17 Leaf

This is the title of one of my latest pictures. I don't know why I called it that. I guess it just came to me. Sarah is reading over my shoulder. We are about to do "Quiet Time", which is what devotions are called in Korea. I would like to thank everyone for their prayers over the past couple of weeks. I was on some meds for my stomach and I will be watching what I eat and drink very carefully from now on. It looks like bread and water from here on out. We are both feeling much better than we were.

Yesterday we went to Seoul just to get out of the house. We went to Coex Mall and had lunch at Quizno's. It was the best Quizno's I had ever visited. I bought a book: Empire of the Sun. After the mall, we went to Seoul Tower. It was raining again just as it was the last time we went. This time, however, it was also lightninging. Seoul Tower is the highest thing in Seoul, if not the whole country! We rode in the rain up the cable car and took the elevator the rest of the way to the top of the tower. It was AWESOME!!! We ate at nGrill which is an ultra-fancy revolving restaurant that revolves. By the time we sat down for dinner, the rain had moved on and the view of the city lights was amazing. The restaurant revolves a little more than one full rotation in two hours. It was really nice to get out of the house but also just sit and relax.

Our vineyard meeting after church today was also very lovely and relaxing. Two of the ladies in our group are taking a cooking class together and they prepared some of their newfound recipes for us. It was delicious. Kate said it was the most she has seen Sarah eat since we've been here!

Thanks again for all your prayers. We love you all and miss you, but we'll see you in 8 weeks!

Blue Sweats and Red Thermal

This is my favorite new outfit. Sarah and I went shopping yesterday after church at Suwon Station. They have a GAP! I got a long sleeve, red thermal shirt in honor of Autumn. There is also a store called Who A.U.(pronounced who ah you). It's patterned after Abercrombie and I got some really nice, thick blue sweats. I am in a blue sweats and red thermal frame of mind. It's a good thing I found the outfit. The weather is tremendously gorgeous!
Sarah and I watched "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" the other night. So many great memories came rushing back to me. Memories of sorting candy as a child, more recent memories of going to the pumpkin patch with C.H.S. When I was about 4 years old I dressed up as the Incredible Hulk for Halloween. In my young mind, I was the Hulk. I hulked out constantly. I guess I still do, I just don't always have the green face paint. Harvest Parties, hay rack rides, bon fires. I love this time of year. Will someone please eat some candy corn for me? and a popcorn ball. and a caramel apple. and a Nathan's hotdog roasted over a bon fire. I'm hungry! Go Fall!!!

Compassion or Sympathy

Everyone wants to be understood. It is one of our most basic desires. God is teaching us how to listen. Language is only one barrier when it comes to understanding one another. More often, impatience and lack of genuine compassion are greater hindrances. I recently read a definition of the word compassion that made me stop and consider whether I had ever known its full meaning. According to that definition, compassion is sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. (Merriam-Webster) Compassion does not stop at mere sympathy. Jesus is our ultimate example of true compassion. He has paid the greatest price possible to alleviate the distress of sin and death. I am afraid that many of the times that I have considered myself compassionate, I have only been sympathetic. Our sympathy does little good unless it is accompanied by action.