Packed and ready!

On July 1, after making final preparations at our house, we locked things up, hopped in the car with our friend Mr. Shimazu, and rode to the bus stop.

With only minutes to spare, we boarded the bus to the Fukuoka airport. We flew to Seoul, Korea, at 9:30 p.m., arriving at 10:30 p.m.

There was a bit of a snafu at the Seoul airport, trying to locate the shuttle bus to the hotel we had reserved. But finally we found the loading area, the hotel, and a talkative Korean who could speak English and tell us where to go. We had a short night in the hotel since we had to leave the next morning at 5:30, but the accommodations were very nice.

On the shuttle bus in Korea

We got on our flight with little trouble, and soon we were flying over the Pacific! Some 14 hours later, we landed in Atlanta, GA, where Norman’s parents were waiting. Then came the 4 hour car ride to their home in Alabama. The two youngest kids didn’t sleep the entire trip, until maybe in the car.

We are grateful to the Lord for giving us traveling mercies and a safe trip.

Playing ukelele in the Fukuoka airport

Killing time in the Korean airport

The Smith family — America, ready or not, here we come!