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.