The Been Briefing

every afternoon as i am walking to school i pass a fresh produce stand that is set up on the back of this older man's truck right on the side of the road. i think many of korea's precious 'senior citizens' make money by selling produce, nuts, or various types of food along the street. anyway, today i saw my 'produce stand man' in a huddle with three other men. he looked very intent, as he was trying to best one of the other men in chinese checkers. the other two hovered closely to see each move. it was hilarious. i think i will have to get a picture one day (inconspicuously, of course).

i have also noticed something else... right near my produce stand man are 3 spiders who always have the most elaborate webs set up. maybe i will indulge those of you who love such dreadful creatures and post a picture of them, too. i confess i am becoming curious to see how they fare on a daily basis, though i can hardly believe i'm saying it.

my classes have been a real bear lately, and yesterday was an especially trying day. i was exhausted, frustrated, and almost in tears. i began wondering what it was that made me love ESL in the first place. i couldn't help but remember a few of my middle and high school teachers who were cynical and worn-out, and i blessed them over and over again. most of the day i wanted to shake the kids into obedience. lol. (sometimes i feel like i'm talking to a brick wall and other times i can't keep them from bouncing off the walls and chattering non-stop in korean.) in any case, i skyped with lindsey (my roommate) and my mom, and prayed with them both. today was a much better day, thankfully. i believe the Lord has heard our prayers and is restoring my joy.

unashamedly, however, dear friends - i would ask you to continue to pray for my classes to be exactly what Jesus wants. ERC (English Reading Club) here in suji needs more students, as it's a new campus. we are praying especially for more advanced students who are competent enough for the material i am teaching in the Prep and Step 3 classes.

OH! on another note, i have a few new movie quotes!! YAY! phil and sehwan (step 3 class) say them over and over again, incorporating them in the most creative classroom situations. now those boys have got me saying them. lol.

"i don't know... something amazing, i guess."
"that was totally WICKED!!"
~ the incredibles

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? ... Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance."

-psalm 42,1-2, 5

i'm thirsty. praying you are, too.