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