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