Week 105 Goodbye

October 14, 2018

Well at this point my time here is done. We have an insanely busy week and I’m not even sure we will have time to do our studies. When I came to 분당 I promised myself and the Lord that I would work my head off. That equaled me and Elder Kim spending almost all of our free time out on the streets proselyting.

Well our mission averages 8 new people to teach per week. In the past 5 weeks me and Elder Kim have found 10. Which has created a very big teaching pool equaling lots of appointments and therefore no time. Plus many members are saying goodbye and feeding us, which takes up time.

This week was amazing one of my favorite members bought me some new shoes and took me out to lunch! She took me to one of the most expensive restaurants in Korea! And I was grateful.

Other than that the majority of our week was spent meeting investigators and finding. We had one cool miracle!

We had got a text from a random person at 9:40 in the morning asking when church starts, we said 10 but I told him he can come at 11! Well he came and he had met missionaries nearly 3 years ago! And he said that he wants to meet again! He said he has mostly English interest but I mean he came to church in order to introduce himself so he must have some potential!

Now for something fun! On Friday we had a big zone activity. We had to skip the dinner because of another meal appointment but got there for the activity. Afterwards the whole zone wanted to see if I could break the record for the punch machine. So I put in my dollar and we all took turns I went first and last. The first time I was 1 away from the high score. Everyone was impressed and it was way fun to see a bunch of missionaries getting so excited over a punching bag!

Now for something I learned at conference! I heard a common theme on Sunday and I had met most of the apostles and seventies that spoke on my mission. So I listened a little more intently and their words had a little more meaning.

I particularly enjoyed Elder Gary's talk. He talked about how he judged his sister and only looked at her inactivity in the church and trials. When he blessed her before she died God allowed him to see his sister through His eyes. Elder Gay saw her goodness. Her divine potential. And learned that we can't judge others because we don't know what God has in plan for them.

I think this goes for ourselves. Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves only seeing the bad, only noticing our imperfections and weaknesses. That's not what God sees. We all have a potential to become like him. He loves us infinitely and knows and loves us better than we know and love ourselves!

I hope you all have a good week!

Elder Goon

Week 104 NEW people to teach!

October 7, 2018

This week was soooo busy! So it all started because of Pday, we went bowling with some other Elders and it was good! I learned I don't like bowling very much... But after wards for some reason my companion didn't want to get outside and just sat at his desk, so I thought I could call LOTS of people and get some appointments. I found a way to still be productive and because of that our week was great! So I am actually glad and think it was a good thing to stay in side and grab appointments!

Anyways Tuesday was busy, we met 2 new person and had great time! The first man is a Canadian and wants to learn Korean! So we had a gospel discussion in Korean and he would ask us what certain words are. He claims to not be religious and have no interest, but he sure asked a ton of questions! And he doesn't admit it but he has a TON of interest! Well we agreed to meet every Tuesday morning!

Then we met another person for lunch! We had a good time. He has read the book of Mormon in the past and met with missionaries a lot, we are not sure how much he has actually been taught so we decided to start teaching him again! Then that day we had our service activity and a sticker boarding activity.

Wednesday was busy! We had to travel quiet far for district meeting. So our day was traveling for 4 hours, district meeting for 2 hours. Then studying and teaching English class. This day flew by!

Thursday I was on exchanges with Elder Bradford, we spent the morning studying and then went out and sticker boarded with the sisters! We then reexchanged and me and Elder Kim went to bishops house for a meal. There was another family there and it was a good time, with VERY delicious food! But the members were asking all the questions you want to ask to a dying missionary, what was hardest, what was best. What was most impressive what did you learn how have you changed. While I like those questions and don't mind answering, it really is indescribable. I'll never be able to express my love for this mission.

Friday and Saturday were rainy days... We had lots of appointments on these days. We had a lunch appointment with some more Members and they just expressed their love for me and how much they will miss me. One of the members expressed how I feel like a member of the ward and they remembered how sad they were when I left the first time and they don't want me to leave again.

Saturday we met 2 new people again! And they were super cool! Similar to the Canadian one met us and said all I want is to learn English, but as we talked all he talked about was God and he really opened up!

Sunday was a day inside and we did lots of planning and records and it was a good end to the great week!

Week 103

September 30, 2018

Well well well, where to start.

These final weeks are scary honestly. Similar to how I was the final weeks before my mission, I take an extra second to enjoy each moment. Spend a little more time doing the little things. Take in sights, smells, and tastes that I know I will probably never get to experience again. I'm quieter. More thoughtful.

My mission President and wife interviewed us this week. They asked me how I felt and my concerns about going home. I explained that I just want to leave it all on the table. And that’s what I have been trying to do!

This week Monday was our special pday at the Korean folk village, this will be the last time I go before my parents come. This is seriously one of the funnest places and things I have done in Korea! I love it seeing the history and the amazing performances.

Then Tuesday we had zone conference we went to the Suwon fortress and that is always fun and beautiful! We received some great training and our mission is stepping up the effort and intensity for sure!

Wednesday we had some great lessons with an investigator and a less active. We just talked and both were interested and attentive and felt the spirit and grew a little bit more. It was great day.

Thursday was probably the best day of my mission! We spent the whole day with our mission president and his wife. We had interviews in our house. Then we drove with them for an hour in the car out to the neighboring area. Then we had dinner with them. Then sticker boarded with them. Then drove home for an hour with them! It was just so awesome and they just inspire me to be my best and be better! And none of the other missionaries wanted to talk to them, so i just talked to them and it was awesome! Anyone that knows me knows I get along with adults much better than children, and I just love the Turners SO MUCH!

Friday Saturday and Sunday we hit the streets and just grinded. We are really trying hard to find new people to teach and to talk to everyone so we spend most of our day outside on the street!

There was so many miracles this week and so many amazing things that happened. I don’t have time to explain them all, but here are a few.

1) Two of my favorite members came to visit me!

2) I was prompted to carry an English Book of Mormon around (something I have never done) and I met someone who couldn’t speak Korean who was really interested in the Gospel!

3) I met someone who invited me to come play volleyball with his college team!

4) I reconnected with an old friend that I met the first time I was here

5) A Bundang member referred her husband and brought him to church!

Those are just a few of the many many miracles I saw this week! It was awesome!