Who's ready for another update??

I think it is fun to start the blog with pictures so here we go!

10.06.2013

I can't believe September is already over!

          K this is real life!!! We were walking back from Emart and I look up and I see this. Just you know, drying out some fish!! 

Walking to Emart (kinda like wal-mart) and I thought it was a good
view of my little Sokcho City.

     

We were waiting for our investigator to get home from work, and they had little toys at their apt complex....so we took some pics ;)
                          

                                Hanging out some squid to dry! Haha so unreal to me!!

                             

Our last day teaching English class together before Elder Ghergori got
transfered.


Okay fun fact! Here in Korea #4 is SUPER UNLUCKY. So this week we went
to teach a new investigator and she lives on the 4th floor but there wasn't a number 4 and I was so confused and I just stared at it forever. Weird, huh. I thought ya'll would like seeing the F instead of 4.



Truth Is…..
It's ridiculously painful that I don't have time to tell you EVERYTHING that happened in my week. I'll share a few high lights, but know that I truly am having an inspired time here in Korea.

Hopefully you all were able to watch General Conference this Saturday and Sunday! Mom and Dad got to go with the Whitney's, luck ducks! I am so jealous! I have to wait until this next weekend for them to translate it into Korean. But "good things come to those who wait", right? I hope testimonies were strengthened as you heard the talks from the Lord's Servants. I also hope you were able to feel the love through the messages and truths being spoken of.

This week was amazing for one of our investigators. She has been meeting with Elders since 2008 and when we came to Sokcho they referred her to us. But she is ALWAYS busy. For real. So in the beginning it was hard to meet with her. So we just started going to her store to meet with her, and then someone would show up and it was impossible to teach! A few weeks ago we were thinking about dropping her but then we ran into her and her 2 adorable children on the street and she said she wanted me to start coming to their house to teach them English. So we've started doing that this week and it's been incredible! We are meeting more with her and being able to teach her and her children together in their home is 10000x's more better than in her store. They are really progressing and they really want the gospel (this is amazing to me and very rare here).

 One Monday we went to her store and gave her a gift. She always has American Songs playing in her store, and we thought it would be better if the music she played was more uplifting aka church music :) And so we have a lot of LDS/Religious/Gospel music and so we chose from this huge list and put together as a gift for her. When we took it to her she was SHOCKED (keep in mind this is the investigator that ALWAYS gives me free things. Actually, I don't know if I ever told you, but this woman gave me my flower backpack, and she gave me socks, and she buys us dinner, and she said she's going to buy me nutella...this woman is a Saint! ;) pun intended ;P okay sorry I'm so corny). So she opens her gift and we explain to her that it's American music (she LOVES American music) and we tell her it's like Church music and her joyful face turned sour faster than ever! Church music?!? Eww, gross! Who wants church music?! MY INVESTIGATOR that's who! She ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT, but she first had to listen. Since then she has thanked us over and over and tells us how much she loves it and she also tells everyone about how great we are. She is a huge blessing in my life!

This week we met with 2 "kind of" investigators, and neither of them believe in Jesus Christ. I found it difficult for me to listen to what they thought of Jesus Christ. The pain I felt when one woman said, "Christ failed" was indescribable. As I bore testimony to the other investigator, he repeatedly said, "that's your truth, not mine." I know it's my truth, and I'm trying to share it with you. This morning my companion shared  Moroni 7:12-19with me. Truth is, everything that is good stems from Jesus Christ.

Through this experience my testimony of Jesus Christ of our Lord and Savior has sky rocketed. I can't explain to you everything...but I can bear my solemn testimony of Him. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of Our Living and Loving Heavenly Father. He came to earth, just as we did, and received a body. He set the fine exemplary of how each of us should live our lives. He suffered for us in Gethsemane, he was beaten and bruised, and ultimately was crucified. He not only died for each and one of us who has lived, will lived, and is living on the earth~ but he LIVES for us! I know that through him is the only way we can receive eternal life and live with our Heavenly Father. I know that because He is my Savior and Redeemer, He will comfort me when I ask in faith. I know that if we will all humble ourselves and just listen to the Prophets who have, who will, and who do testify of Him, we will be filled with His pure love. I am forever grateful to wear His name on my chest every single day. I am so grateful that I get to share a message with people that is centered on Jesus Christ. There is nothing better than His example. Everyone has access to his life, and teaching in the scriptures. I hope each one of us strive to be like Him. Surely He lives, I know and feel that these things are true, and I bear my testimony in His name, the Savior and Redeemer of the World, Jesus Christ, amen.

I love each of you. I still pray for all of you. I'm grateful all of you pray for me and reply to my messages each week. I receive so much strength through your letters (especially those who share missionary experiences, it makes me want to work even harder).

I wish you a beautiful week, and just remember when times are tough...Monday's will ALWAYS come ;)

With all my love,

Whit 헌새커 자매

10.13.2013       God Is Always With You

I stand by what I said 6 months ago, "Conference is to missionaries as Disney World is to children."

I needed Conference. And I didn't have to watch it in Korean!! I got to watch it in my own language :) I'm such a lucky girl. Of course I took notes, I took A LOT of notes. My companion and I were talking about how we wished conference could be every month! Yes, it's that good. I believe every missionary looks forward to General Conference. I just want to share a few quotes that brought me comfort when I heard them, I'll start with my very favorite: (also, these may not be exact direct quotes...some of them are...well they may just be what the spirit told me)

"If the bitter cup doesn't pass, drink it and be strong!"

"Believe in miracles! Hope is never lost!"

"Broken minds can be healed just like broken bones."     -E. Holland

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."

"God is perfect. His gospel is perfect. Realize mistakes will be made my man."    -Pres. Uchtdorf

"God can't allow the least amount of sin, because he knows what it takes to be like Him."

-E. Scott

"Tears fell from his sightless eyes."

"..best of times or the worst of times, He is with us."      -Pres. Monson

"Never look back. Look at what we still have to do."

"It doesn't matter where you serve, it's how you serve."     -E.Dube

"God gives us something to remember Him...trials."

"He should be our literal focal point."

"He could prevent the heart aching trial...but how would we learn to trust Him?"      -E. Vinson

"Never too young to learn, and never too old to change"

"None of us can stop being a child of God."       -E. Nelson

"It's impossible for us to fail when we are on the Lord's errand."

"If you have abiding hope within you, it's enough."      -E. Ballard

Okay~ that seems like enough, eh? :) Now let me tell you why I chose those specific quotes to share with you. Before conference I pondered on what I could ask the Lord. I came up with three questions, and all of these quotes that I have shared with you were the answer to my questions. All throughout conference I felt the spirit testify to me that God loves me, and ALL of His children.

If you didn't watch all of conference, go online and watch what you missed. All of the videos are there (that's how I watched them) and they are there SPECIFICALLY for YOU to watch them. Learn from them. Be comforted by them, just as I was. I can't emphasis enough the importance of general conference. If you are struggling in life (aren't we all ;) really?) think of a question you would ask the Lord, and then read or watch a conference talk, and I promise you, the Lord will speak to you and through the Holy Ghost you will receive an answer. If you don't, you aren't listening for His answer. God is always speaking to us. I hope none of us forget Him. 

As far as missionary work goes this week~ it was pretty normal. We have a mission standard for contacts each week. And our area is pretty spread out and it's difficult to reach that number each week. I spoke to an Elder who served here for 4 transfers and I asked him how many times he reached our mission standard for contacts and he said twice. I thought that was very sad. So me and my companion agreed that we would reach the mission standard every single week. Sooooo, last night we watched the Relief society broadcast after the 2 sessions of conference. It was about 7pm, and we still needed to go and visit a less active, eat dinner, and get 43 more contacts. I thought, "How is this possible?" Immediately after that thought I reminded myself of my favorite scripture, Luke 1:37. And let me just say, I know it's true. We were able to do all that we needed to, with God's help. Had we not met our goal, I think I would have been a little crushed. But because we worked hard and God knew the desires of our hearts, he made it possible.

Miracles: finally got the packages you guys sent! I got both of them at Zone meeting and everyone says, "sister hunsaker you are so popular", "everybody loves you", and one elder said, "those are from your boyfriend huh!" and I laughed (because we all know what happened to my boyfriend) and I said, "No, these are from my family!" and another sister said, "wow, can I date you family?" :) thanks for loving me guys! I do realize just how blessed I am to have all of you :) xxo

another miracle: I got my hair trimmed last pday and they DIDN'T chop my hair off!! Every american sister who gets their hair cut here, ends up gettin butched!, but I experienced a miracle :)

Oh this one is funny!: so we teach an English class for a less active member and one of the ladies said to me, "do you have a boyfriend?" (every time someone asks me that, I just laugh) I simply reply, "nope! :)" and she says, "do you have a korean boyfriend?" (keep in mind this is all in English) and I look at her funny and I explain to her I am a missionary, and I grab my tag and show her. Then she says, "do you think korean men are handsome?" Deep down I want to say, "NO!" but instead I say, "I don't really know because I'm american" (that answer works every time, they eat it up) and then she says, "well, I want you to be my daughter-in-law!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I ABSOLUTELY DIED, and this woman was 100% dead serious. She explains to me that her son is wealthy and single and lives in America and needs a wife. I politely decline her offer and say, "I'm a missionary." I later found out that her son is 37 years old............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................what a miracle it is to be a missionary :)

I love you all so much! I know in this gospel we can all be happy, if we will just let God soften our hearts. I know God lives and I know our Savior does as well. They get me through my hard days here in Korea, and they laugh with me (I'm sure) when I have those moments.

Thank you for all you do for me!

xxo

Whit 헌새커 자매

Hunsaker Jamae

10.20.2013

Okay this is real life people. They hang their fish out to dry on

laundry racks!! I have that same laundry rack in my house, I put my
clean washed clothes on it to dry....and they put their clean washed
(maybe) fish out to dry. When I saw this, I started digging for my
camera in my bag and my companion just laughs and the story owner
comes out and wants to know if we want to buy the fish. My sweet
companion explains to her, "no she just think's this is funny so she
wants to take a picture, She's from America." Then the lady replies,
"ahhh, yeah." AS IF I'M THE WEIRD ONE BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS WEIRD!!!
I also said, "My mom is going to die when she see's this!"

Next pic is inside an apartment complex, we went to find a LA member
and I thought the view was incredible! Sokcho is so pretty!!

And this last pic I just wanted to show you guys this picture on my desk :) I love my family!!!  xoxo 

This is completely normal to see on a DAILY basis...and I love it :)

While my mom was down here in Las Vegas visiting my husband and I we decide to send Whit a package….  FULL of popcorn!!!   It's always fun to send her things that she would not expect.  The small things that can bring the biggest smile to someone's face.   We love our little Whitley.  :) 

Whitley emailed my mom one Sunday when I was up visiting and asked when we were going to draw names for Christmas.  This is something we have ALWAYS done and obviously Whit didn't think we would put it on hold this year while she was gone.  When my mom asked me about it I suggested we let Whitley & her companion draw names for us and tell us who we have.  I was hoping that in some small way she would feel like she is still part of our Christmas even though she cannot be with us.     So,  just in case you are all wondering who has who for Christmas this year…..   hahahah!  
Dad~ Marcio                  Momma~ Brady                        Zoey~ Skyler
BJ~ Dad                         Brady~ BJ                                 Marcio~ Momma
Skyler~ Whitley             Whitley~ Zoey

'Tis the Season!!! :)    Ya'll wanna know all this stuff, right?  I know Whitley will appreciate reading this when she gets home.   Once again, its the small things.

Can You Feel So Now?
Monday's are the absolute best when you are a missionary! :) Except it's the worst day when the first email the missionary reads is about their Father who was injured!!! Dad! I hope and pray that you will heal quickly. I'm also curious as to what you were doing so close to the cow that you let him kick you in the head?! I mean you're not the tallest guy in the world...but I don't think any cow can kick as high as you stand. ㅋㅋㅋ Okay all kidding aside, I was/am worried about you. I can't understand why men think they have to be so darn tough all the time! I'm grateful you listened and went to the hospital for stitches! And I also hope you get your tooth fixed ;) And most importantly I'm grateful you didn't receive any damage to your skull. I love you~ I hope all of you are taking care of yourselves and one another.

How's that for an opener for my email? Haha~ guys my week was so so so good. I don't really know why. It actually wasn't that good, but my companion and I worked really hard and we tried to have lessons with our investigators and find less active's but EVERY single appointment we had this week cancelled on us. But I am still happy because I know that even though we were let down by our investigators, we didn't let that get us down.

 

This coming week we have Branch Conference, and President Interviews. I'm personally more excited about the Interview with President than the Branch Conference. We've been working really hard all month to find all the "lost sheep" (or less active members) and invite them to church. I have no idea who these people are. I don't know their circumstances, why they aren't at church, or their conversion story....the only thing I know is that they are God's sheep, and he's asked me to go find them. In real life, I've never looked for a lost sheep, literally. But if it's anything like finding less actives in Korea, it's like finding a needle in a hay stack! It seems impossible! But if we all remember my favorite scripture, Luke 1:37, we know that it's not impossible! And this morning I read President Uchtdorf's Conference talk, "Come, Join Us" I think it's called? Anyway, it's excellent, one of my favorites!

So like I said, I don't know any of these less active members. I can barley remember their names...but I have this intense burning love for them that I can hardly control. Sounds odd, doesn't it? I know. And it feels even more strange...but then I remember who I am and it's not so strange. 3 Nephi 5:13, "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." Because I am God's missionary and a disciple of Jesus Christ I feel the love they have for these "lost sheep". I think that is AMAZING to be able to feel this love. And I know what I feel isn't even God's full love. I know God loves his children~ because I feel His love. I know that missionaries aren't the only people who can feel the love of God. Members hopefully feel it all throughout their week. And investigators when they are being taught. Missionaries all over the world just want to help you. We have this burning love inside us, to help~ in any way that we can. Please, let us help you.

I love all of you. I hope each of you feel God's love, and if you don't, go search for it. Some of you may know that God loves you because you once felt it, or maybe just that's what people say so you believe it. Whatever your reason, I want you to know that God's love is never ending~ so if you can't feel so now, I invite you to go back to church. I add my invitation to President Uchtdorf's...if you have felt God's love before, I wonder, can you feel so now? If not, come to church, renew your baptismal covenants with Heavenly Father, and help build up the Kingdom of God here on the earth. Nothing can bring you greater joy than when you are serving Heavenly Father and his children.

May God's love ever be with us. 

xxo

Whit 헌새커 Jamaenim

10.27.2013

I am pretty sure these exclamation marks solidifies the joy of the small things

okay!     I GOT YOUR PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    :):):) You are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

my mission president thought maybe it was cereal, but I said, "no I bet it's hot tamales!" I  don't know why/how I thought/knew that :)   THANKS ZO!!!!!!!!!

Last Monday we had FHE after Pday, and it was our investigators little girls birthday....so we had a little surprise party for her!! It was so fun. She turned 11 and she is just about the most shy person in the whole world. Okay, not really. But we are forgetful and we didn't get a picture with her and her sign, so we just got one of us! 

We made this sign for her and her favorite color is white so we got like 30 white balloons and white streamers and then gave her a picture of all of us in a white picture frame. 

Birthdays are a big deal!! At least that's what I learned from Me'ma!

Where You Stand
When I type names to send emails, every single time I am so confused why nothing comes up when I type, "mom", "dad", "grandma", "emons"...hello, how many months have I been doing this?! I just want you all to know I'm still not perfect...yet ;)

Fun Fact: Zo sent me a package, and in that package was hot tamales (my favorite!!) and I gave one to my companion...remember how Korean's eat the spiciest food in the world?? Their food puts the spice in Mexican food to shame! Anyway I give her a hot tamale....and she just about dies because it's SO hot! Haha Korean's can't handle cinnamon spice and I think it's just the funniest thing.

The crazy lady at English class is still in love with me and wants me to marry her son. She speaks to the woman next to her (in korean) and she says, "Sister Hunsaker is so beautiful huh!" blah blah blah, and then she say's she wants to tempt me! WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!?! I don't know, but truly I am scared of this old woman.

Anyway, we had our branch conference. There was a goal of 70 people, and I think there were about 40 ish total. It was very spiritual. Even though I couldn't understand every word spoken, I definitely can't deny the spirit that I felt. During the meeting all of us missionaries ( Me, Sister Song, Elder Black, Elder Helsloot, and Sister Christensen~President's wife) sang, "The Hollow of Thy Hand" (I'm not entirely sure of the exact title of the song) we sang the "sister" version not the original "elder" version. And I had never heard that song before. It's on some missionary movie, I can't remember which one because I haven't seen it. ANYWAY, it's a great song, simple and true. In the song it says, "In the hollow of they hand let her faith in thee expand, let her testimony deepen and increase." The spirit touched my heart when I sang that because I that's happening to me. My testimony is deepening and increasing, and it's in insurmountable ways, it's truly a gift from God.

I am being held in the hollow of God's hand. He is leading me and guiding me every single day. Sometimes it's hard to follow where he wants me to go, because...I am scared of what man think of me(?)...I don't know. But it's just scary sometimes to stand for what's right, and what you know to be true. I remember before I was a missionary, I thought missionaries could just do anything they wanted! And I thought they were perfect and just angels! Now that I am a missionary, it doesn't really seem that way at all. I am human. I am imperfect (dang it!). I still have needs and fears just like anyone else. BUT unlike others, I get to wear Christ's name on my chest every single day. I am His missionary, and I will continue doing all I can to do his work. Which includes not only finding the lost sheep, and bringing new one's in, but also strengthening the one's still here. I've learned that our testimonies need to be strengthened and nourished every single day~ when we fail to do that, it's a "no duh" to me why we fall into Satan's traps. Repentance isn't something we need only when we have to go to our Bishop...repentance is something we all need to do DAILY. I'm so grateful for the Savior's Atonement that helps me feel clean again. God can come into our lives, we just have to ask for his help. I hope we can all stand in the hollow of God's hand.

With all my love,

Whit

헌새커 자매

Hunsaker Jahma

I big fat THANK YOU to everyone who is supporting Whitley & our family while she is out on her mission.  It could be the thoughts and prayers you say on our behalf, the letters you send to Whitley, the questions you may ask us about her…  whatever it is, we are very grateful for your support!   THANKS AGAIN!!!