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!

Kids

Before I started teaching, I naively thought teachers must get to a point where things get routine and auto-pilot must kick in. Oh, how naive I was! I would go back and laugh at that girl with those ridiculous thoughts of any semblance of routine being descriptive of a career in education.

But there has been some.
Kids are still kids no matter where you go. Korea or Arkansas-kiddos are kiddos. They are rambunctious at times, ridiculous at times, and really surprising at many others.
Even with staying within a few grades in elementary, nothing has been routine or rut-generating. Moving to Korea has definitely been something to break any hint at that. I've had many new things school related to learn and adjust to.

But the kids are still kids. (Not baby goats, though, as an eager girl in my class pointed out to me just this week.)
I have had those students who are so eager to please and have attention from the teacher, but fall short in having the grades that match the ambition.
There are the ones who seem to have things come to easily that the others in the class see how "perfect" that student is and think they could never measure up.
Then, there's the "I can't sit still for 22 seconds" kids who seem lost in la-la land but can give a legitimate and logical answer to my question.
There's the one who has dealt with an adult share of pain in their young life and crave connection almost minute by minute.
these and more are the kids I've taught-in Arkansas and in Korea.
This constant has been such a warmth to my soul and has brought a sense of belonging and rightness for me. The moment I step out of my classroom or step away from them at the end of the day, my mind goes to an awareness of "oh yeah, I'm in Korea" as though when I'm in the classroom with them, I know I'm where God wants me and geographic location is not an issue.

Kids are kids all over the globe.

My current class has made me genuinely laugh on multiple occasions. I wish I had written down all the times I have had a side-splitter.
The comments from the small but diverse group have been thought provoking and challenging. These kids know more than the fact that Asia is a continent, but know that there are MANY countries, cultures, and languages as they have lived in multiple countries. Concern for the people of the Philippines was so high that one of my students began a campaign to raise money for relief and care in the aftermath of the recent typhoon.
This same student made the comment about having a job as a sanitation worker as being a "thankless job"

When we were studying the seven I am statements of Christ, I showed my class the video called "That's my king" where S.M. Lockridge describes Jesus as his King in wonderful alliteration and beautiful vocabulary. One of my students who comes from a non-Christian family asked to watch it again when she was given a choice.

There are the days where I wonder what's being absorbed by my super seven. I've caught two of the moments on camera where I've been surprised by what they pick up on what I am attempting to impart.

This first one, most recent, gave me chills a little. :)

This made me smile for a long while.

  

This is a class that enjoys singing songs of praise as well. They love singing songs no matter what format- acapella or not. With a catchy music video or with just the lyrics on the screen. 

I am blessed. I am excited to see what God is going to do through me this year and where He will take them in the future. 

This is why I am in Korea.

Korean Cultural Experiences

In the midst of teaching, I have made some moments free to experience the culture of my new home. Last week, Sue, a fellow teacher and many year native of Korea, took me to a lantern festival. I was very excited to experience something that she hadn't done in her ten+ years in Korea. We got to experience a very chilly night in Seoul at an annual lantern festival with some history lessons thrown throughout the tour.

Here are some pictures from that cold night.

Enjoy!

 a wishing well people were attempting to land a coin in

Hugs and Homesickness

And it is now 3 months into my Korean experience and I wonder where the time has gone....Time flies when you're having fun, so I guess I am having a lot of fun!

I have seven wonderful students who are sources of delight and joy in my day. No two days have been the same, as is true in education no matter where you are in the world. 

I have one particular student who has quickly become dear to me, and I would love to brag on God for how He filled a need in putting this student in my classroom. This little guy became a bright spot in my day very early in the year and I truly thank God for him.

Since moving to Korea meant I would leave my comfort zone and everything familiar, I have experienced some aspects of fear and trepidation at starting life in a new country and not just at a new school. One thing I knew I would greatly miss was the hugs from some very sweet little darling girls who make me smile at their precious antics even through Skype messages and video chats. This student God put in my class has helped me in being apart from those I am close to by giving me multiple hugs each day. I'm talking five or six a day, and at lunch, he goes around a gives a hug to every teacher there. That is his love language and I am definitely blessed from his sweet hugs.

There have been days where I have thought I couldn't make another minute in this foreign land. I needed an escape for just a moment. I needed a chance to refocus on what God has put me here to do. In those moments, God would bring different things in my path to help refocus my mind and heart. Many times, the hugs from this sweet eight year old would do exactly that. Sometimes it has been to pop in the earbuds and go for a walk with some familiar tunes. Thanks to the purchase of a used bicycle, I've gotten the chance to get out and explore and refocus by a change of scenery. The mountains surrounding my neighborhood are constant reminders of the faithfulness of God. He is steadfast as the mountains, no matter the changing tide of the sin-saturated world we must navigate.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lord surrounds his people
    both now and forevermore.
~Psalm 125:1-2


Many people have asked me the same question lately, so you would think I'm getting better at answering it. I find though that my answer changes from day to day depending on what has been on my mind and heart. The question: "Are you homesick yet?" comes from many different people at a steady flow of late. I'm not saying it's a bad question or that I am irritated at being asked this.
Yes, I am homesick. There are precious people at home that I miss greatly because they are incredible examples of godly people that I love to surround myself with. My family and friends that mean so much to me are constantly on my mind and heart. I have nearly run after countless Koreans thinking I saw someone from home. The ridiculousness of that thought keeps me from gaining speed in my gait after them though.
As Thanksgiving gets closer, I find myself getting much more nostalgic about home sweet home and even thinking "the grass is greener" sort of thoughts. Thankfully, God has kept those thoughts in check as I remember again that heaven is that perfect place we should be longing for. Heaven is our home and we're just passing through.
But again....No, I'm not homesick. The moments I think these sort of thoughts are those moments where I am really involved with my students and with school activities. I love school and I really do love my school in Korea. I have been enveloped in care and kindness by this new family I find myself in.
I have had times of homesickness that any thought of home put me in tears or had me mentally replaying the video of classic memory after classic memory. I am eager to see my family and friends at home, and there are times where that feeling is strong, almost overwhelmingly strong. I am thankful that God has not let me wallow in those moments though. The structure of NICS is helpful too in that I am being watched out for and compassion is given to me in dealing with the new challenges of life overseas.
To answer the question above- Yes and No. equally. I do feel I am where God has me. That thought is utterly exciting and comforting.

Fall is here and Korea is B-E-A-UTIFUL in the fall! The trees are a lovely yellow and some oranges and reds.