Week 54: Fall is here!?!?

This week has been really cool and it has gone by so quickly! I feel like my thoughts on missionary work has changed so much because I have hit my 1 year mark!!  It is amazing yet sad to think that I don't even have that much longer out in the field~!  Everything here is going well, and we are finding so many different people who want to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I have been able to learn so much this past
week!!  Simply said, it really is awesome here and I am so happy that I have the opportunity to be here and teach the gospel to others!!

As I have continued to serve here, I have really thought deeply about why I am serving a mission and what this gospel really offers others.  As missionaries, we talk about sharing a happy message about Jesus Christ, but what exactly is that message?  The gospel of Jesus Christ
allows us to overcome any trial, through our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement.  I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ and its applications are universal and apply to all people.  All others need to do is to apply it to their lives, and I know that it will bless their lives, just like it has blessed and is blessing mine.  So the happy message?? It is that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are prompted to change and we feel a desire to follow him.  As we follow him, we want to change and follow his example and be baptized.  After which, we
should keep his commandments and endure to the end, so we may succeed and really be able to know that we are part of something greater.  Something much more grand than anything we know!

So anyways. This week has been extremely quick!! This week on Monday, we went to eat some good meat, and bought some ties.  Then we came back to our area, were able to email, and were able to go outside and talk to people and meet some amazing people!


On Tuesday, we had exchanges, so I went with an elder named Elder Itri.  We were in Haeundai and had a great time talking and teaching people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Itri is on of the Assistants to President Barrow (Our mission president) and I have also known him for a good amount of time, so we had a great time!

Then on Wednesday, we went to a district meeting, and then Elder Newell and I went on an exchange with the elders from Yeongdo!  So... That means that I went back to the first area I served in Korea!!  It was wonderful to be able to go back and to talk to people and see so many great people too!!  I love being there and it really did feel like I was going home to where it all started!!


On Thursday, we de-exchanged and went to another district
meeting.  Then, we went on another Exchange with Elder Park and Elder Stewart.  I came back to Haeundai with Elder Stewart: we had a great time talking with other people and we were able to learn so much and it was great!

Then finally on Friday, I was able to get back with Elder Newell, and we planned, went outside and talked to a whole bunch of people~


On Saturday, we went to go play some soccer like we do in the morning and it was super great!!  Then we came back to our area, and met with some people that we had found and wanted to talk to us. So it was great talking to them.  After that, we were able to go outside and talk to more people!!


On Sunday, we went to church and were able to have a great time!!  So then, we ate some lunch with others, visited some
members and went outside and talked to others. We also did some sticker boardings where people come and stick stickers on a board and got to talk to others!  It was great and we were able to see so many great people!!  I love being here and we always have a great time!

Korea is wonderful!! I love the people and I am so happy to talk to each and every single person I talk with!!

I love you all and I miss you so much!!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson

Group picture before the run Busan, Nam Busan, Changwon zones

Elder Lee YoungJae and Elder Wilson finishing the race

A little preview of Week 55... Today Eating Chicken!!

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

Week 52: This will be the one year marker

Wow... To think that in just 4 days, I will be at my 1 year mark for being out on a mission.  It is so weird how time really does fly fast and at this time last year, I was just preparing to enter the MTC and did not know the road ahead!  In this last year I have been able to learn so much and some of those things I will end up sharing today!!
But, as for me this week, it has been amazing! I am now living in Haeundae, and it is a very large city!!  It is basically the beach land in all honesty, and there are so many people here. 
This week, I was able to speak 7 languages with other people from other countries. (As I have done missionary work, I have been able to pick up a few phrases
or words from other countries)  So I was able to speak Korean, English, Japanese, Spanish, Sinhala (Sri lankan), Russian and Madarin Chinese!
It was wonderful being able to talk to people and to connect a little bit with many people and being able to share with them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today, I was thinking about the one year that I have been able to spend in Korean, and I wanted to talk today a little bit about not procrastinating and using time effectively.  AS humans, we are prone to waste time due to our preferences and what we want to do and not want to do.  As I missionary, some of the biggest things I have been able to learn are life lessons about love and patience, and I have been able to
grow a little bit more from these life changing experiences. But as I have been able to spend this last year in Korean, I have been able to fill my time with meaningful activities, where I am helping others and loving them and caring for them.  The gospel of Jesus Christ never is and never will be a thing to procrastinate.  As we choose to come closer unto Christ, we  should not delay.  Because Jesus Christ and
Heavenly Father love us, we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and whether it is sharing it or accepting it, we should not deny such things. But as we do these things, we are able to cherish the more precious things in life and live a more full, fulfilling life!

So this week to simply summarize it was that on Monday, we came back to Haeundai, shopped, did email and then went outside to go talk to some people.


On Tuesday, we went to another church and cleaned the carpets and then we came back to our area and then we went outside and talked to some more people!!

On Wednesday, we went outside, talked to a bunch of people and then had an area meeting with the sisters and had English class.  After the class, we went outside some more and talked to more people --- people actually like talking to us!!

On Thursday, we went outside and talked to people and then went to another area to have a meeting with the district
leaders.  Then we came back to our area and went to talke to so many more people!!

On Friday, we went to have our district meeting.  Then we went out to eat lunch, returned to our area and planned for this upcoming week.  After that, we had dinner and then went out and talked to some people on the street. Afterward, we came to the church to meet with someone and that was our Friday!


On Saturday, we went to go play soccer with a bunch of people. Our investigators also came.  Then we came back to our house, showered, changed and then went to choir practice.  After choir practice, we hit the streets and talked to a bunch of other people for the rest of the day.

Then on Sunday, we went to stake conference, where my companion and I got to sing in the choir, but not only that, but also we met a new friend.  He was from another church and came to our church originally to preach, but then he liked Church and wants to learn about it, so we were able to talk to him a little bit about our belief and the Book of Mormon.  It was amazing!!  Then we went outside for the rest of the
day and talked to other people on the street!!

It was amazing this week and I love being here so much! I know I say it a bunch, but this last year has been amazing and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Love you guys and miss you!!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson

With Elder Newell

With My New Companion

New Area: Haeundai

The World Biggest Department: Shinsegae

Week 51: Getting transferred to the beach land

So this week, I ended up getting a call this Saturday saying that I was going to be moving to a new area!  This area is called Haeundai and it is beautiful!!  It is right by the beach and it is super cool down here as well!  It is interesting to see the contrast in between Gyeongsan and Busan, but the two places are certainly wonderful.  It was actually really tough to leave Gyeongsan and it was really sad leaving all the people that I love, but I know that moving is really what Heavenly Father planned for me and I will always follow his will!! I love it here and I know it will be an amazing time!

This morning, as I was thinking about what I should write today, I thought of a scripture in 2 Nephi 9:3, and it reads "Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children." 
I liked this scripture because it really does seem to be talking about scriptures. The Book of Mormon and Bible are God's word, and as we read them, we can really rejoice and
receive so many blessings!!

So this week went by extremely quick. 
So last Monday, we had an Elders' P-day, and we went and ate at a meat buffet and then went bowling.  After bowling, we went to get our haircut, emailed, and finished off the day by having Family Home Evening.

On Tuesday, Elder Kim Joon Beum wasn't feeling so good but we went outside. Then he did really well, and then we met with some investigators.  After all of this, we went out to go eat a great dinner with some members and teach a message!

On Wednesday, we had our District meeting. Unfortuantely Elder Kim was still not feeling good, so we ate lunch and then came back to our area, had another meeting and then went to the doctor.  It turned out that Elder Kim had been food poisoned. So he had to rest and had to be well hydrated, but for the most part, we were able to go to the church and to have English class.

On Thursday, we studied and the exchanged with some other members of our district so that we could learn from each other.  So we went outside and talked to a lot of people, then went to Japanese class and then we taught Brother Kim Yong Ho and then that was our day.

On Saturday, we studied and then went outside for a little bit. Then we went to the church, taught the English class and
had an activity after the class.  Then we went outside again and came back to the church, and went to stake conference with brother Kim Yong Ho. So we did that and came home and while planning, I got a call from President Barrow saying that I would be transferring to Haeundai, and would become a Zone Leader. So, I had to start packing my bags and that
was good.

On Sunday, we went to stake conference, and after the conference meeting, we took a bunch of pictures with people and returned to Gyeongsan, where we had a meeting and had to finish up some stuff at the church.  Then we had to go do another meeting and had dinner, and that was our week!!

It really was wonderful in Gyeongsan but I'm excited to be here in Haeundai and although I will be busy as a zone leader, it will be wonderful!!

I love you all and miss you!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson

At Stake Conference

With Awesome People!

With Awesome Elder Missionaries!!

with a Japanese Sister --- I translated the conference talks in Japanese for her!  

 

With our Brother Kim Yongho

Week 50: Keeping busy

This week was fantastic!!!  Enough Said... But anyway, yes, this week was fantastic.  The weather at the start of the week was... BLAZING HOT!!   I literally felt as if I were in an oven baking... It was sooo hot!!   But on Friday.... Wow... It was cold.. Like Autumn cold!! It would absolutely wonderful, but then the fear is... Here comes Winter.
Anyways, everything was pretty great this week and we are super happy that we are here and I love it here so much!!

So this week as I've thought about what I want to write about. I was brought back to an experience that I had just yesterday!  So we had a family who came from the States and the children are half Korean.  When they came to church, because the kids started learning Korean just last year, so I had to translate for them yesterday.  
The reason why I am sharing this is because of a scripture that comes to mind is in Doctrine & Covenants 90:11, it reads "For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ." 
A basic interpretation of this is really that everyone will be able to hear the enriching Gospel of Jesus Christ and that they will be able to know for themselves if these things are true or not!  It is wonderful that we are able to do these things and to love others and give them the opportunity to come unto Christ!  No matter where we go, or what we do, the gospel of Jesus Christ available for all!  This is a wonderful work and I know this Church is true!!

So this week was wonderful!!  On Monday, we cleaned our house and emailed and got ready for the week and then we had our Family Home Evening at the Church where we played games with all who came and it was a great day!!

On Tuesay, we were able to go outside in the burning sunlight and to talk to people for a little bit after we had a meeting with the sister missionaries.  Then we were able to meet a new investigator named Kim Dongyeong, he wants to learn about the gospel and it seems like we will be able to keep meeting with him.  Then we were able to go outside
and talk to some more people.  We also went out to dinner with someone who both, Elder Kim and I didn't know, but it turned out that the person was an old friend of one of my companions' mom!  So we did that and then we met with Brother Kim Yongho and that was amazing!

Wednesday was our district meeting so we attended that, and then ate lunch and went outside and talked to people -- it was very warm that day for sure!  Then after a little bit, we had English class, and talked to Kim Yongho after the English class and which was great!  We were actually able to meet some really great people!! I super love being here in Gyeongsan, and just reaching out to others is great!

On Thursday, my companion's eye hurt, so we went to the doctor in the morning, and then went to our service project!! After the project, we came to the church and planned for a little bit, then went outside in the scorching sun and talked to a whole bunch of people!!  Many people wanted to talk to us today actually!!  Then we had Japanese class: it has been really good lately!

On Friday, we studied in the morning, ate lunch, planned for this week, and then went outside -- it was kind of raining
and super cool!!  So it was great!! Then after going out and talking to an innumerable amount of people, we went and helped move a whole lot of furniture for the stake president and branch president.  Then we ate dinner and that was our day.

On Saturday, we had English class, cleaned the church and 
went and met with someone who said he wanted to meet us
and talk with us.  So, we went pretty far away and met him. All he really wanted to do was talk about how his church was right and ours was wrong.  We said to him that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and it turned out okay! Then we came back and had a dinner appointment and met with some other people and that was the rest of our Saturday.

On Sunday, we did all our studied, went to the church, and had church meetings.  I ended up translating at the church and playing the piano. It was a joy really!!  Also... Brother Kim Yongho receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and that was wonderful as well!! Then we had a meeting and then met with Brother Kim.  After that we went outside to talk to other people.  Then we came back home at night and ate dinner, and that was my week!!

I love you all and I miss you so much! Being here is wonderful and there really aren't any other words to describe it, but it is great here!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson

Working

Meeting with Sister Missionaries

Bowling as Usual!

Wk 49: HE GOT BAPTIZED!!!

This week has been WONDERFUL!! I don't really have any other words to describe it really.  It was great and I absolutely loved it!  I love the people that I get to meet and I love this area with a passion.  As a missionary, we get to go many places, but the people we meet are amazing and I love being able to be here and be with these marvelous individuals! 
This week was also a little bit busy, but regardless, it was amazing and we were able to do so much! My companion and I had a great time, and missionary work is splendid and joyous, incredible!

This week I wanted to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon, in Alma 42. It reads "And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also."  To simply summarize this part, the plan
of mercy is that we are able to return to our Father in Heaven and to be like him -- perfect -- through coming to this earth to receive a body... But not only receiving a body, but also making choices to come unto Christ, to become like him, and to follow his gospel.  And by doing these things can we truly be made whole.  Only through the atonement of Jesus Christ,
can we draw closer to God and as we become cleaner and trust him, we will be able to return to our Heavenly Father again!!

So this week was actually decently busy, but for so many great reasons!!  

So last Monday, we went shopping in the morning, came to the church, ate lunch, and then finally we came to church again and emailed at the church.  Because one of our computers is broken, we had to share the computer, so email time took longer than usual. Then after that we had a birthday part for Family Home Evening and we ate cake
and played Charades.

On Tuesday, we studied in the morning, had a meeting with the sisters and then we went outside and talked to soo many people, and that was okay!  I love talking with other people and although it was burning hot, it was wonderful and we were able to meet some really great people!! Then after we came to the church and we got to teachour investigator Kim Yong Ho.

On Wednesday, we studied in the morning, went outside again, talked to a whole bunch of people, came to the church and met with one of the members who was preparing a talk for church.  He didn't know what to do so we helped him out.  After which, we had our English class and talked with our investigator Kim Yong Ho again! He super loves just being at the church and meeting with us!

Thursday was our service project day, so we got to go clean dishes. Then we went outside and talked to a bunch of people.  It was really hot and there weren't any people outside really, but we were able to talk to a few people which was fantastic!  Then we came to the church and waited for Brother Kim Yong Ho while he was getting interviewed to be baptized there.   He finished the interview, and everything went great with him.  Then we talked to him, and then we went outside, talked to some people and then finally went out to go eat with some other members and that was our Thursday!  Also from Thursday --- that meant this day, that we had to start planning Brother Kim Yong Ho's baptismal service.  That was a totally great experience!!


Friday, we had our zone meeting and that was really good and I got to lead a discussion, and it was really fun and good! Then my companion and I came back to our area, and came to the church because we needed to prepare for Brother Kim Yong Ho's baptism.  We started preparing and needed to come up with a special musical number.  So, we started arranging a piano-violin duet which sounds super good!! 
After that we went outside, and talked and shared the gospel to others.   Then we came back and met with Brother Kim Yong Ho and then that was our day!

On Saturday, as usual, we studied in the morning, had a meeting and went outside for a little bit to go find some people, then came back and did Englsih Class. After English class, we prepared the special musical number for the baptism for a little more, then went outside and talked to others.  We came back to the church, met Brother Kim Yong Ho, explained and talked him about baptism.  Then, we went outside, bought the things we needed for his baptismal
service and that was our day!

On Sunday, we went to the church and had the church meetings, and right after church, we went over to a place called Suseong to have the baptismal service because our church in Gyeongsan doesn't have a baptismal font.
Unfortunately when we went and check the baptismal font, the water wasn't all the way full.  We needed to prepare a bunch of things. So, we were preparing everything and getting water from everywhere we could so that we could fill the baptismal font.  Then we had a great baptismal service. Yes, Borther Kim Yong Ho got baptized!!!   He smiled so much, and was so happy that he could get baptized!! It was soo great!! He Got Baptized!!!  :) 
Then we went to a house, had dinner all together and then came back to Gyeongsan, and that was our day and week!!

It was another great week, and I truy love being here!! I really do know that those who come unto Christ with a willing heart and that want to know the fulness of the Gospel, that all will want to follow Christ's example and be baptized by someone holding the proper priesthood authority of God. I know that this gospel is true and that missionary work only helps others come closer unto Christ and really is God's work!

I love you all and I miss you so much!!

Love Always,

Elder Joshua Wilson

Brother Kim Yong Ho's Baptism Day!

 

Being a Missionary is Great!!

Post Baptism Dinner