Quarter 3 Begins!! Students, New Students, Grades, Counseling Intern, Legs, Chapel, ASA!!!

Quarter Three has begun!  Students seemed to be eager and excited to be back after the 3-week Christmas Break!  We welcomed eight new students to the Elementary School!  Teachers and administrators finalized grades for Quarter Two and sent reports to parents! YISS welcomed an intern to work with our high school counseling department for most of Quarter Three!  Online registration for Quarter Three after school activities was completed successfully! I had the privilege of sharing in Chapels and OASIS Assembly on Friday!  We began some initial interviews for a few elementary positions for 2015-16!  I had a visit to Dr. Kim about some burning red rash-type stuff on my inner thighs!  It was quite a week!!

Not very many pictures for you this week because it was just a very busy week getting everyone back into the ministry of educating children!  Students were eager to return and it was so wonderful to greet them in the morning!  On Monday morning at 10:15 we welcomed eight new students to our elementary school at YISS!  They all seemed very eager to begin and I had the pleasure of taking a couple children from Taiwan on a brief tour and then to their classes where they were greeted so eagerly by our YISS students!  Each new student arriving to YISS receives some transition counseling from our Elementary Chaplain.  They are also introduced in Chapel and OASIS Assembly where they are given their own copy of the Bible.

Speaking of Chapel and OASIS, I was asked by Mrs. Franck to read a book, The Invisible Boy, for the next several Fridays to each of our Chapels and to the OASIS Assembly.  I would appreciate your prayers as I share concerning "being left out", bullying, and how one can use kindness to begin to change a group's attitude about a person who is being left out and ignored.  Students were so interested on Friday as I began sharing and reading.

Mrs. Franck also was able to give a final count of the money the elementary students and teachers raised for our Walk-A-Sock-A-Thon last October.  Because students are to bring in only 100 Won coins (each year there are a mixture of other coins in the huge collection), it takes the bank a long time to transport the coins to the bank and sort and count the coins.  The students were so excited to hear the totals!  The total raised by just the elementary school was 8,735,920 Won!!  That is $8,100 in USD!  Then the PTO said they would add 10% to whatever the elementary raised!  Plus there were a number of high school clubs who brought in coins to help as well.  The overall total with the PTO and High School gifts was 10,785,540 W!!!  The students were soooo excited that their 100 Won coins would be going to help eight different organizations who are working with various groups of needy people around the world.  This was the first time the Walk-A-Sock-A-Thon had a total over 10,000,000 W!  The total raised was about $10,000!!

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When I returned to YISS on Monday, I was surprised by a former SYME student and her mother in the lobby of YISS!  Last April, Erica Yim, one of the students I had at SYME back in 2009-10 had contacted me to see if she could do her internship in counseling at YISS.  Erica lives in Songtan, South Korea but was studying at Moody Bible Institute.  I put her in contact with our High School counseling department, but had never heard anything definite.  I was so excited to see Erica.  She told me that she would be doing her internship at YISS with Mr. Wingate during most of the 3rd Quarter. I know Erica is a bit nervous so I know she would value your prayers as she interns at YISS.

Above GGG is with Erica, a former SYME student, who is now serving her internship with the YISS High School Guidance Department.  I know she would value your prayers.  The picture was taken outside Elementary Chapel on Friday.  Erica is trying to get involved in all areas of the school.  Since our Elementary Chaplain does counseling with a number of our elementary students, it was felt she should be involved somewhat in our elementary program.

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Many of you were praying this past week for me as I made final preparations for the online registration for the Quarter Three After School Activities.  Thanks so much!  Through my friends in the Ed Tech department at YISS I discovered two Apps that Google had just developed that now allows me to have an automatic closing of an activity's registration.  One of these Apps also allows me to set up an automatically generated email of confirmation to the parents as soon as they submit their child's registration!  My helper, Abby Williamson, and I had spent many hours trouble shooting this before activating the After School Activities' website on Thursday morning, January 15.  Oh the Apps also allowed me to have a Waiting List registration available online once a class was closed. Everything went very smoothly!  It saved so much time because I did not have to go in and manually close 25 individual activities when each reached its limit of students. Often I could not close the classes quickly enough manually, but with this new App, I did not have to close any of them!  The Waiting List has been a great addition, too!  Thank you all for praying.  Please pray that all of the other things that need to happen during these next few days to have all of the classes ready by February 2 will be able to be accomplished.  Payment Slips, Liability Forms, Bus Lists, etc. need to be generated!

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During the past several weeks I have had some sort of burning red rash on my inner thighs.  The skin had a forest of red spots all over the inner thigh.  There was no itching; just burning!  I went to my doctor, Dr. Kim, and he said it was a fungus of some sort. He prescribed some cream and medicine which I took for 10 days and it brought relief.  Then last Sunday it came back.  I thought it would go away but by Tuesday I needed to go see Dr. Kim again.  He is not quite sure what the problem is, but again prescribed cream and meds which are helping.  There is no burning now and the redness seems to be going down.  I would appreciate your prayers that this will go away, but if not that Dr. Kim will be able to figure out what it actually is and what might be causing it.  (I will spare you from seeing pictures of this! Aren't you happy?  I did send some to my sister, Julee, the R.N. for her thoughts!)

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I thought I would leave you with a couple pictures that were just sent to me by some YISS parents. While I was working on After School Activities' thing on Saturday afternoon at YISS, I received an email from some of our elementary parents.  They had taken some candid pictures during one of the YISS Elementary Christmas concerts and thought I might enjoy them.  I am not sure what I think, but it looks like I am running for some political office. :-)  Enjoy!  You can make your own captions! Share them with me if you like. :-)

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As always, I just want to thank you for your prayers, love, notes, emails, and support.  It is hard to believe that we are past the halfway mark in January!  Going way too fast.  You can also be praying as we begin interviews for a few open elementary positions for the 2015-16 school year.  Enjoy a great week!

Love, Gregg

Relaxation, Refreshment, Reunions, and Some Work!! Happy 2015!!

Yes, it has been three weeks since you have heard from me through my blog.  The three-week Christmas Break was wonderful!  I was able to relax, refresh, reunite, and do a little work!  YISS students return to school on Monday morning bright and early to begin Quarter 3!  It will be a busy week as teachers finalize grades for Quarter 2 and Grade Reports are emailed to parents + the online registration of Quarter Three After School Activities!  I have learned a few new tech things that will assist in making the online registration go more smoothly and save me some time as well; at least that is what I have been praying for.  My personality is that I want everything to work out just perfectly! Oh, the Lord is smiling right now as He has had to teach me MANY lessons in this area.  I am slowly learning, but having the three weeks over Christmas to devote some alone time with the ASA Quarter Three project has helped me to relax and rest in Him and not do as much worrying as I usually do. Thanks for your prayers!

During the break the New Year began!  I have enjoyed the little book A Diary of Private Prayers by John Baille over the years.  The book was a gift to me from the head of Christian Camping International when I was at Camp Joy El.  I have used it so often and through Baille's prayers I have adapted the following prayer for my prayer to begin 2015.  I shared it on Facebook, but here it is if you don't have FB. I pray that it will be your prayer as well:

Good morning, Father!

I ask that through regular fellowship with you that the graces of Christian character will more and more take shape within my soul:

* The grace of a thankful and uncomplaining heart,
* The grace of courage, whether in suffering or in danger,
* The grace to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,
* The grace of boldness in standing for what is right,
* The grace of preparedness lest I enter into temptation,
* The grace of strict truthfulness,
* The grace of charity, that I may refrain from hasty judgment,
* The grace of silence, that I may refrain from hasty speech,
* The grace of forgiveness towards all who have wronged me,
* The grace of tenderness towards all who are weaker than myself, AND
* The grace of steadfastness to continue to desire you and your son, Jesus Christ.

Father, as I begin this new year, I pray that you make my life happy....

NOT by shielding me from all sorrows and pain, BUT by strengthening me to bear them, when they come.
NOT by making my paths easy, BUT by making them sturdy enough to travel any path you call me to walk.
NOT by taking my hardships from me, BUT by taking fear from my heart.
NOT by granting me unbroken sunshine, BUT by keeping my face bright - even in the shadows.
NOT by making my life always pleasant, BUT by showing me when people need me the most, and by making me eager to be there to help!

In your Son's most powerful Name,
Amen!

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The remainder of my post this week will be mainly pictures with a few words to share some of the special times I had over the three-week break to enjoy some relaxation, refreshment, and reunions. I will share some prayer requests through the pictures as well.  Enjoy...and thank you for praying.

Saturday, December 20: I enjoyed a special lunch with John Choi, a young man I only met briefly at the wedding of David Baek and Victoria Cho.  He wanted to spend some time with me during a break from his Korean Military service.  We had an awesome time getting to know each other. Please pray for this young man who has studied in the USA and is now back in Korea serving his Military time.  He wants to remain string in the Military and show Jesus Christ to his fellow soldiers.

GGG with John at Los Amigos enjoying a great time of refreshment and laughter!

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Monday, December 22:  An alum of YISS from May 2014, Alwarith Alharthy, was back in Korea after his first semester at the University of Nebraska.  Our relationship continues to develop and he made a specific effort to contact me to meet for a meal.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Outback Steakhouse in Itaewon.  Lots of great conversation and he continued to ask me questions about God and Jesus Christ.  Thank you for continuing to pray for this wonderful young man , especially as he returns to Nebraska.

Here I am with Alwarith at Outback! He already contacted me this week to let me know he is back in Nebraska and asked me to pray for him.

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Christmas Eve:  I was invited by Eric Lee, the conductor of the Yonsei University Men's Glee Club, and his professor to attend the Christmas Eve performance of Bach's Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248!  This was the first I heard the entire performance and it was very beautiful and moving.  It was sung in German and the program had German, Korean, and English printed!  It was such a beautiful telling through music of the birth of Jesus Christ!

The Yonsei University Choir and Orchestra preparing to perform

 Bach's special  Weihnachts-Oratorium in the university chapel.

Here I am at the close of the performance with Eric and his Professor!

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Christmas Day:  My dear friend, Jin Seok, had arranged to have Christmas dinner with me.  Jin Seok came to Itaewon and we had a delightful time at Suji's (his choice) and then I took him to Sweet East Cafe and introduced him to Funnel Cakes!!  Please continue to pray for Jin Seok as he works at the National Tax Office in Seoul.  It is exciting to see how he is living out his faith in his work place!

Here we are at Suji's after our Christmas lunch and great conversation.  Getting ready to head to Sweet East!

And here is the Chocolate Banana Funnel Cake we shared!!  Jin Seok loved this yummy treat!! :-)

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Friday, December 26:  Some special surprises greeted me on the day after Christmas!!  My dear friend, Ji Sang, told me to meet him at a certain bus stop in Gangnam and then surprised me with a surprise visit from a former SYME student, Somi (Claire)!  I hadn't seen here for a long time and it was so special.  Then Ji Sang and I boarded a bus to head to Bangi-dong.  When we got off, we walked to a restaurant I have been waiting for in Seoul ever since I left Songtan!  Yes, there is now a Saku Saku Chicken place in Seoul!!  We enjoyed a very yummy garlic and soy sauce Saku Saku and some wonderful conversation and laughter!!  Continue to pray for Ji Sang as he seeks God's next step for him.

    Somi, GGG, and Ji Sang reuniting at a bus stop in Gangnam!!

I am so excited to be reunited with my friend, Saku Saku!!!!!

Ji Sang and GGG getting ready to leave Saku Saku, BUT there was   

some yummy garlic and soy sauce chicken remaining for another lunch!

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Saturday, December 27:  I had another surprise visit in Seoul!  A former student from Mercer Christian Academy, Ray Davila, contacted me and said that he was going to be in Seoul over Christmas and asked if we could meet.  I was delighted to meet and we had a great time of remembering times at MCA and catching up.  Ray is currently teaching English in Shanghai, China. He brought one of his Chinese friends, Minjie, with him and it was great to get to know him as well.

GGG with Minjie and Ray Davila after our yummy lunch at Taste of Thailand restaurant in Itaewon.

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Monday, December 29:  The reunions continued with a lunch with a YISS Alum, Eugene, and then a dinner with another YISS Alum, Jace.  Both of these young men are studying in the USA and they were eager to get together during their Christmas Break back in Korea.  I am excited to see God working in both of these young men's lives as they study at their universities in the USA.

Eugene and GGG at the Lobster Bar for lunch!  A great meal with

a fine young man who is very intelligent and living out Christ at

Emory University in Georgia.  I know he would value your prayers.

Here I am with Jace at Suji's.  Jace wanted to go    

here for dinner.  Jace just graduated last year from  

YISS.  I am excited to hear how he is living out Jesus

at Washington University in St. Louis!  Thanks for  

your prayers for him.                     

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New Year's Eve Day:  One of the members of the Yonsei University Men's Glee Club contacted me to see if we could have lunch together on New Year's Day.  I was delighted to meet Michael and get to know him.  He is quite involved with music at his church as well as his studies at Yonsei.  Please pray for Michael as I get to know him even better.

Michael and GGG outside a famous Korean Noodle restaurant in Myeongdong.  We ate here and the food was so yummy!  What a nice time I had getting acquainted with a new friend.

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New Year's Day:  Well, I know you will think I live at Suji's, but that is where our 4th and 5th grade music teacher, Dr. Al Harding, wanted to eat.  He has been at YISS 4+ years but has never eaten at Suji's.  He treated me to a great lunch and we had such a wonderful time of conversation about YISS and his family.  The Hardings will be heading back to the States after this year so that they can be with their son, who graduates from YISS this year and will be heading to university.  I know they would appreciate your prayers.

GGG and Al preparing to enjoy our tasty lunch at Suji's on New Year's Day!

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Saturday Brunch, January 3:  Finally, I was able to meet up with my wonderful friend, Gunmo for Brunch! He has become very busy with his work at GrapeSeed and a young lady friend as well as his involvement at church that it has been difficult for us to meet as regularly as we would like.  It is exciting to hear how God is using him at GrapeSeed.  we had a wonderful time of catching up and just enjoying some laughter and refreshment!  Thank you for continuing to pray for this delightful young man and friend!

Gunmo and I always "fight" about where we are going to eat. :-)  He makes me give him several suggestions and then he chooses.  He chose a new place for him: The Flying Pan Blue!  They have yummy brunches and here we are enjoying ours!  (Gunmo likes this picture because he looks much taller than I do in this picture!)

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Saturday Dinner, January 3: Another great friend, Yeongmin, and I have had trouble getting our schedules to match up to get together over Christmas.  We finally arranged dinner at the Lobster Bar on January 3! We shared a fresh Grilled Lobster, and it was sooooo tasty!!  Yeongmin continues to be VERY busy with his work at SK Telecom.  Please continue to pray that he will come to know Jesus!

Above is our very yummy Grilled Lobster before we destroyed it!

Here we are in front of the Lobster pools at Lobster Bar!        

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Monday, January 5:  I met a young lady, Brenda Kim, at a Thanksgiving dinner where a group of YISS parents had gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Brenda was interested in YISS and asked if we could meet to allow her to interview me for some of the writing she is doing on those working with children in Korea.  We were able to arrange this lunch meeting at a new restaurant (for me) in Itaewon called Libertine!  We had a nice time finding out about each other and our ministry in Seoul.

Brenda Kim and GGG preparing to eat some very tasty brunches at Libertine during our interview.

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Wednesday, January 7:  My two delightful friends, Tony and Sue Kuhn, enjoyed a wonderful lunch and visit on this day.  I gave several options again and they both chose The Flying Pan Blue as well.  We had some really scrumptious and massive brunches!  We had a wonderful time of catching up and finding out what was happening at both of our schools.  Tony is currently teaching and administering at one of the NICS schools in Korea, Pyeongtaek International Christian School.  I know they would appreciate your prayers as they serve Him together at PICS.

Tony, Sue, and I at The Flying Pan Blue.  You can see our amazing brunches that we are about to destroy! :-)  So good to catch up with Tony and Sue!

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Thursday, January 8:  Dinner today was with one of our seniors at YISS.  Many of you have been praying for this wonderful young man, Matthew Hahn.  He wanted to get together to talk about several college choices.  It has been good to see him so much happier this year.  Matthew was probably the first Middle School student I connected with when I arrived during the first quarter in 2010.  I can't believe he is going to graduate this year! Our relationship has continued to grow and he calls me his second father.  Please pray for Matthew as he makes decisions concerning colleges.

GGG and Matthew at Toma Tillo's in Itaewon.  Matthew wanted to eat Mexican so we went here.  Very good! I love the smile on his face this year!

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Again, thank you so much for being such a great encourager and supporter throughout 2014!  Thank you for all of your love and prayers.  I love hearing from you, so when you get a chance, drop me an email or even an old fashioned letter/card through good old Postal mail! :-)  Be encouraged in 2015!!

Love, Gregg

First Semester Festive FInish!!

Yes, it was a festive finish to the first semester at YISS! Festive: joyous, merry; from the Latin festivus - joyful!  Yeppers, more JOY!  :-)  Such a busy week and I know that teachers, students, and staff were full of joy when Friday 12 Noon arrived!  Many of our staff will be traveling to various destinations to rest, refresh, and relax with family and friends for Christmas!  I know they would value your prayers.  I will be staying near Seoul this Christmas.  I hope to take s few day trips around Korea and also do some preparation for Quarter Three After School Activities - when I have some quiet time to focus on the technology part of this program.  I actually find it JOYful these days as I learn more and more about technology.

I believe I will take a day at a time to express some of the JOYful events of this past week.  Even in the midst of very cold temperatures and indoor recesses because of the frigid cold, teachers and students enjoyed some great times!

Sunday!

After a wonderful church service on Sunday morning, I went to lunch with Yeongmin, my dear friend and former SYME student.  He took me to a Japanese restaurant in Ichon - a new restaurant for me.  We had a very tasty lunch and a great conversation.  We had not been able to get together for over four weeks because of both of our busy schedules.  It was great to see Yeongmin and catch up. Please continue to pray that he will become a believer.

Yeongmin and GGG at lunch last Sunday!

Yeongmin enjoyed this Salmon Sushi!  I tasted it and

                                 enjoyed it, too!

I selected this rice, egg and chicken dish!  Quite good as well!

Dessert!!                        

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Then the YISS staff gathered at the Dragon Hill banquet hall on the US Army Base in Yongsan for our annual Staff Christmas Dinner!  It was another festive evening with special dinner music provided by the YISS Music Club under the direction of Mrs. Lynelle Harding.  They always do a nice job!  There was so much good food and excellent fellowship and fun! It is always great to see see all of the families together in one setting.

        One section of the wonderful buffet meal!

The carver of turkey and ham!

     Salads! (Some of them.)                        

Some of the desserts!!

         Our table's server in his festive vest and JOYful smile!

Two of my plates!                       

Some of the YISS teachers and their families!  I couldn't capture all of them in one shot.

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Monday!

On Monday I received a text message from another of my former SYME students, Minseok (Jeff)! He had written on Sunday evening asking for prayer for his wife who was in the hospital getting ready to have a Caesarean section.  He was worried and wanted me to pray for the family.  Monday morning he texted to inform me that his wife gave birth to a beautiful little daughter!  Minseok was so excited about the birth of their first child.  I am so excited for him and his wife.  He still has not become a believer but I believe he is getting close.  Thanks for praying.  Here is a picture of his little cherub!  She is soooooo cute!!

Minseok's cute baby girl!!  He is such a proud and happy Daddy!

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Tuesday!

The day began with a yummy breakfast that was organized and prepared by our Elementary Principal, Bev Birmingham.  This was for our elementary teachers and everyone enjoyed the very delicious taste treats Bev had provided with assistance from Krista Roll, Assistant Elementary Principal.  I was chief server. It was a very JOYful way to begin a very busy day!

Mrs. Birmingham getting ready to serve the yummy breakfast to our teachers!

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Tuesday evening was such a delightful happening!  Ms. Shauna Weir, our K-3 Music teacher, directed our 2nd and 3rd Grade cherubs in a Christmas musical, Christmas Hang-Ups!  This is a musical featuring ornaments from the Watsons' Christmas tree.  The actors and actresses did such an amazing job of performing and the rest of the students were awesome as they sang the various songs which so clearly presented the real meaning of Christmas.  I was sooooo impressed with the gifted soloists and actors as they presented the true meaning and JOY of Christmas.  I wanted to place a video of one of the songs from the concert, but all of the videos I took were too large to put in the blog. :-(  I am so sorry.  You can find all of the ones I took on facebook on my timeline if you wish to see them.

Grade 2 and 3 students with some of the main actors on stage singing!!

A close up shot of the main actors!                                                     

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Wednesday!

Wednesday was our monthly "Fun Day" in elementary!  Kids and staff came dressed in a "Christmasy" outfit.  Many of the classes had Christmas parties during the day; some had them on Thursday. It was just a great day of enJOYing Christmas.

Three teachers at lunch! Left to right: Ms. Greaves (4C), Ms. Weir

                          (Music), and Ms. Dean (4A)!

Grade 5C teacher, Ms. Moncada!

One of our Kinder students showing the  

front of her outfit.                

Here is the back of her outfit! :-)

    Three fourth grade cherubs dressed for Christmas!

Another 4th grade student!

These two fifth grade boys are my buddies.

They have become very close friends with 

each other.  I call them Mutt and Jeff!    

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During the day I had a surprise visit from one of my YISS High School friends who graduated last May from YISS.  I was so happy to see Alwarith Alharthy, now a student at a university in Nebraska.  He is one of the sons of the Ambassador from Oman to South Korea.  Alwarith and I connected my first year at YISS and our relationship continues.  I am asking you to pray for me as I meet with Alwarith for dinner on Monday, December 22.  He is a Muslim young man and continues to ask me many questions about my belief in Jesus Christ.  On Friday he came back to school and I had an amazing conversation with Alwarith and Jinwoo.  Jinwoo is a junior from Colombia and has been one of the stars on our High School Soccer team.  Jinwoo and Alwarith invited me to join them in the cafeteria and began asking so many questions about life and important matters.  Jinwoo is Catholic and he asked questions about my beliefs on many issues.  I was thrilled that both young men were listening intently as I was able to share my faith in Jesus Christ with them and how this belief has shaped my life.  Thank you for remembering these two young men in prayer as I continue to build even stronger relationships with them.

Here I am on Wednesday with Alwarith!  Sorry I do not have a picture of Jinwoo yet.

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Wednesday afternoon I was asked by Pierce, one of our third grade students, to his first public performance with his guitar.  Pierce has taken guitar lessons once a week for about 4-5 weeks with our Grade 1C teacher, Mr. Adams.  Pierce and Mr. Adams came to my office at 4:00 and played a duet. I was so proud of Pierce and the excellent job he did in just a few weeks!  Mr. Adams was thrilled with all that he has learned.  When Pierce finished and heard the compliments from Mr. Adams and me, this huge smile appeared on his face.

Here is Mr. Adams with his guitar student, Pierce, with me in my office following Pierce's first public performance!  Notice that smile of JOY that Pierce is displaying!

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Thursday!

Another busy day with more class parties and completion of final transcripts for five of our elementary students who are withdrawing to return to their home countries during the Christmas Break.  It is always hard to let go of our students, but such is one of the things one must deal with at an international school.  Teachers are also working on final grades and comments for Quarter Two for all of the students.

I was also invited to attend the Kindergarten A's Highlight Video Premiere for Semester One.  Ms. Regnier, our KA teacher, always does a wonderful job of communicating special events and learning activities with parents.  Parents love coming to this annual premiere showing.  The red carpet is put out and the KA students enter to take their seats for the special showing.  They enjoy popcorn as they watch the movie.  I thought you would enjoy seeing this 15 minute premiere.  I even made several of the highlights!  At the very end each of the kids share what was their favorite event.  I love it!  Each time I watch it, I am filled with JOY! Hope you can take 15 minutes to view it.  Here is what you will need to do to view the highlight video: 1) go to this url link: https://vimeo.com/114550087 ; 2) Use this password: yissguardians ; and 3) enjoy! Let me know if you are not able to view it.  I will help you.

KA cherubs ready to view the Premiere of the Semester 1 Highlights!

The other group of KA angels with their popcorn ready for the    

Premiere Showing!                                  

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Our KB teacher, Ms. Han, shared a very moving experience she had in her KB class.  This year all three sections of our kindergarten students are so sensitive and caring and loving.  KB has had a substitute Teacher Aid during Quarter 2 because their regular aid left to have her baby.  The substitute aid, Ms. Chae, had her final day with KB on Friday.  The children asked Ms. Han if they could gather around Ms. Chae and lay hands on her and pray for her as she left.  Ms. Han said it was one of the most moving experiences she has had with a group of kinder students. Her heart and mine were full of JOY!

KB students laying on hands and praying for Ms. Chae as she prepares to leave YISS following her substitute appointment at YISS in Quarter Two.

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Friday!

This was an Early Release Day as it was out last day of Quarter Two and the last day before Christmas Break.  As usual we had our annual Elementary Christmas Assembly for our 450 elementary students.  It was a special time of sharing once again the real meaning of Christmas. Below are a couple highlights of the 45 minute assembly.  Again, I wanted to show a couple videos of the POP Dance After School Activity and their performance at the Christmas Assembly, but it is telling me that the file exceeds the limit I can put on here. :-(  They did such a great job and the kids loved their performance!

  Each quarter teachers select a student who has been representing

   "The Guardian Way" code of conduct throughout the quarter. 

 Above are the students selected for Quarter Two.  Each are given

  a Guardian bracelet and certificate and will take part in creating

  the large wall hanging Mrs. Franck does each year to encourage

                        our students to be a "Guardian."

The students were so excited to hear the final results of our       

Walk-A-Sock-A-Thon.  It takes a long time for the bank to transport

all of our 100 Won coins to the bak and sort them and count them.  

This year's total was almost $10,000!  This included the 10% added 

to the children's total of coins brought in their socks.  This will be  

divided among nine organizations that are led by our YISS high school

students to help organizations helping the widows, the hearing impaired,

as well as organizations fighting against child slavery, sex trafficking, etc.

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Saturday!

I was finally able to meet an SYME student and a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, John Choi!  I met John briefly at the wedding of Namgyu and Victoria Cho last January.  We have talked via facebook and we have both wanted to get together.  John had time off from his Korean Military Service this weekend and we were able to enjoy a yummy lunch at Los Amigos on Saturday.  I was delighted to finally officially meet John and get to him.  I was delighted to hear how he came to know the Lord and what his desires are following his military service.  I know he would appreciate your prayers.

GGG and John Choi preparing to eat our yummy Mexican meal!

The Baja Burrito!!!  So tasty!!                   

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I am so thankful for each of you who continue to love me and pray for me and support me.  You are such an encouragement to me.  Please enjoy a wonderful week as you prepare for Christmas on December 25!

Love, Gregg