Morning Calm

What time is it?!?!

For your information...The time difference between the United States and Korea is 14 hours. An easy and fast way to figure out the time is to add three hours and change the am/pm. For example, if it is 7:00 am (US)... add three hours (10:00) and switch the am/pm (pm). So, 7:00am (US)= 10:00pm(ROK)

In case you didn't know, Clinton and I are millionaires!...in Korea that is. This is 1000 Won, which is a little less than one American dollar.   That makes Clinton and I millionaires :P  

I have a terrible time keeping track of the zeros...especially when I'm in a hurry. I was at Dunkin Donuts the other day and I gave the lady, what I THOUGHT was 5000 won and found out later I paid with a 50,000 won.  That's like using a fifty to buy a donut. While it's not a huge deal, I felt a little dumb for using such a large bill for something so small....without my knowledge.

The lady in the bus ticket booth said, "Twelb tousand Hipteen" (12,015) :D ...It was cute. 

I have to say, I am one of those people who is living in a foreign country and does not try to learn the language. I refuse. I'm just kidding...I don't refuse...I just can't. I struggle remembering their words and I have a real hard time pronouncing them!  Of course I'm always complaining when I can't understand foreigners in America. What a hypocrite!

I think it must be part of Korean culture to hold your elbow as you hand someone money or other objects...or maybe it's just polite. I've noticed that if someone is handing money to the cashier they place their opposite hand on the elbow of the arm holding the money. You with me? I have not done this yet...but I probably should. I'm just the worst foreigner ever...typical American! :P

Korea...the country of Morning Calm

Korea is only about the size of Indiana.  Despite it's tiny size, it is packed with people, skyscrapers and contradiction.

The country is full of new developments and technological advancements, yet they STILL use chopsticks!  Still using two skinny sticks when the wonderful fork has been around for centuries.  70% of the Korea is mountains yet it is packed with cement and skyscrapers. I've noticed that there are very new modern things and very old traditional things, but not much in between. In the states you will find some houses with advocado colored carpet from the 70's or a big blue puffy couch from the 80's or 90's (no offense if youhave either or those...they ARE comfy :) but you don't see those here. I have only seen very traditional furniture and houses or very modern clean lined furniture and apartment buildings.  It's almost as if there was a 200 year gap...like the 80's never existed in Korea.

It's crazy that I live by an ocean and mountains. I've always wanted to live by mountains...and now that I do, I don't notice too much. I have yet to see the ocean...other than when I flew into the country.

Seoul

Seoul

Clinton and I had to make a trip to Seoul for a fitting for his new uniform. As we were riding on the bus I noticed the Mountains more than ever. We travelled to Seoul the same day that South Korea started the second round of controversial war exercises.  The North had threatened catastrophic retaliation if the South went on with the exercises.  As you probably know, the South DID go ahead with the exercises and the North did not retaliate.  I must admit that on the way to Seoul I was a little unsettled. There were a few mom's and there little boys sitting in the rows in front of us. I had my headphones on, but caught some random words about the air port closing, which was a little alarming. Then they did what ladies do best...pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little cheap cheap cheap... you know the rest. As they continued talking, I turned my music up a little louder. Shane and Shane comforted my nerves as they sang Psalm 118 to me.

give thanks to the Lord for He is good

His love endures forever

He is my strength and He's my song

His love endures forever

i will proclaim what He has done

His love endures forever

i will enter and give thanks to Him

this holy gate the righteous may enter

i will give You thanks

You answered me, You are my salvation

this is the day the Lord has made

i will rejoice and be glad in it

this is the day the Lord has made

The next song that came on was Shane and Shane's version of Psalm 145

great is the Lord, so worthy of praise

great is the Lord

one generation will

commend Your kingdom

to one another

they will speak of You

and i will meditate

on Your wonder

and they, they will speak

of Your glorious splendor

of Your majesty

everyday i'll praise thee

forever and ever

everyday i will praise

for You open Your hand

and satisfy desires of all things

my God the King

the Lord is gracious

and slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

all who call on Him

in truth He is near to

and He hears their cry

and saves them

These songs were exactly what I needed. They gave me a peace and calmed my heart down. They reminded me that the Lord's plan is so much greater than I know. Being in "harms way" makes you trust in the Lord and realize He is in control of everything that happens. Sometimes my world is so small.  I have to be reminded that I live in a big big world with a BIG BIG God in control of it.  

Korea has approximately 48,379,392 people living in this tiny country. One-third of the country lives in Seoul which is in firing range of North Korea. That means that IF North Korea would attack, at least 10,231,217 people in Seoul alone would be in danger.  To put that in perspective, New York City has aprox. 8,008,278 people.  We all know how it felt on 9/11 when our own country was attacked. 

This is Korean versus Korean in close range fighting.  Pyongyang (North Korean capital) is home to 3,255,388 people. Both cities are in firing range of one another and would probably be the first to be attacked. If something would happen, it would affect millions of people. Some fighting for their freedom and others fighting against freedom they have never been allowed to experience before. It would be devastating to both countries.  

 The Lord is in control of all. Like the song says, He is gracious and slow to anger, rich in love and good to all. All who call on Him in truth, He is near to. He hears their cry and saves them."The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.  The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145:13b-14


Praise the Lord that there is peace at the moment.