Grandaddy and Moving

Our last week in Seoul, my dad flew out to help keep our kids company while we packed up our house to move back to the USA.  We had a fun time seeing some of the sights in Seoul with him as a sort of "last hurrah" and goodbye.  

Here are some of our pictures from the week:

We went to Gyeongbokgung, the largest palace in Seoul, and watched the changing of the guard.
Our children were photographed (a lot) by the Chinese tourists there while Dad towered above everyone and got a good view.  Marc and Emmalyn didn't know what to think of all these strangers giving them so much attention!

We spent a lot of time packing and going through all of our stuff to see what would make the cut into one of our 11 bags and what we needed to sell or give away.  Dad had some quality time with the grandchildren and we appreciated his help!

What a mess!  Dad was patient with us while we slowly packed...

Marc and Emmalyn shared their favorite lunchtime meal with Grandaddy.. Kimbap!

Jarrod took Dad out for a night of Screen Golf! 

As we drove around Seoul, we all packed into our small car.. Jarrod and Dad up front, and me with the three kids in the back..

Finally... all our bags were packed!

And it's off to the airport!

We were a sight... so glad that Dad was there to help push all our stuff through the airport!!

Only 14 hours between us and the USA.  Hooray for a direct flight to Virginia from Seoul!

Yeah!  We made it!  Safe and Sound... and TIRED.. finally to Grandaddy's and Grandmomma's house!

Yes!

One of the last places we went in Seoul together before flying out was to this gazebo on Namsan Mountain.  This is where we got engaged in May 2007.  At that time, Jarrod read through Proverbs 31 and shared with me all sorts of nice things about myself. :)  And then he asked if I would marry him and I said yes. (that is the simplified version of what happened. you get the picture :)   So.. when we went back there 7  years later.. he had an updated version of his engagement speech.. now after 6.5 years of marriage and 3 kids later.  It was really sweet.  And this time we took pictures (we were too "in love" last time to even think about it!)

engagement reinactment... we are in Korea.. no shoes on in the gazebo!

So glad he asked all those years ago.  So glad I said yes!

This is the day.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!   

This is a song we sing around our house at times.. and with recent events, the words to the song hold so much meaning.  I have been watching the news to get updates on the situation with the missing plane MH370 and then the capsized ferry Sewol.  I am heartsick with these events, perhaps because they were unexpected tragedies - people traveling some where and trusting those who were taking them to get them to their destination safely.  I travel a lot and fly internationally.  This past weekend we went on a trip with high school kids... not on a boat, but still.. it could have been me.  

I have been watching the news - and when they announced the plane and the ferry, I thought "oh wow, that is terrible..." but assumed they would FIND it or that they would RESCUE the missing people.   I have become desensitized to the news and to tragedy... or perhaps in our day and age don't really think there is any risk involved in.. well, much of anything.  And then days went on.. and nothing changed... and I started to realize that they may not get rescued.  I am ashamed to say that it was not my first reaction to pray for the situation and the people on the boat.  As the missing people did not get rescued, I  was hit with the reality of the situation: a real life "Titanic" story that was happening as I was walking around unaffected.  And I started praying... especially that God would be supernaturally near any one trapped, cold, scared, and facing their last moments alive inside the boat.   Now, it is unlikely any one is still alive.. and so I am praying for comfort for families, friends, and classmates of those who lost their loved ones so unexpectedly.   When we take trips with high school students - or send them off on a trip - the last thing on our minds is that they might not come back.  But we are not invincible and accidents do happen.

As I hold my babies today and see them so full of life, I can not help but think of the parents who sent their kids on that school trip to Jeju.  As I thank God for my kids'  lives - I am stuck anew that tomorrow is not a guarantee. 

Today is Easter Sunday, and we have the Good News of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This world is not the end of our story!  For God so loved the world that He gave His only son to come and pay the price for our sins that whosoever confesses with their mouth and believes in their heart that Jesus is Lord - they shall not perish but have everlasting life with God in Heaven.  Do you believe this? Have you made Jesus your Lord and Savior?  If not, I encourage you to really seek the Lord. We may not have tomorrow.. this is the day we have, let's not waste it.

Camping, Korean Style!

Thursday night after school, we headed out of Seoul to go camping with the students he took on a mission trip to the Philippines last month. I have heard that camping in Korea is jokingly called "glamping".. which stands for: glamour camping.   Yes.

We got to the camp site and easily found one of the four rented trailers for Jarrod's post-GWAM camping trip.   Inside, we found that it was quite similar to renting a hotel room.

Marc and Emmalyn were PUMPED about the bunk beds!  Marc called the top!

We went to sleep that night.. and it got.. in a word: COLD.  Since Jarrod and I are Americans used to tent camping.. this did not phase us.  We bundled up, and camped.  Come morning.. as we started to move and thaw a bit.. we discovered the floor heat that could have been on all night.

Then we thawed much quicker and happier. 

Jarrod manned the stove to make eggs and bacon for all the students on the trip!

Then we explored a bit...

.. on Bicycles!

Here are the two other teachers (Ms. Bandy and Ms. Corbett) that lead the trip with Jarrod.

We found all sorts of interesting things to look at..

And then had a picnic lunch before heading home.

It was a quick overnight trip, but such a good experience and SO fun!