So I guess that as it is Monday--the day most missionaries write home and have a new post on their blog--I should add a little something.
I went and saw my good friend Dr. Hill again today and he said everything looked pretty good and that I would be good to travel on Thursday or Friday!!! Aahhhh!! Mini panic attack!!! I'm not ready for things to change that soon again--I already had to deal with that once! Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how I'm feeling at the moment), the people I talked to at the MTC said I would be home for 3 weeks-the extra week to make sure I really am good to go! So I texted my stake president and he said he left a message with Missionary Medical and would follow up with them tomorrow. So no definite plans yet...which I am still a little bit anxious about of course. Now that I am feeling better, however, I am finding all sorts of ways to entertain myself. (Don't worry...nothing crazy) I am super excited to go to the temple again with my mom tomorrow. That has definitely been a highlight of being home. While at the MTC, every time I got to go to the temple, I thought of how excited I was to go again with my mom when I got home. I definitely didn't think it would be this soon, but I am grateful for the opportunity, especially because there is not a temple in my mission, and I will probably not get to go while in Korea. I am so grateful there are so many temples around my home that I am able to easily attend!
I have also been skype-ing a teacher, 박유라 자매, who has been helping me in all things Korean, as well as some scripture and Preach My Gospel study. It has been so wonderful to meet with her and continue to learn Korean, and more about the gospel and my testimony!
Well that's all for now I guess...short and sweet!! I will post for updates on when I am heading out to Korea!!
Em
Monday, May 20, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Tonsils=없어요
Well everyone the tonsils are officially 없어요 (Op-soy-oh, meaning non-existant!) We (my parents and I) went up to Primary Children's Hospital at 10:30 this morning. Because I am only 19, they are able to do the surgery there! And Dr. Hill, my ENT, said that they have better slushees post-op. I think my parents were glad I could take care of signing my own papers. So responsible here! Haha
A nurse took my vitals, gave me an IV in my left hand, I changed into the hospital pants and gown, and we were off to the waiting room! When we got there, there was a nurse who also went to Busan on her mission in the 1980s!!! So we talked about it for a few minutes which was very fun! Everyone kept asking me, "Are you a student?" No... "Well are you working?" No... Then I got to explain the whole situation a few time. It was interesting to hear different people's reactions.
So we waited there for a few minutes, the child-life specialist came, showed me pictures of the doctor and operating room, and gave me a doll to color. How presh. Haha I ended up making her look as Korean as my limited creative skills would allow. I think the child-life specialist was only like a year or two older than me which was kind of funny.
Then Dr. Hill and the anesthesiologist (can't remember her name) came and talked to us, and I went back! It was a little intimidating walking into the room with a bunch of nurses asking me questions, explaining what would happen, etc. I guess this procedure is a little more legit than I thought! I was expecting a little more like wisdom teeth or something--since its the only thing i remotely have to compare to. The last thing I remember is one of the drugs going into my IV stinking really badly, and then waking up in the post-op room uncomfortable and crying. No surprise there!
They brought my mom back, and she has video. If you're lucky, maybe you can see it. I accept ice cream as collateral :) I'll post some super attractive pictures with this. Don't judge.
So the fruit-punch slushees began there (they only had root beer and fruit punch. Lame!!) I would drink for a minute, then would just want to sleep. They gave me some more drugs (bring it on) and then wheeled me into the recovery room. I watched some solid American Pickers (ok well more listened to it to block the sounds of screaming children around me while I "rested my eyes") I was scared to fall asleep because come machine would stop beeping as soon as I did so I kinda just laid there for a while. You have to stay an hour after they give you the last narcotic. My dad then went and got the car, I made it to the bathroom (with a lot of help) and then they wheeled me out to the car with another slushee and puke bucket in hand. Fortunately, the puke bucket hasn't been needed yet.
I have felt a little out of it today, but it has been a lot better than I was expecting! I've eaten lots of soup and ice cream, along with drinking loads of water. Mary doesn't quite understand why she has to keep helping me to the bathroom, but everyone at home has been great!
I hope and pray things will continue to go smoothly, as it has so far. I CAN'T WAIT to get to Korea! My heart is definitely already there with my district. I know that I will make it there eventually, and just have to trust that the Lord has a plan for me with all of this!!
I love you all and thanks for your love and support!
사랑 해요!!
Em
A nurse took my vitals, gave me an IV in my left hand, I changed into the hospital pants and gown, and we were off to the waiting room! When we got there, there was a nurse who also went to Busan on her mission in the 1980s!!! So we talked about it for a few minutes which was very fun! Everyone kept asking me, "Are you a student?" No... "Well are you working?" No... Then I got to explain the whole situation a few time. It was interesting to hear different people's reactions.
So we waited there for a few minutes, the child-life specialist came, showed me pictures of the doctor and operating room, and gave me a doll to color. How presh. Haha I ended up making her look as Korean as my limited creative skills would allow. I think the child-life specialist was only like a year or two older than me which was kind of funny.
Then Dr. Hill and the anesthesiologist (can't remember her name) came and talked to us, and I went back! It was a little intimidating walking into the room with a bunch of nurses asking me questions, explaining what would happen, etc. I guess this procedure is a little more legit than I thought! I was expecting a little more like wisdom teeth or something--since its the only thing i remotely have to compare to. The last thing I remember is one of the drugs going into my IV stinking really badly, and then waking up in the post-op room uncomfortable and crying. No surprise there!
They brought my mom back, and she has video. If you're lucky, maybe you can see it. I accept ice cream as collateral :) I'll post some super attractive pictures with this. Don't judge.
So the fruit-punch slushees began there (they only had root beer and fruit punch. Lame!!) I would drink for a minute, then would just want to sleep. They gave me some more drugs (bring it on) and then wheeled me into the recovery room. I watched some solid American Pickers (ok well more listened to it to block the sounds of screaming children around me while I "rested my eyes") I was scared to fall asleep because come machine would stop beeping as soon as I did so I kinda just laid there for a while. You have to stay an hour after they give you the last narcotic. My dad then went and got the car, I made it to the bathroom (with a lot of help) and then they wheeled me out to the car with another slushee and puke bucket in hand. Fortunately, the puke bucket hasn't been needed yet.
I have felt a little out of it today, but it has been a lot better than I was expecting! I've eaten lots of soup and ice cream, along with drinking loads of water. Mary doesn't quite understand why she has to keep helping me to the bathroom, but everyone at home has been great!
I hope and pray things will continue to go smoothly, as it has so far. I CAN'T WAIT to get to Korea! My heart is definitely already there with my district. I know that I will make it there eventually, and just have to trust that the Lord has a plan for me with all of this!!
I love you all and thanks for your love and support!
사랑 해요!!
Em
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Last letter from the MTC
May 3, 2013
Hello everyone!!
This will be my last email at the MTC. I have loved the last week! It has been so fun to have some time in class with our teachers where we can talk about the Korean culture and a little of what to expect, since we don't have as much of the language to learn. It’s been a little frustrating since a lot of my district is starting to check out mentally and are just ready to get there, but we are still all trying our best!
Last night we had the best activity ever!! So there are a bunch of native Koreans who are going to serve their missions in Korea here again. There is not an MTC in Asia, so they come here for the two-week MTC stay that is similar to the English speakers. So last night, we got to practice proselyting (Jun-do in Korean) to them. They pretended to be people on the streets, and we were missionaries--just like what we will all be doing over the next few weeks. Sister Scott and I actually did pretty good! Our routine was first to compliment their dress, tie, shoes, etc. then ask them where they were going, or something like that, and introduce ourselves as missionaries. We then asked them if they have ever heard of our church or the Book of Mormon, or if they believed in God, then went from there. Keep in mind this was all in Korean!!!!! Some of it was a little slow, but for the most part we did pretty well!! When we were talking to the Korean Elders, we asked them their names, and one said "Brad Pitt" and the other "Jim Carrey". Then we asked them if we could have their phone numbers to call them again and they said, "no sorry we have girlfriends". Haha we were laughing so hard and didn't know quite how to react. I love the Korean missionaries so much! There are like 15 sisters and 5 elders here right now. They like to practice their English with us, and we do our best practicing Korean with them, and it all works out! It’s crazy to see how much we have learned over the last 9 weeks.
So if any of you have talked to my mom you know that I have been sick here and previous to being in the MTC. The doctor has suggested that I come home for 3 weeks and get my tonsils out before going to Korea. So I will be leaving the MTC probably Sunday night, and then get surgery this week, take a few to recover, and fly straight to Korea after I have recovered. I am super bummed, of course, but have to apply what I have learned over and over throughout my time at the MTC. Heavenly Father has a plan for my mission and me. He called me to Korea at this time for a reason, and even though we may not understand why I have to go home for this, I will eventually. And if not, I know there is still a reason and I can make the most of this time home! Get ready to hear some Korean!! (Ok maybe I'm a little more confident until I actually start speaking.) Love you all and thank you for your support!!!
I'm trying to think of some of the great things we have learned from our teachers about Korea! Oh I guess it is fairly inexpensive to send things from Korea to the US--especially compared to US-Korea rates. So once I get there, you can look forward to some Korean awesomeness. They all wear shiny ties, so I'll find some good ones for Josh and Dad. I'm actually super excited about the food. Even if I don't love it at first, I know I will learn to. We'll have to go to the Korean market again on Tuesday or something and maybe I'll be a little more adventurous this time haha. My teacher has a Korean-English dictionary that is electronic and looks exactly like a Nintendo DS with a keyboard so it will be fun to get one of those. I'm excited to hear from my district once they get there and get more specifics on what they are surprised about and such. So exciting!!!!
I think that's about it for now--not too much to report. I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to tell once I get home!!
Love you all SOOO MUCH!!!
Em
Hello everyone!!
This will be my last email at the MTC. I have loved the last week! It has been so fun to have some time in class with our teachers where we can talk about the Korean culture and a little of what to expect, since we don't have as much of the language to learn. It’s been a little frustrating since a lot of my district is starting to check out mentally and are just ready to get there, but we are still all trying our best!
Last night we had the best activity ever!! So there are a bunch of native Koreans who are going to serve their missions in Korea here again. There is not an MTC in Asia, so they come here for the two-week MTC stay that is similar to the English speakers. So last night, we got to practice proselyting (Jun-do in Korean) to them. They pretended to be people on the streets, and we were missionaries--just like what we will all be doing over the next few weeks. Sister Scott and I actually did pretty good! Our routine was first to compliment their dress, tie, shoes, etc. then ask them where they were going, or something like that, and introduce ourselves as missionaries. We then asked them if they have ever heard of our church or the Book of Mormon, or if they believed in God, then went from there. Keep in mind this was all in Korean!!!!! Some of it was a little slow, but for the most part we did pretty well!! When we were talking to the Korean Elders, we asked them their names, and one said "Brad Pitt" and the other "Jim Carrey". Then we asked them if we could have their phone numbers to call them again and they said, "no sorry we have girlfriends". Haha we were laughing so hard and didn't know quite how to react. I love the Korean missionaries so much! There are like 15 sisters and 5 elders here right now. They like to practice their English with us, and we do our best practicing Korean with them, and it all works out! It’s crazy to see how much we have learned over the last 9 weeks.
So if any of you have talked to my mom you know that I have been sick here and previous to being in the MTC. The doctor has suggested that I come home for 3 weeks and get my tonsils out before going to Korea. So I will be leaving the MTC probably Sunday night, and then get surgery this week, take a few to recover, and fly straight to Korea after I have recovered. I am super bummed, of course, but have to apply what I have learned over and over throughout my time at the MTC. Heavenly Father has a plan for my mission and me. He called me to Korea at this time for a reason, and even though we may not understand why I have to go home for this, I will eventually. And if not, I know there is still a reason and I can make the most of this time home! Get ready to hear some Korean!! (Ok maybe I'm a little more confident until I actually start speaking.) Love you all and thank you for your support!!!
I'm trying to think of some of the great things we have learned from our teachers about Korea! Oh I guess it is fairly inexpensive to send things from Korea to the US--especially compared to US-Korea rates. So once I get there, you can look forward to some Korean awesomeness. They all wear shiny ties, so I'll find some good ones for Josh and Dad. I'm actually super excited about the food. Even if I don't love it at first, I know I will learn to. We'll have to go to the Korean market again on Tuesday or something and maybe I'll be a little more adventurous this time haha. My teacher has a Korean-English dictionary that is electronic and looks exactly like a Nintendo DS with a keyboard so it will be fun to get one of those. I'm excited to hear from my district once they get there and get more specifics on what they are surprised about and such. So exciting!!!!
I think that's about it for now--not too much to report. I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to tell once I get home!!
Love you all SOOO MUCH!!!
Em
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
CRAZY! I'm actually doing this!!!
HI!! No it is not p-day but we are going to do a little laundry and stuff before class starts. So I have a minute to email quick! I am feeling better!! Not 100% still, but am doing loads better than I thought I would be at this point. Thanks for the powerade and otter pops yesterday. I didn't get a chance to freeze them yet--the freezer is in the room next to us and I haven't asked them yet! I was so excited to get the package! I still have a nasty bruise on my arm from where they took my blood (I'll try to send a picture Friday-we're not on the computers where you can send pictures) and a sore throat, but am happy to stay in class and such now! I saw Christine yesterday-she left here at 4AM this morning off to ITALY!!! I'm so excited for her and know she will be an awesome missionary!
As for our TRAVEL PLANS!!!
We fly from SLC to Seattle. I am excited about eating Cafe Rio and real fountain Diet Coke:) Seattle-Tokyo with a 2 hr layover in Seattle; Tokyo to Busan with a 2 hr layover in Tokyo
Then the mission president picks us up at the airport in Busan and we go stay at the mission home like I sent you last week! So excited! I am a little overwhelmed about leaving the MTC and going to a whole new place, but know that I can do it! So many missionaries before me have and the only way is through trusting in the Lord!
One of our new teachers--Brother Wade--also went to Busan. He got back like 9 months ago, and he's been getting us super excited about going! We've practiced street contacting, etc. with him. He told us how awesome President Gilbert is, and especially how great his wife is! He said she is a total fireball and that we will love her so much! I guess a lot of what they talk about is opening our mouths and speaking to people-even though we are still not great with the language. Even though I know I'll probably be scared to do so, but I just need to remember that my purpose ias a missionary is to invite others to come unto Christ! I know that the only way I am going to learn is by trying my best, and making mistakes along the way. As you know, I've always had a hard time admitting my weaknesses, but this is yet another thing I can work on and improve while on my mission. The best part of all though is that the Lord makes up for those weaknesses as long as we trust in him and do all we can to be the missionary he wants us to be. I am so excited to see how I learn and grow in the Lord's service!! I loved reading all the Oly letters you send me yesterday and seeing how much all my friends love missionary work, and it gets me even more excited to be a part of it!
I'm SOOOO excited to see Ellie this week!! Sister Ellingson and I were talking about it this morning. We'll both be hosting so we'll keep an eye out for her:) I'm glad you talked to Sky's mom! She is doing so great here and i am so excited to be in Busan with her!! I told her if she had a few things she needed to send home she could stick it with my stuff and her mom can get it from you!
Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!! You are so awesome and I love you so so so much!!!! 6 more days at the MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crazy! I'm actually doing this!!!
Love, Em
As for our TRAVEL PLANS!!!
We fly from SLC to Seattle. I am excited about eating Cafe Rio and real fountain Diet Coke:) Seattle-Tokyo with a 2 hr layover in Seattle; Tokyo to Busan with a 2 hr layover in Tokyo
Then the mission president picks us up at the airport in Busan and we go stay at the mission home like I sent you last week! So excited! I am a little overwhelmed about leaving the MTC and going to a whole new place, but know that I can do it! So many missionaries before me have and the only way is through trusting in the Lord!
One of our new teachers--Brother Wade--also went to Busan. He got back like 9 months ago, and he's been getting us super excited about going! We've practiced street contacting, etc. with him. He told us how awesome President Gilbert is, and especially how great his wife is! He said she is a total fireball and that we will love her so much! I guess a lot of what they talk about is opening our mouths and speaking to people-even though we are still not great with the language. Even though I know I'll probably be scared to do so, but I just need to remember that my purpose ias a missionary is to invite others to come unto Christ! I know that the only way I am going to learn is by trying my best, and making mistakes along the way. As you know, I've always had a hard time admitting my weaknesses, but this is yet another thing I can work on and improve while on my mission. The best part of all though is that the Lord makes up for those weaknesses as long as we trust in him and do all we can to be the missionary he wants us to be. I am so excited to see how I learn and grow in the Lord's service!! I loved reading all the Oly letters you send me yesterday and seeing how much all my friends love missionary work, and it gets me even more excited to be a part of it!
I'm SOOOO excited to see Ellie this week!! Sister Ellingson and I were talking about it this morning. We'll both be hosting so we'll keep an eye out for her:) I'm glad you talked to Sky's mom! She is doing so great here and i am so excited to be in Busan with her!! I told her if she had a few things she needed to send home she could stick it with my stuff and her mom can get it from you!
Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!! You are so awesome and I love you so so so much!!!! 6 more days at the MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crazy! I'm actually doing this!!!
Love, Em
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Oh No, Mono!
Hello! Sounds like you have all had a busy week! Sounds fun though!
So I guess the most exciting news of the week is that I apparently have Mono. I had a cold or something on Friday, so went to the clinic and saw Dr. Brown. He had me go get sudafed and benadryl at the pharmacy, then I took that over the weekend but just felt like I was getting worse. So between that, and a couple elders in my district having the flu, I decided to go in again on Monday, and because of my symptoms, he ran a test for mono and strep throat. Mono came back positive. So I will try to get as much rest as I can for now, and then go back on Thursday and he will test my white blood cell count again. Depending on how it is, he is going to prescribe an antibiotic and go from there. I guess it usually resolves itself over about 2 weeks, so fingers crossed for that since I leave two weeks from yesterday!!! Two of the elders gave me a blessing last night, so I know that will help too.
Other than that, its been a pretty fun week! We hosted the new missionaries last Wednesday. It was the first time that they had ever had more sisters than elders come in! So the sisters got to help greet at the curb which was way fun! It brought back lots of memories of that first day, but was fun to be a part of it. The new group of Korean missionaries came, and it has been fun to get to know them a little! I don't know too many of them (I think they're a little overwhelmed and are still not too chatty) but hopefully will over the next few weeks. There is a good group going to Busan! The new native Koreans got here yesterday, but we haven't met any of them yet. Hopefully today they will get moved into our residence hall.
Lets see what else... Haha so on Thursday, Sister Hilton had to go to the orthodontist to get her permanent retainer re-glued (lets hope mine doesn't come unglued!) and Sister Cheney (her companion) had a few days notice, so she emailed her sister to meet her there with Cafe Rio! Haha totally against the rules but, she got the cafe rio, and the girls next to us have a fridge in their room (long story of how...) so she put it in there until dinner and we warmed it up in the microwave and all ate it that night! Hilarious, eh? We were super excited about it!
I do have stuff I will send home. I guess we'll see how much extra stuff I have once I get packed. Should be an adventure! Its coming up quick! We get our travel plans THURSDAY!!!!!! Also, will you send bug spray? I don't remember if I already asked or not. It was one of the things my mission pres said to bring, but I forgot about it until getting here!
Spiritual Thought... Last night I was reading in my Book of Mormon about the Army of Helaman. I have always loved the story, but as I was reading it this time, tried to relate it to missionary work. I loved thinking about how determined they were, and the trust they had in their Heavenly Father that they would accomplish all that was asked of them. I know we need to think the very same thing as missionaries! We need to be determined to share the gospel by example, and by bold teaching! We need to be excited about sharing our message! Even though things will be hard... harder than I had imagined... Heavenly Father wouldn't have given me this call if he hadn't know I can do it. As long as I trust in him, he will help me along the way! I have probably prayed more in the last 2 months than I have the rest of my life haha. Its a great experience though and I have already grown so much and learned so much about myself! I love being a part of the amazing work that is going on right now! The marvelous work going to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people that was prophesied of all through out the scriptures is happening now! So exciting!
Love you and miss you all!
Em
So I guess the most exciting news of the week is that I apparently have Mono. I had a cold or something on Friday, so went to the clinic and saw Dr. Brown. He had me go get sudafed and benadryl at the pharmacy, then I took that over the weekend but just felt like I was getting worse. So between that, and a couple elders in my district having the flu, I decided to go in again on Monday, and because of my symptoms, he ran a test for mono and strep throat. Mono came back positive. So I will try to get as much rest as I can for now, and then go back on Thursday and he will test my white blood cell count again. Depending on how it is, he is going to prescribe an antibiotic and go from there. I guess it usually resolves itself over about 2 weeks, so fingers crossed for that since I leave two weeks from yesterday!!! Two of the elders gave me a blessing last night, so I know that will help too.
Other than that, its been a pretty fun week! We hosted the new missionaries last Wednesday. It was the first time that they had ever had more sisters than elders come in! So the sisters got to help greet at the curb which was way fun! It brought back lots of memories of that first day, but was fun to be a part of it. The new group of Korean missionaries came, and it has been fun to get to know them a little! I don't know too many of them (I think they're a little overwhelmed and are still not too chatty) but hopefully will over the next few weeks. There is a good group going to Busan! The new native Koreans got here yesterday, but we haven't met any of them yet. Hopefully today they will get moved into our residence hall.
Lets see what else... Haha so on Thursday, Sister Hilton had to go to the orthodontist to get her permanent retainer re-glued (lets hope mine doesn't come unglued!) and Sister Cheney (her companion) had a few days notice, so she emailed her sister to meet her there with Cafe Rio! Haha totally against the rules but, she got the cafe rio, and the girls next to us have a fridge in their room (long story of how...) so she put it in there until dinner and we warmed it up in the microwave and all ate it that night! Hilarious, eh? We were super excited about it!
I do have stuff I will send home. I guess we'll see how much extra stuff I have once I get packed. Should be an adventure! Its coming up quick! We get our travel plans THURSDAY!!!!!! Also, will you send bug spray? I don't remember if I already asked or not. It was one of the things my mission pres said to bring, but I forgot about it until getting here!
Spiritual Thought... Last night I was reading in my Book of Mormon about the Army of Helaman. I have always loved the story, but as I was reading it this time, tried to relate it to missionary work. I loved thinking about how determined they were, and the trust they had in their Heavenly Father that they would accomplish all that was asked of them. I know we need to think the very same thing as missionaries! We need to be determined to share the gospel by example, and by bold teaching! We need to be excited about sharing our message! Even though things will be hard... harder than I had imagined... Heavenly Father wouldn't have given me this call if he hadn't know I can do it. As long as I trust in him, he will help me along the way! I have probably prayed more in the last 2 months than I have the rest of my life haha. Its a great experience though and I have already grown so much and learned so much about myself! I love being a part of the amazing work that is going on right now! The marvelous work going to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people that was prophesied of all through out the scriptures is happening now! So exciting!
Love you and miss you all!
Em
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Good Morning!
I've had another great week here! To answer your questions, I don't know what my favorite part of the MTC is. It has all become pretty repetitive and all runs together. Its good though! I still feel like I have lots to learn before leaving here. We have class for 6 hours each day (broken up in to 3 hour classes with 2 different teachers) along with personal study, gym, language study, meals, and thats basically it. And repeat 5 days a week. They are changing our P-Day to Friday for our last week here because the whole MTC schedule is changing so I may only get 1 P-Day over 10 days. Who knows. I think I will run all out of clothes. I sang in the choir a few times but, practice is weird with my schedule so we haven't gone in a few weeks. We have devotionals every Sunday and Tuesday nights. Sunday is usually someone from the missionary department, and Tuesday is usually some sort of general authority. We haven't had any of the "big ones" come yet though. We have "progressing investigators" that we teach each day. They are really just our teachers though pretending to be someone they taught on their missions. We teach all in Korean. We committed one of them to baptism last week, and the other is coming to church on Sunday and missing school for it, so that's exciting!
There's also this thing called the TRC (don't know what it stands for) but you go each Saturday with a little lesson prepared, and then just try to teach them. They are all members-whether they are from Korea, or served missions there. Its more like visiting teaching where we try to find out about them, and then share a 20 or so minute message. Saturday, some of the Elders meant to share D&C 9:8 about church or something, but flipped open in their Korean scriptures to Moroni 9:8. Look it up. Its hilarious.
So Sunday was a very busy day for me! We got up and went to Relief Society like usual. The speaker was HILARIOUS! Her name was Mary Edmunds and she had us all laughing. She referred to Google as her "google and thumum". She also told us not to touch the Elders. Don't punch them, don't poke them, etc. But keep a list of the ones we'd like to touch after our mission haha. She also said that our district leaders are probably 18 going on 12, which is very true. Anyway. Then we went to lunch and then sacrament meeting. The branch president gave me a calling for music something or other, which I had no previous knowledge about, so was surprised when I stood up. Then we started singing the sacrament hymn and he stopped it and said oh wait. I meant to call Sister Burton not Sister Burgoyne haha so I was a little relieved about that one. It was funny though. Then I ended up having to speak. Everyone prepares a 5 minute talk, and they call on an elder and a sister after sacrament literally 30 seconds before you have to speak. 3 minutes are in Korean, and 2 in English. I was TERRIFIED! But I hope it ended up ok. Then I accompanied 3 sisters when they sang Come Thou Fount. It was just the hymn version, but I arranged the singing parts and piano. I think it ended up pretty well. Then, Sister Scott and I taught our district meeting. So that is like Sunday School with just our district. We taught on Enduring to the End. We broke it up into obedience, steadfastness, and perserverance. I thought it ended up really well. I will send a copy of my lesson home in a letter. Then the rest of the day was like usual (temple walk, dinner, devotional, planning, bed). Christine and I took a picture at the temple that I will send.
Well I think that's basically all for now. Its weird to think that originally I would be coming in tomorrow...I'm glad I already have 6 weeks down.
Love you and miss you all so much! Hope you have a fabulous week!
Love,
Em
P.S. the other picture was when we wore black last Wednesday in mourning of P-Day (what we like to refer to as Pants Day) being over hahaha
I've had another great week here! To answer your questions, I don't know what my favorite part of the MTC is. It has all become pretty repetitive and all runs together. Its good though! I still feel like I have lots to learn before leaving here. We have class for 6 hours each day (broken up in to 3 hour classes with 2 different teachers) along with personal study, gym, language study, meals, and thats basically it. And repeat 5 days a week. They are changing our P-Day to Friday for our last week here because the whole MTC schedule is changing so I may only get 1 P-Day over 10 days. Who knows. I think I will run all out of clothes. I sang in the choir a few times but, practice is weird with my schedule so we haven't gone in a few weeks. We have devotionals every Sunday and Tuesday nights. Sunday is usually someone from the missionary department, and Tuesday is usually some sort of general authority. We haven't had any of the "big ones" come yet though. We have "progressing investigators" that we teach each day. They are really just our teachers though pretending to be someone they taught on their missions. We teach all in Korean. We committed one of them to baptism last week, and the other is coming to church on Sunday and missing school for it, so that's exciting!
There's also this thing called the TRC (don't know what it stands for) but you go each Saturday with a little lesson prepared, and then just try to teach them. They are all members-whether they are from Korea, or served missions there. Its more like visiting teaching where we try to find out about them, and then share a 20 or so minute message. Saturday, some of the Elders meant to share D&C 9:8 about church or something, but flipped open in their Korean scriptures to Moroni 9:8. Look it up. Its hilarious.
So Sunday was a very busy day for me! We got up and went to Relief Society like usual. The speaker was HILARIOUS! Her name was Mary Edmunds and she had us all laughing. She referred to Google as her "google and thumum". She also told us not to touch the Elders. Don't punch them, don't poke them, etc. But keep a list of the ones we'd like to touch after our mission haha. She also said that our district leaders are probably 18 going on 12, which is very true. Anyway. Then we went to lunch and then sacrament meeting. The branch president gave me a calling for music something or other, which I had no previous knowledge about, so was surprised when I stood up. Then we started singing the sacrament hymn and he stopped it and said oh wait. I meant to call Sister Burton not Sister Burgoyne haha so I was a little relieved about that one. It was funny though. Then I ended up having to speak. Everyone prepares a 5 minute talk, and they call on an elder and a sister after sacrament literally 30 seconds before you have to speak. 3 minutes are in Korean, and 2 in English. I was TERRIFIED! But I hope it ended up ok. Then I accompanied 3 sisters when they sang Come Thou Fount. It was just the hymn version, but I arranged the singing parts and piano. I think it ended up pretty well. Then, Sister Scott and I taught our district meeting. So that is like Sunday School with just our district. We taught on Enduring to the End. We broke it up into obedience, steadfastness, and perserverance. I thought it ended up really well. I will send a copy of my lesson home in a letter. Then the rest of the day was like usual (temple walk, dinner, devotional, planning, bed). Christine and I took a picture at the temple that I will send.
Well I think that's basically all for now. Its weird to think that originally I would be coming in tomorrow...I'm glad I already have 6 weeks down.
Love you and miss you all so much! Hope you have a fabulous week!
Love,
Em
P.S. the other picture was when we wore black last Wednesday in mourning of P-Day (what we like to refer to as Pants Day) being over hahaha
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Conference was AWESOME!!!
Conference was AWESOME!!! I actually listened to ALL of the talks (ok maybe for the first time ever...) and LOVED applying it to Missionary Work! I wish we could have seen the KSL missionary special...Sounds Awesome! I guess I get to live it though, which, lets be honest is even better!! I hope you all get a chance to watch the talks from Saturday that I'm assuming everyone didn't see... haha-- I think my favorite talks were on Saturday! I loved Pres. Packer's talk about how faith is a real power, and not just an expression of belief. He also said the most powerful prayers are that of a mother- I know I constantly benefit from those prayers from Mom, as well as my grandmas! I need to remember this when I have down days! I also loved Pres Eyring's talk about how we are still witnesses of Christ today- my role in this is just a little more prevalent at this time! He said that we need to find joy in this- it is the desire of our hearts because of our love for the Savior and his love for us! My perspective on lots of things in life have changed so much over the last couple weeks- I love being able to serve the Lord, and can't wait to get to Korea and begin teaching His gospel to people (even with my limited Korean...) Third, I loved Richard G. Scott's talk saying that when we obey and serve, the natural consequence is power from the Lord! This is just another testament of the power we have as missionaries! I love it and am so excited to be a part of it!
Sunday night, we had our weekly devotional, but they had Vocal Point, an acapella singing group from BYU who won the real life ICCA's (think pitch perfect) perform and bear their testimonies about missionary work and such. It was awesome, and a good break from all the talks!
So then Monday mornings we have service for just over an hour. We lucked out and get to help in 18M-one of the big buildings with classrooms- and not one of the residence halls with bathrooms haha. So I am now pro at moping stairs, dusting railings, disinfecting door handles, etc. Either they're really really particular about cleaning here, or they just have more missionaries than useful things to do, and sometimes we get assigned weird jobs like dusting random things that aren't even dusty...but its fun, and a good break from class...and skirts!! (We have to wear jeans)
Other than that, nothing too exciting has happened here over the last week! Korean is still coming along- I was super frustrated yesterday, not really sure why haha. Our lessons with our investigators are going well, and we're getting to the point where we can ask questions and kind of understand what they're responding without it all written down and using a "script". I know we still have a long way to go though and need to work really hard over the next couple weeks before we fly out!
Sounds like moving into the new school is an adventure--yeah I don't think I would really like moving so close to graduation either. Haha you'll have to send pictures. I'm glad Sar is taking full advantage of my closet! Haha we'll see what's left there when I get back!
Sorry this isn't as long this week--I don't have too much to say! GET ON AGAIN AT 3:30 AND WE CAN TALK AGAIN!!! I figure once I get to Busan, we probs won't be able to do that, so will have to take advantage of it now!
Please enjoy the picture I attached. We think we're pretty legit. Good luck figuring out how we did that one!
Oh and if you do send a package, we're all getting kinda sick of candy, but cookies, etc. are always welcome!
Love you and miss you all! Can't wait to talk to you later today!!!! Maybe print out some pictures of your trip too if you send a package:)
Em (SB)
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