17 days to go...

I can't believe I'm looking at my Korean Adventure on  my Google Calendar, meaning it's coming around  the corner! I knew eventually I'd have to start my countdown...

To those of you who wonder, no I haven't started packing. I like to be last minute on that kind of  detail. Instead I've been soaking up some last minute roadtrips with some of my favorite people.

I spent last week at Tohiglo helping with CROSS, INC. It was one of those weeks that my soul needed so badly. I've never been more blessed then I was last week. I always learn from my campers, and this time was no exception. I also learned from my other counselors, as usual. To watch my junior counselors step up and learn and grow was so rewarding! I remember when I was the jr counselor and Meredith & Jen coached me through the week-- promising I could do it.
I think Korea could become an experience similar to that, coaching my students through their first international adventure, learning & soaking in every minute... JR reminded me not to rush forward, always  planning the next thing, but to remember to thank God and praise Him in the now. I needed that reminder. I don't want to rush through this summer...

Over the weekend I spent time with Nan. She told me some funny stories about her & my granddad. He had just been in Italy before he died, and was planning a trip to Korea the next weekend. He'd traveled and worked with the Korean government before... and loved being there & the people. They named a boat after him.  I have always been so interested in Granddad's travels and all the cool things he did and experienced. Nan gave me the lire he had in his pockets from that last trip to Italy...

You never know which adventure will be your last... so fill your pockets with memories and soak in every minute... praise God for  each person you pass, and each conversation granted, and pray that every opportunity will extend grace to those who need it... Salt & Light... as easy as that.

Your prayers are still coveted as last minute details wind up!

The True Road to Somewhere...

I'm not sure how it came to Blogging, but here I am. :) 


I'm leaving for Seoul, South Korea in just a couple weeks; the requests to "keep us updated" led me to think that this might be the easiest route to write it all out... the night-before packing nightmare, our inevitable silly airplane stories, our first run-in with kimchi, learning about my new students at GVCS, and trying to discover the "true road to somewhere..."


Now this little turn of phrase is from Psalms, here's the section from the Message Bible: 
Psalm 119:25-32 
I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders. My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word. Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don't let me down! I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.


I don't usually use the Message, but I think this section sounds like something  I would actually just pray myself. I'm clinging to the truth that God knows what's best for me and will help me understand the path my life is taking in a positive manner-- so I can ponder His miracles. I'm tired of feeling like I'm going Nowhere, I want to go Somewhere. According to the verse, the way to Somewhere is by posting God's truth at every curve. 


So here's my curve... I'm going  to Korea. I'm praying this is the beginning to Somewhere....  


I covet your prayers as things are prepared! 
-e