Soona, Isaiah, and Lina in the Christmas present aftermath.

Hey, I don't seem to post Christmas pictures until February!

In my defense, I just found the camera cable 20 minutes ago:-)

Faded Memories

We had a Magic Tournament (Booster Draft) earlier this week. (Sue gave me booster packs for Christmas.) Jared had laundry and homework to do, so it was Rob, Joe, Sue, Matt, and myself. The women folk watched "Pride and Prejudice" long version. I beat Rob one game when he had two mulligans. Matt won the tournament. I just went to the following site, which is 5 to 6 years old: http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/10a/contesttop5memorableplaces The following was my contest entry for an essay contest:

Magic's 10th Anniversary Contest

2nd prize John Walker, New York, US

We, my wife and seven children, arrived in Korea in the autumn of 1993. I was a soldier stationed at Camp Casey in Dongducheon, South Korea. The children, ranging in age from sixteen to five, were experiencing their first trip outside the United States. For a year we lived downtown in a large room, formerly the back room of a restaurant. We kept track of time by the sound of trains coming and leaving the train station next-door. The kids spent mornings being home-schooled and afternoons visiting places around the community. One favorite place to visit was the post exchange.

As the holiday season drew near that year, we were introduced to the wonderful world of Magic. Magic cards were a hot commodity and popular with most everyone. As soon as they arrived, they quickly sold-out. When possible, young soldiers from the camp would come to our home and play Magic with the family. Our Korean friends enjoyed reading the English on the cards. It was a great time. Our furnace broke down nightly, but we stayed warm, huddled together, targeting frozen shades, walls of ice, and "shiver" dragons with fireballs and elemental blasts.

When I left for work in the morning, there might be a dozen people sleeping peacefully on the floor, contented from an evening of playing Magic in our humble abode. Our oldest son left early the following summer to return to the U.S. and attend college. He went on to be a Magic state champion and played in the Magic U.S. Nationals. He sold his Black Lotus and Moxes to go on a honeymoon when he got married. The final weekend of the honeymoon was spent supporting his younger brother at Junior Super Series in New York City. From the Big Apple to the City of Angels and in between our family members have played Magic. There are only two children left at home now, but the entire family continues to play Magic, especially when we get together for the holidays. Though we now naturalize and break asunder each other's enchantments, the most enchanted memory for me is a large one room apartment in the Land of the Morning Calm where everyone played Magic and slept on the floor.

After reading the essay, my children informed me that it was not Magic that they were playing; that they started playing Magic one year later in Taegu. It's rough to get old and lose your memory:-)

Isaiah and Lina having a good time!

Isaiah under Lina's walk about. Lina in her Sunday dress.

Christmas Messages for our Missionaries

We were asked by a member of the congregation where Gina is serving to send some pictures and a short video clip for a project they're putting together. I thought Ben would get a chuckle from the picture of the posterboard we altered after shooting one of the videos for Gina.

December pictures of Ben in Peru

Church Christmas Party

Merry Christmas December, 2008 Dear family and friends, What a year it’s been for the Walkers. On Saturday, March 29th, our long-awaited first grandchild, Isaiah, arrived to Rob and Amy. Two weeks later on Sunday, April 13th,our first granddaughter, Lina, arrived to Joe and Young-Soon. This month on Monday the 8th, our third grandchild, Jarom, arrived to Jared and Jessica. A triple delight! With all our family in Provo, we decided to move to Provo. We sold our house in New York and are now residents of Utah. We sure do miss our friends in New York. We are highly blessed to be with family. Susan graduated from BYU this year. On April 23rd our son Ben left on his mission to Peru. On September 10th our daughter Gina left on her mission to Korea. Matt continues to work for Rob at the Game Den in Provo. They’re all doing great. Soona enjoys her time with the grandchildren and John is currently looking for work. May you be blessed this wonderful holiday season and have a happy new year! Ma & Pa Walker

Jarom Tian-Ren Walker

Susan's Birthday

Sunday night at the Provo Tabernacle -- Pa was part of the choir. Jessica's parents.

Today's visit.

New Baby Pictures

A New Grandson! 0431 this morning. 6 lbs 5 oz 19".

End of November Pictures

Early November 2008 pictures

Gina on the DMZ in Korea. Ben on a service project in Peru. Lina climbing-up my desk in the office. Susan hosted a pizza party. Isaiah and Lina playing. Jessica's baby shower.