almost one month down...

Hello family and anyone else who happens to come upon this!

 

This week was the first week I really had to think about what I wanted to tell you. In other words, it was the first week every day felt very, very similar. I have to make a conscious effort to note how I'm feeling and what sets days apart from each other now. I like it better when I make that effort, but sometimes 6:30 in the morning comes too soon and it feels like 6:30 all day long. It was nice to hear from so many of you this week. Thank you for your notes, insight, encouragement and love. You help me keep the days straight and my heart full.

 

On a particular day that I had been more flustered than normal with Korean, I sat in the lobby of our residence hall so I could study and try and clear things up.  I was with my companion, Sister Brady (who is still as patient with me as ever). One of the Korean sisters, Sister Jeon saw that we were studying and offered to help us immediately. I'm sure she had much to do herself, but she graciously offered her personal time to help us. I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but she is a favorite. She is the kind of person that beams contagiously. She spent a year at BYU studying English before she came on a mission, so she has been a nice liason between the two groups. I hadn't gotten to know much about her prior to her helping us with our Korean. This is what I wrote in my journal about her:

 

"What a day. Just when I thought to throw my hands up in frustration, I learned ye another important lesson.  After a day of completely massacring Korean in both teaching lessons and class, I came back to the residence hall flustered and uncertain of myself. 

 

Brady Cha Mae Nim and I went to study in the lobby, where Jeon Cha Mae Nim offered to help us. Her faith is so apparent to me.  I am always impressed by her disposition and beaming spirit.  She is good to always speak to us in Korean first and then translate into English if we don't understand.  I asked if her family was LDS.  She said no, that her father doesn't have religion and her mom is Buddhist.  Jeon Cha Mae Nim is a convert to the church of just two years.  When she studied Chinese in China she met some BYU students who were also studying there.  She took the missionary lessons in Korea. Her parents didn't and still don't understand her at all. Recently, when she expressed desires to serve a mission they thought she was crazy.  As she carefully explained that doing this would mean a lot to her and bring great blessings to her and their family, they consented. She talked about how she decided not to go back to Korea after school was over because she was afraid her family might convince her not to go on a mission. She told me how this first week has been a lot of realizing how little she knows as far as facts and doctrine, but how much she knows in her heart, how strongly she feels. I could tell that about her, from the beginning.

 

How refreshing to have my sorry, mopey concerns put in perspective by someone with such great faith and optimism. I feel rejuvinated by her, her story,  and her determination to preach what she knows and know that is enough for now."

 

 

I am so happy she is going to Busan too. I know her sincerity will transcend any doctrinal barrier she encounters, and that people will feel that. A good lesson. It's interesting to meet someone whose course seems to be diametrically opposed to mine. I love learning how we got to the same place by a different route. She knows Korean/English, is a recent convert, has some insecurity about her knowledge of the fundamentals, but knows what she feels. I am a lifetime member of the church with a family who are also lifetime members of the church, I don't know Korean and feel insecure about that, I feel okay in my doctrinal understanding, and I hope that what I feel will transcend language barriers.

 

It broke my heart to hear about Michael's struggles this week. I love him very much and I'm grateful that he has all of you to help him through this. I'm going to send him a letter today, but if it doesn't get there in time, please let him know of my love. I think it is no coincedence that we have been practicing teaching lesson two (The Plan of Salvation) this week. It has been a great source of comfort to me. Our pains and sorrows, even the grave, shall have no victory.

 

This week Sister Brady got called to be the new coordinating sister (sort of like a zone leader for sisters), as the "older" group is going to Korea in six days. I had been teasing her that I thought she might end up in that position--she just has the skills/demeanor for it. When the first counselor in the branch presidency pulled us aside on Sunday, I thought I knew what she had coming. He then proceeded to call me to the position--yes, disorganized, unaffectionate me. I accepted and figured that things would work out. Sister Brady told me that's what I get for teasing her about it. Five minutes later we were once again pulled aside as the second counselor apologized and told us that he had accidentally mixed us up...and Sister Brady accepted the call. My five minutes as the coordinating sister were pure bliss. Ha. Sister Brady will do well and I look forward to supporting her in her call (what is this, marriage or something? companionships are weird.)

 

We played kickball yesterday, as the gym is closed so they can refinish the floor. This place is a lot like elementary school. Sister Brady nearly got mowed down by a huge Elder as he ran to first base after a toe punch kick to left field. It was hilarious. Everyone still goes dead silent when a tray is dropped in the cafeteria. And chocolate milk for every meal is fine with me.

 

I'm still doing well. I have felt some pressure to study everything NOW. But I don't work like that. I do more thinking than reading and I get more done that way. I learn a lot from a little when I let the spirit pass through me. Luke wrote me a letter about his skin being permeable, like it's a dotted line. When I think of my soul that way, so much more gets to me, passes through me. I am taught so much. This is a good thing I am doing.

 

I love you all!

 

Sis. J. Mecham