100 % OYM

This week has been one of the best so far! We met so many people who wanted so listen and learn. Tim came to church! He has been so great, and he keeps all the commitments we give him. He also has a great heart and desire to help. Without being asked, he helped the other elders clean the font for the sister's baptism, just because he saw them doing it. So grateful for him! 

Most of the other people we met this week came from just talking to people on the street or calling people. Elder Gildea is super good at OYM - open your mouth. When Elder Yamashita did mission tour here, he talked about doing 100% OYM - from the time we leave the house till 9:00 every day, not missing any chance to talk to someone. This week, I've seen why 100% is so important. First of all, we don't know who will or will not accept the gospel, or who might accept in the future if we just plant a seed today. Secondly, it is so much easier to do 100% then to do anything else. Trying to decide whether or not we will talk to someone every time we see them is far more difficult. Attitude is also very important - this is also something Elder Yamashita talked a lot about. We must always focus on the positive and look forward, not backward. Then we can keep the joy of the gospel and recognize more blessings and continue to progress.

Another great experience is when our investigator, Jimmy, expressed that the times he feels happiest are when he is with us. This really struck me, because bringing the Spirit to lessons is the thing we always think about and wish we could do better. To know that, even if I don't recognize it perfectly, the Spirit is there when we just do what we can, is very comforting. 

I'm so grateful for all the people we met this week, and I pray we will be able to meet with them again and help them come closer to Christ. I know He is our Savior, and that he restored this church for us! 

Love you all! Have a great week. 

ps

I'm still a junior companion. Elder Gildea is from Utah, and he is great! He is older than most other missionaries because he went to the military before his mission. He plans on going again after his mission. 

Sounds like lots of fun summer stuff is going on! The lawn looks great. Is that new white truck Dad's? 

Love you! Have a great week!

Looking to the Future

This past week I've learned a lot about the importance of looking to the future. I know I talk about Elder Holland's last General Conference talk a lot, but it is just so applicable. We have inspirational meetings, conferences, and experiences in our lives that make us want to change, repent, and live the Gospel of Christ with greater zeal. I've noticed this throughout my whole mission. The desire to do better, to change, and to improve is always there. Sometimes, though, in our day-to-day struggle, it grows faint, or we tend to look behind at things we failed to accomplish and forget about the future. President Sonksen offered this advice that has stuck with me: "Today is the first day of the rest of your mission." A mission, or life in general, is such a great opportunity to learn and grow. It won't come again. Remembering always the person we want to be is important, and we have to keep looking forward, not backward. We need to set long-term goals and remember them every day. 

My new companion, Elder Gildea, is great! He is very diligent, enthusiastic, and committed to getting things done. We've been blessed this week to find lots of people to teach, and I'm excited to be able to bring the gospel to them. We gave a baptismal date this week to Tim, who is progressing super well! He has a very selfless and kind heart. We also met Joey, who is from China. It was way different because he has no prior knowledge or concept of God or any of the things we are talking about. So, we keep it very simple. We are also working with the ward to get a Restoration-themed music night going, which will allow the members to invite their friends and have a spiritual experience. Nokbeon Ward is really great, and the members love the missionaries! This new transfer we've really committed to working hard and doing all we can in this area. 

Have a great week everyone! Love you all! 

Sounds like you are having a great time in Utah! It's really hot here right now, but I'm loving working with Elder Gildea. He loves having fun and has a great attitude all the time. 

Love you all! 

Rain out the apartment door

Transfers

Everyone in Taebaek is going to Nokbeon, and everyone is Nokbeon is going to Taebaek is seems. I will be staying in Nokbeon, but Elder Carmen is going to Taebaek. He was so excited, because he has really been wanting to go out to the country. Super awesome! My new companion's name is Elder Gilde (probably not spelled right), so I'll meet him on Wednesday. I'll miss Elder Carmen and all the things I've learned from him.

This past week we were blessed to meet someone that the previous missionaries met back in about February. He is currently on break from college, so we called him up and asked to meet him again. He seemed unusually eager to meet; so much so, if fact, that he showed up two hours early and called us, so we turned around and went to the church. We have met him twice again since then and he has committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and be baptized. He is such a great person, and seems to have a great heart and natural desire to help others. So thankful for him! 

Another great person we've met recently, actually the same age as the other investigator, really opened up in a recent lesson. He talked about his fears and the issues he was facing. I was really struck by how sincerely and lovingly Elder Carmen responded, telling him that we would be there for him and that he did not have to face it alone. I've seen recently the importance of reaching out in charity. Loving like Christ did goes beyond caring about someone. Similar to how faith requires works, true charity means that we really act. Elder Holland describes this in PMG: "These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives." This kind of outreach to others, when sincere, humble, and genuine, yet bold and simple in declaring the truth of our message and the divinity of Christ, is powerful. It can astonish others like Christ did. I hope to work harder and reach out and open my heart better to everyone so that they can feel, as Elder Yamashita put it, the love of God being imparted through his servant. 

Sounds like Lolo Ward is changing a lot. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying great weather! I totally forgot about the 4th of July. Monsoon season seems to be upon us here. 

Love you all! Have a great week!

Hello 사랑하는 가족 (Beloved Family)! In answer to Dad's question, Korea in Korean is written "Hankook" and pronounced more like "Hangook." The United States is "Mikook," which means beautiful country. Interesting. Korea: 한국. United States: 미국. 

Sounds like everyone is having fun. Hope Brandon has fun in Melita again. Best job ever. Have fun in Utah! Have fun too, Dad! 

Sorry, but I forgot my camera cord today. Next week! Tomorrow is temple day, so today isn't actually P-day besides our hour of email. Should have some good pictures. 

If you want to know other Korean stuff, my name (Crisp) is 크리스프. It is hard to pronounce in Korean. 

Love you all! Have a great 4th of July! Send firework pictures!