Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hello Everyone!!
I miss you ALL tremendously! (I hope you know that) Guess what... I've fallen in love... with a city!! I am SUCH a city girl and I LOVE living in Seoul! Right now is the best time to be here because the weather is perfect, Spring is sprung, and there are so many fun festivals and events to attend!
A couple weekends ago I went to the World DJ Festival. At a park by the river, there were loads of stages set up with DJs from all over! Very cool.
Do you know BBoy?? Its like a blend of hip-hop, break?dancing, and acrobatics. Korea is #1 for BBoys and it is SO cool! Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq5FCK_mWP4 Its huge here. I see BBoys performing in parks, on the street, in subway stations, etc. There is a crew that performs on the weekends in the station closest to my apartment, and they are mesmerizing to watch! Downright superhuman!
I was really blessed in the last month, to have made friends with some American army peeps who are stationed here. It was really temporary that we got to hang out so much, but it was so fun while it lasted. The guy was only in Seoul for the month taking a course, and the girl who is stationed here normally has an odd work schedule, so she can't often come to church or hang out. We had some terrific times! I'm really thankful for their friendship. I'm sad that I won't see them very often now, but I had a great time for that month. As luck would have it, we all got to go to the beach together this weekend!! So fun!
One of my favorite things about living here is discovering new areas around the city. Sure, I have my favorite places, but its so fun to discover new little nooks and corners to explore. I found a really fun district around the women's university. Its so charming with its quirky shops and cafes. Very appealing to women! And today I tootled around Olympic Park. Its so close to my apartment! (Do you remember the 1988 summer Olympics?? They were right here in Seoul! Check out the photos)
I had a great time last weekend, and I can check off another "only in Korea," experience. We had gorgeous weather, so I went to the Han River Park with a whole bunch of Koreans I barely know, whom I met at the bar. (Disclaimer: I must sound like such a lush! But going to the bar is just a great spot to meet with friends and chill) The bar staff is a terrific group of folks, and they invited me to their field day. We all went to the park and had a great day of games by the river. After spending hours under the beating sun, we all went to the public sauna together. (WHAAT???? ALL together??? No worries, we separated, men and women) But still, I never expected to be so intimate with the bar maid! Only in Korea.
A running theme in my life seems to be, "L0rd, why am I here and where are You?"? That is at the forefront of my mind a LOT. His W0rd says that He will draw near to us if we draw near to Him (J@mes 4:8). Gosh, I'm such a goofball. I screw up a lot. But it is amazing how He reveals Himself when I pour out my heart to Him. A LOT has happened here that makes me just anguish and toil, but somehow the Big Guy shows up at just the right moment. (If you ask, I will share stories) I love living here. I'm having a great time! But I'm never above the need for pr@yer!
Please pr@y:
~That I would remain alert to the pitfalls that are so present here. And not to lose steam in this race. Aaron Stern once said that missi0ns work is like running a marathon. So true! I'm not exactly a missionary, but I've decided that my life is my mission field.
~May 30 marks the one-year anniversary of a dear friend, Ben Couch's departure to be with the L0rd. He was such an inspiration to so many people. That event sent shock waves of grief and such sadness to so many people, including myself. There are so many encouraging things happening in Nepal as a result, but that doesn't eliminate the sadness I still feel for his absence. Please pr@y for his family as they continue in this grief process.
~Some of you already know about my uncle and his own struggle with a deadly bacteria. I ask constantly, "WHY, L0rd??" and "where are You in this??" Strengthen all of us as we cope with the startling reality that is unfolding.
~ I'm realizing that my struggle for h0liness is an ongoing challenge. Sometimes I'm on top and sometimes I feel like road-kill. That's another on-going pr@yer.
And FINALLY...
~PR@ISE H1M!! for great times with great friends. My trip to the beach with the army peeps was SO fun! They bring such encouragement to me!! Its an entertaining story, but I'll spare your inbox storage limits!
Thank You, L0rd for good, solid friendships!!
Be sure to check out my latest photos!
"Now may the L0rd of peace H1mself give YOU (my dear friends) peace at all times and in every way." (2 Th-ss. 2:16) I love you all!! Let me know how YOU are doing!
Anna
PS. I now have a Korean name!! The best way I can write it without a Korean keyboard is "Su-Ran". It means Orchid! Cool, huh???
- comments