Hello America

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

The huge elephant in the room.... A topic I know most have been curious about.. When we signed the news had a ton on North Korea and was amplified in May, then again July, again August, September now almost October still not very good. It was very scary,  but we used our resources, and asked God to completely close the door if it's not where we were supposed to be, and the door kept opening... I mean Jake was in extended... it should have never been our spot. The door opened and opened big! 

Did I cry putting my husband on that airplane away for 2 months, yes we both did, and cried hard...one of the hardest scariest goodbyes. Things calmed down....Jake arrived and never would know a fear at all with the people here. You have to remember they have been living like this for decades! Its almost offensive if you bring it up (trust me I have.) When things have happened recently you would never know everyone still goes to the games, and life goes on! I have really tried to not only look up our news, but pay attention to the news here which rarely has anything about it... NOTHING like our news. I constantly remind my family drama sells. Do I think it's serious.. absolutely! 

We have done everything we possibly could do to prepare for the worst. I have a backpack packed with things in there for both kids. Jake and I had a plan where we would meet, satellite phone, lots of cash both American and Korean, enrolled with our embassy...I had to 100% give this to the Lord or it would have ruined our amazing time we have had in Seoul! 

We get to leave in a week, but my heart goes out to everyone here, and pray for safety over this country we have fallen in love with! This has been an amazing experience for our family, and one we will never forget. Jake pitched on the last day of the regular season and got his 10th win! This was a huge deal for him and gave up 1 run in 18 innings! He is #20 for most innings pitched out of 237 pitchers which is pretty amazing since he missed 2 months and 11th for ERA out of the league. I'm so grateful and excited for him to have an amazing healthy season! 

We start our journey back to the states next Thursday. I'm so nervous since Cope started being really active since he started crawling, and that long flight with two kids. Our first flight we leave at 5:30 am for the airport an hour away, and will be a 12 hour flight. Then 3 hour flight from Detroit...door to door around 24 hours. It is not the flight time I wanted. I hoped the kids would be able to sleep most the flight, but we are anxious to get home and no other option since only two flights a day from Seoul! When we get back we immediately have a crazy schedule. Some of our close friends stayed in our home while renovating their home a few blocks away for 6 months. I have 2 rooms filled of stuff at my parents house, and then Cope's room is filled to the ceiling of all our personal stuff we stored in there! I have to pack up our entire apartment here (we have 10 suitcases) ship a few boxes so technically we have to unpack from 3 places. I may just burn it all I haven't decided yet. Then add two small kids and 13 hour time change. All prayers are greatly appreciated! :) phewww!! All of that won't matter because getting home will be amazing! The thing I miss the most beside the obvious is my car and control of driving. No traffic!! Jake agrees with that. We are sad we did not make it to the playoffs, but get to go home and enjoy our off season and wait to see where the Brigham's end up in 2018! We appreciate all the support and prayers this season! It has been one of the best seasons of Jake's career and one we will never forget! 

Some of my favorite things from this season: 

-Jake getting a real opportunity and not moved (first time in so many years staying in one position of starting.) 

-living in another country 

-traveling as often as I could and seeing South Korea

-watching Jake have success

-getting involved with the community and amazing people we met along the way

-Alina (other foreign wife) 

-watching Stella at the games and know everyone at the field 

-learning about Korean skincare 

-Cope saying mama and dada and crawling 

-making friends in my building all by myself 

-Not having a panic attack getting on a train packed out with people being pushed to the back.

-Busan was my favorite city we traveled to and the fans were out of control (fun)

-Korean baseball is so much fun 

-getting around Seoul with two kids strapped to me solo 

-renting a handbok dress with Stella and walking around Insadong and the palace (Korean princess) 

-both of our parents getting to experience SK 

-eating wayyy too much McDonald's and pizza 

-watching jake be MVP and hero of the game 

Some of Jake's favorite things:

-All the adventures we had as family 

-10 games

-1st big league win in the world lol 

-Being with same team all year competing 

-Stella making Korean friends

-Cope hitting  milestones on the other side of the world 

-Going in tallest building in South Korea and Japan