Pottery, Plum Blossoms, and Easter.

Last weekend we were able to go on a GIC (Gwangju International Center) tour. It was called "Making Pottery in the Field of Plum Blossoms." We got up really early Saturday morning to catch the direct bus to Gwangju Bus Terminal where we met a group of around 30-40 other foreigners and a few other Koreans. We took a bus ride of about an hour and a half. We first went to Gwangyang Dosungusa Village to make pottery. It was so quiet and refreshing. It was cloudy so the day wasn't completely cheery, but the country air was great! There were some plum blossoms in this village, but not as many as we would see later.

Cameron and I had so much fun making the pottery. First the master potter showed us around the shop. They had an old traditional kiln/furnace that they use only a few times a year now and they have a modern kiln. It wasn't a huge place, but it was great for the experience and the group we were with. There were pieces of different kinds of pottery everywhere. At the front of the room there were 4 potters wheels that we would be able to try at the end of making our cups. First they gave us a hunk of clay - he said not to touch it a lot because it drys out that way. We made a pig first. He said we would make 2 - 1 for practice and another after we knew how to do it. Cameron's first pig looked more like a bat, but I ended up liking my first better than the second. Cameron's are the ones on top and mine are on the bottom.

We got to make a mug after this. They gave us a long rectangular piece of clay and a shorter one. The longer one would be the body and the shorter one the bottom. We shaped the clay into a circle after cutting the excess off and making it uniform. Then we added the bottom. We had to smooth the bottom into the top. The potter came around and showed us how to smooth the clay - he made it look so easy. I found out quickly that I should have cut my fingernails beforehand. After we formed the mug, he showed us how to make spaghetti like strands of clay with a garlic press. We could use these to decorate the mug. Cameron made his look like a drum and I decorated mine with flowers - I tried my best to make sunflowers which is my favorite. We don't get to see the finished product until April. I believe they will be glazed. The examples they showed us were beautiful blues and greens. He said that the final product shrinks down 15% from what we were working with. We had fun, but I did not like the crusty dry feeling my hands had while working with the clay.

After we finished with the mugs we could try the potters wheel. I was so meticulous with my decorating I didn't have time to do the wheel. I was a bit bummed, but I will definitely do it the next time I have a chance. Cameron decided not to do the wheel - it was really messy. Below are pictures of my mug and Charles our fellow teacher using the wheel with one of the potters. He and Ness went as well. They brought Matthew who had plenty of attention since he is such a cutie. They had no trouble finding a babysitter while doing the pottery. We were excited to get to go with them. They sat next to us at the pottery. We were able to get to know a few new people as well.

After the pottery we went to have lunch. They said it was a restaurant. I think it was a local person who opened their home as a restaurant. Cameron and I ate some rice and tried a few of the other foods. I liked these little pepper things, the egg/veggie strips, the persimmons and I kind of liked the old kimchi, but we just don't get into most of the Korean food. We figured we would at least try it.

I was pleasantly surprised that they had a Western style toilet - which I think is the norm for apartments and homes, but not public bathrooms. I was told I need to at least try a squatty potty, but I still haven't been brave enough to do.

We sat with Rebecca who goes to our church and Karl a new friend. Here are some pictures. I believe they only sat 20 people.

The old kimchi is just above my bowl - the bowl on the bottom with the chopsticks on it. Then the peppers I liked are straight up from those in front of Karl's bowl, across from mine. The persimmons are the yellow pieces to the right of Karl and the egg pieces are in front of those.

Karl, Rebecca and us.

After lunch we took a stroll back down towards where the bus was parked. I of course took some pictures. Here are a few.

We left shortly after that and headed to the plum blossom farm in Maehwa. We drove around an hour and a half before we hit some really bad traffic. We were near a river which clued us in that we were close. I think it may have taken 30 minutes before we were parked. I believe they did not know that the traffic would be so bad. They said that the festival was the weekend before, but it seemed to still be going on. There were tents with food vendors, junk vendors, music vendors and there were bunches of little photographer stands. On the hillside was God's own handiwork in lace. The trees covered the hillsides and the mountainsides. There were people everywhere taking pictures and some were collecting flowers. We started up the hill in search for a pink blossom tree. We met up with a girl we had met Crystal who was also in search for a pink tree. So we went in search together. It was an adventure climbing the hill amidst rows and rows of white. At some points we had to bend down under the branches that were crossing the trails. Beautiful is almost not the right word for it.

Crystal finally did find that pink tree. It was a young one. We think maybe they start out pink and then go white.

I keep thinking of other ways I could have taken pictures that day. I should have gotten on of the whole mountain.

We only had about 45 minutes at the farm since the traffic had been so heavy, but it was well worth it.

The bus back took around 2 and half hours. We decided to head to Outback for supper with Charles and Ness. Pour Matthew was so tired. He was too excited about sitting still. Fortunately the waitress brought a toy for him and he was occupied with that. We had a pleasant dinner with them. This was to be our last "expensive" supper. We have to buckle down for our vacation budget.

It was a yucky night - we had to walk across the walking overpass in the rain. On the bottom of the bridge before we crossed there was a man selling flowers. Cameron and Charles bought flowers for me and Ness. Here is a picture. I'm not sure what they are but they were beautiful and they smelled wonderful.

We had an exciting and fun day. We were exhausted though. It was a bummer that it was on Easter weekend. We were so tired for church Sunday. We did have a good service. I didn't take any pictures. I was a bit sad that they didn't translate the songs into English for us. The triumphant resurrection songs are some of my favorites. Its a bit difficult to remember the words when you are hearing another language and I'm a bit rusty on my hymns. I was singing "In the Garden" in my head that afternoon. We had an egg exchange during service which is tradition here. I colored hot boiled eggs with crayons - which was a bit difficult - I kept smudging them and trying not to burn my fingers at the same time. I wasn't sure what to do with them since the ones we buy are brown. Most of them were wrapped in foil with pretty ribbons or silk flowers. Some were in little gift bags. They had the foreigners - there is a Chinese service and an English (Americans, Filipinos, Canadians, South Africans, Australians that I know of) service - come up on stage. Then they many people from the congregation brought us eggs. Most of us ended up with a bunch.

After service we had lunch and fellowship. We headed out fairly quickly to get some rest. We have learned that rest is key to staying healthy. That, vitamins, and lots of prayer. Right now we are struggling with allergies since the blooms are coming out. The camellia tree outside school is beautiful - I keep forgetting to get a picture of it. Maybe Monday.

Blessings to all! Hopefully I will get back to writing more than once a month.

Time Flies!

Time has been going really, really, really fast. Our schedule changed a little during February. I used to work from 1:30-7pm or 8pm and then it changed to 1:30-8pm or 9pm. I think that was why the time is flying so fast. More recently I have been working from 9pm-10pm with my tutor student. Cameron and I would get a break for dinner then I would go back at 9pm and Cameron went back at 9:45 for his late class.

2 weeks ago, I found out the my tutor student wouldn't be coming anymore. I am really sad! but I understand. She just started high school (Korean school year starts in early March) and her schedule is much more involved now than when she was in middle school. I didn't get to say goodbye to her so I hope she will think to email me.

I am hoping with the extra hour I was working Tuesday, Thursday, Friday will give me a bit more time to blog and bake. As of late I have felt like time was carrying me away.

I can now say for sure we will be leaving in August. We are hoping to leave August 2nd since our contract date is the 6th and it is during the academy's summer vacation. Right now we are working on a budget for our planned 3 month hyatis. We were hoping for a road trip, but sadly we don't think it will be in our budget this time. We are excited for a long awaited trip together to Brazil for a month. We plan to spend the time visiting with Cameron's family and friends and seeing a few things we weren't able to see on our honeymoon the last time we were there. Cameron has been there since, but I haven't so I'm really excited!
We can't wait to spend time with both of our families. We will be in Michigan for most of the trip while we prepare for our next job. We are hoping to take trips to Chicago and possibly Buffalo as well to see my brothers and their wives (Adam will be married in June!)

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!!!! (a little late) He Lives! the tomb is empty!

What will happen to you when you die?

Jesus said: John 14:6" I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."



John 3:16-17"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."



Sin does exist - if you don't believe this - just look at all of the bad things that happen in the world - the evil - murdering, killing, raping, lying, etc. etc. etc. We were all born with sin - that is just the way it is - but we can be forgiven.



Romans 3:23"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."



Romans 6:23"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."



Romans 5:8"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."



Romans 9:9-10"That is you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your hear that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."



Romans 8:38-39"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."





Cameron and I have been growing so much in our faith in Christ. Both of us have found ourselves really longing to pray and read the Bible. We have grown closer together. Through the challenges of working and living in a new culture and country we have found that God has really been working in our lives. We have been enjoying My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers and The One Year Book of Christian History by Mike and Sharon Rusten. The Christian History devotional is one of the most interesting devotionals we have ever gotten. Both Cameron and I enjoy reading it. They took each day of the year and put it with some historical event in Christian history, from Bible times to the 20th century. I have also been trying to read a few chapters in my Bible when I go to bed and most nights I find myself really longing for it. It's so much easier when I am not hard on myself if I miss a day. I want to know what I am reading and if I am really tired it will not be anything but looking at words. It's really helped to start small - a short devotional passage or a few verses. Be encouraged!