First and foremost Happy belated St. Patrick's Day and a premature Happy Birthday to Megan!
Luckily, St. Patrick's Day was no big deal around here, so I didn't get pinched for not wearing green. I thought pinching all those who were not wearing green might be a good finding tactic, but eventually decided against it.
It sounds like the East Coast tour was a real doozy. It was fun to hear about the highlights and imagine how it all went down. Thank you for keeping me up to date on the baby happenings and funny moments. It provokes an actual laugh out loud in the middle of the Dongbu city office...as if enough people weren't already staring at me for wearing a name tag and looking a little physically different than the majority around here...but sincerely, thank you.
This week we had some miracles. Some days it seems those things are just waiting right at the edge of our faith, somedays we've hardly done a thing and they may be a result of days and days of faith, but regardless, when we look and work and pray for them, they come.
Yesterday, for the second week in a row, Brother G. came to church. I mentioned last week that prior to last week I had never met him. He is a less active member who has a degenerative condition that makes him very tired and it is physically a struggle for him to walk. A few years ago his brother unexpectedly died from this condition and Brother G. has had a harder time coming to church since his brother passed away. The branch presidency even invited him to bless the sacrament. He did very well and seemed like he enjoyed having a little responsibility. When we were going down the stairs between classes he was on his way up. He was practically having to pull his legs up with his arms to get them to go up the stairs. In that moment I realized the great sacrifice he was making to come to church and the true miracle of his devotion and recent faith. I hope he will continue on this path of devotion. It has certainly inspired me.
We met with a few people who are very much potential investigators, but are not completely interested in the gospel yet. One is a woman in her 50s who lived in Ohio for 10 years. She speaks English quite well. She attended a Korean Baptist church in the US but since then has not really attended church. She thinks that God is very individual and in your heart. I believe that too, I told her. He is a personal God to me too. I asked her if she feels like her prayers have ever been answered and she, kind of shocked, told us that she's never thought about it before. I promised her that her prayers really could be answered, and jokingly, she said, "Maybe I should come to church." She didn't end up coming this Sunday, but I think if we continue to give her opportunities to feel the spirit she will come. We are going to try to start teaching her more this week.
During our weekly planning session this week we decided to make a very specific goal. In all actuality we've yet to have a real investigator yet in our time together. This has definitely tried our faith, sometimes in a detrimental fashion. We decided that this week we will do whatever it takes to get a new investigator and expect, even if it doesn't happen, that our efforts are noticed and will be sustained. Well, yesterday morning at PEC meeting our recently-returned-from-a-mission new Ward Mission Leader told us that after sacrament meeting his dad wanted to start taking the missionary lessons. Wha?? His mom is a church member, and his dad took the lessons with his mom about 21 years ago, but decided against joining the church. For whatever reason he has become interested again. So, yesterday we taught a new investigator--Brother Kim. He really wants to get baptized as soon as possible, but doesn't know if he can commit to reading and praying about The Book of Mormon. He is blind so his son or his wife will have to read to him and he is very busy with his job. His wife explained that if he can't commit to these smaller things that he will really have a hard time keeping his baptismal covenant. It was a really really imperfect lesson and prompted me to focus more on what I can do to obtain and follow the spirt better in subsequent visits, but I know that Heavenly Father has answered our prayer. I know there are more people willing and ready to hear the gospel here in the Bangeojin area. It was definitely incredible to have such an unexpected opportunity fall into our laps.
There were other shining moments this week, but these were the brightest. Time is short, so until next time that's about it! I know that part of faith really is the trying of it (not an original thought...(c) Finding Faith in Christ), but that if we bear that trying with patience there are beautiful gifts just beyond every wall of fear we leave behind. This is the last week of the transfer and who knows what the future holds---I rarely do, but IF it holds training again (which it might), I know Heavenly Father is over all, this is His work and He is perfectly aware of all His children, both the 90 and 9 as well as the 1. A few transfers ago when new sisters came from the MTC, Sister Markland said that at the MTC she learned that Christ takes care of the 90 and 9 before he asks them to go out and look for the one. I know she is right.
Mom and Dad-- I love hearing about your island travels and experiences. Dad, I can't wait to hear what happens with your new preacher friend. I pray for you everyday and draw great strength from your examples!
Nick and Megan-- have a good birthday week, Megan! Nice to hear from you again, as always. Tell Mac hello. Nick, I hope the post Bar exam relief is still going strong. Have a good week!
Charlotte and Matt-- sounds as though the adventures spared no one this last time around. Glad to hear it. These will definitely be classic anecdotes in the Adsero collection!
Ladi and Bob-- glad you made it home safe, Ladi. The baby briggade sounds like a lot of fun, but exhausting. I don't know whether you should count me in or out next time....ha. Glad you had fun! Bob, hope Seattle was fun!
Grams and Gramps-- how you toughed out all the lively company, I'm not sure, but you're alwaysgood sports to host us all, in spite of the decibel level that comes with us. Love you!
Last but not least, shout out to Kimberlee Williams and company for the lovely package, notes, candy (almost gone) and music. It has been so nice to hear from you, even if the letters span a few months! I loovvvvvveed it. (except for the incriminating pictures). Gretchen, especially, thank you for the new music. I was in much need!
LOVE
julia
