I Have Approximately 20 minutes...

Right now it's 2:07 in the morning and I have approximately 20 minutes until my laundry will be done... so I'm going to blog!

Ahh... I just had an incredible 2 and a half days! I went with a church I've joined here in Korea on a retreat. The church is called IWE (International Worship in English) and I've been going to the contemporary services there for about 3 weeks now. I signed up to go on a retreat over Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving which was today but the holiday lasts from like Monday through Thursday) not really knowing what to expect, but trusting that Christ gives us a firm foundation to build on and hoping that I would enjoy the promised beach and mountain climbing. And, if no one else was interesting or interested in getting to know me, Jessica was going along as well, my handy safety net!

So, we took off after church on Sunday and drove and drove and drove until we got the East coast and our retreat destination. It was clear after the first rest stop that this was going to be an amazing trip and that all of the people (especially the people my age) were going to be really fun to get to know and hang out with.

And they were. To quote Jessica: "I HAVE FRIENDS NOW!!!" The trip was amazing. On Monday we went to the sea, played sand volleyball (the score and who won is not important!), swam in the ocean, and experienced a Korean spa.. the spa is a WHOLE different story that I will NOT be blogging about, but, ladies, if you really want to know I'll email you! It was great to play in the ocean. I think the last time I played in salt water was at least 4 years ago.. I had so much fun, but I forgot a few things about the sea, for example... 1. It's salty. 2. It's aggressive and the waves seem to like for you to become aquainted with the ocean floor. 3. Did I mention that it's salty?!

Tuesday we went to Sorakson which is a mountian on the East coast. We were able to take a cable car up to the top of one of the peaks and then hike and climb from there. It was awesome. The view was breathtaking and the climb was... just... well, scary at moments, but so much fun to accomplish. The group kept saying that we were sitting on top of Korea and it sure felt like we were! However, I think the highlight for me was on the way back down in the cable car. Imagine 50 people smashed into a small room that is suspended over an ENORMOUS canon. Now picture about 10 Westerners among the 50 people busting out with Stevie Wonder in an amazing rendition of, "I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU!!!" right in the middle of the ride down! It was amazing!

While the swimming and hiking and spaaing (yes that's a word!) was great fun, the best part about the trip was being able to get to know and fellowship with everyone else. I met so many neat people and I feel like I have a community and network of friends that I can call up to hang out with now! I'm so excited to have a group of people with common interests and a common love for Christ to share my experience in Korea with now. God is good! We've even have a rough plan for Christmas hashed out (it involves stockings!)!

Well.. my laundry is done and so am I! Blessings to all of you and thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. I love recieveing your emails and posts! Keep them coming! Oh, and, Aunt Jenny, I heard someone laugh the other day and it sounded just like you! I kept trying to remember who laughed like that and it came to me! It made me miss you!

Love you, MISS you, praying for you!

Hil