Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Last Day In Korea!  We woke to a tremendous rain storm. Updated blog posts..
worked on packing up, wrapping gifts for Aaron and Jeong Mi, and Jeong Mi's parents..

We dressed., and Kelly and I headed out into the rain to go to a Korean Catholic Church
which Aaron's head teacher, Ridia attends.  We sat in the balcony and even though
we could not speak the language we could follow the parts of the Catholic service..
certainly knew when to say "Amen" and cross ourselves!  They bow to each other
during the Peace.

At the end of the mass, they lowered this HUGE screen over the cross in front and the congregation watched and listened to about a 3 minute presentation. We asked Ridia about that and she said at the end of every mass they have a short Catholic lesson!  So very interesting.. then the screen was raised and they concluded the mass.
    We had the pleasure and delight of meeting Ridia's dad and sister and her dad was kind enough to give us a ride back to our room. Kelly made one last visit to the McDonald's for coffee. Kelly said some of the workers are recognizing him now!  ahhahaha

We walked to Aaron's and left our gift bags with him.  Then he and Jeong Mi, Jeong Mi's parents, and the 5 of us walked to a very fancy Korean restaurant where Jeong Mi's parents generously provided us all with our last Korean meal during our time here.  We had a wonderful time enjoying the various dishes and loving the meat and mushrooms cooked on the grills in front of us!

                                                    Then it was time for one last group shot!

Kelly and I cannot thank Aaron, Jeong Mi, and Jeong Mi's parents enough for all the wonderful experiences they provided to us during our Korean 2011 adventures!  We are greatly appreciative for the rooms, room items, meals, trips, and other expenses they incurred during our stay!  We only hope to repay the favor if Jeong Mi's parents come to the states to visit us in the future!

Well it was to the rooms, pack up, and bring our bags down to the entrance where Aaron had a mini van taxi waiting to take us to Incheon Airport.. so in the pouring down rain we drove one more time over the Incheon Bridge to the airport where we checked in, got our boarding passes, passed through security and said our goodbyes to Aaron, Jeong Mi, and Jeong Mi's parents.  Until we see you all again, may God bless you and keep you safely in the Palm of His Hands.

Then it was time to board the airplane and begin the long journey home.. 4:00 pm July 3rd Korean time!
Incheon to San Francisco. Kelly got extra security searches twice-passed both times!

Smooth flight; food and drinks and got some sleep.. then into San Francisco.. security, Customs and Immigration, get bags, recheck bags.. then wait 5 hours till board plane to Pittsburgh.

Then it was take off for Pittsburgh!  I had a window seat so could enjoy the sights before I napped and watched a couple movies.. just watched.. did not feel like doing the sound..
                                                   

                                                           Then it was land in Pittsburgh!

                                            11:45 pm on July 3rd, 2011!  One very long day!
Got off plane, to tram, over to baggage area, got bags, called Charlie Brown's Shuttle Service,
then into their van to our car..Jeremiah decided to book a flight to NYC which left at 5:30 am
July 4th out of Pittsburgh so he rode the Charlie Brown Shuttle Van back to the airport to
wait out the time in the baggage area... I was able to text him before he left for his home..
Then it was to bed to awaken about 12 hours later.. Kelly and I slept the day of July 4th
away.. but to be expected... well it is now 11:05 PM July 4th.. we visited with Aaron, Melissa, and
Jeremiah a bit on G Talk.. Kelly and I have talked about the fun things we have done.. we appreciate
the fact that our whole family was together for Aaron's wedding.. and that we could experience events and sites together.. as the days, weeks, months, go by we will continue to bring to memory things that we have done in Korea during the summer of 2011... Kelly and I are blessed and thankful for our children and the lives they lead...... and we are thankful for the new extended family that we now have..

                                                 

If you want you can check out the rest of our pics from this day by clicking here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/embruckart/Korea_732011#5625215101202357682