It’s Offical!

May 16th, 2025…

I set out on an adventure of a lifetime. I will be leaving my hometown, my family, and my friends. To live in a place, I have never been to… To a job I have never tried… I am moving to Daegu Suseong, South Korea to teach English for a year.

Questions you might be asking yourself:

Did she major in education?

 No, I have a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology.

Does she have plans to be a teacher? 

I have no plans to teach when I get back. I am trusting God has a plan for my future and the best thing I can do is be willing to listen and follow even if it is not what I expected. (i.e., moving to Korea).

To give background to this decision:

I met a wonderful friend this past year and she talked about how she recently returned from teaching in Korea for 3 years. I was shocked and amazed by how brave and daring she was but not something I could see myself doing.

Ironic right!

I have had thoughts of moving to Ireland or staying in America and move to another state, but it was never more than a fleeting thought.

But… Here I am, moving to a new country by myself. SCARY

I still remember the day I jump with both feet into this decision.

I had been thinking about if I should go or stay for a month or so before my small group had a worship night. Before I went, I prayed that if He was calling me to go to Korea, then give me a sign.

I was given the job to make and work the lyric screen so my attention was focused on that all night, but my mind would constantly wander to going to Korea. I thought, “This has to be the sign I was asking for.”

I was sure this was true because normally when change happens in my life or if I am unsure of a decision, I would relish the opportunity to ignore it and take my mind off it.

With that said… While at the worship night, I started to entertain the thought of going to Korea. But in my fear, I shoved the thougth to the back of my mind and focus back on the worship and lyrics to forget about it. And that started the back and forth I had with Him that night.

Now I know that I asked God to send me a sign and when He answers me, I turn a blind eye. I realize now why I was refusing to listen: It wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear. Like I said before, I was scared and in that fear I wanted to hear God tell me to stay and to enjoy the new community and friends I have made.

Korea would pop into my mind 3 more times and on that last time, I had an extra thought. “Isn’t this what you were asking God for? You wanted to make a decision with God and what if this decsion it just that.” That thought alone scared me even more, I remember tears started to cloud my vision and I whispered, “God, I hear you.”

After that night, I started the process of going in February. It was only two months out, but that was better. I do not do well in waiting periods and the quicker I got there the less time I had to second guess myself, right? I emailed my recruiter, and I filled out paperwork and set up a phone interview. I passed the phone interview! Right after that call ended I went and told my mom about this decison and then slowly started to tell other family members and people around me.

BAM… the process hit a wall.

They needed my bachelor’s degree and not just a copy, but needed it to be apostilled (noterized to say it simply). The problem with that was I just graduated in December, and I would not get access to my diploma until late February at the earliest. I tried for weeks to see if I could get a digital copy of it early but since it was winter break UCF were unwilling to help little ole me, totally understand but still upsetting!

Time to PIVOT!

February departure was a bust, so I talked with my recruiter, and we decided to push it back to May. A bit of a hiccup but it gave God the time to close doors in my life. I left the job I had since I was in high school. A workspace that has given me the freedom to travel and to enjoy years of coaching volleyball all while having a steady income. 

Shout out to my coworkers! Thank you all for your support and your encouraging words as I navigated this huge life change. Your support has meant so much to me, now and all the years before. I am so grateful for that job and for all the people I met. 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3

Ever since I made this decsion I have felt my faith tested. I would be lying if I said I was able to rise above the trails and stayed strong. Through that, I have a better understand of God’s forgiveness and grace. In my head I always knew that but in my heart I wasn’t totally convinced. Through this process, I might not have aced this set of trails but I have learned from them.

The past weekend the sermon at my church was about this topic. The pastor said “God calls us to face challenging things so that we can tackle it and come out on the other side closer to who God wants us to become.” That is why I chose to take this leap of faith, so I can learn new things and take steps to become the woman He knows I will be.

That is what keeps me from pulling a Jonah (running away into the mouth of a big fish). I want to meet that woman and allow myself to struggle, something I can’t do if I stay in my comfort, so that I can truly understand what it looks like to lean not on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). BECAUSE I HAVE THE POWER OF GOD AND ANIME ON MY SIDE!
(If you know, you know)

I am so excited to be doing something I know only God could call me to do and I am so grateful to all the people who are reading this and wanting to cheer me on!

사랑을 담아, Samantha
(With love, Samantha)