Christmas and Miracles!

Well... as a missionary, I'm learning the importance of goal setting. Last week I made a goal to write more meaningful journal entries. So because of that and the fact that when I called my family they requested more stories, I'm going to have lots of stories in this week's email. 

Last Monday we didn't have any lessons scheduled but we were desperate to teach a lesson. So we planned to teach a lesson. We put it in our goals and role played it during studies. It wasn't P-day, so we had time to visit less active members and proselyte. When we went to visit our less actives, one was home! We were able to teach her and her non-member husband a lesson. It was neat to see when you act in faith, God does prepare a way for you to teach a lesson!

On Tuesday we had a Christmas conference with all the missionaries in our zone! It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot to help me be a better missionary. What I liked most about it was our nativity. For the nativity, two missionaries read the Nativity story (one in Korean and one is English.)  In between sections we sang Christmas hymns that went along with the story. It was super neat!  I could feel the spirit so strong. That moment is what made this past week feel the most like Christmas. 

There were a lot of other things that happened this week. We went to the temple and I got to call my family!  We also had a zone proselyting activity on Christmas Day! We were running late to the activity (sister missionary problems.) We ended up talking to this girl who was super sweet! She really enjoyed church and we started talking to her about the Bible, that lead to the Book of Mormon. We ended up giving her a Book of Mormon as a Christmas gift. She was super excited about it, and said it was her first Christmas gift this year. It just goes to show that God knows everything and He is even aware of sister missionaries running late. 

I hope that is an acceptable amount of stories for you. This was the best Christmas in Korea ever!! I'm so grateful to be a missionary! 

Happy New Years!!!

Love, Sister Mustain

 

Christmas Eve at the Temple

Christmas Day

 

 

Merry Christmas!!!!

I'm the luckiest missionary ever! I get to spend this Christmas season sharing the gospel. Yes, we don't have investigators. And yes, people reject our message. However, I know as long as I'm trying my best the Lord will help me accomplish His work. 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament meeting. Not too hard, right? I was asked to speak on missionary work. In preparation for my talk I studied missionary work and the blessing that come from it. With this week being Christmas, I want to take the time to share with you my testimony of missionary work and the Savior.

As I share the gospel with others, my testimony of Christ grows. I feel so much love for the people and as I love others, I feel God's love for me. I have learned through prayer and acting on our prayers we can help others enjoy the blessings of the gospel. Through missionary work I've gained a deeper understanding of my Savior's love and His atonement. Like Christ, we are helping our brothers and sisters come unto him. It is hard to watch people reject the most precious gift you have, but it is an incredible feeling to watch people embrace it. I know God loves us and he is our Heavenly Father. He loves us no matter what we do. I know because He loves us, he wants us to share the gospel. The good news! I know this gospel is true and I would give all I have for it.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas time. Remember the symbol of Christ and the hope He gives (2 Nephi 26:24). 

Love,

Sister Mustain


Sister Mustain and Sister Holbrook



Zone Conference

Obedience

Wow! That's all I have to say about this past week. We went from many investigators to close to none in a week. Our investigator who came to church last week dropped us because she is afraid to move forward. That was hard and the rest of our investigators either can't meet or won't answer our calls. 

However, there are still a lot of good things that happened this week. We met two women on the street, got their number and schedule a time to meet with them.  We also had more people come to our English class which is good, because our class is super small. It also made it more fun!

So despite all the difficulties, it was a good week and I'm so blessed for it! One thing I learned was the importance of obedience. President Thomas S. Monson said, "The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord's commandments."

What an amazing promise! This week I tried to be more obedient in doing the little things like being to bed by exactly 10:30, starting studies on time and writing in my journal. Through doing this, I had the strength I needed to get through each day. Even though things got hard, I made it through this past week stronger.  

Obedience truly does bring blessings! 

Have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Mustain

Just Keep Praying, Keep Working, and Move Forward

Last week I was a little discouraged because none of our investigators have been progressing. I've been praying and working hard for them. By not progressing I mean they haven't been keeping commitments, like coming to church or reading the scriptures.

This transfer we have been teaching a family, a mother and her two kids. She has a daughter who is 12 and a son who is about 9 or 10. We decide to bring a member to our lesson and teach them about keeping the Sabbath day holy. The sister we are teaching has been scared to go to church and so she hasn't been coming. So we taught her about keeping the Sabbath day holy and it went really well. The member was able to explain somethings that were hard for us to explain and they were able to become friends. We also found out that her son had read the entire Book of Mormon story book we had given them the week before. It was a really good lesson and the spirit was there. 

And then...they came to church on Sunday! I felt so happy for her and her children for making the choice to be at church on Sunday. I know that it wasn't me or my companion who brought them to church. It was her choice and I'm so happy for her! She said that it was a special experience to hear members bare their testimonies.  The ward also was very welcoming of them. It was an amazing experience!

This week marks the start of a new transfer and I'll be staying with Sister Holbrook. I can already feel that big things are going to happen this transfer and I look forward to it.  This week was amazing and it proved  God answers our prayers in his timing. We have been praying for our investigators to come to church all transfer, and it took a full transfer for those prayers to be answered, but they were answered. 

Another experience I had with prayer was yesterday. We had two conflicting appointments. We decided to pray to know which one we needed to go to more. We immediately got an answer and acted on it. 

From this I learned sometimes we get answers quickly and sometimes answers take time, however God eventually answers all our prayers. So when we get frustrated because we aren't getting an answer we need to take a step back, keep praying, keep working, and move forward. I know this is true. I know that God loves us more that we can ever imagine. 

Love,

Sister Mustain

Practice Makes Perfect!

Well...It's been 10 months since I started my mission! That is as crazy as this past week has been. We had interviews, exchanges, Thanksgiving, and we found out that we are moving to a new house three days before we needed to move. So things have been crazy here.

This week I went on exchanges with Sister Jeong (정). It was a lot of fun! She taught me how to be more effective at planning and the importance of practice. Being a missionary requires lots of practice. Practicing our lessons and talking to people on the street. From all I've learned, practice makes perfect. If I don't practice what I'm teaching in both English and Korean, then I won't succeed. Yes, the spirit can help, but the spirit only helps me to become better than my effort. If I put forth a little effort, then I can get a little help. If I put forth my best effort, then I get a ton of help. So practice, practice, practice! 

I'm so grateful for the time we have to practice. On Sunday we did a practice lesson with a recently returned missionary in our ward. From doing this I learned how I can be better. I'm so glad for this gospel. It teaches me to work hard and to be the best I can be. I know it is true! And I know that without it, I'd be lost. 

Well, I'm sorry this is so short, but I'll have a lot more to tell you next week. I hope you have a wonderful week!!! 

Love,
Sister Mustain❤

 

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!!

This past week was a blessing! I was able to go to the temple! The temple is amazing and when I'm there I feel my Heavenly Father's love for me. While there I was able to see my MTC companion Sister Sewell! It was great to see her!

We also had plenty of time to proselyte.  We went street boarding with our district. Street boarding is where we have a board with questions written on it and we give people a sticker. Then we ask them to place a sticker under the question they have. It was cool! And my companion was way into it. It was nice to do something different for a change. 

We have these two boys that we have been teaching that have baptismal dates. If they didn't come to church on Sunday they would need new baptismal dates. So yesterday before sacrament meeting, we walked over to their house to bring them to church. We didn't get them to come, but we found out they haven't been coming to church because they have to watch their little brother while their mom works. So all we have to do is figure that out and mom said they would go next week!

This week was crazy! I learned how much people matter. As I went about my missionary work, I felt so much love for the people around. I know that God loves each of us personally. I was reading a talk by President Monson this morning and he said, "…your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes." I know that is true! I hope you have a great week!!! 

Love,

Sister Mustain

Temple Day!

The Faith to Act

This week we didn't have a lot of lessons so we had lots of time to proselyte. We did things like knocking on doors, talking to people at the bus stop, and making phone calls. At first I felt frustrated because nothing was coming from it, but I learned an important lesson: sometimes we just need to be patient.  

We talked to a lot of nice people, but it was through continually doing it that we saw results. One big miracle was on Sunday. A member in our ward brought her nieces to church and asked us to treat them as investigators. She asked us to ask them if they wanted to learn about the gospel. We ended up teaching them the first lesson. It was neat and they were fun to teach. We also made an appointment to teach them next Sunday! It was an incredible experience.  I learned the Lord really does bless us when we act. If we hadn't been seeking for an investigator then God wouldn't have given us one. 

Other things happened as a result of our effort, but I learned miracles don't happen right away. 

 "For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith." -Ether 12:12

We first need to act! I'm so grateful for this experience. I know my Heavenly Father lives and loves me personally. I know the gospel is true. Have a wonderful week!!!

Love,

Sister Mustain
                                          
                                           

 

 

Don't Forget the Little Things

Well...It's already Monday again and I don't know what to write about. 

In my new area we have more extra time due to less travel and fewer lessons. So I've been working on improving my proselyting skills. It is hard to walk up to people and talk to them about the gospel and don't get me started on doing it in Korean, but the more I do it the easier it gets! 

This week I learned the importance of the little things. On Wednesday we met with an investigator who we were planning on giving a baptismal date. When the time came to ask she said no. So we asked her why, and she said it was because she was afraid to go to church. So we were able to invite her to church. By asking a simple question, we were able to figure out her problem. 

On Thursday we had zone training. At zone training, we did a role play in which we had no time to prepare. It was hard and awkward. Through that we learned we need to do the little things, like role playing a lesson or practicing Korean, in order to accomplish the big things, like teaching a lesson. 

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

"And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

-Alma 37:6-7

It is the little things we do in life that can make all the difference. I'm so grateful for my Heavenly Father and the strength he gives me to do the things he asks of me. 

Have a wonderful week! 

Love,

Sister Mustain

P.S. My new area is so pretty!

Sanbon

Change

"Try and keep trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible and that which seems only possible becomes a habit and a real part of you." -President Uchtdorf 

With the start of the new transfer there has been a lot of change. New companion, new area, new people. From my mission thus far, I've learned change although difficult is absolutely necessary. Without change we will never progress. When I first read the quote above a few weeks ago, I was having a hard time and experiencing a lot of change. When I read this I realized the more I try to change something like speaking better Korean, the easier it becomes. Until finally I have to change something else. 

Leaving my last area was hard, but I know I learned what I needed to and it was time to leave. To start new habits. This week I came to 산본 and I had to meet new people, but I'm already learning new things. My new companion, Sister Holbrook is from Northern California and she is already teaching me a lot.

I'm so grateful for all the changes in my life that make me who I am. I'm looking forward to this transfer, because it will change me into the person I want to be. I know God lives and loves us. I'm so excited for the new week!

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Mustain

New Companion- Sister Holbrook

 

Transfers!!!

So I'm leaving Shinpoong and it is bitter sweet! I have learned so much here and have met so many amazing people that it pains me to leave. However, I'm excited to leave and start off on a new adventure! I'm going to serve in 산본 which isn't that far away.

This week was crazy! We met with 2 new investigators, had exchanges, and received transfer calls. Can you say stressed!?!  However, it was all worth it. One investigator wants to study the Book of Mormon with us. The other is interested in English, but willing to listen to the gospel. I won't be able to teach them, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to meet them. 

The week before we learned about being bold. When we meet with our new investigators, we focused on being forward with them, telling them why we teach. It was neat to see the change it made in how I act in all aspects of missionary work. It made me more willing to talk to people and it made me want to be better. 

Toward the end of the week I decided I was going to try to speak as much Korea as possible even when talking to my companion. It was hard. During that time, I went on exchanges with a Korea sister for 24 hours (it was so much fun!!!). The more I tried to speak Korean, the more I recognized how much Korean I know. I have a long way to go, but I'm starting to love Korean more and more. 

I'm so grateful for this past transfer! I learn to be bold and more confident in myself. I learned to work hard and be a better missionary. Most of all I learned how to trust in my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Without prayer, I don't know how I would have made it through this transfer! I know God loves each and every one of us. I know the gospel, God's plan for our happiness is true. I know I needed to serve a mission to come closer to my Heavenly Father. I can't wait for what new challenges my next area will bring!

사랑해요! 

Sister Mustain

 

Prayer...Ponder...Study...And Get to Work

This week was amazing! I learned so much about prayer and the importance of the gospel in our lives. To show what I learned, I'm going to tell a story of the lesson we had this week with our only investigators who will meet with us. 

First a little background. We are currently meeting with a family of three. A husband, wife and son. They are fun to teach, but the wife is meeting mainly for English. We teach them 30 minutes English and 30 minutes Gospel. 

Last week  we were able to set up an appointment for Wednesday. During companion study we were planning their lesson and we decided they needed to recognize the importance of prayer. I gave the idea of using a story from the Book of Mormon. My companion was a little uncertain about teaching it in Korean. I was frustrated, so I went in the changing room and prayed to know what to do. After I prayed, I thought about what had happened and realized I didn't explain myself well enough to my companion. I went back to the study room, and explained what I was feeling to my companion. We were able to work it out and because of that our lesson was much better.

Our lesson was definitely guided by the Spirit and both parents prayed. The husband even prayed his wife would be more interested in the gospel! It was amazing and it didn't have to do with anything my companion and I did. It had to do with the fact we were relying on the Spirit. Through this I learned how important it is to prepare before we jump right into things. If my companion and I didn't think about what we would teach the lesson wouldn't have turned out the way it did.  The process is to pray, study, ponder, and act. 

I'm so grateful this gospel, because I don't know where I would be without it. Definitely not in Korea serving others and sharing what I know to be true. I look forward to this week, because we are going to find someone new to teach. 

Have a great week!

General Conference!

So this time I was able to watch a session of General Conference in Korean. It was really cool! I barely understood it, but I could feel the spirit and it was nice to be able to watch it with the ward. 

As I watched General Conference I was able to receive answers to my prayers. It is amazing to know how much Heavenly Father cares about each of us. This week I learned about the power of God's love.

I was having a rough time this week. So all my prayers were focused on receiving strength and comfort. As I prayed and sought answers through reading the scriptures, I began to feel the love my Heavenly Father has for me. I felt this because as I studied the scriptures and watched General Conference, I found exactly what I needed to hear. I know God loves each and every one of us and wants us to be successful.  

I really enjoyed General Conference when Elder Robert D. Hales said, "I testify that if you are there for the Lord, He will be there for you. If you love Him and keep His commandments, you will have His Spirit to be with you and guide you." I learned as we rely on the Lord he will help us in all things.

I'm so blessed to be a missionary. It is teaching me to rely on the things that matter most. My Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the spirit, the gospel and my family, etc. I know this gospel is true and I know Christ lives. 

Have an amazing week!

Sister Mustain

 

Just Another Busy Week in the Life of a Sister Missionary

This week I got sick at the beginning of the week which was no fun. Luckily I was able to sleep it off. While I did that my companion contacted all our investigators and guess what??  None of them could meet.  We weren't able to meet with any of our investigators this week. It was sad, but we were able to meet with some less active and active members.

On Thursday we visited an elderly sister in our ward who has a caregiver that comes during the day. When we arrived the sister told her caregiver to take one of our Book of Mormons.You won't believe it, she already had one! An elder in our district had met her on the street and given her a Book of Mormon. She read the first few chapters and started telling us about Nephi. How cool is that?!? This member is really funny, when we asked to do a practice lesson, she had us teach her caregiver. It was a neat experience and it just goes to show that God knows exactly where we needed to be. 

I've been reading the war chapters in the Book of Mormon this week. The chapters about the 2,000 Stripling Warriors and Captain Moroni. As I have read about them, I learned because of their faith in God, they were exactly where they needed to be in order to overcome their enemies. Through this and the experiences I had this week, I learned God knows where we need to be in order to overcome our trials and learn from them.  

I know that God loves each of us. Everything we go through makes us stronger. I hope you have a good week! 

Sister Mustain

P.S. I read this article today, it was so cute I just had to share it. 

 

                                                           I Love You

                                           Natalee T. Fristrup, Utah, USA

As my mission’s zone conference was coming to a close,I stood outside wondering, “What am I doing in this foreign country? How am I going to do all that is expected of me?”

I had been in Sicily, Italy, for little over a week, butalready I felt discouraged. My time in the missionary training center had seemed like a wonderful dream, but because of my inadequacies, I now felt as though I were in a nightmare.

“Dearest Father,” I prayed, “I wanted to be a great missionary. Now that I am here, I realize I don’t have the talents, skills, or intelligence to accomplish what I have been sent to do. I thought I knew this language, but everyone speaks so quickly, and any words I try to utter just get tangled up in my tongue. I don’t think my companion likes me. My mission president can barely speak English. I don’t have anyone to talk to. Please help me.”

I knew I had to go back inside, but I lingered on thestreet just a few minutes longer. Suddenly I felt three tugs on the back of my overcoat. I turned around to find a beautiful little girl and slowly knelt down next to her on the cobblestone street. She wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear, “Ti voglio bene.”

“What did you say?” I replied in English, knowing perfectly well she didn’t understand me.

She stared at my name tag. “Sorella Domenici,” sheread, “ti voglio bene.”

I knew the meaning of the phrase. It was one of the first phrases we had learned as missionaries. It was a phrase that could speak directly to the soul. It means, “I love you.”

Those words were just what I needed to hear at that moment. The Savior had sent a special messenger to deliver them to me. I led the little girl into the building.

“She must be the child of one of the members,” I thought. I wove my way through groups of missionaries, hoping her mother would spot her.

When I found my companion, I asked, “Have you seen this little girl before?”

“What little girl?” she replied, looking confused.

I looked down at my side. The little girl was gone.

I stood in the open doorway of the building and glanced up and down the deserted street. As I pondered, a whisper I not only heard but also felt echoed through my soul: “Sorella Domenici, ti voglio bene.”

I didn’t know who the little girl was, but I knew that the Savior loved me.

 

 

 

8 Months Gone!

Wow! Another week gone!

This week we had a two day mission conference for Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving. It was fun! I was spiritually uplifted.  I was able to learn from and meet other missionaries serving in our mission. We also had the chance to go to the temple and the zoo. Both were amazing and comforting.

This week I learned a lot about the power of prayer. Monday wasn't P-day because we were going to the temple so we decided to visit a member who had recently moved. I asked for directions and everything was fine, but we couldn't find her house. We asked people on the street, but their directions where a little confusing. I was stressed out so I stopped and took a moment to pray. We were eventually able to find it. Even though it didn't solve the problem, it gave me the strength to figure it out.  This experience testified to me of the power of prayer. 

We started sending scriptures to a less active. While I was preparing for our mission conference, I prayed to know what scripture to share with her. I found a scripture and sent it to her. It turns out that that scripture was exactly what she needed to hear. Through these experiences,  I learned the importance of prayer. I know God hears and answers our prayers. I know that through prayer, we can learn to rely on Him and Jesus Christ.

I'm so grateful for this week and all that I was able to learn. I hope you have an amazing week!

Mustain자매
                                           

 

Another Week Another Lesson

This week wasn't nearly as crazy as the week before, but we were able to meet almost all of our investigators. And we had an amazing less active lesson. 

My new companion is Sister Langi. She is great and I'm excited for this transfer with her.

As for this week I learned how to truly care about the people. Since I arrived in 신풍 (my current area) we have been working with a less active named Summer. She's Korean, but she speaks perfect English. She comes to English class every week, but she doesn't feel like she belongs to the church. Every time we met we found new ways to teach without shoving the gospel down her throat. As Sister Holmes and I met with her, she has changed so much. She has gone from just tolerating our lessons to appreciating them. I've loved getting to know her. 

When Sister Langi and I met with her last week I realized just how much she has changed because we started showing her how much we care about her. That time with her was completely worth it! She is amazing and I'm so blessed to be able to work with her and all our other investigators and members this transfer. 

This weekend is like Korea's Thanksgiving so we haven't been able to meet with a lot of people. Hopefully that will change! I know that God loves each of us. As we reach out to those around us we can feel that love. 

Have an amazing week!!! 

Sister Mustain

                                               

Transfers!

In an effort to have two lessons and talk to ten people every day, we did just that. We talked to everyone we could and this was especially helpful to me because it gave me a boost of confidence. When I talked to people about the gospel It felt good. 

 

With two appointments every day we did a lot of traveling. There wasn't a set time to talk to people; however, as we talked to people on the bus and the street, I was able to recognize all the opportunities we have to talk to people. It helped me to recognize there are always opportunities to share the gospel. 

 

But life isn't perfect and some of the appointments fell through. On Friday we had 5 appointments. We had a lunch appointment on one side of our area and a practice lesson on the other side. We barely had time to think, but it was so much fun! 

 

One of our appointments was at a members garden/farm that had chickens, roosters, and spiders. It was so cool. We did a practice lesson next to a bunch of chickens! It was a really good lesson. 

 

Through all the running around like a chickens with our heads cut off, I learned the blessings that come from obedience. On Sunday we were able to meet with this woman who is a golden investigator. She lived in Utah for a while when she was in college and she is open to learning about the gospel. Meeting her was blessing number one. 

 

Blessing number two was that by the end of the week I started to feel more confident in my ability to teach and speak Korean. By getting two lessons a day in and talking to ten people, like our mission has been asked to do, we received blessings. I'm so grateful for this week and I was able to learn the blessings of obedience.

 

On a side note this week is transfers! Sister Holmes is going home and I get a new companion on Wednesday. Her name is Sister Langi. Plus, I'm no longer sister training leader! Yes! This transfer is going to be a good one!

 

Mustain 자매

 

 

Don't Forget the Spirit!

Last week wasn't nearly as busy as the week before, but that doesn't mean I didn't learn anything. We had MLC, district meeting, zone training, exchanges, and a Saturday filled with teaching opportunities. 

MLC is Missionary Leadership Conference. It was really good this week. We learned about recognizing the spirit and using it in our teaching. I learned this week how important it is to seek the spirit in our lives. I can be working my hardest as a missionary, but it will never be enough if I don't seek to have the spirit to guide and direct me. I'm so blessed this week because I was able to learn to recognize how important it is to have the spirit in my life. 

On Thursday I went on exchanges with Sister Shumway. She is from Arizona, and has been in Korea a month. This was my first time being in my area without Sister Holmes. I learned  I know a lot more than I think I do. Also with the Lord's help I can do it. On the Friday morning of our exchange, we went to find a less active family. We got to the general area, but we couldn't find it. After searching for a while Sister Shumway suggested we say a pray. So we did and we realized we needed to keep going. This time as we searched we listened to the spirit. Guess What?!? We found the house. It was such a blessing. 

Through that exchange I was able to learn the importance of prayer, relying on the spirit, and diligence. We had to keep going in order to find the house. It was through the spirit we were able to find the house. I know God watches out for each of us and he answers our prayers.

I'm so grateful for this past week. It made me a little better than I was before. I'm so grateful for my Savior and the opportunity I have to be a missionary! 

Have a wonderful week!

Sister Mustain

Lessons, Lessons, And More Lessons

This week was crazy. In our mission we've been asked to have 2 lessons and talk to at least 10 people every day. This week Sister Holmes and I worked on getting 2 lessons every day starting with Monday.

Monday wasn't our preparation day because we went to the temple on Thursday so we had a lot of time. In order to start off the week strong, we planned four lessons and three happened. We were going from appointment to appointment. Throughout the rest of the week the same thing happened. We had appointments and made new ones when others cancelled. It was a busy week, but it felt good having more opportunities to teach. From this I learned the importance of hard work. By the end of the week we were physically, emotionally, and spiritually tired. But that didn't stop us. We kept going. 

I'm so grateful for this week because I was able to learn the importance of hard work. I was also able to feel the spirit in the temple. I'm loving Korea and although I miss home, there is no place I'd rather be right now. 

Have a fabulous week! 

Mustain 자매

 

 

Mistakes!

Last week seems like an eternity ago. I've learned so much this week and I'm so grateful because of it. 

This week I worked on making mistakes and learning from them starting with Korean. I tried to speak only Korean for at least an hour a day. It was hard, but the more I did it the more comfortable I felt in my Korean ability. Sister Holmes was able to identify mistakes I made and help me correct them. Through this I learned how important mistakes are and how there is no way to progress unless we make them.   

I also made mistakes through talking to people. I've been working on talking to people without the help of my companion this transfer. When I talk to people I make mistakes (a lot of mistakes.) This week I evaluated myself after talking to people. I learned not just how I can be better at Korean, but how I can be better at teaching the gospel and inviting people to hear it. 

This week was amazing! In addition to what I learned our ward had a baptism this week. It was a for a ten-year-old girl who's mother is a recent convert. It was so cute. After she was baptized she went into the water and swam out of the font. It was adorable and it made me realize how important the little moments are in missionary work and in life. 

I'm so grateful to be a missionary! And I know that I wouldn't be able to do the things I'm doing and learn the things I'm learning with out the help of my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Mustain 자매

 

 

Korean and The Book of Mormon

So a lot of people have been asking me, "How's the language coming?" I have yet to answer that, so here goes nothing. Korean is not hard, it just takes a long time. 

Until last week, I felt like I couldn't say anything and all I do is make mistakes. However because of training and interviews this week, I realize I need to stop making excuses. This week as Sister Training Leaders, Sister Holmes and I had to give training in both Korean and English. This was hard because Sister Holmes and I are at different levels in our Korean ability, but we did it! It turned out fine. I was able to recognize it wasn't me who was speaking Korean, it was the Spirit. 

I also had interviews with my mission president this past week. From interviews, I learned I needed to SYL more. Which is going an hour or more only speaking Korean. As I did this this weekend, I learned I know a lot more than I think I do and sometimes it is hard to go back to English. The most important lesson I learned in all of this is that mistakes are necessary, no matter how much you hate them. So this week I'm going to be bold and make mistakes. Wish me luck!

In addition to learning Korean, I learned about the power of the Book of Mormon in missionary work. I learned the Book of Mormon is the key stone of our religion, without it we wouldn't have a religion. It made me think about my testimony of the Book of Mormon. 

I started reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning again. As I've been reading it each morning and as I studied the prophet Nephi, I learned this book is full of people who learn how to rely on Christ. They aren't perfect people, they are just trying to be better. I'm so grateful for the strength the Book of Mormon gives me to know I'm not perfect, but I can be better.  I look forward to using it in all aspects of my missionary work this week!

Sister Mustain

Sharing

This week I worked really hard on talking to people. I wanted to start off the transfer as a different person than I was last transfer. 

I decided every time I traveled I had to talk to someone. Yes sometimes I got rejected, but other times we had a really good conversations and I was able to practice my Korean. I also tried to get more involved by speaking up during district meeting and in companion study. Doing this has helped me to have more confidence in myself which is something very important in being a missionary.

I'm trying to read the entire Book of Mormon this transfer (a transfer is 6 weeks.) This morning I read the story of the Tree of Life in 1 Nephi. In the story Lehi has a vision of a tree with fruit that is delicious. He sees some people trying to make their way towards the tree and others walking away from it. I've heard this story a lot, but this time reading it was different.  

I was reading 1 Nephi 8:12, and related the fruit to the gospel. It reads:

“And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.”

By changing the fruit to the gospel of Jesus Christ, it made me realize how the gospel is something we should desire to share. It made me want to refocus on why I became a missionary, and what my purpose is.

I know we can all share this gospel with the people we meet. Whether we are a missionary or not. Actually it is harder to share the gospel being a missionary because we have a very small circle of friends. I'm so bless to be a missionary because it pushes me to be better.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Sister Mustain

Change: It's Ok And Sometimes Even Necessary

This week I worked really hard on talking to people. I wanted to start off the transfer as a different person than I was last transfer. 

I decided every time I traveled I had to talk to someone. Yes sometimes I got rejected, but other times we had a really good conversations and I was able to practice my Korean. I also tried to get more involved by speaking up during district meeting and in companion study. Doing this has helped me to have more confidence in myself which is something very important in being a missionary.

I'm trying to read the entire Book of Mormon this transfer (a transfer is 6 weeks.) This morning I read the story of the Tree of Life in 1 Nephi. In the story Lehi has a vision of a tree with fruit that is delicious. He sees some people trying to make their way towards the tree and others walking away from it. I've heard this story a lot, but this time reading it was different.  

I was reading 1 Nephi 8:12, and related the fruit to the gospel. It reads:

“And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.”

By changing the fruit to the gospel of Jesus Christ, it made me realize how the gospel is something we should desire to share. It made me want to refocus on why I became a missionary, and what my purpose is.

 I know we can all share this gospel with the people we meet. Whether we are a missionary or not. Actually it is harder to share the gospel being a missionary because we have a very small circle of friends. I'm so bless to be a missionary because it pushes me to be better.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Sister Mustain

Exchanges, Zone Conference, & More

"The Lord knows what He wants to accomplish with each one of us. He knows the kind of reform He wants to achieve in our lives, and we do not have the right to counsel Him."  -Elder Rafael E. Pino

This week I learned a lot about relying on the Lord and to stop making excuses. On Friday we had a combine zone conference where we learned a lot about working with members, being clean (inside and out!), and learning Korean. I learned how important members are to missionary work. The missionaries maybe the ones who teach the lessons, but the members are the ones who help people to progress in the gospel. President Gordon B. Hinckley said every new convert needs a friend, a calling, and a way to feel the gospel. For this the missionaries aren't the answer, it’s the members. 

Zone Conference also taught me a lot about learning the language. I learned it is alright to make mistakes and Koreans actually love them. They love it when you try to talk to them whether it is good or not. I also learned it is important to speak slowly and create opportunities to speak. 

So, as part of becoming a threesome, Sister Holmes and I became Sister Training Leaders. That meant we had to go on exchanges. I went to 평택 with Sister Kwak (곽). She is Korean, so it was a little hard to communicate, but I learned a lot. I learned I don't need a Korean companion to learn Korean. I just need to try. Learning Korean is like doing a 1,000 piece puzzle. It takes a long time, but is possible. 

If I could put what I learned this week into one sentence, it would be... Never give up when life gets tough, because that is when you are able to learn the most. I know God loves each of us. I know this gospel is true. 

Mustain 자매

Wow! Did Last Week Just Happen?

I can't believe another week has come and gone. This week was crazy with getting ready for a new companion and getting a new companion. 

Last Monday we ran errands and cleaned the house in order to make room for a new companion. We had to move our sleeping mats to the kitchen in order to fit another desk in our room/study room. The next few days felt like a sleepover because we were sleeping in the kitchen! And we we're now a threesome!  

On Friday we had to clean the house of the sister who left and our new companion, Sister Schur; since there won't be sisters living in it anymore. It took us most of the day.  We had to go through everything and find out what could be sent to the mission home and what was trash.  It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun. 

Besides the craziness of this week, I learned a lot. I finished reading the Book of Mormon on Tuesday. I learned two things from reading it on my mission. One, the Book of Mormon can be a little graphic and two, it is so true. From reading the Book of Mormon I've come to know we have a loving Heavenly Father who lives and loves us. We have a Savior who suffered for all our pains an afflictions. I know although the prophets at times felt inadequate, they were still able to do what God asked of them. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that the gospel was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. 

This week we were able to teach the restoration to two sisters who we started the Family English Program with. We are now teaching them on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are an English interest investigator, but when we teach the gospel they let us teach. When we taught them on Thursday you could feel the spirit in the room. It is moments like this that keep me going. Being a missionary is hard, but at the end of the day it is all worth it!

Sister Mustain

Cleaning the old house

Members and Missionary Work

Big news this week. If you didn't think my missionary life was crazy enough, it's about to get even crazier with a threesome!

One of the missionaries in my zone got really sick, and is going home.  So until the end of the transfer we get a third companion! Her name is Sister Schur. I met her before at the MTC.  I don't know what will happen, but this will be interesting. 

On Friday we met with the grandmother 윤영옥 we found while doing service the other week. I didn't understand a lot that happened in that lesson, but I could feel how much she needed the gospel in her life. It also helped me to realize how blessed I am to have it in my life. 

This week we had zone training. It was really good and we learned about the importance of members in missionary work.  I didn't realize how important members are to missionary work until becoming a missionary. 

Members are needed to fellowship, find, and teach investigators. I was reading about my purpose as a missionary and part of that purpose is to strength the church where ever I'm serving. That doesn't mean just bringing new people into the church, it means strengthening members as well. This week during weekly planning we focused on how we could get more member lessons. I realized all are investigators could benefit greatly from meeting a member. 

I was reading a talk from General Conference entitled “Yes, We Can and We Will”by Elder Soares. It explains how we need to hold firm to our testimonies when we face opposition and discouragement. It says;

"We must hold ever more tightly to our testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then will our ability to defend truth and justice greatly increase. We will win the daily battles against evil, and, rather than fall on the battlefields of life, we will rally others to the Master’s standards."

I know whether we are members or missionaries we can all share the gospel. We all play a role in helping others to come unto Christ. I know members can do so much more than I can do as a missionary. I know as I fulfill my purpose as a missionary I will be able to help others come unto Christ. 

Mustain 자매

Service, Miracles, and Divine Potential

Well...I successfully made it through my official week in Shinpoong. This week was interesting and we had quite a few miracles. 

In my new district every Wednesday we have district day. For district day we have lunch, district meeting, and service together. For our service activity we picked up trash along streets and sidewalks. At first I thought this wasn’t service. Service should be something organized like cleaning the church or helping at an elderly in their home. Well God proved me wrong! We received two new investigators from picking up trash along the side of the road.

The first one was a grandmother who started talking to us and asked for us to come and visit her. We visited her on Friday and she didn't really have any expectations as to why we were there. We explained to her our purpose as missionaries and taught her about the Book of Mormon.  She agreed to have us come again and teach her about the gospel. This taught me all service is valuable in God's eyes.

The other investigator is a 25 year old Chinese girl.  She came up to us and said, "I want to go to that Church," pointing at Sister Holmes name tag.  She came to church, but she wasn't interested. All she really wanted was to make friends. However, she is willing to meet with us anytime and she has potential so we'll keep meeting with her. Being a missionary, I've learned that as we show our love to people they are able to draw one step closer to their Heavenly Father. Even if they don't recognize it. Even though she only wants to meet us to have friends, I know the gospel of Jesus Christ can help her with that. The gospel of Jesus Christ can help us overcome all our challenges. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 

"God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

I'm so grateful to be a missionary. It can be hard and stressful at times, but the peace and guidance I receive from my Heavenly Father makes all the hard moments worth it. I know God loves me and wants me to become like him. I know he loves each and every one of us. I'm so blessed to be a missionary and dedicate my life to him. He is our Father and we are his children. 

Have a wonderful week!

Mustain 자매

 

New Area, New Companion, New Challenges

I made it to my new area! This week was super busy. We had P-day, service, transfers, district day (I don't know how I feel about that yet), English class, a lot of meals/practice lessons, and church.

Right before it was time to leave to my new area, I was ready! I had packed all my things, I knew this is what needed to happen and I said my goodbyes. However, after getting to my new area I started to feel homesick for Incheon. I missed the people, my companion, and the big city like feeling. My new area is more country like, but like my last area houses still don't exist. Even though I have those feelings, I love this area, the people, and my new companion.

 

My new companion is Sister Holmes. She is from Danville, Pennsylvania. She is fun and we talk a lot. It is really hard to get us to stop talking. I know now that I needed Sister Kelly as my trainer, and right now I need Sister Holmes as my companion. 

It has been hard to change everything I was used to. The routines, the house, the environment, the companion, the district, etc. But it is teaching me one important lesson. "Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone." -Neale Donald Walsch. 

I'm not sure what other missions do this, but in my mission we decorate our planners so they aren't boring. Since I was leaving, Sister Kelly decorated mine. She put the quote stated above on it. This transfer my goal is to get outside my comfort zone. Even though I thought I knew what it was like to be a missionary, I have learned I only knew the half of it. 

Nothing about being a missionary is comfortable, but that's why I'm learning so much. In Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk Come What May and Love It, he expresses this very idea. He said, 

"Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others." 

Although this transfer hasn't been easy so far, I know it will make me stronger. Even though I miss my old area and companion, I'm so excited to work in Shinpoong and work with the people here. It may be uncomfortable, but I know through Christ I can do all things (Alma 26:12). I'm looking forward to all the disappointment, because all that does is give me the opportunity to learn. 

Sister Mustain

Sister Holmes

 



Transfers!!

Guess what?!?! I'm done with training, and I'm being transferred to 신풍 Shinpoong. It's so exciting! All last week I was worried about it because I didn't want to move. I wasn't ready to leave, but as the week went on I felt comfort from the events that took place. I told my companion I'm ready to leave. I'm ready to be on my own and step out of my comfort zone.

This week I want to talk about the eternal perspective because I'm experiencing so much change. There is a wonderful talk by Elder Rafael E. Pino in the most recent General Conference titled "The Eternal Perspective of the Gospel." It says, "The eternal perspective of the gospel leads us to understand the place that we occupy in God’s plan, to accept difficulties and progress through them, to make decisions, and to center our lives on our divine potential." This has helped me this week with transfer calls and the end of my training to realize this is only the beginning. This mission will change me if I focus on the my purpose eternally rather than my purpose to get through this day or that lesson. 

I'm so blessed to be a missionary. This week was so hard, but I'm so grateful for it. On Tuesday we walked all day from one appointment to another in the heat of the summer. Even though I was tired and sweaty, it gave me the chance to step out of my comfort zone and talk to people. I had a lot of these experiences throughout the week and each time it made talking to people a little bit easier.

This week we got a new investigator, 한재회. We met with her on Tuesday and got to know her. Then we met with her again on Saturday. It was supposed to be 30 minutes English 30 minutes gospel. She was curious about our religion and asked to just talk about the gospel in English. We ended up teaching her the entire Restoration, and left her with the Book of Mormon to read. We texted her today about it. She has already read a little bit of it and said it is similar to the Bible. She is amazing, and so kind and loving. I believe she is ready to receive the gospel. I'm excited to meet with her one more time before I transfer. This helped me to see God is preparing people to receive the gospel. Even though I'm transferring I'm still happy for the missionaries who get to help this woman draw closer to Christ and our Heavenly Father.

I'm so blessed for this week.  I'm starting to understand why I needed to serve a mission. At the end of the talk I mentioned, he states, "The Lord knows what He wants to accomplish with each one of us. He knows the kind of reform He wants to achieve in our lives, and we do not have the right to counsel Him. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts." 

I know God is working on each of us. Although change is hard, it is how God helps us reach our full potential. 

Mustain 자매

                                                                                                         

 

 

Just Keep on Trying

Since Sister Kelly is Sister Training Leader we went on exchanges again this week. Sister Kelly went to the other sisters area and I stayed in ours. This meant I became senior companion for 24 hours. I had to use more Korean than I'm used to!

In a way this was a blessing. I have been learning a lot of Korea, and I can speak it. However, I've been lacking the confidence to speak it. Being the senior companion, I had to start conversations at our appointments and let them know we had to go. It was hard, but I'm so grateful I had the chance to struggle. I even learned to text in Korean. 

I had other chances to test my Korean throughout the week. On Saturday our district did a proselyting activity in which we all went out and talked to people in the same area and met back up for lunch with our ward mission leader. Through this I got a lot of practice talking to people because Sister Kelly pushed me to talk. She gave me the boost of confidence I needed. It didn't lead to anything, but it helped me realize how much I really know. 

On Sunday we did phone calls, and guess who started them? That's right, me. Sister Kelly wrote down what I needed to say, I practiced the sentences, and then we called. I was super nervous, but it turned out just fine. The worst thing that happened was they hung up. It wasn't as scary as I thought and I'm starting to become more comfortable at being a missionary, because frankly being a missionary is awkward. 

This morning I was reading in Helaman about Samuel the Lamanite. God told him to go and preach the gospel to the Nephites, but they wouldn't let him into their city. So what did he do? He didn't just leave and say "I'm done. I’m tried." He got up on the wall of the city and began to preach to the people. Helaman 13:4:

“And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart.”

This is not only the kind of missionary I want to be, but it is also the type of person I want to become. Someone who keeps on trying. I know as we strive to become like Samuel and never give up, the Lord will bless us. I'm so grateful for Samuel's example. I'm grateful for this week and the strength it has given me to keep on trying. 

Mustain 자매

                                                                                                                             

Relying on God

This week was super busy. Sister Kelly is now Sister Training Leader so we had Mission Leadership Council, zone training, and exchanges this week. So basically a lot of meetings. They were all really good though! 

So I've been trying to be better about setting goals. This week I set a goal to rely more on the Lord. This goal comes from the Christ like Attribute humility. I've been studying humility this week. It has been amazing to see how important humility is as I've been reading the war chapters in Alma. The Nephites were at war with the Lamanites, a war that seemed to never end. However, the Nephites were continually able to defeat the Lamanites despite the fact their armies were so much smaller than the Lamanites. Alma 58:37, "..We trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies."   The difference was they rely on God to deliver and protect them. 

What stood out to me the most in my studies was the story of the 2,000 Stripling Warriors. Their fathers had made a covenant with God they would never fight a war again, but would die rather than fight with another person. Their sons showed great humility and took the place of their fathers in defending their people and the Nephites. They said in Alma 58:46-47, 

46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

I love this because they truly had learned to rely on the Lord and this is something I've been striving to do. This week we had two instances where I was able to do this. I'll start with the second one. 

On Wednesday Sister Kelly and I went on exchanges, and I had to plan a practice lesson by myself. I was also senior companion, so I had to lead the discussion in Korean. I was able to apply what I learned and trust God would help me. It went great! I was able to be guided by the spirit in what I should say. The Lord was there to lift me up when I struggled. I know as we rely on him, we will feel his love and his guidance. He is just a pray away.

The first instance happened on Monday after grocery shopping. With grocery shopping in Korea, we put the food in a box and carry it back to our apartment. We had to get a pretty big box, and it was too heavy for me to carry. So Sister Kelly, being the best trainer she is carried it. I carried the eggs and the bread. It was fine at first. We made it on the bus, but then we had to transfer to another bus which was about a ten minute walk without a big heavy box. So we began walking to the next bus stop. And you know what happened...The box began to fall apart. I didn't know what to do so I prayed with all my heart someone would help us. Sister Kelly was praying too. So we continued down the longest street in the world with a big heavy box.  And when Sister Kelly was about to give up, the Lord answered us in the form of an old grandmother. At first she offered to carry the box, but we weren't going to let her do that. So instead she offer to carry the eggs so I could help Sister Kelly with the box. God really does hear and answer our prayers. We were able to make it the rest of the way. The box became so disfigured that we were able to stick the eggs in there and carry the box the rest of the way together. 

I'm so grateful to God and for him teaching me to rely on him. Have a wonderful week and remember he is always there! 

Sister Mustain

 

These are the groceries!

 

 

 

Prayer Works

So much happened this week which made me so tired. But hey, that made going to bed easier. This week I learned two very important lessons: always update the records, and don't forget to pray.  

On Monday we had a dinner appointment and we left with plenty of time to get there. When we got there we found out the record was wrong and ended up being  an hour late to our appointment. So always make sure to update the records because it may not affect you, but it will affect future missionaries.  

Then on Thursday, we got to our appointment earlier only to realize she wanted to meet us at her work not at her house. It was crunch time because she could only meet for an hour. So we had to take a taxi, except one problem, there wasn't one in sight. So I said a prayer while Sister Kelly was trying to figure out what to do. And guess what... a taxi came and we were only ten minutes late to our appointment, and everything worked out. It was with a member and she was super sweet and understanding. God hears and answers our prayers and he knows us. He wants to help us, all we have to do is ask. How amazing is that?!? 

This week I learned as I pray I can learn to rely on him. I was struggling with who I want to be as a missionary and as a person this week. So I had been praying to know. On Friday we had a combine mission conference with the Seoul Mission. It was amazing! Even though I didn't pray to receive an answer at the conference, I got my answer. God answered my prayer and he will answer yours. I know that is true with all my heart. 

Last week I talked about how I was going to try and be more bold this week. And so far it is going well. I'm trying hard to speak up and it is starting to get easier to talk to people. I still struggle and I'm far from perfect, but God is helping me to perform the tasks he has asked of me. On Tuesday our appointment fell through so we had time to walk around and proselyte. We walked by a park and there was a Mom sitting on a bench watching her kids. When I saw her I thought, Ok here's your chance. So when Sister Kelly asked if I wanted to talk to her I didn't hesitate.  I started the conversation and we ended up talking to her for a half hour. Nothing has come of it yet, but I know it gave me the confidence I needed to talk to people.  I'm so grateful for this week and the incredible people I have the opportunity to serve. I know this gospel is true.

Have an incredible week and remember God loves you!

Mustain 자매

Riding the train