Happy Halloween!

Hello to all! Happy Halloween.

 

First things first. Rest assured I have secured a new bath towel and it is still intact. In spite of language differences, life is fun when I let it be.

 

It was a good week. We were able to go to Wang En Ha's baptism on the 28th. She is an 8 year old whose Grandpa is a church member, but the rest of her family is not. We taught her all four lessons so it was fun to see her on her big day. She is so cute. She has short hair and lots of Spiderman stickers to go around, but I think she is forced to wear girly clothing every now and then. Ha. She reminds me of me except that she has a huge heart. I love her because even though we hardly have much to say to one another she gives me huge hugs every time I see her. She did great at her baptism. It was sweet.

 

Two of our investigators, Hong Bo Hee and Jo Hae Bin, were able to come to the baptism as well. They are 15-years old and very sweet girls. I'm not sure how much their faith is growing, but day by day we are getting there. Sundays and Saturdays are gold for us, but many of the weekdays we do not have teaching appointments because people are so busy. Anyway, these two girls love Americans and always mention how high the bridge of my nose is and how blue my eyes are. They also love to tell me that I have red cheeks and dark circles under my eyes. Yes, correct you are. Ha. Koreans are quite frank about appearance, but it's fun. We have taught Hong Bo Hee and Jo Hae Bin the first three lessons and they have come to church two weeks in a row. They actually committed to baptism on November 13 (happy bday Chucky), but we need to talk to their parents and work on their faith a bit. It is exciting and the ward is really focusing on helping them.

 

This week we had just three investigators at church, but we are hopeful. I can't believe transfers are in 3 weeks...I have a feeling Sister Lee will leave since she has been here for nearly 5 months. I'm trying not to think that far ahead, but it's a challenge. Life is no fun without challenges, right?

 

All the missionaries in the zone threw a Halloween party in Masan. There were probably 100-125 people there. It was quite a bit of work, but it was fun. They don't know much about Halloween here. When I was constructing a Jack'o lantern on the back wall of the activity room, one of the Korean elders asked why I was making its eyes like THAT (upside-down triangles). Those are not eyes, he defiantly proclaimed. Oh but they are. It took some explaining, and a lot of laughing. We had a spook alley, face painting, mummy toilet paper toss, and all the missionaries did some skits. All the sister missionaries wore traditional Korean Hangboks (long dresses worn on special occasions). I am not of the Korean build, so it looked like I was wearing a tent that was somehow one or two sizes too small. All the Korean grandmas and moms spent a good deal of time trying to fix me up every few seconds--it must have looked like it didn't fit. Ha. I may or may not have played electric guitar while wearing one of these dresses. It was quite the juxtaposition, but I think everyone had fun. Quite a few people who are interested in the church came and enjoyed themselves.

 

Well, as of yesterday I have been in Korea for 2 months. Hard to believe. I'm grateful for these little bench marks that help me refocus and set goals on how I can be better and see where I've come from. More than that, I'm grateful to learn how to love people more, as difficult as it sometimes is. There is so much to be learned from giving up your will. I am still learning every single day. I have taken comfort in the scripture in 1 Nep. 21 where Christ says "they walls are continually before me." I like to imagine Him, in all his power and glory, pushing the walls of my heart outward so there is more room for people and understanding...so there is more room for a whole population of people to love. I know He can do it if I let Him. It's amazing to see it work.

 

Mom and Dad-- sounds like things continue to go well. Isn't it crazy how quickly things change? I can't believe you've sent so many missionaries home and have not received as many. I hope they see the increased productivity of your mission and reward it soon. Thank you always for your support and love. I love you both so much. Every day I am here and see people who do not have that kind of support I become more and more grateful for you and your faith.

 

Nick and Megan-- chili cook offs left and right! Sometimes I dream of delicious American food, but Korean food is tasting better every day. I read chili and my mouth started to water. Didn't even know I missed it...have a good Halloween. I'm sad to hear that Nick will not be Lil' John this year. What a disappointment. Megan, good luck with the flapper idea. I have a Hangbok you can borrow...

 

Charlotte and Matt--thanks for the letter in spite of being busy. Happy birthday soon! Be on the lookout for a small something. Ranger is from Cardston. Did you know that? Oh Lincoln. What a little menace. Ha. It is a lot more fun to hear the stories than to be the one that has to run after him, I'm sure. Ha. Tell Wynne hello!

 

Ladi and Bob-- thank you for your letter! I hope Halloween panned out and costumes came together. So glad you have found new friends. It is amazing how much a new friend can change your perspective about life, even just through simple conversations or time spent together. Thank you for keeping me updated.

 

Grandma-- always nice to hear from you! Somehow you manage to keep yourself so busy. I love it. I have always admired how much time you spend helping other people and I'm sure they appreciate it too.

 

Oh, yoraboon, the work goes forward. Thank you for your prayers and letters. They mean a lot to me. I know Heavenly Father is blessing me and the Korean people because of your prayers. We are off to a chrysanthumum festival in Masan with our zone. It's a beautiful sunny day, maybe around 55 degrees farenheit (sp?). It will be fun.

 

Love,

Julia

a real novel this time

Family!!

 

I love you. Thank you for your letters, as always. In my opinion, they are the highlight of p-day. I appreciate your stories and wisdom. I need them, in a lot of ways, so thank you again.

 

This week has been a pretty good one. We (I, especially) am working on getting back on the fired up finding boat. When I let my insecurity bind me I really am hurt by the pain of regret much more deeply than the pain of rejection or hard work. So, every morning is kind of like the bus ride to a basketball game, except this time I'm listening to hymns and praying really hard and trying to remember new Korean phrases that might spark interest in the gospel message. This week I have vowed to not sit down on the bus so I can walk around and talk to everyone. I find that when I sit down, it's over. Maybe I can talk to that one person, but it seems I never get around to anyone else if that conversation dies. Unfortunately, as sister missionaries, in our mission we are no longer allowed to contact men because it gets so complicated to meet with them again. In some ways it is really hard to be restricted like that, but in some ways it shows me exactly who I need to talk to.

 

Anyway, we were able to teach some lessons this week. Most of them went pretty well. I pitch in my simple sentences every now and then, along with my simple testimony. I am working to bring more convincing power to those words, no matter how simple they may be. The spirit is the real teacher. The sincerity and piercing affects of it really bring people around (including me) quickly. When I'm worried about stumbling, I absolutely stumble. When I am worried about other people I have seen much more success. I love the verse in Alma 34 that says that as soon as we repent, whether it be of selfishness, or negative thoughts, the plan of redemption immediately comes into effect. I have felt that over and over.

 

This week we had seven investigators at church. It was really great! Many of them seemed to like church more than they expected to. There were four 14 year old girls there, a 15 year old girl whose friend is a church member, and two 18 year old boys. With all these young people we doubled the youth Sunday School class. Sister Lee is a master multi-tasker and kept everyone comfortable and happy. As I've mentioned before, everyone in Korea is very very busy. Students go to school all day, then they have Hagweon just an hour or two after school and then they study more. They get home around 10 or so and probably study a little more. Most adults work 12 hour days. Koreans value their families very much, but with the way the culture is, they really don't get to spend too much time together. Sundays and Saturdays are usually the only two days people can meet, so we are very busy on those days. The hardest thing with the youth is obtaining their parents' permission to be baptized. We will see.

 

Speaking of culture, the other day as we were saying hello to everyone we pass, I began saying hello to this grandpa. I got as far as "Anyeonghasay--" Oh. Right as I said, "oh," I realized he was just urinating right there on the street. I guess that's as good a place as any. It broke the routine, anyway. It has also been raining here quite a bit. People will still ride their bikes in the rain, but they also carry an umbrella in one hand. This makes for some pretty precarious situations and hydroplaning. Koreans hate the sun, so they carry parasoles. Koreans also hate the rain because they think the acid rain will make you go bald. So, if I come back bald because I played the part of a skeptical American, please love me anyway.

 

We have a baptisimal service on Friday. It is the baptism of the grandaughter of a member of our ward. Her mom is not a member, but she is a sweet little tomboy girl who reminds me of myself a little bit. We have one more lesson to teach her this week. She is so smart and sweet. We're hoping some of our investigators will come.

 

One of the 14 year old girls, Bo Hee, is obsessed with Waygookeens (foreigners). We really can't have much of a conversation, but she just stares at me and says how pretty I am. I guess just being different than the norm is enough to deem you pretty around here. Other girls in the ward said I look like Emma Smith from the Joseph Smith movie. Thank you. I have also been told I look like Hermione, from Harry Potter. I wish. Ha.

 

Anyway, yesterday after church we talked with Bo Hee and her friend Yae Bin about baptism. We have only taught them the first lesson and only briefly talked about baptism. We showed them the picture of Christ being baptized by John the Baptist. We also showed her the baptisimal font. Bo Hee said she wants to be baptized. When we asked why, she said she wants to say sorry to Christ and Heavenly Father. I asked her why she was sorry and she said just that she has made a lot of mistakes.

 

It is interesting how innocent and pure many of the Korean youth are. I feel like none of my 14 year old peers thought the sweet, child like way that so many of those I have met think. Maybe they are too busy to get into much trouble. I am impressed, anyway.

 

I have realized that my lack of language is extremely limiting to how effectively I can help people. So, this week, I am rededicating myself to language study and prayers for the gift of tongues. It's not just going to come. I have to put in the labor. I'm looking forward to it. The other night I spent the better part of the night swatting at a mosquito who thought it might be fun to drink deeply from every pore in my face. This is a nightly occurance, by the way. I thought about all that time I racked up focusing on something that really wasn't all that important and how it caused me to lose an entire night of sleep. I really don't want my mission to be that way--whether it's my own weaknesses/fears, a companion I don't quite understand, lack of language ability--if I spend my time, my conversations, my energy focusing on those things I will never be the missionary Heavenly Father needs me to be.

 

I have been comforted by a Neil A Maxwell quote:

 

"God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability. And if we then prove our dependability He will increase our capability."

 

So here's to showing Heavenly Father I believe His promises through being dependable. It will be a good week!

 

Mom and Dad-- Wow! Work in Micronesia sounds incredible. I am so happy to be united in this great work with you and love hearing how fired up you are about it. We have to be. I am learning much from your examples of faith. Go break those records!

 

Nick- Thank you for your letter! I loved hearing your stories. Glad business as usual (parties, Mac stories, and ESPN) press forward. Thanks for your insight. Glad I won't miss an NBA season. Ha.

 

Megan-- Hope work and fresh baked french bread are still happening. I have made a conscious effort to put my rain coat where it belongs in people's houses after your story...ha

 

Charlotte-- thank you for the updates. I hope hosting goes well. You always were a party animal and never let anything stop you. If there's a will there's a way, and it seems that with you, there is always a will.

 

Matt-- Hope you are still the new sherriff in town. Keep at it.

 

Laura-- Minnie must be keeping you busy. I hope she is being good. Remember your nightly duty of endearing her to me. Hope HTML is not working you over too much. Missed you this week!

 

Robert-- Hope school/work are still going okay. Can't wait to see what you've done with the house. Ha.

 

Grandma-- Thank you for your letter last week. I have included you on the email list. I love hearing from you. You have a wonderful way of commentating the present and the past all at the same time. I love you and Grandpa!

 

Ah. At the end of the day I know who I am. I know I am a daughter of God and that He loves me and He loves all His children. I am happy to be in Korea, in spite of my weakness. It is good to be weak. It keeps me humble. Very very humble. Ha. This is God's work. I know it.

 

Love,

Julia

Jin Hae/Pung Ho is a beauty

Hello to you, family!

 

I love hearing from you. Thank you!

 

Well, as mentioned, I was transfered last week. We actuallyl cover two wards: Jin Hae and Pung Ho. It is kind of a challenge because we go to the respective wards every other week. Sister Lee is a really good missionary and I am learning a lot from her. As for the why and how of the transfer: I think Sister Brady was having a hard time in her situation and that President thought her personality might work better with Sister Oaks. I'm hoping it's been as good of a change for her as it has been for me.

 

Sister Lee actually speaks English quite well. She is virtually a Korean/English dictionary. The other day she came up with "paprika" from her memory bank of vocabulary. She is a convert of three years and a very genuinely happy person. She has the unique ability to make anyone feel comfortable, regardless of language barrier or anything else. She said she is happy when people can feel of her love. She is so good at helping people feel her love that it's no wonder she is always happy. I am learning a lot from her about Korean, keeping things simple, loving people, being optimistic, thinking of others first, and sincere prayer. Last transfer kind of shook her a little bit so we are working to get to a place of renewed energy and faith. We are working at working in unity. She gives me a lot of opportunities to say things, but I don't always say it quite right or explain it enough. I can imagine that it is difficult to not want to do all the work when you are a native speaker of a language, but Sister Lee patiently helps me and I am very appreciative. She has really gained the trust of the members. She has been here for 4 transfers and will likely leave next transfer, leaving me and another very young missionary (maybe even another foreigner like me) to be in this area. If I think about that too much I get overwhelmed, but I know that Heavenly Father will help me know how to do whatever He needs me to do.

 

We still do have an occasionaly misunderstanding, like this morning while we were cleaning she asked if I had a towel we could use to scrub the floor with. I suggested we use mine since I was going to wash it later anyway. She said "are you sure?" and I wondered why it was such a big deal and agreed it would be fine. The next thing I know she is cutting my towel into small sections...okay, so my towel is now a rag, or several rags, rather. There are things like this, but they make me laugh.

 

This week we got to teach lessons! This is new for me. We teach an 88 year old lady named Jang Jeong Ae. She is the mother of a member. She is very sweet and funny although she has a hard time remembering very much. Sister Lee was massaging Sister Jang Jeong Ae's feet and asked her "Why are your feet so small, Sister Jang Jeong Ae?" and Sister Jang Jeong Ae replied, "Because I am so small." Touche. Anyway, when we talked to her about baptism and asked her why she wants to be baptized she said "Because I'm God's daughter and I want to follow Him." That kind of response was a break through for her. We will see.

 

We are also working with some junior high students. We taught them the first lesson on Saturday and then all four of the girls came to church on Sunday. Two of them were really bored, so they left early, but the other two are interested and want to learn. We asked them how they know God exists and they said through their feelings. It is a challenge to work with young people because so many of their parents forbid them from getting baptized, but we are hopeful about at least two of the girls.

 

Another girl we're working with who did not come to church this week is a 16 year old girl. She is very stressed because of school, but has some gospel interest. We are working on helping the youth befriend her. 

 

Yesterday we read The Book of Mormon with a recent convert named Brother Darshana, who is here for work. He is from Sri Lanka and is maybe in his late twenties or early thirties. Because of work he is not always able to go to church. Anyway, it was pretty much my job, because he speaks English (sort of), and less Korean than I do. After reading part of Alma 32 in Sri Lankan, English, Korean, and following along to our respective languages he offered the closing prayer. He said a very humble prayer about how he was grateful that Heavenly Father had sent someone to help him understand The Book of Mormon, because he was worried that after last transfer there wouldn't be anyone to help him. It was one of the first times on my mission where I really fet like I was able to do something, really. It is easy to get bogged down, but I was grateful for this man's humble prayer. It made me feel  needed and I really needed some sort of affirmation.

 

I am learning and teaching and happy. Slow and steady wins the race. Anyway, that's all for now. Love you all!

 

Love,

Julia

The winds of change & Jin Hae -- a little town in the mountains

Hello to all of you lovely people,

 

I think of you often and appreciate your encouragement, prayers and letters. I am currently at the Daegu train station because....I am being transferred already! Sister Brady (MTC companion) are actually just switching places. She will be in Daegu (Sangin) with Sister Oaks and I will go to Jinhae/Pungho with Sister Lee Ga Hee. Here in Korea you have to use all three of their names because there are so many Sister Lees or Sister Kims. Sister Brady and I, although we have different personalities, have similar ideals as far as obedience and hard work go. I think both of us had an idea of how we wanted a mission to be and it is a challenge to help change the perspective of some who have been here for some time while attempting to learn Korean and really how to do this missionary work thing.

 

It will be good to have a Korean companion, but I know I will be out of the loop more than I ever have been. That said, I'm looking forward to the challenge to get better at the language and learn all I can from another companion. I am also looking forward to a fresh start. I have gotten in some habits that I am ready to break, and while I have that opportunity every day, every hour, every moment through the power of repentance, there is something quite exciting about a new geographical location where no one knows me. I can be who I need to be for Heavenly Father.

 

So my big bag was two centimeters too tall to be shipped through Taek Bae at the post office. I'm hauling it around. It's a real doozy. Lots of staring eyes. Oh well. It's a good proselyting opportunity.

 

As I was saying goodbye to many of the members this week I was surprised to find my emotions close to the surface. Even though they don't really understand me and I don't really understand them, I can feel of their good hearts. In some ways I was sad I didn't serve them as well as I would have liked. It really has been a wake up call to me to put everything I am into this mission. I don't want to come home with anything left, as Elder Holland suggests.

 

We got to watch conference yesterday and Saturday. Luckily there is a military branch in our ward, so I got to watch it in English. It was quite the relief.

 

This may be short, but I might get another opportunity to write later after transfers. We'll see.

 

In any case, here is my snail mail address:

 

Sister Julia Elizabeth Mecham

Korea Busan Mission

Dongnae PO Box 73

Busan-si

Busan-gwangyeoksi 607-600

South Korea

 

Mom and Dad, will you send yours as well? The office sister was asking about it, and of course I would like to send you a letter sometime too.

 

Megan and Nick--I hope the home study went well. I have been praying for and thinking about you a lot. Thanks for the note, Meg! Love you both

 

Charlotte and Matt- Hope things continue to go well! You should think about writing me later if you have time.

 

Laura and Robert-  Sounds like you're both very busy. Hope you're finding time for Alberto's every now and then. Write if you have time!

 

Love you!

Julia

 

..........

 

Well, I made it to Jin Hae. We are at Home Plus emailing on the computers they have for sale. They have to love that, I'm sure. I brought my giant suitcase, backpack, and an old guitar a missionary gave me before I left Daegu--inside the store. We asked if it was okay to have all that stuff in here and they gave us the once over and then put a sticker on my bottle of water that essentially says I bought it somewhere else. They weren't too worried about the amount of merchandise I might be able to steal. Thank goodness for a society who trusts one another. This would never happen in the US.

 

Sister Lee Ga Hee is a really loving person. I think I will learn a lot from her. A lot of Koreans are really physically affectionate and she is no exception. As some of you know, I am not, but apparently I will be learning. Ha. I think it's sweet, regardless of how unatural it is for me to hold on to someone's arm while we walk down the street. I think she is kind of recovering from what felt like a rough transfer for her. I am learning that the work is nothing without unity and so I will be trying to both follow her, trust her, and if need be, make any suggestions in the most loving way possible. She joined the church 3 years ago in the Seoul mission area. She emphasizes building relationships of trust a lot because that is how she felt God's love through the missionaries. She wants to recreate that experience for other people too. She will do anything for me. I can already tell that. I am already impressed with how quickly that attribute endears.  

 

Jin Hae, from what I've seen, is a beautiful mountain town off the ocean. It's not at all like the busier Daegu. Daegu is very flat in the valley and the mountains aren't quite so close. Jin Hae feels just like the "city that is set on the hill," or at least how I imagine it. It doesn't have a subway and seems generally quieter. It will be fun to get to know the area and the people here. I have a feeling my language skills will have the opportunity to grow exponentially here.

 

Many things to learn...even more to teach. 

 

I have been rereading a miracle of Christ in the New Testament every morning with the hope it will refine my perspective. The other morning I read about a leper who was healed by Christ in Matthew chapter 8..."and immediately his leprosy was cleansed." It seems simple, but as I read about lepers/leprosy in the Bible Dictionary, it became apparent that this may not have been simple at all.  Lepers were not to enter the city walls, and if a stranger came upon them a leper had to shout "unclean!" as an audible warning.  In this scriptrue it seems that we only see the immediacy of the miracle and forget about what may have been a very long walk of shame.  This leper, despised of everyone, walked with faith because he knew the source of healing and that was his absolute focus. I thought of Lehi's vision of The Tree of Life in 1 Nep. 8 and how those who come unto Christ with full purpose of heart proceeded faithfully toward the tree heeded not the voices of those who mocked them because they knew something bigger. Anyway, my hope is that I will be willing to put my pride on the line for Christ.

 

Anyway, high hopes for Jin Hae and my new companionship.

 

Love to love you all,

 

Julia