Where Does The Time Go???

Well let me begin by apologizing for dropping off of the radar for awhile. It's been way too long since I last blogged and if I were to try and catch up, it would be darn near impossible. So let's just pretend that we didn't disappear for a couple of months...and we'll start fresh. Well, actually we can't do that either, because this is probably our last blog for awhile...at least for a few weeks. So I guess this is somewhat of a "hello" and "goodbye."

In one week from today, Luke and I will be on our way to Seoul to stay with our Korean family one last time, before heading to the airport. We'll be embarking on a journey to Southeast Asia. First stop Malaysia, then Cambodia and Thailand, and last but not least, Vietnam. With two packs and a camera...we hope the Lord has some wonderful adventures in store for us! We feel so excited, and thankful for this opportunity, yet at the same time it's bittersweet. Leaving for this trip means saying goodbye to all that we've come to know and love about Korea. We'll be leaving behind all the dear friends we've made in the last year, as well as some the the tastiest food ever! The friends will be missed much more though, of course :) We've grown so close and comfortable with our church family and have made some really special life long relationships. We've learned so much about the culture and history of this country and respect it more deeply because of that. There are so many beautiful things about Korean culture that we hope to take along with us. But I won't lie, there are also plenty of things that we won't miss one bit! What a journey this has been...what a growing experience. As we pack and prepare for moving back to the States, we think about all that we have to look forward too, and can't help but smile every time we think about it (which is a lot), but at the same time we wonder if we'll ever get to come back to this place, or when we'll see these people that we've grown to love so much again. Talk about torn! We've been so blessed and are so thankful for the past year, and love what God's done with us here, and at the same time, are anxiously awaiting a grand reunion with precious loved ones, as well as a wedding that we can't wait to attend! God's blessings are overwhelming sometimes!...okay, ALL THE TIME!

So I'll stop with the mushy stuff and tell you a few things that we've been up to recently...or are looking forward too before we leave.

I'll let pictures do most of the talking. Before I begin, I want to thank everyone who has been praying for us. We actually can't thank you enough! And if you're wondering, believe me, God is answering them! What an invaluable way to express your love and support! We've been praying for loved ones as well, so we hope that God's work and blessings are apparent in your lives and that His light is being made known to and through you.

Okay...

We went for one last walk in the rice fields...

Luke shaved his head (really short). Oh, and the mustache was only temporary (thank goodness!)...

We had an amazing day with our Korean family in Seoul. Which included reuniting with Juyoun (our long lost Korean sister), visiting a famous palace, and eating scrumptious food :)...

We were sent by our dear friends, John, Ferial and Johnny, on a crazy fun scavenger hunt all around the city. We found ourselves having yummy drinks at Starbucks, sitting on a train headed to Seoul, and eventually eating some amazing Arabic food! The whole day was SO MUCH FUN!...

I got to go on a lunch date (or two) with my wonderful tutor student Grace...

We had a night full of ridiculously good food and super fun games at the home of our good friends, Jason and Karen...

We have been meeting with friends for lunch dates, coffee outings, sleepovers, and yummy dinners. We even got to attend a "last hurrah" party that our friends put on for us, and our other friends, Charles and Karen (who are also leaving soon)...

We got to spend more time with Juyoun, and went to a baseball game in Seoul. The Doosan Bears, played the SK Wyverns. It was a great experience...and Luke even got a home run ball that we'll be taking home as a souvenir...

I still have much to look forward to before we leave. We'll be spending as much quality time as possible with our friends, will have two more prayer group gatherings, and I even get to go to this beautiful place that has been on my wish list for quite some time now! Not only am I going to get to visit here, but I get to go with a wonderful girl...my new friend Karen!

Boseong Green Tea Plantation...