Day in the Life [생활에 있는 일]: Splits with Sister Yoon

9/9-15

월요일 (Monday) started like any other except for the fact that it's my greenies 12th week in the field! Happy Senior Week to 한다솜 자매님 (Sister Han)!! Just like my senior week(s) I handed over the phone and all planning responsibilities to her. She is quiet and shy so she didn't seem too thrilled but I'm sure she was... Anyway, after studying and emailing, we met up with most of the zone for a PDAY activity. This week the majority of the group wanted to walk the Suwon wall. Even though I did this once before, I was excited to do it again and maybe walk the whole thing. It was fun but there isn't much to report.

By the time 6PM rolled around, Sister Han and I were at the church waiting for an investigator to meet us. Like every Monday night, we had FHE. This week it was a single adults FHE, meeting at 이상훈B (Brother Lee's) house. It ended up only being all 6 missionaries, 이상훈B, and our investigator that goes by the name of EsTee- couldn't tell ya why. Anyway, Sister Han and I shared a spiritual thought found in John 15 about becoming a strong 'branch' or follower of Christ. Then we played games and ate chips and salsa. It was a fun way to end PDAY.

When Sister Han and I got home I was preparing for bed while she was responding to all the texts that were coming in. As I was unfolding my mattress she laughed and said, "The 영뎡 elders texted us." Since I have become friends with these elders, they started sending a 'fun fact of the day' every night. Sounds lame but I really enjoyed the useless information ha. So I said, "Cool, what did they say?" Sister Han quickly responded saying, "No, no, no" as she typically does and went on to say, " I'm going to respond and tell them to stop but I want to do it in a mean way." I laughed and asked why she wanted to be mean about it. I was ignored while she typed a long message. I later found out it said, (in Korean of course) "Thank you for the fun facts but they are not enjoyable. Trivial things should not be texted to missionaries. Only those things pertaining to missionary work should be communicated." Harsh right? My poor greenie is on a power trip but I hope it doesn't last all week- I will pray for her.

Tuesday (화요일) was a bummer. In the morning we prepared to teach two really awesome lessons but by the time the afternoon rolled around, both were cancelled. The rain wasn't coming down too hard but I've learned that Koreans use the weather as an excuse not to do anything haha. It all worked out though because my companion and I visited a less-active member and had time to redo a majority of our area book. Besides that, we spent our time doing pass-off and we practiced teaching for future lessons.

Wednesday (수요일) was mission tour! This morning we had to wake up at 5AM in order to be ready and make it to the mission home by 9AM. The subway rides were less than pleasant but we had the elders guiding us so it was much easier navigating through all the transfers and subway lines. We arrived early and helped set a few things up. Soon everyone arrived, including Elder and Sister Ringwood. Elder Ringwood is the North Asia Area Seventy. He, his wife, and youngest son currently live in Japan- pretty awesome. I have had the privilege of hearing from Elder Ringwood before in the MTC (in sacrament meeting) so I was excited to hear from him again.

First, we received training from President and Sister Morrise. They are hilarious! They mostly trained about 'Being of Good Cheer' and having a good attitude. It was really good. After lunch, we heard from Elder and Sister Ringwood. They first had us separate- the sisters were asked to go into the other room where Sister Ringwood would train us. Did you know that Sister Ringwood is the daughter of Russell M. Nelson? Pretty cool! She trained us on Christlike attributes and how we can acquire them. She seemed super nervous but it was a great training. Next, we came back together where Elder Ringwood trained us some more. His training focused on enduring "All the Remainder of Our Days." It was awesome! He taught from the scriptures most of the time and also explained the meanings of some Korean words which had a lot of significance and symbolism. It was cool. All in all, it was such a great day of training.

When it was time to leave and head home, guess what? It was time to have my first split of the transfer! I think it's funny that even though I transferred, I am still in the same zone as my trainer, Sister Yoon. She is the Sister Coordinating Leader, which means she goes on splits with every sister in the zone each transfer. Anyway, today was my turn and I was so excited to be going home!!

By the time we arrived back to 곡반정, it was time for English class. Sister Yoon is the BEST for scheduling our split for this time- she knows how much I miss my students and the ward here. She also kept it hush-hush that I was coming so I could see the reaction on everyone face when they saw that I was back. It is needless to say that everyone was so happy and surprised which of course, made me the happiest I've been since coming on my mission. ^^ The class went well and time came to say our goodbyes again. On our way out of the building, the bishop was on his way in. He too was shocked and said, "Ah! Sister Sloan! Please don't leave again!" I melted. As I smiled and laughed I said, "I won't!" He too smiled and said, "Okay, I'll see you soon then!" as he proceeded to walk to his office. This ward is THE BEST!

To end the night, Sister Yoon and I had so much to catch up on. She told me all about the progress of the investigators here and the ward members as well. We talked about home, boyfriends, her new release date (November 18th I think!) blah blah blah- girl stuff. It was so much fun. It was so nice to be back. She kept saying over and over, "I just feel so comfortable with you, why did you have to leave?" Haha I love her!

Thursday (목요일) was another AWESOME day. I was scheduled to stay and serve with Sister Yoon until about 7PM. Our day was off to a good start when we met up with one of my favorite investigators, 서은영S (the Atheist)! She knew I was coming and insisted that she take us out for lunch. When Sister Yoon told her I was coming back for a day she said, "Yay! For me? To see me?!" Haha of course she told her about splits but also whispered that she was strategic about planning the day. We went to a restaurant called Mr. Pizza and we sat and talked for 3 hours! We talked about many many things both gospel and just life related. I find her opinions and points of view fascinating. Anyway, it was so nice to be able to catch up and talk with her again.

When we realized the time, we had to say our goodbyes and boarded our separate buses. It was really sad. The last time I said goodbye was when I called her from the subway as I was leaving to transfer. She was crying and very sad she was not able to say a deeper goodbye. I'm grateful for the chance to see and talk with her again. She made me promise it wouldn't be our last goodbye- even though it was a sad moment, I could not stop smiling. I really do love her.

As if the day couldn't get any better, it did. Our next appointment was with 김동은B and 최윤정S, the mother and son. When we arrived, I hid behind Sister Yoon as she knocked on the door. As it began to open I tried to stay hidden. They both said their normal hellos, then I stood up and said, "안녕하세요!!" 김동은B (Brother Kim's) jaw hit the floor. Over and over he kept saying, "what?! what?!" Once we were all inside I finally stopped him, grabbed him by his shoulders and asked what was wrong. He replied, "Nothing! I'm just so happy!" I laughed and said that I was too haha. The English portion was fun as usual. The following section in his book was all about school (like related vocab and questions about being honest in our school work). The final question was an assignment to write about a favorite teacher. I jokingly said he could write about me but he stopped me middle thought and said, "Yeah! And I have a lot to write!" Cute! I hope I can read it haha. He's adorable. For the lesson I just shared what I had been studying in the Book of Mormon lately. It was all about prayer which was consequently where Sister Yoon and her new companion left off. It was fun being able to teach them again. This family is so amazing! It was sad to leave but again, it was most happy because of course this isn't goodbye.

I feel like nothing can compare to how happy I was while on split, so the rest of the day is a blur. We eventually unsplit and went straight to the church to meet the elders. there they wanted to coordinate upcoming events. Like I said, nothing noteworthy.

Friday (금요일) was a good day. My companion and I decided to wake up an hour early in order to have more time to tract. We got straight to work as soon as we finished our weekly planning. We spent just over 5 hours tracting in a 동 (similar to a suburb I think) that we had never been to. I think we knocked a million doors and even spoke with a good number of people on the street but we have zero success- bummer! Also I thought it was hilarious because we somehow picked the rainiest day to be out on the street ha. We got soaked even with our umbrellas. Also there was one house (which is rare to find because either super rich or super poor people live in houses) in particular that I felt we should visit. It was apparent that this was a really poor area because all the other houses- or shacks were being leveled to probably make room for nicer apartments. Long story short we had to walk across a long stretch of what looked like rocks.. ERR! Wrong! It was mud. My shoes were already muddy so I walked on and knocked on the door. After I made it to the doorstep, I turned around to see if my companion made it. Haha she looked like she wanted to die after taking one step into the mud. I knocked and yelled "게세요?" a couple times to make sure no one was home before turning back to save my companion. We found a puddle to clean off our shoes and feet then we were back on our way. Like I said, we didn't have any success but somehow had an enjoyable day together.

Saturday (토요일) was fun. It started with us attending the Young Women's activity at bishops house. I'm not totally sure why the activity was there but we invited ourselves and got permission to bake cookies using his oven. It turned out to be a good time- I built some serious 정 (which means like a positive relationship... It makes more sense in Korean). Anyway, I got bishop and his family laughing and we left them with a bunch of delicious cookies- winner!

After that, my companion and I tried to visit a less-active member but failed... There are so many buses so we may or may not have gotten confused slash lost ha. We ran out of time so had to head to the church for the ward sports activity and BBQ. It was fun and one of our investigators even showed up! We introduced her to a few single adults similar in age so she really enjoyed herself. She even left with them to go to a 노래빵 (singing room or karaoke). So much fun! When they left, the missionaries stayed to clean up. It took the rest of the evening. Cheers to the good life haha.

Sunday (일요일) was an interesting day. First of all, one of the buildings in our stake is being remodeled so the wards that attended that building have to meet elsewhere until February. Our ward got the short end of the stick and now have to not only share our building but also give up going to church at the best time, 10AM. So today was off to a slow start as we had church that began at 2PM... Gross huh? It wasn't all bad because we received a new investigator today! We met her at her house, talked to her briefly about the first lesson, and mostly set goals for what she wants to learn about English and the gospel. It was a good lesson.

When we got home we only had an hour for lunch so we ate and I multitasked by making peanut butter cookies for a proselyting activity with the ward- scheduled for after church. After making about 100, we head out the door for church. The meetings were okay. I was excited for the last hour because my companion and I volunteered to teach the Young Women's class this week. The lesson was all about how our words effect people around us. My companion and I both practiced beforehand but it didn't go as planned. It went well, I was just never given the que to say my parts. I was a little annoyed that I literally participated 0% but oh well. Do you mind if I share my thoughts with you? Okay here it goes:

So, most of the lesson asked for examples about how our words can be harmful or hurtful. I wanted to be a little more positive. I have recently began reading the Book of Mormon again, I read something I wanted to share. The other day I read 1 Nephi chapter 2, specifically verses 9-11. A little background, there is a family, (father- Lehi, mother- Sariah, and their sons Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi) they are commanded to leave their home in Jerusalem. As they obey and find a place in the wilderness the father is speaking to his eldest sons. So the whole trip Laman and Lemuel had been complaining and wanting to go back home. I can't really blame them but anyway despite them being annoying, Lehi takes the time to compliment their faith and righteousness, in these verse. I was curious as to why Lehi chooses to compliment his eldest sons when his youngest, Sam and Nephi, traveled willingly without complaining. But this was my thought pertaining to the lesson; our words can also be encouraging to lift and motivate others. It is better said in a quote by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: "If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is, but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be." Profound right?

Anyway, when church ended the missionaries helped serve dinner to the ward with the relief society. It was delicious as usual but also made a huge mess in the kitchen. I don't mind washing dishes but seriously there has got to be a better way! After cleaning up we had our proselyting activity with the ward. No one realized that by the time we actually got started, it was too late and there were basically zero people on the street. It was bad timing but we still tried for about an hour. All the cookies I made disappeared but about 90% of them were eaten by the ward members that were helping. To end the evening we had our usual FHE with the single adults... aka only 이상훈B and the missionaries ha. 임종우E (Elder Lim) shared a thought about obedience and then we played scum. It was fun. The elders walked me and Sister Han home after, because the ward so generously gave us boxes full of food- yum!! The elders didn't believe me when I said I was more than capable of carrying the boxes but they insisted. Too nice!

Today is an not a normal PDAY for most of the missionaries in Korea. Later this week (9/18-20) is the Korean Thanksgiving called, 추석. Because it is a big holiday here we will meet at a whole mission on Thursday to celebrate, have a regular PDAY on Friday, and then proceed to have our normal Monday PDAY's. Anyway, you'll hear about it next week. For now, I hope you all have a great week! Write that quote down somewhere and try it out. Have a great week! 사랑합니다!

슬론 자매

Sister Sloan