I still have no idea why South Korea is deemed "The Land of the Morning Calm", I should look that up... perhaps later.
***
I am in Korea. The trip here was long; it always is. I only had one stop in San Francisco, which was nice. I don't enjoy stopping in LA or Japan. I never thought I'd have so many opinions about airports around the globe, but I sure do! At any rate, I arrived in Korea Friday night (Korea time) and I've pretty much been on the go ever since.
The reason for coming to Korea, at least in a practical way, has been accomplished. I am now in possession of a student visa for the UK. Victory is mine!
With that said- I think there are many other reasons why I'm in Korea right now. It's amazing how you gain perspective with transitions. Timing is everything. While I was at home, my life seemed on hold and my mind was foggy. You would think that after flying for 20 hours you would feel even more uncertain and fuzzy, but I managed to gain some clarity on things. I think that with even more time and as I complete this transition into life in the UK, I will continue to gain insight into myself and into the lessons I am being taught throughout this entire process.
But I have something else on my mind this afternoon....
***
I am slightly overwhelmed by being back in Korea. Before I left in September, God was constantly reminding me how valuable I am and how worthy I am of love. This has only continued since coming back. I struggle with this... a lot. I'm not what you would call an attention seeker, I'm not sure if I ever was. I don't like being the focus of conversations or the centre of attention. Ever since this whole process started in August I've been forced to come into the light and to bare all in front of many groups of people. Whether it was family, friends, colleagues, or the church, I had to be candid and honest with a lot of people. It was scary and unnerving. However, in those moments and with those people, I felt so much love and support; it was overwhelming.
I think the months following this week in Korea are really going to show me more about why I'm here and what the purpose was to flying around the world. Right now, I think the biggest thing I'm discovering is God's love. He's showing me how much He loves me and how much I affect others lives. Even while living in a culture that I didn't always understand or agree with, and not being able to communicate with a lot of people; I still made an impact.
It's an exhilarating feeling when you walk past a coffee shop and the woman who owns the place ecstatically waves at you to come in and makes you a free coffee. Or when you walk into your old classroom and your students run up to you and hug on your legs and waist. When your old boss gives you the biggest hug and wants you to come back to work. Or when you walk into your church and have someone say, "You belong here." I have felt so much love and support since being back. This is such a gift. I've made a life for myself in a completely different country and culture, and even though things will never exactly be the same as they were, a small part of my heart will always belong to this place and season of my life.
When I left Korea in September, I wasn't incredibly upset about it. I knew deep down that I would be back. I just wasn't sure when. It's amazing how God plans things and how He's such a better planner than I am! Being in Korea is exactly what I needed before going off to England. It's amazing how much God cares about our desires and how He plans to meet them. The only downside to this wonderful time is that I fear this season is truly over. I am going to leave Korea with the feeling that I'm probably never coming back (I'd hate to say never...). That really makes me sad, but I also have a hint of excitement in the midst of that. If I'm not coming back here, then whatever God has planned is going to be just as great as this! I'm not sure right now how that is possible, but I know with God, everything is possible. So as much as it pains me to leave this place that's become home, I am eager for the future. I am excited to see where God leads.
***O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
--Psalm 139: 1-5
***
I am in Korea. The trip here was long; it always is. I only had one stop in San Francisco, which was nice. I don't enjoy stopping in LA or Japan. I never thought I'd have so many opinions about airports around the globe, but I sure do! At any rate, I arrived in Korea Friday night (Korea time) and I've pretty much been on the go ever since.
The reason for coming to Korea, at least in a practical way, has been accomplished. I am now in possession of a student visa for the UK. Victory is mine!
With that said- I think there are many other reasons why I'm in Korea right now. It's amazing how you gain perspective with transitions. Timing is everything. While I was at home, my life seemed on hold and my mind was foggy. You would think that after flying for 20 hours you would feel even more uncertain and fuzzy, but I managed to gain some clarity on things. I think that with even more time and as I complete this transition into life in the UK, I will continue to gain insight into myself and into the lessons I am being taught throughout this entire process.
But I have something else on my mind this afternoon....
***
I am slightly overwhelmed by being back in Korea. Before I left in September, God was constantly reminding me how valuable I am and how worthy I am of love. This has only continued since coming back. I struggle with this... a lot. I'm not what you would call an attention seeker, I'm not sure if I ever was. I don't like being the focus of conversations or the centre of attention. Ever since this whole process started in August I've been forced to come into the light and to bare all in front of many groups of people. Whether it was family, friends, colleagues, or the church, I had to be candid and honest with a lot of people. It was scary and unnerving. However, in those moments and with those people, I felt so much love and support; it was overwhelming.
I think the months following this week in Korea are really going to show me more about why I'm here and what the purpose was to flying around the world. Right now, I think the biggest thing I'm discovering is God's love. He's showing me how much He loves me and how much I affect others lives. Even while living in a culture that I didn't always understand or agree with, and not being able to communicate with a lot of people; I still made an impact.
It's an exhilarating feeling when you walk past a coffee shop and the woman who owns the place ecstatically waves at you to come in and makes you a free coffee. Or when you walk into your old classroom and your students run up to you and hug on your legs and waist. When your old boss gives you the biggest hug and wants you to come back to work. Or when you walk into your church and have someone say, "You belong here." I have felt so much love and support since being back. This is such a gift. I've made a life for myself in a completely different country and culture, and even though things will never exactly be the same as they were, a small part of my heart will always belong to this place and season of my life.
When I left Korea in September, I wasn't incredibly upset about it. I knew deep down that I would be back. I just wasn't sure when. It's amazing how God plans things and how He's such a better planner than I am! Being in Korea is exactly what I needed before going off to England. It's amazing how much God cares about our desires and how He plans to meet them. The only downside to this wonderful time is that I fear this season is truly over. I am going to leave Korea with the feeling that I'm probably never coming back (I'd hate to say never...). That really makes me sad, but I also have a hint of excitement in the midst of that. If I'm not coming back here, then whatever God has planned is going to be just as great as this! I'm not sure right now how that is possible, but I know with God, everything is possible. So as much as it pains me to leave this place that's become home, I am eager for the future. I am excited to see where God leads.
***O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
--Psalm 139: 1-5
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