Here are some fun pictures.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Elder Britsch's letters Dec. 23rd - Jan. 6th, 2009
Dear fam, Dec. 23rd, 2009
I have only 3 mins now but will right more later if possible. tomorrow became our p-day and we have so many appointments today that i cant write more till atleast 5:45 time most likely 7:45. i am doing a baptism interview at 6:30 for our district elders- a 14 year old kid from a part member family. anyway the miracles have really been coming. we dont have a baptism yet but we had 7 new investigators last week and they are really good. and 2 more this week so far. yesterday morning pres. burton called at 6:25am and i answered. he wanted to talk to my companion. my companions dad had a really serious stroke and is in acoma- seems to be life support and one side is paralyzed. hes around 55. my comp is a wonderful missionary and is handling it well but hes had hard moments that i ve tried to help him through. please be careful. eat healthy! I love you all so much. please pray for him and his family the hashimotos. our prayers are being answered and we have felt comfort but i feel terrible for him. so hard. enjoy your holiday. talk tomorrow and will try to write more tonight. got the package. still not opened. please let me now an address to send packages too. id love to see pics if you email them.
I have only 3 mins now but will right more later if possible. tomorrow became our p-day and we have so many appointments today that i cant write more till atleast 5:45 time most likely 7:45. i am doing a baptism interview at 6:30 for our district elders- a 14 year old kid from a part member family. anyway the miracles have really been coming. we dont have a baptism yet but we had 7 new investigators last week and they are really good. and 2 more this week so far. yesterday morning pres. burton called at 6:25am and i answered. he wanted to talk to my companion. my companions dad had a really serious stroke and is in acoma- seems to be life support and one side is paralyzed. hes around 55. my comp is a wonderful missionary and is handling it well but hes had hard moments that i ve tried to help him through. please be careful. eat healthy! I love you all so much. please pray for him and his family the hashimotos. our prayers are being answered and we have felt comfort but i feel terrible for him. so hard. enjoy your holiday. talk tomorrow and will try to write more tonight. got the package. still not opened. please let me now an address to send packages too. id love to see pics if you email them.
Love, Elder Britsch
Dear Family, Dec. 30th, 2009
We have had an interesting week. We enjoyed Christmas and it was great to talk with you on the phone. I loved the package. Thank you for being so thoughtful and caring.My companion found out that his dad passed away earlier this week. He is handling it remarkably well. Pres. and Sister Burton and one of the senior couple missionaries have taken us out to dinner and spoken with him. On Sunday he received a call telling him that his dad's surgery had had no effects. His family (mom and 2 older sisters) was deciding whether to keep him on life support. Before the decision was ever finalized he passed away on his own at 54yrs old. We spent this morning with the Burton's at the temple. They have been so comforting and kind to him. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
We have continued to see miracles. One of our investigators is planning to be baptized on the 10th. He is 23 and likes everything we teach. He has no word of wisdom problems and is someone we met outside our church while we waited for our next appointment to come.
These events really make you think about the plan of salvation. My companion really feels that he is in the right place. I can't imagine how it must feel to not go to the funeral or be there for his family but he knows that the Lord wants him here. When missionary work is put in that perspective and of that importants it makes you realize how important it is. How much more should we as members and missionaries work with this knowledge. My companion is giving so much for this work. He amazes me.
Another investigator, a high school senior aged girl, came to one of our appointments and had read 3 nephi 11 like we had asked. But she not only read it - she marked, highlighted, wrote in the margin, and circled key points. She comes from a family with no religion. We are excited to see her start to taste of the fruit she has never had. She usually meets with her friend but her friend was sick last time. Her friend is Catholic. Both of the them came to church last week.
Btw - Elder and Sister Knudsen know Ryan and Angela from a BYU ward bishopric. They wish you the best.
Its been the coldest days of the year lately - 6 degrees.
I love you all and am so grateful for your health and safety. The knowledge of eternal families is a precious gift. Lots of love!
Elder Britsch
Dear Family
Han jung hak 한정학 (23) will be baptized at 1:45 on Sunday. The ward mission leader has been suprisingly helpful in preparing the service. He has had no problems or issues. I hope there are no sudden suprises.
We are still teaching a s.n.u. student who's interest is growing. He's very interested in the plan of salvation. He reads a chapter a day and can recite it back to us practically word for word after.
We have the most snow seoul has seen in over 100 years. It snowed hard all night and day on Monday. A total of a whopping 6inches. The drivers were going crazy. Luckily we had inside appointments most of the day. The big city looks cool covered in snow. They've had catapilar backhoes doing snow removal because they don't have enough other equipment. Our shoes and socks have been soaked and I've managed to slip more times than I want to admit.
The korean elder in our house had to suddenly go down to pussan by speed train on tuesday so that he could argue his case before his university that has a policy that you can only leave school for one year at a time. You have to attend atleast one semester in between. They wouldn't budge. Now he's trying to decide if he will go home for a semester or transfer to byu. Because of the korean system, just dropping out would be very harmful for his future. So we had another 3 some with his comp.
Take a look at how the talks from general conference model a perfect way to teach and write an essay. (elder bednar and oaks).
Have lucky day and know that I pray for you.
Love,
Elder Britsch
Dear Family
Han jung hak 한정학 (23) will be baptized at 1:45 on Sunday. The ward mission leader has been suprisingly helpful in preparing the service. He has had no problems or issues. I hope there are no sudden suprises.
We are still teaching a s.n.u. student who's interest is growing. He's very interested in the plan of salvation. He reads a chapter a day and can recite it back to us practically word for word after.
We have the most snow seoul has seen in over 100 years. It snowed hard all night and day on Monday. A total of a whopping 6inches. The drivers were going crazy. Luckily we had inside appointments most of the day. The big city looks cool covered in snow. They've had catapilar backhoes doing snow removal because they don't have enough other equipment. Our shoes and socks have been soaked and I've managed to slip more times than I want to admit.
The korean elder in our house had to suddenly go down to pussan by speed train on tuesday so that he could argue his case before his university that has a policy that you can only leave school for one year at a time. You have to attend atleast one semester in between. They wouldn't budge. Now he's trying to decide if he will go home for a semester or transfer to byu. Because of the korean system, just dropping out would be very harmful for his future. So we had another 3 some with his comp.
Take a look at how the talks from general conference model a perfect way to teach and write an essay. (elder bednar and oaks).
Have lucky day and know that I pray for you.
Love,
Elder Britsch
Elder Britsch's letter Nov. 4th - Nov. 25th, 2009
Dear Fam, Nov. 4th, 2009
During the last week we found some investigators who seemed "golden". One of them is a man who we met knocking a few weeks ago. He actually asked if he could buy a Book of Mormon. We gave him one, and he said he is a philosophy major at S.N.U. (the harvard of korea) We visited him again last Sunday and met him this week. He had read much of the Book of Mormon and had many questions. No english interest. Our member was amazed by his interest. I was blowing my mind trying to keep up with the korean. However, after our member gave him a soft baptismal commitment he said no and that he is pursuing knowledge and this is not his path. We planned to meet him Sat. but he canceled and said he read more of the Book of Mormon but had his own path. The other investigator met us while emailing our families last week. We met him on Sat. and he expressed his desire to find a religion and how his life had fallen a part but he's putting it back together. He is 40, very bright, and his wife separated from him because he has an alchohol problem. He's been going to AA. He read some of the Book of Mormon but said he wasn't very interested in the contents. He went to Catholic church for the first time on sunday night. We met him with us and the bishop on monday and we had a good lesson. However, when I called the next day, he said he had decided to go to the catholic church but was very appreciative of our time. My guess is that he chose the catholic church partly due to the AA step to confess to priest or religious leader. He will meet us for lunch on monday but as friends. Both of these people made me very excited when we met. No english, purely seeking gospel. However, they still need time to discover it.
This week our other 2 consistent investigators had schedule conflicts and cant't meet till next week. So our pool is looking a little low. But we know that we just have to keep filling it up. We are meeting a new person on sat.
We spent a yesterday finding and trying to visit less active people. There are hundreds of people. Due to the korean tendency to due whats popular, its very hard for people to stay active. Not one of them answered their door.
We just have to keep trying. Its not easy work, but its sure is making me grow.
I hope you have had a great week. I pray for you everyday. Hope you enjoyed halloween. Koreans think its crazy - think about describing it to someone who has never heard of such a thing. My english class was bewildered. "Why? " Anyway, no halloween here. Just a normal day. Thought about knocking doors and trick or treating but no one would understand.
love,
Elder Britsch
During the last week we found some investigators who seemed "golden". One of them is a man who we met knocking a few weeks ago. He actually asked if he could buy a Book of Mormon. We gave him one, and he said he is a philosophy major at S.N.U. (the harvard of korea) We visited him again last Sunday and met him this week. He had read much of the Book of Mormon and had many questions. No english interest. Our member was amazed by his interest. I was blowing my mind trying to keep up with the korean. However, after our member gave him a soft baptismal commitment he said no and that he is pursuing knowledge and this is not his path. We planned to meet him Sat. but he canceled and said he read more of the Book of Mormon but had his own path. The other investigator met us while emailing our families last week. We met him on Sat. and he expressed his desire to find a religion and how his life had fallen a part but he's putting it back together. He is 40, very bright, and his wife separated from him because he has an alchohol problem. He's been going to AA. He read some of the Book of Mormon but said he wasn't very interested in the contents. He went to Catholic church for the first time on sunday night. We met him with us and the bishop on monday and we had a good lesson. However, when I called the next day, he said he had decided to go to the catholic church but was very appreciative of our time. My guess is that he chose the catholic church partly due to the AA step to confess to priest or religious leader. He will meet us for lunch on monday but as friends. Both of these people made me very excited when we met. No english, purely seeking gospel. However, they still need time to discover it.
This week our other 2 consistent investigators had schedule conflicts and cant't meet till next week. So our pool is looking a little low. But we know that we just have to keep filling it up. We are meeting a new person on sat.
We spent a yesterday finding and trying to visit less active people. There are hundreds of people. Due to the korean tendency to due whats popular, its very hard for people to stay active. Not one of them answered their door.
We just have to keep trying. Its not easy work, but its sure is making me grow.
I hope you have had a great week. I pray for you everyday. Hope you enjoyed halloween. Koreans think its crazy - think about describing it to someone who has never heard of such a thing. My english class was bewildered. "Why? " Anyway, no halloween here. Just a normal day. Thought about knocking doors and trick or treating but no one would understand.
love,
Elder Britsch
Dear Fam, Nov. 11th, 2009
One day this week, we had fun going to a city kimchi making festival/service project outdoors in a park. We smoothered hundreds of cabbages in spicy sauce and packed them to be given to the poor. It was hard work but fun. definitely wouldn't pass food and health regulations in the U.S. but the stuffs just suppose to rot anyway. Better with age.
We met a new investigator (34) who called us and said he met a missionary once before and has been to temple square and wants to talk about our faith. he actually went to utah to visit a friend in Logan but ended up having to hitch hike to or from salt lake for some reason. He got picke dup by a member who then talked to him about the church for the journey. the member then referred him to the missionaries. cool story. He is new to the area and recently married.
We felt we should visit a less active family in the ward last night and the mom unloaded all of her concerns to us. It is sad to see how the imperfections in the saints can make people stop coming to church. She kept saying how she knows the church is true but the saints have so many problems. The culture of church mixed with the culture of korea causes lots of arguments here. Very hard for a seniority oriented society to accept things like a young bishop or an elderly man who is a ceo serving as a primary teacher. Many callings are turned down. I couldn't understand everything she said but I was still able to give her some guidance with my companion. Basically, Itold her to be careful not to sacrifice the blessings of the gospel, specifically partaking of the sacrament, because of imperfect people. As she stops coming to church she is allowing temptation and other unwholesome thoughts/influences to enter her heart and mind. These thoughts and feelings make it very hard to keep a forgiving/humble heart and feel the spirit. This lady had referred over 8 friends to the church who got baptized right after her baptism 8 years ago. It is sad to see her struggling over these little things that have no significance in the grand skeem. We were grateful the spirit led us to visit this lady who really wants relief.
I hope everything is going well for you. I pray that wee can overcome the little things and realize that we are all learning to be like Christ but will make mistakes on the way. Reach out to those who are struggling. Many just need to be heard, and want to come back.
Its an experience.
Love
Elder Britsch
One day this week, we had fun going to a city kimchi making festival/service project outdoors in a park. We smoothered hundreds of cabbages in spicy sauce and packed them to be given to the poor. It was hard work but fun. definitely wouldn't pass food and health regulations in the U.S. but the stuffs just suppose to rot anyway. Better with age.
We met a new investigator (34) who called us and said he met a missionary once before and has been to temple square and wants to talk about our faith. he actually went to utah to visit a friend in Logan but ended up having to hitch hike to or from salt lake for some reason. He got picke dup by a member who then talked to him about the church for the journey. the member then referred him to the missionaries. cool story. He is new to the area and recently married.
We felt we should visit a less active family in the ward last night and the mom unloaded all of her concerns to us. It is sad to see how the imperfections in the saints can make people stop coming to church. She kept saying how she knows the church is true but the saints have so many problems. The culture of church mixed with the culture of korea causes lots of arguments here. Very hard for a seniority oriented society to accept things like a young bishop or an elderly man who is a ceo serving as a primary teacher. Many callings are turned down. I couldn't understand everything she said but I was still able to give her some guidance with my companion. Basically, Itold her to be careful not to sacrifice the blessings of the gospel, specifically partaking of the sacrament, because of imperfect people. As she stops coming to church she is allowing temptation and other unwholesome thoughts/influences to enter her heart and mind. These thoughts and feelings make it very hard to keep a forgiving/humble heart and feel the spirit. This lady had referred over 8 friends to the church who got baptized right after her baptism 8 years ago. It is sad to see her struggling over these little things that have no significance in the grand skeem. We were grateful the spirit led us to visit this lady who really wants relief.
I hope everything is going well for you. I pray that wee can overcome the little things and realize that we are all learning to be like Christ but will make mistakes on the way. Reach out to those who are struggling. Many just need to be heard, and want to come back.
Its an experience.
Love
Elder Britsch
Dear Family, Nov. 25th, 2009
We've had a good week. The weather is kind of unpredicatable, 3days cold 2 days warmer. We are eating a thanksgiving dinner today at one of the military bases with some american members. It should be fun. Its my companion's first T-day. Koreans typically don't eat or like Turkey but will see.
We had a good regional broadcast stake conference on Sunday in which Pres. Uchtdorf, Elder Holland, and Elder Evans spoke. It was all translated but I was able to here some of the english in the background. I was especially impressed with how well Elder Uchtdorf researched Korea and spoke about it like he has lived here. It was very missionary work and commandment focused. Many of the members here see nothing wrong with buying the sacrament bread on the way to church or getting food delivered to their house. But they are learning.
We had a cool experience finding and visiting a less active. We happended to stop by her apartment and the door was open because she was remodeling. We offered to help and came back later with 2 members (one of which served in the same mission at the same time). She said she moved into this ward almost 8years ago and had few people her age, especially single, and felt lonely and stopped coming, intending to find another ward. Now she is afraid of how people will react if she comes back. It is so important for us to be friendly to everyone and do our home teaching. Although I would hope that just the gospel itself would be enough to get people to come, even if they are the only one that age, but doing that is hard and takes a lot of discipline. As our family moves to Oregon or whatever, I hope that we continue to recognize that even if no one talks to us and the ward seems terrible, that we remember that the sacrament is enough of a reason for us to continue to come back. In the end, if we persevere, there are always relationships we can make. Even if its a 10yr. old with a grandpa in the ward.
I'd like to list some of the things I'm grateful for at this time. I am grateful for my God, my religion, my country and my family. I am grateful for trials. I am grateful for the redeeming and enabling power of the atonement. I am grateful to have the whole puzzle visible. I am grateful for the sacrifice and love of the korean people. I'm grateful for the Elders and Sisters in my mission. I'm grateful to be able to overcome my weaknesses. I'm grateful for being able to email you. i'm grateful for your love and support. I'm grateful for korean food. I'm grateful I don't have the pig flu. I'm grateful for the people that reject me politely. I'm grateful for the laughs that drunk koreans fighting give me. I'm grateful to be a missionary.
I'm grateful for much more but the list is very long. We are all very blessed whether we want to awknowledge it or not.
I hope you all have a good time with family and friends at this time. Happy Holidays.
Btw - my companions newest funny proselyting technique is to shake someone's hand with his glove on but now hand in it. they look shocked and we laugh. We also are combining the two languages and saying things like helloshimnika.
Anyway, I still love all of you.
Till next week,
Elder Britsch
We've had a good week. The weather is kind of unpredicatable, 3days cold 2 days warmer. We are eating a thanksgiving dinner today at one of the military bases with some american members. It should be fun. Its my companion's first T-day. Koreans typically don't eat or like Turkey but will see.
We had a good regional broadcast stake conference on Sunday in which Pres. Uchtdorf, Elder Holland, and Elder Evans spoke. It was all translated but I was able to here some of the english in the background. I was especially impressed with how well Elder Uchtdorf researched Korea and spoke about it like he has lived here. It was very missionary work and commandment focused. Many of the members here see nothing wrong with buying the sacrament bread on the way to church or getting food delivered to their house. But they are learning.
We had a cool experience finding and visiting a less active. We happended to stop by her apartment and the door was open because she was remodeling. We offered to help and came back later with 2 members (one of which served in the same mission at the same time). She said she moved into this ward almost 8years ago and had few people her age, especially single, and felt lonely and stopped coming, intending to find another ward. Now she is afraid of how people will react if she comes back. It is so important for us to be friendly to everyone and do our home teaching. Although I would hope that just the gospel itself would be enough to get people to come, even if they are the only one that age, but doing that is hard and takes a lot of discipline. As our family moves to Oregon or whatever, I hope that we continue to recognize that even if no one talks to us and the ward seems terrible, that we remember that the sacrament is enough of a reason for us to continue to come back. In the end, if we persevere, there are always relationships we can make. Even if its a 10yr. old with a grandpa in the ward.
I'd like to list some of the things I'm grateful for at this time. I am grateful for my God, my religion, my country and my family. I am grateful for trials. I am grateful for the redeeming and enabling power of the atonement. I am grateful to have the whole puzzle visible. I am grateful for the sacrifice and love of the korean people. I'm grateful for the Elders and Sisters in my mission. I'm grateful to be able to overcome my weaknesses. I'm grateful for being able to email you. i'm grateful for your love and support. I'm grateful for korean food. I'm grateful I don't have the pig flu. I'm grateful for the people that reject me politely. I'm grateful for the laughs that drunk koreans fighting give me. I'm grateful to be a missionary.
I'm grateful for much more but the list is very long. We are all very blessed whether we want to awknowledge it or not.
I hope you all have a good time with family and friends at this time. Happy Holidays.
Btw - my companions newest funny proselyting technique is to shake someone's hand with his glove on but now hand in it. they look shocked and we laugh. We also are combining the two languages and saying things like helloshimnika.
Anyway, I still love all of you.
Till next week,
Elder Britsch
Elder Britsch's letters Sept.23 - Oct. 29th, 2009
Dear fam, Sept. 23, 2009
My area is lots like my first but more college students and less business men. People only seem to have weekend time because of the school week. We have 2 investigators who are progressing well. They just need to quit there sunday jobs. Not easy for them.
Our house is getto but fun. Its nice having other people cook sometimes.
The ward is quite rich. They use powerpoints for sunday school. Very different than my last.
Talking to people on the street is fun. My companion likes to say hello in spanish he picked up from his trainer (1/2 mexican). He gets rejected harder so he finds ways to lighten it with spanish and english. its funny. he thinks outloud like many koreans do and it is very entertaining. people think in low form korean and it sounds very different from what i speak.
The handcart boys experience touched me that they would sacrifice so much.
Congrats to Hunter - 1st class award is great! Keep it up bro!
I love that mom visited for dads talk. thank you for supporting him. its great. i hope mom has fun at parents wkend. never did the blue foam but i heard it stains you blue. court the party animal. and yet she'll still get good grades. amazing. hope the fingers not to bad. I got my arm stuck in a slippin side at rock canyon and it bruised really bad. I love you all. be careful.
Thanks. love uuu
Elder Britsch
My area is lots like my first but more college students and less business men. People only seem to have weekend time because of the school week. We have 2 investigators who are progressing well. They just need to quit there sunday jobs. Not easy for them.
Our house is getto but fun. Its nice having other people cook sometimes.
The ward is quite rich. They use powerpoints for sunday school. Very different than my last.
Talking to people on the street is fun. My companion likes to say hello in spanish he picked up from his trainer (1/2 mexican). He gets rejected harder so he finds ways to lighten it with spanish and english. its funny. he thinks outloud like many koreans do and it is very entertaining. people think in low form korean and it sounds very different from what i speak.
The handcart boys experience touched me that they would sacrifice so much.
Congrats to Hunter - 1st class award is great! Keep it up bro!
I love that mom visited for dads talk. thank you for supporting him. its great. i hope mom has fun at parents wkend. never did the blue foam but i heard it stains you blue. court the party animal. and yet she'll still get good grades. amazing. hope the fingers not to bad. I got my arm stuck in a slippin side at rock canyon and it bruised really bad. I love you all. be careful.
Thanks. love uuu
Elder Britsch
Dear family, Oct. 15th, 2009
Last Sunday, following conference we had a lesson with a part member family that was amazing. Perhaps the best lesson I've witnessed a missionary. I would love to recount the whole thing but time is short. To state it briefly, an elderly women in the ward called the house and asked us for a blessing of health. she came over and we gave her one but not before she testified to the family of the priesthood and blessings. It brought the spirit. Then we taught a powerful lesson. It was not as planned but the spirit was clearly directing it. We were able to pull in the words of our leaders from conf. and share our conversion stories. The spirit taught. At one point I told them they were feeling the spirit and they agreed. It was almost tangible. I realized that the trainings we have received made that lesson very special. We gave them a strong commitment and told them we would follow up daily. I really love this family. The spirit created a special bond between us. I hope it is never forgotten.
-had a great week. on thursday I found a lump in my groin region on my right thigh. Not knowing what it was and since i had had diarhhea and a fever that day I was advised to go to the hospital and get it checked. the doc. was an arrogant american jerk with no bedside manners. Turned out to be a boil. He told me to strip down ,gave me a paper towel to cover myself and he stuck a shot in it and razor bladed it and squeezed out the puss. this was all done with a female korean nurse watching and residents walking in and out with door flinging open. at one time their were 6 people watching. he stuck gauze on it and told me to leave. no tape, no creams or disinfectants. he didn't explain why or what I could do to prevent it so after I gor dressed with the nurse watching, I pulled him aside in the hall and asked how to prevent it/ why i got it. he asked i f I knew Job in the bible and then told the korean female doctor about how funny i looked when he made me get undressed (all in korean but i understood). Needless to say, not an experience i want to have again. I found out later that this doc. doesn't like our church and is known for lacking manners and being arrogant about his korean. he spoke super rude to all his personel. the words of elder wirthlin "come what may and love it" came to my mind many times. I actually almost laughed outloud as the 6 people came in. hope it gives you a chuckle.
All is good now.
I loved conference and found many answers to my prayers. I know our leaders are people of god whom we can put our full trust in. The world is chaotic and unstable but the gospel remains the same. It will pull us through anything if we hold to it. we just have to keep our hope till the storm passes. I've recently been very grateful that the Lord love's me enough to prove me. He has a plan for each of us. It may not be a walk in the park. It will probably be a mountain hike. But at the top we can look back and see how far we climbed. Its a necessary climb. Its what makes us more than we naturally are. As we climb be can often stop and look at how far we have come. THen we see that there is so much more we can see from that height that wasn't visible from farther down. Its no coincidence that the scriptures are full of accounts relating to mountains. for those of you hit by the economy or simply going through a climb, know that I care for you and so does the Lord. it is for your good. Keep your hope. Rest will come. Allow the Lord to carry you at times. Pray harder than ever. He is there. He does care. He will support you.
I testify of this by experience and by the words of the prophets who have testified of such. They speak the truth.
We are seeing miracles all over. It is not without effort. I love the work. It is fun. It feels me with joy.
I pray for your successes. I pray that comfort will come to your hearts as it has to mine. Be patient. We are children of God.
With love and hope,
Elder Britsch.
Last Sunday, following conference we had a lesson with a part member family that was amazing. Perhaps the best lesson I've witnessed a missionary. I would love to recount the whole thing but time is short. To state it briefly, an elderly women in the ward called the house and asked us for a blessing of health. she came over and we gave her one but not before she testified to the family of the priesthood and blessings. It brought the spirit. Then we taught a powerful lesson. It was not as planned but the spirit was clearly directing it. We were able to pull in the words of our leaders from conf. and share our conversion stories. The spirit taught. At one point I told them they were feeling the spirit and they agreed. It was almost tangible. I realized that the trainings we have received made that lesson very special. We gave them a strong commitment and told them we would follow up daily. I really love this family. The spirit created a special bond between us. I hope it is never forgotten.
-had a great week. on thursday I found a lump in my groin region on my right thigh. Not knowing what it was and since i had had diarhhea and a fever that day I was advised to go to the hospital and get it checked. the doc. was an arrogant american jerk with no bedside manners. Turned out to be a boil. He told me to strip down ,gave me a paper towel to cover myself and he stuck a shot in it and razor bladed it and squeezed out the puss. this was all done with a female korean nurse watching and residents walking in and out with door flinging open. at one time their were 6 people watching. he stuck gauze on it and told me to leave. no tape, no creams or disinfectants. he didn't explain why or what I could do to prevent it so after I gor dressed with the nurse watching, I pulled him aside in the hall and asked how to prevent it/ why i got it. he asked i f I knew Job in the bible and then told the korean female doctor about how funny i looked when he made me get undressed (all in korean but i understood). Needless to say, not an experience i want to have again. I found out later that this doc. doesn't like our church and is known for lacking manners and being arrogant about his korean. he spoke super rude to all his personel. the words of elder wirthlin "come what may and love it" came to my mind many times. I actually almost laughed outloud as the 6 people came in. hope it gives you a chuckle.
All is good now.
I loved conference and found many answers to my prayers. I know our leaders are people of god whom we can put our full trust in. The world is chaotic and unstable but the gospel remains the same. It will pull us through anything if we hold to it. we just have to keep our hope till the storm passes. I've recently been very grateful that the Lord love's me enough to prove me. He has a plan for each of us. It may not be a walk in the park. It will probably be a mountain hike. But at the top we can look back and see how far we climbed. Its a necessary climb. Its what makes us more than we naturally are. As we climb be can often stop and look at how far we have come. THen we see that there is so much more we can see from that height that wasn't visible from farther down. Its no coincidence that the scriptures are full of accounts relating to mountains. for those of you hit by the economy or simply going through a climb, know that I care for you and so does the Lord. it is for your good. Keep your hope. Rest will come. Allow the Lord to carry you at times. Pray harder than ever. He is there. He does care. He will support you.
I testify of this by experience and by the words of the prophets who have testified of such. They speak the truth.
We are seeing miracles all over. It is not without effort. I love the work. It is fun. It feels me with joy.
I pray for your successes. I pray that comfort will come to your hearts as it has to mine. Be patient. We are children of God.
With love and hope,
Elder Britsch.
Dear Fam: Oct. 22, 2009
Thanks for the quotes and updates. Here's some from me:
- One of our investigators who came to church had a great experience due to some testimonies shared with him. I'm grateful for good members.
- One of our investigators who was ready for baptism minus going to church because of a sunday job has stopped answering his phone. we will keep contact the best we can.
- We've dropped a few investigators who seem to have just english interest. We will find other people.
- Elder 유 and I have both had colds but were working through them.
Hunter made a great choice to stay away from the drugs. Its sad that kids are doing that so young. I'm grateful for the guidance we have from the gospel.
its getting chilly again here.
Went to the temple today. Its weird to be one of the older missionaries now. we have a very young mission. transfers are next week. ill probably stay but my companion might change.
ate some weird fried fish with my companion. he snacks on it - leather fish
Love you, I wish a happy week.
Elder Britsch
Thanks for the quotes and updates. Here's some from me:
- One of our investigators who came to church had a great experience due to some testimonies shared with him. I'm grateful for good members.
- One of our investigators who was ready for baptism minus going to church because of a sunday job has stopped answering his phone. we will keep contact the best we can.
- We've dropped a few investigators who seem to have just english interest. We will find other people.
- Elder 유 and I have both had colds but were working through them.
Hunter made a great choice to stay away from the drugs. Its sad that kids are doing that so young. I'm grateful for the guidance we have from the gospel.
its getting chilly again here.
Went to the temple today. Its weird to be one of the older missionaries now. we have a very young mission. transfers are next week. ill probably stay but my companion might change.
ate some weird fried fish with my companion. he snacks on it - leather fish
Love you, I wish a happy week.
Elder Britsch
Dear All, Oct. 29th, 2009
I appreciate your counsel. I've been trying to be myself. An Elder in my district and I just talked a few days ago about being ourselves and also being obedient. Both of us have kind of started on different ends of the spectrum but are both finding out how to enjoy ourselves and life, while being obedient. Getting to that point where they both come together - when we putoff the natural man yet retain are true personalities, is a process of learning and experimenting. I came to realize that the people who are at that point are the ones who I respect and love. Furthermore, it is these people who are the most Christlike. His attributes exibit exactly that. Fun and loving yet diligient. Confident yet humble. I am grateful that the gospel gives me the opportunity to find the mesh of the two sides. Reaching that point seems to be a journey, not just a one time thing. I know that it is where our true potential is because that's where God is helping us to go.
Report of the week:
- We've had many investigators drop and have dropped soem of them in the last 2wks. They only had english interest. We are rebuilding despite having found new people every week of the last transfer.
- We have found some new people with good potential.
- Elder yu and I are excited to continue working together next transfer. I'm excited to serve our district. I hope for a very miracle filled transfer.
- A random tid bit - as we walked down one of the streets in our area, maybe for 1mile, we counted over 17 churches on that road. I would love to share with you all the church names, some very funny and creative ones. One church had a big banner outside that has in english "God Festival Nov. 15th" . I don't know what that means.
- my companion made a frozen fish soup thing for breakfast this morning. It was made from whole guppies. Actually pretty tasty.
I'm getting weirder each day.
Love
Elder Britsch
I appreciate your counsel. I've been trying to be myself. An Elder in my district and I just talked a few days ago about being ourselves and also being obedient. Both of us have kind of started on different ends of the spectrum but are both finding out how to enjoy ourselves and life, while being obedient. Getting to that point where they both come together - when we putoff the natural man yet retain are true personalities, is a process of learning and experimenting. I came to realize that the people who are at that point are the ones who I respect and love. Furthermore, it is these people who are the most Christlike. His attributes exibit exactly that. Fun and loving yet diligient. Confident yet humble. I am grateful that the gospel gives me the opportunity to find the mesh of the two sides. Reaching that point seems to be a journey, not just a one time thing. I know that it is where our true potential is because that's where God is helping us to go.
Report of the week:
- We've had many investigators drop and have dropped soem of them in the last 2wks. They only had english interest. We are rebuilding despite having found new people every week of the last transfer.
- We have found some new people with good potential.
- Elder yu and I are excited to continue working together next transfer. I'm excited to serve our district. I hope for a very miracle filled transfer.
- A random tid bit - as we walked down one of the streets in our area, maybe for 1mile, we counted over 17 churches on that road. I would love to share with you all the church names, some very funny and creative ones. One church had a big banner outside that has in english "God Festival Nov. 15th" . I don't know what that means.
- my companion made a frozen fish soup thing for breakfast this morning. It was made from whole guppies. Actually pretty tasty.
I'm getting weirder each day.
Love
Elder Britsch
Sunday, January 10, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sweet Claire!!
Dearest Claire!
How I missed your sweet birthday on the 5th, I'll never know! I apologize for being so late, but even with it past, this adorable photo needs to be seen! We love you and miss you to pieces and hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The last of the year...
Happy Birthday, Hunter!
We hope you are having a big bang of a party tonight!
This is an old pic, but kind of classic with a duck on your head :-)! We love and miss you and hope your move to OR is a smooth one!
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