Hawaii, there and back again‏

Wow. This week was insane. It went so fast too. 

So remember that I was saying we were having a Hawaiian luau? Yeah, that happened. So this past week was actually dedicated almost solely to that. The first couple days we went around inviting as many people as we could. We literally we outside walking for a total of six hours on Tuesday, during the hottest part of the day.That was sure interesting. Don't worry, I drank lots. :)

Then we decorated decorated decorated, prepared prepared prepared. It took a lot of time, but if I'm not being prideful in doing so, I will say that us four missionaries puled off a pretty good party. of course we had members' help too, and got other missionaries involve to help. ) 

So here's what we had going on for the Luau. We started out with everyone gathered together and then two Elders performed the haka dance (from New Zealand, not Hawaii, but it still works) and then everyone played a little true/false game to get them excited about Hawaii. Then they split to go to different rooms, and could go wherever they wanted. Our original plan was a game room, lei-making room, family history room, and a mormon messages room. Also, there was someone taking pictures that could be printed right there. I was in the lei room, which was way fun. And interesting thing, the three boys from our English class that are usually super crazy and hyper sat in my room quietly and diligently making leis for the entire time. I was so amazed. 

We were hoping that a miracle would happen with this meeting because we were dedicating so much time to preparing for it and if nothing came of it we all would have been super disappointed. But we never should have doubted; miracles did happen! We had quite a few less-actives there,and some of the young women brought their friends, so now they were able to see a little of church! Hopefully they will start coming regularly to activities that happen.

That was the week really. Oh, but I just heard that Shannon Murphy had a baby! Congratulations to her! Wow the time is rolling. I love you all!

Sister Segovia

Intriguing Fact: 

The equivalent of "sweet dreams" in English in "dream of pigs" in Korean. Hehe I can't remember exactly why, but something to do with the pig being a symbol of prosperity. It's funny every time though.

Inspiring Scripture:

"His hands were made strong by the hand of the Mighty God." Genesis 49:24

Our hands are weak, but God can make them strong. Our minds are frail, but the Lord can lift us higher. If nothing else, that's something I've learned. I really am so incredibly insufficient without our Father in Heaven's help and Jesus Christ's Atonement. I know that they both live, and the only way we can truly stand tall is through Them.

We're all grandmas‏

Ahhhh!!!! Christal is pregnant?? Yay that's so great! Her baby is going to be soo cute. Tell her congratulations for me!! :D <3

So about this past week.... Wow I seriously feel like I'm living in a drama sometimes. It's so full of ups and downs, and really, my emotions have never had so many variations before. I'm used to being the type of person that's just like ----------------------- no matter what happens, but my companion has a very different personality, and I've been riding along with her like this /\/\/\/\/\. It's been very interesting that's for sure. But we are doing well! 

Still doing great on the TTRs (To the Rescue), working with the members. And this next week Saturday is our Luau, which we will pretty much be dedicating all of our time to preparing this next week. It's crazy and stressful, but at the same time really enjoyable. One thing we did find out though was that really, missionaries cannot do it alone. We had thought that we had to plan everything out and do everything and then the members would just come and enjoy, but turns out the members actually wanted us to work with them (who would have known?... Really, I don't know why we thought otherwise). Anyway, we are going to be working super hard to make this activity a success and hope it doesn't mess up. :)

Something cool that happened with our English class: there are two middle school students that have been coming for a long time, and last week we asked the older brother to say the prayer, which he did for the first time. And then this past week, his younger brother volunteered to say it! I was so surprised and very pleased. :]

About being grandmas, really, the longer you are on a mission, the older you feel. Once Sisters get to their last few months we always call them grandma, since they're older in the mission. But that's seriously how you feel too! In fact, this past Tuesday, something mortifying happened. We were walking along the street, when my companion all of the sudden stops me and says, "It's okay if I pull these out right?" I had no clue what she was talking about, but then she reached for my head and plucked out FOUR WHITE HAIRS from my head. !!! I was like, Whhhaaaat???

Yeah, it's been interesting. but our investigator came to church again! She hasn't been in the past three weeks, but she came and we go to teach her and hopefully will teach her again this week. Yay!

That's all for now. i love everyone over there! 

Sister Segovia

Interesting Fact: No one goes anywhere if it rains. Really, you'll have a big activity happening, but if it rains then you can expect half attendance. We are hoping that doesn't happen to us this Saturday for the Luau. Today certainly was bright and sunny. I've got a little bit of sunburn from our zone P-day hiking along a cliff beach. But if it doesn't rain, it's HOT. The nonstop heat has come. Hope it's sunny for our Hawaii party!

"God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." - Genesis 41:52

I've been learning a lot about that lately, how often the hardest moments are the times that bring the most blessing, the most growth, and the most results. What may look like a bane at first can turn into our favorite experience, as long as we trust in God and His plan for us. When the hard times come, don't get discouraged I know that you can do it, and God knows that you can do it.

It's a roller coaster!‏

Wow what a week! So to follow up on what I said about our mission President and his wife, I'm not really sure exactly how their style is different, except that it is. They both are so wonderful though! We actually got to see them this past Sunday because they came to our ward to introduce themselves, and we will be having interviews on Thursday which I am super excited for!! I'm glad I have enough time to really get to know them before I go home. Yahoo!

This week has been pretty crazy with a lot of up and downs. We were able to show the members a lot of love; that's something my companion is really good at. Sadly, we are unable to meet with a lot of our investigators right now due to different reasons, but we are still pressing forward and doing the best we can to help the people we have been called to serve.

Also, we are planning an activity for our ward next Saturday, and it should be super great, if we can get everything to go well. We are planning a Hawaiian Luau type thing, or at least as close to one as we can get in Korea. :) Anyway, we got invitations out to the members yesterday, so hopefully they get excited for it!

Mom, about taking care of my teeth, I'll definitely try super hard, Actually, I'm almost out of all my American toothpaste, so I'll be using Korean toothpaste, but I've heard that it's not the same.. No clue what's different about it, but hopefully it's not too terrible as I use it for the next 5 months :)

I love you all so much!! I think about you often and pray for you too. We are far away, but I know that God has got you in His hands. <3

Sister Segovia

Interesting Fact: You know how when you see a cute baby, sometimes you'll hear, "Oh he's so cute I want to pinch his cheeks!" Well, in Korea, they have the same type of thing, but a little different: "He's so cute I want to bite him!" haha I don't really get it either, but they probably think we're weird for pinching kids' cheeks too.

"Whose daughter [or son] art thou?" - Genesis 24:23

This question was asked to Rebekah, by the servant of Abraham. Of course, in the story, he was asking who her literal father was, but when I read it, I thought about my spiritual Father. Whose daughter am I? Can I confidently answer that I am the daughter of God? My companion and I have been thinking about this lately, and how when we return to God's presence, we want to be able to feel worthy to say "I am Thy daughter." Could I feel comfortable and worthy enough to run up and give Him a hug? I think He'd want that. I know that God is not just some distant being that doesn't care about what we do. He knows each one of us! He loves each one of us!

Just keep swimming

This week was pretty crazy, and I'm actually not sure how much I can explain. 

I'll start with the coolest part-- meeting our new mission president! All the Ulsan missionaries (that's the city I'm in) went to Daegu for the meeting, which takes about an hour-and-a-half by train. I actually was asked to do a musical number short notice, so I had to sight-read perform (well, I had just half an hour to practice before-hand, so that was super interesting. My sight-reading skills have greatly improved on my mission though! :]

President Barrow and his wife seem amazing and I'm confident the mission will do well in their hands. I can see they both have a lot of love, though it's definitely a different style than the Gilberts. But something happened that was SUPER cool and testified to me that everything is exactly how God wants it. Remember how last week I had read the article by Elder Holland? So I read the article, and then the next day we got our mission newsletter and the Gilberts quoted from that article in their last letter. And I thought that was cool enough. But then, this past Wednesday at the meeting, our new mission president quoted the exact same line from the same article! It was amazing! I know that was God's way of telling me that I'm learning what I need to be learning right now.

Also, mom you'll be proud of me because I have been cooking a lot more lately. That is, things like quesadillas, grilled cheese, etc.... haha! But yeah, I really am trying to eat healthier, and making sure I get my protein even though i'd prefer to eat just fruit all my life. :) And guess what? I made custard and it turned out really delicious, and I can now officially say I'm pro at making apple pie since I made it for the first time by myself this past week. :D 

Interesting Fact: vanilla only comes in powder, I've never seen the liquid, no clue why.

Another thing about food.. Steak is not really a common thing to eat in Korea, and I've actually maybe only had it once since I've been here, until this past Tuesday. We had a lunch and dinner appointment, and to our surprise, BOTH of them gave us steak to eat! Whooo hoo! It was pretty delicious (shhhh don't tell anyone because I'm telling everyone I don't like meat right now :P) and I'm sure every Elder in our mission would be jealous hehe

Oh, and the girl I told you about did come to FHE with her little sister! It was great :) keep praying for her! And also, our other investigators need some prayers too; I care about them so much!

Anyway, thank you so much for everything you do at home for me and for everyone. You all have touched many lives, and mine is all due to you! <3 I love you soooo much! Have a wonderful week. :)

Sister Segovia

"I will remember my covenant which is between me and you." - Genesis 9:15

God never forgets what He has promised us. And we will see those promises fulfilled if we live worthy. Something I though was cool in Genesis 16 today came from a maid's example. The Lord spoke to her, and afterward she said (in my own words), "I now know that thou seest me. Do I see thee?" God's always watching us and guiding us and loving us. Do we watch for Him, love Him, and follow His guidance?