HOW DID I LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF KOREA. . .

DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
Teacher's Name: Shey Date: 7/29/10 Time: 2:00-2:50
Type of Class: Individual Name of Student: Amber
Subject: Conversation
Book Used: Teen Talk 2 Pages: -
Summary of Lesson Discussed: -
Homework Given: -




Shey: Hi Amber! You have your homework?
Amber: Teacher, Teacher Chard told me that in Philippines, there are only two weathers: Hot and Super Hot. Is it true?
S: (laughs) he told you that?... No... blah blah blah... (I explained)
A: Oh, so it doesn't snow here?
S: Nooooo.
A: You never saw a snow?
S: Neeevvvveer.
A: Only in TV?
S: Yes.
A: In Korea, there are four weathers... blah blah blah... (She described each weather)
S: (nodssssss)
A: It snows a lot. . .
S: Tell me more about the snow. (And she put an emphasis on the word "more")
A: Because in Korea, we have... two parts... (she grabbed her pen and started to doodle) North Korea and South Korea. Because... in 1960 people from North and South have... (put her fist together)
S: War?
A: Yes!!! So we had war... because in North Korea, they don't have a president. Not like in America, President Obama. But there, only the grand grand grand grand father (She drew a head and an arrow pointing to another head, then an arrow, head, and so on and so forth)... and when he dies, his son will become the next....uhm... next...
S: Ruler?
A: Yes. But it's different. Not President. You know Russia?
S: Yes. So?
A: Before... Russia had the same... with North Korea. So N. Korea copied old Russia. So it's very hard to go to North Korea because... Their leader is very stict. They treat people like... example, in South Korea, if I work more, I will have more money. And if I work little, I'll have little money. But in North, you work hard or you work less, same money. Because their place is just poor. and children in North Korea cross China. Because (she drew again)... Between China and N. Korea, there is a river. and you can pass here and go to China. But if the soldiers... see you... (put her fist together again)... you'll die. Uhmmm. So North Korea is poorer than South Korea...
S: Oh...
A: In Korea, Seoul is like Manila here. (She wrote again, I thought she'll draw another irregular shape, she spelled Seoul for me) S-E-U-O-L, oh no. S-O-E-U-L. ah! I don't know. the E, O, U can change positions. Just it's the... of Korea.
S: Capital?
A: Yes. (She finally paused)
S: So amber, tell me about the snow...?
A: (LAUGHS) Oh!
and we were both laughing really hard that we almost fell off our chairs. hahaha. until she finally said about snow the Korea:
A: Snow in South is different from North Korea. It's thicker in North Korea.

and that was her answer. i so love this student.

(that was our lesson for the day - SNOW. tsk2)

My Manifesto With God (Part 1)

i have to be honest, signing manifesto was not easy. it took a lot of strength. i was in a 2-year relationship before i signed. and like any other relationship, well i suppose, trials come after trial. yes we always fight. love quarrel became the synonym of our relationship, breaking up became a routine. why can't we solve things? why can't we straighten everything up? then one major problem attacked us. my weakest point in life (sorry can't blog it here). we tried to fight for that L-O-V-E that we have. but things didn't work out fine. we ended up hurting each other. and so... well you may guess what happened next: operation cool-off #817.

so i'm back to being alone again. no companion. it felt like nobody understood me. no one sympathized what i was going through. i was the only one who saw that something was wrong in our relationship. something is wrong with me and with the things around me. and i can't figure out what it was. it seemed like i was on my own with that battle. it was a terrible feeling.

then one time, i mingled with my old friends and sat next to them. they were sharing stories i couldn't relate with. so while they were happily chitchatting, a puzzle in my mind was popping up. these creatures looked content, looked seemingly at peace. what an unfair circumstance! as days passed, i figured out what they are into. they're busy with Someone. i thought of coming with them.

first Saturday of June when i joined them. "this is what they do... worshiping", i thought to myself. many young people were there, about 250 heads i think. some are younger than our age. and they aren't playing. they were as serious as the rest. after the gig ended, i felt different. i was on cloud 9. the preacher did not do stand up comedy or what. he just spoke the Word of God. and it was so powerful. "i'll do this again."

surrounding myself to people close to God was really amazing. i almost forgot that i have a battle that time. or maybe i just learned that it is not my battle, never mine, but His. i stopped fighting for it because once you surrendered everything to Him, you just have to battle in prayer. and God will be in control of everything. just trust in Him, and you'll surely find comfort in His love.

after almost a month of worshiping, i realized that this is what i need - God's comfort. this is what makes me truly happy. i decided to commit myself to Him again. because in the first place, we belong to Him. and after that decision, i heard about the manifesto thing. it's like God is asking me to finally legalize our relationship :) why would i say no to this? all i hear from within me is YES. i was very determined to sign. until a friend came to me [who's also in manifesto] and said, "have your word first". hearing that, i felt nervous. it sounded like this is not as easy as what you think, sey. so i prayed for that word. my friends also prayed for me. i prayed to God. He knows where my heart belongs. i begged Him that i really want this.

one day, my beloved friends and i prayed together (which we always do). and everyone was asked of their personal intentions. so i asked them to pray for me that i may receive the word. after that, i went to the mall and passed by the bookstore. i stood in front the Bible section and grabbed one. i prayed before opening it. then randomly, i turned the page. it stopped on Ecclesiastes' page. i read the passage and it seemed to have no connection. i closed the Bible, and opened it once more. then without looking which book i was into, i read another verses. it read: When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! whoah! that was a big time blow! God's really talking to me. when i looked at the page, it was from ECCLESIASTES 5:4 (NIV). i shook my head, and yes it was the same page i first turned and ignored. God really wanted to tell me this :) wow! His words are very powerful.

so when i came back to our church, JUNE 26, 2010, i excitedly signed the contract.

I, the undersigned, commit before Jesus, my Lord and my Savior, before man and my peers or classmates, that I will withhold myself from entering into a boyfriend relationshp for one (1) year because I would like to give my undivided attention to loving and serving God. This means that:

1) I will abstain from courtship and dating.
2) I will abstain from sexual intercourse, petting, necking, kissing (on the lips)and any indiscreet contact with any person.

THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS. THIS IS HIS PLAN FOR ME.
it felt. . . great! i will not stop praising God. my body and soul will be sanctified for the glory of God. and tomorrow is our first monthsary :) and i couldn't count anymore the bountiful blessings that He has showered upon me for the past 30 days. He even has left a promise to me, which i know [in 101% faith] will be fulfilled:

I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40)

but it did not end here. . . till then!

How He loves us...

Thank You God for being with me all the time. Thank you for waking me up at 3:30 AM. You whispered to my ears, "Get up, for I must send you on your way." and so I calmly stood up and prepare myself for the big day.

As i stepped foot on the testing center, You reminded me of Your presence once again, "Do not be afraid for I am with you". We went to my assigned room (518) and as i entered, Your voice reassured me once more that You are not going anywhere. I sat and prayed.

How great is Your love!

Thank You God. It was You who chose the right answers, who shaded the letter of Your choice. You even woke me up when i fell asleep. Those questions were nothing compared to how much more You can do. well i find them really hard, but You taught me how to cheat; You highlighted the correct answers for me to see them clearly! Thank You!

After the exam, I cried to you. it isn't because of the difficulties i've encountered during the exam. remember it was You who answered. I cried because I'm glad. my heart is glad. i cannot explain why. all i know is i'm with You. and i can feel Your love.

and now i have to remind myself not to fear. isn't it You told us not to worry? so i'm asking for Your divine intercession to always remind me of Your promise, God. You will be with us till the end =)

indeed, it is not about the 500 item exam. it is the process. how it changed every part of me. You are more than those items. I thank You for using me to comfort the souls of my batchmates. thank You for allowing me experience Your amazing grace! and as i promised, i will bring back all the glory to You!!! i so love You!