Snow and Stitches

A few pictures of where Susanna and I went hiking for our early morning exercise...

Where we get our mail (hint, hint)

Later in the day, the rest of the kids went out to sled. I had to laugh looking back at a previous post when I stated that, so far, we've had no serious injuries. Well, Gabe decided to change that for us when he and Dad took an afternoon trip to the ER for 20 stitches in the knee. Note to self: sledding on your knees while flying off ramps and having no way to stop is probably NOT the best idea...

Our apartment building in the winter

We enjoy sledding in a construction site. Here, Susanna, Jonathan, and Julie explore the massive tunnels they are digging through the mountain

Jonathan gives a perfect example of why Gabriel now has a nasty looking knee

Kore-xican Food

Gabe, Susanna, and I had a fun time on Thursday experiencing a Mexican/Korean restaurant. Mexican food is not usually popular here so we rarely see a Mexican restaurant. The birthday of one of the high school girls was a good excuse to try it out. Actually, I thought it was very good. My beans were slightly sweet, but other than that, I would definitely recommend it. Usually, the only beans we see over here are sweetened and used as a filling in bread (delicious, right?) so eating them with lettuce and sour cream was a welcome change. I wasn't quite sure why they served sweet pickles and pickled cabbage with our burritos, but maybe it's a Spanish custom I'm not aware of?

Waiting for the jehachul (subway)

Ruth, Grace, Eun-hye, Sok-jun, me, Susanna

True Love

"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,

'Yea, I have loved thee with an EVERLASTING love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.'" -Jeremiah 31:3

"The knowledge that God has loved me to the uttermost...will send me forth into the world to love in the same way." -Oswald Chambers

In the United States today, most boyfriend/girlfriend love is all about making yourself feel good and instant self-gratification. But God's love is the opposite; God's love is being a servant even when no one else is looking. In society today, this love is rare (to put it lightly). So, today I want to honor the REAL love I've seen - my grandparent's, who celebrate their 55th anniversary today, and my parents, who have shown so much sacrificial love to me. But, above all, the love of my Savior to a sinner like me. Here's to real love!

Tonight, Dad and Mom went on a date so the rest of us kids made pizza and cookies, read books, and played cards.

Jesus Abbey

This Thursday was the Lunar New Year, probably the biggest holiday in Korea. Our family, along with Pastor Bob's family, visited Jesus Abbey which is a retreat center about 4 hours from our house. At the abbey, visitors usually rise at 5:30 and have a 1 hour worship service before breakfast, after lunch, and after supper. The visitors to the abbey are supposed to spend their time in prayer and meditation as well as working at the abbey. Though it was a holiday and the abbey was closed to visitors, they allowed us to come, and we really enjoyed our time there.
Arriving Wednesday afternoon, we had rice, tofu soup, and acorn jelly for supper followed by dumpling soup, fish, and rice cake for breakfast. Of course, kimchi accompanies every meal. Actually, it was all very good.
Thursday morning, after the abbey bell woke us up at 6 (we got to sleep in since it was a holiday), we headed upstairs for morning worship and breakfast. Afterwards, we enjoyed experiencing the tradition of bowing to your elders. After bowing all the way to the floor, the adults give the children money. We were included in the ceremony; Dad and Mom also had to give out money. Following the bowing ceremony, we played a traditional Korean game (that involves throwing small sticks) which we have played before but have never yet figured out all the rules. They get really into the game, yelling when (I guess) something exciting happens. We were divided up into several different teams with the winner of each round moving on. Although my team lost every round, I still got a box of cookies for a prize.
The founder of the abbey was an American, and his son (who is Dad's age) is now in charge of operations there. He and his wife live on the Three Seas ranch where they are raising cattle about 10 minutes from the abbey. Their mission, now that the abbey has been well-established for many years, is to train Koreans for the development of North Korea once its government fails. Their focus is on agriculture and the development of the land.
To say we saw snow is a bit of an understatement. There was so much up in the mountains, a good three feet at least. We have so many pictures that I am posting them on a separate post (see below). Thankfully, the pictures are the best part! :)

The pictures...

The building where we ate, slept, and worshipped

Hiking through the snow


Playing "Yute" (notice Susanna's confusion)

Our group

Susanna receives her reward

Typical Gabe - hands in pockets

We couldn't get our car started because of the cold - we had to empley the use of a hair dryer!
You can see part of the snow depth from the snow on the roof.

I'm not sure why I was so shocked...

The ranch

These cows are spoiled - not only do they have a spectacular view, they also listen to classical music!

Pastor Bob has a chat with the cows

Here is a series of shots showing Gabe wiping out. 1. Wow, this is fun!

2. Wow, this is uncontrollable! 3. Wow, this is freezing!

Gabe trying to get out of Evangeline's way
Noelle demonstrates what happens when you leave your sled behind...