Happy Thanksgiving! 추 수 감 사절 행 봉 하 십 시오!

Happy Thanksgiving! 추 수 감 사절 행 봉 하 십 시오!
Anyway today is transfer day and team Alsbury 방 is still together. We are thrilled and both really felt that there is a lot of work that we need to do together in Anyang now. Actually transfers were very surprising. Sister Toronto and Sister Hunt are going to be companions. Yes my MTC comp. and Sister Hunt who is only 6 weeks ahead of us. They will lear a lot fast. But I really feel that President is inspired and that we are where we are, with who we are for a reason. Yesterday I read a letter that Mac wrote me when I was in the MTC and he told me to trust President, and I really do.

The bonus of serving as a missionary in a nation that has risen from the dust of a terrible devistating war is the presence of the American Military. Why you might ask? Tonight I too will be having an American Thanksgiving feast. We and 2 other sisters are going to the Marsden family's house for dinner. I think he is a diplomat or something, they live across the river in the Seoul mission and the coolest thing is that their daughter Sister Marsden is a missionary in our mission. She was in the MTC with me in the group below us. Crazy huh? It would be tempting for me if my family was only a subway ride away. My comp is excited too. She loves American food. I'm serious. This morning it was raining like crazy so we canceled our Turkey Trot but instead I made delicious banana pancakes. She loved it. Yesterday I made chocolate chip cookies for our District Meeting. She has only had turkey at Quiznos in Seoul before not real turkey so this will be awesome. It will be a good break from Korean too. All of the missionaries in our mission will be eating thanksgiving either at a couple missionaries house, or some other american member family.

There are Christmas lights here and big signs that say "Merry Christmas" I've seen ones that say "marry Christmas"-hhahaaa. But its mosting westernized marketing. You say "AMERICAN" and all Koreans eat it up. I told my companion to open a restaurant and write american all over it and just serve rice and she will make tons of money. What is my point with that?? Oh yeah That stuff annoys me and I try not to think of home and Christmas. I do vividly recall 2 thanksgivings ago with Mac and we beat the Utes. I can't stand them. They will get whats coming to them. President Burton went to the U, but he's alright :)

The Elders told me that ford, citibank and other things are going under is that true. They also said the exchange rate for won is amazing. So anyone want to google the USD and Korean Won exchange rate?

This week a met an inactive member who joined the church in Shanghei China. She was baptized with another girl, I put the 2 together and realized that her friend is my friend Sister Son from the MTC. She is Korean, and is serving in Oakland, Ca, Mandarin speaking. And this inactive is her friend. Actually this is a cool story. This morning this sister called us and referred sister Son's mother to us. She said she's wants to hear the same message that her daughter is sharing in America.

One of our investigators 정 희 숙 (Jung hee sook) We have been working with a lot. She's in really bad health. She struggles with the word of wisdom, her borther and mom are members, she's really lonely and depressed, no job or money, everything she has was given to her by members of the church she has good member support, sunday we did splits. (Which is nerve racking) She came to anyang ward she had 5 member fellowshippers, from another stake with her. Which made my job easier. We are really working hard to teach lessons with members. I know that is the right way missionary work is to be done. I'm so happy that dad and Briggsy boy can help the Elders in Helena. I'm proud of you guys. Remember when I talked about that Christmas gift to Christ? Is anyone doing it? I am. Its making my life just that little boost better.

I got your package last week. Thanks so so so much Mom. There wasn't any chocolate in it so I wasn't sure if it was really from you. Good to see your handwriting. It smelt like america. Now probably kimchi(speaking of which favorite food of the week is tuna and kimchi cooked on the stove--this is favorite cheap food as of now not all time favorite) If you want for Christmas I like candy, OATMEAL--seriously its an expensive import here and I love it, maybe another SD memory card, Maybe a shirt that says MT on it for my companion, CTR ring(english) for her--size 6?? Smaller than me. Actually I don't care. Just send your love

Today is thanksgiving in America but it doesn't really change how thankful I am to be doing what I am doing. Its not about me at all. I never say the word "I" in korean its always "we" meaning everybody. I know that Heavenly Father wants it to be that way. I'm really grateful for loving parents, super amazing, wonderful siblings who are my best friends; korea, this headache of a language, all of the crappy trials I have ever had in my life that have brought me to where I am know; for the Restoration, Book of Mormon, the Plan of Salvation, a living Prophet and most of all my Savior Jesus Christ.
xoxoxoxo love you all forever!

Sister Paige McDede Alsbury

알 스 베 리 자매

춥 죠!!! Its freezing cold!!

Yes it is freezing here, suddenly. Suddenly written romanized sounds like "kap-jagie" Its a good word. Korea never gets nowhere near Montana I think it was -5C today for the low. But there's wind--it hurts. Its just bad at night when we are street contacting for 3 hours, but its totally bearable. I have my big trench coat which is nice but I need gloves, hat, warmer tights or something--stupid for not buying those before. Mac is probably roasting now, I don't think I am envious. Speaking of tights did you know that I have worn stockings for over 5 months? Thats a testament that the Lord really does increases our abilities as missionaries. But seriously I know that people all over the world pray for missionaries and that the Atonement is Infinite and has and will continue to bless missionaries in doing difficult--or seemingly impossible things. Like having physical strength, overcoming my fears, and speaking a completely upsidedown inside out language.

Last P-Day I ran 6 miles. Yes I'm still kind of insane, oh well, we had no plans my comp. wanted to write letters so I ran and ran, it was wonderful. Good grief I was shocked when you told me the price of gas. Wowzers. Gas is expensive here too, most cars are diesel and about 95% are Kia, Hyundai or Samsung. yeah you were interested in that--sorry.

Best thing of the week, our investigator, 김 현 주 (kim hyunju) got baptized. 아사! So cool. Her husband is from Iran and the elders found him 2 years ago--wait maybe i've already talked about her. Anyway she's awesome, so sweet. She had a hard time giving up coffee but was able to overcome her addiction. Elder Fisher baptized her. I really have a ton of respect for the Elders in our zone. They were saying how they were jealous that we have had 3 baptisms this transfer and none of the elders have had any. Kind of bothered me because its not about us, I know its the Spirit that teaches. This is the Lord's work and we are just privileged to be a tiny part of it. I know that if we are obedient and faithfull the Lord will bless us with miracles, and He does. And that just doesn't apply to missionaries.

Cultural experience of the week. We have this investigator who we teach every tuesday and she makes us lunch. Usually its extremely disgusting and the worst part is she stares intently at me as I eat so I try and make my happy face, and keep saying 맛 있에요---literally taste exists. This week was a new experience. She made this soup. koreans love soup. Big chunks of something brown, but didn't look like beef. Instantly I knew what it was. I had heard of this food once upon a time. Maybe similar to blood sausage. Anyway it was broth made with cow blood, intestines stuffed with cow blood and gukky stuff-ya know the stuff you probably aren't supposed to eat in the turkey on Thanksgiving. I don't recommend this to any of you. I'm getting sick here typing this. AHHHHH!!! It was horribly, awfully disgusting. I dry heaved but covered it up. Thankfully our investigator went to the bathroom and 방 자매님 scooped it up and ate the rest. The sad thing is she doesn't like it either. hahaaa. To make it up to her I bought her Coldstone yesterday. Yes coldstone!! Way too expensive though.

A cool thing about covering the whole stake is that we will get to see 4 Primary programs. We've seen 2 already. They were so awesome. The crazy thing is that I could understand everything they said. I only know a couple of primary songs in Korean but I sang along in english in my head. Korean kids are my favorite, 2nd place goes to the Grandmas. They are really into Korean rock, paper scissors, which is way harder than the American way, and they always want to play me because they can usually win, but after they win they kick me. Ehh whatever.

Next P-Day is Thanksgiving, also transfer day. So no plans. I might be in a new place or with a new comp. Neither of which I really want. I'm really lucky to get along with my companion and learn so much from her. Kind of worried about potential future companions--stressful. President Burton is inspired. He said we will "likely" stay together. I sort of feel selfish for having the only Korean companion--a new one is coming next week so my comp is happy.Sister Toronto is having a really hard time, I love her a lot. I know we have our specific trials for a reason. Sometimes I feel so undeserving of the Lord's blessings. But I know that He loves everyone the same. Like Elder Wirthlin said "Come what may and love it" Speaking of General Authorities, Elder Scott is in Seoul this weekend to meet with mission presidents.

So good to hear from you guys each week. Briggs are you going to send me a CD of you singing? I'm going to get the package today, thank you! Christmas...errr whatever, anything American,. Ahh I just realized that this will be my first Christmas that my stocking won't be stuffed full of oranges. Love you all 사 랑 해 요!!!

Alsbury 자매

2008 년 11월 13 일

안 영 하 세요!!!
Today we went to the temple yaya. We went early and had a temple conference with President and Sister Burton, really good. They talked about learning by hearing, seeing and feeling. This is something that has been pounded into me on my mission. We learn by the spirit. Teaching is not talking. Its true. So much to say. Today is a special day in Korea. Its the day of the enormous test for University entrance. All Korean high school seniors take it. It makes the LSAT look like a walk in the Park. No airplanes flew today and the police surround the schools. Koreans are hardcore beyond belief. They are very diligent in studying always but that doesn't mean they are smart, effectiveness is the key with life. The other day we were teaching a lesson and our investigator freaked out because she has been studying english her whole life and she can't get over how good my Korean is, we explained Heavenly Father gives us spiritual gifts and that speaking Korean requires God's help. It really does. I can't believe the progress I have made in the past 2 months. I know it really is a sincere answer to a prayer. I have to stay humble. Did I mention it is absolutely beautiful here? Fall leaves are amazing. I even learned the onimonipia for crunching leaves.

Tuesday was also a special day it was ㅃㅐ ㅃㅒ로 day aka 11/11/2008 so funny. So they sold these sticks covered in chocolate you hold them up like 11s hahaa. Its like a marketing scam similar to Valentines day. 방 애 라 자매 and I bought them for each other. Special.

Last P-Day was the best P-Day ever. We went to 민 속 촌 in Suwon. It is a really famous Korean Folk Village. (and yes it cost $12 of my personal funds to go) its amazing. We will go when you all come to Korea. Its like what you guys think Asian looks like. I think of Korea and I think, subway, bus, buildings and kimchi. I took a ton of pictures, we went with sister Saunders and Toronto--I miss Sis. Toronto. It was sweet. Google 민 속 촌. Too much to say about that more to come later.

Okay so our crazy encounters of the week. We were waiting at a 역 for the other sisters and we were down on the platform and this old grandpa who apparently recently had surgery on his guts--maybe appendix, I don't know all I know was that he had a whole in his side about 2 inches around with guts coming out that made me want to vomit and he liked to show other people. Crazy. I am a magnet for crazy people. He say me and started coming after me, it was like frankstein, he's lifting up his shirt exposing his guts says, "you're beautiful" in korean, I'm trying to be polite but run away. So we run up the stairs. Then this university aged student comes up and stares down my companion starts saying things like "god told me to come and find you and pray for you, can I pray now" It was like a southern baptist type thing. ala Fletch Lives. She is bearing her testimony to him, and while this is going on the crazy grandpa is coming up the stairs coming after me. Actually I was scared. But of course my reaction was just laughing hysterically, uncontrollable. Frankstein and this kid that was in a trance. We ran away and hid until the others sisters got there. Its a better story in person I promise. I'll tell you all in person some day.

Monday we taught a woman who is obbsessed with Canada and freaked out because the Book of Mormon was printed on super nice paper, then she started rambling I started laughing because I knew she wasn't making any sense. My companion didn't understand her either and she's Korean. More on that lady some other time.
We ate at Outback Steakhouse for my pass-off reward, it felt like America, so good. No rice!
Last Saturday the YM/YW in our Stake did a music night which was for the most part amazing. Koreans love music and they are very diligent. They even had really cool breakdancing. Sunday night the group New Horizon came to our stake. They were missionaries in Korea in the early 1970s, and they would sing on TV and on the radio. Actually Elder Choi, a korean General Authority was introduced to the church by them. They were sort of famous. Anyway the sang, and talked about the church's growth in Korea, which is truly a miracle,their Korean was worse than mine was in the MTC. Actually Sister Palmer spoke with a translator, her husband was the Mission President here in 1965. Its just makes me realize how special a place Korea is and the people are the best. Its hard for me to think about not knowing about Koreans they are the coolest--sometimes weird, but they have such a place in my heart.

I know you hate me random emails, I'm sorry. Last week was Zone Conference the theme was D&C43:16 If we sanctify ourselves we will be endowed with power. Actually I want to share with you guys what our mission is doing and encourage you to do it too. In order to santify ourselves and give a Christmas Gift to Christ this is what we are doing.
A 40 day "fast" starting Nov. 16 and ending on Christmas. 1. Fast (food fast) for a day in a manner of prayer
2. in this attitude make a list of 10 things that "poke" at your spirit or aka natural man inclinations--Mosiah 3:19
3. take the list to the Lord in prayer
4. Covenant that you will fast from those things for 40 days
5. Each morning as you pray promise the Lord you will avoid each item on the list, ask for His help to have spiritual strength to overcome
6. At night review the list in prayer determine why you failed if you did fail in some aspect
7. Pray for more strength for the next day. Do this for 40 days, I am excited to do this which is why I wanted to share it alll with you, I know it will bring us closer to our Savior. I love you all. Being a missionary is wonderful, its tough for sure. You are always tired, hot, cold, sick, investigators stop meeting with you for now real reason and it breaks your heart. But this is the greatest thing I have ever done and I am honored to be a part of it. Love you all, until next week. Don't forget about me!

Alsbury 자 매

Fw: Returned mail: see transcript for details