Dishwasher in Dongducheon -- September 15, 2014

Good day and heaps of love from Seoul.  To burgeoning cross country stars, college bound students, wonderful family, and very busy parent and grandparent teachers especially a warm greeting and prayers that the floods of life will stay manageable. In spite of things not always going exactly how we would like them to, the work moves forward and I am more and more grateful for my time here. I went up to Dongducheon this week, which is largely American military personnel and international factory workers, and got some pretty major culture shock. I have to admit, I was really uncomfortable in a house that just felt American, with white eggs and Reeses' Puffs and a big couch and cheese and signs in English and a DISHWASHER. I think I'm just going to need to stay in Seoul, the American life sure isn't for me. 

We had a fun time at our Bishop's home this past Monday as we made dumplings and fried seafood pancake things as we celebrated Chuseok. This is seriously the best place to be. We went hiking the next day at Suraksan, and made it almost all the way up, but when the path turned vertical and the sisters probably fairly accurately designated the activity as "rock climbing" we decided not to finish it out. Later!

More people than almost ever before were planning on coming to church this past week, and not a single one of them showed up. We were pretty disappointed, for sure, and it's hard to be patient sometimes, but I know that as we do everything we are supposed to do, things will turn out all right. Brother Yun does continue to be strong, and to bring his son to church, who we are hoping will be baptized very soon.

In spite of some frustrations this week, we were also blessed to see many miracles. Brother Liu, who flew in from China this week to be baptized and confirmed, I was privileged to be able to meet as I conducted his baptismal interview. We talked for almost 45 minutes, and he is just one of the most sincere, humble men I have been blessed to meet. He was happily baptized and confirmed yesterday, and returns to China soon after being ordained to the Priesthood next week. Someone gave us eleven pears yesterday, which are so good, and quite pricey, so we are very grateful. 

When I was up in Dongducheon, we met another incredibly humble, spiritually powerful man from Nigeria, Robert. It was amazing to see how much his life has changed because of the Gospel, of the power that it has to transform us. He wants to be baptized but may wait to do so with his wife when he returns home. We also spent a bit helping a very, very lost soldier trying to find his way to Daegu, in the South of the country.

We also conducted companionship exchanges with the assistants this past week, and it was a great experience as well. I was blessed to be with Elder Jeong, from whom I learned about love, boldness in invitations, and mostly about constant Christlike love and developing His attributes. I've had a goal recently in all interactions with others to 1. let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth and 2. show pure charity as much as possible. It's difficult, but it's where I would like to be eventually!

Much love and all my prayers. May all go well this week and beyond~

Elder South

Indomitable Korean spirit -- September 8, 2014

A beautiful day to all as I sit enjoying barley tea and spicy tuna kimbap, and feeling much love as I laugh at particularly amusing and appreciated emails this week. Thank you as always for your love and support. It's a good day to be alive. Due to the massive holiday today, the streets are absolutely deserted, and so we had a missionwide deep cleaning of our houses, which was su(uu)per fun, and then studies, so I'm a bit late with emailing today. We're going over to our bishop's house later to celebrate Chuseok and make traditional delicious rice cakes flavored with nuts and pine needles. The sister's recent convert and her husband, both refugees, will be attending as well, and we're very excited. Someone also just called and said they wanted to meet tonight, which we don't really get ("Hey, it's the biggest holiday of the year, how about meeting two foreigners who can't speak my language?") but hey, we'll take it. There's a lot to be grateful for.

We had a Chuseok conference and combined zone meeting this past Saturday, which was a lot of fun. We had traditional drums and the kayageum, and good food and friends and talks. It seems like we won't have any more combined mission conferences in the future, so we are grateful for the fun we've had in the past! We discussed prayer, and its role, and its deep significance, which was very meaningful to me, but 뭣보다 더 we watched a video with one of Korea's national songs, essentially a second national anthem, the Arirang. Maybe you can find it, it's maybe called "This is Arirang." 

{Editor: I couldn't find that. But here is one version of the song} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkM_LXUCMeA

Anyway, it's filmed in one of my favorite places that I've been, and it's maybe a silly thing, but as we watched it, I just felt an overwhelming love for the country and the people and everything here. Korea, as you well know, has gotten the short end of the stick, pretty much always. There have been some really, really tough times here, in not too distant memory. But people always fight back, and people always work incredibly hard and remain incredibly loyal to those that they love. It's frankly absolutely incredible that this country is where it's at today, and it's because of the people, their desire, and their willingness to work for it. It's hard sometimes, if people are busy, or won't listen to us because of their friend, or what have you, but those same reasons have built up Korea to where it is today. The Korean people are proud of where they are at, and rightfully so. The humility, loyalty, work ethic, and love that I see and feel here is astonishing, and I have a lot to learn.

Miracles continue to occur. In our zone, a Chinese sister married one of the soldiers in a military base in our zone, both members, a while ago, and the sister's father has been researching the church. He is flying out this weekend to take all of the lessons and be baptized before heading right back to China. Now that's faith. He doesn't speak any Korean or English, so I'm grateful and humbled to be able to spend some time up in Dongducheon this weekend for at least his baptismal interview.

We're getting along well as a companionship, and I'm having a great time. It's a wonderful place with wonderful people, and time just goes by way too quickly. I love you all and pray for you often.

No investigators were at church, and most members were gone as well, already having traveled to their hometowns, so we didn't even have the normal third hour of church yesterday. ㅋㅋWork hard, party hard. Anyway, we talked about Job during Gospel Doctrine yesterday, and he expressed my desire to have no regrets while I'm out here admirably:

"My heart shall not reproach me so long as I [serve]."

추석 잘 보내세요!  맛있게 드세요! ^^

Chuseok well spend! Deliciously eat!

가을의 숨결을 느껴짐 The Breath of Autumn -- August 31, 2014

Good afternoon! It's a bright and rather warm day in September. Already. I hope that all in the states are enjoying the last dregs of August. Another rainy season has come and gone, mostly, with much, much less than is normal. That being said, it's rained a fair bit, and there's massive flooding down South, so I guess it depends on where you're at. In any case, we're looking forward to a cool, blue autumn. May the sun shine and the cool winds blow wherever you are at. Love especially to all those starting school again now- fighting!

It's been quite an eventful week, and I wish that I could more adequately explain all that we do. Elder Ahn finished the pass-off program, which is a big deal. We had probably the worst lesson I have ever taught as a missionary ("I like coffee, but I know it's not healthy, cause when I drink it, I can't sleep that night. It's terrible. Actually, it's really delicious." -missionary teaching the word of wisdom), but that too passed. We had a fun mix up this week as well with the other elders. We were waiting outside one of the subway stations in our area at an exit I had never met someone at before, but that's what he requested. The person we were waiting for was met by elders down South, so we had never seen what he looked like, but they introduced him to us via phone, and we had set up that appointment. The time to meet arrived, and a very dapper gentleman that works down in Gangnam introduced himself to us, and said that he was there to meet missionaries. I asked him if he was the guy we were waiting for, and the name was a bit different, so I thought that that was awkward, and apologized for having the wrong name. We explained that since the other elders lived farther away, we would be meeting, and we started to make our way to eat and talk. He was kind and understanding, even after we found out he had traveled an hour and a half to meet with us, and we were different people than he had met originally. Anyway, as we were walking something just felt a little bit off, so I called the other elders in our area, and asked if they were meeting someone at Nowon exit 9 that night. They said they were, and said the name of the guy that we were going to eat with. It all ended up okay, he's incredible, we switched at the restaurant, and Elder Ahn and one of the other elders ate with him. Same station, same time, same exit, similar name~ just crazy. I street contacted with Elder Singer a bit, then we got a sudden call from the sisters that a family we have been teaching wanted to eat. Right then. We left right away, proselyted on accident to a ward member in the subway before we realized it was him, got a fake plant stuck on my shoe that when I pulled it off ripped my pant leg up to my knee, and had quite an adventure finding the son of the family we were visiting, who had no phone and was in one of the five or so PC rooms in the area. We eventually found him, ate spaghetti, left my bag, took a taxi to visit a less active member, who ended up not being there, talked with our bishop, who may or may not have noticed my uncommonly free pants, and took a taxi back home. It was a pretty crazy night.

On Saturday there was a ward party after a baptismal service with two more people being baptized, which meant that on Sunday there were three confirmations in church, including Brother Yun. Transfer calls were on Friday, and I will be staying in Sanggye, though I'll be with Elder Harrison, who I know well- I lived with him for a transfer or two, and have been in his same zone/district for most of my mission. This is actually his last transfer, so I'll be "killing" my first companion. Elder Jones is coming from Imun to be with Elder Ahn, I think the fourth missionary from Imun in five transfers to come to Sanggye. I'm switching apartments to the luxurious mountainside retreat, though it will now have six elders, as we're getting another set of elders in Sanggye. Elder Jones and Elder Ahn will stay in "the Byucksan," where we have been. It's not bad, but there are better. Says Elder Ahn on being confined there: "I will be devil, I will firework in my house." They'll get along great, and I'm excited as well. Elder Harrison is a great missionary. There's another large influx of missionaries this transfer, so our zone and our mission continues to grow.

Saturday we have a conference for 추석 (Chuseok), the Korean (originally Chinese) Thanksgiving/harvest festival. We're excited! One of the two biggest holidays of the year, go ahead and look it up, eat some pears, pay respect to ancestors, and give relatives beastly expensive gift boxes of dried mushrooms and ginseng sold by department stores. Perhaps we can avoid the latter, there are, as with Thanksgiving, many traditional elements of the holiday, but also those that are a bit more modern. In any case, we sure have a lot to be thankful for. I'm grateful very much for you and the opportunity to be here.

Love you!

Elder South

"No problem man. Nice chicken. I'm thank you." -- August 24, 2014

{I assume the subject of Sam's email comes from a meeting on the street this week}

Goooood afternoon! It's been a good week, though we're still trying to catch our breath after a very busy and one of our more stressful weeks, which started, as it often does, with a lack of coordination. Before teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ last week with Brother Yun, we talked about setting a baptismal date, but didn't decide when would be the best for the service. As we taught, I invited Brother Yun to be baptized, and as he asked a question, Elder Ahn followed up and committed him to be baptized- yesterday. We didn't see, even then, any way that it could happen this week, but we are very grateful for a multitude of miracles this week that made it possible for Brother Yun to be baptized, and are absolutely amazed at how things can work out when God is helping things along. From perfectly living the word of wisdom before we taught it to having similar interests as a member fellowshipper, we are just astounded.

The ward has also been absolutely wonderful, and after meeting a couple times with a Brother Choi, he was able to baptize Brother Yun, and will hopefully provide that solid anchor of support and fellowship whenever we leave. Brother Yun stayed after the baptismal service for quite some time talking with members, and we are very excited for him as he moves forward. He really seems to understand very well the covenant that he has made, and already is looking forward later to receiving the Priesthood and entering the temple. His son is nine years old, and has also made good friends with children in the ward, including Brother Choi's recently baptized son, so we will continue to work with them both and pray that Ryowon, the son, will soon want to follow the example of his father.

Elder Ahn and I are enjoying our time together. It's a privilege to be with such a fun, desirous, capable spirit. I feel that both of us grew this week as we worked through things that we have never had to together, and learned to trust more in the Lord and try to do His work His way. Earlier this week from him: "Do you wanna piece of me? It's hot, cause I'm Tobasco Ahn~"

We are grateful to be serving here and with each other, and I am very grateful to have this chance to serve in this capacity. Transfer calls are Friday, so we'll let you know what happens next week, I guess. It seems like there will be some changes here in Sanggye (which being translated, on account of its history, is "upper chicken farm," but I digress).

Many thanks, and all of my prayers and love.

Elder South

Who needs hot water? -- August 17, 2014

In spite of constant rain, a beautiful day to all. It's been another great week, although it's hard to believe that it's been, well, another week.

 

Some highlights from the past week include the following:

 

On Tuesday we had the opportunity to go to the temple, which is always such a privilege. It was a treat to see Steven and Jonathan afterwards, and love to all those in New Haven and elsewhere as a new year approaches.

 

We got hot water back in our apartment this week, which is nice, but frankly, not nearly as much of a necessity as I may once have thought.

 

Hard things- One of the other elder's recent converts texted yesterday and said that he was "done with the whole Mormon thing" and didn't ever want to come to church again. It seems that his grandmother may be in the hospital, and we're hoping that when she recovers, he will be able to meet again, but it is difficult. One of the sister's recent converts, whose baptism was so, so powerful, is being vehemently opposed by her parents, who say that she can never again attend in spite of her desire. It is hard, really hard, to be a member here, so much pressure in so many ways, but I am so grateful to be here, and learn from the humility and strength from the Korean members. To quest for obedience and try always for what I have to offer be acceptable to the Lord.

 

"I can see the Suji. My heart burning."

 

Brother Yun we met this week at a member's house for a meal, and we watched and discussed a video about the Restoration. It went well, he came to church on Sunday, and accepted a baptismal date for next week! We have a lot left to teach and some logistical issues with the ward next over, but I have faith that everything will work out. Being able to meet wth Brother Yun has been such a privilege and a miracle.

 

And finally, inspiration from Paul: "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

 

It is such a precious time for me to be able to have this chance to be out here, it means so much to me. We can labor all day and be unprofitable servants, but I am astounded by the blessings that the Lord blesses us with when we do what we can. All of my love. Sorry for jumping around today, more essay editing and such has rendered today's time a bit short.

 

Love from Seoul!

 

Elder South 

Love is always stronger -- August 11, 2014

Gooood afternoon to all, and I hope that all goes well. Thank you for your love and prayers, and know that the same are coming out from Seoul as well. Being a missionary brings with it a certain set of challenges and experiences, certainly, but we are also living such a lifestyle as to render many of life's challenges out of our thoughts and focus. As you face those, best of luck, and prayers. There are a lot of hard things in this world, but there are a lot of good things in this world. A lot of sorrow, but a lot of love. It's hard to pinpoint any specific thing that has affected me most or been most influential to me as I have served thus far, but one thing that I have seen is that regardless of trials or struggles, love is always stronger.

 

We've seen more miracles this week with regards to our beloved friends, coming to church, or saying prayers, or just having a desire to meet. If you don't focus on the miracles there can be things that are hard, but if you do, there sure is a lot to be grateful for. Particularly powerful this week was Brother Jeonggeun, with whom we met with after sacrament meeting at church. As we discussed the Restoration and the methods that God has given us to know of its truthfulness, he expressed his feeling a "감동," a "deep emotion," I don't know the best way to say it in English. We did too, and we are grateful for assurances, little or big, that let us know He's there.

 

We have the opportunity to go to the temple again tomorrow, and I am really looking forward to it. It's time to go back. It's an amazing chance as a missionary, and I am very grateful. Steven and Jonathan, two dear college friends, should also be in the area for lunch, so we're looking forward to getting together. <3

 

A sister in our ward passed away this week, so we attended a funeral last night, late. It was naturally a solemn affair, but again, we felt a presence and an assurance that I will remember and for which I am very grateful. It was a special experience for me, and I am grateful for the Gospel ("And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.") and the outpouring of love from the ward and the family. Love is always stronger.

 

I'm never used to being a missionary- I can always serve more diligently and talk to more people and have a more focused desire and feel more powerfully personal conversion, but I am grateful for every minute. This is the place for me, and I want to keep moving forward until I can become that smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty.

 

Although I feel relatively confident in most situations that we find ourselves in with regards to the language, I am, as has often been true in the past, frustrated at times with my present abilities and look forward but can't always have the patience to consistently move forward. Stuttering or miscommunication can be frustrating, but I know that as I do my very best and stay calm and faithful, what I can say will be what I need to say, even if it doesn't seem to be at the time. Korean is just a tool, not why we're here. "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there night not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me."

 

"Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called? . . . I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God . . . and this is my joy."

 

All love to Daniel as he hikes, Caleb as he ponders and moves forward, Lisa and family as they adjust, dearest Grandmother as she continues to reach out in Christlike love, Juliana and Mikey and school friends and branch and all, much love and many thoughts. I am grateful for examples and service and love and patience. The world moves forward and we seek to find our place in it.

 

Lots of pictures, but unfortunately, due to a loss of both picture-uploading devices I once had, I cannot but forbear. Later!

 

I love you and I love Korea. Love and prayers and love. 

 

Elder South

One year out -- August 3, 2014

Good afternoon! We've had a good week, and have felt the Lord's hand more as we strive to follow what he would have us do. Studies have really been fruitful this week, and we're trying to turn more to Preach My Gospel and become a by the book missionary. An increased focus on loving investigators and thinking of what they need, always, has helped us.

As we came today into the PC bang {an internet cafe, I assume{, we saw one of our investigators that we weren't able to meet with last week with a friend, who also said that they wanted to meet with us- tender mercies. Frankly, we've seen a lot of those this week. From praying and rain being held off just long enough as we meet with someone in a park to having potential investigators' mothers give their approval, we do feel the Lord's help. It's good for us to remember- there were definitely several times this week when we wished things went a little better, or that someone had showed up, but it's comforting to know that as we do our part, we are entitled to the Lord's help.

That previously-mentioned investigator came and sat down by us as we are emailing, which is not an experience that I've had before. :) We're excited for him, the first lesson went well, and he had great questions.

Elder Ahn is doing very well. He continues to show a desire to obey and to work very hard, and we're getting along well. It's a blessing to serve with him and in this area. Really, he is incredible.

We met a Chinese sister earlier this week that certainly has potential interest in the Gospel, and was very excited when she saw a Book of Mormon in Chinese, but she came with her mother, who was very diligently Buddhist, not so excited, and actually wouldn't even let her take the book home. As we meet in the future, we will continue to pray for and think of how we can overcome her mother's unwillingness to depart from what she knows and believes.

 

After several consistent rejections this week, I looked up to see a girl wearing a shirt that said, in big letters, "HOPELESS." It's not, though, we're happy and loving life. When I am weak then am I strong. We met with an investigator's family this week with the sisters, who met his little sister the next day and set a baptismal date!

As I went on exchanges this week, we discussed in particular the unique points of Christ's Gospel that we can share with others, how, in essence, the Gospel can be a blessing in the lives of others. It is a pleasure to serve with him, and always great to serve with a missionary that is willing to work as hard as they can for Christ.

My one year mark as a missionary mercilessly came and went without much fanfare this week, save maybe some rain. It did give me a good chance to think and reevaluate how things are going and how I can improve, and I have some new goals to work on as we move forward. I really am so grateful to be here and to be doing this work, there's not a better place to be! You can probably feel my haste, I apologize. I love you so much and pray for you often.

뽜샤뽜샤 Ppwasya ppwasya - July 27, 2014

{Sam often uses Korean in his email subject lines, which I translate via Google translate. It doesn't always work well, and this week in particular I have no idea what it means. But I thought Ppwasya ppwasya was kind of catchy and left it as is!)

Good afternoon, dear family and friends. It's nice to be in touch, and I hope that all are well. It's been a beautiful week to be a missionary, and even though at times it doesn't go as fast as we would wish, the work is always moving forward. I was reading this morning about Sister Snow's miracles on the Amazon, Sister Shumway's imminent departure, and just reading stories from California, Taiwan (), and elsewhere makes me very grateful to be a part of this worldwide work in beautiful Korea. It's a good time to be a missionary, and it always will be.

 

It's been an odd summer with regard to rain, in that it has rained much less than normal- I guess no typhoons have hit us yet. I watched some live videos last July that showed Seoul just turned into rivers, and that certainly hasn't been true yet. I do like the rain, but as people tend to have almost as great a fear of rain as pigeons, it certainly is good news for us.  A couple of investigators committed to coming to church on Sunday, with the caveat that no such thing would happen were it to rain. We prayed very hard.

 

Sister Ju came in this week, a new missionary. A VERY new missionary, in fact, she wasn't able to get a visa to go to the MTC, so she went straight to President last Monday, and her tag is still written in white marker because she came so quickly. She's be great, and we're excited to work with her. Sister Jeong, who I served with in Dongdaemun/Imun also came in the week, and is just a fantastic missionary. We're sad to see Sister Kwon go, for sure, but also excited for the next transfer, which will be a lot of fun- we're excited to work as hard as we can.

 

Dream Forest was a blast last week, a massive free park in the middle of one of the world's biggest cities. We just have nothing like the parks of Seoul in America. On the way over, I was talking with an older guy on the bus about different Korean traditional foods, and his musings on the company in which to enjoy the small intestine of cattle were amusing but perhaps for another time.

 

After four hours or so of pretty solid street contacting, we were tired but had one more card that we hadn't given out. One of my goals in the MTC was to always talk with one more person, knock on one extra door, 등등, so after turning back around and a couple rejections, met Hyeonu, this incredible high school student who started to believe in God a year ago, and who met the next day. He is wonderful, really understood the apostasy and the primitive church better than almost anyone else we've met, and had great questions. We're meeting this week again, and are very excited for him.

 

I met Jaeu at a crosswalk near a subway station, and we had a great conversation. He asked, if there were so many people, why I talked with him, and as we talked, he opened up a lot about guidance, and how he went to church before but isn't sure about God now, and such. He met us later that week, and came to church as well yesterday. The circumstances of his meeting and the time opening up for him to be able to meet were really a miracle, for which we are grateful.

 

We see a lot of miracles. I was thinking about that this morning. We're not converting villages or speaking with cloven tongues of fire, but every time someone shakes our hand, gives us their number, or meets again, it really is miraculous. We're very grateful to be here In Korea and Sanggye with wonderful members and a great district, and we really feel God's love in abundance as we do His work as best as we can.

 

I hope that you are happy and healthy and blessed. I pray that it is so often. Good luck in all your endeavors, and fight the good fight!

 

Elder South