Christmas Turkey

Thank God for Bathtubs! If not, I am not sure how we would have defrosted our Turkey.Yes, our Christmas Turkey is chillin' in my bathtub. Our kitchen sink lacks the ability to be plugged. Apparently it is better to defrost your Turkey in a sink (0r tub) of cold water rather than just on the counter. Maybe Kara and I are just tired and delusional...but we thought it funny.

Merry Christmas!

Mighty Messengers

Every year we have our annual Christmas program where the evening is started off by a performance by the high school choir followed by a musical production by our elementary. 

This year's performance was the best yet. Why?

First, it was the best in my three years at ICS because the high school chior (mostly boys minus two girls) was very entertaining. They started off humorous and then did their more traditional performace with the exception that they wrote of the the three songs they sang. 

The song they wrote was great...unfortunately I only have their "interpretive movement" on you tube and not the song they wrote as well. Click the link below to see it for yourself--it is good for a few laughs.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D8NrmYhlgM 

Second, it was the best in my three years at ICS because the elementary students did a fabulous job with their lines and you could understand almost every line said!

Third, it was best in my three years at ICS because we had a great attendance. We had a good mix of both parents and adults. For those of you unfamiliar with how things work here...but parents don't always show up for events their children are a part of...it is very different in that aspect than the States. One of the ways we bless our kids is simply by attending all their home games and going to all their performances.

Another Goodbye

The time has come to say goodbye to the Fleming Family. They will be missed here in Korea particularly by me. They have been here as long as I have--they are officially the last.  Anyone else I know here, I have been here longer! Not only have they been a vital part of the House, Nicole has been a huge source of encouragement. That and we and a few others would meet on Wednesday night for Bible Study.

What I learned from the Flemings was to be Bible based. I knew this, but they are both so good about when faced with a question like--"In the story of the Samaritan woman Jesus says those who drink of His water will never thirst again--if this is true, why is it that those who have eternal life are still thirsty?" Rather than give some "churchy" explanation, they were really good at just looking to other verses or stories in the Bible that might give insight into the question. That is probably a poor example...but the best I can give. They did this over and over again. It was/is a good challenge for me who has grown up in the church and who often has the "churchy" answer come to mind faster than other examples from the Bible.

Also, Nicole is just a great friend. I have enjoyed her friendship these past two and half years and will miss her transparency, heart for the Lord, and bubbly personality. I love Faith, their daughter, because I love the--however, she is pretty adorable...making her hard to not like!

You all will be missed, but know I will be praying for your transition to life in the States. What a sweet privledge to have known someone well enough to be saddened by their departure from your everyday life.

Giving Thanks

I thank my God, Jehovah Jirah for...

Layers and Public Transportation--I recently was able to purchase a warm winter coat and many other fabulous layers. I have worn every single one since getting back from the USA and am grateful for every layer I bought. Also for public transportation (see subway in the top left corner of phot0--I tried!) as it is very easy to use here in Korea and muy importante when one does not own a car and needs to go to school at the crack of dawn to work!

The Fleming and Wertz Families--both are good friends and have been a tremendous encouragement to my walk with the Lord as we have shared what the Lord is teaching us.

Kal duk su and ICS' invasion after a basketball game

An oven in which to make make the yummy foods pictured here and many more delicious meals

JAK (Jamie Amber Kara) Group--sisters in Christ and my best friends 

my second home in Korea where I celebrated Thanksgiving with my closest friends who are my family in Korea

The Hospitality House that is full of people celebrating Thanksgiving together

The Sweet-Schneider Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. John Schneider

My Uncle Lee walking Angela down the aisle.

My Parents

Absolutely Beautiful!

My family--Mom's side

The Bride's (my cousin) Granparents

The location of the wedding on the lake was absolutely beautiful--as was the weather.

Alicia, my mother, my father, myself, and Shannon

Dancing...yeah.

Grandad and Angela dancing--I got to dance with my Grandad as well. Sadly, there is no picture.

The groom's cake was absolutely wonderful!

Daddy-Daughter Picture

My Daddy dancing with his daughters.

Me with the Beautiful Bride

Above are some of my favorite pictures from the wedding. Blogger is being wierd and not letting me have much control as to where things are placed in this blog! Aigoo!

Though the wedding was now nearly a month ago as well as my visit with my family...the pictures have just now been posted online. Over the years I have missed many family holidays and get-togethers. This is the main sacrifice I have living here in Korea. I bought a digital camera from my older sister Shannon. As I was going through the pictures she had taken on it, I got to see pictures of several family holidays and days at the lake that I had missed out on.

How thankful I am that this time I did not have to only hear about them from the rest of the family and enjoy the events through pictures, but I actually got to be a part of the memories that were created. I thank the Lord for His provision. I love my family and have missed being a part of these family functions. I loved seeing people, giving them hugs, catching up with the cousins, meeting my two new cousins, dancing with my Grandad, going for a morning ride in the boat, and just enjoying being in a house full of family.