June 22, 2014

Dear Family and Friends!

This week has been full of adventures and craziness.... Okay let's start:

Monday was Pday and we had a list of things to get done including writing letters.... well I'm sad to report that as usual we ran out of time... but we did the most important thing, clean our apartment. It's something we are supposed to dedicate an hour to every pday (President's request). And really it needed it! We are both clean freaks so that's good... Then we had a lesson and went to our new weekly FHE night at our ward building.

Tuesday we were finally able to meet with a referral our elders had given us about 3-4 weeks ago. Her phone hadn't been working and she wasn't at home when we checked.  Then finally last week we well long story short through a series of small promptings we went to her house last week and left a note and she finally called us! So we were able to meet finally on Tuesday. It went really well because we had a member with us. It was awesome! Which is funny because everyone thought it was weird to have a member at the first lesson but it just felt right and it was great! Even when something is out of the normal if it is right it is right :). Then we got to meet with Yen and that was awesome. She looks lighter and you can tell she is happier. It's really neat to have the opportunity to see the difference. 

Wednesday we had our district meeting and then Sister Van Weezep and I decided to go to the island. As always adventures with a small twist of a miracle :). Again long story short we ended up riding on three buses in a period of 4 maybe 5 hours... not the most fun thing we have ever done. But we ended up talking to a woman on the bus and she was super sweet and nice. We gave her our phone number and we'll see what comes of it. 

Thursday we met with a potential investigator at Starbucks with a member. The PI was about 1.5 hr late so we felt so bad for the member. And we got to introduce the member to Starbucks because she had never been in one before lol After that we had another lesson with Elly and that went great. And then we got to meet with the forever English student and her husband. We will now meet with them every Thursday. I'm so excited and hope all goes well with it! Praying for a miracle. She was so funny. Right after our appointment Elly we had some time we were just going to talk to people and hadn't had time for dinner. She calls us and asks us if we had dinner then says okay come over then and I will make you kimpop and naymyeong (cold noodles). SO GOOD!!! Heavenly Father really is aware of all of us, He even knew Sister Van Weezep and I didn't have time for dinner that day, how sweet and kind of both Heavenly Father and Lucy (is her English name). 

Friday we finally got through all of weekly planning in, well a shorter amount of time than before. After that oh, I forgot. Thursday while we were at starbucks waiting we got a phone call apparently from our upstairs neighbor who we haven been trying to meet with. A few weeks ago she gave us some watermelon and tomatoes (so sweet). Then we got a whole watermelon from our ward and, don't judge us, gave it to our upstairs neighbor as a thank you with a note and the family English program pamphlet. She then called Thursday and set up an appointment for Friday. So cool!!! So we met with her and I couldn't understand very much lol it's okay we got through it well. We made another appointment for the next day to start the program. She asks great questions about the gospel and church but she isn't too interested since she is looking into another church too. but she is interested in English. It's okay Heavenly Father can help change that (of course within her agency :) ). Then we had another appointment set up with a member but were stood up by our investigator :( i was so sad and disappointed because the member was there. It's one thing to stand us up- that stinks but it's okay, but a member... it was so sad. The member so sweet and had gotten us Mcdonals, ice cream, and pop. I love Koreans! They are so amazing! I love poeple! So then we decided to heart attack a girl in our ward leaving for her mission in a month (oops we thought it was yesterday, nope) 

Saturday was great. English class went super well and I completely forgot what I was going to say for our thought that day... So Sister Van Weezep sounded like she had been out longer than me lol what a great trainer I am. It's okay I'll just have to try harder next time. Then we had our lesson with the member and our neighbor. It went super well!! She asked a friend to come who knew better English and we asked a member who knew Korean... how funny. We found out after the lesson, about her interest level I mentioned on Friday. But the member didn't say it was a lost cause so... she said keep trying. We will :) Then we went to heart attack a member but got caught... lol we aren't so good at being sneaky. Well they had us come in and eat dinner with them. So sweet! She said she had had revelation because she had made more food than usual and didn't know why. So sweet again Heavenly Father and the member. 

Oh btw one of the ladies in my ward served her mission in Busan, Korea and had a companion Sister Henderson.... she wants to try to contact her again but doesn't know where to start. She doesn't have her first name or her new married name. The Sister was from UT at the time. If you have any leads let me know please!!! 

Sunday church was great was great! A new family moved into our ward and they a big family well kind of (2 boys, one dad, one mom, and a grandma and grandpa). I love the grandma! She has a son in Florida and another in Provo :). Super sweet. And then later that night we went out to try to talk to people and got kind of yelled at by a women lol it's okay she wasn't that scary. Before that we met a couple who had known Mormons and one that had learned English with them... maybe something will come of it. She didn't seem interested but she also did not seem 100% opposed :) We'll take our chances with the .5% chance there is interest that can grow :).

Wow what a week and this next one won't be any exception :). I love you all so much. Thank you for your emails and your love and support. I love hearing from all of you!

Love Always,

Sister Tovar

June 15, 2014

Family and Friends!!!

Wow another week has flown by. Sister Van Weezep and I were looking at our calendar today and realized we are halfway done with June and almost to July! We were both in shock! This past week has been and adventure and adjustment period for both of us. 

Monday started off crazy between Monday and Wednesday we had 10 appointments the bulk of them being on Monday and Tuesday. All because of the amazing Sister Fudge. She is so loved that everyone wanted to say bye to her :). 

I'm very sad to report that on Wednesday we had our last English class at the high school. It is something that was requested by our ward since they will be starting an English Class soon on that day at that time. It's very sad but it was for the best. And on Wednesday was Sister Van Weezep's birthday!!! So exciting and my halfway point. Halfway to go-there is still tons to do so I'm grateful for the time :). It's actually funny I've had a few dreams or thoughts about being home and when that happens I just get a horrible feeling because I literally say in the dream or with my thoughts I'm not ready to go home and it's so true. I miss home and my family more than I can say but I can't imagine leaving yet, which is good I guess since I still have a ton of time left. 

So Thursday crazy adventure... because well went with a member and her baby out to eat lunch and.... well this guy sitting at the table next to us. I started talking to him and then told him about our church and the English program we had we exchanged numbers, I was going to refer him to the elders. Our member said she had seen him on TV and apparently his mom and sister were crying because of the bad choices he was making in life. He said yes was on TV. He said he had recently converted to Christianity which I thought was good and wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Then as I was trying to end the conversation to eat and pay attention to the member and my companion. the member makes a joke like oh do you want some of the food and he doesn't take it as a joke and joins our table. Then I just don't get a good feeling so I leave the able to got the bathroom to call our elders but figure out the directions are a bit complicated so I just tell them not to worry about it. Well in the time that I left apparently he called some people to come because he had three girls there and he described each of us. It was way weird. So when I got back to the table. He asked if he could broadcast us live... at that point I couldn't figure out directions to get the elders there so I just said we need to go we have an appointment. Asked for the food to go and left. We went back to the members house to finish eating and well... yeah. We were fine though we didn't see him again and we really were and are great. But it's an interesting story to tell.

That same day we met an awesome man we referred to the Seoul mission and I'm so jealous because I would have loved to teach him and his family. Such a great man. He remembered seeing the missionaries when he was younger and it has stuck with him since because they looked so nice and well kept.

Saturday we had a ward cleaning project. So great!! I love when the ward gets together! Oh and that day one of our forever english students said her husband might be interested in learning english with us. We apparently made an impression when he met us and was so kind to drive us to our next appointment! So cool!! 

It's interesting this week has been full of so many miracles I am so grateful for all of them. But this week has also been such a huge growing opportunity. Heavenly Father has definitely given me opportunities to see my pridefulness and how much I need to get over it. I'm working on it. It's hard sometimes but I know it's doable. Learning Korean has been one of the most humbling experiences in my life. I have to rely on my Heavenly Father because i definitely know I can not do it alone. I love it though because I want to change and learn to be who he wants me to be. 

Okay quickly, sorry tons happened this week. Sunday Yen was confirmed and is now a member of the church. So exciting! She is excited to kee​p learning more. 

This week will also be a very busy week and Sister Van Weezep and I are so excited!!! The appointments we have are blessings from Heavenly Father. 

I love you all so much!

Sister Tovar

Transfer time!!

Dear Family and friends!

This week has been great! We got transfer calls on Saturday..... dun...dun...dun... I'll leave you in suspense for a little bit I think :). 

Monday we intended to play soccer with the elders but well... It was raining in the morning which was fine and fun because by the time we had time to play it had stopped. You would think we would have tons of free time on pday.... no so much. Well we had to clean, buy groceries, got to email, send things off at the post office, and then leave at 6 to get to an FHE at a members house. lol Pdays are usually some of our busiest days :). Anyway, today will be no exception :). Good thing I love being busy.

Tuesday we visited with a member who gave us a referral!!! That is a huge blessing! Then we went to our English Class at the high school and as always so much fun! We had so many new students! We had to divide into different levels :). And then we went to Yen's house for her baptismal interview. It went super well. I love her so much and I am so grateful I'm able to share in this great experience with her. Oh and we had Singaporean food :) So good!

Wednesday we walked to the post office with Sister Fudges stuff only to discover it was closed :). Wednesday was election day in Korea! So much fun! I love election time in Korea it is super cool and fun. Except that our appointment for that night fell through because it was holiday for everyone. So everyone had like a 6 day weekend, crazy right? Oh and we met Elly and she is now our new investigator! I think I mentioned how we met in a previous email :). She is amazing! She is a tv star! She is an actress and when she was younger she was on TV. Then she quit acting to be with her little girl. She get offers but turns them down because she doesn't want to be away from her little girl :).

Thursday we went to Zone Training, it was good. Learned a lot which is always needed. And I got mail :) It was a nice surprise to get a letter from my mom- she is awesome at writing me, how sweet right? Then we went on an exchange. And Sister Van Weezep left the nest for the first time :). 

Friday well was a bit hard because all of our plans and back up plans and back back up plans all fell through :( lol but it all happens for a reason. On our way to try to catch someone at home we met an awesome couple from Mexico! I was excited! I got to talk to them in Spanish and they reminded me of my family in Mexico and back home. I can't believe how much I miss speaking Spanish and hearing it. It was really nice. They are not interested in the gospel but She is perfect! And maybe someday.... She doesn't like that there are so many churches and that all them believe so differently and she is just wondering what happened to the basic belief... oh little does she know :). I told her we would love to meet again although I know she is interested in the gospel if she ever has any questions she could ask, she said she would and was very sweet. She said we could go for coffee (I'm thinking a smoothie :) ) and she then told us if we ever need anything to call her :).

Saturday was great we had English Class at the church as usual. And then had to finish weekly planning because we didn't finish before. Then we had been invited to dinner at Urnaa's house. The member from Mongolia :) we got to meet her husband and that was wonderful. We were able to help answer a lot of his questions and then give him a tour of the church. Not sure if he'll join anytime soon but someday  he will. Oh and then we got transfer calls.....

Sunday was awesome! President and Sister Morrise were able to come to Yen's baptism which went perfectly well! It was such a cool/neat experience to have been there. 

Okay transfers... Well I'm sad to say that Sister Fudge will be leaving :(. She is going to Songpa :) She will be Sister Training Leader with Sister Chestnut who will also be Sister Training Leader :). Yes, two of the coolest people together! What an awesome companionship! I love them both so much and I am so excited for them! As for me.... well I will be finishing Sister Van Weezep's training so on Wednesday I will be trainer/senior. I am super nervous and well yeah... I'm excited though. The Lord gives you what you need when you need it, so I know He will help me with the language. 

What I am learning this week and probably this transfer and well my whole life.... is to trust in the Lord. As long as we do all we can He will help us. I am so grateful for my mission and the opportunity to be in Korea serving the Korean people. I love them so much! 

I love you all so much, thank you again for your example and your kindness.

Love Always,

Sister Tovar

                                                                              An awesome park!!! 

 The Monday night Family Home evening. We had them write/draw their title of liberty :)

                                                            Our primary practicing their song :)

Yen's baptism :) I am so grateful! 

Family and Friends,

Okay so this week a few things happened.

First, Thursday we went out to street board, literally we have a board we put up on a street and then give out English class fliers or pamphlets etc. Well we didn't not find anyone that way but someone did find us. This very sweet sister from Mongolia is living in Korea because well this is where her husband in from. She is a member and has been looking for a church building for a long time but hasn't been able to find one and then she saw us and the street board and she came up to us and was so happy :). Well, it turns out she also wanted a blessing because she is pregnant and apparently there are some complications or she is just really nervous. Her husband is not a member so she requested for an elder to do that and thankfully she was able to get her blessing :). And she will start coming to church next week. :) Miracles, so grateful for them. That whole day Sister Van Weezep had prayed that He would put people in our path that were ready.... that whole day people we coming up to us and we got a phone number, and it was just perfect. Her prayer was definitely answered :).

We were taken out to eat by two members this past week. One of the grandmas in the ward, I love her! She was so sweet and so kind. I found out a lot about her too. Her husband past away a couple of years ago. She is such an awesome lady. Then we were also taken out to a cool garden restaurant (it has a garden with lights) by a family. So much fun. So grateful for members and their kindness towards us and their willingness to help. We were able to have a member lesson this week and it made such a difference, I really do wish everyone of our lessons could have a member there. Members are really key just like all the general authorities have been saying, I'm so grateful for them.

Transfer calls are next Saturday... I'll let you know what happens Monday :). 

Lastly, (saving the best for last) Elder Cook and Sister Cook visited Korea and it was awesome! I learned so much! Something that I want to try to apply. In Chapter 6 of PMG are the Christlike Attributes for each attribute Sister Cook went through the hymn book and made lists of which hymns would go with each attribute. I love it! i'm am doing that. I think it's a great idea because it is another source of help. For example, currently I am working on having more positive and uplifting thoughts. The way I am trying to do this is to replace every negative thought with a thought of gratitude (Elder Uchtdorf's GC talk), and then after hearing Sister Cook I want to also people to sing a hymn that will remind me to be grateful whenever any negative thought comes into my head. Negative being- unkind, inpatient, stubborn, prideful, or demeaning, just anything negative. 

I learned so much more and I would love to share it all but it's too much to include in this email. 

Thank you all so much for you emails, for your example, for your love, for your prayers, for everything! I am so blessed to have you in my life and to be able to call you friend. I am so grateful to have the companions I have right now, the Lord truly knows who and what we need. I am grateful for His love and teaching and guidance. I am grateful for learning and growing, it is really hard but I know it's more than worth it.

Love Always,

Sister Tovar

May 25, 2014

Dear family and friends,

This week has been pretty low key but still really amazing. 

So this week the main points. Yesterday a drunken man tried to break int​o our house. It's really not as bad as it seems, he was so drunk he was out of it. So he was trying to get in but before he could Sister Fudge grabbed the door handle and locked it. So he could get in. We called the Elders right away and they came running-all four of them :). I think they like us lol We have very kind elders in our ward. I promise we are safe and our apartment is safe!

We were able to go the temple!!! So much fun!! Loved it! Sister Van Weezep got to go for the first time in country! So exciting! After the temple we went out to ice cream and pretty much just celebrated Sister Van Weezep's birthday (which is not for another month :))

This week... has been really awesome for the most part. I think the hard parts have all come from within. Whenever you are trying to really be better or striving to try to be a Christlike person that is when the adversary comes stronger, but that is also when Heavenly Father gives us the opportunities to choose and to do what we have set out to do. It's easy to say I will be more patient when nothing is requiring patience, but when something comes up that tries your patience that is when you get to grow and learn because you make a choice. Most every choice we make leads us closer to Christ or farther away from Him. All we can do is keep trying, and praying. 

Thank you all for being so awesome! I love getting your emails and reading about your lives! I pray for all of you.

Love Always,

Sister Tovar

P.S. The pictures will give you more details about my week then my email sorry :). 

Our awesome high school English class!!! I love every single one of the students. They are hilarious and total sweethearts! Even the boys :)

Yen our investigator and 함대식 her husband, then the elders, Yen's brother and girlfriend (practically wife) from Singapore, and well us! 

We went for a barbecue at a campsite it was soooo cool!!!! Koreans have projectors when they camp, talk about camping in the technology era :)

Seoul Temple