Forever a Missionary at Seoul: Week 48

This last week, we got to meet our new Mission President and Wife, The Taylors!

He served his mission in South Korea and she served hers in Italy! They both are very missionary minded, and tender hearted! I think the coolest part of the whole introduction to the Taylors was their enthusiasm and the spirit they brought. They were in the MTC for 4 days and for 3 of those days they were with all of the members of the 1st presidency and the quorum of the 12 apostles to be taught by

them. So right when they got to the mission they conveyed that very message! They are so sure and confident in their testimonies of the living prophet! The Spirit was so strong and I could not deny it! God has prepared them for this mission and as they introduced themselves I could see that the hand of the Lord has worked with them throughout their lives. I can't describe how great it was to meet my new leaders / "parents" in the mission field for this next year! I love them! And, I know they love me!

Aside from that, this week we did a lot of finding. Knocking doors and such, but my favorite parts of the week was visiting our members and supporting them. This week we cleaned out Brother 이창(Chang Lee's) house. I love serving the members here!

Another great finding tool we had this weekend was to go to the festival. The couples festival! There were a bunch of people gathered and that never happens out in Taebaek. So we took that opportunity by making and cutting out hearts that have Moroni's saying of Charity never Faileth, (In Korean it is Love never Withers away). So it was a great way to introduce the BofM to others! I got to have a couple of good conversions with people this weekend! And, it was just fun to hand out "love" at the festival.

This last Sunday the 고 (Go) family was gone, so the missionaries were the running the show. I had to play piano and give a talk, while Elder Newton presided and conducted the meeting, and can't forget we also administered the sacrament! And, for second hour we ran the discussion about ministering, which Elder Newton has to set up, because he is the clerk.
Being here in Taebaek is teaching me so much about how the church is run, and is strengthening me in giving talks in Korean (I have given one every week since I got here), and learning the hymn book cover to cover. I love serving the members!! I love the church and I know the church is to help us all!

This quote from PMG really ringings with me this week:
"The church is organized to perfect and bless the lives of the members. It gives us opportunities to teach one another the gospel, fellowship and serve one another, and support one another in our quest for salvation."

I love this Gospel! And all of you!
Elder Alger

It has been raining this whole last week! And, being the wimpy dessert boy I am was cold! It is July!!!!!!!!! It is supposed to be hot out! And, if it wasn't raining we were walking through a Cloud, of misty air.

Bonus pic from one of my companions!

This was while riding the 2hr 20 min long bus ride to meet the new mission pres. You can see I study really hard, to understand the Korean Scriptures! lol

I haven't had American food in a while. And, that meal was great and all, but I am fine keeping my kimchi, seaweed and rice. There is something about Asian food that just sits right with me!!!

This is the most popular Church here in our small town. They teach that we are a cult, just like every other church in Korea. I can't remember if I have mentioned this already, but Korean churches got together and have made an official list of cult churches that everyone should avoid. God's Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, And LDS church, etc. And here in Korea they praise their Pastors.

I also think that it is funny that JW church is right next to our church in this next pic, so we have to be careful when people ask where our church is. haha

These next pictures are of a memorial for the people who died in a mining accident. This place used to run on miners, that is this place's roots.

Croquet! Played a little on p-day with grandpas and grandmas! Fun to watch them interact with each other, I love listening to their Korean (They use a different form because they are old and respected)!

Just outside the monument!

More construction! (The older couple Missionaries came to fix our door from last week, and they told us that missioanries have been living here for 40 to 50 years!) They might move us in the new building, but who knows?

This is Taebaek

An Investigator is taking us out for food!! I love the Korean Food! They always have so many side dishes to choose from!!

Teaching Prayer for English Class with a Hamburger Analogy. Can you interpret it? (In order for it to be a "Hamburger" it needs to have the "buns", the rest is up to you, but there are some preferences)