Christmas in Colorado...
We had a wondrful time at home for Christmas. We had Christmas dinner with our good friends the Ericksons. Jonathan, Elisabeth (left side) , Danika and Dane (right side) have grown up together and enjoy each others company (photo 1). Danika is finishing her degree in community health at Kansas University and Dane is working in Africa with Food for the Hungry. Our Jonathan teaches film and video production at the local high school. Our Elisabeth is finishing her degree in English and has a Spanish minor. Great kids. Great times.

Denver has SNOW - and more snow and more snow. This is the most snow we have seen in many years. It is beautiful - but we did spend several days digging out. Our street is coverred with ice (photo 2). The drifts are almost as tall as John (photo 3). Our house looks buried (photo 4). But the views from the front of our house (photo 5) and out back (photo 6) are gorgeous. The brilliance of the white snow always reminds of Isaiah 1:18: "though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Prasie God for His goodness.

More Christmas photos...
Photo 1 - the Yonsie University Christmas tree lit up at night
Photo 2 - decorating for Christmas at Seoul Union Church
Photo 3 - Pastor Prince, Monica and kids
Photo 4 - good friends from church Ralph and Daria
Photo 5 - Mrs Shim, Director of the Fulbright office in Seoul
Photo 6 - Yana and Sveta - friends at church from Russia
Photo 7 - friends over for a Christmas dinner

Last classes for the semester...
Wow - how time does fly!! At Barb's last class, we served tacos for lunch (photos 1,2 & 3). The students loved the Taco salsa - probably because it was spicy just like KimChi. After John's last class, the students took us to lunch at a wonderful Korean restaurant ( photos 4 & 5). What a great way to end a fabulous semester. We have truly had so much fun !!

KNCF Christmas party...
On Dec 22 we had a wonderful Christmas celebration with the Korea Nurses Christian Fellowship group at Wonhee Lee's home (photo 1). In addition to a time of prayer and sharing, we had a birthday cake for Wonhee. She and her husband blew out the candles (photo 2). In Korea, there are a couple of very intersting customs. Everyone takes off their shoes before entering the home (photo 3). Most of the floors are heated, so running around in stocking feet is quite comfortable. Also, parking cars is a real challenge. If there is no space left, people park behind other cars and leave the car in neutral so others can push them out of the way (photo 4). On the way home from the party, we enjoyed the beautiful Christmas decorations in downtown Seoul (photos 5&6)

Christmas Party and the Christmas cookies. . .
On Dec 18th, we had the honor of planning the Christmas party for the college of nursing faculty and staff. All semester long John had been takng individual pictures of me with each faculty member. We found pretty picture frames at E-mart and wrapped each gift with tender loving care (photo 1). When we found out that the Dean planned to donate the Christmas gift money to a charity in need, we decided that it would be wise to have some little gift for the rest of the staff as well. So I decided to bake and decorate Christmas cookies ( photo 2). After determining that there were 53 total people in the college of nursing, I proceeded to bake 30 dozen batches of Shortbread. As I wrapped the last batch, I remember praying and asking God to provide just enough so that everyone who attended would go home with a little gift to remind them of how important they were to us and to the nursing program.

When we arrived at the dinner, John and I were surprised to find that there were over 70 places set at the tables. Our Dean had invited several alunmi and distinguished friends of the school. We knew immediately that we did not have enough gifts to go around. So we decided we would tell the Teaching Assistants ( TAs) that we would bring them their gift of cookies the next day after I had more time to bake more Shortbread. Surely they would understand. As the evening progressed, the delicious buffet was followed by carols, special music and the singing of Silent Night with candles lit to remind us of the light of Jesus in our lives. (photos 3,4, and 5). At the end of the evening, the Dean announced that she was giving the Christmas gift money to a charity but that we had prepared small gifts for all who were present. We had not had time to speak with the TAs. As we began to pass out the gifts, everyone was really touched by our personal efforts. But low and behold, everyone who left the room that night received either their picture (faculty) or a package of Christmas cookies ( staff and guests). We were amazed that there was exactly the right number of cookie packages needed. No one was left out !!! It reminded us of the loaves and fishes when our Savior fed the 5,000. What a miracle of grace. We have no idea how this happended. We are just grateful that once again, God's provision was more than sufficient. What a mighty God we serve. May the miracle of Christmas - the birth of our Savior - live in your hearts this year.

Jane's wedding
On December 15th we attended Jane's wedding. Jane was my TA for the past semester. She and her fiance were married in one of the oldest protestant churches in Seoul. Before the ceremony, Jane greeted her friends in her dressing room where she was photographed. Photo 1 shows her with some of her students and other TAs. The ceremony was very formal with choir singing and pastor preaching. There were no bridesmaides or groomsmen like most US weddings. The guests were allowed to eat from the generous buffet tables set up in the church basement either before or after the wedding. Since over 700 people attended, everyone could chose when they wanted to participate in the reception. Jane and her husband ( photo 2) went to Hawaii for a honeymoon and plan to spent the next few years in the US as he completes his doctorate. Their formal wedding picutre (photo 3) was taken the week proior to the ceremony and was on display for all to see. Jane was simply beautiful.