Forever a Missionary at Seoul: Week 8

Wow, wow, WOW!!! That's all I can say to describe this last week, especially General Conference.

I have felt the presence of the Lord and I never want it to go away!

Because, it is my last week I have been pounding in 한국말 (Korean), and pouring myself in the Gospel. I want to finish my preparation period sprinting my hardest. I would rather shock myself as much as I can here in this wonderful, safe, and Spirit filled environment, to lessen the language and culture blow when I am in Korea.

One of my personal goals I have, for this last week, that I really want to do is; the first thing that ever comes out of my mouth first is 한국말 (Korean), and if necessary clarify in English after. I love a challenge! I need to dig deep & act in faith, and my work will be more compelling and I will see miracles.

By ratcheting up the work I will enter the Realm of Miracles. I need to tighten and crank up my faith, focus, and diligence with greater intensity. And, by doing this my state of mind will change, align my will and life with God's, and with Christ I can do anything and be the Lord's hands on earth. In this process I will be God's miracle to others!

Coming into conference I studied how to get the most of it for my investigators and by doing so I just got more pumped up to hear the words of the prophets.

When conference came it was the best conference ever. And, I know that everyone says that every time, but it really was. It wasn't because the speakers had better talks, etc; it was because I was prepared more spiritually to except the messages and be taught by the Holy Spirit. Our experience with hearing the teachings of our prophets reminds me a lot of a scripture.

29 And there was also written upon them a new writing [The Prophets Teachings] , which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

30 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given...

I have learn that faith and diligence (preparation) coming into conference and true intent (going to act on the directions given) make x 100,000 the difference.

I would share all my thoughts on conference, but there is too much. I actually loved each and everyone!! And, it was cool to hear from people who spoke at the MTC while I was here, including Bishop Waddell, Neil L Anderson, Quentin L Cook, Dallin H Oaks, and I barely missed David A Bednar by a day.

Here's a sum up of what I got from each talk (from Sat. Morning to Sunday Aft.)

Saturday Morning
The Path to our Heavenly Fathers Home (Pres. Uchtdorf introducing this conferences "theme")
Serving from our inner most relationship circles out and forgetting yourself in the process
Abstain from allowing your views to become skewed from the worlds (Seek and follow from the purest sources; Prophets and BOOK of Mormon)
He has prepared a Promised "land" (work, blessings, etc) for you, so accomplish and rely on him to accomplish
Remember you took on the name of Christ so Repent so you are worthy to receive the blessings promised to you at Baptism to aid you on the path to Become as He is ~ The Fully Selfless Character of Christ
Be not Halted by the task of Perfection. His Grace is incomprehensible so use it! You need not be discouraged when you are walking his way, one step at a time

Saturday Afternoon
God's light never ceases to Shine. (Period!)
In order to accomplish, and experience true happiness is through Repentance and through it you can become more than you ever could
When we don't take our life for granted and give recognition to the one only source and summit to His will, He open the Heavens on Earth. (It is funny people don't wont to submit to an All knowing God who's only will is our Eternal Life and Happiness)
When we devote ourselves to God we become God's divine "coincidences"/His hands on Earth and meets specific needs through man('s agency to align their will with God's)
Generously give everything you have
Learn what to take upon your life through your personal guide to become as God, known as, the Book of Mormon

Priesthood Session
The priesthood is the center of everything because of it is power to further the Gospel
Gain a firm Testimony of everything (look for where your testimony lacks and act)
The Lord could work through Nephi because of His trust and integrity he had
You are the LIGHT to Heal all spiritual sickness
We must lead in full faith that through Revelation Jesus leads this church. And act fearlessly on what we are told to do from those leaders and personal revelation because we know who is in charge

Sunday Morning
Everything we need help with, and desire to improve, ACCESS the Atonement through faith and following His path
You are surrounded by Miracles, and your faith is what accesses those Miracles
Divine Blessings and Eternal Vision are necessary on the Path to Becoming new, changing our nature, and to BECOME, through Ordinances and Covenants and bring them into our lives daily (having a continuous elevated vision, the eyes of God, seeing the path and destination)
Rely Holy on the Merits of him even when you aren't in the mist of your fiery Serpents (He said the trials, opposition, etc are only meant to turn us to what is necessary to become as God; Jesus Christ. If we didn't live on a world with adversities we would feel fine with were we are at and be comfortable when they could use the enabling power of the Atonement to become some one Unimaginable. So that's why we have trials to remind us that we need to rely on the Savoir to become more!)
For others and you alike let go and forget of weaknesses and faults, and come unto Christ so you can see past the physical and mortal veil of limitations and to see through the eyes of God by the power of the Holy Ghost
By reading and applying the Book of Mormon we can feel the fogs clear, be more optimistic, have fearless courage, and the pure love of Christ because the testimony we gain of the Savior in the Book of Mormon by the power of the Holy Spirit

Sunday Afternoon
{Nephi 13} The gospel today is pure, true, plain, and most precious. It is the Way!
The Book of Mormon is Supernal and you may know all things through it
Be united with everyone. We should be as God, The Son, and the Holy Ghost; one in purpose. So do everything you can do to treat people as who they are, a Child of a living God
There will always be evil and opposition, so use it for your advantage. It isn't what you experience, but what you choose to do through what you are given.
Find truths to in his doctrine and apply them by acting in faith
And sooooo much more, I could go on, but I am limited

Also, yesterday we had a Devotional with John Munoa, who is the Executive Director over the New Testament Project (All the modern videos of Jesus Chirst's Life). He show us how much work on the part of his team of people aid from the First Presidency it took. His testimony of Christ is amazing! He also studied Film Scoring and served a Mission in Pusan, SOUTH KOREA! He served with my branch's 2nd Counselor and President Gilbert of the MTC. He is soo inspiring and gets me all worked up about the Arts.

Also, that night we had an octet of Elders singing High on the Mountain Top, including my two companions. I would have absolutely loved to be a part of it, but while they practiced at night I was meeting with our Zone and I didn't realize they were doing it until it was too late. 하지만, 좋습니다! They did fantastically and I was proud of my Zone, as a proud father. I love the Spirit and talent we have in our zone!!

God does answer us and watch over each and everyone of us in unique ways!

Recently, I have felt that I was slacking in learning Korean, because the time I used to use for deep, extra study time at night, is now used to make sure my Zone is 다 좋습니다 (Good). I had been seeing some of my zone memorizing large amounts of vocab daily and I haven't been able to recently. (I have been memorizing more words each week though).

And, before conference I had some questions coming in to conference, but I also asked God to answer the question I didn't know I had, and there were some moments that were really eye opening and powerful during conference. But, what good it did, was unique and hit me just as powerfully, if not more so, than conference itself.

So, after the devotional we spoke a little bit with my presidency about the devotional and as my companions were still talking, Sister Bartholomew (My branch's 2nd Counselor's wife) slightly pulled me a side and said, "My husband has been telling me that your Korean is the best he has heard from a missionary in a long time."

It was short and it didn't really hit me until I was on my way out of the building and I could feel the Spirit telling me and reminding me, "Can't you see! Even though you didn't realize it, as you have been forgetting yourself and focusing on others' needs first, I have fulfilled my promise to take care of you and your needs/desires when you do the exact same on my behalf for those around you (Do what I ask of you as a missionary/zone leader)." So, so glad that I have been studying everything about the Spirit through the Book of Mormon, otherwise I wouldn't have received that special answer to a prayer.

The more I grow in the Gospel the more I can see from God's eyes. What a blessing!!!

사랑합니다!!
Love you all!
Elder Tim

Waiting to perform the Octet for the MTC Presidency