Hey!
Monday, after emailing, we went to Jinju Song, an old Korean fort/castle thing here in Jinju. It was pretty cool! It wasn't too big, but we went with the trio Jinju Elders and it was really fun.
One day this week we went with one of the members to visit the American family in the ward and to help translate, and afterwards, when she was driving us back to the bus terminal, we realized that we didn't have the phone. First thought: "AGAIN?" But luckily, an adjussi (older middle aged man) exercising in the area where we had been found the phone and called the member we were with. We got it back! HUGE blessing.
We had exchanges with another area of sisters, and an American trainee came in with me in Jinju! She has only been here for about three weeks, and while she is half Korean, she didn't really learn any Korean before her mission. It was pretty stressful, but was really good and we had a lot of fun! First we went to Sacheon and visited the grandmother that we had found the other week. She was so cute! We then did an area meeting. Cool little experience before the meeting started. We had just left the grandmother's house and a less-active called and wanted to talk. As I talked with her on the phone, we went into a cafe so that we could sit down while we talked, and a middle aged woman sitting with a group of friends waved at us and called us over. I ended the call with the less-active and went over, and she told us that she had family in the states and friends or someone in Korea that are members. She asked us some questions, and then asked for our number so we could meet again! I gave it to her and saved her number in our phone, and Sister Rix (the trainee) and I walked out a little in a daze. Cool miracle!
Anyway, later we had an appointment with an investigator. I had never met her before, so it was pretty stressful, but we were able to get Bishop's wife to come and do the lesson with us. The investigator, (her English name is M) was SUPER nice and was excited to do the lesson. We taught the Restoration, and committed her to read the pamphlet and start the Book of Mormon. She already prays every day, and seems to have a lot of desire to learn. While we definitely aren't perfect teachers (it helped a WHOLE lot for Bishop's wife to be there), it still went well! Sister Rix did a really good job. Exchanges were so fun this week! This next week we are going to have two exchanges back-to-back, and I will be with a native Korean trainee in the first one! I am excited!
Cool experience: The less-active that we meet with every week made another good step. She hasn't been smoking for a long time, but still had a pack of cigarettes in her house. On Wednesday when we met with her, she led us into another room, picked up the pack, and handed it to us. She told us that after we leave, to throw it away. She is awesome! She is trying to really separate herself from everything that is bad, and has progressed so much. When we got back into Jinju, I threw the pack into one of the drains in the street.
Little funny story- That same less-active's new favorite thing to do is to stroke my hair and say, "My poodle." Yup. Thank you.
We saw a bunch of little miracles this last week. We dropped a bunch of eternal investigators right at the beginning of the transfer, and last week we didn't have any investigators in Sacheon. However, we worked really hard and proselyted and showed our faith, and found a lot of people! Now we have one investigator, with about 3 or 4 potential investigators that we will start meeting with this week. Jinju is progressing as well. We have really seen that as we work and show our faith, God will bless us, even though it is often in ways we do not expect. Also, the Elders in Sacheon have a baptism set for the end of this month, and another for next month! It's speeding up!
This week I have had so many little experiences and feelings that have hit me over and over again with one thing. This gospel is true. I know we have felt that and know that, but I felt it so strongly this week. There is no doubt. It is real. Our Heavenly Father really lives and we ARE His children. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, for us. Because of Him, we will one day return to our Heavenly Father. I am dumbfounded and humbled by this. It is true! I am so grateful for this plan!
I love you all so much!!!
Sister Stapley
Monday, after emailing, we went to Jinju Song, an old Korean fort/castle thing here in Jinju. It was pretty cool! It wasn't too big, but we went with the trio Jinju Elders and it was really fun.
One day this week we went with one of the members to visit the American family in the ward and to help translate, and afterwards, when she was driving us back to the bus terminal, we realized that we didn't have the phone. First thought: "AGAIN?" But luckily, an adjussi (older middle aged man) exercising in the area where we had been found the phone and called the member we were with. We got it back! HUGE blessing.
We had exchanges with another area of sisters, and an American trainee came in with me in Jinju! She has only been here for about three weeks, and while she is half Korean, she didn't really learn any Korean before her mission. It was pretty stressful, but was really good and we had a lot of fun! First we went to Sacheon and visited the grandmother that we had found the other week. She was so cute! We then did an area meeting. Cool little experience before the meeting started. We had just left the grandmother's house and a less-active called and wanted to talk. As I talked with her on the phone, we went into a cafe so that we could sit down while we talked, and a middle aged woman sitting with a group of friends waved at us and called us over. I ended the call with the less-active and went over, and she told us that she had family in the states and friends or someone in Korea that are members. She asked us some questions, and then asked for our number so we could meet again! I gave it to her and saved her number in our phone, and Sister Rix (the trainee) and I walked out a little in a daze. Cool miracle!
Anyway, later we had an appointment with an investigator. I had never met her before, so it was pretty stressful, but we were able to get Bishop's wife to come and do the lesson with us. The investigator, (her English name is M) was SUPER nice and was excited to do the lesson. We taught the Restoration, and committed her to read the pamphlet and start the Book of Mormon. She already prays every day, and seems to have a lot of desire to learn. While we definitely aren't perfect teachers (it helped a WHOLE lot for Bishop's wife to be there), it still went well! Sister Rix did a really good job. Exchanges were so fun this week! This next week we are going to have two exchanges back-to-back, and I will be with a native Korean trainee in the first one! I am excited!
Cool experience: The less-active that we meet with every week made another good step. She hasn't been smoking for a long time, but still had a pack of cigarettes in her house. On Wednesday when we met with her, she led us into another room, picked up the pack, and handed it to us. She told us that after we leave, to throw it away. She is awesome! She is trying to really separate herself from everything that is bad, and has progressed so much. When we got back into Jinju, I threw the pack into one of the drains in the street.
Little funny story- That same less-active's new favorite thing to do is to stroke my hair and say, "My poodle." Yup. Thank you.
We saw a bunch of little miracles this last week. We dropped a bunch of eternal investigators right at the beginning of the transfer, and last week we didn't have any investigators in Sacheon. However, we worked really hard and proselyted and showed our faith, and found a lot of people! Now we have one investigator, with about 3 or 4 potential investigators that we will start meeting with this week. Jinju is progressing as well. We have really seen that as we work and show our faith, God will bless us, even though it is often in ways we do not expect. Also, the Elders in Sacheon have a baptism set for the end of this month, and another for next month! It's speeding up!
This week I have had so many little experiences and feelings that have hit me over and over again with one thing. This gospel is true. I know we have felt that and know that, but I felt it so strongly this week. There is no doubt. It is real. Our Heavenly Father really lives and we ARE His children. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, for us. Because of Him, we will one day return to our Heavenly Father. I am dumbfounded and humbled by this. It is true! I am so grateful for this plan!
I love you all so much!!!
Sister Stapley