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Today was my last day at work. It was a long but nice day. I feel a good sense of closure there. I had a good three weeks to train my replacement, Kelly, and she is well on her way to out-shining me. I had lunch with my department and interns on Friday, and they gave me thoughtful gifts and kids words. Many people have shared their intentions to pray for Adam and me, and I took the chance to talk to several people and tell them how I appreciate them. I am glad to go on such good terms, knowing that they’ll be great without me but happy to have me back if I come this way again. Thanks, EMI Christian Music Group.

I had a really nice experience with Kelly last week. She was feeling overwhelmed by all there was to learn for the job, and I was feeling overwhelmed by some kinks in our Korea preparations. She asked if I felt like taking a break, and we went to a picnic table out behind the building, and we prayed for each other. It was such a simple gesture, but it settled me. So often when I was young, my mom, dad or even a friend would take a moment to pray with me right at the moment I needed it, but somehow I forgot the value of that. Thank you, Kelly for reminding me of the value of prayer. Especially prayer at the moment it is needed.

This evening, Adam and I went to the Finch home. They are friends of ours from church, and the wife is Korean. She met her husband when he was stationed in Seoul in the 70’s, and they married and eventually ended up in Nashville. She invited us to their home for a Korean dinner with some of their Korean friends. It was a lovely evening. Conversation was a little slow in starting, but it became quite a beneficial and enjoyable evening. We learned some about cultural quirks and taboos. They also shared their perspectives of the English Village where we are going to work. We were really glad to hear that they knew of it and had positive impressions of it. It seems to be on the cutting edge of English language education over there. We are so excited to go.

One of the men told us that when he moved to Nashville, another Korean told him that Nashville is a boring heaven, and Seoul is a fun hell. Seems pretty telling.

They also talked about the relations with North Korea, and they assured us that we would be safe and that most South Koreans have a compassion for the oppressed Koreans within the North Korean borders. Apparently many South Koreans believe that Korea will be united again before too long. Adam and I keep shaking our heads in disbelief at what we are getting into. It feels like we are entering into something so significant, but we have no idea with that thing is.

Man, we can’t wait.

So, tonight we will go home (well, back to Granny’s where we’re staying until we leave) and watch an Alias DVD. Then, tomorrow we pack!

Much love. If you’re an EMI friend checking in, thanks again. I’m grateful for you, and I’ll miss you.

-Jessica