Hey family,
We had our mission conference last week! It got moved up suddenly, which is ok with me because it was way fun. We went to Seoul Forest, which is a pretty good-sized park in the middle of Seoul. While we were there we did a bunch of activities that were focused on companionship unity, since there are a growing number of Korean-American companionships. I really liked the Egg Toss, where me and my companion (I'm still with Kim Jin Oo) tossed an egg back and forth while stepping backwards. Eventually he just chucked it way over my head because we were so far away from each other. :D One of the girl missionaries had a bad catch and the egg splattered all over her shoulder, which was pretty funny. Other activities...we had a blindfolded walk where one companion had to give directions to the blindfolded one. My companion only ran me into a couple trees, it was ok. :D Oh, we had a three-legged race too, which was way fun. We all raced around this obstacle course that included a playground and a ramp with ropes and handholds, which was awesome. After every activity we all sat down and discussed how it applied to our companionships and how we do missionary work together, and we read some associated scriptures about Christ's teachings on the subjects. It was really, really cool. And then we had lunch, which was fun because I got to see some of the missionaries I know but haven't been able to talk to. I ate a lot of kimchi, because it was super-good. After that we had a time-capsule activity, where we wrote why we came on a mission, and what we hope to accomplish. I also wrote about our mission president, Lee Yong Hwan, because he is amazing and he won't be here when I leave next December. We ended with a testimony meeting, which was really spiritual. A lot of new missionaries got up and told what they believe about the gospel and about missionary work. All in all, it was a really fun mission conference, and we only got rained on a little. :D Sorry, I forgot my camera...
Speaking of pictures, I plan next week to transfer everything from my camera card to my flash drive so I can send the card to you. Sorry it's taken me so long, I guess I should put slightly more emphasis on showing you my life than telling you about it. :D
The family I was telling you about isn't doing so well. The mom decided to go back to her other church with her son. We were so sad...we visited them with no call-ahead a couple nights ago, and she wouldn't come out and see us. They had a couple guests, though, and given the present circumstances I don't really blame her all that much. We still love them and I will pray for them every day for a long time, but we can't drag anyone into the font. That answer that you have to get has to come from God, and if she doesn't sincerely seek it it won't come. Now is not her time, I suppose, but I have faith that later she will come back. Keep them in your prayers, please, especially her husband. He is having a really, really rough time, but he says that eventually he will come back to our church alone if he has to. It's a tough road that he's on, and we will be there for him.
Mom, I hope Washington, D.C. is fun! Don't burn up over there, I hear it's really hot. I'm glad Shelley's {birthday} party went well, and that she was really actually surprised. Sounds like a good week, with the Christensen's baby. Dad, the mosquitoes aren't bad here in 老魂, because they spray a gas into the air that isn't harmful to humans but kills mosquitoes. I bet if I transfer somewhere else it'll be pretty bad, though. :D A fine and pleasant misery...anyway, the council you told me about sounds amazing, too. And Brother Preece's comment about taking on us the name of Christ is really something I will think about.
Package list! Lysol disinfectant spray, if you think that's ok to send in a package. Extra Polar Ice gum. Mangoes and/or other dried fruit, lifesaver Wint-O-Green Mints, those rolaids soft chews for heartburn, a recipe for snickerdoodles, and dry muffin mix like last time. I still have plenty of Jello, I should probably actually make that more often. Don't feel like you have to send all that in one package, it's a big list that you can just choose from. Thank you so much for supporting me in this way, I'm really thankful whenever something comes from you!
I am doing great. There are hard times, but that's what the gospel is for. I can see amazing growth in almost all areas of my life, and I'm starting to see how we need to do this work for other people more than ourselves. The Lord lives, He loves you and me, and He knows what to do for us so that we grow and accomplish His work at the same time. What a miracle that is! I'm so thankful for the gospel, and I'm thankful to you for being my family and helping me live it all my life. I love you all, and I'll talk to you next week!
Elder Matt Dean
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