This is only the beginning. . .

Attempting this I suppose means I fell into the trap of students and staff in Korea. I'm cool now, I'm blogging. I'm going to attempt this as a way to keep everyone up on what is going on here in Pyongtaek since I am horrible at remembering to e-mail.

So far so good though. This past week was super busy. I made the mistake of having two classes turn in projects (that of course they wanted graded before progress reports go out tomorrow) and two sets of rough drafts due- all in a 4 day week, not to mention the week of our first set of volleyball games. Talk about crazy.

I did however, strictly due to the grace of God, got everything graded that I needed done before I left for our game on Friday.

Our volleyball teams are good this year. Our boys team so far is undefeated 3-0 and our girls lost their first game to ICS-Seoul, putting them at 2-1. We have a game this week at Osan Air Base which means, not only do I finally get to see a military base, but we get to eat REAL American fast food greasyness. It's apparently the event of the season, so I'm looking forward to it.

Homesickness has come in a different form than it typically comes to most people- from what I've been told. I miss my family and friends and home church and I really wish I could just move them all out here. I am really enjoying Korea even though the language barrier can be a discouragement sometimes. I have become a regular in a fellowship group that reminds me of my times at Late Night at Kent. It's a ministry run by a couple at school that is geared mainly for military but there are ICS teachers there as well as locals. We meet every Friday and Saturday night for food, fellowship, and worship. So making friends has not been that difficult.

I'm just thankful for the relationship we are allowed to have with our students here. We are allowed to freely talk about the gospel without fear.

Well, I had finished this at one point, then I went and screwed it up. Basically it said that I am thankful that God basically slapped me upside the head and said 'I want you in Korea, and back to doing what I want you to do, not whatever I want you to do.' I had mentioned that it's amazing how God works everything out if we'll just put our trust in Him. Looking back I always knew that He had something cool for me to do. I became interested in missions when I went to Mexico after my sophomore year of high school. I knew though, that I never had a desire to be a 'traditional' missionary and start churches. This is probably typical of anyone my age, but I've always wanted out of Ohio- I just never thought getting out meant half way around the world. I have always been interested and respectful of Asian culture courtsey of my Aunt Yumi and Janet. I was put in an ESL science class for some of my observations in my fourth year of college basically because they had no where else for me to go. That class immediately sparked my interest. Also, student teaching I had one ESL student in each class. And now, here I am in Korea teaching classes of students who are basically bilingual and Korean, not English is their first language. It's amazing. God is amazing.

Like I have said before I do dearly miss my family and friends but I am content here. I am content here because I know this is where I am supposed to be. I get to go home for Christmas and hopefully for part of summer. I have the awesome opportunity to serve God in a completely different culture and environment than what I grew up in.

I, again, just want to thank all of you who are praying for me. I greatly appreciate it. It means a lot knowing that people are supporting you through their prayers.

Until next time...
Here are pictures of some of the volleyball players (Becky, Sophia, and Jeeyoung) on the team I help coach, and a sunset- taken from a moving van- on our way home Wednesday from the CCS game.