Reflections

So, last weekend was Lunar New Year, which is a major holiday in Korea. It's not a two week deal like it is in China, but it lasts for three days. Everyone has it off work, and many stores and restaurants are closed. I had it all planned out to write a nice long post about Lunar New Year and other Korean things (including some stuff about Korean literature). However, as we started this week, I couldn't help but be reflective.

You see, one year ago, things looked very different.

One year ago, I was working at Grandview and was planning on being there for a while longer.

One year ago, as class sponsor, I was starting to plan things like senior trip for the Class of 2013.

One year ago, I was living in Des Moines, Iowa, within just a few minutes drive of my parents and where I grew up.

One year ago, everything was familiar.

One year ago, my world flipped upside down.

One year ago, on this very day, I learned that I would not have a job at Grandview for the 2012-2013 school year.

One year ago, I was updating my resume and applying for jobs.

One year ago, I was scrambling to apply to NICS and get to Southaven, Mississippi, for a job fair.

One year ago, I was offered a position a Pyongtaek International Christian School in South Korea.

One year later, my life has completely changed. I am living in a different country, on the other side of the world, teaching not only in a different school but in a different kind of school. I am teaching some different classes with different responsibilities. I am far away from my family, talking to them only occasionally and being with them only a couple times a year.

But I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am doing what God wants me to do in exactly the place God wants me to do it. And while there are things I miss about teaching at Grandview and living in Iowa close to family, I really do love Korea.

So this week, as I reflect back on what my life used to be, I cannot help but feel content with what my life is right now. It's something that I would never have imagined for myself a year ago, but here I am. I teach a great group of kids at an excellent school. I have a wonderful church family and awesome friends. God has blessed me here in Korea.



And I promise to keep in touch with people back in the States, and I will eventually write that post about Lunar New Year and Korean literature. Maybe even this weekend...