안녕하세요! Hello!
We have been doing SO much preparation for the Christmas party. Thing is, it's only going to get busier. We are going to have next to no time next week. It's coming together though!
NKL is still making little steps forward! This last lesson, we had planned on watching the "A Savior is Born" video together with her, but the internet wasn't working so we had to completely change our lesson plan and do something else. So we read the kid's Nativity story in the Liahona and talked a little about that and how we can apply it. It was good, but she seemed very interested in the rest of the Liahona and kept peeking at other pages to see what it was. With our lesson plan changing, we didn't have another commitment planned, but suddenly felt that we should try to give her a Liahona. We grabbed a Conference issue from a bookcase in the room, and showed it to her. She actually wanted it! As we talked a little about it, she said she would try to read a little, and we suggested a few really good talks for her to read. We are excited! Goodness, I just love her so much.
On Wednesday we went to a Christmas meeting at the mission home in Busan. It was wonderful. There were several incredible Christmas talks, and the Sisters that are going home (including Sister Choi that I did exchanges with last week) gave their departing testimonies. It is getting weirder and weirder to see these sisters that I really know go home. They are all in shock. Even for me each transfer seems to roll by faster and faster. Anyway, after the main meeting we sang some Christmas carols, got some presents from the Senior missionary couples and the Barrows, and then got to watch the movie "17 Miracles". I know...what's a movie? Who watches movies? It has been so long.
I got the packages you sent! I also got an ADORABLE package from Mariah and Drew, with a cute Christmas decoration, some chocolate, and a letter with world and U.S. NEWS! I really know NOTHING about what is going on in the world right now. It was awesome to hear a little! I loved it! Mariah and Drew are the BEST! I am totally keeping their Christmas card picture in my photo book. So cute.
It feels super weird coming up on transfers (THIS NEXT WEEK!) and I am super nervous. I just want to stay in Gyeongsan forever, but I have a feeling that I will be transferred. I love these members so much, and want to continue to teach and see our investigators be baptized. We are going to really try to get OJW to commit to a date again and work with her mom to have it actually happen. I want so badly to come back and see her be baptized some time. And now with NKL slowly progressing, I want to see where it all goes!
We have been caroling a lot and meeting for meals with a lot of members, and I am so grateful for them although the other day we had one of those double dinner appointments nights. We ate a huge dinner with a sister that is leaving and just opened her mission call to Seoul South, and then later an unintentional dinner with a cute family who ordered us food without us knowing. So good, so full.
One thing I have really loved about being out here in Korea and especially in a small branch, are all the opportunities to use violin and singing and even piano. The members really like it when I play for things, and ask me to do a lot. They always have me sing for them, start songs in meetings, and do small groups. I have been working more on piano too, so I can accompany during church and in other meetings. I still have a lot to learn on that, but I have a feeling I will have a lot of opportunities to practice. This last transfer meeting, (or the Christmas meeting which counted as the transfer meeting) I conducted the music, with Sister Lee on piano. So fun! It was fun to do something with her again. Anyway, I just never really realized before I came out how music would still be such a big part of my mission.
Yesterday, on Sunday we had a great group of meetings. The Young Women's President just had a baby, and the Sunday School teacher for the girls just left for BYU Idaho, so they had no teacher for the classes. Literally the minute before class started, Branch President asked us to teach. We ran in, started teaching without being able to discuss our plan and it turned out really well! We were basically able to teach OJW a lesson and followed up and gave good commitments. It was a good discussion too. After church ended, we had our normal lunch with the whole branch, and then watched the Christmas broadcast. Super good! We were able to watch it in English in a separate room. We can never get enough of Christmas out here in Korea. It is wonderful to think about happy memories, and also to feel the Spirit so strongly as we focus on the Savior. Christmas really is the best season. It is fun and creates incredible memories, but can also be incredibly spiritual as we ponder about the Savior and the atonement, and can be grateful for all that we have received.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! I love you!
Sister Stapley
We have been doing SO much preparation for the Christmas party. Thing is, it's only going to get busier. We are going to have next to no time next week. It's coming together though!
NKL is still making little steps forward! This last lesson, we had planned on watching the "A Savior is Born" video together with her, but the internet wasn't working so we had to completely change our lesson plan and do something else. So we read the kid's Nativity story in the Liahona and talked a little about that and how we can apply it. It was good, but she seemed very interested in the rest of the Liahona and kept peeking at other pages to see what it was. With our lesson plan changing, we didn't have another commitment planned, but suddenly felt that we should try to give her a Liahona. We grabbed a Conference issue from a bookcase in the room, and showed it to her. She actually wanted it! As we talked a little about it, she said she would try to read a little, and we suggested a few really good talks for her to read. We are excited! Goodness, I just love her so much.
On Wednesday we went to a Christmas meeting at the mission home in Busan. It was wonderful. There were several incredible Christmas talks, and the Sisters that are going home (including Sister Choi that I did exchanges with last week) gave their departing testimonies. It is getting weirder and weirder to see these sisters that I really know go home. They are all in shock. Even for me each transfer seems to roll by faster and faster. Anyway, after the main meeting we sang some Christmas carols, got some presents from the Senior missionary couples and the Barrows, and then got to watch the movie "17 Miracles". I know...what's a movie? Who watches movies? It has been so long.
I got the packages you sent! I also got an ADORABLE package from Mariah and Drew, with a cute Christmas decoration, some chocolate, and a letter with world and U.S. NEWS! I really know NOTHING about what is going on in the world right now. It was awesome to hear a little! I loved it! Mariah and Drew are the BEST! I am totally keeping their Christmas card picture in my photo book. So cute.
It feels super weird coming up on transfers (THIS NEXT WEEK!) and I am super nervous. I just want to stay in Gyeongsan forever, but I have a feeling that I will be transferred. I love these members so much, and want to continue to teach and see our investigators be baptized. We are going to really try to get OJW to commit to a date again and work with her mom to have it actually happen. I want so badly to come back and see her be baptized some time. And now with NKL slowly progressing, I want to see where it all goes!
We have been caroling a lot and meeting for meals with a lot of members, and I am so grateful for them although the other day we had one of those double dinner appointments nights. We ate a huge dinner with a sister that is leaving and just opened her mission call to Seoul South, and then later an unintentional dinner with a cute family who ordered us food without us knowing. So good, so full.
One thing I have really loved about being out here in Korea and especially in a small branch, are all the opportunities to use violin and singing and even piano. The members really like it when I play for things, and ask me to do a lot. They always have me sing for them, start songs in meetings, and do small groups. I have been working more on piano too, so I can accompany during church and in other meetings. I still have a lot to learn on that, but I have a feeling I will have a lot of opportunities to practice. This last transfer meeting, (or the Christmas meeting which counted as the transfer meeting) I conducted the music, with Sister Lee on piano. So fun! It was fun to do something with her again. Anyway, I just never really realized before I came out how music would still be such a big part of my mission.
Yesterday, on Sunday we had a great group of meetings. The Young Women's President just had a baby, and the Sunday School teacher for the girls just left for BYU Idaho, so they had no teacher for the classes. Literally the minute before class started, Branch President asked us to teach. We ran in, started teaching without being able to discuss our plan and it turned out really well! We were basically able to teach OJW a lesson and followed up and gave good commitments. It was a good discussion too. After church ended, we had our normal lunch with the whole branch, and then watched the Christmas broadcast. Super good! We were able to watch it in English in a separate room. We can never get enough of Christmas out here in Korea. It is wonderful to think about happy memories, and also to feel the Spirit so strongly as we focus on the Savior. Christmas really is the best season. It is fun and creates incredible memories, but can also be incredibly spiritual as we ponder about the Savior and the atonement, and can be grateful for all that we have received.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! I love you!
Sister Stapley