American BBQ in Korea

Life has been crazy the past two weeks with Dad having knee surgery, me running co-ops with the kids, and then me returning to the States. It's strange being back again, but I will be leaving again for D.C. in just a couple days so I'm not spending much time at home.

I had great plans to update the blog with all kinds of pictures the night before I left Korea. BUT, after running around outside barefoot, I ended up taking a late trip to the ER for stitches instead. I always said the last think I wanted to do in Korea was go to their emergency rooms, but God decided to surprise me the very last night! Korean emergency rooms are a lot more open, less private, less strict, less sanitary, etc. than their American counterparts so it was an interesting experience to say the least.

So anyway, I am now posting the pictures we have from the last two weeks I was in Korea. They were very full weeks especially because of Mom returning to the U.S. for a few days and then Dad having surgery. (Dad's knee is doing well - they were not able to reach the problem arthroscopically so they ended up having to do invasive surgery. We were disappointed and a little nervous about recovery, but God has taken care of his leg. Thank you for your prayers; God definitely answered them!)

The last Sunday I was there, all three American families decided to have a BBQ outside. We bought hot dogs and marshmallows at Costco, and Dad set up his little grill and built a fire in his garden area. We sat around the fire, made s'mores, and sang songs for a long time. Thankfully, Korea is still cold enough to be able to enjoy a fire at night. (Back here in Orlando is a totally different story!

Stephen attempts to roast a football

All the kids in the American families (plus a few Korean friends)

The chefs :)

My sisters have loved having Soyoung, who is a home schooler, living in the same apartment building together. They play with each other almost every day.

I will continue to post more pictures (in small increments) over the next several days. I will also try to have Gabe post some current pictures of the family as they wrap up co-ops.

Korean Folk Village

Before the family goes home, Mom wanted to see a famous traditional Korean village near our home. So, all of the family (except myself - I had a history class to teach) spent Wednesday afternoon, my mom's birthday, at the village.
Break dancing - traditional Korean style
How do people learn these things?
These birds are some of the only wildlife you'll ever see in Korea (at least, where we live). Although, there are some pretty exciting creatures in the nearest grocery store...

Angie and Julie enjoyed trotting on the horses
This cannot possibly be comfortable...
Every village has to have its kimchi!
Someone forgot to run their English by a native speaker. The English is actually a direct translation from the Korean which helps explain one of the reasons Korean is so hard for us - it doesn't make sense!
The ribbons are tied to their hats. I wonder how they did this without becoming dizzy?
Try this trick with a sibling...all you need is a see-saw and a partner who can jump on the other end for you!

Back at home for cake

Mom

According to tradition, I need to publish a post dedicated specifically to my mom since she had her birthday on Wednesday. However, I am a little intimidated by the task since I really have no idea where to start. What can I say that would ever say enough?

If it were not enough to have 9 children, my mom has also home schooled every one of us. If that were not enough, my mom has been willing to uproot her home in Florida and relocate to the other side of the world to add serving in a ministry to her already overwhelming home responsibilities. My mom has dedicated her life to raising godly children and being a "keeper at home" (Titus 2:5).

We love you, Mom, and we are so grateful for you. For all the work for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake that you have done and will continue to do, I know you "will receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (I Peter 5:4) That is the best thanks I can give you!

"Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28

Still holding hands after 28 years of marriage!

"A virtuous woman is a CROWN to her husband." -Proverbs 12:4

The Coke Side of Life

Here is the second logic video we made. We were studying the propaganda technique called transfer, which basically means you associate feelings about one thing to another unassociated thing. For example, in this video, "Coca-Cola" tries to get the viewers to associate their drink with popularity and success. We filmed it in the back of our apartment complex, and I know there were quite a few Koreans staring down at these Americans strutting around. (There is music with this which makes it much better so make sure you have your volume on.)

Happy Birthday, Gabe!

This is what Gabe considers to be a "self-portrait." I can barely see his face, but since he's the photographer, I guess I have to leave it up to him.

Gabriel turned 17 yesterday so we all went to the park to play football with some of the high schoolers in celebration. Gabe has made lots of friends here; all the kids like his personality and sense of humor. He has been a great help with the technological aspect of things, as well as a good teacher in the different co-op classes.

I think football tired them out...

Does anyone else see a resemblance to Dopy?

Gabe will be a senior next month and is considering a future in journalism/photography. He has done well with photography, and I am grateful for all the pictures he has supplied me with for the blog. He has grown patient with my incessant demands for "people" pictures.

Stephen surprised Gabe in the morning by hanging a sign outside our window from the 17th floor. The string was loaded with Snickers bars.

Life wouldn't be the same without Gabriel. He adds a lot to our family and helps to balance out the 5 girls over here. Not to mention, he keeps me from having to sort all the trash out... Gabe is a strong leader with a desire to change our culture for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. By example, Gabe is teaching his friends to "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (II Timothy 2:22) Our society is in dire need of more leaders - we pray Gabriel will be a means of influencing many people.

Well-done, Jared!

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you..." -Isaiah 43:1-2

This post is in honor of Jared, who has "passed through the waters" of the University of Central Florida, and graduated yesterday summa cum laude (with highest honors). He now has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Jared is not the type to boast in what he's done so I will do it for him. Though not a fan of school, Jared is one of the most diligent students I know, and the fact he could graduate the top of his class in ENGINEERING is amazing. (If I had majored in engineering, it would have been amazing if I had graduated at all! :) ) Jared will be studying this coming year for his Master's - under a full scholarship from UCF!

Our family was disappointed we could not be home to cheer for him (and see all the tassels hanging around his neck), but God graciously provided an extremely cheap plane ticket for my mom to go home for his graduation. We kept it a surprise, and Jared was completely speechless when Mom walked in the door.

The rest of us set the alarm for 3:15 a.m. Saturday morning to watch UCF's broadcast of the ceremony. Because the file was so big, the video was constantly pausing, and we missed most of the ceremony, but we were able to hear Jared's name called, and then the computer froze with the picture of Jared walking across the stage. Thank the Lord for his timing!

Waiting (and sleeping)

Jared walked across the UCF stage at approximately 4:15 a.m. overhere - can you tell we'd just gotten out of bed? :)

Jared, we are all so excited and proud of you. We miss you and wish we could have been home. We are praying for you, that you would be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus as you persevere in your studies.

"Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him that glories glory in this, that he UNDERSTANDS and KNOWS Me, that I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD." -Jeremiah 9:23-24