Forever a Missionary at Seoul: June 2018

Hey! I am in 태백 (Taebaek), the farthest southeast part of the mission. It is in the middle of the mountains and is the highest city in Korea! There are only 12 foreigners here in the city of 태백 and the missionaries make up a 1/3 of them. I met the other 2/3 last night, they are from Idaho (very familiar with Mormons) and South Africa (Shout out to Elder Miller) and they are English teachers here in Korea. On the street, you can easily talk to everyone you walk by because it is not like the city of 서울 where there are 100's of people on the same street as you. Another thing I noticed, is that the people out here are a lot more friendly and smile a lot more. It is less stressful out here in the countryside. There are a total of 10 members here in 태백(Tae-bek).
I love them all so much already!

This morning we had a funny experience with the grandpa of the ward. He is originally from North Korea, and was a translator for the war so he is fluent in English. It was 7:15 am and we thought we heard someone knock on the door, and it was him, Brother Chang Lee! He was given a paper at our branch conference yesterday, and thought it was a survey and was looking all last night for it and was worried that he couldn't fill out this survey. We are pretty sure that he was not given a survey, but it sure is great to hear his voice first thing in the morning. (Members aren't really supposed to know were we live, ;P I'm not sure how he knows.)

Anyway, I love 태백!
Yesterday was our branch conference so we had President Sonksen! It is his and Sister Sonksen's last week in Korea and they came to 태백! Normally we have about 15ish people at Church including members, us 3 missionaries, and a couple investigators. But, yesterday a returned missionary came with his family and the mission presidency brought their families! It was great!
I am the branch pianist! My companion Elder Newton is the Clerk! And, my 2nd companion is the District leader! We run this church for the members! Elder Newton says that we are out here for these faithful members to have a place to gather and worship. Without us it wouldn't be possible!
I believe it! We actually spent most of my first days here at the church so that he can do the clerk work!

I didn't really get to practice piano, so I was praying for the "gift of tongues", to play well! I know the gift of tongues is real. But, the thing that I have come to realize is that a huge part of the gift of tongues is that it doesn't mean you will speak perfectly, but that you will be able to convey the message that the listeners need. Sometimes God also blesses the people listening with a temporary gift of interpretation, so that they can receive that message God has for them. Obviously it is better to be "fluent", but he expects us to give our all. And, I knew I did that for playing the piano. And, so I know that the congregation received the spirit of the music in the way God wanted it to be. I love bearing my testimony through music!

I felt honored to be in the last area our mission president will attend. Church is only 2 hours long and there is always a meal after church! What is better than that with Pres. and Sis. Sonksen! ;p

My mission president has really made known to me that I am meant to be here and in his words "You are not stuck here, Elder."

I love his advice!

One of the last things he told me was about language. I am grateful that he encouraged me to "SYL" (Speak Your Language - Always speak the language the mission assigned). I plan on doing it!
I was struggling about whether or not to do that because I have heard/ experienced, missionaries who SYL all the time. The only downside is it seems harder to get a strong relationship and to find unity with you companion. It is much easier if you both speak in the same native tongue, but... We are here for the Koreans. And if I don't SYL then I can't communicate as well with the members. They are both really important things, but because my goals this transfer are based around the members. I think I ought to SYL!

I love Korea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the pictures with snow are not my pictures, but my comps. It sort of just shows what my new Area looks like.

Our garden that we take care of in 태백. We used it for our meal after church.

Brother Chang LEE! His unexpected visit

Pond in the middle of the town

There is a dog we walk by every day, his name is 야 (Yeaha!) Which means Hey! in low form!

Explains my companionship (there are 3 of us) and my 4 hour ride to here (I was tired!)

The visiting return missionary!

Goodbyes to the area and people in 동대문, I love the people so much!

I love cooking! (Dumpling soup)

There is a new mission president coming in and one elder customized a hat for the occasion.
Make KSM (Korea Seoul Mission) Great Again

Nothing like food in Az, but I definitely will not get the chance in the countryside to eat this!!!!!!

Common Korean Bathroom

Fruit that I don't no the name in English(참외)

Elder Nelson was my companion in the MTC, but every time I leave an area he follows me! Good luck in 동대문

Leaving and arriving!

Koreans are crazy fast at Construction! This is a place right next to our House that we walk by every day!

Corn Ice Cream?? Not gross. All I could say.

Service! 김남규! Mr Kim. We play a board game my comp made for him, and it is just to keep conversation going in English. He is actually a big Joker! I love him!