New Horizons 2017

By January of 2017, Bob knew it was only a matter of weeks until KRCC, the company he managed in Korea, would be officially purchased by Ineous, a German chemical company.  Over the past year and a half or so, Bob had been a key player in preparing KRCC to be sold as well as managing the listing and sale procedures.  A closing date was set for the end of February, and Bob was asked to stay in Korea and help with the transition until mid-March.  With mixed feelings, we continued our prayers for guidance to know what path God would have us pursue next in our lives.  Retirement was definitely on Bob's mind, and it appeared that was going to be his best option.  But, prayers were answered differently, and direction came . . . A position had opened up at headquarters, back in The Woodlands, Texas, and Bob was needed to manage Drilling Specialties Company.  This would be a new industry for him, and was a welcome challenge.  It pointed our way back "home"; and gave Sharon the desired security of income and insurance.  The immediate future would not include a "Green Acres" retirement for Bob...

Over the ensuing two and a half months, we found ourselves in a strange mixed mindset of relishing the present and preparing for the future.  We did a little last minute shopping.  I found some beautiful Korean pottery, scooped up a few cheap Daiso dishes from China, and bought a set of nice Japanese ceramic dishes.  Bob purchased a small scale replica of a famous Korean bell.  The original Haeinsa bell is found in the Bulguksa Temple in historic Gyeongju.  (See this former post.)

Shopping is always a treat in Korea.  For the last time, we enjoyed some incredibly super sweet Korean strawberries.  A fun unanticipated surprise was the arrival of a children's parade through the middle of the city.  A typical neon building display lights up the night in Seoul. 

 

 

Miyoung Yu, one of our dearest Korean friends, purchased a colorful typical Korean chest for us to take to the U.S. with us.  I will think fondly of her every day as I see it in our new home!  In her humble circumstances, this was truly a priceless gift.

Other cherished friends wished us well as we prepared to leave.  I enjoyed one last Korean barbecue with Melanie Keller (and her visiting sister), Amber Cottrell, Misako Nite, Jaclyn Jones Shennie Keeley, and Sook-Kyong Vogan.  Sweet Undrea Pillai and I went to the temple together.  We had the young single adults over for dinner to help us clear our our freezer.

 

Bob and I took  President Sonksen (Seoul Mission) and his wife to dinner at a fancy and artistic restaurant in Insadong.  Every course was a delicious creatively presented dish!  So beautiful, wouldn't you agree?

  

I even set aside a little time for some service.  Valentine surprises were made and sent to our grand kids.  (Sorry, but some of the files just won't turn right side up.)  And I went to help with a scout's eagle project at a special cemetery in Seoul.  Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery was designated in 1890 as a site for foreign missionaries by King Gojong.  Look closely and you can see some of the tombstones are riddled with bullet holes from the Korean war.  Take a minute to read some of the inscriptions and you will see that we are not the only foreigners who have grown to love Korea.

 

 But before we could leave Korea, Bob and I had one last major goal that needed planning . . .