Lows and Highs

I was sitting here trying to figure out what to write. What would you all be interested in hearing about?

This past month has been filled with some highs and some lows, typical of life anywhere. The lows for me have included getting to know some of the politics of the school where we work, feeling very stuck without a vehicle to get around, and more than ever just missing my friends back at home.

I struggle with the casual remarks people typically throw out..."Oh, you'll make friends," or "you can celebrate memorial day any where," or "Looks like you are adjusting and fitting into life there." What if I am not really making friends or adjusting well and fitting in, and who really thinks you can make Memorial Day here feel like it does back home when there are no brats, no grills, no good friends, and no holiday on that day. Sometimes I think people just want you to hurry and make friends and adjust so that you are no longer their concern. They want to preceive that all is happy and good here since we are doing the Lord's work overseas.

I do think we are adjusting, and I do think we will make friends...but it does take time. I was talking to a lady the other day who reminded me not to try to rush the process. It is hard because after six months, I am sick of feeling out of place and confused about what is being communicated to me. But honestly, these things always take time.

So what were the highs of this past month? I loved watching TaLisa compete at her swim meet, winning first place in her division in backstroke and second in freestyle. My heart was filled with gratitude when I learned that the girls' closest friends (sisters Hanul and Binna) will stay another year at Faith Academy instead of returning to Korea. I also enjoyed getting to know Soojin, Hanul and Binna's mom, over delicious Korean food. Watching Nathaniel compete at field day and Robbie give a speech in his class, taking pictures of a huge lightning storm from our balcony with Kris, seeing the hills around us turn lush green with the typhoon rains, playing Settler's of Catan with the kids, pulling out loose teeth, getting a note from ShaeLynn telling me how much she loves me, and helping her and Robbie get ready for their middle school banquet...these have been the highs for me.

So even though I still miss doing things with my friends and holidays that are part of our American culture, I am learning to appreciate the rich moments that are part of my life here. Today I choose to focus on the blessings that God is giving me!