The Yonsei campus Christmas Tree is decorated and my RN-BSN classes are over . . .

It is almost the end of the fall semester. Time has sure gone quickly. We have been here for three months, but it seems like only yesterday that we arrived and began this marvelous adventure.

This past Wednesday evening I taught my last RN-BSN class (photo 2). I had the students prepare their professional portfolio as a class assignment and during this final class session, they shared their expereinces and unique contributions to the profession with their peers. I presented my professional portfolio by PowerPoint and then ended with some pictures of my family and a final leadership blessing for them based on Jeremiah 29:11. As they shared in small groups, I was amazed at the number who have already passed the NCLEX exam ( RN licensing exam) and who have very high Tofel (Fluency in English) scores. Most of these students want to study in the US and all are eager to learn ways to prepare and plan for this next chapter in their career. John and I plan to have some informal gatherings next semester to assist these nurse leaders in preparation for their dream of US study. After class, we had a BIG celebration with lots of food. I baked cookies (chocolate chip, of courses) and we had lots of snacks (photos 3 and 4). There were LOTS of pictures taken (photos 5 and 6). These truly are the next generation of nurse leaders in Korea. All the students have camera phones and so they snapped picutres of John and me for about 10 minutes non-stop. My teaching partner and mentor, Dr. Euisook Kim, has become a great friend (photo 7). -- not such a good picture of me but it will have to do :-) We had a wonderful time teaching together and learning from each other. Euisook is internationally known for her expertise in community and international health and health policy. She serves on the Board of Directors of ICN. Jane, the Teaching Assistant for these courses (photo 8), stayed late and came faithfully every Wednesday evening to be sure my PowerPoints were in the computer properly and that handouts were available for all students. What a blessing she has been !! She is getting married Dec 15th and we have been invited to her wedding. She and her husband plan to live in the US while they both study to get their PhDs.

The next couple of weeks will be spent reading, editing manuscripts, preparing research proposals and gettng ready for next semester. We will also travel to Taegue in southern Korea December 12 - 14 for some teaching (Ethics) at another university there. And then we come home to Lakewood for Christmas. YEA! We are eager to be home for the Holidays.