Thanks for the precious opportunity

조 은 빈 학생 (전인 7학년)

Dear Grandpa

Hi Grandpa!! It’s Jessica, your 2nd grand-daughter. I miss you so so much!! I just want to tell you what I am doing here in America, and what I’ve realized while being here.

First, I am living with the Stover Family. I have host Dad, host mom, twin older sisters, one older brother and one younger sister. They are really nice to me, and they love Jesus. Sometimes, I get to bake with my older sisters, play board game, and watch movies.  It’s a lot of fun!!

The hard part has been making American friends. I think it’s because since I’ve was young I have had friends and we have been together since kindergarten; going to school together for 6 years!! So when I got here, it was kind of hard for me. My teacher was hard to get used to and adjusting to American school was hard for me.  There were many rules that I was not familiar with. But now I realized they have been good for me, even if they were hard to learn.

Sometimes, I had hard times because I had to make a decision by myself. When I was in Korea, I could ask my Parents, but here I couldn’t.  I was crying, because I was tired, sad, stressed, etc. When I texted my mom, she encouraged me a lot, which helped me.  My host family gave encouragement to me and God encouraged too. When I would ask God for something, he was always there. Whether I am asking for something, when I am sad, when I am tired, or whatever else I felt, when I talk with him, he was always there.

One time, I was fought with my host younger sister. I read a book that I had borrowed from my friend, and it said ‘Of course sometimes I can complain in my mind, because I am a person and I can be tired. But for me, I have vision that given me from God for sure. Because of that, I will not worry about little bitty thing, but I will rather love people around me forever.’ (by. QT book), that helped me a lot.

A few months ago, I had a violin contest. My violin teacher suggested that I participate, so my Mom and I decided to take on the challenge. In Korea, if I had practice homework I didn’t really do it. When I started to practice for the contest, I practiced like 10 minutes. I called my Mom afterwards, and she said practice more. So I started to practice more. In that song, the hardest part was I had to play notes really fast. I practiced, practiced, and practiced. And when I met with my violin teacher, she said it was too fast!! As a result, I got a B+!!

For English, my mom gave me a mission. I need to memorize 20 words each day. Honestly, sometimes it’s hard to do, but I did it almost every day. Now, I think I am recognizing more words when people speak or when I read. I realize that when I do my best, God always knows and He helps me to finish well. I will try to do my best in whatever I do and do everything for God’s glory.

In America, we have 4 quarter in one year. We are now in the 4th quarter, which means we’re almost done. My school here gives out Honor Roll Award.  There are three award, All A’s, All A’s & B’s, and 3R. In 1st  quarter, I didn’t  get one, and in the 2nd quarter, I got C+ on Reading, which meant no award. In the 3rd quarter, my host family helped me a lot. If I had homework in my reading workbook, I would ask for help or for them to check my answers. After a lot of hard work, I got the A’s & B’s because I have one B+!!!! Now, in the reading workbook, I got 100% even though they didn’t check my homework! I am getting better!! I know it’s because of all of your prayer. I am so glad that I have had this opportunity to learn know how important family is, improving my English, and building relationships with others and God. Thank you so so much, and I love you so so much!!

Love,

Jessica who misses you a lot