Leaving the Nets, Straightaway.

안녕! Theoretically, Korean typing is faster than English, but I'm really slow, and need to learn where everything is on the keyboard better because sometimes things come up where I need to shoot a quick message, and, well, can't, so I might type a bit in Korean, and hopefully Google can catch the gist, because I don't see any other time in which to practice. 연습해야 되니까, 한국말로 할게요~

이 번 주 되게 좋았네, 이 때 동안 선교사업 할 수 있는 기회를 있어서 굉장히 행복한데. Gu Paeng Wen 형제님 다시 중국에서 오셨는데 그분을 만났어요. 여느 때처럼 밝은 미소를 있었고 질문이 몹시 많아요. ^^ 여러 다른 중국인을 만났는데 어떤 안진거 형제님을 가르쳤어요. 그분은 Beijing Da에 다니신데 중국의 완전 유명한 대학교 중에 하나에요. 전 중국에 갔을 때 거기에 가서 재미있었어요. 잘 바다드려도 빨리 가셔야 되었고 나중에 만날거에요.

오늘 아침 승환하고 민아 친구를 봤고 좋은거같아요. 특별히 민아 자매님이 기도를 해보지 않지만 지난 주 기도하셨으면서, 그분이 그의 외국에서 계시는 아버지에대한 위로를 많이 느꼈다고 하셨어요. 알겠습니다, 참으로 알려져야 되니까 영어로할게^^

It has been a beautiful week to be a missionary, and we are very excited as we start to get into the swing of things for the next transfer, which is shaping up to be a very good one. Particularly sweet this week has been the undeniable presence of the Spirit more in our study and in our teaching than I have noticed in some time. It has been something that I have been thinking a lot about, about how frustrating it is in our very imperfect states that although we can feel this assurance at times, at others it is easy to forget how much we do know. I have studied Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel this past week and tried to implement some of the ideas there, and for me, at least, I feel it has made a difference. It's something we have been talking about as a companionship, as well, and something that we will continue to focus on- having that Spirit, through the prayer of faith, so that inspired questions, and commitments, and everything, can follow. We just finished a lesson, actually, in which an investigator with whom we recently started meeting shared her experience of praying for the first time, and how it was a powerful experience for her to be able to feel that peace and that comfort.

Everyone seems to be getting along very well. Sister Gu, who has just come this week, is fantastic and just perfect for Sister Deng, who absolutely adores her. At some prodding from Sister Gu, Sister Deng offered a baptismal commitment yesterday in a lesson, which is the first time as we have taught together that she has done so. As they continue to be bold and loving, they will see many results, I think, in the near future. The Chinese sister that we taught yesterday committed to being baptized next month.

Elders Pons also came in this past week, from my 동기, and is a lot of fun. He is casual and relaxed but hardworking, which is a good way to live life, I think. Their companionship is working hard as well, and will be powerful this next transfer.

Elder Jones is stalwart in every way. He is curious, hardworking, and applies study well in our teaching and proselyting. He continues to achieve great things in the language, and is willing to take a step back, look at how we do things, and improve and change accordingly, which has been a valuable skill. We are getting along well and are more in unity as we teach as we learn more of each other and how we can improve.

Brother Wang is a student from Beijing that we taught in Jangui earlier this week. He accepted everything very well, and went to church at Jangui this past week. Because he speaks good Korean as well, the Jangui elders will probably mostly teach him as he continues to progress. He is progressing well and committed to going to all three hours of church next week.

Brother Kim, with whom we have been meeting, brought a friend to our last meeting who had actually met missionaries before. We have very high hopes for both of them, and it was a spirit-filled lesson as we attempted to go back to the basics of daily scripture study and prayer. These fundamentals, as we have focused on them this week, have helped us to discern more accurately the needs of those that we teach. We have been blessed this past week to have had many of those we meet with bring friends to meet with us as well, and we look forward to staying in touch.

I know that there are those in Imun who need this Gospel, and we will all we can to strengthen our faith that they're out there and we need to find them. As we focus on commitments this month it has helped me to put away some of my fears of pressure or time, or whatever, and be absolutely unashamed of the Gospel of Christ while still trying to show that love. There's nothing to be afraid of in offering the invitation, and it is our duty to offer all of those that we meet that boost, so that they can reach up and take the hand of Christ reaching down.

I was reading earlier this week in Matthew the Savior's invitation to his apostles to follow him. Simon and Andrew "straightaway left their nets, and followed him," and James and John "immediately left the ship." This immediate obedience to one who as of yet they had not know is amazing to me, and in our lives too, I think, the Savior is inviting us to come and Follow Him. What an example we have to drop everything we have and give it all to Him who gave all for us.

Thank you for your love and your updates. I am grateful that life is treating all well, and my prayers will be with you. All of the best,

Elder South