2008!

I tried to get these pictures in order but I had to get back to missionary work. What a year we have had! Thank for being a part of it.




































href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NdqmnE5lzcF4G1YWUjquQq99mLUqTzaWDJelkOJRl0W-viSQQY51ha0ga7QiO3d9-DlZwbeLRKSlG5YKNbvygE3M6uabaZ_baw7APaWdUoQl212tFgBo5rLZHe9wEkyUnsucTIzXtJ0/s1600-h/mail.jpeg">

Baptism in Kimpo

Elder Jo and Elder Haviland baptized this family on Sunday, mother, son and two daughters. Her youngest daughter is not eight yet. The Elders were so excited to have President and Sister Burton attend the baptism. What a great day for this family and these missionaries. They are hoping to get the father baptized also!

Trimming the Korean Tree

We have no idea what these little shriveled things are. We have tried to find out but due to our limited Korean I have not yet received an answer. Yet, they make super Christmas decorations and with Kurt's back lit sea weed rectangles and candy canes we found in the Christmas decoration box, our tree is set. We have great plans for next year but for now this will have to do. And as they say in Korean: Merry Christmas. (I'm serious.)

Merry Christmas From Korea!

Now, doesn't this look like a Christmas decoration? We walk past this every week and it didn't dawn on me until last week that this ISN'T a Christmas decoration. I am sure you are much smarter than I am but this is a medicinal store that sells deer antlers in some form as well as ginseng, which is the plant on the left. I thought it was mistletoe. Although, to my credit, I did know it was ginseng root. OK. So now I am really showing my ignorance. I better stop. Merry Christmas.

AM I OBSESSED WITH BEANS?

Well, maybe, but look at these beauties. We went to Incheon, a port city west of Seoul, and found store after store selling different grains. I took these home and made some soup. I had no idea what to buy. Luckily the sisters knew Korean and helped to figure out what most of the grains or legumes were.

Kurt and the Piano Lady

This is the piano lady on the left with Elder Hatch's back and Elder K on the right. Please notice Elder Knudsen's lovely slippers!

Elder K MAKES her say it right!

Here is Elder Kesler with Kim Dae Oon He owns a cosmetic company and evidently a very eligible bachelor. But he is waiting to marry someone with his same horoscope.
He is also the piano lady's manager.
We are thrilled Agnes (the amazing piano lady) has agreed to go to church in January. I think she likes that Elder Knudsen is bossy like she is. They seem to get along just hunky dory.

He Still Brings Me Flowers

Always! Always!

Fresh Beans?

Another to the list of amazing things in Korea! Fresh beans! I am frustrated because beans as we know them in the United States are really non existent in Korea or if we do find them like these cans of Garbanzo and Black Beans, they are a stack of Korean won--almost $4 a can! They import them from Italy. They do have some very expensive dried beans which I bought and cooked but they didn't taste very good--very dry and bland. So we bought these fresh beans from a lady sitting on the ground in the subway station. This is our second try at fresh beans and they are VERY yummy!

The Woman and the Mirror

There is a very cool area in Seoul called Insa-dong. They call it their "cultural street." It has antiques, which sadly are mostly from China and cost an arm and a leg compared to what they would cost there. There are many museums and galleries and craft shops. There are also shops that sell the monk-like clothing that is so beautiful but very expensive--some cost around $400. for a jacket but the detail is unbelievable. Down an alley was a restaurant with this amazing mirror on the door. I would have bought it if it were for sale!

My Esquire Man!

Love for the Garbage Man

Yes, I am in love with the garbage man! And especially because he has to separate all of our garbage into specific little bins and then take it all the way outside to the separate garbage area with at least 20 slots for different garbage. I am especially thankful this Thanksgiving for this missionary companion of mine! And the garbage man.