One Day Till Korea: Where BTS Festa, Friendship, and Faith Collide

As I prepare to leave for Korea tomorrow, I’ve been reflecting on how these past few days have held more than just errands—they’ve held meaning.

At the time of writing this, it’s still Monday night.

The sun’s gone down, and I have yet to clean my apartment, do laundry, or charge my car.

I leave in less than 36 hours.

And the to-do list? It’s not shrinking fast enough.

Still, somehow, in the middle of this beautiful mess, I feel grounded.

Not because everything is done—but because something deeper is holding me steady.

This past Sunday, a few unexpected moments reminded me that when festa, friendship, and faith start to overlap, even chaos can feel sacred.

The Morning Surprise at Church

I had planned to wake up early and help with the setup at church. But by the time I arrived, everything was already done.

Apparently, my teammates thought I had already flown out.

Instead of feeling forgotten, I felt an unexpected wave of relief. A pause. A breath I didn’t know I needed.

There were still loose ends to tie up, so I jumped in where I could. Our regular ProPresenter person was still away, so I stepped in to run the visuals. It required focus—paying attention to what was happening on stage, syncing slides with worship.

It wasn’t flashy. But it gave me a sense of contribution. Of purpose. And it left me with a quiet kind of peace, the kind that lingers long after the lights go down.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3

“Sometimes you just need a deep breath and a long look at the sky to remember: it’s okay not to have it all figured out today.” — Morgan Harper Nichols

After Church: A Conversation That Shifted Perspective

Later that day, I met with a friend for a Bible study. But more than study—it was real dialogue.

We talked about spiritual authority in the church—how our leaders carry invisible burdens, how they watch over our souls, how it honors God when we make their work a joy and not a weight. It wasn’t about power—it was about the quiet burden of spiritual responsibility.

That conversation stayed with me. It reminded me that real leadership isn’t built on platform—it’s built on sacrifice.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls…” — Hebrews 13:17

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek

Social Media Spirals, Festa Vibes, and a Clock That Won’t Stop

Later that night, I got pulled into TikTok—video after video, mostly BTS content and random distractions.

Comeback edits. Old Festa moments. Unfinished reels I meant to finish hours ago.

I was supposed to be prepping.

Instead, I was drifting—mentally buzzing, emotionally excited, physically procrastinating. There’s a pressure that comes with big trips, especially when they mean something.

And this one does.

Festa is this week.

My BTS tributes are almost ready. My suitcase isn’t zipped. My playlists still need syncing.

But underneath all that, I know I’m ready—not because everything is done, but because I’m aligned. Because this trip is part of something much bigger than logistics.

“You must let go of the life you planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you.” — Joseph Campbell

💜 Soul Insights

1. Relief is a form of grace.

I didn’t expect to feel thankful for something being done without me. But that’s what Sunday gave me—a surprise pause that felt like mercy.

2. Contribution doesn’t need applause.

Running ProPresenter wasn’t glamorous. But it gave me focus, direction, and a small way to serve. That was enough.

3. Real leadership is invisible labor.

Our study reminded me that those who spiritually lead often carry unseen burdens. Honoring that isn’t optional—it’s essential.

4. Distraction is often disguised anticipation.

TikTok wasn’t the problem. It was the pressure underneath it—the feeling of needing to be more “ready” than I was. Recognizing that helped me reset.

5. You don’t need to be fully packed to be fully present.

There’s still laundry to do. But my heart’s already preparing for the next chapter. And that matters just as much.

Final Thoughts: On the Edge of Departure

By the time this post goes live, it’ll be Tuesday.

That means one day left. One more sunrise. A few more hours to tie things up and let go of what won’t get done.

Korea is waiting.

But I’m not rushing these final moments. Because they, too, are sacred.

This trip isn’t just about travel—it’s a convergence of the things that have been shaping me all year:

A book I thought I’d never finish.

A podcast I was afraid to launch.

A band whose music helped me rediscover hope.

A faith that’s carried me through every quiet, unseen chapter.

If BTS has walked with you through anything hard or beautiful, I invite you to write them a letter.

Submit it to my podcast, Echoes from the Purple Sea. Let your voice ripple into the sea of stories we’re all still telling.

And if you need a still, sacred pause before your next journey—my poetry book 17 Syllables of Me is waiting for you. Haikus and heart, written in moments just like this.

One day till takeoff.

The suitcase may not be zipped yet, but my heart has already boarded.

Soul Path Insights