People are always telling you that change is a good thing. But all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all... has happened.

This last month has flown by and many things have come and gone without a moment to process them on the blog unfortunately. One thought has been there through the busyness of fall-change. 
I have not been a fan of change. Well, I have not liked perceived negative change. But come on, who has?  

Living this international life has brought on a level of more frequent change than I had expected. I've had to say goodbye to so many sweet people in less than three years overseas.
It's getting to be that time of year when the question is asked about the following year and our intentions for it. I have never felt ready to answer that question in October, but it's a necessary question for international education. All the details to be figured out. 

I have viewed change as a necessary evil at many times in life. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I expected to finish out my secondary career in one school. God had other plans, moving my family to a vastly different school in the same town.  I had a wonderful last two years of high school with experiences and challenges I would not have had at the first school. (Come to think of it, had I NOT changed schools that year, I could have missed my connection to NICS and not be in Korea right now. Interesting...) 
I did not handle that major change in my life well. I begged God for it not to happen, even having a one-sided argument with him whilst roaming about Kroger one night. God's will was done; so many good things came into my life because of His plan for me and my family at a different school than the one we'd been at for so long. 

Other changes in life have come and gone but none so poignant in my life as that one. I look back on it and see how God used that for so much good. That change that I despised at the beginning has brought so much good. 
So change can be good.

The wonderful season of autumn is upon us here in Korea, and I am loving seeing the foliage as well as taking pictures of it. Seeing pictures of the changing leaves from Arkansas is quite the delight of checking facebook these days too. 
With a heavy heart full of thoughts of change, I headed to the subway station today to meet a friend for a Seoul excursion. I had enough time to enjoy some fall scenes on the way when the connection hit me. 
I look forward to fall all summer and to seeing God's handiwork in creation even in the dying leaves. I look forward to that CHANGE. Every year there is a reminder that change happens and we can't stop it. The one consolation trumping all the excuses I might make for the changes is that our GOD does not. 
A student asked me this week why God would make a world that does change when He does not. (Pretty deep question for a third grader!) All I could think of what that it was a good reminder to us on a daily basis that He does not. We can trust Him. He is the Great I Am, never the Great I was. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Only One Life

I came across this poem today. I'd never heard the whole thing but the highly quoted "Only one life twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last." Quite a convicting sentiment and challenge for the days I'm tempted to waste. 

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ” 


— extra stanza — 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” 

~C.T Studd

Kiddie Songs and Sovereignty

I recently heard a comment that a person disliked missing weekly chapel services at the Christian school they served in. This person was encouraged to attend the elementary service at a different time and get a blessing that way. This chapel-missing individual replied with a mild smirk that the elementary song styles were not to their liking or that it was not at their level.

I heard this interchange and thought on how I had to disagree with this idea that "kiddie" songs are not for adults. At ICS we get to start the week with chapel which was an adjustment from eight years of teaching at a school with chapel on Wednesdays normally. I have found that it's a great way to start the week. Already this year, I've been blessed with the songs we've sung. As a Christian, we're told to come to Christ as children. Children might sing the most basic of things, but what they know is so. God is God. He sent His Son. He is worthy of our praise.

At the end of the year, the elementary at ICS has VBS for the last week of school. It's a fun week transitioning teachers and students from school mindset to summer vacation. It's also a great time of building into students those spiritual concepts taught all year long.

This past year we ended by using the Everest VBS program. The songs in this program majestically declared the invincibility of our Great God. The classic hymn "I sing the mighty power of God" was given a jazzier adaptation but kept the familiar tune for those who grew up singing it in church.

The theme song declares triumphantly that God stands invincible. There are so many times that I forget that truth. This "kid" song ministers to my heart as a child of God. It easily gets stuck in your head, but it's a wonderful reminder of who He is. My dad always says not to think about the H-O-W of things but to focus on the W-H-O is in sovereign control. 

The Supreme Court decision of this past summer has caused a lot of people to think that God has stepped back and is letting the world come to the end of its rope. God still is in the business of dealing with sin. He is very aware of what is going on in this world. Psalm 121 says that He doesn't sleep or rest; He is our source of strength and help. Why are we as believers running around like chickens with their heads cut off thinking "Oh, woe is me! Nine frail human judges have made a decision that changes the whole game!"
God is still God.
He is omnipotent.
The earth is the Lord's and the complete fullness of it and it's existence-says Psalm 24.
We are called to be salt and light. That means we are called to be worth something and about something more than the temporal things of this life. That something is not the flipping out about whatever just happened on the news which has become your main topic of conversation with believers and nonbelievers.
We are to be kingdom minded hearers and doers of the word in this world. We're to be ready to give an answer for the hope we have. The world doesn't have a hope. We do!

Steven Curtis Chapman has a song that sums up what keeps coming to mind about all these would-be gods making their "life-altering" decisions about whatever is the trend of the day. In his song, "God is God", he succinctly says "God is God and I am not. I can only see a part of the picture He's painting".

Paul said in Romans 11:33-36 "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

This from a man who suffered countless trials for the sake of Christ, a man who rejoiced that He was in prison for the sake of the gospel.  God has all things completely in His grip. The use of all those prepositions in the end of chapter 11 highlights God's sovereign reign over all things. How can we not look at the world today and think the same as Paul? God is sovereign. Nothing will change that fact. 

This can only end in tears...

This week started off pretty badly. A wave of homesickness crashed over me as I got up Monday morning, and I desperately wanted to crawl back into bed, call teleporters into existence, and flee for the familiarity of home.

And of course that did not happen.

There was no reason for the homesickness to be there, other than the obvious reasons. Monday was a struggle, a humbling struggle. I shared some of my thoughts with my prayer group that morning which the talking helped a lot. But I was on the verge of tears for most of the morning.
I had morning duty and headed down to my spot. One of the cutest second graders in the world was already there sharing her sweet smiles with non-morning people. She walked right up to me, arms wide, and hugged me.
Those times that the child is the one giving comfort have become more and more in my Korean experience. It was one of the moments that makes me glad to be in Christian education. This girl didn't know what I was going through, but knew she was in a place where people loved on each other and hugging is a norm.

I was reminded of something my mom told me in high school and it definitely applies, "Take it all one day at a time." It's a very biblical idea- Matthew 6 says that each day has its own troubles and evils. Seek God's kingdom first and everything else will be added and fit in the right place.

So I'm taking a deep breath and trying to remember that wisdom Mom incorporated and is thoroughly applicable here.

It's all one day at a time. God is God of the yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. He is God forever.

Sometimes I get distracted and lose my vision for what and why I do what I do. Paul says in Colossians 1 that he toils and strives for the advancement of the gospel, but that he does it in God's energy, God's power. He says in Philippians 2 that it is GOD who works in us to will and to do of HIS good pleasure. To Timothy Paul wrote that toiling and striving where only possibly because of WHERE and WHOM our hope is set on. It's not on my faithfulness; I would never keep it going. I can't do it. Our hope is to be set on the living God. {1 Tim. 4:10}

One day at a time. Hope set on God.   Repeat.

The prayer partner group I'm in with Erin and Rachel

 

My fab four working hard! 

One student was very single minded when it came to demonstrate sentence writing abilities. 

I tried to sneakily take this guy's picture, but he caught me and posed. He was on stilts and passing out flyers for some store. Very common to see someone dressed this way advertising. 

One of my former students who remarked this week that she found pictures of me where my eyes weren't open. I told her that that was pretty normal for me, so we took a picture where I did have mine open. :) 

 Some of the sights in my neighborhood. I walk toward the church building on my way to school. The building with the fish greets me as I return home. The yellow sign in front of the fish is a blow up ad for a indoor driving range which is across the street from my apartment.

Year 3 coming at me

That title seems ludicrous. It really feels like I just got to Korea. Where has the time gone? I'm amazed that I can say I'm starting year 3.

Yes, I like it here. Yes, it's challenging still but getting more and more familiar even with things being in a foreign language. Yes, I get homesick- terrible homesick sometimes.

My students are great; small classes but what teacher is going to be griping about that?
I have four students this year; had five last year who were fantastic. I'm designating these four this year as the Fab Four. Maybe I'll introduce them to a Beatles song here or there. Last year's class had a girl who was really into the Beach Boys.





This year I'm living in a smaller apartment, about 2 rooms in all. It's a step down from what I had with a roommate, but it's a shorter commute to school.
Thankfully, I have air-conditioning and can close a door and build my own little ice cube.

I started going to an international Baptist church this past February which is a pretty diverse group of backgrounds. Most are English teachers or international school teachers, so I'm in good company there.  Our pastor is a southerner too, from Georgia; I've even met some other Arkansans there! A little bit of the south in South Korea.

Since I've been back in Korea, I've been meditating on Colossians 1 quite a bit. There is a gold mine of truth in there in just the first chapter as Paul declares CHRIST to be all and the initiator and instigator of their salvation. This book has been precious to me since the year I spent in college under Jill Attebery as a mentor. She brought several of us into her home each week and we dissected and digested the book. I will never get over her amazement and speechlessness at the verses in chapter 2 that says



Reminds me of a Josh Wilson song with the line "trying to communicate eternity is like trying to put the ocean in a cup"
I came across this passage tonight and could vividly see and shared Jill's exclamation all over again.
What an amazing God we get the privilege to serve!

Looking forward to what's to come in year 3!

can't a girl want to go to church to hear, I don't know, the sermon?!?!

I've visited a few churches in my short life for various reasons. Having grown up in a small Baptist church, I wanted to see what other churches did in their services. In college, this seemed the trend among friends at least the first part of freshman year. We'd arrive and get greeted by a sweet saint stationed at the door with bulletins or what not with some quick guidance for a seat. If a conversation popped up among a member of our parents' age, the topic would get to relationships, finding a husband/wife. As freshmen in college that didn't seem to bother my circle of friends, but was a matter we trusted God to work out the details to.
Through college and finding that church that fit, these conversations tapered off unless someone who wasn't familiar with us came to church that day.

I must interject here that I do want a marriage one day that God sets. I desire a godly husband to lead a family that God should give me.  I believe that this is a natural, God-honoring desire that all Christians have. I do not begrudge anyone for wanting to get to know me and asking these questions about my marital status.

That is NOT my reason for going to church.

I was raised as a preacher's kid and we went to church to be part of worshiping our great God, not expanding our social circle or possibility of a future mate. My parents never used those expressions in our church attendance. Granted, I have met some of my lifelong friends in church and have been blessed by other church members connections in the community. This should not be the sole reason we gather with other believers to worship our risen Savior.

As college ended and I started teaching, I'd get a few invites to a church or two because "there's this single guy you should meet". One friend told me of someone at their church who "wasn't much to look at, but was a solid Christian". I felt bad for this guy getting set up with this first impression put in this girl's mind. (I never did meet that guy, btw).

I so appreciate my married friends wanting to see me as happy as they are in their marriages. Yes, I desire that for myself if God has that for me.

But is that why I go to church? As a single girl, there was a time in my life that I thought the magic formula to meeting who God had for me was to find the PERFECT singles' small group at a local church. As I was going about trying to find who God had for me, I'd fall on my face in my futile attempts to bring about what I thought was a good idea. The story of Abraham and Hagar came to mind quite often.

God does have a plan for his children, sometimes it may include marriage, sometimes not.

God is still God.

Living in Korea this past year and a half, I have been wonderfully free from so many of these kinds of questions. Coming home to Arkansas I've been asked a lot of the basic questions about life in Korea including those about relationship status. When I get asked this within ten minutes of reuniting with someone, it's a quick reminder of where I am again.

Yeah, I hope that God has that in His plan for me someday soon. But there's more than that going on with this girl.

November happenings

To say that the second year in Korea has been full of many different things than the first is quite understated and overstated. 

As I have come into round two of a familiar lifestyle that was so foreign a year ago, I find I am still getting to know Korea and am discovering firsts even now. Has the honeymoon come to an end though? In some ways, yes. The fascination of riding the subway has diminished some for this small town Arkansas girl. The last few times I've been on it, I've found myself irked at the cultural norms that are present on the subway. The pushing and shoving that goes on unapologetically- it's starting to get on my nerves. 

A few weeks ago, I went to a festival that I enjoyed last year with some first time visitors after I'd raved about to them. So many times in my life, I've found that doing something for the second time does not compare well to the first occurrence. I've had to tell myself in the past that the two instances are going to be highly different and not to compare them. Well, I didn't do that when it came to this visit. The lantern festival I got to go to last year was a lot of fun and showed me a peek into some of the Korean culture I was getting to know. This year, apparently everyone in Seoul wanted to go to it the night I chose to take some first time visitors. There were so many people-it was wall-to-wall people. Imagine a deadlocked highway during rush hour, but this was with people. There was no moving. 

I nearly had a panic attack and all enjoyment of the evening dissipated like the wind. Our group got separated, but managed to find something besides the near panic attack feeling to focus on. 

The best thing happened this past month- my best friend came to visit me in Korea. Sometimes it seems like a dream that she came all that way to see me, but it DID happen! 

Mid-October she'd joked about coming and of course I did not think it was a crazy idea of coming, but she KEPT talking about coming and bought the tickets. The days went so slowly until she arrived, but they did come and SO DID SHE! 

Our first of many pics together over the fun days we had.

 We had a great view the day we went to Namsan tower in Seoul.

 Namsan is a great spot to see the city. The fall colors were really popping that day.

On the mountain was a museum called the Alive museum with pictures we could be part of. We had a little bit of fun with these. 

 Michael Jackson and Albert Einstein even helped us out.

 Diana learned how bad smoking is for your health

 trying a few different restaurants. Above is a Belgian chocolate restaurant with chocolate everything. Delicious but expensive. Below was from the Korean BBQ I took her to.

 Our palace excursion day was a little windy. :)

 Fall colors were so gorgeous still thankfully.

Looking at these pictures now, I still can't believe she came. She's the best. One of my coworkers said they couldn't think of a friend who had come to visit someone here in their time in Korea. Di is pretty awesome like that. So thankful she came. :)

THANKSGIVING

First Thanksgiving in Korea. Last year, I got to go to Taiwan for the weekend and visit some other Beans. This year, I stayed in Korea and had two different celebrations. One with the small group at church; another with some coworkers. Both were on an American base though, which was kinda funny. 

 I skyped home with my brothers and parents; Mary facetimed and we were all in "one" place.

 thanksgiving at Camp Red Cloud

 Thanksgiving at Yongsan Base with the small group from church

the church gave us selfie sticks to embrace our inner Asian haha. 

November has been so quick and it's coming to an end in a few hours. I'm ready to be home and see my parents, siblings, and friends. Please keep me in your prayers! God is still in the business of stretching and challenging his children. I feel those growing pains keenly. 

thanking God for each day,

Rebecca 

R2