Annyeonghikaseyo~Goodbye

I have been back in the US for almost a week now.  I am trying to get used to being here.  It's harder than I thought though.  I think a small town in the American Midwest in winter is the epitome of isolation compared to a city of 4,000,000 people.

BUT, this is much needed rest time.  And as I learn how to rest...I can fully appreciate my time here.  I am learning to be still (which is a lesson I should have learned long ago).

I love being here with friends and family.  And I especially loved going to church today.  I saw the people who have been fighting for me in prayer for this past year.  And it touches me to see how much they care.

I want to continue to keep up with people (in all places)...so I have created a new blog: http://carolinesadventuresinlife.blogspot.com/

I hope that you find it a good read...and a way to keep up with me now that I am back in the States.  But for now...I will tell Korea and this blog 안녕히 가세요~Annyeonghikaseyo~goodbye!

Going Home

Packing is a Pain

It's hard.  I thought I wanted more than anything to leave.  And I still do.  But there is a part of me that hurts to say goodbye, pack, and head out.

No wonder women are so difficult to understand...it's not that we don't know what we want.  It's just that we want the best parts of everything.

Anyway, I have more teary eyed goodbye notes from my students than I know what to do with.  I had to say goodbye to a lot of people too.  Yep...I cried.

I think the hardest thing will be leaving my church.  I can not describe how much they have helped me and how changed I am from just knowing the people there.  This is going to be a teary weekend I know it!

My friend Mrs. Nancy will be driving me to the airport and I will head home.  I guess I will do one more post after this to let you know how things go.  And that will probably be the end of this blog.  The year in Korea will be over.  Hmmm.... thoughts?

Stuffing it all in...

I have exactly two weeks until I leave Korea.  And I am exhausting myself trying to stuff it all in: Dinners with friends, adventures, classes and lesson planning (I don't want that one...but it comes with the territory of being a teacher), packing, moving logistics (banking, gov't stuff, apt...), and church.  I am not checked out mentally yet....because there is still far too much to do here now.

Anyway...I thought I would give those of you back home (who aren't into Facebook) some photos.

I really like the two photos below.  One is of me and the Nursing teacher (Teacher Park).  She has got me through many an illness this year.  And I love her dearly.  Also, the epic 10k race shot.  Not too shabby.  :-)

Floral Bibimbap in Daegu (2hrs out of Busan)

Having a high ropes adventure!

Catching up with friends and eating at the cutest coffee shop.

Words for me...from me...?

Back in the good old days (:-P te he he)...when I was in India, our mission leaders asked us to write a note to our future selves.  This note would hopefully encourage and edify us  in the future.  After writing the note, we were to give it to the team leaders and they would send it to us later in the mail.

I forgot about it.  Until mom mailed it to me.  She sent it with a confused note..."you got a letter from you...."  Then I forgot about it again.

Well...I was packing (just a little) and stumbled across this note.  And boy do I have to say, that Caroline in the past knew just what Caroline in the future needed.  Or should I say God knew what I needed, way back before I did.  It went a little something like this:

"Hello Future Me!

     First of all, I want to encourage you.  You survived India! (if you are reading this) (if you didn't...well, you are partying w/ Jesus) :-P

     Ok, to the serious stuff:'

I want you to never forget the Joy and Peace that come from complete surrender.  God has been so good to you!  Are you still trusting Him w/ your all?
     Also, don't forget to love till it hurts, to make allowance because of Christ's love.

READ EPHESIANS 4.

     On a happier note:

Remember your Cricket skills!  Remember how hot you look in Indian Clothes!
Remember the smiles from the children..the giggles with the bubbles in the slum and the importance of family.

     Family is so important.

Always be there for mommy.  She has been so good to you!

  

     I love you Caroline and I know you can do all things through God who gives you strength.

     ~Caroline~"


So the main things that stood out to me were JOY AND PEACE FROM COMPLETE SURRENDER.  Wow!  Those are the things that I struggled with so much when Satan attacked My Strongest City.  Also, to hear me say "I love you Caroline..."  I know that sounds odd.  But coming from a place where I didn't like me...let alone love me...for half a year....  WOW... it sure is uplifting to know that deep down...I am lovable.

Anyway,  I will put this note in a box to mail home on a slow boat...and I will see how God uses it in the future...  :-)  I might have to write to myself more often.

One Month Left

Alright Folks...get ready for 6 seconds of creepy.
I ate the "fighting Octopus"....and I kinda liked it.  :-P

So, I have one month left.  I am trying to make the most of my time here, yet at the same time, I am trying to live kinda cheap.  I have been fighting with my school for two weeks now about money they promised me and didn't deliver.  They don't understand...and I had to spell it out to them.  You guys made me buy my airfare upfront, and didn't give me the money your promised.  I have enough money for next weeks meals.  But then you have to give me more.
The response... "I am sorry to hear that."  They sure know how to infuriate me.


On a happier note.  I did a bunch of hiking....hurt my foot...prayed about it...fully healed.  Hmmm...what else.  10k coming up on Sunday.  And, I finished knitting my scarf.  As for my students...they still think it is odd that I don't have a boyfriend...and they think they have to remind me about it each time I come to class.  :-P  I will miss these girls.

The fire I started on the Beach

                                                                                                 Literally the bus dropped us off in the middle of nowhere.  We looked around confused with our tents and backpacks and just started walking to the beach.  After a night of freezing (once my little fire died), living off crap food from the convenient store, and not sleeping...I decided it was time to go home.  Yep...I like camping better when Daddy is cooking

Below are some photos from my most recent hikes.  To the left is Igidae which is known for amazing views of the beach and bridge.  In less than 3 days I will be running over that bridge for my 10k.  As for the right.  This is a temple in the mountains.  I really love the rock carving that is actually the temple carved into the mountain.

And a little note from my student for her journal entry.

The Strongest City

So here are my thoughts.

I have been growing a lot this past week.  I am learning who I am in Christ.  I have been learning that I am not disgusting, not shameful, not despicable, and not able to call myself these things.  I am God's child, and I need to start acting like one.  I need to stop believing the lies of the evil one, and I need to start living in the redeeming grace and authority of God's love. I AM GOD'S!  He is patient, and what he declares clean, no one can call unclean.  So my past sins and even current struggles are covered.  Anytime I feel guilty or "screwed up" (as I like to say)...I have to remember that God tells me who I am...and I have no right to argue.  I am HIS!

You know that with this past couple months, I have struggled with depression and anxiety.  The evil one was stealing my joy.  THINK OF IT THIS WAY:  An enemy doesn't attack a weak little city in the middle of nowhere.  An enemy will send his army to the capital city or the strongest city in a nation.  That is how the war is won.  As for me...he attacked my joy.  This was my strength and I didn't even know it.  Satan attacked my joy because my joy is a gift to myself and others.

Here is an excerpt of a note written to me by my teammate from my mission to India (before all the stuff with the attacks when down): "You are one of the most kind, caring, and genuine people that I have met.  You have such a servant's heart and truly put the needs of others before your own.  You have been an encouragement to me this whole trip!  Always giving free back-rubs and your bubbley personality is so contagious."

I remember reading over this in my lowest points of depression.  I was so mad, so disgusted with myself.  I always said that I was not that girl anymore. BUT THAT WAS A LIE!  Satan stole my joy and lied to me...told me that my greatest strength was no longer mine.

I declare the truth!  That my joy is my strength.  That the girl who served in India is still here and she is as amazing as ever (not on her own strength but on that of the Lord's).

I want to encourage you!  The thing that you struggle with and feel you will never have.  THAT IS YOUR STRENGTH!  Claim it and stand on that truth!

Running, Running, and Running around.

I have been doing a lot of running lately in preparation for my upcoming 10k. It's actually very good for me.  We all carry around a pharmacy in our heads and running activates the anti-depressants.  :-)

So, needless to say, I am feeling much better about life.  But, with all the running and the usual running around, I have been so tired lately.  Everyday this week was taken by something (usually somethings-more than one), and my Saturday was busy too. So this Sunday morning I slept in ALOT!  I got out of bed at 10:00am compared to the usual 7:30am.  It feels so good but I feel like I have wasted some of my day.  Perhaps it was needed though.

Anyway, I want to tell you about my yesterday.  I woke up, had my Skype date, did Zumba and then went to a Orphanage to volunteer a bit.  This was my first time here, and it was an all boys home.  Boys are soooo much fun.  They are rough, but awesome.  I spent the morning teaching them the card game, SlapJack, and they loved it!  They got so into it...and they want me to comeback so they can try to beat me at it. :-P  In the afternoon, we played basketball.  Earlier in the week, hyper-extended my arm and playing B-Ball was probably not the best thing I could do....but, my team won!  And we were two western girls and two middle school boys, verses the highschoolers.  WHAT!?!?!?  WE ROCK!

I am so blessed that God has given me the opportunities that I have.  And sometimes I take them for granted.  But, I am just trying the best I can.  Thanks friends and family at home, I appreciate your prayers.