Last week we were so busy with special conferences, training meetings and probably the most popular holiday, Lunar New Year, we didn't get to publish our blog. I can promise we wanted to, but we couldn't spare the time. We started with a meeting with all the new missionaries from December and checking with them on how they were doing on their language learning and experiences. Along with the normal, we have to have some goofy ones!
We then received special training from the Executive Committee of the Missionary Department. We had half the mission together for one day and half for the other day. Our schedule is changing allowing the missionaries to be more responsible for their daily schedule. We are excited about this. It will provide more agency, more focus on rest and health, and more productivity. Of course, we had lots of pictures. You'll notice the special dresses the women are wearing. These are the traditional Korean clothes. This weekend was Lunar New Year. We invited them for the holiday to wear the special clothes.
The first conference were for the Anyang, Suwon, and Young Dong zones.
There were four burritos (not very Korean, but on a holiday hard to find anything else...) left over and the old rock-paper-scissors game settled who the winners were of the extra food.
Elder and Sister Black are our office couple. We couldn't survive without their organization skills and their love for the missionaries!
The second conference was for the Incheon, Gangsoe, and Seoul Nam Zones. We hope you find your son or daughter in these pictures or at least someone you love...
Sister Turner up to her antics again. The missionaries love it!
Need to work on this pose a bit more I think.
We took a trip to the Korea Folk Village on the Friday of the Lunar New Year holiday. We ended up having a number of missionaries there as it was their preparation day and a day to get immersed again into the culture. The Folk Village is a place where period clothes are worn, old farming, pottery, cooking, metal work, etc. skills are shown. There were a few interesting shows as well. It was pretty cold so we were all bundled up pretty tight. We look forward to going back in warmer days.
These are the guards at the local Buddhist Temple.
A family invited us to join in their family photo shoot. Beautiful dresses.
These are the local jesters. They were loads of fun.
Traditional whirling dance.
This fellow was on the equestrian martial arts team. Very interesting.
The closest thing to driving Terri would do in Korea. 1000 won and she rode for 60 seconds. The thrill of being behind the wheel.
It was freezing. The earmuffs were a big hit!!! :)
The front of the Buddhist temple.
We had some shows as well. They were very entertaining. I hope you can get a feel for it. First we have the equestrian martial arts team. This piece is still entertaining.
The musical pieces were especially neat.
Finally, this week has been full of meeting with missionaries coming and going. We had three new missionaries come in this week from the Missionary Training Center. A Korean Elder and a Korean Sister came and an American Sister who actually lived in Korea with her family during some of her early school years. She remembers no Korean from that time, but has show great ability and desire to learn. We also had a missionary join us for seven weeks as he awaits his visa to serve in Anaheim, California. We're excited to have him join us. They met their new companions this week.
Elder Kim Jihyeon and his companion, Elder Chu Jiwoong (the tall one)
Sister Kim Sujin with companion (Sister Soung (the taller sister)
Elder Lee Daewon (will serve in California) with Elder Young
Sister Oldroyd (coming back to Korea as a young adult) with Sister Cordova (red, white, and blue)
We had a great day with them preparing for their journey. It's easy to fall in love with them. Sort of like seeing your new born baby for the first time.
We also sent home some veterans this week. There were truly many tears during a great departure meeting. What a powerful impact they've had on Terri and I. It's worse than sending kids away to college for the first time. We look forward to the day when we will see them again.
A wonderful meal prepared by Sister Turner.
L to R: (seated) Sister O'Loughlin from Missouri, Sister Holste from Utah, Sister Turner, Sister An Jimin and Sister Gil Hwanhui from Korea. (standing) Elder Kim Geunsu from Korea, Elder Eads from Maryland, Pres. Turner, Elder Stapp from California.
Have to bring in the flag...
Now the flag and the antics!
What a wonderful couple of weeks. We laugh, we cry with the missionaries. The more of them we can be with the better. Terri loves it when the walls of the house ring with the laughter of these great sons and daughters of God. The hugs, the handshakes, the smiles, laughter, the tears really have a great impact on our morale and we believe on theirs. Until next time, we're doing our best.
