Week 53: Passed the 1 year mark!!

This week has been absolutely crazy, because of it being Korean Thanksgiving!!  In Korea it is called 추석 (Chuseok), and typically during these holidays, everyone goes out to the countryside to go see their grandparents and to escape city life, but apparently... Everyone just comes down to Haeundai. So we were able to talk to a whole bunch of people, but really.. no one wanted to talk to us!  But that was alright, because we were able to go outside and see some amazing
things and the people that did talk to us, were wonderful!! Also we had an earthquake this week in Busan and... What else.. I have officially been on my mission for over a year now... Wow.... So yea!!  It has been great!!

This week as I have been thinking about what to talk about, I feel that it is very appropriate to talk about being steadfast in not only serving God, but also continually going no matter what.  As I have finally gotten over the "hump" of 1 year on my mission, for some it may seem short, for some it may seem long, but no matter where I am at on my mission, I need to still press forward no matter what.  As general conference is coming up, I wanted to share a scripture from
the very first general conference mentioned in the Book of Mormon. It is King Benjamin's words as he addresses all the people and tells them about how they can come closer unto Heavenly Father.  So in Mosiah 5:15 it reads, "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you maybe brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen." 
No matter what, in life, you are always either moving forward or moving backward.  As we keep trying to come closer to our Savior, we will receive so many blessing and no matter what, we should always be thankful for the blessing we receive!

So this week, on Monday, we had P-day!  
So we went out to eat with the district and went and ate Indian food and then got ice cream and then we finished it off with some shopping and some email.  Then we went
outside and went out to eat with a member and then we shared a message with him and then finally, we went outside and were able to share the gospel with everyone who wanted to hear our words!

On Tuesday, Elder Newell and I had to go to a church in Onchon to have a meeting for Zone Leaders and to receive a little bit of training.  Then we came back to Haeundai after eating lunch there and walked around outside and talked to a few people!


On Wednesday, we studied in the morning and then we went to the church to make a board for some sticker boarding with the sisters, and then we went outside and talked to a whole bunch of people although really... no one wanted to talk to us because it was the start of Chuseok weekend...


On Thursday, it was Chuseok.  In the morning, we had to help someone get to a train station because her back hurt and she couldn't move her luggage.  Then we went running a 10K with a bunch of other missionaries.  Then, we ate lunch together and came back to our area, and... there were some people outside, so we went outside and tried to talk to a bunch of people.  A really nice surprise was that our bishop saw us and invited us to eat ice cream... 
Korean Thanksgiving is a little more different that American Thanksgiving, where in Korea, everyone goes to their grandparents house and then goes outside and does whatever they want, like it is a weekend.

On Friday, we went on Exchanges with Elders that serve in Gwejong and I came back to Haeundai and everyone really didn't want to talk to us at all... Also Friday was my one year mark, so we went to go eat some live octopus... (산낙지) and that was super good!  Then at the end of the day, some people wanted to talk to us, so it was really good!!

On Saturday, we got our original companions back and then we came back to Haeundai and planned for the rest of the week and then had a dinner appointment with some members.  Then we went outside some more and talked to people!

Last Sunday was my first day attending Haeundai ward and that was great.  We got to take the sacrament to an old grandpa who started the church in Korea and was baptized by Gordon B. Hinckley!! Then after that, we went outside some more and were able to talk to a bunch of people and it turned out wonderfully!!  And also, the ward, in just one
week, has figured out I can play the piano. So, everyone is asking me to play music for them and that is a great opportunity to serve!!

I love being here so much and I love Korea!! I miss you all so much!!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson