Summer Days

August was a another busy and fast-paced month. Our Relief Society decided to do a 'girl's day out' for lunch. As they were asking for suggestions on various pizza places, I offered somewhere that literally all the missionaries have said is the best; cheap yet good! It's called Pizza School. A group of us met at the church and walked about 3 blocks to the closest subway entrance. Some of our sisters had never utilized the subway system! This particular pizza place was at the end of one of the lines so we had a good ride there and back again.

Sister Olson on the left with Sister Simons sitting. Sister Fuhriman (our Relief Society President) is on the right. A Korean lady just sat and watched and watched and watched all of them laughing and talking.

Our Korean missionary sister, Sister Beh on the left with Sister Lang and Sister Wilder enjoying the ride together.

Sister Peterson, who planned the outing. Sister Beh's companion and our newest missionary sister, Sister McComber and Sister Williams. These ladies are such fun to be around.

Sister Serina Gordon is patiently waiting to get to the restaurant.

It's a small restaurant! We moved some outside tables together and had a great time. The missionaries were correct, the pizzas were delicious. We ordered a sweet potato pizza, by suggestion of the missionaries (excellent). Also a spiced chicken pizza that those who love HOT said it was great. I chose to take their word on that..... a plain old cheese that you can never go wrong  and a couple of spaghetti dishes for all to share. The man who owns and runs it speaks English. He'd been in the states several times and wanted to know where we were all from. It's some place we'd like to try again!

What's lunch without desert?!! Just happened to have a Baskin-Robbins around the corner. Full? Never too full for ice cream!!

I think this was the most serious many of them were all day! Decisions, decisions, decisions.......

Sister Beh and Sister McComber take their companionship verbatim; they need to be 'within sight and sound' of each other at all times.

Sister Lang, Sister Williams, and Sister Wilder all feel it's good to sit and relax with friends.... and it's hard to eat when you're already so full of pizza. However, we all managed quite well.

We had a very nice surprise this month!! Elder DohJaeUk was released from his mission about a week before the others in his time. He needed to register for college in Seoul and they would not extend him the week he needed, so President Gilbert allowed him to leave early for that purpose. We love Elder Doh and we were so sad when we found out he was leaving early as we knew we wouldn't be able to see him prior to his leaving, and we didn't. However - surprise!!! He called us and made arrangements to come down to Daegu on Saturday, the same week he registered for school. He spent the afternoon and into the early evening with us and had dinner with us. What a thrill for us that he thought enough of us to do that. I can not explain what these missionaries mean to us. What a true blessing to be in their presence.  

Here is 'Brother' Doh now... mission completed and most honorably served. He is blessed with one of the sweetest, kindest personalities of any we know. I don't think I've ever heard him say a thing about or against a soul. Just a kind, wonderful member of the church that we hope to always stay in touch with. He is planning on coming to the states someday so we're hoping that will come true!

Papa Howie with Bro. Doh, one of our 'adopted' grandsons. I'd claim him in a minute!

Me with Bro. Doh. He brought with him a lovely Korean hand-held fan which was enclosed in a beautiful case that his mother had made for me! It is made of such beautiful material; quite a wonderful present. I was very humbled that she would take the time to do that for me. Sweet, sweet people.



Another BIG event.... we'd all been waiting for this special day for Allison Williams. She's been a member in the church for over a year now it was finally time for her day, to enter the temple of the Lord on Saturday morning. We met the Lang family who'd also gone to Seoul on Friday. We spent the evening with them and their children. An added plus was getting to see and have dinner with CSM Dave Abbott from Seoul and his wife Kelly and daughter. Bro. Abbott was the Branch President of our branch prior to moving to Seoul.

The girls, Emmalee and Arianan, were excited to see a big Eagle there to greet them as they entered the hotel they were staying in.

Abbott's on the left enjoying the evening. The food was southwestern (in Korea....?) and quite good.

With the Seoul Temple behind us we lined up for some pictures after Allison's endowment. What a great group of members and what a thrill it was for Allison that so many made the trip. She's worth it!!

''The Sisters"

Cara McCain on the left, Allison's escort. It was a beautiful day and such a wonderful blessing to be a part of this moment.

Allison is such a special person. We are truly blessed to call her friend and a sister in the gospel. She teaches English at one of the schools in Daegu.

 

Time rolls around so quickly. Another transfer. We lost our 2 Suseong sister missionaries to other areas. Their gain, our lost most definitely..... Hopefully we'll have the sisters replaced in the near future. With our area covering both the Korean Ward and the Military Branch it's difficult to do so with only 2 elders. Missionaries as sooooo needed, everywhere.

One of the new sisters to our zone, Sister Mecham. Elder Gee is back! We're glad to have him back in our area again!!

A new missionary to our zone; Elder Hoskins.  I believe he's a Ute fan, what do you think?!

Oops...here's a Cougar fan.... Elder Cahoon. Elder Wilcox is studying someone's memory book. Oh, Bro. Merrill.... can you see your picture (or a portion thereof) in the background by Elder Cahoon's elbow?! We brought over the picture of 'our' missionary from home!

Interesting.... Sister Oaks sitting Korean fashion - on the floor - and Elder HwangJunSung sitting on the sofa.....

 Zone Leader, Elder Babcock, Sister Mecham and Elder Allen filling their plates and their mouths...

Our favorite SFC.... SFC Robert Gordon and Elder Harman. Bro. Gordon and family are so into missionary work, they too love the missionaries. As he was off this morning he came over for some breakfast and conversation with everyone. Elder Harman's tie is something to see. Koreans love their ties. They have sparkles on them, some a little, some more. This was a pretty expensive tie that he got for a bargin. No one seems to bargin better than Elder Harman! 

Sisters going out to the patio area to eat their food. These are the only 2 sisters we have now :-(

They love to get together and talk. What they're doing, investigators, challenges, plans......

Elder Schultz and Elder Arnell on the sofa.

Playing games and relaxing after all the food.

Writing letters home.

Sister Mecham found some quiet space for her thoughts and wrote a letter home to her family.

Elder Bagley and Elder Olsen in their new shirts they bought commemorating the track and field world championships we just had in Daegu. Athletes from all over the world came to participate.

Elder Allen decided to work off his breakfast for a while.

What a great group! A few new to us and a few no longer here. Times change. Actually every 6 weeks times change.... We, however, are still here in Daegu, Susoung District. The young missionaries tease us about whether or not WE'LL be transferred! One of the pluses of being a SENIOR missionary!!

What a honor to be here. In Korea, in Daegu. To be with the military families and other branch members plus the addded blessings of being with these wonderful young missionaries. This was all from August. We are now into September and I have other pictures of recent events - with the missionaries - to add on my next blog. So keep looking as I hope to get those done in the next few days. We are all going to Busan next week for the celebration of Chusok, a huge Korean holiday, so I will have lots of missionary pictures from that. AND I'll have pictures of some who are no longer here now - we will be able to see all of them in Busan! Fun time. We'll take the train there and back. We did this last year; wow!

Thanks for following our adventures. We are actually getting rather 'short' ourselves! 4 solid months left and we should leave the first of February sometime. It simply doesn't seem possible! I'm anxious to see our family though, I miss my grandkids!!!!!!!! My 'blood' grandkids........  I have several over here that will always be my grandkids too. Actually, many of them are home already and we can't wait to see them again. The gospel is true. Blessings that come from the scriptures, the church, and being able to serve a full-time mission is beyond words. It is, however, something I would highly recommend!

I promised another one soon!

President and Sister Jennings' Farewell

Sad time... 3 wonderful years of service; 24/7, 365 x 3...... lots of work, sacrifice and love. What a blessing they were to this mission. An unexpected blessing for them, I'm sure, was a former missionary who'd served under them a couple of years back was again back in Korea, now with his wife and baby. He'd heard about the Jennings' leaving and had to come and wish them well and thank them.

Sorry to admit I didn't get their picture but they represented so many that have returned home and would have loved to have been here this day to bid them farewell and to thank them. All the missionaries met at the Gupo Yuk, i.e. the train station. We arrived early in hopes of surprising them. Outside the station everyone was just happy to see friends and former companions. Moving all of us - 80+ through to the lower level where the trains come was an event in itself!

Elder Bagley, Elder Wade, Elder Thompson, and Elder Harris. Is the church in good hands, or what?!!

This sweet sister came to bid them farewell as well. She seems to be busy telling something important to Elder Babcock (one of our zone leaders) and Elder Arnell. She is loved dearly by all the missionaries in the Busan area. From what I hear she feeds them and feeds them well! While she doesn't speak English and I don't speak Korean I was still able to 'talk' to her as people everywhere can manage to do. She is a special sister that is loved by all who know her.

"Our sisters..." Sister Oaks and Sister Cramer. How blessed we are to have them, although we're sad as Sister Cramer has returned to the states by now! I think they were attempting to stay under an awning for some coolness. Hey! this is Korea... there is no coolness in their summers!

Elders reminiscing and catching up. Also, some talking going on about the good old days at the MTC!

Elder Howerton with Elder Kim. He was in our area about his first transfer here in Korea, then he moved south. We hadn't seen him in awhile. Gotta love these get-togethers!

Here is Elder Jo talking to Elder Harris. Elder Jo, on the right, is probably telling Elder Harris what it's like to be a full-time missionary and a new branch president - at the same time! Missionaries can wear more than one hat. Can you imagine the growth we are blessed to watch?! It's like watching a bud open into this beautiful flower.....

Elder Moseley with Elder Harris. We've been wanting a picture of Elder Moseley for his mother :-) but we're assigned far from each other. Elder Harris grabbed him for us, so mom here's your baby boy! He's looking great and doing wonderfully. I can't imagine being anywhere but right here surrounded by the best of the best. It adds to our testimony daily.

Elder Gee looks like he's serious about whatever he's doing.... carrying shoes? Now that I didn't notice when I shot the picture. There has to be a story in that.

What a bunch! All waiting for the Jennings to walk down the stairs. Plans are in place to welcome them. Keeping the noise level down was an experience for someone.... thank heavens we weren't in charge. What a great group though. They were all so excited to be there.

Here's a few with song sheets in hand. As the Jennings started coming down the stairs, Sister Patterson got the group together for a moving song of 'How Great Thou Art'. It is President Jennings' favorite song, and it truly was something to hear; in Korean of course. Beautiful.

Good looking group of God's Army, I'd say. Dedicated, hard working, loyal, and trustworthy young men and women devoted to taking the gospel to all and any that will lend an ear. You want to feel young again, walk with a spring in your step, or just feel of the spirit of the Lord? Do something to preach the gospel, rub shoulders with missionaries, and step outside your comfort zone; try this yourself. You'll never be the same again, that I can promise you. GO ON A SENIOR COUPLE MISSION.

Notice the picture above this one.... they asked Elder Memmott to bend down so the rest could be seen! He's a giant of a man in stature and in testimony. What an elder!  This is a "practice wave" while waiting for the Jennings and Gilberts to arrive.

I'm not real thrilled here.... next to me is a wonderful sister that we're losing; Sister Stevens. I could feel her loss already. What an incredible sister she is! You could not help but feel better just from being around her. Her smile is literally infectious and she will be greatly missed!

Sister Jennings was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, as was President Jennings. The AP's are with them - Elder Tanner is on her immediate left, looking down.We are losing him also. He's been such a great missionary and a help to many, many of us! He will be missed very much as well.

Sometimes it's hard to fight tears.

President is leaving us with some words of wisdom and their love and thanks. They loved their mission, the missionaries, the work and service they provided. If you were to ask them they would most likely tell you they received more than they gave. The rest of us, however, know that isn't exactly true. What a blessing to all of us that have known and had the good fortune to serve with them.

Enter our new Busan Mission couple; President and Sister Gilbert! What a great couple they are. Such testimony and desire to serve the Lord. The Jennings are leaving now having some understanding of what it takes to run a large mission and all the responsiblility that goes along with that calling. President and Sister Gilbert will now hit the ground running to discover just what all that is! They will do a wonderful job as they love the Lord and His work. We are all so very blessed to have them here.

Sister Jennings bidding farewell to the sweet Korean sister that was in the pictures earlier. It's hard to leave those you love. Sister Gilbert watches I'm sure excited about the opportunity that lies before her. She is truly a people person and will be loved by all. She's loved by many already as they were at the MTC prior to this calling so many of the missionaries know them already!

I believe that Sister Jennings might be rethinking this train ride!!

A sad smile and a wave of the arm. On to the next chapter of their lives. I know this one has ended well for them and for all those who know them. Thank you President and Sister Jennings. We love you.

Sister Gilbert with some of our beautiful and virtuous sister missionaries. Other than Sister Oaks in the white glasses, we're losing all the others this coming transfer! Sister Patterson, Sister Stevens, Sister Cramer and Sister Culver. THEY are going to be very difficult to replace, in the missions they served so well and in our hearts.

In our district alone we are losing these 3; Elder Lee is going way down south to some of the islands. Elder Harris who has been in our district since we got here, and now is our District Leader, is moving on. That's like losing an arm or something.... and Sister Cramer, our special sister, is going home. Exciting times in the lives of the missionaries. Just so they don't forget us!

Could I adopt these two or what?! More grandkids..... I dearly love them both. I told Elder Harris that it's OK if he wants to wait for my 15 year old granddaughter! Sorry Elizabeth, you probably don't appreciate that but it's OK honey, it's all a joke......

Here was our district on a very hot and humid day. Funny, I'm the only one who shows it! Elder Howerton looks a little warm as well.... hummm, must just be the age factor.

A dinner for the group before we all parted ways - til we meet again. I had BBQ Ribs and baked potatoes -  then remembered our 'mashed potato' girl, Sister Cramer. I threw in a roast at the last minute so we could also have potatoes and gravy too!

My grandfather (Papaw to me) would have loved Sister Cramer.... he loved his mashed potatoes too - as one can tell by his granddaughter (me!). He taught me well..... She fits right in to the family. I'm sure she's getting all the mashed potatoes mom can make her now.

Our newest sister in our district; Sister McComber. She is something else. I swear she truly came knowing how to speak Korean! She is so confident and self-assured. She'd been in-country literally 5 days when this picture was taken. We went to this delicious place for a treat after one of our meetings. Check out that bowl of ice creams and fruits. There is shaved ice with fruit sauce under the ice cream. Shared by all 3 sisters, it was truly big enough to do that. ....and tasty too!

We have 3 sisters now in our district; Sister Oaks who is now the senior! Sister Beh and Sister McComber. They all are doing so well together; full of energy and purpose.

While we lost Elder Harris, we gained Elder Olsen! He is our District Leader and he's the one in the front. Elder Olsen was in our area before and was moved away. He's baaack..... which we're thrilled about. Elder Schultz is next to him. He's also new to us and is Elder Thompson's companion. Don't you love this place we're at? It's darling. I can imagine something like it in the states, people would love it. The chairs we're on  rock back and forth. The sisters were sitting on swings, that literally swing. Very neat idea and such fun decor. All they carry is various types of Patbingsu (pop ben sue). It's shaved ice with sweet beans (it's better than it sounds), fruits, juices, etc on top or under your ice cream.... My dish had the ice with chocolate, bananas, and crumbled cookies. It was great! Cool and refreshing. I mean, how much can shaved ice cost?

Ahhhh, the main reason we're here.... besides the blessings of missionaries... we are able to know and love those that serve our country; the military. SFC R. J. Gordon on the right, re-enlisting! He choose to reinlist which will guarantee him to 16 years. I believe that also places his status as 'indefinite' - meaning he's now considered career status. The Gordon family is such a great family; 5 great children. They even have one of the best dogs we've ever seen! A boxer named Zoey. They literally pray daily for missionary experiences. They constantly are feeding our missionaries and have many, many investigators in their home. Since we've been here, just at a year now, our little branch has had 4 baptisms they've been involved with. 3-4 others that either took the lessons and/or are still taking them at this time. Full time mom of 5, dad does his duty everyday for our country, has been deployed something like 6 times, and missionary work as well. Does that just make you feel tired?!! Does me and I'm around them all the time. Aren't we blessed?!!!

Sister Gordon in the middle and their #2 daughter; Ariana. The LTC that spoke mentioned meeting SFC Gordon the first time while being deployed to Afganistan. The colonel spoke of the manner in which Bro. Gordon stood out and the leadership he displayed over there. They both meet again in Korea later and he acknowledged his pleasure in being the one chosen to swear SFC Gordon in for a full career with the Army.

He received two certificates actually. One side was the one showing here, an Honorable Discharge. Then the other side had his new committment. I'm guessing here but  they must release them from their first commitment and re-inlist for the career status.... anyway it's a happy picture!

Some fellow band of brothers congratulating him on this special day.

Another blog - more great memories. I hope you enjoy our mission along with us. We are grateful for each of you; family, friends, and moms/dads/families of the missionaries who anxiously wait, hoping to see their son or daughter. The church is true, the gospel is spreading. The 2nd coming is getting closer and it's displayed by the strong young men and women we see testifying of the Savior.

If you're reading this and haven't read the Book of Mormon  I challenge you to do just that. You will never know if it's true or not unless you find out for yourselves. If it isn't - you have only spent time reading. Ahhhh, but if it IS true, you will change your life - for the better. However good you feel your life is now, it will improve, greatly. Of that I testify because it's happened to me; to my family. I thank God every day.