Remember how Gyeongju was the capital of Korea back in the day?‏

Alright family, here I am, an new citizen of Gyeongju city. And guess what that means? I get to go to all of the tour sites for free! :D :D Yep, interesting fact is that citizens of the city can get in for free but everyone else has to pay to see cool things. Yayyy... We actually were planning on going to a bunch today, but its POURING outside so we might have to postpone.. :( But still, I'm excited for when the day comes.

So this past week was pretty interesting. It was actually pretty hard too. The whole time I just felt like I wasn't doing my role, and instead of becoming any type of responsible missionary, I just felt like I was right back in training. Not the greatest feeling in the world, but it certainly helps in the acquirement of humility. 

I forgot how much you have to change when you transfer to a new area. In each area, missionary work is done a little bit differently and you have to change the way you think to match what best works in that specific area. For example, in Hogye we spent a lot of time looking for former investigators and less actives, but Gyeongju doesn't have much to look for. And this area is HUGE. We have to take buses everywhere. In fact, it's almost the same as Jinju. And guess what? There's a member here that lived in Jinju when I was there. She is amazing, and we got to go out to eat with her this past week. :)

We also met with quite a few other members and ate together. The members are great here. There's about 45, 50 that attend church. But surprising part of it is that around 20 of them are little kids under that age of twelve! It calls for a crazy time in church that's for sure. 

And awesome miracle that happened this week with English class--15 people came! My companion said that when she first got here, there wasn't anyone. But they have been putting out these flyers everywhere that have been really effective. Our three investigators came from the flyers, as did a lot of the Elders' investigators too. In fact, they have some of the coolest investigators ever. One is a student, and he reads the BOM everyday, and at church yesterday we were learning about the Priesthood and he decided he wanted to study more about it this next week. He is so prepared!! Also, Another of their investigators is monk. That's right, grey clothes and a bald head monk. He is studying English with the Elders, but he said that he would come to church at least once :D Insane.

Lots more happened this week, but I'll have to stop here before I get too carried away. I think I'm getting the hang of the area a little more now and y companion and I are at a more comfortable level, so hopefully this next week will be a smooth and happy ride! 

Mom I'm glad that you were able to go to the temple with your sisters! That would be an amazing experience. :) And dad, thanks for helping out Nelly with finding parts for her car! What happened to it?

I love you all lots! 

Sister Segovia

"Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it." - Exodus 35:5

This line really stuck out to me when I was reading. We that have willing hearts can bring them where God wants us. When I read this, I ask myself, where is my willing (or unwilling if that applies) heart bring me? If I truly do keep God's commandments with a willing heart, them I will be able to go wherever He would ask. I will bring everything I have and offer it up to the Lord. My time, my faith, my fears. Through a willing heart, I can give all those over to Him, our Father in Heaven.

Just a jump across the river‏

Guess what????? I am indeed in a new area. But, it's actually RIGHT next to my last area, and I'm even in the same district! So it's almost like I'm not really transferring at all. In fact, our stake is having a conference in two weeks so I will be able to see all my beloved Hogye members again not long from now! It was a little weird to tell them, yeah I'm leaving! And they were like oh nooooo, where to?? Then after they heard I am going to Gyeongju, they were like, oh you aren't going anywhere! haha.

But honestly, I think this is absolutely what I needed. Because my old companion Sister Lee Subin is going home after this next transfer, if we had both stayed together again, that would have been a gaurantee that I stay there for two more transfers, and then I would have just one left so I would have been in hogye for 6 transfers, which I couldn't stand the thought of. I loved the area, but I get kind of restless if I'm in an area for too long. So I was torn because I wanted to leave just to have a new area, but I didn't want to leave because I love the members so much. So God gave me both! He gave me a new area, but I still get to see Hogye members pretty often! I'm super happy about it. :)

So, new things about this transfer, besides the area.... My companion is Sister Kang Da Hyeon, and she is now in her third transfer, just finished training. (Which means I am follow-up training.. 8|) We are Sister Training Leaders, which should be really fun because our zone is going to have three new trainees! And 6 people from my group from MTC are training this transfer! Including both Sister Bonney and Elder Jackson from our zone (the people I celebrated our year-mark with). Anyway, I'm really really excited for this next transfer. Everything about it seems like a fun new experience! Though I'm a little nervous because this is my first time being the Senior companion, ever. Wish me luck! And pray for me too. :)

As for this past week, my last week in the best area ever, it was crazy! There was a wedding reception for the daughter of a member, and us missionaries did a musical number for it. It was so fun! Also, saying bye to the members on Sunday was really one of the sweetest things ever, because it wasn't sad since I'll be seeing them again, but I still got to feel the love that comes with goodbyes. So seriously, this whole weekend was just full of all of the good parts of things and none of the bad. I can feel Heavenly Father giving all of these blessings, and it puts more responsibility on my shoulders to do my part! :]

Lots more to say, but no time to say it! Love you all :) And thank you so much to DIANA for her sweet email! I'm so excited that she is learning to swim! Wish I could be teaching her, but hey, it'll be even funner to come home and be able to have fun in the pool together :)

Okay, bye loved ones!

Sister Segovia

Interesting Fact: To start a wedding, a common tradition is to have the mothers walk up the aisle together, light candles at the front of the auditorium, and then bow to each other. I thought it was really cool when I saw it because its like a sign of respecting and uniting with the other family. So cool <3

"Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me." - Exodus 19:5

We are a peculiar people. Not because we are weird and awkward, but because we are full of light and hope. The world is so full of darkness, so those who see our light wonder, why are you like that? It may be unfamiliar to them, but we should never stop shining.

Who's fluent after one year?

Yep so I don't think I mentioned it in my last email, but this past week was officially one year in Korea!! But with that announcement, don't anybody go thinking I should have the language down by now or anything. If you thought that I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to live up to your expectations. Haha but at the same time, I've been feeling pretty confident about my ability this past week! It may not be fluent, but I'm not looking for perfection just yet. :D

So actually, speaking of my year-in-Korea mark, I actually was able to go on exchanges with a sister from my group in the MTC on that day! So we celebrated our year-mark together. PLUS I went to her area, and one of their Elders is also from our group, so we all three were able to celebrate together! It was awesome! Better than anything i would have thought to ask for. There really is a special connection/bond between those who come to Korea at the same time from the MTC. I don't know if it's a Korean thing, but whoever is in your mission-age group is your best friend for life. :)

Other things that happened this week.... We were able to go eat dinner with a family who's son just returned from his mission in Seoul, and that was super fun! I absolutely love that family, and their son will be going to school in Utah so we'll probably see each other in America too. It's always the best to find out I'll be able to see Korean friends again after the mission.

Everything else is going pretty well also, and we are working hard. :) However, this next week is the last week of the transfer, and there's a very high chance that I will be leaving.... :( :( I'm just going to think I'm staying though, so whatever happens I don't receive any surprises, but yeah.... you'll find out in my next email what happens. ahhhhh I'm so nervous! I really absolutely, whole-heartedly love this branch that I am in. They really are all like my family now! I don't want to leave them... :(

Anyway, that's all for now! I love you so so much! The interesting fact of the week is this: Everyone has vacation time right about now, from school, work, etc. Even restaurants close for a couple days for vacation! It's a fun time for Koreans. :)

Love!

Sister Segovia

"I send an Angel before thee to keep thee in the way." - Exodus 23:20

I really like this scripture because it can be applied in so many different ways. If you think about it, there are SO many different angels in our lives that were put there so that we grow up in the way God wants us too. My parents are angels in my life because the have kept me going in the way I need to. Missionaries are angels to those who have to find the way, members are angels to help each other stay on the path, we all have a prophet who is the angel that speaks to us for God. Look around and you'll see just how many angels God has given you. :)

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?