Thankful Heart and Apple Pie

It’s Thanksgiving and although I wish I wasn’t sitting at my desk at work but sitting with my family around a table full of food that has never sounded so delicious (especially some apple pie), I’ve been reminded several times today how much support I have back home.  Whether it was the simple tweet, card in the mail, or email I responded to today, I was reminded of how blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life.  I’m writing this post three months until the day that I leave Korea.  For a little while there, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, but I’m already nine months in.  I said several times when I left that I wouldn’t be able to do this without all of the support I have at home and that is so true.  The excitement and encouragement from so many people was the extra push I needed to keep going and to know that the day I about cried because I couldn’t find butter or the weeks it took to understand how to recycle all of my trash (which really is quite a process) were going to be worth it.  And the simple hellos I get from people at home just checking in are my favorite. 

My sister likes to remind me how big of a deal it was that I just got up and left her.  I mean, that is slightly true.  I ditched her for a whole year (and missed the trip to Atlanta for her 21^st birthday), but even though I got up and moved around the world (and missed weddings of friends so important to me), I have more support than I could have ever asked for.  Even from the people who didn’t like Plan A (move to Korea, obviously) and really wanted me to come up with a plan B. 

But I needed to come here.  I will be thankful for this experience for the rest of my life.  There’s so much to learn when you’re taken out of the surroundings you call home.  I have learned an incredible amount about myself and so much more—what I never really appreciated at home but now look at in a much different light, what I miss about teaching at home or have learned to appreciate because it is so different here, and the importance of enjoying time with the people around you (and pets in my case) when you are with them.  Not only has Korea taught me quite a lot, but this experience has also given me friendships that I know I will always have.  Even though I’m three quarters of the way through the year, sometimes I can’t believe I actually made this happen.  I couldn’t be more thankful for this year or for the quick hellos and how are you doings from home because they really have made a difference.  Not to mention the great friends I've made in Korea (especially having one of them as a neighbor) who have also played a big part in that.

As for Thanksgiving, the workday is almost over and I don’t have any special plans for dinner, but I’ll be eating some turkey and apple pie (and obviously so much more) on Sunday with the church family I’m so thankful to have here.  Happy Thanksgiving!