hopping trains

Annyeonghashimnika!

Thank you for all your letters! I really love hearing from all of you. I mention it every single time. My letters are probably pretty predictable at this point, but I don't think it's bad to be predictable in profusely expressing gratitude. I have had a lot of companions and housemates who just don't receive emails or letters from family or friends. It is so nice to be supported and lifted by all of you. You do it well. Thank you.

So on Wednesday we met with MiNe, our investigator who lived in Singapore for 6 years. She had all these delicious treats (apple pie and chamue (Korean melon)) prepared for us, as so many who invite us into their home do. I am going to definitely have to hit the track when I get home. I think I'm up to four chins now. At least my heart is full. Anyway, we taught her daughters some English. They seemed to have a lot of fun talking to us. They are really just mixed up linguistically. They know Korean (sort of) although they only started writing and reading in January. Mostly they know Singapore's version of English. They actually speak and understand English really well, but Korean school is really difficult for them. When we were done teaching them MiNe came back in with her Book of Mormon and a smile. I was worried she was going to give it back, but as she sat down and we began talking again we were pleasantly surprised.

MiNe told us that in between the time we first met and our second lesson she heard from several people that she should absolutely not meet with us again. She said she was looking forward to our visit though, mainly because of how comfortable and at peace she felt with us the first time. She said she had noticed how polite we were and how easy it had been to talk to us. We were so relieved to hear all of that. She had read The Book of Mormon introduction. She said she really does feel torn about her Presbyterian background, her Buddhist ideals and now this Mormon thing. She doesn't really think one church can have a monopoly on truth and is worried we will be pushy about that. We are letting The Book of Mormon and our testimonies of it do most of the talking in that regard. We had a really good conversation about the book and about how we had prayerfully (Sister Wallace wisely selected Mosiah 4 for Mine to read during our companion study one day prior) found a passage for her to read that would help her feel peace in this life and help her family find peace as well. We had her read Mosiah 4 and pray about it this time. She already prays every single night and essentially repents. It is really a blessing to be able to teach someone who is already striving to improve and understand God. We will meet with her again tomorrow and will explain exactly what the restoration is and means and that really, The Book of Mormon is the key to gaining a personal testimony that this church is true. She doesn't have to take our word for it. Heavenly Father will give her His word if she reads and prays with an open heart. I am looking forward to seeing her again and teaching. She is very sweet. We are learning a lot through teaching her.

On Wednesday on the train to MiNe's house we found a fellow Hwaygugin (foreigner). They are easy to spot and are a constant reminder of just how different we appear. We forget sometimes. Sister Wallace has taken on the responsibility to talk to any foreigner she sees. It is really really admirable of her. I don't always like talking to them. Ha. He is studying computer gaming programming at a local university and speaks almost no Korean. Sister Wallace had a really good conversation with him and he asked her if she felt like she received answers from The Book of Mormon. She said she did and that she wanted to get his number so we could meet again and talk to him. This was his stop so he got out his phone but we couldn't make it happen in time. He got smashed in the subway doors trying to give us his number, jumped out just in time, ran up to the window as the train was pulling away...still trying to give us his number, but it was too late. We got off on the next stop and jumped on a train headed back to Geimyeong University. We jumped off and ran around looking for him like crazy people. To no avail. Sister Wallace was really urgent about it. I loved her for it. He is probably one of maybe 2 or 3 black people attending that school so this week we will endeavor to track him down somehow. We are hopeful about it.

Also our investigator, Sister Ee came to church with her brother yesterday and then attended a meeting with the other Young Women. I hope it went well. She agreed to meet with us today. I hope it all pans out. We were supposed to meet with her 3 days ago but it didn't happen. It has been nearly 4 weeks since we've met. She is so sweet and I think the ward will be a huge help.

We also had a ward party or "friendship night" (Ujeongae Bam). We sang karaoke. Welcome to the karaoke capital of the world. It was actually hard to get the youth to sing in front of others. It was a painful hour. In Jinhae we did the same activity and it was really fun. Everyone was involved. It was a painful hour here in Jungri, but many of the youth brought their friends. Sister Wallace bedazzled us with her dancing and singing. It was a treat. The bishop recorded it on his phone. It certainly got everyone's attention. I am grateful for her. She has no inhibitions. Afterward we had American and Korean barbecue. That was the real hit. It was fun to teach them how to eat a hot dog right, what to put on it etc. We also had Sam Gyeob Sar. We also had chips and salsa from Costco. One girl thought the salsa was spicy, another said it tasted like blood.--all this as it was right next to they spicy kimchi they eat everyday. When I told her the name of it, salsa, she repeated it back and started laughing. A similarly pronounced word in Korean is 설사 (Seolsa), which happens to mean diarrhea. No, luckily salsa is not not that at all. It was fun.

Life is good. This week we have mission tour with Elder Aoyagi. As a trainer I have an interview with him. Hopefully I come out unscathed, huh?

Things are good. We are learning everyday. When we let the spirit into our hearts and out of our mouths we see miracles. I read something really interesting from Brigham Young about testimony. He told this to a certain Brother Wells as he was helping him get the Young Men's program organized:

"At your meetings you should begin at the top of the roll and call upon as many members as there is time for to bear their testimonies and at the next meeting begin where you left off and call upon others, so that all shall take part and get into the practice of standing up and saying something.  Many think they haven't any testimony to bear, but get them to stand up and they will find the Lord will give them utterance to many truths they had not thought of before.  many people have obtained a testimony while standing up trying to bear it than down on their knees praying for it."

Dad and Mom: glad you're back safely and were able to have an enlightening time! Happy Birthday pop pop. Hope it went well! Sounds like it. Thanks for still getting something sent away. I really appreciate both of you so much.

Nick and Meg: congrats on the triathlon! you met all your goals. I love it when that happens. It was good to talk to both of you for a minute. Thanks for the letter love this week. Love you!

Char and Matt: can I just say I can't wait to have kids. Every week there is a story. I am both grateful for the entertainment and tired thinking about your situation. Glad to hear you made it out of the doctor's eventually. Love you guys. It was great talking to you.

Bob and Ladi: PA PA PA! fun. Eat some candy and go on some rides. Love you. Also nice to talk to you. It was just fun. It was a nice reminder, but I appreciate all the seasoned advice you offer. Love you guys. Settle in well.

Until next time.

Sarangheyo!

Julia