Ever growing

I know when some people hit their growth spurts they ache and are sore all over for a while - guys even apparently get stretch marks on their backs (something I didn't know about until a few years ago).  I've been thinking that spiritual growth can also hurt.  Or is it the circumstances that hurt and then the growth is a by-product of our response to the pain?  Either way, I can assure you that I'm definitely still growing and it is painful.  However, shutting down my initial reaction/response as unhealthy and noting my more reasonable response gives me hope for my ability to handle future curve balls that life throws my way.  We can choose to grow or we can choose to stagnate... I'm done stagnating.  I also am reminded of something my church momma said once - "When God prunes you, it hurts."  If we are fruit-bearing vines, then we must be pruned to continue to produce, right?  

In other news, J and I are going to be able to go to Mass and confession this Sunday!!!  We are going to an international parish in Seoul for 11am Mass and as for confession, the priest said "come find me."  After months of waiting, lockdowns, and cancelled English services, our souls can finally be fed!  I imagine that there will be tears - the church has always been a cathartic place for me.  I think the reason we are able to do this is because the gov took us back to stage 1 distancing which seems to just have restrictions on door-to-door salesmen.  I was really afraid that I'd have to wait until I got home to go for Mass, so I'm really happy that we found something/somewhere we can go.  I can't say this will be an every Sunday thing for me... but there is a good chance.  I have really, really missed being able to share in the Eucharist with my fellow Catholics.  Tonight J and I are going for Thai food.  I haven't been to the Thai place in forever, so that's going to be a nice change.  I was thinking of going for American Chinese food on Saturday - I want some General Tso!!!

Otherwise things just progress as normal.  The kids are back in the classes, some of them are so sweet and so cute and it just kills me.  The kinders are back and I have a class of 10 of them for 40 mins where we go thru 3 pages of the book, then play songs for them to sing along to.  They speak a LOT of Korean, which I don't, and I foresee tears of frustration on BOTH sides.  I have been laughing at myself - with the weather turning colder, I want to wear my leggings... but I don't have a lot of sweaters that cover my bum (cuz that's what you have to worry about with leggings), but I do have tank tops that cover pretty well... but I'm not totally ready to wear just leggings and a tank top.  I'm in a catch 22 of wanting to be 100% comfy - leggings are comfy to wear, but I don't want to put everything on display, you know?  I had to share that with someone... yay for comfort, down with being on display.  

As for that, the weight loss has slowed considerably so I figure once J leaves, I'll go to a MWF fast to get thru the plateu and lose my last 12 lbs to goal.  It has been funny talking to my friends here about the loss cuz they are just as concerned as people back home with if I'm going to take it to far and lose my ASSets.  No amount of reassurance seems to do the trick, so I guess we'll all just have to wait and see.  Much love to all, will update you again on Sunday evening.