Thursday, October 16, 2014

Sharing Our Adventure

We left for this mission from our home in Montana nearly seventeen months ago. At that time we assumed none of our family would be able to visit us. All of our children are in the busiest time of life. With families, jobs, church callings and homes to attend to. Flying to Korea did not seem feasible. That fact made leaving more difficult than when we left for our first mission in Colorado. It also made home sickness an occasional issue during our service here. That all changed when several weeks ago we received the word that two of our girls were coming to share our Korea adventure. That news came at the perfect time. The end of our mission was in view and our thoughts were beginning to turn toward home. From the moment we found out we began planning. We started making a list of places we wanted to take them on the white board in our office. Not a single day passed that one or both of us would not make a comment that began with "When the girls come..." or "The girls would love...". In reality they would have had to stay for a month to do everything we listed on the board. So we packed as much as we could into the eight days they were with us. It was simply wonderful. Sharing something you love with someone you love makes it so much sweeter. They were the perfect guests. Both Kelli and Heidi were enchanted with Korea. They never seemed to tire of learning new things about this beautiful country, the culture or the people. We so loved having them here. Our boys at home had their hands full with four children each and gained a renewed appreciation of the day to day demands on mothers. We are grateful to them for holding down the fort while their wives were gone and also for all they do every day for their families.

When you think about it, sharing something we love is the very reason we are here. All that applies to our girls' visit to Korea applies to missionary work. As we think of those with whom we wish to share the gospel, we often think about how they would love a specific principle of the gospel or what doctrine we will share with them. It really makes our view of our Heavenly Home much clearer. Sharing what blesses our lives with others makes it all the sweeter!

Kelli and Heidi's Korea Adventure


Chilseoung Shi Jang-(traditional market). Home of toy alley, dog alley, and as you can see.... pig alley. This is definitely not Albertson's meat department!



The girls loved the Korean children. We saw these cute girls in their school uniforms when we were shopping in Banwoldang- downtown Daegu. We gave the girls some candy after we took the picture. The little girl holding the sandwich offered it to Fred in return. So sweet! Of course he did not take her lunch!





This picture was taken when we hiked up Apsan. The kids were on a field trip and seemed very happy to take a picture with the "Megooks". South Korea is a very mountainous country and Koreans love to hike. Apsan is at the edge of Daegu. It has beautiful trees, groomed trails, streams, Buddhist temples and a cable car. It's one of our favorite places.


This picture was taken at Jeonju, a historic area about three hours from Daegu. We saw a palace, an ancient village, parades and so much more. The girls were very good sports about trying all kinds of Korean foods. This is a traditional Korean barbecue of Ttoekgolbi. It is a style of preparing  beef which is then barbequed at the table. The meal includes lots of banchan (side dishes) and  cold buckwheat soup. During their stay they also tried kimchi, kimbap, bulgogi, bibimbap and lots of other unique Korean cuisine.
I think we will need to find a Korean restaurant within driving distance when we return!  
 
 This huge gong is part of a memorial to the debt reduction movement. The citizens of Korea did not want their government to be indebted to Japan so they started a grass roots movement to pay it off. They were successful in their effort. It is an inspiring story.  The park is in the center of downtown Daegu. It has a beautiful peaceful walkway canopied by trees.


 This platform is high in Apsan park. It allows a panoramic view of Daegu. Which is a city with approximately three million people and all the high rises it takes to house them!. That is pretty mind boggling for people from Great Falls Montana- population of about 58,000 and an obvious shortage of high rises!

The girls found some treasures at Gwanmun Shi Jang- another traditional market. Even though we picked the one day a month this market closes, we were able to find a few shops open. Heidi and Kelli are modeling their cute Korean style jackets purchased for about 15,000...won that is! (about $15)

One last picture! Our girls.... the international stars! This was one of many random but fun experiences we enjoyed during their visit. Fred was tired of all the shopping- traditional markets or otherwise. So he dropped us off at Seomun Shi Jang with our wallets full of won and subway passes to get home. Shortly after we got to the market a Korean news reporter asked if he could film us while we shopped. He was doing a piece on foreign visitors and the markets. The two man crew followed us for about 45 minutes until we firmly but politely excused ourselves. It was crazy and fun. It aired on KBS channel 1 that Thursday. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we were in Jeonju and did not see it. It has to be one of the most fun and typically random Korean experiences of their trip.
We will have stories to tell and memories to share forever.
 


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