HEY!
This was a great week for meeting and strengthening members. We went to one sister's workplace, where we ate pizza with her and her co-workers. It was really good. Most of it was her telling them about the church and testifying to them. And then she came to church this last Sunday! Super happy. We had some other really good experiences with members, and seem to have a very strong relationship with them right now. I love them so much.
On Wednesday into Thursday, I was on exchanges in Gyeongju again, a very old city that was the capital of Korea in the Shilla dynasty. I've gone on about four exchanges there, and love it every time. It is beautiful (with the old tomb hills of ancient Korean kings and queens everywhere), but it is also like the promised land for missionary work. I love proselyting in Gyeongju.
HBY wasn't able to come to church this week (she was in Seoul), but we had an AWESOME lesson with her about the Book of Mormon. We felt that we should read it together with her, so we did Lehi's Dream. She wasn't too excited about it at first, but as we read and talked about it verse by verse and she started to understand and make connections, we could see her getting more excited. By the end when we finished she seemed to be holding the Book of Mormon in a different way. She told us, "I want to see the rest of it!" It made me happy. We just need her to have those experiences by herself now!
We have also been doing a lot of preparation for the Christmas party and for Christmas day. We have several performances we are doing- whether it's singing in a trio for sacrament meeting, doing violin for a member's students at her pre-school, or our missionary dance for the Christmas party (which is being amped up to the next level this time). It is a lot of fun, but we are very busy. This next week will be particularly busy with appointments with investigators and members.
I have been a little numb to going home lately. There are times when I am excited, and moments when it hits me really hard and I can't bear thinking of not being close to these people. I love them. But overall I have felt numb. However, the last few days I have felt a little more simple contentment as I work. I wake up happy to be with these people. I feel joy when I study and receive revelation for my investigators and members. I feel love for people I talk with on the street. I am happy and proud when I see my companion progressing and loving missionary work. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to be a part of this. I want to work the hardest I can while I have time.
I love you!!!
Sister Stapley
(Last P-day)
This was a great week for meeting and strengthening members. We went to one sister's workplace, where we ate pizza with her and her co-workers. It was really good. Most of it was her telling them about the church and testifying to them. And then she came to church this last Sunday! Super happy. We had some other really good experiences with members, and seem to have a very strong relationship with them right now. I love them so much.
On Wednesday into Thursday, I was on exchanges in Gyeongju again, a very old city that was the capital of Korea in the Shilla dynasty. I've gone on about four exchanges there, and love it every time. It is beautiful (with the old tomb hills of ancient Korean kings and queens everywhere), but it is also like the promised land for missionary work. I love proselyting in Gyeongju.
HBY wasn't able to come to church this week (she was in Seoul), but we had an AWESOME lesson with her about the Book of Mormon. We felt that we should read it together with her, so we did Lehi's Dream. She wasn't too excited about it at first, but as we read and talked about it verse by verse and she started to understand and make connections, we could see her getting more excited. By the end when we finished she seemed to be holding the Book of Mormon in a different way. She told us, "I want to see the rest of it!" It made me happy. We just need her to have those experiences by herself now!
We have also been doing a lot of preparation for the Christmas party and for Christmas day. We have several performances we are doing- whether it's singing in a trio for sacrament meeting, doing violin for a member's students at her pre-school, or our missionary dance for the Christmas party (which is being amped up to the next level this time). It is a lot of fun, but we are very busy. This next week will be particularly busy with appointments with investigators and members.
I have been a little numb to going home lately. There are times when I am excited, and moments when it hits me really hard and I can't bear thinking of not being close to these people. I love them. But overall I have felt numb. However, the last few days I have felt a little more simple contentment as I work. I wake up happy to be with these people. I feel joy when I study and receive revelation for my investigators and members. I feel love for people I talk with on the street. I am happy and proud when I see my companion progressing and loving missionary work. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to be a part of this. I want to work the hardest I can while I have time.
I love you!!!
Sister Stapley
(Last P-day)