Time for another update….

 I thought I'd start out with a few pictures of Whit.  I love to see the smile on her face.  I know she is having fun and she is where she belongs.  
** I have worked on uploaded more pictures for the past 3-4 days but for whatever reason I have not been able to upload get the pictures attached.  :(   I will be sure to get all of the pictures uploaded to FB and I will try to give the description she provided as well.  



Tis the Season   -   July 14th 2013   (we got a lot of emails from her) 
We're having a big old rain storm right now! I thought I would send
you a pic of what I look like before I came inside the Cafe` to email
you :)
I love me some thunder and lightening! Although I haven't seen the
lightening yet...but the thunder here is crazy loud!

     ------  picture of whit in the rain  -------- 

The Temple was sooo good! As always. I love having the chance to sleep over at the Temple! We had President interviews last week. Because people TAKE FOREVER, I only had about 5 minutes with him. Good thing I didn't have much to say. This may shock ya'll, but I've become more of a listener now-a-days. It's weird. I never thought that'd happen.

After the temple we went to taco bell...I was in heaven. I love when I get to go to American places...even though it's not quite the same, it's close enough.

We have 4 progressing investigators. Remember the story about the lady and her daughter coming to church (well her whole family came, but we usually just teach the mother and daughter). So this week, since we've taught her all the lessons, we decided to have a "gospel discussion" just kind of ask her questions and see where the conversation goes. But of course we had a lesson plan too! but I just wanted the mom to feel comfortable to talk to us, and not be afraid to say her feelings. So I shared Mosiah 18:9-11 with them. Because I came across it last week during study, and I felt prompted to share it with them. So to start our discussion I told them a few desires of my heart, and then in turn asked them if they would share a few with me.

I told them one of my desires was to be like Our Savior Jesus Christ. That's why I decided to serve a mission, and that's why I am here in Korea, is to help people follow him. I told them that I wanted to be with my family forever. And because I love people so much, I want to help them be happy.

So the mother says, (in broken English) "Do you love us?" And the sincerity and curiosity in her eyes melted my heart. Before I said anything, I thought: how do you not know that already? And I paused for just a moment, and my eyes filled with tears, and I said, YES, I DO! And I opened up my arms and I looked at the 10 year old little girl, and I said, this much!! (with my arms stretched out). and she smiled. And I looked at the mother and I just smiled. The lesson was good, and she said that she'll be baptized, but she didn't want to commit to a date. She needs time. And she promised to come to church this upcoming week!

After the lesson, my thoughts kept going to my first thought, "how do you not know that already?"

I thought of all the times we've met. The things I say to her. The hugs I've given her. Just everything...how could she still wonder if I loved her?

I want to compare this to Heavenly Father and his children. I believe each of us, all too often forget, the love He has for us. I can't count the prayers I've muttered, as I felt alone, wondering if God loved me. I'm sure all of you can say it's happened to you before too. I wonder if, when we pray, God thinks, 'how do you not know that already?' Of course he loves us! We can look at our life, and count all our many blessings. See that he has blessed with a family. He has blessed us with Goodly parents who love the Lord (1 Nephi). We know that he loves us, but sometimes we forget. Or maybe sometimes, we just need to hear the words, 'I love you'.

I know that God loves ALL his children. I know that none of us are forgotten. I know that Heavenly Father wants to help us, and will do so, as we ask in faith.

I'm grateful for this knowledge, and testimony. I'm grateful for my understanding heart, that is full of his love. I love each one of you.

With all my love,

Whit Jean 清货目 磊概

Heavenly Father does love you! He does hear your prayers. 

Here are a few pictures...

1~ Aww, so I was very happy to know that I am loved. Thanks Dal ;)

2~ My Rainy Wonju City!

3~ Temple! I look dashingly lovely, I know. Don't judge.

Haha, it's funny. When people see pictures of me (from before the mission) they are shocked that it's me in the picture. So I always say, Don't judge me, after my mission I'll be pretty! My hair, and my clothes....oh boy! But I am happy :)

    - 3 pictures  - rain - whits face  - whit & comp -

I forgot to tell you a list of things I was going too....oops! 

Here it is:

~HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and Dad on Wednesday! You guys are the best parents a girl could ask for!

~We will have 60 new missionaries coming in the next two transfers!!

....and I'm terrified, I might train soon :/

~Mom, I got your package with the CTR ring, and my recent convert loved it! It was sweet for me to see the smile on her face! Thank you for sending that to me.

~Today is the day- I'm buying CROCS! I never ever thought I'd own a pair for myself...but my feet are killing me, these Steve Maddens I have just aren't doing the trick.

~Also, dad, did you see the pic with my rain boots?! These boots are legit. When I come home, we're going truckin, and I'm gettin in with dem cows, and we're gunna wash out your trailer...ALL BECAUSE I have these mighty boots! Haha every day when I wear them, I feel like I'm going to the barn to milk cows. And it looks like it too! Except for the fact that I'm wearing a dress ;)

K I think that's all...until next time!

I love you all. I'm grateful I have you back home, and across the world praying for me! And remember I am always praying for you!

With all my love,

Whit

Pictures  -   July 21th 2013
First one- Me and Sister Gu sending our love ;)

Second one- ...nuff said?

Thrid one- This is all of us at a Buhhdist Temple! And we are standing
behind one of three of the biggest friendship bracelets in the world.
It's famous! I guess there's this half Korean, half Japense guy who
made these three bracelets. One for Japan, one for N. Korea, and one
for S. Korea. But the relationship between N. and S. Korea is so bad
that S. Korea hasn't had a chance to send them their bracelet...guess
that's why they aren't friends! ;) Haha jk, but not really.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!! XOXO I'm safe and enjoying my life :D


    -------    pictures    ------

Wow, another week has come and gone. This morning I thought, "what am I going to write home about?" and I'm still thinking.

I guess I'll just write about what's on my mind. Remember the investigator (mother and daughter) and their miracle story about coming to church? Well, I'm thinking about them. They said they would come to church yesterday, and they didn't come ;( such a huge heart ache. I hate feeling this way. And not only do I feel the hurt, but I'm upset. All I can think is, "Why do you say that you'll come if you're not going to come?"

I called her at about 20 mins after church started, and she rejected my phone call. About an hour after church started Sister Gu called her, and she finally picked up the phone. She asks her if she is coming to church and she just said no.

I don't want to be mad at her, and I don't want to hurt. I know that I can apply the atonement in my life right now. And I've been thinking about how important it is to KEEP YOUR WORD. If you say you're going to do something, do it. Just do it. Don't make commitments or promises you can't keep. 

In the same breathe that I say this...I know we are all imperfect. And this is why we have the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know there are A MILLION times, I have FAILED to keep my word. And because I am experiencing this, I hope that I can be better at keeping my promises. I also compared this to my relationship with Heavenly Father. How many times in my mission- in my life even- have I said I was going to do something, and then didn't do it? I literally can't count. And I thought, "I bet Heavenly Father thinks this about me." It is my hope and prayer (and lesson learned) that we may stay true to our word. Stand as a witness, at all times, in all things, and in all places (Mosiah 18)

I sent some pictures of Sister Gu and I, we are doing so well. Earlier this week she said (with an accent), "Do you know endorphin?" It took me a couple times of repeating the word to realize what she was saying. I finally realize what she's saying. I say, "Yeah, I know endorphin. The things that make you happy when you exercise?" And she just looks at me and says (in her accent), "You are my endorphin. :)" I wasn't expecting her to say that. Her and I are becoming more and more like best friends. We are SO DIFFERENT, yet so much alike. I'm grateful for her. She loves me so much. I am actually amazed by how much she loves me. Her and I both know that if our companionship isn't good, nothing is good. We both make sure one another is happy, and okay. If one of us isn't happy, we do all we can to help the other. I'm learning so much from her. We talk about EVERYTHING. She knows all about my family, my best friend in Chicago ;), my fears, my hopes, my dreams...and in turn I know all about hers. I'm grateful for the relationship we share :)

I hope this email finds each of you happy :) and if you aren't happy, then change you mind, and choose to be happy! After-all, it is our choice!

I'm doing just fine here in Wonju! This Saturday we have transfer calls! I'm kind of trippin', everyone tells me they think I'll train! I don't feel ready yet, but it has to happen, either this transfer or next! Soooo keep me in your prayers, I know you always do. Thank you for all you do. Love ya'll so much!

xoxo

Whit Jean 清货目 磊概

July 28th 2013

HI :) I MISS YOU ALL MORE THAN I CAN EXPRESS!!!

This week was fun!

First pic is my little Wonju City, this is what they consider "country
side" here. Haha, not exactly my kind of Country, huh? But,
nonetheless, I still love it! I'm taking this picture from one of my
investigators apartments. She lives on the 19th floor of her
apartment- and I thought the view was absolutely breathtaking! There
are SO MANY mountains out here in the "country" haha, and I love it. I
definitely miss my Utah mountains!

Then there's the picture of the old men playing Chinese checkers on
the sidewalk. You may have to zoom in to see it. It's so funny to me.
I walked past them one day and they just stared as I walked by. Oh and
the guy standing up, smoking...pretend he's waving at you ;)

Then here is me and baby HyeJi...she's a stinker! She is so cute. She
makes one little fuss and she has everyone coming to her rescue! She's
a little momma's girl, and I'm surpised she let me hold her as long as
she did. She's a highlight for me here in Wonju, I love her :)

        -------   pictures   -------

Hope you enjoyed those pics! 

This week has been interesting and exhausting. I think it's valid to say that about every week as a missionary. It's impossible for me to write you everything that I did, and learned. But there is something very special that I learned and I want to share it with ya'll.

This week was full of confusion for me. Every single day this week, we went some where and I felt frustrated, sad, angry, tired, wonder some, weak, and unhappy. The reason? Korean. Yes, this language is still beating me up. I think I just realized this week how much I really don't know this language. And what I do know is pure gospel language. I can't carry on a casual conversation with just anyone that I want. I think that's what hurts most :( 

So with this suffering came questions. And most of the questions began with, "Why." Why this and why that, why, why, why. And I found my answer in Jacob 4:15-17

"...by the stumbling of the Jews (or Sister Hunsaker, or you) they will reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation.

"...this stone shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews (or Sister Hunsaker, or you) can build.

"...how is it possible that these (Jews, Sister Hunsaker, or you) after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head or their corner?

Don't reject the stone. Don't reject the struggle. Don't avoid the stumble. Whitley, you stumble because God is helping you build your sure foundation. Missionaries, you stumble because God is helping you build your sure foundation. Everyone, you stumble because God is helping you build your sure foundation.

There is more than one reason why we are where we are..both physically and spiritually. I know I won't know all the reasons why I was called to serve in Korea. All of us ask, "Why?" And it is my firm testimony that it is to help us build a sure foundation. 

I love you all, forever.

With all my love,

Whitley Jean 清货目 磊概

Nik Nac Paddy Wack  -  August 4th 2013

#1~ Licking that dog bone... Yes, I ate dog! :0 It really wasn't that
bad. I mean...after I stopped thinking "I'm eating a dog" then it was
fine. It's all about controlling the mind you know. I mean if I eat a
burger I'm not sitting there thinking, "I'm eating a cow" so you know,
it's all good ;) haha
#2~ The dog...and some leafy greens (grass)...and some other stuff. I
don't really ask questions, I just eat.
#3~ This is a dessert that's huge in Korea! They're made mainly with
shaved ice, milk, and red beans...then you put whatever fruit or
toppings you want on it. This one just happened to have tomatoes.
Koreans eat tomatoes like candy...it's weird.

          ------    pictures     -------

So I live in Sokcho now, and I love it!

Let me tell you some shocking news. There are 12 active branch members in Sokcho...and 6 of them are missionaries! The Branch president and his wife are missionaries. Then the elders and us sisters. Guys. What the heck. How is this even possible? 6 members!? Wow!!

Sisters haven't been in Sokcho in over 10 years. So Sister Song and I get to start from scratch! She just got done training so I'm greenie breaking her. I don't know why they call it that (missionary slang) but its whatever. So she is amazing! I love her so much. This is my third area on the mission- with my third korean companion. She knows just about as much english as I know korean, so this is going to be an amazing transfer for both of us!!

When I got the transfer call, everyone said that Sokcho was going to be very challenging for me. Because I am opening this new area with a new missionary (and I'm still a pretty new missionary myself) and she doesn't know much english, and I don't know much korean. And in my heart I thought, "you're wrong".  Although we've only been serving together for 5 days, it's been amazing. We've been working hard with records- copying them, getting our own record book, reading over them, ect. In the 5 days of being here, we have gotten 11 referrals (including one family), and we have another referral who has made an appointment to meet with us this week. The Lord is good to us!

So, where this week was transfers, I've had a lot of different things happen to me. It's been a very busy week! I don't even know how to begin telling you all that I'm experiencing. Just know that I am okay, and more importantly, know that I am happy! I've yet again, realized the importance of being happy. As me and my companion struggle communicating, I could view this as a huge stumbling block, and easily get frustrated/discouraged. Instead, I like to view it as a blessing. We read in the scriptures that if we turn to the Lord, "he will make our weak things become strong". 

Opening another new area with my companion, I desperately need the Lords help. I turned to him and I have seen so many blessings. Others may view our companion communication as weak- but for me, it is our strength. I notice that when she speaks to me, I listen not only with my ears, but also with my heart. I care about what she is saying and I want to communicate with her. In turn, I see that she does the same thing for me. I love her, a lot.

This week I read President Monsons talk from this last conference and he is talking about missionary work. I want all of you to know how grateful I am for your support and constant love that you show me.I know your labors sustain me, your faith encourages me, and your prayers uphold me...because, "a mission is a family affair...though the expanse of continents or oceans may separate, hearts are as one." Thank you for being my rock! I never imagined I'd experience and see all the things I have thus far- and I know that my joy wouldn't be as full if I didn't have all of you to share it with. 감사함니다!! (thank you!!)

Talk to you all next week!!! 

xoxo

whit

Several Updates

Hi All -  I am SO sorry for the long delay… shortly after my last update on this blog my husband got a new job that moved us out of state.  We had less than a week to pack up a house, find a new house, get all my work transferred with us and try to get everything unloaded off the haul before BJ started his new job.  With that being said I wont overwhelm everyone with such a long long update, I will break these down into months and hopefully I will be all caught up within the next few weeks.

Whit has ALMOST hit her 6 month mark!
June 9th 2013

EVERYONE!! HI :)

I'm almost hitting my 6 months...what the heck right?

I know it's crazy.

Listen I don't have time for an email this week...oops I'm sorry!

I love you.

I need you all to do me a favor...

Dad, mom, zoey, bj, brady, mark, skyler- I want you to record yourself on 6-12-13 and talk about what it's been like having me gone for six months. I want to make a video of all this when I get home, so for now will you all make a video?

It doesn't matter how long or short it is. You can say whatever you want. And I'm going to record myself too. I'm not exactly sure what I'll say, but it doesn't matter. Even if you just say, wow it's been six months...cool see ya in a year. Just anything. You can talk about the letters I send home, our communication, why you miss me, just whatever.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do this.

When I get home I want to make a video and on 12-12-13 I want you to do the same thing. make a video etc. then when I get home it will be just a short video like 5-10 minutes of my mission. And then I can have it forever and my kids can watch it and it'll be the cutest thing ever.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO IT.

And then compile them all together. I don't care where you save em or who saves them. zoey- on a file or disk and so when I come home I CAN make a video.

Okay that's all

thanks

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH

My week was just missionary work. Nothing too exciting.

I sure love the gospel more than anything.

I love you all and miss you too.

xo

whit jean hun 자매

When I read what Whit wrote and asked of us I thought, "no big deal I can record myself…" but when that day actually came I attempted the recording a few times and I just sat there with tears streaming down my face because I miss her, because I am proud of her, because I worry about her, because she is doing exactly what she wants to be doing and because I love her.  When I finally decided "this is it, this is recording I am going with", all I was going to say once I hit record went out the window.  I couldn't remember what I was going to say and I knew I couldn't keep "attempting" to record something so when Whit gets home she is going to watch my recording and neither one of us are going to understand a single thing I said to her.  Gotta love girls and their emotions!! :<

June 16th 2013

DAD!!!! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

I miss you so much, and I hope that you have a great day. I hate that I'm not with you...but soon enough (less than a year ;) )!

Also dad, I talked to the asia area doctor yesterday his name is Clair Elison...he went to Bear River. He is about 20 years older than you. But he said he knew Lyle Hunsaker...who drowned..? and a Ralph Gardner? I tried to see if he knew any of us Hunsakers but he's so much older than you so it didn't really work. He grew up in Snowville. Anyway, I told him I'd ask you if you knew him. And he's in Japan, but he'll be in Korea next week so I can let him know if you know him, or if any of those names sound familiar?

So my week this week...was definitely hard on me. But so good because it was full of learning!

Sorry about my letter last week. It wasn't really a letter. And none of you responded...so I'm assuming that you all did what I asked??!

Monday we just had a fine pday full of shopping and we went to visit some members and give them a calendar that I made (so they can read the BOM everyday) but none of them were home so that wasn't fun. Ah! And while we were street contacting I said hello to his girl, she had a little boy with her and I thought, "She needs to know she can live with her baby boy forever." So I approached her and said hi I'm a missionary, so I wanted to say hi to you. And the minute I said missionary she got all weird and didn't wanna talk. She pretended she didn't understand us (as we were speaking Korean), and we asked her if she was Korean, and she said no. So my companion, who is Korean mind you, asked her where she was from. And she just shrugged her shoulders  and we all just stood there because it was UNBELIEVABLY AWKWARD, and she just walked away! That was the first time that ever happened to me. I mean the girl is clearly Korean, you can't hide the way you look...hahaha it was funny.

Tuesday we visited TONS of people. A sweet Sister Kim in the hospital. I think I wrote home about her already, but we visited her again in the hospital. She fell and broke her hip, but is recovering. We visited a member, taught a lesson to our investigators, and visited a less active/inactive member. Then we street contacted the rest of our night. SUPER LONG DAY, feeling like a missionary. Still just lost in this strange country, lost at the language. But I have my trusty companion who is so good to me and helps me so much!

Wednesday was a weird humid/rainy day- so not so good to street contact. A member in our ward called and asked if we could come help her move her book shelves and organize them. So we did and after she taught me how to cook a Korean omelet (Bj, it's way good :) you'd love it). And after that long day of traveling to our district meeting in the rain, and just not feeling like a successful missionary- this sweet member calls us and asks us to help her. I can't believe how much that helped me feel like I am needed. I love feeling needed, especially as a missionary. And where I sometimes I feel like I'm not doing much help because of the language barrier, I realized I could help her and I didn't need to speak Korean to move her book shelves. 

Thursday we were invited over to a less active members house for dinner, and I loved it!!! Their daughter is around my age, and my comp actually met her at BYU Hawaii so they are friends, which makes me an automatic friend ;) and this girl transferred to BYU and she is now going to grad school there, starting in august. She's a genius! And I love that she speaks english to me :) so I think I realized I love people more when they try to speak english to me. And I can flip that back to them, I'm sure Koreans love me more when I try to speak to them in Korean. Actually I know they love it.

Friday was rough. We had our 3 hour planning session and my comp hasn't been feeling well lately and I had some weird rash on the side of my calves and feet. So we called mission pres, and since he's a doctor, he knew exactly what we needed. So we went to the pharmacy and just played doctor all day and made message cards. Which by the way I make the cutest korean message cards. they are just cute designs and I decorate them with gel pens and write a scripture on it. They're cute, and members love them. Anyway good news, my comp is feeling better and my rash went away.

Saturday we had our english class, and also taught another investigator and her daughter. And one of our members son's & wife attend byu hawaii and they were in town visiting so i met them and they are both returned missionaries and they served in my comps ward, so she knew both of them (such a small world) and the girl was so kind and sympathized with me. She said she knows Korean is one of the hardest (if not the hardest) grammer forms to learn. and she had american comps who struggled and she just thanked me for being here in Korea and trying to serve and trying to learn the language, even though it seems impossible. She was an answer to my prayers, I'll always love and appreciate her.

Sunday, was Sunday :)

Overall...I'm doing okay. We have 5 progressing investigators and they are all so kind. They all have english interest. So my comp is determined to convince me that if I wasn't here- they wouldn't be meeting with us. She thinks because I'm American they are meeting with us. So we hope that we can provide ways for them to feel the spirit and that the spirit can carry the message into their hearts...so far, so good :)

Being a missionary is intense. It truly is a marvelous work and wonder that I'm apart of.

I'm grateful I know that I'm loved by our Heavenly Father.

I'm grateful I know he loves ALL his children, and I get to be the one to tell Koreans :)

I love all of you, more than words.

With all my love,

xo

Whit Jean 清货目 磊概 

These are the types of emails that I love to get from Whitley - they are short yet full of feelings.  Don't get me wrong I love to see how she is doing, how her area is, how her companion is etc but I LOVE knowing she is still strong and still knows she made the best choice she could make for herself at that point in her life.  

I love you. I am happy. I am grateful I chose to come on a mission. Leaving you and loved ones behind wasn't and still isn't easy, but I know I will never regret this decision to serve my Heavenly Father. Come hell or high water...I'm OK, because I trust God. ♡

June 23rd 2013  -  One Year Left!!

Hi :) 

All is well here in Wonju! :) We had transfer calls last week, and to our surprise, Sister Gu and I are staying here together one more transfer (as far as we know ;) )!

Moment of Truth:

 Alright so this moment of truth, I hope it benefits you and ya'll be able to understand what I'm trying to say. Sooo....I had some crazy turn of events happen to me the last several weeks. I was struggling...bad. In every way possible, it seemed! So as I read Eishelle and Danielles emails to their families I think, "They are so real in their emails!" And in the beginning I was real, I told ya'll the good, the bad, and the ugly. But I noticed that was only making all of you worry about me even more. So I changed my mind. I decided to only focus on the good. Which I think benefited all of you and in turn helped me. But I felt like I wasn't being "real". So this is me being "real"...

 I am human...I struggle. Life here in Korea isn't all hearts and rainbows. I've experienced heartaches, even I couldn't believe. I've experienced thunder storms, literally and figuratively. I've experienced tears of sorrow and tears of ultimate joy! I know that we all have our good and bad days. And many people have asked me, "Do you regret coming on a mission?" and many are shocked when I give them my answer, "Absolutely not!"

 So what I'm trying to say is, even though I struggle..I am in God's hands. He is watching over me. I feel his love every single day. I've discovered it is only through the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that I am able to withstand, and survive. I have come to know that through my tears and the heartaches, I can be (and am) healed through the atonement. Sometimes at night, when I'm saying my prayers, I say all blessings I have in my life: Family, Friends, Companions, Investigators, The Gospel, His Love, His mercy, and everything else you can imagine...and yet I still can't fully express my gratitude- BUT because of the wonderful gift of the atonement, I am understood. I am forever indebted to Jesus Christ. He died for me, so that I would never ever have to feel alone.

:)

Phew! Now that I got that off my chest :)...I just want all of you to know that I am grateful that I am a missionary. Sometimes I wonder why I got called all the way over here to Korea...(I'm still figuring that one out) but the reason, be not known unto me, I know God knows. I know he sees into eternity, when I sometimes struggle to see one more day. 

This week we had almost all of our investigators cancel on us :/ these are the heartaches I referred to in my moment of truth. I got rejected a couple times on the street, but then there was those 2 girls, who were so unbelievably nice and who wanted to meet with us- and it made all the hurt worth it ;)

 I still can't grasp all that I am learning. Sometimes I find myself in awe, because I'm in Korea! I'm grateful I've experienced all these tender mercies from the Lord. I know this mission is changing me into the Saint that God wants me to be!

 I love all of you more than I can say :)

Thank you for always being there for me.

With all my love,

Whit Jean 清货目 荤概

June 30th 2013  -  Miracles still Exist

We are teaching a mother and daughter. I love them so much. So much in
fact, I pondered FOREVER, trying to figure out how I was going to get
them to church. Inviting them just wasn't enough. So this is my story:

I tell my comp. Sister Gu, "Listen, we just need to go to her house
and pick her up!" So that's exactly what we did. Sunday morning we
travel for about a half hour, get to their apartment building and ring
the door bell at 8:45am. No one answers. Knock on the door, still
nothing. So I ring the bell again, and her husband asks who it is, and
opens the door. To his surprise he sees me! and immediately invites us
in.

He calls for his wife and she stumbles out of her bedroom in her pjs!
And her daughter follows her. And at this point I'm thinkin,
"Oops...literally I just woke you up huh?! Well....since you're up
will you come to church?!" That's what I think, and then I realized I
didn't practice what I should say in Korean...so since we're teaching
her 30mins english and 30 mins gospel, and I know that she understands
a little bit of english mixed with korean...I made the sentence work
and I said church is from 10-1 will you come? And then there is some
confusion and conversation in Korean that I don't understand, and then
I'm confused....but we leave with their agreement to come to church!

So we're at church and it's 10:15am...and they haven't showed up :/ I
try to stay positive. I repeat in my mind, "they'll come. They said
they would come. They're coming". We wait and wait and wait. I look
like this helpless puppy who looks out with window, and no one walks
by. So in the mean time of all this let me give you some more back
ground. Remember how there is like 15 members total in our branch here
in Wonju? Yeah, me too. SO...there is ONLY ONE primary kid that comes,
and he isn't there. So I ask where he and his family is, and they tell
me that the husband isn't coming because he had to work- so the wife
and 2 kids are taking the bus and will be late. When I hear that I
think, shoot! Because when we went to our investigators house to
invite her to church that morning, she lives by this woman and 2 kids
who are having to ride the bus. And while we were there, I thought "
We should go get sister hum and help her and her kids and husband get
ready for church." but then I immediately dismiss the thought and
instead think, "I'll just be getting in the way". So I never brought
it up to my comp or anything.

So now we're at church right, and I hear that sister hum and the 2
kids will be late, and now I'm thinking, "I should have went with my
first good thought of going there this morning and helping her get
ready, and then she wouldn't be late." So as I realize all this I am
now realizing that my thoughts/ideas can be good. Since I've come to
Korea, in the beginning, every idea I had was shut down with the
excuse of, "This is Korea, and things don't work that way." So I
realized I had stopped thinking of ideas.

K, so now it's 10:40am...and they still aren't at church. So I think,
"lets go meet them at the bus stop", so I tell my comp and she follows
me. We walk there and I look at my watch and I say, we'll wait until
11am. We also call them and no one answers. At this point I can feel
myself slowly losing hope. But I'm trying to hang on. I know that I
had this idea, it felt good to go to their house, they said they would
come, I prayed to heavenly father and I asked for his help. I say out
loud, "We are finding your lost sheep, help us!" A few buses go by
and, nothing :(.

About 5 minutes before 11am...Sister Gu says, "They came! and Husband
came too!" I turn around and I just feel my heart swell in my ears,
they came!!

We run across the road to meet them, and I just start tearing up. They
came to church!!!

Now this may seem like not that big of a deal to all of you at home,
but to anyone who has served a mission, or who is serving a mission
knows, that there is no greater joy when investigators keep their
commitments and come to church!! :)

Moral of this story/experience is two fold. One- I learned that I need
to trust the thoughts I have. I need to follow the
promptings/thoughts, even if they "might not work here in korea" I
need to at least put them on the table. And two- never ever EVER, give
up and lose hope! I know that God is real. I know that he played a
huge role in getting them to church!

This experience has forever changed me. If I want something, and it is
good, and I ask for God's help....he will give it unto me. I love
being a missionary- and this was my joy this week! Miracles cease,
only when faith ceases! May we always remember and be mindful of God,
because he is always remembering and thinking of us <3

With all my love,
Whitley Jean 헌새커 자매

July 7th 2013  -  7 months down

Hiiii :)
I have replied to every one in my email that sent me a letter this
week....and I still don't know what to write all of you for my update
this week.

This week was just regular. Nothing super duper exciting. I'm
frustrated with the one investigator I wrote about last week. The
miracle, remember? Yeah, she doesn't understand why she needs the
gospel, and that falls back on me and my companion- I guess we aren't
teaching her clearly? Or applying it to her very well? I dunno. I
thought she was solid. I thought she would be coming to church this
week too, but she didn't come :( WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE THEIR
AGENCY?! Just let me decide for you, come to church!! Haha :)

Okay I'm kidding, kind of ;) it is SUPER frustrating for us
missionaries when our investigators don't come to church. And when
they don't progress. I get more frustrated when I feel like we've
explained it, and they still don't understand...or they pretend to
understand but then don't keep the commitments.

SOOOO I am learning. I am learning how to be a missionary. I'm
learning how to be a person. How to have charity, for charity never
faitheth right? ;) (Moroni 7)

So 7-12-13 happy anniversary to zo and bj whooo-woo! 11 years baby.
and for me and my 7 months. I wrote to myself on my calendar "Happy 7
months babe!" Hahahha, I'm weird I know. But, for real it's something
for me to celebrate. Its been a long hard 7 months, but it's been the
greatest learning experience of my life.

This coming sunday I have to give a talk...in Korean. Remember how I
don't speak Korean...? Yeah, me too! :/ slightly panicking about this
one. I wrote home and told you when I had to give a talk in the mtc in
korean....man that was rough. And I've talked in my ward/branch
whenever we transfer in or out of the area...but that can be just a
short intro of yourself and your testimony. Which is still hard, but
not a full on 15 minute talk! Hahaha. Ugh man. Where is my faith
guys?! It'll all be fine. I'm sure you're all thinking that too. And I
know it will. But I just need to panic about it for a second.

So I realized I haven't sent pictures lately. and then I realized I
haven't taken pictures lately. What the heck, right? Yeah I'll work on
that.

Today isn't really our pday. but we still get to email today (cause if
we didn't mom's would be trippin, and our President knows that) so
tomorrow is our pday this week because it's our temple day! :)yay! I
love the Temple. there is no better place in the world to be than in
the house of the Lord <3 So tonight we will ride a bus to Seoul and
sleep at the Temple, again ;) and then have Temple day, and our pday.
I plan to go shopping in Seoul.

If you remember my first area in the mission was right in the heart of
Seoul. I could do all the shopping/sight seeing that I wanted. and now
that I'm clear out here in wonju....we don't have that chance, so I'm
live it up! :)

Yesterday, we finally got to see the world wide leadership training.
It was INCREDIBLE. If you haven't watched it, go online and watch it.
Guys. You need to be the Lords missionaries. Please help out all the
missionaries in your area. Not just feed them dinners (although that
is appreciated). Missionaries can buy and make their own food though.
Don't feed them food, feed them investigators! And if you're
thinking, well I don't know anyone who wants the gospel, guess
what>?...neither do us missionaries. SO....be a missionary and open
your mouth! Share the gospel every single chance you get, and I
promise you the Lord will bless you :)

I feel like I had something else to say....hmmm.
I can't remember.
Well, I guess just know that I'm doing great here in Wonju. Sweating
like crazy. No one can avoid the heat...and it's rough. Humidity
sucks, I emailed aunt nancy and told her that. It's probably language
a missionary shouldn't use, but honestly that's how I feel. I'm always
sticky and gross. And I just smile when I feel the sweat dripping down
forehead, and back. My companion always just says, 'yeah! we'll lose
our weight!' Haha- Koreans are obsessed with being skinny and losing
weight.

I know this gospel is true. I know that without a shadow of a doubt
that God knows and loves all his children. I know that God knows what
is best for us. He is all knowing- everlasting to everlasting (Moroni
7...guess what I read for personal study today ;) haha) I know that
being a missionary is an honored responsibility. I know I'm on the
Lords time, and I know that I am doing the Lords work.

I hope ya'll have fun at the family reunion this weekend! Wish I could
be there with you. Know that I am always loving, thinking, and praying
for you.
With all my love,
Whit

I will try to get back on a few more times this week to make sure everyone gets up to date.  I don't recall any pictures being sent with any of the above emails but I will be sure to upload all the pictures to Facebook and tag Whit in them.

AHH where has the time gone!!

I cannot believe how long its been since Whit's blog was updated!  If she knew this I'd probably be fired.  Well... because the blog hasn't been updated since APRIL this is going to take some time so pop some popcorn, get a pepsi and enjoy the read.  (Grandpa & Grandma I thought of you while typing this up - homemade popcorn and pepsi sounds dE-lightful right now!!)

April 21st  -
Family Dear! 

Zo sent me that pic of all of you in the kitchen. You guys are so cute. Even though not all of you write me (boys!) I know that you are thinking of me and especially that you are praying for me. Thank you for your prayers. I was writing Elder Layton, serving in Italy, and we were talking about prayers. Well we were talking about a lot of things, how missionary work is HARD. But some how we make it one more day, even when we don't think we can. I know that your prayers are helping me tons, so keep 'em comin ;) seriously. Pray. :) 

Saturday was so amazing, I wish I had time to send pics this week but the computers weren't working for a while and we have to keep on schedule. So hopefully next week! I am doing super good. I love pdays because I get to see sister taylor. She saves me. Our friendship makes all the hard days worth being here. 

Last week at this blossom festival a bunch of missionaries gathered and it was like one huge family reunion and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. I love my mission family, they are a great support to have over here. 

...... ...... ...... In Whitley's email she talked about teaching the gospel & english to an investigator and the challenges this can present.  I know I mentioned this is in the past but it has been a long time - Whit asked that I not include details of her teachings and the investigators in the blog.  You are welcome to email me (Zoey) and I'd be happy to forward you the specific email from Whit.  zopetersen@gmail.com ..... ..... .....

The other day we did exchanges and lucy (sis taylor) and i switched spots. It was fun being her for a day. BUT one night me and Sister Reidhead (love that girl, she is the best) anyway we are walking home right, and this girl hands us a flyer of something we say thanks and keep walking. she chases us down and asks us if we believe in jesus christ. we say yes and after about 15 mins she gets kinda angry because we have different views of the Atonement. What she was saying didn't even make sense and she contradicted herself a couple times. It made me sad, and it made sister reidhead frustrated when we walked away because the lady told us we didn't believe in Jesus Christ. It was interesting. All that lady wanted to do was argue, and I immediately felt the spirit leave as she was trying to prove her point. That's no way to preach any gospel, by raising your voice and throwing accusations at people. I'm grateful for my testimony of the Atonement. I'm grateful to belong to the only true church on the face of the earth. I know without a doubt that God is real. I know he answers our prayers. I know that he is watching over me, and carrying me through this mission. It's incredible that the more I turn to him, the more he proves himself to me. I love this knowledge. I love all those who are fighting for this righteous cause, because their faith and testimonies strengthen me.

I love all of you.

Thank you for your examples throughout my life.

xo

whit

oh ps next week I get to go to the temple! So my pday won't be on Monday (your sunday) it will be on Tuesday (your monday) same time...I think. anyway i love you!!! xoxoxoxoxo

This is the picture Whit is talking about.  I never want her to fill left out of our family gathers so I always make sure I include her the best way I know how.  - so of us are not so photogenic if you hadn't noticed...  hahah!! But we sure LOVE 'em all!!  

April 29st  - 

Hi family!!!

So remember last week I told you that I wouldn't be emailing today...oops. I didn't know that I would email today, so I'm sorry. Today isn't pday but we get to email because tomorrow we go to the temple EARLY in the morning and we have to travel about 40 minutes, they let us email today so we have time to write our families. Isn't that sweet?! I know right.

                                                   Mom, I finally got all your   letters. 

 

I took a pic, I got a ton of letter all at one. Made me one happy girl. I LOVE LETTERS! Wow. I'm such a missionary :P haha.

I hope all of you know that I am happy. I am doing fine. Of course I have bad days, just like all of you back home have bad days. The reason I tell you the 'bad things' is because I want you to know how I'm really doing. I don't tell you so you can worry about me. All of you know how much I wanted to serve a mission. And now that I'm here of  course I'm happy, but I don't want you to think this is just some big vacation for me. This is hard. I'm working hard. I'm doing things I've never done before so of course I'm going to struggle. BUT HEAVENLY FATHER IS PROVIDING FOR ME. None of you need to fret about not being able to comfort me because of the amazing gift, the Atonement. Through the atonement everything is better. Through the atonement I am enabled to do this task of being a missionary. Through the atonement ALL THINGS are made possible, and better. I'm not saying you can't be sad, and I'm not saying you can't miss me. I'm just saying you don't have to worry. All we need to do is trust Heavenly Father. I trust him, if I didn't, I wouldn't be here. 

So with that being said..lets talk about how my week was! :) I brought my calendar with me (the one that I write all the happy things on) so you all can see what little things happen throughout my day that make me happy.

By the way, I've been in Korea for two months, and on my mission for almost 5!! isn't that crazy?!? I know.

okay so last pday i went to this buffet and ate a ton of meat with sister taylor and her comp and my comp. Pdays are the best with her. I love it. Then after pday ended (6pm) we went to the military base again to visit a member. I love the military base!!! I've told you this before, I know, but I just need you to fully grasp how much I love it.

Tuesday, is english class!! Every tuesday night at 7 we teach our free english class. This is our weekly service and it is so much fun. Sometimes its just awkward, and that makes it more fun :) so sister lee and i got done teaching one of our investigators and we decided we'd have pizza for dinner (ps korean pizza is SO DIFFERENT from american pizza, but it's still so good. I don't understand.) anyway we get a pizza and go to the church before english starts and start eating. Then the office elders come and for some reason we just didn't want them to know we were there. I think because it was our 'dinner time' and we didn't want to be disturbed haha. So we end up turning off the light in the classroom that we are in, our faces are shoved full of pizza (i think we were afraid they would want some, and we didn't want to share so we just shoved it all in our mouths) and we hide under the window and door and we're trying to be quiet and not pee our pants because it is so funny. Now that I'm typing this I'm realizing how funny it's not....haha but it was so funny at the time. Anyway point it....I love that I can still be silly and do silly things as a missionary and find joy in it. 

oh and this is the day i got all the letters!!! i got some from mom and sky, aunt nancy, elder anderson (my bff I met in the mtc serving in taiwan), and elder foster! 

Wednesday, we got teach an investigator and we teach her children english. I usually teach the little girl, but this day she wanted me to teach the boy, who is probably 5. he doesn't understand much english so i just say words and point to the picture and he repeats me. Well, he fell asleep! In the middle of me teaching him. I don't know how to wake someone up in korean! haha so I just sat there, oh so very awkwardly and laughed. IT WAS SOOOO FUNNY! Poor kid. Koreans are crazy about education. 

Thursday, I had my first interview with my mission president. Well i had one when i first got to country but he does interviews every six months and mine was this day and i loved it. I love my mission president so much and his wife. It's a huge treat when we get to see them. I really feel like they are my mission mom and dad. I know that if I ever need anything they are here to listen and comfort and guide me, just like mom and dad at home!

Friday, we just had a good bonding time sister lee and I. This week was kind of rough, almost all of our appointments cancelled on us, every day. It was so annoying and frustrating!!! But I'm learning from it, so it's all good.

Saturday, was the best! Oh man! So we are starting english class on saturdays too so that was whatever, fine. Then we had Ward FHE, just a few families in the ward that don't have time to do it monday, or who are part member families, or who are just a mom and child...we invite them to have fhe with us missionaries at the church. it was so much fun. We played this game called bunny bunny. I CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY THIS GAME WITH YOU GUYS WHEN I COME HOME. I was laughing so hard I cried, and kind of almost peed my pants, oops ;) haha. and my favorite little guy 김태형 came. He reminds me of Brett John actually when he was little. Anyway this little boy as we are playing games (he's like 6 or 7) as we are playing this game passing a coin back and forth, my hands we freezing because it's so cold in the church and so while we are playing he just holds my hand like he's my boyfriend and then holds my fingers to warm up my hands. Ugh it just melted my heart! It's hard because I can't communicate with words much, but that little action he did let me know that he loves me and I was so grateful. Then this cutest little baby in the whole world!!! She comes up to me, not even 2 years old okay and she is trying to take off my name tag and i kind of speak english to her because it's weird to not talk to babies, even though they don't know what you're saying. So I hid my name tag from her and she looks at me and just stares, and then with her CUTE CHUBBY little finger slowly points at me and then starts playing with my eye lashes. haha it was the cutest thing. and her dad told her to give me a kiss and so she does and I MELTED, again. Ugh, i love kids. 

Then sunday there was a family from america who visited our ward. they are two brothers who served their missions here 5 and 7 years ago. cool huh? and they just brought their little families back to visit. so i got to talk to their mom for awhile and one of the wives and play with their kids and it was just the greatest thing. I was so happy.

So as you can see I do have good weeks. Of course they are filled with not so fun things too. But I'm surviving and learning and growing and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I know that this mission is changing me. I know that I am becoming a better person and I know that in the future I'll be a better person too. A better wife and a better mother.

Elder Fund, from my mtc district emailed me this week and I told him I was struggling with the language, of course just like every american here. and he said, "Don't underestimate the power of a silent example." :) I loved that. I know that it's hard, but I know that each day I grow, even if it's just a baby bit.

I love you all and I hope you are finding happiness!

I get to call you in a few weeks!!!! Eeeeek :) I'm so pumped!

I love love love you!!

xo

Whitley Jean

 

This is E. Leavitt from my MTC District :) 

Me by the famous Han River

Me and the best friend sister taylor on a huge swing :)

May 5th  -   BIG BIG BIG BIG NEWS

Hey guys!! I have so much important and exciting news to tell you.

First things first, I'll be calling home next week :) eek!!! Exciting, I know.

So I'll be calling MY MONDAY MORNING MAY 13 at 8am and it will be YOUR SUNDAY NIGHT MAY 12 at 5pm, I think? I can't remember how many hours you are behind me. I think it's 5. Maybe it'll be 6pm? I don't know. BUT KNOW THAT I will be calling MY TIME: 8am monday morning.

Second thing, I'm done training!!!! :)

Which leads to my third thing, I'm being transferred :D 

I'M OPENING UP A NEW AREA!!!

The area is called 원주(Won Ju) and its far far far far FAR East :) they say is the country part of the mission. I don't think it's very country though. But it's as country as The Seoul Mission gets, so I AM PUMPED!

My companion is actually one of my roommates from the MTC, Sister Gu. I sent a pic home of her awhile ago, so you may not remember her. But anyway her and I are the same age (mission wise) well I guess technically I'm 6 or 8 weeks older than her. BUT ANYWAY she is amazing. I am so excited to work with her. She is a great person and an outstanding missionary.

Since I'm opening up this new area, I have no investigators, no referrals or anything. Just starting fresh from scratch. It's really rare to have such young missionaries open up an area like this. Especially in the East (where they don't send sisters). When I was in the MTC I let everyone know that I would be serving in the East. Even my branch president in the MTC told me I wouldn't be serving there because they just don't send sisters out there. 

From day one of arriving here in Korea, I let my Mission President know that I wanted to serve in the East. I reminded him MULTIPLE times (you all know how I am ;) If I want something, I'm going to let you know...and I'm also going to get it! Haha). Anyway every just told me I wouldn't serve in the East, and I am so excited that I'm actually going!!!

Other than those few things, nothing too exciting happened this week. I teach english class here twice a week in Shin Dong, and one of the ladies that comes every week bought me and my comp a pair of socks. ha I know that's not really a big deal, but something little like that makes me so happy. She loves us, and she's not even a member, or our investigator for that matter. 

On Sunday I bore my testimony and said bye to Shin Dong Ward. I was really sad. I cried as I hugged my favorite lady Sister 양. She's the lady that is coming to visit October '14, and I told her she had to come to our house. I have pictures, but....I forgot my cord. Oops! So maybe next week.

I want you all to know that I am happy. 

I'm doing so good here in Korea.

Thank you for your prayers, and examples.

Thank you for being strong, your strength strengthens me.

 I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to talk to you next week :) Eeeek!

Loads of love,

xo

whit!

 

May 12th  -  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Family!!!! Ugh :) I LOVE YOU. I HAVE TO WRITE THIS IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE THIS IS HOW HAPPY I AM. I AM SO GRATEFUL I GOT TO TALK TO ALL OF YOU TODAY ON THE PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Haha, can you feel my excitement?

 

Anyway, hi. I love that we got to talk today, even though it was shorter than ever, it was the best because everything feels the same. You know? I mean even though I'm not home with you, I felt I was there, just sitting at the bar talking with all of you! I can't wait for when I get to see you all. which by the way, if you look at your calendar is just 12 short months and 2 weeks away! Ah! Can you believe it? I can't.

 

So I don't know what to update you on because we talked and well I talked a lot so I can't keep track of what I have said.

 

but there is always so much I have to say, you know me ;)

 

Lets start with WonJu. So my area, it's amazing and beautiful. Full of trees, and people with warm hearts. I'm so grateful to be serving here. I had no idea what it took to open a new area. Records are what we're dealing with right now. Kind of a beast. But records are so important. And I realized that the missionary who I am today, not only effects the people I'm with today, but it effects all the missionaries who will be serving after me, and in turn all the people they will serve, or wont serve, because of me.

 

We truly are all connected. We are all touched by others, which in turn makes us effect someone else's life. I can't believe that I'm just now realizing how important it is to ALWAYS be your best self. Who you are today, what you do today, does matter. It's a big deal what you do with your life. Even though to us, it may seem so minor, in the long run it can change someone's life.

 

I wish all of you could be here in korea with me. I wish you could see the work I'm doing. I wish you could meet the people I'm meeting. I wish you could feel the way I'm feeling. Being a missionary is the best thing in the world. This calling is so sacred and dear to my heart. I love that I can be here, serving koreans and most importantly serving Heavenly Father and being strengthened through it all.

 

I love all of you so much. Thank you for being examples to me. I have learn/still learning from all of you.

 

Mom, happy happy mothers day! You are the sweetest thing. The best mom I could have. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for being strong. I feel strong when you are strong, and weak when you are weak. Thank you for loving me, and always showing your love for me.

Dad, it was so good to hear your voice. I've missed you loads! Haha get it, loads? Wow, I'm so cheesy. Ew, sorry. Anyway, thank you for always loving me. Even though I don't get to hear from you as often, I still love you more and more. Thank you for setting an example for me.

Zo & Bj thank you for always helping me in everything that I need. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for supporting me here on my mission.

Braid & Mark, THANK YOU for supporting me. Thank you for loving me, and thank you for writing me, even though life is busy.

Sky, Thank  you for being strong. Thank you for writing me when you can. I MISS YOU so much. But I need to be here in korea. You need to be where you are. Magnify your calling. Do everything you can to lift the hands that hang low around you. You don't have to wear a name tag that says, Elder Hunsaker, in order to be a missionary. You've always been a missionary sky, I've watched you my whole life. You love people. You know how to serve people. Because of your example, I'm doing that for the people in korea. You need to do that for the people in brigham, or where ever you are. Cut your hair, shave your face, and get a girlfriend ;)

 

Dad, where is the pic of the beard? I need it by the end of may...if you can last that long ;)

 

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

I feel close to heaven as a missionary. I know angels are watching over us.

With all my love,

Whit <3

I have to say, talking to Whit was great!!!!!!!  We easily picked up where we left off.  If you know our family we are so random and blunt with all of our topics of conversations and this call was no exception.  :)  She had some challenges getting the call to come thru and when she finally did she was crying,  She was so frustrated, so relieved and so happy to have finally got thru to us.  As a family, we needed to hear that Whitley was doing well and her voice said it all!  She truly loves her mission, her companion, the people of Korean and the Gospel.  BJ told her to make sure she brings home some recipes to try. 

 - - *NOTE:  When I tried to download the pictures attached to this email I must have deleted them.  I didn't get to see them but by the description I am assuming one of the pictures was the little girl she talked about in a letter above, one was of another missionary & the 3rd one was her and her companion, Sister Gu on their way to Won Ju and I think one more was an anchovy, which she says she likes to eat - YUCK!!!   I will see if we can get these uploaded to Facebook so if you are friends with her watch for those. - - 

May 19th -  Oh My Darlin'

FAMILY! :)

Hey!

So I'm very happy, let me tell you why...

Today, isn't technically my pday.

Tomorrow is.

But we get to email today because I get to go to the Temple tomorrow.

That's not the whole reason why I am happy though.

So my new area out here in the "country" in this beautiful city of Wonju, it's pretty far away from Seoul. It's about 1.5 hours from the City and then we have to travel on the Subway to get to the Temple. So because that takes so long, we get to go into Seoul tonight and.....SLEEPOVER AT THE TEMPLE!!! :) :) :) :) 

I feel like I'm that cute 5 year old kid that is SUPER PUMPED about his very first sleep over, but I don't even care. Do you know how cool that is, that I get to sleep in the Temple? I think it's some what odd they even have a place there available to sleep in. But it makes sense for the members who live over 4 hours way- one way travel.

So anyway, I found this out last wednesday while we were having zone meeting and I've been counting down the days that I got to write you and tell ya'll this!

Hmmm. What else has happened this week, let me think.

It's kind of difficult to remember a whole week worth of information. Oh! So we have 3 investigators!  They are so kind. And they love me because I'm American. They are so kind to me. So we're finally starting to contact people on the street and we're starting to teach lessons this week instead of being inside trying to put together our record books. We still aren't done with the record books, so we'll still work on them whenever we have extra time. I'm starting to feel the work slowly pick up here in Wonju.

On Friday we had a Branch district activity day. It was Buddha's birthday on the 17th and it's like a holiday here, people have work off and the streets are decorated and everything. So we got together and played soccer, dodge ball, and had other relay events. Ok so Korean dodge ball is a little different than how we play it in America, and I think I like the Korean way better. At first I didn't like it but then it got more intense and it was fun :) All the koreans were afraid to play with me because they think I throw the ball too hard. And I won the game for our team (I got everyone on the other team out) and you'd think I won the Olympics! Haha, they were all so excited for me. It was great.

Sunday we had Branch Conference and my mission pres and his wife came to speak. It's always so good seeing them. Pres Christensen is such a hard worker. Anything that can distract you as a missionary, he hates. And he is just so dedicated to make this the best he can. He has taught me that I need to work as hard as I can, so at the end of my mission I don't have any regrets and I can truly say that I gave it my all. Sister Christensen it so great to have around. I love that I have her, she showed me pics of her new grandson that was born a few weeks ago. She hasn't met him yet, and she misses him so much, even though she's never seen him. I can't imagine how much she wants to go home and see him. I love them both so much, and I'm grateful to be serving in their mission.

Seoul Mission and Seoul South Mission split in July. So I have to finish this transfer, and do one more 6 week transfer, and then the next one is when the mission splits. Right now I'm in the Seoul Mission boundaries (which is where pres Christensen is and then Seoul South mission is the new mission pres).

I'm loving Wonju. I love the area. As far as the Branch goes, it's really weak. There are a lot of less active, and inactive members. I know that we need to help strengthen this branch, but I don't know how...but I know the answers will come through prayer.

Guys, I can't express to you the way I feel. I wish I had the words. My heart is so full. I feel so loved. I know that I am super blessed, but I don't know why. I can feel Heavenly Fathers love for all his children and it's remarkable. I hope none of you ever feel like you aren't loved, or that you are forgotten. Let me be the first to tell you that Heavenly Father loves ALL of his children. He is more aware of you than we'll ever know. He is anxiously awaiting our prayers. Please don't neglect him. Let him in your life, and I promise as you do, you will feel his love. You will receive more blessings than you can even imagine. This gospel is the only way we can follow Jesus Christ, because this is his gospel. We need the church to grow in the gospel. I am so thankful to be part of God's army. I'm so grateful to be a missionary serving in Korea.

I'm always praying for you.

With all my love,

Sister Whitley Jean Hunsaker

<3

May 26th  -

GUYS! HI :)

So this week was LONG. I feel like there is so much that happened but I don't have enough time to write about all of it.

Every single time I sign on to write, I get nervous. I think I told you that in the MTC, and I want you to know it's still happening. Haha!

So let me see if I can explain what I've been up to.

First, mom- I've been writing you and I can't remember how far back I've sent stuff, but you asked if I would email our ward. I actually sent a letter....like almost 2 weeks ago. So you should be getting it soon. It's for the ward/bishop.

So this week in Wonju, there were 14 members at church!! Yay! (sarcasm :P) haha. 3 investigators, and us 2 missionaries. GUYS, It's a huge struggle for me to come to church and only see 14 people. there are no young woman, or young men. And the two kids that I've seen weren't there. Feeling part of a ward is SO important. I can't believe how much I've learned just these short 3 weeks here in Wonju. There is so much that needs to be improved, and I feel so overwhelmed because I don't know where to start.

I've been praying really hard lately about how I can help Wonju Branch. How can I help these people that I'm serving. How can I be a missionary even though I can't fully speak Korean. 

Through these struggles I have found peace and comfort. I love feeling the pain and sorrows from trials, because the comfort I feel from Heaven is amazing. I'm feeling more and more like a missionary. I love it. 

Through my trials of feeling inadequate, I turned to Heavenly Father. I know I'm never alone. I know that I am his vessel. I need to be as worthy as possible, so that he can work through me. Me and my comp have been working so hard with records and trying to get a map and figure out where members live and how to ride the buses and which stops go where, ect. All that good stuff, we felt like we weren't doing missionary work. But we know that the work we were doing will help ALL of those who will serve behind us. As we were striving to be EXACTLY obedient, the blessings came.

Sleeping over at the Temple was the best! And we get to do it again this week because we have an activity day on thursday! The first thing I said to my comp when we got to our rooms at the temple was, "my family would love this!" I love that all of you are my best friends. I love that when I see something so cool or experience something so neat, that you guys are the first people I want to share it with. Thank you for being my best friends.

Another answer to my prayer was my investigators. A lot of people think that people need missionaries. They need to be taught by missionaries or whatever they may think. But honestly, I think I need my investigators just as much, if not more than they need me. I learn so much from my investigators. Before I came on my mission I thought, I'm going to change a lot of people's lives. But, in reality, they are changing my life. I'm so grateful to be experiencing this.

I am so blessed here in Wonju. As I think about all my blessings, I'm literally in Aw. I don't know why I am so blessed. I don't know why I have this amazing opportunity to be here in Korea, in Wonju. I don't know why I  get to teach all the amazing investigators that I have. I don't know why I have the BEST SUPPORT back at home. I don't know....I just don't. But I do know that I AM SO SO SO GRATEFUL for the opportunity.

I want you all to know that The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ONLY TRUE gospel upon the face of the earth. I know that President Monson is called by God. I know that I was called to be a missionary by divine revelation. And that is through the power of the priesthood. I'm so grateful to be a member of this church. I'm so grateful I get to teach people about our Loving Heavenly Father, and His Amazing Son, Jesus Christ. I love teaching people how they can find happiness, and how they can live with their families forever.

I am so grateful to be a missionary<3

With all my love,

whit jean hunsaker 자매

   

Traditional Korean Dance, haha coolest thing ever. It made me so happy!!

Temple Day with Sister Reidhead! (sister taylors comp)

If you look closely you can see an ox...plowing the field. When was the last time you seen that in real life? Oh, I know! Never! Haha. I was shocked when I seen this. I love being out here in the East. Where I live it's still kind of city...but if I can attempt to describe it, it's like a mix between the older part of Ogden City, mixed with Park City. There are TONS AND TONS of mountains here, I love it.

June 2nd

FAMILY!! 

I almost forgot to write a letter to you guys. Because Dad, Mom, and Zo were the only one's who wrote me this week, and I already replied to them. But then I felt like something was missing- oh yeah the rest of my family who are bums and don't write me ;) haha! HEY! I STILL LOVE YOU GUYS even though you don't write, I know you're praying for me, and that doesn't go unnoticed.

So this week was SUPER EVENTFUL! And stressful and WONDERFUL! 

We had our first baptism here in Wonju.

The Wonju Branch hasn't had a baptism in over a year!! Crazy huh. I know. 

..... info about the investigator and the picture have not been included in the email .....

Now it's nothing that me or my companion did, it was all the Lord. 

This other picture is just my calendar (yes I'm still writing all the highlights of my day). Guys! I come home exactly a year from now! WHOA :)

The third pic is of me and Elder Kim. There's a lot of Kim's here in Korea. But he used to be my district leader in my first area. We were walking around at the zoo!

I've had my testimony grow immensely this past week. Miracles are happening for us here in Wonju. I'm grateful that I'm serving here. I'm grateful for the people in my life here in Korea. I've realized my love for people grows more and more with each passing day. 

I'm sorry this is so short, but know that I'm safe and happy!

Love you all so much!!!

Continue praying, God is always listening.

With all my love,

Whit Jean Hun 자매