Hello everyone! It’s been quite the time! Life in Korea has been quite the adventure and has had many ups and downs – literally a roller coaster! But I am doing very well!
Let me fill you in on what has happened in the last few months (many months). I finished studying at the Korea Language institute in August and the Lord opened up a door to a new job opportunity at an amazing Christian Korean Kindergarten as an English teacher – needless to say I speak quite a bit of Korean! During August I also was able to volunteer at Jerusalem Ministry’s soccer camp and work with kids from children’s homes and I literally felt like the luckiest person ever to get to pour into them! I moved in mid-August to my new place with two new roommates who were connections from work with the help of my wonderful director! And I can see the Lord working as I am at this school. He truly put everything in place as he made it be. Classic God. Making things beautiful in the only way He can. Church has been wonderful and I have been serving quite a bit and having a lovely time getting to know the people more!
Now some of the downs would be my visa. I officially have my visa all updated and everything but the process to get it all done was quite long and laborious. On top of it most of it was on my own until my manager and roommate came in and saved me. Thank you Lord for putting them in my world! There were multiple issues along the way like the bank telling me they would close my account… and having to get another physical check up at the end of the process because it had been three months. That’s another long story but short version is my cold I had during the second checkup was actually pneumonia, however after a week of medicine the doctor said he’d never seen some one heal so fast! I’m going to be so honest though, so much stress and tears because of the visa really put in a place of wanting to go home. I really had to cling to the Lord because I felt like I couldn’t solve anything no matter what I did. But in the Lord’s way, everything seemed to work out perfectly even though I kept feeling like I was failing. There’s a reason He says it’s his strength and not ours.
Now for an epic part and probably my favorite part. My friend Abby was flying out for my testimony that I was going to share at church on October 13th and I was so so excited. Now what I didn’t know is she had been scheming to bring my mom along with her and wouldn’t you know it- the first person off the airport bus wasn’t Abby but MY MOM! Abby is an expert surpriser and I will be using her in the future haha! Which turned the next 11 days into the funnest and most busy time getting to show my American people my Korean home! And I got to share my testimony to my mom and my Abby! (I’ll attach the link here if you want to watch)
Well after that amazing almost 2 weeks… I had a hard time being here with my family not here now. And I was pretty home sick. Now I would like to note that my pneumonia cold came a few weeks after my mom left so that definitely played into the overwhelming feelings that were everywhere. But I asked the Lord to really give me a content heart because I know that he has called me here for a purpose and I do not want to even in my homesickness become bitter towards what the Lord is doing. Now thankfully, I can see how the Lord worked and how he has made this season really special. And my heart is content with where I am right now.
With it being the Christmas season, I offered to help decorate our church for Christmas (it had never been decorated before!) and it was so fun! And I was able to go to Jeju Island with friends for a few days as well. And all in all I can see how the Lord has settled my heart again even when I miss home and my family. But I think after a little while longer… this might become more home than even the States.
Now thank you for reading all my crazy updates and I hope that my life of slipups and a bit of chaos has encouraged you that the Lord is in everything and if you give your life over to him, you will be blessed and I think very wonderfully surprised to see the beautiful story the Lord can weave. Of course it will not look anything like what we thought it would but I believe it adds to the beauty and mystery of the Lord.
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
This verse has very much encouraged and reminded me of God’s faithfulness.
In this last season, I have really had to be drawn close to the Lord. Relying on him in almost everything because I am in a country that doesn’t speak my native tongue, no family and a doing things I have never done before. But in all that He never let me down once, and many times I thought I was done, and held me in my stress and tears. Though I’m not sure how to explain it but Jesus gives the absolute best hugs.
And so my friends, family and readers. Cling to the Lord with all you have you will be cared for even when you don’t feel it.
Blessings and prayers to all of you!
Live Well. Do Good. 