Ouchie!

OUCH! Look at my tongue - yes, it really is as bad as it looks! 

I think I burned it eating really spicy or really hot ddokpoki a few weeks ago. Grr!

In other news, Kara (a great friend from back at home) is here visiting me and we're having a BLAST. Pictures to come. Also - we had a Thanksgiving feast here at my place tonight and it was AH MAY ZING. Pictures to come with that, also. 

And finally - please take some time to pray for our travel situations we're about to embark on. If you haven't looked, please google the situation in Bangkok (yes, the city we are to fly into on Wednesday) *sigh.

All my love,

Jess.

Warrior

So I came across a message I sent to a friend a while back and shared this with him. I forget who it's from (Probably either John Piper or Oswald Chambers.... my personal faves) but I REALLY wanted to share this with you all. It's written in the context of God giving you a certain reminder on what the perspective should be. 

It's personally so encouraging for someone like me who CRAVES adventure every second of the day and admittedly always thinks "what's next... it's go time". Enjoy.

You want to be a warrior? Be a warrior of need and surrender. Make fighting for a relationship with me your greatest cause and see what other causes come out of that. See what other causes I put in your path. I can bring you adventures, but those things are small. Those are tiny compared to the cause of surrendering your heart and soul to me. That's your cause right now. Daily, hourly surrender of your heart and soul to me. You ARE on an adventure, the big one that I cheer loudest about from the bleachers of heaven IS FOR YOUR HEART. The adventure that begins every morning. That is the adventure I care about. Don't miss that one.

And I do - I miss it all the time because I focus on "What's next" instead of "What's now". I get so lost thinking I need "to do something for him" instead of  "be in a relationship with him". Rev. 2:4 says that I forsake my first love. Repentance. Forgiveness. A minute by minute all consuming need for God.

America the beautiful... almost

I'm about a month away from America. Here's a list of things I can't wait to experience.

1. My amazing friends and family - oh you people rock my world!
2. Spending time at the fire station with Dad
3. CALVARY CHAPEL BOISE!!! I love love LOVE my church family.
4. Massive girl party/sleepover at Alex's
5. YO QUIERO TACO BELL!!!!
6. Clear blue skies, foothills, and North End gloriousness.
7. PITA PIT
8. LASANGNA
9. Driving
10. Albertson's because "It's your store"
11. Java - ahhhhhh
12. Organizing boxes and boxes and bags and bags and bags of my life stuffed in the basement on 14th street.

13. Drying my clothes....  in a clothes dryer!!


I love how a lot of my list consists of food... I can't wait to relax, catch up and cherish every waking (and resting) moment of my time in Boise.

Can't wait! 

All my love -

J

Year One: Check

Those of you who know me well know that I'm kind of a busy person. I am ALWAYS on the go and you know what? I LIKE IT THAT WAY! I'm sure one day when I get married and have kids I'll possibly become more of a home body, but until then... it's go go go!

Well, so lately my style has been cramped. I've been rediculously sick. For quite a while too, I might add. So despite how much I despise going to the Dr. (unless REALLY necessary) I went today. For a few reasons: friends were REALLY starting to get concerned and I needed a medical check to renew my visa anyhow.

So I went - and how did it go? IT WAS HORRIBLE! It wasn't but 45 minutes in before I was abruptly reminded why I hate going to random doctors/hospitals. I don't trust them. So rather than ranting on what a terrible experience, I'd rather just leave it at this:

Two X-rays, 5 tubes of blood and a urine sample later with a "Everything seems to be fine" later, I was given a prescription. I've got the stupid meds, and yes, I'll take them and we'll see what happens.

P.S - Can I just say I'm not surprised when I hear "We just don't know what could be wrong"? My whole medical history in all my life. With FEW exceptions.... that's what I hear.

Ahem - moving on.

Friday marked my last night of my year contract - although I'm now on vacation, I don't really feel quite the sense of excitement I'll feel once Kara gets here on Wednesday. I still feel like there's SOOO much to do. I'm hosting a Thanksgiving dinner next Saturday at my place, so I'm definitely looking forward to it. I feel like my mom. In fact, I'm so much like her... but I learned from her that it's always more important to pack a small house full of lots of amazing people than to have a huge house with no one to fill it.

That will definitely be the case for this Thanksgiving. It will be quaint, but more than anything I'm just super excited at the wonderful friends that will be filling my "home".

The gem in my week:

Rachel

I went to see my student Rachel participate in her English Competition at her public school (it was a GREAT excuse to leave my "bed rest"). I was so excited to show her my support. I was excited to see another former student there as well. It made my day to see Rachel speak and sit with her parents. I felt like a proud parent myself :)

My day has been full

My day has been full of nothing but life's simple blessings. (I'll have photos to come soon) but until then... I just wanted to share why it was so full of joy. Life's simple pleasures are not to be taken for granted!

- Had a sleepover last night with three awesome gals - Sharon, Jung mi and Abbey. We talked, laughed and loved our girl time! Bed time.... oh around 4 a.m. 

- Slept in. Noon baby! Enjoyed relaxing and not having to be somewhere.

- Made breakfast for all the lovely gals at this place. I LOVE hosting people and cooking for them! I think I need to start making banana pancakes more often! Wow.  They were good.

- Dyed Sharon's hair! Weeee! What sleepover isn't complete without some sort of makeover? It turned out super and she loves it.

- Went to an amazing worship service tonight and PRAYED. So encouraged by tonight's message. Again. Shared this time with some amazing women of God - Sarah, Eva, Alison and Abbey.

- Ate at Outback Steakhouse - ate so much food I can't even hardly move. The best part? I have leftovers for tomorrow. (YEAH!)

- My cab driver taught me some Korean and he had a mad mix created featuring (but not limited to) Akon, Blue's Traveler, Jimmy Hendrix and an amazing eclectic mix of other artists. Made my night! Makes me miss home though.

It's been a wonderfully refreshing day. I'm thankful for the faithfulness God continually demonstrates in my life. His provisions are ALWAYS perfect and I never would have foreseen the way He's divinely brought some of us together here and how much He continues to shepherd and teach me in His ways. 

I guess you can say I'm definitely stoked with where God's got me right now. 

All my love

- J

D Day

So when can aircrafts be not permitted to land during perfect weather? Oh... you know, on the national test day here in Korea. The magnitude and the societal pressures of this exam are quite mind blowing. This test is for all high school students to await their fate. See, the exam score determines which college they can go to. Which then determines whether or not the student can get a good job. And of course, if you aren't successful, have a good job or wealthy, you pretty much won't be happy for the rest of your life.

In essence, the 17/18 year old student is literally taking a test that impacts THE REST OF THEIR LIFE!

Click here to read an article with more details.

Gyungbokgung

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Gyungbokgung. 

It's the oldest palace in Seoul and it's massive and absolutely beautiful. My friend Joo Hyeok took me around and we had a great time (despite the huge blisters I gave myself from new shoes.... hah, imagine that... ME with new shoes?!)

Meet Joo Hyeok:

You can truly see the autumn beauty captured in this area. I'm really enjoying the fall season here in Seoul! God's creation is truly nothing short of marvelous!

I think this doorway must definitely be for the Koreas - what do you think? ;)

As we were winding down our tour of the palace, we ended up out toward the Blue House... or where Lee Myung-Bak (the president) lives. It's one of my favorite areas to be. It's so beautiful around this area and the air seems so clean and fresh.

I know... I'm so Korean with my peace sign. BUT really... it's the best thing you can do with your arm for a picture. I love it, and yes, watch out because I will be bringing it back to Boise with me! 

I'll be catching you up on all the fun I had cleaning up vomit from a young child named Ryan this past Saturday. For those of you who don't know... I come from a mother who has the worst gag reflexes known to man... one look at the vomit and I almost lost it myself.  I chaperoned a field trip to Independence Hall on Sat. More to come... stay tuned!

The storm is coming...

I decided to hop on the comic craze and dress up as Storm from Marvel Comic's X-Men. Typically not too thrilled for Halloween, I had a blast picking out my wig and coming up with this idea to be Storm! We headed out to Itaewon (foreigner district in the city) and hung out at Hard Rock Cafe Seoul. SO much fun and was thankful to spend it with so many fun people.

Prior to heading out for the night though, I wore my wig to school. This is my favorite class this term. Such bright and wonderful students. Love them to pieces!

 Judy and Stella. Judy decided to try my wig on for size and give her go at dressing up for halloween. Ha

My co-worker Samara :

And with Ryan Foster Teacher:

And with one of my darling students, Rachel. I adore this little girl.

This is my peacock of a friend Sarah (and my amazing personal makeup artist for the night). I love and appreciate this woman on so many levels. We had a great time dancing the night away :)

Ryan, Trevor, Sarah and Kristen

Laura, Karissa, Sarah, Lindsey, Trevor, Eva and Kristen

Daejeon

I'm a bit behind on updates - I've been a tad under the weather for the last week and a half or so.

A few weekends ago, a few friends and I made our way down to the third largest city in Korea - Daejeon. I was excited to get away and to do some hiking and exploring. Our adventure was filled with an all nighter Friday night, turtles, 7 people all on one floor for bedtime, and sneaking into an amusement park in the middle of the night. I felt like I was about to experience a scene in a horror film. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

The following pictures are courtesy Eric Fernung. PLEASE check out his website by clicking the link from his name. His skill in photography is nothing short of captivating and inspiring.