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