"Try everything and regret nothing."

It’s already the middle of January, but I figure now is as good of a time as ever to reflect on the past year.  I would say 2013 was life-changing and I wouldn’t have experienced it if I didn’t follow my heart, pack my bags, leave my dog who was battling cancer, board a plane (even though at that point I was scared beyond measure), and move around the world (to a country I’ve never been to) all alone.  Except, I haven’t been alone.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

When I graduated from college, I tried for two summers to land that full-time teaching job but came up just a bit short a few times, and although that was upsetting, I now realize it wasn’t meant to be.  I needed to come to Korea.

I learned how important it is (as cheesy as it may sound) to actually go ahead and follow your dreams.  I’ve wanted to go abroad again and even though Asia was never on my mind, the opportunity was there and I went for it.  Throughout this past year, sometimes I’d be walking down the street and think, “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”  Sometimes I’d stop at that and move on.  Other times I’d think about it for a while and realize everything I would have missed out on if I had stayed home and maybe done what was expected—sub for the year and try again next summer.  Although that is one option and one that is certainly okay, I chose to listen to that nudge in my heart and actually go.  And why not?  I have my whole life to be home and working. I’m still so young, still 24 once I’m home again.

Although this is an experience I’ve always wanted to have, I had my fair share of ups and downs.  I had a hard time the first four months.  I completely skipped over the “honeymoon” stage, the first stage of culture shock, and immediately began wondering what in the world I was doing.  It was lonely at work because everyone spoke Korean, obviously.  It was lonely in the grocery store simply because I couldn’t find things I needed and failed at attempting to ask for help.  It was lonely at home because when it was a perfect time for me to talk to someone back in the states, everyone was sound asleep because it was often the middle of the night there.  I learned a very important lesson in those months and that's how important it is to rely on Jesus and go to Him first and foremost.  He is the only one who can truly give us what we need; we just have to ask.  Just as the devotional says in the picture above, my journey in Korea truly has been one of profound reliance on Him. 

I remember the last day of orientation when we got our packets stating which school we would be working in.  This would determine where we would be living, if we would be near the friends we made the past week, if I would have somewhere to go running, and the list went on and on.  I was so nervous to actually open my envelope, but I remember thinking, “It’s okay.  God’s already taken care of it.  He knows exactly where I need to go.”  And that was so true.  Overall, I’m pretty happy with the school I was placed in, but more importantly, God provided me with what I needed outside of the work day.  I made a friend who lives in the building next to mine who I now refer to as my big sister in Korea.  I also live just a five minute walk from an awesome park along a river for me to go running.  If I didn’t have that, I know I wouldn’t have gone running along the streets.  Going for a run is great for me, aside from actually getting some exercise in.  Of course I’m thankful for the awesome church and many friends I have throughout the city, but it’s been a blessing having these things right here in Hwamyeong, where I spend the majority of my time.  It’s what I needed.

Once I got over that four-month-long rough patch, things were great.  I went to Indonesia, Japan, Jeju Island, Seoul, out and about around Busan, didn’t sleep much, learned to read hangul (or at least I try), and made awesome memories with the friends that I am not at all looking forward to leaving.  It’s like I blinked and all of a sudden it’s January and I leave Korea in just over six weeks.  I was given so much to be thankful for this past year, so the good does help to outweigh the not-so-good.

The morning of New Year’s Eve brought along some news that completely broke my heart.  I knew it would come while I was away, but I was also holding on to a bit of hope that my sweet dog would be there when I got home.  My family found out Logan had cancer just weeks before I left for Korea.  I instantly wondered how I was going to leave knowing that the vet gave him 4-6 months and I would be gone for 12.  He’s been a part of my life since I was in 5^th grade and truly the best dog I could have ever asked for.  I like to think he tried to make it for me to come home because he made it 11 months, not 4 or 6.  My dog was such a fighter, and although sometimes I kick myself for missing out on more time with him and wonder why this had to happen the one year I was away, I have to trust that it was best for me this way.  I’m certainly not looking forward to that aspect of going home, but I’m glad that through FaceTime Logan knows I didn’t forget about him.

I normally wouldn’t go into this much detail, but I would miss out on half (or more) of this experience if I didn’t reflect on it and think about what I have learned.  Like I said before, if I didn’t answer that itching travel bug I had, I would have missed out on seeing more of this beautiful world, meeting friends that will continue to be my friends once I leave, learning more about myself and changing in ways that I think are positive, and most importantly, realizing that I’m never alone because if God has set something on my heart for me to do, He will come along with me. One of the notes that stuck with me the most out of the many cards I got before I left came from my cousin, Josh.  He said, “Try everything and regret nothing.”  And I’d say that’s some pretty good advice.