Children's Day is May 5th in South Korea. It is a day to go outside and play games with your children. Most of these games are free and there are many, many places to go that are completely free. In many ways it is a great event, but it took some getting used to. 

Almost every year we have gone to Korea National University of Education and played a number of games in competition with other boys and girls. There is face-painting, soccer practice, pin-the-tail on the donkey, and others. I am sure you are getting the themes here. Arts and crafts, sports, and party games. And science. There are lots of science stations. 

I do remember one year my husband got very excited! "We are almost finished! If we go for another hour, they can get a prize!"

Usually we last about 2 hours and becomes puddles in the heat. The weather was a little bit better that day, I was the one who wanted to go home until he said that. I was really curious what the prize was.

It turned out that the prizes were educational books. Korea has some super series for kids. The Why? series goes through all kind of questions from a scientific perspective explaining all kinds of things. They also have many, many readers for English and many, many comic books series. The kids got a Why? book that day and a new comic book.

What will it be like this year with COVID? That really is the problem this time around. Last year they didn't exactly cancel Children's Day, but they did cancel all the events that were being planned.

But we can still get individual presents and have the kids play by themselves. This may sound strange, but it is what we are going to do! Jordan is into soccer, so there are soccer shoes and soccer gloves coming. Aidan is going to get new glasses. 

You might be thinking, what about Justin? He is apparently too old (high school) for such silly nonsense, but I am sure he would smile if we did give him some money. (I know I would smile and say thank you?)

So, we will play Children's Day by ear when it comes next Wednesday. The only thing that I know for sure is that Jordan will be playing soccer!
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It is good Friday here in South Korea. This is the day Jesus was betrayed. He was betrayed and crucified. The world changes on Sunday. He rises. 

He rises and the world changes.

I imagine myself there sometimes looking at him the way Mary Magdalene did. I watch in horror as he dies before my eyes. 

I also imagine myself looking back on past Easters. I remember what the boys were doing. 

Last year, everyone was in lockdown. All celebrations were on-line. I remember that my eldest, Justin, preached on Genesis and was delighted with the results of his own work. 

I also remember Easter egg hunts and Easter cookies. Aidan and Jordan both had squeals of delight when they realized that there were chocolate eggs all over the house. 

But this is for Easter Sunday. 

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And now it is Saturday of Holy Week. A time when the church keeps its silence. 

Jesus' body is in the tomb. All is quiet. Solemn.

Churches light candles on this day, encouraging reflection and contemplation.

I am thinking and reflecting amidst the busyness of Saturday after a sleepover and company from Seoul. 

I am thinking about how less than reflective I have been for Lent. 

I repent. Once again, God forgives me for not doing enough.

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We are just so blessed that God cares so much about us that he is pleased with the smallest turning towards him.

I am just so blessed that God cares for me.

You are blessed that God cares for you. 

He touches us, transforms us in this moment before Easter Sunday. We are ready to celebrate.

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And this community is what we should keep in mind.

Churches around the world celebrate Easter Sunday.

We are all family because we believe.

We are united because we believe. 

We are changed because we believe. 

​I believe and I am in awe all over again.