Light of Love Festivel 2007

The city of Jeonju is holding a festival for Sol Nal, which is the Korean New Year. This holiday coincides with the Chinese New Year. I went to the light festival and the "Circus" twice this last week. I went with different friends. I had a great time. The "circus" or the aerobatics is what they really were was awesome. Here are a few pictures from the performance and the light display.

The used their feet to even juggle each other!

Annie and I

I went for the first time to Costco today. Let me tell you I have never been so excited to see American products. The best thing I saw which made me jump up and down with excitement was Dreft laundry detergent. Many of you might be thinking why is Georgia buying laundry detergent for babies. Well, it is a really long story but I have extremely sensitive skin and this is the only laundry detergent that won't make me break out from head to toe. I am beginning that you can find anything in Korea if you are willing to pay the high price, which in this case will be worth it! At least almost anything, you can't buy Caribou coffee here but I do have the best sister in the world that sent me enough to last 3 months! Yeah for Lydia and Brent(he helped pay for fast shipping!).

here are a few things you might find interesting that I picked up at Costco which I haven't been able to find in my town or are 3 times more expensive for a much smaller quantity.

1. Pine Sol- super excited about this since my whole house is linoleum
2. Marshmallows
3. Country Time Lemonade
4. Honey Nut Cheerios- there were about 5 other kinds but this is what I chose for this trip!
5. Salsa
6. Oats n Honey Nature Valley Granola Bars
7. Nabisco Saltines
8. Cranberry Juice

This was the best shopping trip I have been on in a long time. I also found some classic Disney movies in a 3 pack for only $10: Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Cinderella then Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Peter Pan

Costco is wonderful and even though it takes 90 minutes by bus to get there it is so worth it!

Cleaning a Bathroom in Korea

Armed for Battle

I had a little run in with my shower today! I don't know if you remember but they build the showers so you can just hose them down. I have only done this twice since I have been here, tonight was the second time. I was scrubbing away and I went to hose it down. I became a causality of war. The shower head was pointed straight at me when I turned it on. needless to say I got soaking wet! But I won the fight, my bathroom is sparkling clean.

Antioch International Christian Fellowship

I realized today that I have not posted about the church I am going to. I am going to Antioch International Christian Fellowship, it is part of Antioch Presbyterian Church. I really love the church. There are two pastors. There is Canadian couple who have been in Korea for three years teaching English. They have a four yea old daughter named Megan. Troy and Connie are very nice.

The other pastor is Pastor Bill. He is originally from Korea and was adopted when h was 7 years old by a single American man. He married his wife, Sonny, who is Korean in the States. They are in Korea for two years total so their children, Alan and Ariana, can gt to know their grandparents. They also want them to learn to speak the language and culture.

The church is very solid in its doctrine. The preaching is solid as well. I am part of the praise team here. I am really enjoying the fellowship with those of different cultures. It is funny that it is an international service in English but there are more Koreans that attend than foreigners! I am very glad the Lord answered all of your prayers and directed me to a wonderful church where I can grow and be used by Him!

Orphanage Outreach

Last Saturday I went for the first time with my church to their orphanage outreach. I was not allowed to take any pictures while I was at the orphanage. I had a wonderful time and I was able to help. I feel in love with the kids at first sight! I will be going to the orphanage twice a month and I am excited about it. here are a few pictures from the dinner we had after we to back.

We went to a meat buffet. It was really cool. You went over to a cooler and picked the meat that you wanted. Once you got back to your table you cooked it right there. It was very fun!

Sonny and Connie (left to right). The pastors wives!

Yummy Octpui! this was not for me as you see in the picture below.

Pastor Bill- the American pastor

First Haircut in Korea

It has taken me three months but I finally got up the nerve to get a haircut in Korea. I remembered to bring my picture with me from home of my original haircut. I went to a pace that was recommended by a couple from my church. The lady only knew the word "shampoo" but we worked through it. My new do is a little short but she cut it exactly like the picture. I had forgotten Megan had put her own touch on my hair which was a little longer!

Christmas and New Years

I am sorry that I haven't posted anything lately. The holidays have come and gone here in South Korea but it seems like they were never really here. Christmas and solar New Year's as it is called here are not very important to Koreans. I spent Christmas with a few American friends. It was pretty uneventful.

On New Year's Eve I went to my first Korean Service. It was a little different because everything was in Korean! I hadn't been to a New year's Eve service since I was in college. It was very difficult to stay awake but it was a very nice time. M pastor's wife translated for me the main points of the service. Here are some pictures of the church service.

My pastor's son! It was getting late.

Tikvah Spring Wilkinson

Below you will find Dennis and Mistin's Birth Announcement and pictures:

Our wonderful little girl baby has arrived!

She started knocking on the door to enter our world on Wednesday evening when Mistin's water broke at church. About an hour and a half later contractions began and by the time we arrived at the hospital we were half way to her grand entrance. At 6:40 she burst into our world loudly announcing her presence with a whoop and a holler.

She tipped the scales at 7lbs 5oz and is 19 inches in length.

Her name is Tikvah (pronounced "Teek-vah") Spring. Tikvah is the Hebrew word for hope and is partially inspired by I Peter chapter 1.

We are grateful to God for the safe delivery of this baby girl and for providing us with real life illustrations of the joy and hope HE gives us.

Dennis, Mistin, Ciara Joy & Tikvah Spring Wilkinson