Week 73

Wow!!!!!~~~ It is finally the end of 2018! You know what that means right? New Year's Day!!!!!
I particularly love New Year's because it is what kick started my testimony of the gospel.

It was the year of 2017, January 2nd, the day I committed myself to live the things I had learn all throughout my childhood. I would say it is one of the biggest turning points in my life (I have had many on the mission, but because this was the first big one, I consider it more significant). Two days before Sunday, January 1st, I was asked by a member of the bishopric to give a talk on New Year's resolutions. Though surprised, I willingly accepted the assignment and I prepared.

The previous autumn, I had been particularly excited about becoming someone extraordinary, breaking through the norm by dreaming for the future and setting worthwhile goals. I had been inspired by my older brother's big changes and the leadership seminars we attended to together. I was excited to share some of the insights that I had been learning about. I gathered my thoughts on how to reach for more in life in the gospel context.

I wouldn't say that the talk I gave was really anything that spectacular. For the first time, I was excited to give a talk. After sacrament meeting, I don't really remember anyone commenting on or mentioning the talked I gave; it wasn't important to me. I was just proud that I could share the cool new ideas that I had learned about setting goals to become something more
.
The following day, January 2nd, (I was still on winter break, so I wasn't bogged down by my usual busy schedule) I got up and prayed in the morning, and then ended up reflecting on the talk I gave the day before. While doing so, I heard the Spirit whisper to me. "This talk is a method of your Heavenly Father speaking to you! You, yourself, haven't even set goals for the New Year. Don't be hypocritical. Go on." (MTC President Martino has once said "If you are never chastened by the Spirit, you've never heard him!" 딱 맞다!) So I took that prompting to heart and immediately got to work! I was brainstorming, thinking and dreaming and recorded everything. I stayed in my room the whole day, pondering the things I loved, the things I felt were important in life, and the things that I wanted to accomplish before I headed out on a mission that summer. It was spiritually energizing! I was so motivated! In addition, I was under some pressure and given a deadline because of my upcoming mission.

I set multiple goals, some for school, some for hobbies like learning how to play all the hymns in the hymn book and so on. I would say that greatest and most life changing goal I made was to commit to praying everyday.  I was determined get up and go to bed with a prayer and to read the scriptures daily. I wanted to know, for myself, if the things I had always been taught to do actually made a difference. (I had set a goal to read all of the standard-works before going out on a mission. I wanted to be able to say I had read the scriptures and also be familiar with them to some extent before I went on the mission. However, I mostly felt a motivation to read the scriptures because I felt the guilt of saying I had personally read them all when I was assigned to read them in seminary, when really I hadn't read them completely ㅠ.ㅠ What kind of a student was I?  Haha)

There had been a bunch of things that I had experienced, in the year leading up that day, that prepared me somewhat spiritually. I know God was preparing me! And, since that day I have read the scriptures daily, earnestly seeking answers to questions in my life, and praying. It felt so good to actually be following the teachings I had heard from the prophet, the leaders I had, and especially my parents' guidance. The feeling I had was more than just a feeling of relief that, in fact, I was finally living according to what I knew was a good. No, I would say that greatest feeling I received came straight from the Holy Ghost.

To me, it wasn't too unfamiliar of a feeling, because I had felt it from time to time when having family prayer, or at priesthood camps, or when I received my patriarchal blessing, etc. But, this time it wasn't just for a moment. This time I kept that feeling of warmth and exceeding joy with me!!! That was a change for me. It was actually quite thrilling to have that feeling with me always. I guess you could say I was starting to enjoy that great gift I had received at baptism and I was finally living worthy of it. The Spirit followed me everywhere, and the joy it gave me was contagious!!!! I swear I could feel my whole countenance changing the longer I continued with my inner commitment. Guess this is what Nephi meant went he said that following the baptism of water and receiving the gift of the Spirit, comes the baptism by fire.

"...take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."

People at school who had previously seemed irritating, and those whom I had disliked, became good people in my eyes. I started getting better grades. I began to feel a greater love for people.
Even though all these great things were happening, I could still feel Satan trying to stop me from actually getting a true testimony of the transformation that happens when we live what we teach as members. For we all know, and even Satan knows, that "Faith without works is dead." I didn't let him stop me.  I gave up my old way of life, and from that point on, I have felt more alive then ever!

New Year's is a fantastic opportunity to take time to align our lives a lit bit more with what we already know is true, which is the will of the Father.

Right now I feel the same eager energy that I had two years ago when I was preparing for a mission, because my mission is coming to an end right when Fall begins this next year. I am expecting change to come about in my missionary work! It has happen before why can't it again?

Let's shoot for the stars together!

Ask God for help on your goals this coming year! If you see a shortcoming in yourself that you want to change, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Love you!
Elder Alger

All of these things were taken by Elder Torres 

and almost all of them are random and on the spot.

I was taking down tape from the ceiling. 

We had decorated the whole church for our branch Christmas party! 

The boyfriend of the someone we are teaching, 

came up to us while we were promoting for English Connect! 

Presents from a member in our branch, Sister Kim Hyeon Me.

Week 72

For Christmas Eve, yesterday, we spent it in Seoul with the whole mission. What a fun experience and it a great time to be lifted up by the great spirits of other fellow missionaries.
President's daughter, who also served her mission in Korea, was able to come up to visit for Christmas. I love what she taught  about the Spirit, how the Spirit can be well with us in the fun times as well as the serious moments,  ones where we revive through the Spirit's comfort and peace. It's sort of like what Elder Bednar has said, this is a spiritually energizing work. I felt that Spirit all through yesterdays conference. It was very fun, but full of the Spirit as well.
My mission president and his wife, the Taylors, are the BEST!!! They are super fun, but wise. They are just incredible people and they are my heroes!

Even though yesterday was loads of fun, I would definitely say that the highlight of the week leading up to Christmas was teaching Filipinos! Haha, yeah in Korea! When you have a Filipino companion, the Spirit just guides all these warmhearted Filipinos into your path.

Elder Torres talks a lot about how in his home, down south, the people are a lot more willing to accepted the gospel in comparison to what he has experienced of the Korean people. From what he said the 2nd biggest religion in his home country is our church, next to the Catholic church. When he told me these things, I was feeling "Yeah, yeah, okay that great.." But, when I got to teach them, could see what he was saying is true. They welcome you into their homes, and almost instantly give a feeling that we are family.

Interestingly, the Filipinos that we taught have been in Korea for more the 20 years. She had married a Korean fellow, so her children only know Korean. Because of that, I was teaching her son. He is a 13 year-old and extremely intelligent for his age. As I was doing so, Elder Torres was teaching the her in Tagalog. I think I have said this before, but I feel the Spirit really strongly when both sides have a sincere interest. This kid was more curious than probably anyone I have taught before. So naturally, the Spirit was very present as I conversed with him. I taught him about what the Book of Mormon is, and the Plan of Salvation. He would ask questions and more questions until he understood.

This kid's Father had passed away early, and so as were discussing the Plan of Salvation, he was relieved and so hopeful. When we discussed what is after this life on Earth he was actually shocked saying "Is there really more after death? I had thought that once we die it is the end"
That really hit me to the core, when he said that. I feel like I take these eternal truths for granted sometimes. I responded to him saying "Yes!!! There is! That is what Christ has taught us." And, he, being the pure innocent child that he is, sat there for a tiny moment, and then just accepted what I taught as truth. No hesitation.

I wish that I had more investigators like this family, humble, warm, and eager. But, it is a little rare to find people like this. It sort of reminds me of the recent convert I had taught in my greeny area. You know they are solid if the are humble, warm, and accept the truths right when they hear it testified to them the by the Spirit. I also think that because these types of families are rare, it helps me to treat these experiences preciously and to show more love for them than I would have if this was a constant thing.

(The kid has given me a label and calls me just 형(hyeoug), which means Big Brother. In Korea the title you are called by is extremely important and I feel very honored to big called his Big Brother. It is hard to explain the feeling, but just know it is cool!)

I have come on the mission with the mind set that I WILL be lifelong friends to all the people that I teach, no matter what happens, whether they accept the gospel fully, or not in the end. I am glad that I have been able to make many friends as I have been out on the mission. As I think Sister Taylor has said, "You are their friends, and you are probably one of the only friends they have that lift them up every time you meet them, through the things you teach them. Your are a big light in there lives."

Even though I was not able to express my love as fully as I would like to, to my beloved family back-home, I truly hope that I was able to at least Light the World of the people I have interacted with this Christmas season. The Glory is all His, I am just a carrier of His light to others!

Merry Christmas to you all!!!!
Light the World!!!!
Elder Alger

We have meals together as a branch every Sunday, 

but this Sunday was Christmas Sunday so they went all out

I love English Connect Promotions! Who doesn't like foreigners who are kind 

and teach you free English???? (The kid I talked about in the email, 

walked us over to the place where we were promoting. I love that kid!!!!)

Even More Baptisms in the Zone!

Very well used copy of Preach My Gospel. The reason I took this picture is I believe that the chapters in PMG are a good representation of how much of missionary work is preparation, compared to the work done in actual finding, teaching, and baptizing. (Left side represents the finding, teaching, baptizing, and retention efforts, while the right represents us preparing to be effective representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, studying, learning the missionary discussions, studying the foreign language, developing Christlike attributes, how to recognize the Spirit in the work, etc.

I loved meeting with the Filipinos and apparently they liked it too because they gave Elder Torres food from his home land! He was so excited and you could tell that a barrier of language was completely lifted from him and he went off!

This is a picture of the people who came to Korea with me, and the circle is the empty spot of where I would be if I didn't bolt off with Elder Torres to catch a bus for Dong-hae. (4 hr. ride total).
I love these missionaries!

Christmas as a Mission!!!!!!!!!

 

I love love love the Gifts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Elder Torres is for sure jealous of the Hippo! And, what could be better for a missionary than colorful ties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They will be very well used and loved!! Thank you sooooooooooooooo MUCH!

Week 71

I will just share a miracle we had on the way to Seoul for the Zone Conference.

As you know, the trip is a good 4 hours total to get to the mission office. Elder Torres gets car sick and so he just rested as I read Elder Clayton's book, The Power of Every Day Missionaries. It is a really great book and it has inspired me with new ways I can help the members in their efforts.
After getting off the bus, feeling really inspired, we headed to the subway station. We got on and I was feeling refreshed, as I always do when I come in to Seoul, because their are so so so many more people to talk to and interact with compared to where I serve now. When walking the streets in Dong-Hae we are lucky to see another person coming our way on the street every 5 mins. Haha

Anyways, in all of the hubbub, talking with the people about why choose to serve, I noticed that we were passed the stop where we were originally planned to get off. And, so, I quickly asked Elder Torres "Which way should we go this way or that way?" He responded by just saying. "Why don't we just get off here?" So we just went with it. It wasn't too big of a deal because there are several way by subway to get to the mission home and we just continued, with not much more thought about it.

Then we arrived. We originally planned to try taking a video of me contacting people on the streets as we were asked to do, for training the next day. We were also planning on just skipping dinner because we wanted to find people, and do the challenge given to the Zone Leaders. But, then Elder Torres said, "There is a Kim-bab place near by right?" I didn't fight too hard against it, because we are supposed set aside time as missionaries to have dinner anyways. And, Kim-bab is a quick and light food, so maybe if we hurried we could still try to take the video, so we got Elder Torres some Kim-bab.

As we sat down, I opened my mouth quickly to comment on something to the people near by. (I have learned through-out the mission about how to follow a prompting as soon as it comes, because then I have no time to sit on it and build up any worries about the situation.) Hahaha I feel like acting on the promptings I get in the moment has almost become habitual. So actually, I don't think much more about it after sharing a comment/icebreaker. (In this case in was simple Korean, saying, "Wow that is a fancy dish you got there. What is it called?") He responded to my question, but gave off a feeling that he wasn't interested. So we ordered our Kim-bab and ate it, and talked to each other about something else.

We finish our so called "dinner" and were just about to get up when the same guy, spoke to us in clear English saying, "Are you Mormon missionaries?" Both his English and comment were unexpected, but were pleasing and we answered with a warm "Yes!!! We are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"

We had fantastic conversation on religion and Christ and it turns out that we are the first pair of missionaries that he has talked to. He had seen them on the streets frequently coming to and from school as a kid.

We taught him about what makes our religion different from others and explained the Book of Mormon and that fun jazz. It is crazy how well it flows when people actually have interest. The Spirit is strongest when both people have interest!

After inviting him to read the restoration pamphlet and becoming friends with him on Facebook, we headed out sort of giddy. As I pulled out my wallet trying to pay for our meal, he quickly stopped me and said "Let me pay, you already give so much, I'll pay!"

What a great Christian man, as we finished the final part of our trip going to the Mission Home, we could see how God was guiding our steps along the way. We didn't need to come to Seoul an hour early. We could have taken another path on the way to the office, and weren't even planning on eating Kim-bab when we arrived.

I am so grateful for the Spirit's guiding influence! And, I am glad that I get this chance on the mission to learn how to follow the promptings, even though sometimes the choice I end up making can seem as if these "promptings" are just me "giving in to my carnal desires." Like choosing to eat Kim-bab over going around on the cold streets to trying find someone. Or, instead of working one hour more in Dong-Hae, our area, we choose to just leave early. Things like that.

Were these things the cause of my Free Agency?? Or, caused due to Inspiration? Which one?
2 Nephi 2:16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

I know that agency is crucial to God's Plan of Happiness, and that He leaves a lot of things up to our best judgement, but I also believe that as we try stay worthy of the Spirit and use our best judgments. God will always be guiding our foot steps even if we don't recognize it fully in the moment.
We are brought into this world to walk by faith rather than by sight. God needs us to learn how to act for ourselves. Otherwise, God would have just kept us in Heaven and told us every single thing to do, taking away another important factor of learning the truthfulness of His way by experience, rather than just learning truth in theory.

I hope you all realize that you are all agents unto yourselves, not only following blindly, but by experience and your best judgement. I also desire that you realize the need of acting by faith and learning how to receive more and more guidance and inspiration through counseling with the Lord as the brother of Jared did.

The answer to the question posed earlier is not whether it is agency or inspiration. It is both. They act in one. As stated beautifully by Lehi!

Again, we are not to be pets of the Lord, but we His children learning to be agents of His family business. But, we mustn't forget the need for His inspiration! “There’s no one so hard to teach as the child who knows everything... We can trust that we are beloved children of Heavenly Parents... and be assured that “on our own (acting on our own best judgement) ” will never mean “alone (His Spirit Guiding in our own decisions).”

Thoughts were pull from Bruce R McKonnie, Dail G. Renlunds, David A. Bednar, and Lehi! My Heroes!

Love Elder Alger!

People in my zone need baptismal clothes we checked if the size matches the candidate by putting it up to me!! More baptisms are being realized in Kang-Won-Do then ever before!!!!! It is exciting! The next one to get baptized is Wonju!!! 화팅

X-mas is somewhat shown here!

Members sharing their love with us! 

Week 70

We are seeing more and more new people each week doing English connect and I feel like it is going to continue to grow! I am excited to have another way to show my love for the people!
I love being able to talk to new young adults through English Connect. They are a lot more open to hearing new things than the older folks!

I am excited for this new transfer! Last transfer I had the goal of becoming a "visionary man" (It may sound silly to some if you weren't following some of my previous emails, Here is the scripture reference. 1 Nephi 5: 1-5) And, if I would describe what this transfer is going to be like, I would say it is going to be a transfer of learning how to invest in the Lord's business, or becoming an investor.
What I mean by that is that we are not just relying on our day to day personal efforts, but learning how we can make an effect on the area we are serving in that will last. Seeing the long-run! Not focusing so much on the things that will change based on the amount of diligence the new missionary puts in when replacing me, but more doing something that will retain the work I have done. Or, in other words investing!

Investing is to "spend money, time, or energy on something, especially for some benefit or purpose [that will become realized later down the line]."

There are multiple ways that I am going to invest this transfer while I am working in this branch, but the biggest way I feel I can invest, well really that any missionary can invest in an any area they work in, is in the members! Because after all they are the ones that will remain and carry on the branch after you leave.

As I have quoted before, "Our Heavenly Father’s goal in parenting is not to have His children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him. If He simply wanted us to be obedient, He would use immediate rewards and punishments to influence our behaviors.

But God is not interested in His children just becoming trained and obedient “pets” who will not chew on His slippers in the celestial living room. No, God wants His children to grow up spiritually and join Him in the family business." ~Elder Dale G. Renlund, Gen Con 2018 Oct

I want to grow up and BECOME like Him! And invest into the family business!!!!!!!!! He did say that those who will follow Him, will become inheritors of His kingdom.

And, honestly if you think of any business that you would want to invest in, it is because they bring lasting results. (Or for those who have thought of business before, think of the millions of people who go to universities, and according to the definition of investing, spend money, time, or energy on something, especially for some benefit or purpose [that will become realized later down the line]. Would you consider learning and getting an education an investment??)

But, unlike any earthly business that can bring risks, making your situations worse than they were before through corrupt systems or economy, or so on, the Lord's Family Business' system is completely true and it will never falter, and can never become corrupted. And, unlike earthly businesses that think of the long run in terms of their life on earth, the Lord's Family Business lasts for the eternities. I would say that is the longest run any one could hope for. What better thing to invest in than that?

Galatians, Chapter 6
"7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

3 Nephi 13:19-21/Matt 6:19-20
"19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

I believe so many missionaries serving around the world are already following the principle of  investing in Celestial glory, because investing requires sacrifice. Giving and giving and not seeing the immediate results (You can see that in businesses, and in getting education, etc).

But even though we may not see all of the fruits our labor will bring forth now, according to the God's law of increasing returns, our investments will bring a brighter future in the long run, reaching the eternities. ( I am also not saying that we have to wait on all the results of our work, because King Benjamin explains this beautifully. Mosiah 2:20-26, "... he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you..."

People may not understand why we would choose to spend our time as young adults, giving so much and getting nothing in return in the moment, but I know that God knows what will bring us the most lasting happiness and fulfillment in the eternities. Even though I already see so many big blessings right now, I know that God has "a land of promise [for each of us]; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands" (1 Nep 2:20)

I believe our Heavenly Father is a master of the law of investment. And, teaches us all these principles of truth, just by us following his word and trusting. I believe that faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are the best examples of being investors, maybe even without us even realizing it. I believe God understands lives by so many laws, doctrines, and truths of life and that we may not even realize that we follow those very truths as members of His restored church.

I am excited to learn other truths and learn the mysteries of God, to know the genius behind the gospel, so that I can more directly apply these truths to my life. After all He wants me to become part of the family business, and what type of businessman doesn't understand the principles by which his business is run. HAHA! Sort a funny way to put it.

I hope I didn't offend any of you by comparing God to a businessman or a investor. I, in no way, want to belittle Him. Though I hope that using this comparison helps some of you to see how it is applicable to your lives. Are you investing in the right things in life??? Are you thinking of the long run?? Do you want your efforts to share His light to last longer than your stay here on this earth?

Then, I would suggest you invest yourself in the "Family Business" where families are eternal and where we will receive exhalation. The purpose of his business is this. "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

I know that God is our Heavenly Father and that he wants us to become like Him and to enjoy the  same blessings that He does as an exhaled, resurrected being!

On the mission I have learned to use and to love the gift of Revelation!! As Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, “To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!” And as Tad L Callister taught, "There are many revelations waiting for [me and] you!"
Test the Lord!

Lots if Love from Elder Alger!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas is coming!!

Members take us out to expensive restaurants. Hahah it is soo yummy! Traditional Korean food! I don't know how missionaries in Korea could complain. I live very comfortably. I may not always be happy with some of the results I get from the work, but I never let myself complain because I have got it so good compared to so many other missions.

English Connect Students!!!!!!!! Love these guys!!

I don't know what Elder Torres is doing.

And a video! https://youtu.be/UQc3jo8jeTU

Week 69

I love all of the investigators we have, even though they all have there own difficulties.

Here are some wise words from my greenie, Elder Torres!!!!!!!!!!!! You GO!

"God's job is to FIX PEOPLE.
Our job is to LOVE PEOPLE.
JUST LOVE and leave the results to God. If the person get's fixed~ praise God. If not JUST LOVE ANYWAY."

I had an investigator who had gone to church almost every single week in the previous transfer, but Elder Torres has now never seen him. That is the disappointing part. He wouldn't answer any of my phone calls, until... this last Monday, when we randomly decided to give him a call at 9:30 pm. Surprisingly, he answered, but as I continued to talk with him I found that he was drunk.
If there is one thing I have learned on the mission from the drunks on the streets is that when you talk with drunk people, they are extremely open and you can be very straight forward with them. So, I took this opportunity to see what is going on with this brother.

He told his whole life story from experiences as a child to getting married and divorced and now his children are all grown up up and keep a distance from him this day. He lives a very lonely life and an exhausting one as well, having to drive big trucks day and night. He had even said that  he has actually gotten used to it, and it has become hard for him to be in public now and have a normal conversation with others. As he put it, " I enjoy the solitude between me and my alcoholic beverages"

After sharing the description of his tough situation with me, he told me, "I can handle it anymore," and hung-up. I tried calling him back but he wouldn't answer. I tried again and again, but it end with the same result.

That was when I fell on my knees pouring out my heart to the Lord saying "I have done all that is possible on my part. I have given so much time, thought, and love to this brother. PLEASE! Touch his heart!!! I will do anything for him!"

Recently, I have realized how there is a stark contrast between the power and the spirit of our lessons based on the openness of the listener.  Knowing that the power behind the Restored Gospel message is only as great as ones openness to hearing it, I pleaded, "This brother has show his faith multiple times to Thee! If you can't call it faith, I know that he has at least shown a particle of hope, or a desire to believe in Thee, by going to your church 7 times and meeting with us and the president of the branch. Please reach out to him!"

Then, after about 5ish minutes of praying, I was stopped by the sounds of vibrating. It was that same brother I had been talking with. I picked up the phone and he started immediately by saying "I am such a problematic man. I am sorry I am a problem to you. Why do you even bother?" And, from there I was able to help him feel the Spirit a little stronger. And, I talked with him up until 10:20pm.

Out here in 강원도 I have really learned how to become a part of the lives of those we serve, to pray for them by name, and to not just see them as a thing to accomplish, but rather as children of God. I have learned and I am still working on being a true minister as President Nelson has expressed to us in the recent conferences. I will always have a connection with these people I serve. I hope to grow more and become a better servant in His hands in the future.

I have been called to preach the gospel. And, as the Lord put it, our greatest commandment is to love. If you think about it, it is love that envelopes everything in the gospel.

I guess you could say that I have been called by a prophet of God to preach love to the people of Korea!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"God's job is to FIX PEOPLE.
Our job is to LOVE PEOPLE.
JUST LOVE and leave the results to God. If the person get's fixed~ praise God. If not JUST LOVE ANYWAY."

Moroni 7:46-47
 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever..."

Great Commandment (an excerpt)
By Elder Joseph Writhlin

"Sometimes the greatest love is not found in the dramatic scenes that poets and writers immortalize. Often, the greatest manifestations of love are the simple acts of kindness and caring we extend to those we meet along the path of life."

"True love lasts forever. It is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things. That is the love our Heavenly Father bears for us."

"We all yearn to experience love like this. Even when we make mistakes, we hope others will love us in spite of our shortcomings—even if we don’t deserve it."

"Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will."

"We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won’t, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."

Love you all!
Elder Alger

Traveling to Seoul for a greenie training meeting

Another elder I love is training as well. He is serving in my greenie area, Kyo-moon, and I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad to hear that my convert from that area is active in the Church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that brother, he has got good elders watching over him!

English Connect activities are always fun!!!!!!!! We make games and stuff to draw people in! I love working with the Elders in my Zistirct!