can i take your order?

Hello!

Thanks for all the letters. I appreciate it! Man, it is getting cold
on this island, but we're surviving and generally happy.

This week was Sister Baker's birthday. Her mom sent Funfetti cake, so
we were in American actually-sweet-cake heaven. I tried to sing her as
many birthday songs as I could remember throughout the day to remind
her it was her birthday. (Oh Somebody had a birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Happy Birthday) It's hard to remember as a missionary. Ha. It
was fun.

We have been spending a lot more time knocking doors because people
are clearing off the streets as the weather gets colder. Surprisingly,
we've even begun to find some of them at home! Almost every apartment
has a camera and intercom. I've mentioned before that I always
imagined part of missionary work was getting doors slammed in one's
face, but we are just as elated if the door actually opens. The
passive agressive method of simply turning on the intercom and not
saying a word and making us sit there and explain who we are to no
response as they stare at us through their camera is a Korean
favorite. It's kind of funny. Nothing like trying to preach the gospel
through an intercom. Beyond language difficulties there is also the
issue that perhaps all fast food drive through workers are familiar
with---muffled mass of sound. So, most days I feel like I'm ordering
something at McDonald's. Sometimes the people are so baffled by our
imitation of Korean they come out and see who we are. We are grateful
for those opportunities. We stand in front of those cameras and smile
with absolutely no idea who's on the other side, but Heavenly Father
knows and that's been good enough for us this week.

This week we actually gave away a few copies of the Book of Mormon and
were able to teach about it at 3 people's doorways. It was a cool
experience. It seems that Heavenly Father knows how to put me in
situations where I'm just about to give up and then he gives me a
miracle or experience that makes me think I could do this for the rest
of my life. We have some potential appointments as a result of those
contacts.

Yesterday we met with the Catholic woman, Sister K, Sister Baker met
while we were separated last week. She is a really really nice person.
She is quite devout in her beliefs, but open minded enough that if she
actually reads the Book of Mormon and prays about it, I think she'll
have a change of heart. She said she was "open to it." It wasn't our
best lesson, but she seemed intrigued. She wouldn't really commit to
meeting again, but we did all we could and left her with a copy of the
Book of Mormon and our testimonies. Papal claims on priesthood makes
it a little challenging to teach about the great apostasy, but we did
our best and bore testimony.

Yesterday was also the primary program at church. We sang "Nephi's
Courage" with them. They are hilarious and sweet. One of the members
of our district presidency, President Jwa, and two of his kids sang
"I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus." President Jwa started crying as he was
singing with his kids and couldn't quite get through the song. As
crazy as the kids are, the spirit is always strong when they sing.

Well, as usual, I'm not sure what this next week will hold, but I'm
looking forward to it. Tonight we will visit some of the people we met
knocking doors and try to get a chance to teach them more. This week I
had to write up a list of all the people I want to remember from my
mission so that someone could organize it and give it to me when I
return. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity I've had
to meet so many good people, who, in spite of any of our differences
or misunderstandings, let me in on their hearts a little bit. It's
been such a blessing to serve here and I'm grateful there is still
time. I love these people.

Anyway, love you all!  Happy Thanksgiving. That holiday is starting to
feel like a non-holiday around here, but enjoy it wherever you go!

Love,
Sister Julia Mecham