Week 29

Hello!!!
The leaders here are so loving and they know how to get the work done!! I am learning a lot from the mission leaders and the church leaders I work with in this area.

I can definitely feel a different atmosphere here in Dongdaemun. I used to live in a district of all leaders except for me (District Leader Companion, Zone Leaders, and the Sister Training Leaders). It was really nice!!! Because I always felt pumped up to do the work and they were strictly obedient.

It was cool to talk with my very first companion Elder Nelson at Zone training, because he said the same sort of deal. But just flipped a little, he is now the one in that great environment. It was not perfect in my last area (like everywhere you go in life), but now that I am here, I better appreciate the missionaries' examples that I had there, in 교문.

I love the vision that my leaders have.  The new chapter 8 in Preach My Gospel is GOLD, and I knew it was inspiration from God the second I read it. If you have not read this yet, I would HIGHly recommend it to you. It gives a fanatic process on how to help you be more effective in achieving your dreams. And, at training this last week I really realized how much you can apply it to every aspect of your life. Give it a try. 👍

This stake is also switch things up in how members are involved. They definitely have more people in the ward involved in trying to do missionary work. The stake president is really leading the way in passion and going all out on it himself. He leads by example.

I really want to bring the energy that was in my last area into this area and really shoot for the vision we have created!  I will do everything I can to accomplish the goals that Elder Lee and I set. And even though we may be lacking, I want to apply and show that if we walk with our hands in the Lord's hand, then we will be successful in those things that we desire. We will be big dreamers by the time He is done with me. 😛

I always want to be like my trainer and have a burning desire to be exactly obedient, so that I am prepared and ready for the Lord to fulfill His works. I am so grateful for the leaders that God has given me. I want to help my leaders (District Leader, Bishop, Zone Leaders, Stake President, Mission President, President Russell M. Nelson, and the Lord) achieve their vision and goals to help fulfill our purpose here on Earth (The Eternal Life of Man). I can do it by following the commands given to me in my part of field, the parts where I am responsible. And, I will do so with all my heart, might, mind, and strength, because I have been given this same love and care.

사랑합니다!!
Elder Alger

We have some many foreigners in our area and colleges. Almost everyone here knows English, but speaking in Korea is more comfortable. 

My companion is a fantastic cook!!! 

By the time I have finished my mission, I want to have picked up some Korean cooking skills!!!

A member was really kind to buy us dinner. It for sure is not anything like American food, but it is really GOOD! 

You all would love this😛. No, but really it is good. It is intestines and liver. It reminds me of my father for so reason.

Korea is art-sy

Our convert's baby. Got to stay warm!! 

Week 28

I am in 동때문 (pronounced, Dong-Day-Moon)! I love it! It is an area known for the large amount of colleges and universities. And, has a lot of foreigners!

 It is weird because all I had known of missionary work was the way I had done it with Elder Lowe, my last companion and trainer.

Now, I am in a new area, with a new companion and just about everything is new. It is definitely different! But, I still have the same purpose and work to accomplish.

I love this area because I am with a Korean companion, and I am learning so much Korean! I have actually learned a ton in this last week! Not just the amount of Korean I can speak, but about missionary work. In missionary work, almost none of it has to do with how well you speak Korean. I found this out because I can now see the difference between a missionary who is completely fluent in the language and one who is learning the language. It is all about your heart and how much of your willpower is your faith!

Yes, knowing Korean makes things flow so much more smoothly and makes things comfortable, but all that really matters is the actual work you give! I, for sure, am not looking to be comfortable. (If I am comfortable that means I am fine with where I am at and I am not changing, growth can hurt!)
So, from now on I will be working in the area as if I am in the USA speaking my native tongue. I want to be fluent at Korean, but what is more important is to focus on the people and helping them become converted to Jesus Christ! As I fulfill my responsibility as a missionary and make sure every single thing that I do is focused on the betterment of others, then everything else will follow.
It is sort of like what Elder Lowe and I were teaching 동호 (DongHo), our convert; that there are so many important and good things to do, but when we follow the Lord's will first He promises to provide the rest.

I love the Mongolian people in this area! The Stake President really wants to build up the Mongolian people in this ward, and so, I do too! My companion had helped one of the Mongolian members to become converted and be baptized. And, now we have one more Mongolian investigator (as of yesterday), and a Mongolian college student as potential investigator. I want to do everything I can to follow my leaders commands and to help them achieve the dreams that they have for this ward.

As our stake president said to the missionaries, "Miracles our coming our way. And, it is up to you Elders and Sisters to drive it forward!" 적극적으로 하겠어요!!

I am excited to change what is known as the ordinary in this area, to extraordinary!

Love you all!
Elder Alger

 I love studying the English Book of Mormon with Smith

A trip on P-day to the boonies of my area with an odd Museum.

 I hear this cart play music everyday in 교문. In English it says "Intestines CAME! Yummy yummy Intestines Came! Nice and warm Intestines CAME!" Aren't you hungry now?

An Olympic figure skating inspired video! https://youtu.be/ujwmbGIH2CM

Neighbors/Investigators/and Members alike were really kind and got me farewell gifts.

Goodbye Elder Lowe

Bye Bye! In the ones with my companions you can tell that they are in the morning because of my Asian eyes(Those of you who have seen me the mornings will recognize it)

Eating at Stake Presidents home. He is a super star!!

My companion gets to video call his family on the Korean holidays.

Meet Elder Lee Seki, my new companion!

Mongolian lunch at the stake president's

Olympic FUN!!!
We got to GO to an Olympic Skating Event just for one evening. We had fun there with a recent convert.

The view from my new apartment

My brand-spanking new home. So nice!

The last three I took the spot of an Elder that I was in the MTC with.