This week has been really cool. We started teaching a Korean class on the army base once a week. We are teaching survival Korean to members, and invited them to bring nonmember friends as well. It then leads into a Book of Mormon class so they can have both Korean and spiritual learning. It is very much like our English class that we teach to Koreans, and we are excited to see what will happen! We are serving with a senior couple, Elder and Sister Ulvestead. They are so sweet and wonderful, and I don't have a lot to say except we love them! This week we visited a less active, who was very strong for nearly 10 years until she got offended by a member and never came back. It was very interesting talking to her. She told us of all the blessings she received from the church, the Book of Mormon, and how happy it made her. But when we asked her to come back, she said she will never come back. As we talked, it became obvious that she still believed it was true but couldn't get past her hurt feelings. Elder Bednar gives a wonderful talk on this subject, and reminds us that being offended is a choice. He very bluntly reminds us all that if we choose to be offended and leave the church, we are giving up eternal life and exaltation for ourselves, and very possibly for generations to follow. The character of Christ is loving and forgiving. We should all be the same. It's just so sad to see what damage a grudge can cause an individual. Like Nike says (almost) Just don't do it. Don't get offended and love Jesus Christ. It's so simple and wonderful.
We had an incredibly special experience this week. On Thursday we went with YuShi to meet with bishop and receive her first temple recommend. The bishop was a little nervous giving the interview in English (she is from China and speaks very little Korean but is great at English) so we sat in as interpreters if necessary. It was very special, and she was almost in tears as he handed her her very own recommend. As we left, she asked if we could go immediately to the temple. We called and made an appointment for Saturday morning. We showed her familysearch.org and told her about the blessings she could bring her family. On Saturday, we all went to the temple together. She had never seen a temple before, and was in awe as we walked onto the grounds. In the temple, the spirit was so strong. She is so pure and just wanted to soak everything in. The temple workers were wonderful, and one told us about her experience taking her mothers name through the temple and how she could feel her mother there as the ordinances were performed. It was incredible. Afterwards, we walked around on the ground for awhile, and then talked a little more about blessings that come from the temple. She played "I know that my Redeemer lives" and we were all in tears. It's hard to describe just how special it all was. Growing up in Utah, I sometimes took for granted having the temple so near. I grew up with it in my sights, having that sacred house be my goal, and I was blessed to be able to attend many times. But going to the temple with someone who has never seen one before puts it into a new perspective. She was very aware that she was about to enter the house of God, and would make salvation possible for someone she has never met. She was very aware of the spirit that surrounds the temple in a way that doesn't really exist anywhere else on earth. She didn't rush or complain about wet hair. She helped me realize all of the blessings, big and small, that can be ours through faithful temple service. When we asked her if she had time to go to the temple that morning she said something that was very powerful and I hope I never forget. She said, "I will make whatever time I need to. There is nothing more important that going to the temple." She was willing to make any sacrifice necessary to receive those blessings. It gave me a renewed determination to remember just how important the temple is in our lives, and to make any sacrifices necessary in order to attend.
This has been an incredible week. It's hard to describe in words just what goes on here every single day. We were blessed to have a zone conference with Elder Whiting and his wife on Friday, and then another meeting with Brother and Sister Oscarson and Brother and Sister Burton on Saturday. They talked about the power of missionary work to those who are called full time, how to access that power and how to become favored of the Lord. So much of it focused on our attitude. He compared 1 Nephi 17:20 and 1 Nephi 17:2. They are both talking about the same situation, but only one views it from the perspective of the Lord. They shared a quote which I LOVE by Elder Holland. "Salvation is not a cheap experience. Why would it be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for him." Life will have its ups and downs, but as we rely on the Lord and follow his footsteps, we can find peace and joy. We can live with our Savior Jesus Christ again. We can bathe his feet in our tears and thank him for making it all possible. All we have to do is Enjoy to the end! attitude :)
I love this work. I love being a missionary and wearing Jesus Christ's name every single day. It is the first thing people notice about us, and what an honor that is! This is his true gospel, restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. Oh how blessed we are to have that knowledge, and how blessed are we that we can share that joy with others every single day?! I love you all, thank you for your examples! Please share any missionary moments that you see. I love reading all of them. Have a wonderful week!
-Sister Shanelle Seegmiller
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