Week 5 in Gwangju

Dear family,

Thank you for your prayers. Although we haven't found a family yet, there were two families at our English class last week that were brought by a member so we are hoping to make them our investigators very soon.

I was thinking that since my blog isn't very frequented and since these letters are supposed to be mainly spiritual, I would send my cultural tid bits to Anna to post on a RaNdOm day during the week. That way you can look forward to something in the week. Also, I thought a fun "how to" format would be most enticing and helpful. That way when you actually visit Korea you'll have all sorts of useful advice and by the end of my mission you will all be able to be a missionary in Korea.

This week was exciting though because I got to go on a split with my MTC companion. Yes, that means that there were two missionaries who barely speak Korean wondering around Gwangju trying to find out where they were goin. However, God is a god of miracles and we not only survived but spent 8 hours outside proselyting and contacted 117 people. Yes I was half frozen, couldn't move my fingers, and my smile was literally frozen to my face, however, on the inside I was toasty and warm with the spirit.

Another miracle that happened this week, just a small miracle, but one that I was thankful for. We went to visit a lady and her daughter in our ward. The daughter is leaving to Utah for school in a few days so we made a note for her and some brownies. We went to go deliver it, but they weren't home and since they are insanely rich they live in an apartment complex where you can't even get in unless you have a secret code/someone lets you in. This means we couldn't even leave the note on the door or anything. We were trying to decide if we should wait creepily outside for someone to come along or if our time would be better spent going to our next appointment. I said a silent prayer that we would know what to do and at the very moment some small children came running up, opened the door to go inside and we were able to leave the note and the brownies. I know it doesn't seem big, but even the small things count.

While reading in 4 Nephi this week I thought a lot about peace. I think that it's great that after Christ appears to the Nephites that all the people of the land, Nephites and Lamanites alike, become a peaceful people. It mentions in 4 Ne 1:15-16:

"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people... and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God."

So what does it take to have world peace? It takes a change of heart, it takes the love of God dwelling in the hearts of the people. Although that's a lot of my purpose as a missionary, that doesn't mean I am the only one who can have the fun of sharing the gospel. This weeks challenge is for all of you to think of one way that you can have "the love of God dwlling in your heart". It could be something like writting down a scripture and putting it on your mirror, finding an act of service for your neighbor, whatever you what really. Then drop me a sentence, maybe two, and let me know.

Also, for those of you who are wondering what Rebecca's dream package would consist of, I have made a list.

Rebecca's dream package (which is shipped in a convenient flat rate box which I have been told doesn't ship based on weight):
*cinnamon
*vanilla
*oats
*recipes
*nutmeg
*peanut butter
*pictures of family
*fine tipped sharpies
*thin black gloves that are't bulky but still somehow make my hands really warm
*chocolate chips

I hope that you are all doing well. I love you and I appreciate your emails and prayers.

Love,

Sister Rebecca O'Bryan