Little Miracles

So lately I've been trying to notice the little miracles and just the little things that the Lord does to guide us in our work everyday.. whether it be in studies, or it be outside proselyting... and I can definitely say that the Lord is ALWAYS guiding us as missionaries. Wait, correction: If we're being obedient and doing what we should be doing, he will always guide us.

Little examples:

Last night: as we were walking back to our apartment, there were these two girls walking next by, so we started talking to them. Turns out, they're actually from Coron, a small island right next to Palawan, and I was like "What are you doing here?" and they were like "Just vacationing" and I was like "Have you met missionaries like us before in Coron?" and they were like "Yeah! They totally invited us to go to church and we went to church there and stuff!" And it turns out that they're returning back to Coron tomorrow, so I told them if they see the missionaries again, they should invite them in and also that they should go to church again there. So yeah... We were tired and on our way home, and we could have just walked past them and not paid any attention, but the Spirit prompted us to talk to them. Hopefully, they follow our invitation to them.

Generally this last week: There are a couple families that we are teaching where the father is always gone... making it hard for us to teach them all.... but this last week, all the times we stopped by, the father/husband was there! WOOT! Little miracles.

And Highlight of the Week: So we visited a member who "just ain't doin' so hot" physically.... she has high blood and her body is weak, etc. Anyway, we dropped by and she asked for a blessing, and I had the opportunity to give the blessing to her. After the blessing, she looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said that the things I said in the blessing were things written in her Patriarchal Blessing. So that was another little miracle and wonderful experience.

Well I think that's it.

I'm not sick anymore (yaaaaaay).

I'm getting so bad at English (yaaaaaay)

I ate like 5 balut this week (yummmmmy)

Because everyone in the apartment is Filipino, we have rice for every meal so I'm totally getting chunky (NOOOOO) But all is well, more motivation to burn the fats.

OH YEAH! HAPPY PIONEER DAY TO ALL Y'ALL UTAHNS!

Yeah for the Pioneers.

Alright. Mahal ko kayo.

-Elder Ahn

No More Americans/Food Poisoning

And no more Koreans.... just kidding, i'm the only Korean in this mission. I think.

But yeah so our "bahay" (house) has 3 Filipinos then meeeee the only foreigner! But it's all good. Because it's super fun and they're all good at cooking so we all good here.

First off: So my companion is not Elder Zacarias. Apparently he is going home due to medical issues. But i'm still finishing the training of a new missionary, and his name is Elder Jovita! This guy is a fireball. super super happy, super super awesome. His last trainers were zone leaders.... so I feel suuuuper inadequate. Hopefully I can help him in some way. I'll do my best.

Random other thing: So remember how my trainer a.k.a my first companion was Elder Macanlalay? HA We're in the same house now! It's so fun seeing this goober again... I missed the guy.

So yeah food poisoning.

Or something.

Not quite sure... All I know is that last Saturday, I started the day fine, then by the end of the day my stomach was turning inside-out. That night I got like no sleep and made frequent trips to the bathroom. but I'm recovering so I should be 100% again within the next 2 days or so. :)

So awesome stuff! This last sunday we had a good number of investigators attend church and it was awesome! Very very excited to see their progression. The Lord has definitely prepared them because they're truly searching for the truth. If they keep up on commitments, they'll definitely find what they've been searching for.

Twas a good week. Sorry i like, never send pictures. I'll try to send some next week haha.

The Lord's kingdom is growing rapidly here in the Philippines and nothing will stop the growth of his kingdom around the world.

The work will only move forward! And I feel so blessed to be a part of this great and marvelous work, along with all my fellow missionaries around the world.

The Church is true.

-Elder Ahn

I'm a Half-Father??

So first, let's start with Monday.

P-Day.

Also July 4th.

And coincidentally the birthday of one of the members. Therefore we ate pizza and cake and I pretended in my mind that we were actually celebrating America's Birthday.

Anyway, my body hated me that day. I had chills, my body ached, I felt like the world was spinning... so after our little celebration Elder Leota and I went home so I could sleep the rest of the day.

The next day I was fine, so it must have been just some random 24-hr. flu/fever.

The rest of the week was a good week. Full of good work and just meeting and talking to lot's of random people. So same old same old.

We have some really awesome investigators who are showing genuine interest in the Church and have a desire to keep learning more. Three of these investigators came to church yesterday, and it was awesome. We were so happy, and we're very excited to see how these people will progress.

Alright so now for the news concerning the title of this email...

Last night we received a text from President, informing us on transfer information.

And I have been called to finish the training of a missionary named Elder Zacarias.

SOOOOO yeah. Also he's a Filipino I think. So it's going to be fun. We'll see how everything goes.

I totally don't feel prepared, but I know that everything will turn out alright. "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." That's going to become my eternal motto. Along with "Just Do It" by Shia Lebeouf (spelling again?)

Elder Leota has been called to become a District Leader in the neighboring city, and Elder Sorensen has been called from District Leader to Zone Leader! Haha! We all totally called that one actually so we're all still laughing about it. Except for him. He says he didn't sleep well last night. But he'll be fine.

I think this is all I have to report.

Things are really starting to flood now, and the other Elders have already been walking through water up to their knees, so we'll see what the next month or so brings.

Sige, iyon na lang.

Magingat kayo lahat.

-Elder Ahn

MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE

SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY... OF THEE I SIIIIIING.

Only one of the missionaries that I live with is an American. We'll see if we can do something here to celebrate. It might just be singing songs and stuff.

Well...

Last week was fun. We went to the DMV to get our Licenses for the Philippines. Hopefully I'll never have to use it... They're just doing it now so that if a missionary gets called to the office or as AP, they'll already be able to drive. I just really don't want to drive here though. Traffic is insane.

What else. Hm, this week we got a lot of new investigators actually. All of them are pretty receptive and are asking lots of questions, so I'm excited to see if we can help them to progress.

Other than that, it was just another good week. The other Elders in the district have another baptism of like, 3-4 kids in this awesome part member family this coming saturday, so that will be fun. 

Super cool experience....

So lately my struggle has been with just approaching strangers sometimes. I don't know, I guess I'm still afraid sometimes. Which is NOT GOOD.

So when we were walking out from the Office last week, this random old white guy approached me and just said "Ephesians 6."

I was like "Okay that was odd."

But then later during personal study, I decided to read that chapter. It talks about the armor of god, and in verses 19-20, it talks about "speaking boldly" to share the "mysteries of the gospel". I was like "Well that's what I need. I need to speak more boldly." Then I looked at a footnote there and it took me to D&C 60: 2-3.

I think God is lovingly chastising me.

Pretty much it says that he is angry with those that don't "open their mouths" and "hide their talents" because they're not being "faithful".

So. I learned an important lesson. Who do I fear more? Man? or God?

Of course the latter.

I brings me peace to know that "God knows me more than I know myself" and that he's always watching and helping ALL of His children. Not just a few thousand or a few hundred thousand... All.

Well, this is about all I have for you.

Love you much.

PS  IanTai, I totally saw a kid the other day wearing your same exact flower shirt (the one that's kinda dark on the background and has pinkish flowers) Just thought I'd let you know.

Mahal ko kayo!

-Elder Ahn

MISYONARYO

So one of the members (who is also preparing to enter the temple with his family) is totally a rapper. His "rapper name" is "Brother Ammon", and he wrote a rap about missionaries. And I now have it on my flashdrive (YES). Ah it makes me so happy.

Other things from the week:

ZONE CONFERENCE! Those are always lot's of fun! We received training from President and Sister Ostler and the AP's. Twas a spiritually fulfilling and uplifting experience. Every time we have meetings like that, I just want to be like Dan Jones and tell everyone "I'MMA COMIN' TO TOWN TOMORROW AND Y'ALL ARE GON' BE CONVERTED." But sadly it's not that simple sometimes. Either way, it was nice seeing the other missionaries and being together and knowing that all of us are 1 in purpose.

We had another baptism this last week! And now they are a completed family! Sister Tanola has been investigating the church (and actually going to church) for like 10 years.... and countless missionaries have taught her. I just feel blessed that I happened to be in the area at the time she got baptized, because it was definitely the work of all the past missionaries and the spirit working with her these past years to bring her where she is today. They're an awesome family.

I think this is all that comes to mind.

Yup.

It was a good week! I know this upcoming week will also be a good week.

Mahal ko kayo!

-Elder Ahn

DADDY!

Everyone kept telling me that yesterday was Father's Day.

So even if yesterday wasn't Father's Day....

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! I love you Appa! I miss you and your accent and singing Korean karaoke with you and the fam! I also miss you and your random garden of unnatural plants in the backyard! Thank you for all that you do and for being such a supportive father!

Some of the random kids here have started calling me "Daddy" now (I don't know why..) so I think this is just a foretaste of what Fatherhood will be like. XD They're adorable.

Well, I can't recall a lot that happened this week. We had Zone Meeting.. that was fun. These meetings always motivate me to be better and to work harder so it's always a blessing.

We watched a little movie called "The Go-Getter". Really interesting and very motivating. As missionaries, we need to have the attitude to always move forward and give our fullest effort, even when faced with trial and adversity.

I guess it's not just for missionaries, but really for all.

Anyway, I'm almost out of time. Sorry this is a super short email.

The work here is moving forward and we're all doing great here. We have another baptism (COMPLETED FAMILY WOOOOT) coming this weekend, and we also have Zone Conference on Friday, so it's gonna be a bomb week.

Anyway, that's all for now.

Much love.

-Elder Ahn

Thank you Elder Ahn!

You are my P son, proud son!

I am glad that you are doing great in your new area. You are doing so great that kids are calling you Daddy!

I assume that you look mature and great!

We love you and I love you!

Love,

Appa

Family History

Hey, I'd like to request information on... well first, both of you.

But then I'd also like information on my grandparents and even great grandparents if we have that info.

Also, Appa! Do you know my Priesthood Lineage??

Thankyou so much! Love you!

Oh yeah, I bought kimchee at the store and it didn't taste good. I'm sad.

Love you love you love you!

-The best Son you've ever had (hahahahah) Elder Ahn

**************************************************************

I requested the priesthood lineage to the Church office. I will send it to you as I receive it.

Love you,

아빠

Grandfather life:

He was bone in July 12, 1933 (Lunar calendar) as the first child in Korea during WW II.

Korea was liberated from the colonization of Japan when he was in the second year of an elementary school.

He went to a traditional school (서당) for about three years because there was no formal schools after the liberation.

He had learned Chinese characters and literatures at the traditional school.

He shared one instance that his parents had to provide many bales (가마니) which were made out of rice straws manually by certain deadlines.

During Japan annexation of Korea, they took rice, wood and all other precious mine materials to Japan.

Korean war took place when he was the fifth year of the elementary school. Korean war lasted about three years with war casualties, 2.5 million people killed and wounded. During the war, communist people came to grandparents’ house (복흥리) and stole a big pig, 133 pound weight big pig.

Raising a pig was like a saving account to get better off for the family at that time. After all, the whole village, including his house, was burn down and had to find a different shelter for a while. I heard that great grandfather was so depressed and stressed by the lost big pig and war distress that he got sickness and he passed away eventually.

His father passed away when he was 19 years old. He became the head of the family at that time.

He was married at age 23 years old and he had to do mandatory military service for three years at age 26 years old (1958, April 10 to 1961 April) even after he was married. When he was discharged from the military, he had managed farming works, taking care of his mother and his siblings at 복흥리. He had lived there until 1979 Spring, then the family moved to Seoul, Korea to provide better educational opportunities for his children.

He was really interested in Ahn family genealogies and family records. He purchased Ahn family genealogy books (Five volumes) for me when I left Korea to go to America for my education. He said that “you are going to America and you will start a new Ahn family branch in America. You will be a founder of Ahn family in America”. The genealogy books were expensive purchases for him but he just did it for me. I was young at that time and did not anticipate the value of those books, but I am very grateful for his wisdom and integrity now. He was a great pioneer for me and you all here in America!