Weekly Letter 6/22/2014

 A little girl we sat behind drew a picture of me during sacrament meeting (attached)! She's really nice, but pretty rambunctious. A little like Grace, maybe?

 

Here's the poem I recited at last week's District Meeting Poetry Slam Jam!

The Conductor of Nazareth

 

Music soothes the savage beast 
It heightens the mood at a banquet feast

 

It calms your soul in times of trouble, 
And inspires you, when you're on the bubble!

 

Every soul has its own reaction, 
To music's moving traction

 

Each music notes unique
Appealing to the proud and the meek

 

Not everyone likes A sharp,
Or the twinkling springing of the harp

 

Some folks only tolerate a B
When it's part of a full symphony

 

Some swear by piano only,
While another says, "The Flute's the one for me."

 

Humans are like a musical scale
Without beginning or end to a wondrous tale

 

Alone, I'm one note fading,
Together, we're a melody, building

 

We can touch everyone
Playing the music of the Son

 

He's the great divine Conductor
Who causes walls to break and hearts to rupture

 

He made me and you and them
He knows which song will reveal soul's hidden gem

 

Let your will be swallowed up 
By Him who drank the bitter cup

 

Piano keys don't always understand
The all-knowing, omnipotent hand.

 

Learn to recognize Christ's fingerprints,
And you'll always hear the Spirit's hints.

 

You'll know just how to play your part
To touch a fellow human's heart.

  

While I'm at it, I thought I'd share my most recent GSP (Gospel Song Parody), based off of the song, "All-Star."

 

All-Star

The Master has told me

I shouldn't be so worldly

It doesn't matter what's on my head

 

I was feelin kinda flat

With my logo namebrand hat

Bringin shade to the tip of my forehead

 

Well, the years start comin and they don't stop comin

Back to His rules and to church I'll go runnin

 

Didn't make sense just to live for one

It shrinks your heart and it dims the sun

 

So much to do, so much to see

Including feeding the hungry

 

You'll never know if you don't try

You'll never shine if He's not nigh

 

Hey now, you're an allstar

Read your scriptures, go, pray

Hey now, you're a rockstar

Do some service, no pay!

 

Selfishness is like mold

Only selfless souls break the mould

 

It's a cruel place

They say it gets crueler

Your heart's hurt now, wait till you get older

The teachings of Christ beg to differ,

Judgin how for you and me He suffered

 

The life I live is gettin pretty thin

My spirit's gettin worn and I don't ever wanna sin

 

My heart's on fire, how bout yours?

That's the way I like it and I'll never get bored

 

Hey now, I'm an allstar

I'll read my scriptures and pray,

Hey now, I'm a rockstar,

I'll do service, no pay!

 

Selfishness is like mold

Only selfless souls, break the mould

 

My bishop once asked if I have a sinful past

That's taken me out of life's race

I said, "Nope!" That was pretty dope.

I had used a little grace myself,

And we can all use a little change!

 

Well, the trials start comin and they don't stop comin'

Back to repentin' and I'll hit the ground runnin!

 

Doesn't make sense just to live for one

Unless His name is the Son of God!

 

So much to do, so much to see

And it won't be for just me

 

You'll never know how to rise

If you never learn to sacrifice

 

Hey now, you're an allstar

One of Jesus' rays

Hey now, you're a rockstar

You'll know just what to say:

 

All that uplifts is God!

Only sin rusts the Iron Rod

 

Selfishness is like mold!

Only selfless souls break the mould

 

So that happened. I just thought I'd share those with you. I thought some people might enjoy them.

In other news, this week none of our investigators came to church, but several less-actives we've been working with did! It was really rewarding to see lost sheep return to the fold. B didn't come to church, but we did meet with him Saturday night. We reviewed lesson 1, and he retained a lot! He remembered how the priesthood is like being knighted (which he came up with!) and he really opened up to us at the end about how he's been searching his whole life, and his heart was just never content. I really hope he understands that the feelings he has when we talk together -- which he recognized again during the lesson -- are what will fill that hole in his heart, and that he's being led to the truth. So we taught more about the Spirit, and we actually had to teach him how to use the scriptures! Literally how to find Books in the Book of Mormon, and how to recognize a chapter, etc. That was new! I'd never done that before, but realized it's pretty important for people without a Christian background.

We met with a potential named J, who's a Korean who speaks pretty good English, then found out he's actually an inactive member! He was a clerk at one point! He fell away because he wasn't very social, and didn't like talking to people at church. Apparently, Bishop's good friends with his dad, who goes to a different ward! Unfortunately, J has no relationship with his parents anymore. He believes in the scriptures, and still prays, but figures he's fine if he just does good things like helping people every once in a while. We just really testified of the additional blessings that living all parts of the gospel can bring into your life. He liked our sincerity, though he wouldn't come to church. We're going to try and keep meeting with him, which surprised him, since he said he wouldn't go to church. Even if he never returns, we'll still be his friends.

That same statements pretty similar to one we made yesterday to a man we met -- Chwae In Guk. He used to be really wealthy, playing the stock market, but now, at age 50, he's lost it all. We met him the first time on the street, while we were trying to find an address in the poor area of Yeonsu. He was familiar with our church, and had met with missionaries before, about 20 years ago, but got busy with work. Of course, that's no longer an issue, since he's not affluent anymore. We sat down with him in a park and taught him a condensed version of the first lesson. We saw him later, walking around that same area, and he just goes, "Hmph. Come on. Follow me." We follow him to his house, and he has us sit down inside his little two-room apartment. He walks into the room holding a butcher knife, makes eye-contact with us, and says, "Don't be scared." Whoa! He walks over to the fridge and slices up a watermelon, but we were pretty freaked out for a moment! As we sat there and ate watermelon in his home, he just opened up to us all about his past, how he was greedy, and how he put off having a family, and now he has nothing. No family, no money, no faith, no health. He literally said that a cigarette is his only friend. I forgot to mention, but he speaks English, so I could actually understand everything he told us. He really reminded me of the poor Zoramites in the Book of Mormon that Alma taught. They'd been humbled by God, and were now ready for the gospel, as opposed to before when they were raised up in pride by their riches. I really think this man is ready for our message. He asked some good questions, and said he'd come to church this Sunday. I have a good feeling about him.

We have this dry cleaning lady who lives near our house, and we've been teaching her the gospel! Sort-of. Every time we stop in, we always end up talking about religion. She really opened up last time we talked with her. She's sincerely looking for religion right now, but isn't sure where to go. Classic Joseph Smith story. As you know, sometimes the straps on the back of ties wear, and part of it falls off. I had a few ties like that, and she was able to fix four or five ties, for $2.00! That's one example of the kind of service that's easy to find in Korea, but trickier back in America.

 At the priesthood meeting last Friday (I think it's P.E.C. It's basically just the bishopric and the ward mission leader) the missionaries were invited to talk about their investigators for a few minutes. Elder W walks them through, and just as we get up to leave, so they can continue the meeting, Bishop tells us to sit down! He chews out Elder W for talking so much, and asks me to say something, anything. I don't even remember what I said. I told him that the missionaries want to sing a special musical number in two weeks, and how we talked about that with inactives. Bishop was really impressed, and told Elder W that he and Elder T (the other senior companion in Yeonsu) that they need to let Elder R and I (the junior companions) speak more often. Bishop said my pronunciation was good.  My goal is to be fluent by the end of transfer! It's kind of a joke, but I'm learning so fast, and working so hard, that I think I could definitely be pretty proficient with the language, as long as I remain humble and meek. Some of the missionaries are actually fairly concerned for the mission, because it's about to get really young. In July, a ton of missionaries go home, and a lot arrive. While the mission won't get much smaller, all the missionaries here will be pretty green. That means that the overall Korean speaking ability (among other things, like teaching) of the mission will go down quite a bit. In 6 months or so, almost all of the "good" missionaries will be gone, which means that my generations really gonna have to step up as leaders and speakers. I'm sure we're up for the challenge. For some reason, Elder W is convinced that I'm going to end up a district leader, and train by the end of my mission. I'm curious for what the future holds, but my focus is in the here and now. I need to be able to speak to people and express myself!

I received a witness of my progress yesterday, when we had a meal with the Ward Mission Leader. We ate with him once before, when I'd only been in country a couple of weeks. This time, I was able to understand almost everything being said, and I'm getting to the point where I can be pretty witty in Korean! It was so great, especially when I gave the spiritual thought at the end. I'd given it last time too, so I'm sure Ward Mission Leader was thinking about the difference between now and then. I've really progressed so far, though I have a long way to go still. I know that as long as I continue keeping the rules and doing my best, I'll make it there someday!

While I was saying my nightly prayer last night, a memory entered my mind, with great force. It was from years and years ago, back home. Christian had thrown something of mine down the stairs, and broken a part of it. I was really upset, and dad started scolding Christian. I'm pretty sure he didn't cry in real life, but in my remembering he started crying. I could tell that I was remembering this as an adult, and not as the child I was then, because I was so much wiser. I felt so awful. I had a taste of Godly sorrow -- I was filled to the brim with regret and anguish. Why was it a big deal to me? Why didn't I realize my relationship with my little brother was so much more important than any material possession? How might've things changed if I'd just thrown my arms around him and forgiven him? My soul was utterly consumed with regret. I prayed harder and harder, and came to a point, where I felt the Spirit, as I pleaded with the Lord for forgiveness. Family truly is more important than anything else. I never want to have regrets like that. I want to remember that experience for the rest of my life, and remember it the way God wants me to -- to urge me to be better, not to be dragged down in despair. God truly does forgive us of our mistakes. I've experienced it personally. It reminds me of a quote from Joseph Smith:

"Search your heart, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins."

Our ultimate goal is to be reunited with Heavenly Father. To do that, we need to repent of all our sins. I love the way he words it: search your heart. Search your heart for those things that cause you pain, then plead and struggle with Heavenly Father until the issue is resolved. I'm so glad I did. Now, I have a learning experience, instead of a painful one.

Never forget that Heavenly Father's arm is stretched out to take you back, to forgive you.

Love,
Elder Austin Lynn