Four-Square, Four-Square, Four-Square!!
This week the missionaries put on an event with the youth, where we taught them how to play "Four-Square!" We had good participation from the youth, and, best of all, our potential investigator came, along with his girlfriend! More on them in a bit! It was such a blast to play Four-Square -- the first time since the MTC! And... I've still got it! My favorite moment was when the ball bounced out of my square, behind me and to my left. I turned towards it as it hit the wood floor, then rose out of my square. I continued turning, thought, "Can I really do it?", reached out, caught the ball with the flat of my hand, kept spinning around, and slung shot it back into play! Things like that are great, not for gratifying my pride, but because when people see them, everybody gets excited! Although, yeah, it was pretty cool being cheered on by everybody.
After the activity, we went out to dinner with our potential investigator, and friend, -- English name, Devon! (김도윤), and his girlfriend, J Y (정연수). I was so surprised -- his girlfriend's name is the exact same as my first area! We'd originally met them a couple of weeks ago, walking on the street. I greeted them, and then we talked as we walked together for the next 15 minutes. We were able to become fast friends in that brief time, and he attended our English class that next week! It was there that I gave him his English name, Devon. He's a really funny guy, about 21 years old in American age, and his girlfriend's 19 in American age (I think -- Korean age and American age can be confusing). They were surprised by that when we first met, because it means we're the same age (Koreans count age from birthyear, not specific date)! That instantly made all of us good friends.
We joked about it looking like a double date between the four of us, but it was actually just a really, really fun experience! We were able to introduce the Family English Program, the missionaries' program for meeting with people and teaching both English and practicing their Korean/teaching the gospel. It's one of the most effective ways to meet people in Korea. We'll be starting that with Devon next week.
We had a ward council yesterday, and they discussed seminary for a bit. I wanted to help, and after a brief conversation.... I'll be teaching seminary once a week! I'm really excited about this opportunity. I can serve the ward, become closer to the youth and teachers, and better learn the language, all while honing my teaching abilities!
Before the ward council, we had a ward meal together. We have one about once a month, and it's always lots of fun. As a result though, there's always a ton of dishes! We had a golden opportunity, and I readily took it. Before anybody else even thought about it, my companion and I aproned up, slipped on our dish-doing gloves, and were at it! We must've done dishes for an hour... and I sang songs the entire time, in English and Korean. The members loved that, and they kept commenting as they walked past. Lots of the members thanked us, and it just felt good to do a bit of service for them.
We were also able to go to the temple last week, which is always a splendid experience. It's truly a blessing to be able to attend, even once every six weeks. I hope we don't take for granted what the saints of dispensations past saw and gloried of in vision.
It seems that I've taken on an additional responsibility in our area -- English class planner. Granted, I took it upon myself, but I really just wanted our English class to be the best, and I realized that it would take more than showing up an hour before, at least, thought and planning wise. On the bright side, our English class is getting better! As a bonus, I'm getting better at planning and teaching, things I'll use for the rest of my life.
On a more spiritual note, one significant thought that's lingered in my mind is that one of the main purposes of this life is to learn to care for others, to think outside of ourselves. As always, Christ is our exemplar. What is the character of Christ, but turning outwards, towards others, when we would naturally turn inwards, and be selfish? I believe that's one of the most important things I have learned, am learning, and will continue to learn to the end of my life, and perhaps even beyond.
This week the missionaries put on an event with the youth, where we taught them how to play "Four-Square!" We had good participation from the youth, and, best of all, our potential investigator came, along with his girlfriend! More on them in a bit! It was such a blast to play Four-Square -- the first time since the MTC! And... I've still got it! My favorite moment was when the ball bounced out of my square, behind me and to my left. I turned towards it as it hit the wood floor, then rose out of my square. I continued turning, thought, "Can I really do it?", reached out, caught the ball with the flat of my hand, kept spinning around, and slung shot it back into play! Things like that are great, not for gratifying my pride, but because when people see them, everybody gets excited! Although, yeah, it was pretty cool being cheered on by everybody.
After the activity, we went out to dinner with our potential investigator, and friend, -- English name, Devon! (김도윤), and his girlfriend, J Y (정연수). I was so surprised -- his girlfriend's name is the exact same as my first area! We'd originally met them a couple of weeks ago, walking on the street. I greeted them, and then we talked as we walked together for the next 15 minutes. We were able to become fast friends in that brief time, and he attended our English class that next week! It was there that I gave him his English name, Devon. He's a really funny guy, about 21 years old in American age, and his girlfriend's 19 in American age (I think -- Korean age and American age can be confusing). They were surprised by that when we first met, because it means we're the same age (Koreans count age from birthyear, not specific date)! That instantly made all of us good friends.
We joked about it looking like a double date between the four of us, but it was actually just a really, really fun experience! We were able to introduce the Family English Program, the missionaries' program for meeting with people and teaching both English and practicing their Korean/teaching the gospel. It's one of the most effective ways to meet people in Korea. We'll be starting that with Devon next week.
We had a ward council yesterday, and they discussed seminary for a bit. I wanted to help, and after a brief conversation.... I'll be teaching seminary once a week! I'm really excited about this opportunity. I can serve the ward, become closer to the youth and teachers, and better learn the language, all while honing my teaching abilities!
Before the ward council, we had a ward meal together. We have one about once a month, and it's always lots of fun. As a result though, there's always a ton of dishes! We had a golden opportunity, and I readily took it. Before anybody else even thought about it, my companion and I aproned up, slipped on our dish-doing gloves, and were at it! We must've done dishes for an hour... and I sang songs the entire time, in English and Korean. The members loved that, and they kept commenting as they walked past. Lots of the members thanked us, and it just felt good to do a bit of service for them.
We were also able to go to the temple last week, which is always a splendid experience. It's truly a blessing to be able to attend, even once every six weeks. I hope we don't take for granted what the saints of dispensations past saw and gloried of in vision.
It seems that I've taken on an additional responsibility in our area -- English class planner. Granted, I took it upon myself, but I really just wanted our English class to be the best, and I realized that it would take more than showing up an hour before, at least, thought and planning wise. On the bright side, our English class is getting better! As a bonus, I'm getting better at planning and teaching, things I'll use for the rest of my life.
On a more spiritual note, one significant thought that's lingered in my mind is that one of the main purposes of this life is to learn to care for others, to think outside of ourselves. As always, Christ is our exemplar. What is the character of Christ, but turning outwards, towards others, when we would naturally turn inwards, and be selfish? I believe that's one of the most important things I have learned, am learning, and will continue to learn to the end of my life, and perhaps even beyond.
Best Wishes,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
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