Bathhouse

So we were out visiting lesss acives and some former investigators that i found in the records book when we turn a corner and i see and American suburb. Two story homes, yards, dogs, porches. It completely blew my mind. I I realize this probably means nothing to you but these things dont exist in Korea. I insisted we go over there and find some investigators. Most people told us to go away but then his woman let us in. Her home was so beautiful. Ive never seen anything like it in Korea. PRETTY SURE THE COMPUTER IS FREAKING OUT AND THE REST OF MY EMAIL IS GOING TO BE IN ALL CAPS. SORRY I FORGOT THAT EVERYONE IN AMERICA LIVES IN MANSIONS. ENJOY YOUR LIVES OF LUXERY ALL! ANYWAYS, SHE ASKED US ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMOM AND I SORT OF THREW UP A LOT OF INFORMATION ON HER AND SHE RESPONDED WIT I AM ABSOLUTELY NOT INTERESTED. BUT THEN WE GOT TALKING. I ASKED ABOUT HER FAMILY- HOW SHE GOT A TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST. WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT MATTERED MOST TO HER AND WE SHARED WHAT MATTERED MOST TO US- OUR FAMILIES, THIS GOSPEL. WE TALKED LIKE FRIENDS WOULD AND AS WE DID I FELT THE SPIRIT COME INTO THE ROOM. I FELT HOW MUCH GOD REALLY LOVED HER AND HOW SINCERE HER HEART WAS. AS WE WERE LEAVING I BORE TESTIMONY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON ONE LAST TIME- WE PRAYED TOGETHER AND I ASKED AGAIN IF SHE WOULD TAKE THE BOOK. SHE SMILED, LOOKED THOUGHTFULLY AT ME AND THEN AT THE BOOK. SHE ASKED WHAT SHE SHOULD READ I TOLD HER ALL OF IT!  SHE HELD IT CLOSE TO HER CHEST AND ACTUALLY THANKED US. MAYBE NOTHING WILL COME OF IT BUT IT WAS AMAZING TI WATCH HOW DIFFERENTLY PEOPLE REACT WHEN YOU TREAT THEM LIKE THE SAVIOR WOULD- SHE COMPLETELY CHANGED WHEN SHE REALIZED HOW WE GENUINELY CARED FOR HER.  OUR MIRACLES THAT DAY DIDNT END THERE. WE WERE AT THE END OF AN INCREDIBLY LONG DAY WITHOUT A BREAK IN THE FREEZING COLD WHEN WE DECIDED TO START HEADING HOME. AS WE WALKED BACK TO THE SUBWAY STATION I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM ANOTHER MISSIONARY ASKING IF I WAS IN A CERTAIN AREA OF THE CITY. I WAS AND THEY CONTINUED TO ASK IF I WOULD VISIT A FORMER INVESTIGATOR OF THEIRS.IT WAS LATE AND WE DIDNT HAVE TIME BUT AS I WAS ABOUT TO START SAYING WE WOULD SWING BY THE NEXT DAY BEFORE I COULD STOP MYSELF I WAS ASKING WHERE SHE LIVED. I WAS LOOKING UP AT AN APARTMENT BUILDING 605 AND I JUST KNEW THEY WOULD SAY THAT APARTMENT. THEY OF COURSE SAID 6 05. I LAUGHED OUT LOUD AS WE MADE OUR WAY TO ONE LAST DOOR. THE WOMAN ANSWERED THE DOOR WITH HER DAUGHTER- A 40 YEAR OLD WOMAN WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.  THEY INVITED US IN AND WE ENDED UP TEACHING THEM ALL ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON. WE READ MORONIS PROMISE TOGETHER AND WHEN WE ASKED IF SHE WOULD READ AND PRAY SHE SAID YES! I'LL DO IT! I REALLY WANT TO KNOW. I COULD SAY THIS EXPERIENCE SUPRISED ME BUT HONESTNLY, IT DIDNT. WHENEVER I WORK REALLY HARD AND SHOW THE LORD IM WILLING TO PUSH MYSELF- HE GIVES ME A MIRACLE. IM NOT A VERY GOOD MISSIONARY, MY KOREAN ISNT VERY GOOD- BUT IT DOESNT MATTER. IM ABLE TO DO WHAT THE LORD NEEDS ME TO DO. OH ALSO, I MADE ALL THE SISTERS IN MY HOUSE GO TO THE BATHHOUSE THIS MORNING BECAUSE NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN. IT WAS SO FUNNY. EVERYONE WAS YELLING AT US TELLING US WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GO. I LOVE BOSSY OLD KOREAN LADIES. I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE THEM WHEN IM OLD. I GOT A SCRUB MASSAGE AND IM PRETTY SURE ILL HAVE BRUISES TOMORROW. THIS LADY WAS PUNCHING ME AS HARD AS SHE COULD! AND EVERY TIME SHE WANTED ME TO GO SHOWER OFF SHE WOULD JUST SHOVE ME OFF THE TABLE ONTO THE FLOOR AND THROW LAVA WATER AT ME. YEAH. I PAYED TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT. LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU. SISTER LUND

Welcome to Yousong

I am serving in Yousong. Big city baby. I live in a four man house with the girls from my mtc district. Its pretty interesting. My favorite part of the house is our glow in the dark bathroom floor. Don't really know how or why but it does. 

The area has been kinda ravaged by strange sisters and sisters going home early. Sister Allen is the only one who knows the area and she is not my companion so we kinda just run around and find members houses and try to not get lost and talk to people. 

Our area covers techno valley. Yes, techno valley is a real place. I insisted we go up there as soon as i got here but was a little disappointed to find there was no dance party.

Sister miller is my companion and she is a little odd. Loves everything dweeb. Luckily all the important things are there- she's obedient, sweet and is down to work really hard. 

Its really strange to not have a senior companion to turn to for help but im really enjoying being able to do things the way i want to have them done. I haven't felt this productive in a long time. 

We have seen some miracles already- we went to a university close by our house and did some street contacting. As i was talking to people this middle aged man came up to me and started talking to me about learning english. I explained that we were missionaries and but we offered an english gospel program if he was interested. He continued to tell me that he was trying to find religion and that he thought we were meant to meet each other. We gave me his number and we met the next day with a member from the ward. He seems to have a lot of interest and i couldn't believe how much the lord is helping us to find investigators. We also picked up a chinese investigator and her husband- sweetest thing in the world. THey even came to church on sunday. Let me remind you i have been here FOUR DAYS. Love this place.

I have more to tell you about my dear sweet companion. 

She has a crazy good memory and can remember every part of every movie she's ever seen and is an amazing story teller. She even acts them out sometimes. Its like having a tv. 

only you have to be careful what channel you choose cause some are way too long and cant be turned off. 

She loves everything magical and mystical. 

I love love love it. 

We walked over to the church to do something and a bunch of the youth was standing around the church. A punk kid threw a snowball at us so i basically had to defend ourselves. In the middle of all this i was running away across the parking lot when i slipped on some ice.

The next thing i knew i was on the ground with a cracked rib (seriously it hurst when i breath. but don't freak out IM FINE.) and seriously damaged pride. Pretty sure i made a really good impression.

I spoke in sacrament meeting. I did ok until this little kid ran on the podium and stuck his hand up my skirt. Pretty much forgot everything i was going to say but everyone was really nice to me afterwards anyways.

So glad today is pday. Im going to play my heart out all day... actually until 530 and then i have an appointment with our slightly creepy ward mission leader.

Im so happy. Im so grateful for the support i get from all of my friends and family. Im the luckiest girl in the world. Im so grateful to be a missionary- time is going by much too quickly. 

Guess what? The gift of tongues is real. Sometimes i can understand everything people are saying.

LOV ELOVE LOVLOVEOELOVLOELOEVLEOV you

SIster lund   

 

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Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I saw it before you.

Koreans are really smart. Instead of staying up late and setting things on fire they wake up early and go hike a mountain and watch the first sunrise. WE ARE SO DOING THAT.

New years eve was fun. We had dinner with a less active and an investigator. Afterwards we made our way through the downtown area which was packed with people. Street performers playing traditional korean instruments, vendors, and of course batman. Batman is really scary. He walks around pretty much every day in full costume with a sign advertising the end of the world. He really freaks me out.

Anyways i noticed he was being followed by a bunch of teenagers who were harassing him and pulling and his cape and throwing stuff at him. Then Batman got real upset and started fighting them. Turns out batman isnt a very good fighter. They just sort of slapped each other and then batman got swung around by his cape. They tried to de-mask him but then he ran for the hills. BEST. hahaha

Also for some reason they were having a hugging festival in the middle of the downtown. It wasnt very cool for a girl who isnt really allowed to hug boys.

Imagine my discomfort. I dont like hugging strangers. Pretty sure no one does.

News years was super stressful and pretty much the opposite of fun. but whatever.

we got transfer calls this morning. We all knew i was getting tranfered so a bunch of the missionaries met at the church to have pancakes and say goodbye. It was fun.

Im going up to yusan... not sure how to spell that yet. Its near Daejeon. My companion will be sister miller. we will be cosenior together. living in a house with two other sisters. With two other sisters in our district. 2+2+2=6. Oh boy.

The four sisters are the ones i was in the mtc with.

yeah.

The is kind of cursed and sisters keep going home early from that area, and so the area hasn't had any missionaries for maybe three transfers and sister miller and i are white washing so its gonna be a fun fun time. Pray extra hard ok?

Im happy. I love korea. I love missionary work. I love new beginnings. I love when people send me packages with celltrex and things to help me be skinny and warm.

I loved talking to you on christmas. Honestly it was kinda hard after. I felt weird all week but im ready to go rule in Daejeon! Huzzah!

Say your prayers.

sister lund

Merry Christmas

Not exactly sure what to say i feel like i already told you everything. LOVED TALKING TO YOU!

Worst thing of my life hanging up.

so excited for kendis. Everyone is flying to coop! i love it!

Christmas is a couple holiday in Korea so all the couples were out in full swing in matching outfits and buying expensive jewlery.

I accidentally got us involved in the ward christmas party. between the two of us we could only come up with the talents of whistling and  somersaults so we settled on a performance of rudolph the red nosed reindeer (actions included) We even got the primary kids to come on stage and sing along. Pretty sure we blew their minds with our talent.

it was a pretty low key christmas. Today felt more like christmas. I cant believe i got to talk to you! Its  insane that you are still exist- its too good to be true!!

My comp and i had a christmas devotional yesterday and read the christmas story and sang hymns. We talked about how cool it was to spend christmas in a place where all the frou frou of christmas doesnt even exist. You have to make christmas for yourself through our service, love and being able to really focus on the birth of our lord.

It is a beautiful thing to carry the same message as those herald angels 2000 years later of  peace, joy, a the savior- that he lives.

There is nowhere else in the world i'd rather be today that in korea  proudly wearing His name on my chest- telling anyone who will listen the grandest news ever given. Jesus is the Christ- the battle is won. All we have to do is decide whos side we are on.

Anyways. Merry Christmas. I love you desperately.

also im kind of disappointed at your attitude about the bathhouse. Pansies.

sister lund
also kim min jung is getting baptized on sunday! and i am missing it because im getting transferred. BOOOOO.

Letter From the Government

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letter from the government X Deleted Messages X Sent Messages X Reply Kelsey Lund kelsey.lund@myldsmail.net to me show details 12/18/11 I got a letter from the government of Korea a few days ago. Its title was Order for Destruction and was littered with a few english words like incineration and forbidden. I was a little concerned. I called around and no one could tell me what this letter was. Later that night i brought it to an english class we teach once a week. They told me that someone tried to send me apples and the government destroyed them. So pleased im not being deported or destroyed. Korea gets the most beautiful snow storms ever. I love love love it. Remember when i was complaining how cold it was? I had no idea what i was talking about. IT IS FREEZING. I need glove warmers. Life time supply please. Thanks. Korea has turned into an ice skating rink death trap. Ive almost lost my life 1000 times slipping and sliding. WE HAD ANOTHER BAPTISM!!!!! THe baptism was at two and of course no one showed up intil 2 30. I was praying my heart out people would come and support her and was so happy when the bishop walked in with a crowd of people. hwang gin is the mother of the little girl we baptized a few months ago. She is a single mom and i love their little family with all my heart. Our lessons with her were almost laughable as we tried to speak korean and she tried to understand. It was an incredible thing to watch the spirit be the true teacher- she knows its true. after hwang gin came out of the water i walked into the hall and her daughter came running out so excited her mom got baptized she gave me the hugest hug. I just cried and cried. That hug was the best christmas present ive ever gotten. Sister meiers continues to be so awesome. We are having a blast together. This transfer has been my favorite ever- miracle after miracle through our blood sweat and tears. Its not really christmas in korea. But thats ok. This is way better. I miss you though.  On wednesday night we were leaving an appointment and walking to our next when the elders called and asked us to come meet a lady. We really didnt have time but agreed for some reason and tracked them down on the other side of the neighborhood. When we got there the elders had this horrible idea to not come up with us and have us randomly knock on her door and explain that we were friends with the elders and wanted to meet with her. Definitely did not want to do that, plus we didnt have time. The elders shoved us on the elevator and as we went up i had no idea what i was going to say to her- absolutely no game plan. We got up and knocked on the door. She came to the door and we introduced ourselves. She told us how she just found out that her mom had passed away and was feeling too much pain to meet with us right now. She started to cry as we bore our simple testimonies about how families can be together forever and that God loved and knew her. We told her we would call her in a few weeks and she thanked us and shut the door. As we went down the elevator i wanted to die remembering the pain of losing someone you love so much. Then i thought of going through that without the gospel and the thought was unbearable. Maybe that woman will never talk to us again but i hope she knows she matters enough to the lord that he led a couple of missionaries through the snow and to her door one night.  I realized even deeper why im here- away from all of you, giving a little of my time to tell people how they can have what matters most forever.   I love you so much. Cant wait to talk to you! Merry merry christmas!! Sister Lund

Miracle #345

Hi. This week was amazing.

It snowed for the first time. The whole city turned into a snowglobe for two days. I had a perma smile for sure. Nothing sticks which is great news for me because guess what? being a missionary in the winter is maybe the most painful thing in the world. I wear not one but two layers of tights with thigh high socks and boots pluslike four layers of sweaters and my favorite thing ive ever bought: in korea girls are out of their minds and wear mini skirts in the winter so they have these sherpa wool booty shorts to wear under your skirt cause that will keep them warm for sure! I bought one with pink hearts. 

when im outside and walk too fast which is always i get brain freeze. also i get really scared if i have to run outside with wet hair because remember when chrissys friend in middle school went outside with wet hair and her hair broke off? 

i do. 

I ate a bunch of disgusting stuff this week. Everytime i do i want to call you mom- im a big kid now!   

Everyday something happens where i think there is no way i could have done that on my own. 

For example:

we went and saw one of our investigators who has been progressing really slowly and ive been considering dropping her because our area is really really busy. We were planning on a really simple lesson about prayer and coming to church but as we sat and talked i felt impressed to ask her if she had been reading the book of mormon. Considering that she never ever kept any commitments i questioned whether i really should but i just did it anyways. She stood up and got her book of mormon and set it on the desk and said that she had been reading. she flipped through the first few pages and i asked her how she felt about it. She responded in english " I know Joseph Smith" I asked her what she meant and she said in korean slowly "i know Joseph Smith was a prophet" I about fell out of my chair. she told us how joseph saw God and how she knew our church is true. We asked her if she'd get baptized and she immediately said yes. We told her she has to come to church every sunday till her baptism and she said she'd be there and she was! sunday morning when she walked around the corner i dont think ive ever been happier to see anyone in my whole life. She stayed for all three hours and made lots of friends.

All of our investigators came to church on sunday. Two of them are getting baptized. Its gonna be a white christmas! Best sunday of my life i bet

anyways i dont know how we are doing it but we are seeing so much success and miracle after miracle. Its a comforting thing to know that the lord is in charge. I love this work. Theres no where on else id rather be this christmas.

anyways i gotta go but i love you. thanks for your prayers.

I know God lives- he loves us. This is His gospel. I love being apart of His work.

love you long time.

Living on a Prayer

Living on a prayer

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Kelsey Lund kelsey.lund@myldsmail.net to me

show details 12/4/11

I just got back from hiking all over the korean mountains. Best worst idea ever. It was maybe four degrees. But i loved being active and wearing pants. The elders came with us. One of them is a marine and the other one is an idaho cowboy so it was more than a little physically exerting. It was so fun! Korea is so beautiful. When we got to the top i felt so happy to be on my mission.  I took pictures but forgot my chord sorry.

 anyways I had an AWESOME week.

We taught tons of lessons, got a baptismal commitment, and laughed our guts out.

I LOVE SISTER MEIERS. You dont even know. I laugh so much. She is my soul mate probably. Its amazing how easy missionary work is when you have a good companion.

One of my favorite lessons was with this widow. Her husband passed away maybe four months ago and was a member of one of our wards. She acts like she doesnt want to see us but we just harass her until she lets us in. She is the kindest sweetest woman i have ever met. She loved her husband so much- she cant talk about him without crying. Everytime i see her i feel the most powerful spirit. I always get the feeling that her husband is happy we are there with her. She goes out of town on the weekends to see her kids so i dont know how to get her to church.... ill make it happen dont worrry.

We went to Naju with a member who teaches at a university there to help him with some stuff. He teaches in flight service. Thats a major here. Girls really want to do that here for some reason. They have to be able to speak english though so our task was to interview them after they gave us this memorized schpiel. I felt like paula abdule on american idol. It was SO great. It was like a perfect mixture of american idol/miss korea pageant.

They are all really beautful and tall and thin with lots and lots of plastic surgery. after they told us why we should hire them we could ask them any question we wanted. I liked to ask them things like  "whats your favorite book? and then they would look at me like what is a book? i also asked them why they wanted to be flight attendants and they would say things like

"i want a rich husband and to eat nice food and to be able to shop and this career can help me achieve that" AND THEY MEANT IT! they meant it enough that they learned how to say it in english! I asked another one and she told me that the reason she decided to be a flight attendant was because she liked their outfits.

"what is it about your boyfriend that makes him a quality person?"

"he is very handsome"

"oh good but that isnt a quality... what are his qualities or characteristics?"

"...... could i have another question?"

anyways i walked out so greatful for the gospel and that i have parents that have helped me have brains in my head.

we got a bunch of numbers from the students. Im going to baptize them.

we also went to a dog cafe. I made sister meiers go. It cost us 5 won. She was kinda testy after that. they were the ugliest dogs ive ever seen. Two of them had cones. Our grape juice came out with hair on the straws. Korea is not for the faint of heart. Thats for sure.

I got my christmas packages. Thanks. It made me miss you all a whole lot. I am so so so spoiled. I love you.

umm... remember the little girl we baptized? Her mom is getting baptized too. On the 18th. I am so so happy.

Also kim kyung sun- our other recent convert- her brother got baptized yesterday. I love when families find the gospel together. grr!i want to show you pictures!

We are seeing so many miracles every day. The lord is helping us so so much. There is no way we could be doing what we are without His help. I've never prayed so much in my whole life. and its working.

Im bummed Kenzie is home. I want to read her letters still. GO to her homecoming and hug her for me. She'll probably have a baby when i get home.

I dont know how calling home works but dont you fret. IM WAY more excited than you are. you will know as soon as i do. I want to skype.

Can you believe its Christmas?! this time next year ill be a returned missionary!!

Christmas isnt really christmas here. Koreans dont really care. I keep trying to tell them but they just keep on not putting up lights and singing normal hymns at meetings. gosh.

THis is long. sorry. I love you.

im all kinds of happy. So happy to be a missionary at christmas time.

sister lund