SweetVirginia's Xanga

Natural Habitat

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:30:14 GMT

O little town of Oamaru.

That's where I am today. And yesterday. It was just supposed to be a stop on the way to Christchurch.

Here's the amazing thing about this trip we've been on: all these places that we just "happen" upon are places that fill me with great delight. It is easy to think of this country as Narnia, or Middle Earth~things just seem possible here that shouldn't be possible in any world in which I live.

After we arrived in this hostel in a small nothing town on the southern island of New Zealand, the sweet proprietoress, Kelly, showed us on a map where we could find something called The Elephant Rocks, which were in a part of The Chronicles of Narnia. They were part of a privately owned sheep farm, and the farmer just--get this--LETS people walk right onto his property to see these amazing things. No charge. Just a sign that says don't disturb the sheep. So we played on the rocks for a while, avoiding sheep poop, and trying to climb these huge, smooth boulders that looked for all the world like Aslan should pop up on top of one and roar.

After that, we drove back into town to go to Bushy Beach, where we stood on cliffs and looked at the beach below, searching for penguins and seals. We saw both...two baby yellow eyed penguins, and what I think was their mother...they were far away from each other, and I think that they were lost...they would call back and forth in this pitiful little cries. I hope that they found each other.

Then we climbed further down the cliff to where we thought we might see seals...which we did. We saw one so far away that at first we thought it was just a rock, until we saw it moving. Then a French man directed us to one that was seriously just feet from us. Dan observed that it looked like a giant rat, which was accurate, but perhaps took a teensy bit of the magic from the moment :) The greatest part of this part of the day was:

French man: It is just over there!

Me: Thanks! Where are you from?

French man: Can't you tell from my wonderful accent??

Me: France?

French man: Bonne (something in French)!!!!! (Hearty handshake)

And I got to thinking about natural habitats. About living in the wild. About how this earth is my home as much as the seals, and the penguins, and the French man. And about how I am so privileged to see bits and pieces of it that reveal new things about God. About how He thinks of things like rocks that look like Elephants, that are so huge and beautiful that they remind one of Him. About how He created the colors blue and green, and combines them so often in ways that are too alive for words. Grass and sky. Canyons full of trees with aqua rivers winding along the bottom. Coral reefs within an ocean of blue, dotted with green pools. And in the midst of all of this--me.

I live a blessed life.

New Zealand

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:37:28 GMT

hullo, everybody. I'm in New Zealand, and will soon be telling you tales from the road. Until then,

The Shire is lovely, and there are sheep literally everwhere.

Peace out,

Virginia

'Tis the season

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:56:41 GMT

I think that this is a really absurdly cool thing:

www.kiva.org

Go check it out.

I had such a good day today, with the only blemish being a slight blecch-y feeling from all of the junk food I consumed during a India mission trip team meeting. I made Chai at my house and we had a truly awesome bonding time. We talked about orphans. Have you ever really talked with an orphan? Or held one, or played with one?

I'd like to say that it's changed my life. But what I really has changed my life is talking with my kids about the orphans. It is pretty amazing to watch people respond with compassion to others. And when those people are teenagers--of whom our society is usually suspicious--wow.

Then MinSoo and I talked about 9/11 for a long time, while Deep and Lucy sat in front of the Christmas tree and heatedly discussed school issues. My kids blow me away on a daily basis. I love seeing their perspective. Maybe in general I just like seeing perspectives that aren't mine. Diversity is a beautiful thing. Deep is Indian. Lucy grew up in China. MinSoo grew up in NYC. Talk about converging ideas. I feel like my life is a mini-U.N., and I am Kofi Annan.

Maybe not Kofi Annan.

Peace.

I'm Lovin' It.

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:06:33 GMT

Not McDonalds, friends. The thing that I'm Lovin' is...my job. Working with teenagers is pretty much where it's at for me.

Today is the big six year anniversary of the big move to S. Korea. I barely know any more of the language, and the country is still a big fat mystery to me, most of the time. I've lived out here, loved out here, cried, laughed, bought a car, ran a marathon, had three jobs, traveled to Europe, and most importantly, known in my heart of hearts: living out here is the right choice for me.

Good times.

Peace

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:40:57 GMT

Man, it is good to feel at peace. Which is what I'm feeling these days. Life is good, people. It's just good.

Here's something amazing: my parents are coming to visit. And I love it. They will be here on Friday, and it feels like a miracle.

Here's another amazing thing: encouragement. I feel ridiculously blessed in this area. I would like to tell you how different people have encouraged me today:

Trout (Bible teacher at school): dropping by to talk about a ministry opportunity, totally hugs me and tells me that we're doing great work

Jen (English teacher at school): tells me that she likes chapel, and likes hearing me speak

Sarah (Praise team leader): tells me that she's thankful for me and has talked to her friends about me

RyRob (Boss): drops by to talk about the job, tells us how great we're being, and to feel free to take whatever time off this week that we need

Kir, Nikole (other teachers): both email me to tell me that they are praying for me

Mike (Co-worker): is just awesomely encouraging as usual

...I'm sure that I don't deserve all the love that I get. But that's kind of the point. And that, my friends, is one of the gazillion reasons that I'm thankful for Christ.

Phillipians 2:13

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:58:15 GMT

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."

Man, oh, man, it is good to see your own inadequecies and know that God is with you until the bitter end. We had a really great Spiritual Emphasis Week over the past three days (semantics, people, "week" can mean "three days" for sure I mean lets get real). And over and over, things I didn't know or couldn't do well or just plain screwed up were covered through lots of other great people helping and being gracious, and I couldn't help but think that it was the Lord working in us for His good purpose. And then I read that verse this morning and BAM! it all came together. Phillipians has been rockin' me lately.

Specific things/people I am grateful for:

Scottie Poole and the amazing job he did leading rec for us

Our speaker Jay for speaking the truth in the love

Our dear friends Travis and Dave for coming back to Korea again (and to their women for being so willing to let them come)

All of the teachers for the amazing job that they did taking their stuff and running with it

That there even are teachers who are so committed and passionate about kids and their salvation

The graciousness of our teachers when we made in error in judgement

The medical staff who helped our girl who got injured during one of the games

My amazing co-worker Mike and his equally awesome wife Jaci, who gave selflessly this week even though they just had their first child three weeks ago

And of course, the fact that I truly believe that some of our kids made true decisions about God this week...

I can't believe I get paid for this.

SEW...what?

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:02:37 GMT

Hey, everybody...

I know a ton of people don't check xanga anymore, but we're getting our High School Spiritual Emphasis Week cranked up right now, and I would love for people to pray, that:

A. Our kids make lasting decisions about their relationship with Christ

B. Our teachers are passionate about this week

C. Our outreach concert to the community on Friday goes really well, and accomplishes God's intended purpose for it.

Thanks, people!

Grumpy

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:40:50 GMT

Lesson of the Morning:

So, we have these security guards around here...the Korean word for older man is "Adjashi" and that's what we call our guys.

So, I was walking to the back gate a few minutes ago, and one of the adjashis was running by--the adjashi that, if we were naming all of the adjashis by Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' names, he would be "Grumpy." He isn't mean or anything, he just has that gruff expressions.

I wasn't sure why he was running, but to be honest, I thought he saw me, and was running to open the gate. So instead of opening the gate myself, I waited for him. He did indeed come and open the gate, and gave a good ol' hearty "Good Morning!" as he unlocked and held the door for me.

Then, I watched as he ran away, and I realized: he was out for a morning run. He stopped just for me.

I had a flashback to my run yesterday evening, and how irritated I was to have to pause for the briefest of moments behind other people on the sidewalk, and I realized that I am the truly grumpy one.

Thanks, Adjashi, for the Tuesday morning lesson. Maybe I'll have to come up with a new name for ya.

Happy Thanksgiving

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:22:38 GMT

That's right, people. Happy Thanksgiving, aka Chusok, aka "a whole week off of school right at the beginning of the school year." Thank you, Korea, I accept your offer of a break to kick-start the year. I am thankful for YOU.

So, basically, I know I have been remiss in my xanga duties. That is because I am learning some new duties...in my new job as Student Life Minister at TCIS.

Let me just say, people, that I am loving it. It is hard work, but super duper rewarding. I plan and execute a lot of chapels, retreats, special events, and get to hang out with a lot of kids. It is such a good blend of using natural gifts I have, but at the same time stretching me in some new areas (like organization for sure). It's kind of awesome that I really find myself loving to speak in chapel. It's really intimidating, but guess what? SO worth it.

I feel really lucky (is that the right word?) that I'm coming in at this time...I totally feel like God is moving in our kids' lives. He is at the forefront of the minds and hearts of many of our kids, and it is, as usual, contagious. We had a really great Spiritual Emphasis Week for the middle schoolers a few weeks ago, and our SEW for high schoolers is coming up October 9th through the 12th. If anyone wants to pray for that, FEEL FREE. I truly believe that God wants to do big things here.

So I'll get back to doing the funny, day-to-day stuff soon...I just wanted to get people caught up on the basics first.

Oh, BTW, I also got an AWESOME new apartment, and have tons of room, should anyone feel like coming to visit.

Peace out, ya'll.

Five minutes in an airport

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 01:46:47 GMT

actually, its been a few hours...

I've definitely tried on enough MAC makeup to make the counter ladies a little snippy, and I've definitely bought another watch I don't need (but LOVE LOVE LOVE so there) but I am excited to get on the plane, catch some zzzs, read the silly book I bought, do some writing about the year and other stuff, eat bad food, and go see my beloved family.

Two minutes...

It was a good year. No, actually, it was a good five years. Lanney and Malka came over to my house last night and we prayed for each other, as we are going into new phases. So many of my friends are in flux. New relationships, new marriages, new babies, new jobs, new countries...it feels good. It feels right. A little sad at times, but right.

Random (or not so random) thought:

I'm so glad we, as humans, have the ability to change and grow. I like who I am, but I don't want this to be ALL that I am.

I'm really thankful for Jesus these days. The older I get, the more I see He loves me. He really does.

Also, He loves you. Something to think about.

No more minutes. Peace out.