Learnin' lessons...

Hindsight...

Listening to the preaching at church last Sunday I was really hit with what was being said.

The sermon was a continuation of a series on the book of Proverbs. This week was on fools. Fools in the biblical sense, what God deems as a fool.

Every word that the preacher said described someone specific. Then it hit me, as it has many times. The Lord's grace is wonderful. He saves us from ourselves if we're willing to give ourselves up to His purpose.

There were two kinds of fools specifically that really hit home. One was the Self-Confident Fool, and the other the Scoffing Fool. The words that were used to describe these two fools were very similar; so much so that these Fools seemed to blend into one.

The Self-Confident Fool thinks he knows everything, is very stubborn, and has a big mouth (Proverbs 12:15, 14:9, 15:5, 27:22, 10:14). This Fool is full of himself. He doesn't want to learn, quick to argue and defend himself. This Fool believes that he is wise and that Christians are irrational and illogical. He is close to destruction.

Right next to him is the Scoffing Fool. He mocks morality and authority. Basically, this Fool has no respect for anyone or anything; especially morality (Proverbs 14:9, 9:7-8, 13:1, 29:80). This Fool:

• mocks sin
• mocks morality
• despises correction
• hates the one who tries to correct him
• is the god of his own life
• is arrogant and proud
• is a trouble maker, meaning when he is around everyone argues, usually because they have been provoked by him
• loves to express his opinion but does not listen to others

Praise the Lord he has given specific ways to avoid being the fool. Those ways are what a wise man (person) does. A wise man (all verses are from Proverbs):

• fears the Lord (8:13, 9:10)
• seeks to understand (1:5, 1:7, 18:2)
• gets [wise] advice and counsel (15:22)
• plans ahead (6:6-8)
• accepts criticism—the wise man loves criticism because he can learn from it (9:8)
• is disciplined—the wise man has control unlike the fool who is out of control (25:28, 29:11)
• has good relationships (12:26, 13:20)

Another point that was made based on "a wise man has good relationships" was the reminder that you become who you hang out with. It is more often than not that you change rather than the person/ people you are hanging out with.

Again, this is just the "big sister" in me speaking out too. With two cousins who are both 18 (one in high school and one in college) and 10 other younger cousins, I'm voicing my concerns.

There are some that I am more worried about than others too. Regardless, it is very easy to hang around with a person/ people who are like the Fools mentioned above. I'm not quite sure what it is, probably Satan, but the Fool and the Fool's lifestyle can seem very appealing. It is an easy thing to get wrapped up in.

When we start to hang around with the people who are the Fools, we become like them. We may never be as imprudent as the Fool we are hanging around with is, but we come pretty close.

These Fools mock morality and authority in an appealing fashion. They make it seem like their way is best, they know better, and you should live like them. They are devious and supercilious enough to watch and even help you throw everything to the side to be likeminded with them.

Again, my hope is here that someone can learn from this, and maybe even my experiences, and not make the same mistake. My prayer is for the younger ones in my family to see what my mistakes did to the family and RUN away from it! They need to be firmly rooted in their beliefs and unwavering no matter what the cost.

It's really cool when you can go to church, hear a sermon, and get that much out of it. Praise the Lord that He can pull us out of any mess that we get ourselves into. There's always such a blessing in doing His will instead of our own, which is usually so much more than we could have ever imagined!

Some writings from October (warning: long)

October 11, 2006

So, boredom for me leads to writing and a test of your endurance to read my ramblings.

I had the day off work today because a friend of mine got married. This day off has been both relaxing and busy all the same. It's been physically relaxing but my mind has been racing all day. It's funny that when my mind is flooded with thoughts, the only one that stays firm in my mind is that I'm content. I'm not necessarily comfortable though not in despair.

My contentment has really been challenged this week with all the stuff going on in North Korea. Yes, they're doing their thing. Yes, I'm directly south of them. YES, I trust the Lord and His plan for my life. What do I think about the stuff going on? I think I need to keep my trust in the Creator, not in man. I know that I have not fulfilled the Lord's purpose for my life yet, and until He does, I'll be here on earth. It doesn't matter where I will be; when the Lord says my time is up, it's done. I am essentially at more risk every day when I cross the road here or when I get in a vehicle here.

More thoughts…talking to parents. What a crazy concept. There's been a lot of that in the past week. All good.

Plane tickets… Got that taken care of, but not in the times that we would have liked. The greatest part of that though is that we do indeed have tickets. Matt and I are meeting the families at Christmas. Bring it.

School = job = work. I'm a little behind where I would like to be, but that happens. I'm doing much better this year than I did last year with it though. Christina and I begin our discipleship group on Friday, Life After High School. It should be interesting. I'm hoping that we'll be able to answer most of the questions that the kids have from the Christian perspective. I'm also hoping that the experiences that Chris and I share will help impact the kids in a way where they will avoid the stupid stuff that we weren't able to and life fully for Christ.

I'm very content with my situation at the moment. The Lord has me in a period of waiting for certain things, but that is only making them stronger. I'm constantly learning about the godly woman and what it means to live like a godly woman (which I pray never ceases).

So, with a partially cleared head I must get to grading.

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Philippians 4:11

October 24, 2006 These are just some verses that have been hitting home lately. These have been a real comfort to me to reassure me that the freedom in my life the Lord has given me is SO much better than the bondage that I was in before.

These are all from the book of Proverbs:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 1:7

My son, do not walk in the way with them [the world]. Keep your feet from their path, for their feet run to evil and they hasten to shed blood. Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net in the sight of any bird; but they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. 1:15-19

Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. 3:25-26

Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it , do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. 4:14-15

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. 4:23

He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. 10:9

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all trangressions. 10:12

Doing wickedness is like a sport to a fool, and so is wisdom to a man of understanding. What the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 10:23-24

The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened. 10:27

The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. 12:15 (I wish I would have learned this one before I had to be the fool.)

The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 12:26

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Adversity persues sinners, but the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. 13:20-21

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick tempered exalts folly. 14:29

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves one who persues righteousness. 15:9

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmoil with it. 15:16

Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. 16:8

As I was typing the last blog, a few verses stuck out again to me and they need greater emphasis than just being typed out. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmiol with it. 15:16 Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. 16:8

Why might these stick out a little more than others? Why would these verses speak to me specifically?

Because at one point, my priorities were totally backwards. At one point I didn't trust the Lord to provide for my needs because I thought I could do it on my own. I thought I had my future all planned out and it would be like a modern day fairy tale.

Riches sound nice. The thought of being well off sounds nice too, but it's not everything. It's not worth it if you're sacrificing your beiliefs, values, family, friends, God. It is NOT worth it.

Satan tries to get us to flee from God the minute we become a believer. He puts a stumbling block in front of the complacent. He feeds doubts to the doubter. lies to the vacillating, wispers in the ear of the wanderer.

I, for one, am thankful that the Lord is bigger than all of that. He can take us from a situation where we think we have it all figured out and put us where we need to be.

He has taken me from a place where I thought I had my life all planned out, which did not include Him (which was dumb) to a life of servitude. I was fooled into thinking that in my situation I would have comfort in my earthly riches and could live life apart from Him. Thankfully, he has taken me from that situation, changed my outlook and is providing for me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

The Lord is the only true source of happiness. I was miserable in what I thought was the ideal situation. The Lord has shown me what the ideal situation really is, what it really means to live the fulfilled life. There is no greater satisfaction than to live for the Lord. One must die daily to themselves to live for God.



October 26, 2006
So I'm really struggling tonight to be patient in the areas where the Lord has told me to wait. Sometimes it's so stinkin difficult to listen to God. Eventhough I know what is best -listening to God- I still want to do my own thing.

The Lord's timing is perfect. We don't wait on Him; we wait with Him. We wait with Him because His timing is perfect. If we were merely waiting on him that would imply that we do not really believe that all things work out for good for those who believe in Him.

Why is it that it's often the times that we wait that get us in the most trouble? Why is it so difficult to be content even though we know God has things under control?

I know the Lord will work everything out in His time. I have faith in that, and I believe that, but it gets so hard sometimes. I am by nature a very impatient person which makes times of waiting so difficult. I have to keep reminding myself that there is indeed a blessing in waiting on the Lord's timing, and that things will turn out sweeter and far better than I could have ever imagined in the end.

Praise the Lord for the final result. Praise the Lord for the lessons we learn while we wait with Him.

So much for clearing my head...

Sigh...


Here's a really cute picture of Matt and I too. A little something to make you smile since you've made it this far.

Under Attack

Last week was ICS's Spiritual Emphasis Week, where we had a group called the Genesis Strength Team come in to speak. So much happened that I'm not even really sure where to begin.

The Genesis Strength Team (that came to our school) consisted of three men, two body builders and one youth pastor. These men are incredible testimonies of how the Lord can change anyone and use anyone for His glory. Not only did Paul and Mike (the bodybuilders) share their lives (and Phil) but they did amazing feats of strength. They did all this to show the students the grace of the Lord. All ends of the spectrum were covered between these three men: from riches, fame, jail, the "happy" life, contemplating suicide, to living behind the mask of Chrisitanity and not being who you are supposed to be. Which led them all to the same conclusion, they can't do anything without the strength of the Lord.

There is so much more to be shared but unfortunately I don't have the time to write it all right now. I am hoping to be able to post more in the next few days though.

Please continue to pray for me and for my school. We are still down in enrollment and we keep losing students. We've already had to make cuts in areas too. We need more students. We are probably close to 15 under what we need for budget at the moment. Pray for us, and our administrators to not be discouraged by this.

For His glory!

Support

If the Lord leads you to donate money to my ministry the directions are as follows; and thank you if He does.

Please make checks payable to NICS and put my project number in the memo section: 001807 (Please do not write my name on the check). You will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Make sure you include a note with your check including your name, address, phone number, and e-mail if you have it.

Mail to: NICS (Finance Dept) P.O. Box 1260 Southaven, MS 38671Please contact NICS with any questions at 1-800-997-6427

This time, this place

Sometimes it's difficult to believe I've only been here a year, and sometimes it's difficult to believe that I've already been here a year. I fear that words are not going to do it much justice tonight.

My school is still struggling to meet our minimum enrollment for budget purposes. Currently we are only six students under, which will soon turn to nine when a prominent family moves. It's been very discouraging lately because I've had to deal with a lot of people who have the mentality that a small school does not matter much for anything (sports, academics, and the like). We're just a small school that is unable to provide the luxuries that some people think we should have. Despite all of that, however, there is no where else I'd rather be than sitting in my classroom in the middle of the rice paddy.

The truth is, yes I work in the smallest of our three ICS schools in Korea, and it's perhaps one of the smallest international schools in the country, but we have a staff like no where else in the world. Most of us fear what would happen if we became larger and would have 500+ students in the high school rather than under 200 for the entire school. The staff would risk loosing our tight-knitedness as well as our personal relationships with a lot of students.

Anyhow, so how is life really going? Things right now are insane! It seems like all I ever do is try to make up for lost time, constantly grading every waking minute. I have recently been given a new challenge on the job, which is to teach essentially two classes in one. I have a class of 15 students where one of the 15 is a grade ahead. Which means I have to teach the 14 and the one and keep them all on task all at the same time. This is something I could definitely use a lot of prayer for.

The other aspects of life are going really well. The House is still staying strong. I'm now teaching Sunday school every other week (to elementary kids...). I'm pretty sure in my last post that I mentioned that I have tried kegoggie (dog) soup. I will put pictures up soon. The real bummer of things is that my camera is broken, so now I can't even use it. Newer pictures will probably be scarce.

We're still searching for where in Asia the Lord is leading for our spring mission trip. If you have contacts of any missionaries or missions organizations that are in Asia and would like a team of students to come and work with them in April, please let me know.

Please continue to pray for me as I continue to seek out the Lord's will for my life. There is plenty of decision making ahead of me for various things. Please keep that in prayer.

Until next time...

New Beginnings

The new school year is underway. As a result I haven’t been able to keep up on my blog like I should. This year is looking like it’s going to be a great year, full of challenges of course.

This year I’ve moved up to teaching high school English and Speech and Drama. I absolutely love these subjects, but it does mean more work. The content is thicker which means I need more time to prepare. Please pray for my time management skills, as I’m trying to get that under control so I can be an effective teacher.

Also, my school in general needs lots of prayer. Again this year, we haven’t gotten the number of students enrolled that we need to keep our budget rolling smoothly. We, again, are just under 200 students. We need at least 200 for budget purposes.

Other things in general too… please pray for me as I deal with a confrontation this week with someone who manages the Speech and Debate tournaments. We, as a school, have run into some conflicts with this person. Since I am the Speech and Drama teacher (and the coach for the tournaments) I have to confront this person at the meeting we have on Thursday.

That is about all for now. Things in general are going well. Matt and I are doing well. I’ve got some pictures of some of the crazy things we’ve done that I will post when I get them on my computer.

Thank you for all your prayer support.

More things I've learned in Korea

This is a continuation of a post from October or so. Living in a foreign country a person can learn many many different things. To add to the list of things I have learned are:

· Be careful when you try to order a meal in Korean, you may just end up with a Coke or two. :0)

· Elephants however cute, are stalkers! If you are getting stalked walk slowly away and HIDE!

· Thailand knows how to have a water fight.

· Praying for patience is not really as ghastly as people make it out to be. The rewards for asking for and being patient are far better than blowing it off.

· This is a hard truth to many, but as Christians in this world, we are not meant to fit in. We are not meant to mesh with the ideals of the world. We are to be set apart by our actions not to condemn the world but to show them that by the grace of the Lord we are different.

· Directing a play is much more difficult than it looks, but with the right group of students it can look stellar!

· It is such a blessing to be teaching somewhere where I can be more than a teacher to my students. I can not only be a mentor but I can also be a friend. I know that doesn’t sound very good, but think about it. I have the opportunity to really earnestly get to know my students. I get to know what makes them tick, what they like, what they dislike, what their interests are, who they really are. In the same I get to have the opportunity to impact them in a far greater way than a teacher would in the states. In the states, a student would never hang out with a group of teachers, teachers would never be able to hang out with their students (without a lawsuit following), teachers would never be able to have students to their house for a sleepover or just to hang out. I know it may sound odd, but I have the opportunity to touch lives here in a way that I never would be able to in the states.

· Students will be surprised when they discover that you like the same kinds of music that they do.

· Students respect you more if you admit when you make a mistake.

· Don’t ever take Drew and Norm to a place where they serve shrimp that still have eyes and legs because you’ll get a show. Ninja shrimp anyone?

· Korea has a way of domesticating people. I now cook, carry a purse and I bought a skirt for myself in Thailand. Yikes! :0)

The Long Awaited Pictures...

The Long awaited pictures of Matt and I (or just Matt) have arrived!

(Again there is a ton of dead space, but bear with me.)

This picture would have been really cute had Steve not been Steve, but I would have expected any less.

Us being us at nordaebong (aka Korean karaoke).

A picture of us that I found in the many pictures of Thailand.

I had to put this one in. I know it's not Matt and I but it is Matt dancing with Norm. :0)

Palace Pictures

So, I have a ton of pictures that I need to post. I've tried a few times but this never seems to want to work. So here we go. (You'll have to forgive me, there's a ton of dead space in here that I just don't know how to get rid of.)


I was just having some fun with the camera at one of the many palaces in Seoul. The center picture is of a palace gate through a palace gate. To the right are just some of the many rooftops of the different buildings in the palace.

These are just some fun shots, again just playing with the camera.

Here are more for your enjoyment.

These are more "creative" shots.

These are shots of a gazebo inside the palace walls.

Missionary Life

I know that there are people who think that what I am doing here in Korea is pointless, careless, and worthless, a waste of time and money etc. I like to take this time to just say that that statement could be no further from the truth.

I interviewed for a job in a country that I didn’t know anything about. I didn’t know that my school was located in the middle of a rice paddy, or that it is the smallest of the three ICS schools in Korea. I didn’t know my boss, my coworkers, where I would live, what I would eat, if I could communicate. I didn’t know anything.

I know most people would account that to foolishness. I see it as following the will of the Lord.

If you are one of those who doubts my reasons for being here, please be assured that the Lord has carefully placed me in Songtan, Korea. He has called me to a specific ministry. The missionary life is not often glorious in the world’s eyes. I live in a foreign country, half way around the world from my family. I make almost less than half as much money as I would if I were teaching in the states. I live with two people I hadn’t met until I arrived in Korea.

I know that as long as I am doing what the Lord has called me to, and serving Him, then He will supply all my needs. That’s what the Bible says right? Why should I not believe it then? The Bible says that He shall supply all our needs The Lord has allowed me to live here and not go hungry and not go without anything I needed for almost an entire year. I trust that He will do it for the years to come, whether it is in Korea or another country he has called me to. not all our wants (like some like to take that verse to mean).

I like the Mooney’s slogan they close things with. Missionary to Songtan, Pyongtaek, Korea, and the rest of the world. That’s how I feel. The Lord will place me where He wants me and will keep me there until I have served His purpose. In the same, He will also give me direction for my future and tell me where to go next, if I am supposed to go.

Was supposed to be posted May 23, 2006

I could have never guessed one year ago where I would be today. One year ago it seemed as if my life had no purpose. I had hit my rock bottom. I had no where to go. I could not go anywhere. I could not improve my situation and I definitely could not go on with it. The only thing I had left, my only option other than give up, was to hand it over to God. Since then, He’s showed me the mistakes in my life and showed me how to correct them.

As I stood in the church one year ago today at a stand still, I was reminded of the power of prayer. I told God that I could not do it anymore. I couldn’t be selfish and rebellious anymore. I could not continue on in the relationship that I was in and I certainly could not end it; so I gave it to God. Little did I know what God had had in mind when I repented of my stupidity and truly rededicated myself to Him. I had no clue that in less than 24 hours later the relationship would be over, I would have the interview that would change my life (on what would have been the two and a half year anniversary nonetheless), offered a job half way around the world two days later, and less than two months later I was in Korea.

The Lord is amazing! I just wish that I could tell all the single young women and girls the lessons I learned the hard way, and have them truly learn from it. I always thought I would learn through other’s mistakes so I did not have to make any on my own, boy was I wrong. I want to instill in them (especially the ones closest to me) the importance of dating a Christian man/ young man. I am not talking about the fence riding, mediocre Christian that never takes a stand for anything. I am talking about a true man of God; one who wants to do nothing more than serve the Lord and follow the path He has laid out before him. Excuse the cliché, but it is like night and day dating a non-Christian as opposed to a Christian man who has dedicated himself to doing the Lord’s will. It is so important to be able to share that aspect of your life. If you cannot share your faith with the one you are dating, there is no way you can successfully share anything else.

I speak from experience when I say that it is absolutely amazing to stand (or sit) next to the person you’re dating and praise the Lord. It is awesome to know that both of you are doing the same thing. Things are so much easier when there are common goals and a shared, God driven direction. The Lord is gracious.

It is so amazing to be treated with earnest respect without any motive. I could have never dreamt nor expected what the Lord has blessed me with.

One year ago, I could have never imagined being on the mission field serving the Lord, and being more on-fire for Him than I ever have been. Praise the Lord for what He’s done for me, what He’s saved me from, and what He has planned for me.

A Site I Respect

Check out Britt's Blogger. He raises a lot of points that I agree with. His TICFITB section is very interesting.

http://www.mbrittm.blogspot.com/

A Slower Thought....

I really should have thought about this when I put up my last post, not even ten minutes ago.

I was talking with Matt last night, when I was reminded of something. I was reminded of the very first Bible verse I ever memorized which is:

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then said, "Here am I. Send me!"

It's incredible how God sets up things in our heads. I would have never thought when I was in the 6th Grade Girls Vacation Bible School Class (with one other student and Darlene Pickens as my teacher) that this would essentially become a life verse for me.

After I went to Mexico in high school on a missions trip I began to feel the tug toward missions for a career. I never told anyone though because I thought no one would ever believe me. I discussed it with God for quite a while, and then passed it off as just a phase. Truth is, it wasn't a phase; God was preparing me for something. At that time, I had totally neglected the calling because I thought that God would never want me for something like that. Boy was I wrong.

I guess I was just hit with the revelation that God really does set up things very intricately for us. The irony and the blessing in the situation can only be explained by God's grace and love.

Life Long Learner

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

This is one of the many verses that has spoken to me recently. It’s amazing how God will show us many different verses that are all about the same kind of thing, or we will hear repeated messages in sermons, or a combination of the two.

Patience is not a lesson that anyone really wants to learn, although it is a lesson that most of us need.

God has really been showing me a lot lately about patience and how that correlates with His timing. He has shown me that if we are patient, then the blessings and rewards that we receive are so much more than what the “blessings” would be from living in the moment.

His plan is perfect, and it will be done. We have the choice to either faithfully follow it or to rebel against it. What I’ve learned though, is even though we may rebel, God will still get us to where He wants us; the journey may just not be as smooth.

I have also recently been amazed at just how awesome God really is. The fact that He rewards repentance from stupidity still leaves me awestruck. His love is amazing, steady, and unchanging. Praise the Lord for his loving and forgiving heart. Praise the Lord for an empty cross and a risin Savior!

Return from Oz? Oh, Thailand...

There are so many things that happened in Thailand that I don’t even know where to start. Telling everything that God did on the trip would literally take days to explain.

First I would like to say “Thank you” to everyone who donated money so I could afford to go on the trip and donated toward the building fund.

We left Songtan at 5am on Saturday morning (4/8) and got to our hotel in Mae Tang, Thailand around 9pm-ish. When we arrived in Thailand we met up with Belinda, Able and Carol and their family. They hosted us all week. Belinda and her family that were visiting are Australian; Able, Carol and their family are Canadian – mostly. What I mean by that is Able is Filipino who grew up in Canada. He and Carol have two kids of their own and the youngest two they adopted from China (and they are adorable!). Basically, we got to listen to really cool accents all week.



The next day, Sunday, we attended a very small service attended all by Thai’s with the exception of us. The preaching was done by an Australian and translated for the Thai’s.

After church that morning we went to a Buddhist temple. It was beautiful and yet very disturbing at the same time. Thailand is beautiful, yet the people blatantly deny God. They go to temples like the one we went to (which are ever where – just think about how spaced out McDonald’s restaurants are in the states and you’ve got the temples in Thailand) and there are so many different things they believe they must do out of worship. It’s such a spiritual battle zone there. There were signs cautioning the slippery floors when it rains when there really needed to be signs warning people that they are walking into a spiritual war.

After the temple we went to another church service. This one was actually in English. Attendees in the service were mainly Brits and Aussies, with the sprinkle of Canadians and Germans. It was amazing to be in a church service where there were literally people from ALL over the world attending. The preacher was British, so I got to listen to a Brit accent for the service. :0)

Monday we began work at the Mae Tang Tribal Children’s Home. We worked with Thai workers for two and a half days building a wall on the parameter of the property. We were told that we built more wall in the two and a half days than the Thai workers usually do in three weeks.

At the Children’s Home we also built a patio/ walkway in front of the house where the missionaries live. The team we took last school year leveled the area out, but during the rainy season it becomes one giant mud puddle. We also built a garden in front of the window on one side of the house to prevent children from climbing on the bars looking in at the missionary. We also cleaned a little in the Bible College on property as well as moved the library and reshelved it.

On Friday we went to a village. We got to spend time in fellowship with the people and the students pretty much conducted the Good Friday church service. The students performed one skit and played and sang numerous songs. We had three guitars, a violin, and a harmonica. The villagers loved the violin so much; many of them had probably never seen one before.


God was really showing people things on the trip; especially me. Through the events that happened before, especially during, and after the trip, He really showed me the importance of His timing.

There was a certain issue that I had been praying about since January that the Lord really revealed Himself through on the trip. I was shown/ reminded the importance of God’s timing and waiting on Him, also the importance of patience (which I possess oh so well…). God showed me through the things that happened that if I would have been impatient, my usual, then I would have missed out on amazing blessings. He really can bless the stubborn person who finally breaks and prays for something they know they need to, like patience.

The Lord’s grace, mercy, majesty, comfort, and loving-kindness were really revealed to me through this trip.

Again, I would like to say “Thank you” to the amazing people whom the Lord led to donate money for me and for the trip. It was a true, genuine blessing.

More pictures are to come...

March Update: Musical, Missions Trip, and more!

Hello Everyone!

It’s been a while since I’ve actually updated on events of my life here in Korea. Here it goes.

Auditions for the Spring Musical are finished! We (Pam, Becca and I) got together last night at The Coffee Tree to assign parts, and we posted the cast list this morning. Practices will begin next Tuesday (after the Speech and Debate Tournament and the Choir Competition). I will then be down to only one planning period at the very end of the day, but it is well worth it.

Another thing that is well worth my time is the Missions Trip the school is offering during Spring Break (April 8-16) to the Maetang Tribal Children’s Home in Chiangmai, Thailand.

On this trip we are supposed to be building the fourth and final wall around the parameter of the Home to protect the children who live there. The wall is needed because right now anyone has easy access to the Home and the children residing in it, which means it is very easy for children (especially little girls) to disappear. This wall is vital for the safety of these children.

Please pray for finances and the people going on the trip. We need to raise $5000 just for supplies to build the wall. We are doing all we can at the moment to try and either raise money or ask for donations, and so far we have nothing. We are looking into fundraisers that we can actually do here in Korea. There are so many things out there but very few things are actually plausible in country.

Please pray that the Lord will soften hearts and that people will give joyfully (even if it is only a little). Please pray for us as we ask churches and individuals for donations. If we do not receive the money we need, we are still planning on going to the Children’s Home, but we will not be able to build the wall.

Also, please pray for the adults going on the trip: Andrew Calamaro, Gwenn Pettitt, Julia Hazen, Amber Divers, Tad Romsa, Matt Miles, and myself

Please pray that we will be the leaders that we have been called to be on this Trip, that the organization and execution of everything goes well, and that we continue to serve the Lord and follow His will in our lives.

As well as the students: Joseph Cho, Michael Jun, Christine Rumph, Anna Smith, Shin Kim, Danica Auman, Casey Peterson, Anton Erne, and Livingstone Cha.

Interest has been waning in some of the students and we have already had two tell us that they are no longer interested on going on the trip. Please pray that these students will listen to the direction that the Lord is giving them. Please also, pray that the students (and the teachers) will continue in preparing themselves for this trip.

If the Lord is leading you to donate to the trip or if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Blessings,
Beka

Ramblings

So, I'm so close to getting a computer that actually works that I can taste it. I saw it yesterday but there was something wrong with the screen, so we had to send it back... ugh!

I have successfully made it through my first birthday away from NE Ohio. Aimee actually came down to visit me from Seoul. Amazing, I know. :0) We had a great time together. I showed her around my area and we even went into Pyongteak to do sticker pictures (which I will scan an post when I get my computer- they are really cute). She finally got to go to the House and meet all of my friends that I've got down here too. She bought me the sweetest necklace too. It says 'chingu' (in Korean) which means friend. My roommates bought me a practice pad (a nice one- complete with stand), so I think God may be using His 2x4 again.

The weekend after Aimee was here I went with a group of friends to Suwon. We went to dinner at the Outback Restaurant. I've never been to a place that serves you food while you wait; especially one that serves steak bits with rice. That was interesting. There were actually 12 people who showed up to help celebrate (or maybe they just wanted Outback).

After dinner we went upstairs in the mall to Spice (the arcade). We managed to shove 9 people into a sticker picture booth, that was total craziness (I'll put those up too when I get my computer). I got whooped up on by Em in DDR (Dance Dance Revolution - at least that's the American name). I played some Tetris - crazy Tetris- with Matt who proceeded to beat me in that and in the car racing games. I've come to discover that one of my favorite games is one that simulates WWR. You sit in a 'raft' with a paddle with someone else in front of this gi-normous screen. It actually almost feels like you're rafting. I would love to raft again, that would be great.

Almost time for lunch duty. Until next time...

Some Verses on My Mind

There are so many times in life where hindsight has makes our inadequacy in the Lord's eyes shine back in our own. I was really hit with some verses last night at the chapel service. These are verses I grew up knowing, yet I didn't listen. I am stubborn enough to think that I could do things on my own, without God or anyone else. Man was I wrong.

Proverbs 31:25
Strength and dignity are her clothing,And she smiles at the future.

Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

2 Corinthians 6:11-18
11Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13Now in a like exchange--I speak as to children--open wide to us also.
14Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are he temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord."AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;And I will welcome you.18"And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.

I am very thankful that I am not the only person who was foolish and did not follow this. Although unrealistic, I hope that I am the last person to have done this as well. I let the very core of me almost totally die away because I was too busy being selfish and not caring about what God had for me.

Praise the Lord we sometimes get in situations so deep where all we can do is take it to Him. All we can do is tell Him that we cannot continue the way we are, yet we are not strong enough to end it, and that we give it to Him. God is just, merciful, and loving. The moment we recognise that, He says 'Okay' and it is done. That's how it was for me.

Many people have been asking how I ended up in Korea; so here is the story.

I had gotten to this point in my life that I just wrote about. I was in a situation so deep, and I knew it was not a productive or Godly situation, yet I didn't have the strength to continue it. I was standing in church on May 22 (mind you, this was probably the third time I had been in church in about two years consistently), I do not remember the message that was being preached, because God was working on a totally different area of my life; my heart. I got to the point that morning where I broke. I was standing in the pew in church praying and I told the Lord that I didn't have the strength to continue on in my situation. I couldn't go on, and no matter how much I knew I had to, I couldn't end it either. I just wasn't strong enough. I told Him, to take it and do what He wanted to do with it. I knew what I thought I wanted with it, I wanted to keep myself in the situation, but God didn't want that. Not even 24 hours later, around 8:30AM, May 23, my situation was resolved; it was over. That was all God, there's no way that was anything else, not a coincidence, just the grace of God.

After talking with Aimee about the time I was having job hunting, she told me that the school she had been offered a job in had a High School English position open and that I should apply. I tossed it back and forth in my head for a while and I finally applied. By the time I was done with the application process, the position had been filled.

Mr. Peterson (my principal) had called my parent's house and my cell phone twice each on the night of June 6 to set up an interview with me. My interview was the next day, June 7 (which was a significant date with situation that I was previously in, you may ask for more details if you are curious) , I was offered the job two days later and accepted the position on June 10.

Honestly, God grabbed a hold of me on May 22 when I walked into church. I was not expecting to have some sort of major God-experience when I went to church. It was truly God at work that morning. He was doing something major to get me where I am today, where I should have been a long time before now.

Praise the Lord for His graciousness and love. Praise the Lord for the strength He gives me when I am weak; for in my weakness, He is made strong. Praise the Lord for the trials he has put in my path to refine me and renew me daily. Praise the Lord!

:0) Superbowl Goodness

WAY TO GO PITTSBURGH STEELERS! 21-10 PITT WINS!!!

It's dead...

So, I thought the laptop recovered, but it was a false recovery. It is as Charles Dickens puts it in A Christmas Carol "dead as a doornail." Man, I've been struggling with electronics lately. So frustration, but the Lord is good and is bigger than any computer problem.

The Lord is AWESOME

Those of you that I have talked to over the past weekend know the issues I was having with my laptop. For all intensive purposes it was dead; never to be powered up again. I explained the situation in an earlier post. But last night about 11:30 I was sitting in bed thinking, 'I really should give this one last try and see if it will work.' So I said a quick prayer (yes about the computer working) and pressed the power button. Much to my surprise it went past the two start up screens into a system check. It ran the check, then turned on! It is still a little picky with things so I have to be careful, but at least it works! The Lord is awesome.

Attached as well are some pictures from STOMP this weekend. (The guy in the picture above to my right - with the mohawk- is one of the musicians from STOMP. He has been performing with the group for ten years and is currently retired from playing. He said the retired group gets together about three times a year and performs all around the world.)

Giving to My Ministry

I have recently read Aimee's web site which breaks down how to give money to her. If the Lord leads you to donate money to my ministry the directions are as follows; and thank you if He does.

Please make checks payable to NICS and put my project number in the memo section: 001807 (Please do not write my name on the check). You will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Make sure you include a note with your check including your name, address, phone number, and e-mail if you have it.

Mail to: NICS (Finance Dept)
P.O. Box 1260
Southaven, MS 38671
Please contact NICS with any questions at 1-800-997-6427

Living in the World of Electronics

So, it’s official. My laptop is officially dead. Please do not be expecting regular updates for quite a while.

I went to see STOMP in Seoul yesterday and left my computer turned on. When I returned home, the machine was still on but nothing was happening and the screen was dark. I tried to turn it on, but no avail. This morning I tried to turn it on again and got further than I had before, the Windows start up screen (but no farther). When I tried it later this morning I got the IBM screen then the machine turned off then back on then back off… I now have an epileptic computer.

So until I can afford to purchase a new computer I will not be able to post on a regular basis. I wonder what kind of a mess it would make being hurled off the 5th floor balcony. J I’m joking, I could never do that.

As for the missions trip, praise the Lord that people are willing to help out and donate money so I can afford to go. I did not get a final number of how many students signed up to go on the trip but I know that I am for sure going. I know that the Lord wants me to go and He will provide a way for me to go financially.

Also, please continue to pray for the trip as a whole. The heater in the school is repaired so we now have heat. We are still looking to fill positions for next school year, so continue to pray that God will prepare the people who are supposed to be here and give guidance to those who are leaving. And, please continue to pray for me.







A little Spirit Week Wacky-Tacky flare from my roommates.

Fresh Out of Banter

2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
³knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
⁴And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

These few verses grabbed my attention this week. I've had a few large trials since my return to Korea a week ago. They've been nothing but lessons that remind me that I'm not in control.

Unfortunately, relinquishing control is not something I do well. So God is using trials to show me that there are many things in my life that I cannot control. There have been some interesting moments, some rocky places...

Trumping Kings

New Year's Day, the day when people sit around and ponder what they have done over the past 365 days, since the last time they pondered this. People sit and think about good and bad times, failures and accomplishments, lost and new relationships, things they should have learned, things that they should have learned sooner, and lessons from which life educated them. People look back on the circumstances that made them grow as well as the ones where they seemed to recede in age.

Looking back, 2005 provokes mixed feelings: those of regret with those of joy, those of sadness with those of happiness, those of disappointment with those of hope. Less than half of my year was spent in the last paragraphs of a long and complex relationship. About half was spent in the states; learning lessons that I did not exactly want to learn but am better off for it. And the past five months have primarily been spent in Korea, a place that I would have never thought I would go.

The relationship, although defunct, had a significant impact on how I am today. I am stronger, more audacious, more secure, and more certain of myself that I was before. A good relationship takes work, compromise, and cooperation from both parties involved, not just one. I now know how women get in relationships that they initially think are good, discover that it is not, and how feel like they are stuck, dependant, and reliant on the man. I know what it is like to get the proverbial 2x4 to the face and realize what is going on, and while gasping to regain oxygen and focus feel like there is nothing you can do about it. I know what it is like to invest all your time, effort, and feelings into something that you know will never have the outcome you wish for in the end. I know what it is like to look into that person's eyes and just know that both of you know it is over but neither says anything to that effect. I know what it is like to watch him finally break, and see the stone in his eyes when he says it's over. I watched him look so absorbed in himself that even after two and a half years not one tear was shed by him. It felt like it did not matter. You were just another name on the list.

On the opposite side to that; I also know what it is like to be the prodigal son and have to face the parents whom you have abandoned. I know what it's like to realize that your parents and God are not the ones who have moved or whose hearts have been hardened, it was you and your own. I have experienced the celebration of what it is like to return home after the 'journey' of doing your own thing. I observed my family's suffering as I did my own thing, and I watched my their faces light up when they recognized that my days of running from what is right were over. I saw the joy from them the day I turned my life around and also when I told them I accepted a job as a missionary in Korea. I've seen the hope and joy from them when I left in August and when I returned for break and I know I will see it when I depart again.

I truly know what people mean when they speak of God's grace and loving-kindness. I know what it is like to feel Him tug at heart strings and still ignore the call. I know what it is like to have to turn back and admit that I was the one who was wrong. I know what it is like to know that God was always there and all I had to do was realize that. I know what it means to have a God, the God, who loves me. I know what it means to have a God that sacrificed for me because I am special to Him. I know what it means to have a savior.

I bid 2005 and all of it's many amiable, imperfect, and dreadful adventures adieu.