Week 19 (from Jordan)

To: Steven Jones <sajmba2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Week 19 - Close Encounters of the Missionary Kind

Thank you for the email! I did hear about the accident from a less-active member a few days ago. We ended up cancelling a branch party because of it. That was a bit of a bummer, but it seems like people are handling it well. There are fewer and fewer people looking dejected in the streets.

 

I hope everyone enjoyed Easter! We actually didn't know it was yesterday until some kids from another church came and gave us eggs... That was a little embarrassing... Other than some extra activity around churches and people carrying boiled eggs, there isn't really anything different about this week. The weather is getting pretty warm now, though. That makes is a little difficult to proselyte outside for a long time, but we're going to get white shirts today, so it'll work out.

 

It sounds like everyone will be doing/has done a lot of fun stuff! How did the BYU fair go? How was Comic Con? It's good to hear Bekah doesn't have scoliosis! Did you end up doing anything on Saturday? How did the eggs turn out this year? We didn't do anything special for Easter largely because of the ferry accident, but we did have the best Sunday ever despite that. We were out cleaning in front of the church (as usual for Sunday) and a family walks up to us and asks if this is "the church." Naturally we said, "yes" and asked where they were from. It turns out they are a member family on vacation from Hong Kong. It worked out extra well because we had Zack, our investigator from Taiwan, coming to church and they hit it off immediately. For the first hour of church we watched "The Testaments" in Chinese. The only dry eyes in the room were the eyes of some missionaries. It was great. Then, by the end of church, the dad of the family had recommitted Zack to baptism next week (he was already excited) and explained baptisms for the dead and some temple work. It was fantastic!

 

It sounds like the ward mission is going really well! I hope things keep going so well! I am also glad to hear that ward FHE is still going! We had that when I arrived, but we haven't had it since because no one has time for it. In a branch of 30 people, that doesn't take much... I really hope you get to keep doing that and that investigators get to make it. Sorry to hear about your walking, but at least it's good for you! I can testify of that! It is also exciting to hear mom doing more classes. I'm sure she's having a blast. It's probably also a bit stressful, but I'm sure she's doing great things :)

 

Still no word on Mother's Day; we're working on finding that out. The holiday still hasn't been mentioned in the weekly email...I don't have any questions as of yet, but I will think and get back to you on that.

 

We were teaching between 9 and 16 people, but now it is midterms/finals, so no one can meet. We're going to be trying for street lessons on college campuses between classes...

 

I don't have a favorite lesson, but the easiest is the first because of all the extra practice.

 

The only approach that has really had any success is: saying hello, being personable, bringing up the gospel or the fact we're missionaries naturally(!), share a principle, and invite them to learn more. Most people don't make it past the third step, but not everyone wants to talk in the first place either.

 

Zack: next week. Found the end of last transfer. Been reading the BoM every day since he got it 3 weeks ago (in Alma 20s!). He's really prepared to say the least.

 

There was the church historian a few weeks ago, but we were late and so sat in the back so we couldn't really hear anything... There is a mission tour this week by the area authority, though.

 

I think 비빔밥 remains my favorite so far. I'm reading in Korean, but we don't have much time for either... I have started reading PMG in Korean, though.

 

We haven't done much sightseeing, but we have gone to 동대문 and the palace at the center of Seoul. I forgot the name...

 

All the members are great, but the ward mission leader is especially hard working.

 

I hope that answers your questions. I thank you for your email and look forward to hearing from you again. Hopefully by then I will have information on Mother's Day...

 

Press forward with steadfast faith in Christ.

 

Best wishes,
Elder Jones