Hello, Korea!

Hello!

Korea has welcomed me with warm humid weather and sweet sweet people! I have only been in Korea for less than 24 hours and I feel at “home”.  I have my wonderful parents to thank for this as they have shown over and over again great examples of transitioning into different cultures smoothly. Of course I miss my family and friends like crazy, but like I mentioned in my good-bye post “Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you, until we meet again!” Christmas will be a sweet time with family and friends! J

I woke up early this morning (thanks jetlag) so I decided to unpack and got it all done. Yay! Then I went on a walking tour with a lady I will be working with. It was so fun to see the grocery store that is near my home, learn about the market days, coffee shops, the shopping strip near the military base, where other teachers from the school live and more.  Not to mention getting to know a new friend!

One thing that I found out about the Korean culture is that nothing is open until after 10am except for 24-hours stores. So crazy! Korean people are night-owls! Oh, no! I’m definitely not, but at least I will have some quiet mornings!

I’m so excited for the next couple of weeks of meeting new friends, exploring my new “home”, setting up my classroom and preparing to teach my little ones!

I promise to post pictures soon as I want to go on a picture walk in the next couple of days!

Love, Daniella

good-byes

Today I’m saying good-bye to my family and these two posters sum up what I feel!  I will be in Korea within 16 hours- give & take time zones! J  I will post when I safely arrive!

Love, Daniella

"Whom Shall I Fear"

I just wanted to share with you what God has been teaching me through this whole transition process this summer. I have had a lot of thoughts like this “it would be so much easier if I was teaching close to home or I’m scared to be moving overseas by myself!”But our great God has reminded me over and over again that He is with me. He will never leave me or forsake me!  A song that has brought lots of comfort to me this summer and one that I sing over and over again is Chris Tomlin song “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies):

You hear me when I call

You are my morning song

Through darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light 

Whom shall I fear?

You crush the enemy underneath my feet

You are my sword and shield

Through troubles linger still 

Whom shall I fear? 

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a Friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side 

My strength is in your name

For you along can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory 

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear 

And nothing formed against me shall stand

Your hold the whole world in your hands

I’m holding onto your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

You are faithful 

The God of angel armies is always by my side. 

This song reminds that I’m not alone. I’m following the call that God has laid on my life for this season so I need to trust Him. God is so faithful! I fully believe that He is always by my side.

 Love, Daniella

Change

The summer is quickly coming to end. It has been a very fun, relaxing, and an adventurous summer in Montana with my dear family.  I’m so thankful for each moment of hiking, browsing stores, eating ice cream, road-trips, seating by the lake, eating huckleberry pancakes & muffins, and seeing my little sister drive on her own for the very first time.  I love my family dearly!

 

This summer was also filled with two-weeks in Southaven, Mississippi (near Memphis, TN) for orientation for my teaching job in South Korea. It was wonderful to meet other teachers who are doing the same thing as me, teaching around the world in International Schools.  We learned a ton about teaching TCK’s, transition, safety, and our personalities according to the DISC test. I’m so thankful and feel comforted that there are other teachers who are transitioning just like me all around the world.

A change for me this summer is that I’m no longer going to be teaching 3^rd grade, but I will be teaching 2^nd grade!!! I’m very excited to meet my little 2^nd graders in about two weeks!!! Eeekkk!

As I make this transition I feel a ray of emotions. I’m so excited to set-up my first classroom, meet my co-workers, learn a new culture, but I’m also very sad to be leaving my family & friends. This is not going to be easy, but God has not called us to “easy”. I know with all of my heart that teaching in an International school is something that God has laid on my heart so clearly. He has given me the passion to teach child who are going through the same thing that I grow-up with which I totally loved! I’m so thankful for clear guidance of God.  

Well, in 5 days I will be getting on the plane to South Korea to start my crazy, amazing adventure!  If you would like to pray I would appreciate prayer for a smooth and safe transition to Korea. Also, for my family as we say good-bye that they would be at peace!

Love, Daniella