Seoul goes all out when it comes to decorating their street trees for the holiday season!

Those are not ghosts but friends who were not close enought to get caught in the flash. (Just outside the CGV theater at about 1:45am)

Digital Memories

So-Yeun and Kerey looking over the million or so photos that were taken during the whole night.

Heidi with a beautiful smile as we enjoyed a cup of java at "Java Coffee". Heidi and Kerey left around 1:30 while the rest of us went on to watch Narnia at 2am.

Hey, Dude! I need either a strong cup of coffee or a good nights sleep. It's been a LONG, BUSY day!

Is that a photo telling you where to vomit or where you can find a water fountain?!

With friends like these, 2006 is looking to be a FABULOUS year!!! :-)

Korean kids are adorable. It's kind of sweet that it looks like the little girl on the left is praying.

Dusty, me and Heidi about 30 minutes past midnight on JANUARY 1ST, 2006!!!!

Isn't that sweet?

The "Luminarium"

The city decorations looked a little too "Islamic" for my taste but I am glad that the Christian mayor had a cross on the top of a Christmas tree near the ice-skating rink.

Happy 2006 and May God bless you abundantly!!!

Deep thoughts on what the NewYear may bring... Hmmm..SHOULD old acquaintances be forget in days of Aul lang syne?!"

Awesome!

If one photo totally sums up the experience in Jong-Gak Station at midnight, it's this one. People had to start covering their eyes to protect them from the descending soot. "It's all fun and games till someone loses an eye", right Heidi? So-Yeun?

Yippee!! Whoa!! Yeah!!!

It had the feel of a rock concert as the crowd fired fireworks off, whistled, cheered and hugged one another at midnight.

I really felt like I was in a warzone as thousands upon thousands of Roman candles were lit off all around us by everyone. (Most of these people had obviously done this before and so I think it must get crazier every year.)

Everyone crowding around Jong-Gak station downtown Seoul waiting for the countdown. I was a little panicky when I got separated from the gang at about 7 minutes to 12 as I stopped to take photos of Korean farm dancers but thank God we found one another (quite amazing actually considering the crowds!!) just minutes before 12. (Thank you, God!)

the rate of fireworks increased more and more as midnight appoached

Can't have any celebration in Korea without "the Korean farmer's dance" it seems.....

Sparklers anyone?

The guys I rang the NewYear in with: Kerey, Dusty, Heidi, Jeung-Yeun & So-Yeun. Due to my crazy alcoholic past, I've often wondered if it is possible to have a GREAT NewYears without any alcohol...Thank God it is and here's a group that did just that!

Yound and old alike had a great time firing away. It was such a great atmosphere as people walked around wishing one another a Happy New Year. It reminded me somewhat of the whole World Cup mood in 2002.

Nothing more comfortable than stretching out on a pile of used fireworks, eh Dusty?

looking down the barrel of a Roman candle

Glad to see that all Roman candles were pointed skyward and no one got hurt. (that I saw anyway apart from a few bruised ribs maybe from the mashes of people as they pushed to get through certain tight spots)

Let 'er rip!

Used Roman candles covered the sidewalks!

They were selling tons of roman candles (1,000 won each) and it was pretty wild the 30 minutes leading up to the countdown.

What a cutie you are, So-Yeun!

No, Dusty had not been drinking, ha!ha!

Dusty and Heidi-great photo of bro and sis. Nothing like being with family on NewYears!

Kerey ready to ring in the NewYear.

New Years Eve 2005 downtown Seoul

The Doctrine of God - Immutability of God

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17)
Since all changes are either for the better or for the worse, God is unchanging because He is perfect and cannot get better nor become worse. The Scriptures describe God's nature, will, and character as immutable or unchanging.
Illustration: To be immutable, however, does not mean to be immobile. God also has the qualities of personality and can act, think, create, and make decisions.
Application: God is unchanging; therefore, Christians can depend on His love and power, because God has not changed since biblical times.

"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:39, Luke 6:29)

What is this picture doing on my blog? My question is "What is this doing in the front window of a TOY store in a Korean department store?" We were somewhat shocked to see these somewhat suggestive figurines in the window as we went early to reserve our seats for a 2am showing of "Narnia".

Spank me with a flying pan?! Toys certainly have changed since my childhood...

SIBC member, Dusty Hansen, who if you haven't guessed from the photo, is in the American Army and stationed here in Seoul... It was great of Dusty to let me crash in his spare room this New Year's Weekend as I celebrated with some of the singles of our church.

"Sigma Class Workshop" last Friday. A great group of students!