Week of June 2 2013: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, Life Goes On!

Dear Family,

 

I really mean that, and I hope you all know how much I think about and love you. This week was pretty great. We got to meet with a lot of our members and spend great time with them, talk with some old and new people, and try to find some other ones. We're having a branch conference in a few weeks, and so our branch president, who I don't think I've told you guys much about, asked us to try to invite lots of people, especially less active members. We don't have a lot of information about people, and they're all really busy---so we tried to contact a lot of them. One of them is named Sister Shin, and another is Sister Eame (probably not really spelled like that, but it sounds really close). They're both moms, and are really busy with their kids all the time, so we've never actually been able to meet them before in real life. But it was amazing how kind and nice they were even just talking to them. I could tell how hard they work, and what great people they are, and hopefully we'll be able to talk to them soon. We also met with our ward mission leader on Thursday, which we do every week, usually at the church, and pretty short---but this week we were able to go to his house, which was really nice. His son is also really nice---they're both named Brother Pock (also not the way it's usually spelled, but it sounds right), and the younger one just recently graduated from high school, which here is a big deal. I think maybe I've mentioned it kind of before, but high school students here work really hard, which I guess you might expect. There's a high school pretty close to our house, which we walk by pretty often going to/coming from other places, and usually even at 8:50 or so when we come home the lights are still on and people have regular class time. They also go to classes on Saturday pretty much at the same time, and on Sunday they have voluntary personal study time. And when they graduate, they have to take a big huge exam---I know it's not that different, but basically people here work really hard, especially students. But they're also really fun and awesome. But anyway, we went to their house and ate dinner together first, which was really great---lots of things called 부침개 (boo chim-ge), which just means fried things---kind of like pancakes with vegetables, tofu, and lots of other stuff like that in them. We talked together a lot about Brother Pock's mission---he served in Seoul, and had a lot of hard experiences, but learned a lot, and loves to share about it. After we ate, his wife, who made everything really well, brought out a traditional instrument she plays that I'd never seen before. It's basically a long piece of wood that's curved a bit, with strings running up and down it, suspended over pegs kind of placed diagonally. It's hard to explain, but basically it was really great---I had no idea she did anything like that. She played some traditional Korean songs, and also "Obla-dee Obla-da". It was really cool---we didn't have enough time to do the whole meeting in the end, but we got to know their family a lot better and spend some really good time together. 

 

On Friday we met again with the guy I've been telling you guys about. He's really nice and friendly---we talked more about his family, and things like that, and the Book of Mormon with our testimonies that we gave him last time. He actually said pretty openly that he's not very interested, and felt kind of pressured when we gave that to him. It was kind of abrupt, even though he said it in a nice way---but I guess I kind of had seen it coming before. I just hope he knows from what we've talked about how much God loves him, and was able to feel that when we talked to him. Then yesterday we went to another member's house, Brother Moon, who I think I've talked about before. There's actually a missionary who served here a few years ago staying with them for a few weeks, so we met him, and then another member who was less active for a long time, but who first heard about the church from that missionary, and he came, too. We ate together, also lots of side-dishes, really good food, and talked for a long time about missionary work. That member wants to go on a mission, and Brother Moon talked about his experiences, too. It was really great. I was able to see how much missionary work and the gospel brought all of them together, and thought about how much it's blessed me---and all of you. I still think about all of you, and all the things I've experienced so far, every day, and I'm always so grateful. I know that God has given me so much through you all and everyone around me, and I'm always grateful for that---I just hope I can do what he needs me to do here. I hope you're all happy, and know how much I love you and miss you. Keep it up.

 

-Elder Campbell

 

Week of May 27 2013: The Lion King

Dear Everyone,

 

I know that's one I've used a lot, so I hope that's okay. This week was great. We met lots of people and I thought a lot about all of you, and I hope everyone's good. We actually got to visit a lot of the members of our branch this week, for a few reasons---they're all really busy, but a few of them we've never really been able to meet with had free time finally, including a woman who comes by herself and lives pretty far from the church. Her son also came back from a mission in California recently. We ate with them, which was really good, and then talked about their family and the gospel, and missionary work. We shared a part of a talk that my companion found recently, which is quoted in a lot of places, but it says faith is a principle of power and action. They both shared their testimonies, too, and overall it was really powerful visit. Every time we get to do things like that it reminds me of how much the gospel has blessed people here, and how it truly strenghtens them to do all the different things they do in their lives. We also weren't able to visit the one kind of real investigator we have right now, who works at the phone store---but I've been thinking about some of the things he talked about before with us, how all people have different perspective and so religion is inherently subjective. I've actually wondered about those kinds of things a lot myself, and it's something I think is hard to understand. But I know how much God loves all people and completely understands them, even though it's impossible for us to comprehend.

 

Also on Wednesday we had inteviews with our mission president. He got to our church kind of late, so we had some time to talk with the rest of our district members. It went pretty long, because our district is pretty big, but we talked about a lot of good stuff, including The Lion King. Sorry this is short, but I want you all to know how much I love you and even though I'm imperfect I'm trying to be better. Thank you all for your help and love, and keep sharing it with other people around you. I love you guys.

 

-Elder Campbell

Week of April 28, 2013: Lives, Plans, and Dreams

Dear Everyone,

 

 Thanks so much for all your letters and helping me to know what's going on. I hope I can reciprocate well---I'll try. This week we had a couple new things that we haven't before. On Monday, we did exchanges with our district leader and his companion, who serve in a place called Po-hang. Both of them are named Elder Park, and are really funny and great. One of them, Elder Park Je-hoon, and I, got to visit a bunch of the members of our branch together. We recently started a program of reading certain scriptures about missionary work every day for a few weeks, at the end of which all the members will write their testimony in a copy of the Book of Mormon and give it to someone they know. It made me think about programs like that in church that I never really participated in well. When we visited members, we found out they're all really doing it diligently, which is really great. I know I've probably said this before, but they're all incredibly busy. In general, people don't really have free time. But that they're still able to make time to do things like that, to be together as a family, and to have us over and help us is really a miracle, and shows how amazing and dedicated they are. I'm so grateful for them, and for everything they do for us.

 

That day it rained a lot---it's usually pretty cloudy here, but it hasn't rained that much until recently. But we also planned to try doing kind of a survey with people---about their lives, plans, dreams, etc. Even though most people were pretty busy, running around with colorful umbrellas, we were able to talk to one guy who was really friendly. He owns a cell phone store, and told us we could come and visit him later and talk with him. It was pretty great---we were pretty wet and tired, but being able to talk to him made it worth it. After we finished the exchange, Elder Moon, my companion, and most of the other native Korean missonaries went to go take an English test for college entrance. I got to see some of the other missionaries I know but haven't seen in a long time, and see how they were doing, which was pretty great. Later on in the week, Elder Moon and I were able to talk to a lot of new people just on the street, which is pretty new. We talked to a lot of high-school students, who are almost always really busy, but really friendly. And then we met a guy from Pakistan who was really nice. His name is Alsam, and he's lived in Korea for a while. He studied religion in college, and he said he would come to church this week. It was pretty amazing---I don't think I ever would have expected to meet him, and honestly wasn't even sure if he would really come. When we went to meet him, he showed up, and looked kind of tired and sick. It turns out he has a pretty bad dental problem, and was in a lot of pain, but he wanted to keep his promise. He wasn't able to stay for all of church, but it was great to be able to talk to him, and he said he'd come again next week. 

 

Lately, I've been thinking about things that other people have written e-mails about, and that I've studied in the scriptures about lately. We are totally dependent on the Lord and on other people for everything, and we have to remember that always. I'm so grateful for your e-mails, and for all that you've given me. I know Heavenly Father loves you, and wants to bless you all so much. I love you, and I hope you're all happy and safe. Keep it up. 

 

-Elder Campbell                  

Week of April 21, 2013 (sorry so late!): Love!

Dear Family,

 

Every time this time comes around, I can't help but think of how much I love all of you. That might not have anything immediate to do with things here, with day to day life, but really it does to me. This week we spent a lot of time going to people's apartments, which is pretty different---something I've done a few times before, but not really too much. But there are so many apartments here, and people are so busy that I thought we might have to just try it more. I'm pretty sure I already talked about it, but people usually talk through the door whenever people come to their houses (usually apartments), so usually they just politely say they're not interested or already go to the Buddhist temple. But whenever they do open the door, even for a minute, and we get to see a bit of what they're doing, it's pretty nice. Since we usually go in the evenining, a lot of people are eating dinner together with their families---usually sitting on the floor around low tables, about the height of coffee tables. We also lately see a lot of parents walking around with their kids---and things like that always make me remember good things we did together as a family. Then I get to hear you guys talk about Emily/Adam/Charlie, Pat/Becca/Ruby/Henry/Roscoe/Etta, etc., and crazy, good memories you're all making with them. I'm so grateful for the amazing family Heavenly Father gave me, and I hope you guys always know that. I've been remembering a lot of things lately, and they're always about you.

 

We also went this week to Busan to meet with all the other missionaries who are doing training. I still sometimes feel like I'm not really qualified to be doing it---but I know it's something I need to do, and I need to help my new companion. He's doing really well. He gets along really well with all the members, and other people we talk with---he's really kind and outgoing. He's also trying to learn English a lot, which is really cool. In general Koreans start learning English when they're pretty young, and already know kind of a lot. We're trying to teach each other, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. In general, right now we don't have too many investigators. There are two other missionaries here, and already have a lot of relationships well established. I know that's not an excuse or anything, but it just means we'll have to work harder to find and help new people. I hope all of you are happy, and know how much I love you. I know God loves all of us, and that even though sometimes we make it hard for ourselves to feel it, that He always loves all people. I love you all---keep it up.

 

-Elder Campbell

Just because I'm missing him right now . . .

Week of April 7 2013: Visiting Members

Editor's Note:  Thomas also sent this picture last week.  He has clearly inherited the Campbell love for train yard photographs!

Dear Everyone,

 

I hope you're all happy and safe. It sounds like it, so I'm glad. I'm still not totally sure what to write about this week, but I hope it works out okay. My companion Elder Moon is pretty amazing. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but he already did his military service. He's the oldest in his family, and he's also the oldest of the missionaries living in our house, and he's a really caring, cool person. So far we still don't really have any investigators---recently we mostly visited members a lot. The members here are really great. The weather here is actually pretty similar to Seattle. Other places we've gone for district meetings and stuff are pretty sunny now, but recently here it's just cloudy all the time. It also rained a lot all of a sudden this week, which I wasn't expecting, but was kind of fun. That day we went to visit the oldest member in our ward---she has a few of her children in the same branch, and they all live pretty close to each other, kind of like student housing. It was raining really hard, but she let us into her house and we talked and ate fruit for a while. Elder Moon is really friendly, and gets along with members and other people really well. Yesterday, we had a meal together with the branch. It was fast sunday, and everyone was pretty ready to eat. We had so-up with vegetables and other really good stuff, and lots of rice, kimchi, and jap-che (noodles, vegetables, etc.). It was really good to see and talk with everyone together like that, and was really fun.

 

I still feel like I have a lot to improve on and need to do, but I know that it won't come all at once. I just hope I can help people here to be happy like all of you have helped me. I'm so grateful to be here, and for the gospel. I love and miss all of you. Keep it up.

 

-Elder Campbell

Week of April 1 2013: Elders Campbell and Moon Hun-jin

Dear Fambly,

 

Sorry, I think I already used that one. I'm sorry I always talk about how I'm not good at writing e-mails and things like that---I've really been trying to just remember experiences after they happen. This week was a different, so hopefully I'll be able to remember better. I left Jinju, which was weird, and a little sad, and then was with one of the other missionaries who's serving in my new area and one of the other missionaries who I came with and who also didn't have a companion. The first one is Elder Hahn. He's a really cool guy---he grew up in New Zealand, but his family is from Korea, and he speaks both languages really well. The other is Elder Hall, who's from St. George and is really nice and cool. We were together for a few days, which some people call a "threesome"---but basically just doing missionary work with more people. It was actually really interesting. We got to visit a lot of people in a different area and eat with them. Specifically we visited a family in the branch here, which is a place called Ho-geh, a part of a bigger city called Ursan (Urlsan). I'll try not to worry about the pronunciation too much---but anyway, we ate something called kimchi-chigeh with them. It's actually one my favorite things I've had here for a long time. It's basically just really hot soup with kimchi, tofu, vegetables, and other really good things. The family is pretty big, and the parents have siblings living nearby who they go to church together with, so there were a lot of cousins visiting, and it was fun. It reminded me of family gatherings, and made me miss you guys more.

 

And then on Wednesday we had a meeting with the new missionaries, which was kind of surreal, but good. There are a lot more missionaries coming to Korea in the next few months. Almost all of the people who just came are from Korea, and the majority of them are sister missionaries.  We did kind of an activity together, and then ate together (also kimchi-chigeh). Then I met my new companion, Elder Moon Hun-jin. He's really amazing. He just finished his military time, and came as soon as he could. He has a really strong desire to do well, and is really enthusiastic. He was a primary teacher before, and plays the piano. I don't think I'm describing the events very well, but he's really great, and hopefully we'll be able to learn and do a lot here together. It's a little different because I've only been here as long as he has---a lot of the time it seems like we know about the same amount. But the members in the branch here are really great and helpful---it felt a little different from church in my last area, partially because it's a little bigger---but I'm sure it'll be really great.

 

I think thing I've noticed the most this week is that it really is almost spring here, too. In Ho-geh, kind of unlike Jinju, there are cherry trees everywhere. On one street near our house, they're lined up all down the road, next to car shops and restaraunts and things like that. There are also more mountains around in this area, and overall it's really beautiful, and an interesting mix. I took just a few pictures, and I'll try to take more this week. It also reminded me of something I almost forgot of this week---that it's Easter. In Korea it's not a very big holiday---there aren't baskets or anything. And even though there are flowers and stuff here the weather's not quite sunny and warm, like Easter usually is. I know those aren't great reasons, but when I did remember that it was happening, I felt how really amazing and wonderful the gospel is. I know Christ was resurrected, and all people can be, and that if we follow him we can live together with our families, which is ultimately the happiest thing we can imagine. I hope you al know how much I love you, and love people here, and how grateful I am to be here. I miss you all, but I love you, and I know how much you've brought me and how grateful I am. Keep it up.