Sister Bak (박인옥) was baptized last Saturday evening, and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost just yesterday!
Last Monday we got together with some of the other missionaries from our zone and played (American) football. I'm still not the most coordinated, but we had a fun time -- in particular, I caught the very first pass of the game, and got pretty far before being tagged out! Of course, we couldn't play tackle, or else I'm afraid not very many missionaries would've made it out on the streets that night. Got to be careful and all -- especially as missionaries.
On Tuesday, we planned to meet with a less-active, but he canceled our appointment -- yet again. He's nice, but he's punked us a lot. Nothing to do but keep trying... and set good back-up plans. We were able to share Ether 12:27 with a contact in his shop; but he was pretty distracted so he didn't respond to our followup questions too well. That was a bit disappointing, but you can only do so much.
On Wednesday our district got together after district meeting to practice our musical number for the baptismal service on Saturday. We decided to sing "A Child's Prayer" and "Baptism." We played around with singing different parts, and in the end, it turned out really well.
On Friday a member of the bishopric took us out to dinner, and we were able to practice teaching with him afterwards. We shared Doctrine and Covenants Section 111, verses 10-11. At that time, Joseph Smith and other church leaders tried to find financial aid, and while doing so, shared the gospel to people around them. To them, God commanded them to keep working, though there was no money forthcoming:
Last Monday we got together with some of the other missionaries from our zone and played (American) football. I'm still not the most coordinated, but we had a fun time -- in particular, I caught the very first pass of the game, and got pretty far before being tagged out! Of course, we couldn't play tackle, or else I'm afraid not very many missionaries would've made it out on the streets that night. Got to be careful and all -- especially as missionaries.
On Tuesday, we planned to meet with a less-active, but he canceled our appointment -- yet again. He's nice, but he's punked us a lot. Nothing to do but keep trying... and set good back-up plans. We were able to share Ether 12:27 with a contact in his shop; but he was pretty distracted so he didn't respond to our followup questions too well. That was a bit disappointing, but you can only do so much.
On Wednesday our district got together after district meeting to practice our musical number for the baptismal service on Saturday. We decided to sing "A Child's Prayer" and "Baptism." We played around with singing different parts, and in the end, it turned out really well.
On Friday a member of the bishopric took us out to dinner, and we were able to practice teaching with him afterwards. We shared Doctrine and Covenants Section 111, verses 10-11. At that time, Joseph Smith and other church leaders tried to find financial aid, and while doing so, shared the gospel to people around them. To them, God commanded them to keep working, though there was no money forthcoming:
10 For there are more treasures than one for you in this city.
11 Therefore, be ye as wise as serpents and yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them. Amen.
We discussed the meaning of treasures, and how it applies to God's children. I love that God calls us "treasures." I guess you could call missionaries treasure hunters -- spiritual Indiana Jones'. Except, instead of ancient relics, we're searching for God's children, bringing them something more valuable than anything in the world. We talked a lot more, about missionary work in general, and compared it again to Lehi's vision of the tree of life: we've tasted fruit that is sweet above anything else, and want to share it with others.
During the week, I studied the difference between repentance and the remission of sins, because it was something one of our investigators had a difficult time understanding. As I studied it, searching for a clear way to explain something I understood internally, but had never verbalized, I was blessed with revelation throughout the week -- little bits and pieces of knowledge, things I knew becoming clear. Simply, the difference is that repentance is what we do, and the remission of sins is what God does in response. It's even clearer in Korean: the remission of sins is literally "sin forgiveness." We apologize; God forgives.
On Saturday, we met with Yoon (윤주현), the daughter of the woman we would baptize that night. We reviewed the message of the Restoration, and begin teaching her about God's Plan of Salvation. Whatever we teach, it always comes back to the Book of Mormon -- if it's true, then the doctrines it contains, and everything else about our church is. Joseph Smith was a prophet, received authority from God, and taught the fullness of Jesus Christ's Gospel.
That evening we held our baptismal service. Everything went smoothly, until it came to actually performing the baptism... the water was a bit too hot; almost scalding. We had to mix in some cool water, and wait a little while before having the Sister get in. I baptized her that evening, and when somebody asked me about how I felt baptizing her the next day, the only thing I could say was that my heart was full. It was difficult to not be overwhelmed by emotion as I stood in the water with her. How grateful I am that God brought another one of His children to find the truth. The next day, priesthood holders laid their hands on her head, and bestowed the Gift of the Holy Ghost upon her, making her in name and deed, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
On Sunday evening, we ate dinner with our ward mission leader, and re-sang the musical number we performed at the baptism for him, since he was unable to attend. He loved it; and we loved spending time with their family. His wife talked about how they met -- she really didn't like him, for a long time, but he didn't let that get him down. He just kept trucking along, calling her every day, writing her letters, and involving himself in her life. And eventually, he succeeded! She told us, that if we meet a girl and we believe she's the one we're meant to marry, not to give up, even if they don't respond at first. Like her, they may end up praying and feeling that you're the one, however much they don't want you to be! Of course, first we need to have that spiritual conviction... otherwise you're just a creep.
During the week, I studied the difference between repentance and the remission of sins, because it was something one of our investigators had a difficult time understanding. As I studied it, searching for a clear way to explain something I understood internally, but had never verbalized, I was blessed with revelation throughout the week -- little bits and pieces of knowledge, things I knew becoming clear. Simply, the difference is that repentance is what we do, and the remission of sins is what God does in response. It's even clearer in Korean: the remission of sins is literally "sin forgiveness." We apologize; God forgives.
On Saturday, we met with Yoon (윤주현), the daughter of the woman we would baptize that night. We reviewed the message of the Restoration, and begin teaching her about God's Plan of Salvation. Whatever we teach, it always comes back to the Book of Mormon -- if it's true, then the doctrines it contains, and everything else about our church is. Joseph Smith was a prophet, received authority from God, and taught the fullness of Jesus Christ's Gospel.
That evening we held our baptismal service. Everything went smoothly, until it came to actually performing the baptism... the water was a bit too hot; almost scalding. We had to mix in some cool water, and wait a little while before having the Sister get in. I baptized her that evening, and when somebody asked me about how I felt baptizing her the next day, the only thing I could say was that my heart was full. It was difficult to not be overwhelmed by emotion as I stood in the water with her. How grateful I am that God brought another one of His children to find the truth. The next day, priesthood holders laid their hands on her head, and bestowed the Gift of the Holy Ghost upon her, making her in name and deed, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
On Sunday evening, we ate dinner with our ward mission leader, and re-sang the musical number we performed at the baptism for him, since he was unable to attend. He loved it; and we loved spending time with their family. His wife talked about how they met -- she really didn't like him, for a long time, but he didn't let that get him down. He just kept trucking along, calling her every day, writing her letters, and involving himself in her life. And eventually, he succeeded! She told us, that if we meet a girl and we believe she's the one we're meant to marry, not to give up, even if they don't respond at first. Like her, they may end up praying and feeling that you're the one, however much they don't want you to be! Of course, first we need to have that spiritual conviction... otherwise you're just a creep.
Best Wishes,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
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