Hello all.
This past week has been good. I've learned a lot and have continued to do the best that I can do. Last P-day we went to some cool botanical garden on the eastern side of the island (i think). It was really beautiful and i loved being able to see all of the nature. It was very calming. The rest of the week was jammed packed full of appointments and visits... and LOTS of wind and rain. And this wind was pretty hardcore.
Sadly, for the most part of our week we weren't able to meet with people. Most people are only available on the weekends. So from Monday to Friday we do a lot of proselyting and some door knocking. Korean is a strange thing. Some days you just understand it all and then the next its like Latin. So that's still a roller coaster. We were able to meet some less actives and some members as well. Every day I learn more and more about the concept of "no effort is wasted". As we walk and talk to others with seemingly no success, I think to myself of the perfect situation of someone calling us and asking about our English class and about our religion.
We spend a lot of time putting up posters for our class by the way. This past week we got 3 contacts, all from English posters being seen. One was a Philippine woman, another a 27 year old man looking for friends and wanting to learn English, and another an 18 year old kid who used to be a member in Seoul but upon moving to Seogwipo 3 years ago went inactive because he didn't know the church was here. How awesome is that. So we plan on meeting all of them very soon.
As I think of the missionary purpose and how it says "invite others". Others is every other person in this world besides yourself. I remember Elder Ballard's talk from General Conference about sharing what you've learned from your Preach My Gospel study. I want to share what I've been studying recently. Lately I've been looking through chapter 6 of PMG, "Christlike Attributes". As a member of this church I am constantly striving to develop Christlike attributes. The precursor to the section talks about having faith in Christ. Having faith in Christ means that you accept him as the son of God and you accept his teachings, and through doing you strive to become better by living the commandments and preparing yourself for judgement.
As I read over the many attributes I desired to have them all. And what better a time to start then now. I intend to read one attribute a week and apply that attribute especially to my life. The first one is Hope. I intend to study Hope in my personal study from now until next P-day, and will ponder it in my mind continually. I will share my experiences with it, and maybe my struggles. I invite everyone who is reading this to partake on this same journey with me. With your families read the section and the scriptures for it. Maybe set goals for how you can more apply it to you life. Share your experiences with others. Others is every other person on this world besides yourself. It can be with family, friends, strangers, and co-workers. Our gospel is about happiness and joy and we should not be afraid to share it.
I love you all and hope you are all doing well. You're messages of support mean the world to me, and help me day in and day out. The mission is not so much about learning, I've found out, but about remembering. We remember the covenants we have made and that's what changes us. I remember what Bishop Baugh told me once in meeting preparatory to entering the temple to receive my endowments. He said that we don't go to the temple so we can go on a mission, we go on a mission because we went through the temple. I encourage you all to strive to become more Christlike. Good luck in your missionary work. I look forward to hearing your experiences next week.
Elder Maccarthy
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