semylee
I’ve been really blessed the past two weeks by what my students have been sharing with me. They’ve been sharing with me stories of their dad. For the most of last year, my students rarely talked about their fathers, so I decided to make that a prayer topic. Ever since the beginning of March, I’ve been contending for the marriages of my students’ parents to be strengthened and grow in love. A strong marriage creates a strong family.
One story. One of my student’s father is super busy and never has time to spend with the family. I remember my student telling me that his parents fight a lot because dad’s never home. Just last week, my student came up to me and said that he wasn’t coming to school the next day because he was going on a family trip to everland. i was glad to see him absent the next day because that means his dad kept his promise. when i saw him the day after, he told me how much fun he had with his family and i couldn’t help but to smile.
Story number two. I asked my students around November of last year if their parents kiss them goodnight. Many of my students said no. One in particular said that her parents used to when she was younger but stopped when she turned 5. However, just today, she told me that her dad now comes into her room at night when he’s back late from work and give her a kiss while he thinks she’s sleeping :) (my heart melted a bit)
One more story. Yesterday, one of my students came into school clearly upset. By now, I know that it’s one of two things. One, she came from her grandparent’s home. Two, her parents were upset at her. This morning it was number two. I asked what happened. She replied that she didn’t know what she did but her dad just yelled at her right before she got on the bus in front of all her friends. One of my other students confirmed this story to be true. So, I looked at her and said that sometimes when mommy and daddy have bad days they make mistakes and yell at the wrong person. I asked her if she could forgive her daddy for what he did, and she said yes. Kid you not, about 30 minutes after our conversation, her dad shows up to class and asks if he could speak with his daughter. In my heart, somehow I knew what was happening. She returns to class skipping with a smile on her face and that confirmed it. Later I asked her if her dad apologized, and she told me that he did.
It’s so beautiful to hear these stories from my kids with broken English. Fathers are being restored to this nation. And truly, prayer is the only way. Thank you Daddy, for being so good to these families :)
Congratulations to Akdong Musician :) I knew you’d make it all the way! Loved their rendition of Mmm Bop and medley of 예담’s songs. So creative and talented.
What an incredible idea. I find this absolutely beautiful. We need something like this in Seoul :)
Akdong Musician’s rendition of 10cm’s 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 !! I want their newest song. Seriously talented siblings :)
today. my sweet little christina came into class super excited. she wanted to show me something. it happened to be some model shots of her and her friends doing ballet in a magazine. my excitement bubbled over and this strange feeling of pride came in. i was so proud of her .. yes .. for taking a picture. but more than that she was simply and absolutely beautiful. she outshined all the other girls in my eyes. they didn’t even enter my motherly peripherals. my eyes were fixed on her because i knew her. more than the other beautiful children surrounding her, christina shined because i knew her. i’m sure this is how her mom feels. and i’m sure this is how any parent would feel. our kids stand out to us not because the world says so, but because we know them inside and out. no matter how achieved, attractive, cute, successful, or favored other children may be .. next to your own, they don’t matter much. the one we know will always stand out & be a whole lot brighter.
though i’m not a mom yet, i’m sure this is how i would feel for my own child. like 110% positive :)
i’m saying yes to you and no to my desires
i’ll leave myself behind and follow you
i’ll walk the narrow road ‘cause it leads me to you
i’ll fall but grace will pick me up again
i’ve counted up the cost
oh, i’ve counted up the cost
yea, i’ve counted up the cost
and you are worth it
i do not need safety as much as i need you
you’re dangerous but Lord you’re beautiful
i’ll chase you through the pain, i’ll carry my cross
‘cause real love is not afraid to bleed
Jesus take my all, take my everything
I’ve counted up the cost and you’re worth everything
and he will establish your plans.
Prudence = Wisdom
you make beautiful things. you make beautiful things out of dust.
you make beautiful things. you make beautiful things out of us.
you make me new. you are making me new.
A video present i made for my kids. My favorite thing about working on projects like this is to see the reactions of my students. When I showed it to them on the last day of school, they would smile and laugh and talk about the different memories in the video. At the end of it, they’ll always say, “Semy Teacher, one more time please!”
It’s been such an incredible year with these little ones. I never really understood teachers who would say, “I learned so much from you guys (students) this year.” I thought that was just something teachers said so we don’t feel like we did all the work in learning .. but it’s so true. In one year, I learned how to be a better teacher, a nurse, a counselor, a motivator, a photographer, a friend, a father, and a mother. You know how we all think korean moms are crazy for overseeing every part of their child’s life and wanting the best for them. Well, I think I can kinda understand. Now, I too want only what’s best for them. I want to give them all the best experiences life can bring, introduce them to new & exciting things, take them to places they’ve never gone before, have the best teachers Korean education can offer, and the works.
I’ve never loved children the way I love these 12 little rascals. They’ve captivated me and each of them have made a little nook inside my heart. Because of them, I’ve learned how to love wider, longer, and deeper. Jesus, thank you so much for sending these 12 into my life. My life wouldn’t be the same without them :)
