HEY!
It has been an interesting week, one with a TON of teaching opportunities! On Monday we went to Jinjusong, the old castle fort here in Jinju. I have been there before, but it was still fun. It is very pretty. However, while we were there Sister Lee stepped in a dip and rolled her ankle pretty badly. I guess it has happened to her a couple times, each time getting worse and hurting her ligament. We went to the hospital (everyone goes there for everything in Korea) and had it checked out and they are having her wear a splint and boot for two weeks. We go in every couple of days for some laser treatment or something, and she should have it off soon. We haven't done as much proselyting this week, but we've definitely gotten a lot better at talking to everyone we can in the hospital and whenever we can.
While we were at Jinjusong, we met an American couple visiting for their anniversary. The husband had served as a missionary here about thirteen years ago. Super cool! Even cooler, they live in Castle Rock, in Scott and Wendy's ward. It was fun to talk to them.
GSY and KML are both doing good! GSY is really thinking and praying a lot about marriage. She wants to marry her boyfriend, but wants to make sure that their future family will have a spiritual environment and a good relationship with God. She asked a lot of questions about marriage and how to understand what God wants her to do. It was a good discussion. KML is starting to recognize good feelings that she has when she keeps commitments, and has been asking more questions about the Plan of Salvation. She usually doesn't ask questions, so we are happy that she seems to be thinking about it more.
Easily best part of the week, though, was getting two referrals for people actually interested in the GOSPEL. We contacted them, and they both want to come to church and to meet! One lives in Jinju and the other in Sacheon. We haven't met the one in Sacheon yet, but LEK (the girl in Jinju) is PREPARED. She wants the gospel. We met with her the next day after contacting her, and talked with her for a while. She had a friend (a member who had just gotten back from her mission when they met) that helped her a lot and made a big impression on her. Her friend taught her a lot about the church, and when LEK came to Jinju for school, she decided to try it out. PLEASE let me stay in Jinju for one more transfer. She is wonderful. She told us that she is having a hard time right now, and that as we talked with her she felt peace. We did a lot of begin teaching things, but also talked about repentance, the Book of Mormon, and just about God's love for us. When we asked if she would prepare to be baptized for when she knows these things are true, she said yes! She is easily the most prepared person I have ever met. I'm praying not to transfer.
I love these people so much. Our members are wonderful. In Gyeongsan and here in Jinju and Sacheon, these people are like my family. I am so grateful to know them. I love the people we teach. The grandmothers that smile at me or hug me when I say hello to them; the little kids running and playing and yelling to each other; the people moving and going everywhere I look-I am grateful to be among them and to have the chance to serve them. It is the chance of a lifetime. I love it!
I love you!!!
Sister Stapley
It has been an interesting week, one with a TON of teaching opportunities! On Monday we went to Jinjusong, the old castle fort here in Jinju. I have been there before, but it was still fun. It is very pretty. However, while we were there Sister Lee stepped in a dip and rolled her ankle pretty badly. I guess it has happened to her a couple times, each time getting worse and hurting her ligament. We went to the hospital (everyone goes there for everything in Korea) and had it checked out and they are having her wear a splint and boot for two weeks. We go in every couple of days for some laser treatment or something, and she should have it off soon. We haven't done as much proselyting this week, but we've definitely gotten a lot better at talking to everyone we can in the hospital and whenever we can.
While we were at Jinjusong, we met an American couple visiting for their anniversary. The husband had served as a missionary here about thirteen years ago. Super cool! Even cooler, they live in Castle Rock, in Scott and Wendy's ward. It was fun to talk to them.
GSY and KML are both doing good! GSY is really thinking and praying a lot about marriage. She wants to marry her boyfriend, but wants to make sure that their future family will have a spiritual environment and a good relationship with God. She asked a lot of questions about marriage and how to understand what God wants her to do. It was a good discussion. KML is starting to recognize good feelings that she has when she keeps commitments, and has been asking more questions about the Plan of Salvation. She usually doesn't ask questions, so we are happy that she seems to be thinking about it more.
Easily best part of the week, though, was getting two referrals for people actually interested in the GOSPEL. We contacted them, and they both want to come to church and to meet! One lives in Jinju and the other in Sacheon. We haven't met the one in Sacheon yet, but LEK (the girl in Jinju) is PREPARED. She wants the gospel. We met with her the next day after contacting her, and talked with her for a while. She had a friend (a member who had just gotten back from her mission when they met) that helped her a lot and made a big impression on her. Her friend taught her a lot about the church, and when LEK came to Jinju for school, she decided to try it out. PLEASE let me stay in Jinju for one more transfer. She is wonderful. She told us that she is having a hard time right now, and that as we talked with her she felt peace. We did a lot of begin teaching things, but also talked about repentance, the Book of Mormon, and just about God's love for us. When we asked if she would prepare to be baptized for when she knows these things are true, she said yes! She is easily the most prepared person I have ever met. I'm praying not to transfer.
I love these people so much. Our members are wonderful. In Gyeongsan and here in Jinju and Sacheon, these people are like my family. I am so grateful to know them. I love the people we teach. The grandmothers that smile at me or hug me when I say hello to them; the little kids running and playing and yelling to each other; the people moving and going everywhere I look-I am grateful to be among them and to have the chance to serve them. It is the chance of a lifetime. I love it!
I love you!!!
Sister Stapley