Week 91

Doing disscussions with a family and exchanges!

Recently something that makes me really excited has been meeting with the family that we are teaching. They are going to church consistently and the father wants them to be members of the church, but because they are kids and he has his own struggles, I have been getting a whole new experience trying to teach them.

Maybe a decade ago, he was learning English from missionaries. The way the missionaries acted and treated others really made a huge impact on him. He wondered why we are always so happy.
So, he reached out to us because he really wants his two little kids to grow up to be good kids and like the missionaries he has encountered.

Recently, I have heard a lot of these type of stories where people have gotten curious about the church because they have seen the examples of members.

A new person we found to have discussions with last week, said that he has always respected a member friend from college who never gave in to peer pressure and never saw him drinking or smoking.

Another is a recent convert in Paju going to Australia, he was shocked that a person would pick up trash and talk to grandma along the street.

Dragon himself was surprised at the way we acted and it was a big reason he got baptized as well.

Or even if you look at the Asia North Presidency, Elder Yamashita, he was baptized purely because, as a teenager, he had seen how the missionaries acted, and he thought I want to be like them. Before then he had never been involved personally in religion, but nevertheless he was baptized. When he did so, he couldn't have said that he really understood all the doctrine of the church, but he just wanted to grow up to be a good person. He had never met anyone like the missionaries before, so he got baptized. It felt right. And all God asks is for the people just starting up to simply have a desire to believe. He cares more about the direction you are facing along the covenant path and less about where you are on that path.

But anyways, this family is my favorite, because the father has the same desire. Although the kids can be rascals, I love them with all my heart. The father say that his youngest wakes up early all of the time and say to him, I want to go to church to be with the Elders. It is quite amazing how quickly children accept the Gospel when they are paying attention. The are so pure.

We are working with the primary leaders and the sister missionaries to really support this family while his wife is over in China. And, this week we will have a meal with for the whole family at President's house. I have got high hopes for the family. (Their English names are Jeffery, Kevin, and Ashley. Keep them in your prayers)


Exchanges!! In Dong-Hae!!!

I got to go home for a day!!!!!!
Because I knew that I was going back, I made calls for 3 hours on the bus talking to previous people I worked with in Dong-Hae.  For some people it is sad to see their interest go away and usually these type of people are the ones whom just suddenly stop contact with us randomly. It rips my heart. But, anyways. We met up with so many people!! In 24 hours we met 9 different people.

I got to participate in a new member discussion with Brianne and Oliver!! She had no idea that I was coming and so it was fun to surprise her. We had a discussion of how praying and reading scriptures daily will keep you afloat. I shared my testimony of how when we finally commit to praying and reading scriptures everyday that is when things start to change slowly but surely.
When I did so, I started to have answers to my prayers, I felt the constant companionship of the Spirit, not just little bursts, and even strangely enough, I started to see people from a totally different perspective. I had compassion on the people that used to annoy me at school. It was cool to see my vision change and it gave me the energy I need as a senior in high school, finishing things up.
Oliver and Brianne said they would commit to do it together. She always accepted commitments easily. I love those two.

And, also that evening I share my experience, of the kids we are teaching, to someone I had taught in Donghae before. Those two were both touched by the father's desire to have his kids grow up like us. And, so they said "I want you to teach our kids to love others, forgive, and to understand God. We have never met anyone like you elders even in our church"

Remember that you are always representing the Lord Jesus Christ as a member of His church. And, people are always watching.

I loved doing a Zone Activity in Ilsan near the Flower Festival. I loved meeting a student aged friend, that knew nothing about the church, and helping him start to learn about the gospel. I loved seeing the temple after 8 months. I love loving the missionaries. I love teaching! I love talking to people on the subway and connecting with them, and sharing His light with all I encounter, because we live in a dark world. I love being a disciple of Christ.

Week 90

This last week was a week of lots of finding!!!! I love talking to new people and making friends on the streets.

 It is fun to take the younger missionaries into my area to help them gain a view of what missionary work can be like. I don't want to ever leave the Nokbun area. It is so good!! There are great people to be found every where!

I love being with Elder Simon, we are very goofy together! I have learned to appreciate him a lot more after the 3 days of exchanges this last week. So busy with exchanges! When we got back together on Saturday, as we walked to our appointment, we got a total of 5 people's contact info just in that afternoon, of course as prompted by the Holy Ghost. This was all right after we got back together. I love being in a companionship where because of the vision and love we have for the people and the work, we are both are pushing forward with all our effort. You can see many great works in a companionship where one is very driven and the other is simply obedient, but when you both have vision, miracles just flow on in!! Meeting tons of people, giving more people tours of the church, and new people to have discussions with!!!

Right now, someone who is progressing a lot, is having his family come to church with us. 
He really wants his two kids to grow-up in a great environment and to grow strong! I LOVE his kids so much and they fit in with the Primary well. I got to play piano for singing time.
They also asked me to give a talk as well. So I talked on the Our Identity and Destiny as sons and daughters of God. I believe if one really understood that principle that they are literally of Noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven, then it will give people a higher vision to reach for and the motivation to overcome just about any of the problems they are facing. This is something only taught in this the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as restored doctrine. I love helping others find the restored truths for themselves, by the Spirit.

There is no better work I could be doing. I could do this for the rest of my life and be happy!

Thank you, as always!

Elder Simon!

 

Week 89

Big things that happen in the Elder Alger Black-out!

Here is one!
One of the Elders in our mission had to go out off the mission boarders for Military Obligations. But as he was out he got hurt and hit his head hard. He is healthy, except he forgot the past 4 years of his life.  The crazy part was that he used to be fully inactive and had no testimony. Within those 4 years he had a different accident where his comrades all died and he practically died. This caused him to have a Spiritual Awakening. He at that point decided to make a change in his life, and ended up coming on the mission.

He was still fairly new to the mission, but was very respected because he was the oldest and he had a lot of life experience. He learned a lot of English while out and was key in the work. He also was known as a bright out going Elder. He even helped teach Dragon with Elder White and me.

But... after this accident he wasn't the same. He didn't think that he could speak English and was very somber. When his parents told him he had been on a mission and showed pictures he said he needed to get out immediately, even though he didn't have a firm testimony. He came back and it was hard to see him come in because he didn't have the light of recognition on his face when he would see an old friend, as people usually do.

For some reason this experience really made me think differently about the Plan of Salvation. I wouldn't have thought it before, but honestly from going around, I feel that every one, especially the new missionaries need to have their faith strengthened that they are not involved in the work of man, and that the powers of heaven are opened to us once again through the Restoration. Sometimes we delight in the Restoration happening in the early 1800's, and are satisfied with that fact, but the Restoration of the Gospel just started there and then, and His pure Gospel still is being restored this very moment. Even for those born in the Church.  We are being restored to what we knew before we passed through the veil of forgetfulness and came to this fallen world where our faith is tried. 

When I think of it this way, and I think of my mother's and sister in-law, Vivi's experience, it gives a whole other meaning to the Sacramental prayer. "...that they may remember..." as said is,   maybe, less of retaining what we learned on Earth, but being Restored to the memory we once had of Christ, that we know Him.

Right now, President Taylor is carefully watching over Elder Bek to "Restore" what was lost and more. He put him with Elders that will be teaching him the lessons like an investigator, the most important investigator they'll ever get.

Seeing many missionaries that lack confidence in their work and in themselves, it makes me think that they are just more cases, like Elder Bek, they passed through the veil and need to remember.
Elder Bek had these wonderful spiritual experiences, had confidence, energy, and really increased in English Speaking ability, but once "the veil of forgetfulness" went over his mind he supposedly lost all of it, at least that is the impression he had. But, he was so utterly wrong!!!!

It was still there, and he wouldn't be the same person that he was if he didn't do the things he did before the veil of forgetfulness went over his mind. He at first he had this false belief that he could not speak English, and because of that mind set couldn't.
I saw it myself. When people were talking in English he listened for a little whilw, but then turned straight to me looking at me with a face of sheer confusion as if asking me to translate and so I did. He gave up. Then a couple of days later, he spluttered out  fluent English and didn't even realize he did it at first. Seeing that, I know that he, along with all of us, have untapped ability and potential. He couldn't do it that first time because of this false belief put in his head. I have no doubt that Satan plants seeds of doubt, to grow into these facades, these gnarly tangled weeds that cover up any sign or glimmer of what our Eternal potential and divinity is for us all.

I know that God has preserved his best most noble ones for these latter days, but I also know that Satan has had millenniums of time to practice his cunning crafts, to mislead the Children of God, who have kept the first estate, to join him in misery and woe. Satan is at his prime and is increasing his attacks on faith and upon us all members and missionaries and families at an exponential rate, before his influence is taken forever and locked away by Jesus Christ!

I feel an urgent need for our missionaries to receive the Holy Ghost, for the directions, comfort, and constant influence of the powers of heaven lives there. And, that is no different for you or any other member missionaries.

Have faith in what the Prophet says he sees things we can't. Search the scriptures eagerly and pray fervently because time is running out. If you do so the veil will begin to be lifted as it has done with Prophets of old and Christ himself. Over course all done line upon line and precept upon precept. 

As President Nelson says, start now!!

There are miracles!! I love going on exchanges with the Zone Leaders of our mission!!! I respect each of them and I have learned many things from them. I always see miracles on exchanges. This time everywhere we went we had street lessons about the Gospel and received lots of great contact information. Elder Goble is very humble, kind, smart, and good with the Koreans, yet just a fun Elder. No one else has a sense of humor like him. I admire his devotion to the language. I could serve with him everyday and it would never get old.

This Easter Conference was light and fun!!! It was a fun experience to be able to teach with Elder Simon (Timmy and Tommy from AZ). Just like our names fit well together, we finish each others sentences as we give training. I love his energy.

As of recently, I have been enjoying the companionship trust activities before lunches, they seem to have become a tradition now. It is a good reminder that we should always be united, and one with our companions! This time we had Easter Egg Hunt with Companions legs tied together. It was good wholesome fun.

Nokbun area... yeah a lot of the people that we were teaching have distanced themselves from us, and that has hurt me. Of course, I understand it is given to them, the right to chose that for themselves, but their choices sometimes hurt. Too many of them straight up just stop communications with us and don't give a reason as to why. Which leaves me to sit and wonder what could I have done differently so that I know what to do for future people I work with. I'll always keep them in my prayers, but it is time to find new people! 

Love you all!

More pictures from the Easter activity, and some repeats

Week 88, really

This was last week's email, but for some reason it didn't send.

A new Transfer! I am now the senior assistant to the president, and Elder Simon from AZ came in. He has a bright attitude and something fun is that his first name is Tommy, and mine is Timmy, and we are both from AZ.

Though I am excited to work with Elder Simon, I really loved being with Elder White and out of all the missionaries we have right now in the mission I look up to him the most probably. I learned a lot from him. He is a extremely wise in many aspects of the work and in doctrine. He is a master teacher. He has so many admirable traits, but I want to change somethings when it comes to the AP's schedule.

Elder White and I were trying to fulfill the first expectation from our Mission President; keeping a normal proselyting schedule along with calls from Zone Leaders, preparing for training, and duties.
We had a lot of people to teach, and Elder White preferred to contact people on the public transportation to find new people and set teaching appointments, so our additional Assistant to the President responsibilities got left to the night times and over into P-days as well. A big part of the reason why I have been horrible at emailing.

The big theme I got from General Conference was missionary work, a lot of you said missionary work also, but for me personally I saw a lot about repentance. I took it all to heart.

As President Russell M Nelson said "Start now!!!! Time is running out!"

Now is our time for repentance. And, here we go!!

I am grateful for the guidance of Living Prophets. If we aren't willing to accept the words of Christ's living representatives then how much more willing will we be to follow Christ when he comes? (At least for the right reason I mean.)

Love,
Elder Alger

Picking up our new missionaries from the airport!

Weeks 87 and 88

Still no email from our busy AP.

Pictures from the Seoul Mission Easter Party

Week 86

Busy Assistants to the President don't always have time to write home. We didn't get an email this week, just pictures.

 

The wedding

Here is a video from the wedding: https://youtu.be/SBKzxUcIp5o

DINNER!

Week 85

When you are prepared and ready the Lord just brings the people. He needs to you even if they end up in weird but great results! I feel like every week is crazy but this week was particularity very crazy!  There were quite a few interesting meetings we had with people, to say the least.

We met Jehovah's Witnesses that tried teaching us all these random facts in the Bible like where heaven is, etc. Another who wants to learn with us, but only purely through the Bible. Which restrict God's word to just what is in the Bible, so we had to back up literally everything we said with the Bible. A first for me. Made us think more about our Bible for sure and stumped us. But, I do want to testify to you all that when God said "my works are without end and my word never cease" he meant it. I know that without a doubt.

 A funny thing that happened this week was we ditched an investigator to show up at a wedding. But turned out that the wedding was meant for the following week. Oops, haha, I guess we know how to get there for next week.

 We had an experience where we quickly took out a member during a lesson because of the way he was teaching our investigator. That one shocked me.

But, even though there were a bunch of crazy things that happened there were many great things that we could do this last week.

We had a great first lesson with a member referral who is looking for truth, but has not found a religion yet!! Another investigator had fun answering the question in the back of the Plan of Salvation Pamphlet with us. He actually ended up memorizing the scripture! We did exchanges with the Kangwondo Zone Leaders and Seoul Zone Leaders. I love the energy they had!!!

When I went to Kangwondo to do exchanges with Elder Burt, I learned a lot about the energy he puts in the work and especially with members. He is fantastic at filling the day with meaningful activities throughout the day. He is a pro-missionary. He actually was the AP before I took his seat. So I felt like I learned more from him than he did with me.

And, this last weekend was a great miracle, with a man named Dragon! Cool, huh. He says that he doesn't do much, since he is waiting to go back to school in April, and says that he is only thinking of spiritual things right now. Because he lives in Chun-Cheon we just took the train back together to Seoul. He took an hour train ride to take the sacrament in our area, and then went to a baptism, another 1 hour away, with a return missionary in our ward. He is so prepared!!
The baptism was beautiful, made me cry actually. The recent convert who got baptized said she was committed to finding the true church and she ended up finding the Sisters on Kokoa Talk.

Many of the finding miracles were on Sunday. We literally were just on our way to other appointments, and they simply came up to us. Our conversation starters were something like this "What were you doing to be dressed up so nice like this?" "You look warm in that coat." "May I take your picture?" "Did you eat a fruit?" "Do you live around here?" None of them were anything fancy and took no technique, but right after that they had immediate reactions as the following "Your face is so bright you must be a believer in Christ." "Are you a missionary for the Mormon Church?" For this reaction, and for many of the other good reactions, they leaded straight to a gospel discussion.

I love talking to the Korean people and I love to share the gospel of the Restored Church. I also love that God has shown Himself to me multiple times through interactions such as these on the street and quick learners like Dragon!!! I am so excited for his baptism this next Sunday!! I love working here in Nok-bun!!! It is ward of miracles. We have had 3 referrals since I came here. The energy here is great and I love teaching deeper doctrine with the recent converts! They are great. I feel I am totally myself here!! I am extremely grateful for this wonderful opportunity to serve here in Seoul!!! 

Love Elder Timmy Alger

Squid!!!