Very Busy Few Weeks!

We didn't post our blog this past Sunday because of a full day.  It was the culmination of a very busy week that went very quickly, but left little time to ponder and share our thoughts and impressions.  Part of the process of being with our missionaries is saying good bye.  We have to do that occasionally for the senior couples as well.  On Monday of last week we said good bye to our military relations couple, Elder and Sister McPherron, after having served in Korea for eighteen months supporting our LDS members at Camp Humphreys and Osan Airbase.  Terri and I had Sunday evening and Monday morning with them before letting them go home to kids and grandkids.  We wish we had time to take them directly to the airport, but the bus ride to the airport provides the time for them to reflect on their service and their experience in Korea.  We only served together for a month, but our love for them grew quick and deep.

Terri and I are fortunate to have a nearby park where she can walk and I can run early in the morning.  I typically run the circumference of the park while she walks the meandering trails.  One day she took  gave her the opportunity to use some of the local park equipment.  She makes it look good!

Terri also had a birthday in the past two weeks.  The wonderful office elders brought her flowers! I bought her a Lantanna bush/tree, but we'll have to wait for the next posting to see that!

Twenty years ago while working in Korea, our family was driven around by our driver Mr. Yoon in a local SUV called a Galloper, made by Hyundai.  We couldn't find one with the original color, but for the children's memories, we found this one which brought back good memories.

We also have had the opportunity to address the congregations at every ward or branch we have visited over the past six Sundays.  One Sunday after speaking a woman raced up to say she knew me when I served in Pusan. I shared with her I never served in  Pusan which really confused her because she knew she met me.  As we talked further I learned that while serving in Incheon in 1978, she had joined the church in Incheon during that time.  When I showed her this picture from that time she definitely confirmed that she remembered me.  What a small world.

This week we also said good bye to two outstanding sister missionaries, Sister HyeHyeon Lee and Sister Angel Morris.  They have served faithfully leaving a huge impact on companions, church members, church investigators, and other missionaries.  Speaking with them about their time as a missionary they shared many wonderful stories about special people, places and experiences that proved they were impacted as much as they left an impression.  It's like saying good bye to a daughter.

The weeks have become increasingly hot and humid.  Every morning when we arise the temperature at 6:30 AM is 75 with 100% humidity.  We have had to ask the missionaries to do something most have no desire to do and that is work inside.  Not all the apartments have air conditioning which leaves many apartments near 90 degrees all day and night.  We have made the decision  to have them do their morning studies at the church buildings where they can cool down and concentrate.  We have had to up the water and Gatorade intake to keep the possibilities of headaches and heat related illnesses to a minimum.  They have been doing well and we've been fortunate that the illnesses have been few.  These missionaries love to work!

As we took Sister Lee to the train station to return to her home in the country in the southern part of the country we had our first subway experience including hot, tired passengers resting their heads on Terri's shoulder.  We have met some wonderful people.

I must not lose sight of the purpose we have come here and that is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Specifically, our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  Each weekend we've been here we've tried to attend at least one baptism.  Again, last night we had the opportunity to be with two wonderful elders and two wonderful sisters to celebrate the new covenant of baptism with a brother in a small ward in Gimpo.  What a wonderful spirit and experience we shared with this man and this ward.  His plan is to prepare to baptize his son and wife.

Each Monday I receive emails from the 109 missionaries currently serving in our mission.  The fall incoming groups will take us to closer to 140 missionaries.  These letters are full of faith, hope, and the witness of numerous miracles.  Many of those miracles are the personal growth of these young men and women as they learn about themselves and others and learn how loving and serving others can impact their lives.  They are here to follow the purpose listed above, but they are also preparing themselves for college, spouses, children, careers, service in the community and in the church, and a host of other things.  The things we have witnessed in our few weeks here have been nothing short of amazing and miraculous.  We love our missionaries.  We are so glad they are allowing us to share their experiences.  What joy we feel as we conclude each day.