The definition of revelation, from Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary:
1 a : an act of revealing or communicating divine truth b : something that is revealed by God to humans 2 a : an act of revealing to view or making known b : something that is revealed; especially : an enlightening or astonishing disclosure c : a pleasant often enlightening surprise
Since Wednesday I have come to a few different revelations and I thought I would share them.
1. HOPE. Now how is this a revelation you may ask? Well, I was sharing with someone and stated how I longed to have my life show Christ without me every having to say a word. When I first moved to Denver and was taking the bus every where. I got coffee by the bus stop and the same lady was always working. One day she asked me if I believed in God, and when I said yes, she said she knew it because there was just something about me that she saw in my eyes. Three times recently I have been told that maybe I am 'HOPE' and why I am here. Two of those times the person said it is what they felt and saw in me the first time we met. I was given a bracelet that I wear almost everyday; it has a black leather strap, connected to a metal plate that reads 'HOPE'. Hanging on my wall here, I have a painting of a Korean word, 'HOPE'.
2. I was the first person both of the new teachers whom have come to CCS after the start of the school year met. They had me to show them around once they first arrived.
3. Simplicity. I thought I had nothing material in Denver (though very rich in other ways). I really have NOTHING here, only the bare necessities to get by. Besides people, I think I miss the little touches, like books and pictures (the things that tell a lot about a person- right DD?).
4. I have realized that my Love Language (which is bilingual) is QUALITY TIME AND PHYSICAL TOUCH. The reason I am feeling so disconnected and empty at times, is that I am not giving or receiving either of them from the people whom mean the most to me.
5. At recess the kids, especially the 2nd Graders, always play chase/tag. I find it interesting that it is always 'GIRLS CHASE Boys'. Don't get me wrong they will say 'Boys chase Girls', but this only last for a blink of an eye before a boy is yelling "Girls chase Boys" again. I can not believe that this starts way back in elementary school and actually isn't it still the chase as adults?
6. Today, Monday, October 30, 2006, Our Daily Bread said Communications experts tell us that the average person speaks enough to fill 20 single-spaced, type-written pages every day. This means our mouths crank out enough words to fill 2 books of 300 pages each month, 24 books each year, and..... Wow, that is the average person. Can you imagine how many books that means for me? ODB used Psalm 126 and went on to say how important the kinds of words we use are.
As you recall God's blessings today,
Express your words of praise to Him. - Anne Cetas
When my thoughts and the Word
Are in one accord,
Then the words of my mouth
Honor Christ my Lord. -Hess
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
PRAISE JESUS
Wow, today has been so up lifting. God has been speaking so clearly through scripture this past week, that it was amazing how loud He spoke today.
At Sunday School He continued to speak through the scriptures we were reading pertaining to the lesson. Yet, they were speaking and confirming what has been on my heart.
Then church began. The service opened with a power point of many different verses being used and it so was speaking to me. And then the Pastor got up and said 'God is speaking through many different means. God is speaking to His people. Are you listening?'
I felt as though that question was being spoken to me directly by God Himself. It took all that I had from not jumping up and yelling out 'Praise Jesus,I am listening and I hear you' right at that moment. My heart was beating so fast and it felt as though it was about ready to come right up my throat and pop out. Pastor kept asking for hands to share and each time he went by me. I knew God wanted me to share and I was not going to fight Him on it. I was just trying really hard not to just jump up, I felt like a child who could not sit still. Well finally Pastor was getting ready to move on and he still went by my hand. So I raised it higher and then decided to raise the other one too. Though he had begun to move on, he noticed and said "Kimie is there something you want to share", and well I sprang to my feet shouting Praises to my Savior. It was the FIRST time since I have been here in Korea that I felt like me. I know you all who know me would have smiled, but I think it would have brought tears to your eyes knowing how heavy my heart has been.
After I shared Pastor said that he had really prayed over the scriptures and had a few different options he could have used, but keep being pulled to the ones he decided on. He said he prayed that it would just speak to one. And it sure did. That set of verses from the Word was meant just for me that morning. God is good and I praise Him just for His love for me.
So today was not only freeing for me it was a day where I truly met the Risen Christ in every moment He placed before me.
At Sunday School He continued to speak through the scriptures we were reading pertaining to the lesson. Yet, they were speaking and confirming what has been on my heart.
Then church began. The service opened with a power point of many different verses being used and it so was speaking to me. And then the Pastor got up and said 'God is speaking through many different means. God is speaking to His people. Are you listening?'
I felt as though that question was being spoken to me directly by God Himself. It took all that I had from not jumping up and yelling out 'Praise Jesus,I am listening and I hear you' right at that moment. My heart was beating so fast and it felt as though it was about ready to come right up my throat and pop out. Pastor kept asking for hands to share and each time he went by me. I knew God wanted me to share and I was not going to fight Him on it. I was just trying really hard not to just jump up, I felt like a child who could not sit still. Well finally Pastor was getting ready to move on and he still went by my hand. So I raised it higher and then decided to raise the other one too. Though he had begun to move on, he noticed and said "Kimie is there something you want to share", and well I sprang to my feet shouting Praises to my Savior. It was the FIRST time since I have been here in Korea that I felt like me. I know you all who know me would have smiled, but I think it would have brought tears to your eyes knowing how heavy my heart has been.
After I shared Pastor said that he had really prayed over the scriptures and had a few different options he could have used, but keep being pulled to the ones he decided on. He said he prayed that it would just speak to one. And it sure did. That set of verses from the Word was meant just for me that morning. God is good and I praise Him just for His love for me.
So today was not only freeing for me it was a day where I truly met the Risen Christ in every moment He placed before me.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
A Nice Fall Day
Ok, it was nice to finally have an opportunity to rest. Not sleep rest, but rest. I am sitting here waiting for the new English teacher to arrive. She will be staying with me for a couple of days until her place is ready. She was actually suppose to be my roommate, but asked to live by herself. Guess that means I am on my own this year.
I spent my day cleaning, going for a walk, and just spending time with Jesus. It has been great.
On my 2 hour walk I got an opportunity to look at the surroundings in which I live with different eyes. God has been opening my spiritual eyes the past couple of weeks, and I haven't noticed my physical surroundings as much.
I love the fall and the changing of the leaves' color. Though this was not as beautiful as home it was still fun to notice that it was fall today. I even got to watch a little football on my blurry American TV station today.
There was a lot of pollution in the air today. Plus, there were many odors in the air, as well. It was kind of weird. It was either really pleasant smells or really unpleasant ones. None the less very strong. The worse smell was the one coming from the front of my place. It was a bag full of fish heads, Yuck!!!!
Well the door bell is ringing so I must go make our newest member of the team feel welcome. I still remember what I felt the night I first arrived and how overwhelmed I was.
I spent my day cleaning, going for a walk, and just spending time with Jesus. It has been great.
On my 2 hour walk I got an opportunity to look at the surroundings in which I live with different eyes. God has been opening my spiritual eyes the past couple of weeks, and I haven't noticed my physical surroundings as much.
I love the fall and the changing of the leaves' color. Though this was not as beautiful as home it was still fun to notice that it was fall today. I even got to watch a little football on my blurry American TV station today.
There was a lot of pollution in the air today. Plus, there were many odors in the air, as well. It was kind of weird. It was either really pleasant smells or really unpleasant ones. None the less very strong. The worse smell was the one coming from the front of my place. It was a bag full of fish heads, Yuck!!!!
Well the door bell is ringing so I must go make our newest member of the team feel welcome. I still remember what I felt the night I first arrived and how overwhelmed I was.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Where is Jesus?
Wow, this morning I really saw His Light shine. I started the day taking my class up to the roof where we yelled out all of our memory verses. We then had our devotion. We are reading from Mark, to be exact it was Mark 9:14-32. We then spent some time in prayer by ourselves, and then prayed together. I must add that the sun was out strong and clear at this point of the day. That is because the SONLIGHT, was sure shining on and from us this morning.
I felt like I could take on anything. However, within an hour the enemy had robbed, not me but my 4 precious 4th Graders of their joy and light. Which then was taken from me. It was such a battle to get any bit of hope back for them and myself the rest of the day. We also had distraction after distraction. Praise God though, it was only by His Grace that we accomplished anything. We stopped a number of times to pray, and say 'get behind me'. My class is pretty darn aware of things themselves and just another confirmation of what is in my heart.
And to top things off, I saw discouragement from others and even got to see evidence of how strong the enemy is attacking. I want to add that I am not the only one, but there are a handful of us who are feeling the exact same way.
Before I left school I got a chance to talk to another teacher, they were feeling downhearted as well. In our conversation I responded to something they said with the fact that sometimes God had to destroy something in order to build it up for His glory. They asked if I was afraid. My response was 'No, do you remember what happened to Rahab? I know who I belong to and who I am in Him. If the walls come down I know the foundation around me will be standing just like Rahab's.
I ended tonight with Hope. Because I laughed with another and asked 'is that all you got?'
I felt like I could take on anything. However, within an hour the enemy had robbed, not me but my 4 precious 4th Graders of their joy and light. Which then was taken from me. It was such a battle to get any bit of hope back for them and myself the rest of the day. We also had distraction after distraction. Praise God though, it was only by His Grace that we accomplished anything. We stopped a number of times to pray, and say 'get behind me'. My class is pretty darn aware of things themselves and just another confirmation of what is in my heart.
And to top things off, I saw discouragement from others and even got to see evidence of how strong the enemy is attacking. I want to add that I am not the only one, but there are a handful of us who are feeling the exact same way.
Before I left school I got a chance to talk to another teacher, they were feeling downhearted as well. In our conversation I responded to something they said with the fact that sometimes God had to destroy something in order to build it up for His glory. They asked if I was afraid. My response was 'No, do you remember what happened to Rahab? I know who I belong to and who I am in Him. If the walls come down I know the foundation around me will be standing just like Rahab's.
I ended tonight with Hope. Because I laughed with another and asked 'is that all you got?'
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Scripture
There is soooo much Power in the Word!! God has taken me to scripture and spoken so loudly it is hard not to hear. It is hard not to be comforted. It is so clear that He is speaking thru scripture with the same things that are on my heart. The Lord has also given opportunity to have others share scripture and have it be exactly what I needed to hear.
For instance, Monday night darkness was around and though I can not be sure if it was just a dream or something more, it sure felt real. And then I woke up (that is if you can call what I did when I attempt to put my head to my pillow sleep) on Tuesday morning to find that all I had was lights and cold running water. No outlets worked, no hot water or heat worked, and my gas did not work. I tried very hard to fight my feelings, but since I did not sleep I was very tired and truthfully every part of me was worn out. The day only got worse, it was so hard to see Jesus anywhere. To top things off we had a 'staff meeting' which was almost a joke to say the least. However, I attempted to see one individual try and bring the presence of Christ in the room a few times. But each time that Light started to be shown it was snuffed out just as fast. To be honest it took all my strength just to stay in that room. I have never wanted to run so fast away from some place before. I felt discouraged, disillusioned, disappointed, heart broken, and was left with no strength.
I spent some time talking and praying with Wilson. I was tired and felt attacked all day. I had no strength left and am questioning where Jesus is? Sure I get glimpses of Him, but then they are snatched away. It is disheartening. When I finally got to my house the power was suppose to be fixed, but it was still not on. I called Mr. Song and well by the end of our conversation I was in tears and said that I wanted to go home. He said he would try and call someone. Less then 5 minutes after getting off the phone there was this beep and everything was working. Mr. Song NEVER got a hold of anybody. At this point I wanted to laugh.
That night someone special came online and I asked for pray. They said no problem and asked me to read 2 Chronicles 16:9a. The power of scripture, it spoke directly to my heart and exactly what I needed to hear. I also flipped the page to the one before and read this line in 2 Chronicles 15:2 'The Lord is with you when you are with him'. I also have to add that I put on a CD by 4 Him called Hymns. The one that stuck out in my mind and in my heart was "It is Well". I felt a peace and out of exhaustion went to sleep. As I woke up in the night I got online and had an email from a friend, who felt prompted to share a song that was coming to her that she thought would help. Yep, you guessed it, the same song God had already put on my heart to give me peace.
When I woke up this morning I felt charged. I felt God stirring my heart. I went to my Bible and the same page was open to where I had left it. I decided to read further into 2 Chronicles 15 and to my surprise it spoke exactly what I had been feeling about things here. I had read verses 2-7.
Though I was a little fearful to share at devotions after seeing the Light put out the day before I felt God stirring my heart to. He had to move in my heart like He always has when I know without a doubt it is Him. He did and I stated at devotions that my heart ached because I wanted to know where Jesus was at this place? That our building on the outside wore that label that we were a Christian school, but I didn't feel any Light on the inside so how could we shine it out. I won't share the response I got, because it would break you hearts as well.
I knew God was the one stirring my heart and looking back now I realize that the day before was an attempt by the enemy to stop me from hearing God and speaking out. Praise God, that He is bigger than anything in this world. And Praise God for His word and the people He puts into are lives in order to bless us.
I finished tonight by sharing online with another friend, who went and read this scripture I have written about and then she started sharing ones she found and told me to read. Like Psalm 86 and 71, and then I also read Psalm 97:10-12.
I could go on about the other scripture and devotions that God has been bringing in front of me, they all have the same theme and things in them. Scripture and God are powerful. And if we feel prompted to do something in our hearts I wish we would act on it and not run from it out of fear. Promise me if God puts something or someone on your heart, act on that prompting do not ignore it. Allow His Light to shine.
For instance, Monday night darkness was around and though I can not be sure if it was just a dream or something more, it sure felt real. And then I woke up (that is if you can call what I did when I attempt to put my head to my pillow sleep) on Tuesday morning to find that all I had was lights and cold running water. No outlets worked, no hot water or heat worked, and my gas did not work. I tried very hard to fight my feelings, but since I did not sleep I was very tired and truthfully every part of me was worn out. The day only got worse, it was so hard to see Jesus anywhere. To top things off we had a 'staff meeting' which was almost a joke to say the least. However, I attempted to see one individual try and bring the presence of Christ in the room a few times. But each time that Light started to be shown it was snuffed out just as fast. To be honest it took all my strength just to stay in that room. I have never wanted to run so fast away from some place before. I felt discouraged, disillusioned, disappointed, heart broken, and was left with no strength.
I spent some time talking and praying with Wilson. I was tired and felt attacked all day. I had no strength left and am questioning where Jesus is? Sure I get glimpses of Him, but then they are snatched away. It is disheartening. When I finally got to my house the power was suppose to be fixed, but it was still not on. I called Mr. Song and well by the end of our conversation I was in tears and said that I wanted to go home. He said he would try and call someone. Less then 5 minutes after getting off the phone there was this beep and everything was working. Mr. Song NEVER got a hold of anybody. At this point I wanted to laugh.
That night someone special came online and I asked for pray. They said no problem and asked me to read 2 Chronicles 16:9a. The power of scripture, it spoke directly to my heart and exactly what I needed to hear. I also flipped the page to the one before and read this line in 2 Chronicles 15:2 'The Lord is with you when you are with him'. I also have to add that I put on a CD by 4 Him called Hymns. The one that stuck out in my mind and in my heart was "It is Well". I felt a peace and out of exhaustion went to sleep. As I woke up in the night I got online and had an email from a friend, who felt prompted to share a song that was coming to her that she thought would help. Yep, you guessed it, the same song God had already put on my heart to give me peace.
When I woke up this morning I felt charged. I felt God stirring my heart. I went to my Bible and the same page was open to where I had left it. I decided to read further into 2 Chronicles 15 and to my surprise it spoke exactly what I had been feeling about things here. I had read verses 2-7.
Though I was a little fearful to share at devotions after seeing the Light put out the day before I felt God stirring my heart to. He had to move in my heart like He always has when I know without a doubt it is Him. He did and I stated at devotions that my heart ached because I wanted to know where Jesus was at this place? That our building on the outside wore that label that we were a Christian school, but I didn't feel any Light on the inside so how could we shine it out. I won't share the response I got, because it would break you hearts as well.
I knew God was the one stirring my heart and looking back now I realize that the day before was an attempt by the enemy to stop me from hearing God and speaking out. Praise God, that He is bigger than anything in this world. And Praise God for His word and the people He puts into are lives in order to bless us.
I finished tonight by sharing online with another friend, who went and read this scripture I have written about and then she started sharing ones she found and told me to read. Like Psalm 86 and 71, and then I also read Psalm 97:10-12.
I could go on about the other scripture and devotions that God has been bringing in front of me, they all have the same theme and things in them. Scripture and God are powerful. And if we feel prompted to do something in our hearts I wish we would act on it and not run from it out of fear. Promise me if God puts something or someone on your heart, act on that prompting do not ignore it. Allow His Light to shine.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Soooo Much....
There is just soooo much happening on a daily basis I can not write it all down. I can't even process what is going on myself it is just soooo much. Yes, I know that is hard to think about, me at a loss of words. Know that I am though. I can't even begin to make anyone understand what is going on here.
For instances, how could Jesus so show Himself to the staff here on Wednesday and then be rejected. So I turned around on Thursday and felt numb and could not find Him at all. Well that was until me and Wilson spent time discussing the day and just sharing how we both felt. And God opened our eyes to see the moments of the day when He had NOT forsaken us, though He did forsake the building that day. I then chose to find a way to bring the Risen Christ into my day on Friday. I know He exists in my heart and I will find Him in my day, as well as try with all my heart to bring Him to others.
Funny that I write that...this past week I finally finished "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus and started reading "Living the Resurrection" The Risen Christ in Everyday Life by Eugene Peterson. Again, God's perfect timing.
I did get to see and experience God on Saturday at an all day elementary soccer tournament in Taejon. The staff that went have a heart for Jesus, and the kids, their spirits and love just amaze me. Definitely a day spent living the Resurrection and meeting the Risen Christ.
Also at Church today I met Him. See I have been having back pain which I know is spiritual (I know this from former events and times in my life in the past). Though it has been hurting I felt NONE on Saturday and NONE this morning at the women's Sunday School Class I chose to go to. Why you ask? Because there was no evil present during these two moments.
We have been on a series called LIFE INVESTMENTS. Though it is taking a little longer than the Pastor would like, due to God now changing His plan for His church every other week. The five investments he is talking about are:
1. Relationship of love with God
2. Relationship of love with God's family (Unity)
3. Opportunities to become like Christ
4. Opportunities to serve God and make a difference in the lives of others.
5. Opportunities to join God in His Mission and make an eternal difference in the World.
We have been on the third for the past two weeks. The thing that stuck out from last week was that a gift does not become yours until you receive it This put a thought in my heart: How many of us have been given a gift in Jesus, people, opportunities, moments, etc.... And refuse to receive it?
Today was based in Romans 12:2 and the thing Pastor said that stuck in heart and spoke about what is going on in this place was darkness will always act like the darkness and when LIGHT comes, darkness wants to put it out
I think I will end for now though I so want to share all the parts of "The Barbarian Way" that spoke so loudly to me. However, maybe you should just pick up a copy yourself and then you may get a little idea of what is going on here in my world, maybe a little understanding. But then maybe not. However, I will leave you with a few words from Erwin McManus:
Christian civilization is held together by rules and rituals; the barbarian revolt is fueled by the passion of God and guided by the mission of God.
It is true that the enemy will essentially leave you alone if you are domesticated. He will not waste his energy destroying a civilized religion. If anything, he uses his energy to promote such activity. Religion can be one of the surest places to keep us from God. When our faith becomes refined, it is no longer dangerous to the dark kingdom.
Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For instances, how could Jesus so show Himself to the staff here on Wednesday and then be rejected. So I turned around on Thursday and felt numb and could not find Him at all. Well that was until me and Wilson spent time discussing the day and just sharing how we both felt. And God opened our eyes to see the moments of the day when He had NOT forsaken us, though He did forsake the building that day. I then chose to find a way to bring the Risen Christ into my day on Friday. I know He exists in my heart and I will find Him in my day, as well as try with all my heart to bring Him to others.
Funny that I write that...this past week I finally finished "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus and started reading "Living the Resurrection" The Risen Christ in Everyday Life by Eugene Peterson. Again, God's perfect timing.
I did get to see and experience God on Saturday at an all day elementary soccer tournament in Taejon. The staff that went have a heart for Jesus, and the kids, their spirits and love just amaze me. Definitely a day spent living the Resurrection and meeting the Risen Christ.
Also at Church today I met Him. See I have been having back pain which I know is spiritual (I know this from former events and times in my life in the past). Though it has been hurting I felt NONE on Saturday and NONE this morning at the women's Sunday School Class I chose to go to. Why you ask? Because there was no evil present during these two moments.
We have been on a series called LIFE INVESTMENTS. Though it is taking a little longer than the Pastor would like, due to God now changing His plan for His church every other week. The five investments he is talking about are:
1. Relationship of love with God
2. Relationship of love with God's family (Unity)
3. Opportunities to become like Christ
4. Opportunities to serve God and make a difference in the lives of others.
5. Opportunities to join God in His Mission and make an eternal difference in the World.
We have been on the third for the past two weeks. The thing that stuck out from last week was that a gift does not become yours until you receive it This put a thought in my heart: How many of us have been given a gift in Jesus, people, opportunities, moments, etc.... And refuse to receive it?
Today was based in Romans 12:2 and the thing Pastor said that stuck in heart and spoke about what is going on in this place was darkness will always act like the darkness and when LIGHT comes, darkness wants to put it out
I think I will end for now though I so want to share all the parts of "The Barbarian Way" that spoke so loudly to me. However, maybe you should just pick up a copy yourself and then you may get a little idea of what is going on here in my world, maybe a little understanding. But then maybe not. However, I will leave you with a few words from Erwin McManus:
Christian civilization is held together by rules and rituals; the barbarian revolt is fueled by the passion of God and guided by the mission of God.
It is true that the enemy will essentially leave you alone if you are domesticated. He will not waste his energy destroying a civilized religion. If anything, he uses his energy to promote such activity. Religion can be one of the surest places to keep us from God. When our faith becomes refined, it is no longer dangerous to the dark kingdom.
Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Light in Dark Place
I am excited to share that, though this was a very stressful move for all and things were full of much darkness throughout the past few weeks, the Risen Christ was met and seen each day in my class.
Monday morning began with lots of hugs and the whole class realizing how much we missed each other, they are really bonding. Then my precious 4th Grade Class went on a prayer walk. We went to each classroom and office on the two floors CCS occupies and those 4 children PRAYED. It was such an awesome experience and we took the opportunity to seize it. PRAISE JESUS!!!!
We love our new class room. At the old school we were in the musty old basement with no windows. Now we have windows for the LIGHT to shine in, through, and out from. I also found it very interesting that my classroom door is the ONLY ONE (besides the Science Lab) that does not have a window in it. I also know that this is a gift from God.
I have mentioned in a previous entry about reading "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus and how it was God's perfect timing for me to pick up and read. I wrote that he said:
To claim we believe is simply not enough. The call of Jesus is one that demands action.
...those who are most religious will be most offended and indignant. Barbarians are not welcome....
I feel that I am living this out right now in my work environment. Yes, believers, but I am not experiencing much action. I know I am a Barbarian, and well that makes me not welcome.
In the past week I read these words of McManus's:
We have become believers rather than experiencers.......To walk with God is to journey in the spiritual realm.
I know there is a war waging in the spiritual realm between the Kingdom of God and the dark kingdom and in the past week God has really opened my eyes up to this more than ever before in my walk with Him. I believe I am in the mist of a war right now.
And the fact that we have NO window on our classroom door is not an accident. See we just shut it and shut all the darkness out. Thus, the Risen Christ could not only be met, but experienced. And Trust me, He was there each and every day last week. Only on Friday, did we met and experience Him outside of our room (or outside the Science Lab, we have felt Him there too).
McManus wrote:
So many of us have put our hope in teaching our children about God rather than guiding them into an experience with God.
I don't want to just teach these ones that God entrusted to me about Him, I want to continue to experience Him with them. And truthfully, learn about Him through them.
...people's lives are forever changed by what happens in the unseen. We are called to be warriors of light in dark places.
Again, Praise God!!! I am with and in the Light, though in a dark place.
Monday morning began with lots of hugs and the whole class realizing how much we missed each other, they are really bonding. Then my precious 4th Grade Class went on a prayer walk. We went to each classroom and office on the two floors CCS occupies and those 4 children PRAYED. It was such an awesome experience and we took the opportunity to seize it. PRAISE JESUS!!!!
We love our new class room. At the old school we were in the musty old basement with no windows. Now we have windows for the LIGHT to shine in, through, and out from. I also found it very interesting that my classroom door is the ONLY ONE (besides the Science Lab) that does not have a window in it. I also know that this is a gift from God.
I have mentioned in a previous entry about reading "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus and how it was God's perfect timing for me to pick up and read. I wrote that he said:
To claim we believe is simply not enough. The call of Jesus is one that demands action.
...those who are most religious will be most offended and indignant. Barbarians are not welcome....
I feel that I am living this out right now in my work environment. Yes, believers, but I am not experiencing much action. I know I am a Barbarian, and well that makes me not welcome.
In the past week I read these words of McManus's:
We have become believers rather than experiencers.......To walk with God is to journey in the spiritual realm.
I know there is a war waging in the spiritual realm between the Kingdom of God and the dark kingdom and in the past week God has really opened my eyes up to this more than ever before in my walk with Him. I believe I am in the mist of a war right now.
And the fact that we have NO window on our classroom door is not an accident. See we just shut it and shut all the darkness out. Thus, the Risen Christ could not only be met, but experienced. And Trust me, He was there each and every day last week. Only on Friday, did we met and experience Him outside of our room (or outside the Science Lab, we have felt Him there too).
McManus wrote:
So many of us have put our hope in teaching our children about God rather than guiding them into an experience with God.
I don't want to just teach these ones that God entrusted to me about Him, I want to continue to experience Him with them. And truthfully, learn about Him through them.
...people's lives are forever changed by what happens in the unseen. We are called to be warriors of light in dark places.
Again, Praise God!!! I am with and in the Light, though in a dark place.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Moving Week & 1/2
Wow, it is Sunday night here and I can not believe that I am sitting in a new apartment and will be going to work to teach at a new school tomorrow. It has been a long and very heavy week. Let me fill you in on the details since I have last written.
September 28
Field Day, playing and having fun with elementary students all day. A pretty bad cough for me begins and I feel very ready to come home.
September 29
A half of day with a teachers training, which was a place I met the Risen Christ. And then packing up of classrooms. Lost internet access due to getting ready for move.
September 30
Helped Ben & Norma with move by watching the baby all day long. Then that night, at Wilson's, I was able to gain some strength by two phone conversations with some very special people back in Colorado. (With plans of calling a few others for Birthdays later in the week, sorry Daddy and DD that I did not get this opportunity-again due to the move). Cough moving its way from my throat to my chest.
October 1
Church was awesome, I have found a place to meet the Risen Christ with others. I also made some new friends and now know one of the places I will be traveling to over Christmas Break. After Christmas I will be going to Bali, where I will be before 12-25 is still yet to be determined. By this night my cough is getting worse, it is almost as bad as it was when I went to the Ukraine and got an upper respiratory infection. I have a fever as well. Praise Jesus that Wilson and Gretchen took care of me.
October 2
I felt so bad and really under the weather that it was hard to make it up to the school by 7:30 am. However, once up there we waited and realized that there was not much we could do to help the movers anyway. My cough was really bad by now and I still had a fever, so I went home and slept (well tried to sleep) most of the rest of the day I was at least in bed. This night, I did begin to pack for my apartment move scheduled for the 4th.
October 3
A few of us went to the new apartments to clean them together for each other. Mine was the worst, nothing had been done to it at all and we did not get it finished by the time we were suppose to be up to the new school to show the movers where we wanted things. But I did get to see Christ moving and working, seeing Wilson in the home He has provided was such a blessing and the highlight of the week. My stuff was already in my classroom, therefore, I just moved the furniture where I wanted it and then the movers could empty the boxes and put things where they got them from (which is what was suppose to happen, which did not by the way). We went home and went to 'Carefour' to get some things we knew we would need at our new places with the move and separation of some of us (like me and my roommate)and finished packing. Tuesday is usually my only night of the week I sleep through, but this was not the case this week. I don't think I slept at all. My cough and my whole body are now feeling extremely bad. I haven't felt this sick in a long time and yet there is so much to do.
October 4
We were told that the movers would be there between 7-8am, so we were up and ready and waited until 9am when they arrived and began. Wow, I have never really seen moving this way before. They packed things up for you and everything. We had to be there, so we watched and waited. All week I have felt like it was wasting time, I have never sat and waited so much in my life at one time. I could have been over at the new place cleaning, since I did nothing but a little directing of things that were going to my place that had not been in my room. The movers moved 4 old apartments into 5 new ones. This all started at 9am and I was the last to be moved in completely around 5pm. A very long day, my place was still not cleaned. And by now I can barely talked since my cough was so bad. They did come right away and hooked up internet in the girls apartment upstairs, which we are sharing to save money since we all are using wireless. However, the connection works for them but not me. I was disappointed because I really wanted to send ecards on Birthdays.
October 5
I spent the day helping Glauce clean her place and move her things in to her place and then finally finished cleaning my place and putting things up. I chose not to do anything in my classroom but, I had gone up to school to see the biggest mess I have ever seen and found that all the things in my classroom had been moved to the middle of the room and that the boxes were emptied and their contents placed also in the middle of floor. Lorin, the computer guru came by my apartment to fix the internet problem he got online, but some how that night it was lost again. This crushed me because it was my Dad's Birthday and all I wanted to do was send a card for him to receive when he got up. I had been so excited in the afternoon, but my hopes were crushed. Hard again, because I was really unable to use my voice and by now began to cough up junk. I cried and decided to take some Benadryl. These two things combined wiped me out and I actually slept very hard and throughout the night (which I haven't done all week).
October 6
I slept until God woke me up and then went to Wilson's for coffee with a few others before we ventured up to school to finally set our classrooms up. It is now Friday and the official 'Chusok' Holiday. My Korean neighbors even brought by this sweet rice drink and some pastries. I have no idea how this school will be ready for classes on Monday. I spent all day cleaning and arranging, and truthfully it is still not all together and ready. I figure my students can help to finish it on Monday. I don't plan on going back up there at all this weekend, I need some rest. Coughing up things still and really feeling more worn down and beaten up than I ever have.
October 7
A few of us girls got up and went to 'Emart' to get the things we NEEDED for our places. I have nothing really. I didn't get things that I wanted, only what I needed to live with. I also got the cheapest things. I spent about 2000,000 won (which is about $200, I still really have nothing though). I then spent the afternoon resting, didn't even put things away from 'Emart'. I was finally connected to the internet so I got to communicate with a couple of people as well. And check all the emails I had received throughout the week. I tried to take a Benadryl in order to be knocked out again like the other night, but this did not work. I went with Wilson to get some water and we had dinner. I came home and went to bed at 7pm. However, I never really slept more than an hour or two at one time and then was up for at least an hour. Also, something very dark and spiritual happened this night. I began praising Jesus and quoting scripture, I also got online to see if anyone was there. It was 11:30pm here. I was able to talk to a friend for a little bit and sent out an email. Then spent the rest of the night the same way I spent the beginning of it, until 10am the next morning.
October 8
Church was awesome again. I met a very nice family who invited me to come and have dinner or a movie on base with them sometime. I am still coughing up things, but met God in a big way this morning. It was a reminder that God has big things planned and He has called me here to be a part of what is ahead. I don't think Seoul is really it, but that North Korea and Northeast China will play a part in the future. That is really all I can say about it. I spent the rest of this day resting in Him. I do feel better at the moment. My cough isn't as bad as it has been. But I do think it is now time to shut down and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be an interesting day. Plus, I just realized I have forgotten to mention that I have had NO hot water either, since moving to new place.
Pray for us here. I know that I need strength. It is a very dark place, and yet I feel as though God is really getting ready to do something big. Yes, I even got this same message at church today. God is great all the time.
September 28
Field Day, playing and having fun with elementary students all day. A pretty bad cough for me begins and I feel very ready to come home.
September 29
A half of day with a teachers training, which was a place I met the Risen Christ. And then packing up of classrooms. Lost internet access due to getting ready for move.
September 30
Helped Ben & Norma with move by watching the baby all day long. Then that night, at Wilson's, I was able to gain some strength by two phone conversations with some very special people back in Colorado. (With plans of calling a few others for Birthdays later in the week, sorry Daddy and DD that I did not get this opportunity-again due to the move). Cough moving its way from my throat to my chest.
October 1
Church was awesome, I have found a place to meet the Risen Christ with others. I also made some new friends and now know one of the places I will be traveling to over Christmas Break. After Christmas I will be going to Bali, where I will be before 12-25 is still yet to be determined. By this night my cough is getting worse, it is almost as bad as it was when I went to the Ukraine and got an upper respiratory infection. I have a fever as well. Praise Jesus that Wilson and Gretchen took care of me.
October 2
I felt so bad and really under the weather that it was hard to make it up to the school by 7:30 am. However, once up there we waited and realized that there was not much we could do to help the movers anyway. My cough was really bad by now and I still had a fever, so I went home and slept (well tried to sleep) most of the rest of the day I was at least in bed. This night, I did begin to pack for my apartment move scheduled for the 4th.
October 3
A few of us went to the new apartments to clean them together for each other. Mine was the worst, nothing had been done to it at all and we did not get it finished by the time we were suppose to be up to the new school to show the movers where we wanted things. But I did get to see Christ moving and working, seeing Wilson in the home He has provided was such a blessing and the highlight of the week. My stuff was already in my classroom, therefore, I just moved the furniture where I wanted it and then the movers could empty the boxes and put things where they got them from (which is what was suppose to happen, which did not by the way). We went home and went to 'Carefour' to get some things we knew we would need at our new places with the move and separation of some of us (like me and my roommate)and finished packing. Tuesday is usually my only night of the week I sleep through, but this was not the case this week. I don't think I slept at all. My cough and my whole body are now feeling extremely bad. I haven't felt this sick in a long time and yet there is so much to do.
October 4
We were told that the movers would be there between 7-8am, so we were up and ready and waited until 9am when they arrived and began. Wow, I have never really seen moving this way before. They packed things up for you and everything. We had to be there, so we watched and waited. All week I have felt like it was wasting time, I have never sat and waited so much in my life at one time. I could have been over at the new place cleaning, since I did nothing but a little directing of things that were going to my place that had not been in my room. The movers moved 4 old apartments into 5 new ones. This all started at 9am and I was the last to be moved in completely around 5pm. A very long day, my place was still not cleaned. And by now I can barely talked since my cough was so bad. They did come right away and hooked up internet in the girls apartment upstairs, which we are sharing to save money since we all are using wireless. However, the connection works for them but not me. I was disappointed because I really wanted to send ecards on Birthdays.
October 5
I spent the day helping Glauce clean her place and move her things in to her place and then finally finished cleaning my place and putting things up. I chose not to do anything in my classroom but, I had gone up to school to see the biggest mess I have ever seen and found that all the things in my classroom had been moved to the middle of the room and that the boxes were emptied and their contents placed also in the middle of floor. Lorin, the computer guru came by my apartment to fix the internet problem he got online, but some how that night it was lost again. This crushed me because it was my Dad's Birthday and all I wanted to do was send a card for him to receive when he got up. I had been so excited in the afternoon, but my hopes were crushed. Hard again, because I was really unable to use my voice and by now began to cough up junk. I cried and decided to take some Benadryl. These two things combined wiped me out and I actually slept very hard and throughout the night (which I haven't done all week).
October 6
I slept until God woke me up and then went to Wilson's for coffee with a few others before we ventured up to school to finally set our classrooms up. It is now Friday and the official 'Chusok' Holiday. My Korean neighbors even brought by this sweet rice drink and some pastries. I have no idea how this school will be ready for classes on Monday. I spent all day cleaning and arranging, and truthfully it is still not all together and ready. I figure my students can help to finish it on Monday. I don't plan on going back up there at all this weekend, I need some rest. Coughing up things still and really feeling more worn down and beaten up than I ever have.
October 7
A few of us girls got up and went to 'Emart' to get the things we NEEDED for our places. I have nothing really. I didn't get things that I wanted, only what I needed to live with. I also got the cheapest things. I spent about 2000,000 won (which is about $200, I still really have nothing though). I then spent the afternoon resting, didn't even put things away from 'Emart'. I was finally connected to the internet so I got to communicate with a couple of people as well. And check all the emails I had received throughout the week. I tried to take a Benadryl in order to be knocked out again like the other night, but this did not work. I went with Wilson to get some water and we had dinner. I came home and went to bed at 7pm. However, I never really slept more than an hour or two at one time and then was up for at least an hour. Also, something very dark and spiritual happened this night. I began praising Jesus and quoting scripture, I also got online to see if anyone was there. It was 11:30pm here. I was able to talk to a friend for a little bit and sent out an email. Then spent the rest of the night the same way I spent the beginning of it, until 10am the next morning.
October 8
Church was awesome again. I met a very nice family who invited me to come and have dinner or a movie on base with them sometime. I am still coughing up things, but met God in a big way this morning. It was a reminder that God has big things planned and He has called me here to be a part of what is ahead. I don't think Seoul is really it, but that North Korea and Northeast China will play a part in the future. That is really all I can say about it. I spent the rest of this day resting in Him. I do feel better at the moment. My cough isn't as bad as it has been. But I do think it is now time to shut down and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be an interesting day. Plus, I just realized I have forgotten to mention that I have had NO hot water either, since moving to new place.
Pray for us here. I know that I need strength. It is a very dark place, and yet I feel as though God is really getting ready to do something big. Yes, I even got this same message at church today. God is great all the time.
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