The Daily Grind

For several days I've been thinking of what exciting things I could share on this blog about the amazing time we are having and the cool things we are experiencing around the world... I still haven't come up with anything. That doesn't mean that we aren't having an amazing time or doing cool things at times - but that is not what truly makes up the day-to-day experiences we have. We are still living every day life in this place... that happens has different customs, smells, modes of transportation, and language from where we grew up. There are still papers to grade, lessons to plan, temperatures to take, dinner to make, floors to clean, dishes to wash... all part of living and working wherever we are in the world. How easy it is to watch time and life pass by when we are caught up in the mundane of these every day activities. Perhaps this is why getting out and doing something unusual (like going to Seoul Forrest) holds such appeal.... but what blessing comes from finding something extraordinary about doing the ordinary and noticing the small miracles in our every day life. This has been emphasized for me - as I am teaching about the make up of the human body... and can't help but step back in awe and wonder at how fearfully and wonderfully we were made!
Augustine says it well in this quote: "People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering."
Teaching anatomy has helped to remind me that I am so thankful for things that happen every day in and around me... like the involuntary contractions of my heart muscle that keeps me alive beat after beat... something so completely out of my control that I am so very dependent upon.

It is so easy to get pinched down in life - that we forget to step back and look at the stars, and remember who God is and what He has done for us. But seeing the smile of a child after I bandage up his cut finger, talking with a student about his or her life beyond their grades, noticing the sun shining in the clear sky, finding joy in familiar sites from home... these are gentle reminders found in the small things in life... in the moments we are given - that prompts us to remember what we are living for - and brings us before the Lord with a thankful heart for giving us the opportunity to live and breath and serve and share and receive in this life.

So, while I don't have an amazing story or an exciting adventure to share, I glad to share with you that "life goes on" in Seoul Korea... it is in the everyday moments of this life that Jarrod and I are able to attest to the Truth in Colossians that says, "all over the world this Gospel is bearing fruit and growing"... to the glory and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ! We ask for your prayers that we would be able to make the most of every opportunity to share the Love of Jesus - not allowing it to pass by as we copy papers or "push" our way onto the bus Korean style. Know that we are praying for you too, our family and friends back home - that in whatever you do - in word or deed - you "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Seoul Soup?

This past weekend, a friend from YISS, Aimee, took me to "Seoul Soup" (that is what she told the taxi driver.. which I found out was really "Seoul Forrest" :) Who knew there was SO MUCH nature in the middle of the city?.. well I am not exactly sure where we were in the city, but you could still see skyline of city all around...I had a refreshing and wonderful time wandering through nature and breathing fresh air... we came to this crazy field of sunflowers all pointing the same direction - it was fun and a little scary to walk through.. there were LOTS of bees!We also had the opportunity to see some very domesticated wildlife, pretty flowers and an insect museum.. I could have done without the bugs.. but it was all such a great reminder of the beauty of this world we live in!
I am so thankful for this fun trip - to explore another part of the city. It reminds me of HOW MUCH there still is to experience, see, and do here in Seoul. We are really enjoying the experiences we are having with our time at YISS, but are also so very thankful for times that we are able to "get out" and see more of this incredible place we are living in.

Student Response

Here is the response from my students in Anatomy class after watching Louie Giglio's "How Great is Our God" this past Tuesday!

"God is everywhere. All you have to do is look."

"The picture of laminin was very cool. I didn't expect it to be shaped like a cross at all, but once I saw it, I sort of had a feeling that maybe it is really God that made us and this was when my knowledge of the existence of god slightly changed."

"I think this video was really worth watching and really changed my mind. I think this video should be watched by more people, even people like me who isn't Christian should, and it still makes you feel very important, so I really recommend it."

"I've heard lots of talks relating to God although I'm not Christian, but I thought that this video was definitely one of the most inspiring and interesting talks on God that I've ever heard."

"Hearing about Laminin was incredible, it has started to make me think that maybe God really did create us. It was then that my mind started to change about God."

"I finally understand what it means to need and to yearn for God. I finally understand that without God, I am completely nothing, and I have no life. God is great. God is sovereign. There simply is no way to thoroughly describe God with words. There is no way that man an live up to God's standard or to give back to God all that He has given us. All we can do on our part is to praise God and glorify Him with our lives."

"For is it by You that all things were created, and it is through You that all things hold together."

Senior Class Retreat

This past weekend (Sunday - Tuesday) I returned to Camp Mount-O-Pines along with 4 other female staff, 3 other male staff, and 50 high school seniors.
In Anatomy class, I teach mainly Juniors, so I appreciated this opportunity all the more. It was a fun time to get to know the Seniors outside of the school setting, experience a little bit of nature with them (these city kids... you would be surprised at how some of the boys screamed at a moth "attack"), and take a break from the school routine.

The first night there, it became quite apparent why a nurse was needed on this trip - as the students ran full force through the woods, rocks and gravel to play many intense games of capture the flag after dark. There was a line for how many scrapes I had to clean and bandage up, but no worries - only one guy had to leave with cracked ribs! Fun abounded - with camp fires, Chubby Bunny, S'mores, a plethora of snacks, volleyball "killer", and more. These kids did not want to take the opportunity to catch up on much needed sleep (and the staff members were all feeling it! :)
On Saturday, the students set out to hike to the top of the mountain -which is actually pretty steep in some parts- and gives an incredible view from the top. Unfortunately, I had to stay behind with 2 students (yes, the one with cracked ribs - and another that was sick and going home that afternoon as well)... but was glad to give the camera to another staff member and get some incredible pictures. I am definitely inspired to make that hike next year! :)

In addition to relaxing and having fun with the students - this time was set aside to talk with them about the future and the steps they will be taking this year that will affect so much of the rest of their life. We had small group sessions and devotionals where we were real and honest and blunt with the seniors - and it was a special time to interact with a smaller group on a deep level. I am privileged to have shared the stories of these incredible kids, that have traveled and seen and faced so much of this world - some living without their families, some living with families that are not involved in their lives, some with extreme pressure to do well and go to a good university, some who do not feel like they are good at anything... all desiring to know and be known. What a privilege to point them towards the Lord. Coming back to school - I was exhausted (I can count the amount of sleep I got the entire retreat on my hands)... but so glad that I went. Now, as I pass the Seniors in the hallway, I know so many of their names and smile at the shared memories we have.

As I left the retreat, my prayer for this class as I look toward this special year of life is from Romans 15:5-7, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."