12252016 Christmas is the best

Well Christmas is the best. Sacrament meeting was amazing, and Jang Gyoung Su gave an awesome testimony. It just made me love him even more. He is such a good man striving to do what is right, for him, but especially for his family! Then I got to skype with my family, which is always amazing, and always feels too short! Then we went to our bishop’s house and ate delicious kimchi spaghetti! Then we had time to talk to people on the street!

Other interesting things this week: we went tracking and this guy opened the door. We asked, do you have time to listen to our message, and he said yes! I was a little surprised, so we went in and shared a message. I think he has some learning disabilities and I am pretty darn sure he has a serious pornography problem. He listened and accepted everything we said and we met with him two days later as well!  I am not sure we will continue meeting with him, but it was cool to have some success tracking! Haha

I love Christmas. people are just happy and turn outward on Christmas day, or during the Christmas season. People are more willing to talk! I think at Christmas time, we realize or feel how large the gift is that God gave us, so we and all men turn outward.  I am so thankful for the Christmas season. But most importantly I am thankful for God sending his son. I am grateful that Christ is our savior and judge, that with great mercy he will gather me, and judge me. That he only requires us to not give up, or rebel, but to keep trying and repenting. So I add my testimony to Jang Gyoung Su's that I will keep striving and working to live this gospel, relying upon God as I move forward. I am thankful to be here sharing that message of hope and peace!

Fun pictures... the super gross raw fish and Bun Dea Gi!

I am happy! I think there is some things that are particularly hard in Korea. The language and culture and stuff, so part of my feels like we are fighting a losing battle in Korea. The church I think is shrinking, and there are several people I have met that do not want to raise their children in Korea, which says something. Churches are crazy in Korea, and do things for money. Drinking and smoking is expected for males, so at times I feel like there isn't much I can do. Then I also have felt like Koreans, including members and missionaries, like American's because we are American's and cute and try to learn their language. But they don't really want to talk to us about big decisions or meaningful topics. So even if I feel like I have something to say in meetings or things, it feels like they would just listen politely and then go back to what they were thinking, because we say things in weird ways or whatever. But there are obviously exceptions. Some amazing members, our recent convert is amazing, and I have loved the couple we are teaching.

But more than feeling like I won't make much of a difference in Korea, I trust God. I know that through a mission, we can make a difference in at least one person's lives and that our efforts and strivings will not be in vain. I still struggle with some of the problems I had before the mission and I am striving to overcome. I have felt that god has used my weakness to help people, So I do not feel down. I am far, far from perfect and am striving to improve. It is an exhausting path at times but well worth it.