Another week in the service of our God!
I was just thinking, with all these mission calls to Korea, that I was the first one called there from our area! It seems like the Lord's decided I'll be the guinea pig, which fits in line with what Mom and Dad have always done. :)
Off topic: I heard that there's some major world shenanigans going on in Bangkok? Something about flights from Asia to America being pushed back to the end of June? What's up with that?
I wanted to request the transcript for the speech "Don't Sleep through the Revolution," by Martin Luther King Jr., if that's possible. I'd really like to read that.
Awkward Adventure for this week was definitely an experience had on a bus. The guy we're talking to mentions how he likes music, so Elder W asks me if I know any songs. The only one I know in Korean is "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." He's just like, "Alright, sick, go for it." He tells this guy I'm going to sing a song, and I can't just let him down, so I sing the first verse, feeling stupid the entire time. Apparently, the guy just blanks out, no laugh or anything, and just says, "That's not a real song. That's for children." So that was pretty humiliating.
The other day we were visiting a grandma, and she gave us the nastiest water I have ever drunk. I literally had to choke back the gag reflex a couple of times, it was so vile. But, because we're in Korea, we had to drink all of it, so I did. Yuck.
Items I'd like to be in my next package that I've thought of thus far are the following:
Frosting
An English Dictionary
Water Flavoring packets
...And that's all for now. I'm loving my package though, thank you so much!
This week I struggled a bit feeling discouraged about my Korean skills, but it led me to a realization. I don't have to struggle with being humble and not destroying your own self-esteem, because I rely on Christ as my rock. When I fail, it's because of my own failings and pride. When I succeed, it's through Christ's grace, using all of who I am. The specific experience that led to the discouragement was in a lesson with a struggling member, I tried to testify of the Book of Mormon, and how it has his answers. Every single one. It came out a little weird, but it made sense. Afterwards, he told my companion that it was a little awkward, because he hates it when people just keep repeating those things like that. Elder W was really great in supporting me, and let me know that that's just how it is right now, and it's more of his problem than mine, but that just really crushed me. Part of it is that I really want to just be able to testify and have people be blown away by the Spirit, regardless of what I say, or how I say it. That experience also helped show me that I have a long ways to go, emotionally. I came so close to tears that night, just walking on the street, and thinking about this experience. But, like all trials, since I've kept the faith I've emerged stronger from it. I'm not going to give up because of one member, who can't even recall a single spiritual experience, who doubts the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, who wants the church to lower it's standards! I am a representative of Jesus Christ, ordained to the office of Elder, by those with the Priesthood of God. I will not let one man, under the grip of the adversary, bring me down. I have a much grander path than that.
All in all, it was a good week. We've got our first baptismal commitment! He didn't come to church on Sunday since he was busy, which was majorly disappointing, but we're going to give him a baptismal date in our next lesson with him. It would be so marvelous to have a baptism in my second transfer.
Speaking of amazing things, this Thursday we get to go to the temple! I'm really excited for that. Then, on Saturday, we get to go to a meeting where Elder Cook is speaking to the Seoul and Seoul South missions! How amazing is that?!
I found this on LDS.org and thought it was really interesting. It also taught me a lot, and had a couple things about our temple I didn't know!
That's all for this week. I've love receiving emails from everybody; it's so inspiring to see the Lord's hand in the lives of His children. That reminds me of an analogy I came up with this week, that I'd like to share. Imagine that your father was elected president. (This is really customizable for locale; for instance, you could ask here in Korea, what if your father was King Seijeong, a famous king who invented their alphabet). How would your life change? How would it improve? You'd never have to worry about money. You'd be safe for the rest of your life. College wouldn't be a problem. Etc, etc. Well, God, the Creator of all things, the Almighty, the All-Powerful, is your father. And, you can speak to Him whenever you want. He's always available... (Then you could start teaching prayer, etc). I really like this, and I think it helps people relate to the principle "God is our loving Heavenly Father," and how that knowledge can change your life.
I love all of you so dearly, and love hearing from you.
Love,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
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