Hello dearest family!
Thank you for your letters this week. I am sad to hear about Uncle Michael, but glad that he was able to have Greg with him when he left this life. It's hard to imagine. I haven't really processed it yet. The closest I get to doing so is reading your expressions of sadness, your memories and faith. I'll be honest--that letter I wrote him when I received word he wasn't doing well was one of the hardest things I've ever had to write. How do you bid farewell to someone who has been in your life so consistently? That said, I am grateful for the impression he has had on my life and that I was allowed to associate with such a good man. He will be missed. I will send my Michael memories before the funeral. Mom, I'm so glad you received permission to go to the funeral/help with Laura's baby. Travel safe if you're not there yet.
Things here are both slow and fast. We got a new sister from Korea today and four elders from Korea. It is always fun to be around the real deal, if you will. We are now teaching "progressing investigators" in Korean two times a day. I completely endorse this new curriculum. I have probably learned more about Korean, the spirit, and teaching to needs in this last week than my entire time at the MTC. It is incredible. I still get frustrated sometimes and doubt my abilities, but it's coming. Of course I still want to be good at it immediately, but when I'm humble Heavenly Father shows me my progress in simple ways--ways I've come to treasure. I'm looking forward to going to Korea.
Thought you might enjoy this. As promised, here is the English translation of the way the first vision is structured in Korean:
I my head directly above sun compared to even more bright light pillar saw and that light pillar gradually came down rested and me to enveloped. That light me above stayed when I wirtten words with express cannot brightness and glory having two people me above air middle in standing thing saw. That middle one person my name called as me to spoke (spoken semicolon): "This my loving son is since His word listen" said.
Pretty twisted.
I have been studying the New Testament, particularly the way that Christ teaches. In so doing I reread the story of Christ walking on the water and then, Peter asking to be able to do so as well. I began to wonder what the water that we're walking on might be. After a closer reading, I decided that the water that we're invited to walk upon might be our doubts, fears, and weaknesses. These things we normally feel we're swimming in can become a surface to be elevated upon when we focus on Christ. It is interesting that as Peter begins to sink it is because he is paying attention to everything around him, instead of Jesus Christ: "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and cuahgt him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" When we begin looking down at our feet, we watch our step, we see our weakness, and when we see who we are without Jesus Christ, without that focus of helping others and helping Him, is it any wonder we begin to sink? I love Peter because he is such a hopeful type of ourselves. Even though he sometimes doubts and even denies Christ, Christ is still incredibly merciful and allows him to see and experience marvelous things. Christ is transfigured before Peter and even entrusts Peter with the keys of the kingdom on earth. Ultimately it is his faith in Jesus Christ that prevails. He is certainly someone to learn from.
In other news, I discovered that I have met one of my MTC teachers before...when he was a missionary IN KOREA! Which means all of us who made the trip to Korea met him. Charlotte, I took those business cards to class that you sent me because I remembered that one of my teachers had served in Busan and wondered if he had served with the elders whose cards you gave me. I showed them to him and he asked where I got them. I told him about you and how you had lived in Ulsan. He asked what your last name was. I told him and he said, "Charlotte and Matt?! They're the best!" Does Elder Wells ring a bell? We then figured out that when we ate dinner on your Relief Society President's roof it was his last day in the mission and he had received special permission to come say goodbye to some of the leaders in the Ulsan area. I was recounting that it was someone's last day...and then we put it together. It was YOUR last day, Brother Wells. I remember meeting him in the dark on the way down some shady stairs as we were leaving the dinner. What a small world. He said you were the greatest. He talked about how much he loved Lincoln. You and me both, brother. He also said that Matt would take them to get really good Korean food--that sounds just like Matt to wine and dine 'em. He also said that a minor miracle occurred with you guys. One Fast Sunday he was really craving broccoli chicken cheese casserole. When he went to your house...BOOM...broccoli chicken cheese casserole. You are so in tune with the spirit. He says hello. I like him a lot and am shocked to realize that we had met briefly before.
Dad: I hope you hold up the Guam fort well while Mom is gone. My love to you. I love hearing from you. Your little pearls of wisdom are often enclosed in bits of humor and I really appreciate it.
Mom: So glad you can come home for a minute. Love you. Thanks for your letters and thoughtfulness. It is really inspiring to hear the stories of your missionaries and experiences. It reaffirms the desire I have to serve.
Charlotte: Can't believe you're still alive!! Thank you for that package. It was a dream come true. I was dying both of fear and laughter reading that note. Lucy is so ignorant to the great sacrifices you make for her.
Laura: Where is the baby? Glad you could go to Mikey's wedding. Love you, thanks for your letters always.
Megan and Nick: much love to both of you. It sounds like you were a great source of support in Michael's last few days.
Bob and Matt: hello!
Sarangheyo!
Julia
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