Youth Retreat Weekend

Last weekend I went away as a leader on the youth retreat. It was so great to hang out with a youth group like I used to back home. The kids were so much fun. My birthday was Saturday, and they all sang happy birthday at our night session. I even found a card in my bed that night signed by all the kids and leaders!

Our high school kids have it rough here. I'm sure it's similar in the states, but here, many of the kids are into drugs, drinking, under age sex, and probably more than I could even imagine. I don't remember my high school experience the same way. Sure, that stuff was present, but it didn't slap me in the face every time I walked into the school building. I had great friends who stayed away from all that. For our youth group kids, spending time with us is their break from the drama and the mess that they deal with at school. I'm always praying that I could be a person that the girls feel comfortable with. When they are with me, they can relax and just be themselves. It can't be easy being today's Christian teenager.

So we went to Lotteworld: Seoul's inside/outside amusement park:

From Humphreys Youth Retreat

From Humphreys Youth Retreat

We had an "olypiad" of sorts where the kids could earn points and win iTunes gift certificates:

From Humphreys Youth Retreat

From Humphreys Youth Retreat

We had some fellowship time:

From Humphreys Youth Retreat

It was a great time:

From Humphreys Youth Retreat

From Humphreys Youth Retreat

The Newest Addition: Cookie

We adopted a puppy! That's right... For all of you who know me, you are probably thinking, "What is she thinking?" It has been a wonderful experience! Cookie was found abandoned in family housing. Our friends, the Cooks, found her and took her in. They already have two dogs--which is the limit for on post housing-- so they couldn't keep her. Heart broken, they put the word out to everyone they knew to try and find a home for the pup. They told us about her after church one night. I took one look at Chris and knew he would love it!

So, I caved... I have to admit: I thought I would hold out longer. I thought allergies, renting, being a neat freak, were all good enough excuses. However, I took one look at this dog and said "okay." She's a mush: she loves to lay in your lap and nap. She's very smart: potty training only took a few days-- albeit a few difficult days. Having a puppy is a lot of responsibility. It is giving Chris and I yet another way to exercise communication and patience in our marriage. We share the chores that come with the dog, but also enjoy her together when Chris comes home from a long day at work. Sometimes I have to tell Cookie to back off so I can snuggle with my husband! ;)

I've posted a few photos and videos from our first couple of weeks:

From Cookie

From Cookie

The Haircut

I cut Chris' hair for the first time (technically) yesterday!

Back in July, while visiting CA, we purchased a razor set so that we could "save money" on haircuts. It's a requirement that Chris keep his hair groomed a certain way...not that he would have it any other way. My mother-in-law tried to teach me however, my first experience shaving left him looking more like a man who let his 5 year old use the razor. I think he's been afraid to let me touch it since. ...And I completely understand (being that I've let only one person in the entire world touch my hair for the last 8 years) and so I accompanied him to the barber every two weeks, ever since we were married.

I watched carefully and took mental notes every time I watched the barber (or barberess?). I observed what my husband didn't like about the haircut and what he did like. Until last week I made my move...

"Babe," I said with confidence, "I can cut your hair for you this time." He looked at me. Paused. "Okay," he said, "if you think you're ready." The look in his eyes told me he thought I was. I laid out the tools. I prepared...prayed, really.

Thirty, or so, minutes later my masterpiece was complete! The cut was pretty good. "I looks great," Chris said with excitement and encouragement. "This is how I've been trying to get it cut everytime, but they never understand."

*sigh* I succeeded!