Good day to all. I am happy today to hear your tidings and your preparations for the holidays. There sure is a lot to be thankful for, isn't there? Everything, I think. It's been an incredible week. The weather warmed up again after a frosty last week, and we were out in just suit jackets for much of the week (and Elder Killpack's trusty earmuffs, of course). It sounds like it's a different story in the states; enjoy and be safe!
There's been lots in the past week that has made more clear to me, I think, my purpose for being here, with regards to personal growth and specific chances to grow, develop, and help others.
There have been frustrations as well. We saw an unusually large number of punked appointments over the course of the week, and met many people in various settings, none of whom ended up becoming future investigators. We met with one older Korean man who spoke better French than English, with whom we ate a whole chicken in water and ginseng roots. It's better than it sounds. Our conversation at the church, though, didn't get very far. It's unfortunate, we always want more people to see what a blessing this can be, but we do our best, and we invite everyone, and that's all that we can do.
We went to the temple on Tuesday, which was a great experience. It always is. That night we had samgyeopsal with a potential investigator, which was maybe the fourth or fifth time in the past week. Consequences- 소화불량 ㅋㅋ {I looked it up: indigestion}. There was also some radish soup in pickled radish juice with some ice in it, which was my first time, although it came up again several times this week. It turns out a lot of Koreans don't like it either.^^ Later that night, someone invited us in to his store to stand on a very odd machine that shakes you for ten minutes- the ten minute miracle. Apparently Jessica Alba uses it? So says he.
On Wednesday we met someone that called us off of a business card and asked if we could show him how to get Mormon Tabernacle Choir music, since he really liked it. We went and had lunch with him, and hopefully Motab will be in his playlist along with trot hiking music. Thursday was more punked appointments, and samgyeopsal with a less active member. Brother Kwon, in high school, reset his baptismal date for January as well.
We conducted a baptismal interview on Friday {Zone leaders have responsibility for conducting the final interview for people being taught by other missionaries in their zone} , and did a lot of street contacting. I wish we could record our interactions. So fun, so funny, many are so similar. On Saturday we went up to Dongducheon to do another baptismal interview, and went on the army base. Just nuts. I can't take being up there for very long. So many foreigners. The military couple there bought us angus burgers, which were very American, and lasted us the rest of the day and beyond. We got back for the end of a baptismal service in Sanggye {Sam's home area}, wherein there were three people baptized. So exciting! transfer calls were that night as well, although President Christensen let us know earlier at the service.ㅎㅎ I'll be staying with Elder Killpack in Sanggye, although there are a lot of changes happening in the zone. We will miss those missionaries that are headed out, and look forward to an enjoyable and hardworking next transfer. We're doing everything we can to thrust in the sickle. Sister White, with whom I've been the last four transfers, is headed back home, and she will definitely be missed in the zone. Elder Ahn is headed to Sindang to work as the new financial elder {overseeing all the financial affairs of the mission. Sam really liked Elder Ahn, so sad to see him go!}, since the financial couple is leaving and they haven't been able to find a replacement. (Any volunteers?)
Sunday was very full and very exciting. We met with Ryowon, The son of Brother Yun, who was baptized when I was with Elder Ahn, and he committed to be baptized on Christmas. We also had a powerful lesson during the third hour of church with Brother Kim, and his wife, Sister Maeng, a recent convert. We have been thinking and praying a lot concerning Brother Kim, and meeting and teaching with him has been quite an involved process that has taken everything that we have as far as working with the ward, Korean ability, and persistence, and yesterday was a very rewarding experience. It was one of the strongest manifestations of the Spirit that I have felt as of yet during my time here, and Brother Kim committed to baptism on Christmas day as well. There is still a lot to do and teach and everything, but please keep him in your prayers as we work together for that. Other miracles dotted the week, including miraculously finding less active members and running into long-lost investigators along the way, and we're grateful for the little things.
Last week the zone as a whole got an average of 141 contacts per companionship, the mission standard being 140. It's the first time I've ever seen a zone at the average, and we expected miracles. Friends in the Phillipines and Latin America {where people are much more receptive to learning new things and where rates of growth in the church are so much higher} will laugh, but our zone as a whole ended up with 5 baptisms this weekend, only 2 of which were planned a week ago, which is the most in one weekend our zone has seen at one time for quite a while, although our records only go back two years. There is power in working hard and working together. It's a great time to be here and to be a missionary, and the work is rolling forward. We're just grateful to be a part, however small it seems our part is.
I love you all. Happy birthday this week, dad. Happy Thanksgiving. Our zone gets to go up to the military base for Thanksgiving this Friday, but no one else does, so don't tell the other zones.
All of my love and prayers! Come be a missionary, it's the best life there is.
Elder South
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