Bits and Pieces

I have not written for a while… well, no, that’s not quite true. I have written a lot, I just haven’t finished anything - story of my life. Apparently my first report card said something to the effect of: Melina does a wonderful job on everything we do in class… she just never finishes anything. (Interestingly enough, my mother’s first report card said something quite similar.)

So I have a few blog ideas that I have started writing (not going to tell you what they are – spoilers) and hopefully those will get finished in the nearish future. Until then, here are some bits and pieces, some of which were originally supposed to be entire blogs, and others of which are random scribblings from blank pages in my planner. It’s a lot. I won’t be hurt if you don’t read it all… Well, actually I might be, so just don’t tell me.

Children’s Camp: July 31^st – August 1^st I went with a group from

my church to a retreat site where we held a weekend camp for the children that are part of my church’s English ministry. I had NO idea what I was getting into… The Children’s pastor had decided to do an abbreviated VBS and I was in charge of leading three of the crafts. Sounds easy enough. The problem – basic craft supplies that are readily available in the US are unheard of in Korea… alternate craft supplies that I thought might be easier to find are ALSO unavailable in Korea – something I found out AFTER getting to the retreat site. So my dear friend Stephanie (who unwittingly got placed in charge of the entire VBS) and I spent hours reworking the crafts, figuring out each just in time for me to present it to 75 elementary students. It was crazy. It was stressful. BUT, it was wonderful. Because really, WHO CARES ABOUT THE CRAFTS??? The kids had a blast coloring, taping, gluing…trying, failing, moving on. I learned so much that weekend. It’s not about me – I don’t have to be in control (reality check – I never really am) because God’s got it covered. I need to chill and not worry. It’s gonna be alright. I also got to meet some really great kids and watch them learn about and praise God. Beautiful.

Random Scribblings:

I bought new shoes the other day that I thought would be very practical. As it turns out they were neither comfortable, nor easy to walk in. So much for practical! I’m wearing them again today though – I refuse to let them be a waste of money! (You should be happy to know, after that day I kept wearing them and now find them quite comfortable and practical. In fact, I’m wearing them right now. Haha! I win!)

I grabbed my book, stuffed it in my purse, and headed down to the river. As I walked I was looking at the tall grasses along the bank. Suddenly, I saw coming toward me, an older man dressed in hot pink, riding a unicycle, and holding a bright green umbrella over his head (it was neither raining, nor particularly sunny). I laughed and he laughed back, then he was gone – another day in Korea… A little further on I saw a little girl learning to ride her bike. Her dad had one hand on the handles and the other on her back. They were approaching a drop in the path and I could see the girl’s fear mounting as they got closer. When they reached the crest her dad stopped the bike to reassure her and she immediately took the opportunity to jump off the bike. Nothing in the world was going to convince her that this was safe. I didn’t need to understand a single word to know exactly what she was saying. She reminded me a lot of myself. If I am not in control, I won’t do it. Trust is not something I’m very good at. (This happened not long before the Children’s Camp… Think God’s trying to teach me something?)

I was supposed to meet a friend in Insadong today. She got lost, so I’m here alone. I don’t mind really. It’s a good opportunity to explore things and areas I might not otherwise see. I’ve wandered into a traditional tea shop where all the tables seat a minimum of four. But there are only a few other people here, so I don’t feel bad taking up an entire table. I ordered iced Jujubee tea and have found that I don’t like it. Maybe by the time I get to the bottom of this large mug I will have developed a taste for it. Just before I came in here I was stopped by a group of High School girls who wanted to interview me for a class. They asked my name, where I was from, and why I was at Insadong. Then they took a picture with me. They said it was for geography – I wonder what the assignment was exactly… Oh, and I finished my tea – I wouldn’t order it again, but the last sip wasn’t as vile as the first… (By the time I left, the place had gotten much busier and I was starting to feel awkward at my large empty table.)

Reflection: This term is almost over and I will soon have new classes and new students. There are some I am sad to say goodbye to, but one class in particular that I cannot wait to be rid of: my Mon/Wed Mega class (I know that means nothing to you, but whatever). They are horrible. Give me a headache and make me wanna cry kind of horrible. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do, NOTHING works with this class. This evening I was reading my Bible and a passage from Zechariah 11:7-9 really stood out to me. The prophet says, “I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock… The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them and said, ‘I will not be your shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.’” Tomorrow’s my last day with those kids. I kinda want to quote this verse to them! Haha. But really, what a great example to me of God’s frustration with us. He tries to lead us with Favor and Union, but we detest him, so he says ‘fine, have it your way.’ Good thing he’s more patient with us than I am with my class!

Ok, that's enough for now.

Later!