Pictures from our last day together until Mother's Day...

...when the Paley family comes for a visit in Illinois. Right after breakfast we went out on to the patio to play. The outdoors is where Elsa "prefers" to be. Enjoy the pic's.

More of Our Last day together for awhile

we had a fun day. After playing on the patio, TeeTee (Aunt Vickie) hooked up the sprinkler and I (Elsa) had a GREAT time and then an afternoon of shopping. Enjoy. We did.

I can't believe it is Sunday...

..and my week here is almost over. We all went out to breakfast this morning at a very nice resturants named "Mimi's". The name Mimi is special to our family. When our oldest son Nick just started talking, he was around 18 months, he called my mom Mimi. Mom lived in a city in California by the name of Simi Valley so she got tagged, Mimi in Simi. Anyway all that to say that Laura got to go too, and then we went to the Mall (Old Navy) and then home. it completely wore her out and she has been napping now for a while. I'm glad she is finally sarting to feel a little better.
Elsa and I went out on the courtyard for a little snack (homemade chocolate cream pie) and I took a few shot of her. enjoy. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of Elsa's parents while I'm here. They really do exist. "til I post again, Vic
PS The glass were a gift from me. Aren't they adorable??? She got a Pink flower sprinkler that hooks up to the hose that matches and a new broom and garden rake that match also. Oh yea a hand bag too. I am sooooo weak!!!!

A better Day...

Laura had a better day today. She had a good appetite. I fixed French Toast and Bacon for breakfast, and eggs for Greg. After breakfast Elsa and I took a little walk to the orchard. Then we had playtime in the yard.
I wanted Elsa to have a bubble mower, so Greg took me to Target. No bubble mowers there. I was bummed. I had to come home with 2 bottles of bubbles and a big red ball.
Elsa like them, but not as much as climbing up and down the steps to the deck and the front porch.
We had a treat of IN and OUT burgers for lunch. You'll see in some of the pic's where Elsa is enjoying her burger.
We also picked fresh lemons and oranges from the orchard and made Grandma Ursula's famous Lemonade. It was delicious.
Dinner is over and the dishes finished and the teapot is on as we prepare for dessert. I made a homemade Chocolate Cream pie today and we are going to partake in a few minutes. Enjoy the pictures of our day. Till tomorrow then...Love, Vic

Thursday's Picnic on the Patio...

yea well it didn't work out to well. Elsa was the only one having the picnic, or it was planned that way. The problem was that no one sent the memo to Cocoa the Beagle.

Things not going as good as we'd like

Laura isn't feeling very well today. Her surgeries were on Tuesday. the first night and the second day were rough. This morning she seemed much better, but as the day went along she felt worse and worse. Please pray for her. If she hasn't seen a marked improvement by morning she has agreed to phone the doctor.
Elsa and I went on a very long walk again today, about 8 miles I think. of course we stopped by at the beach for awhile. She has slept now for about 1 hr. and 45 min. It's time to get her up for dinner.
Thanks for praying for Laura. Oh yea, Elsa is feeling much better. She has an ear infection when came on Tuesday. 'til next time. Love, Vickie

This one is for ruthi and Kelly..Look at her dress!

More Wednesday at the BEACH

Wednesday at the BEACH

Elsa and I hung out at home for awhile yesterday and then headed for the beach. Here are a few pic's from the day.

Official Eubank report..

..hot off the press. Laura is doing much better this morning. She had a really rough night the first night and she was miserable all day and evening yesterday. Now that the bad effects from the anesthesia has worn off she seems a lot better. The swelling is much better too. Elsa and I had a wonderful day yesterday. We walked about 6-7 miles and spent some quality time at the beach. She is SOOOO adorable.
I got a LONG AWAITED phone call last night from my baby. Seth arrived in Peoria at 11:30 PM and gave me a call from his dad's cell on the car ride home. After he got home he called me again and we had a nice long conversation. We have A LOT to pray about. I asked his to send me some photos. if he does I'll post some on this blog.
Elsa and i will probably be doing some photo posting ourselves. Till next time then. Love, Vic

Off to California

Hi all, i am ready to leave for CA. Stay tuned for updates on Laura, Greg and little Elsa. Laura's surgery is today. please pray for a successful, flawless surgery and quick and full recovery. Please pray for baby Elsa. She has an ear infection. We'll talk later. Love, Vic
PS still no word from Korea. He will head for home in 20 hours. Again pray for safety for all those travelers. Vic

thanks for checking in...

...but we still have had no word from Korea. The team's time there is coming to an end. They went to church on Sunday in Seoul and then drove 90 miles back to Dongducheon for services in the evening. Monday they will spend the day at a Sports Stadium and then Tuesday and Wednesday in Seoul and board the plane for home on Wednesday night. They will arrive in Chicago O'Hare on Wednesday night and drive to Peoria arriving around 10:00. Please continue to pray for their safety and well being. I hope to have a lot to report after Wednesday. I will be in CA with Laura, Greg and Elsa, but hopefully Seth will CALL me there. Please pray for Laura too. She is having surgeries on Tuesday. We need a quick recovery! Thanks again for tuning in. Love, Vic

No word from Korea

We have had no word from Seth except that they landed Monday morning (Sunday afternoon to us 3:30), had breakfast and went straight to the school.
Their itinerary shows that they taught all day Tuesday and went to dinner at a Buffet with Pastor Kang (head of the ACA school). They are 14 hours ahead of us in IL. So as I type, I am preparing to go off to work for the day and their day has ended and are probably going off to bed. (Our tonight) they will be preparing to teach again on Wednesday, and then have dinner at Camp Casey's US military base.
I'll let you know if I hear anything. Hopefully I will soon. Thanks for checking in. Vickie

The BIG day

Seth and his fellow Korea Team mates big day finally came. Everyone arrived at the school right about 4:oo PM. Everyone was excited and smiling. The day they have waited for was finally here. Unfortunately 3 of the original 14 were undable to go in the end, but they were their to see their friends off and pray for them. 2 of the kids have health problems and one of the girls is unable to leave the US because her family has just applied for a Green Card here. None the less they are a team, the ones left behind will be here to pray for the 11 who went.
Picture #1...Seth and our girls, Olive and SoHeui in the front yard just before we left for PCS.
Picture #2... Seth, Mom & Dad just before we left for PCS
Picture #3... The entire team and their driver, Mr. Rumba in front of PCS moments before they pulled out of the lot heading for O'Hare. Seth is in the middle back with sunglasses on, the TALL one. His friend Adam is doing the Ta Da pose in the front!
the team will arrive in Korea at 7:30PM Central Daylight Time Sunday. It will be 5:30 AM on Monday morning in Seoul. They will gather their belongings, go through customs and drive the 90 minutes to Dungducheon and will be ready to teach at 9:00 Am. No time for resting or freshening up. The team will literally hit the gound running. I will keep everyone posted as I hear from them.

About 3 weeks ago...

...our friend and pastor at RCC, Chris Spicer taught on John 8:31 & 32. He paraphrased the verse by saying if you know Jesus' truths then the truth will set you free. You need to walk it out. Step by step, everyday of your life, walk in the truth and walk it out.
The scripture in the NIV reads like this: Jesus is talking to the Jews, "If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
Chris challenged us to actually write the referrence on the bottoms of our shoes as a reminder.
Yesterday I bent down to pick up Seth's shoes and put them in the closet when I noticed something on the bottom.
Seth has litterally done what Pastor Chris had suggested.
I hope he wears this pair of shoes in Korea and someone questions him about it. What a great witnessing tool.
We have a really great kid. Sorry about the bragging, but we are so proud of all of our sons.
Seth just happens to have the limelight at the moment.
A friend and co-workers wrote me this week and said "you must be so proud of Seth".
You know I responded like this, "My heart feels as though it could burst with love, admiration and pride for our sons as I watch all three of them chase after God."
It is the ultimate satisfaction.

Below you will see a letter to you from Seth and follow on to see all the pictures.

Dear Family & Friends,

I have recently been selected to participate in a ministry to Seoul, south Korea from March 14-25 as part of a team from Peoria Christian School (PCS). I am excited to be a part of the team because...

A group of 10 students and 2 adult leaders will be visiting the Amerasian Christian Academy (ACA) located in Dongducheon City, about 90 miles noth of Seoul and 30 miles from the North Korean borders. The school has about 90 mostly Amerasian students in grades K-10. Amerasian students are bi-racial, having Korean mother and Caucasian or African American father. amerasian students are typically being raised by a single mother. Do to its long homogeneous history, combined with a very strong sense of nationalism, Korean society has yet to embrace Amerasians into its fold. Seen as "fatherless" and "half-Korean," many Amerasians feel alienated and orphaned by the communities where they live and have been raised. victimized by discrimination and racism, and as a result of low socio-economic status, Amerasians have a very difficult time adjusting to the harsh and bitter living conditions.

Students who attend the school live at a nearby US military base or surrounding neighborhood. I along with the other 9 PCS students will both work and live at the school. We will prepare our meals at the school, and will sleep in 2 separate rooms on sleeping bags. We are also planning a cultural trip to the city of Seoul over the weekend. While at the school, we will serve as teachers, ( i will teach 5-6th grades), plan and put on a weekend retreat and provide an opportunity for students from both of our schools to learn and grow in our relationship to Christ.

I believe this mission trip will help serve to foster a deeper understanding of God's work in other countries and cultures. A number of PCS students were born in Korea...and are now attending PCS as part of a student wxchange program or as children of adoptive parents. Our family has opened our home to Kevin, Olive and So Heui as a host home for these students who are in the exchange program. I believe this mission trip will serve to complement our strong Christian relationship with this Asian country and culture.

i have been blessed beyond belief by so many of you who made such generous donations on my behalf to PCS. All of my expenses wee met by my friends, family and my parents. Everything is covered, my flight, food, donations to ACA and the Shalom House (this is where I will be staying) and items to help us teach school and put on a two day retreat. Thank you all so much.

Most importantly, especially now, I ask for your prayers in this ministry opportunity. I thanks God for how far He has brought me in the past year.

Please pray for our team that God will protect us and use us, and that we will make a difference that will carry on throughout many generations. We will be teaching and sharing with kids, who will grow up and have kids of their own someday and then grandkids and so on. By impacting a few now, we (10 PCS students) can be used to impact many!

God Bless You All,
Seth

Please see post below for more pictures

Seth is in the gray & white hoodie. The team acted out a drama showing all the things that can come between you and Christ. Seth is acting as a gang member.

Seth's team dressed to preform a skit for the Commission Service

Here are the kids who are ready to go off to South Korea on a Mission Trip with PCS on Saturday. They preformed a skit for us last night at the school before they were prayed for and will be sent out. PLEASE be in prayer for these kids and their advisors. Seth is in the back row with the gray and white striped hoodie. In the front row (as Jesus) is one of his best friends, Adam. In the same row as Seth are three other fellow classmates, Olivia, Lyssa and Rachel and (in front of Seth in blue hoodie) Hannah. The team consists of only Juniors and Seniors. In light of the troubles in Korea right now (especially) please be in prayer for the kids' protection. They will be only 30 miles from the N. Korea borders. Their flight has been re-routed over Japan as the State dept. doesn't want them flying over N. Korean territory. All of the kids are excited about going and sharing Jesus with a school of Amer-Asian kids ranging in age from Kindergarten thru 12 grade. I will send a more detailed note on what exactly they will be doing while they ae there later. Thanks for praying, love ya lots, Vic