I love 동대문 with all of my heart!!! I love the people so much!
When I first came here to 동대문, I was surprised at the amount of people, especially the amount of foreigners. There are so many colleges here!
Now I am on my way to 태백 (Taebaek)!~ Where, so I hear, there are not very many people and no one really knows English. It is on the farthest South East part of the Seoul Mission. In the mountains and right next to the beach. It is a place that all missionaries, talk about and crave to go to because everyone who has gone there loves their time there dearly. When people heard that I am going there, they freaked out.
This last Saturday night when we got the calls, the AP said that I am going to be the pianist. I CAN NOT express how excited was. I love music with all my heart! I was raised by my parents to love music, and it was through music (Choir) that I got the start of my testimony, having personal witnesses of the Spirit that this is the Church of JESUS CHRIST of latter day saints. And, since then my dream has grown to be a composer! I'm not in the slightest on that level YET, and there are so many talented people who have been learning and work extremely hard since they were little (especially my fellow, gifted missionaries). I have no clue how to get there, but that is the dream.
As I was starting up my mission, I was sad that I couldn't play the piano everyday anymore. Because that is just what I did back in Arizona. And, even though I have that dream, I am expected to give my all to the people and to being a disciple of Christ.
Through out my mission, I have taken every chance I could to play the piano, but they have been few.
All though, there was a time, earlier on in my mission, where I had gone a long time without playing the piano and I was asked to play. I was scared that I couldn't, because I hadn't played in forever. But, right as soon as I sat down on the bench, I heard the Spirit of the Lord say to me...
"You have put me first, and devoted yourself to my work, leaving all things behind. I have promised you, and remind you again this day, that if you continue to be obedient, and walk with your hand in mine, you will have confidence in all you do and you will be successful in those things that you desire to accomplish."
After being comforted by the Spirit, all doubts and fears went away. And, to my amazement, I played that piece of music better than I ever could before my mission!!
I am so thankful the promises of the Lord!! They bring me hope!! I love this quote in Preach My Gospel:
“Hope is trust in God’s promises, faith that if we act NOW, the desired blessings will be fulfilled in the future. …" And, the Hope of Lehi (1 Nephi 5: 1-5)
This is the end of our last transfer with our Mission President Sonksen. I am so thankful for his ministry.
Yesterday, after his and Sister Sonksen's farewell fireside, he pulled me aside. And, his words extremely comforting. "Elder Alger, I don't want you to think that you were sent to Taebaek only for piano. There is a lack of members out there, and it IS something that they need out there.... but God has sent good missionaries to 태백 (Starts listing Elders I respect). And, now you are being sent there. There is a lot that God has in store for you!" (I didn't feel, even the slightest, in a position to compare myself with these great missionaries he listed off. I am weak. So imperfect, and lacking. But I know that God, has a pattern, or rather he likes to take the weak, and show forth his works, like he did with Moses, Joseph and many others.)
Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
I don't want to leave my wonderful companion, or the people I have grow to love here in 동대문, but the Lord said it is time. I am excited for the future! And, I love this Gospel!
Love you all!!!
Elder Alger
All this last week they have been demolishing this building right on the way to the church. Here in Korea they don't care very much about shutting down roads or covering the areas on which they are constructing. Its AWESOME! We have had fun watching them take it down.
These remind me of my Grammy's plants. It is in our investigators studio.
A lake on one of the college campus. I was in love!
Just waiting for the Sub-train
Members in the ward, whom I love
There is a non-member that grows all these wonderful plants, and since she is right next to our church she decorates the walls just outside the church. Reminds me of my Grammy. I always ask her about her plants, because she is out and about tending to them almost every time we come to church (Funny fact, for the most part, Koreans know nothing about plants. They don't have words for bush, vine, fern, etc, if it can be living all year round then they just call them 나무 (Tree).... hahah.)
Recent convert here in 동대문. Last night he gave a talk for the fireside. He is a genius and just talks to us in English. I love him! Because he studies Geology, he said that he will be going to the mines of 태백 (Taebaek, my new area) to explore and research, so he will visit me.
조해길 I can't express the love I have for the Brother!! Every time we go to church, he is the only one there and he is just sitting there in the back row of the chapel. He always has the hugest smile! And, the best part of him is the way he talks. He talks with us and at random times spits out fluent English phrases, like "You are a gentlemen" "Stupendous" "How are you?" They are always just little phrases in the middle of our conversation. You can tell he waits for the perfect moment and as soon as it is there he jumps on it, and with the hugest smile ever. He always does it when we are there, even if we aren't the ones listening. So sometimes he "Fantastic" while talking to a Korean, and they look back at him with a confused look, while he sits there ever so slightly nodding his head feeling satisfied, and great accomplishment. Sometimes he smacks his mouth after these victories. It is the best!!!!
The Bishop's Family!
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