Updates

I haven't updated Mike's blog for a while, and I'm sorry. Would anyone like me to start doing it again? All i need is one person to let me know that they regularly read it, and I'll be happy to pick it back up. Thanks! -Torie

Now! Cue the dancing bears!

Hi!

So another transfer has passed. I'm still in the country of Taebek. Still alive. I just survived about a seven hour bus ride (to and fro) of Seoul. Yeah, that wasn't so much fun. My companion poor Elder Grose is dead to me now, he has moved on and gone back to the hustle bustle of the city. My new companion is Elder DeCamp - he's almost done with his mission. He has two transfers left. Hopefully it'll be a good couple of transfers!

Anyway, yesterday was quite the interesting day out here in Korean Land. We were coming back from a new investigator's house when we stopped and talked to a guy. He said he wanted to learn English and about God, so he gave us his number and we kept going. Ok. Cool.

After that we went and met one of our members (a 75 year old man that doesn't have a family out here) that wanted to take us out for lunch because Elder Grose was leaving. He's a funny guy that likes to talk alot about the gospel and what he hs been studying lately. He speaks amazing English. He took us out for Japanese food (Chris and Jessica... do you eat sushi all the time? and fish eggs? I had some strange foods there yesterday and it made me wonder what you two're eating over there daily...). It was really good, and a lot of fun to spend some time with him there. After that, we had another appointment to teach a children's english class just as a service project. Originally we were supposed to take a bus down there, so we headed off toward the bus stop. We got there, and started waiting around just a minute or two for the bus. Then a car pulled off the side of the road, the man rolled down his window, and asked us where we were going. I have never seen this man. As we were getting into the car, I asked Elder Grose "Who is this guy?". He didn't know either.

So let me lay out what is going on in my mind for you here. I'm in Korea. I'm in a small town - I had just returned from eating sushi with a 75 year old Korean, when a stranger pulled over and gave us a ride about 20 minutes away.

...What?

We talked to him while were in the car, asked hima few questions to try and get to know him... He wouldn't tell us his name (he just said that he's a guy that lives in an apartment nearby), but he gave us his number and was really really nice to us as we left.

It was weird.

Now I'm going to fast forward to the night time. Elder Grose and I had an appointment with one of our investigators that we haven't met for a while. We were at the branch president's house eating dinner (another farewell thing for Elder Grose), so the branch president's wife gave us a ride to the church. Her youngest daughter jumped into the car with us, and she was just having a good time there with us. We pulled up to the church, and the little girl got out with us, and the mom drove away.

Yeah, we were expecting her to come back soon, too.

She didn't.

So we had a good meeting with our investigator and our branch president's 4 year old daughter. We ate some kimbahp together and had a grand ol' time - the little girl seemed to enjoy it when I'd make faces at her.

After our investigator had to go, we grabbed a taxi and headed back to our branch president's house. We dropped her off, and he gave us a ride back home.

Needless to say, it was a weird day indeed.

But! That's just another day in the life of the babysittin'-Korean Land-lubbin' missionary! Stay healthy and happy everyone else!

-Elder Webster

Apricot launching monkey-faces.

Hi!

This past week has been good. I don't remember a lot of it again. Unfortunately, the baptismal date we had sent didn't go through. We're still trying to work with her, and we still think she has plenty of potential, but her big problem now seems to be coming out to church. So, at any rate, things have still been going well.

We had a great day yesterday with a lot of cool things. We got to meet an old investigator that actually ended up finding us, and another old investigator gave us a call. One of them doesn't have any English interest, just wants to talk with us, and the other wants her kid to learn English. So it's great to get both sides.

I also feel like my Korean has been progressing more and more again. It's starting to get better. The people out here in Taebek have a pretty thick accent sometimes, so they're next to impossible to understand. But, that is definately getting better. I've been trying to improve my language study time that I've been given, and I've seen a lot of benefit come from that.

This has really just been a week full of appointments and contacting. We saw a really great blessing on Sunday of seeing quite a few people come out to church. We haven't had that many since I got here. We've been trying to work a lot with less-actives, in trying to strengthen them up a little bit. We're still working at that, we have quite a few plans for this next week.

Also, I've come to realize that within the next week is transfer calls! Quite amazing really. I can't believe it. This transfer seemed to move away fast in a slow-motion real time. a bit odd. But anyway, it's been really great serving with Elder Grose for this time. I got the package that was sent - packed full of... a lot of food! Thanks so much for that. Thanks a lot for the scriptures, too. They're really, really nice. I had another set in mind that probably would've been cheaper, but these're wonderful.

I can't think of a whole lot else to report on. Still doing great, still having a great time. I hope all is well out there with you all. Hope you're still alive, at the least! :D Have a fantastic week, and beware of those apricot launchers. Stay healthy and happy!

-Elder Webster

Rainy days and slippery transfers.

Hi!

I'm still in Taebek. Still alive. This transfer has gone by fast. I only have two more p-days, both of which will be taken up doing other stuff. Next week we have temple day, and the week after that will probably be Zone Activity. Then! This transfer is dun-fer! Scawy. Surprising to think how fast this has gone by.

But at any rate - the weather here has been pretty crazy. It's rained a lot since we've been here - monson season. It rains about every other day, although since I'm up in the mountains here it's been soo nice. The weather has been really cool and great. Even better, a very low amount of mesquitos! It's been quite amazing indeed. My companion hasn't been enjoying the rain as much as I have, however. It's his birthday, though, so I bought him a bag cover so that the stuff in his backpack won't get wet. Useful AND cheap!

Our investigators have been doing great. We set a baptismal date with one of the sisters we've been meeting with. Originally it was the 19th, but she had to move it to the end of this month - 26th. I'm really excited for that. She has been accepting everything we teach her with no problem. I think she's one of the purest people I've met. Either that or she doesn't want to talk about any of the problems she might have. xP

Anyway... I can't think of a whole lot else to talk about. I snapped a few more pictures of Taebek and all of its greatness. I'll get a video or something of all the rain that we get here - it's really just crazy! Oh, and I dunno if the package has been sent or not yet, but I've realized a couple more things that'd be nice to have. I don't have a power converter (if they're expensive don't worry about it. My next companion might have one ;) ), and I was also thinking that a pair of hair clippers would be nice to have. The Korean haircut style is really ugly, and no matter what you tell them, they also just end up giving you the Korean style, so... Yeah, a buzzer would be good if that isn't expensive either! If it is, don't worry about it.

Anyway, still alive! Hope everyone out there is doing well. Stay happy and healthy!

-Elder Webster

자! 태백으로 가자!‏

Hi!

I'm currently e-mailing you from the wee little town of Taebek. I found out it isn't farther north of Wonju than I thought, but in fact actually south. Still to the east, though. I'm about three hours bus ride outside of Seoul. Not a very fun experience. But! I have a new companion - again. His name is Elder Grose. The last transfer really slipped away with Elder Hess, but it was a whole lot of fun to get to serve with him. I enjoyed it a lot, and I'm excited to learn a lot with Elder Grose. He sounds like he's really good at Korean, too!

Anyway, for last updates out of Wonju - I got to meet some of my favorite people yesterday. We met with Mia, she prayed again for us at the end of the lesson. She's also really been wondering a lot about how she can gain a stronger faith in God, and she also wonders how other people have gained it themselves. I'm really excited to hear about her progression. I took one of her name cards, and I'm going to stay in touch with her as much as I can. She told me to come back to Korea and work at her english academy after my mission. ;)

We also got to meet with a lady named Mona. She's about 60 or so and seems to be really prepared. She had a sister die about a year ago - she used to be Catholic, but after she died, she isn't really sure what to do with herself. so, she stopped attending church and really "lost her way". So the last time we met with her, we explained an overview of the Plan of Salvation, and yesterday when we met again we talked to her about the Spirit World, and the Celestial Kingdom. She really enjoyed it, and I think she'll be moving along really well as Elder Zabriskie continues to teach her.

Other than that, Elder Cameron and 14 other missionaries are dead now. Their corpses are being carred to America probably as I type this. A tear shed for those lost! I'm excited to see what this next transfer will bring - our new mission president will be coming in. I got to see President Cho one last time before he left - it was really cool. I think the new mission president will change a few things around - I think it'll be pretty great.

Other than that, not too much else. Elder Zabriskie had a drunk man dance for him last week, the drunk man even made him rub his abs. Then he did a peck dance for him, and then we left. Maybe not as good as Elder Jones' story, but I almost starting rolling on the ground laughing.

anyway! Things are still going great. Hope all is well back home! Stay happy and healthy!

Love,
Elder Webster

A day late...

Hi!

I'm e-mailing a day late because we went to Seoul yesterday. We had a mission conference because this is the last transfer of our mission president. Him and 15 other missionaries will be dying this coming transfer. It's a big loss! But, I'm excited for the new mission president that'll be coming up.

The trip to Seoul was pretty awesome. We went to the temple, of course, and then for the rest of that day we got to wander around and do basically what we wanted. Elder Hess and I went with Elder Cameron and Zabriskie to a few popular shop places. We met a lot of really great foreigners, and two members. We went into a place that sells foreigner goods, and this guy walked in. He was a little bit intimidating at first, he just looked at all the missionaries in there and said "Hey. Are you guys hungry? How many are there? Do you like chicken? Come next door." and then walked out. But of course, we all followed. We found out that he served in the Seoul mission about 20 or so years ago, and just wanted to give us food because he saw us. IT was really nice, and a lot of fun!

After that, we were walking around in a popular shop and I heard "Hey missionaries!" Turned out to be another member - a father and his daughter. They are in the military, and are just enjoying their stay in Korea for a little while. We gave them directions, they wished us well, and we went our opposite ways again. It was really amazing - and the fact it all happened on the day we went to the temple was even better. It gave me a good boost and just made the day great.

The next day we had a seven hour meeting with president - because it was his final words, he gave a really great talk. We also got to hear all the dying missionaries' final words, too, which was all just really great. It was a good meeting, and we had live transfer calls there, too. So we got to find out where everyone was going. I was anticipating leaving, and indeed, I am! I'll be moving to a place called Tebek 태백. Which is still country, but even MORE east and farther from Seoul. I'm going out to the boonies, indeed. But it's all up in the mountains, and I've heard it's just wounderful! I'm excited. Not looking forward to moving, but I think it'll be a lot of fun. I'm a little bit nervous to be moving from my first area - the elder I'm serving with is one transfer above me, so the Korean thing will be interesting too. But, I've only heard good things about the area! So I'm really excited. Elder Hess is going to the office and, although he isn't looking forward to it, I think it'll be pretty good for him.

Anyway, short e-mail this week. That was the most exciting stuff that happened. I took out some money from my personal account - I owed the mission a little bit of money because I bought a few things. It was only about $50. That's about it! I'm still alive and all things are going great. I hope everyone is still doing good out there! :D Stay happy and healthy!

-Elder Webster

Badmitton, new investigators, and the close of a transfer!‏

Hi!

This transfer is almost over. We have two P-days left! I'm not really sure where all that time went. And this keyboard sucks, so forgive spelling mistakes. anyway, there're a lot of missionaries leaving this next transfer - about 15 or so I think. So because of that, there'll be a lot of areas closing or minimizing. Too bad! That means that my little area of Wonju might be shrinking.

But speaking about our little area, we had a really great time playing badmitton the past week. Now, if you're thinking about the badmitton that the Fox and the Hen played from the Robin Hood cartoon... you're wrong! koreans play badmitton as a sincere sport - it's ridiculously intense. I'll ahve to get a video of it sometime I think - the next time we go and play. One of our investigators - Mia - is the wonju representative in badmitton. So, hopefully we'll get to watch her play. She's been doign pretty well with her progression, too. We taught her again recently - it wasn't the best lesson (mostly because Elder Hess made me be the one to lead the lesson, and there wasn't a lot of time), but we taught her a little bit about Mosiah chapter 2 - King Benjamin's sermon. It was pretty alright.

In other news, we've been finding a couple of new investigators, as well. We finally are seeing a little bit of more harvest from our English class. She's an older lady that is having some difficulty because she had recently lost her youngest sister. To be honest, when I heard that I kind of felt like Ammon because I got excited because of her difficult situation. i know that she's ready to accept the message! It'll be a lot of fun to teach her I think.

Other than that, not too much else has happened this past week that I can remember really. I've thought of a coulpe of things for my next package - I've decided I really like those Nature Valley bars. They're easy to grab if I happen to miss a meal or am late for one. So if you could send some of thsoe again, muchly appreciated! I can't think of anything else that I really need. I bought a SD Card reader, but... I'm not in wonju right now! I'm actually in a place called "Dong-hey". We're on a Zone Activity right now, and we're headed to (as Elder Cameron said) "the world's largest cave in Asia". I've been awake since about 5:30 already, so this day might be deathly, but I'm excited for the activity! I'll be sure adn take a lot of pictures and show you next week. Next week we'll be headed to Seoul for another temple day and the mission conference - our mission president is going home, too! This next transfer is going to bring a lot of changes I think.

Anyway, stuff is still going well. Still really enjoying my time out here in the country, the language is getting a little bit better too! I hope everyone out there is doing great! Stay happy! Be healthy!

Love,
Elder Webster

A trip up to the mountains, and living the college life.‏

Hi!

This past week has been pretty good.

Elder Hess and I taught the best lesson that we've both ever taught since we've been out. The spirit was really strong, we both spoke really good Korean, and everything just flowed really well. We taught a new investigator family that we got as a referral from another investigator - it's a really big blessing for us because the whole family seems to have interest. It being the best event of this week, I'll outline basically what happened...

We met them on Saturday night, and for the first little while we just kind of talked to them for a little while in English (the mother and daughters lived in New Zealand for two years - the youngest daughter is pretty much fluent, and the oldest daughter is really good. The mother is ok, and the father understands a lot but doesn't really have any interest in English anyway). The oldest daughter told us how she went to Seoul a couple of days ago as a school and got to go to a movie production studio there. While they were there, they got to make a video commercial. It was really, really funny. She showed it to us, and the song they sang still gets stuck in my head. It's about this girl that is doing really bad in school, so she starts thinking about suicide (sad topic, but stay with me). While she starts thinking about that stuff, random people will pop out and stand next to her and start singing:

"Oh no, don't do that!
Oh no, don't do that!
Oh no, don't do that!
자살 하지마새요!" (don't commit suicide)

I wish I could get the internet link that she showed it to me - it's so funny! It's any Korean anyway. But after that we started talking to them a little bit more - and then we moved onto the gospel topics.

We had a really cool example that was made from cups that showed the organization of the church in Christ's time, explained the apostasy, and then explained the Restoration. Basically you set up cups as the base to show the original organization of the church when Christ was alive - the original twelve apostles, and etc. Then you pull those cups out to show the apostasy. Then you rebuild it with the names of our living apostles as the Restoration. The family all understand wonderfully - the father had a question along the lines of "Baptist comes from Christians, Presbyterian comes from Catholics (and so on), where do you come from?". So we explained again that this is Christ's purely restored church, not just another branch off. It was really wonderful.

Now, I have to tell a story about what happened before the appointment to lead up to this part of the story. We didn't get the chance to eat dinner, so we went into a Family Mart (7/11 basically) and got some food there. Elder Hess decided to buy a liter of juice, because a liter of juice was the same price as one of the quarts. So we drink the whole thing, eat our food, and then head over to the appointment.

we both had a liter of juice sloshing about in our insides.

Can you guess what happens?

During the lesson, just after we had explained the Restoration, Elder Hess exhales and says "... I'm sorry. Can I use your bathroom?" Let me reiterate that this was one of the best lessons we've ever taught with the sort of spirit that was guiding us the whole time.

I was laughing so hard! The kids were laughing pretty good, too - so I explained that we had both drank a liter of juice before we got here. The family was pretty ok with it, anyway. I still make fun of him about it.

But onto other things, we made a few new contacts this past weekend with some college kids. Basically, I got to see what the college life is like in Korea... We went out to eat with one contact, and then he decided to take us on a drive into the mountains a little bit. After that we introduced us to some other friends that we contacted, and we hung out at Dunkin' Donuts for a little while. It was really funny. We had to explain to them that we don't drink, smoke, drink coffe, can't watch movies or listen to the radio while we're missionaries. Maybe "flaberghasted" would be a good word to describe them.

But anyway, I hope that turns out and we get to meet with them again.

In other news and needful things... send me pictures! I need and want some more pictures that I can show people - more family shots and more pictures of the hikes, the scenery, and that kind of stuff of Utah. Koreans really enjoy it. Also pictures of the temples would be good, too. I only have Provo temple and Seoul temple.

Other than that, all is well! I'm still looking for a SD Card reader so I can send you people some pictures, and am still wondering about the price of 8 or 16GB USB sticks in America.

Anyway, all is well! I hope everyone out there is doing great! Especially you two out there in the Land of the Faster-Than-Korea Rising Sun! Happy Birthday Sister Jones! :D

Stay happy! Stay healthy!

Love,
Elder Webster

Of new investigators, new companion, and flamethrowers.

Hi everyone!

Yep, still alive. This past week has been pretty great. I'm pretty sure I've been talking more Korean to our investigators, members, and less actives than I have pretty much since I've been out here. With Elder Hess, I feel like there's a lot more responsibility for me (which is good). I get to improve my Korean a lot quicker now - and I'm getting a lot more adjusted to asking everyone for help. Last night we had English class - it turned more into "Teach Elder Webster Korean" class. I learned a couple really cool phrases - "kill two birds with one stone" and "dragon head, snake tail". It's pretty awesome learning Korean that way - it's even better when there're really good English speakers to help you out.

So the coolest thing this past week was meeting with Mia. She's the lady that we've been meeting with for about a month or two now - she has been reading the Book of Mormon really diligently (she's on about chapter 25 of 2nd Nephi), but still has some problems with faith. But yesterday, we got the chance to meet with her and her friend. She invited her friend to come over because she was wanting to learn about our church, as well. Her name is Leah and we got a return appointment with her on Saturday. But during that appointment, Mia was talking about how she is able to introduce her friend to us missionaries because we aren't pushy, and didn't do anything that would make her not want to. Therefore, she feels confident enough to introduce us. I explained that it's a really wonderful thing when people that we teach introduce us to other people to teach, and that it's a very big responsibility for us that we take on. So, we assured Mia that we would treat her friend no differently.

There's was also a very interesting comment made. Elder Hess mentioned to Leah how she appears to be a very sincere person - when we were explaining a little bit about our church, Leah was listening very well. She had a few misconstrued ideas (such as thinking we lived a lifestyle like the Amish), so we cleared those up. But when Elder Hess made that comment - I added that since I've been in Korea for a little while now, I've been able to tell a little bit easier the nature or feeling of people. Such as, "that person is really sincere, or very light-hearted, or that person really doesn't care what I'm saying". I don't really know entirely why, but Mia really took that as a very big compliment. After I said that, she said "Thank you a lot. I really appreciate that".

It was just a really neat experience. I think I've been given a little bit of a keener sense toward people since I've been out here - it's been much easier to talk to people and start conversations.

I also got the opportunity to help out a member pretty well, too. She was having a bad day - and for some reason she gave me a call. Because Elder Lemons left (I think he was her favorite), she wanted to talk to me next. She has been going through a rough time, and was one day just thinking about some random stuff. She wants to teach English, but doesn't feel like she's prepared. So, she gave me a call and I talked to her a lot. She said because I'm a missionary I'm only allowed to say nice things - so I told her honestly what I thought and tried to help her out a little bit. A couple of days later I saw her again - she was having another bad day (she got splashed by a taxi!), but after the English class, she talked to me a little bit more. She thanked me for the help that I gave and that it built up her confidence a little bit.

It really built up my confidence a little bit! I really like this member a lot - she's probably one of the best in Wonju - but she's just been going through a hard time. I don't think I could've done that for her if I'm not where I am now. It was just a really great experience for me I think - it reaffirmed a little more the authority that I carry with this calling.

But anyway - moving along. Elder Hess has been really awesome to serve with - this week went by really slow anyway though. He's pretty good at Korean (especially for being two transfers older than me!), so I haven't had to worry too much. I've still been talking a lot, and I found out last night that I mumble in Korean and English now! So, I've gotta work on that...

Also, last night Elder Cameron took a blow torch to a spider web. It was a gross spider that had made a home just outside of our window. So he got a lighter and some WD40... Needless to say the spider should've taken on some fire insurance *bah-duhm chh*.

Anyway! I think that's pretty much... Nothing else too exciting. So! 'till next week! Still alive, stay happy, and stay healthy! :D 짱!!

Love,
Elder Webster

Ohhh, whatcha gonna do with a drunkin' sailor?

Hi!

This weeks subject has nothing to do with anything! Yippy!

How's everyone? I'm doing quite peachy meself. I've gotten myself a new companion - his name is Elder Hess. He's from somewhere in America, and his family has five people. That's actually all I know about him right now... We just switched today, so I've only been with him for about five hours. :D He seems like a really great guy, though. He's been in the country for two more transfers than I have, so this Korean speaking thing will definately be interesting. He sounds like he's pretty solid at it already, though. Besides, my mission president trusts him enough to be senior now, so all I've gotta do is just have a little faith!

I don't really know what to update on - not a whole lot has happened. Elder Lemons is dead from Wonju, and a tear was shed for those lost. We got to meet with the old ladies that we've been meeting with - they're doing really well. I think they're getting really close to baptism, and they seem pretty solid. We talked to them about the Holy Ghost, and what that does for us, and how to recognize it. They don't really understand why when they meet with us they always think "Yeah, these're all really good words. Yeah, I need to read and pray and that other stuff..." but when they get home they have no desire to do as such. So, we explained to them about the difference between the gift of the Holy Ghost, and just feeling it - they understood really well and I think we made a pretty excellent breakthrough with them. I'll be fun to teach them with Elder Hess now.

Other than that... we got to meet with some less-actives recently. Those were all really excellent lessons, too. Elder Lemons told them all about what his final wish was for them before he left - they all seemed to really take it to heart. So, we'll see the turn out this Sunday. I think it'll be ok.

This new transfer with Elder Hess is going to be exciting, I think. I'll definately get the opportunity to learn more Korean. Because Elder Lemons was so good, sometimes I didn't get the chance to speak that much. But now... we kind of have to rely a lot more on each other. So! It'll be a new adventure. Plus, it's kinda freaky being the junior companion that has to introduce the senior into the area. I kinda thought of it as like a brace system to a tree of some kind. I leaned pretty heavily on Elder Lemons for help and stuff - I'd usually get him to translate stuff for me, ask what people said, give him the phone when people would call, and other things like that. But now, I've been cut down a little bit and I have to stand a little more on my own. It'll be an interesting ride!

But anyway, it was good to talk to you family on Mother's Day! I really enjoyed that - it gave me a lot of strength to push forward a little bit harder recently. I think it'll get me through the summer. :D

So I hope all is going well back home! Things are still great here in Korea. Still working on that picture thing - I need to go get myself a SD Card reader I think. Has anyone been able to figure out how much 8GB USB sticks are? Still wondering about that.

또한, 리아 (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) 자매. 제 말씀 읽으면, 저에게 전화해주세요! 아니면, 편지를 쓰십시오!

Anyway! Stay happy everyone! And stay healthy!

Love,
Elder Webster

Hi every-body!

Hi!

I'm still alive. See look! *inhales!*

This past week has been pretty interesting. We've run into a slight drought of investigators over the past little while, so we haven't had very many opportunities to make teaching appointments - but instead! We've been doing a lot of finding. Business cards are very big in Korea, so we've had some of those made for the gospel. They're really neat looking! I'm excited to use them.

We've also been meeting with a new investigator named Mia. She's one of the members friends, and she has a curiosity about the gospel. One day, in English class, we decided to introduce the Book of Mormon. We talked about how it has helped our life, how it can give us happiness and peace and provides a constant in the ever changing world. We also said that it is the reason we came to Korea, and I specifically talked about it is the reason why I'm so happy. So after that class, Mia asked "Can I take one of those books?"

... Sure!

So this past week we got the chance to meet with her and find out a little bit more about her. She's been having a lot of problems with her family right now, and her father and mother haven't been getting along. She has to live at home with them (it's supposed to be the oldest son's responsibility to do that - live with the parents and take care of them when they get old), so she says that it has been kind of weird having to do that. There are always ups and downs to the situation, but mostly she says, it's been a struggle. So, when she heard us talking about how the Book of Mormon is the reason that we came to Korea, and how it has given us so much happiness, she wanted to try and figure it out for herself. Last time we talked to her about God, who He is and how He can help us. She was really interested, and seemed to take it all in well. Plus, she's a lot of fun to talk to. She's the first Korean I've met that understands and uses sarcasm! Pretty impressive - she's excellent at English.

Also, I finally got the packages! Finally. Thanks to all of you that put stuff in there (I think just Grandma and the Jones'). I've been enjoying the food, study stuff, sweater and socks especially. :D Just to start a list of stuff I'll need soon for the next package, I could use some of those little books of D&C, Pearl of Great Price, and the Old and New Testament. They're small pocket-sized books, and they're very handy to have. I like my quad that I have now, but it's heavy to carry around in my backpack all day. So if some of those could go into my next package... it'd be much appreciated! They should only be like a few bucks each. Also, I don't know if I said this, but you can't use the Military address anymore. The guy has stopped sending the packages to the missionaries - I think he got transfered. So, you'll just have to send them straight to the mission office (which is more expensive, unfortunately...) but I'll let you know if another great opportunity comes up for a cheaper package route.

Other than that, though, the weather here has been changing a lot. Yesterday it started raining - which was really wonderful. My companion and I were doing some great street contacting with the rain and wind blowing on us. We also forgot our umbrellas, but I don't think I would've used it anyway. It just felt so great! But don't worry, I stayed warm so I won't get sick. :D But anyway, the weather has been shifting around a lot lately - but I think it's still spring time. The cherry blossoms are already over and I didn't get a picture of them.... :( But, next year for sure!

Yesterday we also had the opportunity to help out a man. He was waay drunk, and I think had some mental handicaps. He was sitting in the middle of road... just relaxing I guess. So we walked over to try and get him to move at least, but he wouldn't. We told him that we'd walk with him to his home, but he said he lived really far away. So I asked if he can ride in a taxi, and he said sure. So... we waited. I kept a really strong prayer in my heart that a taxi would show up soon. No longer than a minute later, an empty one pulls around the corner. I'd like to let you know where we were when this happened. It was kind of a back alley way to get to our apartment, but a lot of cars came down that road. Only a few times have we seen an empty taxi on that road, let alone one that was heading right for our direction. It was a really awesome experience.

So, he stood up, face planted it onto the ground, so I had to help him back up, and then we got him in the taxi, and then we finally got him home. Afterwords, the taxi driver was saying how he wouldn't have done that usually. But, because he knew who we were, and that we were trying to help him out, he waited for us and helped us out.

So, that's my cool experience, and I'm out of time!

Bye! Stay happy! :D

Love, Elder Webster

Foreigners bloom like flowers in Spring!

Hi!

This past week has been pretty good. The weather has really been warming up - it came really freakishly fast, but now it has started to cool off again. But, because General Conference is over, we don't have to wear our suit jackets anymore. So I'm rebelling against the weather and still sticking with my short sleeves. Ahh. I'm also already starting to get a tan.

So it's been pretty exciting this past week. We got dropped by one investigator - she's been getting busy because she's moving so we can't meet with her until next month, many of our other investigators are in what we call "the waiting pile", and those that we do meet with are actually progressing really well. So, much like Sister Jones out there in Japan, we've been on a search to find new people recently. And guess what! It works. We got one yesterday. We went to go visit this lady named Mia. She's Korean but speaks really good English. She teaches at an English Academy and has a really cool personality. She's friends with one of the ward members, too, so that helps out a lot. She comes to English class, and she took a Book of Mormon last week because we told about how happy it has made our lives and it is the reason we came to Korea.

So yesterday we got the chance to meet her, and we taught a really cool lesson with her. We just dropped by to see if we could visit, but it turned out that her member friend was already with her that morning, so we got to teach a lesson with a member! That was a really wonderful blessing and coincidence. We taught about the Book of Mormon, a little bit about where it came from and how it can help us, and other things like that. She really seemed to enjoy it, and it seems like she honestly wants to find some happiness. She used to attend church but doesn't anymore. She sounds really well prepared! We get to meet her again this Friday.

We're also getting Mr. Beh's sister ever closer to baptism. She still lives in Seoul, so we can't meet with her but once each weekend, but we always make sure to teach everything she needs. Last week, we taught her about The Restoration. We commited her to read and pray, and think more about baptism. She agreed to it, and honestly looked like as if she would. So, that'll be great I think. Unfortunately she forgot a BoM back here in Wonju, so we've been working on getting her address to either mail one to her, and have the other missioanries bring it to her. Very high potential there!

The subject line comes from the fact that the past while, since the weather has been turning, I've been seeing a lot more foreigners! it's strange. They're here for teaching usually, they just go to the schools and speak in English, play games, and then leave. And apparently get paid well enough to stick around here, because they usually stay for a good 6 months or so. But anyway, there's this one lady we see every so often - she lives near our apartment, and we've met a few others in various areas. We all kind of flock together, and I feel like a Korean when I see them because I just stare until we get close enough to talk to them. And yes, I'm still hearing "Wha! It's a foreigner!". I'm thinking up more exciting stuff to respond with, one of which that usually works is "Wha! It's a Korean!" - to which I deny myself being a foreigner and say that I'm a Korean. It usually makes the kids laugh pretty good. :D

But anyway, still working on getting those pictures. I keep forgetting to bring my camera! Today we're going to go do some archery. Yeah, weird huh? I'll get some shots of that for sure. If I don't, and you don't hear from me in the next week, then just look online for the Wonju newspaper of "Foreigner kills Korean with a bow and arrow". It was an accident, I swear! I'm innocent! D:

Elder Zabriskie, the new missionary here in Wonju, is really cool. He's really funny and has a really great motivation for work!

But anyway, things are still going great out here in Korea Land! I hope everyone else out there is still alive. :D Be happy!

Love,
Elder Webster

One week, one day, and the way the big wheel spins.

Hi!

I got called Elder Hamster again. I just don't understand... I'm pretty sure this is #5. Also, I apparently look 38, and I have gray hair.

Things are going well out here (other than that ^ )! This past week has been fun. Elder Woods transferred back into Seoul, and a new elder came in. His name is Elder Zabriskie (sp), and this is his first time serving in the country. He's been enjoying it so far, however each day he says "The bikes are killing me!". He's a pretty cool guy - him and Elder Cameron got along well at least. They talk about football alot.

Anyway, we've had a surprising amount of cancellations on us this week, so we haven't had as many lessons taught as we would've liked. So because of that, we've been trying to find new ways to make some new investigators! We've discovered this nifty little method - we use just normal pieces of paper, double-sided, with some stuff about the church on one side and then other stuff about English class on the other. That way, we can get all sorts of people interested right away. Plus, it's easy to hand out fliers this way - it isn't as intimidating or awkward as talking to people, but when you give people the flier, they usually stop to talk to you.

Mr. Beh is doing well. He didn't come to church unfortunately on Sunday, though. We believe he went with his wife to their church - it's been a little bit tough on him having to balance between trying to get his wife interested and staying strong himself. President Cho told us to get him the Aaronic Priesthood, so that he can start passing the sacrament and things like that, so he has more responsibility. We're going to try and meet with him this next week.

I've also realized this past week that I don't think I've ever eaten so much food in my life.It seems like each day I eat until I'm going to die. Then I keep eating. Then they bring out dessert. So needless to say, I've discovered that my stomach can be like an inflatable balloon. On the plus side, however! I've been eating really delicious food a lot. :D

Yesterday we got the chance to meet up with Tank again. We were biking, on our way to dinner with another investigator, when I heard a really loud whistle, and then someone yell. And of course, it was Tank! He was waiting at a stoplight, with his students (he teaches an English class). So we biked out into the road and pulled up next to him and talked to him. After that we drove off, but later we met up with him again. He was waiting for one of his students, so we talked to him a little bit. We got to tell him a little bit about the wonderful blessings that we have to share with him - he just has to apply it.

Over the past couple of weeks Elder Cameron has made a pretty interesting insight - the difference between our church and others. In our church, we study for two hours each day to figure out how to change our lives. Then, we go to sacrament, partake of the sacrament, and then go back into the world for the rest of the week to apply the ideas and thoughts that we've learned. Other churches make you sit somewhere for an hour or more and listen to one guy talk to you about some good stuff. It gives you the good feeling that we get during sacrament, but after you leave... You still have the same problems. Your life is still the same, and nothing is changed - but you got to feel good for an hour!

It's one thing we've been really trying to stress with the people is that if you don't apply what we teach and try what you hear, there's no point really. So that's what we've been trying to do with Tank now. He's an awesome guy with a huge amount of potential - he wants to change, but doesn't really want to do anything about it. So, we've been telling him that if he doesn't do anything about what he hears, reads, feels, or whatever else, then he won't get anywhere.

And that's the true principle of the week! If you don't apply anything you learn from the gospel, there isn't much reason to be learning it now, is there? And of course, the first and foremost thing we need to apply is The Atonement. There's nothing else above that, and there's nothing else that we can put into use every moment of our lives that'd be as effective.

So! There're my good words. Now it's your turn to go and apply them as best you can. :D It'll be fun, I promise. I can't really think of anything else that has happened this week. I haven't seen General Conference yet - we get it one week later than you people do because it needs to be translated. But, I'll be watching it this Saturday! I'll let you know what I thought next week. :D 'til then! Stay happy!

-Elder "Hamster"

We are shout for joy!

Are you shout for joy, two?!

Hi everyone.

The title came from a hoody that I saw while biking one day. It pretty much made my day - the second line came from the other missionaries making it more fun.

Anyway, this past week has been pretty good. Of course, just as I sit down to let everyone know how it went, I can't remember anything. So, that's all. The week was good, I'm still alive. Hooray!



How mad would you be if that was really it? :D

Mr. Beh got confirmed a member of the church this past Sunday! It was really awesome. We also had transfer - I'm beginning my third transfer today. I'm still in Wonju and still with Elder Lemons. President wants us to work hard on converting the rest of Mr. Beh's family, so that's our companion goal for this transfer is to baptize the sister, his fiance, and his daughter. The mother will then follow! The fiance has been having some word of wisdom problems - she enjoys her coffee and doesn't see a reason why she has to stop. So, we've been teaching a lot about the Word of Wisdom, revelation from Joseph Smith, and how the gospel blesses families if the principles are applied.

The weather two weeks ago was really really warm, so of course the past week has been cold again. It snowed one day, and rained just yesterday. Not as exciting, but I think with the weather bumps we've been going through, some good ought to come out of it and it'll get warm soon enough!

I've also discovered something really neat from the scriptures that I thought yoos guyses might enjoy. Remember my analogy about the roses? I found a scripture to back it up now! Alma 32:26ish to the end. I don't remember exactly right now, but that's about it. It's the analogy of the seed compared to the word (yes, it is the word. Not faith. If you disagree, then you are disagreeing with Elder Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve. :D). I made a really cool connection about how, when the seed isn't nourished and the sun comes out and withers it up, the plant then must be removed and cast into the fire. Just like the rose, when I put it in the sun and it withered. I knew the value of the plant, thought it could be saved, and restored it back to life through the life-saving nourishment that it needed. Just read the scripture and see how you can apply to yourself! It's fun.

We also got to meet with another lady last week - she's been a regular. She has two little boys that's really really hard to deal with, but she's a really great investigator. She said that she was looking around on the internet one day and saw a picture of the Salt Lake Temple. Then she remembered the pamphlet we gave her, so she flipped through that. It really really caught her interest. She wants to find a way that she can help her children more effectively. So next time, or soon, we get to explain more about temples! It's going to be really cool. I think she's close to baptism, and hopefully we can get a date from her soon as well.

But anyway, now that we're in our fourth transfer, Elder Cameron has given the Zone a goal of fifteen baptisms. Since we're out in the country and this is the "hard place", it's a pretty high goal. We have 17 potentials right now, right at the very beginning of the transfer, so I think that this'll actually go through! I have some pretty high expectations and good goals for this transfer. It'll be awesome!

Anyway, I think that's about all. I'm still alive! As aforementioned. Still working hard, too, and still kicking Satan in the shins. I hope everyone else out there is alive, too! But more importantly staying happy. 'til next week! :D

-Elder Webster

The beach, baptisms, and punching Satan in the head.

Hi!

We went to the beach today as a zone. We went out to Gangneong (I don't actually know how to spell that in English. We went to 강릉). It was awesome! I found a lot of really super awesomely cool stuff. Like a puffer fish. Yep. I own a puffer fish now. Elder Cameron owns a starfish. Mines cooler, because he almost stepped on it. I got a lot of really funny pictures of the zone, so I'll be sure and send those off next time.

Anyway, as for this past week... Mr. Beh, the wonderfully cool guy that we've been meeting with for the past while, got baptised this past Sunday! Congratulations to him. I was so happy. His sister got to witness the baptism as well - although she says she doesn't want to get baptised yet... she will. She was crying the whole time during the service - we talked to Mr. Beh about it yesterday and he said something to the effect of "I think she was crying because in my past I've made a lot of mistakes. Now, I don't have any more mistakes". He also keeps telling us "I will must not drink! I will must not smoke! I will must not drink tomorrow, and I will must not smoke tomorrow, and the day after, and the next day!" He's a riot. I got the privilege to perform the baptismal service - I think I almost took him swimming (not really. Just had to dunk him twice. :D).

On Saturday our wonderfully cool Helena and Seo took us out to lunch at Outback Steakhouse, too. They won't be able to meet with us for a while, but they wanted to say thank you for the message that we shared with them and how nice it was to meet with us. It was really great of them. I kind of realized at that time that, even though we may not get to meet with people all the time, for very long, very often, or even at all after the first visit, the impression was still made. Especially in Korea, because it seems like everyone remembers when they see a foreigner. But anyway, I hope to meet with them again soon - or at least ensure they meet with missionaries later. They know that we are transfering, but we told them that the phone number stays the same so be sure to call it anyway.

Other than that, though, I've personally discovered something over this past week, as well. Maybe rediscovered. Good thing life is a constantly learning experience, otherwise I don't think I"d survive! First of all, Korean is really hard. The second thing is that the gift of tongues is really apparent - for some reason over the past weekend, I've been able to speak pretty well. At least, say kind of what I wanted. Some of the time, anyway. Also that sometimes it's easy to get distracted, but that's only when I need to start pushing a little bit harder! So that's what I've been working on.

Sorry for the short letter - I often can't remember what has been happening over the past week! I don't get enough time. I've been keeping a pretty good journal, though.

Oh! But one thing for sure - thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! That was really nice. The other Elders in my apartment gave me a cake - made from choco-pies. With Q-Tip candles. Some of them didn't taste very good, but I got it all on video, so it was really funny. I'll send that out next time, too.

But hey! Other than that... I don't remember a lot. Things are still going great - we're still doing our best to spread this gospel to those Koreans! And yes, I'm pretty sure I'm still alive.

Anyway, that's it for this week! Pictures probably next week. Stay happy! Stay healthy!

Love,
Elder Webster

I don't really have a witty tag-line for this week.

Hi!

How is everyone? This week flew by, huh? It all kind of rushed into a blur. But a good one. With like, blues and yellows and greens of swirlies. Yep.

Anyway, transfer is coming up. Again. People are actually getting moved - the word on the street is that Elder Woods is the one going. Hopefully I get to stay! I'm still not used to this whole... Korea thing to be moving anywhere yet. I'd love to stay here for a good four transfers. But, that might change by the end. :)

Things are still going great out here in Wonju. We're still working hard - especially on Mr. Beh. He's the one that we have a baptismal date set with.... for next week! President Cho wanted us to bump the dates back, because he's been doing everything that he should've been doing - so why wait? I was hesitant at first... but I think I can understand now. At least if he isn't ready, he'll be ready by the end of the month (the goal for the mission is to get one baptism per companionship per month). Unfortunately, we haven't been able to meet with him but once since the beginning of this week - his phone has been off, and he didn't show up to our appointment yesterday. I'm getting a little bit worried, but I think we're going to head out to visit him tonight. We also got a baptismal date set for his family - I think it'd be wonderful if they could all be converted to this gospel!

Oh, and speaking of baptismal dates, we've reached a miracle here in our zone. Elder Cameron - our Zone Leader - told President that we'd reach 7 baptismal dates in 강릉도. Apparently President laughed (don't take that bad - that's just how he is. He's really quite nice). But hey! Guess what? With our powers combined... we have *trumpets flare* 7 baptismal dates! It's really encouraging - we've also been doing really well with contacting and teaching lessons - I think we had something like 360 people contacted this past week and... a lot of lessons taught. I don't actually remember. But at any rate - for being out in the country, it's been going great! Elder Lemons and I usually get about 10-15 a week.

So there's my pat on the back - and that's where the bar has been set, so it'll be awesome at the next transfer to shatter that goal again.

But, of course, with the good comes the bad. Helena and Seo, the couple that we've been meeting with for a good while, has potentially dropped us. Because Seo is going to school now, Helena has to help more in order to support them. Therefore, she teaches at a 학원 (kinda like an academy school), and then does private English lessons from 5pm-11pm. Crazy! So... the circumstance is understandable, but we get to meet with them one more time on Saturday - so we plan to learn their whole schedule, figure out what we can do to best help them, and then just go from there.

This next week we'll be working hard to increase our teaching pool - a lot of our investigators have been having a hard time meeting lately. Therefore! We get to do more street contacting and door-knocking. Hooray!

But, the weather here has been getting amazing! Today and yesterday have been absolutely perfect - today the missionaries went out to play Soccer. I kicked Elder Lemons' knee with my shin, so... that wasn't so fun. But! Everything else was. I'm also learning Tai-Chi from one of our new investigators. He'll be teaching us each week, and then we teach him about the gospel. Asia is awesome. :D

Anyway! Not a whole lot else to report. I've been getting everyone's letters - so thank you for that! It's been hard trying to find time to write back, but I'm really working on it. I haven't gotten any packages as of yet, but have been informed they are in trasit.

Things are going great! Still happy, still alive, and still can't speak Korean very well. But that's ok, but I'm still a movie star to little kids. "아~! 항국말 잘 하시네요!" No. No, I don't.

Stay happy! Stay healthy! Remember to read your scriptures and pray.

Love,
Elder Webster

Elder Hamster reporting!

(This is from last week. I forgot to post it. Sorry! -Torie)

Things have been really great this past week. It's starting to pick-up. I've realized (although however long I've been out here too late) that I can't be as passive as I usually am in this work. Therefore, I've really started picking it up and becoming fully engaged. I can't turn back now, and everything I do rides on faith.

Our progress with Mr. 배 (Beh) has been really good. He's still working on his Word of Wisdom thing - we're going to teach him a lesson tonight that will help him to set goals and do what he needs to do to accomplish them to bring him closer to his baptismal date of the 31st. I think it'll be a great lesson tonight!

We've also been teaching Han Chang Hoon as well. He's the guy that drinks and smokes a lot, and does nothing but that and drive taxis. We actually played a game of Chok-ku with him this morning (look that game up on Wiki or something - it's so awesome. It's volleyball with your feet!) - and last time we met we taught him about the Book of Mormon and how it's a record of the ancient Americas. He had a hard time believing that the Lamanites are a direct descendant to the Native Americans, but... either way, I know the spirit touched him with incredible power. We taught him about the Word of Wisdom as well, and how he can't smoke and drink like he does (do you see a re-occurring theme here? Smoking and drinking is a very big problem in Korea). We told him to replace his drinking with cooking, exercising, and guitar (he plays the guitar! He's let me play it a couple of times when we visit, too. He enjoys it, and I love it!). So the part that really affirmed to me that he was feeling the spirit was at the very end. Usually when we leave we ask "So what will you do tonight?" To which he responds with "Drinking... and then.... sleeping." (he speaks ok English, so we talk to him in English a lot). BUT! That particular day, he said "Maybe... exercise, and then.... sleeping".

Hah! Take that natural man. Anyway, I think he has a lot of potential, and I'll let you know before I leave Wonju when his baptismal date is. ;D

Not a whole lot else to report. I've banned my Choco-pie addiction because I think I gained weight from it (maybe it was from the four boxes I ate....?). Oh and also, we have visitors that come to our apartment every morning, too. They like to just walk right in - it seems to be a theme for our apartment. We feed them, though, and they come back each day.

Two pigeons. Yep. They land on our balcony, and one morning we left the door open, so they decided to walk in and investigate. I'll send a picture of that sometime later - it's funny. We're making good friends with them.

Oh yeah, and about the title. I keep getting called Elder Hamster. When people try to pronounce my name in English, it comes out Hamster for some reason. Go figure. It's happened from three different people already, so yeah... Nice to meet you, I'm Elder Hamster.

Anyway, not a whole lot else to report I don't think. Things are going great! I hope you're all remembering to stay happy, stay healthy, keep reading your scriptures and to pray!

Love,
Elder Hamster

Choco-pies, the girl next door, and some other updates.

Hi!

The past week has been kind of tough out here in Wonju. I've discovered the one of the hardest parts about missionary work has nothing to do with the work - it's having to exist with a person for every moment of your being. Yeah, so that's been kind of tough. But, still very much alive.

I've begun buying these little gems of Korea called "Choco-pies". The mart right outside of our apartment has them on sale, 24 for three dollars. So I decided to get them one day.

I ate half of them in the first hour.

The next box took about a day. I bought two more packs since then (the other missionaries ate one whole pack D:). So, I've discovered I'm quite addicted to these little precious pieces of chocolate and marshmallow goodness. You can freeze them, put them in the microwave, and put peanut butter on them! In that order! Quite delicious indeed.

Coincidentally, I've also discovered that I've lost about 15 pounds since I've been here. Go figure. :D

Anyway, so more updates. The girl next door. Elder Woods and Elder Cameron have been teaching a girl that lives right next door to us. She's about 17 American age (have I explained that there's a difference between Korean and American age? Koreans are 1-2 years older than American age. They are the age of one when they're born, and increase in age every new year. So I'm 21 technically. And when I come home... I'll still be 21! The age of 20 is non-existent).

She's really cool - although... still very much a 17 year old Korean girl. She likes to mess with us by trying to touch us. We showed her the white handbook rules (in Korean) and showed here that she isn't allowed to do that. She also made a habit of walking into our house when we'd leave the door unlocked. It was like a big surprise every time! Very, very hilarious, but still not allowed. So we kicked her out every time. One time she just walked in and sat in our entrance way until someone came out. Elder Woods had to kick her out.

So yes, that's how she's been so far. It's been -really- funny talking to her and seeing her. She invited us over for lunch the other day - pretty good food too! She's learning about the gospel and seems to be accepting it ok... We've all told her that we want to see her get baptized, so I think she's going to be working a little bit harder now.

This past Friday was a really cool day for me out here, too. I'm not sure if yoos guyses remember Tank, but we've been teaching him on and off. He saw missionaries about two years ago, but for some reason or another they stopped contact. We recontacted him and have gotten to be pretty good friends with him since. He's a drummer, a snowboarder, and speaks pretty ok English. When he met the first missionaries, his wife had just left him. Then a few weeks ago, so second wife had left him. CLEARLY these're signs trying to tell him to be more humble and listen to our message with more intent - that's what we've been trying to tell him lately.

But anyway, we finally got to teach him Friday. I actually got to talk to him quite a bit since he speaks English - I told him about prayer, about how Heavenly Father has an eternal perspective in regards to our life, and other things like that. He really enjoyed it. I've been getting really good trust with him as I've been the one talking to him the most recently. So, we asked him to pray and to make time to meet with us again. It was a really awesome lesson. I also found out he knows Dream Theater. Maybe next time I'll teach a lesson based around Scenes From A Memory. :D He also says he can mimic how Mike Portnoy plays, so... if I ever get the chance to hear him, I'll be sure and record it for everyone out there.

We've also started meeting with two old ladies that have been coming to English class. One of them really enjoys hearing our messages, so she got interested and wanted to hear more - plus she wants to learn more English. The other one I think mostly just wants to learn more English, but the message we shared with them last time got her interest peaked a little bit more.

And one more cool investigator - Mr. Beh. He's the crazy guy I told you about a few weeks ago - we met him in the hospital. He's recontacted us, and to make a pretty long story short... he set up his own baptismal date! He wants to work for March 31. We told him ok, and he said he'd work his hardest to achieve his goal. Last time we met with him, we told him about the Word of Wisdom and how we can't smoke or drink. He sighed, said ok, reached over and grabbed two packs of cigarettes and crushed them both in his hands. It was so cool to see. I couldn't really believe it at first - I wasn't really sure what was happening. Then it all came to me. I really think he's going to be great!

Last week I realized I forgot to send the package address. I got it this time, so here it is:

SOCKOR
John Lucas
Unit 15622 PSC 303 Box 97
APO-AP-96204-5622

I think just tell the post office you're sending a package to an army base in Korea, and the shipping cost will be like sending it in the states. It's really cool of this guy to do it for us! Put the return address name as my name, and it'll get to me ok. But fill out the rest of the stuff like what's above, there should be lines and boxes to put all that stuff in. I've also thought of one more thing that would be nice - some shoe inserts. Like Dr. Scholls or something. My feet don't hurt, I just think having those would be more comfortable. Maybe a little bit warmer sometimes, too.

anyway, still alive! Not much else to report. Except no one else wrote me this week. Slackers. D: Repent ye heathens! :D

So stay happy! Stay healthy! Keep praying and reading your scriptures!

Love,
Elder Webster

Closets, pig heads, squid, and... baptisms!‏

Hi!

I hope everyone is still alive out there. I sure am! And kickin'.

Anyway, this week has been great. Still not a whole lot has been happening. This past Saturday we had a baptism - Elder Cameron and Elder Woods' investigators got baptized. It was really great to see - they were all pretty happy. Our mission president decided to fast-track their progress and they also got confirmed that same day. It was a bit unusual I thought - but I'm sure President Cho knows much better. ;P It was really neat to see them all dressed in white - we had six people in white that day. Three people got baptized! A big blessing for Wonju branch - two potential priesthood holders. It'll be exciting to see how that helps out the ward.

Yesterday, we went and helped out the man that isn't doing so well. He's a taxi-driver, and... that's about it. He doesn't do much else with his life right now, he lives in a house above his parent's, and just... drinks all day. So the missionaries here have all decided that we're going to help him out as best we can. So each day he has a day off (taxi drivers in Korea work for two days, and then a day-off alternatively), we go over and visit him. Yesterday, we went at 11:30 in the morning. We try to go in the morning because if we go too late he's already drunk ("'cause I love... sochu. Bbbaaahahaha!" He's a really funny guy), so he never remembers what we tell him. Unfortunately, when we got there he was already drunk, so it was an interesting day. He kept talking about the pyramids in Egypt, how much he loves America, and then he played the guitar for us. I couldn't keep it! But, we talked a little bit about the plan of salvation, and what he believes about God and Christ. We're trying to work on getting him to pray right now - he seems to be warming up to the idea at least.

But after we taught him a few things, he wanted to take us out for lunch (go figure, a Korean wanting to feed us...). As we were walking there, we started winding through all of these little corner shops and small markets (I'll have to take a picture of that area and show it to you guys - I'm so used to seeing it now I don't think it's all that strange). One small market we passed in particular... had a pig head. Just a huge, severed pig head. Two of them, next to each other. And then behind that was a pile of pig ears.

Gross.

I thought it was fake, and almost expected it to be a mask or something... But no, Elder Lemons assured me quite well - it was indeed just a massive pig head.

What I didn't realize then was that I was going to be eating the rest of probably that same pig.

When we got to the small fry shop, the lady that was working there asked what we wanted. We got some 떡 stuff - which is just smashed up rice and rolled into a stick sort of thing. It's really good, and they put sauce and stuff on it with other meat mixed in. It was good stuff - but the guy we were with just wanted to keep feeding us. So then he got us this stick of... something. It was like a tortilla, with other stuff. So I ate that, and the food kept coming. Then he ordered kimbop (the sea-weed rolls. Good stuff), and then he ordered this stuff called... seh something.

I ate a few before I found out what it was. The first one I ate had these little strings stuffed into the inside of a clear looking rubbery kind of stuff. That's all that Elder Lemons ate so that's all that I dared to eat. Then the guy we were with told us what we were eating. He pointed to one thing - "pork. Pork... *pokes at his stomach* liver! Pork liver."

Awesome.

So I asked what the other things on the plate were - pork lung and two different kinds of pork intestines.

Mmm, boy. Good eatin'!

Needless to say, I didn't eat any more of that. It was either that or chicken feet, I guess....

Anyway, we also went out to eat with a member this week (this week has been an adventure in food I've realized). This story isn't too exciting, but I ate my first squid. Tentacles, suction-cups and all! It was rubbery, with little taste, but I felt kinda weird doing it. The place that we ate at with the other guy had deep-fried tentacles that I ate, too.

So now, onto the story of the closet. I've discovered that the closet in our dressing room is quite comfortable. I don't know why, but I go in there and study during my language study. I set-up a light, and have a little area set up for me now. The other elders always laugh at me, but it's nice in there. Yes, it's weird, but... it shall continue to happen I'm sure. xP

Anyway, really not a whole lot else. We went door-knocking again the past couple of days, and we got let in again. We have a return appointment with the lady for this Thursday. Here was the basic conversation (I spoke!)

The kid answered the door, and I asked if his parents were home - he said yes so I asked if we could talk with them. He turned around and yelled "MOM!!" (brought me right back to the Jones' house), and the mother came to the door. I then went on and explained what we were talking about that day - we decided to plan specifically for our door-knocking and wanted to talk about families. So I told them that we're missionaries from the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints, and that we're sharing a message about families. She looked at us both for just a minute, and then so "Come in! Come in." So we talked to her a little bit about how families are important, and will be going back tomorrow. I'm excited! I really got to see the answer to our prayers of finding and planning for specifics - and also how people listen to me, despite my bad Korean. xD

Anyway, I'm about outta time, so stay safe everyone! Be happy! Stay healthy!

Love,
Elder Webster

Roses, bicycles, and the story of the dirty suit.

Hi!

Things are still going really great out here, of course of course. Hope everyone is still alive back home, indeed indeed!

Well, this week has been also kind of uneventful. We're trying to find some new people as of late - we've been dropped by a couple of people, and others just don't have the time anymore to meet with us. So! Thus ushers in the new investigator search.

First transfer passed away like an old squirrel, and the new one is now coming like a tumbling rock down a mountain. I'm not actually sure what breaks up the new transfer, but I know that a few people will be leaving. But not I! I'll be staying in Wonju for another six wonderful weeks. The same as Elder Woods, Elder Cameron, and yes, my companion Elder Lemons. So, nothing changed out here in Wonju - missionaries are still laboring in this section of the vineyard.

A quick investigator update:
Helena and Seo: They've been doing well. Helena got sick, an then Seo did so we actually haven't gotten the chance to meet with them for a week. We met them on Monday and ha a really great talk with them. We decided to put off the baptismal talk for a while - Helena is really confused about it and just needs some time to think about it we decided. So, what we decided to do on Monday was give them the lesson that talks a little bit about families. That includes The Family: Proclomation to the World. We had the plan all prepared and got there - we didn't really even do any English discussion, but instead just jumped right into the lesson. Seo has his test today (Wednesday the 18th), but earlier this week he wasn't sure if he ought to take it or not. He decided he wouldn't - that he wasn't ready. It was a topic o much debate between the two of them - they said that they had been arguing earlier that day, an the previous day. I was sad to hear that, but got even more excited for the lesson we had prepared. We gave them the Proclomation and began reading it and reviewing it. They enjoyed it a lot, and sai that it was very good for them because they had just been arguing the previous day. Seo particularly enjoyed one section that talked about a strong home needs to be built off of prayer, forgiveness, service, love, and the teachings of Christ. He agreed fully. I really think that lesson helped them out, and the impression of the spirit was left very clearly. We get to meet them again this Friday.

Tank (김택명): I'm not sure if I've talked about this guy yet. He's a really awesome guy - he's about forty and teaches at a private English school, so he's pretty good at English. He plays the drums, goes snowboarding every weekend, and is just all around awesome. Unfortunately, he's had some difficulties the past couple of years. His first wife left him, and his second wife just recently left him. I figured since both of his wives left him... he needs to change something. We've been working with him, although he's really busy so doesn't have much time to meet. HOpefully we'll get the chance this weekend. I've taught him about prayer, and he said he prays every night. Then I taught him a little bit about God's eternal plan for us, and trials of faith. He seemed to really accept it, and it'll be great when we find some more time to teach him a lot more about the gospel - I think he's been humbled enough to be ready to accept it.

정수경 자매님: She's really cool. She has crazy little children that're kind of hard to deal with, but I really enjoy teaching her. She's trying to learn English so we're running the 30/30 program with her. She is alright at English, but she has a lot of really good questions that the gospel can easily answer: "What happens to all the other churches when Christ comes? Why are there so many other churches?" I think I've already mentioned this, but there are a massive amount of Christian churches in Korea. If you have a name, own a building, and can build a red neon cross, you can make your own church. Each night I look out my window I find a new cross off in the distance - I'm up to 17 right now. But anyway, I think teaching her will be great - although potentially slow progress, we just have to find what interests her the most.

Those're really our most potential people right now. There's another man, 한장훈 형재님. His kids are baptised but are less-active, and he's kind of in a hole in his life right now. He drinks often, drives a taxi, and lives upstairs from his parent's house. Unfortunately, he's quite smart. I don't like seeing that potential going to waste - he enjoys philosophy, speaks ok English, and knows a lot of Chinese. The four missionaries now are all going to work together to get this guy's life turned around. It'll be some kind of project indeed, but I think it's very achieveable. He enjoys being visited by us - he always takes us out to eat food every time he sees us (since he drives a taxi he's just going around the streets a lot. He tells us to get into his car a lot, and then takes us out for food). It'll be another project, but we're going to try and get him and his kids fully active in the church - he has some much potential that he can achieve - I can already see it.

Oh yeah, so Happy Valentine's everyone. I totally forgot it was on Saturday. The lady that we teach with the children brought us flowers and candy. For some reason, I've been very captivated by the roses that she brought. The candy is delicious - European chocolate! - but I've taken on a whole new insight into the roses. I can't figure out why, but I'm always really concerned about them. I've always learned a lesson from them:
I've been trying to find the best place for them to be to get the best amount of sunlight. I figured that if I keep them in the main room (it has a big sliding glass door that leads to the balcony), they'll got ok amount of sun. One day, just before we left, I saw the sun coming around through that door. So I figured "Hey! I'll put the roses on the floor while everyone is gone, that way they'll got plenty of sun."
So I did. We came back a while later - several hours. I found the roses, still on the floor, but not doing so well. The pedals were drooping, the leaves were looking sad, and the new rose that was just starting to open had closed up a little more. I thought they were doomed. I checked the dirt and found it to be quite dry, so I stuck them under the faucet for a second to let the water moisten it up. I hoped for the best.
The next morning, I awoke and checked on the roses again. Perfect! As if nothing had happened. It was unusual indeed. I started thinking about it, and realized that when I put it on the floor, the sun had beaten through the window and - although it was cold outside - the suns rays heated up the roses and dried them out. After wettening them and putting them back to where they first belonged, after only 9 hours they had been restored.
So of course, it made me think about us as humans and this world of a vineyard that we live in. Heavenly Father puts us in this place that will work out ok for us. Gives us the nourishment that we need when we need it, and keeps us alive. But then He moves us into the little harsher area. We don't think we can make it; and indeed, begin withering, drying, almost to death. He is still concerned for us, of course, but knows better than we do. Before I put the flowers there, I thought about the heat. I thought it'd be good for the roses. Unlike this foolish mind, Heavenly Father puts us into the heat because He KNOWS it's good for us. When we begin to whither, after doing all we can do to stay alive and keep struggling on with what we have, we are rescued. Heavenly Father puts us back into a zone of comfort, nourishing us once again with exactly what we need.
After I watered the roses, that new little flower began blooming again, and the bigger older ones opened up even more. Just as it is, from that harsh experience we learn something new. New flowers of our own begin blooming more, and the experience we already have begins to open up even more.

And thus is life! Stay diligent, persavere, and remember to keep reading you scriptures and praying.

Now, tell the story about the dirty suit...

We were visiting a less-active mother that had just had her kids baptised. She's been doing well since the baptismal service, and we went over to visit the kids an to share a quick message. Well, we went over one day to visit with no luck. She got sick! But she told us to come back the next day. So, we did. Elder Lemons and I had biked over the first day, but decided we all might as well split a taxi and come back the next day, and bike back home then.
So the next day came around, and we cabbed out to where this lady lived. After the quick message, it was time to head back. Elder Lemons and I got our bikes prepped, and Elder Woods and Elder Cameron were heading out to the street to catch a taxi. Then Elder Cameron got an idea.

Don't try this at home, kids.

And don't try this... well, anywhere.

He figured since we have two bikes, we might as well just make it effecient. So I got on the seat of my bike, and Elder Woods stood on the pedals. Elder Cameron got on the pedals to Lemon's bike, and Elder Lemons sat on the seat. Thus it commenced. We biked back into town, passing all sorts of confused looking Koreans, as I hung onto Elder Woods for dear life trying not to die (yes, I was wearing a helmet :D). Anyway, so about fifteen minutes of biking, we finally made it into where we needed to be. elder Woods and Elder Cameron hopped of an walked to where they needed to go, and me and elder Lemons began again on our bikes. I noticed something on Elder Lemons' jacket, and then felt on the back of my own. We had been biking along a river, an had therefore gone through some sandy patches.
My butt was all covered in sandy riverbed dirt..... So I got to go on for the rest of the night with that on me. Yes, lesson learned.
Jacket is fine, too. Got it dry cleaned. :D

So anyway! That's all. It's been getting colder again, but still manageable. Hopefully it'll be warming up soon.

I do have one last quick request, though. I've discovered a way to send stuff to me through the military base. There's a guy on-base that is nice enough to do all of this - he recieves the packages and then ships them out to the missionaries. Coincidentally, I've noticed a few things that I'm still missing that I could use from home...
> A hoody (the brown Vans one)
> Honey (it's expensive in Korea, and I like peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwiches :D)
> Two notebooks I sent home when I was in the MTC but realized I shouln't have - the blue one and the green one.
> The Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual I had in my room... somewhere. If you can't find this one, it's ok. Just a luxury. It's helpful for study.
> Also, music. This is a request going out to one and all. I'm in a dire need of music. Elder Cameron only has so many CDs, and they aren't very good. Church hymns, instrumental music, gospel stuff... Just something. Preferably not MoTab, but it's ok too.

Unfortunately, I don't have the address with me. Yeah, go me, real smart. But! I'll get it for you next week.

So! I hope all is well. I hope everyone out there is staying happy and healthy - and remembering to read your scriptures and say you prayers!

Love,
웹스터 장로

A lack of appointments, a lack of trash-cans, and the case of the missing wallet.

Hello!

This past week has been great (of course. If I don't start an e-mail like that, I may've lost a limb. But I wouldn't actually tell you, so... just keep an eye out for that code. Or I just forgot to).

Although it has been good, we've had a decrease of appointments with our normal investigators. One of them, the old man that got the job, now doesn't have enough time to meet with us. He's working every day, though - and as Elder Lemons pointed out, it might turn into the Nephites of rising and falling in their success... So, we'll still be standing by at least. :D

Another of our investigators got sick - she has tonsal...bad stuff. I don't know how to spell it. But anyway, we've only been able to meet with her and her husband once over the past week. It's been tough - we had her baptismal date planned for the end of this month but it'll have to be changed now.

Our other good investigators are still doing well, though. Although we haven't had the chance to meet with them, we've at least gotten phone calls sent to them. So, that's ok. We're still checking up on them. One really great guy that we haven't had the chance to teach a lesson to yet has been going through a hard time - he met with the missionaries about two years, and we found his record and gave him a call again. We aren't sure why he stopped meeting, but we've only had the chance to see him two or three times. He's always busy - works from morning to night, and then goes snowboarding on the weekends (... >.<). We've tried to get him to make time for us, but not much luck so far. So anyway, we found out the other day that his wife kicked him out of the house. Not really sure why, but I asked him if there was anything we could do for him. All he said was to pray for him. I asked if he'd pray for help, too, but didn't say much, and then said that he had to go. So, we'll call him later. So, hopefully that'll turn out ok soon!

Other than that, though, we've been going about trying to find new people and contacting old people. We rode our bikes for the first time yesterday - I definately miss real bikes (the back brake doesn't work very well, and the rim has a big dent in it. I'm safe, though, don't worry). I had fun suffering on the bike since it has been something of like... five months since I've had a good ride. There's a hugely steep hill near our apartment. Elder Lemons toughed up it, but I gave up as soon as my gears popped and I lost momentum. But I cheered him on! Also, for some reason, while we were on bikes, a lot more people said hello to us. Kinda strange. Maybe they felt bad because we looked ridiculous wearing a suit and helmet. BUT! I did have my ninja face mask on. That's all that matter, I think. Except for when I couldn't breath very well...

We met with our Branch President this past week, too. He's really, really nice. He has the most awesome little kid - and I don't think anyone better could be called to serve as the Wonju branch president. He's the most humble guy, he works as a car-washer and lives on the top floor of a two story house (the top floor is smaller). So, he's been helping out a lot - he likes to help the missionaries and he's always very happy.

Not really any stories to report. The explanation of the title would be that I've began to discover that, for some reason, Korea seems to have a massive lack of trash cans. I can't figure it out. They sort their trash in recyclables - paper, plastic, and food trash - which is kinda neat. But... there aren't ever any trash cans around. Maybe I'm just used to America where, you know... it's logical to put a trash can in each room. Our apartment has a trash can the size of one you'd keep in a bathroom, and our church has one for the entire church. It's just weird, is all.

Next, "The Case of the Missing Wallet" or "The Most Expensive Taxi Ride Ever". We were heading home from a less-actives house and the group stuck me in the front - it was all four missionaries that night. And because I was in the front, I had to pay. So, I gave the guy a five - the cost was about $2. He gave me two dollars back - I didn't realize until after I got out of the car because we were trying to move quickly. So he gipped me a dollar in the first place, and then when I went to put the cash into my wallet... I discovered it was quite gone. Yes, quite gone. Not just missing, but 없습니다 ! So, that really kinda sucked. It had my bank cards, my alien ID card, and 22 dollars. But, there was nothing I could do. I searched on the ground and all about, with no luck.

We went back into our apartment and started planning meeting, and that night I prayed that I'd find my wallet with my cards intact. I needed them!

The next morning we were to go to our district meeting, so the other two missionaries left first to go to the bus station. Elder Cameron has an addiction to chocolate, so he went and grabbed that at a nearby store. When he went in there (I found this out later - they told me the story after pulling the prank on me) the lady behind the counter asked "Hey, do you know this person?" and showed Elder Cameron my wallet - with my driver's license in the front. So, he took the wallet and gave it to Elder Lemons without me knowing. I went to the bus station with sadness because I had to make Elder Lemons buy my ticket, but then after we bought the ticket he said "We have to go get money".

So we ran out of the bus station and across the street to an ATM. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wallet and told me, "Ok, go get some money". I flipped the wallet open really confused and found out it was mine. At first I thought he had taken it in the first place and they were just pulling a total joke on me, so I may've threatened Elder Lemons' life a little bit (just a little), but then realized that Elder Cameron and Elder Woods must've given it to him after that. And after he gave me big puppy dog eyes.

So! My wallet is safe. My money was gone, but all of my cards were intact. Now, how did that wallet get from a taxi cab into a convienance store, you ask?

Yeah, so do I.

Prayers come true!

Keep praying, keep reading your scriptures, and stay healthy and happy.

'til next time!

Elder Webster

Hiiii everyone!

Hi!

Things are still going great. The font to this computer is really big. It's kinda freakin' me out.

Anyway, yeah this week has been good. I got Nate's e-mail -- don't worry Nate, I can relate. Sometimes it feels like you aren't moving along at all, and even though you may not feel like it, you are! And have patience with your trainer. There isn't too much time left, and maybe this is a good refining period for you to go through. :D

So first off, I bought a translator and a new memory card for my camera. Hence the slight dent in the bank account now. Also, my card doesn't work again... -.-;; I'm assuming it's because of they're doing updates again? Probably. It worked fine that one time I drew money out, but went again today and no such luck. But that's ok, I don't actually need anything really. I got want I wanted. The translator is awesome, too. It does Japanese, Chinese, and Korean - touch screen, mp3, recorder... *sigh* Haven't had the chance to play with it yet, though.

Ok, so just a couple of quick stories. My trainer and I were walking along yesterday - we went to Hwengsung yesterday - about a half an hour busride from Wonju - and decided to go scout out the area up there. I didn't even know that our area covered so much, but apparently it goes even farther north. So anyway, we meandered up there for a while and talked to a few people. Didn't really do too much else but get a map, visited a less-active up there and got a return appointment with her, and just chundo'ed for a while. BUT, as we were coming back, my trainer said hello to someone standing at the bus stop. He started up a basic conversation, and the guy said that he's actually an American citizen (he was a very old Korean - he said 73). He does business in Wonju, America, and Seoul. He has apartments in each area, and will be in Wonju for a little while. So, Elder Lemons started talking to him for a little while, just the basic getting to know him stuff, and we found out that he likes to read the bible. He doesn't have a religion right now, but is interested. So! We got a potential investigator on our hands. A very wealthy, well-to-do man even. One of the first things I've noticed about Korea is that the people here are really intelligent - and they're the ones that're interested in the church!

The same day, we were walking to the church to go prep for our English class, when a guy stops us on the street. He looks at our name-tags first, and then starts talking a lot. I didn't understand anything he said, but my trainer told me that he had seen some missionaries like 20 years ago, and they gave him a BoM. He put it in his garage, and just left it. Until recently, when he refound out and pulled it out and started reading about it. He knows about Moroni, and about Joseph Smith. It's really cool! He said he'll actually come to church this Sunday, too. I hope he will - another potential. ;)

And another current investigator that we have - the 70 year old man Jung jintek that was looking for a job - found one! He said that he'd been praying every night "to the God to help me find job". And he realizes that it's because he's been praying that he found the job! He's such a cool guy. Unfortunately, it'll be harder to meet with him - but I think this is great progress and I'm really happy for him.

That couple that I mentioned last time - Helena and Seo are still doing really great too. I think they're both really really close to baptism. We really haven't met with them very much - the only concern that Helena has been having has been baptism by authority and Joseph Smith. She understands that our church has power - that we may even be the true church, and she totally knows the BoM are God's words. But, she is really confused as to why she'd have to get baptised again. When she get baptised as a Presbyterian she knew that she was entering into a covenant with God, so... Why do it again? Next time we plan on teaching her about authority and about the Holy Ghost. It's gunna be fun!

That's an update on some wonderful happenings out here in Korea Land. I hope you're all doing well out there in 미국! Did you know America in Korean translates to "Beautiful Land"? Cool huh?

Now some funny stories about strange school-attenders:

as we were walking around yesterday trying to find the bus station that would get us up to hwengsung, we got lost. Of course. This place is confusing! So, we asked a few people and started to try and talk to some people. Everyone was really nice - but on the flip side, since it was a nice day, there were a lot of people out. Mostly females for some reason, and little kids. I don't really know why. We kept passing by females in Jr. High and High School that would just stare at us. one group of girls made really funny noises when we passed by them. I couldn't stop laughing. And little kids kept staring at us, too. Everyone keeps saying "Ah!Foreigners!" or, "Wow! Americans!" And then my trainer and I say hello, and they laugh and giggle to themselves. I asked Elder Lemons if it ever gets old - he said no. :D

And also, while we were up in hwengsung, we found a group of high school guys playing basketball. We stopped and watched for a while, and one of them said "Hello! I love basketball!" and we just smiled and said "Great!" (both in English). Then, another kid said "I love you!" I just started laughing. As we kept watching, he said it again. I laughed even more. It just gets me every time - of all the English words they learn those ones! Oh man, it's so funny. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that.

Anyway, not too much else to report. We're in Seoul right now actually - Zone Conference and temple trip. I'm VERY excited! I'll be sure and get all my pictures sent that I've taken up to this point - especially of the temple!

So family and friends and hackers that're attacking the computer that my family and friends are reading this e-mail on, stay happy! Stay healthy! Keep (or start) praying and reading your scriptures! It's fun and good for you. :D

Love,
Elder Webster

Oh it's starting to look a lot like... Korea?

Hi!

Things are still great here. Still very much alive. Last time I checked, anyway. I only check about once a month. Monthly check-ups. Yep.

So anyway, much good is going about here in Korea Land. We're doing a lot of hard work and having a ton of fun. These past couple of days have been 설날 - or Korean New Year. Nothin too exciting went on - mostly just a LOT of food. So much. On Monday I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in delicious Korean munchies. They have this soup call 떡 (duck. Not actually anything to do with a duck, however) that is really good. It's tradition to eat it for Korean New Year - much like how we eat turkey or ham for Thanksgiving or Christmas. But anyway, it's a soup with smashed up rice.. slices. Not quite sure how to describe it, but it's good! I had one bowl on Sunday, and then an investigator or Monday invited us over for food, so there's another bowl, then later that night we had dinner with a member, and there's the third... And then! On Tuesday (yesterday), I had one more bowl with another member. Four total - it was really good. The member from Tuesday is apparently infamous for trying to kill the missionaries by overfeeding them. Yesterday wasn't so bad. Still felt like I was going to pass out, however.

Anyway, we're doing great with our investigators over here too. We met a newly married couple (not actually sure how "newly" they are, but they're young, so.... newly married!) that are perfectly prepared! It's been a lot of fun teaching them - they keep making comments like "Oh yeah, that makes sense..." or, "You know I've always been wondering about that." Ok, as if they aren't going to get baptized... ;) We'll be teaching them the third lesson (Jesus Christ's Gospel) today and we get to teach them about baptism! Yay! No commitment yet (that we have planned), but they're progressing wonderfully.

We haven't had the chance to meet with our other investigators due to the holiday - a lot of people went out of town and whatever else, so that was kind of difficult. But, this upcoming week we'll get back into the swing of things.

So over the past week I've made a list of things in my mind that I'm still getting adjusted to in Korea. Here it goes, from what I can remember:

-Everyone points with their middle finger. It was confusing at first.
-The Buddhist houses or temples use the same sign as the Nazi symbol. it just makes me laugh inside.
-Spitting is ok.
-If you're talking to someone and their phone rings or they see a friend, they'll leave you mid-sentence.
-They love healthy stuff - foods and exercise - but everyone smokes and/or drinks.
-The driving laws - or massive lack thereof. Yesterday and the day before we were walking about, both times heading back to our house. At this particular intersection at night, it apparently attracts the crazy taxi drivers. The gist of the story is that what I've learned about driving in Korea is that it's quite alright to blow through an intersection - red light or not - if you honk your horn or flash your brights as you go through. That's all you need.
-Dryers.
-Hot showers.

I think that's about it. We do sleep on the floor, on these nifty things called a 요 (yo). It's just a fold out padded thing. But since the floor is heated, and they have freakishly comfortable winter blankets - it stays quite warm. Plus, the storage is great!

I've been snapping pictures but haven't quite had the time to get them on the computer yet. Sorry, but I'll try and do that soon. Today is a packed schedule - we're going for a little walk to a cool Buddhist temple with a member and hopefully an investigator.

The members here are great - they all really enjoy the missionaries and totally understand when we screw up in Korean (and by we I mostly mean "I"). But most of all - they do a wonderful job at fellowshipping the people that we invite to church! It's really fun to see. It's almost like an attack mob. I think they coordinate before each sacrament. "Ok Red Alpha, you'll move in from the left and compliment her outfit. Blue Tango, take the rear just to make sure she tries to leave early. Orange Foxtrot, go for the head on and ask her name and about her family. Ok, she's getting up. SWARM SWARM!"

Yep, just like that. I overheard it.

Anyway, sorry for the quick message. Not too much else has been going on. It has been snowing quite a bit the past week, but then it warms up and then melts again. And then it just gets cold, and then it snows, and then it warms up.... And so on. The weather here is much like Utah. I don't know everyone kept saying it was so cold here - it really isn't much different from what I've seen. Although I think the snow is slightly acidic from pollution and other wonderfulness in the air... Don't eat yellow snow, and don't sing the "If all the raindrops were lollipops" song. I don't think it's lollipops, because those would hurt. But, that's the first thing that came to mind.

Anyway! Church is still true. I think. It's hard to understand Korean, so unless the Second Coming already happened and I haven't been informed...

'til next time! :D

Stay happy and stay healthy!

Love,
Elder Webster