This week has been truly amazing. So to clarify, our investigators name is Son Hyuong Yon. That's the best I can do in English, even though Shawn's spelling came pretty close. She is progressing amazingly. And she is still on course to be baptized on Saturday. She is really excited. She has given up coffee which has made her a little alienated at work. It's been difficult for her to remain strong. So we decided to get her a tumbler (mug) and some of the good kind of tea so she can drink that instead. She started crying when she saw it and told us we were angels sent to her. We told her we thought the same thing about her. It was a really sweet experience. Her son was baptized in May and will be performing the baptism. He was able to go do baptisms for the dead last week which was really special. We could not be more excited and we will keep you posted.
A tender mercy this morning. Our alarm clock went off 30 min early. I reset it and said a prayer that I could wake up at 6:25 am in case the alarm didn't work. Well my companion said something in her sleep that woke me up. I had the impression to look at my watch and it said 6:25:02. Holy cow. It was a sweet testimony builder that the Lord does answer our prayers no matter how small. Also while writing this email, I found the earring that was lost last week. The Lord is truly looking out for me and it is so humbling!
The ward continues to be amazing. They feed us so well! We had dinner with five members this week, and our fridge is packed full of side dishes they continually prepare for us. Also,after almost 22 years of trying, 1 1/2 months in Korea has made me love onions. They are so delicious and we eat them pretty much in everything. We went to one restaurant where they provide you with aprons as you eat. Afterwards, the member looked at me and laughed while she said "You really needed that." Sigh. Some things never change. But it was really fun. Last night we ate with some members. We give out cookies to our ward members a lot, so they bought all the ingredients and asked me to make some at their home. Only they didn't have measuring cups or an oven. After dinner, they all gathered around to watch me mix everything together, as I through some stuff in a bowl and prayed they turned out semi-cookie like. They had a little portable oven type thing which worked pretty well. The tops got cooked while the middle was gooey but they loved it. I am sending a picture of them gathered around the stove. No one really bakes in Korea so they were fascinated by watching them go from dough to cookies. I found out another sweet ward member has the same birthday as me, and she worked as a physical therapist for years! We had a lot in common and it was just a really cool connection.
I was able to share the spiritual thought at English class this week. I showed a mormon message about expressions of love and then told them about eternal families. I said some words wrong, but the spirit was there. it was really cool. I still get nervous everytime I am asked to share my thoughts in Korean, but the Lord has blessed me so much. The Gift of tongues isn't always saying the right thing, but helping them feel the right thing. It's so cool to see. My Korean is slowly, SO SLOWLY improving. People are understanding slightly more of what I attempt to say. Understanding them still doesn't happen but that hasn't really mattered. Several times I've had confersations start because some older ladies walk up and start rubbing my jacket. (this has happened on different occassions, in different jackets, and I can't really understand why but it's been working) Another woman didn't want to speak to us and walked away. My companion and I began talking in English and she immediately ran back and asked to know more about who we were. At the grocery store, I taught a worker how to say Delicous in English, so she gave me a free orange and we were able to share a message. This happened about two minutes later with the lady giving out grape samples. The Lord is placing people in our path, and all we have to do is open our mouths. This week I decided to ask everyone for their numbers, if they wanted a Book of Mormon, and if we could meet again. You know those hundred scriptures that say "Ask and ye shall receive"? Well in about an hour we had given out 4 Book of Mormons, had one return appointment and 2 phone numbers. It was amazing! We also had a young boy come over and tell us his sister is a member of our church and he wanted to learn more. The Lord is preparing people, and it's amazing what they will do if we just invite them.
This week we also had a combined mission conference with the Seoul South mission. Elder Evans and Elder Whiting (spelling?) were both their. It was absolutely amazing. When our mission split in July, there were about 133 missionaries. Now there are about 150 in each mission. There are now over 83,000 missionaries all over the world. This work is progressing! In Jacob 5, they keep asking for more time for the vineyard. But in Jacob 5:61, they ask for more laborers. This missionary force is truly astounding. When Stuart goes on his mission there are going to be some incredible things going on, even more than now. I am so excited! It was an amazing conference and we were all so ready to get back out and preach the gospel.
This week was also stake conference. We sang with the YSA group in the Saturday session, and then attended theSunday session. We watched a broadcast made just for the saints of Korea. They turned off the sound and played the Korean translation (it was the General Relief society president, Elder Cook, and Elder Ballard so they all spoke English) but it was still really cool. They talked alot about families and how important it is to raise our children in the gospel. They said FHE, family prayer, and family scripture can make all the difference in the life of a child and the future of the family. (Shalisse- I loved hearing about your FHE stories!) Thank you for the strength that you continue to give me! I love my family and am SOOO happy we can be together forever.
Life is so good here in Korea. I love being a missionary!! There are so many AMAZING people out there. Everyone we pass on the street is a child of God, and He wants them to return to Him. Seeing them like that definitely helps give us motivation to talk to everyone and give each of them our very best effort. I love this gospel with all my heart! The church is true. There is so much power in prayer, scripture study, attending church, and serving others. They seem so small but that's how the Lord brings about great things. have a wonderful week!
Love, Sister Seegmiller
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