Insert witty title here

As I sit down to write this evening, the beautiful sight of falling snow greets my gaze out the window of my tenth floor apartment. I have come to love the view from my apartment which gives me a direct shot of the mountains surrounding Uijongbu.

I find that the sight of snow falling makes me stop and think about the seriousness of life. I've heard people say from time to time that God's snow-covered creation is a beautiful reminder of what He does in redemption of taking our sinfulness and covering it with Christ's perfection. I can't say I disagree with that thought.

Living in Arkansas made the sight of snow rare, but treasured, as we counted our winter blessed to have enough snow to be out of school to enjoy the unexpected day off. From facebook posts from this past winter, it seems that the natural state may have had their fill of winter weather to last them a while. With that in mind, the symbolism of what some would impose on the freshly fallen snow was astutely noticed.

The snow we've had today is at least my third snowfall experience in Korea, and could very well NOT be the last of this winter.  I enjoyed a safe walk uphill to get some dinner tonight through the falling flakes. As I set out this afternoon on some errands this is what things looked like near my apartment.

 Above is my school next to a church building. The school is the gray building.
Below is right outside my apartment with a patch of grass already covered.

The snow came and came. It was like walking in Narnia. I even found a lamppost that favored the one in Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe.

The beauty of it all is worth capturing on film or even slowing down to enjoy the scenery covered in a blanket of white.
My experience of the day seemed to leave the usually noisy corner of Korea quiet. The falling snow seemed to subdue the normal activity of the day. When I stepped into the busy supermarket though, the silence was broken for sure.
But being able to come back out and see the snow had not stopped was a gentle reprieve from the stressful sounds of a packed store.

For me today, it kept bringing to mind the passage about being still before God from Psalm 46. He is God and we are to stop our hustle and bustle and worship before Him. Walking on slippery sidewalks definitely slowed me down today but gave me more time for talking to Him. I get caught up in the routine of life so easily and needed the reminder of slowing down and having the essential time with HIM.
I read a great quote recently from a very wise man.

"It's hard to pray expectantly if you neglect to pray consistently." 

This quote seemed to slam into me, back up, and run me over again. How dare I get so caught up in MY business and MY life that I forget to acknowledge the ONE who has given me all things?! Trying to do anything without prayer is like trying to drive with no gasoline; like trying to fly an airplane with no wings; like expecting to have electricity when you haven't paid the bill in months.  

Christians, myself included, try to spiritualize so many things that happen in life. God doesn't let accidents happen and will definitely get our attention in a variety of ways. Weather patterns don't normally get to me like the snow today seemed to. But I am thankful for a gentle and soft reminder in my spirit of what I should be happening like breathing. 

Pray without ceasing. Prayer is like a breath; it is our lifeline of communication to God. 

this and that.

Lessons learned...hopefully there's no test soon.

I've been back in Korea for a month now and have expected things to settle into a routine. I'm expecting the "normal" to arrive, which I will embrace with open arms.

When I got back after Christmas break, I saw the world that I had come to learn and love here in Korea differently. It was familiar. I had stared at things so much before Christmas (BC), that now after Christmas (AC), there was a sense of familiarity that I clung to. I expected maybe too much from that feeling of 'having it together' because the last few days have been so hard on me-one would think I am just NOW moving overseas and saying goodbye to one thing for another.

I wish I could pinpoint what has been going on with me, and hopefully God will reveal to me what He has for me to learn in all of this, but at this point I cannot accurately communicate what has been on my heart and mind of late.  I do know that the enemy does not want our hearts and minds on things of Christ, of His peace and His word.  I know that Christ is Sovereign over ALL things, even my circumstances and feelings.  Focusing on Truth over feelings is important for me to remember.

As I was listening to some music this evening, a thought came across in one of the songs about being loved as a child by a wonderful Father who is always looking out for us. That brought a simple but true song to mind that all children of God need to be reminded.

Jesus loves me! This I know, 
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong; 
They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know, 
As He loved so long ago, 
Taking children on His knee, 
Saying, "Let them come to Me."

Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me still today, 
Walking with me on my way, 
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.

Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide; 
He will wash away my sin, 
Let His little child come in.

Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way; 
Thou hast bled and died for me, 
I will henceforth live for Thee.

Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! 
The Bible tells me so...

Fun random parts of my life

We took our students ice-sledding one afternoon. I tried it too and had a blast.

We were all given a small board and 2 sticks with nails in the end to help steer us around the frozen ice paddy. So much fun!

 Later, we switched our boards for sleds and got to ride down this hill which teachers and students alike enjoyed. It. was. so. much. fun.

Then Lunar New Year Break came, giving us teachers a chance to go exploring parts of Korea or sleep in a couple of days. I did both. :)

One day a few of us took an excursion into Seoul to "On the Border" and to find the elusive Payless shoe store we'd heard so much about. Found both! I had to commemorate the occasion with a shot of my guacamole, which is a rare find.

I saw Frozen in the states over Christmas, but had to go again in Korea! It's a huge favorite with our students. This was on display in the theater. This is one of my roommates with me, Kim. 

So, yes, we've had snow. It is so pretty here, but things don't slow down because of it like in the states. Still I enjoy the beauty while it is here. There has been snow on the ground for a long time in places because it hasn't gotten warm enough to melt. 

                        Above and below are in my apartment complex.

 This is from my apartment on the 10th floor.

So, I pretty much look like these days.

 Thankful for my warm coat! And that you can buy thick scarves everywhere!

 I tried what I thought was sushi, but is actually tuna kimbop. It has rice, seaweed, radishes, and some other things. It's an acquired taste. eh heh. :)

This picture I took when my roommate Kim was cutting pickles for a party we were going to and I noticed a face! Kinda cute but silly all the same. Enjoy!