Korea as a Launchpoint

People call us brave for coming to a country seemingly on the brink of war, but really we are afraid. Afraid of remaining the same, afraid of settling down and wondering what would have happened if we didn’t travel the world now. Afraid that while we are still young, our youth is quickly escaping us. We are afraid of failure, yes, but more afraid of not trying something new.

We want to experience more and see, what most people only dream of or see in books. And many choose their ambitions from here, what they want to do after what they have experienced shapes them. Their decisions enter a new era, a new period, and there is always something new. And isn’t God in the business of making all things new? We could remain but we choose the change, we could choose the knowing and be content, but we chose the unknown to explore and experience.

This is why we come. To find ourselves, because at home is only a small part of who we really are, and when we come out the other side we want to truly know that we did what we could and didn’t hold back. 

Headphone Disaster at the Subway

The other week while traveling in Daejeon, I was waiting for the next train at the subway while I witnessed this funny incident:

Some girl got her headphone jack caught on an ajushi's (Middle-aged or older man) backpack and proceeded to chase him down screeming "ajushi ajushi!" While holding the tail end of her headphones like a dog leash. The people around all watched and smiled a little.

Just after I was entering the subway and a different girl's headphones got stuck on my purse. We both noticed about the same time and as she got the cord unstuck we looked at each other knowingly and smiled. I glanced her way again and we were both laughing internally knowing a second incident of certain headphone disaster had been avoided.

No Regrets

I don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize that I’ve shared laughter and great experiences, but not shared the One who created those things, Jesus, the Savior of the world;

I don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize that I’ve seen all the world and the wonderful things in it, but missed the glory of the Lord;

I don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize that I’ve gone to the rich and the powerful, but failed to help the broken.

I don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize that I’ve made the world more peaceful without allowing true peace to be released through the Author of Peace.

I don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize that I was a mother to only those that have a mother, but not to the motherless.

I don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize that I did lots of things, but nothing that really mattered for eternity.

I don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize that my life was wrapped up in a finite person, but not in the only Eternal God, with no beginning and no end.

I don’t want to come to the end of my life and realize that I gained the whole world and lost my own soul.

So this is my bucket list: to live each day for the Creator of the Universe. To go when He calls, listen when He speaks, and obey when He instructs.

He is all that matters, FOREVER, my Lord, my Father, my King, His name is Yahweh, Jesus, the One true God.

Mark 8:36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

A Weekend in Seoul

With everyday comes new challenges to face and new bridges to cross. Some days the bridges are short and steady, other days they are long and shaky in the wind. On the days when the bridges are long and shaky I can do nothing more than hold tightly to the sides and inch my way across, knowing Jesus is right there beside me guiding me, leading me. 

Seoul: 

Spending a weekend in Seoul was both relaxing and exhausting at the same time. I went up to -Seoul with some friends for the three-day-holiday weekend here which is Buddha’s birthday. We did a lot of sight-seeing and tourist stuff.

The best way to share what I experienced is through some photos:

In a major shopping area in Seoul:

These lanterns were lit especially for Buddha’s birthday down by a stream in Seoul. This is traditionally a place where many couples can be seen, but tonight it was crowded with all kinds of families and foreigners.

Seoul (Namsan) Tower has views of all over the city and lists the distances from Seoul to several places around the world.

Couples write messages to their loved one who is far away here in the tower. In another area outside couples purchase locks and write their love for each other on those lock, and then lock them and throw away the key to symbolize that their love is forever.

Gyeongbukgung Palace is beautiful palace in Seoul. We were able to see the Kings house and the architecture so characteristic of Korea.

In an area of Seoul called Insadong. Known for its tea shops, but one can find many other quaint shops there.
Our lunch starter:

With Kimchi Pizza:

A tea shop in Insadong:

A traditional Korean village:

Enjoy! See you next time! :)

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13