There's no monkeys in Korea‏

Hey everyone,

So yes. I was in Seoul for about half of last week. We had our lovely temple day on Tuesday and then zone conference on Wednesday and so our P-day was on Tuesday and we had a pretty jam packed day so I couldn't email you guys. We found a place in Seoul but they only gave us five minutes on the computer. For three people. I barely got two lines to my mission president. So yeah. I didn't get eaten by monkeys. But we had a good trip nonetheless. Monday we met with one of our investigators who also took us out to lunch afterwards. So good! Oh a side note. We had dinner with some members last night and they had a scale at their house so I could finally see how much I weigh. I've gained about ten pounds. I just enjoy the food far too much apparently. Anyway. Then we had our awesome four hour train ride into Seoul and stayed the night with some other missionaries. Fifteen to be exact. So fun. Then after the temple we went to a way good sushi bar. Did I mention how good the food is here? So stinking good. After that we went to this big electronics store where I was going to buy a translator but they didn't have the kind I wanted. So we just ended up eye shopping while another elder was bargining. Then we went to a famous flea market place which was supposed to be pretty sweet but our zone leaders had been there for awhile and said it wasn't quite as cool and they had thought. So we decided to go to this huge tie store place. Korean ties are almost as good as the food. And they're way cheap at this place. I'll have to send Dad and Kadin some when I have more time to shop. Maybe I'll send Jesse some if I'm feeling nice. Mwahaha. Then after all this we had just a few minutes left of our P-day to find a place to email. It was crazy. Then on Wednesday we had our annual medical zone conference where the Asia North Mission doctors come and talk to us about being healthy. It wasn't the most spiritually uplifting meeting ever but it was good to hear. That was pretty much our whole day. After that I tried passing off though. We have this pass off program thing where you have to learn all this certain vocabulary and memorize scriptures and the missionary lessons and such. Anyway after you pass off to the AP's you can go senior. So I attempted that, but failed. Not horribly though. I was just off a few things and plus we ran out of time. But yeah I'm pretty close to going senior. In July there will be 126 missionaries and I think only 16 of those will have been out longer than a year. We have a really young mission right now. They're really pushing this pass off so they can have seniors and trainers. It's a little stressful right now but in six months we're going to be rocking.

As for our investigators and the work, it's still good. We've lost a couple investigators so we're running a little low on lessons but our investigators are pretty good. There's one who I think can get baptized pretty quick. She's the one who wants to go to EFY and comes to seminary. So we'll keep our fingers crossed and see. We're trying to do a lot of finding but it's still tough out here in the mountains. I feel like I'm starting to run out of ideas. It's a good challenge for me. But next week is transfers and I wouldn't be surprised if I'm out of here. But I also wouldn't be. It's tough to get out of this zone. So we'll see. As for now I'm still hoping and praying and working hard. Hopefully that was a good enough report. I'll send some pictures too. Don't have too much fun on the lake and watching tv and going on vacation and other boring things like that.

Love, Elder Dorius

 1. This was a sweet Kung Fu Panda thing we found by the electronics place. You can only imagine how much fun we had.

2,3,4. This is along the way to Seoul. I get to see this for four hours. So sweet.

5. This is Elder Park. He's in my district but he's going to London on his mission. He just had visa problems. He's way cool.

6. And this is some fried chicken I ate. It looked a little strange but I thought what the heck? After eating what little meat was on it I dissected it (of course) and figured out it was a spinal chord. Yum.

I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills...‏

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the emails. I really enjoy reading them and getting caught up with life. Thanks a lot mom for reminding me about school. (sarcasm) But really that is good to know. Is there a deadline for that signature because I don't think we're able to print at our little office place where we email? I might have to get it later. Unless you need it asap. I can't believe Helena Howard is home already. Sheesh. Time is flying. Well heck I've been out six months already. So crazy. It sounds like she gave an awesome talk though. We kind of have a similar motto in our mission. You ready for some Korean? Hal su issea-yo. I'm not sure how to spell it in Korean, but it means "you can do it." It's a good phrase to know and say. So who is all on missions or soon going on one from our ward? I was wondering that the other day and couldn't quite remember. We finally got the Liahona! but it's two copies in Korean. Typical. The pictures were nice though. Hopefully an English one finds it way over here. Actually I was reading it this morning and I can understand some of with. Oh Danielle, why did a state-side-Spanish-speaking Sister (how's that for alliteration?) bear her testimony in Korean? That's really odd, but way cool! Oh mom, one other thing before I forget. You know my SD card I have here? Well my district leader wants to buy it off me. Any idea how much it is or how much I should give it to him for?

So this week has been pretty good. We had district meeting and then went on exchanges. I love exchanges. They're way fun. But this one was a little different. We did a threesome here in Tae Baek with my district leader and the other two elders just went back to their area. Basically he just watched us to see how things are doing here and stuff. It was good. So after that we went back to his area to "drop him off," which consists of a two and a half hour train ride both ways and spending the night. Welcome to our zone. But I love our district. We have some stinking funny elders. I learned a traditional Korean game that's confusing as heck and Kylie would probably destroy us all. If I ever get any understanding of how to play maybe I'll buy it. Either way it's fun. 

We got a new investigator this week. Her name is Kim Bo Hyun. I might have told you about her last week. But she's friends with a less active girl we recently reactivated and has come out to church twice now and came to English. So solid. She's way cool and just normal. I'm pretty sure she'll get baptized. I at least hope so. She wants to go to EFY and that's basically a guaranteed baptism. So that's exciting. All of our other investigators are doing good. No news there. 

Well I'd better go. We're making the big trip to Emart today for groceries. That's as exciting as it gets here. Haha. I'll send some pictures though. The mountains are turning super green. I love it. Talk to you next week.

Love, Elder Dorius

 

 

1. This is out by our old Branch President's house. It had been raining all day so it was really cloudy. I felt like I was on the "Lost" island.

2. This is coming back from the other area in my district. It's basically like this all around my area. So sweet.

3. This is a chicken I ate. One of our investigators took us out to lunch and we had this. A little crazy but super tasty.

4. Despite all the greenery and the fact it's May, there's still Christmas decorations. I love Korea.

Enjoy!

 

 

I'm Still Here

Hey everyone,

Well it sounds like you guys had a fun week in Provo. Who wouldn't? Provo is the best. Oh and Danielle, I know that face carver guy! When I did that tour thing at UVU he did the same thing. Except I think he carved a different face. Isn't he the head of the science department or something like that? I can't remember. But I'm pretty sure he's the same guy you saw. I don't know too many people who carve faces and give speeches at the same time. Tell Jesse thanks for staying updated with youtube. I'm excited to see those. Way to go Kadin and Kylie for mowing the lawn! It's about time. Back in my day I had to mow the huge yard in Idaho. Uphill. In the snow. You should be grateful for the little four foot wide patch of grass. 

Things are still good here in Tae Baek. I did not get transfered, nor did my companion. Basically my whole zone stayed the same. Only two people changed and one was going home. So we at least don't have to overcome the whole "change" challenge. No one in my district changed which is nice because I really like my district leader. So it's good. As for the work, it's still work. Our one investigator who served a mission for his church in Australia is tough. He's been making us study a lot. I don't know how things are going to go with him. He seems really hard-hearted and not willing to change. He thinks all we need to do to be saved is believe in Jesus. So we talk a lot about sin and salvation and fun stuff like that. If you have any suggestions or insights, feel free to let me know. We have another investigator who is way cool. He's our miracle investigator I think I mentioned awhile back. Anyway. Funny story. He randomly texted me one night asking if we drink and if we do we should go out and drink sometime. I don't know why but I thought it was hilarious. I told him we don't drink but we sure can go out and eat sometime. Then he texted me last night randomly again and wants to go to lunch tomorrow. Boo ya. Meal appointments are the best. I can totally picture him in white. We'll just have to work on the whole drinking thing. Ha. 

That's about all the news I can think of now. Everything is still good. I think the rainy season is coming. It's been a little wet lately, but today is really nice. The mountains are turning really green. I like it. I'll keep my eye out for Sis. Hench's Korean friends. They would be fun to meet. Hopefully things are still good in St. George/Orem. Talk to you soon.

Love, Elder Dorius

PS Isn't Mother's Day soon? I think I get a phone call if I remember correctly. I'm not sure what time I'll be able to, but what number should I call? Cell phone? Office again? Let me know.