This week I wanted to talk about a phrase that they have in both Korean and English -- "do your best!" I learned that phrase from Brother Campbell in the MTC, and it's stuck with me since. I used it as part of my first talk at Yeonsu, and I use it constantly. We met with an investigator this week who has no religion, but has decided that the purpose of life for him is to be a good person and do his best. He really, really likes that phrase too, so we bonded over that. I'm excited to meet with him again.
Another thing I wanted to talk about was the phrase "burden." We don't use it often in English, but it's really common in Korea. You have to be careful of how much burden you place on somebody when you ask them to do something, because too much burden means it's really uncomfortable. People will respond that they don't want to do something because it "burdens" them. It basically means that you should be sensitive to people's feelings, but it's also an excuse not to do things. "Oh, that's a bit of burden..." I thought that was interesting how they phrase it this way, and how the term "burden" is so integral to their society.
Another thing I wanted to talk about was the phrase "burden." We don't use it often in English, but it's really common in Korea. You have to be careful of how much burden you place on somebody when you ask them to do something, because too much burden means it's really uncomfortable. People will respond that they don't want to do something because it "burdens" them. It basically means that you should be sensitive to people's feelings, but it's also an excuse not to do things. "Oh, that's a bit of burden..." I thought that was interesting how they phrase it this way, and how the term "burden" is so integral to their society.
We have our first really "prepared person" that we're constantly meeting with. He did really well with the First Lesson and read the Restoration Pamphlet, so we're excited to teach him the Second Lesson, the Plan of Salvation. I'm honestly not really helpful at this point, and I want to understand what people are saying sooooo badly. Right now, my trial is to be patient, and, as I've been focusing on, to be still and know that God is. As long as I keep doing my best, I'll make it. Little by little, I'm learning the language.
Today, we're traveling to Songpa to stay the night. Tomorrow, we have Zone Conference! That'll be an exciting follow-up to Stake Conference, since we're climbing one of the (tiny) mountains here in Korea. Stake Conference was pretty cool, but the only thing I understood was President Ringwood's remarks, since they were in English then translated. President Ringwood is the Area President for South Asia, so he's a really cool guy.
This week I finished the Pearl of Great Price in personal study, and that reinforced the gospel principle that God loves His children, so He always calls prophets to whom He reveals the gospel plan that will bless families and individuals. Joseph Smith History also has some amazing stuff in it, that just reinforces my testimony of Joseph Smith. I also finished Psalms in my Old Testament reading! Did you know there's a Psalm with around 150 verses? That thing was intense! It's 119. There's 150 Psalms total, so I've been there for a while. But, now I'm moving on to Proverbs! I've always liked Proverbs, but I'm really excited for Isaiah. So much goes back to Isaiah, it's going to be great studying it.
If you remember, one of my favorite songs was titled "Newsong." As I've read through Psalms, I've found the phrase "new song" dozens of times. In the context they use it, new typically means "renew, another, start again, or... new." Song can mean anything from praises, to your life. That phrase has really entered my heart. Sing a new song unto the Lord! We're not meant to be the same. We're meant to change and grow, throughout all eternity.
I've been thinking about President Uchtdorf's address last conference, and there's one passage that always sticks out, and has been shaping my life. It's titled "We Are Not Made for Endings."
"In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seemunacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.
Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless13 andwho promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny.
The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merelyinterruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.
How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."
I love that so much. It's a truth of our existence as mortal beings, with immortal spirits. President Uchtdorf is, as he is to many, one of my favorite speakers. It's almost like he's a German Morgan Freeman of sorts.
I went on an exchange last week with Elder T, and it was a blast! We got lots of phone numbers and conversations, and I think that because it was different from the normal routine, we were a little fired up. That experience helped me both to appreciate my companion, remember to always be excited about the work, and that in the future, getting new companions will be a fun and potentially challenging experience.
I've been working on "Teacher Improvement," our mission's program for... improving teaching... with my companion, and the way it works is that I teach one of the principles in a Lesson, and then, it he feels I taught it well, he signs off on it. Regardless of if he does or not, we discuss what was good, what wasn't, and how things can change (an After Action Report!). He's been playing as one of my friends, and it's been really odd as I slowly teach the first lesson to see my "friend" start to accept gospel truths and change. It's been really fun, becoming a better teacher of gospel principles. It's also introduced me to a powerful teaching technique: allegories and analogies. Parables are an effective way to help learners emphasize with prophets, appreciate the Book of Mormon, and understand what prayer truly is, among many other things. I've begun keeping a small notebook of gospel analogies, so that I can always have that with me when teaching. That relates back to the importance of asking inspired questions, which is a must.
I found out that sending flat-rate envelopes (the manila ones) is really cheap here. I know it's not the same sending them, but it'll be really easy for me to send things your way, as long as they can fit in the envelope. I'm sure I'll get creative in that regard. I'll probably send a little something home in June, for Mom and Dad's birthday.
Last week we ate at a Gogi buffet, which was delicious! You literally just pick out meat and cook it right there, then pay for whatever you took and didn't eat. I have a few pictures of that, from my blue camera. Food and everything else is so different here. As you leave, they have a spray for you, so you can spray your clothes/yourself, and not smell like meat all night! That buffet was over in Songdo, the artificial island that's part of our area.
That's it for this week. Tune in next time, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.
Love,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
P.S.
I'd hate to burden anybody, but I'd love to get emails from the kids (or ward members... or friends) and to get mail. I don't know how convenient or inconvenient any of that may be, but I just thought I'd let people know. I don't want to lose or weaken the bonds I've already accumulated in life. To me, bonds with others is one of the most important things about this life.
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