It’s time to leave

Wow. Incredible. I am currently at the end of my time in Korea. Don’t know if I said this before or not, but it really feels surreal. In some ways it feels like it was forever ago that I came here, but in many more ways it feels like it was just yesterday. This year has been full of challenges and joys and I’m grateful for all I’ve learned.

This week I taught my final kindergarten and elementary classes. I watched my precious kinder students graduate and move up to first grade! I said some tearful goodbyes to students and co-workers. And once more I’m all packed up and ready to move. Transition, transition – it never seems to end. I think I will always feel like a stranger and traveler in this world. In the midst of uncertainty and new beginnings, I am thankful for the reminder of just how transient this life is, and how I’ll never be completely at home until I am with Christ in glory.

I’ve been pretty busy lately and under a fair amount of emotional/mental stress. I think it’s got me feeling a bit like a broken record. I can’t fully process everything because so much has been happening. But I am looking forward to some time of renewal and recuperation. There is a lot of change in my life right now, but I know it’s going to be ok. I am excited for the future and I look forward to continuing on the path set before me.

Tomorrow I will move out of my apartment and travel out to the area near the Incheon Airport. I’ll stay at a hotel for my last night and be on my way to Spain the next day! I am so happy to be seeing my parents again very soon and getting to explore some more of Spain and Europe. Life is great and I’m so thankful for mine.

Grace, Daisy and Amanda on the morning of our last field trip.

My co-teacher, Amy, and I

Sally, Amy and Grace after their graduation!!

A new year and more countdowns

This year has started off in a flurry of activity. January flew by much more quickly than I thought it would and now I find myself facing a mere 21 days left in Korea. I can hardly believe it! A year ago I was getting psyched up to plunge into the great unknown and now I am preparing to leave the place that has become my home.

I’ve been pretty busy with my job and and church/bible study on the weekends, but I’m also trying to do last minute things in Korea and make sure I see all my friends at least one more time to say goodbye. In January, I had the joy of attending the wedding of one of my best friend’s here in Korea, Leanne. This first week of February I had 3 days off from teaching, so I took advantage of the vacation by going with some friends to a ski resort about 3 hours away from Seoul. I only skied for a couple hours, however. The rest of the time I just enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the fresh air and the good company of two girl friends – or napped!

I’m really looking forward to the next phase of my life, whatever it will hold. At the same time, it’s very bitter sweet to be facing the reality that I will have to say my goodbyes to 9 little students that have become the center of my universe. I love their adorable, spunky, crazy selves to death. It’s hard to think of when I’ve faced a more difficult goodbye! On February 27th I’ll say a final goodbye to Korea and hop on a plane for Madrid. I expect to return to the U.S. sometime in April. I can hardly wait!!!

For now I’ll leave you with some recent photos with my students and also of my trip to the ski resort.

Amy, Sally, Amanda & Kelly

Here the kids are making pasta jewelry for art class

Some views at the resort