Dearest Family,
I can hardly believe it has been a week since I
heard all y’alls voices!!! It was sooo wonderful to talk with everyone. I
explained to Sister Gilbert that it felt like we were just sitting around the kitchen
table, like always, laughing hysterically and swapping stories! I loved every
minute of it. When you don't talk to your family for months you're almost
afraid that you won't recognize their voices... (Silly yes...) so it was such a
comforting moment to realize how familiar each of you still sound. ^^
I loved every moment!
The next day brought more family fun!! I FINALLY
GOT THE PACKAGE! And letter!! Hehe It was WONDERFUL!! Thank you
thank you thank! The contents were so much fun. I'm excited for the
craft and the goodies. A big thanks to the primary kids and their BEAUTIFUL
cards!! I loved all of them! And another shout out to the Belnap’s!
Thank you!! The only sad part is, I think someone stole some things....
yeah... so the package was open on one side, and on the registry on the outside
mom, you wrote "hair bows", but there weren't any in there (only a super
cute flower from the Belnap’s). Sad day. But I loved everything
else! The opened part of the package was just enough for someone to slide their
hand in, so for future reference you might want to put to good stuff in the
middle...
We had fun this past week for sure!! With 김수진 and everything else. So, as a
missionary we try and find service opportunities to do every week. Well this
week was tons of fun!! haha We found an opportunity at an old person home... a
BUDDHIST old person home haha. You think English grandparents are hard to
understand?!? Holy Cow! You haven't heard Korean Grandparents talk.
Good thing I’ve perfected my nod and smile haha! It was a lot of fun; though,
for the first hour we just dusted and talked to everyone. They are always
so excited to share their stories. And then the last hour we got to help
feed them lunch. Me and this cute little grandma had a pretty good system
worked out. She would spoon up some rice, tap the side of the metal bowl *ding ding
ding* and I would use the chopsticks and place some meat on the rice. She would
eat and all parties were happy haha. It'll be fun to go back this next
week.
These past two weeks with 김수진 were soooo wonderful. These
lessons leading up to her baptismal date were so tender and powerful. To see her
great faith and conviction in following Christ's example, even when it was
hard, was amazing. The greatest part was she wasn't just excited to be
making this choice for herself; she was more excited for the blessing that
would come to her family.
This week we also saw the amazing support of the
ward members. Like on Sunday, not 2 minutes after telling the bishopric about 김수진 baptismal time, did we hear the
Relief Society talking about who was going to bring what food, and who would
bring a gift, and who would send out invitation reminders...etc! On
Friday, after an appointment was canceled, we were invited over to a sister's
house from lunch. When we showed up there were about 10 of the Relief Society
sisters there, just eating and chatting and 김수진 was in the middle of them!!! We had NO idea that
she would be there!! But the RS got ahold of her number and they invited
her themselves. It was such a touching moment as a missionary to
recognize that the members were just as involved in bringing people unto the
Fold of God as we were.
The Baptismal service was great, definitely hard...
definitely NOT as organized as my Longshore genes would have liked it to be,
but the Spirit was there and that's all that matters. 김수진 looked like an angel in her white
dress and I had the privilege of braiding back her hair and tying the
"princess bow" on her dress. It was a special moment for sure. Everything
went smoothly. I'm always surprised on how short the actual ordinance is,
but I realized that that is exactly how it needs to be. It's by Small and
Simple things that Great things come to pass. Heavenly Father's plan
isn't big and flashy; it's not about presentation or ceremony. It's
simple and tender; it is easy to understand; yet there is great power behind its
simple principles.
At the Baptism, 김수진 was able to bear her testimony and it was amazing to
see how much her faith has grown in just a month. I know that it's not
because of anything my companion or I did, it's because she allowed to Spirit
to enter into her heart, which allowed her to follow God's plan.
At the service we were able to give 김수진 the gift that we had prepared. We
got her a small Bible and BoM/Triple with cases that we had made. We also gave
her a picture of Christ and the Temple. The RS gave her a large BoM/Triple
and the BoM study manual that has tons of good quotes and explanations.
They also prepared some roses for her as well. It was wonderful (and the
food afterwards was delicious.)
Then, to see 김수진 again on Sunday as she was confirmed a member of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receiving the gift of the
Holy Ghost was another tender moment. It was such a spiritual moment.
It was almost as if you could see the Holy Ghost coming to stand sentinel by
her side, always willing to be her companion, to guide, and warn, protect,
testify and comfort, if 김수진 was
willing to be worthy of His companion. I love the Holy Ghost's
companionship, and Sunday was a little reminder to me that I need to not take
it for granted.
Every day I feel so humbled and blessed that, for
some reason,
Heavenly Father trusts me to do His work. He trusts
me enough to send wonderful souls, such as 김수진, my way and allows me the opportunity to teach
them. I love missionary work, especially missionary work in Korea!!!!!!!
So next week I don't know when my email will come,
but it will be a bit late. We have the ward picnic next week and who
knows how long that will last!! OOO and this week we have our Area
General Authority Elder Ouiagi (sorry... I only know how to spell his name in
Korean... and he's Japanese... hahah ya, sorry!) But Mission Tour is this week and
I’m super excited to hear from him. I'm in a small missionary choir that
gets to sing for him!!
I love you all!! I miss y'all like crazy!
Take care this week!! Kiss Love Hugs!
PS Congrats to Tyler and Brookelyn and Zach and
Katelyn!!!!!! Sorry I can't be there but I’m sending my love from Korea!
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