Week 80: Remeeting, reteaching, going the extra mile

The weather has been kind of weird this week. One day it was super hot and one day it was super cold and the other days it rained and some other days it felt like the desert.... So I thought weird weather only happened in the states, but I guess it happens everywhere.  It has been such a good week going outside and finding people and teaching others and helping people come closer unto Christ. We were able to meet some new people and to teach and extend baptismal commitments to others. We also had to do some office work, so that took a little bit, but all in all, everything turned out great!

I almost forgot, it is almost Easter! In Korea, surprisingly about 30% of people are Christian, but Easter isn't that big of a thing here. I love Easter because although, the Savior was crucified during this period, he took upon our sins, that if we use his atonement then we can be cleansed, and that because he died on the cross, that he was able to accomplish his purpose of coming to Earth. But the best part about Easter is that Jesus Christ was resurrected and he lives today. That because of him, we can all overcome our obstacles and sins and everything that drags us down, and we can be like him!

Last Monday, we went shopping in the morning and got our haircut and then we went to go meet Sister Clove and her family for P-day! We ate together and got to talk and then they left and we went bowling with the other missionaries that were there. Then we came to the church and emailed and then went home and slept for a little bit and then went outside for the rest of the night and preached the gospel to others.

On Tuesday, we studied in the morning and then we went to the church to do some office work, and we did that for a little bit and then we went home and ate dinner and then we went outside for the remainder of the day and found some great people that wanted to listen to the gospel of Jesus Christ and learn about it.

Wednesday, we had our Zone Conference. So we went to the mission home early in the morning and then we listened to a few talks and had a work shop and then ate lunch. Then we listened to some more talks and had a discussion and that was wonderful to do. The topic of the conference was faith, so we talked about faith and how by exercising faith, we are able to do all things. Then we went home and had dinner
and then went out for the rest of the day.

On Thursday, we went outside in the morning and ended up adventuring into the mountains while we were talking to some people. WE ended up at a Buddhist temple and took some pictures and then we went back home, studied and then went outside again. It was super warm and we were able to meet with a new investigator and then we came back to our house and made food and went to go eat dinner with some of the other teams in our area and then we had English Class. After English Class we taught a lesson to 정민화 (Jeong Minhwa) and that was great!

Friday was pretty busy. We went outside and just were able to talk to people. It was great!! WE walked for a long time and were able to talk and help some people! Then we were able to go to Busan National University and sticker board! Then came home and then talked to some more people.

On Saturday, we went outside for a bit and then came to the church and did office work again and then we went outside again and then we came back to the church for English Class. So we did English class and then taught Jeong Min Hwa again and then I did office work for the rest of the day and we ordered dinner.

Sunday, we had church and then had meetings afterwards and then after that we really didn't have anything after that, so we ate dinner and then went outside and talked with other people and then came back home!

It was such a good week and I love being able to serve and to find people to teach and to talk to others about our Savior Jesus Christ.

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson

Week 79: Going to the Japanese Consulate and more!!

This week I don't have a ton of time to email, but I want to say that this week was definitely a blast!  We had a fun time being able to talk to people and we were able to meet with others and to help them come closer unto

Christ. Also we were able to find some new people to teach and were able to meet with some old investigators. It feels splendid to find people that want to learn about the gospel and are willing to change in order to be more happy.

On my way over to the church today, I was talking to the taxi driver about religion and his thoughts on religion. He asked me what I am doing in Korea and I said I was a missionary.  So the question that he asked me was, "alright, so is there a God? And if there is a God, why hasn't he shown himself on TV or something? Then everyone would believe in him". I'm glad to say that we had a really good discussion in the car about seeing versus believing. When we see it becomes knowledge and even with seeing, as we know about 2000 years ago, people also saw the Son of God and could not recognize him as the Savior. But something that I have come to known as I have grown up and the thing that I love about this gospel is that, seeing isn't believing. We don't need to see to know. In order to know, you need to experience and put in the work to know and then will God give you an answer. This Gospel is true and it blesses every single one of us as people and although many people may not feel the effects of it right now, I can promise that they are being directly effected by it no matter what.

So this last week on Monday, I emailed a little bit in the morning and then I went down to the Japanese Consulate to get my Japanese Passport renewed. It was great to be able to speak Japanese!! It was super refreshing and everything went smoothly.  Then we went down to a place called Nampo to go shopping and eat food.  So we went to an all-you-can-eat Sushi Buffet, and then the Japanese Consulate called me and said that I forgot to give them my new passport photo. So I had to go back and then gave it to them and then went shopping and then came to the church to email.  After emailing, we went outside and had the opportunity to talk about the gospel with other people!

On Tuesday, we went on exchanges in the morning with the Elders in our house, so I went with Elder Kim.   We studied in the morning, went outside to talk to people, came back to our house and studied some more. Then we went to the church and did some office work.  Then, for the rest of the day, we went outside and proselyted and had dinner with the missionaries in our area.

On Wednesday, we really didn't have any plans.  We unexchanged, studied in the morning, went outside and talked to some people, and then came to the church and did some more work and then had dinner.  Then for the rest of the day, we went outside and were able to meet some great people and talk to them about the gospel and the change that it can bring to their lives.

On Thursday, we were really busy because I had to go back to the consulate to pick up my passport, so we did that.  Then we came back to Geumjeong, studied a little bit and then went to Busan University to sticker board with the other missionaries. After that, we ate dinner and then we had English class. Brother Jeong Minhwa came to English class and we were able to talk afterward and it was a good meeting.

Friday was kind of long too. We got up in the morning and then had to go meet some people that were coming down from Seoul and so we met with them and then came home and it was kind of late, so we ate food and then planned a little bit and then studied and then went outside and finished our day.

On Saturday, we had an out-district meeting and then we met with an investigator who we found this week. Then we studied because our appointment got cancelled, and set up for English class and had the class.  After the class, we taught another lesson and then ate food and then cleaned the church.

Sunday, sister Clove that serve in Geumjeong last transfer came back with her entire family so they were at church and we were able to talk and to eat together.  After church there was a baptismal service for one of the members' daughters and then I met with another investigator and then we went home and had dinner and then we did weekly planning for this week.

This last week was great and we are finding great people to meet all the time!!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson

Week 78: 우정의 밤 (Friendship night)

This week has been getting a little warmer which is nice and we have been able to see a bunch of miracles this week.  I've been able to learn so much for others about patience and about charity and about helping others come unto Christ.  It has been a really big learning phase for me this week, and it has been good.  Time was spent really efficiently!!  Also... So  우정의 밤 (Friendship night) is something that we planned to help investigators and missionaries and members bond.  We had a great time. We had planned various games for couples and kids and for everyone and for many people to come. We had a good turn out, so, we were extremely happy about that for sure!

Something that I wanted to share this week was a verse in John 15:13. It states "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" As I have thought about this scripture and about Christ, it has made me think how much more I need to be dedicated and how much more I need to love other people and be charitable.  One of my favorite songs really is "I'm trying to be like Jesus" because that is what we are striving to do as people.  Following his example and being
charitable and loving to all, gives us the way for everlasting joy and happiness and harmony in our lives!

This Monday we celebrated Sister Park's birthday. So in the morning we went down to the beach in Gwangan and we played some soccer and took photos and had a really fun time and then we went out to eat. Then, because we only have 2 computers in Geumjeong, we went to another church and found our way into it and we were able to email.  Then we came to Geumjeong and bought her a cake.  Then we went shopping, returned home and then again went outside and talked to people for the rest of the night.

On Tuesday, we went outside in the morning and then came back and then I went on an exchange with one of the Elders in our house. It was a good exchange and I needed to get everything prepared for our Friendship night so I did a lot of things at the church, and talked to him about a couple things. Then we went home and then he talked with his companion and then we went outside and worked for the rest of the night.

Wednesday was interviews with President Barrow.  So we went in the morning and went to the mission home and interviewed with President and that was a great time!  Afterwards, we went home and studied for a bit and then went outside and got a few things done and dropped of cookies that we made for members to them and then we went off to a meal appointment with a member.

On Thursday, we went on a quick exchange and we went to the church where I made more cookies and worked on things for the friendship night.  Then we went outside for a bit and talked to people and came back to the church and had English Class.

Friday was extremely busy because we still had to make a documentary and get some games planned out and make everything look professional.  So, we did that for most of the day, and went outside here and there and went out in the morning and it was extremely good to be able to find people that want to come closer unto Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, went outside in the morning and then studied and then after that we went to the church and I finalized things and then we got everything set up and it looked extremely nice. Then afterwards we had a very good amount of people come to our friendship night meeting where they played games and did couple trivias and what not and it was a great time!

Then on Sunday, we had a great time at church and a brother who was Japanese came! So I translated in Japanese for him and that was a great time! Super fun!! Then we got done with church and then we met a new investigator and had a good lesson with him and then we went outside and talked to some other people and then we went home and made some food, and dropped it off for some other people and then we went to a meal with the Bishop and his wife and that was splendid!

It was an absolute marvelous week and we are so happy to be here in Korea serving the people here!!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson

Week 77: No meetings really. Just working outside

This week went by quickly, but it went by slowly too. It seems like when you look at the day, you feel like there is a ton of time and then it is 8 o'clock at night and you are like, "Where did all my time go?!" 

This week, sadly, we weren't able to meet with any of our investigators, but were able to talk to others on the street and to get things set up. So it was a really productive week and we

had a great time.

This last week, as I was studying for my talk that I had to give on Thursday, I really had the opportunity to think about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and learning about the gospel.  No matter what, if you do or do not have a religion, there is no harm in learning about a higher being that promises that if you follow his Sons' example, then you will be happier beyond measure. The gospel requires much commitment for sure, but, nothing great was ever accomplished without commitment.  The only way that we can be continually happy is only through the  Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I know that to be true.

This last Monday, we played at the church: we played games and hung out with other missionaries.  We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the church and were able to talk to each other.  After which, we emailed and then went outside and talked to people for the rest of the day.  It was a great time being able to find people.

On Tuesday, my companion needed to go to the hospital for his arm, so we went in the morning to the hospital and he got checked up on and then went outside and talked to some people and then he went back to the hospital for some physical therapy.  Then after that we came back to Geumjeong and were able to talk to others.  Then we had dinner and went outside to find more people.

On Wednesday, we planned in the morning and then studied and went to help a member move into their new house. So, we went to their house and helped not only his family, but his daughters' family move into their houses.  While doing that, we were able to meet a less active, and got his number and scheduled an appointment.  After that, we returned home and studied for a little bit and then went outside to talk to others. Then we went out to dinner with some potential investigators and then for the rest of the day, we went outside and talked to as many people as we could find.

On Thursday, we studied in the morning and then we went a meeting and we had a great meeting! I got to give a talk at the end of it and that was good. Then we came back home and did some studies and then we went outside for a little bit and then came back and ate dinner and then we had our English class. After English class we talked with some of the members that attend it and then we went outside for the rest of the night.

Friday was a good day for sure! In the morning we talked to others and then we studied and then we planned for our upcoming week. Then we went outside and talked to others and then went to Busan National University to go sticker boarding. We were able to talk to a lot of people and then we had dinner and then for the rest of the day, we
went outside and got to meet other people.

On Saturday, we went to a place called yangsan and met the less active member that we had met on Wednesday and then we were going to go visit some other members, but it turned out that the bus that would take us there only came every 30 minutes, so we didn't have time to do that, so we went home and did studies and then had English class. Then we went out to eat with one of the people that attends our English class and then for the rest of the night, we talked to other people and walked home.

Sunday was stake conference. So we left our houses early and went to stake conference. I was able to see members from the Haeundai Ward and the Yeongdo ward, and it was a great time!! I love being able to see them! There was a lot of hugging and talking. Afterwards we had our conference and Elder Yamashita came and talked to us.  After that we went home and ate lunch and then went outside and talked to other people and then came home and ate dinner and then went to the church to have a meeting with the missionaries in our area. Then afterwards, we went outside for the rest of the night and that was our week.

The weather here is getting better, but it is still cold and windy, but it is lovely and really starting to feel like spring! 

Love you guys and miss you a bunch!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson