Lots of eating oatmeal in the car this week. We've had a busy few days, but everything is passed for now until mission leadership conference (MLC) next week. Tuesday was President Christensen's birthday, and we were able to attend the temple. We got there early, and our zones lined up along the hill and sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" as President drove up. It was a great experience on a beautiful morning, and it was great to be able to go to the temple. The weather has jumped from 60 degrees to 80, but it's still beautiful beautiful, with flowers all over the place. There's just lots of nice little touches like big planters at Gwanghwamun, and pink bell flowers at the station next to the church.
It was really a privilege to be with President Ringwood {the church leader assigned to that area of the world}. We got to be there with him all three days for mission tour, and each day was radically different. He is a very impressive man, and showed a depth and an understanding of the Gospel that made me want to change how I study and the role the Gospel plays in my life so that I can have the understanding that he does one day. One thing he mentioned that I thought was neat is to have the goal of hearing the voice of the Lord saying to him individually, "Well done, [Sam], thou good and faithful servant."
We got to meet with him with President Christensen for a meeting after the third day, and it was just cool to sit down with him and learn. It was impressive what he taught, but to me what was more impressive was how he taught, following the Spirit, and heavily influenced by his personal study that morning. It was really cool to work with him this week, and now I'll have to work on applying what he taught us and seeing how we can raise the vision of the mission.
We had a chance on Preparation day this past week to go up to Namsan Tower, and it was a beautiful day, very clear and lined with flowers. We also went to "Ashley's," an impressive American buffet with great mango and dragonfruit salad.
I have made it a point every day of my time in Korea so far to have one street contact every day, no matter how busy we are or what we are doing. The vast majority of days it is not a problem to have many more than that, but especially in the office when we're planning for events or transfers or something it gets harder. One day this week after mission tour, we had to clean up, drive home, and work furiously on a movie that we were showing the next day. We took a quick break, said a prayer, and ran out to find someone. We ran down and found, in our very limited time, just two wonderfully open people, both of whom gave us their contact information, and one of whom we are meeting this week. He said he had a lot of questions, and it's incredible to realize how as people open up, the answers to their questions really are found in the sphere of the Gospel. Tender mercies were a theme this week, with just lots of little miracles, just ridiculous things, that let us know that God is in charge. One student that was baptized when I was in Imun that I haven't been able to be in touch with for a long while, and who had stopped going to church, rode by on his bike as we were street contacting in Dongdaemun after mission conference, and we are in touch. An older man rejected us and our message, but after we talked more took us out for dinner, brought us to meet his 5 friends, and took a Book of Mormon to give to his friend after we left. A family missed the bus and ended up being interested in talking to us. Two Chinese investigators were referred to us, and will be baptized in a couple of weeks.
Somewhat sacrilegiously, Elder Ahn always called chicken tenders "chicken tender mercies."
We sang "Families can be Together Forever" in sacrament meeting, and did the second verse in Korean sign language for the deaf branch that attends with us. It was really cool! I'm not very good at sign language. Fortunately, if we meet any more deaf people on the street, I will be able to say "given us a plan," "marry in the temple," and "family."
We had some great proselyting time the last few days this week, and met some fun people (see subject line). Also of noteworthy quotes is someone from Vietnam who wasn't as interested in talking, and said simply, "Finish time."
We went to the Lusvardi family's home again, with two Chinese investigators. They are just incredible: so good at making people feel comfortable, so humble, so strong. It was just what the investigators needed. We're going again today with the two investigators to Insa Dong for preparation day, followed by a lesson.
We're going to Taebaek again this week! It should be warmer this time.
All of my love and prayers. You are all doing wonderful things.
Elder South~
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