[Youngdong] In addition to the fresh green of springtime, festive flowers and clear blue skies, the month of May offered many reasons to celebrate for Korean initiates: Children's Day, Parents' Day, Teacher's Day, Master's Birthday and the new messages from Master. Inspired by these events, on May 15 Korean initiates conducted a special meditation retreat and festival at the Youngdong Center followed by a sports meet.

After the retreat, the initiates eagerly watched one of Master's 2005 Europe Retreat DVDs. Then all the sisters and brothers who were sixty years of age or older received beautiful carnations, which were pinned on their lapels to celebrate Parent's Day. The unexpected floral gifts reflecting Master's and the initiates' thoughtful arrangement greatly surprised and touched the diligent and hardworking recipients. To demonstrate their appreciation for the older disciples' good example, the participants gave them a huge round of applause.

After lunch, the initiates joined with local Convenient Method practitioners and their families at a nearby elementary school for sports and recreation. In the school's playground the young practitioners joyfully celebrated Children's Day, and for the adult initiates it was like a journey back to childhood. Feeling carefree, they innocently enjoyed swinging, playing ball and other children's pastimes.

Then the sporting event proceeded with soccer, volleyball, basketball and a relay race. Among these games, the race represented the high point of unity for the group. Two teams were created and everyone took part in the competition, which ended in a draw. The last two runners arrived at the finish line holding hands in a spontaneous and beautiful manner. The participants had tried their best and shared happily with one another so everyone came out a winner!