A major part of my year in the States is our church. It was one of the reasons that motivated me to live through the week with joy and hardwork. I would like to leave a record of my life as a member of Jesus Love Korean United Methodist Church.
Though it was the smallest church I’ve ever been to, there were so many events that bonded all of us. Pumpkin decoration contests, Flower arrangements, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day chocolate making, Regular table tennis sessions, Christmas Gift Exchange, Christmas Play etc. II really enjoyed our Christmas play. I was the main character and I had so much fun with everybody!
I also loved the people I met there. I felt welcomed and loved. We did a lot of things together. We visited each others’ house often, had dinners together, baby-sitted pastors’ kids, watched Inside Out 2 together, and so on. They were the ones who stayed with us until the very end of our journey in the States; they saw us off in the airport on our last day.
I am also grateful for our praise team too. I was a part of both the adult(Korean) ministry’s praise team and the youth(English) ministry’s praise team. The youth praise team was created by few other members and me a month or two after I came to the US. I wanted to continue my role as a praise team singer even in a new environment. I was a vice president in my old church and a singer in my praise team for two years and it was an amazing experience. So I knew that how meaningful it is to take roles in church and to glorify God together.
On our last day in church, my sister and I prepared something each. My sister gave a 5-minute speech about what she enjoyed during the year. Oh and my mom also talked for a couple of minutes about our year. Me, I prepared a worship song that I really like. It is a Korean worship song called “내 영혼은 안전합니다(I’ve Found the Shelter)”. I love the lyrics so much, but particular words really makes me feel happy.
“내 뜻보다 크신 주님의 계획 나 신뢰해 Knowing much greater is His plan than mine, so I fully trust in Him”
I felt so grateful to be able to sing this song with a thankful, joyful heart. It is His grace that I am healthy and strong even after a tough year in a very different environment.
Below is the link (video of me singing).
I am so glad I have precious memories I will keep for decades.
