창원 Week 13

안녕하세요 여러분!

Wow, what a crazy week! Because of the rapid spread of the Corona Virus within the country of Korea, the North Asia Area Presidency has ordered all missionaries to isolate themselves in their apartments! So we are officially on lock down for further notice! 

Monday I met my new companion in Daegu and we headed back to our area. That night we went to the Bishop's house to visit and introduce Elder Yoo to him.

Tuesday we had our service project with the Jinhae Elders and had a nice time with them. After service we had another appointment with Nick. We were able to go a little more in depth about the message of the Restoration and help him to see that not only is our church a special church, but it is Jesus Christ's church! I'm excited for him as he continues learning about the gospel.

Wednesday we had our usual English class, except now as the only American missionary, the teaching fell onto me! I was a little stressed about it, but the lesson seemed to go well and hopefully our students had a good time!

Thursday we had a 30/30 appointment with our friend Andrew. He is always so much fun haha! We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he was very encouraging as I tried to remember all the different names as I drew a diagram for him on the board. He is one of my favorites!

Friday was the day that we got the big news! We got a message from our District Leader announcing that under the direction of the North Asia Area Presidency we were asked to immediately buy two weeks worth of food and then to not leave our apartments until we received further direction. We rushed out to buy the food and then the lock up began haha!

Saturday we were able to have a video call with someone from English class and we were able to do our 30/30 program. We shared a message on the Plan of Salvation and it was a nice way to spend our time!

Sunday we were blessed to be able to have the Sacrament in our own homes and then a mission wide testimony meeting over call. It was a special time to be together even when we are isolated from each other.

This week definitely hasn't been the fastest or the easiest, but I have so much faith in God's plan for all of His children! As I was studying this week, I came across a scripture that really touched me in Ether 3:5

          "Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men." 

Just like the Brother of Jared I know that the Lord can do it! This is His work and it is happening in His way! And just like a lesson over video call or a mission testimony meeting over call, He is working is miracles, even if the way might seem small to men! I trust in His plan with all of my heart and even with so many uncertainties right now, I don't feel worried. He knows what we need.

제임스 장로

Pictures

Me and Elder Yoo!

창원 Week 12

안녕하세요 여러분!

I can't believe that I am officially done with training! Transfer calls came and I am staying in Changwon for another transfer and I will be getting a Korean companion! My new companion's name is 유병수 장로님 (Elder Yoo Byeongsoo). I am on the bus down to meet him right now! I'm excited to grow in the language and as a missionary this transfer!

This week was a good, busy week!

Monday we got together with the Elders from Jinhae. We played some games and ate some good food and it was a fun time together! Monday night we did some proselyting.

On Tuesday we had our regular service project and then went out for dinner with the Elders from Jinhae. After that we came back to the church and met with a new interested person named Nick. He has come to our english classes a couple times and has a lot of desire to learn english, so we offered to start the 30/30 program with him. We had a really nice lesson and introduced our church a little and the Book of Mormon. He took the lesson really well and I'm excited to see how things go with him!

Wednesday we had our last District Meeting of the transfer in the morning. It was fun to be all together and share about the work that we've been doing and reflect together on how this past transfer has gone. After the meeting we went to lunch with a member in our ward. That night we also had our english class. In the beginner class it was just me and Andrew(the older man we do the 30/30 with) so we had a fun time!

On Thursday we had a meeting with Andrew and we taught him about Prophets. He actually had a lot of questions about our church and I think his interest is growing! The spirit is touching is heart. We gave him a conference talk and invited him to read it, which he said he would do!

On Friday we had a dinner appointment with the older men we met last week. It was kind of crazy and we weren't really sure what was happening haha! Unfortunately we decided they don't have very much gospel interest so we won't really be meeting with them anymore.

Saturday we(at least I did!) spent the whole day thinking about that night! Saturday night is when the transfer calls come and because I finished training, we knew one of us would be leaving! We had our English class, visited a member, and I tried not to go crazy! Finally we got home and waited for the call!

Sunday was a wild day! Elder Keck was trying to get everything packed while I was trying to get ready to introduce our area to a new Elder. We had church as normal, Andrew came because Elder Keck was leaving, so that was so nice to have him there! And then we had a lunch with the ward after. After church we helped someone move and then had a dinner with some families. It was a nice last day for Elder Keck, he's been here 9 months so it wasn't an easy goodbye!

Now I am on a bus on my way to meet my new companion and then we'll head back to Changwon! Sorry if this email is a little crazy!

I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers! If we will open our eyes, we will see the blessings he gives us! There's been so many moments on my mission when I have prayed and seen an immediate answer by Heavenly Father. He loves us, He cares about us, and He wants us to be happy! Trust in Him!

사랑해요! 

제임스 장로

Pictures

Our P Day

Our last district picture

창원 Week 11!

안녕하세요 여러분!

What a fast, crazy, wonderful week! I hope that you are all doing great!

Monday was a super fun P-Day! We went down to Masan and met the Elders from Sachung. We got lunch with them, went out for ice cream, and played some games. 

After P-Day we headed back to our area and met the old man we had met on the street a week ago for dinner. We were expecting him and the man who he had referred, but were instead surprised with several of their friends and several more people who came as the night progressed. They said that they were all family(even though they aren't really haha) and wouldn't offer any other explanation for how they met. They adopted us into their family as sons and said that they would see us again soon. We'll see what happens with all of them!

On Tuesday we had our interviews with President Jeong and our teaching certification(sort of a practice/pass off teaching) with his wife. After interviews we met a member for lunch and had a super delicious soup with ribs! After lunch we met Andrew, the old man from English class and did another 30/30 meeting with him. We talked about eternal families and it was a really nice meeting. He is so much fun!

Wednesday we had two appointments that both fell through, so instead we went through our area book and found lots of old records and worked on contacting them. We sent out a lot of messages, so hopefully something good will be able to come from it! As we were contacting we heard a loud banging outside and we went to the window to see marching band of clowns going down the street! Haha it was a funny sight and very out of place.

On Thursday we had two service projects. We went to the project where we serve food in the morning and then we went to the other where we work with those who are special needs that afternoon. After service we went out to dinner with the Jinhae Elders. As we were at dinner 김재원 장로님(Elder Kim Jae Won) told me that I was as beautiful as the moon, which coming from a Korean wasn't really that weird haha!!

Friday we went and visited an older man in our ward who's mother lives with him. She's 91 years old! As we were talking to them I was so touched by their faith and example. They talked about how it is so hard for her to get around and she's really hurting, but every Sunday she is blessed to make it to church. They testified that because she has lived the

Word of Wisdom, God is blessing her. What a sweet testimony of the power of obedience to God's commandments and the blessings that come to the faithful!

Saturday we helped a partially deaf man and his deaf wife to move. After we helped them they took us out to lunch. Once again I was just blown away by the faith and testimony of these amazing members! The husband told us about when his wife had traveled to Salt Lake and was able to attend General Conference. She went into the Conference Center and she looked up there at the Apostles and the living Prophet and she just cried. She knew that they truly were Jesus Christ's apostles. I thought of this woman and the trials she must have faced in her life being deaf and everything else, but she had her faith! She had this gospel! And that's enough. She's happy. I was so touched! That night we spent some time proselyting!

On Sunday we had church as normal and then spent some time doing our weekly planning. After that we went out and visited our ward mission leader and a member of the Bishopric.

It was such a wonderful week full of faith and testimony! I'm so grateful for this gospel and the chance that I have to see how it blesses lives!

This week on Saturday as we were proselyting we got a call from one of our teaching people explaining that he wouldn't be able to meet for a while. After receiving this news I felt a little disappointed. But just as this thought came, I immediately thought of the words from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: "Come what may and love it." I absolutely love that quote! Life is hard, we can't choose what happens to us, we can't choose what we face, but we can choose how we react! We can choose how we feel! This life isn't a time meant for us to easily coast to Heaven, this is the time for us to become! I know that if we can have fusth in God's plan, if we can keep moving forward, and no matter what comes we can seek to love it, we will be happy! Now and in eternity we will have joy! Our Heavenly Father loves us, He wants us to be happy, and He knows exactly what we need so we need to trust Him! I'm so grateful for His plan and His love and every chance that I have to love what comes!

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thank you for your prayers, your support, and your faith! Heavenly Father knows your name, He has a plan, and He loves you!

많이 사랑해요!

제임스 장로

Pictures!

Out to dinner with the Jinhae Elders after service

Our rib soup lunch

Our new Korean grandpa haha

The clown marching band

창원 Week 10

안녕허세요 여러분!

This week was great!

Monday for P-Day we went down to The House of Changwon. It's a historical, traditional style Korean house preserved as a museum. We had fun visiting there  and I loved learning a little more about this amazing country! We then went out to do some member visits and some proselyting that night. On the bus ride home, I chatted a little with a man next to me and I ended up getting my first contact on my own! It was such a cool experience! 

Tuesday we had our service project with the Jinhae Elders and as we were coming back from service I talked with the couple next to me on the bus for a few minutes about who we were and why we were in Korea. There's something so special about sharing this message, even when people may not have a lot of interest, I feel the confirmation of my own testimony as I share this amazing message with others.

Tuesday night we met with 안아라(Anara). We've been doing the 30/30 program with her younger sister, who referred her to us. We met at a cafe and chatted for awhile. As we were talking she looked down at the Book of Mormon I had beside me on the table. She asked: "Did you bring that to teach me?" and I smiled and answered yes and she said: "okay then teach me." She met with the missionaries a few years ago and she listened so intently. I'm excited to see how she progresses going forward.

On Wednesday we had our District Meeting in the morning and that night we were able to meet again with the referrals we had received a little ago. 이윤화(Sophia), 이주희(Julia), and 이성먹(Alex). We talked about prayer and the Book of Mormon a little more and talked about the Sabbath day. At the end of our lesson we invited Sophia to pray and she did. It was most likely the first time she had ever prayed in her life! What a special experience to be there for it. I'm excited to see how they will progress going forward. That night we were also able to have English class which is seriously becoming one of my favorite things, it's so fun! 

Thursday we had our regular service project and then some time for some less active visits. We also were asked to buy masks because of the Corona Virus scare, so now we're just like all the Koreans(they wear face masks all the time!) Thursday night we also met a man on the street who was excited to meet some Americans and had some interest. We exchange numbers and planned to meet. He's already referred his friend to us even though we haven't met! We're planning on eating dinner with them tonight and can hopefully find that they have some gospel interest!

Friday we finally were able to do the 30/30 program with the old man who comes to our English class, Andrew. We'd been really pushing for him to meet with us and he finally agreed to just one time. After we finished he said "I didn't know it was like this! Can we do it everyday?" haha he is so much fun and seems to have some genuine interest. I'm excited to meet more with him.

Saturday we had English class and then a member baptism for a little girl who had turned 8 in our ward. We had a dinner with the ward afterwards and we got another referral from the same member! She is being an awesome member missionary! We were also able to have an English lesson that night with a member of our ward and his kids. He is totally fluent in English and it just ended up being him fact checking stuff for his work(as an English teacher) it was really fun to have that time with him.

Sunday we had church and then a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader about missionary work in our area. We were able to get a lot of good information and help, so it was really good. That night we did some member visits, which is always one of my favorites!

I'm loving this work and I know it's true! This week I've been reflecting a lot on faith. As I've been studying the Book of Mormon through the Come Follow Me Manual, I've been so impressed by Nephi's faith. Every time that something went wrong he would turn to God, but then he would do something! When his bow broke he knew God would tell him where to go, but first he made a bow. I think sometimes we face hardships we sit down and tell God that we have faith and then we wait for Him to fix it, but that's not faith! Faith is action. So just like Nephi, as we turn to God but then we go out and make our bows, we will find God's power in our lives. This life isn't about God doing everything for us as we wait by, this is the time for us to become! To learn to be like God and we can't do that if we don't do anything! Just like Nehpi, if you act in faith, I promise you will see miracles!

사랑해요!

제임스 장로

Pictures

Random Buddhist temple on the street

My mask haha

The House of Changwon

창원 Week 9!

안녕하세요 여러분!!

I can't believe that it is already week 9 here in Changwon! I am loving the work and I am so happy to be here!

Monday during P Day we went down to the market and bought Korea's famous(at least among missionaries) 할머니 바지(Grandma Pants). They are super soft sweatpants with crazy designs on them. The Korean Grandmas wear them for their casual clothing and all the missionaries wear them for pajamas. After our adventure finding grandma pants we spent the night doing some proselyting and studying.

Tuesday was this transfers Zone Conference! All the missionaries in our area woke up early and headed to the mission headquarters in Busan. We started our conference by hiking the mountain near the headquarters, where we got a view of the whole city of Busan, which was so beautiful! We then hiked down the mountain a little and had a lesson with our mission President and his wife and were then given some time to find a quiet spot among the trees and do some quiet reflection. It's always so nice to be with the other missionaries and President and Sister Jeong and learn from each other.

On Wednesday we went to lunch with a member and had a nice time talking with him and helping him with some of the concerns he's been having recently. After lunch we were finally able to meet with 최상빈(Choi Sang Bin)! We hadn't been able to meet for awhile and he finally had the time! We met at a cafe and went over some questions he had from his Book of Mormon reading(which he has been studying so diligently on his own!) and had a nice time with him. Wednesday night we also had our english class. It's always so fun to have our english class, especially with the people who come often and who we are close with.

Thursday we met up with the Jinhae Elders at our service project and started exchanges. I was companions with Elder Quejada for the exchange and we had a really good time together! Right after service project we headed to an appointment with the three referrals we had received last week at church. They had a dinner prepared for us and we had a really nice time getting to know them! The mother had invited us over, but we ended up just talking with her three young adult children. She wants them to have some positive influences so she's asking us to meet with them. We had a really good time getting to know them and we were able to teach the first lesson to them! We invited them to pray and ask God if He is really there and to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon. We have a return appointment on Wednesday and I'm excited to start working with them! 

On Friday I helped with the Jinhae english class which was a lot of fun! We had a good class and then lunch with all of the students. After english class we did some of our studies and then ended the exchange.

Saturday was the Korean New Year, 설날. So we were able to have lunch and dinner with members to celebrate the holiday! We had a really nice lunch with one family and played some traditional Korean games which was really fun. We were then able to have dinner with the Bishop's family and two other families in our ward. We had a really nice time getting to know the members better and being able to have a part in celebrating the holiday with them!

Sunday was also a really nice day. Because of the holiday, a lot of people came to church in traditional Korean clothing which was so fun to see! Sunday night we were also able to go out and try to do some less active visits. I know I say it almost every week, but I just can't get over how much I love walking the streets of Korea! Just being here and doing the work brings me so much joy!

This week was so amazing! I know that the Lord is in this work and that He loves all of His children! Believe in Him and trust in Him! He is so real!

사랑해요!

제임스 장로

Pictures!

From the top of the mountain!

Exchanges

Our delicious 설난 dinner!

A fun tower I saw while we were out walking

창원 Week 8!

여러분 안녕하십니까?

This week literally flew by! I can't believe that I am writing another email already! But it was another amazing week here in Korea! I am so happy to be here!

Monday we had an appointment with a young lady named 안나히(Anahi) who we started our 30-30 program with. We had a short english lesson with her and then we were able to share the message of the restoration! She doesn't seem to have a ton of interest, but I'm excited to see what will happen going forward. We were able to give her a Book of Mormon and she does want to continue with the program(she even referred her sister to start the program too) That night we did some less active member visits and proselyting.

Tuesday we had our service project with the Jinhae Elders, which is always a fun thing to do, and then that night we went out for some more less active visits and proselyting. Kind of a slow day, but as always good! I also finally got to try Isaac's Toast(a popular chain restaurant here) and it was super good!

On Wednesday we had District Meeting first thing in the morning. Our focus for this transfer is on repentance, so we were able to have some good discussions on that and it's always nice to see the other missionaries! After we went out for the Korean version of Chinese food(which is actually super good haha). That night we had our english class, we had a couple of new students and it's always super fun to teach. I teach the beginner class with a Filipino brother in our ward and we always have a fun time.

Thursday a ward member took us out to a super nice lunch downtown. It was at a nice restaurant and it was really fun getting to know the member a little better and practice my Korean! We were able to share a spiritual message with them and encourage their own missionary work. That night we also hit the streets and tried to get in some visits and proselyting. We talked with an old man who told us that we needed to marry Koreans, but we would have to live in Korea forever because the wifi is so fast and everything is so convenient that they wouldn't ever want to leave. Then he showed us some paintings he had painted and then hopped on his bike and rode away before we could say anything!

Friday we had our 30-30 appointment with the family. We had our english lesson and then we were able to talk with them about the Book of Mormon. We shared the scripture in 2 Corinthians 13:1, about the need for two witnesses in all things and explained how the Book of Mormon was the second witness to the Bible for Jesus Christ's divinity and mission. We explained how through one dot an infinite number of straight lines could be drawn, but through two only one straight line could be drawn and that the Book of Mormon and Bible are those two dots for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We gave each of them a Book of Mormon and encouraged them to begin reading it!

Saturday we had a lunch appointment with the American in our ward and his family. We had pork chops, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese; lot's of foods not to common in Korea! Then we played some board games. It was a fun appointment! It was funny because his wife(who is Korean) made us the food and then went to her mother's house to have Korean food. That afternoon we had our english class and then after english class, this really fun old man that we teach took us out for dinner! We had 갈비(my favorite) so I was super happy. We want to do the 30-30 program with him, so hopefully that was a good start!

On Sunday 김영천 was able to come to church again. We were so happy to see him. After church there was a ward lunch. We got to eat some delicious food and talk with lots of members. During lunch we received three referrals, so that was awesome! I'm excited to start working with them. Sunday night we had dinner with a family in our ward who's eight year old daughter will be baptized this coming week. We taught her the lessons through some games and had a nice time with the family.

As we were there talking with them and I was just watching this little happy family I felt so blessed to have this gospel! Here was this family living the gospel just as I've seen so many others and they were just happy! The Spirit was in their home and love was in their home. I felt such a witness that this is the truth! And this Gospel doesn't just promise us happiness and blessings one day in eternity, it gives them to us right now! Through living the Gospel we have peace, happiness, and love! I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and His gospel!

I hope you all are doing well! Please remember that the gospel is true, it brings happiness, and Heavenly Father loves you!

사랑해요!

제임스 장로

Also sorry I didn't take any pictures again, but here's some pictures I took the first couple of days in the field!

At the headquarters in Busan

Out the window of our apartment

And then one picture from a couple weeks ago at a restaurant! 

창원 Week 7

안녕하세요 여러분!

What another awesome week! Time is just flying by and I can't believe that I am already starting the second week of my second transfer! I love being a missionary!

Monday was kind of a crazy, busy P-Day! Because of transfers, they needed us to go down to Masan and wait with one of the Elders until his new companion arrived. So we spent most of our P-Day doing some window shopping, buying candy, and waiting in the bus station haha! But it was still a good P-Day. That night we went out for dinner with 김영천 for one of my Korean favorites, 갈비. Which is just meat you cook yourself, wrapped in lettuce, filled with toppings you pick. So good! After the dinner we headed to the church for a lesson, which we were a little nervous about. He has some strong beliefs because of attending a different church for several years and had asked if we could talk about them then. We were able to release a lot of the tension and share a good conference talk with him, so that was a miracle! It's amazing to see the Spirit working on the hearts of the people we teach.

Tuesday we had our weekly service project as usual and got to get to know our new District Leader a little better, which was fun! After service project we had planned on going out to get 돼지국밥 which is a super good pork soup. So we headed to the restaurant, sat down, and it wasn't until they brought out the appetizer that we realized that this restaurant only sold Tofu. Tofu on a plate, tofu in soup, tofu with sauce, just tofu. No pork soup haha! But we did have tofu soup so it still turned out okay, just not quite what we were expecting haha!

Wednesday we headed to one of our favorite cafes for our morning studies. I ordered and the lady at the front, who usually asks "Will you eat here or take out?", decided to switch it up on me. Instead she asked: "Would you like a receipt." I smiled and nodded, "here." She gave me a look, my companion called to me from the table, and I hurried and said no and then sat down! We also had quite a bit of extra time because our District meeting had been rescheduled, so we spent a lot of time out walking the streets, trying to find some new people to teach and trying to contact some less active members in our ward. It's still one of my favorite things to be out on the streets of Korea, greeting the people, looking at the buildings, and just being a part of it all! I love this place!

Thursday we had our service project serving food to people who are disabled. It's always nice to provide a service to them and they are always so happy and so grateful! Thursday we hit the streets again and kept working hard to try to contact all of the members we have on our list, talking with people as we go. I don't know what it is, but there's something about walking the streets of the Korean neighborhoods, of knocking on their doors and just being a part of it all that is so special! I just feel the confirmation that I am where God wants me to be!

Friday we went down to Masan to the family who we are doing the 30-30 program with. They receive free, personal english instruction for 30 minutes and then we teach a gospel message for 30 minutes. After teaching english, we shared a message on the Restoration of the gospel. We did a fun activity to talk about the apostasy and then it came to talk about the Restoration. As I simply explained the environment of religious excitement in New York in 1820 and the confusion of Joseph Smith as he tried to find where Christ's church was, I felt the Spirit warming my heart. Then came the time to share the First Vision. As I spoke the account in Joseph's words I had to struggle to keep emotion out of my voice. 

What a powerful witness! I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ! I know that through him They restored the original and complete church that Christ had set up! I know that because of this glorious restoration we have precious truths again about our Heavenly Parents, the Godhead, eternal progression, and so much more! This is it! This is the Church of Jesus Christ! I echo President Russell M. Nelson's invitation to rediscover your own witness of the Restoration of the Gospel this year!

Saturday we had our regular english class and we had a pretty good turn out for our Saturday class, which is usually a little smaller than Wednesday. We had a good lesson and then that night did some more work on our less active list!

Sunday was great! 김얌천 and 최상빈 both came out to church! They both seemed so happy to be there and the members were especially welcoming this week. I'm so excited to see the work that the Lord will do with them in these next few weeks. Sunday night we had our District meeting. It was fun meeting all the new missionaries who transferred in and I am officially no longer the newest missionary in the District, so that's great haha!

I am so grateful to be doing this work. The Lord has been pouring out His blessings. In the language, in our teaching, and in everything we do I can feel His hand gently lifting and guiding. He is real and this is His work! I know it! I hope you are all doing well and I encourage you to reach for that power! He is so willing to give us His help and His blessings if we will just ask for it! He is our Father and He wants us to be happy, He wants us to become the best we can be! Let Him help you!

사랑해요!

제임스장로

Sorry I didn't take any pictures this week! But here's a random picture of the street I took a couple weeks ago haha