Week 36 - Happy Holidays !!

Well Transfers happened this week and I’m still in the 가정 area but I have a new companion... Elder 한동희. (Han) He's from New Zealand. We have a new house, which is awesome. It’s twice as big as the old place I was living before. The only sad thing was that we moved on thanksgiving, thanks to Elder Gardiner. If it wasn’t for the other missionaries in our zone we would have never finished on time. The day started out ok, we got all of the furniture and things outside and nothing was broken. Then we waited for the truck to move everything to the new house, Apartment. It took longer than it was supposed to since we needed someone to come down to move the oven for us. Next we needed the keys the new apartment so we can get in. So my

Companion ( Elder Han) went with the missionary 과리 (LP’s) to get the keys and went with the other missionaries to the house. it was crazy our new home was on the 11th floor and the only two ways to get our things up there were the elevator or the stairs. so we started taking things by the elevator. which made one of the apartment 과리s mad and he told us that we needed to pay 100,000원 to use the elevator. We didn't care so we just waited for him to leave then started again. It was fun moving though, it made me think of home.The rest of that day was exciting. We went to the Wilcox's home for dinner and to enjoy a second Pday, well kind of like a pday. Also,  I received your package just in time, two days before my birthday. THANK YOU!!! My companion and I have already used the little pool table, I won. Oh, that reminds me about the oven, which was so hard to get out. We can't even use it.  The place we moved to didn't even have a place for it. So today no... Yesterday we got this tiny table oven. ㅎㅎㅎ. which is fine with me since now we can cook the cake mixes you sent.

Well I’m not worrying about 이두환 at all. He goes to Finland this week. He's going to do fine. Right now we are trying to help him find the missionaries there or visa verse. He is scarred about going and being able to talk with anyone and other things like that. Also we have a new investigator. Hooray! He is a friend of a member and is an awesome kid. He has a baptismal date and already has been to church and really wants to meet with us. Yesterday we went to a concert with him. It was great! The music was enjoyable and we got to spend a lot of time with him. It was great. Afterwards we tried setting up to meet again with 이종민, the member, but 이종민 couldn't come. Sad ,Then 문현기 asked if it was alright if it was just the three of us. The only thing left is to teach him the rest of the lessons.

You’re Right about not worrying about things. I just take things too far. Well I don't know how you are doing right now and the family. It sounds like Carmen is doing well, Oh tell her I found an elephant and that if it’s not too much I’ll get it for her. Also that I need pics of the whole family, including Regan, the new house, and a little bit of Portage. I guess it seems to sound like an interesting place. ㅎㅎㅎ, AHHH... Christmas is too close. I wish I was more prepared for this.

What I think I would like??? Everything that I can think of is available here. I'm sorry that I’m so indecisive. May be I would like a new step counter my old one Broke. Well today I’m going to the worlds or Koreas largest underground mall. It’s crazy in there. Other than that I’m not sure what will happen. I promise to take lots of photos.My companion told me to ask if it was alright if he took tons and that we need to go and see Korea. Yes... I plan on going to the beach this Transfer and seeing China Town. So how is the whole family doing? Are you all moved in or is there still more? Is it snowing there yet or lately? Things here are ok, not too cold yet.

Well I love you bunches and bunches mom. And I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Week 34 and 35 "A Baptism ?! Maybe!?

 (11-13-11)

  Happy 빼빼로 day... well this week has gone good so far. Finally 이두환 형제님 agreed to be baptized, but he is going to Sweden soon, the second of December. So not much time. He wants to be baptized when he gets back in January. Which means there will be all new missionaries when he gets back. I have faith that he will keep his promise but I feel that it will be harder on him if he waits and finds out that we left without telling him. However for him to be gone for one whole month without any support seems worst. Oh well, baby steps first, right... He still has a smoking problem and he has not stopped drinking coffee yet. So, that is my biggest concern right now. Its bit of a blessing right now, he's asked us to visit him as often as possible before he leaves for Sweden. He’s doing good though.

   (김미숙s ) Other people we visited this week ...uh... Not many at all. Well this is sad. Our 30/30 program student decided that she doesn’t want to meet any more. So, there goes three of our investigators, her, her son, and the sons friend. Im’ not sure of why she decided to quit, something about pressure ( 부담 ). So we now have a lot more time to find other investigators. This week is the last time that we will ever meet. Friday, another missionary and I, went with the bishop to teach. It seemed ok during the English part of the lesson then we moved on. It seemed to be a good lesson to me. Then near the end the Bishop began talking to her and then some how they made a 식사 약속, dinner appointment!? Well we hope that she will change her mind.

  So this week was a little slow for me. Monday I went to the doctors because of my foot, I had an ingrown toenail. However it's fine now it wasn't too bad but, it hurt to walk after that. Sister 양미영, the best member ever, told us of a doctor that she went to see when she had one too. The doctor was very friendly and he tried to speak to me in English. It surprises me that soo many Koreans know a little bit of English. The surgery was quick and it didn't cost too much. The worst part of it was having to call the AP's about it. That was funny though. I called them and they asked what I needed to call President about. Then he said something strange, "oh, ya... that’s right. ok. after...( the rest is not that important.)". Oh how did you do!?! I guess they were thinking of the other elder who’s in the Zone, who also had an ingrown toenail. Well anyway I’m fine. So last week because of the doctor’s visit I didn’t have time last week to send the other letters. Sorry... but I should tomorrow since it's temple day and p-day.

   Well it seems that the weather at home is getting colder and colder. So far yesterday has been the only day I really needed anything, but today seems like it will be the same. Winter is finally coming. It seems with this cold weather brings sickness. So far four families are sick and winters only begun. It’s no good that everyone at home seems to have gotten sick. But. it's good to hear that nothing too terrible is going on there. As for your questions... yes I’m still getting plenty to eat, thanks too the peanut butter I can have just a little bit more to eat. Also the members are giving us plenty of things to eat. Like bananas, romyun, pumpkin soup, 반잔s, and etc... Thank you for caring so much. Things are good here and the people are great. The food is wonderful and it is amazing. Well love you and I will try to start writing to you again.

Bye...

(11-20-11)

 Well a sad thing happened this week. Our investigator did not come to church this week so he can't be baptized until next year or if he finds the missionaries in Finland, It's Finland not Sweden.... anyways, it was so sad. He told us that he could come but something happen that day and he couldn't make it. He’s is doing so well though. He still loves to read the Book of Mormon with us and has a strong desire to understand the scriptures. We’ve been meeting him almost every night this week and last week. However he is still smoking and drinking coffee and doesn't think he can overcome these problems right now. He told us of the story of how he stopped drinking once. It was so amazing and sad. I guess before he was a very heavy drinker. But, one day a friend of his got into an accident and ...died..?or was hurt badly. I can't quit remember how it went. Anyway, He decided that he would stop drinking. So he made a promise with god about this. 이두환 형제님 has taught me so much. That we as god's children know inside that we are all one family and that as god's children we can receive help from him no matter who we are. And as such we need to promise him that we will follow the Example of Jesus Christ in order to have those blessings poured upon us. All I hope for, as of now, is that we can help him find that same kind of courage to promise not to use of those harmful substances again or drink.

Well beside 이두환 형제님, no one could meet with us or received our calls again this week. Things have gotten slower. I guess there is this one lady who is willing to meet this week but, she has no interest in the gospel. Only information about BYU and finding out for her "friend" how to receive proof that they are a member so they can get the fee reduction. It all sounds so suspicious to me. We are trying to meet with her but members aren't working out so well. Either they have no time or she can't meet that day. Oh well.

So, Transfer calls come today at 9pm and so on. It’s such an overwhelming thing right now. Will I stay or will I go? And if I go where will that be?. Who will my companion be?. Elder Gardinar or someone new?. Anyways, that still is exciting. This next transfer I hope to pass of with the Zone Leaders. I'm not sure what will happen with the AP's. I heard that they are getting really strict with Pass-off. I guess they've been getting missionaries who are going in three times a transfer to pass off and are not fully prepared to do so. I can stand this. Pass-Off is getting to me and I’m slowly losing confidence in myself. But I’m doing good. I love you so much and miss you.