Week 51 response

Well, transfers came and Elder Ahn got transferred to the mission office to help out since the mission finance missionaries go home in 12 days. There won't be a replacement until March... But at least we have a replacement! We weren't sure if we would get a new couple for a while. Gratefully there will be one. 

My new companion is Elder Bradshaw from San Diego. He's still a really young missionary and is going through the struggles of learning Korean, but he studied hard in the MTC, so we're starting off well. I would send you a picture of him, but we still don't have one, and it would be easier to say he looks exactly like a tall Chase Rowberry. The resemblance is striking. No known relationship. He's super great and wants to work hard, so we are working as hard as possible. 

The long awaited snow has finally arrived! It started this morning and hasn't stopped. The wind combining with the snow is making it a bit harder to talk to people, but we're trying. It is funny not being with a Korean companion because all the members say, "wow, I didn't know you could speak Korean! You're really good!" Elder Ahn was quite the conversationalist. ;)  We'll have a fun time working with members now that that the easy conversation is gone. There are now no Korean elders in the district, but there is an additional Korean Sister. There are 2 brand new missionaries in the district, and there were 4 new missionaries to the area in total. That's a third of the missionaries. The ward was a bit sad to see so many go. 

There haven't been too many things to write about this week. We finally got snow and the weather got much colder very quickly. We, in fact, had to go buy a new coat for Elder Bradshaw because his old one was too big. I think it may be interexting to you to know the decorations of the Internet cafe we are emailing in. It's name is OZ, but the pictures closest to me, in order, are of: Barbara Streisand, 1960s Batman and Robin, Donny and Marie, Judy Garland "Wizard of Oz," Marilyn Monroe, and Ben Hur. It's funny how often America comes up in conversation and decoration, and how often our church members are in the public eye. One American who lives in Korea now owns Subways here, one is an actor (Robert Halley), and the stake president's cousin invented the soap system in most public bathrooms here. Most people have heard of our church, it is just getting them to understand that we may struggle with. It's all good, though. We're just doing what we can. :)

I hope everyone is healthy despite the cold weather and that you all enjoy going back to school and work tomorrow! :D Love you all and I'm really grateful for the email.

Press forward with steadfast faith in Christ.

Best wishes,

Elder Jones