the challenge has arrived

Background: 

  I feel that God has been preparing me for something big to happen while I am here in Korea.

  Each day I've been praying to be challenged by God.

 Challenge to be completely faithful, trust him and grow more intimately.

 I did not predict being challenged like I did today.

  This evening a friend, from Emmaus, and I went rock climbing in Edae.

 We stayed there for about an hour and then decided to call it quits.

 On the way back toward school, I decided that I wanted to get some street food.

 We walked by basically all the vendors and then I decided I wanted to get something particular.

 It was a short walk up the road, but totally worth it.

  I was asking my friend how to get something without the rice cakes.

And a guy fairly close by started chatting with us. 

I started to zone out because I was trying to communicate that I wanted the food to go.

 I came back into the conversation to a very surprising topic.

 The guy talking to us was adopted from Korea ,like me.

He  actually flew to the US with President Reagan. 

 And during a reunion with Mrs. Reagan, his real aunt realized who he was. 

 He is in Korea discovering his birth family.

Connections were made and he told me about an organization that helps adoptees.

We traded numbers and I hope to go the organization and get information on a f-4 visa.

 The Challenge is here and God made it known.

Do I want to be reunited with my birth family?

Before today, I would of told you flat out , No.

 I previously had decided that  reuniting was too emotional and I couldn't handle it.

 But, now I am reconsidering. 

Is God telling me I am strong enough to face the fear?

 I want to become fearless.

 I suppose that might mean facing the fears that I have been avoiding. 

God orchestrated tonight to end in that way. 

 I am blown away.

 He is so Good. 

a shift in season

The weather here in Seoul is finally starting to warm up.

  I am looking forward to being able to walk around without a heavy coat.

 The changing of seasons means blooming plants and hopefully color.

 I, however, have been under the weather slightly. 

A cough, congestion and allergies. 

Spring is what some people call it. 

 Anywho..

 I am continuing to be challenged by God each day. 

I was placed in a familia (bible study).

  I love the girls in my group.

I am so excited to grow spiritually.

 I want to become fearless, grow in prayer, fully trust and hand over control to God.

I am ready for God to use me and build me up for what is to come.

 Last week, I went to a cat cafe.

 The cats were all over the place.

 They really only come up to you or play with you when you have food though. 

   You get a free drink with your entry fee. 

 I want to go to a dog cafe though because I tend to like dogs more than cats. 

 Also last week I met up with a student at Yonsei who studied abroad at UNCG.

 We had dinner and are going to have lunch this week.

It is interesting to learn things from a Korean student's perspective. 

She misses the US alot.

I really haven't gotten homesick yet.

 I mean there are some things I miss, but overall I am just really enjoying the time here.

I am so thankful God gave me this opportunity and I don't want to take it for granted.

 Last weekend a group of us went Karoking.
 Its a popular activity here in Korea.
 Many people even go daily by themselves so they can improve.
 It was fun! Dana and I are already planning songs for next time we go.

 Sunday following church, I met up with a girl in my familia and we went to an Indian restaurant.
 The food was LEGIT.
We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken.
 I can't wait to go back.
 I miss Jocelyn's curry though.

My Sociology class will no longer have Wednesday's classes because we are starting our volunteer hours. 

 I am so excited to see what happens and what God puts in my path.

Monday we watched God grew sick of us. 

 The movie or documentary is about the Lost Boys of Sudan. 

I highly recommend anyone to watch it.

 This coming weekend is the Emmaus Retreat.

 I am excited!

Prayer Concerns

-- Health

-- That I become fearless

-- That I grow in wisdom

-- That God uses me to further his kingdom

-- That I am challenged daily

Are you salty?

 The past couple of days have been amazing.

God has been showing up! 

 Saturday- I didn't really have plans in the morning and just kind of went with the flow. 

  I went to the gym and then to Caribou Coffee got some OJ.

 I got into journaling and reading Completely His by Shannon Ethridge. 

  BTW, girls I recommend reading it. 

 The book is amazing!

 Then I decided, hey I should get some lunch. 

 My roommate wasn't up yet, but I decided  I'll go see if she wants something.

  I ended up picking us both up some lunch and there we were talking and eating of course.

 Conversation was  really nothing deep and there was a long pause. 

 She asked me What is your favorite verses?

  I honestly was blown away.

I kept my cool and said well I have a lot, but I really like  Psalms.

 I sat there reading some verses.

  Shortly after reading, conversation went back to surface conversation.

  God is using me here and I am slowly witnessing it.

  My hope is that he will continue to use me in Monique's life. 

 Later that night Dana and I decided to cook dinner in the kitchen.

 Let me give you some background on the day:

 We went shopping.

 Lots of walking.

 Not much talking.

 Which is weird for both of us, we just were tired from the week and not real talkative.

 We sat down after cooking our fancy dinner  consisting of Korean ramen. 

We talked about things and then she started sharing her heart.

 Previously, we shared our Jesus stories, but it wasn't her full story.

 All I can say is I am pumped to serve God and stand out from the crowd.

 Sunday's sermon was really good about how Christianity is becoming very institutional.

 I do not want to be a Christian living two lives. 

 I want to be on fire in all areas of my life and anywhere I go.

 Attached are two links:

 Pastor Erin at Emmaus Large Group on Tuesday

http://www.newphiladelphiachurch.com/podcast/emmaus/2012.03.06.tue%20-%20Death%20to%20Life%20-%20el.mp3

Pastor  Christian on Sunday

http://www.newphiladelphiachurch.com/podcast/2012/2012.03.11.sun%20-%20Saltshaker%20Christianity%20-%20cl.mp3

 I truly am being challenged and growing so much!

 I am in this waiting season.

 God is getting ready to use me somewhere and I am not sure where.

  My future lies in his hands. 

 Prayer Concerns:

roommate, Monique

friend, Dana

consistent time with God

healthy diet options

strength to fight anything that comes my way

Update :)

 There is SO much to tell!

Emmaus

  I found out about a christian campus ministry in Korea.

 I have been attending their gatherings and have been having lots of fun!

 I am meeting some amazing people who are hungry for the Lord as well as strong followers. 

 The first large group was on Tuesday and  Pastor Erin's testimony was powerful.

 Pastor Erin and her husband (also a pastor) are part of a church called New Philadelphia. 

I visited their church on Sunday.

 It had amazing worship and friendly greeters.

 I plan on returning as well as checking out other churches. 

 Activities

 Recently, I organized a group of exchange students to go rock climbing.

We had so much fun!

The gym consisted of only bouldering routes and I loved it!

It seems our group wants to go regularly so I can't wait to get to know them better.

We went out to dinner after and got coffee. 

Left to right: Chris, Nari, Lawrence, Ben

Hop, Dana, and me :)

 Dana and I have been spending a lot of time together and becoming close friends :)  

 Classes

 School started about a week ago, last Friday, and I didn't have class until Monday.

 The first class I went to was unfortunately only in Korean.

 Somewhere in the registration process I misread the class. 

 I am now enrolled in only two courses.

 KLI-  This is Beginning Korean M-F for 2 hours.

 We are working on the alphabet (Hangul). 

I am gradually picking up how to read the letters.

 I can't wait to be able to walk around speaking Korean. :) 

Sociology- Migration - This meets Monday for 2 hours and Wednesday for one. 

 I am super excited about my Sociology course.

 The course consists of a Midterm and a project.

 In the project, we have to do 20 volunteer hours.

 I am beyond blessed with an opportunity to experience serving in KOREA.

  There are several options, but the one I think I will be doing is  a mini refugee camp.

Many of you know that refugees recently have become a part of my life in the US.

   I think that through Camp Allelu the past two years it has open my eyes to refugees. 

 Another major part of this desire was my two  previous roommates Amy and Crystal.

 Their dedication to Newcomers PTA really got me interested.

 Thank you roomies! :)

Opportunities

Korea is challenging me to get uncomfortable. 

 The opportunities are growing in numbers.

 I feel God is stirring up some amazing things for this semester.

 I am looking forward to it unraveling before my eyes. 

Prayer Requests:

 God leads me to the right church.

 My roommate, Monique from the Netherlands

 God uses me to further his Kingdom.

  That I continue seeking the Lord and setting aside quiet time.