I prayed that God would open the doors for more jobs and he opened the flood gates!! I now have 4 part time jobs. All very different and exciting.
1. phone tutoring office workers via skype
2. tutoring a group of lawyers from a well known law firm in Korea
3. editing and proofreading power point presentations and monthly reports at a real Korean company! www.pentabreed.com
4. Private tutoring a friends', husbands', friend in business English.
So much favor- I'm gonna explode!
March 5, 2012
March 4, 2012
My life is not all about eating, sleeping, working and shopping. It's also about JUSTICE.
(via ijm.org)
Help deliver a letter with 72,000 signatures to President Obama so our message is loud and clear: We want the President to help end slavery once and for all.
SIGN HERE!!!
The more signatures on the letter to the President, the louder the message. After you’ve signed the letter, ask your friends to stand for freedom on Twitter, Facebook and email. We cannot reach our goal without you.
Dear President Obama:
Next year, our country will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Although slavery is illegal almost everywhere in the world today, it endures at home and abroad. We respectfully call upon you to make the United States a leader in the fight to end slavery - again.
Americans want to end slavery once and for all. The U.S. government can play a powerful role in fighting this crime by supporting robust law enforcement and victim relief at home and abroad.
This year, we urge you to make our country a leader in the fight to end modern-day slavery by:
1. Taking a stand: In your 2012 Address to the U.N. General Assembly, charge the nations gathered to abolish modern-day slavery.
2. Getting slavery out of U.S. supply chains: When you authorize trade preference programs and free trade agreements, require that our partners take steps to ensure their supply chains are slavery-free, and insist that all U.S. government contracts include supply chain transparency requirements, so that we can ensure our tax dollars are never spent on slave-made goods.
3. Providing diplomatic support: Call on U.S. diplomats to work with foreign governments on high-level strategies to rescue victims of slavery and trafficking, apprehend perpetrators and eradicate the crime.
4. Funding the fight: Develop a Presidential Fund to Eradicate Slavery through the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons that will provide resources to help 15 "Focus Countries" end trafficking, and develop a Global Fund to Eradicate Slavery with other donor countries and private sources this year to announce at the 2013 meeting of the G-8.
It is time to take a stand so we can bring an end to slavery in our lifetime.'
WHY?
- Human Trafficking, often referred to as Modern Day Slavery, is the recruitment, harboring, transporting or procurement of any person for labor or services including slavery or commercial sex acts.
- It is estimated that human trafficking generates $32 billion annually.
- In the United States, there are as many is 15 to 18 thousand international victims per year who are smuggled or transported within the U.S. to be enslaved in either forced labor or sex-work.
- The single largest demographic for newly targeted victims by traffickers here in the United States is American-born girls aged 12-to-14 years old.
- The number of victims has increased exponentially in the United States, with approximately 20% of all Human Trafficking cases coming out of Texas.
- An estimated 200,000 American children are at high risk for trafficking into the sex industry every year.
- Of those trafficked internationally, 80% are female and 50% are children.
"If you were to ask 100 rescued victims of child sex-trafficking where they see themselves in 10 years, just about all of them would say they won't be alive then. Sadly, the average victim of child sex-trafficking is an American girl aged 12 to 14 with an average lifespan, after enslavement, of 7 years."
http://www.freedomyouthproject.org/p/human-trafficking-facts.html
March 3, 2012
Hello friends! Here are some pics- mostly taken on Thursday (3/1) which was a national holiday in Korea.
The day started with a lovely breakfast with my small group members at Butterfingers. I had french toast with all the fixings.
There was even a purse hanger under the table!
I die! I almost bought them because they were so cheap! haha
I'm such a sucker for super cute socks!
The night ended with some yummy Japanese ramen place (Hakatabunkko in Hongdae)
The day started with a lovely breakfast with my small group members at Butterfingers. I had french toast with all the fixings.
There was even a purse hanger under the table!
I die! I almost bought them because they were so cheap! haha
I'm such a sucker for super cute socks!
The night ended with some yummy Japanese ramen place (Hakatabunkko in Hongdae)
February 24, 2012
T - 5days
T- 5 days till I move out of my homestay and get paid for phone tutoring!! I think the mom would like me out sooner as she took away my keys earlier this week and asked for my passport # (which I did not give to her).
I have in writing that I can stay until 2/29 and even though it's pretty uncomfortable living here and the mom barely looks at me....I'm staying in order to save more money. Earlier this week we had pizza for dinner (first time) and Sophie told me that it was because she did really well on her English level-up exam that she had taken a few weeks ago.....while I was still tutoring her....interesting... :-/ But in all seriousness I really have to keep praying that I leave here with no bitterness or anger towards the mother....only with God will this be possible....
I will be moving to Yoksam to stay at the SWS guesthouse. They are letting me stay there for the first month or so and hopefully by then something else will open up. For the first few months they're letting me stay in a much bigger room with a tv, and kitchen/dining area, for the same price as a single room with just a bed, table and chair. I will have to move to a smaller room probably in April or May. They actually only have 7 rooms in total and in the summer it could get crowded as more people come to visit. I also suggested that if I helped them out with certain things, maybe they could give me a bigger discount. As it is now I will have to pay $450/month which is really good considering I don't have to pay for utilities, cable, internet, furniture, etc. But if I can pay less that will only help me save more.
My phone tutoring is going pretty well and I really like the people that I talk to. It's very easy to have conversations with a majority of them. There are 2 people who I've never spoken to yet- they never answer my call! haha- but I was told this is normal. I bascially just talk to them for 15 minutes about anything. Our calls are recorded and I have to make corrections to what they said. It's sometimes a bit challenging because it requires me to really know my "English"! Or sometimes I email them news articles and we talk about them. Best of all- I can do it from home!!
Since I gave up facebook for Lent, I will upload my pics here!
Thursday night went to an all you can eat meat place with some new friends from church.
@ 고기킹 with Sara, Chris and David
Beef and duck sizzling away
raw meat! YUM!!
I have in writing that I can stay until 2/29 and even though it's pretty uncomfortable living here and the mom barely looks at me....I'm staying in order to save more money. Earlier this week we had pizza for dinner (first time) and Sophie told me that it was because she did really well on her English level-up exam that she had taken a few weeks ago.....while I was still tutoring her....interesting... :-/ But in all seriousness I really have to keep praying that I leave here with no bitterness or anger towards the mother....only with God will this be possible....
I will be moving to Yoksam to stay at the SWS guesthouse. They are letting me stay there for the first month or so and hopefully by then something else will open up. For the first few months they're letting me stay in a much bigger room with a tv, and kitchen/dining area, for the same price as a single room with just a bed, table and chair. I will have to move to a smaller room probably in April or May. They actually only have 7 rooms in total and in the summer it could get crowded as more people come to visit. I also suggested that if I helped them out with certain things, maybe they could give me a bigger discount. As it is now I will have to pay $450/month which is really good considering I don't have to pay for utilities, cable, internet, furniture, etc. But if I can pay less that will only help me save more.
My phone tutoring is going pretty well and I really like the people that I talk to. It's very easy to have conversations with a majority of them. There are 2 people who I've never spoken to yet- they never answer my call! haha- but I was told this is normal. I bascially just talk to them for 15 minutes about anything. Our calls are recorded and I have to make corrections to what they said. It's sometimes a bit challenging because it requires me to really know my "English"! Or sometimes I email them news articles and we talk about them. Best of all- I can do it from home!!
Since I gave up facebook for Lent, I will upload my pics here!
Thursday night went to an all you can eat meat place with some new friends from church.
@ 고기킹 with Sara, Chris and David
Beef and duck sizzling away
raw meat! YUM!!
February 13, 2012
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him- Psalm 37:7
Update:
So.....I have to move out of my home-stay by 2/29~ I was always afraid that this might happen all along...and what's worse is that the mom hasn't even told Sophie! (she told me not to say anything either). She will really be sad when she hears the news....=(
I'm learning to look more to the word and finding comfort in that- but it's hard. I sometimes just want to run home to my parents and cry in their arms. But I know that I'm in Korea for a reason and that God is really refining me during this time. I am actively looking for jobs and housing!!! I luckily have somewhere to go but its only temporary and I'd rather not move again in a month- I have A LOT of stuff!
PTL- I did get a small part time job last Friday doing phone tutoring via skype. The hours and pay are very low but at least it's something for now. My hours will hopefully increase soon!! I got the job because the previous person had to immediately go back to the US due to a family emergency and they were desperate! =p
GOD WILL PROVIDE~
From Spurgeon- 2/12:
It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart—He finds it full—He begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it. Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this—then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away, and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house, then we are compelled to honour Jehovah. "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord." There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.
Will keep you updated~
So.....I have to move out of my home-stay by 2/29~ I was always afraid that this might happen all along...and what's worse is that the mom hasn't even told Sophie! (she told me not to say anything either). She will really be sad when she hears the news....=(
I'm learning to look more to the word and finding comfort in that- but it's hard. I sometimes just want to run home to my parents and cry in their arms. But I know that I'm in Korea for a reason and that God is really refining me during this time. I am actively looking for jobs and housing!!! I luckily have somewhere to go but its only temporary and I'd rather not move again in a month- I have A LOT of stuff!
PTL- I did get a small part time job last Friday doing phone tutoring via skype. The hours and pay are very low but at least it's something for now. My hours will hopefully increase soon!! I got the job because the previous person had to immediately go back to the US due to a family emergency and they were desperate! =p
GOD WILL PROVIDE~
From Spurgeon- 2/12:
It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart—He finds it full—He begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it. Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this—then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away, and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house, then we are compelled to honour Jehovah. "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord." There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.
Will keep you updated~
January 31, 2012
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest. (Genesis 28:15)
Hello my lovelies that actually subscribed/bookmarked my blog. Who knew that it would be so hard to keep up with entries? I guess everyone that has had a blog at one point and promised to update it frequently?? Even though I usually have a lot to say I sometimes can't differentiate between what I really want to say and what I think others will want to read.
So many things have happened since the last time I actually updated (JULY!?!). I suppose I'm also still processing everything and haven't been able to verbalize what's been happening. So here's a summary of the past 6 months!
July/August: I finished my summer semester at Ewha without knowing where I would be going next. (In my 7/7/11 entry I explained how my plans of going to Naju fell through.) I wasn't sure how God would provide during this time- I needed some sort of miracle because I literally had no other options. This was also around the time that I "broke ties" so to speak with GCC. It was a mutual agreement and probably inevitable. It just made the most sense at the time. I was getting more and more involved at my church here- taking membership classes, leadership training, small group, etc. I decided to meet up with my social worker at SWS and see if there was anything she could do for me. She told me about a Korean language scholarship to Kyunghee University that also included a dorm. They were looking for more people to apply and she made it pretty clear that I just had to fill out the application and I would be accepted. I was soooo happy!! I really needed a new place to live and this was perfect. I was also going to do the program with other adoptees. The only problem was that it didn't start for another 3.5 weeks. But my friend graciously let me stay with her during that time.
September-Dec: Back to living in a dorm! It was actually not that bad and I had a lot of space. The school is located in northeastern seoul so it was great living in a new area. I roomed with a jewish adoptee from the Bronx. We got along pretty well- especially compared to all my other experiences with a roommate! I wasn't really home much because of church stuff and didn't ever get to hang out with her and the other adoptees. My class was really hard! The levels really vary by school so even though I was supposed to be in intermediate 1, the level was a bit too high for me and I struggled. I even had two tutors!
At church I was experiencing a whole new level of intimacy with God. To join leadership we had to have a Healing and Deliverance session- which is basically where you confess all your deepest, darkest thoughts and sins in front of a small group of mostly strangers...BUT after confessing these things you ask God for forgiveness and verbally agree not to do those things again. In the sight of the Lord this is really powerful. Many of us can say that they've sought forgiveness for this and that but there was no escaping it here. Whatever you think you had already confessed you had to confess again. For one girl in my group who is now a really good friend- she shared things that she hadn't told anyone from church about. At first she felt really embarrassed and ashamed, but she felt free to share and knew that we were not going to judge her. While she was confessing and while we sat around her and prayed- you could literally feel the chains of bondage, sin and lies from the enemy break off of her. When you lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus, He takes care of them for you. For me I would have really vivid dreams about my ex from college. It's been almost 6 years since we broke up- but I would dream about him from time to time and wake up completely depressed and distraught. The dreams would differ in content and outcome- but my reaction when I woke up was still the same. I found out that I was having this reaction because of the soul tie that had been formed while we dated. I needed to verbally break the soul tie in order to be free. Since the retreat I've had a few dreams, but when I wake up I am filled with peace instead of darkness and dread. I also think that I was finally able to REALLY forgive my ex for what happened while we were breaking up. The Lord heard my cry and I was able to receive God's peace and forgiveness with everything that happened in that relationship!
In terms of finding a job here- it's been a lot harder than I thought. I was able to get two tutoring jobs but they only lasted a month. Teaching at a hagwon or school was never really an option because of the amount of time that they would take up. And since I've done that before I know that I'm really not suited for it. But as a result of a random meeting I am sort of interning as an administrator for my friends' company, Today's English. We want to make Korea an English speaking country, not just an English proficiency test taking nation which it is now. Most of those exams are based on memorization and not actual ability. So there's all these people getting good scores to get into college and work at a good company, but they can't speak to you. We are in our beginning stages but this year we will see a lot of increase! Check out our videos on youtube: http://youtu.be/LaO1hgO-wOQ!! I am learning a lot and feel really "loved" by my 2 spirit-filled bosses. I actually go to church with the "CEO" and knew him from when I lived in Korea before. He's a great leader and really seeks God instead of fame and fortune when it comes to running this business.
In mid December as most of you know- I went back to the states for a month. Sorry to those that I didn't see!! It was a really good trip and I was able to get my parents' blessing to stay in Korea for more than just a year. I didn't even have to ask their permission- they just knew that I wanted to stay longer. I also got to spend precious time with my BFF, Brianne. She was really my sugar momma while I was home! I got to share stuff with her about what God was doing in Korea and she was really happy for me and understands more why I need to be here. Living so far apart has really been hard for us!! It's easy to feel really alone her in Korea- which you might find hard to believe with so many people and so many things to do. But some people just feel like home to you and that's what Brianne is to me. Sometimes I just need home to be right next to me <3
January: I came back to Korea to my new home-stay. A friend that I had met in cooking class introduced me to the family. The daughter Sophie is 10 and her English is really good. They just got a maltese puppy a few weeks ago. I've been here for 3.5 weeks and last week the mom wanted to kick me out all of a sudden! I think she's really stressed out with the new dog that she didn't want, Sophie being on winter vacation from school and having a stranger living with her. My friend spoke to her and she changed her mind. The obvious language barrier is exactly that, a barrier. She doesn't understand my heart and how much I really do appreciate this opportunity. Please pray that this house is filled with joy and peace and that there are no more miscommunications!! Pray that the mom and I will continue to show each other grace! I really want to stay here for Sophie. She studys all the time and her mom is always criticizing her or yelling at her. She needs an older sister type (even though I'm old enough to be her mom!!) to encourage and speak life into her. I'm not sure how long God will want me to stay here.....but I need to make the most of it. As of right now I'm hoping to only stay for 6 months until I can find my own place- but that really depends on if I can find part time tutoring jobs. Please pray for the Lord's favor with finances and jobs!! Because I have to tutor Sophie in the evenings I luckily can't work at a hagwon. They're really terrible places to work- but you get paid the most. I have an interview on Friday to teach an adult working for Samsung engineering- so please keep that in prayer and I will let you know what happens.
Ok I shall end here as this has undoubtedly been my longest post yet! I will try to update every few weeks, so this doesn't happen again! Thanks for reading and if you need further clarification on anything, please let me know!~
So many things have happened since the last time I actually updated (JULY!?!). I suppose I'm also still processing everything and haven't been able to verbalize what's been happening. So here's a summary of the past 6 months!
July/August: I finished my summer semester at Ewha without knowing where I would be going next. (In my 7/7/11 entry I explained how my plans of going to Naju fell through.) I wasn't sure how God would provide during this time- I needed some sort of miracle because I literally had no other options. This was also around the time that I "broke ties" so to speak with GCC. It was a mutual agreement and probably inevitable. It just made the most sense at the time. I was getting more and more involved at my church here- taking membership classes, leadership training, small group, etc. I decided to meet up with my social worker at SWS and see if there was anything she could do for me. She told me about a Korean language scholarship to Kyunghee University that also included a dorm. They were looking for more people to apply and she made it pretty clear that I just had to fill out the application and I would be accepted. I was soooo happy!! I really needed a new place to live and this was perfect. I was also going to do the program with other adoptees. The only problem was that it didn't start for another 3.5 weeks. But my friend graciously let me stay with her during that time.
September-Dec: Back to living in a dorm! It was actually not that bad and I had a lot of space. The school is located in northeastern seoul so it was great living in a new area. I roomed with a jewish adoptee from the Bronx. We got along pretty well- especially compared to all my other experiences with a roommate! I wasn't really home much because of church stuff and didn't ever get to hang out with her and the other adoptees. My class was really hard! The levels really vary by school so even though I was supposed to be in intermediate 1, the level was a bit too high for me and I struggled. I even had two tutors!
At church I was experiencing a whole new level of intimacy with God. To join leadership we had to have a Healing and Deliverance session- which is basically where you confess all your deepest, darkest thoughts and sins in front of a small group of mostly strangers...BUT after confessing these things you ask God for forgiveness and verbally agree not to do those things again. In the sight of the Lord this is really powerful. Many of us can say that they've sought forgiveness for this and that but there was no escaping it here. Whatever you think you had already confessed you had to confess again. For one girl in my group who is now a really good friend- she shared things that she hadn't told anyone from church about. At first she felt really embarrassed and ashamed, but she felt free to share and knew that we were not going to judge her. While she was confessing and while we sat around her and prayed- you could literally feel the chains of bondage, sin and lies from the enemy break off of her. When you lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus, He takes care of them for you. For me I would have really vivid dreams about my ex from college. It's been almost 6 years since we broke up- but I would dream about him from time to time and wake up completely depressed and distraught. The dreams would differ in content and outcome- but my reaction when I woke up was still the same. I found out that I was having this reaction because of the soul tie that had been formed while we dated. I needed to verbally break the soul tie in order to be free. Since the retreat I've had a few dreams, but when I wake up I am filled with peace instead of darkness and dread. I also think that I was finally able to REALLY forgive my ex for what happened while we were breaking up. The Lord heard my cry and I was able to receive God's peace and forgiveness with everything that happened in that relationship!
In terms of finding a job here- it's been a lot harder than I thought. I was able to get two tutoring jobs but they only lasted a month. Teaching at a hagwon or school was never really an option because of the amount of time that they would take up. And since I've done that before I know that I'm really not suited for it. But as a result of a random meeting I am sort of interning as an administrator for my friends' company, Today's English. We want to make Korea an English speaking country, not just an English proficiency test taking nation which it is now. Most of those exams are based on memorization and not actual ability. So there's all these people getting good scores to get into college and work at a good company, but they can't speak to you. We are in our beginning stages but this year we will see a lot of increase! Check out our videos on youtube: http://youtu.be/LaO1hgO-wOQ!! I am learning a lot and feel really "loved" by my 2 spirit-filled bosses. I actually go to church with the "CEO" and knew him from when I lived in Korea before. He's a great leader and really seeks God instead of fame and fortune when it comes to running this business.
In mid December as most of you know- I went back to the states for a month. Sorry to those that I didn't see!! It was a really good trip and I was able to get my parents' blessing to stay in Korea for more than just a year. I didn't even have to ask their permission- they just knew that I wanted to stay longer. I also got to spend precious time with my BFF, Brianne. She was really my sugar momma while I was home! I got to share stuff with her about what God was doing in Korea and she was really happy for me and understands more why I need to be here. Living so far apart has really been hard for us!! It's easy to feel really alone her in Korea- which you might find hard to believe with so many people and so many things to do. But some people just feel like home to you and that's what Brianne is to me. Sometimes I just need home to be right next to me <3
January: I came back to Korea to my new home-stay. A friend that I had met in cooking class introduced me to the family. The daughter Sophie is 10 and her English is really good. They just got a maltese puppy a few weeks ago. I've been here for 3.5 weeks and last week the mom wanted to kick me out all of a sudden! I think she's really stressed out with the new dog that she didn't want, Sophie being on winter vacation from school and having a stranger living with her. My friend spoke to her and she changed her mind. The obvious language barrier is exactly that, a barrier. She doesn't understand my heart and how much I really do appreciate this opportunity. Please pray that this house is filled with joy and peace and that there are no more miscommunications!! Pray that the mom and I will continue to show each other grace! I really want to stay here for Sophie. She studys all the time and her mom is always criticizing her or yelling at her. She needs an older sister type (even though I'm old enough to be her mom!!) to encourage and speak life into her. I'm not sure how long God will want me to stay here.....but I need to make the most of it. As of right now I'm hoping to only stay for 6 months until I can find my own place- but that really depends on if I can find part time tutoring jobs. Please pray for the Lord's favor with finances and jobs!! Because I have to tutor Sophie in the evenings I luckily can't work at a hagwon. They're really terrible places to work- but you get paid the most. I have an interview on Friday to teach an adult working for Samsung engineering- so please keep that in prayer and I will let you know what happens.
Ok I shall end here as this has undoubtedly been my longest post yet! I will try to update every few weeks, so this doesn't happen again! Thanks for reading and if you need further clarification on anything, please let me know!~
December 6, 2011
High Places of Defense
He shall dwell on high, his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks, bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16)
The man to whom God has given grace to be of blameless life dwells in perfect security.
He dwells on high, above the world, Out of gunshot of the enemy, and near to heaven. He has high aims and motives, and he finds high comforts and company. He rejoices in the mountains of eternal love, wherein he has his abode.
He is defended by munitions of stupendous rock. The firmest things in the universe are the promises and purposes of the unchanging God, and these are the safeguard of the obedient believer.
He is provided for by this great promise: "Bread shall be given him." As the enemy cannot climb the fort, nor break down the rampart, so the fortress cannot be captured by siege and famine. The Lord, who rained manna in the wilderness, will keep His people in good store even when they are surrounded by those who would starve them.
But what if water should fail? That cannot be. "His waters shall be sure." There is a never-failing well within the impregnable fortress. The Lord sees that nothing is wanting. None can touch the citizen of the true Zion. However fierce the enemy, the Lord will preserve His chosen.
-http://www.spurgeon.org/fcb/fcb.cgi
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