5-18-14

Hello all! 

me about to eat picture 2,3, and 4

This week has been an interesting one. This past week was really special for several reasons. I got to Skype home, I hit my 6 month mark in the mission and my 4 month mark in Korea, It was my 19th birthday, and it was transfer call week, and we got to have interviews. So ya it was really fun. This week has also been super duper hot. We had to go to Jeju City and update my alien card and we had to walk for like an hour just to get there in the blazing heat and humidity. Summer just started too and it keeps getting hotter until basically August. 

the giant shrimp thing in my "creatures of the deep soup"

But anyways Transfers were actually very interesting. We didn't get a call Thursday night but instead President told my comp during his interview that he will be transferring out midway through this transfer. This transfer is only 5 weeks, and my new companion will be the current office assistant now, Elder 이서구 (i think that's how it is spelled) or elder lee so goo. I've met him before and he seems really fun. 

the giant shrimp thing in my "creatures of the deep soup"

My Birthday was fun too. We had to go to a funeral that day but it was still an ok day. We also were able to eat a very interesting meal after interviews with President and Sister Gilbert. Elder Baker said that the name of the food we ate roughly translates into English "the creatures from the deep soup"(if that gives you any idea of what it is). Ya it was interesting. You can check the pictures if you don't believe me. 

the giant shrimp thing in my "creatures of the deep soup"

Other than that its been just a really mellow week. I didn't get to email last week, but this week id like to share what I've learned from studies as well. The past two weeks I have been focused on virtue and knowledge. I've noticed that "virtue" is seldom mentioned alone in the scriptures. Often it is coupled with faith, holiness, or knowledge. I also found that virtue, in a way, is directly proportionate to knowledge gained or, in other words, understanding. Based on what we understand, we can apply different things into our lives, which makes up our virtue. 

the aftermath of the creatures of the deep soup

We establish our lives around what we have come to know and understand to be the correct and most virtuous path. I feel that while knowledge is key and important, it is not the final step. The seed grows into a tree, but it is not until you partake of the tree that it changes you. In other words, our knowledge can grow and grow but its not until we apply our knowledge that it really affects who we are as people. This is where understanding and intelligence comes in. We can know all there is to know about something but besides the base and raw knowledge we cant gain anything from it necessarily. 

us with pres and sis Gilbert at there going away party in Jeju

I can know what it takes to become more Christlike, but to take that knowledge and try to become more Christlike is entirely different. To gain spiritual knowledge through revelation and diligent studies is one of the more important things we are required to do in this life. But I believe that if we are all able to take the next step and apply knowledge to action then we will be the more better off. I like how in Alma chapter 17 it talks about the sons of Mosiah and how they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth, and that they were men of a sound understanding. And thats what I will try to strive to do. I love you all! Ill talk to you all again soon and good luck!

me just looking good on a bridge in Jeju city

Elder Maccarthy