They Love Visiting the Temple

Another great week with interviews in three districts plus a visit to the temple.

There is something incredibly special about greeting missionaries as they come into the Celestial Room.  They are awash in a special glow and ready to embrace us or shake our hands.  We have another trip scheduled for this week and a final one the last Thursday of the month.  It's a special experience for us.  Here are a few of the pictures taken.  They took many on their own which we hope they send to you, their favorite people!

 They are a very exuberant group!  So much personality!

 They still like Sister Turner the best, she knows the fastest way to their hearts!

 They look forward to posing.

 Somehow they put up with the stern one...

 

 Posing on the rocks is always a favorite. 

 They are looking at Moroni and helping him with his trumpet.  They are joining that angel who came to proclaim the restoration of the everlasting gospel.

Some missionaries like to take their own special picture and end up with more than expected...

We did interviews over three days accompanied by district council and lunch.  We learn much about them during interviews, but the real learning and discovery happens during lunch and district council.

This district covers Gimpo and Cheongna:

 Because we have fewer sisters right now, most districts only have one and several have no sisters.  We see a large influx coming over the summer months starting in mid-May.

These groups are in Gimpo,

 We have an odd number of elders (odd number, not odd elders...) so we have a threesome here, they are the only team serving in their ward right now. We hope to remedy that soon. They are in Cheongna.

This district covers both Incheon Wards

Incheon 1st Ward

Incheon 2nd Ward

 

President was off on a special interview and missed out on this picture...

The final area to visit was in Pyeongtaek with that area and the Anseong area.  It also includes two military relations couples.  We feel bad in that we forgot to take pictures when we were all together and missed one of the couples.

These missionaries are in Pyeongtaek.

These two elders are in Anseong which is a tiny branch that geographically is huge, but exceptionally rural. 

 These are one of the Military Relations couples serving at Camp Humphreys helping with all the single and unaccompanied service men and women at that base.

After these interviews we joined the missionaries across the zone for an activity where we did stickerboarding about Family History and also invited individuals to come learn English through or EnglishConnect program which is doing so well.  It was a bit cold, but the missionaries had huge smiles and were active in talking to anyone who would give them some time.  If you see yellow vests, it's out missionaries talking about English Connect.

 

 This is an ad inviting others to serve together with us through the Helping Hands program.  The blonde woman on the poster is our dear friend and former mission president wife.

It was an interesting week with hospital visits.  The best hospital in the country is near our mission home and we recommend missionaries visit this hospital.  In some cases it is a long ride for them and they get worn out in the work...  Waiting is a hard thing.  Some study every waking hour, primarily the newest missionaries.

We had a young lady develop terrible back problems and determined she should get some treatment at home.  She lives near Busan so she was home that evening and being treated pretty quickly.  We expect to have her back with us very soon.  She lives in a house with three other sisters and they are anxious to have her back, especially the one who was in the midst of training her.

It really does break our hearts when our missionaries struggle in any way.  However, we have learned that the journey through a challenging situation provides great learning and perspective which they sorely need in their youth.  They all rally around each other and support each other.  It is a great thing for us to observe.

We have another very busy week ahead of us and hope to have new pictures and commentary (occasionally witty) available of your favorite missionary or their president or his wife.
Once again, we appreciate your prayers and support.  Until we have another opportunity...