Missionary my whole life--July 12, 2015

Rose of Sharon, "the flower of eternity" and national symbol
for Korea

Warm greetings to all, and lots of love from Seoul. This is a good place. This is a really good place. We were just doing a u-turn today to get back home, and the thought struck me that this place has really become home. The Rose of Sharon is out and blooming brilliantly and signaling to the world the hope and the tenacity that Korea has and the meaning that it has come to have for me.

There is impossibly much to cram into one email for this week, but I do want to share at how blessed we are, how much the Lord loves all of His children and how much He wants us to be happy. I feel like I have learned a lot about the fullness of life in my time here, at how much goodness and beauty life has to offer. It means a lot to be here, everything, and I am so grateful for the experience. The biggest goal that I had for my time here when I set out was to change through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I don't know if I have, I hope I have, but I suspect that change will be more evident as I venture into different arenas and try to figure out how to focus our lives on what really matters most.

It's a very busy time. More than ever before, Elder Miller and I have essentially become companions with President as we try to do what is right and what is best. He has a hard job and we just want to do everything that we can to make his life easier. With the increased responsibilities with transfers, permissions, and everything, I'm just worried that my limitations will lead to a wrong choice or decision, but I know that as we trust in President and ultimately the Lord there's no reason to fear. When we're going the right way we just need to make sure that we stay on the path.

Increased time in the office and in the car and in interviews and such means much less time out on the streets and in the subways, which is where I really feel that we belong. It is a blessing though to have an increased association with President and appreciate the chances to learn and experience that follow. Also this week were MLC {mission leadership conferece}, where we discussed how to maximize baptismal date and follow up efficacy and how to support missionaries serving in each respective zone. There's a whole lot of good missionaries to learn from, and I have a lot to learn from each of them. We got to go to two zone trainings in the days that followed, was surprised into translating at one, and went around to a few other places for interviews. 

Any spare time we had this week was spent trying to help Brother Lee get baptized this week. We met with him several times, ate amazing mango white chocolate bing su, finished all the lessons, and waited anxiously as he did his baptismal interview. He was ready to go, and he was baptized in a beautiful service on Saturday and confirmed the next day. Many people attended his baptism, including the Lusvardi family, who sacrificed their time to come out and support Brother Lee. We're so grateful to everyone that has helped out, to a wonderful ward, and of course to a God who never ceases to pour out His blessings. Brother Lee has is planning on going to youth camp this summer, wants to serve a mission, and is doing great. He has made good friends with our other most progressing investigator, Damon, who should be baptized in the next month.

Pictures from our ward and the baptism are found below, including a moderately-to-highly awkward video of me trying to accompany our musical number. It was fun to have a cello again, and after Brother Lee's baptism we got to go to another baptismal service where we played another song. He and I were both nervous before and during the baptismal service, but after he was baptized everything felt so peaceful and so right.

Damon is progressing well although isn't having an easy time. His grandmother passed away this week and he's taking it pretty hard. Every time we meet, though, he tells us that all of his bad thoughts are being taken away and that he feels so much better. Although he doesn't yet fully understand what it is, it is amazing to see in front of us Isaiah's words: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

We're going to Sokcho, Kangneung, Taebaek, and maybe Donghae {all to the east, by the sea and in the mountains} this week for interviews and exchanges, so we will be able to get out of the office for that amount of time, but knowing that a pressing wall of to-dos will greet us on our return. I'm grateful for Christ and all that he does for us. This week I have felt strength far beyond what I know that I could do on my own and I am grateful for the assurance and love that a loving God gives.

Luke and Ashley, congratulations {Sam's good friend Luke is engaged to Ashley} . Really. All wishes as you plan and prepare. I'm fast becoming the only member of the bachelor crowd, but that's okay, it's not a bad place to be. I just wish that I could be a missionary my whole life.

I'm fast out of time, but I've been thinking a lot about service this past week. Some quotes that I have liked are:

To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds; …
To labor and not ask for any reward
Save that of knowing that we do Thy will. - St. Ignatius Loyola

“How carefully most men creep into nameless graves, while now and again one or two forget themselves into immortality~” – Phillips Brooks

I thought that that quote matched well and interestingly with Jesus' admonition:

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

All my love. Serve on.

E. South