"Be strong and do it." 1 Chronicles 28:10

I was informed that it has been almost eight weeks since I last posted a blog entry; I had no idea. To be completely honest I thought it had only been two or three weeks at the most. So I apologize profusely. The only excuse that I have is the same one I give every time: Time always gets away from you as a missionary. It feels like time doesn’t just pass me by, it sprints it's little heart out. I feel like time and I are in a perpetual race, and I am never going to catch up with it. I have been in Korea for almost a year now and yet at times it feels as though I just recently arrived. Maybe one day with some perspective I will figure out where all my time has gone. 

I received my third transfer to a new area in the city of Daegu. It is a move full of firsts for me. My first time serving in a threesome (three sisters = three times the fun), my first time serving in a big city (big cities = streets with similar names = streets with similar names in a foreign language = lots of opportunities to get lost), and my first time serving in a ward (wards = referrals), just to name a few. Like I said before, time seems like my enemy sometimes and this transfer is already flying by. However, I am feeling overwhelmed by blessings as we have been seeing so many miracles in such a short time; some big miracles, and some small ones, but all of them equally amazing. 

Sometimes when we experience miracles, and we tell someone about them, they sound insignificant when we relay them. It doesn’t really matter though, because the experience is both real, and significant to the receiver of the miracle. Keeping that in mind I want to share one such miracle. As I write it I know it may sound like a silly thing, but just know it was a profound experience for me. On Saturdays we teach a Korean language class for 5 or 6 Filipino immigrants who are working here in Daegu. The building where we teach the class is a little far away so we need to take the bus. Well, last week, as we were riding the bus on our way to class, a young Korean man sitting next to us turns to my companion and says in perfect English, "excuse me your bag is open". Of course she said thank you and then we started talking to him. Suddenly, he looked up and realized we were at his stop, so he hurried and rushed off the bus before we could give him our number or any information. We were a little bummed out about it. He seemed genuinely interested in what we were sharing with him. If you have ever ridden a bus in a large city you know how randomly people get on and off busses that are on a 10-minute schedule. We knew that the odds of meeting him again were almost nil, if that. But one week later, as we boarded the bus to go to our Korean class, there he was! The bus was crowded and we didn’t see him, but as we sat down he approached us and said, "Hey, do you remember me?" We got to tell him about our free English class and give him our information before he got off this time. Like I said, you may think it's silly, and maybe insignificant, but to me it was amazing. I never thought that we would see him again. And there he was, standing in front of us, asking if “we” remembered “him”. Miracle! (this is in a sing–song voice, if you know me, you will hear it in your head that way).

Honestly I can't believe how many things happen to me like that, simply being in the right place at the right time so that we are able to meet those people that Heavenly Father has placed in our path. It is a testimony to me of why I am here, and whom I am here for. 

Not to be random, but changing subjects, summer is coming to Korea and I am certainly feeling it. Daegu is the hottest place to be during the summer in Korea, so this summer will be an adventure in moisture control (that’s saying it as gently as possible). There are times where I think it would be so much easier to find activities to do inside every day, but I know that is not an effective use of my time or service. Just so you know I am trying to tie things together, that is why I love the scripture that I used to title this post.  I came across it as I have been studying the Old Testament.

In 1 Chronicles chapter 28 it tells how King David assembles the leaders of Israel. David appoints his son Solomon to build the temple and instructs him how to do it. Verse 10 says in its entirety: “Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.” I can imagine one of my parents telling me of a task they wanted me to do, and I not really wanting to do it, or maybe not feeling capable of doing it. I can hear them saying what they have said in these very instances: “we know who you are, we know what you can do, we believe in you…pull yourself together and do it!”  We all experience assignments, or requirements, in life that we think are difficult. Maybe the surrounding situations are less than optimal, or the tasks seem too overwhelming. However, I know from a respectfully short life experience that we can do so much more than we think we can. Sometimes…we just have to do it. Sometimes we just start with hope. Then, as we proceed with faith, we slowly realize that we can do it. 

Thinking about the scorching heat ahead of me, I feel a little overwhelmed, and even worried. Working in the heat has always been a trial for me. Yet, I know that if I am strong and just do it, then I will be able to see all the miracles that come from doing the best I can at all times. The alternative is having miracles pass me by because I am preoccupied by a task that seems difficult. I want miracles...and I am willing to work for them.

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer I miss you all and love you lots!

Sister Annie

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart" Psalms 27:14

Hello everyone!! I don't know about all of you but spring has finally begun to show itself in Korea! I'm so excited. Warmer weather and sunshine is definitely helping pull me out of the winter slump. 

The work here still goes on even though it seems slow in comparison to some places, but we will never stop trying. I know this is the Lord's work and that He has children here who are searching for answers, peace, and comfort. I also know that if I persevere he has prepared blessings beyond what I could ever imagine. And yet there are times when it seems like the task in front of me is impossible. Like it's too big. After all, I'm just one person, and sometimes I feel insignificant in the task He has designed. I also admit I often times feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. 

But I have hope. Hope in the Lord, hope in His message, hope in His love, and hope that this work will be successful. I know that miracles can and will be seen. Because, in reality, I am not alone in doing this work. Missionary work isn't possible because of 19 or 20 year old men and women who are incredible teachers. Missionary work is possible, and conversion is possible because of the Holy Ghost. I know it is not my words that convert, but rather the spirit converting through my message. I keep in mind that my Father in Heaven has already given to me many many blessings as a missionary. 

As I was studying this week I re-read the talk Elder Utchdorf gave in the Priesthood session of October 2013 General Conference. I found a quote that especially spoke to me. In his closing lines he says; "You are stronger than you realize. You are more capable than you can imagine." 

In life we all have expectations for ourselves, standards that we hold ourselves up to. But do we really know what our capabilities are? We may be aware of what we have done in the past, and recognize the limit that we have previously reached. We may also have a pretty accurate estimation of what we are capable of on our own. However, if we rely on the Lord, if we work together with Him, knowing that he will fill us in like an outline in a coloring book, we will be able to accomplish anything. Sometimes I feel like a shell, waiting to be filled in, but I know I have to ask for His assistance in completing my picture. I like to think that once He colors in the basic shape then He can start coloring outside the lines, helping me realize a shape that I have not yet even imagined. If we will seek His help our limits will be boundless. I know that this is true. Trying to do what I need to do is impossible without His help. I also know that if we don’t seek out His guidance and act on what He offers us that we will be living below our potential. 

I'm sorry if this post is a little too similar to the last one. Let's just say I've been a little needy for my Savior lately.

I hope you all are well, happy (and warm).

I love you all,

Sister Annie

"All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." Doctrine and Covenants 122:7

Good Morning!! Well it is morning at least as I write this. I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! I hope you felt lots and lots and lots of love, and shared some in return. 

This last month has simply flown by for me. Another transfer is coming to a close this week and yet it feels like it has just barely begun. I hit the point a few weeks ago where I was halfway through my time as a missionary. As I have reflected on and thought about my time as a missionary so far I have come to realize a few things. 

The first will not come as a surprise to most reading this blog, and that is that missionary life is not easy. I think that I was as prepared as best as I could possibly have been (my father kept telling me that although it is wonderful and life changing, it is also tough, and to not romanticize it). When you make the choice to become a missionary you willingly give up a lot of things (personal life, school, boyfriends or girlfriends, comfortable beds, personal space, lazy Saturdays, and well…I digress). In accepting a mission call you promise to give yourself over to the work. However daunting this may sound I can promise you that your commitment brings too many blessings to count.

Second, serving a mission has changed my life. I can never mentally or spiritually go back to where I was before my mission. I have grown in so many ways. My heart and my mind have been expanded, and my testimony has grown by leaps and bounds.

Third, that however life affirming it has been so far, it occasionally magnifies the fact that if not for my service I would not experience some really tough trials (ones that seen from a current perspective I would rather do without). There is the temptation to take the attitude of, "I'm working hard, I'm giving up so much I shouldn't be having trials, this shouldn't be happening to me. Why oh why should I suffer in any way?" I know I sound a little whiney, but trials are very personal and I feel that I have had some difficult trials on my mission, and I know that I am not alone. Every missionary has trials they must deal with.

This brings me to my last epiphany. Just because we are serving the Lord it does not mean that we will be exempt from trials, because those are what teach us the lessons of life. In the January Ensign (thank you mom for sending it to me), there was a talk about enduring well to the end. There was a quote I particularly liked it says, "We should not expect the Lord to remove our challenges just because we promise Him that we will always be faithful if He does. Rather, we are to endure well, and then we will be blessed."  I have come to learn that as a missionary (or even a valiant member of Christ’s Church), as we are striving to give our all that is when we can learn the most from our trials. During our trials we tend to pray more earnestly, read the scriptures more intently, and hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost more clearly. It's not that I am welcoming new unidentified trials, or that my attitude has completely changed, but because of my past growth from them I find that when the trials do come I try to look at them differently. Rather than plop down on my uncomfortable Korean floor (no comfy couches or slouchy chairs here), I try to assess my trial and try to find the lessons that might be learned from it. 

If nothing else, a year in the mission field has taught me that it is through our trials that we grow.  And it is through our trials that we come to appreciate what we have been given and recognize all that we have been blessed with. I can't recall where I found this, but as I was flipping through my planner I rediscovered a quote I had written down that says, "No one can ever stand before the Savior and suggest that too much is asked." 

I hope we will look at our trials as opportunities for growth. I pray that through your trials you will recognize all the blessings in your life. I know that if we will view our trials as opportunities to learn lessons, gain talents, and develop a more personal relationship with our Savior then we will emerge stronger, better, and more capable for whatever lies ahead. 

I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Sister Annie

"And thou has not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments." Helaman 10:4

Before I begin I would just like to apologize for being basically the worst blogger ever (okay that is just a little hyperbole, but it reflects how I feel about it). I know it has been far too long and I wish I had a good reason, but I really don't. I just seem to get so busy, and the hour I have to write goes by far too fast. However, I promise I will try and be better. 

So many things have happened since I last wrote. I have a new companion who is adorable and I love her, although I miss my old companion terribly.  I also got voted off the island. Well, what I mean is that I was transferred off the beautiful island of Jeju, but it feels like I have been exiled. I loved that area so much, and I would be lying if I said that I wouldn’t mind if I had stayed there for the rest of my mission. If most of you in the US have never heard of Jeju you are not alone. However in this part of the world it is considered one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. In fact it is protected by the Natural World Heritage Sites. Honestly, for a little while after I got the call that I would be leaving I was upset. Of course I knew that I would eventually be transferred, but I effectively ignored it.  I thought "I love it here, things feel like they are progressing, I feel like I'm doing so much good here, so why do I have to leave?" As I read back these lines it sounds a little whiney and self-absorbed, and that is how I felt about it…a little whiney and self-absorbed.

This was on my mind as I was studying over the last few days (maybe a little bit longer). Trying to keep an open mind for personal inspiration I came to this realization; as a missionary you should have trust and confidence that you are exactly where the Lord wants you to be and with who the Lord wants you to be with. 

If it had been up to me I might have chosen to stay on Jeju for the rest of my mission. However, I need to trust that the Lord knows better. He knows exactly what I need to experience, who I need to meet, and where I need to go so that I can grow into the person that He wants me to become. As I thought on this further I realized that growing hurts. That's’ why we call it "growing pains". To grow one must go from a smaller state to a larger state, and it's neither easy nor painless. If I think of growing as building both my strength and stamina then I would choose that over what would be the result of not growing, which would be stagnation, or even decay. Even though I acknowledge that I want to grow it is still difficult to do the things that will take me in the right direction. In fact, it's been a little rough accepting that maybe this is where I need to be, but I know that if I can manage to align my will with God's then perhaps He will help me see why I am here. I think the real test of faith is that I may not know why until after the struggle has passed, it may even be many years before I understand exactly how this transfer will have affected me.

As I have pondered on these things, I do see that there have been times in the past that I did not want to change something because it would cause discomfort or require an extra effort on my part. However, experience has also proven to me that I have grown the most when I have pushed through those times with determination and resolve. This is what gives my faith hope. Sometimes growth is measured in inches and feet, sometimes it is measured in leaps and bounds, but it always measures a move forward and upward. I want to grow closer to my Savior and I want to continually progress, and it is usually the comfort of the familiar and the fear of the unknown that holds us back. So, as I end this today I am determined to embrace the changes around me, and seek to do His will without fear. As in all paths of change and growth,I know that through keeping His commandments I will come to learn the lessons He has planned for me. 

I love you all and I hope you had a wonderful New Year!!

Love, 

Sister Annie