THIS IS THE STREET MICHELLE AND HER COMPANION WALK DOWN EVERY TIME THEY WALK TO THE CHURCH.

HERE IS MICHELLE'S DISTRICT RIGHT AFTER A  CHRISTMAS DINNER AT A 

MEMBERS HOME.

      

 

 

MICHELLE WITH HER DISTRICT AND HAVING SO MUCH FUN WITH HER KOREAN FRIENDS.

I BROUGHT MY GUITAR AND MY COMPANION AND I WENT CHRISTMAS CAROLING.........A GIRL WATCHED WITH TEARS IN HER EYES........SHE RAN UP..........GAVE US A GIFT AND WE GOT HER NUMBER.......SHE TEXTED US AND SAID HER HEART FELT WARM......MY LAST CHRISTMAS IN KOREA.......AMAZING!!!!

Dear family and friends,

     Well I feel like I just talked to you all.............WAIT..........I did just talk to you!  haha  Anyways, it was really fun to see all of you and I couldn't stop smiling after I was done.  I felt so filled with strength and stamina.:)   We woke up on Christmas and my companion didn't have any presents and either did my past Korean companion, so the other sister in the house and I opened our presents together.  It was fun and lasted not too long.  Once again thank you so much everyone!  Today we are shopping a little bit and I am going to pack up everything to send home to you.  I have too much stuff.:)

     I want to tell you of an experience that happened ten minutes after we got done Skyping.  So we walked outside to leave, and we wanted to go eat some lunch.  We looked around and decided to walk into a restaurant close by, and while I was ordering the food, my companion got attacked by four missionaries from another church.   I have encountered many of them on my mission but this time I was READY FOR THEM.   I had to save my companion.:)  I walked up confidently and they turned to me like I was their prey.  They said, "What JESUS do you believe in?"  I said, "The same one you believe in.  There is only one Jesus Christ."  They then bombarded me with questions like, "When is the second coming and how is He going to come?"  I simply answered the question with, "No I don't know when He will come, but do you know?"  They continued to ask me questions that were not important and I then stopped them and said, "Hey we would really like to eat our food, thank you!"  They turned and didn't say a word, and then huddled together talking about us.  We tried to eat fast so we could not fight or argue with them anymore.  We were about done when one of them leaned over and poked us and said, "Tell me this........How many years ago did Jesus come HUH?  TELL ME!"  I told them the answer and then they started asking more and that's where I drew the line.  I said firmly, "Ok............So we both believe in Jesus Christ correct?"  They said, "Yes!"  I said, "If you truly are followers of Him and TRULY LOVE HIM then why do you act with anger and retaliation toward others who are believers in Christ?"  Suddenly they were quiet and didn't say a word.  I then boldly testified of Jesus Christ and said, "I KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST LIVES.  I know He loves us and I love Him, and THIS is why I am here, to preach HIS gospel!  He LIVES!"  They then started getting really upset and said, "Give me your number........" and I said, "NO!"  They asked why and I told them it's because we only meet with people who are interested in this gospel.  They said, "We are interested...........(In a sarcastic way.)"  I said,  "You are missionaries and are obviously not interested in our message."  They were quiet and looked at me with a condescending look, and I said, "It was nice to meet you. MERRY CHRISTMAS!"  Then we walked out the door.:)   After walking away from that I felt physically tired but I knew that the Holy Ghost helped me with what to say.  I was NOT going to let them walk all over us!   I needed to stand up for the right.  It was a perfect day to be able to stand up for what we believe.  It was Christmas Day!  I was so happy to share my testimony of my Savior.

     Later that night I brought my guitar and my companion and I went Christmas caroling.  We only sang for 30 minutes at different homes, before a guy told us to leave.  While we were singing there was a young girl about 18 years old who stood off in the distance smiling at us, and she looked so happy to hear us sing Christmas songs.  All of a sudden she disappeared and I was really sad she left.  I was going to talk to her, but then suddenly she came running up to us in the middle of our song and gave us this bag of drinks she had just bought at the store.  She then ran away and stood in the distance watching us again.  After we finished that song I ran up to her with my guitar on my shoulder and thanked her so much for those drinks.  While I was talking with her I noticed she had tears in her eyes, and she had been crying.  I was so touched and knew that I needed to get her number.  I asked if we could meet again and she happily gave me her number and she got mine, and then she left.  Later that night she texted us on her own and said, "HI.  Tonight was SOOOOO cold but I was filled with warmth in my heart.  I received a deep impression and was so happy inside.  Please call me and I will help you with anything!"  I just melted.  Isn't that the true meaning of Christmas?  She didn't know who we were but was so moved by the spirit that we would be singing on Christmas in Korea, and not be with our families. Her giving to us, truly is the true spirit of Christmas.    I will never forget my last Christmas here caroling on a cold Christmas day in Korea, and seeing this sweet young girl taking the time to share with us.  I learned a great lesson that day, that presents are fun, but there is nothing compared to serving others.  We will meet with her this week.  This was truly one of the greatest Christmas's I will ever have and it never will be forgotten.

     We have had ENDLESS Christmas miracles and it would take forever if I told you all of them  I just want you to know that I am very grateful.  Our  Father in Heaven is watching over us and not only during Christmas time but always and forever.:)  May we continue to have the spirit of Christmas always in our hearts and may we start this new year with a more humble and willing heart to serve Him.:)
     
     I have been in this same area for 10 months on my mission without transferring and to be honest I would have loved to have gone to another area, but I am o.k. with it.  I have gotten really good relationships with everyone in the ward.  I have only been in three different areas my entire mission and for sure will not be transferred again before coming home.   I am going to miss Korea so much when I get home.  I know I will miss the kimchi, the smell of the air, the people, my former Korean companion, the bowing to each other, the Korean food, and just walking the streets as a missionary and teaching the gospel.  I love these people and their culture so much.  The fact that there is no dishwasher and dryer here.........I won't miss that though.  haha!

     This mission is physically hard, and I just can not describe to you how hard it really is,  but.........It is so rewarding, and so worth it.  I promise!!!  If I could do my mission all over I wish I had more faith from the very beginning.  I didn't truly understand all that faith entailed.  I have learned so much, but one thing I want to tell my children someday, is that the Book of Mormon is true and there is no way that it can NOT be true.  Jesus Christ lives and Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.    Someday when I have kids I want to teach my children the importance of weekly family night, daily family prayer, scripture study, and.....  (fun activities.) We can't forget those.:) 

     Lately my body has been breaking apart.  I was very dizzy about two weeks ago and it was so bad I had to hold on to the walls to walk, and it lasted for 4 days.  I went to the hospital, but soon after it went away.  I am thankful for that.  I have developed three different red circles or rings on different parts of my body, and I need to see a skin doctor as soon as I get home.  I don't trust these doctors here, and I really don't trust the pills they have given me because of the side effects it lists.  My tooth is hurting a little more and more on my left side, but not too bad.  PLEASE call a dentist so I can see one the next day I get home.  I am afraid to go to a dentist in Korea, because who knows if they will hit the wrong tooth. haha  Don't worry though I will be fine.:)

     I want you all to know that I am so happy and once again am determined to finish my mission working hard as I can.  I love this gospel and am so thankful to be on a mission here in Korea with these wonderful people who I dearly love.  Hope you all have a great New Year!!!!!

      

                                                             Love, Michelle

 

MICHELE WITH HER  COMPANION AND FRIEND.

                                           

A SPECIAL HOME MADE GUITAR JUST FOR MICHELLE MADE BY THE WARD MEMBERS.

 

THIS IS THE BEAUTIFUL KOREAN WEDDING OF A FRIEND WHO INVITED MICHELLE TO BE THE SOLO SINGER.

                                           

                                        THE KOREAN COUPLE WALKING UP TO GET MARRIED.

       

THE CUTE KOREAN COUPLE WHO ARE FRIENDS TO MICHELLE.

                                           

THE WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY

  

THE DINNER AFTER THE WEDDING.

LAST CHRISTMAS I WAS A GREENIE………KINDA SAD TO WORK ON CHRISTMAS …….MY PERSPECTIVE HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR……..SO GRATEFUL TO WORK ON THIS SPECIAL DAY!     THIS MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME!!  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!


Dear family and friends,

     Well this is it!  Christmas is finally here!  I can just imagine how busy you must be right now with trying to get everything bought and wrapped.  Good luck!  We have been really busy as well, and last week we had our Ward Christmas party.  I sang the song Hallelujah, (Christmas version) and I played the guitar to it.  There were so many miracles that day.  I also sang at our Christmas Zone Meeting a medley of "Oh Holy Night", and "Hallelujah."  I really wanted to sing the original version of Silent Night by Clyde Bawden but the song of Silent Night was already going to be sung.  Anyways, the song made President Morrise cry. Koreans got up to bear their testimony and said how much they felt the spirit in the room.

     I also sang at a Korean wedding the day of the ward Christmas party, which was so gorgeous.  I will send pictures of that.  We got to sit in the third row and just basked in the beauty of the room.  It was an experience that I will probably have only once, so I really enjoyed my time there.  After I sang they had this HUGE buffet and when I say huge I mean HUGE.  By the time I walked by the tables with different foods to put on my plate it was all cold.  haha!  None the less, it was delicious.:)  

     Today for P day we are shopping for my companion because she has no winter clothes and is freezing.  My companion hasn't gotten anything for Christmas and won't get her package until December 30th.  I feel bad for her.

     I want to share with you four miracles we had this week.

      First Miracle:   We had to leave a little early to pick up our new investigator so we could go together to the ward Christmas party.  I will tell you a little bit about her in a second.  On the way while waiting for the bus, I said hi to this one lady.  Long story short, she started asking about our church and she was touched that we would be in Korea, away from our families, serving without payment.  The bus came and I didn't have time to ask for her number.  I quickly gave her my card and told her to call us.  Later that night during dinner at the party I got a call from an unknown number.  I answered it and it was her.  She wanted to know where the church was.  WOW!  I couldn't believe it.

     Second Miracle:  Now I will tell you a little bit about our investigator.  She is a student who is 17 years old and who suffers depression.  She has tried to commit suicide, and she is currently having suicidal thoughts.  She really has no friends and no confidence.  She lives with her grandma and her  parents are NEVER around.  She was a referral from our ward mission leader.  We met with her this week and tried to cheer her up, and she actually started to look happier.  We called her one night just to check up on her and she was very depressed.  We went over and just tried to make her laugh and we told her how much we love her.  We picked her up to go the the ward Christmas party, and all the young women friend shipped her so well.  The bishops daughter did a fantastic job.  Then all of a sudden she said to me, "Hey what is that book you have?"  I told her it was the Book of Mormon.  She said, "Can I look at it?"  She started looking through it and loved all the pictures.  I told her to keep it and she held it close to her the rest of the night.  What a special moment that was for me.  We will meet her tonight.:)

     Third Miracle:  This woman that has been coming to English class for months now told us that she will be moving to the United States on December 16th.  We were really saddened by this news because she was our FAVORITE student.  She has interest in the church but said she couldn't meet because she has no time.  So we waited……..Then she moved.  I was really sad and thought we lost our chance.  Then during the Christmas party she suddenly walked in with her daughter and surprised us all.  I was shocked and asked, "Why are you not in America?"  She said, "I am not going to move now until next May!"  My first thought was, "It's because she need to joint the church!"  To me it was a miracle, and she will be our investigator soon.:)

      Fourth Miracle:  We had five investigators come to the party!  Also every single one had a member who was being their friend.  I have never been so stressed out, because all of them were sitting at the same table.  It would've  been impossible for just us two to focus on all five investigators, but because of the members helping us out by talking with each of them, it all worked out.  Members are VERY vital to missionary work because of helping with fellowshipping.

 

     Dad, I remember you saying to me before I left on my mission, "Michelle, when I came home from my mission to Brazil I had this thought in my head that  If I can do this (learn Portuguese, speak it, and live and teach with these people for two years) I can do ANYTHING."  Well…….I think the same thing.  This language was and is SOOOOO hard to learn but I am amazed everyday at the fact that I can read, write, understand, and speak this Korean language.  Heavenly Father has truly blessed me to do this.  I have a lot more confidence from being on this mission because I have stronger faith in Jesus Christ.:)  This mission has done wonders for me, and I am so grateful!  It has also helped me have more confidence in speaking in public, and I know if I can speak Korean in public I can speak English in public.  Everything will be easier from now on in my life……(well not everything, but you know what I mean.)  I have gained a lot of confidence on my mission and I look forward to speaking now:)

     The Koreans who are buddhists here are very content with their religion,  also because it's important to their parents and ancestors. We eat out at members houses fifty percent of the time now.  Also I said I wanted to go one more time to the public bath house because it's a fun experience that you can't have in America, and it's also super clean.

     Don't get me wrong……..I am actually really excited to come home.  My body is ready to come home but my MIND is not.  My heart definitely is torn in two.  It is usually too hard to think about and I can't wrap my mind around it.  This is my plan for when I get home.  The next day I am home I want to go to the dentist.  Please make an appointment for the next day I am home because I think I have a lot of cavities.  Second, I want to go to the doctor to make sure everything is ok with my body and my skin.  Third, I want to go to the hair salon and have the lady fix my roots and the mess ups I did.  Fourth, I want to get a MASSAGE really bad. hahaha   Then I want to get right into crossfit, and also recording music, and just relaxing.  Dating would be nice too but not the first few days.:)

     We don't really have a lot planned for Christmas Eve and Christmas day yet but we are caroling twice on Christmas Eve.  A member said we can Skype on December 25th which would be Christmas Eve for you.  We figured out a time and that would be 10 am for me and probably 7:00 or 8:00 pm for you.  Let me know if that works ok?  Probably after you eat Christmas Eve dinner.  

 

     This week was a special one because last Christmas I was a greenie (brand new missionary) and felt kind of sad that we as missionaries couldn't have our P day on Christmas.  I was frustrated that we had to WORK on that day.   NOW Christmas is here again once more and I am not a brand new missionary anymore.  My whole perspective has changed.  This Christmas is still a work day and not a rest day.  For the first time, I am actually grateful that we GET TO WORK on this special day.  What better way to spend Christmas then by serving others.  Who is this day really about anyways?  I GET TO BE A MISSIONARY FOR JESUS CHRIST ON CHRISTMAS DAY.   I don't know if you understand how much that means to me, but it means EVERYTHING TO ME!  What a special day that will be.  Let us remember this Christmas why Christmas even exists.  It is because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.:)    I hope you have a  MERRY MERRY Christmas everyone!  I love you all:)

                                                   Lots of love, Michelle

 

SUNSET IN KOREA.

                                        

                             DINNER ONCE AGAIN.

 

A VERY CUTE FISH TO LOOK AT.

 

MORE PICTURES OF FALL TIME IN KOREA

 

FALL

   

MICHELLE WITH AN ELDER WHO IS LEAVING TO GO HOME.

                    

THIS IS ONE OF MICHELLE'S FAVORITE LITTLE KOREAN GIRLS.

  

MICHELLE WITH HER COMPANION, SISTER DALEY ON THE LEFT, AND SISTER AN ON THE RIGHT.

 

                           

THESE ARE MICHELLE'S MISSION FRIENDS DANCING IN "GRANDMA PANTS," A POPULAR CLOTHING IN KOREA.

 

KOREAN WRITINGS

 

A PICTURE OF THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE.  

                                   

 

THIS IS MICHELLE'S MISSION PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE.

  

THIS IS WHOLE OCTOPUS SOUP……..SO YUMMY!

                                        

                                     A WEIRD FRUIT CALLED LEECHY NUT

THIS IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE PREPARING KIMCHI.   IT'S SPICY PICKLED VEGETABLES THAT THE KOREANS EAT EVERY DAY.

                                         

                                               

                                        THIS SOUP IS CALLED JIAM BONG.

 

RAW OCTOPUS FOR DINNER

                                                  

                                                 ANOTHER KOREAN DINNER OF SUSHI

THESE ARE SOME OF MICHELLE'S FRIENDS IN HER MISSION.

WE PICKED THE OLD GRANDMA UP AND WALKED VERY VERY SLOW TO THE CHURCH………ANOTHER OLD GRANDMA SAW HER……..THEY KNEW EACH OTHER…….SO EXCITED!

Dear family and friends,

     It was really good to hear from you all.  I am so excited about your new calling dad and mother to teach gospel doctrine.   I love the pictures of new baby Brinkley. She is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!!  I almost died when I looked at the picture you sent me.  Love the name too!  Can't wait to hold her when I get home.:)  I also can't wait to meet the new ward that you are in.

     Today normally would be Pday but Thursday is temple day so that day we will just do something fun. haha!    This Wednesday I am singing for our Zone Christmas party at the President's house.  He strongly encouraged me to sing and so I am preparing for that as well as singing on Saturday at our Ward Christmas Party.  Also I am singing at a members wedding on Saturday, and that will be fun.  I will let you know how it goes next week.:)

     I want you all to know that I am so happy, and determined to work super hard to the end of my mission.  I am not worried about anything and know everything will be ok.

     It's freezing here right now  and it makes me miss the dry heat:)   My health is good….….. including my foot.  My diet is coming along great, but I can't wait to eat a bunch of fresh green salads when I get home. haha!  You asked me if I bow to everyone and the answer is YES.  I bow to every person I see because that's literally how you say HI.  It's like waving for us………it's just what you do.  And yes Koreans are squatting every where you go…….it's just their tradition.  I think I will go to the public bath house next week.:)

     My companion is Sister Daley still, and Sister An, the Korean girl, is still in the same house as me but she now has a different companion.  Last week we had a big meeting and we talked about the importance of teaching with the spirit.  Without the spirit you can not teach.  Mother, please remember to not be afraid for your new calling, and remember that YOU are NOT the teacher.  The spirit is the teacher, and as long as you rely on that sweet spirt,  I promise you will be fine.:)

     Lately I feel like I have really grown close to better understanding the first Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  He was someone with so much courage and faith, and I am trying my hardest to emulate Him as well as Jesus Christ……. who is perfect.:)

     Our area is doing really good right now, and I want to share a couple of experiences that I had this past week.  Recently the Elders called and said that there is a woman that would like to have her family learn English and do the family English program, which is 30 minutes English and 30 minutes gospel.  I called  this lady, and she ended up changing her mind saying she wasn't interested.  ( They ALWAYS say they are interested and rarely are.) :(    Anyways, the next day during personal study in the the morning I was studying Preach My Gospel and I was reading about referrals.  Suddenly I had this thought POP into my head to text that lady.  I had called the night before and asked her if she knew of any friends or family that would be interested, but she said she didn't.  Then in the morning I felt to text her and ask AGAIN.  I sent the text in that moment, and she replied back with, "Can you visit this area?"  I was shocked.  I said, "Of course."  Then she said, "Never mind……she is not interested."  Then a week went by, and during a lesson I got a text from her saying, "Please call this person.  She has interest."  She gave us the name and phone number.  We called her and she was so excited to meet with us, and she happened to be living in someone else's area, so we referred her to the other sisters.  They met her just this morning and called me on the phone.  The sister missionary was SCREAMING, "Thank you……..thank you…….thank you!!!!!   She is perfect!"  The investigator also brought another friend with her who was an investigator before.   I am SO HAPPY that I listened to the still small voice.  At the time I didn't know it was the spirit whispering to me, but now I realize that it was the spirit telling me to SEND THAT TEXT!

     We just got a new investigator and we called her and invited her to church.  She gladly accepted and came on Sunday.  She stayed for all three hours and just loved it.  She made a lot of friends and felt so loved.  She is progressing very well.  Then the night before church we went to visit and old grandma down the street that lives by her self.  We have had to be patient with teaching her because she is not ready yet.  We went to her house and invited her to church, and she said, "Well I gotta go to my church."  I said, "Just come for one hour?"  She sat in her family room and thought………."ok. come and pick me up tomorrow morning.":)  So we picked her up at 9:30 am and walked very very slow to the church.  She walked into the chapel and immediately another grandma in the ward saw her and asked, "Hey what are you doing here?"  They apparently knew each other and were so excited to see each other.  They sat down together and the other old grandma took good care of our investigator the rest of the time.  It was perfect.:)

     I am so excited to Skype with you on Christmas!  There is a member in our ward that always lets the missionaries come over to Skype, and if we don't go over there she will be offended.  She is my favorite member, and I will let you know more information next P day.

     Mother and dad, I want to go to Del Coronado when I get home, but I really want to go to Utah as well, to see my grandparents.  I had a dream about them the other day and would really like to see them as soon as possible. 

     This week we are passing out the CDs you sent me of the song I recorded, "Silent Night." I am hoping the message will touch someone's life for good this Christmas.

     I sent you a lot of pictures this week so this email had to be short.  I hope you like them.:) I miss you all and hope that I can see all of you when I Skype.:)  By the way the members here take such good care of me, and you don't have to ever worry one bit.:)  I love you all and wish you the best Christmas.:)

                                                                Love, Michelle (Sister Moyer)

      PS:  Please accept anyone who friend requests me from Korea, or a past missionary on FB.      Thanks!

 

THIS MY FRIENDS IS THE KOREAN DECLARATION.  

                                       

THEY SAY THE FISH IN KOREA LOOK RIGHT BACK AT YOU.  ANOTHER TYPICAL MEAL.

   

THE COUNTRY IN KOREA.

                                 

THE HAN RIVER ISLAND

 

THE HAN RIVER

              

THE CANAL LOOKING NORTH INTO NORTH KOREA

 

KOREA IS KNOWN AS THE "LAND OF THE MORNING CALM."

 

THIS IS A TYPICAL BEAUTIFUL KOREAN MORNING.

MY MISSION HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!  IT BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES WHEN I THINK OF HOW MUCH HE LOVES ME…….


  Dear family and friends,

     How are you all doing?  I miss you and pray for you every day!  I got the Christmas packages you sent me and I am so thankful for them.  I also saw that Lauren and James sent me something too.  Thank you so much for that!  Don't worry….. I didn't open the presents, even though I was tempted to.:) haha!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!  I HAVE THE BEST FAMILY EVER!!  This Christmas will be wonderful!!

     Transfers are this week so we are deep cleaning our house today.  It was really really cold this week and last Tuesday it snowed so much that while I was walking I got completely  covered in snow.  We had to walk for 30 minutes to our service project. and when we left there was no snow on the ground at all.  Then when we got there the ground was completely covered in snow, and my entire coat was white.  haha  My feet got soaked and my hands too, and it was a little painful but sooooo fun!  I was just SINGING and SMILING the entire time.  It was beautiful!

     Every day I see the little kids punching and kicking outside my window doing Taekwondo, and I hear their noises they make. SOOOO CUTE!!!   The Korean children and teenagers go to school early in the morning here in Korea and they finish around 4:30 or 5:00 pm, which is later than the kids do in America. Then…..they go to an academy until about 10:00 or 11:00 pm at night.  CRAZY right??

     I have been practicing the songs I'm performing for the Christmas party where our mission president and the whole mission will be attending, and also for the ward Christmas party coming up. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to sing.

     This week was great!  We got two more investigators and we finally are making some progress here.  Haha! We also got to go with our investigator to see Handel's The Messiah in our church building.  It was fun to hear the songs i used to sing when I went to Chandler Gilbert College and work under Marc Denton.  Our investigator loved it and thanked us so much for inviting her.

     This week I have been thinking about VIRTUE.  When I was a young woman I never TRULY understood what virtue really was.  I have been studying it more and more and have found that there is more to virtue then we think.  Virtue resonates in our deepest desires and thoughts.  Our President often tells us to "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord."  That scripture is not talking to JUST MISSIONARIES BUT TO ALL OF US.  My favorite quote is from Sister Elaine S. Dalton, "One  virtuous young woman or young man, led by the spirit, can change the world."  I have found on my mission that it is true, and I want to be clean INSIDE and OUT.:)  As I am laying in my  bed at night I just think about everything that happened that day and how I can be better tomorrow.  I ask myself if I tried my best that day, and I have so many thoughts at night.  I truly want to be a virtuous person.  I know I'm not perfect but this mission has helped me to reflect on my life so much.

     So you asked me my favorite tradition of the Korean people.  I really like everything??  Does that count?  haha!  And a COUPLES CHRISTMAS is the best description of how Korean's celebrate this time of year.  I mean if you don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend then Christmas isn't fun for them and they don't do anything.  They actually call it a Couples Holiday, kinda sad but yeah.   The members of the church see it differently though, but they usually don't open presents.   I am not sure what they do actually.  And my favorite dinner now is a famous soup that Koreans make, and they just put EVERYTHING in there.  For breakfast I either eat oatmeal or just some fruit.

     I was trying really hard this week to remember some funny experiences I had but now I can't remember them………….hold on……let me think………yep….not coming to me…….so sorry!:)

     My favorite time of the day is still the morning.  I love morning study and having the quiet time.  There's nothing that's REALLY crazy hard for me right now except becoming a consecrated missionary.  I just am trying my hardest to give MY ALL to the Lord.  I try and then repent and then try again.  It's a constant process of repenting and trying again.  One of the most joyful things is probably you all (my wonderful family) and……... the love that my Savior has for me.  He saved my life by leading me to this mission, and my mission has changed my life.  I can't describe it……it brings tears to my eyes when I think about how much He loves me and what my mission has done for me.  I came out to serve others but I have been served the most without even recognizing it.  I recognize it now.

     I am supposed to get my flight plans next week.  The office asked me what airport I want to fly into so I said Sky Harbor Airport.   Alyssa don't worry you and I will eat out at Mimi's Cafe like the good ole times.  

     I just want all of you to know that I love you so much and I hope that you have the spirit of Christmas within your hearts.  Don't let a day go by without helping someone in need.  I love you JUSTIN and hope you have the time to read this letter.   I miss you little bro, and know that we are in this together.  Keep up your great work over there in Kentucky Justin and we will all be back at Del Coronado beach before you know it.  Haha!  Hope you are all healthy and well.:)    I LOVE YOU!!!!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!:)

                                                       Love Michelle

IT STARTED TO SNOW………EXCITEMENT…….SUDDENLY A FLOCK OF PIGEONS FLEW UP IN MY COMPANIONS FACE AND SCARED HER TO DEATH!!!


Dear family and friends,

     Well how's life at home?  I hope you all are doing amazing.  This week was another fast one and  I have a couple of fun stories for ya all.  So last Thursday we were doing our service project, and we delivered food to the old people in the apartments near by.  We were walking along and all of a sudden it started snowing.  We just screamed out loud with excitement, because we were so happy and surprised, and also this was Thanksgiving Day.  We were so distracted by the snow that my companion didn't see a flock of pigeons near by.  All at once they suddenly flew up right at her face and she screamed as loud as you would scream on a roller coaster ride when going upside down.  haha!  When she screamed she scared me, so of course I screamed and……….the Elders were 100 yards away from us and they just stopped and glared at us in shock to see what this horrific sound was.  You have to understand how much Sister An has always hated pigeons, so she was scared TO DEATH!!   We laughed later about it for quite awhile.

     This week we got a new investigator and she is 34 years old but looks like she is 26.  She has a lot of interest in learning English but is willing to listen to our message.  Hopefully something will spark within her

     Tonight we are meeting with the investigator that I told you about 2 weeks ago who has a LOT OF QUESTIONS.  We had met up with her in the cafe.  The man that spoke in Sacrament Meeting who had the low voice was the man I felt impressed to ask to help out with our lesson with this investigator, but he couldn't come this week so we brought our ward mission leader.   He is a psychology teacher and is very knowledgeable, and I'm excited for it.

     Today for P day we are going to go get some Christmas decorations and a small Christmas tree and lights, and  have some fun together shopping and then decorating.  I'm excited!:)  Christmas in Korea is so different here because it is a COUPLE HOLIDAY, and not a very big thing.  There are lights but NOTHING like in America. 

       Our Thanksgiving last week was AWESOME!!  It was the first day of snow!:)  It was  BEAUTIFUL!!  It snowed really hard that day for awhile, and it was freezing though.  Then we had a lunch with a member at her restaurant, which was nice.  I didn't get to eat turkey but we ate this meal that was kind of like a Thanksgiving meal.  It was perfect!  Then we had some meetings and an appointment with a member where we just ate a few things more and some kimchi.  It was good.:)

    Our whole zone is planning to have a huge Christmas party on December 16th and I was asked to play the guitar and sing for that.  I was also asked to sing for the Ward Christmas party on the 19th which will be fun.

     Right now our whole mission has taken on a NEW FOCUS,  FAITH!  We are individually trying to increase our faith every day.  I really have examined myself in terms of faith, and have realized that faith is so much more then what I thought.  Faith is obedience……..Faith is pure Christ like love when nothing is going your way.  Faith is determination…………and humility.  Faith is demonstrating your belief by obeying every single request of God.  It's hard…..but I really am trying to exercise my faith more each day.

     Well I am officially the OLDEST SISTER MISSIONARY in the whole mission now……..well after next week. haha!  Next week is transfers and I am the next to go home……YIKES!!!!  12 weeks.

       I love the songs on the CDS that you guys sent me and my favorites are the Reflections of Christ and the Lamb of God, and the EFY songs of 2015.  I listen to it all though.  Actually my very favorite is the song Glorious from David Archuletta.  I LOVE THAT SONG!!  It's our mission presidents favorite song, and I think I would literally die if I got to meet David Archuletta and sing with him some day.  He's my favorite singer right now.  

     Tell Lauren and James I TOTALLY WANT TO PUT ON A MUSIC CONCERT when I get back.  It will give me something to do when I get home, and believe me I want to stay busy.:)

     On Saturday our ward mission leader brought a friend to our big Thanksgiving party who is 17 years old and is rather shy.  We talked to her for awhile but I had to run some booths so I assigned one of the young women to talk to her,  and she did an amazing job.  This Young LDS girl brought her over and introduced her to all the 17 year olds.  They immediately friend shipped her even though the non member girl was different and not a popular looking girl.  The bishops daughter was kind and stayed with her the WHOLE NIGHT, and I could tell she walked away feeling so loved.  Now we get to meet with her again and hopefully we will see a lot of potential.   To any teenager reading this email, please be FRIENDS with EVERYONE even if they are different in the way they dress or act or look.  It really makes a big difference in the end, and that friendship can save their life.

     Please everyone pray for our investigator who is 22 years old that was going to get baptized.  She said she needs some more time to think about it, and we are going to meet with her again this week.  I am so excited that your ward got split and now you are in Jason Barney's ward!!  I literally screamed out loud when I read that.  I am SOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!

     My foot is doing fine and I have stopped using the medicine and I am going to use essential oils on my foot and wait and see if these bites come back on my foot.

     Yesterday we met with an investigator in a different area.  We had a lesson with her and we taught about prophets.  She had so many questions like, "What does God do through the Prophet to help you?  Just tell you to believe and that's it????"  We explained to her what he does and she sat back and was silent.  Then my companion told a story about President Monson when he felt an impression to go visit a girl who's legs were hurt.  He went over and gave her a blessing and healed her legs.  Then Sister An, with tears in her eyes said, "THAT'S the way prophets do it.  They serve, love and teach."  I was touched by my comps message and the spirit was so strong as it silenced our investigator.  I know she felt the spirit!  Then we invited her to dinner with the bishops family and she agreed and we rode together.  As we were all sitting together at the table to eat, this investigator started to ask the bishop so many questions and he just testified to her so POWERFULLY!!  She said, "WOW!!  This is so interesting! It just makes so much sense!"  We talked about Lehi, the gold plates, and also the Godhead.  The coolest part was when the recent convert who was baptized just a month ago started boldly testifying and teaching.  It was truly amazing!!  This church is TRUE and I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!:)

     So you asked me what concerns me the most about coming home so soon?  The answer is just having to be normal…………dating, singing, and not being a missionary anymore…….and not being able to speak Korean on a regular basis……just everything.  The day I have to take my missionary tag off will be very hard for me.

     I want you to know it won't bother me if you are in the middle of remodeling the house.  NO WORRIES!!  I will have just came from living in a Korean house and sleeping on the floor with mold and other gross things, and especially creepy HUGE spiders during the summer.  I hate them.  haha! It's totally fine I promise. 

     I love you all so much and can't wait to talk to you next week!!

                                                        Love, Michelle

P.S. Can you change the scripture that was supposed to be my favorite on the missionary plaque at church to a different scripture?  3 Nephi 3:15   "Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ………"  Thanks I love you!!!!

 

CHINA TOWN IN KOREA

                         

TAKEN FROM UP ABOVE……INTERESTING.

  

A KOREAN DADDY WITH HIS SON

                                                        

                                GORGEOUS FALL TIME IN KOREA

        

                                           
                   BEAUTIFUL MICHELLE……WE LOVE YOU!!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!