About Me
- Kristen Moore
- Uijongbu, South Korea
- 28 year old Arkansas Girl living in South Korea, teaching science and coaching volleyball, soccer and basketball! Welcome!
My Favorite Places
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Chillaxin'
I spent the day yesterday at the Gapyeong River. It was so beautiful! The water was clean, clear, and cold. I love being back in Korea, when I actually have time to explore and see the beautiful nature that surround me! Here are some pictures!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Home Sweet Home in Korea
I got back into Korea on Friday night. It was rainy and hot, but I was glad to finally make it back. Flying sure takes it out of me. I guess it's because I'm so old now.
I really enjoyed my time at home. It felt shorter than usual and I didn't see some people that I wanted, but overall it was a pleasant summer. I really enjoyed my time with my family - even bickering with my dad - and was encouraged by some contact with several of my nephews. I also shared lots of laughs with friends and was renewed and refreshed by my time at church. My pastor was gone for most of the summer, but I was able to hear him preach a couple of times and then I got to hear some other amazing men of God share God's word and how He is using them in their various places.
My mom and I shared about our "missions" at a small church in Hughes. I have to say it was an exciting visit, those people really know how to worship and pray. I've never been one to pray so fervently and so powerfully, I should learn a thing or two from those people.
Along with such a pleasant summer, I experienced some hardship, too. One of my dear friends, who has lent me her car for two summers in a row is now on her death bed. She along with her daughter and granddaughters have included me as one of their own. My heart aches for my friends during this time. My prayer is that they will be drawn closer to Christ through this difficult circumstance. I wish I knew how to convey the love and gratitude I feel for them, but all I can really do at this point is pray, like I promised. I'm asking those of you who are reading this, to also pray for my friends as well.
As I came back into Korea, I met a girl who was in Korea for the first time ever on her first trip outside of the States. She was coming to Korea to work at a summer camp and really had no idea what to do as she came through customs. It was interesting to me to see someone who has adventured out on their own, not really certain of what was going on. I can't say I was in that situation as I knew who to look for and had people here I knew. Thankfully, we found her bag and a sign posted with her name on it for someone to pick her up. She contacted me again, so hopefully I'll be able to be helpful to her during her few months in Korea.
For some reason today is signalling to me that new and good things are happening. God has been revealing some of the idols I've placed in my life over Him and I am trusting that by His power they will be destroyed. I'm looking forward to growing closer to Him through this process.
Some other things I am looking forward to this year:
Having Annalisa as a new roommate
Hanging out with my new buddy from Pyongtaek - Cheryl - she rocks my face off!
Seeing my students again and meeting new students
Getting my back fixed. We've been working on it in the states, hopefully I'll find the time, money, and energy to continue with my treatments in Seoul.
Having only 3 preps for classes, this will be the first time ever. Also getting to have a smartboard in my classroom! So fun!
Serving as youth Sunday school teacher and on the praise team at UCC.
Who knows what else is in store, I just feel like new things are coming. My prayer is that I'll remain grateful for each new gift and that I'll keep my focus on Christ as He breaks my heart of stone and molds it into one that beats only for Him.
I really enjoyed my time at home. It felt shorter than usual and I didn't see some people that I wanted, but overall it was a pleasant summer. I really enjoyed my time with my family - even bickering with my dad - and was encouraged by some contact with several of my nephews. I also shared lots of laughs with friends and was renewed and refreshed by my time at church. My pastor was gone for most of the summer, but I was able to hear him preach a couple of times and then I got to hear some other amazing men of God share God's word and how He is using them in their various places.
My mom and I shared about our "missions" at a small church in Hughes. I have to say it was an exciting visit, those people really know how to worship and pray. I've never been one to pray so fervently and so powerfully, I should learn a thing or two from those people.
Along with such a pleasant summer, I experienced some hardship, too. One of my dear friends, who has lent me her car for two summers in a row is now on her death bed. She along with her daughter and granddaughters have included me as one of their own. My heart aches for my friends during this time. My prayer is that they will be drawn closer to Christ through this difficult circumstance. I wish I knew how to convey the love and gratitude I feel for them, but all I can really do at this point is pray, like I promised. I'm asking those of you who are reading this, to also pray for my friends as well.
As I came back into Korea, I met a girl who was in Korea for the first time ever on her first trip outside of the States. She was coming to Korea to work at a summer camp and really had no idea what to do as she came through customs. It was interesting to me to see someone who has adventured out on their own, not really certain of what was going on. I can't say I was in that situation as I knew who to look for and had people here I knew. Thankfully, we found her bag and a sign posted with her name on it for someone to pick her up. She contacted me again, so hopefully I'll be able to be helpful to her during her few months in Korea.
For some reason today is signalling to me that new and good things are happening. God has been revealing some of the idols I've placed in my life over Him and I am trusting that by His power they will be destroyed. I'm looking forward to growing closer to Him through this process.
Some other things I am looking forward to this year:
Having Annalisa as a new roommate
Hanging out with my new buddy from Pyongtaek - Cheryl - she rocks my face off!
Seeing my students again and meeting new students
Getting my back fixed. We've been working on it in the states, hopefully I'll find the time, money, and energy to continue with my treatments in Seoul.
Having only 3 preps for classes, this will be the first time ever. Also getting to have a smartboard in my classroom! So fun!
Serving as youth Sunday school teacher and on the praise team at UCC.
Who knows what else is in store, I just feel like new things are coming. My prayer is that I'll remain grateful for each new gift and that I'll keep my focus on Christ as He breaks my heart of stone and molds it into one that beats only for Him.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
I just finished two intense weeks of PFO (Pre-field Orientation). Rather than being a participant my self, I taught the 4, 5, and 6 year olds, whose families are moving to another country to teach in a NICS/OASIS school. While, I am completely exhausted I am also completely blessed from my time with those kids.
The lessons that we used were pretty simple, but they left profound messages in their minds and hearts. I think the entirety of the two weeks of lessons can be summed up in this statement. "God knows me, because He created me. He is always with us, where ever we go. He can use all of our bodies to serve Him. Our feet are beautiful when we share good news. Hands can do things to help others. Mouths can be used to praise Him. Ears can listen and obey. Eyes can be healed and can see the beauty that He created in this world. God is good and everything He calls us to is best. Sometimes we'll have to say goodbye to our favorite things, but God always provides what we need."
It's amazing to me just how much I learned during this time as well. It's like God took those lessons I was teaching the kids and added to them through other sermson and such to speak to me.
The lessons that I learned can be summed up into one statement as well. "God knows me, because He made me. He knows my weaknesses and will use them to glorify Himself. I should continue to serve Him and enjoy Him, even when I fail. I can't run away from Him, so why try. I need to listen and obey. I also need to allow others to get close, even if sometimes it hurts, like when saying goodbye."
While I'm thankful that PFO is over, b/c I'm exhausted, I am also sad, because I already got attached to those wonderful children. I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach them!
Here are a few pictures of my kids.
The lessons that we used were pretty simple, but they left profound messages in their minds and hearts. I think the entirety of the two weeks of lessons can be summed up in this statement. "God knows me, because He created me. He is always with us, where ever we go. He can use all of our bodies to serve Him. Our feet are beautiful when we share good news. Hands can do things to help others. Mouths can be used to praise Him. Ears can listen and obey. Eyes can be healed and can see the beauty that He created in this world. God is good and everything He calls us to is best. Sometimes we'll have to say goodbye to our favorite things, but God always provides what we need."
It's amazing to me just how much I learned during this time as well. It's like God took those lessons I was teaching the kids and added to them through other sermson and such to speak to me.
The lessons that I learned can be summed up into one statement as well. "God knows me, because He made me. He knows my weaknesses and will use them to glorify Himself. I should continue to serve Him and enjoy Him, even when I fail. I can't run away from Him, so why try. I need to listen and obey. I also need to allow others to get close, even if sometimes it hurts, like when saying goodbye."
While I'm thankful that PFO is over, b/c I'm exhausted, I am also sad, because I already got attached to those wonderful children. I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach them!
Here are a few pictures of my kids.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Beauty
I've been challenged lately to see the beauty that this world has to offer. Not to see the beauty so that I'll fall in love with this world, but rather to see the beauty and then immediately praise God for His amazingness.
I am finding that it is easy in some areas to find beautiful things. Some of the examples are listed below:
I am finding that it is easy in some areas to find beautiful things. Some of the examples are listed below:
~An incredibly large sun setting as I drove home (several of these) 
~Brilliant clouds
~Brilliant clouds
~Amazing lightning storms (You can't beat a good Arkansas storm!)
~Stinking cool but weird animals (gotta love some nature shows! Check out the male angler fish - weird!) Go here and scroll down and read about the male. It's CRAZY!
~Microwaving Ivory Soap in the Microwave! It's NUTS!
~Loving family
~Watching people who are passionate about what they do
~Being able to go serve Christ by being helpful to others
~Watching people who are passionate about what they do
~Being able to go serve Christ by being helpful to others
~Laughing with friends when we scare the crap out of ourselves! (CB you know what I mean!)
~People that work hard (my dad is an example - he works so hard and doesn't really have to be asked, he just does.)
I could continue to list things, but these are the ones that have been so prevelant to me lately. I'm also finding that in other areas it is not so easy to see beauty. Of course some of those areas would be seeing suffering, poverty, violence, evil, racism - that's never easy to see. However, the place where I'm finding myself struggle to see beauty the most is in other people. I know this is because of sin in my life, but sometimes I struggle so much. I should see beauty in others, but I am so focused on myself most of the time that it inhibits me from seeing their beauty. How awful! This sin that hinders me from seeing their beauty and beauty in other places in the world affects my relationships and even affects my relationship with God. My prayer is that as I am opening myself up to see the beauty of this world that I will take the focus off of myself and be able to see what beauty lies in the people around me instead of seeing the specks in their eyes and ignoring the plank in mine.
Peace love and chicken grease! :)
I could continue to list things, but these are the ones that have been so prevelant to me lately. I'm also finding that in other areas it is not so easy to see beauty. Of course some of those areas would be seeing suffering, poverty, violence, evil, racism - that's never easy to see. However, the place where I'm finding myself struggle to see beauty the most is in other people. I know this is because of sin in my life, but sometimes I struggle so much. I should see beauty in others, but I am so focused on myself most of the time that it inhibits me from seeing their beauty. How awful! This sin that hinders me from seeing their beauty and beauty in other places in the world affects my relationships and even affects my relationship with God. My prayer is that as I am opening myself up to see the beauty of this world that I will take the focus off of myself and be able to see what beauty lies in the people around me instead of seeing the specks in their eyes and ignoring the plank in mine.
Peace love and chicken grease! :)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Denmark
The Danes are supposedly the happiest people in the world, according to 60 seconds. It's kind of an interesting topic. My grandmother says that most people are as happy as they choose to be. She says that so many people choose to be unhappy by saying that "things are not right in the world.", but really things are just as not right in Denmark, too.
I love to listen to her thoughts. She's one of my favorite ladies.
The other topic on 60 seconds was about sleep deprivation. I've heard it before and even recognized it in my own life when I was student teaching. Your body really struggles on not enough sleep. I guess this means, we all need to take naps during the daytime. I know some of my kids still need naptime!
I love to listen to her thoughts. She's one of my favorite ladies.
The other topic on 60 seconds was about sleep deprivation. I've heard it before and even recognized it in my own life when I was student teaching. Your body really struggles on not enough sleep. I guess this means, we all need to take naps during the daytime. I know some of my kids still need naptime!
We dropped my mom off at the airport for her trip to Ghana. I'm so excited for her. I will miss her, but I know that she will be so blessed by this trip. I leared a new word from my new book(Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell -well now that I think of it maybe I've heard it in a Nooma video.) It's havod - it means weight and significance and it is the greek or hebrew (I can't remember) word that we usually use to describe God's Glory. I think it's neat to think of God's Glory as His weight and significance. It is my prayer for my mom and the others on their trip, that during their trip they will see His weight and significance in all that they do, see, and hear during their time in Ghana. Please be in prayer with me that they will be used in amazing ways and that they will draw closer to God as they serve Him. Maybe we should pray that for ourselves as well.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Home again...
It's good to be home for a bit, I haven't had much time to do any processing but I think I've come up with a list of things I've become (or continued to be) a fan of and things that I'm not a fan of... exciting... I know.
Things that I am a fan of @ home:
Family
Mexican Food
Turner Dutch Chocolate Milk
Bookstores (YAY! I got Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, Jazz Notes: Improvisations on Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, Chronicles of Narnia - my summer reading goal, Sisterchicks go Brit - mom gets that first, she will read it on her way to Ghana!, and another fiction book called Quaker Summer)
Being in the same time zone as friends (haven't actually seen them :( yet)
Church Family
Doctors - Chiropractors - guess what... I've got a "twisted spine" and it is the root of many of the physical ailments I've had this year. Yay for answers and possible fixes!
New clothes
Time with my Grandmother
Driving
Air Conditioner
Lipton Diet Citrus Green TeaNot so diet sweet tea
NOT being the largest person everywhere!
Time to read
Things that I'm not a fan of @ home:
Gas prices, boy do I miss public transportation
Unfriendly people
Friends not living in the same apartment or within 2 minutes of me
Korea being so far away
No -Kimchi bokimbap; Dokmanduguk; Bulgogi Bibimbap; Cheejah dongasu
No space of my own
People not attending church functions, simply because their kids are not in it. A friend said it perfectly yesterday - "it makes me sad that so many of our church members not attending; this is a ministry of the church, everyone should be here to see what is happening."
Chocolate Skittles... maybe they'll grow on me.
Constant news casts on all of the following: high gas prices, presidential campaigns, violence and crime (that's what happens when you live in or near the ghetto!), weather (thanks dad)
Anyway, those are some of the things that I've been thinking about.
Things that I am a fan of @ home:
Family
Mexican Food
Turner Dutch Chocolate Milk
Bookstores (YAY! I got Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, Jazz Notes: Improvisations on Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, Chronicles of Narnia - my summer reading goal, Sisterchicks go Brit - mom gets that first, she will read it on her way to Ghana!, and another fiction book called Quaker Summer)
Being in the same time zone as friends (haven't actually seen them :( yet)
Church Family
Doctors - Chiropractors - guess what... I've got a "twisted spine" and it is the root of many of the physical ailments I've had this year. Yay for answers and possible fixes!
New clothes
Time with my Grandmother
Driving
Air Conditioner
Lipton Diet Citrus Green TeaNot so diet sweet tea
NOT being the largest person everywhere!
Time to read
Things that I'm not a fan of @ home:
Gas prices, boy do I miss public transportation
Unfriendly people
Friends not living in the same apartment or within 2 minutes of me
Korea being so far away
No -Kimchi bokimbap; Dokmanduguk; Bulgogi Bibimbap; Cheejah dongasu
No space of my own
People not attending church functions, simply because their kids are not in it. A friend said it perfectly yesterday - "it makes me sad that so many of our church members not attending; this is a ministry of the church, everyone should be here to see what is happening."
Chocolate Skittles... maybe they'll grow on me.
Constant news casts on all of the following: high gas prices, presidential campaigns, violence and crime (that's what happens when you live in or near the ghetto!), weather (thanks dad)
Anyway, those are some of the things that I've been thinking about.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
New Place!
We had to move again, but it's okay. It'll be worth it and it's for a friend. Here is a video of our new place. To those of you who see this on facebook - sorry, I had to post it here, too. So my mom could see it!
Anyway, Enjoy!
Anyway, Enjoy!
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