Hello, I love you, and I already miss Allie! (February 19, 2017)

Here's my week:

Monday was family night like normal. Super fun--members came, including the bishop's son, who is really excited to go on a mission next year! It is cool to see the different young men in the ward and in Korea doing missionary work and making a powerful difference as member missionaries. They just invite and bring their friends to church--super awesome! A simple invite really can change someone's life. Our job isn't to change people. Our job isn't to force people. Our job is to invite. Be bold! Member missionaries are more important than proselyting missionaries.

Here is a picture of my hanbok--Korean traditional wear. These are worn at weddings and other special occasions. We were going to wear it for a proselyting activity on Solnar, but we didn't get permission. But I'm glad I got a hanbok!!

Tuesday we had our fun service activity with the horses, and there was this darling little girl that I got to help. She was so cute and just a chatter box. She told the people helping that she loved them, and asked me if I loved her. Then when she was done she held my hand as I walked her back to her mom. So cute!

That night we also met with Brother J, to kind of see how he was doing, if he was ready for the baptismal interview. We taught him with our ward mission leader, and it was great. Brother J was struggling a bit with some different things, and we talked about his concerns, testified of blessings, of God's great plan, and he recommitted. We all felt it would be good to give him a little more time to prepare for baptism, so we rescheduled to this Saturday. Since then we have met a few times, and he is doing great! He continues to amaze me with his faith, goodness, and dedication to follow the Savior.

With Elder M, both in our hanboks

Wednesday we met with the Bishop. He took us out to eat to this place where you get soup that has an entire chicken in it! Haha in Korea the meat all has more bones in it--a bit of an adjustment. The part that is funny to me is that they like the boned meat much better! It isn't a matter of saving money as much as when it has the bones, they can tell it is good chicken meat. The de-boned meat is mysterious, so they like the bony meat, even if it means spitting out miniscule bones every bite! Anyway, the baby chicken soup was quite delicious!  :)  (I have overcome all fear of food. I realize that in America, we overthink food far too much. Here you just eat it, haha!)

Thursday we did our weekly planning and visited a member of the mission presidency who is in our ward. He is awesome! We had dinner with their family and went with Brother J, our investigator. It was a great night and they were very kind to us, and we were all strengthened in the gospel together.

Friday we proselyted! And met another member, and called through some old investigators, one of which we were able to meet.

Saturday we met with Brother J again and finished teaching the laws and ordinances of the church, teaching with our ward mission leader again. It was a good lesson, and we are excited for his baptism this week! And it was transfer call night, so to deal with stress, we ordered fried chicken, which is super popular in Korea.  Delicious!  Allie--do you like the snow cheese from Mexicana?  Super good!  :)  And no transfer all came! I'm so grateful to serve another transfer with Elder M. I really love him and am learning so much from him. We get the opportunity to serve another 6 weeks together in this awesome Sangin ward, and are looking forward to it.

Sunday--church--none of our investigators were able to make it to church, which was too bad. We need to work to find some new people to teach. Nevertheless, it is wonderful to see all the wonderful members in the ward and feel their love!

I love this great area. The work is difficult--Satan tries to stop it in all ways--working on investigators, missionaries, members--because it is the most important work in the world. Sometimes it can be so tough! But seeing people like Brother J, who has made such great changes, really converting and coming to Christ--that is what it is about. It isn't only now, either. We can be eternal friends! And eternal families. That is the greatest thing I am learning--all the commandments, all the ordinances, baptism, temple work, the Word of Wisdom, the law of chastity, scripture reading, prayer, loving others--there is no other purpose than to enable a family to live together forever, joyfully, in God's presence, and be happy. That is what it all comes down to. And the reason we have it all? Because God loves us!

"For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

It is God's hope, His joy, His greatest desire. I am honored to be a part of this great work!  I want to leave you all an invitation.  Think about the joy you have in this gospel. Think about the wonderful knowledge of your eternal potential! Of all the possibility of overcoming weakness, pain, suffering, infirmity--all because of the Savior! What wondrous knowledge. Now think about your lives--your work, your school, your recreation. There are so many people you associate with every day! There are those you associate with who are blessed with this same knowledge, and there are some without it. So I want to invite you tonight, before you go to bed, to offer a simple prayer to our loving Heavenly Father, whose work this is, and ask Him who he would have you share this great joy, the gospel, with.  And ask Him how to do it! You may be surprised by the answer--perhaps it comes in the form of serving someone. Perhaps in the form of inviting them to an activity; perhaps just expressing love to them. But God will guide you! And you will find great joy in serving Him, and in sharing this wondrous message with others. That is my testimony!

I love you all so much and need to go. But keep going! Give Allie a big squeeze for me this week. Allie, Korea already misses you! I miss you! Keep going strong everyone, and remember that we can do it, together and through Christ.

(Nate's companion had this picture on his blog, and I'm not sure where they are, but I'm glad Nate is getting to play the piano!)

Love
Elder Beckett