Always on My Mind

Korea is always on my mind lately. But, before I jump to the conclusion that I will automatically fly across the Pacific again anytime soon, I'd like to explore or examine why I'm always thinking about Korea.

I think one reason is because I have too much time on my hands lately. My tutoring hours are over for the school year now. And, my summer job has yet to begin. Therefore, I have too much time on my hands and haven't found adequate nor productive ways of utilizing my free time. Hence, a preoccupation with the past life in Korea. Spending my current free time looking at the past, pictures of friends, and reminiscing about the good ole days. The one thing I miss the most out of everything Korea reminds me of is the sense of community we shared. We looked out for each other. We spent time together outside the four church walls; we met together throughout the week not just on Sundays. We had relational connection with each other. THIS is what I miss most of all. That sense of love and belonging; of fellowship and meaningful connection with others.

Even though I am constantly thinking about returning someday to Korea, I am not one to rush into any decisions (ha~I say that now!). Once I begin working this summer I will have less free time to ponder and think about returning to Korea. For now I should probably focus on being productive in some way in the PRESENT!! Yes, I know that is a better solution.

Psalm 57

So, the other day I was reading the Bible. Right now I am trying to read the Bible in a year, so I was on Psalm 57. There is also a book I am reading, called "What to Do With Your Wait" by Matt Hardee. In one of the chapters I was reading, the author was also studying Psalm 57. Coincidence? I began to wonder why did this psalm, psalm 57, show up twice in my life? Why did the psalm show up twice in my life from two different sources; two different unrelated sources? I concluded that God must be speaking this psalm to me; He must want to highlight this psalm to me at this time. Though there are hardships in the author's life (King David), he praises the Lord. He puts his trust in the Lord. I think this is the message God wants to give me right now at this time. I hope this blesses you as it does me.

Psalm 57 (New King James Version)

Psalm 57
–To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.”[a] A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.

2 I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

4 My soul is among lions;
I lie among the sons of men
Who are set on fire,
Whose teeth are spears and arrows,
And their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

6 They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They have dug a pit before me;
Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.


Footnotes:
a.Psalm 57:1 Hebrew Al Tashcheth
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Source: www.biblegateway.com

A Paradigm Shift~

A 3 year old can often be seen running around, doing his own thing. The nature of a toddler is to explore his world, right?
Think about a kindergardener, or 1st grader. What do they learn at that age? Well, one thing they have to learn how to do is walk in a straight line, behind the teacher. Could it be that, in our spiritual journeys, we too, experience a similar thing?
For example, in the beginning of our walk with God, we might "go here" and "go there", with Jesus sort of like a mom chasing after a toddler. But, as we progress and mature in our walk with God, could it be that we come to a new place of actually following Jesus, much like the 1st grader learns to walk in a straight line behind his teacher?
I don't think that the Lord looks down upon us for being like a toddler in our walk with God. We have to learn step by step how to have and grow in our relationship with God. What mother doesn't love her child as she trains her child in obedience and propriety? Could it be the same with God? Could it be that He knows and understands we all have to start somewhere? And, eventually He teaches us to follow Him rather than do as we please? Lately I've been thinking about this. Even in our immaturity God still loves us. Think of a father who gets a picture from his 3 or 4 year old. Although it might look like a scribble to a human eye, to the Father's eye it is precious and adoreable. I think this is like God's heart towards us too. And, hopefully, someday, we will grow more and more into the image of love. Is this not our destiny?

Friday Afternoon Job Interview

So, many of you have been asking me how did my interview go? And, I appreciate your interest in my well-being. I hope to share a little bit more about that afternoon interview here. First of all, let me say that it was an extremely short interview! I don't think I was even there for more than 30 minutes! But, having said that, I was under the impression that I would be presenting a sample lesson plan to a panel of 2 to 4 interviewers. But, for whatever reason, I had 1 interview person and I didn't really have to "present" the sample lesson plan that I had brought. However, I was able to show the woman who interviewed me the books and materials that I had brought. She thanked me for bringing them, and, seemed surprised and impressed that I had them. That was my impression anyways.

The anticipation for the actual interview itself seemed worse to me than the actual interview. Once the interview was over, I felt a humongous sense of relief. Yet, prior to it, I was a bunch of nerves! I don't like that about myself, but, this is how I am! Anyways, I also felt my feminine, lady-like side of me, which felt great! Recently, I have lost over 30 pounds due to a change in diet and exercise. Because of that, I have never been this slim in a long long time! I felt so positive about my body image, I cannot even begin to tell you. And, I also recently got a new haircut, that is a little bit more stylish than a ponytail I am used to. I wore earrings and an appropriate outfit along with makeup, and I just felt presentable, if you know what I mean.

Anyways, like I said, the interview itself was short. But, during that time I felt I responded appropriately to most of their questions. Many of the questions seemed "predictable", that is, I could have known that that question would pop up! And, most of my answers I felt were good; there was one question that I had to stammer and stutter through a little bit; it caught me a tiny bit off guard. But, I hopefully recovered well enough.

I'm just glad to say that the interview is over. Now I am having to wait for the results. The interviwer told me she had one more person to interview after me, and that she had interviewed 3 others as well. I'm not sure how many positions are open. But, I am definately very qualified and experienced for the position. They called me back Friday afternoon, but I was driving and didn't hear the phone. So, I called them back and left a message. Then they called me back but I was away from the phone, cooking dinner. So, they left me a message to email them for the status of my interview; which I did. Oh I wish they would just say, "you're hired". But they didn't do that!! I'm hoping that they're calling me is a good sign, but, until I know for certain I hang in there! And, put my trust in God alone who provides for all my needs, sustains and loves me. And, remembering that God is good. God is good and He is working out his plan (for my life). May I keep my eyes on Him.