To be honest, we didn't really do much for Lincoln's birthday cause we didn't really have people to celebrate with, but we opened some new toys for him and bought a cake that we ended up not eating. Sunday, however, the branch had a lingerlonger. The branch president, President Park (pronouced "pock") bought him a cake and they all sang to him. The Kang family brought him a Hanbok (traditional Korean ceremonial clothing) to wear although it was 10 sizes too big. First birthdays are a BIG deal in Korea. The first birthday celebration is called Doljanchi. On Wikipedia is says, 
"Dol or doljanchi is a Korean tradition that celebrates the birthday of a one-year-old baby. This ceremony blesses the child with a prosperous future and has taken on great significance in Korea. Koreans celebrate a baby's first birthday or "Dol" by giving a big party. Friends and relatives are invited to the party or "Dol janchi", praying for the baby's longevity, good luck, and prosperity. People bring gifts such as gold rings, clothes, or money. Parents share various kinds of food with guests. In the past, the death rates for children were high and many children died before their first birthday. So the first birthday was an important milestone to the baby and parents. The whole village used to celebrate a baby's first birthday, sharing foods and wishing for long life and fortune for the baby. There is an interesting event called Doljabi during this party. The baby is propped up at a table of various foods and an assortment of objects and urged to pick up one of the items. It is believed the item the baby picks up symbolically foretells his or her own future or would influence his or her fate."
Lincoln didn't have to choose anything from a table so his future is open to all sorts of possibiliites, but we were really touched that everyone made such a big deal out of his birthday. We have really enjoyed being in the Korean branch. We feel like they're all our good friends even though we don't speak the same language. After the cake cutting, Lincoln just couldn't take all the hype any more so he zonked.
Lincoln with our friend, Yi Yeong Hwa
Lincoln in our English Sunday School classroom which doubles as a storage closet. Lincoln loves to bang the gongs (on the right) when he feels the spirit during Matt's lessons.
Lincoln sporting a birthday shirt he got from his friend, Maddy.
I can't believe how curly his hair is getting! It's so cute. He is seriously becoming a little boy. It's weird to think that in less than 4 months you'll have another one of these. Still wishing you lived in Utah...I wish it everyday. Get on Skype soon lady!
ReplyDelete