Episode #003: Trust Issues

I don't know if I can trust Scown anymore. The other night my phone was at 59% battery and his was at 39. Has he been using his phone without me?? Doesn't he know the mission rules?? Didn't he think I'd maybe want to watch Safety Zone too?? In any case, it was a great week. Let's talk about it...

Time FLIES at the MTC. I can't believe most people only get 2 weeks here!! I couldn't leave! I'd miss my teachers, the chocolate milk, running into old friends,, the boot camp vibe, the noisy dorm halls, walking through push up contests, and most of all, district 23-H. 8 weeks though, that sounds better. :)

Quote of the week:

"What's the difference between 에 and 애?" - 저

"You will learn.." - Kim 형제님

Unbridled patriotism:

We went to the top of T4 to watch a fireworks show. Hilarity ensued. 

Elder Hem tried to join a game the Korean sisters were playing, seemed kind of like the game of "concentration" (no repeats or hesitation) That was entertaining. We sang the national anthem, then an elder started singing "O Canada" while his companion 

hype-man/heckled him. That was funny. We had a really good time just joking around. The fireworks were supposed to start at 9:40, which didn't happen. Scown and I called it around 10:30. It was past my bedtime. The fireworks, on cue, started as soon as we got downstairs. 

A great famine came upon the land:

Fast Sunday. Jesus said "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." I won't lie, I was still a bit hangry by dinner time, but Jesus has a point. It was definitely easier to make it through my fast when I was spending the whole day in the Book of Mormon. I didn't eat, but I feasted upon the words of Christ. 

Tuesday nights devotional:

I had the pleasure of hearing from Brad Wilcox. PHENOMINAL devotional. He spoke about faith. The spirit was so strong. He had me on the edge of my seat and half the audience in tears. Afterwards I saw him greeting a crowd of missionaries, ministering to them patiently, one by one. I couldn't help but be reminded of 3 Nephi, when Jesus visits the Nephites in America. Such a Christ-like man. Such a good talk. Unforgettable.

Korean.  So. Much. Korean.

We started full immersion on Thursday. We're at basically 7 hours of Korean study per day. I want to go to sleep. 

Highlights:

 ~ pausing our roommate discussion to join in spontaneously belting out the national anthem in the hallway with like 20 missionaries on 4th of July night

~ riding the bike machine in the gym while watching conference talks #everydayislegday

~morning dance parties to Samsung default alarms and sleeping like a rock with miller's new noise maker

~ after elieson 자메님 said I was "such a cartoon character sometimes" elder Miller added "yeah bro would float through the air when he smells a good pie" I lost my mind laughing the entire elevator ride

~ Graham canyon is the best ice cream, fight me

~ we posted on Facebook in Korean for an assignment and Facebook translator messed all of our posts up so bad  "I am the Smith window"

~ "Sanctify Yourselves" is the best video the Church has ever produced and definitely hits different as a Melchizedek Priesthood holder. Go watch it right now. I'm serious. Try not to cry challenge.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-09-0005-sanctify-yourselves?lang=eng

What I'm learning:

1. Jesus (and eminem) said to "lose yourself" in the service of others and you will find yourself. I need to stop worrying so much about myself. I need to turn outward when the natural man would turn in. 

2. "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" D&C. This is probably my favorite scripture. When I was getting ready to leave, a lot of people asked me if I was afraid. I would always answer, honestly, not really. This is the least scary thing I've ever done! I have a 2-year plan, I'm learning and growing so much,  I'm becoming a much better person, I get to have adventures and do the Lord's work, all while under His protection, and I know I will be blessed more than I can comprehend by my merciful, 사랑이 많으신 하나님 아버지. Why would I be afraid?? I know I'm doing the right thing. If you're considering serving a mission, go for it. Full send. I'm 3 weeks in and I already love it. 사랑해요!! 안넝이 계세요! (I really hope I spelled that right)