Week 13

We have 2 new Investigators!!!! And, it is such blessing for me to be able to teach them, because the only reason I can understand what they are feeling, saying, or need to hear is because of the Spirit!!! 

Before my mission, I would have never thought that I would be able to understand the workings of the Spirit as much as I do now! I am so grateful for the words of our modern prophets. Because of them, I have been able to invite the Spirit into my heart~ as one of my first big promptings in the mission~ to start a study of the Book of Mormon in order to know the voice of the Spirit. 
Right now,  I am at the point where I hear it's voice clearly and I can know what I am supposed to do. I also can feel when the moments of opportunity have left and whether my actions are aligned with the will of God. It truly is indescribable!! 

Everyday out on the mission is a blessing. The more I am out here, the more I want to give!!!! I love being in Korea and I just want to keep getting better every second, so that I can be a better tool in the hand of the Lord. I want to be as Enos.

"...after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith..."

I want to give my all spiritually and physically and learn how to refine my skills to me more effective and successful as I put in the work, I know that as I give my all daily the Lord will show me what I can do to better myself in the work. It will be perfect from the get go. 

( 한동호 in our last lesson told us that he really wants to have the joy that we have and to be baptized! He is so ready. And, he wants to meet with us every single day and be taught. And, we will!)

Just like with our investigator 한동호, he struggles with how to get something out of the scriptures. But, the Lord doesn't ask anyone to be perfect, only to be giving their all and 촉음 식 촉음 식, He will bless you with better understanding and how to improve. It is when show Him that we "labored with all diligence" and consecrated our actions through prayer, that the Lord will bless his children with blessings unimaginable. And, through Christ we all can be made whole! And, more than we can think of!

Oh what a blessing a mission is!!!

Loads of 사랑 from 알거 장로!!!!!!!!

Here is my mailing address:

Korea Seoul Mission
Jahamun-ro 152 
Jongno-gu
seoul-si 03046

South Korea

International Forever stamps are only $1.10. You know you want to send me a letter.  

My mom asked what it looks like to be a missionary in Korea. The answer is: It looks like a bunch of White (Americans) getting weird looks because we are a rarity! They always say " Foreigners!!!!!!!!" They love to practice their English, if they are confident enough. Most people here are  too shy to show off how good they are at it. And, for the most part they are all very respectful

Lol it was too sugary!!!!! And, I have to go where they want me to go.

From our new Smart Phone!!!! 

My study area

This is a joke between us and the Sisters in the area! It is a little scary.

  

 In Korea when they say hotdog they normally mean corn dog, and so my companion and I had to get some of these. They literally were the best hotdogs that I have ever had in my life!!!

 Ancient spiritual place, I am actually not totally sure what it is, but it is Epic looking

Traditional Clothes in front of the greatest Warrior in Korea!... Whose name... I forgot

King Sageon! The one who started the creation of the Korean Language. It is actually a fairly new language compared to many others. 

Because I am in the sun I have slit eyes... lol

An Epic store we went to with some great and crafty things.

We are still in Seoul and it is coming to the end of P-day (I love Seoul because they have more trees than in my area)

 Playing with Butterflies at the Subway station

You have options here in Korea!!!!! And, I have yet to choose the other option.

Also, the toothpaste here is no good and the deodorant is expensive and rare in Korea.

 Lol, this is just after my first time going to a meeting where the other person didn't show up, but it is alright! We met a lady who was interest in English (We teach English. It helps people learn about the church, and it is great service) and the railways are so detailed, we stood there in enjoying the cool weather while waiting from a train

The leaves are gorgeous right now so let's take a pic!

This is a 1st!!!!!!!!! A Korean asked a foreigner for directions in her own country. And she could have asked a Korean. I do know why I enjoy this so much!

The SUNRISE from my apartment window

A stake sports activity with many cool Korean games that would be fun to teach the Fam when I get back.

Ending pretty  

Week 12

I love being a missionary!!!

I am learning everyday how to improve myself for others' sakes. I find it a lot easier to change when it is for someone else. When I want to do something purely for myself there is no pressure. But, when it is for the purpose of helping others, I found out that it is a great source of drive.

한동호 and 전영미 my two investigators with a baptismal date were the hospital this last week, because 한동호 had hip surgery, so we haven't been able to meet with them. They didn't want us to meet them in the hospital at all, but he just got out and we will be visiting their home and bring treats or something warm and welcoming.

I am working to have more appointments this week so that we can pick up another investigator. And, we are doing that by getting others #s first so that we can call them and actually get another visit.
I am ready to help build this ward up!!

As a missionary I always want to improve myself, and I am always noticing things that I could be doing better. This last week I have been saying often to myself that I've got to be better at this or that..(to do the Lord's will).. And, I am surprised when it comes time to do the thing I want to be better at, and I slip up here and there. In having this process of falling short from time to time, I've found, in my reading, 2 Nephi Chapter 4 VERY reassuring and re-invigorating. Here are some highlights...
 
"16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. (A prophet is saying this! Nephi!)

  20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him;

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away...And mine eyes have beheld great things

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peaceand afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever...

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh."

Until next week!
Love,
Elder Alger

#1-2 We found some epic building paintings (Elder Hips with the panda 

A painting of the Chinese New Year animals, Where's yours?

#3 Korean 고기 Buffet (BBQ) It was soooooooooooooooooooooooo good!

#4-7 Study at the park near our apartment while on exchanges with Elder Remington, the park is so beautiful!

# 6 The other elders said that since I came, they have seen a lot more military aircraft.

# 9 When I came to Korea I only brought sport shorts and tees, so I got pants and a sweater. Nice and cozy!!!! BTW Koreans love their socks, you see every where such a variety of different socks and it reminds me of my twin brothers and their love for socks.

#10 It sounds weird but it is totally YUUUUMMMYYY. It is sweet potato pizza with great sauce.

#11 The leaves are changing colors!

#12 Walking around Korea and we stopped to use the restrooms and found these awesome paintings.

#13 I did I tell you that there are 5 different trash cans in our house and you bring it down and sort your trash out, it took a while to get used to, guess that's why Korea is clean

#14- 16 Are you better at it than a foreigner? We did an activity outside with people on the street as a zone and challenged them to multiple activities. Piano playing, basketball, chess, and loads more. It was fun and we got some contacts from it.

# 17 This was one of the best places we have eaten!!!! I love the healthy but mouth watering food here.

# 18 The park had another event going on. It was a bunch of students performing and they were actually pretty talented

#19-22 We had a Halloween Party thrown by us missionaries

#21 Two of the best English class members who we see really growing by being with us.

#22 The sister missionaries and Jamie painting faces

#23 Family member having a baptism, they are so precious!

#24 The members here are so friendly. They are touchy, help us missionaries a lot, and give us food all of the time.

#25 Music activity outside, put together by the sisters

#26 Cranes are soo coool!!! It is the one animal, other than the bugs, that are different than in America.

Week 11

This last week has been loads of fun!

What I have notice in giving out contacts, and from what my companion said, that when we give handouts out with our #, they never end up contacting back. So, I have been doing some PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Adjust). If I am going to to be putting my energy and effort into something, I want to be able to get results. So for this past week we have been trying to get their numbers, so that they can get actually get contacted again and get an appointment later. And, we have actually been getting appointments from our contacting!!!! It is great! I want to leave this area better than it was before. And, I know that I can accomplish this through the Lord!!

My companion, Elder Lowe, said that ever since he has been my companion, so many people have been coming up to us. They give us referrals, buy us food, and just like talking to us! And, I love it!!!! Keep'em coming!

We have also found that drunk people are actually open about their feelings, and most Koreans are sooooo KIND. And, when we talk to them they are open about whether or not they have interest or need of the gospel. And, they are always fun to talk to. They usually stop us because they want to practice their English. It's great!

But, I think the Highlight this last week was this...
This last week we were trying to get our investigator that accepted a soft baptismal invitation, 한동호, to church. So we had called to remind him about church, and he said he was planning on going to church. Awesome!!!

On Sunday, we came to church and saved a seat for him. And, we saw him! But, someone else was with him. He brought his wife!!! Wow!!!

That day we were planning on giving the lesson on the Plan of Salvation, and I could see God's hand in helping the Sacrament speakers and the Gospel Principles teacher in preparing for that day, because they were all things that they needed to hear, and were centered around the Plan of Salvation.

When it came time to give our lesson for the 3rd hour, she asked a lot of questions. Questions are AWESOME! As we gave our answers and explained the doctrine to her she just accepted it as truth! Especially the Book of Mormon! They are both so prepared!!!!!!

Also, we asked them if they would prepare themselves in order to be Baptised, and we decided together that they would be baptized on Nov. 18. And, we will be teaching lessons to them twice a week, after English class!!! WOW wow WOW!

I am pumping through the Language Learning Program. I love the Gospel! I love Missionary work!
And, I see miracles daily!!!

Thank you, all for the love and support you have been giving. Love you all!

Elder Alger


1-3 Korean stores, they are all super nice!

4 - just walking down the street

5-7 Bowling on P-day with a new convert (First time!)

8 - there are many fish markets on the street, everyone here loves selling things on the streets and it is fairly cheap

9 - There is my apartment!!

10-12 At an old missionary apartment taking out their old trash. I found a nice winter coat. And, they had masks! A lot of people in Korea wear masks because apparently a neighboring county gives off A LOT of pollution, and we are actually allowed to wear them as missionaries.

13 - PIZZZZZA! I love how the pizza here has lots of variety in toppings

14 - the Koreans love English so they use it frequently, but they spell things wrong sometimes, lol I love it!

15-16 There are a lot of apartments here and no one owns a home, home is an apartment. And Elder Lowe wants to be in a picture pointing at something again

17 - The way we get around is by subway system and walking. It is very efficient and CLEAN.

18 - The river is the border for our mission and the Seoul South Mission. It is so pretty here!

19 - Some delicious food from a member. The food here is healthy and spicy! They love their meat!!!!!!!!

20 - A little festival at the park, great for meeting people

21 - My usual home meal, Kimchi, Eggs, and Rice, Yum!!!!

22 - My 2nd home. Church!!!!!