I'm Back :-)

I know it has been a minute, but here is a video update.

I have a lot to update everyone on, so expect a few new videos this week.  I am working on my goals and I want to share a few culture things I've experienced with ya'll.

For now, I'll keep enjoying my banana.

Laters Ya'll,
missPhyl

In major need of prays

As some of you may know, about a year ago I started getting really depressed. I reached my breaking point in mid-November and reached out to my therapist from years ago.  Through our time together, she strongly suggest I go a therapy workshop at Onsite.  While I was not financially equipped to attend the Learning to Love Yourself program, The Lord made a way and I was able to attend.  Anyone who knew me well before and after the program could easily see the dramatic change in me.  Honestly, even people who knew me from a far would come up to me and tell me they noticed the change.  The Lord used the experience at Onsite changed my life drastically.

However, in the past week, I have felt myself being effected by everything here in a very negative way.  I continue to look towards God for guidance and he has put many wonderful people in my life to help.  It's just been with EVERYTHING that keeps going wrong with this transition, I start questioning if I am really supposed to be here.  Don't get me wrong, with all that has been going wrong, there are so many blessing from God.

He is answering prayers I've had for years left and right.
He is working on both Tom and I spiritually and leading us into very similar directions at the same time.  It's so incredible to see Him answer prayers, at what seems like, the moment I pray them.  Once I spent hours praying about very specific things in our relationship.  Tom and I didn't talk for about 2 days after that, due to my lack of internet.  When we finally talked he started telling me all these spiritual things that have been happening with him and the timeline lined up with my prayer session.  All I could do was smile.
Also, I have found a great church where I can get poured into spiritually.  The women's bible study I've started attending seems to have been built by God for me. (I know the class is not just for me, but it fits everything I've been seeking for years.) Then, there are wonderful ladies around my age I hang out with from church.  Most are ex-pat teachers or Korean who are really with English.  One of the American girls is into knitting and she will help me get connected with her group of knitters within the next 2 weeks.
At school, I feel as if I am improving by leaps and bounds everyday.  I have finally learned all the students names and am getting better and better at my problem areas.  My students get excited to see me which makes me feel as if I am doing something right.
All in all I feel like I am settling in very well.

(I am about to share something I've never talked with anyone about until I told Tom the other day.*)
However, with all the issues getting here, from delayed paper work to my physical journey here(read about it) and my housing and medical issues, I am feeling very attacked.  I have been hearing about a lot of spiritual warfare(Christiany verbiage) and have been digging into scripture to set my mind on things above.  However, with me getting really spiritually fatigue lately, I think it has started to open up a lot of old issues.  The depression seems to be slowly coming back, so I ask for you prayers about this.
On top of that I had a visit from an old demonic being I used to deal with as a child.*  I honestly don't remember when was the last time I had a visit from him, but I know it was the same one from before.  That entire night I could not sleep for more than 30-45 minutes and which has thrown off my sleeping pattern.  Also, the growth of the depressive feeling/ weight has been growing at a quicker rate.
I had Tom pray right after it appeared.  Once Rachael returned from her Chuseok trip, she prayed as well.  And I have been praying about it since the moment it appeared.
I can feel it taking a toll on me and all relationships around me.  I can also feel myself slipping into my depressive tendency to want to be by myself.  Before I went to Onsite, I was terrified to sleep in a place by myself.  God used Onsite to rid me of that fear.  Well, since that night I have been growing increasingly frightful of moving into my place and sleeping by myself. (Don't get me wrong, I am also very excited about have my own space.)

I have been praying without ceasing about these issues and The Lord has given me a few ideas.  One, to get me out of the apartment, I might start Geocashing.  Unlike when I lived in Europe, I have had zero desire to explore this place.  Everyone who knows me knows new experience and learning about other cultures are two things that excite me most.  But for some reason, I feel numb towards this city.  So, I am praying Geocashing will force me to leave the apartment and also get me excited about Seoul.
Secondly, and this is IMPORTANT, I want to ask everyone to join me in praying for my apartment and my space TUESDAY 24 SEPT 2013.  Pray this demon does not step foot in my apartment, my school, my church or any other space I frequent.  It does not have permission and in the name of Jesus, he is NEVER welcomed around me again.

(photo from the bridge on my way to work, this was not meant to look design-y)

Gotta get ready for work now.

Laters Ya'll,

miss Phyl

Happy Chuseok

Chuseok is "Korea Thanksgiving."  Many Koreans head back to their hometown and spend time with family.  According to visitkorea.com, many partake in Beolcho, weeding your ancestors grave.  This year Chuseok fall on a Thursday, but the day before and the day after are also considered as part of the holiday.  Thus, I have a FIVE DAY WEEKEND!  If you'd like to read more about the holiday check out Visit Korea's page about Chuseok.

(courtney's kraze burgers & my chicken and rice | chuseok eve meal)

(we made a chuseok mean together)

Courtney and I also made some decorations for your apartments.  I'd been eyeing this project on Pinterest for over a year now and I finally did it.  It was fun watching the two of use work.  I am such a perfectionist and I wanted EVERYTHING to be perfect.  Where as Courtney is more loose with her approach, but I think so far both are very lovely. I however injured myself and now probably have a scar with the hot glue.

If you want to know how we made(are still making) the flowers, here is a link to the blog I found through Pinterest.  Her directions were a little confusing so if you want some clarification just ask me. Hint: make sure you draw the petal with the lines on the paper going up and down.  If you don't the petals will come out limp.

(balloons with paper mâché)

(cutouts of petals 1-4)

(my injury from the hot glue)

(half way there)

Laters Ya'll,
missPhyl

The week in review: vlog

(my door | the phytoncide people are in there cleaning)

(bacon, spanish & mushroom omelette and OJ )

(got caught eating with rachael at 11:45pm)

(american pizza at bonny's after church with the ladies)

(went to the han river after church)

Two Weeks Down

This week was my first week teaching.  All in all its good.  I already have a favorite student, it's ok for me to say that, right?  His name is Alex and he is in one of my one-student classes.  He is so incredibly smart and such a joy to be around.  I end my Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with him.

All in all the kids in my class have fully warmed up to me.  Some are more talkative than others, but I think a lot has to do with comprehension levels. When they see me in the hall they smile and say, "Hi, Jande Teacher."  That's how the students address the teachers.  They call us by our first name and add the word "teacher" after.  It's really cute.

I have one class, my Nina class, that I am still working on figuring how to get a handle on them.  They are a larger class for our Junggye campus, 10 students.  I need to figure out a better way to check their homework and keep order in the classroom.  I have to check their homework in class because they need to take their books home after class to do homework for the next day.  I wish I could rip the pages out and check them not in class, but that is not an option.  I am working on an idea for a new approach this week, if anyone has any ideas, let me know.  Pray I figure out something soon.

Other than that, the week was great with the students.

*****ROOM DRAMA*****

I am in a bit of a situation with my apartment right now.  I am still living on Rachael's couch because the guy who lived in my apartment before me smoked.   Eunice, My Asian, and I spent a very long time woking on getting the smell out of the place.  We sprayed Soju all over the walls.  We scrubbed down the place with bleach.  We also covered the mattress with baking soda.  I even paid to get rid of the couch he left hoping that all this would help get the smell out, but still smoky smelling.

(the mattress with baking soda for the odor)

(my welcome package from the school)

(so glad to have my asian in my life now. don't know what i would do without her during this time,)

Those of you who know me know I CANNOT live in a smoky apartment.  I have been trying to get the school and HR to re-wallpaper my apartment and possible get me a new mattress. It's been a bit of an ordeal and I ask you to join me in prayer about the situation.  I cried for the first time I can remember at work on Tuesday partially due to the drama over the situation.

When I talked to the school and told them all the work I'd put into trying to get rid of the smell, their suggestion was for me to burn a candle.  Seriously???? I almost laughed at first because I didn't think that was their serious suggestion.  Apparently, they were serious.  I told them, I will do as you suggest, but I WILL NOT spend anymore of my money on this issue.  It is their job to take care of this.  So, they got me a candle.  I wish I'd take a photo of the candle but forgot.   As of this morning, the candle has completely burned out. I have also had the window opened for a week.  On top of that, I borrowed someone's air purifier.  Still the place smells smoky and is NOT livable.

Keep me and this situation in your prayers please.  I truly believe The Lord has me here for a reason and I don't want Satan's distractions to get in my way.

Laters Ya'll,

miss Phyl