02222016 Memories of Grandpa Blair

How is everybody (specifically Mom and Grandma) doing? I love you.

I want to share a few thoughts. First, we said that grandpa may die before each of my brothers came home from their missions.  He never did until my mission.  When my president told me he had died,  I had a little time to think and reflect. One of my memories is when I went to basketball camp at BYU. Grandpa would always take me every morning. He would ask questions about me and life and basketball and whatever.  I felt like he really cared and was interested in me. Another is when we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa and I wanted to go downstairs and watch a movie or tv or something, but Mom said that I really should spend time just talking to Grandpa, so I begrudgingly went to sit and talk with Grandpa. I don't remember what we talked about, but I remember thinking Mom was right. I also of course remember going to their house every week for dinner this last year. I specifically remember several times when he talked about Grandma. He truly loved her. And wanted to show his love for her. He would put down his laptop and talk with her. I realized that in his old age he was still changing and realigning his priorities  to become a better person. Then finally, the last time I saw him, I hugged him and he said, "I don't think I will see you again." I was surprised and choked up saying goodbye to him.

I learned many things from Grandpa. I learned to appreciate the miracle of language. I have thought about The Miracle Worker, the play and movie grandpa loved.  I remember when grandpa and my mom talked to me about a child learning a language, and how miraculous it is. Especially now that I am learning a new language, and I listen to a child speak effortlessly and fluently, I am amazed. I am so grateful for language. That I can communicate thoughts, ideas, feelings, with very little effort (at least in English.) I learned that relationships are the most important thing in life. He loved people. He loved getting to know me, inviting people over to his house, learning others’ culture. He loved people. And to the end his number one priority was Grandma and their relationship. I learned to love hymns more. Israel, Israel God is Calling comes to mind. He would always have Dell play piano and have us all sing. He would always love having Dell do things with him: again a focus on relationships. I learned more about hard work and a love for learning. He loved his work and never gave up learning, or creating. I hope I can have a fraction of his dedication to and love of his career. I also learned more about dignity in suffering. Many times I knew Grandpa was in pain, more than I am sure I realized. But he was always funny, with his unique and endearing humor. Never complained, but was thankful for the blessing he did have.

Now as I was thinking of the time I wanted to watch TV more than talk with Grandpa, or when he said goodbye to me, I wish I would have known him better. I wish I would have spend more time and effort learning about him, like he did about me. I wish. But I realize I did not. I know I am where he wants me to be. Like Matt said, "you are learning a new language, and serving the lord. Exactly what Grandpa did his whole life." and I find comfort in knowing that I will see him again. That I will have an eternity to spend the time to get to know him better. And that through Christ all will be made right. So I guess what I am most grateful for is that Grandpa raised my Mom in the gospel. That I too can have this gospel in my life. That he was a true disciple of Christ, honoring the Sabbath, loving others, serving, and changing. I love him and am honored he is my Grandpa.

Love,  Elder Sabey

02152016 Zone Conference

Feb. 15, 2016

This week was really good!

In multi-zone conference, we talked about planning mainly. It was good, and I am not a good planner so hopefully I will get better. Then I had a wonderful interview with the president. We talked about something I felt like I have done well and something I could improve. For things I am doing well I said I have worked hard to study Korean! And thing I could improve I said that I am not good at confronting or addressing problems. I don't like conflict, so I just avoid it, even if I maybe shouldn't. So yeah pretty exciting!  Anyway in the process he said something which reminded me of something in my patriarchal blessing, which I hadn't understood, and perhaps still don't, but gave me a new insight in to it. Plus, my patriarchal blessing was one of those few times I clearly felt like God knew and loved me. So it was a comforting and faith building moment, to have my mission president relay to me a similar message. Then my companion and I had a good talk and I think we understand each other a little better. Anyway, the past few days I have been happy.

It was cool, we had President Whiting, the area president attend our ward. Yeah, Ward, not Stake. I feel like as a member of the seventy, you only attend stake things, but this week he came to our ward because there was a big training meeting in our building after. So that was cool! Nine less active members came to church because of him I think. It was cool! Plus, is was cool to have him speak in English and then have a translator translate. I wish every talk was like that! Our ward then made a big meal for him and it was cool!

So as far as investigators go, Scott is our main one right now. We are doing the Family English Program with him, which is just 30 minutes of English and then 30 minutes of gospel.  We meet with him twice a week. He doesn't believe in God, and doesn't want to pray and stuff, but I think likes me, and was curious about the Book of Mormon, so he took one. So planting seeds is always good!

So to answer some questions. 

I still feel like a total beginner! I don't feel like I am naturally a good teacher, and then trying to teach in another language it hard. But in some ways it is really good, because it forces you to simplify. And that is good. But we don't teach a whole lot, and often the people have English interest, so I feel like I don't get to practice a lot in Korean. But slowly it is getting easier. I am not sure I will ever not feel like a beginner.
My companion is good. I like him. We are different in some things, but we both want to work hard. So it is good!

New years in Korea is cool. Like Taiwan, they go to their hometown, but only for a few days. So Seoul gets super empty.

 Like on that night we went to Time's Square and home and there were like 10 people that we passed! Maybe more, but they most were still carrying stuff indicating they there were leaving town. We then went to a basketball court and I played with these 3 people and we got their numbers and one of them came to our basketball meeting! But anyway, I don't think they do the envelopes with money like in Taiwan. I think they do this ceremonial bow to their ancestors. And have a family day or two, and eat rice noodle soup thing. the tradition is when you eat that rice stuff, you eat another year so become a year older. (Because everybody changes ages at the new year’s.) So Everybody has that. I had it like 5 times this past week. It is delicious, so I don't mind.

Anyway, I loved all the thoughts and testimonies that you shared with me this week. I am strengthened so much by the faith of others, especially my family. But one group of people that has strengthen my faith her is the deaf group of members in our ward. One of them is now going blind too. Anyway, I see him come to church and have other deaf people have to like physically move his hands in the motion of signs so he can understand things (which is slow). I can imagine that he only gets a few sentences a week. But he and the others come. They are happy, fun, and faithful. I just love them, even though I can barely communicate.

Like mom's talk, no matter the trials or seemingly unfair events, we can be faithful and happy. God will make us the people he wants us to become. I have a testimony of that. And like David I don't always live that testimony, but I want to.

Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Sabey

02082016 New Years In Korea

I finished reading all the Christ/Plan of Salvation centered chapters suggested in PMG from the Book of Mormon today. I guess I feel like I know the ideas pretty well and those chapters are all pretty famous. Obviously I can still learn a lot more. But I guess I just feel like every time a read it I just feel again the awe-someness (awe inspiringness?) of the plan and of Christ's sacrifice. It truly is a perfect plan.  To answer some of mom's questions. Serving my companion: I just try to let him make as many choices as possible, where to eat, what to do on P-day, etc. because I don't care and would rather just make him happy than do something I want to do. We both do dishes some times. His family are all members so he has always been a member. His conversion as far as he has told me was kind of deciding to go on a mission and at the beginning of the mission just by having to really face the decision and seeing if he really believes. I feel Gods love the most probably when listening to or reading General conference (mainly Elder Holland’s talks) haha. Or just reading awesome things about God, the church, family, etc.

It is another New Years in Korea, the other holiday that Korean's can call their parents. So again Seoul gets kind of emptied for a few days. So we walked along the street for like 15 minutes last night and maybe passed 3 people. Yeah. So we spent some time making cards for the ward and it ended up being a pain because we had to print them and the guy there was rather unprofessional and took forever. He was sleeping when we came in and even when we touched him he didn't wake up! Then we laminated the cards and it just took a long time. Then my companion skyped his family. [The Korean’s skype their family on their New Years, not Christmas]  We also went to our bishop’s house again since each companionship has a new member. It was cool. Our bishop went to MIT. Smart guy! Their home teachers came as well as a missionary who used to serve in the ward. So it was an awesome night. We also had zone training this week. Other than that we have done a lot of street contacting and have met with a few potential investigators. So it has been a good week!

We have a multi zone conference this week for the holiday and then interviews with the president. So I am excited for this week.

Anyway I love you all!

Hurrah for Israel!

-- 

Elder Sabey

01252016 Elder Yang is my Companion--Let Life Change You

Hey!

This week I have thought a bit about what Josh and Sarah taught at a mission-prep thing and scouts one night. They basically said the best way to prepare for a mission is to let something change you. They said that a mission is so impactful to so many people, because people expect it to be and thus let it change them. But that is what everything in this life is for. School, sports, etc. They are meant to change us, but often we do not let it change us. So I guess my thoughts are connected to Dia's talks and Mom's thoughts that she shared with me. Having the attitude of an advocate or having a soft heart means we will let things (like a mission, or relationships like marriage, or school, or church) change us. We won't be proud and follow the status quo and not change. So that is my goal.... Kind of big but still.

This week was also really cold. I don't know degrees but I do know if felt freezing! My cheeks were freezing! But our house gets warm at night so it is ok! :)

Anyway I love you all. I pray for you.

I really like my new companion, Elder Yang. 

He works hard and really wants to make a difference in the ward. Our ward had Ward Council this week and set up goals and stuff. For the missionaries we are texting the ward every night so that the ward can pray for missionary work together (well at the same time.) We want to get at least 2 ward members at each of our activities. And then get a lot more practice lessons with members. So we made a list of about 15 members that are pretty solid and would help and will try to do just 20 minutes with each of them every other week or so. Anyway our ward is also making a push to do home teaching, which I think its previous percentage was about 0%. So basically I think our ward is "catching fire" a little bit.

This week as far as stats was perhaps my worst. We were really trying to get Handy to read the Book of Mormon straight through. I think it is hard for him, but I don't think he wants to admit it. So he kept asking for some other lessons like an overview of the stories of all the scriptures and stuff. So we did, but finally at Elder Swanson's last meeting with him, Elder Swanson really pushed for him reading from the beginning, he said he would but then called and said he isn't sure he really wants to meet with us much because he doesn't like that method, so we will try to meet with him either on Sunday or hopefully before to figure out how we can help him out the best. Other than that Jung Soon Eh kind of dropped us, Andrew is maybe getting a little more buy and Gang Jean He hasn't answered his phone recently. 

We did have a worldwide missionary conference, which is the first time in like 10 years. No big announcements, just reemphasizing the ideas they teach at the MTC. They said to treat less actives like investigators. And heard from several people too that we should treat all members as investigators. I guess I just don't totally understand what that implies. Thoughts?

Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Sabey

These are some of the ward members--they are deaf.  There's a sign language missionary with them.

01182016 Last Week with Elder Swanson--A beloved Companion

Hey!  We had transfer calls this week. My new companion will be 양하일 Yang Ha Eel. So that will start on Wednesday. So to answer a few of mom's questions, I haven't spoken a ton of Korean with either companion, both of them seem to prefer just speaking English with each other. I tried pushing a little the speaking Korean thing but it didn't work too well. I get a Korean companion now though so I will probably be speaking a lot more! haha. I am excited. And the eating dog was not a challenge, the guy just asked about it and my companion said let’s do it and so I did. Alcoholism is a huge problem in Korea. Everybody drinks. It is sad. Every restaurant sells alcohol as well. The investigator  was going to meet with us but he got sick and went to the hospital (a normal reaction for Koreans to almost any health problems.) So hopefully we will meet this week. We normally don't tract. Street contacting is a lot more common. I guess it is a bit rude to go to people’s homes. Other churches’ missionaries do it. Our average lessons is probably less than one a day. Our goal is 14 a week. One of the Apostles said we can get 2 every day. The idea is however many we are short that week will fill in with 20-minute practice lessons with ward members but not many members really do that. I have only ever done  one or two of those though. So anyway, not many lessons. But that is ok. We also do some member or less active visits fairly often. And that is what we normally fill our time with. I like the idea of a little devotional. Soccer always starts with a prayer. The bishop of the other ward is in charge. Basketball not many people show up at the beginning, and they stay till after we have to go home so devotionals would be a little hard there as well. But I will talk with my companion about it. Most sports people are Korean. We had a few come to basketball that were not, and they do not speak Korean. People are always really surprised when foreigners speak Korean, because not many foreigners do. A thorn and a rose from this week: A thorn is that we had several appointments cancel with us, so we had very few lessons this week, so a lot of walking. Which is fun but also tiring. A rose is just talking with my companion about some things. It was good, I feel close to him. 

Also Happy Birthday Dia!! Sorry I didn't wish you happy birthday last week. But late is better than never. Here are some memories of Dia: First, I remember how much she enjoys delicious food. Also eating the delicious food she makes. I remember seeing her with Zina and just feeling like she would be a wonderful mother.

My spiritual thoughts this week. It was kind of cool I finished general conference, the book of Mormon, and PMG within a day of each other. I guess just looking at those books/teachings as a whole, I truly feel they are inspired and true. I love the combination between the study books, scriptures, talks, etc. It allows for so many different and consistent insights for all types of different people. I started reading the Power of Everyday Missionaries as well. He talks about doing missionary work for members, but I also think it applies to full time missionaries. Since I was out on the streets a lot this last week my question for whoever wants to answer:  How do you get people on the street to accept our first invitations. Make them smaller? Ask for help? Ideas?

Elder Swanson is on Daniel's Right side

There wasn't too much progress with our investigators this week sadly, so not too much to report. I feel a little bad that this is Elder Swanson's last week. He is such a good person who works hard and loves the people, but has had no success. I just feel for him. But he doesn't let it get him down.

I love you all. Hurrah for Israel.

-- 

Elder Sabey

01112016 Our Perspective, Judgment and a Drunk Man in a Restaurant

Spiritual thoughts or insights this week:   I thought about how, from our perspective, it can be hard to work with people with pretty major problems or we can be judgmental of them.   Always their problems are harder on them than they are on us, so the best thing we can do is love them!  Also I love general conference.  The prophets and apostles are such good amazing people, who teach truth. Just studying last conference, I feel they are sent of God.

So this week there was probably the funniest/ weirdest moment of my mission so far. We went to dinner with a new investigator and he took us to this little restaurant his sister owns inside this market. We were eating where you sit on the floor. You have to take off your shoes and then step up on the dining area. Anyway there was this drunk guy sitting at the American style tables and was just yelling, cussing, singing, etc. Our investigator was trying to  explain something in English but forgot a word and said something like "what is that?" Anyway the drunk guy said something right then so our investigator thought he was answering his question. So they started talking. The drunk guy called our investigator "dang sheen" which means “you” but is really offensive because he was a lot younger than our investigator and stuff. Anyway they got in a little argument but then our investigator just started ignoring him and talked with us. The people at the restaurant tried to get him to leave but he wouldn't. Eventually our investigator called the police. Anyway the drunk guy stood up and walked right to where you take off your shoes and just stared at us and sang songs. We just didn't look at him. Finally he took off his shoes and came up to our area of the restaurant. Our investigator immediately stood up and left. So we were stuck with a drunk  guy just walking towards us. I was the one closest to him so he came right up to me and sat down and grabbed my hand and sang to me. He said he loved me and I was like, yup love you too. He then went to kiss me and got my check. He was like "kiss" "kiss". And went for another kiss. I just gave him my forehead. He then wanted to kiss my companion and my companion would only give him his hand. He talked to my companion and said "younger brother" (which is normal to call younger people). My companion said yeah? "Younger  Brother" "Yeah?" "Younger Brother" "Yeah?" "Your stylish" "You are  too!" "Me stylish?  hahaha" and then fell over laughing. Finally the police came. It took them a while to finally get him to leave. It was super awkward and weird. But funny at the same thing. But perhaps mainly sad.

Also last week I ate dog soup. So that was exciting. It wasn't great meat so I didn't love it but the taste was pretty good! And actually quite a bit of meat.  More importantly than all of this, this week was a little slow. We had Zone training. It was good. They introduced some new rules. The idea is to get us out on the streets in our area more. Or at least just doing something worthwhile in our area more. So they took out spiritual prep before district meetings which was normal before and stuff like that. We weren't able to meet with many people. We will see if the investigator with the drunk guy will want to meet with us again after that. Jeoung Soon Eh came to church again and we will meet with her again. Andrew seems to really connect with us. He now has a little more free time so likes to hang out with us.  But I am not sure how much sincere interest he has. He definitely is Christian but I don't think he wants to participate in a church or change some things in his life. We will see. We are also meeting with him tonight.

The language  is slow but  is  progressing. Anyway life is good. I love you all.

Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Sabey

01042016--New Years in Korea

I'm 22 in Korea.  How cool is that? Yeah everybody's age changes at the new year, well at least when you eat this rice cake stuff, and then your age changes. So I did and am now 22 in Korea.

 Anyway we didn't do any major celebrations for New Years as a ward. But New Years is a pretty big holiday. Most all stores were closed on New Years as opposed to Christmas during which most stores were open. 

This week there wasn't any huge news. Our bishop gave us a list of names of less actives from like 10 years ago with their addresses and stuff and we were supposed to check if any of the information was correct. So we spent one day, well 4.5 hours walking around finding these houses. Basically they all have moved or were not home, or the address or apartment didn't exist. One had a correct phone number. We talked to a lot of cool people that day too. It was fun. Just a lot of walking around. We also had basketball that night, so we were both pretty sore the next day.

I got a lot of Christmas emails, so thank you! The vacation seems to have been super fun, both in Kamas and Nashville.

Brian in one of his letters wrote that he and Dia had an all to infrequent scripture study that felt very guided my the spirit or something like that. I guess I felt that same yesterday. I was fasting to be guided in setting year/ mission goals. So I set them. I didn't find any scripture or something that answered my question,  but I just felt they came easily to me. Things that are simple and easy enough to do that can add together to make the bigger changes I want. Anyway that felt very good. We had President and Sister Morrise attend our district meeting. It was good. I like them a lot. He got a little mad, or gave us some correction, because as a district we mainly talk in English during meeting like that. Perhaps for good reason, and perhaps not, I don't know. He then felt horrible so sent everybody an apology text and stuff. It was nice of him though. He is very real and I appreciate that a lot more than looking like the perfect example. 

We met with Andrew on New Years. He teaches English, I think I have told you about him. I really like him. I think he is looking for something more in his life, whether or not he realizes. He likes us missionaries, but doesn't want to really learn from us much, just be friends. Thus far we have still had good church discussions the past two times, that are just not in a traditional lesson format. So some prayers for him would be great. No Da Bean got work off on Sundays so he can go to church every week which is great. He loves Sherlock, and I guess a movie just came out, so he called me and talked with me for a little about it and about his life. That was fun, it feels good to have somebody call you just to talk, and maybe practice English a little bit... haha.

Anyway I am sorry there wasn't too much I feel like I can report on today. My main thoughts have been on goals this week. I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk on faith. How skepticism isn't impressive, that is easy. But faith, takes effort, and truly is impressive. So that is my goal.

I love you all,

Hurrah for Israel,

-- 

Elder Sabey