Beautiful Weather and Busy Times with Beautiful People of All Ages!!

This past week was so beautiful in so many ways!  Yes, there were bumps in the road along the way, but they are to be expected.  And God used beautiful people - little ones and bigger ones - to get over those bumps!  Many of you have been praying that we would have good weather at YISS on Monday and Thursday afternoons during this quarter in order to have our Soccer and Sports outside After School Activities.  Even though Monday looked like I would have to cancel soccer, the rain stopped around 1:00 and we were able to have a great afternoon of soccer!  The remainder of the week we enjoyed some really gorgeous weather!  It was a busy week!  So thankful for so many who gave such encouragement and joy throughout the entire week, especially when I was struggling with a sore throat.  I think the best way to help you experience the week is to give you some pictures of the special events day-by-day.  I hope you enjoy and will be encouraged.  Thank you for your prayers and great encouragement!

Monday and Tuesday:

YISS welcomed Mr. Bill Myers to our school for a full week of sharing with students in all three schools as well as the parents.  You may know Bill Myers as an author, film director, and screenwriter.  Many will remember that he is one of the creators of the McGee and Me series as well as Adventures in Odyssey.  We enjoyed his input with our students, faculty, and parents.  I was especially impressed how he was able to grab the attention of our fifth graders on Tuesday during a session on writing.

      Bill Myers getting 5th grade students excited about writing!

It was wonderful to observe students listening and getting excited about writing with Bill Myers!

They were even taking notes!!                     

They loved getting into groups and using their creative juices to write!!

           More involvement with the fifth grade students writing!

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Wednesday:

Bill Myers was at YISS during our Annual Spring Book Fair which was launched on Wednesday! I love that our YISS students love to read and they look forward to these Book Fairs!  I love going to the Book Fair myself and adding to my collection. :-)  It is a joy to stop by and observe students browsing and buying.  I love being able to help them select some good books.

I was especially encouraged and delighted when I received an email from the mother of one of our third graders. Thiago is from Angola and many of us have been concerned about his family life.  Mom and Dad are not together and many days after Thiago's after school activity is finished there is no one from his family to pick him up.  I often wait with him for 40 minutes to an hour until I can get through to someone to pick him up.  I love this little man and it breaks my heart when he tells me that he wishes he could have a family like other children.  I have had to communicate with his mother the last couple weeks very sternly about the situation of Thiago not being picked up on time.  On Thursday morning I received an email from her - not sure what I would find in it.  Mother thanked me for caring for Thiago and said she was sorry to disturb me but could I help Thiago replace two of the books he purchased at the Book Fair.  She said that he bought books that he is not able to read.  I was so happy to take Thiago to the Book Fair to replace two of his books.  Our Elementary Librarian, Ms. Henspeter and I helped him select two books that were on his reading level and still of interest to him.  That evening I received another email from Mother thanking me once again for taking time with Thiago and that she is trying to do better to take care of her responsibilities as his mother. Please pray for Thiago as you think of him.

Here are some pictures from the Book Fair:

Above are just a few pictures of students browsing and purchasing books at the YISS Book Fair.  Thanks to the PTO and our librarians for setting up a great fair!

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Also on Wednesday the Kindergarten A class had its Publishing Party!  I love these parties and enjoy seeing parents and grandparents come in to listen to their cherubs read their stories.  It is always a highlight for me!

Some of the parents who came to KA's Publishing Party with their

                                              children!

I loved listening to Caeden's story!  He is always smiling!

More parents and teachers listening and encouraging these young 

up and coming authors!                              

This little man's grandparents came to hear his story!!

Another mother with her Kinder cherub and one on the way to Kinder!

My buddy, Caeden, showing some of his story!

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Thursday:

The Book Fair and events with Bill Myers continued.  Bill was able to share his testimony in High School Chapel as well as share in three World Religion classes and with the 6th grade students.

One of our Teaching Assistants in Grade 1 at YISS, Ms. Kathy Lee, is a gifted artist.  Kathy has been leading some After School Activities for me and this quarter she has a class entitled 10 Artists Children Should Know.  The kids love her classes and they have been enjoying doing works of art while learning about some of the world's greatest artists.  Here are some pictures from her Thursday class.

Ms. Lee with some of her students learning about another artist and

            preparing to create an example of that artist's work.

One of Ms. Lee's student's creation after studying the work of the    

     artist, Piet Mondrian! Not the finished product, but almost!          

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Friday:

Fridays seem to always be busy!  This past Friday was especially busy.  There were four of our elementary teachers absent on Friday so I had the joy of subbing in Grade 2B for a little bit while continuing to be involved in Chapel and OASIS assemblies throughout the day.  One of our Elementary Physical Education teachers, Ms. Buster, brought her father to school on Friday.  Mr. Buster came to visit Ms. Buster and what joy he was.  Our students loved him.  He took part in Chapel by playing his guitar and helping the Grade 5 Praise Team lead the worship songs.

    Mr. Buster playing guitar in Chapel with two of the Grade 5

                                Praise team on Friday.

The two boys who are the other part of the grade 5 Praise Team!  

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In the middle of everything else on Friday, I was invited to Kindergarten C's Publishing Party and Grade 3C's Market Day.  In addition, all sections of Grade 1 were celebrating "Poem in Your Pocket" day on Friday.  That was soooooo much fun!!

The administrators of YISS and elementary teachers were informed that Grade 1 students had been working hard to memorize or read with expression poems of their choice.  They could use one they had read somewhere or they were encouraged to write one.  They were carrying them in their pockets and when any of us saw one of them, we were encouraged to stop them and ask them to share the poem!  I loved it!  The kids were soooo excited and did such a great job!  I wish I could have videotaped each of the ones I heard to show you.  Here are a few pictures of some of the cherubs reciting for me!  These were all outside at lunch recess.  I also heard many poems as I found first graders walking to and from the Library or Book Fair.  They were all eager and ready!!

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Here are a few pictures from KB's Publishing Party.  These are always so much fun for me!  You should come and enjoy one of these parties some time!

   Parents and children at KB's Publishing Party!  Love seeing the

                             parents with their children!

I especially love it when a Dad takes time off from his job to spend time with a treasure more important than his job!

This little cherub had such great illustrations and read so well!!    

Here I am with two who had just finished reading their stories to me!!  Sooooo good!

      This little lady was so eager to read her story to "Mr. Garman."

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Grade 3C had a Market Day at the close of school on Friday.  They use these to learn about economics in their Social Studies throughout the year.  Students think about supply and demand and other topics and then either make some goods or bring in some toys they don't want or whatever they think customers would purchase.  They also decide on an organization where they can send the money they earn to benefit others in need.  This year this class has been sending their gifts to Mowlamma, a fourth grade girl from India.  They support this little girl from India through the organization, Gospel for Asia.

   Ms. Everett preparing students for Market Day.  She was having

a great interactive discussion with students on what they had learned 

     from previous Market Days and how they made adjustments in 

                                   their products and prices.

One young business girl displaying her homemade products!

Another who had prepared samples of her homemade  

cookies for customers to try before buying.  Her cookies

went quite quickly because of the samples!         

This is my "Dancing Boy Andrew" who had made some animals from paper to sell.

           Ms. Everett purchased a "tattoo" from this saleslady!

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Saturday:

Saturday was a beautiful day.  It began with a visit to my friendly doctor's office.  Dr. Kim prescribed some medication for my sore throat hoping to gain control of it before it headed to my chest.  I also woke up on Friday morning with this bruise under my right eye.  I went to be on Thursday night and looked normal.  When I went to to the bathroom to brush my teeth at 4:30 on Friday morning, I looked and saw this nasty little bruise under my right eye.  It did not hurt, just looked like someone hit me during the night.  Dr. Kim checked it out and did some blood work, but said I must have hit myself in my sleep! :-)  He prescribed some ointment for it and it appears to be looking better.  I am feeling better with the sore throat today as I write this, too.

After my doctor's visit, I met some wonderful friends at Suji's for a delightful brunch and then we headed to the park around the Han River near my apartment before heading to a Korean Major League Baseball game, which I really enjoy!  I had a very delightful afternoon and evening with these wonderful friends, Tony and Sue Kuhn, Yeongmin Baek, and Bob Cho!  I hadn't seen Bob for some time so it was great to be with him + the other great friends!  Bob, Tony, and Sue are Kia Tigers' fans and Yeongmin and I are Doosan Bears' fans!  The game was between Kia and Doosan and what a fantastic time we had together.  It was a great game with the lead exchanging hands several times.  Doosan tied the game in the bottom of the 9th!  Then Kia came right back in the top of the 10th to score a run and hold on to win the game in 10 innings 5-4!  Such excellent fun with great friends in a packed Jamsil Stadium with Korean fans who simply get sooooo

Some of the tasty food at Suji's!  (My Mexicna Brunch)

Another selection from Suji's!  Yummy!

Clockwise: Tony and Sue Kuhn, Yeongmin, Bob, and GGG at Suji's!

Here we are near the Han River on a gorgeous day!

Love seeing the families enjoying the park together!

The Doosan Bears side of Jamsil Stadium!

Here we are in our seatsin the upper deck right behind home plate.  Loved the view!

View of the stadium as the sun departed!  Such a great time we had!

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Yeppers, I can't believe this begins the last week of April.  Time moves swiftly along!  Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we finish Quarter Four at YISS and make preparations for closing the school year and preparing for for the next school year.  We still are in need of an Elementary Physical Education teacher for Grades K-2 as well as a Reading Specialist in our Student Learning Center and an Elementary Technology teacher.  Any recommendations?  Please let me know.

Thank you so much for your love, care, encouragement, prayers, and support.  Oh yes, you can continue to pray for me as I seek a new apartment for the next year.  Have a great week!

Love, Gregg

Alone, Yet NOT Alone

This week's post is a little different.  There are only several pictures.  Just sharing a bit of what God has been teaching me these past few weeks.

I am often asked: "Are you lonely, Gregg?" or "Don't you hate being alone and not married?" Usually, I am quick to respond that I am quite content with my situation in life.  But during the last several weeks I have spent some time pondering loneliness and being alone.  Yes, at times I long for companionship. I look at friends and say to myself, "It would be great to be married and have children."  I dearly miss my family and friends back in the USA and throughout the world.  There have been times, especially during the past several weeks.  I really felt like I was on a deserted island somewhere longing for those times of not being alone.

Thursday morning, in the middle of a very busy week at YISS, I was feeling really down and lonely and on my own.  Our elementary school staff meet together for devotions on Thursday mornings and I really didn't want to attend.  I was having a pity party for Gregg and thinking how great others have it and don't have to be alone.  Grudgingly, I went to the devotions in Room 216 at 7:20 AM.  I sat down in a corner of the room hoping to be left alone with my little pity party.

One of our Elementary Art teachers, Mrs. DeHart, was leading the devotion time.  As Pam shared about the experiences of her life and family, she said that there were often times when she felt alone in her journey with the Lord.  She then showed a video clip that had Joni Eareckson Tada sharing about her life.  I knew about Joni but was especially challenged by her encouragement from her experiences and the Word.  Pam shared a couple video clips that spoke directly to me as I was having my pity party.  I didn't realize the impact the one clip would have until Friday evening.

Friday evening, my wonderful friend and former SYME student, Jungmin (Chris), came to my apartment following his work day and we spent several hours together sharing with one another about "being single" and "being alone."  We had a very refreshing time and then I went to my bedroom and got in bed. As I prepared to fall asleep, I began reflecting on the amazing family I have enjoyed throughout my life.  I thought about the wonderful friends I have been blessed with in the USA, in South Korea, and throughout the world.  I reflected on the family I enjoy each day at YISS.  My days are filled with people beginning around 6:00 AM and going until 6:00 PM (usually).

Just this past week at YISS I was happily involved in the following:

*  the beginning of the largest and busiest quarter of after school activities since coming to YISS, involving relationships with YISS teachers, outside instructors, elementary students and parents;

*  teacher observations within classrooms and meetings with each to share feedback;

*  numerous opportunities to invest in the lives of elementary school, middle school, and high school students at YISS; and

*  continued opportunities to meet and share with former SYME Korean students as well as new friends I've met throughout Seoul.

As I reflected on the beautiful relationships I enjoy each and every day, I began to fall asleep.  Then I remembered the song Mrs. DeHart shared at our Thursday AM staff meeting.  I got out of bed and went to my computer and clicked on this beautiful song that we heard on Thursday morning.  It was a video clip of Joni Eareckson Tada singing this song, Alone, Yet Not Alone!  Just what I needed so I listened to the words as I fell asleep thanking God for the many relationships he has allowed me to enjoy.  I share it with you and trust you will be encouraged.  You see, all of us (married or single) have those times when we feel all alone, BUT we are NOT alone!  Click on the following link and listen, reflect, and be encouraged!

Click on this link:  Alone, Yet NOT Alone!  Try copying and pasting the following link if the previous link does not work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErOyGPkvt6Q .

When I woke up Saturday morning, I went to one of my favorite coffee shops in Itaewon to reflect some more and then at 11:00 met my dear friend, Gunmo Kim.  And once again God used Gunmo to come beside me and we were able to enjoy some sweet fellowship!  What a tremendous time we had on Saturday as we talked and enjoyed some very tasty Budae-jjigae at a new restaurant in one of the back alleys of Itaewon.  We continued our great conversation at Sweet East where we enjoyed some coffee and shared a Cookies and Cream Funnel Cake.  And once again, God used a great brother and friend to let me know that I may be alone, yet I am NOT alone.

Here I am with Gunmo and the owner of this small, yet very busy, Budae-jjigae restaurant.  She was so excited that we found her little establishment. I am sure I will be back often to enjoy one of my favorite Korean dishes.  (The lady taking the picture accidentally got her finger in the way; so sorry.)

Here is a picture of our very yummy Budae-jjigae!!

Another shot of GGG in front of the Budae-jjigae and some of the side dishes!

Gunmo preparing to serve the tasty Budae-jjigae!!

The Cookies and Cream Funnel Cake we enjoyed at Sweet East! This is the small one. :-)

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I want to leave you with three special verses that have always been a huge part of my life:

Hebrews 13:5 - “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Joshua 1:8, 9 - "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."


Thanks so much for being so faithful in encouraging me, praying for me, loving me, sending me emails and notes of encouragement, and supporting me.  Please pray for the very busy weeks ahead at YISS.  They are greatly appreciated.

Love,  Gregg