07032016 New Mission President

This week was good! We meet our new mission president! It was a 3 hour meeting with two zone each missionary shock their hands or hugged them, quickly introduced themselves. They then introduced themselves and their family. We had lunch, asked them questions and they shared a quick spiritual message. They seem super cool.

(From the Church News)

Roger W. and Terri L. Turner

Roger William Turner, 56, and Terri Lynn Hurst Turner, five children, Plainfield Ward, Indianapolis Indiana West Stake: Korea Seoul South Mission, succeeding President Marshall R. Morrise and Sister Susan L. Morrise. Brother Turner is a former stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishop, branch president, Scoutmaster, and missionary in the Korea Seoul Mission. Global Mobility Lead, Eli Lilly and Company (Pharmaceuticals). Born in Laramie, Wyoming, to Donald Keith Turner and Lula Blanche Fielding Turner. Sister Turner is a former stake Young Women presidency counselor, Primary achievement day leader, nursery leader, and seminary teacher. Born in Provo, Utah, to Leon Hurst and Suzanne Nelson Hurst.

I definitely can see some differences from President Morrise, but also some similarities. They both have a huge focus on us after the mission: staying in the church and becoming good fathers and husbands. I think they do feel stressed but remain fun and happy. I like one verse he shared from D&C about how these members in order to receive forgiveness were called to preach the gospel. So he said if you make mistakes and stuff and you want forgiveness, testify! I liked that!

We had zero lessons all week until Sunday! One of the singles ward members texted us and said he was bringing his friend to church. His friend I am just guessing had some hard point in life and decided he needed to change. So he is stopping smoking and drinking and wants to come to church. So we taught him the first lesson and he was super open and accepting, because I think he is coming into it without preconceptions and with the desire to believe. It was awesome. And then we met with the son of one of our members who will hopefully get baptized who is 10 years old. So we have to teach him as well. He did not want to meet with us, but as the lesson started and stuff he opened up a little bit. At the beginning he said he wasn't going to get baptized just because, but by the end, we set a goal with him to be baptized. It was really cute. Then we had a practice lesson with our ward clerk. So Sunday ended up being really busy! And some good lessons.

The singles ward had a music night thing on Saturday. They told us to invite lots of people. We showed up and it was more lock a rock concert. Well not true, they had an opera singer and a bunch of people, but we weren't sure it was something we should be at, just because of the music so Adam came and instead of doing the music thing we had dinner. We will teach him Thursday and Han Jee Sung Friday and the two people we met with this Sunday next Sunday as well. All 4 of these people seem super awesome with lots of potential.

Also some bad news, because our district is 2 sisters and 2 elders we have to meet at the same time and in the same building as another district. Anyway we finished and the other district was still going so we just had to wait for them to finish. We left our bags in the hall and just hung out in the gym until they finished. I guess while we were in the gym, somebody came into the church grab our bags and brought them to the basement, where they searched them and took my camera. We eventually found our bags in the basement, which is just like a kind of creepy storage area. So kind of weird experience. Good thing I uploaded some pictures but I also lost quite a few as well I think.

And today is the 4th of July! We are getting like 10 missionaries together, eating chicken, watermelon, desserts and playing volleyball. Plus one of the sisters is from England, so there will be lots of smack talk.

Our members are pretty awesome. Koreans are generally super busy so we don't do too much together, other than soccer. Our bishop loves soccer. He is super cool. He works for Subway (the sandwich place). He was also Satan in the temple for the Korean version of one of the temple videos. And the voice for like half of the Book Mormon in Korean. Our mission leader's whole family is in America, and he wants to go there. But for whatever reason can't. So he is just working really hard. Both of them are crazy and funny. They love SYL to each other. Speaking English. They are both pretty good, but definitely not amazing so it is funny. I like relaxed P-days and eating delicious food. My district next transfer will be 4 elders and 4 sisters. so doubling size.

Yeah I don't like the just acceptance as an ends. I think it can be a step to expansion. Like right now I am addicted to blank. Or am depressed. But accepting where you are while striving is super important!

Happy Birthday Josh! So some memories of Josh. First, Track. I remember him throwing up a lot... and I remember when their sprint medley nailed it and ran the best time in the nation. He called us and told us. Then in the end rejected the trip to New York since it would be on Sunday. I remember playing on the same intramural soccer team and just having fun playing with my brothers. I remember lots of really interesting thoughts and essays. I have felt loved by Josh, felt special because he consciously chooses to validate me.

Our new president had us read an article about accumulating light. How that is what this life is about. I like light as an analogy. I guess that is what I feel in this church is light. When I sin I feel darker. As a church we believe that all that is light is of God. And in the end we can gain enough light to feel comfortable in his presence. Anyway, this gospel is light and is good!

Hurrah for Israel!
-- 

Elder Sabey