October 2018-December 2018, Missionary Training Center, Provo, UT

December 2018-March 2019, Gwangju

March 2019-September 2019, Gunsan

September 2019-March 2020, Daejeon

March 2020-December 2020, sent home because of the Coronavirus pandemic and wait to go back to finish mission.

December 2020-March 2021, Suji/Icheon

March 2021-June 2021, Gongju/Sejong

June 2021-July 2021, Bundang

What I’ve learned on my Mission

This has been my last week of my mission. I board my flight tomorrow. Reflecting on my mission I’ve had so many spiritual experiences that continually prove to me the existence of God. I can truly say I’ve learned to see His influence in my life. 
Until this point in my life the time of the greatest change has been from the year before my mission until now. During these last 4 years, I have learned truly what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. A gift. A gift to me given by Christ. This gift is equally and justly given to every person to ever live and that will ever live. 
I have also felt the power of Christ. I’ve felt the power of Christ to fill my weakness. The power to help my unbelief. I’ve felt of the power of Christ to heal, the power he has to take away my sin, to make me clean. I’ve felt the power he has to comfort. The power he has to guide and lead. He has always known me and always loved me. 
Since his time in Gethsemane, he has known my every struggle. He felt my pain. He’s felt my temptations. He wrote me on His hands and on His side. He chose to leave that forever mark on His body that He will never forget me. I won’t have to do that. It’s a debt I can’t pay, but I will attempt to pay it with my testimony. This in order to make His gift available to more of His Children. 
I witness that I have seen him and felt His loving embrace. He lives in this very moment. He is aware of the one. That has enabled me in this mission. Of this I testify, of this I witness, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Week 27- Miracles are prevalent

There have been a lot of miracles in these last weeks 🙂 I saw the spirit touch me and the There has been one question I’ve heard a lot recently. Our friends have asked me, “How can I feel it?” 
Answering this question has required a lot of principles to be explained and personal experiences shared. But I do know that our Heavenly Father wants us to feel. When we feel we will know why we are here and how much our Father in Heaven loves us. When we feel we know what we need to do. We receive I didn’t always know how to do that and guidance offered by an all-knowing guide. As I’ve testified of the power of the Spirit, I’ve had these truths confirmed to me. I continually can have guidance from Him. I just need to learn how to Hear Him.
 I still have to try to do so but the experiences of praying and trying to listen especially during my missionary work has affirmed to be the process. In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
If it’s that important I will do all I can I remember receiving a note with this quote on it a couple years ago and it left me thinking about what I am doing everyday.
to follow Him. If anyone(ANYONE!) wants to hear any of my experiences with the Spirit or questions please message me! Not much time but I love you all and I will see you in the next one!!

Week 25 – Two areas later….

Lots happened in the last two weeks. Big mistake missing last week haha. I will just talk about the spiritual experiences we’ve had.
1) I moved to Daejeon and I began teaching a man I taught when I was in Korea before. His heart has been opened a lot and his family is now living with him. They are very cute and we love them.
A lot of times I felt the Spirit guiding our lessons and what we needed to say and ask. It wasn’t what we planned but what we felt we had to do and it really touched him. He told us he finally came to understand how God understands our trials. In our last meeting he was very serious and said he would read and pray about the Book of Mormon. If he feels it is true he will be baptized and said he might even want to become a “Mormon missionary”, haha. 
2) I was transferred up to a city up north for the end of my mission. I will be up by the office. We taught a member and while preparing we prayed and talked about what to teach. We decided to teach about Family History and Temples and how through making promises with God we can live with our families forever. 
When we taught with us she got emotional as she shared her testimony of exactly what she was talking about. She told us some miracles in her life. Her Husband had been investigating the church for 20 years before he got baptized. She told us about the day they all got sealed together for time and all eternity as a family. 
In the temple these promises can be made for those who have passed away and they can choose to accept it. That is why we put so much effort into researching our family. In Korea they have a book that most families hold with a record of all of their ancestors from hundreds even thousands of years back. This book is always passed down to the oldest son. She explained the miracle of how her husband, who is the only member of the church and is the 5th of 8 brothers, but for some reason, when his parents passed away, the book was given to him. They don’t know why but they have the chance to input all of these people into their online family history. 
We ended the lesson and we all knew that we were led to teach that. It was very spiritual.
More to say but this is getting a little long. I love being able to serve as a missionary and know more than ever it is the most important work. I will see you guys in the next one.

Week 23 – My Last Area in Korea

Okay I’m starting starting with a quick story from some time last year.
I was driving on state street twards Pacific talking with my Dad on the phone. The miracle of Bluetooth. I was trying to figure out what my next step was. I tried getting council but I didn’t feel it was helping. I said in a moment of frustration, 
“No one gets what I’m feeling right now, no one has ever had this problem. No one’s been stuck like this before!”
My dad laughed a bit and said,“You know what you’re right. I can’t fully understand. You’re going to have to figure it out.“
I was later thinking about how wrong both of us were. No one a could talk to face-to-face understood I felt, but I was forgetting Him.
“And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death…””And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth”
He understands EVERY temptation, feeling of fatigue, amount of loneliness and misunderstanding. It’s in His power to Sympathize. 
Belief in Him is what qualifies us for blessings and prepares us to receive the answers we need I know this is true.
I’ll make this short, this week has been full of every emotion maybe. Right now it’s all balanced out. I’m going to my new area tomorrow for my last transfer in 대전1st ward. I’m excited for these final 6 weeks. There is still a lot to do. See you in the next 6 of ’em!!

Week 21 – Culture of our lives!!

What a week!!! It’s been a good week. I’ve learned a lot these last few weeks. I’ll start with a quick review.
We went to Jeonju and I wore (no dad, not a costume) a traiditional Korean outfit. It’s pretty normal and worn on special occasions in Korea. We learned about Culture. We make the culture of our lives!! And more importantly, the culture of our eternal families.
What culture are we creating?
We had a baptism and a friend I used to teach joined over zoom. It’s a blessing to have technology and he was able to learn what baptism even is. He thought it was really cool. The spirit is born in powerful ways when a Child of God makes a promise like that with their father in Heaven.
One of the newly reactivated members in our ward came to church and gave a message introducing himself. Then that night, his son who we lost contact with texted us back!! He has a a lot of potential and wants to get baptized he just got in a weird situation but we should be able to see him this week 🙂
I’ll finish with a quote that helped me learn about faith. I want to think of it more in the coming months.

Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.

Your mountains may be loneliness, doubt, illness, or other personal problems. Your mountains will vary, and yet the answer to each of your challenges is to increase your faith…

The Savior is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith.

Think about it this week!! Love you all and see you in the next one.

Week 19 – Happy happy week

This week was toughhhhhhhh. But wow I learned a lot and endured and I continue to understand Christ more. 
I challenge anyone reading this paragraph to think about the last week. Seven days. Think about the hard things and bad feelings you felt. Loneliness, inadequacy, regret, shame, guilt, dissapointment, maybe even just not wanting to do something you know you had to.
Okay.
Now if you’re still reading and didn’t do it keep thinking. But I bet something came to mind. 
Now if you know anything about Jesus Christ or who He is, then take a moment and think about that feeling or those feelings and how, when, or where He must have felt them. 
Now if you don’t really know much about him that’s okay. Simply put, whether we believe or know it or not, Jesus Christ prayed to God and individually suffered every pain or mistake ever to be made or that will be made for all of us.
What does this mean??? It means when we make mistakes, we can be cleansed of them and be comforted that Christ understands every single one. You can also read these verses slowly as well 🙂 

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind…and he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities… that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent… Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink
Think and ponder these!! There are more of these scriptures and they ever so slowly help us have a more complete understanding of Him. 
I’ll let this one go for this week but I just want everyone to know in a very real way God loves every single one of us independent of each other. Strength and motivation emit brightly from this eternal truth. Love you all. Until the next one!!

Week 18 – Miracles and Sacrifice

Wow what a week. We saw a lot of miracles. To keep it quick, I went to the office and got my new companion. He just came from his home in Busan. We get along good and work really effectively together 🙂 I’m really happy and am growing in a lot of new ways. I feel very consecrated and we our focused on our purpose all the time. To help others come unto Christ. I love this work. It’s work for sure but it’s great.
We met a lady in the street, she wanted to know why other people call us a cult and what’s different about us haha. She was pretty honest but we like that. Turns out she’s known one of our members for years and wants to attend a church. We’re meeting her this week over zoom.
Today our schedule is mixed up because we had 3 appointments that we just had to get in before we hit the road tomorrow. We met a friend of another Elder in our mission and he’s really special. Super nice and kind and seems very sincere. 
This week I’ve internalized more and more the life and sacrifice of Christ. Repentance. A process and blessing that has changed my life and continually changes me. This scripture stuck out to me recently.
“…I will give up all that I posess… that I may receive this great joy… I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead and be saved at the last day.”
What am I willing to give? God requires sacrifice. The reward is well worth it. The privilege to sacrifice is so precious. It strengthens me. I will give away anything to know Him. To learn more and be assured of where I go after this life and who it will be with. If my family isn’t right there with me, what will it be worth? 
I love you all and just wanted your to remember, “… the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” Love you all 🙂

Enjoy to the End!!!

This started in 2018 and it’s almost 3 years later. It’s taken a lot of forms and places but my mission has continued and the end will officially be dated as July 27th this year.
 I’m thankful to every read email and email sent from from all of you. My mission has meant a lot to me and it’s not finished. So much change and adjustment has happened it’s made me a better person but more importantly a more intentional follower of Christ.  
Lots of people especially on this list I haven’t seen in a while but I think about a lot. Love you all tons and wish the best for the coming months. If you aren’t and want to be on my weekly please let me know. 
I want to just let people know my love for the Savior. Understanding of His love and understanding has enabled me in this work. I feel enabled forever and indebted eternally. There is no greater joy than in Him. That’s why I’m here again.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Week 15 – No fire

Okay so no fire this week but it was still a good one. The focus was General Conference. We shared our testimonies with so many members and It was good to hear theirs as well. I talked about how I came to know Russel M. Nelson is God’s prophet. 
I remember studying and praying over his words while I was quarantining when I got home from Korea and I had a strong feeling and conviction. From then I’ve always really known. More than belief. 
Study of the Gospel will change behavior more than a study of behavior will. 
That’s a rough quote from Russell M. Ballard but it’s true. I learn so much more of the Gospel when I hear the prophets voice and even through scripture. I’ve seen my behavior change in my life especially when I have read the Book of Mormon. I feel like I resemble the Savior more when I read it. I invite any and all to do so. Love y’all and I’ll see y’all in the next one.

Week 14 – Fire in the Kitchen

This week just felt uplifting spiritually. We had a lesson with our brother and he told of just his conversion and everything. We taught of the Plan of Salvation and all of it’s parts. At the end after we testified that we knew this plan is true and real, I felt prompted to ask him to share his testimony. He spoke of how the knowledge of this plan has carried him through the last few months. He lost his mom suddenly in February and that’s been hard but he knows where she is. We loved his testimony. 
Okay crazy story so we had to prepare an online Family Home Evening and I was making some fried rice and 2 minutes before this meeting I put some oil in the pan and something happened because that fire went up and into the pan. Next thing my companion can see is me on my knees holding this pan with flames literally to the ceiling. I waited a second and it didn’t stop and I pulled it away from the stove panicked. Another second and then it suddenly died and was completely gone. But it was too late. Our room and apartment building got triggered and there were fire sirens going off and a loud voice just saying, “leave immediately, there is a fire!” on the intercom. Well yeah so we grab some masks and the phone with the zoom call and oh boy we ran and tried telling the office it wasn’t real and that it was gone but it took a while and we were getting checks from security people for our fire alarm the next couple days haha.
Lastly we’ve been watching words of the prophets at general conference. I have felt my heart change on a lot of fears I’ve had. I have a lot more faith than I have had on the happiness awaiting us after this life. I know God has great things in store for those who follow him. I’m excited for this next week and I’ll see you guys in the next one!!

Up to week 13! The return of Daejeon

It’s been a month so let’s squeeze this in. At one point in talking with president about the transfer he said he’s moving me out of the office for my last few transfers. I’ve seen so many miracles in how President has guided the mission. He’s prayerful and I know everything is inspired.
I’m serving in Gongju!! We also cover Sejong, the administrative capital outside of Seoul. Basically Seoul is too full and overpopulated so they just picked a spot and made a city about 15 years ago. So everything’s really nice and new we always called it a wonderland. I love both areas.
My companion is Elder Carmack! He was always told he would never have an American companion because of the ratio of Koreans to foreigners but here we are. The only all foreign companionship in the mission for now at least. It’s fun though. We get along great and he’s a really diligent and obedient elder, I love him!
I worked with a lot of the stake leaders here before when I served in Daejeon Stake so I recognize a lot of people it’s so nice. There are a lot of really kind people who have done a lot for us especially when all the foreigners had to go home. 
We’re learning the area and how to find people. But we started teaching a friend from Hellotalk who has such a desire to learn and yearns to know where she’s going after this life. The thing is she lives in absolute mainland China and she’s originally from Myanmar. The Book of Mormon hasn’t been translated in her local dialect yet but she want’s to read it in English she’s decided. There isn’t a single church building in her home country but I believe she can recognize truth.  She is learning a lot about God. We are so excited for her. Please pray for her to understand especially when it’s not her native tongue. But I know she will be able to feel. Serving in a mission outside my native language has helped me to recognize the spirit’s power. God will not leave any of us alone in the knowledge of this gospel.
Lastly before I see y’all in the next one, we went to an old fortress and palace. The city I live in used to be the capital of one of the kingdoms of ancient Korea. It made me think of when we went to the fortress with a lot of other missionaries when President Madsen went home. Then we talked of building our own fortresses. That includes scripture study, prayer, taking quiet time for spiritual experiences, and other things as well. I’d invite everyone reading this to do something this week to build your fortress. Love y’all. Until the next one!!

Week 7 + 8

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Hello! Okay, so these last weeks have been some of the busiest I’ve had. We were out all week doing exchanges and I got to see a lot of good people. Even my companion from over a year ago in September 2019. Wow it’s been a while we’re both so old now haha. After that, this week we got some missionaries in and set them up with their quarantine. I know how it is.
We started teaching one new friend over video call. He’s really nice and we call him everyday to help him. He wants to learn about how to keep God’s commandments and get strength and help to do that. I”ve had very spiritual experiences that I know the Book of Mormon will help us spiritually and even temporarily. I’ve gotten real help from reading the scriptures to overcome temptation and grow more into who God wants me to be. 
I love this opportunity and to be back around these people. I’m excited to see what these last few months have in store. It’s not time to slow down but to speed up. I love this work and appreciate the privilege to be worthy of it through God’s help. I love you guys and I’ll see y’all in the next one.

Week 4 + 5 + 6

Okay, so the last couple of weeks have been a rush. So many meetings and learning. We had a General Authority (church leader) visit our mission and it was great. I learned more of the importance of the Book of Mormon and likening it. Such a powerful lesson. We just read scriptures with Him for hours and it instilled a lot into me. I made a lot of connections with the Gospel this week. It was actually in my Language study but it was really spiritual. I could ramble on about it. Maybe I will haha.
So I was talking to a friend in Brazil about the gospel and told her I was a missionary. She’s Christian too and she asked if I believed in predestination(The idea that God has a perfect plan and our path is already set. Whatever will happen is set and we can’t change it because God set His perfect plan). I had had a lesson on it a year and a half ago in Korean sooooo I did some more study. Basically, I told her about Free Agency (the right to choose) and how we have control. God let us choose. He does have a perfect plan for us but it is contingent on us making the right choices. I hope we all progress to using this precious gift wisely. For if we keep the basic commandments of God He will add more and more to us in the process of refinement. We all may have missions given to us to accomplish, it is up to us to fulfill them. We will mess up and God always allows repentance and we learn to not make the mistake again, but it would have been better we never made that mistake and we worked on a higher law and grow in different ways. I know God will guide us if we follow Him. He cannot guide a boat without a sail. He loves us and will support us and even forgive us. I love all of you guys and I am thankful for the opportunity I have to serve the Korean people for these last four months. See you all in the next one. 

Week 3 – Cross country and Back

This week we had exchanges and two days of zone conferences so it literally feels like it FLEW  by but I’ll give it a go. So we had a lot of stuff with zone conferences that I put in a picture below and two exchanges, one in my old area!! I saw an old friend I used to teach and introduced to the missionaries there. I also went to the restaurant that I used to go to a lot and the owner we taught a bit. It was good to be back and then in Jeongeup where I had been before as well. We’re teaching new people and I’ve seen a lot of miracles that we thought were not miracles. 

Week 2 – The work begins!!

Anthony Harley <anthony.harley@missionary.org>	Jan 11, 2021, 1:09 AM
to bcc: me

This week has been really good. First week really getting in it. We’re busy but have been able to find and there have been such blessings and miracles. I know God loves everyone and helps them in their lives. I love the opportunity to testify of His love to others. 
I also got to go on some exchanges. We got Elder Gibb out of quarantine finally and I was his companion before his actual companion haha. Also I went with Elder Lind!! He was my companion when we all went home. It was so cool to see how he’s grown and everything. So fun. I have to go but I love this work and want to give it everything I have in these last six months. Everyone has been kind if surprised I’m even here but I feel like I need to be here. I love the people and the work here. It’s not easy but I’m getting real help everyday. I live you all and see you in the next one!!

Week 1 – Christmas and New Year’s from a box

Okay so long story short. Christmas me and Elder Gibb were scheduled to be released. Not to be. I get a call on Christmas Eve that on my 3rd test (they tested me two more times) I tested positive for COVID (I had Covid 2 months ago so naturally, it still comes up) Because it was international they wouldn’t take my documents so I had to hardcore quarantine another 10 more days in an isolation facility. I live with a man who actually has Covid. So that was fun, but there’s been a real purpose for it. I’ve learned a lot the last week and am really ready to get out and serve. I also got to teach my roommate. I had a friend of a friend who could help translate and teach him because they both speak Russsian. It’s been an interesting experience. We also found another really cool girl we’re teaching from Kenya. She has such great faith! She bore her testimony to us of the Holy Ghost and she is searching to know more and more truth. 
Yesterday I studied about fasting and thought what it is. At first I thought of it maybe being going without something you need but I think of us being invited to do social media fasts. I think this meaning of the term is resisting what we are inclined to do. Our body wants to eat, sleep, stimulate our brains with phones, and a lot of other things. When we put away the distractions that cause these inclinations, then we can focus on what is most important in our lives, that of eternal significance. I thought of missionary work as a fast. Not doing all the things that I want to do and think I should be doing for a time to focus on what is most important. I realized my testimony of fasting, in that we really do grow spiritually through fasting. The first time I remember very distinctively was at a fast and testimony meeting while listening to someone bear their testimony. I know that we can be guided by God through the spirit and I know that fasting brings us spiritual strength. 
Love you all and I’ll see you in the next one!!

Week a lot – start over again so this is week 0

Hey all of y’all!!! I’m so happy to do this again. So on the 11th I got to touch back down after an amazing plane ride. I got to meet a member of the church on the plane and we had a great discussion. He helped me remember and think about who the Savior is and why he’s done what he’s done. I feel like this first friend in Korea will be one of many miracles these next few months. 
I’ve been in quarantine the last week and a half and I’ve been finishing up finals. Basically, I got special permission to do finish my finals from the missionary department and did them while in quarantine. They said I could bring my laptop and stuff (which is very weird and NOT  the norm haha). So I did those and those went fine. I’m finally free from those.
I’ll have a fun story about getting tested next week, but I got to go. I’ll be in the real world then (hopefully). See y’all in the next one!!

I’m Back to finish my Mission!

Week 73- A waiting game

Hello Everybody. This last bit of time has been tough, trying, strange, and sacred. A lot of times where I have to ask myself what am I doing and what my purpose is. But at the same time when hard times come and we respond correctly, they are means of growth and hope. My testimony has been strengthened and I’ve understood the Savior and my relationship with him on another level.
My 2 week isolation ended 9 days ago on Saturday but we are now playing the waiting game. Just exercising patience and obedience.
I’ve also had a lot of time with my family to cook, work, serve, and learn (Pictures below). They are great and I love them. There are a myriad of ways blessings have come these last few weeks. Not saying it hasn’t been one of the hardest things. But we can have the burdens placed upon our shoulders eased that we don’t feel them on our backs. And that’s a blessing. Love you all and will most definitely see you in the next one.

Week 71- Another Path

This week was crazy. Lots of stuff a lot of you may know. The big stuff is that the missionaries got sent home. We got a call at 10am on friday about it and had to be at a meeting point to go to Incheon by 8pm. Next day we all took planes to America. I then walked into a world of different culture, a language I know fluently, and my family. Really strange. I’ll be staying here for 14 days in self Isolation to monitor for the Corona Virus(which the likeliness of me having is minute). I’ve been reassigned and will be going to the Baton Rouge Mission. Most of Lousiana and Mississippi. My grandpa actually served in that area as the Southern States Mission and my aunt did to as the Jackson Mississippi Mission. Kind of crazy. There’s been a lot of emotions and it’s been pretty tough to be honest. It’s hard to say goodbye to the Korean people. I just know how incredible they are and how much they need this message. But I know God loves them and he is guiding every piece in this complicated puzzle. I am expecting to be able to return to Korea. I still have at least 7 months left. This next week will be a lot of inside time looking to do missionary work through technology. It will be an interesting time. Love you all and I will see you in the next one with a small update on how It’s gone before I go to Louisiana. 

Week 70- Another week of fun

Modified Schedule

Week 69- A new phase of work

This week took a bit of a turn as a lot of you know. We had a few things going. We were going to have two new teaching friends when we got a text from the mission that we will be self-isolating until further notice. In other words, just staying in the house. This is because of an outbreak of the Corona Virus in Korea. It’s been tough staying inside all day and trying to just proselyte with technology. But at the same time, we’ve learned a TON of how much we’ve been not utilizing the technology we’ve been given. I think this is also something we needed and God knows that. One of the last kids we met and gave a Book of Mormon to has been reading it! Instead of trying to get an appointment to meet up we’ve talked with him about it over text and are planning to call him. We’ve seen other missionaries teach people over video call too! It’s so cool to see. So with that it was just a “boring” week in the house. Elder Lind made French Toast on my birthday only because he’s awesome. But we’re all safe. No problems with the virus or anything it’s all just precautions. Everything is fine. I still love missionary work and am excited to take the challenge that lays ahead. But like when Nephi needed to make a boat (Try reading The Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17!) or when the brother of Jared needed light (Ether 3), there is a way prepared by the Lord. I love you all and will see you in the next one! 
Ps Here’s one of my favorite scriptures I will be thinking about a lot this week 🙂
“And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.” 

Week 68-One team left

This week was a roller coaster. On tuesday there was an emergency transfer and some other stuff and we lost two elders in our house and that was really tough. Lost all motivation. Probably only felt that way twice on my whole mission. We didn’t really want to do anything. So we just went to the post office and I was reading the Book of Mormon and I just got it all back. I realized even when we’re tired and going through stuff we can’t ever do  nothing. Obviously that’s just a good principle. But the Book of Mormon puts it in a way to realize what is most important all the time. It was just really what I needed. Whenever I read the Book of Mormon it helps. Its great. 
Then we went on a split with the Assistants in Suji. It was a really good time. Really just hitting the pavement. Then we missed two buses and got home super late. Refer to picture below. Anyway, we are now ready to put in some work this week, it’s really great. Oh! Also we got to meet a woman Thelma, from the Philippines, and we met with her a few times until we referred her to the 1st ward Sisters. Well 2 weeks later she has a Baptismal date!! It’s really cool she was really prepared. So happy! Anyway, that’s it and I’ll see you all in the next one!!

Week 67-New Friends!!

Let’s cut to the chase, we met some new people! We met our doctor friend and had pig feet. Not bad. We had a Chapel tour and taught him about the Holy Ghost. He was actually really interested in the Holy Ghost and how we can feel it. He’s so kind and has a real desire to learn. We also got to meet a Filipina and share with her the Book of Mormon. We shared Ether 12:27 and it was cool to see how much that clicked with her. She is now really open to the Book of Mormon. We had to refer her to the sisters in 1st ward but it’s all the same work! She went to church there and loved it. I love serving here in Korea. I learn so much about the Culture, the Language, Growth, God. It’s so special. But the most important thing I’ve learned is the power of the Atonement and how much God loves us. A lot of that has come from the Book of Mormon. It’s so true and I love it so much. Have an awesome week everybody and I’ll see you in the next one!!

Week-66-A new Transfer!!

This week was a hard one with goodbyes. But Also a new beginning!! I said goodbye to Elder Ames. He was a great companion. Seriously love him so much. This week half the week was head to and back from Seoul amd stuff. I’m training a new missionary again. My new companion’s name is Elder Lind!! He’s great. We’ve been working hard trying to meet our friends and visit members. And always open our mouths. So everyone in our house got transferred except for me. We’ve got to meet our friend at his traditional korean hospital place. We’ll meet him again for dinner tonight. Fun stuff.

Week 64- Learning from others!!

This week had an amazing opportunity to hear from President Choi from the Seventy for Mission Tour. It’s was actually an amazing experience. I was thinking a lot of how I am doing as a missionary and in my leadership responsibilities. I learned exactly what God needed me to learn then. It was incredible. I know that we can learn to progress and become from Christ as we look to others. All of us have those Christlike qualities and gifts and all those in my life up to my point  have shown those to me to some point. I get to continue that path of learning from others for the rest of my life. We just need to be humble and seek God’s will and we will grow more and more to the brighter day. I’m thankful for such an opportunity!

Week 62- Christlike-Attributes

Week 61- 2020 New Year!!

Hello everyone!! The last two weeks have been great and crazy.  So now there’s four of us in the Daejeon house. It’s me and Elder Ames and Elder King is in the other companionship. We’ve had some great opportunities to find and be able to work together in our efforts. It’s been great. Just the opportunities lately to just talk to people about our message has been really good. We got to have a split with the Sejong elders (below) and for New Years climb a mountain with our ward as a part of the annual Korean tradition of doing that for the first sunset of the year. We take all of our hopes for the new year down and begin to work towards our goals!!  I’m also now 21 years old in Korea. I have a lot of experiences out here that I know God still leads us and our leaders today. I know that is true and God has not left us. 200 years ago God showed us that through a prophet. That’s is one of the biggest parts of our message as missionaries. I love you guys and hope you have an incredible 2020. I’ll see you in the next one.

Week 59- The Christ Child

This week we got to come together to do an activity last night where we sang to people and gave out hot chocolate. It was really cool we got to talk with some other leaders to do one where we show the The Christ Child video. But just learning about working with members has been big this week and we’ve seen the results and it’s truly the greatest way. We also got to have a showing of the video at our church and share it with others and get to testify to them. It was really good. I got to go but I’ll see y’all in the next one.

Week 58-Light the World Season

I don’t even know what has happened lately it has gone so fast. It’s been raining lately and maybe even snowing. We went out with matching umbrellas to visit some members like in the picture haha. But we also had a lot of success with family history lately. We talked with a recent convert about it and are really going to try and get him to the temple. We also used it with an 18-year old who came to our english class. But it’s been really cool to see. If you don’t know what family history is SEARCH IT!! (familysearch.org) Go see what it is.

Week 56-Light the World!

Week 55- When there’s no one to turn to

Week 54- A new face

We have Elder Ames, Everybody!! It’s so wonderful. He is awesome. Somehow every single one of my companions has been the one we both needed. I’m really proud of every single one of them for their obedience and example of hard work. 7 in a row! So he’s from Missouri. I was up in Seoul for 3 days so we were out for a little bit in Daejeon but we’re back. I’ll throw some pictures down below. We got to talk with people on the subway for 2 hours with all the newly come missionaries from the airport to the mission home. Not my favorite method but we got to talk and find some people. Well Elder Ames is from Missouri and we are scary alike. He reminds me a lot of myself, especially when I was getting trained. He’s awesome. We are ready to work hard and find these people.Kind of out of things, there were lots of planning and adjusting and traveling this week. I will share some more next week of the work here. I just love being here and now everyday more and more that this is the Lord’s work. It happens in all parts of the world. At home and in Korea. I love you guys. See you in the next one.

Week 53- Another sad goodbye…

Welp, today’s the day. Me and Elder Oh head up to Seoul today and Elder Oh goes to Provo, Utah tomorrow. I’ll be training again this next transfer so I’ll send a new companion picture next week after I get him. This week has been another fast week. It felt slow but it wasn’t. We had a halloween party on Saturday that I don’t have pictures of yet but it was really fun. We had like 5 missionary teams there and it was still a ton of work. Lots of just work and finding was done but what I really loved was my progress in being able to learn from the Book of Mormon. I think learning to really enjoy and love things can be a progress sometimes. I wouldn’t like watching Nascar cars drive 200 loops for hours but I’m sure if I tried it myself and learned of it I would be one of the thousands who paid good money for a ticket with a hot dog. I just haven’t tried it and stayed with it. But different from watching Nascar races, though that’s not a bad thing, Learning to really learn and feast upon the Book of Mormon provides the peace of this life and the truths that reach throughout time. The blessings begin to pour out as we learn and practice to listen to the spirit, read the Book of Mormon with real intent, and pray with a real humility. I’m still learning and have a long way to go but the path continues to grow wider and the light brighter and brighter. I am more than learning but seeing the gospel and progress it enables us to create. I just want to say I am thankful for the Book of Mormon and for stability in a living prophet, but above all A Father in Heaven who knows every right decision and what we need to do for our well being. As we learn to follow the rules that bring us to those right decisions we grow with eternal progression. That’s worked for me. It’s worked for those I’ve gotten to teach and who continue forward. It works for us all. I love to serve in Korea and continue the greatest work on earth. I have so little time to do it. Love you guys. See you in the next one.

Week 52 – Well here we are…

So the year-mark is come and gone. It’s been over a year since this journey has started. But it’s not the down hill. It’s just going to keep going up. This week we had lots of splits and it’s been non-stop. Three-in-a-row was a fun one. But we were able to do lots of finding and work around our area. This week we had zone conference. That was a good time to learn about using our time wisely. It was pretty good. These last 4 weeks I have learned so much about using time wisely. It’s been so good. We’ve been using our time to actually find and just using our time effectively. We’ve actually been able to find some really good people. We’ll see how they progress in the next couple weeks and I’ll follow up with them. To be honest I actually got sick the last day and it’s been a little down lately. But this is my last week with Elder Oh. It’s so sad. He’ll be headed to Anaheim, California on the 29th. I love him, he is an incredible missionary and do so much good in the mission field.  I’ll follow up more in the next email. See you all in the next one!

Week 51-Took a trip to Seoul

Another week and I’m back. It’s been so fast. Only two weeks left with Elder Oh, he got his visa this week so he goes to Anaheim the 29th. Because of that we had to go to Seoul. Very crazy. Anyway, we’re still each week getting used to this area. So busy finding and trying to teach. The work goes so fast when you don’t stop. I’ve learned of the power of goal setting and fulfilling these plans with God’s help. We won’t always fulfill those goals but we show our will being with God’s will as we set righteous goals to help God’s children. That’s the invitation. Set a righteous goal prayerfully. See what power that gives you.

Week 50- 2 weeks

Here’s a short one with pictures. The last two weeks I’ve been 대전. It’s been incredible. I know God communicates with his children. He does so in different various ways. Our growth can continue as we try and exercise faith. We will be supported in all of our righteous efforts.

Fwd: 김세님 형제님~^^

Anthony Harley	Oct 7, 2019, 1:01 AM
to Brenda, me

My dongi is serving in my area in nongseong in gwangju and she prepared someone i taught for baptism. Here are the pictures

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Criliza Joy Ibera
Date: Mon, Sep 23, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Subject: Re: 김세님 형제님~^^
To: Anthony Harley

Hey~~ everything okay?? How are you?? 김세민 was baptized yesterday, congratulations!

On Mon, Sep 9, 2019, 3:31 PM Criliza Joy Ibera wrote:

Hey, do you remember him? He is getting baptize on sunday, He remembers you and Elder Lugod, He said you taught Him. It was so nice to do the Harvest with all your efforts, He is prepared, pray for him too. Congratulations!!!

Here in Busan mission, we have a culture of putting on the baptismal program all people who help the person getting baptized will be written there, I will put yours and Elder Lugod!! Congratulations!!!

Week 48- Daejeon!

Week 47- the Island!

Week 46- Ward Conference

Hello! Its been a couple weeks and a few fun things have happened. We’ve started teaching a couple of people, a result of our invitation we received to open our mouths to people 2x as much. We got to go to Namwon and paint some murals for service which was lots of fun of course. Pictures are below. But the big thing was our ward conference. We have been preparing for this thing since I came to Gunsan. The song that we sang for the Saturday music night is a song that I have been singing for almost 6 months. Lots of other wards came and just some really cool cultural stuff we got to see as well as great lessons. Sunday was the actual church meeting. The best was when one of our ward members told of how he used to not like coming to church just because it’s long, and the clothes can be uncomfortable and just that stuff. He didn’t come for a long time. But he came to an English class with me and Elder Giroux. He said he just felt good. Being in the church was a good feeling. He’s been coming ever since. And because of these things our lives can be blessed. A thing that is brought up a lot in our classes in the word “standard”. Kind of just like how is the standards of God and those following his commandments different from the world. I’ve realized more deeply how by keeping our standards high people can just see that. It is an outward appearance of an internal choice to follow what our Father in Heaven has given us. Because of that, people can have those good feelings and those who are spiritually thirsty may find where they may drink. It’s a great blessing to lead guide those who are curious and want to know more. All of us should be looking to know more. As His children that is our privilege. We just need to look up. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. I see that shown to me time and time again in new and different ways. I’m so thankful for the restored Gospel and the blessings it entails. I know it is the path to lasting happiness. In this life and the next. I got to go right now but I of course want to say I love you all and I’ll see you in the next one.

Week 44- A fast one

This week has been fast. We met with a member and were really able to help him and uplift him and I think it was one of those little moments like that, that I will miss the most. We met with a member who hasn’t been to church in a while. He is so nice to us and we have a really great relationship with him. We read in The Book of Mormon with him in 3 Nephi. In this part, Christ appears to the people and shows the marks in his hands and his feet and in his side. All go forward One by One to witness for themselves of that. Christ had them witness of that truth One by One. In that same way he knows us One by One. This is something I though about at church, everything Christ did for us was done for us individually. Yes, it was done for all of us. But Christ suffered each and every single one of us. Because of that, he knows each and every single one of us. I was promised that, “Knowing you are a One will enable you in your mission.” This applies in a very real way to all of us in our missions on this Earth. As we come to know and internalize this simple truth, that enables us to continue forward when it is hard.

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Week 43- Personal progression

This week has been full of a lot of learning that I’m really excited about. I’ve learned in particular about following God in our work. Me and my awesome companion, Elder Kovacs, are both here to work hard and try to talk to everyone. That’s been the focus. Talking to EVERYONE. Trying to not let people pass by and not get to hear our message. It’s something we, as missionaries have a strong urge to share with everyone. As a member of Christ’s church there are blessings that you can’t help but want to share as you are living them yourself. This week we met a lot of people on the street due to the goals we set and working towards them. We’ve learned the value of goal setting this week. But, most importantly, We have learned a lot more about following the Holy Ghost. Following God’s will for us can be hard. And also, not make sense. That’s how it’s been in a lot of my cases. And sometimes I don’t ever see the reason or result of the decision. Which has lead me at times to think it’s not the Spirit talking. Doubts, and overall, what must be fear come in. Well, yesterday evening, we had planned to take a car because we are really blessed to have a missionary Senior Couple at the military base who live so close and love to help us. Well as we prayed to  know where to go, we both had the feeling that we didn’t need to go far. It was very distinct. It was kind of hard to tell Elder Thompson to just go home. He had come out of his way to help us. But he completely understood. As we were out we met a lot of people. People I know we were supposed to meet. Especially one college student the same age as us. He shared about his relationship with God and how prayer has helped him. He was really great and we’re going to meet him again this week. One of the most promising contacts I’ve made here in Gunsan. I just want to encourage all of you to be bold. Do something even if it is hard or doesn’t make sense. When we come back to the Lord like Samuel of old and say, “Speak [Lord], for your servant heareth.”, we receive guidance on what we must do.

Week 42- Found. Found. Found.

Hello everyone!!! The work here has been good. We’ve found a full family to teach. They are really nice and LOVE sports. They are progressing slowly but surely. It’s really great. We also had a music night where we sang I am a Child of God and other songs for the ward. A lot of other VERY talented people came and played. It was really good. Quite a few friends came. We got to teach a lot this week and it’s been wonderful to see the gifts God has given us. Me and Elder Kovacs have been able to teach well with just a year of experience between us (not a lot, we’re very young). The language has been able to flow and we’ve been able to help these people. We’re not perfect. Some lady asked me today do you know Korean perfectly? I said no. I have so much I have to learn. But that’s the motivation we have to grow. But now with God’s help we can do what He needs us to do  for his Children in Gunsan, Korea. We had another friend. Who we hadn’t been able to meet for a while because he was busy, but in the last month he read half of the Book of Mormon. This kid in 9th grade read all the way to Alma 28. I’d let this be an example to myself and everyone. How badly do we want to know truth? How high is that on our list of priorities? I think it should probably be higher on mine. But I’m thankful for the opportunity to teach here. But also to learn here. And to help those who have questions. I’m thankful for this opportunity everyday. It’s wonderful.

Week 41- The Los(Las) Elders

Hello Everyone! So This week I received my new companion!! His name is Elder Kovacs and he is from Los Angeles! He’s been out for 4 months so we’re a pretty young companionship and so ready to work! Us and the Thompson’s actually threw together a Pioneer Day dinner on Wednesday and the Ward loved it! It was really fun. We got to share a story of the Pioneers and relate there experiences to the gospel. It was really great. We have also been working on visiting all the members in our ward. That’s our goal and we are very serious about it. The weather here has been at 99% for the last few days and it has not been easy to get out and knock on a bunch of doors and figure out where everyone moved to. But we progress. We also found some guys who owned a Korean Chicken shop. We ended up getting chicken there and talking to them for an hour or so and a bit about the gospel.  They were fun but not super interested it seemed. But that’s just there first contact with missionaries. Every little thing we do and “brush” with the church they have can be a cause for effect later down the road. That works for all of us. Every time we choose the right thing over the wrong thing people see that. And maybe they don’t say anything. They admire it. It can lead as an example for others to know what kind of decisions to make when they are ready to make them. That’s really the beauty of it. Line upon line. Precept upon precept. I challenge you all to be patient with yourselves as you change decision after decision. That’s something I’m still learning and working on everyday. Because that’s the point of it. I love you all and I’ll see y’all in the next one.

Week 40- Find. Find. Find.

Week 38- Obedience brings Blessings

Week 35- A friend!

Hey so this week has been a good one. We did a lot. We got to teach a friends who we found from English class. He’s really good at English. He’s actually an interpreter. But he came to church and we taught him afterwards. He’s too nice. We also went to Daejeon and I was with the office Elder there for a bit. It’s different up there. It’s strange how all of the cities have these different vibes. I love it. We also had our last interviews with President Madsen on Wednesday. He will be gone and the mission changed come July 1st. It’s happening. It’s not always super easy being here and especially this week there were some hard moments as a missionary but it was all worth it. It’s worth being here. It’s worth seeing the change other people. But it’s more worth the change you see in yourself. No matter what challenge we are in, it really does make us stronger and refine us and is made easier as we rely on God. I’ve seen that recently especially, but it’s still hard. Love you guys. I know this Church is True. I know that as I’ve known the Book of Mormon to be  true as well. Love you guys have an awesome week!! I’ll see ya’ll in the next one.

Week 34- Beware of Pride

Hey! We changed our P-day so I’m late. But this week was tiring to be honest! But I learned a lot. We went to do transfers and I left my bag on the bus. We chased it for four hours and then landed in Jeoungeup. BUT, we actually talked to quite a few people on the way and got an awesome older man’s phone number! We also got to go to a service project at a national cemetery! It was really cool. It’s this HUGE cemetery on the side of a hill. Walking up isn’t easy but it was good to help and put flags next to all the graves. Our ward made an awesome cheesy slideshow that I love. Maybe I’ll send it if I can. We also helped our member move for seven hours on tuesday and that was just a blast. It felt good. The thing I learned the most about this week is pride. To be honest it’s something so so heard to even notice in myself but when I constantly try to look for it and change it I know I can improve. And I thing it needs to be changed with someone right there. Pride can’t exist without another person. If there were no one to be better than we couldn’t physically be proudful. But there ARE people and they are everywhere around us. As we talk with other, identify faults and change we eliminate pride. And there is nothing that strips us of pride more than asking someone, “will you forgive me?”. Something that is actually SO SO hard. But I’ve learned a lot about identifying that in myself and asking for forgiveness. There’s a reason that we get put into companionships, families, couples, etc. Building those relationships is what brings real happiness and learning how to develop those relationships is one of the purposes of our lives. I would invite all of you to try asking someone for forgiveness. Maybe someone you love or you don’t know too well. They will honestly just respect you that much more. If you have any cool experiences with that totally email me about it!! I would love to hear about it. I love you guys. Whatever is ahead of you you can do it!! I’ll wait ’till next week and I’ll see yall in the next one.

Week 33

This week has been full of a lot of stuff. We had a soccer activity with the two lower zones today. We saw a lot of guys that we won’t see after the merge. It was super fun. We also went to the zoo. There’s a picture of me and Elder Giroux with a peacock. There was plenty of other good stuff there.  But I really am low on time today because we were so busy today. We also did a Family home Evening with our friend Jason. We had a blast just drawing each other in under two minutes. We also learned that me and Elder Giroux are very poor artists. Another thing was doing service with the district. We deep cleaned the church and stuff it was great. We also visited this nice modern history museum they have in here in Gunsan but most of it was in Korean so we just saw some cool exhibits I guess. We watched the YSA devotional with the ward and that was real fun. Sorry this email is everywhere and super scattered but we also had the awesome opportunity to go to the American base and attend their branch meeting. We met with a returning member who is just the best. I love seeing his desire to come back after a long time away. Its those people that stay. Sorry for the very sporatic email but I am doing really well in Korea. We are seeing miracles as we work with others and do this work. It’s so incredible to be in a situation to help,serve, and uplift other people and to be a representative of Christ in this capacity. I love it everyday. It’ll be better next week. I’ll se y’all in the next one.

Week 32- 7 months gone??

Week 32- Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Week 31- The 4th transfer- Recognizing Miracles

Week 30- Transfer week

So this week, we did splits again where we just went to a neighboring city Jeongeup and went to a party for a missionary heading home. We also had English class, of course, but without the Thompsons. But we got to just split up with them and talk about them and their interests. It was good. We’ve also had a less active member that we had been wanting to visit, but couldn’t because the doctors at the hospital thought he had Tuberculosis and us visiting just wouldn’t have been safe. Well a couple days ago they actually identified it as lung cancer. Not contagious so we were able to visit but obviously not good. It was kind of hard seeing him laying there breathing so hard. You knew he was fighting something. He wasn’t really able to say much. Us, the Bishop and his Wife just one on one held his hand. I think he was really just glad to have people there for that time. It’s just hard to see our friend like that.

Week 29- Easter Week

Week 28- Finding people is too easy??

The week started off with zone conference! We headed up to Jeonju and learned a lot concerning Easter and other ideas. Apparently May is family month, so that’s a great opportunity. But next up was good. Since zone conference, me and Elder Nam have been focusing on reaching our and visiting people who are less-active. Well we try and just make visits to houses along the way we’re going. Which is usually to the church and back. Of course I was so excited to do it. It feels fulfilling. But I was a little skeptical that the houses right by the church were going to have been constantly visited by previous missionaries. Seemed a little useless. Well we visited this house that is literally right next to the church. Like… literally. It shares a wall. So we knock and a boy answers. We end up discussing about the restoration with him as well as giving him a Book of Mormon. It wasn’t who we were looking for but who we needed to find. In Korea we usually don’t do a lot of door to door tracting. That may have been my first time and it just slammed in my face the importance of NOT SKIPPING THE GIVE-ME’S. Kind of like how we hear all the time and know that we should say morning and nightly prayers and read the Book of Mormon everyday and invite our friends to do the same and yet don’t. I’m grateful that time we didn’t just not knock on the door because it was “too easy” or “there’s no possible way they have interest” We cheat ourselves out of the opportunities that God puts into our lives because there right there and “too easy”.

Week 27- Festivals and Cherry Blossoms

So this week we did a LOT of stuff out and about. This week all of the cherry blossoms bloom and there’s festivals everywhere. So we spent some good hours doing English activities with people. Lots of fun. Below is a picture of all of us at one of the festivals with a member who fed us. Pretty fun. And also beautiful. Seriously like two days ago there was nothing and then the whole city has these cherry trees EVERYWHERE. Really nice. But ya we’ll see what happens of it. We also had General Conference this weekend. It was SO great to watch. Hearing God’s prophet Russell M Nelson speak was incredible. I would highly recommend  watching it for ANYONE. Even if you’re not a member of the Church. I will put a link here. There’s so much to learn from it. Not much more from the week but that those other things were really important. I’m so excited to keep moving on this next week with new thoughts and inspiration. I’ll see you all in the next one.

Week 26- A mild one

Week 25- The 2nd area

So I’m in Gunsan. This area is super awesome because there is an american military base where a senior couple serves. We see them a lot and they give us lots of rides. They are super nice. It’s all gone super fast.  There’s some Americans that teach English here as well as the Thompsons who want to learn Korean so we have a Korean class.  We also have a good sized English Class.

Week 24- I’ll see Gunsan in the next one

Okay so getting into I want to say that Grace is evident. Seeing our friends change is just the greatest privilege. We have friends who we taught and they just aren’t sure. They agree to keep the commitments to try them but they aren’t sure about it. They don’t fully trust God. But I have literally seen these people be changed and it’s precious. We see them make sacrifices that are hard to make. We see them choose the right when they previously didn’t think it was necessary. And sometimes they fail. And that’s hard. But they try again and they really do it. It makes me think that when we think about how we mess up and fail we don’t feel we’re meeting our own or God’s expectations. But I think we forget that our Loving Heavenly Father must be extremely proud of us. When he sees us get up and try again, maybe over and over. When he sees us realize what is right and sticking to it. Even seeing us feel remorse and regret. It must be a feeling of joy to know that we are really trying hard. I’m grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that provides me the path of progression. To learn through Christ and his example. Repentance is a blessing. I have a testimony of it’s importance, reality, and blessing in my life. I’m so thankful to have served these people. That being said, it’s actually transfer week and we got the call. I’ll be heading to Gunsan tomorrow morning. I’m excited but definitely sad to leave the people of Gwangju. It’s my first area. I’ve been here for three months. We have a friend getting baptized on the 31st. But the work will move forward. I’m excited to ear of the progress of this area. But also I’m of course super excited to head up North. I’ll be leaving Elder Lugod and get a new companion Wednesday Morning. Anyways that’ss what I ave time for. I’ll see you in the next one.

Week 23

So! This week we had a few meals with members. I love doing that because you take all these faces you see at church and see, “whoa, they are this persons kid.” And you get to know them and be say hi to them. We also got training about introducing to people. We did roleplays which are the worst because you feel so dumb but they’re the best. Seriously, After doing it I felt like I talked to way more people the rest of the week just because I had done it and tried it.

Week 22- The “Great Trees”

Week 21- Not a year older but hopefully wiser

Oh boy here we go. Where to begin?!?  Our meetings with investigators went great. They’re really becoming like good friends. But not in a way that distracts from our message but strengthens it. It’s so fun to see. I don’t know how to describe it. To see these people actually progress just so fast and realize that they have a real purpose. That is shown through the Plan of Salvation. How they’re can be a lot of steps but it’s all for the greatest blessing. To return to our Loving Heavenly Father again. Seeing these people come to understand that helps me deepen my understanding and appreciation. I know that really comes as we read the scriptures and pray.

Week 20 – Progress!!

Hello everyone! So this week was some just genuine progress I feel. We have friends who are so genuine and interested. We teach this couple that ask so many questions (Which is a Very Very Good thing) and always keep their commitments and follow up. All of our discussions end up going for two hours. It disrupts our schedule a bit but it’s great! We also have our Thursday basketball where a bunch of kids come and we play with them. It’s fun.We also had a sports activity with a lot of them and played. It got intense but was super fun. Then on Sunday, a bunch of the basketball kids came to church. It was cool to see them all and talk to them all.  We also might start an English class with them as well.

Week 19

Hello! This week has genuinely been a blast. We’ve talked with a lot of people about familes as the spirit of Seollar was in a few days this last week. We’ve friends who are just so open to us and committed to finding comfort.We had a zone conference where we got together as the Southern part of the missions and discussed how to improve. It’s great to hear others testimonies and teh love from our leaders including our Mission President, President Madsen. Me and Elder Lugod went with some of our friends to Jeonju and played in a Basketball tournament. It was super fun. And we got some Choco Pies out of it. It’s Korea, that’s what they do. Not going to lie, there are some good basketball players here. It’s fun we get play a lot of basketball. Probably because of the cold weather. But ya. The language is always progressing. Definitely a challenge of serving here. But I love it. It’s an experience to learn and grow even when it is VERY difficult sometimes. As I look to compare the process we do things to accomplish things and not the actual success. I’m getting kicked off so I have to go but next week I’ll get some good pictures out. See you in the next one!!

Week 18- How long can families be together for?

Okay! So this week has been so fast. Wow Our first week without Elder Kim Young Min. But it’s okay. Me and Elder Lugod are taking on Gwangju. We had Elder Lugod’s birthday on P-day in Naju and that was fun. I met with our friend from last weeks email again and it was great. He really understood it all. Just great. We met with our less active friend again. He always feeds us lunch. It’s at this cafeteria where just TONS of old people go. We’ve had some pretty good meals there. But some of it is “old person food”. But we talked about the atonement and what it means to us. His enthusiasm for the gospel is so contagious. Also basketball again. We have basketball every week and usually it’s hard because I can just play basketball but his last week I was really talking to them through my limited Korean and their limited English. It was fun. We also met with our friend from Africa. He’s great. We went over the Plan of Salvation and he really understood it. But while we were there his friend was there. Turns our she was in a branch in Ghana but hasn’t been able to find the Church in Korea. We gave her the address and got her number. We’re excited to see if she can come. We also met a Fillipino guy whose fiance is a member. It’s great because my companion is Filipino, so they get to talk in their mother tongues and my companion explain things well. We got to eat some filipino food(I eat more fillipino food inn Korean than I though I would, It’s great)  with him and share our message of the Restoration. He said he’d bring his friends to church Sunday.

Week 17- I lost both my companions

Week 16 in Good ol’ South Korean

Technically, Week 15

This week was Fast. We had zone conference where we got training and it was great. The benefit of prayer is really seen in knowing truth for yourself. I also got to see a lot of those great people I was in the MTC with. Love you guys.

My favorite thing to do in Korea so far

Okay! So with the new week I was able to meet a lot of new people in our new area. We’ve been very busy and its amazing. I just want to say that my most favorite thing to do is to do 전도 활동 or proselyting activity. What we do is we go to the downtown part of the city where it’s really crowded with 8 chairs facing each other and ask people if they would like to practice English with the 외국인 (foreigners). We get to help them and invite them to come to our free English class at the church or even if they would like to hear our message. It’s so great and feels so fulfilling to talk to so many people and help them. Some are pretty good from traveling abroad and what not. One person sat down with me and was really good. I was like, “Wow, you’re really good.” She said, “Ya, I’m actually from California. I’m just visiting here.” That was funny. She actually spoke Korean with me so I could practice. It was funny. Learning English is really important here and they have tons of English academies and we even know a guy named Steve who runs an English Cafe. We went there and helped him by talking with some of his students. Some really nice people.

A new Year a New setup

Week 2! It’s been great so far. A lot happened this last week just organization wise. We lost  Elder Dahl, who headed North to Namwon, so we are now in a trio! It’s Elder Lugod, Elder Kim Yeongmin, and me. So now we are covering my first area (Nongseong) and now Chungjang. It’s pretty exciting. We are really busy and had to do a nice long weekly planning session to get things sorted out. We have so many people to teach and I’m so excited to serve and help them.

First Week in Korea

Hello from Korea! We are here and ready to go. Full action I got here a week before Christmas so it has been plenty of Caroling and other stuff. We were able to sing and perform a shadow play Sunday night for our Stake. It went well. We demonstrated the birth of Jesus and people were really touched. We also went Christmas Caroling on Christmas Eve to members houses. It was great.

I also have my new companion Elder Lugod. He’s a spectacular companion. We were able to teach our friend. My first lesson I teach and it turns out he knows really good English and wants us to teach him in it. That’s the most comfortable I’ve been this last week. Which is good. We also teach English and basic gospel messages with our friend Kim Se Min. He’s 10. He’s a nice kid and we also saw him at church. We also teach English class so it was fun to do that and help others learn. I’m so excited. I will definitely have more to say next week but until then Merry Christmas!

D&C 9:8

Okay so a just ridiculous story. We were giving a lesson and it was on the spirit. It was going well and we were really getting some good questions in and progressing well. So she asks, “How can I know when I’m feeling the spirit?” So I’m like Oh I used this last  night so I pull out D&C 9:8 which talks about feeling a burning in your bosom. To be honest when they read the scriptures we don’t really know what they’re saying but as long as we know the scriptures its pretty fine. But she’s gets super confused. I’m like whoa what. Wasn’t totally sure what she was asking and tried to explain that it was written in older language because she wasn’t understanding some of the words. Well we get through it and all is well. We finish the lesson and get out. My companion just asks me, “What was that scripture in Ether” I just look at him and realize what I’ve dont. I just started going, “NO NO NO NO” as I scramble to read what Ether 9:8 says. I dont know how I messed that up. I read it and it says, ” And now the brother of him that suffered death, (and his name was Nimrah) was angry with his father because of that which his father had done unto his brother.” The Verse is about FAMILY, MURDER, AND REVENGE. You know there are over 6000 verses in the Book of Mormon and over half of them refer to Christ and of course, it’s this. Anyways our teacher comes in and we’re just nervous laughing so hard. She says it was really good like for real…. except for that scripture. Surprisingly she tells us we should teach her again. It was really cool. It went so much better and we were able to share experiences on how the spirit has touched our lives and extend our invitation really well. It was great. Our last time teaching Sister Oh so she talked to us on how we have power to teach and will do great in Korea it was touching. Just a great ending to the worst beginning.

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Last Week of the MTC (Week 9!!!)

So a lot of good friends are here!!! I’ve seen Layron Sonerholm, Andrew Barth, and Jared Allen. So excited and happy for those guys. I was able to get a picture with Elder Barth (attached). We also have found a lot of people from Korea around the MTC and are good friends with. I have a picture, of us in front of the Christmas lights attached.

Week 8 (!!!) with some Christmas Spirit

Ok, So week 7 is where it gets real. We have lessons almost everyday. Four non-member lessons as well as a member Skype lesson and a lesson with our teacher. It’s pretty intense. We had a great devotional from Elder Clayton of the seventy and his wife. They are so smart and great speakers. He spoke of Joseph Smith. I realized that we can gain a personal testimony of Joseph Smith through following his example. Having questions and searching diligently for an answer, pondering on the answer, and praying for an answer. But it doesn’t stop there. You wait for God to reveal the truth in your life in his timeline.

Crazy story

Alright so awesome story this morning we’re going to the temple and I
felt we should do baptisms. So I get some names and we head over to
the temple. First of all, the font is beautiful. So we do the baptisms
and an Asian man gets out. I thought of saying hello in Korean but I’m
just not sure if he’s maybe Chinese or Japanese or something. So we
get them done and go to do confirmations. We’re doing them and the
workers ask where we’re going and we mention South Korea and they say
how a Brother Lee and does baptisms a lot. Then they’re like actually
I think he’s in the room over from. So we head over and he’s looking
at the English sheet translating into Korean super fast. So we sit in
and listen for a little and then he asks for us to d some. So I go up
and they get me a Korean sheet. Through his son, who had cerebral
palsy,
I confirmed two of his ancestors. I was able to read alright and
recognize a lot of the words. It’ll be different in two years. It was
a great experience. We talked to him after and he is actually from our
mission in the gwanju stake. Such a tender mercy from God to be able
to have that happen to us. We may not be able to go to the temple in
Korea since it’s not in the mission. I’m thankful for the temple and
the blessings I receive from doing work for my ancestors.

A Thanksgiving with extended Family

Half way to Korea!!!

So it’s been over a month and the day of the departure steadily approaches. The week started off pretty spectacular. On Tuesday we got to listen to Elder Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. His wife spoke about setting goals and what can come from that. Elder Stevenson shared his message about being prepared. In following the rules do receive blessings and study to have the spirit. He shared a great scripture saying, “And be you afflicted in all his afflictions, ever lifting up your heart unto me in prayer and faith, for his and your deliverance” I loved it. I have realized how little this time I have is. I have just two years two have the authority to teach and help others in the way I can. I can always go back to Korea but not as a missionary. Elder Stevenson finished with powerful testimony of Russell M. Nelson as a prophet of god and of the reality and truthfulness of Joseph Smith and his work done as a prophet. 

How we Escaped the MTC

It’s dark outside and I’m next to my companion in the brisk winter
air. He’s hiding the pain as he holds his shoulder. The black van
rolls up and we hop in. The driver asks what happened and makes small
talk. A minute later we’re off the MTC campus. You wonder how we got
here? Well it all started that morning with 50 bowls of Coco Roos.

~13 hours earlier~

So we head to breakfast with the zone. I’d heard the rumors of the
plan but wasn’t sure if it would actually happen. There were waffles
tempting me but I went straight for it. The knock off Cocoa Puffs. The
Coco Roos. Two bowls. The zone backs me up and people are hauling the
cereal down. Like a third of the zone has nothing but the Roos. We
take out have of them. It’s might actually be possible. Others show up
with their hot breakfast and realize what’s happening. Some valiant
elders get up and grab some more of the cereal as well. The new guy
that got here Wednesday sits down with Cinnamon Toasters. Rookie
mistake. Elder did not get the memo. I finish up the two bowls and
feel confident as I grab two more. A lot more guys get some more as
well. We have about a third left. But after 4 bowls I hit a wall. I
grab two more bowls but I’m not confident in my ability at this point.
We have some heavy eaters on our team but this is a challenge. The
bowls are stacking up. We’re getting on the other guys to get some
cereal. We get a couple recruits. We!re getting close but guys are
hitting the wall as well. But then there’s elder Jones. A myth of a
man. The guy is munching 5 and 6 no problem. He’s extremely dedicated
to it. He’s ready to give it it everything. As we get more guys we’re
getting to the bottom of this sleeve. The rest of the cereals are
nearly full. I see other guys taking each other’s bowls for the. The
greatest demonstration of love I have seen in this cafeteria. It warms
my soul. Elder jones takes one of my bowls for me. Other guys can’t
finish them and Jones fills in. Finally we head over and we have it.
Elder Short tips the container up and takes the last of it. It’s a
victory. Something for the books. Sadly they notice us struggling for
the last of it and refill it for us. Yet it is still an
accomplishment, but we’re not done. Jones is still going for other
guys and eventually Galvan is finishing the last bowl. He leaves a
single piece of cereal in the bowl. The last Roo. We give it to Jones
and he finishes it. He’s deemed the MVP. He’s taken out 9 bowls of
cereal. Elder Culverwell stacks the bowls onto his trey. Over thirty
physical bowls. Our math adds up to us eating about 50 bowls of
cereal. Elder Culverwell hauls his trey of all of our bowls and puts
it on the belt. A monumental moment. We wait a moment and see the
reaction of the dish guy who sees the trey. He’s shocked. We walk away
victorious. This isn’t really related it was just a build up but we go
to exercise time and we’re players no 3v3. Elder Alvey gets hit wrong
and he pops his shoulder in and out. He couldn’t feel two of his
fingers so they wanted to send him somewhere but it was the late
exercise time at 7:30. The health clinic was closed and the instacare
so we end up getting in the shuttle (big black van) and head the the
ER. He’s fine so we’re just in and out for about 30 minutes. But
somewhere in the phone call from the hospital to the MTC the ball gets
dropped in getting us a ride. We end up waiting an hour and a half
before getting picked up. We get back and still need to shower and
what not. We get to bed at like 12. Then we had to be up early for
church so that was fun. It’s actually great here. This is just a super
“temporally minded” email I wrote just because.
I’ll be back with some better stuff.

One less week to the big times (South Korea)

So another splendid week here. I’m on week 5 which just blows my mind. I feel like i just got here but time moves so fast here.

Week el numero sam (3) at the MTC

Was sick a lot of the week but got over it and I’m pretty good now. On Monday Elder Carpenter, a General Authority Seventy, came with his wife and they spoke. It was great. Those devotionals are awesome because the choir sings and it is always incredible. Wasn’t in it because I was sick but Be Still, My Soul has never been so powerful to me. Then Halloween happened. That is so crazy to me. I’m on my fourth week. Time is like a disconnected continual construct here. Then one day we were heading to bed and talking to our Filipino roommates. We were talking to Elder Quejada on how he broke up with his girlfriend before the mission. He said it was “unhealthy”. Then Elder Omila who knows slightly less English goes, “was…was she not eating her vegetables?” I was laughing so hard. I love those guys. They really do have powerful testimonies and study hard. I’m overjoyed to have such an obedient district.

Week el numero dos at the MTC

Alright so choir is awesome. Brother Egget is and institute teacher and we sang at the devotional. The speaker you ask? Elder Soares. An apostle of god. It was wonderful he spoke on the power of the holy spirit in our lives.  He shared the journal entries of the missionaries who taught his family and how even at five years old he could feel the spirit of those missionaries.

Five Days into the MTC!!

Okay so the first day was crazy. From one the thing to the next it was bam. bam. bam. All of a sudden I was a missionary with a name tag, a room, and a companion for the next 9 weeks here at the Missionary Training Center. Right away I saw a couple people I knew which was cool. Boston Mabeus and another kid I played basketball with. Ans my companion is Elder Alvey! We knew each other before and we work really well together. It was also just us in the room until on Friday the filipino elders came and now they’re our roomies. They’re are some great teachers so Korean is officially a go. It can feel slow at times but we always get reminded the fact that we’ve only been here like four days and are like oh ya. There are some incredible moments you can have. I feel so much more open to the spirit. Being a missionary is so amazing.I love my district they are great. Some really nice guys. I’m also next door to Elder Arrington! We knew each other before this too. Also my companion is district leader and he’s absolutely crushing it. He’s really humble and I’m the senior companion so whenever I call him district leader he responds, “Hey. That’s junior comp to you.” It’s funny. I’ve learned about our purpose and the gospel of Jesus Christ so much. I’m so thankful for my teachers who are all just so in tough with the spirit. Also our other leaders. The food is alright here. We’ve tried getting a schedule going and organized. Also our great grandpa district left this morning. Had to say goodbye. Loved those guys. I’m so thankful for all of you. There will be much good to come. I promise next weeks email will be more interesting. Until then…   당신을 사랑합니다