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Sunday, November 4, 2012
Pray for Autistic boy Hit by Car...
This week we got to visit our oldest members of the branch, Brother xx
and Sister xx. They don't live in an apartment like most everyone,
but in a small, two-room cottage home with cement floors. It was
really neat to be able to go. The only interaction I'd had with them
had been at church, and I just thought she was a sweet grandma with a
big, warm smile and an adorable. always bundled-up husband. I did know
they both loved to sing (so many do here! Singing is a cultural thing.
They many "No Rae Bangs" here are proof of it :). But when we went to
visit, we first saw her out in her front yard at 6pm, dilliegently
hoeing away at her garden. She's in her 70s and works all day farming,
recently (because it's wintertime, and they make kimchee in the winter
and store it all year) has been making kimchee. She immediately rushed
us in and sat us down to talk with her husband while she dissapeared.
He began talking with us, and though I couldn't understand the details
of what he was saying, I could feel his wisdom and humor coming
through. Instead of a stranger, he became another grandpa to me in
those short few minutes. I felt really warm and happy being in their
home.
and Sister xx. They don't live in an apartment like most everyone,
but in a small, two-room cottage home with cement floors. It was
really neat to be able to go. The only interaction I'd had with them
had been at church, and I just thought she was a sweet grandma with a
big, warm smile and an adorable. always bundled-up husband. I did know
they both loved to sing (so many do here! Singing is a cultural thing.
They many "No Rae Bangs" here are proof of it :). But when we went to
visit, we first saw her out in her front yard at 6pm, dilliegently
hoeing away at her garden. She's in her 70s and works all day farming,
recently (because it's wintertime, and they make kimchee in the winter
and store it all year) has been making kimchee. She immediately rushed
us in and sat us down to talk with her husband while she dissapeared.
He began talking with us, and though I couldn't understand the details
of what he was saying, I could feel his wisdom and humor coming
through. Instead of a stranger, he became another grandpa to me in
those short few minutes. I felt really warm and happy being in their
home.
Then Sister xxx came back-with dinner! Sister Won and I had already
had a sandwich from Isaac Toast, so we weren't super hungry, but she
fed us soooooo much!! We were bursting by the time we left. Affter
sharing a throught from Moroni 7, Sister xxx offered us her son to
walk us to the bus stop, because it was really dark, her home was on a
hill, and there were many trees around us making it harder to see. We
all went out, she put her arms through ours, and we all walked
together (her son just behind us, her husband safely warm inside). It
was a wonderful feeling.
I am so so so thankful for our kind branch members. These are truly
special people. I could never have imagined what experiences I would
be missing and people I couldn't be loving if I hadn't decided to put
in my papers to serve.
One important event I wanted to tell you about:
There's an autistic boy in our ward, about 13 years old. His mom and
dad watch him and bring him to the church to play, but he's very low
functioning, cannot speak, and cannot think through his actions (like
leaning too far out of the window.)
Saturday, about 4:00pm while prepping for our English class with the
youth, Brother xxx told us he was missing (he normally plays around
the church during our class). We all set out immediately to find him.
After no success for an hour, Sister Won and I had to leave to Jundo.
I worried a lot, thinking about Takoda and what we would have done.
The youth had to do their mutual, so two men kept searching. That was
around 5 or 6pm. We came back from Jundo at 7:45 and found them.
Brother xxx was on the phone. The police had found him, because
someone had taken him to the hostpital. He had been hit by a car.
Because of his mental condition, eh couldn't get the required
treatment he needed in Suncheon, so they've taken him to Seoul
hospital. his mom is with him now, and the rest of the family stays
here. If you have a spare moment, please please pray for him and his
family. They are a wonderful family. His name is xxxx.,
This work is true, I love you Thanks you
Love Sister Brooksby
Found the Lost Haley
We had our yearly Sister
Conference yesterday, and because we traveled to Deajeon and back (2
1/2 hours one way), and were meeting with the other sisters all day,
we had no time to email.
It was really fun to see all of the other Sister Missionaries in our
mission yesterday. When Sister Rouche told me that the applicants have
gone from 10,000 to 50,000 a week (matching your figures too, Dad!) I
was blown away. I really couldn't believe that was happening. WHAT!
This is a huge HUGE thing for the church!!! This many more
missionaries will make such an incredible difference to each
mission....How are they going to fit them all in the MTC?? Build
another one?
I have this pass-off program here, where I need to memorize the
sentances of the lessons in Korean. (I don't have to use them, it's
just for grammer and vocab skills). At first, it was hard for me to
see the point of memorizing all of these sentances, pages and pages
and pages, that I would never use. But I found that when I started to
do it, I began to feel good to see my progress, especially when I met
the goals that I set for myself. It also helped to have a supportive
companion who gives me time to do pass of and my district leader,
About our work:
We're doing great and keeping it so fun here in Suncheon! We have an
awesome district, (Elder Rice left us for Jeonju, but now we have
Elder Esplin, from my older dongi and we're loving him!) and we just
had our final district meeting with our senior coupld. They are so
wise and kind and fun, I really don't know what we're going to do
without them. They were the true wisdom in our district. Brother Jo
and his wif Sister Lee will be our next senior couple, starting in
December. :) We're excited to have them too! I love their famlily.
They have a sweet little daughter, Min Ah, who's 28 and lives with
them because she has the mentality of a 4 year old. She radiates the
Light of Christ, and we just love her!
We've finished one transfer, and are moving on to the next. I found
out in our mission, you never have a companion longer than 2
transfers. Also, it's said that the Junior companion moves more often
than the Senior, but I really want to stay in Suncheon come end of
November. I'm praying He'll let me stay :)
Sister Won and I recieved a referral this past week from a member in
Daejeon. He had a less-active daughter who had just moved to Suncheon
to live on her own. She was 17 years old.
We met with her last last Friday and didn't teach much, just at
crackers and moon pies together at the church and visited.
She remembers attending church. We're not sure how long it's been since
she last attended, but she laughed when she found out there is a
branch here in Suncheon. Then Sister Won asked her if she remembered
anything in particular about the Book of Mormon.
To my surprize, she said yes. There was a verse that she remebered.
Getting my scriptures out, again she surprized me by quoting the book,
chapter and verse clearly. Alma 37:37
What a prepared young woman. As we talked about the scripture she'd
remembered and what it meant to her, I couldn't help thinking and have
since, "When the Gospel is in your heart, no matter how long or how
far you go from it, it always stays there." XXXXX testimony was
still there, after all the years of not attending church. She still
gained inspiration from the one scripture she remembered. Her life
wasn't easy-she was seperated from her family in a different city and
lifestyle, her parents were divorced, and she must feel awfully
lonely. But she gained comfort knowing that her Heavenly Father knew,
and He wanted to hear from her, whatever she wanted to say and
whenever she wanted to say it.
She accepted our invitation to come back to church, and we planned to
meet at the bus stop by the church.
The next day, we had a family home evening with the XXX family (that
same man who invited us for Chu Seok and brought a branch to Suncheon
through his faith.)
We hadn't prepared a spiritual thought beforehand to share. Sister XXX
prayed as she thought about what to share with this family. I listened
as she shared with us Alma 37:37, that same scripture XXX had shared
the night before. As she opened to the verse, I felt we needed to tell
this famiy about XXX and her situation. Naturally as could be, that
same thought melded into Sister Won's message as she shared it. I
could feel the deep compassion and love this family had, and I knew
that Heavenly Father had prompted us and was directing them. There was
no better people we could share XXX's story with than that family
that night.
That Sunday we tried to contact her with no success, and she wasn't at
the bus stop as planned. I worried about her. Sister Won said we'd
done all we could do. Sadly, we continued on to the church.
Sacrament meeting was going over. We heard from our Senior couple as
it was their last Sunday. We could feel of their love, and the branch
member's love for them as they said good bye and we'll miss you.
Suddenly, Sister XX was motioning me to move over a chair. XXX had
come! Hair a little damp from the shower and walking delicately, she
came over to where we were and sat with us. I was so happy! I knew
that Sacrament meeting going over was a miracle :) Because our Senior
couple was leaving also, the ward sisters had prepared a huge meal for
the whole branch to eat together. XXX was well fellowshiped, and we
were both so grateful. We even got a branch picture!! (I'll send it
next week, I don't have the cords with me this time.)
I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father really cares about the "one", and
that we as His missionaries, get to be a part of each tiny step.
Another tiny step I wanted to share-We got to meet up with our two
male investigators, Brother xxx and xxx, last Friday. We'd already
sogaehed (referred) them once and dropped them once. Because they were
pretty inconsistent and sparradic, it was too hard to meet. But they
called us up and meet we did! And they really are sweethearts-They'd
bought us dinner! We were both really hungry, because our FHE
appointment didn't leave room for dinner. Miracle!!!! SO thankful :):)
There was a really good atmosphere that night. They were learning and
speaking a lot of English, and they had questions. So when we turned
to the Gospel part, they really listened closely. I had practiced
teaching the 2nd lesson all on my own early that week and day, and it
was the first time I'd taught it. We had a cute colored chart for them
to follow along with as I spoke each simple sentance (which simple was
good, as they had no Christian background). At the end of the lesson,
the said they'd like to go to church once they have a knowlege of what
we're teaching, and then, Sister Won taught the method of prayer and
invited one of them to pray. Brother xxx immediately motioned to his
friend. haha!
He didn't want to at first, but Sister xx just folded her arms and
bowed her head and waited, and I followed suit. Then Brother xxx
prayed. It was awesome, and simple, and perfect. It's the first prayer
I think he's ever offered in his life. And I can't help but be so
excited for him. How neat is it that we get to help Heavenly Father's
children take the tiniest steps to remembering Him, having faith in
Him and changing their lives for Him. It was a really simple
experience, but so important-
As Brother xxx and xxx open their hearts, they can realize that they
do have a Heavenly Father, and that He does care about them. Every
little detail of their lives-all of their strongest desires, and
deepest pains. And He will help them.
I think I've worn you out by now. It's a lot to read :)
Thanks for sharing with me our adventures and miracles here in Suncheon.
This Gospel is such a blessing, and an even greater one to share it.
Keep the Faith!
As Always,
Sister Brooksby
Conference yesterday, and because we traveled to Deajeon and back (2
1/2 hours one way), and were meeting with the other sisters all day,
we had no time to email.
It was really fun to see all of the other Sister Missionaries in our
mission yesterday. When Sister Rouche told me that the applicants have
gone from 10,000 to 50,000 a week (matching your figures too, Dad!) I
was blown away. I really couldn't believe that was happening. WHAT!
This is a huge HUGE thing for the church!!! This many more
missionaries will make such an incredible difference to each
mission....How are they going to fit them all in the MTC?? Build
another one?
I have this pass-off program here, where I need to memorize the
sentances of the lessons in Korean. (I don't have to use them, it's
just for grammer and vocab skills). At first, it was hard for me to
see the point of memorizing all of these sentances, pages and pages
and pages, that I would never use. But I found that when I started to
do it, I began to feel good to see my progress, especially when I met
the goals that I set for myself. It also helped to have a supportive
companion who gives me time to do pass of and my district leader,
We're doing great and keeping it so fun here in Suncheon! We have an
awesome district, (Elder Rice left us for Jeonju, but now we have
Elder Esplin, from my older dongi and we're loving him!) and we just
had our final district meeting with our senior coupld. They are so
wise and kind and fun, I really don't know what we're going to do
without them. They were the true wisdom in our district. Brother Jo
and his wif Sister Lee will be our next senior couple, starting in
December. :) We're excited to have them too! I love their famlily.
They have a sweet little daughter, Min Ah, who's 28 and lives with
them because she has the mentality of a 4 year old. She radiates the
Light of Christ, and we just love her!
We've finished one transfer, and are moving on to the next. I found
out in our mission, you never have a companion longer than 2
transfers. Also, it's said that the Junior companion moves more often
than the Senior, but I really want to stay in Suncheon come end of
November. I'm praying He'll let me stay :)
Sister Won and I recieved a referral this past week from a member in
Daejeon. He had a less-active daughter who had just moved to Suncheon
to live on her own. She was 17 years old.
We met with her last last Friday and didn't teach much, just at
crackers and moon pies together at the church and visited.
She remembers attending church. We're not sure how long it's been since
she last attended, but she laughed when she found out there is a
branch here in Suncheon. Then Sister Won asked her if she remembered
anything in particular about the Book of Mormon.
To my surprize, she said yes. There was a verse that she remebered.
Getting my scriptures out, again she surprized me by quoting the book,
chapter and verse clearly. Alma 37:37
37 aCounsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for bgood; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
What a prepared young woman. As we talked about the scripture she'd
remembered and what it meant to her, I couldn't help thinking and have
since, "When the Gospel is in your heart, no matter how long or how
far you go from it, it always stays there." XXXXX testimony was
still there, after all the years of not attending church. She still
gained inspiration from the one scripture she remembered. Her life
wasn't easy-she was seperated from her family in a different city and
lifestyle, her parents were divorced, and she must feel awfully
lonely. But she gained comfort knowing that her Heavenly Father knew,
and He wanted to hear from her, whatever she wanted to say and
whenever she wanted to say it.
She accepted our invitation to come back to church, and we planned to
meet at the bus stop by the church.
The next day, we had a family home evening with the XXX family (that
same man who invited us for Chu Seok and brought a branch to Suncheon
through his faith.)
We hadn't prepared a spiritual thought beforehand to share. Sister XXX
prayed as she thought about what to share with this family. I listened
as she shared with us Alma 37:37, that same scripture XXX had shared
the night before. As she opened to the verse, I felt we needed to tell
this famiy about XXX and her situation. Naturally as could be, that
same thought melded into Sister Won's message as she shared it. I
could feel the deep compassion and love this family had, and I knew
that Heavenly Father had prompted us and was directing them. There was
no better people we could share XXX's story with than that family
that night.
That Sunday we tried to contact her with no success, and she wasn't at
the bus stop as planned. I worried about her. Sister Won said we'd
done all we could do. Sadly, we continued on to the church.
Sacrament meeting was going over. We heard from our Senior couple as
it was their last Sunday. We could feel of their love, and the branch
member's love for them as they said good bye and we'll miss you.
Suddenly, Sister XX was motioning me to move over a chair. XXX had
come! Hair a little damp from the shower and walking delicately, she
came over to where we were and sat with us. I was so happy! I knew
that Sacrament meeting going over was a miracle :) Because our Senior
couple was leaving also, the ward sisters had prepared a huge meal for
the whole branch to eat together. XXX was well fellowshiped, and we
were both so grateful. We even got a branch picture!! (I'll send it
next week, I don't have the cords with me this time.)
I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father really cares about the "one", and
that we as His missionaries, get to be a part of each tiny step.
Another tiny step I wanted to share-We got to meet up with our two
male investigators, Brother xxx and xxx, last Friday. We'd already
sogaehed (referred) them once and dropped them once. Because they were
pretty inconsistent and sparradic, it was too hard to meet. But they
called us up and meet we did! And they really are sweethearts-They'd
bought us dinner! We were both really hungry, because our FHE
appointment didn't leave room for dinner. Miracle!!!! SO thankful :):)
There was a really good atmosphere that night. They were learning and
speaking a lot of English, and they had questions. So when we turned
to the Gospel part, they really listened closely. I had practiced
teaching the 2nd lesson all on my own early that week and day, and it
was the first time I'd taught it. We had a cute colored chart for them
to follow along with as I spoke each simple sentance (which simple was
good, as they had no Christian background). At the end of the lesson,
the said they'd like to go to church once they have a knowlege of what
we're teaching, and then, Sister Won taught the method of prayer and
invited one of them to pray. Brother xxx immediately motioned to his
friend. haha!
He didn't want to at first, but Sister xx just folded her arms and
bowed her head and waited, and I followed suit. Then Brother xxx
prayed. It was awesome, and simple, and perfect. It's the first prayer
I think he's ever offered in his life. And I can't help but be so
excited for him. How neat is it that we get to help Heavenly Father's
children take the tiniest steps to remembering Him, having faith in
Him and changing their lives for Him. It was a really simple
experience, but so important-
As Brother xxx and xxx open their hearts, they can realize that they
do have a Heavenly Father, and that He does care about them. Every
little detail of their lives-all of their strongest desires, and
deepest pains. And He will help them.
I think I've worn you out by now. It's a lot to read :)
Thanks for sharing with me our adventures and miracles here in Suncheon.
This Gospel is such a blessing, and an even greater one to share it.
Keep the Faith!
As Always,
Sister Brooksby
Sister Missionary Sits on WHO?
- All Koreans have buff legs and strong arms. Due to the erratic and
spasmadic bus system (it's not really that bad, I just like to make it
funny ;), we are constantly bouncing, leaning, adjusting, and
shifting. My first few days here were pretty rough on the buses. Ahh,
greenie time is the best! When I commented on how well everyone fared
on the bus, (managing to stay upright without sprawling all over
strangers) Sister Won just smiled and said "They are used to it."
Again, we were travelling when I made this blunder. I was sitting on
the side closet to the window. There was a woman next to me, and then
an isle down the middle of the bus. I'd planned it out. I wasn't going
to be tricked this time. I was going to stand up, move swiftly in
front of the woman's legs, and stay there for just a moment before
heading down the isle. But when our bus stop was called over the
intercom and I attempted to execute aforesaid plan, I found myself
jerked back onto the lap of another Korean citizen attempting to
disembark. Hurriedly, I tried to stand, the bags in both my hands
crashing around me. (They didn't spill, but it would have been really
funny and very sad if they had!) Somewhat shamefaced, I turned back to
look at who I'd sad on as I disembarked. Long, grey robes. A balding
head. Tiny slippers.
I'd sat on the lap of a monk.
He didn't seem to perterbed, (I'm so glad!) but smiled at me the next
time I caught his eye. I have to say, it's pretty funny when a sister
missionary accidently plants herself in the lap of a Buddaist monk. ;)
Funny Story of the Kindness of Korean Grandmas!
So this week I have some really fun stories!
Here's your first one:
One morning, on a morning like most mornings, Sister Won and I were
waiting for the bus. I was doing the usual and looking at everything I
could get my eyes on, bouncing on the balls of my feet, trying to read
the signs on buildings and occasionally successfully attempting to
recognize the words. That morning there was a sweet woman, maybe 60 or
so, waiting with us, like normal. We made eye contact and smiled, then
continued doing what we were doing.
Suddenly, out of nowhere someone was tugging on my clothes. I had on
an outside brown cardigan, and I quickly glanced to see who was
pulling it off of my shoulders. To my surprize, it wasn't Won
Jamaenim. It was the woman. She was talking to me quickly in Korean,
but I was still completely lost as to why she was undressing me.
With the cardigan off, she flipped it around and helped me put it back
on. At that moment I recognized the problem.
I had dressed myself inside out.
I sheepishly finished putting the now right-side-out cardigan back on,
and bowed thanking the woman. After we'd gotten seated on the bus, I
whipped out my planner. "Today," I wrote, "My fashion sense was saved
by a woman at the bus stop."
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