Week 19

Where do I start?
This last week was fantastic!!!! When you are busy out and about doing Light the World activities, you always have a blast and get stuff DONE!

I started off the week with little hope for 한동호 (Han Dong Ho),because he had dropped off the end of the Earth into- in his own words- "지방" and didn't meet us to do any lessons for about a month. And, he was planning on getting baptized that coming Saturday.

But, with Elder Lowe leading the way, in not dealing with his excuses, we started calling him daily. He only skipped one more of our meetings before he said he really does want to get baptized and said that he wants to meet with us daily to prepare.

Starting Wednesday, we were meeting him every morning before his work, to teach him lessons!! And the cool part was his wife 정연미 (Jung Yeon Mi) showed up randomly at our church and joined us as we taught commandments and more.

Because we met with them soooo many times there is too much to say. But, in summary...

 - 정연미 (Jung Yeon Mi) got taught about obedience, the ten commandments, the Word of Wisdom, restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith and the BOOK OF MORMON! She goes all out in her studies and is so passionate and curious. She was so curious as to how the Bible and Book of Mormon connect through Jerusalem, Malachi, and the time periods it takes place during the Old Testament Days, in between Old Testament and New, During Christ's Ministry, and even after the Revelations of John. She absolutely loved the experiences Joseph Smith had in restoring the gospel, The First Vision and visitations of the angel, Moroni. And, when she found out that there was a modern prophet today, she flipped out in wonder and excitement we showed her a video of Thomas S Monson's last talk about the power of the Book of Mormon. What was really awesome about her is she loves learning English, and the Gospel, and when we testified to her she knew without a doubt that Restoration and the Book of Mormon were true by the Spirit. Right now she is out in Vietnam for work so she missed 한동호's (Han Dong Ho's) baptism, but she wants to get baptised

 - 한동호 (Han Dong Ho) Was so ready! We went through the lessons with him and he also knew it was true/right as soon as it fell out of our lips. He isn't nearly as passionate about learning every little detail like his wife, but he knows the principles of the gospel and lives them. Actually because he didn't know all the little tiny details, his wife was questioning his readiness for baptism, in living all these commandments and so on. But, even though he doesn't know all about the history and details, he knows how to live in a way to progress and become more like and rely more on the Savior. And, he testified to her in our lessons as if he already was a member. He rocks!!! He keeps on keeping on.  And, this last Saturday he was baptized!!!!!!! He had great peace and restfulness in his countenance. That is one of the things he said he want to have in our 1st lesson. 

I know that the gospel that was restored by Joseph Smith is true and that living those principles brings Peace, Joy, and Progression. Without it, I would be a lost soul with no purpose, peace, and I would lack in progression.

I love you all and don't forget the wonderful blessing and foundation the Gospel brings to our lives. Rely on Christ!!!!

Elder Alger

Waiting in a photography studio to get copies

Haircuts

In awe of the cute little toilet

ART!!! WOWOWOW *in the Subway

P-day Ice skating fell three times on the same knee, but it was only my 2nd time on skates. Had fun talking with Elder Simon about mission life out of the MTC. 

And we met one of the judges for the Winter Olympics

My APT View

Elder HIPPS' inspiring art. LOVE IT!!! REALLY! REAL life can feel that way. 

Exchanges with Zone Leader, Elder Remington

SO COOL!!!!

Blurry I know! But the guy in the middle had a parakeet on his head as a pet! 

SOOOO cool.Take my word!

District Activity giving away Wrapped BofM in front of the church

Eating pancakes to celebrate Christmas at the mission home. Nice and warm and friendly.

Meeting with 한동호 (Han Dong Ho) and 정연미 (Jung Yeon Mi) they the BESTESTEST!!!

Preparing for another activity

More views of KOREA

Handling trash here is awkward and weird but this method is pretty epic and reminds me of The Toy Story aliens and the CLAW! (you can see it in the background)

Huge Zone Activity "Vbery Good!" as Korea Grandpa Santa says.

 

Baptism Day!!!

 

 

 

After Baptism Snacks

Walking to Church!!! If you look close you can see me in the 2nd one

More Celebrating

 Snowed today. Just walking to the PC 방

Everything is so icy! I slip and fall several times a day, but I am not as cold as I thought I would be. 

I have a warm coat. You can see how slippery it is in this video: https://youtu.be/oij0GcKfmhU

Merry Christmas from our Zone!

https://youtu.be/0s-s2U6s2vs

Week 18

안영하세요!!! (Good morning!!!)

I am grateful for the light and extra assurance that Light the World has been giving me. 

It is amazing how when you are focused on a cause you forget yourself. And, I need that sooo badly!

This coming week we are supposed to have a baptism for the other elders' investigator 박찬범 (Pak, Chan Bum), and one for my companionship,  한동호 (Han, Dong Ho). It is exciting for them to open the gates of a new life to walk the path of righteousness. I can't wait for them and their growth in the church and their understanding of the gospel. They are making the right choice!!

But, for 한동호 (Han, Dong Ho), he will not be able to be baptized this Saturday, if week can't meet with him to teach a lesson. He has been really bad at communicating with us and didn't show up or canceled five of our appointments. Elder Lowe and I don't know what is going on with him. We just keep on keeping on, praying, and doing everything we know to help. I hope he comes to realize that everyone is imperfect and everyone makes mistakes, so that his doubts and slip ups don't keep holding him back from progressing. 

I have come to learn that we need to have opposition and troubles in our life, but we need not bare the pain and suffering of them. Our Savior made up the difference for all the unfair things of this life. 

Mosiah 14 4-5

4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

We do need to learn, grow, and experience through trials and opposition, but they need not bare us down and halt our progession for light, life, and joy. So for this reason He won't take our trials away, but they will be made light if we rely on the Holy Merits of Him. 

Mosiah 24 14-15

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.  

I know that Christ is the Savior of the World!!!

사랑 합니다!!!!!!!!

(Love you!!!!!!!!)

Week 17

Everything is going wonderfully!!! It must be the Christmas Season!!

I love having the Light the World initiative to give me a focus for how to serve others each day and to get new ideas on how we can better serve the Korean people and invite others to come unto Christ.

For the first day of #LIGHT THE WORLD it was "freely ye have received, freely give", so we decided to make and give out cookies to those who have graciously helped us out in the past. We gave cookies to many ward members who always give us help when we need help. The funny thing is, we were trying to give back, but they gave us even more in return. We were given 2 meals at restaurants (one included 순대, a sundae), two new scarfs, Asian pears, water bottles, and such. The people of Korea are such generous and kind hearted people. But, my favorite experience was giving cookies to a lady and her teenaged son who own a 한섯 restaurant in 덕소 (Deokso). They were so kind to us the week before and gave us an umbrella, because it was raining. The smile on her face was so big!!! And, she wants her son to come to church with us now. We will be visiting them many more times in the future, plus their restaurant has GOOD food. It actually was the first place I ate in Korea. And, that is no coincidence.

There were many other good experiences with the 2nd day of Light the World, doing a 전도(teaching the gospel) as a district by a 역 (station) where we were giving out packs to make lemonade drinks, and got to get some interest from people. With the 3rd day we were able to see miracles in having that support and love with the ward families!!

This is a great activity to see the many blessings God has given me and to get out of the rut in doing the same routine. I can see the LIGHT!!

Even though we had to drop an investigator, 조순하 (Cho Soon-ha), and our investigator 한동호 (Han Dong Ho) has not been able to get a lesson with us for almost 2 weeks, we have seen new miracles. From referrals from members, new progressing investigators, better love and support from members, more meeting with people, a new joy and vigor in my relationship with Elder Lowe, and a new kind of light shining on the missionary life.
It is AWESOME!

Love you all!


#1 Making a new case for the Book of Mormon (I'll finish it today)

#2 Just whippin' up some cookies in our toaster oven.

#3 Elder Lowe inspecting the chocolate chip cookies that have no chocolate chips in them. (They turned out GREAT!)

#4 Helping an elderly man up the stairs! WHOOT WHOOT! Good Elder Lowe

#5 The oddest and most awkward bathroom have seen here.

#6 Cloudy days in the city can't hold back the light of Christ (The clouds were pretty awesome that day)

#7 A burning bush!! The pic quality is ........ lol, it was cool take my word for it!