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.
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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
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