Chinese Dreams

Hello!  It's hard to beat the weather outside, and the sunshine can finally match the message in our hearts in its radiance and warmth.

Three Bears, Korean Style?

I was blessed to be able to go on an exchange with one of our zone leaders earlier this week, and it was a really great experience. Because of a crazy Monday and Tuesday last week, we didn't have many appointments, but we had a great time proselyting and saw some miracles. When we were speaking with one person in particular, we asked if he might have some time to meet sometime and talk about who we are, before we could move past "have some time" he invited us to sit down at a bench right there, and we had a wonderful conversation on the Book of Mormon.

We spoke a lot concerning time management. I feel often that there are so, so many things that need to be done, and am not sure when is the most effective time to do them. We spoke about looking at the whole week as a big picture, and fitting in the puzzle pieces of sorts for maximum efficacy. We also spoke of talking with eve-ry-one and how we never know who is prepared until we open our mouths.

We saw several other miracles through the phone this week, as several people called us out of the blue, one of which wants to come to church next week. We called Zack, who has no religious background but wanted to come to church with us. He stayed for all three hours, and although it was difficult for him to understand (he is Taiwanese), he really seemed to enjoy it, and we will continue to meet with him. Chinese Gospel Principles was great, with Zack, one of the sisters investigators from Beijing, and Sa Gae, and we switched rooms with the Korean class because we were so large.

"Because" He Can

Brother Wang, from Beijing, attended church again in Jangui yesterday, and the elders there set a baptismal date for him for next month. We will go up to meet him and try to resolve whatever concerns he has later this week. We met a new investigator after lunch yesterday, from Guangdong, and he brought a friend. It turns out he is friends with an investigator that we met last week, so it's a small world for the Chinese in Imun. I woke up to a Chinese dream this morning, and might just have to forget about this whole "Korean" thing.

Studies have been going well as I, too, try to go back to the basics and really familiarize myself with Preach My Gospel. There, too, are some pretty amazing promises made to those who preach the Lord's Gospel in the Doctrine and Covenants.

We are loving life, and really, are just happy. It's a beautiful world and a beautiful Gospel.

In brevity and exceeding love,

Elder South 

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 

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

Personal touch

{Usually, we as Sam's family get to read the same as all of you--he just sends one letter. This week he responded to a few notes sent by mom Kristin. This is his response to her recap of the recent New York Times article published regarding Mormon women serving missions, which included interviews with some very discouraged sisters serving in Seoul}

That's cool that you saw that NYT article, I was here when they did all the interviews and stuff for that and it sounded interesting. We do teach English, but not a ton. Our class is twice a week, and we work with people individually as well every so often. I know that some people really do not like to proselyte/street contact (전도), whatever that is defined as, but although some people definitely do not want to talk with you, overall most are very kind and I have not really had any bad experiences jeondoing. It really is so fun to try to open someone up and share something that can help them. It's definitely hard sometimes to separate your success from those that you teach, but we succeed when we invite and help, and they succeed when they accept that invitation, and so if we invite to the best of our ability, there's no need to get discouraged. It's just making friends. For me, at least, some people jeondo differently. That works for me, and it's how my trainer did it. Did you ever get together with him {his trainer, Elder Clearwater}? I know you're all very busy.

 

Some days are hard, for sure, but sometimes what's harder is feeling that this experience should be harder. Somewhat confusing, but does that make sense? It's not that we're seeing wild success or that I understand the language very well or anything, but I do feel sometimes that this should be a harder experience, that I need to be pushing more. What's hardest is feeling like there's more you should have done.

 

Anyway, I guess I need to try to write out a general letter. I'm defintely struggling with cleaning/calling/studying/journal time balance, and it's tough when i just can't stay up if I need to like in college.

 

Love!

Sa Gae and the Sultanate

안녕하세용! <3

 

Greetings from a warming and beautiful Seoul. It rained a couple nights ago, so the air has been better since then, but it's still not great.

 

It's been a fun week!

 

We were able to meet with Paengwen for one last time before he headed back to China, but he'll be back fairly soon, I believe. He was as happy as ever, absolutely jubilant. The next day was zone conference {when missionaries from the same broader area meet together}, which was great! Afterwards, I went with Elder Luker, who leaves this next transfer, to proselyte at Koryeo Dae. Going back to Dongdaemun {where Sam was first assigned in Seoul}, and especially Koryeo Dae, is always like going home. Love it. Elder Luker is incredible, and we had a great time. We went hard- there's just no other option.

 

That evening, we met again with brother Nam, with whom we met last week. It was a good experience to be able to testify, and really affirmed that the Lord will bless you with the ability to say what you need to say, through whatever means, pictures or Chinese, or what have you, it needs to be said. Although we had no time for dinner, a quart of strawberry drinking yogurt and a baguette were enjoyed later on. Sa Gae texted that night and said that he was back in town, so we planned to meet on the weekend. After planning on Friday, Ungsam suddenly called and said that he really wanted to meet with us, and was one minute away by car. And so, as usually tends to be the case with him, we ran full sprint to the church and said our hellos. As for trying to slow down a bit and take a step back in our work {Dad keeps trying to encourage Sam to slow down just a bit}, we're doing our best. We do sporadically do yoga in the morning or the evening, so that's been good.

 

Later on, I went out to dinner with Elder Osborne and one of their new investigators, an eighteen year old from  Azerbaijan. We talked as best as we could, we didn't really speak any mutual languages, and went out for chicken kebabs at his request. As we talked, we quickly realized he had absolutely no interest in what we were saying, and our conversation tended toward the awkward. The kebabs were fairly small, and he ordered six for us. We tried to not eat a lot, and as they were gone, I thought we were preparing to leave, but he got up and ordered four more. For the sake of time, that is how we ended up spending $25 won on kebabs, and went home later to eat an actual meal. 

{Sam wrote a few months ago about the very important Korean concept of "jeong" -- affection, love, connection -- that not surprisingly often gets tied up (and probably often misused) around food. We suppose this snippet is related to missionaries trying to figure out how to use Jeong properly and not get taken for a ride!}

 

As we went out of the restaurant, though, a bit peeved, we were walking and saw a foreigner, and to take our minds off things, just went to talk with him. Turned out we didn't even need to, he came and said hello and shook our hands, and with a wide smile introduced himself as Mr. Shamis Al-Shamis, from Oman. Turns out he is (from?) the Sultanate of Oman, and he had gotten to Korea two days before. He works with foreign affairs, and is here kind of as a gesture of friendship/learning Korean trip. His master's degree was in English, so he spoke very well. He needed to fix his watch, so as we walked to and from the store we had a great time discussing religion, buying bananas, Thai tones, and ancient anecdotes. We will meet up again soon, in sha'Allah.

 

There was a massive fireside in the South Mission yesterday with Elder Nash, of the Seventy. He gave a great talk, and we went down with Sa Gae (!) and Xue Yi, a Chinese investigator that we talked to on the street first transfer (청수 스왜그). Both enjoyed it, and we had a fun time. It was wonderful to see Sa Gae again, and he and Xue Yi talked a lot and exchanged numbers, so that was great. Chinese Gospel Principles continues to grow, and we are very excited for that as well.

 

All my love! Sorry for the brevity~

 

Elder South 

Strokes of Providence

안녕~ ^^

봄이 되니까 따뜻해 지고 행복하시죠? ^-^

 

I hope all goes well! It's been a fun week as it warms up and more and more people are out. All of the colleges in our area start this next week, so we've seen a lot of frightened little prefrosh walking around with their moms in their new campuses that just light up when you say hello. Hopefully we can make some new friends as people move in and start something new and are willing to try new things. Several new members have moved into our branch the past couple weeks that will be wonderful to get to know, although two sisters have also moved out to serve missions which is both wonderful and sad to see them go.

 

Hiking last week was a lot of fun! The weather was nice and the trail very rewarding. We were able to talk with Muye extensively concerning God's plan for us and how it applies specifically to relationships on this Earth with our family. It was great to see him really have a curiosity and open up to us, and although he returns to China pretty soon, I hope that at least some of what we discussed he will remember, and maybe his desire will bloom later on. Although the promised view over Seoul did not pan out due to some pretty poor air conditions, it was a great experience that I really want to have again. We were able to explore a Buddhist temple on the mountain, which was fascinating, and really enjoyed a carved out meditation cave. Unfortunately, pictures were disallowed, but nothing beats the serenity of an Asian cloud forest.

 

That evening, we met two new friends, one from Taiwan, that are both potentially very interested in what we have to say. Several of those with whom we were able to meet with for the first time this week were from China, and yesterday we had a very interesting experience as one of these, who also speaks Korean, outlined his plan to proselyte up North across the border, and shared an elaborate plan of water travel, bribery, and talking with leaders to make that possible. He wanted us to join him after he was established so that we could all teach, but we said that we'd have to ask our mission president, as our mission doesn't quite extend there yet.

 

Our investigators are progressing well. We have been feeling that perhaps we are not focusing as well as we should on those who are preparing for baptism or feasibly speedily headed that way, and thus in the coming week and beyond will start a concentrated effort to focus on those investigators, keeping them keeping commitments, getting involved with members, and coming to church. Essentially, we want to work on a powerful and lasting change of heart.

Jackie is one of those that has been progressing over the past few weeks. He has a baptismal date and really wants to make that step and to come to church, but his current job prevents his attendance. He is currently in the process of searching for a new job that would allow him to have Sundays off, and it has been amazing to see his willingness as we have met to commit to putting the Lord first and trusting that things will work out for the best--a wonderful example for us as well.

Ungsam is very curious about our church and its teachings, and attended church last week. Not having had a Christian upbringing, he was rather confused during both our Gospel Principles class on the signs of the Second Coming (to no wonder) and sacrament meeting as well. We thought that his confusion contributed to a poor experience for him, but as we met with him again he expressed the peace and the friendliness that he felt at church, and wants to continue to attend and learn more. In addition, he brought two of his daughters to meet us at our last meeting, and through a stroke of Providence sister Lee, a Korean sister from nearby, was here for exchanges and warmly welcomed them.

Sungil, who was baptized in January, is doing well, learning more, and getting a lot out of the scriptures. In spite of that, however, we are quite worried about him; his girlfriend, who introduced him to the church, and supported him as he progressed, recently broke up with him, and he has not attended church the last two weeks. We will make every effort to reach out to him and support him. There are several recent converts who have just started attending school at a school in our area, and we will try to get them and Sungil, who attends the same school, out to eat together or something soon, as well as continuing to try to integrate him more fully into the branch. Member involvement is another aspect that we are trying to focus on, and supporting the branch is another critical role of ours wherein I, at least, could improve greatly. We met with our branch president this past week to discuss what more we could be doing, and he was very supportive and very helpful. We will continue to follow up with him as we implement his suggestions.

Studies have been very rewarding as of late- it is always a privilege to sit down and find answers to questions of your own soul and those you teach, and later to see that change as they, too, realize. I have been reading from the Doctrine and Covenants {a compilation of modern Mormon scripture}, which has beautiful advice for those serving as a missionary, and has become sweet and supportive for me. Companionship study {the two companions study every morning, and Sam is "training" a newbie to Korea} also goes well as we discuss how we can continue to improve in every phase of the work and focus on those who are coming unto Christ.

Gadong, a Chinese sister in our branch, has just returned from China, and will be able to help us teach. Sa Gae also returns very soon, has been doing well, and we are really looking forward to seeing him again!

 Well, as it happens, I am needing to go again, after only being able to express the smallest part of my experiences and feelings. Do know that I love you and pray for you, and hope that every day you are happy.

 

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects Thine own great mercy, Lord,

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love

 

All my love,

 

Elder South