Elder Britsch's Letters September 3rd - September 17th 2009

Dear fam, September 3rd, 2009
Thanks for writing. I hope Court’s doing well at college. An exciting time. Just Hunter and Karsyn at home will be different. How is school, now that it has started?We have found some new people but had many drop as well. Despite the dropped people we are hopeful that we can find some prepared people and we know that seeds have been planted. Sometimes we don’t know the Lord’s plan for us but we just have to know that he does have one and that it will make us stronger. Today, I visited korea’s war museum. The korean war really took on a more animate feel to me. Much has gone on to make this country to make it what it is today. As for dad’s question of food, my stomache gets hit with diarhea when we eat lots of garlic – a very common sidedish. Plus, the milk here or maybe just my bodies reaction to it because of the changed diet, does the same thing. Our church is small here but yet the members are so strong. We continue to see them hold to their faith through all the storms. Korea is, as my companion refers to it – a lemming society. What's popular, trendy, and done my the masses is desired by most people (even more so than in the US). Outsiders are few and looked at strangely. As a result, those who go to our church, which is labelled a heractic church and known that way my most people, are fighting culture and societal views. I love you all. Be so thankful for the peace you live in and the multitude of members around you. It is a big blessing. Next week is my year mark. Wow!

Love elder britsch

Dear Family, September 9th, 2009
I loved both of your letters. The quotes were very good. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I felt the spirit as I read them. I couldn’t help but feel happy that you are studying the gospel so intently. I appreciate this so much more as a missionary. Your love and study of the gospel is not only a great example but has given me strength. Thank you for considering my situation and for your thoughts and prayers on my behalf. I am so lucky to have amazing parents. Service is such a key to the development of our characters. Last night as we walked the streets home there was a mom on a electric scooter/chair because her legs were braced and she had her hands full of card board boxes which she was collecting outside stores for recycling money. As she went along her 7 yr old son and maybe 10 year old daughter were pulled on beatup rollerskates. At each stop they would dash to the boxes and bring them to their mom to hold. As we saw what they were doing I noticed that the kids were actually happy. The mom seemed stressed but they were working together as a family. Depite the less than comfortable circumstances they are under, I couldn’t help but think that they seemed happier and closer as a family then most of the families I taught living in the million dollar apartments of my last area. The younger kid seemed to have no idea that his situation could be seen as embarassing. He just enjoyed the ride and his mom and sister. It makes you consider what really brings happiness in life and what gets tainted by society's view of happiness. We had a great week this week. We saw many blessings. Early in the week week met 2 college kids on the street and found out that I had just called one of them earlier that day going over old referrals. They have met us twice. The friend has many questions and is reading the Book of Mormon to find them. When knocking one night we felt we should try an apartment we hadn’t planned to knock. We only had 15 mins before our appointment at the church but gave it a shot. The first door we knocked was a family. They told us to come in. They had met missionaries in the past and want to meet again and are interested in the gospel. We had to leave but came back and have taught them once this week and will meet again tomorrow. We also met a college student who has primarily gospel interest. He is meeting again tonight. Furthermore, our english class exploded last week with 6 new people. We are teaching two of them this week. Met a recent convert on the street last Friday by “chance”. He is a Korean man living in washington but here for 1 month for business. Baptized 2 months ago. He came to church and the ward welcomed him. He is single and matches the age of many of the divorced women in the ward. Maybe its fate…who knows? We had 3 little girls following us around giggling at us as we knocked their complex. It was pretty funny. Met a journalist women in her office with her boss their but she seems to have little gospel interest. Things are going well. We are seeing the Lord’s hand a lot and are very blessed to have the new investigators come into our lives.

love elder britsch

Dear family, September 17th, 2009
I am writing from my new area called bong-chun in Seoul. I'm back in the city life and serving with a Korean who is starting his 2nd transfer. We live in a 4man house (though there's only room for 2) with elder Glines from my mtc district and elder Christenson who was in the mtc above me a transfer. We are a young district. In my area is Seoul University - the best in korea, Harvard equivelant. We will be meeting lots of smart people. I don't know much else about it but it is much more wealthy than my last area. It sounds like you are very busy. You are doing great things for the recent converts. It is so important to fellowship them. As for Ethan's girlfriend I am sorry but keep trying. Have her speak to other college age members - she needs friends and responsibilities. The less active count in korean 4:1 less actives to active members. We face the same problem lots. I don't have an easy fix. I am sad to leave bu-pyoung after almost 6 months there. I grew close to many people. Our new transfer policy is tuesday night call and thursday transfer. No time to say good bye. Its good but abrupt. My companion was a marine and already finished college studying computer stuff. He seems like a good missionary. He is talkative. He knows enough english to understand simple things. I try to speak to him in korean as much as possible.

Love elder britsch

dads book will be fun to read when i get home.