This week was jam-packed!
While we weren't able to meet any investigators, we did lots of work with our members, and we are continuing to meet less-actives all the time!
The beginning of our week was the Korean holiday we know as Chinese New Year. On Chinese New Year, people travel to their home towns for three days, and a lot of businesses are closed down. Picture a three-day Christmas, and you'll have a similar feeling. So, on Monday we weren't able to meet with anybody.
On Tuesday I went on my last exchange with a district member, with Elder Fleming. I spent the day working with him, letting him take the lead and working together. We met one of his investigators and discussed some of his questions about the church. He asked why we don't have a cross on our church, and after we explained that we focus on the resurrected, living Christ in our church, he responded, "I see! Christ conquered the cross, so we don't need it! He came down, and now we can move beyond death, and the cross that symbolizes it." That's a new way to word it that I've never heard before.
We also met a less-active member, who brought all of the Elders out to dinner! We proved how Korean/hard-core we were by each eating one of Korea's legendary spicy peppers. After one Elder ate 3, I had to prove myself as well... by eating 3 at once, twice! They were pretty hot, but we all lived. We discussed how a testimony of the Book of Mormon can be a foundation for strengthening faith, and how we have responsibility for finding truth for ourselves. We can't expect to be given everything we want or need.
On Wednesday we had a combined mission training conference for the last day of the Chinese New Year. We talked a lot about planning and using time effectively, and I gave my last testimony to the mission! It was a powerful experience to stand in front of half the mission and bear one final testimony to them in Korean. I focused on a really simple idea, stolen from President Uchtdorf's recent remarks in General Conference: Is it working for you?
Is it working for you? Are you happy? I can say that I really am happy; it works wonderfully! This mission has brought so much growth, and so many blessings. I cannot honestly say I have ever been happier, than on times during my mission. I am so grateful that I've learned to turn more outward than inward.
Thursday was a really busy day -- we met a less-active and recent convert member. We discussed difficulties with translating, and looked over the talk "Remember Lot's Wife" with our recent convert. That's a wonderful talk that focuses on how we need to look to the future, and never let past mistakes drag us down.
When we met our less-active member that night, he talked a lot about how he wants to find work so that he can eventually start a family. He really wants to leave his past behind, despite all of his attachment to it. We encouraged him to go for it! and do whatever he can to improve his circumstances.
On Friday we met a member family, and shared a brief message about joy with them. They also helped us find the address of a less-active member we were looking for! The husband of the couple is actually an American who served as a missionary then returned to Korea after several years. I look up to him in several ways; but I admire him the most for his rock solid commitment to the gospel, in a down to earth fashion.
On Saturday we taught English Class and had a family home evening with the ward for one of our young recent converts. We had a lot of fun, and a member shared a message by President Thomas S. Monson:
https://www.lds.org/…/video/2012-05-005-dare-to-stand-alone…
Since our friend's going to the military soon, it was pretty fitting!
Sunday was filled with bringing the sacrament to an old lady who can't leave her retirement home, teaching gospel principles class, and meeting a less-active and sharing our thoughts on hope and moving forward while never looking back. All in all, it was a great week, and I'm excited for my last two weeks. Enjoy to the end!
While we weren't able to meet any investigators, we did lots of work with our members, and we are continuing to meet less-actives all the time!
The beginning of our week was the Korean holiday we know as Chinese New Year. On Chinese New Year, people travel to their home towns for three days, and a lot of businesses are closed down. Picture a three-day Christmas, and you'll have a similar feeling. So, on Monday we weren't able to meet with anybody.
On Tuesday I went on my last exchange with a district member, with Elder Fleming. I spent the day working with him, letting him take the lead and working together. We met one of his investigators and discussed some of his questions about the church. He asked why we don't have a cross on our church, and after we explained that we focus on the resurrected, living Christ in our church, he responded, "I see! Christ conquered the cross, so we don't need it! He came down, and now we can move beyond death, and the cross that symbolizes it." That's a new way to word it that I've never heard before.
We also met a less-active member, who brought all of the Elders out to dinner! We proved how Korean/hard-core we were by each eating one of Korea's legendary spicy peppers. After one Elder ate 3, I had to prove myself as well... by eating 3 at once, twice! They were pretty hot, but we all lived. We discussed how a testimony of the Book of Mormon can be a foundation for strengthening faith, and how we have responsibility for finding truth for ourselves. We can't expect to be given everything we want or need.
On Wednesday we had a combined mission training conference for the last day of the Chinese New Year. We talked a lot about planning and using time effectively, and I gave my last testimony to the mission! It was a powerful experience to stand in front of half the mission and bear one final testimony to them in Korean. I focused on a really simple idea, stolen from President Uchtdorf's recent remarks in General Conference: Is it working for you?
Is it working for you? Are you happy? I can say that I really am happy; it works wonderfully! This mission has brought so much growth, and so many blessings. I cannot honestly say I have ever been happier, than on times during my mission. I am so grateful that I've learned to turn more outward than inward.
Thursday was a really busy day -- we met a less-active and recent convert member. We discussed difficulties with translating, and looked over the talk "Remember Lot's Wife" with our recent convert. That's a wonderful talk that focuses on how we need to look to the future, and never let past mistakes drag us down.
When we met our less-active member that night, he talked a lot about how he wants to find work so that he can eventually start a family. He really wants to leave his past behind, despite all of his attachment to it. We encouraged him to go for it! and do whatever he can to improve his circumstances.
On Friday we met a member family, and shared a brief message about joy with them. They also helped us find the address of a less-active member we were looking for! The husband of the couple is actually an American who served as a missionary then returned to Korea after several years. I look up to him in several ways; but I admire him the most for his rock solid commitment to the gospel, in a down to earth fashion.
On Saturday we taught English Class and had a family home evening with the ward for one of our young recent converts. We had a lot of fun, and a member shared a message by President Thomas S. Monson:
https://www.lds.org/…/video/2012-05-005-dare-to-stand-alone…
Since our friend's going to the military soon, it was pretty fitting!
Sunday was filled with bringing the sacrament to an old lady who can't leave her retirement home, teaching gospel principles class, and meeting a less-active and sharing our thoughts on hope and moving forward while never looking back. All in all, it was a great week, and I'm excited for my last two weeks. Enjoy to the end!
Love,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
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