16.1.10

This week had a great focus: joy!
On Monday evening, we met with a young man who's leaving for his mission in March -- almost the exact same time as I leave! He wants help improving his ability to teach the missionary lessons and a chance to practice English, since he's going to California. We met him and I realized just how much value experience has as I allowed him and my companion to try teaching me. That night increased my gratitude for the teaching skills I've been able to develop over my mission.
Tuesday was marked by a member meal, which, as always, was wonderful. I gave all of the Elders a new word in Korean to use, in order to find out if it's used or not, and that worked out pretty well (unfortunately, Elder Flemming has now locked into his mind a word that nobody uses!). I've come to really enjoy just talking to members about their lives. With this member, we learned a lot about his ancestors, a lot of whom lived in the ancient royal court. His wife was no less interesting; she's traveled the world, bicycling!
On Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Flemming, who's almost done with his third transfer now. We spent a lot of the day exploring a distant part of our area, then paid the price when it took us two hours of walking to get home! I was able to get to know Elder Flemming really well during that time, and I can tell we'll be really good friends by the time I'm finished in this area.
We had this month's zone training on Thursday, and it was all about joy -- finding, maintaining, and sharing! I really enjoyed the topic, and am very enthused about the application: share joy with the members! People are so prone to talk about what's difficult, but how about some of the good things in life? I believe that if we consciously choose to talk more about joy, we will find ourselves and our families becoming more joyful in turn. Really though: we have so much to rejoice in, thanksto the gospel. My companion and I are sharing something along these lines: 

19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth;glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!

22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause?Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren;and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth intosinging. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained,before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.
(D&C 128:19, 22)

The voice of mercy from heaven represents God's Son, Jesus Christ, who brings mercy to each of us through His Atonement. The voice of truth out of the earth is the Book of Mormon; a true book, that was buried in the earth and is now speaking to the world. These are two incredible blessings we enjoy, and they remind us of how blessed we truly are. A hymn expresses it better than our words can: 

1. Behold! A royal army,
With banner, sword, and shield,
Is marching forth to conquer
On life's great battlefield.
Its ranks are filled with soldiers,
United, bold, and strong,
Who follow their Commander
And sing their joyful song:

(Chorus)
Victory, victory,
Thru him that redeemed us!
Victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Victory, victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!

2. And now the foe advancing,
That valiant host assails,
And yet they never falter;
Their courage never fails.
Their Leader calls, "Be faithful!"
They pass the word along;
They see his signal flashing
And shout their joyful song:
(Chorus)

3. Oh, when the war is ended,
When strife and conflicts cease,
When all are safely gathered
Within the vale of peace,
Before the King eternal,
That vast and mighty throng
Shall praise his name forever,
And this shall be their song:
(Chorus)

The next day was weekly planning, and since we were both feeling under the weather, we spent the rest of the day making calls. We talked to lots of people, and found a fellow or two with good potential.
We also took time to stop in a member's cake shop while pulling money out of the bank, and they were delighted to see us. I was impressed by the difference we can make in three minutes. Often, you can spread joy in less than 10 seconds. How incredible! What an investment.
We also met with a recent convert this week, and helped prepare him to go to the temple, now that he's close to having been baptized a year ago. He's excited for that, and he's also excited for entering the Navy! For his mandatory military service, he's going all out and is working on applying to Korea's Navy SEALS. You can color me impressed. He came to our English class and family home evening at the church on Saturday, and we're going to see him again today.
Sunday was, unsurprisingly, consumed by church and service. After our meetings, a member brought us to deliver the sacrament to an infirm grandma. Afterwards, we went home teaching with him, and got to eat rice! Okay, let me rephrase: we got to eat specially prepared, dry rice, that isn't sold in the northern part of South Korea. It was a first for me, and I liked it. It's a good snack to chew on, but you can also put it in a pan and get something like rice crispies (or, in other words, today's breakfast!).
As a parting thought, I really enjoyed our ward mission leader's lesson on charity during gospel principles. As we read about it, he constantly asked questions, and eventually my personal definition of charity crystallized into a love that influences people to change for the better. 

Best Wishes,
Elder Austin Lynn