving at the train station

friends. Anticipating

a sweet day.

One hour by train takes us to

Seoul.

Tacos. Avocados. Taxis. and Subways.

Book Stores. Guesses. Posters. and Theaters.

The Nutcracker.
Sugar Plum Faries.
Symphonic pleasures.
Dancing. Leaping.

Watching. Smiling.
Next to the one I love.

Days not over

just beginning...

Find ourselves at the top of Namson Tower.

Here is where we lock our love

where others have come before us

Committing to love each other

until the end of time.

Tradition is:

Write a message of love

attach to the lock

throw away the key

My man has written our message

our vows

our promise

our committment

Tears of Joy

So often I am blessed by this man whom I wed. So often I realize just what an honor it is to participate in life with someone of his character and compatability. So often, I take it for granted and fail to give praise where praise is due. And yet, we are in love. Constantly falling even deeper into this relational adventure of marriage.

And he wins my heart, again and again.

He has committed to our vows in a way that astounds me. Keeping them as an ever present force in our marriage - something to know and obey, to cherish and honor. And I love it. For so many reasons. But particularly because we were so deliberate in what we chose to speak to one another on that September day of 2007.

(Typed while wishing I were warmer and drinking something warm in a classroom of a faraway land known as Korea)

For another account of this day with more details and more photos check out this article.

Happiness is ...

a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Cake.

Especially when Baskin Robbins is celebrating winter
by giving away things.

Things that are pink.
warm.
and sport pom-poms.

Especially when a Husband chooses to
purchase the Baskin Robbins
Ice Cream Cake ...
which is the pre-requisite for recieving
the pink thing.

I am enamored by this man he said:
"I will"
Because, he does.
And if the ice cream cake doesn't impress
...
Just wait. The story gets better.
You'll have to check back later if you want to know,
the rest of the story ^^

(Typed while enjoying a mug of Apple Cider recently arrived from Wyoming to the home of our dear friends the Mullens from a blacker than night mug.)

PSA: It's Christmas Time

Living in Korea has me missing the Christmas atmosphere.
Perhaps I thought it was all
a little over the top...
in years past.

However, without it
I don't know that it's Christmas.

There is no snow.
There are not carols playing
24/7 on the radio.
There are not sweets on every
table, waiting to be consumed.
There's no 'holiday cheer'.
It's just another day here in Korea.

So, when I awoke this morning with a Christmas song in my head.
And was able to enjoy a cup of tea from a Christmas mug...
it felt like Christmas.

It's going to be a good day.

(Typed having finished off a perfect mug of Lady Earl Grey with sugar and milk out of a darling Christmas Plaid Mug).

Eustace

We watched Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader a couple of nights ago.
I love the Chronicles of Narnia.
In a deep, reckless manner.
If I could go anywhere,
anywhere...
I'd go to Narnia, in a heartbeat

As the movie began, I remembered why the Dawn Treader
is one of my favorites.
Because of this passage.

"But the lion told me I must undress first. Mind you, I don't know if he said any words out loud or not.


I was just going to say that I couldn't undress because I hadn't any clothes on when I suddenly thought that dragons are snaky sort of things and snakes can cast their skins. Oh, of course, thought I, that's what the lion means. So I started scratching myself and my scales began coming off all over the place. And then I scratched a little deeper and, instead of just scales coming off here and there, my whole skin started peeling off beautifully, like it does after an illness, or as if I was a banana. In a minute or two I just stepped out of it. I could see it lying there beside me, looking rather nasty. It was a most lovely feeling. So I started to go down into the well for my bathe.

But just as I was going to put my feet into the water I looked down and saw that they were all hard and rough and wrinkled and scaly just as they had been before. Oh, that's all right, said I, it only means I had another smaller suit on underneath the first one, and I'll have to get out of it too. So I scratched and tore again and this underskin peeled off beautifully and out I stepped and left it lying beside the other one and went down to the well for my bathe.

Well, exactly the same thing happened again. And I thought to myself, oh dear, how ever many skins have I got to take off? For I was longing to bathe my leg. So I scratched away for the third time and got off a third skin, just like the two others, and stepped out of it. But as soon as I looked at myself in the water I knew it had been no good.

Then the lion said - but I don't know if it spoke – ‘You will have to let me undress you.’ I was afraid of his claws, I can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now. So I just lay flat down on my back to let him do it.

The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off. You know - if you've ever picked the scab off a sore place. It hurts like billy-oh but it is such fun to see it coming away...

Well, he peeled the beastly stuff right off - just as I thought I'd done it myself the other three times, only they hadn't hurt - and there it was lying on the grass: only ever so much thicker, and darker, and more knobbly-looking than the others had been. And there was I as smooth and soft as a peeled switch and smaller than I had been. Then he caught hold of me - I didn't like that much for I was very tender underneath now that I'd no skin on - and threw me into the water. It smarted like anything but only for a moment. After that it became perfectly delicious and as soon as I started swimming and splashing I found that all the pain had gone from my arm. And then I saw why. I'd turned into a boy again."
 



Pain is so. hard.
The pain I've experienced
has been. hard.
Yet somehow. has been
made. beautiful.
More so than I could have ever imagined.

(Typed while enjoying a luke warm thermos of Lady Earl Grey tea)

Hugs

I miss them



If you live in Daejeon,
can we hug next time we meet?

If you come visit me,
can we hug multiple times
each day you're here?

If you see me back at home,
can we embrace often?

If you have someone you love,
can you hug them now?

Because I'll be hugging my love soon.

(Typed with only a bottle of water to keep me company...)

Valley of Shadows

I know some beautiful souls
beautiful souls
that are hurting


Each has lovingly
invited me into the depths
of their souls

When I hear their story
I share their pain
My heart is aching for them

I hope everyone has such deep and meaningful relationships

that pain is shared regardless of

experience, miles, age, etc.

This is for my friends, the beautiful souls that are hurting

This is my prayer for you.

May you each know
that you are not alone.

(Typed while enjoying a darling brown, bone-china mug filled with Earl Grey, a bit of milk and sugar)

Meditation:IV

I've been mulling over these verses:

Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord,
and abhor those who rise uup against you?


I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

Psalm 139:19-22

Initially, my thoughts leaned on
"I should not hate,
therefore, I do not hate."

But then I began to notice

that when passion is stirred

in my heart

sometimes, I feel angry

I begin seeing things I hate

I hate

the injustices

which my eyes are opened to

I hate

the misrepresentation

of Jesus which is zealously offered to the world

I hate

the great divide

of rich and poor. and sometimes

I hate

that I'm the wealthy one

I don't feel entirely comfortable sharing this

I feel vulnerable

I feel hypocritical

However, these are my reflections

these are things I'll continue to mull over

everytime my passion is ignited

because I'm not often passionate

about what is working 'well'

I'm often passionate

about what I believe needs change.

“I hate all your show and pretense --
the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.

 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.

I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.

Away with your noisy hymns of praise!

I will not listen to the music of your harps.

Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,

an endless river of righteous living."

Amos 5: 21-24

(Reflections put to computer screen while enjoying a brown mug filled with LDT Bamboo Sprouts Green Tea)

Bucket List

I don't have an official Bucket List.
Maybe I'll make one
as part of my 'entering' a new year.

However, if I did have one
One item would be
to participate in a flash mob.

Seriously, look how happy it makes people?
I think it could be the answer to some of lifes
greatest challenges.



Truth about me:
I tear up nearly every time I watch a flash mob video
Not even kidding.

(Typed with only a bottle of water to keep me company ... and a bag of dried persimmons)

Where is the Love?

I have often found myself wondering
"Where is the love...
for North Korea?"

Who is willing to love that nation?
Who is willing to advocate for the millions
who are not the dictators, old and new?

Every piece of news
stereotype
gripe
that comes regarding North Korea

Considering recent news
and my morning prayer times
which have revolved around
'neighbors'
I find this clip, refreshing.

(Typed having recently finished a yellow teacup of Let's Do Teas Figgy Pudding black tea, my heart couldn't be happier)

Neighbors

Two things today
have stirred my soul.

Leads me to thinking about
Neighbors
Love
Peace
One another-ing
Living what I believe.

Does this prayer stir your soul?
Does the song stir your soul?

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;



where there is hatred, let me sow love;


when there is injury, pardon;


where there is doubt, faith;


where there is despair, hope;


where there is darkness, light;


and where there is sadness, joy.


Grant that I may not so much seek


to be consoled as to console;


to be understood, as to understand,


to be loved as to love;


for it is in giving that we receive,


it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,


and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.

~St. Francis

Korean Love Affair: Part Three

I'd be lying if I said things have been perfect
or even easily manageable
for the past couple weeks.

But I'm working at living out the advice of a good friend:
Find what you love about Korea
and when Korea is winning
INDULGE in what only she can provide

This weekend
setting out on a few various projects
one a secret, one for learning Korean, one for the Masters
I saw before me this:



Items from a Korean stationary store.

I love it all. It's adorable. Happy. Random.
It's SUPER cheap and incredibly functional.

I'll miss this when we leave.
So for now I'll 'indulge' and enjoy.

It's one of Korea's many gifts to me
and for that, I'm thankful

Uhm - Yes Please!

Tea is still a passion.
I love tea.
Loose Tea.
Green Tea Latte
Tea for Broth.
It's definitely a 'thing'

So, when a friend directed me to this little ditty
My heart was filled with joy!

My only response:
'Uhm, Yes, Please!'

(Typed while yearning for a cup of tea yet not drinking one at the time of post)

Interpretation

An attempt at recreating an English Notebook I recently saw:

Sports is MY LIFE

DREAMS COME TRUE

The time for trying

for bright future!

You are my sweet song

and you are a honey

melody, the girl who

has many pink dreams

I have dreams and hopes

I think this is a fairly accurate illustration

of how I'm currently perceiving my days

and interactions

Confusing. Misunderstood.

Slightly ridiculous.

A Mix of seemingly unrelated content.

Attempting sweetness and kindness.

Encouraging.

At the heart, goodness.

Well-intentioned communications.

Today, I will work on interpretation,

under the pretense that

the Heart is Good.

And because for me, it connects

I'll end with a song that.

One that answers my hearts cry of Homesick

One that serves as an anthem for Interpretation.

 

Thanks Erin for the recommendation

(Typed while enjoying the first mug of tea for the day, Earl Grey, sugar, splash of milk from a darling brown bone-china mug)

Butterflies

I have loads on my mind. I've mentally written about 10 different blogs.
I'm facing emotions that I haven't seen much of. That I don't fully understand.

Writing is my number one go to in these situations.
Paper and Pencil
Keyboard and Computer Screen.
This is what I long for
when I can't make sense of things.

So I sat here. At my computer screen.

So many things on my mind.

No idea where to begin.

And these lyrics came to mind:

'If thoughts were butterflies

a thousand would be flutter flying,

round about all throughout,

the vast expanse between my ears.'

~ Olivia the Band

These lyrics are a summation of my current mental state. Thoughts. Flying.

In a space that seems too vast to manage them.

In time

I will get to writing

making sense of things

In a journal

on a blog.

For now

I accept these butterflies

giving them proper reflection

and consideration.

As I make sense of them

I will release them

in hopes that they will offer

love. hope. beauty. truth. honesty.

(Typed while finishing my third cup of Brown Rice Green Tea in a Jeonju University mug)

Choosing Love

"I believe more in the Sacred of Ordinary" - Jessica Mercer Zerr



Read an article from
This I Believe from
a Facebook Link
called:
The Love I Choose
(highly recommend).

Not a day goes by

that I don't recognize how blessed

I am

to have the husband I do.

None other

Supports. Loves. Cares. Encourages.

Challenges. Questions.

Me, like he does.

None other

Smiles. Laughs. Speaks without Words.

Serves. Experiences.

Like he does.

He is my perfect match.

the one who completes me.

the one who knows me.

the one who chose me.

And I choose him.

Everyday.

Every moment.

Extraordinary

or

Ordinary.

(Typed while finishing off an Angel-in-us-Coffee cafe latte offered to my husband, given to me).

P.S. He is amazingly deep and yet utterly simple - hence why when he blogs it's something such as this.

Meditation: III

The problem with choosing to memorize Psalm 139 in it entirety
is that I can't skip over the verses that make me feel uncomfortable.
the verses that confuse me
the verses that make make me ask
difficult questions.

I don't know exactly what it is about this weeks verse

but it was difficult for me.

and -- it was so good for me.

As I share my reflections

remember, I'm not a theologian

just a girl who finds hope and comfort

in the being of Christ and the existence of God.



(This is how this verse makes me feel. A little less sure yet hopeful nonetheless.)

If only you would slay the wicked, O God!

Away from me, you bloodthristy men!

They speak of you with evil intent;

your advirsaries misuse your name.

Psalm 139: 19-20

Thought 1:

This is humanities greatest question

a roadblock for many

'Why does evil exist?'

Thought 2:

Context of Psalm 139

the psalmist has been amazed

by God's presence, majesty

and incomprehensibility

"Words of Another" 1:

The Message -

please God, do away with

wickedness for good...

away with [those] who belittle you

infatuated with cheap God-imitations

"Words of Another" 2:

Contemporary English Version

kill all cruel and heartless people

Final Thought:

I too, experience this range

of emotions

like the psalmist, I am

amazed. humbled. awe-struck. angered. devastated.

perhaps

it is a healthy response

to despise and hate wickedness

perhaps

i need to dialogue these things

with my God

because i cannot be the judge

i am not sure

about evil and wickedness

and how to combat them

but i am hopeful, nonetheless



Homesick

I'm not surprised.
Or regretful.
I know homesickness.
I've experienced it before.
I'll experience it again.

A good friend reminds me:

"Its part of the process of travel and staying." ~ Joe Bundy

And staying.

That's the part that's painful. and beautiful.

Because I am where I should be.

Because I will return home

and the homesickness will shift.

I will be homesick for Korea. for home.

It's the difficulty of living
with intention and purpose
of choosing to be passionate about
where you are
who you are with
what you are doing.

Difficulty arises because
I love the moments I have lived
the moments I am living
the moments I will live.
I do not regret living life this way.

So, when homesicknesses sets in

I embrace it.

I welcome it.

I experience it.

Because it will pass.

Because it reveals where my heart is

and has been

and remains.

And the tears
the pain of being away
wouldn't happen if it weren't for
beauty. joy. friendship. community. comfort.
'that which has been my delight'

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” -Kahlil Gibran

Home

has always been so good to me.

My only response

is to miss it.

To be homesick.

I received the sweetest

hardest story in my inbox today

it ended with:

"I miss my friends." said by

the sweetest 3 (almost 4) year old boy I know.

I couldn't have said it better.

I so badly want a song that goes with my emotions.

But I can't find one today.

(Typed while finishing off a Maple Machiatto from Angel-in-Us Coffee)

Back in the Game

If we were playing a competitive sport with Korea
she would have been winning last week.
We were losing.

What I mean is, sometimes, the cultral
differences
are different
and difficult

Being faced with these differences and difficulties
put us in the losers corner and Korea in the winners bracket.

The game was better,
not when we were winning
but when we were on the same team as Korea.

However, this week, Korea started playing dirty:

Miscommunications ... Attempted Communications
Cultural differences in the Importance of Vacation
and Being with one's Spouse for the Vacation

Importance and Bind of Contracts

Work hours Incompatible with bank hours
Banks closing earlier than stated.

Spicy food and odd Sea Creatures
for dinner

Smells of sewage
Soju drunks
Unfaithful husbands
5:00 am 'wake-up calls'

Korea was destroying us.
Winning.
Defeating this otherwise happy
and content American Couple.

BUT
Have. No. Fear.
We're back in the game.



Saturday
Not only did Korea decide to play fair
She started playing with us.

A lovely fall hike
on a non-too-crowded 'mountain' trail

Fabulous food provision
rice cakes with beef on top, mandoo and cheese filled pork cutlets

Spectacular thrift store finds
winter coats for the man and woman of the house

Cheesecake and Apple Pie
celebrating a dear new friend

Bowling.
with dear new friends

We can do this Korea, we can do this.
You may win on occassion
but we're not giving up
not yet, not now.

(Typed while enjoying the last mug full of Apple Cider Taste Alike from the tan mug inherited upon my arrival in Korea)

Dear 13

Dear 13,

The next 12 years are going to be hard, challenging and beautiful. I want to prepare you for what is to come, without taking away from the experiences you are guaranteed to have. I want to offer you some words of wisdom that you will take to heart, that you hold dearly and you will attempt to live by. I want to protect you from being hurt and prevent you from hurting others.

My hope for you, is that you will be nothing less than confident in your personal appearance and attributes.  But take caution, the greatest confidence is that which builds not only the self up, but those who come in contact with it.  What I'm trying to say is; love who you are, be confident but 13, don't do it at the cost of others.  They too need to be confident in their beauty and character.

Don't worry about fashion trends and fads. You have style. Style that's all your own! Live it up! Wear the oversized earrings, leggings and you can even tease your bangs if you want to. If you love the way it makes you look, that's all that matters. (Not to mention, I can confidently tell you it will all eventually be fashionable again).

Don't date. Non of the men your interested in for the next 12 years are worth the heartache that will follow. You can say no. Enjoy your girlfriends, you'll have the opportunity to know some of the world's most beautiful souls. Don't let the opportunity to know them deeply pass you by.

This next bit will be a little harder for you to hear and for me to write. You have no understanding of this, you have no idea that you do this to yourself, but 13, stop playing dumb. You are an incredibly intelligent young lady and you have some thoughts that are beautiful, poetic and encouraging. Embrace the intelligence that is rightfully yours, don't fear being isolated or rejected; those who love you at 25 will love you for the truth and depth of who you are. I promise. I know them. Because I am your 25.

The next 12 years will be challenging. I can't change that for you. Honestly, even if you listen to this advice, it's too late. Twelve years have passed. And even though you didn't live out all these words of advice I've offered, you've still grown to be a beautiful young lady.

Grace and peace darling,
                   ~25

P.S.

A dear friend of mine, Erin recently wrote a blog in the form of 'I wish I'd known then...' which caused me to spend much time reflecting on the same concept.

What would you tell your 13 old self if you had the chance?

(Typed while drinking stainless steel contained water while I should be posting discussions for my Masters program ^^).

Meditation: II

“I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it” — Harry Emerson Fosdick

I saw this on a new favorite blog: SmartPrettyandAwkward

It essentially puts into one sentence what I've been wrestling with and meditating on in Psalm 139: 17 -18

In the New International Version, the words are phrased:

"How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.

When I awake, I am still with you."

My number one realization while reflecting on these verses
were expressed perfectly by the Contemporary English Version
"Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding."

I am surrounded
by mystery
I cannot
comprehend it.

To me:
this is Beautiful

I spent days thinking about the thoughts of God.
What are they?
How do we know?

And, I thought
His thoughts
are expressed by His Word
are shared with His Sons and Daughters
in prayer
in solitude
in relationship

Yet
even still
the thoughts of God
are veiled
surrounded
by mystery
they are
uncomprehendable.

But so precious
to reflect on.

(Typed in two parts: part 1 - freezing in my English classroom, part 2 - enjoying a perfectly delicious mug of hot chocolate from an inherited light brown mug)

Silver Linings

A dear friend of mine
posted recently about
'Silver Linings'
about investing ourselves
now. in this moment.

What am I loving? Where can I invest my time? How can I be intentional with my time?

What are the silver linings?

• The 'expat' community - new friends that are making this transition easier than it should be.
• My Students - the ones who run up to me, just to say 'hello' because that's the extent of our common language.
• My new co-workers - their kindness and encouragement as I feel out this new experience.
• The beautiful people who didn't come to Korea but who comment of blogs, post on Facebook, send emails and make time for Skype chats.

I am not lacking in silver linings.
My hope now, is to honor those linings
those blessings
and give myself to them
with intentionality.

(Typed while enjoying a plate full grapes, tangerines, bananas and rice cakes after completing my first Open Class)

Final Friday

It's the final Friday of October.
Where did this month go?

This has been by far my most jam-packed week:
CouchSurfers
Masters Class
Chili Dinner with Friends
And today...
what I've really been waiting for
My Open Class

The day when other teachers
come to see a performance
hoping to learn some tricks for their own classrooms.

I'm not so much nervous
as I am ready to be done.

October was enjoyable
but honestly, I've just been waiting
for this day to come and go.

My Final Friday will look like this:
Teaching 4 grade 6 classes...
Lunch
Preparing the English Classroom
Teaching an "I can do it!" Lesson
Planning next weeks grade 6 lesson
And finally walking home.

What does your final Friday in October hold?

(Typed while enjoying a FABULOUS cup of oolong left for me by a recent CouchSurfer. It's made better by the fact it is held in my favorite brown bone china mug!)

Coffee Shop

I hear the sounds of
Kings of Convenience
About 4 minutes from our front door
at the OEC Coffee Shop.
I LOVE it -- the music and the coffee shop.

My favorite drink
is the Green Tea Latte

As I begin a Masters program
and continue to seek a peaceful place
to read
write
think
I will, I believe, become a regular.

***ing

Learning: How to balance on a moving, turning, speeding bus.

Loving: The colors of changing leaves.

Wanting: Brown boots, knit sweaters, scarves and leggings.

Needing: Parts 1, 2 and 3 of my Korean Love Affair. Because somedays are hard.

Thanks-giving: Good friends on this side of the globe. And the other side.

Starting: Masters of Arts in Education of English Language Learners.

Increasing: Korean vocabulary.

Reading: Everything is Illuminated by Johnathan Safran Foer

Anticipating: The discovery and exploration of a Korean Thrift Store.

Hosting: Our first CouchSurfer on Monday -- it's going to feel more like home

Praying: For the ability to be a good servant to my God, husband, employee, place in this world.

Writing: Lesson plans and blog posts.

Drinking: Rooibos tea from a precious little yellow teacup, one of the favorites.

Knitting

Watched some time lapse videos
Thought about my earlier post
Found this.
Enjoy.

Meditation: I

A couple weeks back
I committed to memorize.

Since the beginning of May
I've been reading
and reflecting on
Psalm 139

It 'should' be memorized by now
Yet, I have no regrets
It's been the most wonderful place for me to rest
while we've moved
worked
travelled
re-located
and begin settling.

I most recently worked on these verses:

13 For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

These verses are THE reason

I connect to Psalm 139

If you know my personal story

you understand.

If not, suffice it to say

it is in these words I have

confidence

in my identity, purpose and creation.

If not, don't hesitate to ask

we can share a cup of tea.

Mid-October means I'm working on some new verses.

Psalm 139:17-18

I'll share more on those words

as I spend more time mulling them over.

Until then
~Grace and Peace

(Typed while enjoying a small bit of Angel-in-us-Coffee; Carmel Macchiato)

The Heart Breaks

Living and working in Korea isn't always
delicious food
adorable children
pampering haircuts and
festival adventures.

Sometimes it's discovering the
dirty little secrets
that make up a nation
a people
an individual.

It's learning about
suicides
shrouded by superstitions
of fan death
it's here, the heart breaks

about students
with disabilities
treated unfairly, as unworthy
such as dong-ghyu
it's here, the heart breaks

about husbands
and wives
living in separate cities
for the sake of a career
it's here, the heart breaks

about parents
and children
living in separate cities
for the sake of a career
it's here, the heart breaks
about the disappearance
of childhood
swallowed up by
the push and prod for
more and 'greater' education
it's here, the heart breaks

about discovering
we are all broken people
we are all breaking people
it's here, the heart breaks

(Typed while sipping Lichee Black Tea from a Brown Bone China mug)

Another Wednesday...

Wednesday's are shaping up to be my favorite day.

Don't get me wrong - Friday's are still superb.

Saturday and Sunday can hardly be beat.

But Wednesday's!?! Who would have guessed?

A common theme in my Wednesday's is some form of a pleasant surprise.

Once it was a delicious lunch followed by sweet Korean students getting me coffee and drawing my lovely face on the chalkboard.

Another time it was being told I wouldn't be teaching in the afternoon because the teachers would be playing a traditional game -- I then won MVP and a tube of toothpaste.

And, most recently it was having more free time than is normal -- offering me some 'me time'.

This is the Wednesday I want to share with you.

It's yet another Wednesday I want to remember.

Because sometimes Thursday's not so great.

I need to remember the joy of a Wednesday.

The most recent Wednesday was for:

Baking Banana Bread -- in the crockpot.

Exploring Tanbang-dong and Daejeon Station.

Finding Leechard's ProHair.

The joy of complimentary Iced Green Tea Lattes,

an out of this world head massage and shampooing

a haircut

a hand and arm massage

and a manicure.

[All at the unbelievable price of 12,000 Won ~ $10US]

Some much desired shopping.

Walking along the river

sun shining

people walking, running, biking

and smiling.

A truly beautiful Wednesday.

My favorite day of the week.

(Typed while enjoying a brown bone china mug of Earl Grey with milk and sugar. Following a delicious bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios.)

Memorize

I have many dear friends.
Friends who encourage me
love me
embrace me
miss me
challenge me.

One friend - a close Spiritual Mentor
challenged me just today.
Memorize Scripture.



She told me why in the following manner:

So I give to you my top ten of why Scripture memory is rocking my world.

10. I'm getting a better grasp of the bible and understanding what book talks about what.
9. I'm growing in a passion of God's word unlike I've had before.
8. I'm growing in convictions.
7. I feel like the word of God is really giving me a light to go to and i'm not feeling so many blank moments when I'm at a loss of what to do.
6. I'm experiencing greater joy and peace as I have sweet words that pass through my head.
5. I'm recognizing lies easier in my own life and the world that surrounds me.
4. I'm recognizing the voice of God in more intimate way then I have before.
3. I notice a lessening of myself and a greater realization of how present God is.
2. I see myself not falling so fast to sin patterns.
1. I'm really seeing my mind being renewed.

She asked if I would memorize one verse per week.
I told her no.

At the beginning of the year
I committed to one verse
on the 1st and 15th

I even had a support group
Meditate and Memorize

I told her:
Rather, I will re-commit
to my commitment

Maybe by 2011 I can rock one verse per week.
For now,
Anyone want to join me in 2 verses each month?
You can at Meditate and Memorize

Sacred Space

"Teach me to slow down, to be still and enjoy the pleasures created for me. To be aware of the beauty that surrounds me. The marvel of mountains, the calmness of lakes, the fragility of a flower petal. I need to remember that all things come from you." -- from Sacred Space

"Teach me to slow down, to be still and enjoy the pleasures created for me. To be aware of the beauty that surrounds me. The symphony of many tongues, the warmth of a mug of tea, the comfort of many friendships and the peace of early mornigs. I need to remember that all things come from you." -- from 'the beauty that surrounds me'

What beauty surrounds you?

(Typed while enjoying a mug of Earl Grey tea in a tan-colored mug)

Temptation

A couple of weeks ago - the Pastor of the church we're attending talked about Temptation.

He opened with this video.
It's adorable. funny. honest. and...
a little insightful.



Oh the desire of having what is right here
in front of us
EVEN if we know greater things are yet to come.

Tea Time

Since arriving in Daejeon
I've been wanting a Teapot...

I want to invite friends over and enjoy a cup with them.
I want to take Daejeon forward another step or two in becoming home.

So, here it is -- the Teapot!
One step closer to being 'settled' in our new home ^^ First Pot was Green Tea
Purchased in Thailand, summer 2010
I've enjoyed it with a man I adore and admire
We drank from 'cute' Korean mugs.

(Typed while drinking the above tea, from the above teapot and mugs)

Thinking Ahead

A friend of mine has been posting about...
Halloween!!!

Mor accurately, Halloween costumes.
This gets me to thinking...
What will I be?
(Will I even celebrate Halloween?)
I don't know.

If I do, I think I want to be a K-Pop Star
I mean
Don't you?

The following are some of my favoriet K-Pop Outfits...the last one is #1, but probably impossible. The second photo is the one I most want to have in my closet. And, this first one, I'd like in my closet as well :) ... or should I put ^^



(Typed while at work, drinking water from my hardcore stainless steel water container)

iConnect

iConnect to this iPhone 4 Commercial:



I know these emotions
to be living somewhere new
living a dream

the anticipation of what is to come from this new situation

I know these emotions
to be missing friends and family
missing home

the difficulty of being far-away from what is familiar

(Typed while enjoying a Yellow Teacup filled with Earl Grey tea - just as if I were home...)

For curious minds: The commercial shows a young Korean preparing the Chuseok feast (a holiday that is described as a mix between Thanksgiving and Memorial Day). I think she calls home, to her mother, to make sure she's set it up correctly for her 'new' family - the in-laws.

A Year Goes By

During a sweet phone call 'home'
I was reminded of a special anniversary.

One year ago,
I saw this face in person - for the first time

I had NO idea at the time
how my life would change.

I was about to witness
some dear friends take on parenting with grace, humility, beauty and joy.
a young boy discover love, family, home and a changing identity.
a process of compassion, patience and dependence
on a Sovereign Lord

On that day, I met a child who would teach me
how to play,
to enjoy each moment,
to laugh and to cry
to be passionate about it all.

I know now that that moment changed me
that the year following that moment changed me
and...that it's still changing me.

Because, like I mentioned in my previous post
Knowing I'm not with this family
is the one thing that consistently brings tears to my eyes.


I love them.
All three of them.
They're a beautiful family
and I wish you could all have a family like them to look up to and learn from and be amazed by.
But then I'd have to share...

(Typed while enjoying Korean Chrysamthemum Tea from a favorite Yellow Teacup!)

My Forever Home

This morning began with a sweet Skype conversation with our dear friends at 519.
I love them.
Not being with them, brings tears to my eyes more than ANY other event or thought.

(I know SaraJane will not love this picture - but, for me, it's a reminder of a beautiful morning spent with friends)

519 is my forever home.
It's where I discovered the beauty of community
of living intentionally
and deeply.

Korea is setting up shop
making a home in my heart
offering me a physical home...
and it's going well
I think Korea knows that my expectations of 'home' are rather high.

(Typed while drinking a cup of Korean Chrysamthemum tea from a precious Yellow Teacup)

Korean Love Affair: Part Two

One week ago today -- I had the best day ever.
Then, two not so good
or encouraging days followed.

However, on that Wednesday I knew:
I should remember this day -
it was perfect as only a day
in Korea can be.

As with any other day
I caught the Sub
went down a few stops
exited and began a 15 minute walk
to work.

I love this walk.

This time of year, the air is cool.

The town is just waking

and, I'm listening to some favorite iPod tunes.

My Wednesday elementary school is my favorite

because it's smaller

feels like family.

Classes went well.

Students were kind, adorable and fun.

Then it was time for lunch -- things got REALLY good at this point.

Chicken curry and dalk galbi

Large apple chunks

After lunch,

I was welcomed back to my room

by a group of girls

drawing renditions of yours truly

on the chalkboard -- they're really talented artists.

Then a teacher came to have 3-in-1 coffee with me

the students stayed and added to the conversation

and entertainment.

Within an hour or two

I made a new friend

a Chinese student and teacher

She'll be there every Wednesday.

I chose to walk home along a different route

And that made all the difference

I was always along the river

then a well manicured and beautiful park.

In the distance I could see

Expo Park and signs of the 2002 World Cup

I could see my neighborhood

the sights that are becoming mine

part of my experience, my life and my home.

The day was kind of perfect

And I need to remember the joy

that was mine because of and in the midst

of these events...

Becasue sometimes,

these exact types of things

are what bring frustration and confusion

to my rollercoaster soul.

(Typed after finishing a cup of Lichee Black Tea from a favorite brown Bone China Mug)

Best and Worst

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. " ~Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Wednesday was the best day ever.
Thursday went downhill...a little.
Friday started wonderful. a little hiccup.
And that's as far as I've come.

I'm not surprised by this rollercoaster
I think life is always a series of ups and downs.
Sometimes, they're more predictable
simple rollercoasters
like at a county-fair carnival

Then, you crave more
an amusement park
World's Largest
World's Fastest
World's Oldest
Whatever the case may be

Since the end of May - I've been exploring a wide variety of amusement parks

it's been fun, exciting, hard, frustrating
fulfilling, joyous, difficult and at times
anxiety enducing.

I don't really like rollercoasters
Not in my 'older' age
But
even when it's the worst of times
I have such strong
peace and reassurance
that
I am Exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Guess I can't leave this amusement park anytime soon.
It's mine.
Some friends come, some build their own rollercoasters.
We're rockin' the amusement park together.

I'll own it
for all it's ups and downs.

(Unfortunately, typed without a mug of tea, but having recently enjoyed a Jeju Tangarine Chocolate)