Hello Family!
Thank you to Laura and Dad for
coming up big this week. It was really nice to hear from you. Glad things seem
to be going well still. Dad, the Gilberts have spent a lot of time talking
about that book, particularly the parts you found interesting, (doctrine,
principle, application and the explanation of knowledge, understanding and
intelligence) so I am looking forward to reading it soon. I'll let them know
you liked it as well.
This week was one of the most unique
of my mission. It was a week of emotional extremes. Sister Wallace and I
finally hit some sort of breaking point. Generally 24 hours a day 7 days a week
can get you at some point with anyone, but unfortunately for both of us it came
while we were out on the street near Keimyeong Dae Hakkyo (University). We
were there looking for the black man that I told you about a few weeks ago. We
hadn't really been able to give a full effort in tracking him down, but luckily
we had a day this week where it was relatively convenient to go there and seek
him out. It took a lot of time and we got a few contacts along the way,
but ultimately we discovered that the kid from North Carolina is usually studying on
another campus in the Daegu area. We found out that he may have a class or two
on the campus in our area, but that his department is on another campus. This
was disappointing, but we were glad to hae gotten that far in our search. I
think we'll roam the subway stop where we found him originally around the time
of week we met him the first time and hope for the best. Anyway, the campus of
Keimyeong is really pretty and the people are all friendly so it was fun in its
own way.
As we walked down to the main road
to walk to our investigator's house and leave a note, a few issues we had with
one another boiled to the surface. We put on a good show and eventually
resolved our issues enough to get where we needed to go etc. More on this
later.
We suddenly had an appointment with
our investigator about a day later. Her brother, Sean, is the one who was
baptized 6 years ago with his mom. After being there for a while we realized
that we were there to talk to him, mostly. Sister Wallace is really really good
at the inspired questions bit. She is good at coming to understand what people
need and relate it to what people already have. She asked Sean about his
beliefs---something we really hadn't done before. I think a lot of times we see
people coming to church regularly and just assume they have their own personal
witness about it. Not so with Sean. He told us he thinks there is a God, or at
least something, due to the intricacy of the earth and our bodies etc. He says
he doesn't really pray or read the scriptures and doesn't feel anything special
at church. Sister Wallace then asked him how he felt when he was baptized. He
had been really honest with us so we were surprised when he said: "Really
really clean." We asked him to describe that feeling emotionally and he
said that it almost felt like he was flying for 2 or three days after his
baptism. We asked if he had ever felt any semblance of those feelings since and
he said no. We challenged him to pray to know if God really was there and to
feel something about it. Both he and Sister Ee (his sister) said they would
come to church this week. It was a really cool experience to watch how people
will open up if you are able to use the spirit to know what questions to ask
them. Unfortunately they didn't come to church this week, but I learned a lot
from both Sister Wallace and Sean in this lesson.
We also began teaching a little 8
year old boy. He is the son of a less active sister and the grandson of
another Sister Ee, a member of a neighboring Daegu ward in Suseong. He
wasn't expecting a lesson and was just playing a game on his phone for the
better part of the "lesson," until Sister Wallace swooped in. She
really liked anime before her mission and of course, as most Korean kids do,
this kid loves Pokemon. She started talking about how God is all powerful. I
was her translator. It kind of felt a little like she was Moses and I was
Aaron. Ha. She knew talking about the power and the fact he has made everything
and that our goal is to live with him again and eventually become like him.
These concepts became really intriguing to this little boy. He lit up. I
learned so much from her about teaching with the spirit and the spirit of
revelation. It was really cool.
A few days ago Sister Wallace
received a Dear Jane, which for her, oddly enough was an answer to her
prayer and, let's be honest, an answer to mine also. Since then those
issues that we have had have been resolved to a greater measure than ever
before. The morning before she got this letter I was praying that we could not
have the past condemn our success together and that the next 2 weeks could be
the best, most committed of my misison. On this exact same morning Sister
Wallace recieved a letter and the answer to her prayer. She is now more
committed to being here than ever before. Any tiredness I have had from
approaching my year mark is steadily being lifted. This week Sister Wallace
explained to me that she (or humans, generally speaking) cannot be pulled or
pushed to make a decision, but that we need to be lifted. I have learned a lot
about how to interact more meaningfully with people this week. It's been
humbling, which isn't really fun, but the subsequent events that come from that
experience really are fun. So we're excited about the next 2 weeks and hope to
build Jungri up as much as possible before looming transfer calls come in.
Whomever stays will hopefully have a lot to look forward to.
Dad--you are a rock. thank you for
always writing so steadily and powerfully. it means a lot to me. Happy Father's
Day this week! Unfortunately for both you and Mom, I am kind of tag-teaming
your birthdays and Mother's/Father's day. Pathetic, I know. But a letter is on
the way.
Mom-- sounds like you are still
pulling off masterful performances in the kitchen. I miss those. Sounds like
the missionaries appreciate it. I hope this week slows down a little for you.
Thank you for sending something. I love hearing from you!
Chucky-- thank you for the blog
update/travelogue. So fun. I can't believe Bennet's teeth. At least they will
be lost at some point in the next six years. I say you take that doctor to The
People's Court or Judge Judy. Tape it for me when you make your big
mid-afternoon television debut! I love you. Can't wait to meet my new niece.
Take good care of her for the next few months.
Matt-- hope you are well! it was fun
to talk to you on the phone the other week and i have been applying some of the
advice you offered. Thank you!
Nick-- I hope this week fared well
and you were able to get out on the bike again. I'm jealous. Everytime I see a
bike I want to ride it. Hope work is going well and you're raking in the dough.
I know I am. Love you!
Meg--I hope everything went well
this week. I've been thinking a lot about you. Maybe I will even write you a
real letter soon. Hard to believe, but believe it's in the works. Which road is
it that's paved with good intentions? I will overcome. Love you.
Ladi-- sounds like you're having a
true American experience. I hope Anville is treating you well. It seems to be.
I hope Minnie caught the ant she was searching after.
Bob-- glad to hear your internship
is going well! I hope your Latin American dreams come to fruition!!
Ah. So much love for all of you.
This work is true and real and fun when I'm humble enough to do it right. Love
you and thank you for your support.
Love,
Julia
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