She's made it to Korea

 Boy oh boy has it been an eventful few weeks!  This blog update will include a lot of information!

I am going to start with week 9... and I am pretty sure we are headed in to week 11.   Great news right?  One more week and we have made it .25 way thru a year which is passed our half way mark!!  (I think I am trying to convince myself this is going by super fast but its not working for me... how about you?)

Hi again, I hope all of you enjoyed those pictures. Don't we all just look dashing??

I feel like I just may be losing my mind. I thought I had a list of all these things I wanted/needed to write home about anddd...I have absolutely no idea where it is. And I can't really remember anything. My days are so long and crammed full of just information. So I can't recall everything that I would like to. But I'll give it a try.

-My Branch President, President Shin, is a very successful business man and he is writing an article in the Korean Liahona which will be published for March 2013, and he is submitting a photo with it...guess who is in that photo? That's right, this girl. I thought that was just about the coolest thing I've ever been published in. We took a lot of pictures different days, so who even knows if I'll be looking my best, but I don't mind.

-Um if any of you were confused about my letter last week, sorry. When I said I saw Elder Cook, I meant the apostle. Not just some random young man elder, Quintin L. Cook. He said hi and I felt very important, even though he had no idea who I was.

-One of my Elders went home this week. If you look back at the pictures I sent this week he is the one pointing to Korea when we are standing in front of the map. Elder Smurthwaite had a few health problems that started here at the MTC, I'm unaware of what they are. Actually doctors are unaware of what they are. They thought he had mono, but turns out the tests came back negative. So with our departure approaching, they started caring about his situation and tried to find a solution for him. Doctors here at the MTC are....not top notch. Elder Smurthwaite didn't feel cared for and all they did was give him a bottle of gaterade and told him to go home and sleep. Listen, the boy can hardly walk, he has no energy, and you think a bottle of Gatorade is going to fix it? Okay, that's just my two cents. I just didn't like how they handled the situation. Also, my district is like family so you mess with them it's game over for me. ANYWAY. Poor E. Smurthwaite had to go home. He told us on Saturday right before lunch. He came into the class room and you could tell he had been crying. After he told us the news I believe it was Elder Fund who suggested that we have a prayer together as a district. We all kneel and pray and I felt a small prompting to say it, but I ignored it because I felt like Elder Fund should say it. Elder Fund was Elder Smurthwaites companion. But in my district there is our Zone Leader, Elder Leavitt. So E. Levaitt told Fund to say the prayer, or call on someone where it was his idea. I feel the prompting again to volunteer to say the prayer. But I ignored it again, because 1- I didn't feel like it was my place and 2- I didn't even know what I would say. Then Fund says okay Elder Leavitt, you say the prayer. Then Elder Leavitt shakes his head slowly and says, "No. I feel like Sister Hunsaker needs to say it."  I already had my arms folded and head bowed when he said this, so I look up and just nod in agreement. I started the prayer, and I was at a loss for words. Silence filled the room as I gathered my thoughts and let the spirit guide the prayer. Tears dropped from my eyes as I spoke. I can't recall everything I said, but I feel like Elder Smurthwaite needed to hear something that I said in that prayer. After the prayer almost everyone, if not everyone was crying. We sang, God Be With You til We Meet Again. That made everyone cry. It was hard seeing him go. It touched me a lot because I thought of the song, I Would Die for That (Zo, you know that song by Kellie Coffee) and I realized that Elder Smurthwaite would die for the opportunity to serve the people of Korea, but God had other plans for him. I guess what I'm trying to say it that I am more grateful for the opportunity I have to be here and be part of this great work. Also, the spirit works in amazing ways, and no one should avoid a prompting. I'm grateful for Elder Leavitt who followed the spirit and called on me to say the prayer, because I didn't have enough guts to to it. People are placed in our lives for a reason. Cherish those around you.

-I have Korean roommates. Sister Ko and Sister Gu. They are just about the cutest Koreans you ever did see. TRC on saturday was amazing. I think Saturday was the first day that I really was excited to go to Korea and teach the people, even though my Korean is poor.

Well that's about all I can say, my time is up.

I love you all so much,

Whitley Jean

Oh ps, I get my travel plans this Thursday (Valentines Day, what a gift huh?) and so I'll send you the details of what I can next Tuesday. I'm pretty sure my departure date is 02/25/13 but I'll know for sure then! Oh also mom I love the scarf you sent me with the coat. I do wear it, just not in the pics sorry.

Well....  if this letter home didn't bring a tear to your eye I don't know what will.  As I was reading thru the letter again it truly made me think of the song Whit referenced (if you look it up you might be a crying ball of mess - just thought I'd warn you) and it seriously made me think of how this Elder must have felt.  If you have been raised in a home with active members of the church you know that most parents, if not all parents, encourage their young men/women to go on a mission at one point or another in their life.  I would assume this particular Elder put a lot of thought and prayer into going on his mission and then to find out just before he was supposed to leave that he can't go anymore.  I think we can all relate to this Elder to some degree, some more than others, but can you imagine???  I am so grateful for Whit and her desire to serve a mission, I honestly don't know that I'd have the guts to do it.  I am so grateful for the lessons she continually teaches all of us thru her letters and her example.  I'm grateful for her strength and her faith in our Father in Heaven which she exercises daily.

Below are the pictures from week 9.

the chalk board is a bunch of Korean, 

just one of the activities we do. Basically
just make sentences and then respond.

 Elder Roberson is riding on Elder Leavitt's back.

Elder Leavitt and Elder Fund are sitting with
 the Korean Flag behind them

And the other picture is what Elder Peck did. He explains how to be Sassy! If you can zoom in and read it all, you should. It's funny. Or maybe it's not funny and I just think it's funny because I'm a missionary and little things humor me.

First one is Elder Layton!!!!
 He finally came!!
I think my heart literally
skipped a beat when he was
 walking towards me. I can't begin to tell you
 how happy I am now that I have a
 friend here at the mtc.
I usually see him once a day, and usually
 only in the cafeteria. But it is
 SO GOOD to see him. It made
me think of all the good times we had in Rexburg.

Then the one with the map in the back. The elder pointing at korea went home this week :( it was sad. I'll explain more in my big email.

Then the picture of me in the polka dots with my friend Sister Maddee McKay. He and I were assigned to visit teach each other when we lived in Rexburg. We became pretty good friends. And she is going to New York Mandarin speaking! We are on the exact schedule and her classroom is just across the hall from me. I love being able to see her all the time. It brought me the same sort of joy with Elder Layton when I seen her. I love being able to see my friends here.

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I am going to do this blurb a little different - we are going to start with pictures because 1- they are always fun to look at   2- that is how Whit sent them this go round and  3- if I post the letter first you'll have to go back and reread it once you look at the pictures so I am going to simplify all of our lives.  :)  

 

So these are some valentines that I got! One from e.fund, one from bro.tanner, umm the travel plans came on vday (tell you details later today after I get back from the temple) and zo sent cinnamon rolls! mmm they were yummy, as you can see I'm stuffing my face :)

 

 

Me and the best friend, looking good on valentines day! ;) I seriously adore sister taylor. Um that one cupcake is from e.anderson, him and I are pretty good friends. He has a girl waiting for him back home and we always talk about our lovers. anyway an exgirlfriend of his sent him some cupcakes from cocoa bean so he shared the love. Then all of my district on vday. Elder peck is cupid :) and I FINALLY GOT MOMS PACKAGE! Pardon the ill look on my face. It was a long day. Oh also, on valentines day I did my hair and was feeling pretty great cause ya'll know how much I LOVE valentines day, and then by the end of the day, Korean got the best of me and I had to pull my hair up. I feel like putting my hair on top of my head is a huge stress relief. Haha, isn't that weird? So I'm ALWAYS pullin that hair up.

Haha oh so presidents day was yesterday and we all showed our love for our presidents by wearing red, white, and blue! 'Merica, 'Merica, 'Merica :D

These pics are from Lucy's (sister taylors) camera. Um the one with all of us in red was for the 49ers. I don't really like the 49ers but Luc asked me to wear red, so I'm sportin the red out of love for her. Um then it's us again on valentines day. Oh and then us at the gym! Well after the gym. So after service yesterday (monday) we went "shopping". I say "shopping" because it wasn't really shopping. We went diving in the free boxes all over our building and I found these HUGE shirts. They don't want us to wear just leggings so we had these long shirts to cover our butts. To say the least is was awesome. And everyone loved it. Also, I'm desperate for entertainment, and I hate it. Haha everything is funny, even if it isn't funny. So just laugh. Then us again wearing our country's colors!!
I love you all and I'll email you soooon!

    Hi :)

First thing first, have you listened to my tape yet, or what? My heart is slowly breaking because you haven't listened to it yet.

Okay so this past week was the best, ever I think. Valentines day is THE BEST. You all know how much I love it. And February is just a great month for birthdays/love! Bj I hope you had a happy birthday! And me and eishelle's bdays are coming up quick too! Okay so lets cut to the chase and talk about FLIGHT PLANS!!!!!!!!!!!

February 25: My flight leaves SLC @ 5:52am

Arrive in San Francisco: 8:00am (7:00am utah time)

Then I have a 4 hour lay over (which is when I'll be calling!! :):):):)!!! I can't wait to talk to all of you)

Flight boards in San Fran: noon (11am utah time)

Arrive in Seoul: FEBRUARY 26- 4:15pm (feb 26 12:15 utah time)

Korea is 16 hours ahead of utah time

Flight time (in air) is approx 14hrs 23 mins

Travel time approx 23hrs

So I'll prob sleep on the way there, if my nerves will allow :)

Sixteen missionaries will be traveling with me the entire way from ut to seoul

then 8 missionaries meet up with us in CA to go to seoul and then they will go to the Daejeon Mission just below Seoul.

********I don't want to call too early so I'll probably call you around 9 or 10 (utah time) which would be 8 or 9 san fran time.

I honestly have no idea when I'll be calling though. So maybe just block out those 4 hrs from 8-12? I dunno.

I bought two calling cards just in case cause I didn't know if dad would be home or if any body else would be with mom? Idk.

So each call takes off 130mins automatically. Each card is 500mins. I feel like I have planned for enough to talk to all of you.

Um the dear elders you send me will be shredded if you send them after I leave.

So if you don't write me a dear elder by this friday the 22nd, just don't send it.

I think dear elder works in Korea? I don't really know. I heard it costs. Ya'll have to look into that one.

BRADY and MARK, thank you for my valentines! I forgot to take a picture cause I got them on the 13th! I'm sorry. But you two are always on time making me feel loved. Thank you for making me your valentine! I love you both so much!!!

Okay so there is this talk by Bruce C. Hafen called The Atonement: All for All please look it up and read it. I just want to share a quote with ya'll that I LOVED. Well there are a few. And ya'll know how much I love quotes! Anyway he said, "So if you have problems in your life, don't assume there is something wrong with you. Struggling with those problems is at the very core of life's purpose. As we draw closer to God, He will show us our weaknesses and through them make us wiser, stronger. If you're seeing more of your weaknesses, that just might mean you're moving nearer to God, not farther away."

After I read this I just realized how much we are supposed to struggle in this life. It isn't supposed to be easy, if it were easy we wouldn't seek God's help.

Another quote, "This earth is not our home. We are away at school, trying to master the lessons of the great plan of happiness so we can return home and know what it means to be there."

KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THERE! Again, in this life, we are meant to struggle. We have to, so we know we deserved our spot in heaven <3

So, I love you all so much!

TALK TO YOU SOON :)

Um do me a favor and dear elder me NO LATER THAN FRIDAY if you want me to call you and what time so I can figure it all out.

Thank you for supporting me on this journey. I know the Lord has blessed all of us for our efforts in this.

As far as being ready to leave...the natural man inside of me is scared to death, but my spirit is ready.

I trust in our Father in Heaven, and I know he is carrying me.

Love,

whitley jean

MY BEST FRIEND COMES TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!! AH :):):):):):) I am so excited to see Eishelle! Every time I think about it, I cry. God is good. He is so good! K love you, bye!

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So Whit emailed all that information on the 19th and Eishelle went into the MTC the 20th.  We love Eishelle & Danielle Whitney like they are our sisters and there are three other Whitney kids that we to come be a part of our family in addition to the parents!  If you know our family you know that we are very accepting, loving, and welcoming - we welcome people into our family with open arms.  So with that being said I should preface these next pictures by saying my mom got to pick Eishelle from the airport when she flew in on Tuesday and was able to take her to the MTC Wednesday.   

...... AND ......

 

So this girl knew EXACTLY what she was doing when she signed up to be a HOST at the MTC!!!  I am SO glad my mom got to see Whit.  I cannot imagine the worry that goes thru a mothers mind each time a letter comes.  I KNOW with ALL my heart that BOTH Whit & Mom needed to see each other before she left for Korea.  That didn't necessarily calm my mom's worries about Korea but she was able to see that Whit was TRULY happy and ENJOYING her mission.  I'm pretty sure if either of them had seen each other last month Whit would be hiding in the car willingly or mom would have heaved her into the car and hid her as they drove away.  hahahah!!!  It just warmed my heart to see the two of them huge and cry together - once again very much so needed.

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Whit called on the 26th from California before she get on her last plane to Korea.  It was GREAT to talk to her.  She had to laugh and make a comment about me being 30 this year and before I knew it 40 would be here - she has a hard time believing she is 23 right now so I let her know in 10 years she would be older than I was right now.  :)  It was so nice to laugh and talk with her.  When I asked if she was nervous she said "not really but yeah kinda" so of course I want to know if it is a "go to the bathroom" nervous or a butterflies nervous.  We laughed again and she told me it was a butterflies nervous but she doesn't want to think about it cause then the "bathroom" nervous will come.  (yes I just said that and yes this is going to be published)  My mom got the following email and picture from the Seoul Korea Mission.

Hello! congratulations, your sons and daughters have safely arrived in the beautiful land of Korea. They spent their evening contacting on the subway home and finished it with a meal at President and Sister Christensen's house. 

P.S.  Whit wanted me to thank everyone who wished her a Happy Birthday.  I received the letter in the middle of our move so I am not sure how the wishes were sent or who all sent them (I only remember a few names) so a BIG THANK YOU from Whit!  She loves and appreciates all the support, letters, prayers, etc that are sent her way every day.

 Week 8 !!!

Have we really only made it thru week 8 and on to week 9?  Does anyone else feel like we should be on week 38 and on to week 39 or is it just me?  If you break it down in days it seems like it has been much longer than 8 weeks - 56 is a much bigger number than 8.  :)    

You know when you have a funny/embarrassing/"I gotta tell someone" moment and want to share it with someone so you can both get a kick out of your news?  Whit was my go to for that and guess who no longer has a cellular device... yep you guessed it - HER! Whit! My only sister! My parents youngest daughter! My brothers little sister!  W - H - I - T - L - E - Y!!  I say this because last weeks letter was a little rough to read for some of us...  no one ever wants to hear that their loved one is struggling.  You feel even more helpless when you cant pick up the phone to call or get in your car and drive over to offer comforting words.  My mom called last week crying - she just wanted to call Whitely and let her know she is proud of her and try to comfort her, listen to vent her struggles and to remind her how much she is loved and supported.  I agreed with every emotion my mom was going thru and has went thru several time a day I'm sure.  I let my mom know I knew how she was feeling and what I had to do from time to time when I had those moments.  EX:  Remember the picture of Whitley with the fireball in her mouth from a post or 2 ago?  I have been wanting a fireball ever since I saw that dang picture but those are not something I remember to put on my grocery list. I sent the following email to Whit while having one of my cravings that could not be satisfied:  
Whit - I am at work and don't have a lot of time but I wanted to call you on the phone (or text you) to let you know I am CRAVING ME SOME FIREBALLS!!!!  Ever since I saw the picture with you eating a fireball I have been craving some and I forget all about that craving when I am at the store! UGH!!!  

OK - now I gotta get back to work - I often times have random thoughts I want to share with you so this time I did.  :)  

Love you sister!  

Please don't get me wrong - our family supports Whitley (and each other) 110% regardless of what is going on, I just don't think any of us were prepared for this emotion roller coaster.  When Brady left on his mission there were a lot of tear shed but I don't remember any of us being this emotional.  (sorry Braid's - I just don't remember)  Throughout our lives do we subconsciously prepare ourselves for our brother(s)/son(s) to leave for 2 years if that is the what they decide to do?  From my observation it seems as though the parents of young men serving missions hold it together much better than we have?  Do they mask it better?  Is it harder cause she's our sister/daughter and we didn't prepare ourselves for her to serve a mission?  Are we greedy and selfish?  We are VERY grateful for the emails and letters we get from her.  We can all see the change her mission has had on her and it is wonderful to see her growing.  All we can do it take it a day at a time and grow with her.  She has had to lean on our Heavenly Father several times to get her through this and she encourages all of us to do the same.  I am one that tries to look for a bright side in all our challenges - I am truly grateful for Whitley's letters.  She is teaching me new ways to study the scriptures (I've never been good at - or a fan of reading the scriptures, I won't lie) and I swear each scripture I have looked up as of late has had to do with Faith - obviously these are scriptures I have needed to read and something I need to be stronger in or reminded of.  Thank you Whit for teaching us something new each time you write!  We will all continue to be strong and support Whit 110% - I guess we just weren't prepared... 

Below is Whitley's letter from Tuesday along with her pictures.

Family,

So I'm approaching the end of week 8. Holy moly. Is this real life? I mean I feel like I've been here FOREVER, and the same time it feels like yesterday. Know what I mean? Course I'm missing all of you like crazy. But the Lord is sooo good to me. I couldn't do this without him. This week I have been constantly reminded of how much I need him. How real he is. How amazing this work is. How blessed I am to have all that I do. I feel like I have been slightly self centered and I haven't thought about how all of you feel. All of us are in each others lives for a reason. God knew I would serve a mission, and he knew I would need an amazing family and friends to support me. THANK YOU FOR BEING SO AMAZING. I know that I can lean on you and turn to all of you for anything. But you need to know that I am leaning on the Lord to help me get to Korea. Yes, I am a baby bit scared to go, but I am very confident that the Lord will hold my hand every step of the way. I hope all of you are aware that he is taking care of me and watching over me, so don't worry (if that's possible).

--- Highlight of my week- Uh I saw Elder Cook, walked right past me, looked me in the eye and said, "Hello (with a HUGE smile on his face!)" and I smiled and said, "Hi!" So nbd. But kind of. Haha no for real though it was cool, and really neat to see him. He looks exactly like the pictures we see of him. Exactly how you would imagine him.

 ---Yesterday in class I felt the spirit overcome me. I share this with you because in my morning prayers I asked to feel the spirit, (cause I was on a spiritual high from fast sunday, which was amazing) and I know that if you pray for the spirit to be with you, to comfort you or prompt you, the Lord will grant it unto you, as long as you are worthy to have the spirit (obviously).

 ---On sunday I bore my testimony, and a few people thanked me afterwards which was kind of them. I was the first one to bear my testimony, its been a long time that i felt the spirit that strong. But guys, it was AMAZING. Bearing testimony is so powerful. Fast and Testimony meetings are my fav. for sure.

 ---The gospel is everything. It's not what you do, it's who you are.

 ---God has a plan for everyone. A specific plan. Just for you.

 ---I will keep in my heart His son's name, forever.

 

Okay so 8 weeks in and this is what I've realized about Whitley Jean:

 

I'm realizing how much I....love:

Fire balls

ironing

raw spinach

yellow peppers

temple attendance

the gym

being a woman

 

I'm realizing how much I....hate:

Cooked spinach

Hair balls (like literally a ball of hair. i GAG. it is the grossest thing in the ENTIRE WORLD.)

For service this week we cleaned showers and can I just tell you how sick that was? And how grateful I am for you know, cleanliness. Oober goober gross.

 

Okay my 30 minutes is up. Thank you for writing me letters like I am still Whitley Jean.

I'll send pictures around 6pm tonight.

 

Dad, Mom, Zo, Bj, Braid, Mark, Sky, Josh, Tam, and Eishelle I LOVE YOU!

Thank you for being part of my life.

Xo

Whit

Whit just loves this girl...  I guess she has
sent letters to my mom along with Whit's
letters.  I'm glad to see that she has found
some friends she can relate to.

This is Whit's desk.  We have done whatever we could to help make her feel at home while she is away on her mission and from the looks of this desk I'm going to say we have don't a pretty good job!  :)  I love to see all of her pictures on her wall, the pens & paper sent, the manicure set, etc.  This puts a big smile on my face.

She ABSOLUTELY LOVES temple day!

It's TUESDAY - Whit's P-Day!

Are you thinking "I cannot believe there is an update on this blog two times in one week!!" If so, you are NOT alone!  I am impressing myself right now - I just had to share that with you.  

Well since it is Whit's P-Day and we got an email I thought I'd share the letter and pictures with you. **disclaimer ** Mr./Brother Jordan Routt, if you are reading this particular post and there are things in this post that could get Whit and her sister roommates a "talkin' to" such as, oh I don't know... maybe proof Whit isn't eating all of her vegetables, a cluttered room/unmade bed, or her acting like a monkey by climbing the walls - let's keep them between you and me - deal?  OR you can just skip this post and catch the next one. *wink *wink.   I am so glad Whit mentioned you and Mr./Brother Benson Tanner in her email.  I think it helps us, as her family, know that she is being taken care of while she is away.  (we may or may not be over protective of our lil sister/youngest daughter, best friend/loved one, etc)  

I am going to say, this is one of the best emails (in my opinion) we have received from Whit thus far.  She sounds more upbeat even though she still gets frustrated and struggles from time to time.

Whit's email, January 15, 2012

I finally think I have everyone's email address, yay. Except dad, does he have one?

So one more week down :) that's exciting huh! I wish I had time to go back and review all of the letters I have sent, but I don't. So sorry if I am repeating information.

Days still drag on and on and on, and weeks are getting faster. My companion needs to go buy boots before we go to korea, so we get to go shopping! But it was this huge process and I had to sign my life away agreeing that I wouldn't meet up with anyone or even tell anyone where I'm going ect, ect, ect. BUT I want you all to know this girl is getting some therapy, going shoppin! :)

I went to the Temple this afternoon. It was good, as always. I find myself really distracted. My thoughts jump every where. I feel like the most biopolar person ever. I have some really awesome days, and then some really not so good days ha. But I'm still alive.

It takes so much work to be a missionary. I teach an "investigator" every single day...in Korean. Guys, I can't speak Korean. I read from a piece of paper and then pretent like I know what they're saying back to me, and 99% of the time I have no idea what's going on. I had a one-on-one with a teacher, brother petersen. he helped me a lot, but i felt like that kid in resource...who probably should go back to 3rd grade instead of being in 5th. Know what I mean? It is so hard. And I am humbled every single day. Actually, would you like to know what I heard today? I heard that Spanish missionaries learn a language. English missionaries learn the gospel. And Asian missionaries learn to be humbled. Amen is all I gotta say to that.

I can't keep any of my days straight, they're all meshing. So I can't really tell you what I did this past week cause I really can't remember. Maybe if I had my journal...oops. I forgot it. Um brady, thanks for writing to me and feeling my pain learning this language. I bet being in brazil was hard and that's what i get to do for 15 months. Mom, i loved your letter, the dear elder one that you wrote about your day with all the kids, and i also love hearing your testimony. it really strengthens me. Dad, you finally wrote me! Haha yes, I remember always asking you to suck the hot off my fire ball. I wish everything were as simple as that, like I could ask you to suck the pain out of missionary work haha. You're a great Dad, and you always are willing to make my burdens light, I love you. I hope you're driving safe. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you all mostly at nights, during the day they keep me busy enough to be okay...except for the korean being thrown at me. One of my teachers told me he saw my blog, thanks for updating it zo. I don't really know what's on there but that's okay i don't need to know. I told him to comment on it, and he said he would but who knows. His name is Jordan Routt. My other teacher is Benson Tanner, Mom I told him to look you up and he said he would. Josh, you might know him actually. He served from 2009-2011 ish...he said your name sounded familiar, you might have been here at the MTC around the time that he was? Do you remember him? Sky, what do you do at your work? I feel like you never answer my questions. Bj, i brag about my brother in law being a helicoptor instrutor, all the time. thanks for being so cool, cool enough to brag about :) This elder in my district, Elder Peck...he reminds me of you. Its like knowing you and being your friend when you were 19 years old. Haha, it's great. My friend, Elder Layton arrives tomorrow (I think?) and I am soooo excited to be seeing a familiar face! I can't wait for eishelle to come, I miss her. Someone text her and tell her I love her, please. I wish I could text all of you right now and tell you I love you.

I don't really know what else to say.  I'll leave ya'll with my testimony though. I know God and Jesus Chrst live. I know that they are real. I feel their love daily in my life. I know that Jesus was sent here to die for the sins of the whole world. There is a reason he died for us, so that we can make it through this life to return to live with Him in heaven. I believe in angels, and I know there are angels watching over all of us, to keep us feel close together. I know that the Book of Mormon has power in it. I know that if we read it, daily, that our lives will be improved and we will be happier. I know that God hears and answers our prayers. I know that there have been many times that I felt like I just couldn't give anymore, and he continually provides a way for me. I know there is power in living by and following the commandments of God. I know that God is all powerful, and I know he loves all his children. I'm grateful for examples in my life who have courage. Courage to stand for what is right. Courage to bring the gospel to all the world. It is my hope and prayer that we might all be able to live by example, for that's what Jesus did. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you.

May God be with us,

Love,

Whitley Jean <3

We also got a lot of pictures from Whit, as I am sure you have already notice, and I wanted to include them along with her comments and description.  SHE LOOKS GREAT!!!  I miss her more than words can say but I am so happy to see a smile on her face!  She is a B~E~A~U-tiful!!!

all the stuff mom and zo sent me. Felt like Christmas day

me with a fireball, just for you dad :)

 all the girls in my zone, there should be 12 girls.

 just a day in class, i almost always pull my hair on top of my head..if you haven't noticed that. I usually pull it up after the language has beaten me up.

                   

  ←     Whitley in Korean... well kinda, we just have to sound it out.





Hunsaker in Korean. It sounds like this..hun-say-kour.    ↴
                   
      

A castle Elder Fund drew. I'm going to live in a castle apparently. Me, Josh and our eight kids

Still trying to figure out how to climb the wall. I don't understand why every single elder does this, so we thought we'd try to do it. I still don't understand why it's so awesome. Probably cause I never accomplished it.

⇐
This is me and Sister Bell. She is from Rexburg Idaho, and she's the cutest and sweetest thing around. Also the last picture is spinach! Ew. Its like the horse was munchin on his hay and then spit in on my plate. Why does anyone eat this? Just thought I'd show you what they're feeding me. The fish and rice I ate with it was good though!          
                          ⇓
                        

I hope everyone has enjoyed all of these pictures as much as we have.  We are all extremely happy to see the smile on Whitley's face.  Once again doesn't hesitate to put pen to paper and write Whit a letter or log on to www.dearleder.com and say HI to Sister Whitley Jean Hunsaker.

All Ends Of The Spectrum

Hi All - this blog entry is going to cover a lot of information so hold and on enjoy the update.

We have received a few letters from Whit, YIPPEE!!!   I knew I had an amazing sister but to know the struggles she is going thru and trying to overcome, the strength and determination she has just amazes me that much more.  My sister is always looking for the positive in life and in people. She has a huge heart and truly cares for the people around her, that she has, or will come in contact with.  She loves the people in Korea, she is excited to go teach them and learn from them, but at the same time she is overwhelmed.  The language is not an easy one to learn; she has mentioned more than once just how frustrating it really is.

Whitley was able to email us a few pictures so I thought I'd share. 

As a family we celebrated Christmas the weekend of Thanksgiving and then we all celebrated again on Christmas Day.  Whit was able to get her Christmas presents delivered to her (thanks Brady & Marcio for taking the packages to Provo).  I'm pretty sure she took more Christmas pictures than we did...

Whitley loves the gift Sky gave her.  She certainly misses Skyler every single day! 

Whit LOVES the Christmas card she got from Brady & Marcio!

Our Christmas card delivered from the MTC

This is Whit's roommate - I cant decide if I don't know her name or if I just don't remember... 

This is what Whit got to do on her New Years Day.  

Some of the next information is a little dated but I still wanted to update everyone with everything.  We all get a group message from Whit and then she writes a little blurb for each of us.  Please note I have edited some of the personal messages as they are just that - personal. :) 

Whitley's email on Christmas Day:

Merry Christmas my family :)

First of all I just have to say how much I love all of you. All of your support strengthens me more than words can say. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

 

Mom, I haven't meant to neglect you. Not sure if all of you got my email last week? It said time was up and I may have forgotten to hit send? I don't know. I didn't mean to neglect dad either...I was planning to write more but then it said I was out of time. Reading emails takes up a lot of time. There is so much I want to tell you all, but I leterally have no time to do it :( Mom, I miss you. So much. I hope you're taking care of yourself and continue this journey just one day at a time. God loves you Momma. He knows how selfless you are and he is blessing you as you support me in Serving Him. I've only been here two weeks and I already see big transformations in myself. We have 16 hour days-mostly spent in classrooms learning korean and the gospel duh. it is very difficult learning the language but the lords tender mercies remind me why i am here. I know he wants me to return to live with him and this is just the beginning. Mom I love getting letters from you, daily. If you need to write me every day on dear elder that's fine. Take advantage of that while you can.

 

Dad, your dear elder letter you wrote me made me cry, like crazy. I love you. I know you are proud of me. You've always said that..but the other thing in there you never said to me. It warmed my soul :) Thank you, I needed to hear that from you. I think you cried when you dropped me at the curb..I know this is hard for you too, but God has me in his hands and is guiding my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve. I miss you, dad! 

Zoey and BJ: Thank you for supporting me. Zo I love getting letters from you. Thank you for all of the things you have sent me and all of the encouraging words. I LOVED ALL the pictures you sent me. Mom and dad made a good lookin batch of kids, eh? Haha. Seriously though guys, I love being able to look at you whenever I want in my photo album. I remember the day we took pictures so well and I love that we made that memory together.

Brady & Mark: YOU MADE ME A PACKAGE FOR CHRISTMAS! :) Over the intercom they kept saying missionaries look for your name posted to come get your package, on christmas eve. and I thought oh I won't have one cause we already did christmas...and then as everyone was preparing for bed they announced all the missionaries names that still needed to go up and get their package and they said my name!! :) Which meant I had something to open on christmas morning :) :) Thanks guys, for making this not-so-much-feelin-like-christmas-day feel a little closer to chirstmas. I loved the card you bought me. Huge tears streamed down my face while reading it though. 'All you wanted for chirstmas was me' cutest thing ever. All I wanted for christmas was for my family to be okay. I hope all of you are surviving. Brady, I started collecting my letters in a little folder like you said, and its already over half way full. Everyone in my district makes fun of me, after lunch and dinner we get mail and every time they all guess to see 'how many letters sister hunsaker got today!' haha I love it though. I sure am loved and none of it goes unnoticed. So braid thank you for the huge pink binder, I'll need a bigger one for sure. I wish I had an email address for you guys.

 

Sky: I wish I had your email too. But I'm assuming mom is relaying my letters to you? I've been here two weeks bud...and got no letter from you :( I did get the braclet and socks :) Love those socks.  I love you sky and I think of you daily. I swear I wont hate your guts if you don't write me my entire mission...you will have to make it up to me somehow though :) haha.

 

Joshua: Thank you for all the letters you've written me. You always know what I need to hear from you.

Between the last letter and this letter Whitley got news about her bestest girlfriend - Ms Eishelle Whitney - therefore this picture below is most definitely appropriate.

So guys I leave the MTC 2.26.13 Which means I'll have 6 days with eishelle!!! :) That's a tender mercy from the Lord right there. I could definitely benefit from seeing my best friend. Even though I probably wont get more than a couple minutes each time I see her because they keep you so busy, at least I'll have her for a couple days. I don't know my flight plans or anything like that yet. But when I do I'll let you know. I plan on buying a calling card so I can call you when I get the the airport. Ummm my relase date is 6.3.14 haha they already made me aware of that day. So yay something to look forward to :) Also, everyone here in the MTC farts, I think they put something in the food? It's gross. I've lost count of all the farts I've walked in to. Unknowingly of course.

 

In all seriousness though, I love the gospel. I love my Savior. I know without a shadow of a doubt that he is real. He came to this earth to not only die for me, but to live for me. Ah there is so much I wish I could tell you but there isn't enough time. I plan on mailing home my journal once its full- and it's filling up quick. I love you all :) dear elder me and I'll write you a hand letter back, if you have specific questions or whatever.

 

With all my love,

Sister Hunsaker

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This next letter is from New Year's Day.  As a girl I don't know how you know what you will wear every day for the next 538 days - I can barely pack for a 3 day vacation.  There are so many decisions, so many options, and so many moods a girl can feel in a day and each one of those things need to be factored into our outfit.  Luckily for Whit she knows that 6 out of the 7 days she gets to wear her church clothes but she is learning she missed a few things an may have underestimated a few things.

FAMILY! HI :)

 

They really need to give me more time to write to all of you. I write things down throughout my week but I lose track of it and then I change my mind or something more important happens. I'm all nervous typing this in hopes that I say all I need to. Haha it's weird I feel like we're on a date or something, and all of you are my hot date ;) haha I love you all so much.

 

Okay first off Thank you:

 For loving me

 Supporting me

 Care package: Blankets smell like you mom :) so when I get home from my 16 hr days I smell you and I love it :) Josh, my white blanket is heavenly. Soooo soft, I cant even stand it. If only it had magical powers to make me fall asleep at night, that would be amazing. Nevertheless, I am SO GRATEFUL you sent it to me :) Momma thanks for the tights, they save my life. 

HIGH LIGHT OF TODAY: I saw a butt crack while waiting for my laundry. Not just any butt crack, but a very harry butt crack. Happy New Year to me! haha :)

 

Okay, forgive me but I have a list of things I need. I know that I said I would just suffer without them, but I dont like suffering anymore :(

 I didn't bring near as much clothes as I need.

-one pair sweat pants

-one pair of pants for the gym. I brought my yoga pants and appearently I made some elders feel uncomfortable while playing 4square. They were too afraid to say anything to me, dumb. I know. There are other sisters with pants just like mine, ugh. Whatever just a pair of those please.

-nail file, good ones ma. like yours

-pink polkadot sheets please! I want my own sheets, I dont like using the ones here. and I think i'll sleep better with my own sheets

-gloves, I have none and they say it will be freezing in seoul in feb

-hug and a kiss from all of you~! :)

-locks and name tags for my suit case, pretty please!

-i plan on buying a coat here in the mtc cause mine isnt workin too well and ima bout to freeze to death.

-my cheeta scarf thats white and tan

-ear plugs! Holy moly sisters are so loud I can't fall alseep to them talking. I just can't sleep in general though.

-cute scripture bag (not too big, but not small) like a cute purse? that will fit scriptures, kind of like the bag zoey had when ya'll dropped me off, that pink one? Just more suttle :) haha aka boring ;)

MARYKAY: regular face wash, self tanning stuff, eye remover, purple stuff i use the cotton ball with....ugh idk what else.

 

I can't believe how much denial I was in about being a "girlie girl" seriously though I am. I want a girls day. Like hair and nails done..and shopping! Wish I would of brought more clothes

 

Okay anyway on to the nitty gritty :)

 

I love and miss you all so much. I only have less than 5 mins left so i'm about to ramble. the mtc is hard. I didn't realize the strength it took to be a missionary. I still have tearful and sleepless nights :( It's not like me, not being able to sleep. Its awful I wake up before the alarm and my eyes are so red all the time. they're kinda lookin yellow too wich is werid cause i drink tons of water all day.

 

sorry if i haven't answered any specific things you have asked me. i just dont have time via email I can write hand written letters though if you want.

 

also send this to brady, i dont have his email on me

um tell dad i love him so much.

i wish I had more time guys, i'm sorry :( this email was selfish.

i HOPE all of you are hangin in there like i am. i didn't think this would be as hard as it is.

I'm about out of time.

thank you for the dear elders!!!

 

love you forever,

whitley

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In this next letter I am not sure if Whit is having a hard time with things and just wants to express to us the importance of positive letters or if she received a letter that may have set her back a little.  It is SO hard to put your feelings down on paper as it leaves too many opportunities for misunderstandings and miscommunication.  I wont lie, our family is/has been struggling and we know Whit is/has been as well so writing her and remaining positive can be a challenge.  When you write your missionary you want them to know you miss them, love them , hope they are happy but how do you put that down on paper and make it all sound upbeat?  And how do you know where the emphasis will be placed when the letter is read?  

AH! I FORGOT BRADY'S EMAIL ADDRESS...AGAIN :( Someone please send this to him! Shoot I'm horrible. Sorry braid, I love you!

Thanks for the package's zo and mom, ya'll love me too much, if that's possible.

I'll get going on the tape recorder, and hopefully ya'll can listen to it during sunday dinner or something :)

I have some pictures I'll be sending later tonight, hopefully! Or sometime next week if tonight doesn't work.

 

Days here in the mtc are soooo long, and weeks go by fast. ish.

GUYS! WE'VE ALMOST HIT OUR ONE MONTH! :) Look at us go!

I haven't been feeling well the last little bit, but I'm alive.

I cut my finger open, so I feel like I can't type fast at all and that's discouraging.

Skyler, I hope you don't feel like you dropped off the earth when I got my mission call. I hope all of you know that ALL of you are ALWAYS in my thoughts.

 

Um, encouraging letters are the best. I can't handle negative things. And I'm sorry if I have done anything to you guys that have made you feel like I don't love or appreciate everything that you do for me. I need all of you in my life and I feel like the relationship is one sided, where I'm taking and not giving back. I'm sorry. I know I should be better. I just don't know how to be a daughter/sister/best friend/girlfriend/servant to God all at once. I'm realizing all of my imperfections and the things I seem to always fall short of. I hope one day I can make it up to all of you. I try to equally distribute my love and attention and appearently I'm not doing that.

 

I wish I had more time to say what has been going on. Brady, Dad, and Josh you guys can relate to this--so much happens throughout the week and I only get one day/30minutes to tell ya'll about it and it's impossible. One thing I want to share with you though happend on Saturday. This thing called TRC, where real life people (outside of the MTC) come here and get taught by missionaries. We obviously only teach in korean, and I can't even begin to tell you how inadequate I felt. We taught two people. One of the feed back's we got by this guy, his name is jordon. he served in seoul west/seoul about a year or two ago and even though we were just reading our papers and had no idea if he knew what we were talking about, he did. He said, "when you are spiritually prepared, you're prepared." I keep thinking about that. It touched my heart and I know that the holy ghost helped relay the message.

 

I attended the temple today for my first time since entering the mtc. It felt like home. I loved it. Reminded me off all the times I went to the temple with all of you. The temple is important. I challenge and invite all of you to make temple attendance a weekly goal. If that's unrealistic, I suggest watching The Joseph Smith movie or Legacy. Both super good films and it will humble you and make you want to always choose the right.

 

This is all I have until next week. I can write hand written letters if you want. Just dear elder me and tell me.

Love you ALL so much.

 

With all my love,

Sister Whitley Hunsaker

 

ps mom the language is super difficult. I get discouraged daily, and cry almost every day because I fall short.

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Please remember that writing a letter to Whit right now is SO SUPER easy!!  As you can see any and all words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.  Please go to www.dearelder.com; click "write a letter"; select the Provo MTC, click "write a missionary"; input your information; Select Sister and finish with Whitley Hunsaker; box #250.  Once you submit the letter you will receive an email from dearelder.com for confirmation.  If you submit your letter before noon she will get the letter the same day, everything received after noon will be delivered to her the following day.  If you want to put pen to paper you are welcome to mail her a letter as well, once again any and all letters are greatly appreciated.  

Sister Whitley Hunsaker

MTC Mailbox #250

KOR-SEO 0225

2005 N 900 E

Provo UT. 84604

I wanted to end this blog on a SUPER positive note: 

ONE MONTH DOWN - 17 TO GO!!!!  CONGRATULATIONS to all of us!