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!

Zone Conference on the Mountain - Namhan Mountain Fortress

This week was primarily spent with the missionaries in three zone conferences on what is known as Namhansanseong.  CNN did a report on many of the UNESCO monuments around the world of which this is one: CNN Report - Namhansanseong

We reviewed Enos's experience as captured in Enos 1 of the Book of Mormon.
Here are the pictures from the first day:

This is a great view of the east side of Seoul from the fortress wall.

 Buddhist Temple inside the large complex.

 This is a steep walk up along the north side of the fortress.

Here are pictures from the second day:
These are silk work larva eaten like candy.  The smell is enough to keep you away!

 These are our three assistants, all dressed alike!

 All missionaries carried a large rock to the top and we created a monument to the weaknesses they were willing to give up. The rocks represented that weakness they left on the mountain.

 There were lots of training sessions taught by Sister Turner, the zone and sister training leaders.

 They had lots of reflection time to consider what they had learned and felt.

There are always the opportunities to have some fun as well!

The final day was much the same:

 Entrance to the military compound

 The final afternoon after all zone conferences complete.

A little 'plank time' afterwards with Sister Turner.

Push ups with President Turner

 When they paint the outside of buildings they drop a guy off like a window cleaner and he paints with a roller.  This is just a block from our roof top.

We had a wonderful baptism with an older lady on Friday.  We had another on Saturday of a 24 year old young lady, but due to traffic, we arrived late and missed the pictures.  The missionaries are doing so great in all they do.

 Two missionaries singing at a baptism.  They have amazing voices!

Some we work so hard they crash when they hit the car.  We spend so much time in the car, it's easy to get really tired!
The best news for us recently is our second son, Nathan and his wonderful bride Kelcie gave birth to their third child, Isaac William Turner.  We are so blessed.  It's hard to believe Isaac will be two years old when we get to hold him for the first time!

We are amazed at the intellect and the warm social skills of our missionaries.  We are so amazed each time we meet with them.  This week is a week of  interviews.  We expect we'll have lots of close up pictures for you this next weekend. It will be a great week.