The beat goes on

Hello! It is sometimes so hard to believe a week has gone by since I
have written. Some of the days get to be quite long, but the weeks
cruise by. Thanks for your letters, support and encouragement! No
matter how "dull" your life may seem, it is always nice to hear from
you. Little comments and updates become entertaining from miles and
miles away, so keep them coming if you so please.

This week wasn't what we planned, but atypical is typical in
missionary work. It is astounding how busy people are in this
culture--even those who have a sincere interest in the gospel! Most
people can meet maybe one time a week, which makes their progress and
learning a very gradual process...but, I'm grateful for any
opportunity to help them learn about the gospel.

Brother B., the man who took us to dinner while the drunk guy in the
next room flipped over the table, came to church yesterday! We hadn't
really taught him a full lesson, but he had real desires to come to
church. He came in a suit and took notes, observed, and Sister Yeon
explained a lot of the procedures to him. I spoke for about five
minutes in Sacrament Meeting. Sister Yeon was trying to explain
something to him as I spoke and apparently he told her he really
wanted to listen. I spoke about missionary work and how no matter what
our fears are we have the most important message to share and the most
important reason to share it: love. I suggested that if there were any
who didn't know God loved them, or that Jesus Christ is our Savior, or
that The Book of Mormon really is true, to ask God. He wants to answer
us and He's waiting for us to ask. I hope whatever I said was helpful
to someone.

Brother B. stayed for all 3 hours and felt a little overwhelmed, but
took all the new information in stride. He is really busy with work
this week, but he said he would come back to church next week. He was
taking a bus back from Changuan after the holiday earlier this week
and called us to see if he could see inside the church and have a
tour. Because of some of the missionary rules about being alone with a
member of the opposite sex we were unable to go with him, but we are
really excited that he is thinking about church so much. It seems like
he enjoyed church. Hopefully we will see him next week as well.

The other day we planned to do some street contacting around our
neighborhood for about an hour before we ate dinner and taught a less
active member a lesson. We started off and talked to anyone we ran
into. Unlike other times, absolutely no one would talk to us. They
would either ignore us, tell us they were busy, or literally run right
after we introduced who we were. We spent a long 50 minutes doing this
and Sister Yeon and I were a little frustrated. We got to a point in a
neighborhood where if we went left we would be home in two minutes. If
we went straight we would walk past the church and by the grocery
store in the neighborhood and then back around the block--it would
probably take us the full ten minutes. Admittedly both of us felt like
just going straight home, but at the mere suggestion of the idea, in
order to make our plan an act of faith we went straight, hoping we
would be able to talk to someone. I said a prayer in my heart, that I
would be grateful enough to cheerfully share the gospel regardless of
outward results. We ran into a lady going the opposite way by the
church and tried to stop her, but she just kept going. We turned the
corner and saw a man probably in his late 30s dressed quite well who
looked like he didn't really have anywhere to be. We said hello and
his expression was one we really hadn't seen that day--kindness. For
whatever reason we kept walking. About 15 steps later I said that I
felt like we really needed to go back and talk to him, regardless of
how awkward such a move might be. Sister Yeon said she had felt the
exact same thing, so we turned around and explained that for some
reason we felt we really needed to talk to him. He was surprised, but
we talked together for about 25 minutes. He really wanted to know how
our message could help him find happiness. We were able to read the
last 2 paragraphs of the BOM intro together and got his contact
information so we can hopefully meet again. He actually lives in a
different area closer to Busan and works in a completely different
city. He was sort of in Jinhae "randomly."  Regardless of what happens
with him, I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers and values any
commitment and faith we bring to the table. He doesn't always answer
prayers within 10 minutes, but He answers if we're willing to do
something and show Him our commitment. How grateful I am to have that
reconfirmation. Simple instances become miraculous when we ask for the
eyes to see. Like the Elder who spoke about prayer in conference said,
Heavenly Father answers my prayers in sometimes predictable and
miraculous ways. I know this is His work and hope He can continue to
use me in any way He sees fit.

Dad and Mom--literally stranded on an island, huh? That place sounds
very different from Korea, but it's the same message. I love being
united with you in purpose. It is fun to hear your stories. Of course
you wouldn't share your hamburgers with any ol' cat. I can't say I'm
surprised, ha, but the image was a good one. Thank you for the
birthday gift! I got it and the chocolates are almost gone, naturally!

Nick and Meg--thanks for your letters lately! Nick, last week, and
Megan, this week. I love hearing from you. Megan, Elder Bednar talked
to us in the MTC about not giving a referral to Elders he didn't
trust, so you're perfectly justified, as far as Elder Bednar is
concerned. Wait it out until someone you can trust is in your area.
That's my advice, as skewed as it might be. Thank you for writing and
I'm glad you're taking a little time for yourself. You deserve it!

Charlotte and Matt-- Chucky, thanks for your letters. It sounds like
you might be doing more missionary work than I am! That is great!
Sounds like Heavenly Father called the right couple to be ward
missionaries. Even if you are more of a yellow personality and there
are crumbs all over your floor and it can be hard to see others who
seem like they've got it all together, you have the heart and the
testimony to do God's work. I'm impressed you just keep after it. That
will be the greatest gift of all to your kids. Love you! Also received
your birthday gift. Thank you! New music is always welcome. I don't
know if I can bear Mercy River yet, but give me a few more months in
the field and we'll see.

Ladi and Bob-- Sounds like you had a good birthday(s). Glad they were
fun. Also happy to see that the socks filled a need so quickly! Loved
hearing from you this week!

Anyway, love you all. The church is true. And if that's the case, then
we need to be deliberately happy in the present. I find that to be the
greatest challenge and quest of missionary work and life. There's not
much we can do about yesterday except try harder today with faithful
sight on our future just enough to motivate us. You're the best people
I know.

Love,
Julia

Happy Birthdays all around!

Hi. Sister Mecham here. Love to hear from all of you! Thank you.

Happy Birthday to Ladi and Bob this week!

I wasn't able to write on Monday because it was Lunar New Year (22-24)
and everything was closed. Lunar New Year is akin to Christmas around
here. It and Chuseok are the two big holidays. Everyone goes to their
hometown, and for once, everything really seems to stop.

It was a dangerous move to knock doors on these days, but we did some
of it. We had a few more, for a lack of a better term, exciting
encounters than we wish we did, but people were home. Ha. We've
actually yet to be let into a house via knocking doors. But, that's
okay. We just follow our feelings and hope our work is planting seeds
or at least tilling the soil for future encounters.

The most significant day of Lunar New Year was Monday (P-day), so our
zone met together in Teong Yeong and had an activity. It was really
quite fun and nice to be with everyone.

As for my birthday (yesterday), it was essentially just another day,
but I was fine with it that way. Thank you for whatever you have sent,
but we haven't been able to go to the post office as it's been closed
for the holiday. Our zone leaders blew up 50 balloons at district
meeting, which was a nice gesture anyway. We also ate pizza afterward,
so my birthday was complete. We also had pizza for dinner, so my
birthday was doubly complete...ha. The only thing missing was the
paddle wheel. That probably would have meant a quick trip on a plane
home, so we resisted the temptation.

We were able to have a couple really neat experiences this week that
taught me a lot about missionary work. We have really been trying to
focus on less active members. The ideal situation is visiting these
people with other ward members. One of the sisters in our ward, who is
probably in her 50s, is really great about working with us and wanting
to help any of our efforts. She agreed to go along to meet Sister C.
with us.

To be honest, most less active members have been a little fiercer than
those who have no idea what we're doing on their doorstep. Usually our
encounter has ended in a door slam or a denial of being the person
we're looking for. We randomly visited Sister C. one night and she
opened the door, came out, and with a smile and light in her eyes,
told us to call before we came next time and that she would meet with
us.

We set up a time and headed over there with Sister Bak and Sister Kim,
two relief society sisters who know Sister C. a lot better than we
do.

I have noticed it is always a little awkward no matter what, but
Sister Bak and Sister Kim helped relieve any of that initial
awkwardness with their laughter and good nature. We decided that we
wanted to share Helaman 5:12 with Sister C. and just invite her back
to church. We asked her to read Helaman 5:12, and just a few words in,
she got choked up, and with tears streaming down her face, couldn't
finish the verse. Sister Yeon read the rest of it and explained her
family situation is very similar to Sister C's, and that she knows
how hard it is, but that she and her family need the gospel of Jesus
Christ. It was a really beautiful testimony that seemed to resound
with Sister C. She didn't come to church this week because of the
holiday, but we are meeting with her this week and hope little by
little she can make that change in her life. We learned a lot about
the importance of members and the way the scriptures can bring the
spirit so quickly. We are really hopeful about Sister C.

We were also given a referral from mission headquarters last week for
a man named Brother B. (34 years old). We had initially heard this
man was interested in English more than anything, so we anticipated
that he was very much a potential investigator, but lacked gospel
interest.

Things were just not lining up to meet with him, but at the last
minute, a sister who just recently became active in the church again,
Sister C., agreed that she could meet him with us. She really doesn't
have a lot of gospel knowledge, so we were worried she would feel
insecure about helping us, but she was willing.

We met with him at a restaurant with a fellow female ward member.  He
bought us dinner, and it became obvious he was much more interested in
the gospel than we had even anticipated. Just as the conversation
became spiritual, a drunk man in the other room of the restaurant
flipped a table over and started swearing and making a lot of
noise--this lasted for about 10 minutes.  Interesting how the
adversary is dead set on disrupting a change of heart.

In spite of this, the conversation continued on. Brother B. has had
several exchanges with missionaries before. Once he lost his wallet
and missionaries found it and returned it to him. He has met other
missionaries on the subway and in his travels on several occassions,
and consequently, has felt like these situations were special, not
coincidental. We talked a lot about our beliefs and taught him about
God and his love and gave him a Book of Mormon. He took this all in,
but later had a lot of questions for our member, Sister C.

All she could do was bear a simple testimony, but it was what he
needed. She told him she feel this church is true and that's what
keeps her there. Brother B. told us he wants to come to church on
Jan. 29th.

When it seems like nothing is working out (i.e. bad location,
inexperienced church member come along with us, perhaps this person is
only interested in English, limited time frame, lack of Korean
skills), they really are working out. Those who are sensitive to the
spirit will feel it. Brother B. sent us a text message later that day
expressing that he felt something different and that he was grateful
that we could help him feel that different spirit he has felt
every time he has met missionaries and that he was excited to come to
church on the 29th. Wha?! It was humbling.

It was also another testament to me of planting seeds without the need
to see the miracle--3 or 4 sets of missionaries have come in contact
with this man and treated him in such a way that he felt the spirit.
Even though their "success" wasn't immediate, these missionaries
remembered the "why" of their missions and focused so charitably on
their purpose that years later a man is considering coming to Christ.
And, really, their success was immediate, as it states in PMG, that
our success as missionaries is measured by our COMMITMENT to find,
teach, baptize, etc. Plant seeds and let God take care of the harvest.
I learn that every single day.

We are excited about Brother B. and ever grateful for the
missionaries that met him before we did.

Anyway, the church is true. I learn that differently every day, but I
know it every day also.

Love you all!
Julia

a novel!

Hello hello!

As Megan would say, "double talker, double talker!" Ha. I had
forgotten about that until I wrote hello two times. It was really nice
to hear from many of you this week! I also received packages from both
Laura & Robert and Megan & Nick. Thank you! You will hear more from me
about these lovely surprises soon.

This week was a good one. Even though almost every single one of our
scheduled appointments fell through, our faith grew. Faith has the
unique ability to mask disappointment, and even more than that, to
help us realize the significance of agency and overcome
disappointment.

To be honest, during this companionship we have been kind of lazy
about talking to everyone. We tried to identify what sometimes holds
us back, but no inventory works quite as well as just pushing through
those walls of fear and really trying to do what we've been called to
do.

Earlier this week we had an hour before an appointment and had planned
to Cacahoho (knock doors) at an apartment building about three blocks
from our house. It was about 1 in the afternoon. On the way there we
probably passed 10 people and only said "Anyeonghasayo!" and let the
conversation die there. We started from the top of the apartment
building and knocked. After about 20 minutes and only two people who
even admitted to being home, we decided our time was probably better
spent outside where people are on the street. So, we went down there
and we started talking. It felt great. Even when people don't listen,
there is a great reassurance we are doing what we're supposed to be
doing.

Judging others is always wrong, but I have been relieved when Heavenly
Father shows me just how quickly they are wrong. I sometimes group
people into categories in my mind (i.e. a grandma who is probably too
set in her ways, a grandpa who looks mean, a student who looks like
they probably don't care about the meaning of life etc.). These are
lies! Sometimes they're true, but the way I have overcome it is by
thinking of each of my friends. Yes, we are the same age and social
status and have similar interests, but our personalities are so
different and our response to the gospel is so different. When I
realized this it became obvious we just have to talk.

Two days ago we had finished eating pizza at Mr. Pizza. Innovative, I
know. Anyway, there was a lady at the crosswalk. We said hello.
Sometimes our conversation ends there, but Sister Yeon forged ahead.
Besides telling us that we smelled like pizza, the lady was initially
cold, but she warmed up a little after we talked about why we were in
Korea and asked about her family. It was quiet for a second and then
she asked if we really believed in God. We were able to testify that
he exists, loves us, and that he wants to help each one of us. She
even stopped to continue the conversation as we prepared to go
separate ways. Even though she didn't want to meet later, she had
light in her eyes, got our number and accepted some pamphlets. Who
knows what will happen later.

I sometimes wonder if the story of Nephi and Laman and Lemuel, besides
being chronologically first, is the first story we really encounter in
The Book of Mormon because Heavenly Father knew so many of us would,
resolving to once again consistently read The Book of Mormon, read
that story again and again and again. We need it, right? As the
primary song goes, "Laman and Lemuel were both afraid to try, Nephi
was courageous and this was his reply...." We just have to try.

I don't have a grand miracle of the week, but I heard about one.
Sister Gilbert told us about the senior couple who is serving in
Busan--The Allreds. Neither of them speak Korean, but they do their
best to share the gospel everywhere they go. Elder Allred says a
prayer before he gets on the bus that he will recognize and talk with
whoever it is he needs to talk with. He got on a bus a few months ago
and in the back of the bus there was an African man reading a book
about Jesus Christ in English. He took that to be his answer and
walked back there and talked with him. The man was studying in Korea
to be a preacher for a Presbyterian church. He spoke English well. As
they talked Elder Allred told him he had a gift for him. They arranged
to meet again at the religious school the man attended. Elder and
Sister Allred went outside the school and waited. Three or four times
school officials came and told them essentially, "you Mormons can't be
here." They told them they were just waiting for a friend. When the
man came out they gave him a copy of The Book of Mormon and he said he
would read it. He did and enjoyed it quite a bit. The school became
aware that he had met missionaries so they booked him up completely on
Sundays so he couldn't attend our church services. He recently
finished at the school and went to dinner with The Allreds and The
Gilberts. He said to them, "I have a problem. I know my church isn't
true. Yours is. But I have an obligation to continue being a minister
because of this school." He didn't know what to do, but he has now
returned to his hometown in Africa. He lives in a remote town where
transportation services are limited. It takes him 5 hours by bus to
meet with the missionaries and then he has to stay over night and ride
back, 5 hours by bus. He does this though, and he goes home and
teaches his family about the gospel. He will eventually be baptized,
but until then will continue this pattern of life.

This story touched me. If a senior couple from Spanish Fork, Utah who
speak no Korean are doing all they can to open their mouths in the
situations given them, then of course I can do it, and of course
miracles, immediate or not, will follow.

I read Isaiah 55:8-13 a few days ago:

 8 ¶For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways, saith the Lord.

 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and
returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring
forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the
eater:

 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall
not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the
mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and
all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of
the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord
for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

I realized that sometimes we're the rain and we don't get to see the
fruits of our labor, but we labor anyway. But sometimes we get to see
the fruits of our labor. It just depends. True faith is laboring
because we love God and we want to help him without the need to see
the miracle that follows our faith. I am trying to get there and happy
as I try! I love you all!

Julia

One victory at a time

Hello to all of you!

I need a new greeting, I know. I also need a new third line, but here it goes. Thank you for writing to me. I love hearing from you! Laura, first things first, I have not yet received your package, but we will go to the post office later today, so hopefully it is there. Thank you for sending it, whatever it is.

Well, we are trying to get things going here in Jinhae. It's proving to be hard, but it really is one small victory at a time. Our newest members in the Pung-Ho ward, 15-year-olds I Yeon, and Eu, have done a little better this week. We have had a hard time meeting with them again. They will make an appointment with us and then ditch out about five minutes before. We were able to meet with them this week, they went to the Young Women's activity on Saturday, and even though we had to attend Jin Hae ward instead of Pung Ho ward this Sunday, they went to Pung Ho church meetings without us. We were pleased with them and hope they can develop real faith. Like most teenagers (and me), they are highly motivated by food. It has become apparent to me how important a testimony of The Book of Mormon really is. Without it, it makes no sense to follow any of the other commandments or care much about any of the other things the church has to offer. Little by little with these two.

We are still teaching the Sri Lankan brother, Brother D., who joined the church in April. He is a year older than I am. He is here working for a few years. Understandably, since he doesn't speak Korean, church attendance is tough for him. Every week we read The Book of Mormon together and challenge him to keep commitments. He still isn't paying tithing and attends church occasionally. We really want to help him receive the priesthood, but he has to make some big changes in his life. He told me that the reason he doesn't pay tithing is because his family knows exactly how much money he makes each month, and if he sends less than that, because they are not Christian, they won't understand his sacrifice. They will think he is spending his money on something else. He is afraid. We read the promise in Ezekial about tithing. He doesn't quite believe it yet. He said he would pay on May 22nd. Ha. I don't know what the significance is of that date, but apparently that is more of a commitment than he has made in the past. We're trying to get him to pay sooner. My birthday is coming up and I may suggest that date.

Anyway, last night he called us and asked if I really believed the church was true. I told him I knew it was true and how I know. He said he wasn't sure. I asked him if he's ever really prayed about The Book of Mormon and he said no. So, I challenged to do so last night. He said he is sad all the time so I referred him to Alma 7:11-13. All his Sri Lankan friends he lives with make fun of him for coming to church. Without knowing any of this, we had read 1 Nep. 8 together yesterday. The great and spacious building is a beautiful and enticing one. I've wandered there myself, but I promised him if he will pray with all the sincerity of his heart, with real intent, he will receive an answer.

Ah, real intent. So hard sometimes.

Yesterday, one of our investigators, Oh, came to all three hours of church! We were a little worried because we hadn't taught her that much and it was "open mic night" (i.e. testimony meeting) at church. The ward is small, and just as we feared, Sister Oh was kind of a fresh piece of meat. She is 56 and very sophisticated, well-rounded, and well-traveled (been to 52 countries!). The Relief Society sisters haven't seen this kind of investigator for a long time and I think they overwhelmed her. We really had absolutely no idea what to do. It was just thing after thing. They had good intentions, but it was a lot of pressure and awkward questions. Anyway, we had a meeting after church, so she drove home on her own. We were supposed to meet her at 4 in the afternoon yesterday, and we were a little nervous.

Luckily, she is understanding. When we met with her she fed us dinner and we talked about what she thought about church. Her feelings were generally pretty good. My companion, Sister Yeon, started teaching her about the importance of The Book of Mormon and why so many people had talked about it so extensively at church. She seemed to be listening, but not really processing. Sister Yeon extended a soft baptismal committment and she said she would have to think about it.  After a while I just thought to ask her a question. She is very very lonely and feels alienated in a Korean culture who kind of looks down on divorce. She has no children. I asked her if she knew God loves her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she confirmed that she indeed does know. I asked her how she knows. She explained it is a feeling and how when no one else has heard her or cared about her He has. She explained how hard it was to be alone, but that she knows she's not alone completely. I assured her that God does indeed love her and that I know because I can feel His love for her. I don't think He would send that love to me if it wasn't real. She wept and wept. Her heart is a good one--sensitive to the spirit and deliberate. We had to go, but as Sister Yeon closed the meeting with a prayer, especially in Sister Oh's behalf, she was overcome with emotion. I don't think she's heard that God loves her in a long time. Anyway, we are really looking forward to continuing to meet with her. We will meet her again this week and finish the first lesson. Success, in any measure, truly is a gift. It is not earned or merited, but when we show our committment we can see it more readily. I know that to be true.

Ah. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I hope I can always treasure service. It is the only way to happiness. I have a long way to go, but I'm grateful to know the truth and to partake of both your love and the love of Heavenly Father every single day. He is good and kind. This is His work. When I remember that, all my useless cares are driven away.

Thank you for your faith and encouragement! You are the best people in the world. I pray for you every day. Your examples spur me on to be a better missionary. Love you!

Love,

Julia

Sae Hae Bok Mani Padehsaeyo!

Happy New Year (Sae Hae Bok Mani Padeusaeyo)!

Thank you for your letters! I hope everyone is well rested. I spent the New Year's eve knocked out on my bed. I hope most of you did the same. Koreans have a new year tradition of waking up early to see the first sunrise of the year. I think it is a much more hopeful and exciting alternative to being hung over till noon. As a missionary, however, I did not participate in either early rising or sleeping in. But, it was nice.

It was good to go to church on the first day of the year. They actually changed fast sunday to next week (is that allowed? who knows.) because they wanted to eat a traditional soup called Deok Guk. It is common to eat it on the first day of the year. In Korea, even when it's your birthday your age doesn't change. Everybody's age changes at the same time--the first of the year. After eating this soup supposedly you turn a year older. So, in Korean age I am now 25, even though in American age I will be turning 24 on the 24th of this month. Still rather confusing, but it's fun.

This week has been interesting, as they all tend to be for one reason or another. We taught a man named Kim, who is maybe in his late 40s or early 50s. He has a lot of interest in The Plan of Salvation and asked a lot of questions. He is really pure in a lot of ways. After we told him about the Plan of Salvation he simply asked, "Sashiryo?" Which means, "is it a fact?" or "is it really true?" We assured him that it is and that there is a way he can know for himself. He prayed at the end of the lesson, and although it was apparent we need to explain that prayer really is a conversation between he and God, it was a good lesson. We were excited about his willingness. This week he got hurt at work and will be on leave for about 2 weeks. We are worried about him and are going to try to visit him this week with a member of the bishopric. We are hopeful.

We also taught Jeong (Grandpa) this week. He hasn't quite come around to the idea of priesthood authority, but we are trying to help him 1). expect answers to his prayers and 2). recognize answers to his prayers. He is sweet, but because of his accent and stroke I have absolutely no idea what he's saying. It's up to Sister Yeon, who admittedly only understands about 70% of what southern people say because they have a lot of words here that don't exist in Seoul. Anyway, we will keep teaching him.

We were also able to meet a lady named O. She is in her 50s and loves to travel. She has been to 52 countries. She has been attending the English class in Masan, but they referred her to us. Apparently she has been asking a lot of questions about the church and is very sweet and open to it. She is divorced, which is kind of taboo here. The Masan Elders found out that she feels excluded at her church, feels like her mother died as a result of Sister O's divorce, and is generally lonely and looking for a new church. Last night we ate dinner at her house and got to know her better. She really likes English so she tried to speak to me exclusively in English which made our conversation slow and long---ha, but she asked a lot of questions about the church and expressed interest in coming to church. WHA??! We will visit her again this week and really get talking more about how our message can help her. It is dangerous to use the word golden, but in some ways she really seems that way.

Some of you have mentioned there really isn't a magic formula, and I'm learning you're right. The spirit is the "how" and charity is the "why." So, as I recommit every day to being a better follower and seeker of the spirit, I know I will be successful regardless of disappointments. What a blessing!

Sister Yeon and I will be together here in Jinhae for the next 6 weeks at least. I am happy because I think we still have a lot to learn together and hopefully a lot to teach. Anyway, time is short.

The church is true. The atonement of Jesus Christ is real. The gift of the Holy Ghost is what sets us apart from any other religion and if we follow it we will be happy and we will help God. It's simple. I'm grateful. Love you all!

Love,

Julia