My Prince Charming

I have met someone who longs to dance with me with a joy overflowing into song, someone who delights in me whole-heartedly, the Lover of my soul, my Prince charming who rescued me, one who is enamored by me and who would rather die than live without me, my knight and shining armor who would do anything to win me back, one who is enthralled with my beauty and spent years wooing and pursuing me. I have met the Love of my life whom will never leave me or forsake me. He has rescued me and wants to marry me. I know a Prince that longs for you as He longs for me. Would you like me to introduce you to him?

The Little Red Book

As I sit and type this, my heart screams out praises to our Wonderful King. The past few months something has been stirring in my heart and has reached every dry bone in my body, bringing life and healing through praise and worship. I am utterly blown away by the majestic presence of the Lord through music and how He has placed this desire into my inner core, my soul. Lately I feel as if He has lit a fire in my heart that continues to burn with music and praise, all for Him. Some nights I sit in solitude, singing and playing to the Lord, as if I am in His chambers feeling His sweet presence all around me. So lost I am in His Love, So lost I have become in songs of love and gratitude. Oh Lord how I will worship you all the days of my life in Spirit and Truth. To gaze upon your beauty and offer up an offering of praise.

The little red book: I had the most amazing God-incidence today. I took Claudette to buy her first guitar this afternoon (Amen!) and as she began to play for the first time on her new baby, I began to think about our prayer team. It seems that the Lord has instilled this passion in our hearts for praise and worship that most definitely co-exists with prayer. How wonderful and glorious it is to begin to understand the heart of prayer and worship, I can only imagine how much the Lord will teach us in the future, for I feel this is just the beginning. "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Revelation 5:8-10

*side-note: I tend to get sidetracked in my writing, so I'm coming back to the God-incidence, the little red book. :-) As we were looking around the bookstore this afternoon, I picked up a red leather-bound journal (red-4 u who know me all too well) with a pretty musical-ivy note inscribed on it reading "Praise The Lord With Gladness". I thought to myself, what better of a notebook to have to journal the music the Lord has been so graciously waking my soul with in the mornings. So it was most definitely a buy. Claudette also decided to grab a different colored one. As I came home this evening, I took out my journal and unwrapped the plastic, then opened it. To find that it was already written in with beautiful praise and worship hymns! I hadn't bought a journal; I had bought a hymn book! How the Lord does have such a sense of humor with me, but He's all together faithful in Love that he over pours. I was clue-less in my purchase but the Lord was not. It seems that His point is being made clear in every area of my life. He wants my life to revolve around praising and worshiping Him in all that I do. He wants to be a part of everything from my waking, sleeping, dreaming, thinking, speaking, working, and waiting. The list could go on, but I think I'm realizing the power of His music in my soul. How it cleans, heals, and makes me cling to Him ever so-more. As I have often carried books on me to kill the time when sub'n or bus'n it, I'm now going to be reading "my little red book."

I will praise You with all of my life - -I will praise You with all of my strength - - With all of my life With all of my strength, All of my hope is in You-- My life is in You, Lord - My strength is in You, Lord- My hope, is in You Lord- in You - it's in You It's in You

I Love You Lord - and I lift my voice - to worship You O my soul rejoice Take joy my King in what You hear May it be a sweet sweet sound in Your ear

Loved I am.

Oh Lord you've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail you... I know you love me
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season... I know you love me...
I know you love me... At the cross I bow my knee
Where your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know you love me... I know you love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Yor glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You tore the veil, You made a way
When you said that it "it is done"
And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And you stand before me
I know you love me... I know you love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You tore the veil, You made a way
When you said that "it is done"
I know you love me... I know you love me...
And I know you love me.
(Hillsong)

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." Psalm 40:3

As I awake, I awake to songs of Your love. How Your love continues to astound me. It is utterly amazing and You Lord are truly beautiful. Ah my sweet, sweet Love... my soul will forever sing to You. May I only thirst for You. How You made a way for me by the blood You lost. I am forever found in the arms of Your grace. Father may nothing separate me from Your hand that upholds me in this dying world. There is no greater love than You. A new morning dawn may rise in this place and I know Your love will endure forever. May each dawn bring forth a new hymn of praise, for You are pure faithfulness.

"On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me."Psalm 63:6-8

Ask and He will give, Pray and you will receive.

So this week seemed to be a pretty interesting week. I have to admit that I was full of anxiety come Monday morning, just thinking about how full the week was going to be. Although anxiety sometimes gets the best of me, the Lord overcomes all of this when we lay all of our cares and concerns at His feet. He certainly pulled me through this week with flying colors, not to mention the random glue encounter. :-) To say this week was crazy-busy is an understatement, more as if chaotic could fit the description. Between presentations, papers, class, skits, leader trainings, lesson planning, church, and teaching I somehow was able to stay afloat. God really did manage to pull me through and on top of that He helped me face my worst fear, public speaking. I think maybe next time I should be careful what I pray for, He usually tends to throw me in the deep end. Although He teaches me how to swim and may often throw me a floaty, it still seems to be a difficult process in changing my character. Gradually I feel like I'm being conformed more into His image.

This week was Torch Trinity's 10th anniversary ceremony and some of the students put on a skit for the ceremony. Somehow I was thrown into the acting, which is quite out of the ordinary for my character, being how my weakness is in speaking. To tell you the truth, I was quite terrified when I found out just how many people I had to speak to, even more taken aback when I found out I had to speak in Korean. I knew there wasn't much more that I could do to help in my confidence level except to pray. So that's what got me through this experience. Although it sounds as if prayer was my last resort, it actually was my first, middle, and last. I think I may take on a new acting career now. Ha-ha... j/k. Maybe more of a praying career would be justifiable. Amen? Amen.

Random encounter: As I was leaving class and walking to work, I was practicing and repeating my lines out loud for the skit that evening. I had this man on a bicycle stop me and just start pointing. I thought at first that he was trying to correct my pronunciation, but I soon realized this was not the case. Although I was practicing my lines in Korean, I have to admit that my Korean language skills are not all that great. So I didn't quite understand all of what he was saying to me. I did hear glue though. I apologized to the man for my lack of understanding, and then proceeded to walk into the elementary school. As I began walking up the numerous flights of stairs, I began to smell glue. I looked everywhere but didn't see glue being used. It wasn't like the "Elmer’s glue" smell ... it was more like a hot glue smell. I then looked down at myself and saw hot glue all over my clothes! "Oh my goodness" was my verbal reaction. I then began to think about how I had walked by a construction site and I'm sure they were using glue; it must have dropped from one of the buildings. Just my luck... I thought. I came into my classroom and all of my students were curious as to why I had glue all over me. Needless to say, I didn't have to worry about peeling it off my clothes, because as soon as I began to peel it off I seen had about 26 hands helping me. :-) It was like a swarm of flees. I think they got almost every string of glue attached to my back, elbow, arm, legs, and let's not forget about my boot. :-) Hey what are kids for? I have to love all of my children so much. I just had to laugh at finding myself in this situation; this would've made for such a great picture. As I think about how much the Lord has changed my heart, attitude, mind, and patience in the past year, I was reminded of one of my prayers this week. To become more meek and humble and to have more of a gentle, quite spirit. I honestly think the Lord gives us what we ask for, and it always seems to be literally with me. Although I could've gotten angry, irritated, or frustrated with the glue incident, I didn't. Looking back on how I would've handled this situation a year or two ago, makes me realize just how much the Lord has changed me. I was reminded how much He wants me to always have a loving and gentle spirit. I believe He blessed me with 26 little hands to help me peel all of the glue of my clothes and to make it for a humorous experience. How could I get mad in a situation like this? I just had to laugh and fall even more in love with my students, and also in the way the Lord answers my prayers.

So to say this week was crazy-busy is definitely an understatement but the Lord proved faithful yet again, as He always does and will continue. I started the week off with prayer and now I'm ending it in thanksgiving. Amen.

26 helping hands (minus 1 absent)

Israel's Only Savior

Isaiah 43
Israel's Only Savior

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.

9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of them foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, "It is true."

10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.

11 I, even I, am the LORD,
and apart from me there is no savior.

12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?"

Abba, Father

I would have to say that the past 3 weeks have been quite humbling. I am now almost in my 4th week of seminary and I am overcome by just how much this "little child" of God has to learn. As I was reflecting this evening, while writing a paper for my spiritual formation class, I began to think back on my past, the story of my life. At times I feel so inadequate, so little, so unworthy to be where I am today. Most definitely I should when compared to the Lord, Jesus Christ. The Lord has been so compassionate and gracious to me, so faithful in maintaining his love for me even when I don't deserve it. It's for sure all about His grace. As I was sitting in my Christian Philosophy class the other day, I just had a moment of aweness about the Lord's amazing grace. Who am I that He would choose me to use for His Kingdom? Who am I with all my imperfections that I should stand before Him? As much as I struggle to forgive myself for my past, why is it that He remembers it no more? Why is it that He threw my sins into the deepness and vastness of the ocean, to be forever lost? As far as from the east is to the west, my transgressions are forgiven. Why do I struggle with forgiveness? Forgiveness with myself and all of my many past mistakes. It's amazing just how much my life has been transformed by the Lord's amazing grace. As I reflect on my less-than-perfect life, I still see so many flaws, so much imperfectness, and definitely so much room for growth but I can now see the light of God's sovereign grace. I am learning what it means to forgive myself, let go, and embrace my story.

"who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles's." Psalm 103:4-5

(Christian Philosphy class... God written from 14 diff. countries)

Who am I? Thank you Abba, Father for your Spirit of sonship.

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

"Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galations 4:6

the world in your hands

Another year has begun at RIS. This year I am teaching first grade and have been blessed with so many beautiful children from so many different countries. I have to say that I feel like I have the world in my hands. If it's possible for God to give you the world, than I feel like that's just what he's doing. My class consists of 8 different countries: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Korea, and USA. It's actually quite breath taking to think that I have a part in shaping so many children's lives from all over the world. In a way it's a very humbling experience. I have already begun to learn so much from these children, and I can only imagine how much I will learn from them this year. Yes, teachers just don't teach but they learn. What good would a teacher be if they didn't learn too? Now only if I could begin Arabic lessons.

my beautiful first graders silly Osama

crazy chicken game friends

boys in trouble again just kick'n it

'I will offer up my life"

The China Mission Trip was actually my first overseas mission trip. I was a bit unsure
what to expect on this trip and I felt like I was blindly going into an oppressed nation.
I also knew that God heals blindness and will most definitely guide his children. Praise
be to God, who guided us through this mission trip! He who is in the children of God is far greater than the one who is in the world! Thank you Lord Jesus for guiding us through this trip, for the blessings that you prepared for the children, for the blessings you prepared for us, and for your protection while we were in China.

When thinking about being part of a mission team, I think about sharing God’s Word and His love through bible study classes, camp fires, music, dancing, and skits. You know like vacation bible school? I never thought about going on a mission trip and being able to do these things, but with one stipulation. This would be that we couldn’t talk about God, His Love, or let alone open up our Bibles and share God’s word to the unsaved. There are 3 main things that the Lord showed me during this trip. These include the power of His love, the power of worship, and the importance of freedom in prayer.

I was taught an important lesson of the power of God’s love through the children during the camp. I have to honestly say that I didn’t expect to be ministered to during this trip but I expected to be the one ministering out to. I was amazed just how much the children loved on us! We were not allowed to talk with them openly about Christ but were only allowed to show Him through our actions and love for them. I felt so much love from Christ through these children’s actions and love for us! I thought that I was supposed to be showing the children God’s love but I didn’t realize how much they were going to show me His love back. I learned that God is shown through love, not just by giving love but by receiving love, not just by speaking about His love but by showing and acting out His love. When thinking about this I am reminded how the Pharisees wanted to stop the disciples from preaching about the miracles that Jesus had performed. In Luke 19:40 Jesus simply said “I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Though we weren’t openly allowed to speak to the unsaved children about the Gospel, the love that we shared did. Just as Jesus said that the rocks will cry out if they keep quiet so will our love cry out. I had the privilege to be on the bible-study team in which we were able to be part of the high school worship and bible study time. It was an amazing experience that I was so honored to be a part of. What a blessing to witness these wonderful young women taking part in communion for their first time!

The second lesson that I was taught during this trip was the power of worship. When thinking of missions I automatically think about praise and worship. I never imagined being on a mission trip and not being able to publicly praise and worship our Lord. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to share with the people? One would think, but when in such an oppressed country like China, we were at a disadvantage. Or were we? I’ve never had my freedom in worship taken away before, so this was somewhat of a humbling experience. Although we were not publicly allowed to worship, it seemed that no matter where I went, whether in public or private, there was worship music. In the class our students always had a guitar. During their free time the boys were always playing music and strumming away on their guitars. Although these specific students were not singing the lyrics, they were playing worship songs! These students were ministering to the unsaved students in the class with the music! I could feel the Holy Spirit moving through the music even without the lyrics. We also had a supply room that seemed to take its course as a worship room. There were so many times that I would go to take a break by being refreshed by the strumming of Elisha and Susie’s guitars, while singing along in Jesus’ tunes! I also was hearing humming everywhere I went, realizing quickly that the humming was coming from me! I guess a little of my shyness broke-off during this trip too. J No matter where I was at it seemed that I had worship music in my head! I can’t explain the power behind the worship I experienced in China. You would think that the worship wouldn’t be as strong because of the restrictions, but I felt the exact opposite. Maybe it was the rebel coming out in me, but I honestly believe it was the Holy Spirit at work. The one song that I still can’t get out of my soul from the trip is “I will offer up my life.” I really learned what it means to worship in Spirit and Truth. I believe that my heart has been forever changed by the power of worship that I experienced during this trip.

The Lord also taught me the importance of freedom in prayer. Have you ever tried to pray with your eyes open? Have you ever tried to pray using Christian jargon? Well in China, we had to do just this. It was one of the most difficult things that I have ever had to do. I can’t tell you that I succeeded in praying like this. I can’t tell you that I even succeeded in talking the Christian jargon slang. I guess I’m a law breaker but through this, yet another humbling experience, I realized just how much Christ is embedded into my soul. I never knew how much my everyday language consists of the words: God, Father, Lord, Jesus, Christ, praying, and Amen. We weren’t allowed to publicly speak these words when praying or in our everyday conversations. When praying we also had to look at each other like we were talking amongst one another. This was a very awkward experience to say the least. If you have never done this, I recommend just trying to do this to see how much passion is taken out of your prayer. Talk about a bland prayer. I can remember during one of our prayer meetings at the hotel. Priscilla was praying and kept forgetting to use “code talk” during her prayer. She kept catching her words and then turning them into code words. By her doing this, it just made the Holy Spirit flow even more so in our presence. Before going to China, I hadn’t understood the importance of freedom in prayer. I don’t think it’s possible to fully see this until you experience this freedom being taken away from you. By experiencing this first hand, I began to realize the importance of missions. I may think it’s difficult to give up my freedom for 10 days in China but what about the people who live there? What about the children who have no concept of freedom in prayer or worship? How will they grow in the refreshing of the Holy Spirit? How will they grow to become prayer driven and bold in their faith when they are forever scared of the repercussions of this? I began to really understand how blessed I was to come from a country that had freedom in worship, praise, prayer, bible reading, evangelizing, and as little a thing as everyday language communication. As I realized this, I began to think about what I’m doing with my freedom. I had this conviction to dedicate my God given freedom to people who don’t have freedom. To be used by God to help encourage, strengthen, and grow His church in countries that may not have the same freedom that I have been so blessed with.

God taught me so much during our China Mission Trip. I only mentioned 3 main points but if you want to hear more feel free to ask me in person. For me this trip was a confirmation of missions for my future. After going to China, I can’t imagine living for any other purpose than to serve our Lord Jesus Christ by spreading His love, worshiping in Spirit and Truth, and using my freedom for the freedom of others. If I had to sum up our mission trip in one bible verse it would be Romans 8:38 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Thank you Lord Jesus.

God Bless,

Nicole

Ni hau

Dear friends and family,
Hello! Annyong Haseyo! Or should I say Ni hau? So many languages I don’t know what to say. (English, Korean, Mandarin, and even some Arabic and Turkish) Sometimes it can get a bit confusing to say the least! My English has definitely not improved. I hope everything is going well with you. I can’t believe another year has passed and it’s now summer of 2008! It’s been a while since I’ve spoken with some of you guys. For a few of you, it might have been even as long as a year ago since we last spoke. I just wanted to touch base, reconnect, and let you know about some of the great things that are happening in my life here in the ROK.

How faithful the Lord has been this year in shining his blessings down among his children, especially here in the Land of the Morning Calm, aka. Korea. Work at Rainbow International School is going well and I just recently resigned for yet another year through the school. I will only be teaching the first grade this year, which I am very much happy with. I will be working and going to graduate school this year as well. So it looks as if I’ll have yet another busy but most surely blessed year! I’m now enjoying my free time as summer break just started last week. The joys of being a teacher! During my free time, I plan on spending time with the youth at Namson Orphanage (Jerusalem Ministries), volunteering at church (Jubilee), and also going on a mission trip. I’m looking forward to an awesome opportunity to go a mission trip to China with a group from Jubilee. I’m constantly growing closer to the Lord through my experiences within our church, and now I’m ready to see how God is working in another part of Asia.

This month through July 10-19, about 35 people from Jubilee church will be heading to
Harbin, China. Harbin is China’s northernmost major city, with a population in excess of 10 million and over 4 million in the city center alone. Historically, the city has had a lot of Russian influence, especially after the Russian Civil War, when refugees escaped the newly formed Soviet Union. The city was captured by the Japanese during World War II and later captured by the Chinese. Harbin is originally a Manchu word meaning ‘a place for drying fishing nets’ and also known as ‘Ice city’ for its long and cold winter. Over the years, the country has had civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. The country has switched from an autocratic socialist system, which imposed strict controls over everyday life to being more focused on market-oriented economic development. For many individuals the living standards have improved but political controls remain tight. Jubilee has a connection with a school in Harbin. We will be going to participate in English, Sports, and VBS Ministries.

This trip provides an opportunity to meet the educational and spiritual needs of a community that is desperately in need. More than anything, I would value your prayers for our mission’s team and those whose lives will be touched by God through us when visiting
Harbin. I believe that God answers prayers and that He calls us to pray for the lost. I’m asking you to pray before, during, and after our trip.

(1)Pray that the Lord would prepare the hearts of the children to hear about Jesus Christ and that we would be able to plant the seed of the gospel in them. (2)Pray for salvation and the salvation of their family. (3)Pray that God will prepare our hearts to have no other agenda than to love them with the love of Christ. (4)Lastly, for our safety, good health, smooth travel, and financial support. Just knowing that you will be praying will give me peace as I go into an unfamiliar country.

Beyond your prayers, if you are led to join me by financially supporting this mission, I would be grateful. Our group needs to raise just over 15,000.00 to cover the total cost of the trip. We have been coming up with creative ways to raise the money, and support letters just happen to be one of these. I have realized that it is very difficult to send support-money overseas (especially on short notice), so if you are interested in helping in my support than please contact me and I will give you account information. This is a journey that God has called me to and I would greatly appreciate any level of support that you would be willing to offer. I do understand that you may not be able to give financially but most importantly we are in need of your prayers.

“14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled out the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:14-19

Again, I really hope things are going well for you. I’d love to hear an update on what’s going on in your life in the USA, if you have the time. I will definitely be praying for you, if you already aren’t in my prayers. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter, and if you have any questions, please let me know. Again, please send me an update on your lives so I can be praying for you too! Take care, and I hope to hear from you all soon!

With Love in Christ Jesus,
Nicole
More than a Teacher You are a Shepherd!
More than a Student You are a Disciple!

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14

And He took the children in His arms and blessed them

As she handed me "The Grouchy Ladybug" book that she made this evening, she handed it to me backwards. I read the inscription "I love you" written on the back. My heart began to melt. I could feel the love of Christ shining down upon us at this moment. Her eyes sparkled when she handed it to me. I tried not to show tears, but one or two might have slipped out. I think about how the Lord's word says "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." It's moments in life like this one, that I understand the fullness of how the disciple Paul says that the greatest of these is love. Its funny how we look to be loved our entire lives while having already been given the greatest gift of love. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much. So much, that he gave his son Jesus over to die so we could have life. As she told me that she loved me tonight, I fell even more in love with our Heavenly Father. How amazing is it that the Lord's loving words can be spoken through the voice of a child, yet alone written on red construction paper with crayons! Just as this little girl's words were so sweet, even more so that I'm reminded that our Father’s love is even sweeter. This little girl’s love is just a speck of what God's love is for you, for me, for we are also called His little children.

He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:14-16