Time is Flying

Time really is flying by!  I have been here two months in just a couple more days crazy!!

First news of the day.  Today was transfers and I got two new companions!  We're all pretty new here!  I am super excited to work with them!  We will have to study the language a lot, and will have lots of adventures trying to communicate with people.  I am very scared to be the one that has to get us places and know all the members, and investigators, and all that good stuff but I know there's something Heavenly Father wants me to learn from this!  I can't wait to see what it is!!

A brief overview of my week for you:
Monday, we went to gyoungju world--an amusement park an hour or so away from is!  It was super fun--about the size of lagoon.  We went on this one ride where you all sit in a circle and the thing you are sitting in raises up and bounces around. You're not belted in or anything.  My comp couldn't hold herself down and her legs flew in my face a few times.  I have a nasty bruise from where I hit my arm a few times trying to hold on.  So that was kind of awful but the roller coasters were fun.  Definitely took a Tylenol PM before going to bed though because I was so dizzy!!

Tuesday, we visited a referral from one of the members.  We taught her once before, and she now is thinking she wants to be Buddhist.  We are going to keep visiting her though.  We then had dinner with a bunch of the moms who bring their kids to our english class which was fun.  They are all super nice! 

Wednesday, we went to this old lady's house for dinner.  She is a less active member.  We ate rice and food I think had been sitting out for a few days, then she fed us this juice that was tomato and melon, but I'm pretty sure it was super super old and fermented because it was basically carbonated.  Discusting.   I thought I was going to die.  Good thing my stomach has learned to be nice and strong!

Thursday, we had dinner with a new American family that moved into our ward.  The dad is working here for one of the oil companies as an engineer.  They have 5 little kids who are crazy, but so fun.  She wants to have us over for dinner every week so that will be super fun!

Friday, we went to lunch with some members, and then my comp packed and explained the area to me.  Nothing too exciting.

Sunday, we had church (of course).  Our crazy ward mission leader was watching the Dodgers baseball game while teaching gospel principles.  Don't worry. 

Today, we went to Busan for transfers and I got my new companions!!!

So another fun week!!!!  I am a little frustrated because we don't have any solid investigators right now, but we are going to work really hard and try to contact lots of people this week!!!

This week, I have been trying to focus on putting off the natural man and become more like the Savior.  I love studying in the Book of Mormon about all the prophets examples, especially Nephi.  He had so many chances to give up and be like his brothers, but he stayed strong and did what the Lord asked of him!!!!  It really is so amazing!!!

Seriously the last 6 weeks have flown by, but so much has happened!  I didn't really understand how people said their missions went by fast, and I still don't really understand how it happens, but its happening!!!  I go to bed physically and mentally exhausted every night, and wake up still tired but so excited for all I get to learn and teach the next day!  

So weekly report quick:

Monday, we went and visited one of our former investigators who dropped us, but we're still visiting.  She owns a restaurant (korean fast food--aka rice, spam, eggs, dumplings, etc.  I'm learning to tolerate eggs.  And spam.  Weird.)  and then taught her about repentance and forgiving yourself.   She doesn't believe in Christ, but knows that the gospel can help her family.  Her daughter was baptized like 3 years ago, but isn't active.  Obviously there's lots of work to be done there so we're just trying to do as much as we can and leave the rest up to the Lord!

Tuesday, it was SO HOT!  Imagine like how hot it is at home, then add humidity.  Actually, you've probably been checking the weather here.  I sweat all the time. Its disgusting.  But everyone else does do and who do I have to impress anyway?!   We had lunch with a member, then visited one of the less active members who we visit each week (I've told you about her before--the one who speaks English) and talked about Christ appearing to the Nephites.  I just pray we are helping her faith grow, even if it is just a little bit at a time.   Then we had English class with the crazy little kids.  I always have so much fun, even it if takes the end of the energy I have for the day haha

Wednesday, we had district meeting!  I didn't have to teach at all which was nice.  Just got to listen. We talked about families which is one of my favorite topics of course!  I'm convinced I have the best family in the entire world.  I'm sure you would agree!

Thursday, we had training meeting which was awesome.  President and Sister Gilbert are so amazing!  It was everyone that came to Korea at the same time as me (ok 4 weeks ahead of me...but I just jumped right into where they were!)  and their trainers.  Sister Gilbert taught about intelligence, knowledge, and understanding.  I guess Elder Bednar has a book about it.  One of my favorite things she said was how when it talks about grace in the scriptures, it means the enabling power of the atonement.  The next day, I studied this in my scriptures, and am honestly amazed how much I learned.  I took a picture of what I wrote in my journal and am going to send it to you.  It's too hard to summarize... haha  Then I had an interview with President, and he just asked me how everything is going.  I said awesome of course!  It is so neat to hear how much he loves the missionaries, and would seriously do anything for us!  Don't worry--I'm in excellent hands here!  

Friday, we went to lunch at a member's.  She is in school for English (it's like if mom were to go back to school and major in Spanish, or Korean, or German haha)  and I helped edit one of her papers that she has to give as a speech at one point.  It was really fun for me because I got to bond with her a little bit.  I am starting to really love the members here.  It's hard sometimes because its hard to connect with them, but I do the best I can, and ask Sis Choi to translate some of my questions for them!  

Saturday, we went to lunch at another members house and I ate so much food.  We had meat (which is like 50% fat here and its totally normal.  i try not to think about it) and then these noodles, and then potatoes and i don't even know what else. Delicious, but so much food.  Then we had English class again.  I learned its really hard for Koreans to say the word "pearl".  Sister Choi and I have been working on it hahahaha Then we went to visit a former investigator who the sisters before us taught--she's like 75 and her house is far away, so we hadn't ever gone, and they dropped her (not exactly sure why--all the progress records are in Korean).  So we were going to find her house and this old lady came up to us and asked if we were missionaries! We said yes, and then it happened to be the lady we were going to visit!!!  Just another miracle from Heavenly Father!  He is watching over us! 

Sunday, we taught our investigator who is supposed to get baptized next week!  (She is like 17 and her mom and brother are members...her dad is too but very less active).   We still have a bunch of the commandments to teach her this week, and I'm just praying we can get it all in.  Sis Choi thinks we can though, so I'm just trusting her!  I will update you on that next week!!!  So exciting!!!  Then we went to try to find the house of a referral we got, but it was literally in the middle of nowhere. I will send a picture. It was slightly hilarious. We called her, and she wasn't even home.  So we took the bus back haha.  Then we went to the church on our way home to grab something and we turned on the light and there were like 2 cockroaches in the hallway!!!!!  We both started screaming.  So I grabbed the spray to kill them from the janitors closet and there were a few more in there along with a bunch of little bugs!!!!  I told my comp she was the Senior Companion so she had to kill them (yes we were screaming this entire time) and then they were just really fast and it was really gross and we just grabbed our stuff and left.  We told the elders they have to go kill them.  And that the branch needs to get an exterminator.  Gross.  It's kind of hilarious now though.  Then we came home, and I ate oreos with peanut butter and milk and was happy again haha.  

I got the letter you sent this week with President Uchtdorf's talk about light!  Perfect timing!!!  I got it at training meeting, and it went along really well with what we talked about!!!  So I have studied a little more about light as well, and emulating the light of Christ.  I loved Romans 13:12 that says, "let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light."  So.  We need to get rid of all the darkness in our life (sins, disobedience, etc.) and then be strengthened through Christ.  When we do this, and try to spread his light, we will have literal armor that is strength and power against Satan!!  It is conditional, however, on our obedience, and service to others.  We need to hope and have faith that we can do all things through him!  I love it!!!!  

I love you all so much!!!

Thanks for all you do!!!

Em

Adventures with Food

 Korean Kimchi Burger

 Ward BBQ

The proof she tried dog...not sure which breed:)

A week of Jundo

Wow!  Sounds like everyone has had a great week!  It is so fun to hear about everything that is going on at home--after having experienced it though, I know not much changes haha.  I have had a good week!  It was the first week of the transfer and of just Sister Choi and I together.  She is so wonderful-she loves everyone around her so much!!  It is a little frustrating sometimes because although she speaks English very well, it is not perfect, and I have to speak slowly.  I know that my Korean is increasing, even if it is slowly which is good!  I just have to keep being patient with myself!  

Last Monday night, we were going on to jundo and there was an old harmony (or Grandmother) that was walking out of the Samsung center carrying a heavy bag, so we offered to carry it for her.  Sister Choi ended up carrying it, and I held the harmony's hand as we walked about 30 minutes to her house (it took us 10 to get back but we were walking really slowly...).  I know it looked hilarious.  She was at least a foot and a half, if not more, shorter than me, so I was literally bent over helping her walk, and stopping with her when she got tired.  She speaks with a heavy accent (saturi) and so I understand literally nothing she said to me, but I told her I was from America, and a little about our family, then let Sister Choi do the rest of the talking.  Then she fed us dinner (after we had already eaten..haha) and we sat and talked/listened.  I guess her daughter teaches in China so she lives there alone.  She's like 86.  She said she wanted us to keep visiting her, and we said we could as long as we could teach her too, so she agreed!  I don't know exactly what will come of it, but it is fun to see what can come of looking for opportunities to serve! 

Tuesday, we went and visited a less-active member who is also like 80 years old.  She stands at like a 90 degree angle completly hunched over.  Which makes her even shorter than she already is.  It was pretty funny I thought.  She fed us lunch and I think everything she fed us had been sitting out on her table for like 2 weeks, and I don't think she has ever really washed any of the dishes, but such is life here...  I just ate it slowly so I didn't have to eat lots, and am very thankful I didn't get sick!!  She is funny.  Her son is our ward mission leader and is like 50 years old and not married.  In her prayer she said something about, "Please Heavenly Father.  Help him to get married this year!!"  Then she sent us with handfuls of cherry tomatoes and we were on our way.  Later that day, we were jundo-ing at a bus stop and met a lady who is less active!!  Miracles are happening here in Ulsan!  I don't know the full story--it seems like she used to be pretty active, but I think something happened between her and one of the other members which happens a lot here.  We have tried to call, and visit her house, and haven't gotten a response, so we'll keep praying and trying!  That's the best we can do!  

Wednesday, we had zone meeting.  They talked about the light seen when looking at the temple, and how when we are baptized, we are given a similar light. We need to remember that when we are obedient, we are blessed with the light of Christ.  We don't radiate light, but the Lord gives it to us when we serve others and try to do what is right.  Pretty great thought I thought!  

Thursday, we fasted for one of our investigators--the 16 year old girl I told you about.  She agreed to be baptized, but we fasted about when, and how we can help her.  She has her exams the first week of July, so we are hoping to have the baptism a few weeks after that, but haven't had a chance to talk to her about it yet because she has been so busy studying.  Hopefully I'll have an update on that next week!  We also did our weekly service project helping at a place where they feed old people food.  I gave them donuts and yogurt, and tried to say a little something in Korean to them and it was fun!  Hard though to smell all the food while fasting... haha

Friday wasn't too exciting.  Jundo-ing and weekly planning.  We visited one of the former investigators at her restaurant at lunch in hopes to keep contact with her.  She needs the gospel in her life, but isn't quite ready to accept it.  Hopefully soon!!  We will keep praying and trying to keep in contact with her!!  

Saturday, we jundo-ed a lot and got 4 contacts which is exciting!  We'll see what happens with that!  Then we taught English class.  I sat at the advanced table (they speak really good english so we mostly just talk about the culture, and other stuff) which was fun, instead of teaching the little kids Head-Shoulders- Knees and Toes like last time.  Haha its always fun though!!  Nice to be able to mostly speak English!!

Sunday, Elders Beutler and Flint had a baptism-- a boy that is in High School!!  It went really well I think and he seems like he will be a great addition to the ward!  It is so fun to feel the spirit at the baptism, and realize that this is our purpose, to help bring others to Christ through baptism.  It was a good motivator!!  

So there's my week!  I've had a little bit of a hard time adjusting to everything this week!  I don't know exactly what it is.  I think being frustrated with not understanding anything going on around me!  I called Sister Gilbert and she is just so wonderful!!  She asked me how I had felt the Savior's love and I talked to her a little about the atonement and reading in Alma 34.  I love how verse 14 talks about how everything points to Christ and his atonement.  Then we talked about the Savior, and how our love for Him should drive EVERYTHING we do as missionaries, just like the Savior did everything for the Father.  When this motivates all we do, which for me is talking to everyone about the gospel, pushing myself to speak and learn more Korean, and serving and loving all those around me, I will be able to forget myself and be built more and more into the person and missionary the Savior and the Father want me to be.  When I do this, I will never be alone and have DIVINE help as I go throughout my days.  It is easy to feel tired, and think about myself, but when I am discouraged, and begin to think about serving others around me is when I can find that true joy talked about throughout the scriptures!  I can't wait tot see how this helps the people I teach as I encourage them to do the same!

This morning, I was reading President Monson's talk from priesthood session last conference.  He talked suggestions for our lives, and about missionary work.  He said as missionaries, we need to think of our parents and their love for us.  He said, "Their labors will sustain you, their faith encourage you, their prayers uphold you.  A mission is a family affair.  Though the expanse of continents or oceans may separate, hearts are at one."  I know this is true of our family!  We are all busy doing different things, but I KNOW that you all pray for me every night, and I can feel that love and support!  It is wonderful!!!  

I can't believe how much I have learned over the lat 3 weeks!  I am so excited to begin to act on this, and see who I become!  I know it won't always be easy, but we are promised that when we have faith, our weaknesses will become strengths through the Lord!!  I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!!!

Love,

Em

Ulsan

Hello everyone from Ulsan!!  This has been a great, busy week and I have loved every minute of it.  Even the hard, frustrating moments:)   I got your package today--which i'm very excited about.  It's the first mail i've gotten:)  I have not gotten the letter yet but will watch out for it over the next few days!

So, for the week:
Tuesday, we visited the YW president, who served her mission at Temple Square so speaks some English as well (but I still try to speak in Korean because that's the only way i'll learn) and she bought Costco Pizza for us:)  We talked to her about how she can help the YW stand in Holy Places--like what was talked about at YW conference.  Then we did some jundo-ing (prosyliting) which is where we talk to people on the bus, at bus stops, etc.  I've decided it's a blessing that I'm assigned to preach in Korean because I have no problem going up and starting to talk to someone because I also have no concept of how awkward it is.  Which I know it is but who cares.  So I usually start the conversation asking them where they're going, or telling them their shoes are cute, then tell them we are missionaries, and let my comp take it from there.  Our goal is 3 contacts a day, and we do pretty good at that I think!  We also have English class on Tuesday night--where we teach English to different people we've met on the street, or the members.  I helped teach the little kids, so we practiced animals and how to pronounce them.  Yes.  I have to hold my self back from laughing when they say "rion" instead of "lion" and "sear" instead of "seal", etc.  Its hirarious.  

Wednesday was a very long day.  we jundo-ed a lot, both on the bus and on the streets, knocked on doors in apartment buildings (called kaka-hoho-ing).  I think this actually pretty entertaining because everyone has cameras so they can see who is outside their doors, and even when they ignore us, you can hear them say "way-gooks" which means forigners.   We also taught a new investigator!  We met her on the bus and yes, she speaks pretty good English as well!!!  She went to school in Georgia, and a preacher's family really helped her when she was there, so now that she is back, she is looking for religion again.  Well guess what!  That's what we're here for sister!  She seemed to accept what we shared with her, and said she was really busy with exams for school, so probably couldn't meet again until July.  Well we called her last night, and she said she would meet with us again Wednesday!

Thursday, we had Sister's Training at the mission office (the Boo-meaning headquarters).  This was basically the best ever.  And I have the best mission president and wife ever.  President Gilbert spoke about President Packer's conference talk and the correlation between the atonement and feeling the spirit.  Here's what I wrote in my journal about it which i'm really proud of:  When we repent and use the forgiving power of the atonement, we are able to more fully feel the spirit.  When we use the comforting power, we gain a better knowledge of our Savior, and his love for us.  When we use the enabling power, we are lifted up by the Savior to where we can better love and serve others as he would.  As a missionary, i can't wait to share this with members, investigators, less-actives, or really anyone--including other missionaries--that need to really have a better grasp on the Savior's love for each one of us.  We can feel this through the spirit, and the experiences we have through the spirit as we read our scriptures, perform Christlike acts, follow the words and council of our leaders, and most importantly pray to the Lord for strength and guidance.  Bam. Sister Gilbert spoke about virtue and the representation bamboo has in the Korean culture of virtue.  As sisters, we need to be like the bamboo trees--each growing upwards towards the light, but having massive strength together.

Friday, we jundo-ed and then studied.  We went to the American family's house for dinner and had mexican food which was fabulous of course. 

Saturday, we had a BBQ party with the members at one of their farms in the countryside.  And yes.  I ate DOG!!!  Haha I only had a little but it tasted kind of like the dark meat on turkey, but greasier.   I had to try it though.  And now I don't have to do it again.  The funny thing was, most of the Koreans there hadn't tried it before, and it was their first time too.  So it really isn't very common.  All the old men were really excited about it!  They put it into a soup, which I didn't eat much of.  I guess a couple people are sick because of some of the leaves that were in it or something.  

Sunday was a fun day!  It was our last day with the 3 of us:(  We went to church, of course.  I was still super lost, and really tried to listen to parts of it, but let my mind wander to other gospel topics so got to have some nice pondering time haha.  During Sunday School, we taught one of our investigators who is like 16 or 17 and had a great lesson.  We talked about the restoration, and how the Book of Mormon is evidence that the gospel is true.  The American family's daughter who is 17, was our member present, and she bore a great testimony about how God and Jesus Christ called Joseph by name, and they know each of us by name as well.  Then, we committed her to baptism!  It was a soft commitment, so we didn't set a date because she has her big exams through July, and can't decidate any time to reading the Book of Mormon until then, but it was still really great.  The feeling of knowing you've helped someone know their savior a little more makes all the hard stuff worth it!

Today, we had transfer meeting in Busan, so we rode the bus there this morning, heard from the departing missionaries and President/Sister Gilbert. Sister Gilbert shared Alma 34:31, and how there are promised blessings when we act.  We now need to go to a new level in our relationship with the Savior, and find what is holding us back from doing so.  She said that we cannot participate in the Atonement without sacrifice on our part.  Then President Gilbert said we need to move forward and go DO!  The savior called us on a mission through the prophet.  If we have faith, we are promised the power needed (Moroni 7:33) 

I can't think of any other really funny things to tell you besides everyone has those ringback tones-aka a song that plays when you call them.  People's names are really hard for me to remember, so I identify people by their ringback tones hahaha.  And everyone has the giant samsung smartphones.   

Hello from Korea!

Hello from Korea!!!! It feels so great to say that!!  I love you all so much and have missed you, but have enjoyed being here and beginning to preach the gospel more than you can know!!  

Tuesday:  Got here, President and Sister Gilbert picked me up (hope you got the picture from the office) and then we went back to the house said prayer with them and went to bed!  Sister Gilbert is so great--she said if there is anything here I would call my mom about, to just pick up my phone and call her!!  And since it was just me, I got to sleep in the room that the general authorities stay in when they come haha so that was cool! 

Wednesday:  President Gilbert made me an omelet for breakfast (yummy!) I filled out loads of paperwork, went to the bank with , had an intro to the mission, then went to lunch and met my companionS!  Transfer day is next Monday though, so we'll see if we all stay together.  I am in Ulsan city and my area is ShinJong.    It is so cool-I will see if I can send pictures from here.  I have taken lots haha.  Yes--I am sleeping on the floor on a yo- a mat that is basically a thick quilt on top of laminate floor haha so not the most comfortable but, I'm getting used to it and am so tired by the end of the day that I am just happy to be laying down with a pillow under my head! 

Thursday:  We ate at a members house for lunch (an old lady who's name I don't remember) and the elders from our ward were there too.  There are 4 elders and we have a good time together.  I tried to help share our spiritual message, and struggled a little, but got my point acrossed.  I am realizing how much I need to learn!!  It's a good thing that I have so long!  We also prosylited on the bus and I talked to a few people.  It was kind of scary, but I am slowly getting better, and rely on my companions a lot. 

Friday:  We had my first district meeting!    It was fun to get to know them a bit, even if some of them may get transfered next week!  We got fried chicken afterwards-which is different than American fried chicken of course but was still good.  You would be proud.  I ate it all with my hands off the bone.  Then we went and registered for my ALIEN card haha.  I can go pick it up in 2 weeks.   Then we Jun-do-ed (prosylited) for a bit, then I taught my first lesson to one of our investigators!  Her daughter is a member, but doesn't really have a belief in the gospel.  So we are trying to help both of them gain faith in Heavenly Father and his gospel. 

Saturday:  We walked super far to one of the member's houses.  She ordered Chinese food-which of course was different than our Dragon Diner, but was really good.  She served a mission, and then was inactive for a while, and feels she cannot forgive herself for that.  We taught about faith, and how faith leads to action.  I told her my faith grows when I bear my testimony and share the gospel with others.  We asked her to remember how she helped people's faith increase when she served her mission, and challenged her to bear her testimony to someone this week.  We then had an activity with the youth where they had to find different things around the church.  There is an American family in our branch who live here for their dad's job (He served in Seoul.)   So it was really fun for me to talk to their mom and the daughters who are in YW 

Sunday:  Church was good, but really frustrating because I barely understood anything!!  I was having a bit of a hard time after church, and my comp read me a quote by President Eyring that talked about his granddaughter on a mission being frustrated with learning a language, and realizing that she was first being taught the language of the spirit.  I hope that I can try to really focus on trying to feel the spirit, and being taught by it and how it feels to me, as I am still working on learning the Korean language.  We talked for a while, and she said that she was really homesick in the beginning too, and still is, but has really learned to grow closer to the Savior at this time.  I hope I can take this opportunity to do the same. The first night I was here, Sister Gilbert told me that I really need to gain a PERSONAL relationship with my Savior.  When I understand the love he has for me, I will be better able to love and serve the people I am teaching as he would.  I know this is just another great thing I can learn while I am here serving the Lord and helping bring his children back to him and his gospel.  We taught our second investigator yesterday--she is a 16 year old girl who's mom is a member.  Next week, we want to ask her to be baptized!  That would be so exciting!  She is so cute and even brought us a treat:) 

Monday:  We went to the beach with our district, and then to Gogi King--a meat buffet.  You can get whatever meat you want and then cook it in front of you.  I let the Koreans choose the meat and cook it, and just ate.  It was good, but I am on meat overload for a while haha

Haha the food is good--but I am constantly craving sweet things because everything is so salty!  So if you want ideas of things to send, candy is great haha I'm scared to open my thing of Reeses because I don't want them to be gone!  It seems like I can get lots of American things at the store--it just depends on how much I want to pay for them!  I have eaten lots of toast, made some spaghetti the other night, and love eating fruit and yogurt!  And frosted flakes are my new favorite cereal because I have a huge box of them haha.  I have eaten lots of different things. I had squid the other day.  It was weird-super chewy. 

Funny things I've noticed so far--

-We have to freeze our trash so it doesn't stink, and then throw it away.  Koreans are very particular about garbage, and recycling things separately. 

-There is delivery from McDonalds--they think Americans are lazy?!  At least we leave our houses haha

-There are 7-elevens everywhere but, they don't have slurpees.  Blasphemy!

-People on scooters will drive on the sidewalk if the street is too busy

-Couples occasionally wear matching outfits

-Everyone has those giant cell phones

-When you get delivery food, they bring it on real plates, and come back to get them later

JUNE 3!!

Well I finally have a date--JUNE 3!!!!  I could not be more excited, and relieved to know when I am leaving!  Now I have a busy week ahead of me really working on Korean and brushing up on the Preach My Gospel lessons.  It will be nice as I pack this week to be able to go through what I had at the MTC, and see what I really want to take to Korea.  Of course, I'm also excited to eat all of the food I know I will miss for the next 16 months...Cafe Rio, Hires, Diet Coke, Slurpees, etc.  

It has been really fun to be home with my family and spend time with them doing different things.  I have also had a hard time because I've been a little in no man's land--I've tried to follow my missionary habits, while being released and still doing other things.  Overall, however, has been a great experience for me.  I have loved skyping Sister Park, one of the teachers at the MTC, who has helped me SO MUCH!  I know I still have lots to learn though, and can't wait to totally immerse myself in the Korean language and culture NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!