Let me start off by saying... CONFERENCE IS ONE OF THE BEST HOLIDAYS IN THE WORLD! Okay, so maybe it's not really an official holiday... but it should be! We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to be taught and counseled by those whom God has called to declare His word! It is absolutely amazing--an incredible gift! And I do not doubt that these men and women are called of God. They may not be perfect, but there messages have a perfect capacity to pierce our hearts and change our lives. We can receive personal revelation and inspiration as to how we can come closer to God and experience greater joy in our lives.
So... basically conference was the highlight of this last week! Haha. On Thursday we got two new sisters who became the second sisters team here in Cheomdan! Sister Whiting was transfered from another part of Gwangju (we served briefly together back in Juneish), and her companion is Sister Beckett--who is fresh from the MTC! It's been the strangest thing having four American sister missionaries living together... like culture shock all over again. haha. But it's been wonderful thus far. I am thankful for the new life that these two sisters bring!
And... back to conference! We were able to watch it in English here at the church! It was super awesome... and I loved all of the messages it reinforced--things that I've learned and even taught as a missionary. I'm thankful for the renewed energy and perspective that always comes with conference. I feel more focused than ever on what truly matters most in this life. I will probably continue to talk about different thoughts I've had throughout the next few emails I send back home... I always wish there was a way for me to transfer all of my thoughts, feelings, and experiences in one big push... basically, my favorite part can be summed up in one word, a word that Elder Uchtdorf chose to speak about in the Saturday Morning session: SIMPLIFY! The idea itself is very clear, but the means is often quite difficult. In life there is so much craziness going about! So many ups and downs, ins and outs; so many different angles can be taken. But in all... nothing compares with the perspective that an understanding of the Gospel brings. Our purpose is simple here, and really aligns exactly with the purpose of Our Father... "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." This applies not only to our individual responsibility we have for our own exaltation, but applies to the desire to help bring others as well. As our understanding grows, that desire to help others will grow naturally... I've realized that my purpose for being here in Korea as a missionary is so simple as well. It's at times where I get caught up with the details of the missionary work that I sometimes lose sight of that (as I think many of us do in our respective lives...). As we simplify, the details fade away and our life's purpose become clear. The path becomes clear. I am incredibly thankful for this perspective.
Anywho, I wish all the happiness in the world for you all! Onward and upward!
Sister Hatch
Sister Marissa Hatch
해치 자매
So... basically conference was the highlight of this last week! Haha. On Thursday we got two new sisters who became the second sisters team here in Cheomdan! Sister Whiting was transfered from another part of Gwangju (we served briefly together back in Juneish), and her companion is Sister Beckett--who is fresh from the MTC! It's been the strangest thing having four American sister missionaries living together... like culture shock all over again. haha. But it's been wonderful thus far. I am thankful for the new life that these two sisters bring!
And... back to conference! We were able to watch it in English here at the church! It was super awesome... and I loved all of the messages it reinforced--things that I've learned and even taught as a missionary. I'm thankful for the renewed energy and perspective that always comes with conference. I feel more focused than ever on what truly matters most in this life. I will probably continue to talk about different thoughts I've had throughout the next few emails I send back home... I always wish there was a way for me to transfer all of my thoughts, feelings, and experiences in one big push... basically, my favorite part can be summed up in one word, a word that Elder Uchtdorf chose to speak about in the Saturday Morning session: SIMPLIFY! The idea itself is very clear, but the means is often quite difficult. In life there is so much craziness going about! So many ups and downs, ins and outs; so many different angles can be taken. But in all... nothing compares with the perspective that an understanding of the Gospel brings. Our purpose is simple here, and really aligns exactly with the purpose of Our Father... "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." This applies not only to our individual responsibility we have for our own exaltation, but applies to the desire to help bring others as well. As our understanding grows, that desire to help others will grow naturally... I've realized that my purpose for being here in Korea as a missionary is so simple as well. It's at times where I get caught up with the details of the missionary work that I sometimes lose sight of that (as I think many of us do in our respective lives...). As we simplify, the details fade away and our life's purpose become clear. The path becomes clear. I am incredibly thankful for this perspective.
Anywho, I wish all the happiness in the world for you all! Onward and upward!
Sister Hatch
Sister Marissa Hatch
해치 자매