If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

Annyeonghasayo!

Nice to hear from many of you even though you were very much on the go this week. Thank you!

Another unpredictable but interesting week. On Wednesday evening we had a district proselyting activity in the Daegu Shinae (Downtown). We set up tables and got a giant piece of paper and a lot of copies of The Book of Mormon and wrote "If you could ask God one question what would it be?" at the top. We chatted with people and got a lot of joke responses, but we also attracted some pretty interested people as well. We ended up getting about 30 phone numbers and giving away 12 copies of The Book of Mormon (via answering people's questions through The Book of Mormon) within an hour and a half or so. It was really fun, but we were definitely in the thick of the city. There was some guy yelling to everyone that we were a cult for about 5-7 minutes, but we just ignored him and he went away.

Most of our appointments seemed to fall through this week. This last week is test week for all the kids at school. Even the elementary school kids have giant tests that seem to determine their entire destiny. Apparently, as there is every year, there were a few suicide attempts and unfortunate successes as a result. Needless to say, most people were out of commission this week or in complete denial about the reality of the tests.

Because of these tests we couldn't meet our investigator, Sister Lee. It was interesting though, that on Friday as we went to visit a less active sister, we found another less active brother who sells Korean snacks on the side of the road with whom we were able to talk with for a few minutes. Then, when we went to visit our less active sister she was home and let us in and we were able to share a message and invite her to church again. Afterward, through a series of events, we kind of took a backroad to the subway stop we needed to get to. There were several delays (we stopped to talk to a lady selling vegetables, we stopped at EMART for a bathroom/check on an SD card, etc. etc.) The day was going fine, but I just wasn't feeling much of anything. Then we literally ran right into our investigator, Sister Lee. We were miles and miles from both her home, the church, and our home, but I have no doubt that Heavenly Father guided our path that day. It was very much out of the way for both of us and the timing was all too impeccable to be coincidence. We are still having a hard time meeting with her, but it was incredible to be led in such a simple way in such a big area.  Sometimes I feel a little jaded about how "led' my path really might be, but after running into Sister Lee it made me wonder how many other interactions I may not be paying quite enough attention to or that I might be missing. It has rekindled my awareness of my surroundings and the people who might be in my path.

Also, after the giant tests they have Eorini Nar (Kid's Day). It's like Mother's Day or Father's Day, but for elementary school kids. I have this weird rash on the back of my neck that I have been scratching (from stress? who knows. I pray it's not sceriasis (sp?)), and we went to the dermatologist, but they had all closed up shop for Kid's Day. Who knew? Luckily, I think the rash is improving without much extra care. Leave it to me to have the weird skin problems.

Yesterday, by far, was the greatest miracle of the week. It was fast Sunday and Sister Wallace and I were both kind of in a funk. We went to church and taught the 12-13 year old Sunday school, etc. etc., but still a deep blue funk seemed to have set in on us. We walked to the giant park where we have contacted before and sort of half-heartedly said hello to people in our path. By the time we got down to the subway stop I knew something had to change. In my planner there were about 3 hours of "Jeondo" (proselyte) scheduled. It was going to be a wreck if we couldn't figure something out. I went and sat down on a bench and prayed. We had just passed some girls that I felt like we needed to talk to. I prayed for desire and the faith to act. We got up and we walked up to the girls and started talking to them, giving them an opportunity to ask their question about/to God and explaining more about our church. We were able to get their contact information. We then went to the park, and on the way a man we met 2 days ago on the subway text messaged us and said he wanted to meet next time he was in Daegu. We kept talking to people along the way and things started to lighten up. We had fun, even. I honestly felt no strength or heart prior to praying. But, as we kept going and talking, even though it was weird and awkward and sometimes really unpredictable, it was great. We got 10 contacts. At the bus stop we started talking to a 16 year old girl. We asked her if she could ask God one question what it would be. She said she would ask why God made (hu)mankind. We were able to open to 2 Nep. 2:25 and show her through the BOM that her questions can be answered. She was really surprised and willingly accepted a BOM and said we could meet again. She said it was like a late birthday present. She was really cute and we are going to try and meet with her this week. It was astonishing. I am very slowly learning the reality of seek and find, knock and it shall be opened, ask and ye shall receive. I am so grateful that God hears and answers prayers and answers questions of the soul, even his very own missionary's questions He will answer. He doesn't leave us alone. I pray every day to have the reconfirmation that, as I read, I can know the Book of Mormon is true. It comes to me in small and remarkable ways every single day. I'm grateful.

Dad and Mom--talk to you this week! let me know if there are problems. Love you. I'm excited you will have the chance to go to Japan!!

Nick and Meg-- sounds like a crazy, but good week. MEG! Congrats on the half marathon. Thanks for writing as well. You are a more of a champion than I think I ever will be. You both have a great ability to take things in stride and I am grateful for your example. Love you!

Char and Matt-- glad you're back home and safe and the big ward festivities went well. Isn't it crazy how chaotic it really can get sometimes? I'm not surprised things worked out, but I'm certainly glad. Love you.

Ladi and Bob-- country road....take me home...to the place.... funnnn! you will be on the road and an entire new adventure this week. Have fun! Can't wait to hear how the trip/CA/roller blading went. Love you!

Ah...another week down. Hard to believe. Love you all so much.

Julia