Sorry I (Brandi) am a little behind in posting Ausitn's letters been a little under the weather! Enjoy!!
The highlight of this week was the Ward Christmas Party -- followed by a funeral.
Brother Go Jong Min (고종민) a faithful brother in our ward, passed away at 7:00 a.m. on Christmas morning. I was never actually able to meet him in person, because he'd been hospitalized since I got here. Apparently, he suffered from stomach cancer, then never really fully recovered after the chemotherapy treatments. It was especially disappointing that he died Christmas morning, because we were going to visit him with his 3 daughters that night to try and share some Christmas cheer. We've been able to help his family in a few small ways, but I feel the most significant one was attending his funeral. I won't go into detail right now (most of it's trivial for foreigners), but my favorite part is the tradition of lighting a candle, individually, and placing it in a pot. The candles (more like slow-burning sticks of incense that don't smell, but I don't know what that's even called) represent our thoughts, our prayers, and our hopes for the family, and the deceased. Never, throughout the three-four day funeral, is the pot to be empty. Someone will always watch it to make sure there's at least one candle burning. How cool is that! There will always be somebody thinking about them, as they mourn. I find that a symbolic representation of part of the baptismal covenant, from Mosiah 18: to mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.
The day before, we were able to testify to a man of the reality that we are representatives of Jesus Christ. A Chinese man approached us on the street, and, for the next half hour or so, talked to us about his myriad life experiences, sharing his opinions on a variety of subjects. He talked a lot, and I knew that we would have one chance to say something to him. I didn't figure that out myself -- it was a conviction that the Holy Ghost placed in my heart to prepare me for that moment. He looked at me, and said, "I know that you have a big man behind you. I know that he is very rich, wants to change the world. He probably wants the world to see the bible from his perspective."
I'm not sure exactly what he meant; probably he assumed we'd been sent here by some rich pastor in America. No clue. But when he paused, smiled at me, and looked expectant, I smiled back, my heart just wanting to share the gospel with him, and bring him towards God's light, and responded:
"Yes, we do have a big man behind us. The big man behind us, who wants to change the world, is God. I am a representative of Jesus Christ, and God has placed us here today to offer you the chance to add more truth to your life."
The man was pretty surprised. He literally threw his arms up in the air, and bowed to us a few times, almost laughing. He cried out, "I am humble, I am humble." I just smiled at him, hoping he would accept an invitation to meet with us, or exchange contact information.
Well, he didn't. But I knew that I'd given him that chance, which is all we're here to do. We are offering a gift -- the gift of the restored gospel, the gift of Jesus Christ's atonement, the gift of eternal life.
That night was the Christmas party for our ward. The missionaries participated by performing a skit, and then they asked me to dress up as Santa Claus, and give out the presents to the children! That was so much fun. Our skit was a parody of what goes on in missionary homes, with the Elder's constantly sleeping, not knowing how to cook, having no food, etc, whereas the Sisters are always super energetic, exactly obedient, etc. The members loved it. The highlight of it for me was a lunchtime scene, where we found ramen, but couldn't read Korean, and so didn't know how to make it. I ripped open a package, took a bite out of the uncooked noodles, tore open the package of seasoning, threw my head back and downed it, then topped it off with the small package of vegetables they include in Korean ramen. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (I was kinda terrified...), and everybody went crazy. There were so many people who saw exactly where it was going as soon as I ripped open the ramen, and they were all going, "No~ Don't do it~ Ah~" So much fun. I really enjoy performing.
We spent part of Christmas day at Bishop's house (the part we weren't at Brother Go's funeral). Fun fact: Korean's watch Harry Potter at Christmas too! Of course, they had to turn that off when we got there. A lot of the young adults from the ward were there, so were actually able to have some fun, and take a breath after leaving the funeral center.
Yesterday we met with a recent convert family, and shared the story of the 2,000 Stripling Warriors. As we discussed the importance of parents being gospel teachers, and how important it is to share the gospel with our children, I thought of the inscription on the two pound coin: "Standing on the shoulders of giants." As I thought about it, I thought about how I've come to where I am, riding on the shoulders of giants. From my parents, teachers, and priesthood leaders, to companions and mission leaders, to noble ancestors and relatives, to, ultimately, the Savior Jesus Christ, I've stepped off of, and will in the future, step off of more shoulders, as others ride on mine. That's part of growing up; but I'll never leave the Savior. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. We all ride on His shoulders.
Elder Richard G. Scott has talked about the importance of mentoring others, teaching that as soon as we are in a position, because of experience, where we can mentor somebody else, we should do it. Age doesn't matter; it's our experiences. If we would all share what we've learned and experienced, we could learn and grow at a cumulative, accelerated rate! As I continue to grow up and become an adult, I realize more and more that there will be people riding on my shoulders, who will look up to me, and who will learn from my example. My intention is to stand as tall as possible, so that the next generation can soar even higher, as we continue to improve upon that which has been passed down to us.
Paul H. Dunn said, "We who are older speak of building a better world, but our progress is slow. Real generosity to the future lies, then, in giving all that we have to the present." I want to give my all, now, so there can be a better future. It's my hope that all of us who are older will give our all to build a better tomorrow, starting right now!
Brother Go Jong Min (고종민) a faithful brother in our ward, passed away at 7:00 a.m. on Christmas morning. I was never actually able to meet him in person, because he'd been hospitalized since I got here. Apparently, he suffered from stomach cancer, then never really fully recovered after the chemotherapy treatments. It was especially disappointing that he died Christmas morning, because we were going to visit him with his 3 daughters that night to try and share some Christmas cheer. We've been able to help his family in a few small ways, but I feel the most significant one was attending his funeral. I won't go into detail right now (most of it's trivial for foreigners), but my favorite part is the tradition of lighting a candle, individually, and placing it in a pot. The candles (more like slow-burning sticks of incense that don't smell, but I don't know what that's even called) represent our thoughts, our prayers, and our hopes for the family, and the deceased. Never, throughout the three-four day funeral, is the pot to be empty. Someone will always watch it to make sure there's at least one candle burning. How cool is that! There will always be somebody thinking about them, as they mourn. I find that a symbolic representation of part of the baptismal covenant, from Mosiah 18: to mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.
The day before, we were able to testify to a man of the reality that we are representatives of Jesus Christ. A Chinese man approached us on the street, and, for the next half hour or so, talked to us about his myriad life experiences, sharing his opinions on a variety of subjects. He talked a lot, and I knew that we would have one chance to say something to him. I didn't figure that out myself -- it was a conviction that the Holy Ghost placed in my heart to prepare me for that moment. He looked at me, and said, "I know that you have a big man behind you. I know that he is very rich, wants to change the world. He probably wants the world to see the bible from his perspective."
I'm not sure exactly what he meant; probably he assumed we'd been sent here by some rich pastor in America. No clue. But when he paused, smiled at me, and looked expectant, I smiled back, my heart just wanting to share the gospel with him, and bring him towards God's light, and responded:
"Yes, we do have a big man behind us. The big man behind us, who wants to change the world, is God. I am a representative of Jesus Christ, and God has placed us here today to offer you the chance to add more truth to your life."
The man was pretty surprised. He literally threw his arms up in the air, and bowed to us a few times, almost laughing. He cried out, "I am humble, I am humble." I just smiled at him, hoping he would accept an invitation to meet with us, or exchange contact information.
Well, he didn't. But I knew that I'd given him that chance, which is all we're here to do. We are offering a gift -- the gift of the restored gospel, the gift of Jesus Christ's atonement, the gift of eternal life.
That night was the Christmas party for our ward. The missionaries participated by performing a skit, and then they asked me to dress up as Santa Claus, and give out the presents to the children! That was so much fun. Our skit was a parody of what goes on in missionary homes, with the Elder's constantly sleeping, not knowing how to cook, having no food, etc, whereas the Sisters are always super energetic, exactly obedient, etc. The members loved it. The highlight of it for me was a lunchtime scene, where we found ramen, but couldn't read Korean, and so didn't know how to make it. I ripped open a package, took a bite out of the uncooked noodles, tore open the package of seasoning, threw my head back and downed it, then topped it off with the small package of vegetables they include in Korean ramen. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (I was kinda terrified...), and everybody went crazy. There were so many people who saw exactly where it was going as soon as I ripped open the ramen, and they were all going, "No~ Don't do it~ Ah~" So much fun. I really enjoy performing.
We spent part of Christmas day at Bishop's house (the part we weren't at Brother Go's funeral). Fun fact: Korean's watch Harry Potter at Christmas too! Of course, they had to turn that off when we got there. A lot of the young adults from the ward were there, so were actually able to have some fun, and take a breath after leaving the funeral center.
Yesterday we met with a recent convert family, and shared the story of the 2,000 Stripling Warriors. As we discussed the importance of parents being gospel teachers, and how important it is to share the gospel with our children, I thought of the inscription on the two pound coin: "Standing on the shoulders of giants." As I thought about it, I thought about how I've come to where I am, riding on the shoulders of giants. From my parents, teachers, and priesthood leaders, to companions and mission leaders, to noble ancestors and relatives, to, ultimately, the Savior Jesus Christ, I've stepped off of, and will in the future, step off of more shoulders, as others ride on mine. That's part of growing up; but I'll never leave the Savior. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. We all ride on His shoulders.
Elder Richard G. Scott has talked about the importance of mentoring others, teaching that as soon as we are in a position, because of experience, where we can mentor somebody else, we should do it. Age doesn't matter; it's our experiences. If we would all share what we've learned and experienced, we could learn and grow at a cumulative, accelerated rate! As I continue to grow up and become an adult, I realize more and more that there will be people riding on my shoulders, who will look up to me, and who will learn from my example. My intention is to stand as tall as possible, so that the next generation can soar even higher, as we continue to improve upon that which has been passed down to us.
Paul H. Dunn said, "We who are older speak of building a better world, but our progress is slow. Real generosity to the future lies, then, in giving all that we have to the present." I want to give my all, now, so there can be a better future. It's my hope that all of us who are older will give our all to build a better tomorrow, starting right now!
Best wishes, and with a bright hope,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
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