Hello Hello!
My introductory creativity is running low these days. Do forgive.
Thanks for the letters all around. It was great to hear from all of you!
We had a fun week here in Joongri. We tried to track down a bunch
of the people we had contacted in our former weeks together.
Unfortunately we weren't able to meet with many of them, but we did get
to see a few. There are a lot of older ladies who like to talk to us and
let us sit down by them. They are happy to let us talk about our
message, but an overriding thought is that all religion is the same. We
talk to people like that everyday. They aren't too eager to change, but I
love them and their kindness. We usually can't get away without them
shoving some of their treats or the like down our throats. They are
sweet. I have gotten better at sharing my food since I came here, that's
for sure.
Some of our appointments fell through, so that meant a lot of
contacting and work on the street. We also met with a group from 신천지
(Shin Cheon Jee). We weren't completely aware of what this appointment
would entail, but it turned out to be sort of a bible bash. I still
can't communicate clearly or fast enough to really let 'em have it
(luckily...I think that's why Heavenly Father sent me where I would have
to really think about how and what i need to say and couldn't rush to
overbearing statements). Anyway, we testified of the BOM, told them
about how our church came to be, left them with copies and an invitation
to read. It wasn't easy, but I was grateful we stuck to the game plan
of testify and leaving something behind. It took me an hour or so to get
my head back in the spiritual game after the appointment. Still a lot
of pride to lose, as you can see. Ha. The women were respectful, but
wouldn't tell us their real names and were suspicious when we wrote down
the names they gave us so we could remember them. It was interesting,
but we won't be meeting again.
On Monday night after P-Day we were taking the subway on the way to
try and meet a new contact. We were talking to people on the silent
subway. It is so nice to have a companion with me backing me up. It is
nice that when we have both made the decision to talk that the
resiliency and determination of one another spurs us on. Anyway, after
about 4 people not really listening, we tried a lady on the other row.
She was really nice to us and told us that she was actually baptized in
middle school into our church! She is probably in her 50s now, but we
gave her a Book of Mormon, got her phone number and are now trying to
meet with her. I know that God is putting the prepared people in our
path, even if it's the second, third, or fourth time they've heard the
message. It was really cool to meet her.
Also, Sister McComber and Sister Baker (the sisters I also live
with) were in our area trying to find someone they've been working with.
They walked by this clothing store and a lady came running out and
tracked them down. She told them she's met with missionaries before and
that she wanted to meet again. Her English name is Kristina. They went
in and met with her, gave her a Book of Mormon and said they would bring
us next time. We went with them this week and Kristina apologized that
she'd only made it to 2 Nephi in the four days she's had the Book of
Mormon. We tried to mask our astonishment, but when she went back to get
us some pumpkin tea, all four of us were looking at each other with
huge eyes. Kristina came back and talked to us about a few things. She
is a really really strong Catholic, but says that when she's reading the
Book of Mormon she feels like it's the word of God. We will be going
back early this week to meet with her again and start really teaching
her the lessons. It's a really big blessing to have someone devour the
Book of Mormon like that. It's exciting.
All three of our other would be progressing investigators are
having a hard time getting into the Book of Mormon. We spent this week
reading with them and encouraging them to do so on their own. One is the
lady we found on the street that I talked about last week, Sister Nam.
She had refused a hard copy of the Book of Mormon last week, claiming
that it was too heavy and big, in spite of the fact she had 9 book
shelves of who knows what in the very room we met in alone. We were
worried she would fall upon unfavorable material on the internet. Not
reading the Book of Mormon has never been quite as big of a blessing.
Because she hadn't read we were able to read together, testify, and get
her excited about getting her own answer about the book. We left the
book behind and felt like it had been a good appointment. It is
officially rainy season, and like the big Utah dry weather brats that we
are, we had forgotten our umbrellas. By this time it was pouring pretty
well. We braced ourselves and prepared to run to the next mart to buy
an umbrella. We ran and got inside, but when we found out that the
umbrellas were nearly 10,000 won we declined and decided we could make
it to the subway. As we were leaving the mart, Sister Nam's husband had
apparently seen us and driven over to give us an umbrella. We were
humbled and grateful for his kindness. Elder Ringwood told us that when
we see someone doing good in the lives of others we need to talk to that
person. Sister Nam's husband is already love in action. We are hoping
we'll be able to teach this good family. They are sweet.
Also, on funnier notes, we were escorted out of this neighborhood
by a Catholic man in an electric wheelchair. When he found out we were
Mormon he spent a block and a half following us and singing the
equivalent of what must be "Oh Babylon, Oh Babylon we bid thee
farewell..." or something like it. He didn't have a bad singing voice,
honestly, but we just smiled on our way and wondered how far he would
follow us. Another lady stopped him eventually. It was funny.
On Sunday night we paid a visit to the park that we had visited
last Sunday. There are about 5-8 grandmas that spend their time under
this pavillion every single day. We call them the grandma club. They are
very kind to us. We have been teaching them a principle at a time. Last
week was "the gospel blesses families." That was a real hit, let me
tell you. All of them live alone, and some have never been married. They
don't offer a lot of active participation, but we heard it on that one.
This week was prophets. None of them are Christian, so it was a new
concept. Once we talk religion, they don't listen much, but just enough
that we think it's definitely worth the time to stop. I have never heard
one of the ladies utter a word, but every time I sit down she stops
fanning herself and always fans me--I don't know whether it's an act of
kindness or a subtle hint regarding my hygiene habits, but I'll assume
the former and be grateful. They really are the best. Most people on
busses, on the streets and hanging around town in Korea are grandmas.
They are so kind to us. I can't understand much of what they say, but
their sentiment is always apparent.
We also met with Sister P this week. She is going to try quitting
drinking and smoking at the beginning of August. We talked about the
rest of the Plan of Salvation with her and promised her the power of the
atonement could help her in her endeavor. She said she is going to try
and lay low so she won't be tempted by her friends, but said that we
were probably the only people she could really see at that time. Of
course we were happy about that. I think for the first time we were able
to help her see the actuality and possibility of Jesus Christ's help.
It was probably our best meeting with her since the first.
Things are good. We're learning and happy along the way. Sister
Cutler is helping me grow and so good at sticking with her goals. I'm
grateful for this opportunity and know my path is led and God loves all
his children.
Be good to yourselves! Love you.
Dad-- thanks for the mail. thanks for keeping me on my toes. at a
recent district meeting Sister Gilbert asked that I tell everyone your
quote about "the best missionary work begins at the end of your comfort
zone." So, for better or worse (better :)) your influence is felt all
the way over in Korea Busan mission too. Glad to hear you're still
pumping people up. Thanks for your faith and steadiness!
Mom-- glad your back is feeling better. Sounds like there's not a
lot of time to be in pain over there. You're a champion, so I'm sure you
weathered it well. Love you. Thanks for your letters. They are always
entertaining and inspiring.
Nick-- hope things are going well! love you. let me know about the summer happenings in UT.
Meg-- you too. You gotta let me in on all the fun RP gossip and summer time parties. Love you!!
Char-- thanks for all the pics and stories. They were, as always,
hilarious. I almost forgot you were pregnant until I saw those pictures.
Can't believe it. Hope you're feeling well!
Matt-- 3 weeks on site?? Stay healthy. I hope you get to come home
soon. Thanks for working so hard. You look great in the pics. When I
showed someone my family pictures the other day they pointed to you and
said "movie star." So, if your self confidence was ever in question,
here's a pump up for you.
Ladi-- love you! Keep having fun in PA. It sounds like a blast to
have a summer away, and it sounds like, as usual, you're making the best
of it. Tell Minnie hello, and Robert too. Love you.
Bob-- hope the job is still going well. Thanks for the Hot Rod
Hundley quote. Those always seem to quell any semblance of homesickness.
Love you guys. Till next week,
Julia
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