Mmmm, dakbokgi and kimchee. Two of Seth's favorite foods here in Korea (although he just updated me yesterday that dakbokgi may be his favorite food, but then he took it back once he starting thinking about all the foods he loved- didn't want to even try to rank them). I'm not going to even try to learn how to prepare kimchee (fermented cabbage- actually not as bad as it sounds) but the above picture is my first attempt at making dakbokgi, a dish with lots (!) of red pepper paste, rice cylinders (my mind is blank for how to describe them in English, "dak" is the Korean word- now you understand don't you:), odeng (ground fish), and some noodles- just for kicks!
Another of the many extreme joys of Korean food is having it delivered to your apartment. Seth stopped by the Bap Shop (a restaurant next door to apartment), ordered some food, and in just a short 20 minutes, this tasty treasure appeared at our door! Would you believe it was only $8? Love it!

I've realized that most of our posts have revolved around food, which if you know us at all, you're probably not surprised. Ok, so moving on...

It's crazy the lessons that God will bring you clear across the world to learn. I can't even begin to articulate them all. Seth and I have been talking about time a lot lately. We CANNOT believe how quickly our time here is going by already! We've been here for a month and a half! What? As the days and weeks go by, as time passes on, we're increasingly aware of just how short life is and how little time we actually have to be here. There's so much to do, so much that needs to change about this world. And we've got only one life to live. We read news reports on the despairing situation places around the world. Genocide in Darfur, the homeless in Pakistan, children being sold into slavery. And here I sit working on lesson plans, grading tests, cooking supper, thinking about our plans for the future, wondering about the uncertainties. I see pictures of children, starving, and wonder what would happen if we could adopt them, to save just one from certain poverty. What would it mean if we were to just adopt kids rather than have our own (and in no way am I insinuating that we seriously thinking about having kids or adopting any right now- definitely not ready for that)? I know I can't save the whole world. 64e

I'm not saying that each of us should pack up and take the next flight across the world. But I am challenging each of us- to branch out- do something. Even if it is in the smallest way.

"They attempt to appease God by going to church, occasionally praying or serving in some way, but their true heart follows their own desires, and they follow their will and way over God's." (Living Life)
Is this me? Do I do a random act of kindness, check it off as my Christian duty for the day, and then immerse myself in the endless routine of life? What does this reflect about how I see God? Like some vending machine that I control? Is that all God is in my life? Another really great quote:
"The tiniest fragment of obedience, and heaven opens up and the profoundest truths of God are yours straight away. God will never reveal more truth about himself till you obey what you know already." ~ Oswald Chambers
As I wrote before, God has used this experience in Korea to teach me so much. In the pruning that he's done on my heart, I've been able see his truth in new ways, as he's removing the pride and the ugliness within my heart. It's not easy, it's painful, but I wouldn't want it any other way. It is shaping to be a better daughter, sister, wife, and friend. Pain is absolutely necessary to lead an abundant life. We're reminded repeatedly in the Gospels that we're going to suffer. Yep, no doubt about it. Most of us spend our lives (myself included) trying to avoid pain. Obvious characteristic of human nature. Yet, as my lovely hubby is EXCELLENT about reminding me of, we're not called to live easy lives.
Sometimes I wish I could lead an easy life. Moving here to South Korea was extremely difficult for me. Never before had I cried for almost two hours straight after saying good-bye to my family. And as I think about this, I think one of the hardest parts for me is hearing people say after learning about our adventure to South Korea, "Wow, I could never do that, I'm too close to my family." What and I'm not? Like it's easy for me to pack up and leave? Like my family is somehow less important to me than any other person's family? Have you seen me with my sisters?
"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.' So that all men he has made may know his work..." ~ Job 37:5-6.
His ways are MARVELOUS. Without Him my life would be void of abundance. But do I allow him to be "beyond our (-my-) understanding"? To work in my life far beyond than what I'd ever imagined? What does my answer look like? Am I a mere trickle or am I a monsoon?