thankful.

Alright, so first off, originally the the previous post and this post were one. But it got too long! So this is the second half! So, I need to apologize for the lack of updates. I have really been slacking...I think its a sign that things are starting to normalize. And feel less bizarre and foreign...and somehow less worth writing about. I know that’s not true...even the most ordinary things are worth writing about. Life, no matter how "ordinary" is a gift from our maker. I’ve been reminded recently that even the most ordinary experiences are meant to be spiritual, and therefore beautiful. Because so much of how we experience life has to do with our perspective…with how we approach each situation, each conversation, each moment. Each moment is an opportunity to know God deeper. To love him more fully. To learn. To grow. To love others. To bring healing. And ultimately to be Christ in a very dark and broken world. Gosh, how amazing. And also, what a calling. It reminds me of the verse in Ephesians (4:1) that says “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Wow. I’ve read that so many times, but lately I have been just amazed at how great and how difficult our calling is. As a person who knows Jesus and claims to be his follower, I am called to be his presence here in earth. To do what he would do. Say what he would say. I feel so inadequate. But thankfully, that’s ok. I’ve been reading Francis Chan’s book Forgotten God about the Holy Spirit, and he talks about how incredible it is that God gave us the gift of his Spirit. So that we could have God’s presence among us always, even after he left this earth. And his Spirit wants to empower us to do the impossible. To overcome our fear. To overcome our sin. To overcome whatever comes into our path. So, although I’m in Korea, I’m finding that the things that have brought me the MOST joy are not things that I could only experience in Korea. Rather, they are moments where I get glimpses of God and glimpses of the vision that God has for me. But, being here has challenges me and brought about a lot of growth. I think being here on my own has really given God space to work. I’ve been hungering for him more and spending more time in prayer than I have in a long time. I’m really grateful.

So now, for the Korea update. I've been here almost two months now. Does that sound as crazy to you as it does to me? Two months is barely enough time to fully get used to a completely new way of life. Or to understand a completely foreign and complex culture. Or to adjust to the absence of wonderful people in my life. Or to build deep, meaningful, pee-in-front-of-each- other, vulnerable kinds of friends. Kindreds. But, to build those kinds of roots takes time and hard work. And even with time, rich relationships like that don't just come along everyday. And I'm not expecting to feel that rooted here...probably even in a year. Although its not impossible.

But, I feel that now, I have some roots. They don't go super deep and they are pretty fragile...but they are there. I have begun to understand snippets of Korean culture. I have gotten to know people, and hear bits and pieces of their stories. I've laughed with my coworkers. I’ve gotten to know my students. I’ve seen some beautiful places. I’ve gotten used to some of the things that used to seem so strange (like live eels squirming around in little tubs of water at the outdoor markets). The guy who sells fruits and veggies near my apartment now recognizes me, and shouts a korean greeting to me when I walk by. I am no longer a complete stranger here. I have started to feel more "at home" here and am excited to continue to be rooted in this place. I am really loving my new home.