(PRAISE JESUS FOR AUTO SAVE! If you ever have typed a blog and thought you lost it all by some dumb mistake you made just hit control D to recover it!)
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Don't you love that blog title? It's so creative and original... HA!
As is my usual habit, it's been months since I blogged last. It looks like my last blog post was on July 4th. At the time I was concerned because my time at home was dwindling. Now I've been back in Korea for 7 weeks. It's crazy how time flies!
This year already seem to be easier, while we still have our concerns and busy-ness, there is definitely less spiritual darkness. It seems as if our new teachers are all excited to serve and overall there seems to be a like mind among the staff. Hopefully, they (the new teachers) are finally feeling a little more comfortable in their classrooms and are adjusting into life in Korea.
Every year that I return to ICS, change is in my face. Change has always been a struggle for me. However, I think over the years I've adapted to it pretty well. I still don't like it, but I know there is a purpose in all of it. Thankfully, the Lord has been gracious enough to allow me grace and strength to handle it.
This school year has proven to be as busy (if not busier) as all the rest. I'm teaching my usual load of 5 classes (but this year I have two new groups of students, usually I only have one).
I'm coaching girls volleyball alone, which is turning into quite the task. However, the harder the task, is the more I learn from it.
I'm still the class sponsor for this year's senior class. (The hard, teeth pulling-like job of getting the seniors to work to raise money for their senior trip will be worth it in April, when I'm sitting by a pool in the hot sun, that is overlooking the ocean!)
I'm planning on starting my first master's classes in October (scary! Start praying for me now!) and I am leading a retreat for 9th and 10th grade girls at our school. Thankfully I've got a group of ladies that are excited about helping out with this retreat. My prayer is that as we work together to make this happen, that God will be glorified in our lives and in the lives of the girls who will attend.
I'm still singing with the praise team at my church, but have taken on the task of selecting the music (I enjoy this so much - although it is hard to choose just 8 songs...)
On top of all of this, I've decided that it's time to make some changes in my life, starting with my weight. I haven't shared this with many people, but the few that I have felt comfortable enough to share this with have been super supportive and encouraging.
My new sister in law shared with me this summer about her weight loss and how it only happened through prayer. Since I have made the decision to lose weight, my sister in laws words have been an encouragement to me. When I find it hard to choose to exercise at night or when I wake up. I remember her words and then start praying.
You might be thinking about my reason for choosing to lose weight. It wasn't because of what Elaine told me. It was the fact that turned 29 this summer and it freaked me out that I'll be 30 next year. A lot of the people I know say things like, "Oh, but you are still a young girl!" or "30 is not old!" It may be true when my 88 year old grandmother or my 65 year old mom (or is it 66? sorry - at least you don't look like it Momma!) say it, but it has really freaked me out.
I think almost being 30 scares me, because I kind of expected certain things to have happened by this point in my life. God has had other plans and I accept that, but I do need to change the things that I can, and really my weight loss is about the only thing I can change.
I've never been a small girl (except maybe when I was like 5...) and I don't intend to get "skinny", I just want to be healthy and not be the largest person in Korea.
So there you have it, my life in one long blog post. If you've read this far, thanks, I could really use your prayers, too. I'm used to being busy, but I think I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. Thankfully, God has been showing me that I can stay busy, if I am focused on Him first. He's teaching me about grace and prayer. Hopefully, the lessons I learn will stick.
About Me
- Kristen Moore
- Uijongbu, South Korea
- 28 year old Arkansas Girl living in South Korea, teaching science and coaching volleyball, soccer and basketball! Welcome!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Today is July 4th, it is also the first day since I have been back in the states that I didn't do anything. Well I did go to a friends for lunch to celebrate, but ended up coming home at about 4:30 with a toothache that still hasn't gone away. Dentist on Monday? Maybe.
I haven't opened my blogger since my last post, if you scroll down you will see that was in March. Please excuse me, being a teacher, inevitably means that from about March to June your life is super busy, so that is my excuse for now posting anything until now. This past school year was quite a struggle, so I looked forward to this summer break for a bit of rest, but that hasn't really happened yet. It's okay though, my summer has been filled with some pretty incredible things. Here is a short list of what I've done since I got home:
1. Arrived in Memphis June 12
2. On the 15th, my friend came for a visit, we ate well and saw some pretty sights ;)
3. Flew out of Memphis June 17 to Orlando (my brother got married)
4. On the 18th went to Disney World with my Grandmother who was 87 years old, my parents, and my brother and his fiance.
5. On the 19th was the rehearsal dinner
6. On the 20th was the wedding
7. On the 21st went to church, big lunch, to see The Proposal, then had a great dinner (steaks and potatoes anyone)
8. On the 22nd flew back to Memphis, drove to C'ville, got my stuff, drove back to Southaven for the first night of PFO, then drove home afterwards to a visitiation for a dear friend who had just passed away.
9. Stayed at PFO from the 23rd - 3rd, with 10 4, 5, 6 year old children who will be leaving with their parents to go work as teachers in many different countries.
Like I said, I was busy. Needless to say yesterday I slept about 4 hours once I got home and took a couple of naps today.
These last three weeks have flown by and while I am seeing my time at home slip away, I am thankful for all I have done. It was so fun to watch my Grandmother enjoy herself so much at Disney and to have that time with my family. I am also thankful for the opportunity to serve again at PFO. It sure takes my summer time away, but I think it helps me to get out of my "little world" and gets me focused on to the bigger picture of this world and the need for the Truth to be spread.
I imagine my next 20 days at home will be filled with visits, book reading, catching up on my Mexican food eating, and relishing my time with my family, church family, and my friends - which is starting to seem like less and less each year, but I know that for the time being God has called me to this, so I will have to enjoy each moment I am given with my family and friends.
I haven't opened my blogger since my last post, if you scroll down you will see that was in March. Please excuse me, being a teacher, inevitably means that from about March to June your life is super busy, so that is my excuse for now posting anything until now. This past school year was quite a struggle, so I looked forward to this summer break for a bit of rest, but that hasn't really happened yet. It's okay though, my summer has been filled with some pretty incredible things. Here is a short list of what I've done since I got home:
1. Arrived in Memphis June 12
2. On the 15th, my friend came for a visit, we ate well and saw some pretty sights ;)
3. Flew out of Memphis June 17 to Orlando (my brother got married)
4. On the 18th went to Disney World with my Grandmother who was 87 years old, my parents, and my brother and his fiance.
5. On the 19th was the rehearsal dinner
6. On the 20th was the wedding
7. On the 21st went to church, big lunch, to see The Proposal, then had a great dinner (steaks and potatoes anyone)
8. On the 22nd flew back to Memphis, drove to C'ville, got my stuff, drove back to Southaven for the first night of PFO, then drove home afterwards to a visitiation for a dear friend who had just passed away.
9. Stayed at PFO from the 23rd - 3rd, with 10 4, 5, 6 year old children who will be leaving with their parents to go work as teachers in many different countries.
Like I said, I was busy. Needless to say yesterday I slept about 4 hours once I got home and took a couple of naps today.
These last three weeks have flown by and while I am seeing my time at home slip away, I am thankful for all I have done. It was so fun to watch my Grandmother enjoy herself so much at Disney and to have that time with my family. I am also thankful for the opportunity to serve again at PFO. It sure takes my summer time away, but I think it helps me to get out of my "little world" and gets me focused on to the bigger picture of this world and the need for the Truth to be spread.
I imagine my next 20 days at home will be filled with visits, book reading, catching up on my Mexican food eating, and relishing my time with my family, church family, and my friends - which is starting to seem like less and less each year, but I know that for the time being God has called me to this, so I will have to enjoy each moment I am given with my family and friends.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Basketball, Traveling, Purity... Oh My!
Wow, my last entry was during final exams in December and now it's already March! Craziness. Since I returned from Christmas Vacation my life has been filled with basketball and traveling. Oh, teaching, too! HA!
We finished our basketball season with an undefeated season in Division II and a championship tourney title. The day after our KAIAC tourney, we left for Iwakuni, Japan for the DODD'S Small School Far East Basketball Tournament. While we didn't win any games in the tournament, the girls were challenged more than they have been in a couple of seasons. It was hard to watch them lose, but it was great to see them playing so well and working so hard. We spent the week on the Marine base in Iwakuni. It was a good time of basketball, fun, and some relaxation for us.
We returned on Saturday afternoon and then on the following Wednesday, I left with 15 of our seniors and two other teachers for the Senior Trip in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. It was a wonderful time. Malaysia was beautiful, our resort was grand, and the kids were great. It was so fun to be with these seniors, many of which were in my first homeroom class; 5 years ago! It's hard to believe they are going to be graduating in May.
After 5 funfilled days, I returned to Uijongbu to some very cold temperatures and snow the next morning. It has been hard for me to get back to work, I'd much rather be sitting back by the pool relaxing. I'm sure anyone would agree, but as nice as that would be, I'm really glad to be back in my classroom with my students. I miss them when I'm gone and from what they tell me, they miss me, too. It's nice to come "home" to them.
Tomorrow is our purity seminar, many people (not me -- too busy) have done so much to prepare for this event. I'm thankful that so many of our teachers and some teacher's wives have given of themselves to do this. My prayer is that the student's hearts (and mine) will be willing to listen to and apply what God's word says about living a pure life. It's so easy to be swayed by the things of this world (even the good stuff), it is always a good reminder to live pure lives for our Holy God who is so good and so worthy to be praised!
I'm closing with a few pictures, if you'd like to see more please visit my facebook page. Here
Tomorrow is our purity seminar, many people (not me -- too busy) have done so much to prepare for this event. I'm thankful that so many of our teachers and some teacher's wives have given of themselves to do this. My prayer is that the student's hearts (and mine) will be willing to listen to and apply what God's word says about living a pure life. It's so easy to be swayed by the things of this world (even the good stuff), it is always a good reminder to live pure lives for our Holy God who is so good and so worthy to be praised!
I'm closing with a few pictures, if you'd like to see more please visit my facebook page. Here
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
My Christmas Blessing
Tomorrow I will give my last exam for 2008. I can't believe we are at the end of another semester. Although I'm shocked at how quickly this time has arrived, I am very aware that it couldn't be at a better time. This semester has been difficult, but I know that difficult times help us to rely more on our God and strengthen our faith in Him.
I had originally planned to stay in Korea for the break for several reasons, finances being the first. I went through a roller coaster of emotions considering this, but in the end had accepted that I would stay here and do a lot of relaxing. My parents were also struggling with the thought of me not coming home, trying to prepare themselves for that - I really don't think I make that much of a difference, I spend alot of money and complain alot, it's hard to think that they really miss me so much. A co-worker of my mom's reminded my mother that God can work miracles and told my mom to ask God for a way to get me home.
So back in October my mom and dad started praying. I have to be honest here, I didn't pray as much as they did. Even though I knew it would be hard, I felt like I would be okay staying, so I just accepted that if God wanted me to go home He would provide the way and left it at that.
A couple of months passed and I started to get more homesick, but I was just trying to deal with the thought of not going home.
Then a few weeks ago I was at church and as I walked out the door, I noticed on the "Secret Sister gift table" an envelope with my name on it. I thought, "That's odd, I already got my gift today." I picked it up and thought what a weird gift, my roommate suggested that it might be socks, but I had a suspicion that this envelope had more than socks in it. I opened up the end of it and what I saw was amazing it was a HUGE stack of money (when I say huge, I mean it, the largest Korean currency is a manwon --think $10.00 bill) and a note that said, "Kristen, Use this if you want to go home for Christmas, if not give it to someone in need."
I was shocked. I showed my roommates who were also shocked, so we quietly slipped out of the door and walked to go get lunch. Obviously as we ate I only had one thing in mind. I finished quickly then hopped on the scooter to get home and call my parents before it was too late.
I called and told them both to get on the phone, so they got the other phone and then I said I have some news..."I'm getting married." They laughed (I've used that line before -- I'm hoping I'm like the boy who cried wolf) and then I went on to tell them the news. After lots of crying, praising, laughing I told them I had to be certain. I wasn't sure if I needed to give the money away or if I was supposed to come home. I told them we need to pray about this, so we did. I told them I'd check airline tickets and see if there was anything available and if there was a good deal.
So, I checked and then decided later that I needed to go home. Tickets were amazingly cheap, I had about 300,000 Won left over, so I would be able to help someone in need with that money.
Later I called home and told my parents they needed to be at the airport waiting. My dad said, "We'll be there, waiting!" When I think about him saying that I can picture he and my mom (maybe my Grandmother, too) front and center of the crowd in Memphis waiting for me to walk down that terminal. My dad is taller than many people, so I'll see him first. As soon as I come into view, they both will start crying while I'll fight back to the urge to take off sprinting toward them trying with all my might not to let them see me cry, too.
I can't wait to go home.
~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you Lord for your amazing provision. Thank for you for providing what is best. I pray that as I share my Christmas Story your light will be reflected and others will see what this Christmas season is all about.
~Kristen
I had originally planned to stay in Korea for the break for several reasons, finances being the first. I went through a roller coaster of emotions considering this, but in the end had accepted that I would stay here and do a lot of relaxing. My parents were also struggling with the thought of me not coming home, trying to prepare themselves for that - I really don't think I make that much of a difference, I spend alot of money and complain alot, it's hard to think that they really miss me so much. A co-worker of my mom's reminded my mother that God can work miracles and told my mom to ask God for a way to get me home.
So back in October my mom and dad started praying. I have to be honest here, I didn't pray as much as they did. Even though I knew it would be hard, I felt like I would be okay staying, so I just accepted that if God wanted me to go home He would provide the way and left it at that.
A couple of months passed and I started to get more homesick, but I was just trying to deal with the thought of not going home.
Then a few weeks ago I was at church and as I walked out the door, I noticed on the "Secret Sister gift table" an envelope with my name on it. I thought, "That's odd, I already got my gift today." I picked it up and thought what a weird gift, my roommate suggested that it might be socks, but I had a suspicion that this envelope had more than socks in it. I opened up the end of it and what I saw was amazing it was a HUGE stack of money (when I say huge, I mean it, the largest Korean currency is a manwon --think $10.00 bill) and a note that said, "Kristen, Use this if you want to go home for Christmas, if not give it to someone in need."
I was shocked. I showed my roommates who were also shocked, so we quietly slipped out of the door and walked to go get lunch. Obviously as we ate I only had one thing in mind. I finished quickly then hopped on the scooter to get home and call my parents before it was too late.
I called and told them both to get on the phone, so they got the other phone and then I said I have some news..."I'm getting married." They laughed (I've used that line before -- I'm hoping I'm like the boy who cried wolf) and then I went on to tell them the news. After lots of crying, praising, laughing I told them I had to be certain. I wasn't sure if I needed to give the money away or if I was supposed to come home. I told them we need to pray about this, so we did. I told them I'd check airline tickets and see if there was anything available and if there was a good deal.
So, I checked and then decided later that I needed to go home. Tickets were amazingly cheap, I had about 300,000 Won left over, so I would be able to help someone in need with that money.
Later I called home and told my parents they needed to be at the airport waiting. My dad said, "We'll be there, waiting!" When I think about him saying that I can picture he and my mom (maybe my Grandmother, too) front and center of the crowd in Memphis waiting for me to walk down that terminal. My dad is taller than many people, so I'll see him first. As soon as I come into view, they both will start crying while I'll fight back to the urge to take off sprinting toward them trying with all my might not to let them see me cry, too.
I can't wait to go home.
~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you Lord for your amazing provision. Thank for you for providing what is best. I pray that as I share my Christmas Story your light will be reflected and others will see what this Christmas season is all about.
~Kristen
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Psalm 62:5-8
This year in my Thursday night prayer group we agreed to learn verses and recite them each week. We're using John Piper's Fighter Verses. This time to memorize and share verses has been an encouragement to me. It seems like the verses are very timely and a reminder to me to be focused on Who is most important.
This past week for me was very emotional and I was a bit depressed, thankfully the Fighter Verse for this week was just what I needed to hear. I thought I'd share it here.
Psalm 62: 5 - 8
"In God Alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times O people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
This past week for me was very emotional and I was a bit depressed, thankfully the Fighter Verse for this week was just what I needed to hear. I thought I'd share it here.
Psalm 62: 5 - 8
"In God Alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times O people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
Meditating on this verse strengthened me this week. I hope it can be to someone else, too. When I wait in silence for Him and pour out my heart to Him, His peace sustains me.
~Kristen
Friday, September 12, 2008
Time flies...
I can't believe I just finished the fourth week of my fifth year here at ICS. It seems like it was yesterday that I was boarding the plane to come to Korea for the first time. I was so scared then, I had no clue what to expect. My initial thoughts were to stay two years and then go back to the states and get a "real" job. HA! Now I can't even imagine doing anything different.
Sometimes it is very difficult to be here, so far away from my family. Other times, I don't even notice the distance. I can't begin to describe how blessed I am to be here.
Life in this community is not always easy, but it is something special that God has granted to us here. We are a very close bunch of people, yes we have our own lives and we have our own families, but we all share several common bonds that keep us together. We definitely are a family, of sorts.
Life in this community is not always easy, but it is something special that God has granted to us here. We are a very close bunch of people, yes we have our own lives and we have our own families, but we all share several common bonds that keep us together. We definitely are a family, of sorts.
My prayer is that I'll not neglect to remember how special this is, because I know when I move on from this place (I have no clue when that will be) I will be longing for this kind of closeness.
In this type of close environment, I am constantly being reminded of the need to love others. What I've discovered, is that I'm not good at it. I love those who love me, because that is easy. If it takes extra work and less pride to love someone, I have a terrible tendency to run away.
This tendency has been pointed out to me in a variety of ways over the past month. I have to quit. I should love because God is love - unending, perfect love. As a Christian, I should be becoming more like God. I should love like Him, but I can't do it on my own. I must look to Him as my example and offer my heart completely to Him. He will restore it and enable me to love as He loves.
This means that when something gets hard and I find it difficult to be loving to another person, for whatever the reason, I can't run away. I must get over myself, look to Him and love that person.
This may never be an easy task, but God has been showing me that this is of utmost importance.
If you are reading this, please pray for me and with me to love regardless and to not give up.
~Kristen
Pictures from the last few weeks:
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