Annyeong Haseyo, everybody!
Coming to you from the now-rainy country of South Korea, this is Elder Derek Wilcox! My companion, who was here last year during rain season, says the big rainstorm we're having right now is the beginning of the Jang-Ma, the typhoon season. Should be pretty rainy for about the next 2 months. ^^ Bring it. But we got our run in this morning before it started, so that's all that matters.
It's been about 2 weeks since I did the Big Email, so I'll hit the highlights of the week before last:
Zone training on a hike about testifying with power!! The first time I have seen my mission president with PDay clothes on. hehe. That trip to the mission home (we hiked a mountain in that area), we Anseong Missionaries had to sleep over night at the mission home for 2 nights. There were 12 elders sleeping there, so it got pretty hot in the rooms.
A sports meeting set up by a half-korean half-american family visiting our ward! They brought investigators and we had a blast!! It's so refreshing to see members taking time out of their busy personal lives (vacation, even!) to try to find the people that the Lord has prepared to hear the message of the Gospel. Awesome family! ^^
Family Home Evening with investigators and said family. so fun to play with kids and help their families come closer together through coming closer to Christ. ^^
Then there was this week! We met a ton of new invesitgators, people who we met in the past and wrote down their info on a paper. We have been focusing on following up, and we saw the results last week. We picked up 4 new investigators. They still have a long way to go, but they are ready to meet with us regualrly. One New investigator is actually a Former investigator named In Hong Lee. He lives on a mountain in a huge house he built with his own hands over 3 years. He's about 64, and still doing pretty well on that mile hike to his house from the road. He has met with other missionaries, namely, they helped him with yard work and building an outdoor bathing pool and other hard labor, and he learned the Restoration from them. He wants to be a "mormon" but he has a wicked smoking habit. Went through almost a whole pack in the time we were with him doing yard work. But we promised that God would help if he came to church and showed his faith. He's got potential! and also the coolest house and yard in the world. Made me long for scout camp again. ^^
We had a General Authority, namely Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Twelve, come to the Korea Seoul South mission a few days ago on Saturday. The Seoul Mission came too, making the Big Conference referenced in today's subject bar, and we had a wonderful, inspiring training on love, and relying on the Lord to guide us. His words and the words of our Area President Elder Ringwood tauched my heart and answered the questions I had brought. I fell soo much more prepared and ready to face the trials of mission life even though I don't have experience because I have the best gift of all: The gift of the Holy Ghost. As long as I am worthy of it, God will give me divine direction and lead my feet, my words, my actions. The same is true for all baptised and confirmed members of the Church. God is ready to lead us in all we do, all we need to do is grab His outstretched hand through worthy thoughts, words, actions. Such a great blessing, and just the Gift that the church needs to hasten the work. Isn't it amazing that we, mortals, can have the guidance of a Supreme Being in all our daily activities if we but keep our minds and hearts clear and focused? Amazing!!! God trusts and loves us soo much, it makes me want to serve Him a little better and keep my eye single to His glory.
I love the Gospel and I love my Savior Jesus Christ, who leads and guides this church today. I am soo grateful for my experience as a missionary here in Korea at this time to bring forth His Zion in these last days, in what little ways I can. Let us all press on, lifting where we stand, and bring to pass the great and eternal purposes of God. We may be the weak things of the world, but God has called us to thrash the nations by the power of His word, which I carry in my hand every day. I am honored to serve my Lord in this way, and I say these things in His name, Jesus Christ, Amen!
Love you all and hope you have a great Summer Vacation! Go on a trail run for me, those who can! ^^
Elder Wilcox
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