More Interviews, almost done... Three Baptisms

This was another full week of interviews and addressing missionary concerns.  However, we ended the week by attending three baptisms.  A very young woman, a very old woman and a man entered the waters of baptism this weekend.  It was a fun way to end the week.

We can't get enough time with the missionaries and feel of their spirits.  Next week we only have 16 interviews remaining and then the weekend of transfer calls.  The missionaries are always anxious to hear what will happen next in the mission, whether it affects them or not!

We are including these two sisters first because we forgot to take a picture with them during interviews.  We asked them to forward one to us.  We didn't get much time to celebrate the 4th of July, the big holiday of Independence in the US, but they had the red, white and blue going on!

You can tell there are different buildings we visited for each set of interviews.  Some interviews we go to the main building for the zone and all 20 or so come to us.  This time we went to each building where they served.  We try to find something in the background that is fitting for what we do.

 These two and their matching ties were pretty cool.  It was the 5th in Korea, but still the 4th of July in the US...

 These three are together because (as you'll see later) an elder broke his toe and had to come to the mission office for lighter duty.

 These three have been together because of the odd number of elders in the mission.

 Which one do you like the best?  You can tell when Sister Turner is having fun...

 The man with the broken toe.  We've had fun teasing him.  He's continued to want to work hard.

 Some times he gets a little quick with his tongue, but Sister Turner always gets the upper hand.

 Only eight of more pictures from interviews next week.  We hope you have been able to see your son or daughter or loved one.  If not, hopefully next week will get what you need for your special moment.
Here are pictures from the three baptisms.  These were truly joyous moments.

 The man with the flowers above is very close with many members and was very happy to be with them this day.  The watermelon here is delicious!

 The little girl in the middle with all the gifts from her friends is 15.  She has been waiting for two years to get permission from her parents to be baptized.  She has wanted this for so long.  She has so many friends.  There were approximately 20 youth there to celebrate with her.

 This little grandmother was a true joy.  As you can see below, she is now part of a three-generation family in the church.  In one year, they will go to the temple to be sealed to her husband who has passed and then be sealed as a family.  We are connected to the family because the young lady on the right side of the picture below was one of our missionaries and will marry into the family next month.

 

The missionaries always prepare a special musical number for the baptisms.  I wish I could include the number here, but the file size was way too large.

 

While doing my morning run I discovered a few tents like this.  I don't believe they are homeless, but I do believe they may have homes without AC so they come down by the river and sleep out.  It's monsoon season right now, so they put their tent under an overpass and spend the night a little cooler.

 While driving about this week, Terri notice the IV bags around some of the trees.  If you look carefully you can see the tube running to the base of the tree.  With all the rain right now, it may not be necessary, or perhaps it is some type of fertilizer.

 On the picture below you'll notice the super-sized police officer in pursuit.  If you enlarge the picture you can see that it's as though his shoe is the phone to the man's ear.  I haven't taken the time to translate everything, but I believe it's an effort to show how quickly the police try to respond.  This is right at the police station. (More importantly to Terri it is at a bus terminal with underground shopping.  Stalls and stalls.  A delightful afternoon (40 minutes) spent wandering aimlessly in search of hidden treasures. :). (This would also be Terri typing.) :-) You can never have enough smiley faces!

Finally, some times it's necessary to catch a few minutes between meetings or interviews.  I will set my alarm for 20 minutes and be gone in a moment.  It drives Terri nuts that I can drop off in seconds, awake in 20 minutes and be fully invigorated, not groggy or grouchy, just ready to focus on the next task.  Some times the floor is the bed and the briefcase is the pillow. (He was sound asleep when I took this picture.  If you enlarge it you will see that the timer reads 18:36.  Who can fall asleep in less than 2 minutes?)

 We couldn't be happier.  Thank you all for your prayers and your kind comments, many through your sons and daughters.  We are blessed.  We love these wonderful missionaries!

Interviews and One Year

This week was almost exclusively interviews.  The next week will be the same.  You'll see many of the same missionaries together, but many with new companions.  Every six weeks we have to look at the mix of those leaving and those coming and move folks around to fill gaps.  It's a very humbling experience.  However, it's amazing to see how these things work out.

 The sister on the far left has served in Korea almost 16 months and none of her companions have been from the US.  These two are from Korea and New Zealand.

 If there is a prop to add to the picture, you can bet it might get used...

This couple handles the military relations needs for the two military bases at the far south end of our mission, Camp Humphreys Army Base and Osan Air Force Base.  They only have a few weeks left and a new couple will come in to take their place.

We had to include this special young lady in our picture.  She just finished serving as a missionary in the Idaho Boise Mission where out daughter lives.  They had met because this young lady actually served in Rachel's church ward in Eagle, Idaho.  She is such a happy young lady.

Last week we showed you the fellow hanging from the lines painting the side of the building.  This week, while hanging from the same line, he painted free-hand this big E and then more letters later.  Amazing how they work.  We've watched this apartment building go up from ground zero to nearly a completed building.

This week while doing a long run I decided to run around the full Olympic Park.  It was a fun run with lots of people already out in the park at 8:00 AM.  I expect there may be more pictures in later blogs.

Finally, as you would guess, in our responsibilities caring for 118 current young full-time missionaries, two older couples, and each other, we spend a lot of time contemplating our assignment.  There are so many good things going on.  Occasionally, not so positive things occur like the young man who contracted cellulitis in his leg and had to be admitted in the hospital, a companionship that is struggling in their relationship, a missionary who loses confidence in his or her abilities to communicate or gets depressed being rejected all day.  We also spend lots of time on our knees together thanking our Father in Heaven for our rich blessings and pleading for guidance on how to help or guide our missionaries.  We see many small and large miracles in the work these young people do and the personal growth and maturing in each life.  While leaving the bedroom one morning I looked back for something and saw our bed in a new light.  If you look carefully, you can see the elbow marks from a couple kneeling next to the bed petitioning the Lord for guidance. 
We know you are praying for your missionaries and for us and we would bet similar marks are on your own beds.  We are so grateful for all you do.  The prayers sent heavenward are felt every day.  Thank you.  Until next week we will be obedient, keep the faith, and love each and everyone of these choice sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ. 

Last week we passed the one year mark for being in Korea.  How quickly it has gone.  We marvel at the experiences we have had and the things we have learned.  It's hard to believe we have been given such an opportunity.  People say we can have a big impact on the lives of these young people.  We are the ones who are being the most enriched by this entire experience.  Thank you for your support, love and prayers on behalf of our missionaries and on us!