Monday, August 5, 2013

First email


Hi family!
The computer I'm using right now doesn't let me change the keyboard language so I'll try and send you another email sometime later today in Korean.
Thank you so much for the email, Dad. It's been really hard seeing everyone else in my district getting mail everyday and not getting anything for myself. It's been really tough here, but I know that Heavenly Father loves me and my family loves me too.
The MTC is really hard. Mom and dad will be reading one of my letters that I sent. I really wanted to come home a few days ago. I didn't want to cry in front of my roommates or district so I didn't cry until I started praying to Heavenly Father that night. I don't think I've ever cried while praying to Heavenly Father. I really felt alone and I didn't know what to do. I asked him to help me feel loved and to have peace. Heavenly Father truly answers prayers. As I finished my prayer and laid down to sleep, I felt this peace within me and a reassurance that I'm never alone! I needed to practice what I preach -- that I'm truly never alone and Jesus Christ has already suffered my grievances and trials and knows what I was feeling right then. I cried some more but the peace helped me fall asleep very easily.
That next day was this past Sunday. Everyone says that if you can make it through Sunday, you can make it through the MTC. I think those are wise words because Sunday was full of uplifting words and testimonies. I bore my testimony in Sacrament, and I listened very carefully to mission conference and devotionals. I also got the opportunity to make new friends! I love seeing all the missionaries going to Korea, and I always at least say Hi to them when I see them. However, when we were in line for the Sunday night devotional I saw two elders studying Korean. I asked them which mission they're going to (Busan) and we started talking. I answered a few Korean questions for them (grammar) and we exchanged emails to keep in contact. The cool thing was they were from England and Australia!
I wish I was going to Korea sometimes. Because then I could have a chance at talking to our family about the Gospel. But I know that I'm needed in California; who knows why, but that's where I'm going and that's where I'll be. And I'm sure these missionaries going to Korea will do a good job. If it weren't for missionaries, mom and dad wouldn't have joined the church and you guys wouldn't be able to raise us in this wonderful Gospel. It's thanks to the missionaries that our family is here where we are now. Those missionaries who taught you two, mom and dad, that started a whole generation of a family who will love and grow in the Gospel!!
My companion is two years younger than me and she's from Ohio. She was a cheerleader in high school, and she has a very very strong personality of taking over control too much. You guys should know I'm not that type of person to let people do that to me, so it's been tough. I've definitely been practicing patience. Every single girl I've met also has a boyfriend. What's up with that?! So every night my roommates talk about their boyfriends and blah blah blah...bleh. 
I'm definitely practicing patience here. And I need to keep having a positive mindset because talking about things negatively only bring me down.
I've also been crying a lot whenever I talk about you guys. The importance of family has grown soooo much more as I've been missing you guys more than ever. Yesterday when we were meeting our investigator from the TRC I was relating to her about family and talked about you guys. I said that our family has learned to be really close because our extended family all live in Korea. It was really tough as I tried not to cry a lot in front of them. I love our family!!! I wouldn't trade our family for anything. We truly are a blessed family. Especially now with Auden! Man, I miss that sweet little boy. Just thinking about him saying "immo? immo?" puts a smile on my face. It touches my heart a lot.

I have some pictures to send to you guys! Except I don't have my camera right now, woops. I'll try and send them later today as well. My P-days are on Tuesdays; I'm in the laundry room right now and just emailing the few people who have contacted me.

Sister, is it possible if you could maybe get some addresses for me so I can write them? Or tell people to send me letters or use "DearElder"? I would love getting some letters. It really is hard seeing everyone else get letters. Emails aren't near as great. I see why missionaries love letters now.
What else to say...I think I'm improving as a missionary. It's so hard work. A set schedule that's mainly studying is difficult. Going all day, from 7:15-9:30, is tough work. I've never been more drained in my life. I miss music, dancing, sports, the piano! But my companion and I got called to be the music organizers in our zone. So pretty much we just pick what hymns are being sung in church and finding musical numbers. We also find people who can play the piano and lead as well. Even though it's not much, for me it means a ton. Music can bring in the Spirit and set the tone so easily. Music is so much to me and at least being able to be involved with it some way or another is all that I need.
I don't know what I'll be doing for P-day yet. Usually I'd be sleeping right now if I were at home haha. But I'm just glad I can be in normal clothes and be able to take this chance to rejuvenate. 
I love you family. I miss you more than anything right now. I wish I spent more time with you guys, not just before the mission but in general. I hope that you can feel the love I have for you guys. My teacher taught us that our first investigators to worry about is our family. And so everyday I pray to Heavenly Father, thanking him for your love and for you guys and ask him to bless you guys more than anything and to let you guys know that I love you. 
We've done one week! Now only 78 more to go. Actually, I was told that missions for girls are actually 17 months because of how transfers go. So only 74 weeks to go! I think... you may have to check my math out, but that's about the right number.

Please keep me updated on everything! Send me pictures, letters, "DearElder"s, emails, all through the week! The more I have to read on P-day and throughout the week, the better.
I love you family. I can't wait to bring you blessings for this work I'm part of.
--Sister Yunnie Kim (aka Yun-berg) (aka Ddong)
PS I don't have Nelson's email unnie. Send it to me maybe?

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