Growth means change and change involves risks, stepping from the known to the unknown

The other day I was reading this really great book that I am about to finish "The Shack". I really hesitated to read it because I honestly didn't want to. But had heard so much about it and thought that I would start and if I didn't like it I would put it down and pick up something else. Honestly I have to say that the book really surprised me. I didn't think that I would enjoy it as much as I have. I recommend it very highly. It's a quick read and tells a very lovely story. Please read and enjoy. There is a quote from the book that I really loved. "Growth means change and change involves risks, stepping from the known to the unknown."

In church our pastor has been speaking on Turning adversity into opportunity, which I have really enjoyed. I have been journaling about it and has really opened a lot up to me. I am working on turning my own adversities into opportunity. I sometimes feel as though the adversities I have or am facing are pointless, but it's not true. Everything I go through or will go through can be looked at one of two ways. I can look at the situation and think why? Why is this happening why can't it be another way? Or I can look at the situation and say Ok God I don't know why, but I trust you. "Growth means change and change involves risks, stepping from the known to the unknown." I am growing, changing, taking risks, and stepping into the unknown and a excited about what lies a head. 

I am trying to be a person that I have wanted to be for a long time. A better version of me. I am taking chances, living fully, not sweating the small stuff, and trying to be happy. I want to be this person who says I am happy and really mean it. I am going to go and do what I feel my heart is telling me to. It's been too long since I've listened to it. I understand that there are risks involved and I am willing to take them so that I can live a full life. 

A bird is not defined by being grounded, but by his ability to fly. Remember this humans are not defined by their limitations, but by their intentions that I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image. ~God

Funny student answers

This week in class we were talking about optimistic and pessimistic in class. My students were given a dialogue to fill in with new phrases.
Ex. A. It’s raining ___________ (like cats and dogs, really hard…)
B. I’m afraid it won’t stop. We won’t go hiking tomorrow.
A. _________________ ( Oh no. That’s too bad….) Students answer (Oh
shit, God dammit)

I was so caught off guard from their answers, not mad at all. I just laughed. I thought it was very creative that they could use curse words correctly. So I just said that it was not good for class but it does work. Somethimes they are just too much.

Saying goodbye

So probably everyone knows that I have mixed feelings about being here in Korea. I am always torn about staying or leaving. For instance this weekend I had such a great time with my friends just hanging out laughing and having a good time which makes me think why would I ever leave? But at the same time most of my friends are going to start leaving to go back to their home country. This makes me sad because I feel as though the people I have met here have helped me maintain my sanity, because Korea is a crazy place to live.  If it were not for my friends here in Korea I would have lost it a long time ago. People that I have met from all over the world have been such a saving grace to me. I am so so so sad to see these people who have meant so much to me, who have been a huge part of my life in Korea start to leave. I feel super blessed that I have had such a wonderful opportunity to know such wonderful people and to experience so many different cultures while here. I wonder if there is the chance of being involved in each others lives once we have all parted ways. Sure there are the promises that we all make. We will visit each others country, lets plan exciting trips together, lets be at each others weddings.... but I really wonder, will we really still be friends outside Korea? Or after they or I have left will it be the final goodbye? Friends that I have made here would be the only thing to keep me here longer. I guess since they are all going to start saying goodbye to Korea, soon so shall I.