Falling in love [with cabbage] [December 15, 2013]

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you . . . Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -John 14:18, 27

I have felt a remarkable peace this week as I have striven to focus on those we are teaching, and studied and shared those simple yet profound truths of the Gospel. Christ tells us in John that that which He spoke unto us He did so that we may have peace. (John 16:33)

This past Tuesday we were able to go to the temple again [Temples represent the highest form of worship in the church, more than weekly services at local chapels. There is just one in Korea.] Beforehand, Elder Clearwater addressed us briefly, as he will be departing this next week. He will be sorely missed, and has been a superb example to me in many ways of the missionary that I want to become. President Christensen then addressed us, and said, among other pieces of wisdom, "If you choose what He wants, you'll get what you want."

On Wednesday, we conducted companionship exchanges after district meeting. I went with Elder Smith, and we had a very enjoyable day. We taught two consecutive lessons with the sister missionaries, both of which went a bit long, and both of which were with Chinese friends. The second was with Shakai, who returns to China on the 25th. It was a fun lesson, and he grabbed dinner with us afterwards. He also came to church yesterday and had a great experience, but still will not commit to a baptismal date. We will meet him as much as possible this week, and I really, really hope that next week I will have good news to report. It seems to him to be a little bit quick to make such a big commitment, which I definitely understand, but I know that all things are possible. (Phillipians 4:13, Alma 26;12) That night, we had a great meeting with another friend, and returned home via a long and very empty bus. Also of note on Wednesday is that we woke up to beautiful snow falling, and a bit having stuck on the ground. It is a beautiful city, and the snow is gorgeous.

We met with James on Thursday, who we met on the subway a couple weeks back. He grew up in Kentucky, but his parents are Korean, and he is studying computer science here. We went to a nice restaurant, and had bossam, which is delicious steamed meat with kimchi and a spicy soup. We had a nice conversation, introduced more of who we are, and are looking forward to meeting with him again soon.

I was introduced to bossam for the first time with James, but we went to someone's house the following day for dinner and had it again, with some superb kimchi. I don't know what happened, and I never disliked it before, but I really like kimchi now. I just want it sometimes. Now is one of those times. We had a great talk with this member. Her daughter is in our branch, but the mother, although she has a firm faith in God, does not attend. She recently underwent a divorce, and really wants to know how she can find peace and guidance from God. We shared Doctrine and Covenants 112:10, and talked about humility. She had great questions and great insights, and I really hope that she will continue to meet and start coming to church.

We will be moving into our new house tomorrow, which will be nice. A massive percentage of my budget is transportation, and this should cut it down. It will be a whole new dynamic to be in a four person house, and kind of a chance to reset, I guess. New commitment, new level of focus and desire.

Transfer calls were Saturday night, and I will be staying in Imun with Elder Grimshaw for another transfer. For those who are less familiar with this somewhat recondite system, I will explain briefly. We are called to a specific mission, in my case Korea Seoul, but there are many areas within each mission. Throughout our time, we always stay within our mission boundaries, but may be in many areas within the mission. Every six weeks is called a "transfer," and after every transfer areas and companionships are switched around, so you serve with several companions and in several areas throughout the course of your mission. For this transfer, though, I'll be staying put.

Sunday was another wonderful day. As we were shoveling snow in order to prepare for church, I was thinking about how some friends in other missions have talked about how sometimes people just walk into church and say that they want to learn. It, well, doesn't really happen here, but I was thinking that there was no reason that it shouldn't people everywhere need to know about Jesus Christ. The day previously, though, somebody called off of a card that we gave them this week and said that they wanted to come to church, which neeever happens. They came, really enjoyed it, and are coming back again. Right before our meetings started, too, somebody off of the street, a sister, just walked in. She said that she was looking for a church to go to that day, and she saw the name of Jesus Christ on our church, and decided to come in. The chances, the timing, her humility- it really was an absolute miracle. She will come back again next week as well, and was a sweet mercy to me. In addition to them, three Chinese investigators came to church. We had to split up again to teach, and the sister missionaries helped out as well. I "translated" for Betty, a Chinese girl and one of the sister's investigators, during sacrament meeting, since she doesn't speak Korean. The problem is, neither do I, so we talked about whatever questions she had, and how we can still feel the Spirit and have questions answered even if we can't understand what is going on. As one of the departing missionaries gave her farewell address, she was crying a bit, and Betty was very curious about what that feeling was that felt warm and opened peoples' hearts like that. Later, as we watched a movie with all of the Chinese people that came and discussed the Book of mormon, Betty too began to shed a few tears as she felt that Spirit. It really was a miraculous day, and helped me again to realize that this work is completely out of our hands.

I was thinking of Moroni's words this morning as I reflected upon the day, in Moroni 7 [From the Book of Mormon]:

"And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain."
We will strive for more faith, harder work, and showing more love in all that we do.

All my love,
Elder South

Big S/O to Elder Clearwater. 사랑해요!