Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin - Thank You (From The Kingdom Come Sountrack)

A Different Set of Mind

I can truly say that this experience has put me in a different state of mind. I am around so many different people from so many different cultures. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband and children. I live in a beautiful area.

Here are some of the fall sights we had just down the road from us!

This display was at the Hyundai Department Store...about a km away from our compound.

We are busy now with the Christmas season......school events, church programs, etc.

I had a conference with Micah's teacher yesterday. He is improving, slowly but surely. He will amaze us at times. Then there are times I feel bad for him that he is not advancing with kids his age. But he takes it all in stride. His momma just needs to remember to do that!

Today some wonderful moms from his class came to volunteer with a "cooking" session. They made fruit kabobs. Here is a picture of them.

His favorite was the Christmas tree apple on the left. One of the moms said he was peeling oranges for him. For some parents, this may not be a big deal. However, for this Mississippi Momma, it is BIG! We are so proud of him. And, I am in awe of these moms....they carved that Christmas tree apple by hand! :)

Thank you to all who are patient and supportive with my kids here in Korea. Both of the boys have wonderful teachers and assistants. JC had one assistant who left last week. He was heartbroken that she had to leave. But another great teacher reported for "duty" this week! And JC loves him! :)

Everything is getting hectic. I am reminding myself daily that Christmas is not about chaos! It is about celebrating Christ's birth. Yeah, I'd like to be home with my family...but we have new family here, also. God has made it a "simpler" Christmas this year. He's reminding me a lot that we all have made a "hayday" out of His son's birthday celebration.

So, don't get stressed out. Don't pull your hair out  because the cookies didn't come out right. Don't get frustrated when you are shopping. Do praise Him daily for all He has done for you! Be Thankful!!

My God is in Control!

Today has been a day to remember.

The United States has its presidential election. The social networks, smart phones, emails and blogs have been chirping away. I even downloaded the Fox News app to keep up with the results.

My day was the usual.....take the kids to school, run errands, Korean Class, COOL Club (a christian student club at my son's school)...and I was still checking in every so often.

It was during COOL Club that one of the moms told me the results of the election.

I have not been a big fan of either candidate. I am a Christian, so a lot of my beliefs clash with both of them. One is a liberal and one is a Mormon.

I was, however, a huge fan of the vice presidential candidate, Paul Ryan.

Lots of people are either very happy today, or very upset.

I could choose to be upset and defeated. However, I know God is in control. It is time that we, the American Church realize that we have not spend near enough time on our knees. There has not been a truly godly man who would stand up to run for President in awhile. This is my prayer....that God would raise up godly men (and women) to lead our country.

Right now, I am in South Korea. I can see pros and cons of living in both countries. One thing I have found is that America has become very materialistic and vain. We have fallen asleep while the enemy has been roaming free. We have taken for granted the very freedoms that shaped our nation. We want and want and want.....but we do not thank God, the One who provides, for all we have.

May we make the change first in our hearts and lives....and then pray that our witness can reach others to take a stand.

Busy Times Ahead...Reminder to Look Up!

The past few weeks have gone by so fast! From volunteering at the schools, taking Korean classes, Bible and study groups, children's church, and school clubs, my days are filled to the max. Stack on top of that JC's Taekwondo classes, homework (both mine and his!), playtime, keeping up the household stuff, etc.

I am reminded that busyness is not at all equal to holiness. I can be as busy as a bee, but that doesn't mean that I am letting God use me to my full potential. I am praying that I have not taken too much on. I am praying that God shows me how to organize my time better.

We will be beginning a Christian student club at JC's school tomorrow. It has already been in place for years, but the leader moved this year. Some moms and I decided to take it on. I pray it will be a great growing experience for both the students and the moms!

I am also anticipating the presidential election back home. I start to worry about the outcome, but I have to remind myself of a saying someone posted on Facebook.....

"No matter who is president, Jesus is still King!"

Trick or Treat on the Hyundai Foreigner Compound

Seems like the foreigner's compound was invaded by witches, superheroes, fairies, princesses, mummies, vampires, zombies...etc.

Here is some proof! They even had a Trail of Terror and a Disco Dance afterwards.

A great time was had by all. Thanks to the PTA for all your hard work!!

Micah's progress!

Micah has been in the Early Years Centre for two months now. At first, he had a hard time with the structured classroom time. He also had difficulty with the routine.

However, about a week and a half ago, he started sitting with the kids during class time (carpet time). He was singing the songs, listening to stories, playing the games....all the things I thought he may not be able to accomplish this year.

We had a time yesterday where the parents could come and visit. Here are some pictures from that time....

Afterwards, I met with his teacher.....she had a surprise for me!

He was so excited! We know that these are baby steps....and most parents would not think it is much. But this is big for us! He has the best teachers at EYC!! We love you, Mrs. McAloon and Miss Elin!

Choosing to Change

I have begun meeting with a group of expat wives for Bible study and prayer each week.
It has truly been a blessing to me.

See, being an expat wife, especially a new one like me, can be very stressing.

I remember the first few months here....

I had never lived any farther that and hour and 45 minutes from my hometown.
I had never flown.
I was homeschooling a very active and strong willed child.
I left a very close-knit extended family.
I was active in the children's and youth ministry of our church and had close friends in this family of faith.
I knew only one language, English. And, I had a bad southern drawl, at that!

As you can imagine, I was not your typical expat wife. My children were to typical either.

I often asked God why in the world He would send me here to this compound, this city, this country.

Many times, through tears and anger, I told God that I just wanted to go home.

During the summer, I did go home. And things were different. We lived out of a suitcase while staying with family in two different states for five weeks. Life went on even though we were gone. And, I felt homesick in my heart for Korea.

God showed me that even though I was not perfect, classy, poised, or what I thought was the perfect expat wife, that He needed me in Korea. I have seen small ways He is using me...but I know there are many other ways He will show me.
Even though my children are not perfect, that He is working in and through them.

I have learned that I have to find ways to control my emotions, my frustrations, loneliness, and anger. He can turn all that into, joy, peace, fullfillment, and purpose.