Winter 2012

(This is not an uncommon sight...)

Spring is almost here.  We had snow flurries this past weekend, but we'll get up into the 50's this week.  I hear it's been HOT in Georgia.  I know you all have enjoyed the flowers and the opportunities to be outdoors.

Today is Monday, our weekly day off from school, work and ministry responsibilities.  Barry and Sam went to the local English library and Will's playing a Wii game here at the house.  I've got a cold so it's a good day to just type and think, hence the blog update.

We've had a good Winter.  We're finally settling into the new routine.  I'm home more, which means I can keep up with house work and cooking.  I really missed cooking last year!  I didn't miss the housework, though.  Our relationships and connections here are stronger and more established and we are really enjoying that.  It's so nice to feel at home here.

Barry's birthday is in a couple of days.  He was presented with a cake and a song at the Y.E.S. service last night.  That was fun!  Hopefully, we'll do something unique as a family to celebrate his birthday.  I'm still brainstorming about that.

We're continuing to homeschool Samantha (7th) and Will (4th).  That's going well.  I'm always trying to tweak our schedule to improve things and teach the kids, especially Will, how to manage time and not get overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.  So far, so good.

Barry is still teaching various Bible studies and sharing at the Y.E.S. service each week as well as teaching English to the KidsWorship staff 5 days a week.  He's mentioned lately how much he enjoys teaching the middle school students because of their receptivity and interest.  I'm still leading worship for Y.E.S. and Tuesday night prayer as well as teaching a Bible study on Sunday nights.  The Y.E.S. band is preparing for finishing a CD by June.  Barry and I are also working with KidsWorship recording children's songs and videos for their kids curriculum.  I spoke in Korean for the last one.  Oh dear!  That one's going to be funny...

We're writing curriculum now for our summer camps and ministry opportunities in Mongolia, China and Korea.  We'll have 6 straight weeks of camps and training seminars starting in July.  We'll fly 4 additional team members in from the U.S. for that.

Another project that we will carry over into life in the U.S. is developing more children's discipleship materials (teaching, songs, videos, etc.) with no copy write so that we can copy and distribute it freely in other countries.  Right now we've got open doors to China and Mongolia.  We're also looking at Taiwan and Thailand.

As for when we return to the U.S. right now it looks like we'll spend October in Europe and then come back to the U.S. in November.  Our schedule is always changing, though, so I'm not sure how it will all pan out.

Our house in the U.S. is still being rented out. Our tenants have done a fantastic job paying rent every month and the contract will end at the end of October 2012, which is perfect.  If we come home in November then the house will be ready and we can prepare to move back in.  So, despite setbacks, like having to replace the HVAC, everything is working out.

That's all I can think of to share.  We're just grateful for the opportunity to be here, support His work in the Eastern Church and help share the Word with the Nations.

Love,
The Blackmons

First Bloom

Here's our first bloom in our little "yard." Spring is right around the corner!

September

Happy Birthday, Mom! 

Happy Fall!!!  It's been an eventful month (in our hearts).  This picture was taken at a botanical garden type place that we found near our apartment.

Life is moving along at a steady pace.  Barry teaches English in the mornings at the church now.  I think he really enjoys teaching and working with the young adult students.  We're still doing the Sunday night English worship service and Barry still leads Bible studies for various age groups during the day on Sundays.  Things at my school are going well.  I enjoy working with the kids.

The latest news is that after praying and thinking and talking extensively, we feel like we need to stay a bit longer in Korea.  The plan is to come home for Christmas and then continue our work here for a little longer.  I will still work at the school, but I will have some weekdays open to wrap up some of the KidsWorship projects I need to get to.

There are a lot of details yet to be dealt with, but we're trusting that God will help us fill in the gaps as He leads us.  We may have already found a potential new renter for our home in Statham.  We're working on those details now.  We'll need to pay someone to move our junk out and do some painting then the house will be ready to go.  That saves us the headache of having an unoccupied house in the U.S. and it will help a little with the mortgage payment. 

We're all really excited about coming home for a bit.  It'll be so nice to catch up with friends and family in Georgia.  We'll need to borrow or rent a car while we're home and we're still working on living arrangements, but it's falling into place little by little.

While we're home we will lead a 2 week trip for a group of folks from South Korea.  We're not sure how many people are coming yet, but we know that we will spend 1 week in Georgia and then we'll split up and spend the other week in either Nashville or Orlando.  We plan to do some recording in Nashville and the other group is attending a conference in Orlando.  The dates will fall between January 9th and 23rd.  I'm happy to have the opportunity to see my two "worlds" come together -- Koreans in the U.S. among my home friends and family.

I guess that's it for now.  Love and miss you!

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

We just got home from China.  We left on our 13th wedding anniversary and came home just before Sam's 12th birthday.  It's hard to believe I'm the mother of a 12 year old.  She's a wonderful 12 year old and I'm thankful for everyday I've known her.  In some ways it seems like she has more maturity and wisdom at the age of 12 than I have at the age of 33.  Of course, I have prayed for her that just like Jesus, she will "grow in wisdom, stature and favor with God and with men."  Apparently God's been listening!

The opportunities for the Gospel here in Asia are unbelievable.  It's almost overwhelming -- mostly in a good way.  Kids camps in Korea and in China went great.  It was so fun to work with the Korean and U.S. teams for a few weeks and it was a joy to see everyone using their gifts and working together as one to share God's good news and love.  Thank you for praying for us.  It made a difference and we needed it!

There were several opportunities to lead worship for different groups in Korea and China.  We had the opportunity to lead worship for the adults in the Shanghai church.  We had a powerful prayer time with them and really sensed God's power and presence within and on behalf of their church.  It's amazing to see and experience the growth of the church in a country that openly rejects religion.  God is at work in Asia.  The kids were so hungry for God and for the most part very attentive to the teachers.  One night we had a Parents Night for the campers.  We worshipped together and then had the parents and kids pray together as families.  That was a sweet time.

I never realized how beautiful China is.  I always imagined it as a polluted, factory-filled nation.  It's not that way.  There are many trees and gardens.  It's lovely.  There are, of course, some unlovely things, but I guess that's to be expected.

We had the opportunity to see the Pearl Tower in Shanghai.  The city at night is so pretty and SO huge!  I've never been in such a large city.  Seoul dwarfs Atlanta, but Shanghai is massive!!!

Funny things I observed:  Men often walk around shirtless with their potbellies hanging out (it's very hot in China), children relieve themselves in public, parents carry around naked babies, you are expected to provide your own toilet paper around and also Chinese people will literally stop you in your tracks just to take a picture with you because you're a white person (that doesn't happen in Korea much.)

Tomorrow I go back to work.  I've got mixed emotions about that.  We obviously need and appreciate the paycheck, but part of me wishes we could continue to travel and do ministry.  God uses it all, though.

I think the next trip will be in October.  Barry will go to Singapore with Kidoong for a conference.  That's all for now.

Hi

So, Barry left for Mongolia a couple of days ago.  I'm excited about that trip.  They will be training 1000+ Mongolian pastors and lay people and supplying them with much needed resources for teaching the Bible to children.  It's a very poor area so the folks are incredibly grateful for the free resources and training.  The team is way out of wi-fi range (ministering to folks in the countryside) so I probably won't here from Barry while they're there.

The kids and I are holding down the fort here in Jongno.  I'm working during the day and the kids hang with Chan Hye and San.  In the evenings I cook supper and we watch some Andy Griffith reruns or play Legos or whatever else we can find to do.  I've started reading Dr. Doolittle to the kids at night before  bed.  That's been fun.  The kids get a kick out of that because they have recently acquired 2 caterpillars as pets.  One is named "Fluffy" and the other is named "Fuzz."  Sam likes to watch them while I read.

The weather has been so nice the past couple of days.  We're getting a little reprieve from "rainy season."  I have never encountered humidity like this -- not even in Valdosta, GA.  It's crazy!  I have some dried flowers sitting on the night stand by my bed and they WILTED!!!  They literally rehydrated and promptly slumped over in the dry vase.  It's a suffocating type of humid, so, we're glad to get a break from it.  I like the rain, I think it's cozy, but I also like dry towels and clothes.  There are no dryers here, so it can take days for your clothes to dry if it's raining outside.  Now I know why Asia is so lush and green!

I envy the rain here on y'all's behalf.  I know it's painfully dry in the U.S.  I saw an article recently about a guy who has gone into business painting grass green in the States.  For real.  He uses eco-friendly green paint that won't wash off.  Why water it when you can just paint it, right?

That's all for now... (I woke up at 4am today.  I don't know why, but I'm loving the extra time.  It's a great thrill when a "non-morning person" like me feels perky in the wee hours of the morning.  It gave me some extra time to write!)

Summer...

Summer is almost here.  We've hit the high 80's, but I know that's nothing compared to Georgia heat!  It's very humid here, too.  It does a number on my guitar strings!

I enjoy keeping up with folks by looking at pictures on facebook.  I am so excited about all the babies that we will meet when we get back!

Communication is not what I had hoped it would be.  I think if the time change weren't so drastic it might be a bit easier, but, like I said, I try to follow folks through blogs and fb and the pictures speak a thousand words.  We'll pick up where we left off once we get back!

So!  This summer Barry will travel to Mongolia for 2 weeks in July and then in August we'll have our team from the States fly over to help out with 2 weeks of English camps.  I may have mentioned this already, but, one camp will be at Horeb (you can see pictures in the previous post) and the other camp will be in Shanghai.

We're still involved in our weekly meetings and such.  I'm still leading worship for the Y.E.S. English Worship service on Sundays as well as helping out monthly with kids music and Barry teaches Saturday nights and Sundays throughout the day.  He's such a good teacher.  I admire his mind.  Though we are so, so different, I really value and appreciate his strengths.

My burden for Korea continues to grow.  So many people here are burdened and weighed down by so many things -- social pressures, expectations, busy-ness, etc.  Jesus said that "his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30)."  For many people it would seem that the fear of man or what others think hinders them from the freedom that would come if they could take up only the yoke Christ has assigned them.

I know this is a challenge we all face.  I, too, have to learn to continually keep watch so that my inner convictions line up with my use of time and energy in my "outer life."  It's not easy in a world so full of "urgent" requests and demands on our time, especially when we want to say yes and convey our willingness to help in any and every arena of life.

I guess it's like they say, "good is the enemy of best."  We have to ask ourselves, "what is the best use of my time?" "What has God called me to do?"  It's not helpful to just blindly fill our schedules with "good" things or be at the continual beck and call of that which drains us, but is unproductive or unhealthy.

Anyway, that's a snap shot into some of my thoughts lately.

I'm still teaching Monday through Friday.  I love the kids, but I find that it's a very tiring job.  I guess that's to be expected.  That's why they call it work!

Here are some random pictures that were on my phone:

Sam, Will and San watching Kung Fu Panda 2

Joy-Bird, the more sociable of the 2 birds we have

Paper Lanterns on the Chungee Chung, a nearby tributary
of the Han River

The kids and I at Lotte World

The English Team from S&P -- when we went to see Jane Eyre together.
I am a giant.

My school (S&P)
I don't know the random guy getting out of the taxi...

Sam and Barry went to climb a mountain.  This is Sang Hyo who is a member of
the worship team and a good friend of ours.

Dung aka poop is a popular and funny thing here.
These are "dong" piles made on the side of the road.
The kids  couldn't resist...

June

Hi!

We're still here :)  We just got back from a much needed break in the mountains.  Private schools here don't take summer breaks.  My 1 week off this year will be spent working summer camp so I'm very thankful for any day that I am able to take a break.  Monday was a national holiday so we were able to travel and get outside for the day.

The water at Horeb was so pretty.
I would love to see what the mountains and trees look like here in the Fall.  Hopefully, we'll get a chance to see it then.

Our Korean summer camp will be held at this retreat center.  I'm sure our American buddies as well as all our campers will enjoy the facilities.  They have a driving range, a swimming pool, trails and more.  An interesting game they play in the summer is called, "Catch the Shark."  They literally put a shark in the pool and let the kids try to catch it with their hands.  It's not a dangerous shark.  I thought that was pretty crazy.  I guess we'll get our chance to play that game this summer!

I think I mentioned in the last post that my work load at school has increased.  That was/is tough.  I'm just now coming out of the fog from that.  I've learned a lot about Korean culture in the process. I'm having to make some changes in the schedule to compensate for the extra time and energy spent at work.  

The biggest help in that matter has been picking up a book that Brandy and Brandon left here called Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald.  What a timely book!  It's been such a help to me in reordering my schedule, beginning with what matters most.

Barry and the  kids are well.  Time seems to escape us here and I apologize on behalf of our family for not doing a better job keeping in touch.  I am attempting to walk against the tide in that respect right now and hoping to improve on the relationship front.  Love you all and miss you!

Oh my.  This is long overdue!!!

So many wonderful things are happening around us.  Life here passes so quickly.

The kids are doing great.  School is going well.  The kids enjoy playing "catch the people" and other random games as well as scootering, skateboarding, rollerblading, etc. with San and other children around here.  We have a rooftop playground in our building on the 3rd floor.  We live on the 10th floor so I can watch the kids play from the apartment.  They enjoy playing on the playground and in the bushes down there.  It's our "yard." I bought the kids season passes to "Lotte World," the nearest amusement park.  We can't send them to the States for the summer, so I thought I would buy them the passes as a consolation gift.  They're more than satisfied. 

We have pet birds now.  Did I mention that already?  The kids have lost interest, but I like them.
The yellow bird is my buddy.  She lets me know when she wants to come out of her cage.  She likes to ride around on my shoulder.  (She's on my shoulder right now.)  I do love animals.

Barry's China trip went well.  I'm still amazed at the number of people in that nation and the spiritual hunger that exists there.  I'm excited to see what God is doing.

Barry teaches and preaches now.  I'm enjoying hearing him.  He does a great job. He still teaches English and fitness at the Tae Kwon Do facility on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well.

The weather here has been so nice.  It took a long time to warm up, but I think we're finally catching up with you all.  It's been in the 60's and 70's lately.  It rains a lot more here, but when it's clear, it's really lovely.

I'm still playing badminton regularly.  It is SO fun.  I'm so thankful.  This is the first time since my injury in 2007 that I've been able to consistently excercise.  It's a small blessing, but it is SWEET!  Thank you God that you always restore!

Work is going well.  They are increasing my work load so, we'll see how I do with that.  I'll teach more classes and stay late one day a week.  The pay is the same, though.  Doh!  I really am thankful for this job.  My co-workers are wonderful!  I've enjoyed getting to know them and sharing our stories about the children we teach.  Oh, there are so many moments I wish I could whip out a video camera.  There are some incredibly cute and funny moments with these kids.  I'm sure anyone who works with kids can relate.

Outside of school I spend time weekly with my neighbor.  She's learning English and has questions about the faith.  She recognizes her need for the Lord and the peace that can only be found in relationship with Him.  We talk and share and pray together.  She's a sweet friend.

Things with the English worship team are going great.  I'm so thankful for that group.  We're really becoming family, which is as it should be!  They all come over Saturday nights and we eat together, talk, hang out, pray, sing and share the word.  It's been good. On Thursday mornings our lead guitarist comes over and we work on arranging the songs I've written to prep for recording.  This was his idea.  That's really an answer to prayer for me because, I don't know what I'm doing!  I've prayed many times, "Lord, show me what to do with the music.  I want to be a good steward, but I don't know what else to do."  Jee Hyung has such a heart to serve and is a gifted and helpful musician.  He is incredibly talented and volunteers his time, energy and expertise freely.  He serves in 4 or 5 different bands!!!  It's really amazing to see how eager these folks are to serve and seek God. It's been very humbling for me.  I hope I can follow their example as they follow Christ.

I'm out of time, but I'll try to do better on staying in touch!!!

April Update

The Mongolia trip went great.  Thanks so much for your prayers! They've been felt. 

I'll let Barry share his thoughts about the Mongolia trip when he has time.  He has a trip for China lined up for the week May 4th.

There are so many things to tell (good things!), I don't even know where to start.  It's been so busy and the computers have been down so I haven't had a chance to update here, but I'm going to try to give it a shot here and now.

I guess I'll start with today.  At school I got to teach a song a friend and I wrote last year to two of my 7 year old classes.  We sing English songs everyday in our English classes, but the response to the worship song was very unique.  One student said, "when I sing and raise my hands (there are motions to the song) my heart feels so bright."  Another student said, "I can feel Jesus in my heart when we sing that song,"  and another student said, "my heart feels clean/pure when I sing that song."  It was fun.  That's my favorite thing in the world -- to see people encounter and experience God in an intimate and personal way.

In terms of Sam and Will, they're doing well.  Homeschool and Tae Kwon Do are going great.  Right now, their favorite thing to do is roller blade.  The weather is finally warming up so it's been great for being outdoors.  Also, I've been taking them to Ansley's kids service in Suwon every Sunday so they can have church with some native English speakers.  I now feel like I can identify (somewhat) with those folks in Africa who walk miles and miles to get to a church service.  It takes the kids and I at least 2 hours including walking, subway rides, multiple bus transfers and 1 taxi to get to the church in Suwon.  It ends up being a 6+ hour trip when it's all said and done.  There is no direct route from Suwon to Jongno.  But, the kids are worth it.  We get back to Jongno in time for the kids service at Youn Dong that Barry helps with weekly.  It's back to back practices and services at that point on for me. Sundays are so busy!

Speaking of busy, I've never been so busy in my life.  God is really stretching me and teaching me to just trust him for everything including rest, energy, inspiration, motivation, ect. I think it's against human nature to do that and it wasn't until I had no choice that I began to learn it.

I  was reading Psalm 18 yesterday and thinking of how David, who was a warrior, related to God in terms that made sense for him.  David knew the importance of a "stronghold" and "refuge."  It was the only safe place in times of war.  God was that for him.  In the same way, God is my "teacher" and my "song" leading me and taking care of me in every way and in all that he has given me to do here.

We were created to need Him for everything and contrary to popular belief, it's not a sign of weakness to need God.  It's not foolish to depend on resources that surpass your own, when the Source is Someone who never fails, never abandons, cannot lie, has all power, all knowledge, and loves unconditionally. He doesn't begrudge our neediness!  I believe He delights in it and loves our dependence upon Him.  He calls us His children!  His ways don't often make sense and often aren't easy, but they are always good.  With the wisdom of a father He leads His children in ways that are uniquely suited to bring out the best in and for each child.

I realize that in the States I had more liberty to manage my schedule according to what I thought I needed or wanted and what I thought I was comfortable with and capable of.  (Basically, I did what I felt like doing.)  Here, I have to let Him make the schedule and even when it's tough or messy I have to fall back on His sovereignty and wisdom knowing that He cares more about my life than I do!  He's made a way EVERY time.  Really.  I'm so thankful for that.  God is who He says He is.

In terms of school, I love my co-teachers and students!  It's been wonderful to get to know them all better.  Also, I've enjoyed getting to know my neighbor better and share a little about the One who can take care of our worries.  I've also enjoyed getting past the difficult beginning of forging relationships with the English worship team.  There are about 20 of them.  They are such a great group.  Despite the language difference, God is helping us to connect and really enjoy working together as a team. 

I got the 070 phone up and running thanks to Eunyoung, Chanhye and Iron Tiger.  The only issue is the huge time difference between the States and Korea.  It's exactly 13 hours.  Love and miss you!

Sleep-Overs, Birthday Cakes and Mongolia

Hi from Korea!  We're still rolling along.  I've missed friends and family so much as of late.  The language barrier is insurrmoutable at times.  I'm thankful for laughter, tears, music and prayer as they are universally understood.  I'm trusting that this will be a time for us to grow in relationship with the Lord and together as a family, but I still miss my peeps.  We're still working on the 070 phone thing.  Hopefully, that will be in place sometime soon.

On a positive note, I am forming friendships with my neighbor and my co-teachers at work.  I'm helping my neighbor learn English and I've enjoyed just sharing life with my co-workers.  I'm so thankful for that.  Chan Hye has also been such a great badminton buddy and help to me.

Barry and the kids are doing great.  They are in a great rhythm with homeschool.  Take away your home culture and closest friends and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.  (he he.)  Actually, there's a lot of truth to that statement.  I'm  not advising that you hop the next plane to a foreign country, but I have noticed that our productivity levels have sky-rocketed.  I've written more songs in the last 2 weeks than I have in 5 years back in the States.  Barry has summarized and typed up several great books for his discipleship groups, etc.  So, the productivity is up, but the heart loss of friendships and familiarity is still felt and can be very heavy at times (for me anyway.)  I'm such a connection-junky.  I love my people and it hurts not to see them on a regular basis, but there's always a silver lining and I'm excited to have the opportunity to check it out.

San slept over last night.  The kids are all playing Wii as I type.  They've had a great time together.  While they were playing I made Barry a birthday cake.  Guess how much it cost to buy the ingredients?
      ...Nope, higher.        Nope, guess again....      Okay, it cost $70 dollars to make him this cake.  That's a far cry from $2 cake mix in the States!  It is however, an icecream cake with 3 types of ice cream, 4 snicker bars, brownies and crumbled up chocolate cake (cost $20 to make the chocolate cake) that Barry made for a kids church video and some other random and miscellaneous ingredients.  So, anyway, I thought y'all might get a kick out of hearing the price total for the cake.  (He better like it.)  ;)

In terms of ministry travels, Barry leaves for Mongolia April 4th for one week.  He and Kidoong will meet with various ministers to plan outreach for summer and fall.  Chan Hye has been such a help with the kids.  I'm sure that between the two of us we'll have have the bases covered.

Thanks for sending emails and reminding us that we're still in your hearts.  You all are still very much in ours!  Love and miss you!

More About Life in Korea

Michael Millier, a seasoned missionary, asked a great question, that sparked some thoughts about our adjustment.  Life here is so very different from life back home in the States.

For example, we use public transportation daily.  Elevators, escalators, buses, subways and taxis are all a part of everyday life here.  My GPS on my iPhone has been invaluable for getting to grocery stores and other places.  I just follow the blue dot on the screen.  At times it has taken me past bus stops, underground to subways and then back above ground all to discover that I needed to return to the bus stop I originally came to 20 minutes earlier!  There's a steep learning curve and being able to laugh at yourself, ask questions and make mistakes is mandatory.

Because of the language being so, so different from English, we can't even pay our bills without help.  For example, our cell phone bills just came in the mail and I have NO IDEA how or where to pay them.  All of that to say, we are completely dependent on others for help.  For all practical purposes, we're illiterate in this culture.  I can read Korean, but my vocabulary is so small that it really doesn't do much good when I'm trying to decipher a complicated bill.  I have a hard enough time with the cell phone bills in the U.S.!

So, our Korean friends have been invaluable in helping to get our bank accounts up and running and helping us establishing automatic bill pay for our gas, electricity, water, apartment rent, etc.  There's no way we could do this on our own.  We're so thankful for our relationships here and the time they are willing to invest to help us get our feet under us.

Even after over 2 months of life here, there are still things that need to be set up and taken care of, but we can't do it ourselves.  This has been a stretching time for all of us in terms of having to lay aside our independent tendencies.

Another example, of learning how to depend on others and the Lord:  Last week I was very sick with fever and coughing that kept me from sleeping, congestion, etc.  I still had to work all week and I had ministry responsibilites on the weekend (band practice, childrens service, English service).  Our Heavenly Father is undoubtedly our healer and I have personally experienced miraculous healing on several occasions.  So, when I asked the Lord, "How am I going to sing? How am I going to lead band practice, etc.?  Lord, help."  He gave me 2 Corinthians 12:9.  His power is made perfect in our weakness.  "Okay, Lord," I thought.  When I asked Barry, what he thougth I should do he just reminded me that we're the Body of Christ.  "Let the Body be the Body."  "Okay...  What's that going to look like?" I wondered.

So, I showed up at band practice at 8pm Saturday, hacking violently and barely able to speak, but God was with us.  I didn't have any idea how things would turn out.  What did happen was wonderful.  The Body was the Body.  I couldn't sing, so I told the Korean praise team vocalists they would lead.  I did the best I could to teach them the melody to the new song and then they went into the next room to practice on their own while the band and I practiced the music.

Because I was sick and vulnerable a deeper level of friendship opened up between myself and the team.  They stepped up in leading and they opened up even more in our conversation together.  We were operating as the Body, like we're supposed to!  The Lord was reminding me that His yoke is easy ALWAYS, when we're on top of our game and when we're not.  Sometimes, when I feel strong I think I take too much responsibility onto my own shoulders.  That's not God's way.  It was nice to be reminded that no matter how weak I am, I can walk in His will.  The help we need is always there.

Sunday night before the English Service I felt even worse.  I still had the jarring cough and sneezes, but I had a migraine on top of if, so everytime I coughed my head felt like it might explode.  Again, I asked the Lord, "What are you going to do about this?"  He gave me 2 Corinthians 12:9, again.  I had to keep throwng off discouragment before the service began because I couldn't even think clearly to lead the band.  I couldn't seem to find the words to bark out "chorus," "bridge," etc.  But, I knew the Lord had something special in mind because my physical condition was rediculous.  He clearly wasn't worried. 

Long story short, the Holy Spirit showed up in our service in a powerful way.  I didn't minister through singing, but speaking.  The Lord gave words of knowledge and visited us in such an amazing way.  At the end of service He was commissioning people in a very personal way.  They were down front weeping before the Lord and having very intimate and personal encounters with Him.  It was incredible.  I was stunned at the way He was working in our midst.  The Holy Spirit was having His way.  I felt such a joy in my spirit.  I can't explain it, but it was almost as if in that moment He solidified His call in the hearts of those who came down front and that because of that call there were others who were going to come into the Kingdom.  I really felt His joy about those lost children who were going to hear His message and be reconciled to Him.

All of that to say, it was a stretching time for me to learn that I don't have to be afraid of weakness and responsibility.  The two do not conflict.  I can't really put it all into words, but it was good.  I'm learning.  Trusting God is never easy, but when you don't have any choice, but to trust, it's just a little bit easier. 

So anyway, that's my take on some of the learning and adjusting that we're going through here in Korea.  As far as today is concerned, it's Saturday and we've got the morning off, which is so nice.  Today is "Parents Day" at Tae Kwon Do, so Barry will help out this afternoon with that.  The kids and I will go and the kids will be promoted to the next belt.  Barry will teach at a small group in the evening at the church and I'll have band practice.  That's all for now.

Hi from Korea

Hi!  I'm writing an update just because I can.  I'm at school and have things wrapped up for the week and still have 20 minutes left in the day, so I thought I'd do a little blogging.

First of all, thanks for your concern, but we were completely uneffected by the earth quake.  Wait, I take that back, South Korea did move 2 cm.  We're praying along with the rest of you all for Japan.  What a horrific tragedy.  I'm so glad this world is not our home.  Jesus, did say, "in this world you will have troubles."  Real life will begin for us when we shed these "earth suits" and enter into life as God intended.  I'm so thankful that Jesus died to reconcile us to God so that we can know what life was meant to be. 

Everyday life here?  Well, things here in Korea are going well.  I'm settled in at school, which is nice.  I feel a little like Mr. Rogers with the routine I have.  I kind of like it.  Every morning I wake up and check email, drink coffee, eat breakfast and then hop on the bus to go play badminton with Chan Hye and Jung Hyun.  I ride the bus home, take a shower, have devotions with the family, have some time alone to talk to the Lord, then I put on work clothes, and hop on the subway.  I arrive at work 40 minutes later and take off my street shoes, put them on the shelf and I grab and put on my indoor "slippers."  I go to the English Teachers' office and put my coat in my drawer, turn on my computer, put water in my water bottle, do a tiny bit of planning for the day, eat lunch and then go teach 3 back to back classes.  After that I regroup, tutor a highschooler, give a guitar lesson and then organize and plan for the remaining 30 minutes or so and then Chan Hye comes by to pick me up and give me a ride home.  She drops me off on the curb at Jewelry City and I whip out my security card and run to the door.  I scan my card and the door opens, I hit the elevator button, check the mail and go up to the 10th floor to see the family.  They're usually done with school and I find them chilling playing Wii or legos.

I haven't had this much routine in my life since I was a kid!  It's probably good for me.  I get side-tracked so easily.

Barry and the kiddos are doing good.  Barry is an excellent Korean stay at home dad.  He teaches homeschool, does laundry and dishes and vacuums on occasion.  I'm SOOO thankful for all he does!  He and I both work weekends at the church, but he teaches multiple classes on Sunday whereas I only help with the English Service.  He's really enjoying teaching and discipling students.  He's a very good teacher and I'm glad that he gets to use that in homeschool and on the weekends with kids, highschoolers and young adults at the church.  It's a great fit for him and it's good to see him doing what he's made to do.  He also teaches English "fitness" to kids on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at a local Tae Kwon Do facility.

The kids want to come home, as in Georgia, for a month in the summer.  Barry and I can't go, though, because of work.  So, we'll see how that all pans out.  There's a lot of planning and logistical stuff to hash out before that plan can materialize.  Anyway, we'll keep you posted!

My desk at school:

Lunar New Year

We've been told that the Korean celebration of the Lunar New Year is similar to our Thanksgiving.  Visits with family and eating large traditional meals are a part of the celebration.

Monday night the children were given traditional Korean outfits.  I was thrilled about this because the kids were invited to take part in my school's traditional celebration where all the children would wear them.  I was excited that Sam and Will would be able to join in.  At the school they participated in learning traditional games and customs as well as eating a traditional meal.

Wednesday we enjoyed an overnight trip to Cheonon for our holiday time off.  We went with Chan Hye, San and Eunyoung to SpaVis where we spent time sledding and then swimming.  Here are a couple of pictures from our time there.  You'll see the kids bungee jumping in the photos above.  They had so much fun!  Sam said, "Mom, I think I was born to do this!!!"  Oh boy.  :)

I didn't take any pictures inside the water park and sadly I didn't have my camera for the celebration at my school.  The kids were so cute in their outfits.

I especially liked seeing the reactions of the elderly folks in the subway to the children.  Sam and Will were dressed in Korean garb and the elderly folks just loved it.  It was sweet to see their reactions.

In Cheonan we went out to dinner with Kidoong's dad at Mr.Pizza and then we spent the night in Brandy and Brandon's old apartment.  It was neat to see some of the things they left behind, princess cups and such and think about what life was like for them while they were here.

Today is Saturday and we're enjoying down time, cleaning and unpacking before the new week begins.  We're enjoying a bit of a break from the cold.  It's above freezing for a few days!  Love you all and hope you're enjoying a great weekend back home.

On the Homefront

Hey!  We're slowly getting settled. I've had my first trips to E-Mart and Costco, my first cold, my first bout of homesickness and my first solo subway trip (I had to ask for lots of help).  We're getting there... We have a mini super market and a restaurant in the building, which is AWESOME. I took the elevator down to B2 and bought milk for our cereal this morning.  That's not something I could ever do in the States.

I still need to register with immigration and get legal so I can get our phones, bank account, etc.  The hospital physical went fine.  They were all so kind and helpful (and thorough).  I had 3 of our English worship team members with me.  One of the guys was a little too helpful.  He accidentally tried to follow me into the bathroom for my urine sample collection. Ha!  It was an honest mistake. He carried my coat around for me and they followed me (almost) everywhere I went.  It was very reassuring, and a little comical.

My first day of official work is tomorrow.  I'll be teaching English at S&P Academy aka "Heaven and Earth School" and working primarily with 1st graders from 1pm to 6pm.  Our tentative weekly schedule will have me working M-F, 1-6pm with a 30 minute commute by subway in both directions. Barry and I will co-teach the kids for home school.  I'm planning to use my Korean language text from UGA to give the whole family Korean lessons and Barry will teach the rest of the subjects to the kids while I'm at school.

Barry will teach physical fitness/Tae Kwon Do on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at a local Tae Kwon Do Academy with a guy from YounDong Church.  He will lead a small group Saturday afternoons and then help with kids and young adults English services on Sunday and then we'll co-lead the English adult worship service on Sunday nights.  (I'll lead worship and we'll tag team teach.) So, that's life as we know it right now.

I got to see Ansley Burns yesterday.  That was refreshing.  It was a welcome reprieve from all the "new."  We'll keep y'all posted.  Love and miss you.   ~Kathryn