Currently Listening Arriving By Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman see related

Realizing the Wonders of Korea

   This week has been so refreshing. It is Chusok, a Korean holiday, so I have been off from work for a week. I've had lots of time to do those things that I never have time to do. It's been great to catch up with friends that I don't get to hang out with much, to cook and eat lots of yummy food, and to read books that normally just sit in my bag or on the shelf. I feel a little more inspired to do great things with my life, and to serve God with all of my heart. Life is short and I want to live every bit of it for God's glory, through the grace that God provides in Christ. I know that doesn't mean that I will live perfectly, but I will live with the desire to please God in all that I do...remembering that God's grace is sufficient in my weakness.

My eyes have been opened, this week especially, to some of the wonderful things about Korea. I've enjoyed spending time with some great friends, explored some cool places, practiced some good old hangul, and have just really enjoyed living in Korea. It seems that after living somewhere for awhile the novelty of it begins to wear off and things can become kind of everyday and normal. Sometimes I forget the greatness of what is around me. This week I have relished living in Korea. I'm glad that this is where God has me right now.

Here are a few pics from this week:

Me on a peak of Gyejoksan (Chicken Foot Mountain)

 Esther and me @ Taejeon Dam                      The Old Fortress Wall

Jackie and me at Starbucks             Yehyoung, Me, & Juhyoung on Chusok

Currently Listening Now More Than Ever...Worship By JoAnn Rosario see related

Highlights from May...

The month of May has been filled with fun times. Some great events have taken place, and fun memories were made with friends and students. Since this is the first time that I have updated in May, I'll have to share just a few brief highlights. In Korea we were able to share in a celebration for my friend Tiece, as she is getting married. It was fun organizing a bridal shower for her, with some of her other friends, and seeing how much she enjoyed it. We also enjoyed celebrating another good friend's birthday. Happy 30th Sals! It was quite a fiesta, with Latin dancing and various Mexican food...my kind of party. I love celebrating the lives of good friends!

Here are some pics of those two parties.

Tiece's bridal shower-Since she posted this crazy picture of herself, I don't mind posting it too. This was one of the funniest moments, for sure!

Happy 30th Sals! You know how to get older in style. I love it!

My best friend, Hope,also got married on May 5th. Sadly, I could not make it to the wedding, but I got some great pics. It looks like they had a blast. Her and her new husband, Damien, are a stunning couple. Here are some pics of the happy bride and groom!Congrats! I love you guys! See you this summer!

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There have been lots of good times had in and out of the classroom this month. Elementary had our annual SEW-Spiritual Emphasis Week. It is a time when we take off 3 days, from classes, to focus of God. Our theme this year was friends. It was great to hear the students' perspective on friendship and to be able to look at Christ's life and his role in friendships, according to the Bible. We worshipped, studied the Bible, played games, danced, and did some service.

Here is a pic of one of the dance teams that Julie and I taught. It was a blast praising God with these kids. Two of the dance teams that I have taught were able to praise God through dance on stage during SEW. They did a great job!

Here are some of the girls from my class, after the service walk during SEW. We walked/ran to raise money for the Invisible Children in Uganda.

Teacher's Day was also this month. I have to say that my students really blessed me. Most of all I was glad to hear their testimonies of how God has worked in their lives this year, and how they have grown closer to Christ. 

5A- Continue to follow Jesus with your whole heart. He loves you and so do I! I'll miss you next year, but will pray for you always!

I've enjoyed reflecting, on all the blessings God has given me, as I have shared these memories with you. May God bless you and keep you in His perfect peace!

Jesus is Alive!

This weekend has been such a time of reflection on Christ and His love for us. It is still so amazing to me that God so loved us, that He sent Christ to die for our sins, so that we can be forgiven and brought into a relationship with Him. I know that it is such a foundational truth, but yet it is so real and it remains a reason to rejoice in Him. I am given so much hope and joy, because Christ is alive. He is alive and real and working in my life, and for that I am eternally grateful.

There were so many chances to worship and glory in the privalege that I have to know Christ in such a real way. I attended a worship service, at the Dorm Spiritual Retreat. God showed up and everyone was worshipping him with hearts full of praise. It was such a blessing to see the students and staff together worshipping God, and being so moved by His Spirit. TCIS Dorm Staff did a wonderful job organizing this weekend! I love you guys:)

Well, I just wanted to share how great God is and how He is working in my life this weekend. I hope everyone enjoyed a Happy Resurrection Day, as you rejoiced in the fact that Christ is alive! May he live in our hearts daily, as we seek to glorify Him in all we do.

Blessings! 

Currently Listening Share the Well By Caedmon's Call see related

Fun Times in India

Wow! This was by far the most amazing mission trip that I have ever been on, in my life. God blessed our team so much! We spent 6 days at an orphanage in Bangalore, India. The orphanage has 103 beautiful children living there. Our team prepared songs, Bible stories, crafts, games & dances for the kids to participate in over the 6 days. The kids enjoyed all of that, and even more we all enjoyed just playing with the kids all day long. These kids are so amazing! Their love and passion for God, in worship and prayer, is obvious. They know so many songs, scriptures, and Bible stories. The ladies who run the orphanage are godly women who view their  work with the children as a ministry. They place a strong emphasis on teaching the kids about Jesus and his love for them. Many of the kids have embraced this truth and are living great lives, because of the care of these women and God's provision and grace in their lives. It was such a blessing to be able to help this ministry, and to see what God is doing in India. This is one of many ministries that is part of a larger organization called India Gospel League. We were hosted by the couple in charge of India Gospel League. It was great to meet such humble servants of God, and to see what God is doing in their ministry.

God is worthy of all the praise for this wonderful trip. I especially thank Him for:

-A great mission team(You guys are the best!:) The students really stepped up to the plate and were great servant leaders.They showed a lot of love to the children and worked hard to make it a fun time. The staff leaders were a great team to work with too. We had lots of fun working together.)

-Safety and Good Health(As much as could be expected:) There were a few "bugs" that we lived through, but it made the trip memorable and God got us through it all, by His grace. )

-Blessing our work in India (The trip was succesful, as we were able to love and serve the kids and staff at the orphanage.)

-Allowing us the opportunity to glorify Christ in India( We were able to share Christ in our words and actions. It was such a blessing to go to India and share the gift of God's love.)

-The children at Beulah Home(They are such a part of my heart:) I will miss them a lot and pray for them always.)

There are many things that I learned over this week. Here's a short list of a few things:

-Passionately praise God for who He is and all that He has done.

-Be content in all circumstances.

-God has given us various gifts and talents to be used for His glory. God is greatly glorified when the people of God work together using their gifts to honor Him.

-Be joyful always and give thanks continually(even when there is no water for a shower).

- Consider others' needs above my own. It is so easy to be self-centered and focused on pleasing myself. This week has shown me the virtue of serving God, being God-centered, and focusing on serving and loving others.  I was so blessed by serving the children and staff at Beulah Home.

-Obedience is better than sacrifice. I'm so glad that I was obedient to God and went to India. There were times, while preparing for this trip, that I thought the financial sacrifice & time commitment was too great. Obeying God and following His leading to share Christ's love with these children proved to be such a blessing.

Here are a few pictures of the beautiful children at Beulah Home.

Alemla, Lakshmi, Me, & Sharania hanging out at the playground.

Irene, one of our great TCIS students, and some of the kids "hanging" out in a tree.

Lakshmi, Bagama, & Prema. I spent a lot of time with these cutie pies:)

Another group of great girls that I got to spend lots of time with this week.

Jesse, another one of our fabulous students, hanging out with the girls. Jesse Uncle is loved for his kind manner and great smile.

That is all for now! If you want to hear more, I'll be glad to share. Blessings!

Currently Reading Teaching for a Change: A Transformational Approach to Education By Norman De Jong see related

The Light of Christ

This week I have felt the presence of God in my life and in my classroom so much! It has been a great blessing. The more I seek to know Christ, the more He reveals Himself to me. How awesome it is to be in a relationship with the living God!For the last few weeks, we having been talking about salvation in our 5th grade Bible class. After lots of study about God, Creation, Sin, God's Word, Jesus, and finally Salvation, the students and I both have grown so much. It is amazing how much I learn by presenting God's Word to them. I've prepared them for a few weeks for the call to Christ that we had on Wednesday. Two students prayed the prayer of salvation for the first time, and accepted Jesus into their hearts! I could not have been more joyful about their decision to follow Jesus!^_^ The overflow of this blessing has poured out on me throughout the week, as I have rejoiced in what the Lord has done. I'm just glad to be a witness of what God is doing, and to be a part of His work. Praise God for bringing new children into His family! Congrats Peter and Jane! Jesus loves you and so do I!^_^

On Thursday, we are headed to India. I feel like God is going to do some great things there. I'm excited about meeting the kids at the orphanage and sharing God's love with them. A great team of staff and students are going, who have a heart for God and kids. A couple of us spent this weekend brainstorming craft ideas and shopping for materials for the Vacation Bible School. (Thanks for you help...Becca, Sally, Virginia, & Ryan! You guys are great!:) We will spend 4-6 days playing games, worshipping, doing crafts, teaching Bible stories, and just enjoying playing with the kids. Please pray for God's Spirit and protection to be with us as we go. It would be great if we could all remain in good health, so we can enjoy what God is doing even more!:) I'll post pics from Hong Kong and India when I get back. Blessings!