Snow Flurries

My class got so excited right before lunch because it had started to snow. It actually left a dusting on cars over night. Those 6 precious children of God could not stay in their seats, they just wanted to get up and look out the window. Sad thing was by recess it had stopped....I am sure there are more days of snow to come though, this was only the first.

It was very cold today. I finally wore one of my turtle neck sweaters. I actually wore a tank top underneath the sweater, and it was sooo cold in school that I also put on a long button down sweater (it goes down to mid-thigh on me). As the day went on the snow changed to rain, you all would have gotten a kick out of me as I was walking down the street. I had on both sweaters and my Taku jacket (Praise God for REI), so the sweater hung down longer than the Taku. I was a sight, but I was warm.

I know once it gets colder my legs will be cold out walking around, since mid-thigh to my ankles were freezing. I wish I would have bought more than just one pair of the Patagonia thermals. They will be getting worn out for sure in the near future.

The good thing was that I was walking down to meet the girls I am going to Bali with. We paid for our plane tickets today. So though I was cold, I had warm thoughts of being on the beach in just a few weeks.

God used the snow today too. My class uses Our Daily Bread as part of devotions (The school gets copies written in both Korean & English). Today's ODB was titled Thankful For Seasons and we read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. This also went along with us continually talking about sowing and reaping, especially JOY! As my class would say "PRAISE JESUS!"

"Whatever our situation is today, we can be thankful for God's seasons"-Dennis Fisher

Just as the winter turns to spring,
Our lives have changing seasons too;
So when a gloomy forecast comes,
Remember- God has plans for you. -Sper

Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven.

Ironic

I forgot to write about the cute girl who approached me last Saturday walking to my exit from the Subway on my way to the Thanksgiving dinner. Oh, and I was with other foreigners too. I think I stand out a little more, that is why she noticed me.

She asked me where I was from, what my name was, and what I did here. She was in 6th grade. Her English was very good. I wish I could have answered her back in Korean though. I love those moments with children here.

Ironically, on Sunday morning at Korean class we finally learned some basic phrases. Yes, I learned to answer all three of her questions. I could answer her now.... 'chonun miguk saram ieyo', 'chonun Kimie eyo', and 'chonun sonsaengnim ieyo'.

Those exact three question were what we learned. I wonder though if I would have been brave enough to use them.

Taxi Frenzy

I went to my first movie in Korea tonight. I met friends, we had dinner and then went to see a movie. The movie was an American one in English, with Korean subtitles. The funny part was being the only ones in the theatre who were laughing or getting some of it.

The movie got out late. The subway and buses stop running at midnight and trying to get a taxi was very interesting....I am glad I was with friends who knew what they were doing, because I would never have gotten home and would have ended up in tears....It would have been a long walk at midnight. No one would take us to where we live, or they would take a Korean over us. Just when it was seeming hopeless, I started to pray and asked God to please help us. Right at the moment we hailed a taxi that would take us. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

It was an adventure to say the least. It is just good to finally be getting out and doing things. However again, I have a feeling I am not in.......anymore.

1 Chronicles 16:8

Give Thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

Did you know that Psalm 105:1 says the same thing?

Thanksgiving,what a great day to think about all the blessings God has given us. So many things to be thankful for and so many memories to reflect on. It reminds me of all the things we take for granted. All the things I miss and how very thankful I am that I want to shout from the top of the highest mountain for all to hear how GREAT GOD IS!

Today, I am mostly thankful for falling in love with and finding a Savior in the Lord Jesus Christ. For the opportunities and moments that God continues to place before me. And for all the amazing people He has allowed to come into my life and the footprints they have left upon my heart.

Though this was not a Holiday in Korea I was still off (I get to celebrate both American and Korean Holidays here) I still spent the day with a loved one here. We made dinner, not a typical Thanksgiving meal, but I did have a traditional one Saturday night and then again for lunch yesterday at school. We then watched three movies on TV: ET, The Last Samurai, and then Harry Potter. It was just a great day to relax, plus I did get an opportunity to talk to some loved ones back in the States.

Again, I will end with Psalm 106:1
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

Multicultural Experience

We had a half day today. When school was let out I went to the school my friends teach at for the afternoon. I met with Jen first and got to see her class. Then I spent last period with Nichole and her class. All her students were foreigners, no one was Korean. There were two students from Thailand, two from Saudi Arabia, one from Spain, one from Brazil, one from Angola, and one from Latvia.

I shared with them about myself and where I come from and they with me. Then we all played 'Skip-Bo' It was just the coolest moment and experience ever. To have so many different places represented in the same room. Plus, the two from Saudi Arabia where the girls mentioned at church on Sunday. All I can say is Praise the Lord. I think of Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations....

I then went to the basketball game, Jen is the cheer coach and I went to support and give some advice. Wow, I didn't realize how much I missed this.

After, I went to dinner with her and a few of the other teachers. It was just really nice to be in fellowship and to be with a staff that cared about one another. It reminded me of what I long for with my own staff, and what I had last year. But, I can only be me and I don't have the power to change the hearts of those I work with, only God can. However, I will definitely seize the moments God places before me to experience what I long for here. As well as be reminded of how good I had it last year and can only hope and pray I get to go back to when my time here is done.

International Day

Today was International Day at school and the 6th thru 12th grades did presentations on different countries and the growing Christian Church in them. The countries represented today were: Brazil, Japan, China, Mongolia, Mexico, Argentina, and Thailand. After the presentations were all done my class wanted to go back to our room where we spent time in prayer praying for the non-believers and the Christians in these countries.

I feel so blessed and honored that God would entrust such hearts in my care this year. These precious six (including my new one, who has only been in class two days now) will freely raise theirs hands and say "PRAISE JESUS". They bring such a JOY to wherever they go. I can't help but meet the Risen Christ in each moment of my day with them. Which helps me so much after staff meetings where I leave so empty and the joy of the Lord is so taken away.

I'll say this again, those precious children of God's chose wisely, with Psalm 106:1 PRAISE THE LORD. GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.

'YOJ' Monday....

Wow, what an amazing Monday. I got a new boy student and my class felt complete today. Before we moved over to the new location my students and I prayed for only two new students this year, though we are open to what God's will is for our class. We prayed for a boy and a girl. And we have gotten both now. I can't explain the feeling I had today other than it felt complete.

We have also been talking about 'JOY' in class and how that is putting Jesus and Others before Yourself. Today, my class asked me though why they saw so many Christians, especially adults, who put themselves before Jesus and others. Good questions, huh? Well some how we turned the word around and came up with 'YOJ'. Then later today when we were reading "Charlotte's Web", the rat did something and one of my boys said, "Wow, Miss Morton that is 'YOJ' for sure. God was just so present in the hearts of these 6 children. I can't feel anything but blessed.

Then tonight I got together with the 3 other girls I will be spending time over Christmas break in Bali with. We needed to finalize hotel arrangements. I am just really excited about all that God is doing here.

Sunday after church, I was sharing how my heart felt so heavy, yet I felt so much joy at the same time. Someone shared how Paul was in prison and yet still wrote about rejoicing and counting it all joy. It was just encouraging.

These things have caused me to reflect on how I thought I would be used by God here, and what it is I want to be doing. Yet, God is revealing Himself to me in a whole new way and has been showing me what it is I have to give and offer in the opportunities and moments He is putting before me. I guess He has a whole different plan and purpose for me here than I would have imagined or wanted.

Also, I have to share that my students picked their own memory verse for this short week. It was after they spent sometime just reading their Bibles on their own. They chose Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

God Calling

Ok, I just got done posting and then went and read 'God Calling' by AJ Russell for today:

The Voiceless Cry

Jesus, hear us, and let our cry come unto Thee.

That voiceless cry, that comes from anguished hearts, is heard above all the music of Heaven.
It is not the arguments of theologians that solve the problems of a questioning heart, but the cry of that heart to Me, and the certainty that I have heard.

Giving it ALL

Again this morning at Church, I met the Risen Christ. Though my heart is very heavy right now. This may be due to the fact that I didn't sleep very well Friday night, and not at all Saturday night. I did take advantage of last night being awake by praying. Really praying, where I know I met Christ because the tears flowed so easily.

Today a few moments stand out:
Like when a couple shared about not wanting to have children, and yet God had them have two. And then had spoken to their hearts to adopt, so they did. And now once again God was speaking about adopting, this time a special needs child from China (I really recalled the Robbins' journey in getting their son, whom they have almost had for a year now). The husband shared how he didn't want to adopt, but that when it is God, God moves. That includes even when we want to be disobedient.

Then another woman shared about how God's Word does not return void. And how these two girls from Saudi Arabia at her school failed a Bible quiz, other than the scripture they had memorized.

You had to be here to hear these be told, but they moved my heart.

And then during the message, Pastor continued with the Life Investments. We are still on number 3, opportunities to become like Christ. It was based on 1 Peter 4:12, and at one point he talked about the process of refining gold. This made me recall a moment back in Nashville with the youth department and "The Refiner's Fire", which is how we ended up with the name of 'The Refinery' for our Sunday night youth service.

Maybe this is why my heart is heavy tonight: I am tired, and I long to have God have every part of my heart. I want to surrender all and be used by Him. That is having Him use me no matter what the cost. Oh sure, I have given Him it over and over again. Tonight is just another moment where I want Him to refine me. I am also recalling the couple this morning and their words: I too want to be disobedient, my flesh doesn't want to be here. I want to be at home. But my spirit and my heart, knows that I am exactly where God wants me. He also knows my heart better than anyone, and in His will is really the only place I want to be. So I will remain obedient. That is at all cost, including my very life. I give it all to Him and Trust.

I was also told this past week, that I was a gift to someone here. That I am an answer to their prayers. They said I was the angel that God sent them. It touched my heart and I know why God brought me here, instead of one of the other three places I could have gone. All I can do is Praise Jesus, even with this heavy heart.

Pepero Day

Today was a day that Koreans give out these snacks called 'pepero'. They are bread like sticks (like the ones you get in the Kraft snack packs that you dip into cheese). Well these have chocolate on them, they can also be pretzel like. They hand them out this day because it is 11-11, and the date looks like sticks. Therefore, Pepero Day.

Tonight was also the first time I have REALLY gone out since I have been in Korea. There was a 20/30 something function at church. We hung out there and played some games, then a group of us went and hung out talking some more at 'Starbucks'. It was just a really good time, and fun to finally get out and just relax.

I am also finally learning how to read Korean. I am having the hardest time with vowels, but it is coming along. Of course, I won't know some of the stuff I am reading, but it will help in getting around.

I've A Feeling I am Not in.....

Oh yes, that familiar line from Wizard of OZ, 'Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore'. It isn't there that I am not at, but last night I knew I wasn't at home.

It takes so long to get anywhere here in the city. Glauce wanted me to go to 'Emart', which is like Walmart. I needed to get a few more things for a recipe anyways, now that I have spaghetti squash. We left around 5pm and did not get home until after 10pm. We just had to wait so long for buses and trains on the subway. We aren't even that far from it. You just can't do anything without it taking a very long time.

And plus, I could NOT find sour cream. The things that are so easily found at home, well are either hard to find here or just don't exist. I also had to substitute some ingredients with a close second.....and the recipe only calls for 6 of them.

Since Glauce was trying on clothes, I decided to try on some too. I know before coming I was warned that I may feel tall and big here. Well, I am happy to say that I fit in the smaller size pants they carry and the smallest shirts were too big for me. I feel about average though. As many people as there are taller and bigger than me, there are also that many shorter and skinnier. It is nice to feel average, it helps me to not stand out as much. Yeah right, with my blonde hair.

As I said, I've a feeling I'm not in......

Bitter Cold

I forgot to mention it has rained here the past four nights. They have been some pretty amazing thunderstorms, yet not lasting to long. Monday it rained all day. Actually, the past two days it has been extremely cold.

So cold that I am a little worried that I am not prepared for this kind of weather. I really should have brought more of those turtleneck sweaters I like. The five I have here, aren't gonna last long. I am trying to hold out on wearing them because it is gonna get a lot colder than it has been. And it has been cold!!!

But have I told you about the way Koreans heat their homes? The heat is in the floor and rises from there. So actually right now as I am sitting on my floor typing this, my bottom is burning up.

Reflection

Wow, I can't believe it was 3 months ago that I left Denver and came to Seoul.

So many things have happened since that day in August. So many challenges and in each one of those moments God has been met. I know some people have voiced a concern for me. Don't worry, y'all should know me by now. I do tend to share ALL of my heart. I don't want to stop doing that, it is who God has created me to be. It means when things are good, I want to share. When things don't seem so grand, I want to share. I always want to be true to God and myself. It has been so freeing in the past week to finally be me. I have been holding back the person I know I am in Christ.

In each moment I have experienced here,God is met some how and touches my heart. I have grown and learned so much already. I can only imagine what God has in store in the upcoming months.

The best though has been seeing the change and growth in the hearts of my class. They have changed so much and are seeking the Lord so intensely. I can't help but smile each day. I am here for them, because it is why God has brought me here. I just need to remain focused on Him and then them.

And heck, I have really only wanted to come home twice now. It is God who holds my tomorrows in His hands. I trust and hope in Him.

Sex Education?

I get lots of Jesus moments with my class, but today I was blessed with one while with the Fifth Graders.

Friday we were reading and learning about the sexual reproduction system of a flower. They would just giggle and say 'um' in place of the word sex when referring to the sex cell organs. This was a little different for me as well, but that is what you get when you are teaching from a public school curriculum instead of a Christian one. I let it go on Friday and I took out 'sex' and any other form of the word while reading or discussing.

During the weekend, I had a discussion that brought up sex. I was asked if I would consider wearing a Hanbuk, knowing it was unflattering and hard to get off. Are you kidding me, my answer was that I have waited long enough for the man God would bring into my life. He may have to work a little harder in order to win my heart, but I sure as heck am not gonna make it hard once he has and our wedding night arrives.

And then today, I read Noah's blog. I was encouraged and reminded of what a wonderful gift God has given us and what that gift is meant for. I know for me I love the man in my future so much already that it is a gift I truly only want to share with him and I am so glad I have held on to only for him.

Ok, with that said I will get back to science class with the fifth grade today. We were reviewing Friday's discussion and as they began to giggle again, I seized the moment to share how God created everything and it is good. We went and read all of Genesis 1. We discussed how God created life and that sexual reproduction was a part of what God created that was good. Of course, I did make sure I touched on purity in our discussion.

It was definitely a moment where we all meet the Risen Christ and saw how wonderful our Creator's Hand is. I know my heart smiled and was blessed in this moment. After all Life is truly a wonderful GIFT that God has given us all. What will you do with your gift today?

A Taste of the States

Today, after church, I got a little taste of the United States.

A group of us went on base to have lunch at a family's house (of 7, with the 8th child on the way). We ended up staying all day playing games. I also got to eat REAL chocolate chip cookies.

I didn't realize how much I missed grass, until I saw some today and walked through it with my bare feet. It was weird knowing that I stepped on US soil, even though it is in Seoul.

They asked if there was anything any of us wanted. I had been thinking about spaghetti squash the other day and how I didn't see any squash here. So one of them who had to go to the store on base bought me one.

On my way home, a Korean woman who spoke English asked me what I had. She told me I needed to try Korean squash and took me into the store. I ended up buying one. Though, I think it is just zucchini, but she also shared how to cook it.

It was a moment I chose to seize and both she and I were blessed by it.