6.28.2007

A Comment on Commments

PLEASE leave comments. Surely, there is at least ONE (out of ten) that you could find something to comment about. It does not even have to make sense.

Comments just let me know that my blogging efforts have not been in vein and honestly they just bless me. It takes like 2 minutes to or less to leave a comment.

ANYONE, can leave a comment. If you don't have a blog just leave a comment under "annoymous".

Thanks for your patience with my tendency to blog in mass. It is a goal of mine to not store up blogs next year--a noble endevour! Until then...

Enjoy my posts as they update you on what has/is going on with me...and make my day by leaving me a note or two! Ah..splendid idea.

Europe...Here we come!

Summer 2008--Kara, Jamie, and I (and possibly Kara's sister, Lindsay) are going to explore Europe! I am excited about this trip. We know nothing other than we are going and it will be toward the first part of summer.

Though it is still a little far away, now is your opportunity. If you have any suggestions as to good places to visit in Europe...let me know. Hit the comment button and share your ideas.

For example, someone has already suggested I fly to China and then get on the train that will take me from China to Europe. Now how awesome would that be? That is something I might not have even thought to look into if it hadn't been suggested!

I NEED your ideas...normally the best places to visit are those suggested by others.

Goodbyes

So...when you are part of a transcient community (both at school and at the House) you get used to saying goodbye. A question that is literally asked almost every week is, "Is it anyone's last week?". People are constantly coming and going. Most people in the miliatary are stationed in Korea for one year. As a result, I have watched many people come and go.

Despite that, when I first got here, there were 3 couples, and one individual who I took note of: Kenny and Nicole Fleming, Butch and Jen Wood, Jeremy and Laura Beth Rhodes, and Ryan Clancy. What made these individuals stand out...they were all the people who I knew would be in Korea about as long as I was going to be, everyone else would leave. They were the "long-termers".


This is Ryan. He was the first to leave. He is now in Germany.

Now in the past few weeks...

Butch and Jen have moved on to Boston.


And the Rhodes have moved to Montana.


The Rhodes are the ones I will miss the most. LauraBeth is a friend and mentor. I have shared many meals with this family. Many walks to and from the gate with Jeremy as he has signed me on and off base. I had a regular Thursday night date with the kiddos where I got to play with them, love on them, and put them into bed before chilling on the Rhodes supper comfy couch to watch TV or read a book from LauraBeth's bookshelf.

And thankfully, I don't need to put a picture up here of the Flemings because they are still here and will be here until December. Five of the seven "long-termers" are now gone.

Though being part of a transcient society has lots of "goodbyes", thankfully there are equally as many "hellos". One of the reasons I know God brought me to Korea was to teach me how to invest in people quickly and to not hold myself back. This is something I have never been good at. Anyway,I am thankful God brought me here and for the many people He has brought into my life as a result.

Saying Goodbye is just a reality of life...but on a positive note...I now have freinds in various parts of the world who I could call up if I was ever in their neck of the woods.

Whacha gonna do this summer?

Teach summer school until July 6th
Go rafting on the 4th
Teach an English Camp (July 23-27)
Cook for the House
Meet with the Cheerleaders
Hang out with Faith and Nicole
Make my first Quilt
Take a trip to somewhere in Korea with Ms.Song
Water Becca's plants
Runs at the crack of dawn with Sara
Meet with ShaSha for Tuesday Bible Study
Meet with the Lee's for Thursday Bible Study
Explore Korea with Alicia

I decided to stay in Korea all summer in order to save some cash. While it may seem like, "What in the world is she going to do with all that time?"...obviously that is NOT the case.

This summer is not just about saving cash, but is also a time...
to explore Korea (my last summer to do so!)
to pursue some creative endevour
to get on top of things for next school year
to find a way to be a blessing to someone and not just live for myself!

God is graciously giving me purpose this summer. He is filling my days and evenings, but there is also some "chill" room in there. So far, the summer has seemed equally as busy as the school year--Hence the mass blogging--but I am about to get a two week break...with absolutley NO PLANS!

Tribute to Pam



This is me and my roomie for the past year, Pam Donahoo.

Pam has such a heart for poeple that it blows me away. She also is very involved. She blows me away with her ability to keep going...she is like the energizer bunny...she keeps going...and going...and going...

Thought we are not rooming together next year (nothing bad...it just has to do with housing complications due to not having all our positions filled--long story), I am glad that I got to know her this year. She was willing to possibly live by herself, but we ended up hiring a teacher who sounds like a great roommie match for her. I wish you guys the best.

Pam I love you and thank you for a great year! You better invite me over sometime!

Bungee Jumping

It is that time of year again where Bungee Jumping seems to take place. A few weekends ago, a group of us went Bungee Jumping and then stopped for some Papa John's pizza on the way home (Papa John's is a TREAT).

There were a lot of first-time jumpers and they did great. Almost everyone immediately jumped off the edge. Some were so fast it was hard to get photos. Unlike last time, I actually got photgraphic proof that I jumped!

I was not one of the people who jumped right away. Although, I did not stand there near as long as I did last time. And this time, I was actually able to stand on the edge without holding on the the pole. My jump was a little more graceful this time--little being the key word. I still need to go again because I have yet to stant on the edge and have this beautiful jump...maybe when Alicia is here.

Until then, enjoy the photos below.

I am the second one from the left. This is us waiting for the okay to jump.


The first photo. The "beautiful" jump I would like is where I jump out and my body is horizontal, rather than vertical...but hey...I jumped. It's progress.










And this is how you get "down" from bungee jumpie. The guy in the raft rows out until the boat is underneath you. Then he unhooks you and rows you to the dock where you go inside and take off the rest of the gear.


This is one of our "after" group shots.

If you want to see more photos, click on "Flickr Photos" on my sidebar.

I need YOUR help! I am trying to convince my sister to go bungee jumping while she is here. What do YOU think...should she?

A Beautiful Very American Day

Recently, the Hospitality House, decided to have a barbeque at the pavilion on base instead of doing our normal friday night thing.

First of all, it is on base. Once you enter those gates you have left Korea and entered a "litte America" .

Basically, it was just a typical American picnic. We grilled. There were icechest with drinks. Watermelon.The kids played on the playground. Some folks played catch. Eventually, a baseball game got going. Simcha brought her dogs. The Praise Band from the 1630 service played music.Lots of fellowship. It was a beautiful afternoon/evening and everyone had a great time. Afterward, a huge group of us went to see the 1130 showing of Oceans 13.


YoungRan and I


YoungRan's kids--aren't they cute!



Butch tickling Kara via the power of suggestion--a favorite pass time of many individuals at the House.




I just like this picture.


Ella, Sara, and Ann--Sara is who I now run with in the mornings. I just love all three of these people so much!

And there are so many MORE good pictures and they are ALL so different...but if you want to see them, you are going to have to go to click on "Flickr Photos" on my sidebar to check them out.

These are pictures of my "family" here in Korea...I hope you check out the other photos. I know I don't post about the House often, but this community is a big part of my life. One day when I am back in the States or whereever...many of these faces and the faces of those already gone are the ones that will float through my head as I remember my time in "Korea".

My Provider

In highschool, I used to worry about how things were going to be provided. So God used cheerleading of all things, to trust Him to provide. Then in college, He made sure I truly did trust Him. How? First, three semesters into college He pressed it on my heart to not take out loans to pay for college but to trust Him to provide the differnce. Second, right about this same time my car was in the shop at least once a month for 13 months with a problem that no one could solve. Not only was this financially taxing, I also never knew if my car was going to start. So I not only had to trust Him for finances, but trust that I would always be able to get to work.

Anyhow, since then, I have learned that when I want and need things, I take them to the Lord and give Him time to provide via a different means than me going to the store and purchasing the items. Also, if it is just a want, then I give it to the Lord because I don't always get all my wants.

God has been providing some pretty awesome things lately and I just wanted to share. I have debated giving a brief story behind each item but have decided against it. Some items are small, others are larger...but all are things I had been asking the Lord about. There are other things God has provided, but below is simply the list that I had specifically been praying about.

Thank You Lord for providing...

baking soda
powdered sugar
Crisco
Exercise Ball
Peppercorn Melody
Bike--at least one to borrow for the summer
Allowing Kara and I to be roommmates
Pam to find an apartment she fell in love with
Morning running buddy--I have wanted this for two years
Curtains for my classroom

Extra Cash--in a number of ways...He is blowing me away with His generosity!

I told my sister Shannon to pull money out of my bank account and to buy me clothes. I gave her a vague list of sorts that included getting me some shorts and a pair of jeans. Understand, I can try on shorts in every store I go into in the States and have a hard time finding short that fit well. Jeans are not quite are hard, but still a little chanlenging due to my longer torso. Don't ask me why...but the Limited was basically the only place where I can try on any pair of pants and they fist and look good. My sister ended up buying me a pair of jeans, some burmuda shorts, and some capris. All three fit well! I literally have not had shorts to wear for the last four years. This is HUGE!

So...it was more than a list. But some praises are better with a little background. God continues to amaze me with His care.

Photos Anyone?

Since I am no longer able to make slideshows on blogger, I, as of last night, have uploaded some pictures to Flickr.com.

If you would like to see photos of the Hospitality House, my church family, or of my latest bungee jumping adventure, then please click on the link on my sidebar that says "Flickr Photos".

I will soon be posting about these events. Until then, I hope you enjoy the photos.

6.04.2007

Everland

For Memorial Day, a group from the House and some ICS teachers went to Everland. I was going to make a slideshow, but no longer seem to be able to make one on slide.com or rockyou.com for blogger. So...this will be a long post...but I have a few pictures.

Everland is one of Korea's amusement parks. It is beautiful and we had a great time.

The first ride of the day.


The girls rode the Carousel while the boys ate their first lunch at Burger King.


The Fun House

A picture of the park from a ride. Everland is beautiful!

Wes, Nicole, Kara, Jamie, Amber, Jerry, and Matt
A group shot of those of us who hung out together for the day...except for Brent who took the picture.

No theme park would be complete without the boat ride!

Riding the "Human Sky" ride.

And that's all folks!

Hillsongs



Hillsongs was here in Korea a few weeks ago and I was able to go. Now, I have heard Hillsongs in person because they come to SanAntonio once a year because they are good friends with the pastor at Eagles' Nest Church. Eagle's Nest Church in not huge...and while we would pack the church out...this is the first time I have been to Hillsongs as a "concert". I really enjoy Hillsongs worship and as the Hospitality House has moved away from extened worship, I enjoy the opportunity to participate in extended worship.

Now, Koreans are just different than Americans. For example, Hillsongs was suppose to start at 4:00. It does not start until 4:30. At 4:30 the stadium is maybe half full. Now this is an event that was "sold out". I was wondering. It was not until I am guessing around 5:00 to 5:30 that the stadium was full. For awhile there I was wondering if it was really sold out!

Anyhow, a small group from the school (Miss Song, Kara, Floyd, and Phil) and a group from the House (the Flemming's, the Wertz's, Jim, Steve, and a Korean friend of the Wertz's). Overall, it was an enoyable evening, but I must admit I was ready to crash when I got home!

Spring Fling Banquet Thing

The Spring Fling Banquet Thing is our kids formal for the year. Since we don't allow dancing, it is basically a nice diner, superlatives are awared, and various kids supply the entertainment (normally a lot of singing).

Below are some pictures of me in my Indian Saree. I love my saree and felt beautiful in it though I must admit I don't really like any of the pictures.

A group picture of the three of us wearing Indian clothing to the formal.


The Gospel

The Lord has really been stirring my heart, the power of the Gospel and challenging me in my belief about what the Lord is truly capable of ...