What Keeps Me Up at Night

It's 1:56 am, and I can't seem to sleep. Do you know what keeps me up at night?

There's a ridiculous amount of nonsense that swirls through my head at any given time. I worry a lot. I think about the promotion I never got, and the lack of support I sometimes feel at work for a small non-profit. I think of my chopped up resume that I need to work on and send out so I can get to work for a place that may support me better. I worry about the house cleaning that needs to happen, the prep that will go into sharing my home with a roommate just to afford life here, the dog, meal prep, relationships, etc.

Did you note that grad school wasn't on the list? Yay! I finished my schooling in December and am now "Master Ritchey...haha".

But what is it specifically tonight? Ummm, I am embarrassed to say that it is a grand idea for a revenue-generating interactive for our Aquarium that most likely will not get approved... But once my brain gets started, I cannot let an idea go. So, I am stuck laying awake until I pull out that sketchbook my brother gave me for Christmas, (the one with the little dots instead of lines), and make a little informal proposal for the CORE team meeting next week.

As much as I don't feel supported by my little non-profit... I know it is a good little place. I always build it up as "the gem of Hickory" and love it for the educational facility it is. I suppose I am loyal to a fault, and will give my 100% till the day I am called to move on to another place.

Sooo... What's keeping y'all up tonight?

VIDEO!!!

A way to share the journey!

All the video edits were to music that had to be changed due to copyright.  Not the best video I ever made, but it gets the point across....and it's legal!  :-)

Guyana- What it meant to Connect

I find myself taking longer each time to process an adventure.  Each field study seems to have a different theme.

When I was in Belize, it was after 11 months of travel to even more countries, and I found myself so darn tired.  I was met by such grace in my cohort and leaders.  Belize for me was a time to learn my limits, and to not be so hard on myself.

When I was in Mongolia, I lost all track of time.  The sun set at 11pm and there was no electricity in the Steppe.  I got to play volleyball till the light faded, to sing songs in the candlelit mornings, and to climb the nearest hill for the heck of it.  Mongolia was a time for me to learn to be present...to not rush and do but to be.

So what was Guyana?  

It was a time that I felt so connected that leaving actually hurt.  How could I feel that way?  I didn't know the place or the people...and I even showed up late!  But I somehow ended up with friends-like-family in an instant.  I would lay in a hammock with a new friend (the-head-on-belly-no-personal-space kinda moment) and say, "sometimes I forget that I don't even know you!".  More than once I would just be in awe of how close and connected I felt with the people, the land, the culture, the food... everything.  I felt like I had been there for months.  Never once did I feel uncomfortable or out of my comfort zone.  And everyday, I drew closer to the people, to the nature, to the land.

When I was in Guyana, I learned to be connected.  To allow myself to invest wholeheartedly, knowing the risks.  And to deem it worth it.  And it was. 

Guyana Day 3

After the airport fiasco that left me in Toronto for a time (humbled and grateful though)... I finally arrived here in Guyana.  I was collected at the airport by the staff from the Ecolodge at Iwokrama who were responsible for bringing the rations out to the lodge 8 hours drive down bumpy rainforest roads. I was grateful for that time to connect with the culture, accent, and just plain good attitude of the Guyanese people. I spent most of that journey laughing and eating gas station snacks...haha.

We bounded across a bridge right before it closed for construction which marked our exit from the cities. From there we continued down muddy roads (some the texture of soft serve ice cream which trapped trucks larger than our jeep). At the halfway point we stopped at the only restaurant on the road... It was called Station #58 and was renowned. See, that first road into the rainforest was actually the only road going all the way from Brazil to Venezuela...so this place was THE place.

I had curried chicken and roti which was a little different from the style that I have had in Malaysia...but I decided to try something familiar instead of the jungle rodent and tapir that were also on the menu. I wasn't feeling quite that adventurous yet.

Hours later I arrived at the Ecolodge Field Station though my cohort was out on monitoring projects already. It gave me a chance to rest, sip coffee, look out over the river and forest, and breathe again. Sometimes we get so stuck in our heads that we keep forgetting to take the moment... But thank God, I was given a moment to take...and savor.

It's been a couple days since then. We have done some monitoring, bird lists, hiking, discussions, lectures, and such...but it just feels so different from any other EE field study I have done. I really am rather enjoying it!

Today is our last day at the field station which has the wifi. We head further into the interior after lunch and will find ourselves in villages of the Makushi people. I hope to give a more inclusive update later, however. But until then, enjoy photos of this amazing place!

Barbeque and a Rocking Chair

Soooo..... I have been absent for a couple months, mainly because I still haven't managed the balance required to work, school, and life here in Hickory...

Well, I shouldn't say "here" in Hickory because at the moment, I am actually in Charlotte International Airport. That's right, I am off to foreign lands with my graduate program for the final time. Guyana is the designation and I am 90% sure that I am going to miss my layover flight due to delays. The good news however is that this afforded me the chance to eat dinner. I got a to-do BBQ plate (pork, okra, mac...the works) and sat in a little white rocking chair. And I breathed.

This is perhaps the first time in a long time that o really breathed. It's the first time that there wasn't some looking deadline, or emergency, or million things to do. Oh yes, I can find plenty to do... But it was nice to just sit for a moment. I don't even know if I know how to function like that.

Life had been more than busy, and between a sick dog, late school assignments, un-expected schedule changes at work, and the usual upkeep in life... I didn't, I couldn't, I wouldn't even try to find rest.

But this week coming up will be either extremely liberating or extremely trying! I will be in the middle of the rainforest where the norms of life just have to take a break. I don't know if I am ready, but I don't know if I have a choice. So, I will rock here in this chair just a little longer...haha

A New Life in Hickory!

To be honest, I never had time to be excited about the job and the move and the new life. I had a plan to travel after I said all my Georgia goodbyes. I wanted to visit friends and family while I waited for a job to pan out. I know I said to my "Georgia mama" a few times, "I don't know God's plan, but I have a feeling that I won't get any job leads until I am in North Carolina visiting my friend."

I didn't know just how right I was. My first stop of my planned agenda took me to a friend's campground. On Friday, I got a phone call requesting an interview. On Monday, I interviewed. On Wednesday, I was offered a job. On Friday, I completed my paperwork and hunted for an apartment. On Thursday, I moved into the apartment. On Friday, I started work.

I went from unemployed to an Animal Care Specialist with an apartment that wasn't supposed to be available until mid-May, in just a matter of two weeks. Don't tell me that is not divine provision!

That was all exactly one month ago now. Things have been crazy busy with the adjustment, banking, car stuff, new schedules, 40+ hour work weeks, gradschool, feeding myself and Jade, unpacking, getting my little outdoor dog excercized enough for apartment life, making time for QT, and all that life throws at you during any big life transition. And as I said, honestly, I haven't had time to get excited about this new life....Until now!

I am still barely hanging on in Gradschool, and the apartment if still full of unpacked boxes, and work is crazy as ever while I get tangled in the "ropes" I am trying to learn.  But I had a little time this morning where I just surrendered the now. I prayed, "God, I don't know what you want me to do in this very moment, but work your great plan in me. Grow me in relationships here, and in my soul, and create in me what only you can."

Though nothing has changed, I feel a lightness...Like I don't have to just get-by anymore, but that I can start living here and now. And for the first time in a long time, I am excited about the upcoming season. Because I am open to it!

Anyway... I have taken a couple snapshots of the actual unpacked sections of my apartment.  More to come I am sure.

Not Ready to Go

Once again, I find myself in the position of leaving. And I feel that the more I do it, the harder it is. How many people can you love, and then say goodbye to before losing so many little pieces of your heart that you just can't anymore?

I knew it was a short term gig once again and I still chose to love. I still invested, and I wouldn't change it for the world. I have had mother's, sisters, crazy uncles, grandpas, and more! I have had so many people love me and become my family over this past year, and that is what makes it so sweet but so hard.

A.A. Milne wrote, "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard". And it is beyond true for me. I had tears as I hugged my bluegrass band mama, my morning run sister, my pastor, and soon to be more! When asked if I am ready to leave, my "no" is only half due to the fact that I haven't packed a single box from my cabin...But more to the idea that my heart hurts. But...

How lucky I am to have all these people who make saying goodbye so hard.

New Orleans and Shoes

I definitely enjoyed my time at the J-squad renunion in New Orleans. Most of my old mission teammates were there and it was really great to see them all again especially as we have all returned to much different lives and roles than we played on the field together. It's as if we can see a more complete version of each person since we can see more of the "normal" lives of each.

Just a great time! I enjoyed good food, Jazz  music, and wonderful fellowship. It felt like a debrief on the mission field all over again as we scrambled around to visit with all our friends. (No buddy system this time which worked great for that time I just had to find the restaurant that Alesha and I went to last time we were there!

J-squad in NOLÀ!

I got back later in the evening and spent the whole next day burning the woods for work. After work, I finally got to pick Jade up from boarding. It was so long without her... And she let me know it. She ignores every rule we had about jumping and bopped me hard in the mouth... But I didn't care... I missed her too!

I have started running some mornings with friends at the highschool track. One friend left me a box on my car and my poor little 5am brain didn't process it until I got back home and opened it. It was a brand new pair of beautiful purple running shoes! My heart bursted! I could have cried! I wrote to her that I was so joyed and couldn't thank her enough and asked why she did it. She told me that God had prompted her to buy the shoes for me a few weeks ago.

I was blown away! Not only was I grateful to my friend for listening and the goodness that followed, but I was also grateful to God for telling her to do it! Because she followed through, I was able to have a reminder of God's provision (in the physical as well as relationships), goodness, and desire to give us those little loving moments.

I had a great God moment over a pair of shoes! I can't wait to see how He will meet me next.

Valley of Bones

Seasons are flying by, and I am loving all the things that are happening.  The bluegrass band I am in is recording a CD, the dog is happy (especially after meeting may family in Maryland over Thanksgiving), I have a break from classes, gym classes are good, and I am getting into the holiday music any time I am at my desk at work.

One thing that has still been a little off though is connecting with God.  I have thought and over-thought about it.  And I still don't feel the level of intimacy that I felt with Him on the mission field or in other times of my life.

But then I get thinking about the Israelites and how they pine for Egypt when they are faced with the desert.  How often do we distort the past when the future is unknown?  Perhaps that is what I am doing here.  Perhaps I remember being closer to God, because I remember only the moments of revelation, not the moments of silence and waiting.  And perhaps I am just as close now as I have ever been.

Maybe it is a perspective thing, and I need to keep focused on Him in the now, to keep the right perspective.

Not long ago I was reading about Ezekiel and about how he entered the valley (the low place) as he was being led by Holy Spirit.  Maybe when we are in low points in our lives, it's because we are following His lead.  Really, Christians are never set apart by their mountain-top experiences, but by how they respond to the valley.

Anyway, I oddly enough see myself both as Ezekiel who God has lead to speak life into dry bones, and also as the bones.  I feel dry, and worn, and dead at times.... but instead of just laying around on the ground waiting for life, perhaps, I am called to speak that life.  I, perhaps, am the one to speak His truth over myself until the life flows, the breath enters, and the army is raised, so then I can go on and do the same for others.  What am I waiting for?

Ezekiel 37:1-14New King James Version (NKJV)

The Dry Bones Live

37 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’”

Collecting Wiregrass Seeds

A video blog from Today's Adventure in Manassas Bog.

 

 

Growing in Intimacy

I suppose sometimes growing feels a lot like failing.

I think in a lot of areas of life I find that I learn more from my errors than from the things I do right.  And in this case, I am learning to be in a relationship with God.

It is something that I did very well for quite some time.  I was great at just being in love with Him because honestly, I felt in love with Him.  Rough times happened, especially when mental health came on the line, I needed Him, I got mad at Him, but I always came back to Him.  It was a relationship.

These past few months, nothing as dramatic as anxiety attacks in a foreign nation has occurred.  But something perhaps even more deadly to faith.  And that is complacency.  I have found that I got to a place where I didn't feel the presence of God.  And I sought it...but couldn't find it.

Over a LONG time of introspection and asking wise people in my life...I think I figured out a few general points that I have been learning (not always living...but it's one step at a time).

• "God, doesn't move, you move"-FALSE.  God moves a lot...we just have to be sure we are going in the same direction as Him.  Sometimes like the young woman in Song of Solomon, God calls us to go with Him, and we just let Him move forward without us.
• But, when we are ready, and see our error, He will always come back to meet us where we are.
• Just because you don't feel the presence of God, doesn't mean you aren't in it.  And sometimes, God will withhold the feeling because we get addicted to that.  We want the power of the Spirit more than the Living God Himself...
• Seek and Ye Shall Find- TRUTH!  But be sure you are seeking God, not the experience, the giver of gifts, or the god we want Him to be.
• Be intentional.  Invite Him into the every day.  Be disciplined and yet, spontaneous, and have faith.

My current "Georgia momma" and mentor said it best when she said "Being intimate with Jesus I believe is like a marriage.  You may have days where you may not feel the intimacy but it is there. You know the song by Kari Jobe-The More I Seek You? You turn by seeking Him!  Throughout the day-pray without ceasing-give Him thanks and PRAISE at every turn.  Pray in the Holy Spirit!  Let Him speak to you through scriptures! LISTEN to His still small voice...dance with Him, lay your head on His lap..."

She basically said that the key to having a relationship with God is seeking a relationship with God.  Intentionally seeking it.  I have been busy...so very busy...with perhaps things that don't really matter.  But I somehow manage to fill the hours of the day and the space in my mind so well, that all I can do is shove God to a small corner of my heart that I access during my "quiet time" once a day.

What kind of relationship is that?  A marriage would never work if you said, "Honey, I give you from 7-7:30 each morning and the rest of the day is mine.  Oh, I will talk about you during the day, but we meet in the mornings"  It doesn't work that way.  To be truly in love with God is to invite Him into every aspect and moment.  And that takes time, mental space, planning, and intentionality.  It is exhausting...and I am failing at it. 

But I think that means I am growing.

Burning it Up

I feel like every blog from here on out is going to be about how fast the time has passed.  But boy, I feel like September just burned up in a instant.

Namely it is because I joined a gym and have been going to workout classes every morning at 5:30 am but also because of the pup.

She is well, and we spent the whole day together in the nearby town playing in parks and eating out at  open air restaurants, and walking around meeting new people.  She was abused before I got her, so I am teaching her that people are good. (she only barked at two today...so we are getting better).

I just got the email to register for my spring classes...and I was thinking in all my current fatigue," do I really want to"?  But I better go ahead and sign up before I think too much about it.  I will finish my Masters...I just need to persevere.

Lastly, at work we are prepping firelines to get things burned before planting longleaf this winter.  So perhaps I should wait before I claim that September was burned up...since literally I will be burning November to the ground...haha.

Feeling Behind

Wow!  I am feeling behind on all my updating.  It's been a whirlwind here.

First of all...stuff happened.  Namely, my boss telling me out of the blue, "if you feel lonely or scared by living out in the woods by yourself, then you can get a dog."  I promptly told him that I did not want a dog, because those things live longer than goldfish, and I already hit my commitment quota by joining a gym.

Later, someone else teased me about getting a puppy.  And then I promptly told God, "People keep bringing up this topic, but you know I am not going and getting a dog.  If you want me to have one, you just have to drop it in my lap."  One Saturday morning, I was rushing out the door and, yep you guessed it.  A puppy...a little 4 month old hound/lab mix was just looking miserable at my doorstep.

She was so covered in fleas that as she scratched, she would whine because it hurt.  I just cried.  I knew I couldn't take care of a puppy, but I just couldn't leave her in that state...so I said, one step...I will just take one step.  So I washed all her fleas off.  Then I called my friend who owned a kennel and told her I didn't know the next step.  I wasn't keeping her but I needed help.

Well my kennel friend showed up with puppy supplies, and that dog ran right to my side for protection...apparently she already adopted me.  So now, I can't imagine life without her.  It's been a full month and I love my baby Jade so much.  We are doing all the right things with the vet and I am reading more about puppy training online than I am school work.  But she does make my heart smile.

This is Jade playing with her husky friend who likes to visit.

Other than puppy and school, the most recent excitement was a trip to the mountains.  My mother has a birthday this week, and it being labor day weekend, we had a longer one than normal.  My mother said in passing, "oh I wish I could come down and see you...."  And between the two of us, within 48 hours we had her plane ticket booked and a cabin in the woods rented.  We spent an awesome weekend grilling out, visiting the small mountain town of Blue Ridge, sampling chocolate, visiting a winery, and hiking to a waterfall.  I had a great deal of rest and enjoyment with her, and brought her back to the airport.

Unfortunately, my car broke down about an hour away from home, so I am even more behind on the many things I should have done this weekend...but I wouldn't change it for the world!

One topic that keeps coming up in my Quiet Time is the need to breathe.  To just rest, to not have to do all the time, despite the fact that doing gives me a semblance of control...but just to be.  To rest, to breathe...to truly trust that all my needs will be met, that not every single thing has to be in order for me to move forward, and to rest.  So I think in lieu of giving myself an ulcer...I should breathe and rest.  SELAH!  :-)

Finally! The Mongolia Video...

Update and Seasonal Gardening Blog

Hi Hi Hi!

Work has been a little busy since I have been trying to incorporate my gradschool IAP work in with my workplace.  And it is going quite well!  I have actually started designing a cost benefit analysis on herbicides with the hope of opening up the pine forest for red-cockaded woodpeckers, which I am hoping may be publishable research someday.

That aside, I have been able to catch up on some personal things, like finally going to the doctor about my cyst and turned ankle (from Mongolia), and I even ordered some new glasses after heading into the city of Savannah for an appointment.  I did enjoy the mini-vacation that the trip turned into.

Lastly, I have been seeking counsel from a few Godly people who have, without knowing, confirmed what the other has advised.  Despite being called to be an intercessor (a call I got long ago but finally agreed to do recently during my visit to Korea), I am actually in a season where I cannot contend and pray in the way I want.  I think to myself that I need to spend so much time in disciplined structured prayer and scripture meditation.  But honestly, I need to just sit and soak in the presence of God.  I have been trying that lately and powerful prayer (though it doesn't look or feel like it in the natural) comes out of that.  I have found that there is so much power in praising God not for what He has done, but for who He is...which is one thing I have been doing in that "soaking" time.  I asked God to meet me in new ways...so...you get what you ask for.

My fall class begins in a few weeks, so I am trying to keep up my website that I designed for the class from last spring.  I make a quick blog on it about planting in season, so if you want to check that out: http://critchey1.wixsite.com/sustainablegardening/single-post/2016/08/02/Planting-in-Season

Things are really starting to turn up.  And I am so very very glad about that.

New Ways

I got really mad at God last week.  It sounds really silly to be mad at the God of the Universe, the one who created all things, and all that.  I mean, by being mad at Him, it really achieves nothing, but human emotions are weird.

It all started with things that He was calling me to in my recent short visit to Korea.  I finally said yes to being an intercessor.  I finally agreed to take the steps, to pray for more discernment to hone my gift and also for Him to meet me in new ways in the coming season (because the old ways just won't do for what I am called to).

Immediately after that, I couldn't hear God.  I couldn't feel God.  I thought this must be an attack of the enemy, something that I would have to endure.  But after three weeks, I got a little miffed.  Why do I have to endure?  What if I never feel God again? What if I never ever felt Him before?  What if it is all in my head?  What if there is really no God?  (I just got real with you here!)

Now, I want to interject.  The first part of this experience (not feeling or not hearing from God) was NOT from satan...nor was it an attack.  But the second part (the doubt, fear, worry, and disbelief) was most DEFINITELY a manipulative attack of the enemy.  And yes, though it makes no sense...God is real. But back to my tale....

So. After finally admitting to Him that I was mad, I "took a break".  Which is silly too.  Though I went about 3 days without having a scheduled quiet time, I never really stopped talking to Him.  Because in my life, my relationship with God is just that...a relationship.  We talk all day together.  Well, of course I was doing all the talking lately, but you know.  In a relationship, the wife doesn't say to the husband, "I don't feel married right now, so I am going to avoid you..."  Haha!

In the same way, taking a break was stupid.  But once I came back into my quiet times, I came in with a zealous goal of figuring this out and making it right.  Because I love Him just too much to live without Him.

Well, at this point God gave me a hint.  Well, pretty much the whole picture.  He started piecing together things from Korea, my own reading and heart, and sermons I was listening to from my old church.  And I finally got it.  And boy did I feel silly when I did.

Bottom Line and the Reader's Digest Version of all that came to light:  The Pillar of Fire and Cloud in the desert never left its spot before the people except for one time.  It went behind them to block the Egyptians when it was time for the Israelites to cross the sea.  In the same way, the presence of God was not gone in my life, it was just positioned differently because I have a great step to take forward.  And how in the world can I pray for God to meet me in New Ways and then to search for Him down the same old paths? 

God is also teaching me to be less dependent on my feelings, but to truly learn all aspects of discernment (another thing that I was praying for before all this happened).  I believe this time is a time for me to learn to fellowship with Holy Spirit not just in power and feeling, but in the truth of the scripture.  So, I may not feel very close to God lately, but I need to learn that feelings are not the only indicator of the relationship.

LONG STORY SHORT- I got mad at God for answering all my prayers...haha.  But now that I see what is happening, I am excited to see how He will meet me in these new ways.  Thanks for your continued prayers all!

Climbing the Singing Dune

Believe it or not... the Gobi desert is actually not all sand dunes and camels. It actually has plains and mountains, glaciers and crazy wildlife (like bears...)

But there is one famous dune there called Singing Dune. The wind blows hard across it making a sound while sandblasting all the tourists that are crazy enough to try to climb up a 45° incline on sand (which falls with each step...so to avoid making no progress with so much effort you have to use your hands and feet).

After about two hours of bear-crawling up the dune, I was able to sit atop where it subsequently rained and kept the Singing Dune from its song. So after my exfoliating experience on the top, I sang my favorite Mongolian lullaby with my guide as we slid down on our backsides...haha. In theory, it was still the Singing Dune, right ?

Other highlights of that day, camel riding, archery, and sneaking into the rec center at camp for table tennis with my awesome guide. We are so naughty...haha.

Goodbye UB...Hello Gobi

Today is my last day in the capital city, Ulaanbataar.  I have very much enjoyed the city life; seeing a fashion show at the textile company, paying way too much to see the world's largest statue of Chinggis Khan, breakfast at my favorite Korean Coffee Shop, and a walk around town/folk art museum.

But in a few hours, I will be heading by plane to the Gobi desert to see the famous two humped-camels. I am not sure the living conditions or the internet situation...but I will be sure to share all about the place and experience when I get back.

Until then...

Sneak peek of the fashion show!

More than Words Can Say

I have completely lost track of the passage of time these days. The sun rises around 6am if not sooner and sets after 11pm.  Not only that, but there is a flexibility in our studies which comes from working so closely with the locals. For that reason we were never given a day-to-day schedule.

This worked out incredibility well when one morning we were visiting a some nomadic herdsmen in their Ger and were then invited to a festival which turned out to be a precursor to the annual event Naadaam. What we got to see was a children's horserace (where they walked into the Steppe one km then raced back), and the wrestling competition for adults. The outfits were colorful and traditional yet very goofy looking to the outside eye. And the winners of each round would grab a handful of cheese from the judges and throw into the audience. Such a cultural experience!

That threw off the schedule that I was never tracking with anyway, and we found ourselves going at the speed of light… lessons, presentations, adventures, all blended into an amazing experience which concluded with making and flying kites with the kids from our Ecospot Radio Workshop and then a huge traditional barbecue. There was dancing and singing from everyone though the Mongolian typically sounded much better.

In losing track of time, I have been told this is our last day out in the middle of nowhere. So I chanced turning on the phone to type out this blog (no electricity for charging). Tonight we should be back in the capital, Ulanbaatar. After a short time there, myself and two others will begin our Gobi Desert Adventure! Note sure what to expect, but when have I ever known what to expect on this trip. I am just here for the ride!

Seoul Time

After returning to Seoul very late at night on the last KTX train (since I, despite all my timing and planning, missed the original train...haha) I found myself sleeping on the couch of my new CC pastor.

I got to have coffee, great conversation, and prayer, with my old CC pastor and friend in the morning. I had lunch with my old small group leader and loved the familiar feel, like I had never left.

Then I got onto the subway to go to Seoul Forest with the best laid plans of renting a bike. But alas, when I exited the subway, it was pouring rain. However, if you ever want the rain to stop...buy and umbrella, and that is exactly what I did!

And of course, once I bought my $6 umbrella, the rain quit. Haha. So really, I didn't waste money on an umbrella but instead, I changed the weather for six bucks which is a very good deal...haha.

I then proceeded to rent a bike to explore the park...which is huge!

There was a lot to see, but most noteworthy perhaps was the deer corral. They have like this little feeding zoo just for deer. I am really not sure why. But I met a couple girls who were really freaked out by deer tongue and had me help feed them through the fence.

After that, I pedalled along the river a little and  back to the bike rental. I had a very important dinner date to catch with my friend Julie! I had missed her so much and it was good to see her in Seoul...though we were both Busanites when we first met.

Dinner conversation was great for catching up and I got to try a new soup and rice. There was this delicious homemade triangle noodle which I will not readily forget. In her Australian way, she covered the meal with a "my shout" haha, (which is just a fancy way to say, I am paying!), so I told her, I needed to "shout" at dessert...haha.

There is a place that always has a line here called "Kiss the Tiramasu" and we figured we would give it a try. We waited with all the eager locals in a red roped queue wondering what we were in for. Couple after couple would come out with champagne glasses of Tiramasu and take a selfie with the sign.

Next thing we know (video):

We are having layers of mascarpone, icecream, consensed milk, expresso, cocoa, and shaved chocolate poured into this cup.  We didn't know what to expect, and we hardly know what to call what we got, but alas, it was good! So... selfie time!

We walked around a little more and then found ourselves at a park where there was some sort of battle of the bands. We planted ourselves right up front with a group that played acoustic, bass, and gembe. We knew all the songs and it really was a neat little surprise to fill the heart.

So joyed to end my time in Korea this way. I loved it so much! But, the next adventure calls and on we go to schoolwork in Mongolia. Flying out in a few hours.