The Cutlet

꽃이 꼭 곧 필거야

Good afternoon on a beautiful, beautiful spring day! The weather is as perfect as can be, and although I wish it could stay like this forever, I fear that it will warm up a little bit too much before long. I am very excited for the cherry blossoms in the next couple of weeks, though! It's a beautiful time to be in Seoul.

 

There was a meeting this past week called 12-week follow up, that was very enjoyable and gave us lot to discuss and shoot for as we strive to become more effective missionaries and just better people. Companionship study has been going well, particularly as we place an increased emphasis on role play and really try to put ourselves in the shoes of those that we are teaching. There is always an underlying sense of frustration, or I suppose desire, for things to move along more quickly in our finding, teaching, and watching people progress, but we do really believe that there are those here who are looking for what we have to share, and we will continue to go forward at full speed as we look for them. Our mission president spoke earlier this week about those days when you come home and just have nothing left. Truly satisfaction only comes in knowing that there is nothing more you could have given the Lord.

Brother Sangjo continues to be in our thoughts. He wants to be baptized, but insists on a private service, and will simply not come to church. Obviously, we can't make make exceptions to the Lord's way of doing things, and although we truly feel that he comes closer to Christ from our lessons, and although he is lonely and wants to turn to God in his old age, although we feel the Spirit as we teach, our purpose is to invite and help people come to Christ through several ordinances that require church attendance, and as he will not accept that, it seems that we will need to discontinue meeting him.

We met several new Chinese investigators this past week. Gospel principles {A Sunday-school class for new and investigating people) went very well yesterday, and we have high hopes for Xueyi, with whom we have been meeting with for a bit. Sa Gae also attended, and it was wonderful to see him feeling comfortable and adjusting to everything.

 

Elder Jones is doing a great job. As he learns, tries other ways of doing things, and picks what works for him, his wonderful desire and acquired skills allow him to be an increasingly effective tool in the Lord's hands. He is caring, thoughtful, and careful, making sure that no one is forgotten in our teaching. He studies well and picks up the language very quickly. It is a great responsibility to grow with him and be the best example that I can be, as I continue to see several of my own attributes reflected in his teaching, proselyting, or other skillsets, including those wherein I lack much.

 

He wasn't kidding about the cutlet

I really just am so short of time always. 어떻게. In brief, last week we ate a massive pork cutlet, played soccer, met Dongwon again, with whom it's been a while, and went to a pig intestine stew restaurant. On the other end of the spectrum, we went to a massive vegetarian buffet and enjoyed the tofu, soups, and not so much the "grain meat." As we waited to meet someone at the subway station close by our house, and he didn't show up, we met a super cool guy from Angola, Luciano, and 용남, "dragon man," who as we spoke with him said that he thinks we lived with God before we came to Earth and that this life is a preparatory state to meet God again. Looking forward to meeting him again.  Transfer calls were this past week, and I'll be staying with Elder Jones. Given the Chinese situation, I might be here for quite a while, which would be wonderful. I'm really loving it here. Elder Mumford will transfer to the same place that Sister Kang transferred last transfer and again be her district leader, and Elder Pons, from my age group, will come in with Elder Osborne. Sister Gu, who only has two transfers left, will come in with Sister Deng. We're excited! Great things will happen.

 

All of my love and my prayers. It's a happy life, and I am loving this short time. May there be peace at home and abroad.

 

Elder South