We hope you understand that when there is a large gap between posts it is because of the pace of our schedule! What a crazy few weeks it has been. However, in the midst of the busyness we got lots of time with our missionaries.
We wanted to start this post off with some amazing thoughts from a missionary. Think of this as a small summary from a general conference. We get a few of these each week and would like to share it:
I started by searching the word "negativity" in
the General Conference section of Gospel Library. There weren't very many
results, but one that I found linked to a talk related to gratitude. I realized
that was what I needed: gratitude. For a long time, I have been struggling to
focus on my blessings and was focusing unhealthily on things that were wrong:
the things I wasn't doing, the things my companion was struggling with, the
investigators who weren't agreeing to baptismal dates, the few ways we were
failing to be imperfect in obedience. I was focusing on these things so much
that I was missing the joy and happiness that came from the blessings Heavenly
Father was giving to us: a couple progressing investigators, a loving and
always serving companion, a desire to do God's will and a testimony of the
restored gospel, and most of all, the marvelous wonder of the atoning sacrifice
of Jesus Christ. I realized that gratitude for what we have, what others do,
and what the Lord is doing for us is needful for me to conquer my
self-defeating attitude and for other missionaries to work with greater faith,
hope and optimism.
We posted last time about the fireside with Alex Boye. Later in that week, Alex did a special concert and any missionary who had an investigator with them was able to attend. Over 300 non-church members attended the two nights. So many with interest in our message.
Two of our missionaries were invited by Alex onto the stage to participate. I only captured a few moments, but you'll see their faces and their loved ones will recognize them.
Later, Alex invited all the missionaries in attendance from the Seoul and Seoul South Missions on to the stage to share some feelings and music. Sorry if it comes out sideways! If you want to better appreciate the energy of this song, you can go to YouTube and search for Lemonade - Alex Boye or click here:
Lemonade
Over the weekend the missionaries were busy filling fonts for five baptisms. We wish every weekend were like this. There were too many for us to attend them all, but we attended the ones we could. What bright lights they are.
The tall Korean missionary third from the right is one of the ones going home this transfer. His parents, who are next to him, came to see his final work! What a great experience we had with them.
The weekend was all about preparing for and making transfer calls. Given an important late meeting Saturday, we moved transfer calls up 24 hours which got everyone excited. Then on Monday, those wonderful, dear missionaries who have been faithful to their 18 or 24 months came to enjoy the evening with us before they departed. There may be signs of puffy eyes in the pictures! (okay, really it's just Terri but, what's a mom gonna do?)
Sometimes they like to get a little funny! Our home is full of laughter and happiness.
They are great about being willing to help clean up. We have to have aprons for them!!!
It was hard saying goodbye, but there is also joy in the departure. They have new adventures ahead and we can look forward to future meetings, the dates of which are unknown.
The sister in the olive jacket actually helped us say goodbye to both groups, but she didn't leave until her family picked her up the next day. We had two Filipino missionaries return at 4 in the morning and we didn't get good pictures. We had a Korean elder go home, but in the madhouse of the train station didn't capture his picture.
On the evening of the departure day for these thirteen we got six new missionaries. One will only be with us four weeks before she heads off to the US for her service. She will actually be in much warmer climes serving in the Hawaii Visitors Center - Korean speaking. All of us resident in Korea right now would love to consider such an assignment! Here she is with her mother who dropped her off into the care of her two trainers:
It's always fun to travel to the airport to meet the new missionaries. Terri makes it an adventure for those who accompany us to give them their first experience on the subways meeting people.
We then welcome the terrific new missionaries coming from the MTC. We have Hawaii, Washington, New York, and Utah represented in this group.
The next morning we had a nice visit with them all, assigned companions, oriented them to their new surroundings, fed them lunch and sent them on their way. We have lots of pictures here, but we want the families to have them for their records.
You know how parents are always so proud of her children? Sometimes when things go well, and you're left alone, you can gaze at each other, after all it was Valentines Day!.
With transfers come new leaders. We had new zone leaders, sister training leaders and a new assistant to the president. We had our first Mission Leadership Council with these leaders. This is a great group to be with. They are full of great ideas and faith.
We had another great opportunity to visit with some of our missionaries who had returned home. It's like having the kids come home for a few minutes. It's never enough time for the parents.
We think it's important you get a sense for the amazing insights we see from our missionaries as the emails come in each week. Here's one from a fairly young elder:
Super funny analogy but this investigator really liked to
workout. We compared his workout routine to trying to learn the gospel for
himself. We told him that if we workout for one day, we aren't going to gain all
the muscle in that very moment. But as we take it one day at a time, and learn
to work as hard as we can, we can gain the image that we want to be. Same with
the gospel, we begin learning little by little with the simple things. Things
such as praying, reading, and attending church can really build us up into what
the Savior wants us to be. We explained to him that through this life, we
experience trials and challenges that try to push us down, just like a weight
may when we are benching. But its that resistance, or those trials, that really
pull and tear at our spiritual muscles and help us grow.
Thank you for sending such amazing, intelligent young people! We are amazed and humbled as they share their gifts.
This week we also saw a few funny things while driving:
If you missed it, Buzz saved Woody again this week.
If you ever want to have your excess cellulose babysat, here's the place for you.
What at first glance looks like a construction worker is just another 'dummy' to get your attention. These workers are less expensive to replace and take care of...
Lastly, there has to be food. After a very long day, a few of the missionaries invited us to join them for dinner and to chat with a young man who is here teaching English. We love food and good company.
Another two weeks has passed on this fast track. It's like we're in a whirlpool that gets faster and faster as we get closer to the middle. Thanks for all your support and prayers for each of our missionaries! It's great to be part of their lives.
