코 물 (nose water)

Happy Halloween!
Its a shame that all of the good holidays are non-existant in Korea. Maybe we will indulge and buy some overpriced american candy. Maybe. Actually we are completely broke--not even joking, but don't worry about me I always eat.

My brain is fried I don't know what to write. Its getting cold here, wind. AHHH I hate the wind. The leaves are changing colors so that is pretty. Last Sunday 권 다 혜 received baptism! It was wonderful she's very sweet and I know that this ordinance is essential for all. Actually over a year ago she went to the Elders english class in Ansan and there was an Elder there named Elder Fisher who taught her class. He got transferred she stopped coming, then a couple months ago she started coming to church with her friend. We taught her, she repentented, changed things in her life and then desired to be baptized. When we were seeking someone to baptize her we thought of one of the Elders. Anyway long story short Elder Fisher the same guy who taught this girl english over a year ago got transferred back to Ansan and he baptized her--a good story (if that makes sense--I can't spell or write or think well anymore) I believe its called full circle. Very cool. Also 김 공 애 's baptism is Saturday, no time to explain how wonderful this is. Probably 13 years ago missionaries taught her initially, it just shows the power of the Spirit and how different everyone's needs are.

The other Montana missionary Elder Light is now in our zone, he went to Skyview, he really loves montana too, Forsyth is in his stake. You might know his dad.
Oh yeah funny thing. I totally ate it--fell in a subway station the other day. We were running, because we were late to an appt---happens everyday, I had just scanned my card and right infront of my was this nasty cheese esq yellow something that they sell on the street--not a clue what it really is those, right in front of me it was the classic banana peel effect. The nice thing about being a foreigner in a place where everyone looks the same is that I never get embarassed because everything I do people stare at me, so I carry on being a fool and don't care. I think that is a blessing because its easy for me to talk to people on the street because well yeah I can't explain but its good to be a 외 국 인 in Korea.

Ahh another random thing. A member gave us free dinner coupons to this place called the Viking Buffet (but say it funny like a korean) its actually like $18 USD. Yikes we took a young woman who has a really bad home life and one of her friends there last night. Maybe a little bit like L&D but bigger. No pineapple shrimp but they had fondu. Actually the students that we took with us are so fascinated by me that they only got food that I ate. hahahaaaaaaa Anyway maybe it was a have to be there type of thing. Actually the city we were in 안 산 Ansan kind of reminds me of Las Vegas, the LIGHTS!!! Igo the lights are insane, they they have cheesy hotels and things like "Viking Buffet" Anyway. Just read my journal later.

Sister 방 made me Vietnamese food last friday. Wow never thought Vietnam even had food, but its delicious. Rice paper and vegetables, pineapple and spam wrapped up and dipped in red chili pepper sauce. Wait did I just type that??? SPAM!!! yes I have eaten spam its disgusting to think about it and not tasty but whatevs Koreans like it. I like what they like.

Also if you are bored google; Big Bang K-Pop biggest thing in Korea. They made a music video in an area by a church met the elders and gave them an autograph which the elders gave to Sister Bang, she showed it to this 14 year old girl and I have never in my life she someone freak out so much. Maybe like the beatles or something. She just kept say "how how how" in korean over and over.

I am going to end this now and write a note to my baby brother Briggsy. Which I am so proud of, I know how you feel, well sort of. Trials will make you better. When I read your email I thought of 2 Nephi 31:20-21. Everybody should read that now. Okay love you all. Has anyone checked my gmail lately? you can delete junk stuff--please do but save other things. Especially if any of my friends write me forward it to me. Okay tangenting problem needs to stop. Love you all, I love being a missionary, time goes too fast. I have found this stationary in our Apartment that says Alma 60:6---my attempt to guilt trip you all.

xoxox 사 랑 해 요 !!!!!

알 스 베 리 자매
Sister Alsbury

most painful experience of my life--but not really it was fun

So its raining here in Korea. Dirty rain. We are in Songpa which is about 1hr 45 minutes from our house we went to the Mission home this morning and I did pass-off which was good. Sister 방 is rewarding my speedy progress by taking me to an International Restaurant. Oohhh International huh? Yes Outback Steakhouse--you may have heard of it. I really have learned a ton of korean. I know that Heavenly Father is helping me. I know that I am doing his work which I have been called by God's Prophet to do. Best decision I've ever made.

I Probably know more Korean than spanish now. Mac I too am grateful for 6th grade Japanese, some Koreans study Japanese and they go crazy and think I know tons of Japanese, when I just say stuff from that video haha. Korea is really beautiful though on the bus this morning there are parts that aren't city and tons of mountains, very gree the leaves are changing colors its awesome. Even in the middle of the city there are mountains and the middle-aged folk deck out in their hi-tech apparel to go and walk about these little mountains for an hour or so.

I forgot about the election what is going on with that? Its nice to be so busy with other things that I don't have time to think of stuff like that.

Next Sunday we are singing in GeumJeong 1 ward( 금 정) (PS if you learned the Korean alphabet that would make me happy because romanizing is awkward sometimes) We are singing come ye children of the Lord with the Elders and this guy who just got home from New York South Mission. Should be interesting.
Oh if you ever want to stalk me via google earth you can. So doing my best to romanize...We cover the Anyang Stake. We cover Sanbon(our house) Ansan, Anyang, GeumJeong, and Guro. I don't know why I thought about that.

Best thing of the week. 김 혠 주 has a baptisimal date!!! She is wonderful we love her so much. She has changed so much since I have been here. Her husband is from Iran and he has been meeting with the elders for 1.5 years but can't be baptized until he gets his korea citizenship. They communicate via english if you were wondering. He speaks 8 languages fluently. Anyway it is the best feeling to teach her the Gospel of Jesus Christ we are so excited for her. Actually its a miracle but I'll let you read my journal when I go home.
김 공 애 is getting baptized on the 1st we are so excited. She is truely converted. She met with the missionaries in high school and her brother got baptized went on a mission---I've probably talk about these 2 before sorry. Anyway. She saw the change in her brother, he's been a member for 12ish years and the influence he has had on her. She's amazing. Actually she's going on an adventure to Australia for a year. Can't speak english at all. She's 30. We have arranged with her to stay with some members in Sydney. She really wants to go to the BYU ELC. Hey I used to go to church there, and its famous here. Everybody wants to go there.
Sunday is Kwandaheh's baptism, (I type too slow in korean and am running out of time)
Random things:

Korea reminds me of Chile a lot. Weird but sometimes I feel like I am in Concepcion.
Sister 방 is an angel from God. I love her so so so much. What I blessing it is to have her as a companion. Her english is getting so good its amazing.
I made brownies yesterday. Yes we have an oven which is extremely rare in korea. I made them for an Elder's Birthday after our meeting but really just for Sister 방 except the Elders ate all of them like a pack of wild wolves before we got to them. Sad. Yes if anyone reads these words and feels inclined to send American Junk food we would both love you for eternity.
Yes my Korean companion doesn't like a lot of really common Korean food that I hate too, so its great to stomach some things together. There's an "American food" place I've introduced her to fajitas.
She knows tons about Montana.
I explained my middle name to her yesterday. She loves the name McDede too.
Yes I still have red hair.

Oh I almost forgot Korean culture time. So everymorning we run on this track and all the old people do Korean aerobics, which is....different. Trust me I will video it before I come home. Anyway. So Koreans love health. They are asian so yeah eastern techniques and things that Sister Alsbury calls "a little bit weird" i.e. squeezing my ears to death. Man I tangent too much. Point of this is that Koreans do this thing and when asked what the english name for it was, I responded, "I would would call it walking on rocks" So there is a course you walk on bare feet different patches of rocks from big smooth ones, log, chunks of granite, to the extremely pokey one. LIke the 2 inch gravel rocks cemented into the ground and you have to walk on them for like 10 feet. I've seen Koreans jumping up and down on them. AHHHHH!!! But we did it! I wanted to die all in the name of health, right? Don't worry will document it sometime. I think its probably more p.c. to call it pressure point therapy rather than killing yourself by walking on rocks. Well I am out of time. Once again scrambled. Love you all I really do. I love being a missionary. The church is true.

보 보 들!!

Sister Paige McDede Alsbury

I must be crazy because I am currently wearing Youth Dew perfume

안 영 하 세 요!!!
Hello all again. So good to year from everyone thanks for all the love and encouragement. Briggsy congrats on your PR, I'm sorry I missed Crosstown, When is state is it next week? I will fast for you okay?

So is transfer day, neither of us was transferred so I think we will have a great next six weeks together. I'm excited. Our 18year old investigator 권 다 헤 is a headached but hopefully will be baptized Sunday. Also 김 공 애 is going to be baptized on the 1st, shortly thereafter she is moving to Australia to learn english for a year. They have Korean wards in Sydney so we have been trying to get in contact with them. Speaking of Australia--I feel terrible for those missionaries who were stabbed, I know the Lord protects His missionaries and that things happen for a reason, but scary. Korea is safe for this many people, they can't have guns and robbery is rare. Sometimes weird people say or do things but I can take all of them--maybe I should start Taekwondo. Wait that made me think of a funny thing that happened yesterday. So we had just finished our district meeting and we are walking down the street and all of the sudden crazy loud sirens go off and people with yellow beauty pagent ribbon (tehe) jump into the street and stop all traffic and pedestrians. I'm like what the deal....So it was a war drill. Yes sometimes I forget about our neighbors to the North. Everyone was so serious it kind of freaked me out. So if there is a war I guess that we all just stand on the street corner as opposed to the duck and cover option. It lasted for 15 minutes, probably the biggest waste of time ever, at least we weren't on a bus.

Oh Jill muchas gracias for the letters. Sister 방 , loved it. She had to look up a couple words but she understood. It was awesome we got mail before conference so she was so excited to get it really I thank you. For her language study time she is working on a letter for you, she's so sweet. If anyone has the inclination she's also really interested in CTR rings--english ones. They don't exist in Korea, that would be a sweet christmas present. English but not the green finger turning ones. No pressure though. Actually something good came out of my camera dying in the MTC (PS send Mac a camera asap--they are super important) (PSS thanks for the new camera, also thanks to Eric or whoever else helped with that) So I had an extra memory card from that camera 2gb and Sister 방 has an olympus so it uses that card and my new one uses the SD card. Yesterday her card ran out of space and it is really small memory and its the same one from her sister's mission. So I'm glad I saved that extra memory card, I gave it to her--she deserves it for training me, basically it just feels good to serve others is what I'm saying. Today we are just doing email for p-day so we can help our recent convert move, I know that God blesses us when we are obedient and serve others, even if it means now p-day.

Korean culture moment. Some people have these fancy toilet seats with these buttons on the side, I never understood because they are regular flushing. However, I now know. Toilet seat warmers!!! Yes, I was a little surprised, very unecessary but fun. Ahhh koreans.

Today I unzipped that bag of clothes that I vacuumed with all of my winter clothes it it. (no worries its still warm here) Anyone I pulled out a shirt and it had cat hair on it. Probably the first time I haven't been disgusted by cat hair in my life. Hope the kitties are good. I have seen maybe 2 cats, couple dogs, but they are always tiny dogs, and every time I see a dog I think of people eating dog. Oh on the subject of food. Our investigator fed me this week. More like shoved food in my mouth. Koreans are little but can pack it and I think she thought--wait not a clue what she thought but she was frantically wrapping rice and kimchi in seaweed and shoving it in my face. I wanted to say "calm down everybody" but they wouldn't understand. Actually we went to Papa Johns yesterday to celebrate my pass-of, way to expensive but tasted just like the US.

Still on the topic of food. Korean Buffets--oh boy. So we were in this weird area by the 아 산 church and my comp says lets go here to this buffet it was only 4 bucks, just regular korean food. I wasn't really hungry but then I see this sign---something about 2,000 원 and leftover food. So I ask my companion what it was. Ya you have to pay $2 more if you don't eat all of the food on your plate. They hate leftovers here. I look at my plate, I'm full, its full. I only had 2,000 원 great so I did it I ate it all and kept my money but felt sick afterwards.

But the real higlight of the week was General Conference. The elders and I watched it in english (on DVDs) in a room. I made brownies and the Elders just about died they were absolutely obsessed, I only at one. Brownies & cookies don't exist here. But the food wasn't the best thing. I love conference so much. It went by too fast. Mac I too loved Elder Wirthlin's talk, I liked the Brazilians' talks too--reminded me of Mac. I can't wait to get the Liahona and read them, it was just a boost that I needed. The Korean general authority Elder Choi is in our stake so he was there too, he never talks to me in english so I always fumble, but the koreans are really proud of him because he knows the prophet and apostles.

The Elders had a baptism after conference on Sunday so we were waiting and I was showing the elders my family pictures (btw I need one with all 6 of us in it) Anyway Elder Hymas says "oh you are Mac Alsbury's sister" Jordan Hymas from your freshman ward, I talk to him all the time, small world huh. He said you and Jared were awesome and asked how you were. So he lived above you and below you lived Elder Forrest--he was friends with the kid on your floor that played BYU volleyball, he was only there for fall semester but he is certain he has seen you before. BYU and mission world small world. I can't believe they are your age. I'm glad I can't be a zone leader. Be a good boy. I'm being a good girl. I know that every mission is hard in different ways. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and that I am supposed to be in Korea. I thought about where I was exactly a year ago--I remember a really trying time that helped me to be where I am right now. So I'm grateful for that trial. no time.
사 랑 해 요 !!!

Sister Paige Alsbury

Fw: October 2--1 month in Korea already!

September 25

Hello again. Did you know that Korea is called the land of the morning calm? Yes now you do. Wow another great week has gone by so fast. Today we are going to the mission home for a sisters luncheon--sweet that means american food. Don't worry they don't usually baby the sisters like this--its rare. And p.s. the elders all live in nicer apartments and have more money for food because the don't travel. Anyway before I get on to the real cool stuff some thoughts.
BYU football wow yes amazing. Today I explained to Sister 방 about the church in america and how a lot of people know about the church through prominent members, Mitt Romney, Steve Young, polygamy (yuck) and BYU football. If thats not missionary work--well yes it is.

The other day I had a dream that I was in Montana and Briggs and I were trying to drive this giant jeep thing that was a stick shift it was a headache. Briggsy try and enjoy senior year. Like Dad always said to me "mission prep" for real dealing with difficult people will be such a benefit to you, and seminary too keep it up. I'm proud of you. Do you BYU application asap so you can get in fast and then kick back (slightly) and enjoy your senior year. You can send me your first album k? Maybe you can just move to korea and become a korean pop star. Ahh Korean culture so fun. 5 Little kids just pointed at me and said "Mi-guk saram" Yes I am an American person--I'm getting used to the staring and pointing, kick of fun. My companion says I am special (in korean) Members at church say they have never seen hair like this before and they all like my white skin and good teeth. Thanks mom and dad! I think each week I will try and do a Korean culture spotlight yes this is a goal.
So this week's Korean culture moment: Anchioves (can't spell) Yes remember on teenage mutant ninja turtles "hold the anchoives" okay koreans love them. They are awful. They are little fish dried and extremely salted. They eat them all the time. I choose kimchi over them. The grocery stores sell them in mass quantities and they scare me in our fridge. My companion likes spam for breakfast. Awesome. I just say thats okay I'll go with cereal without milk (milk is very different here) OKay no more culture for today.

Oh mom yes schools here as way different. Like most other countries they wear uniforms. But Koreans are obsessed with school. They all go to regular school where they all learn english but can't speak it. But these little kids go to hag-one 학 ㅝㄴ where they do specialized school. Like science, english, art, math--these are elementary to high aged kids. The lucky kids get to go to cool taekowndo hagones, and the really expensive ones are the english schools.

Koreans think I know a lot more Korean than I really do. But I have learned a ton in the past 3 weeks. Church is the hardest thing. 6 hours of korean and my brain hurts. But I can pick things out. Its coming slowly. I'm glad I have a Korean trainer--its a blessing. Sure its hard but it was inspired. We are growing in unity and this is becoming a real strength. People see me and want to talk because I am "exotic looking" and then she can supplement and talk about that its not an american church. Yes the church really is the same everywhere. Why? Because its Christ's Restored Gospel here on the earth today.

Okay so now on with the main event. Last thurs-sat. We taught 이 귀 임 (ee, quiy eem(or cuy in spanish sounds the same cuy in spanish is guninea pig--I don't think she knows her name means that in spanish but it also means ear in korean) I'm sorry I really can't romanize their names. I taught her everything. mY companion \supplemented. WOW. She was so prepared. She had been taught 6 years ago when her son was baptized and now he is on a mission in Busan and she started going to church when he left. What a great opportunity to see someone whom I taught the Gospel to receive this ordinance. The spirit teaches the missionaries are the instruments. I know that baptism by the proper authority and by immersion is the example the Savior set. She really wanted to be baptized asap and we were able to have her baptism on sunday. The entire ward came and we even had noodles afterwards. We are working with several other great sisters who are making changes in their lives and preparing for baptism. Its fantastic. Everyone is a child of God an needs to hear our message. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple which is a blessing for me because I speak simply and bear testimony and they can feel the spirit.

The members are fantastic they love the missionaries and always welcome us they want to fellowship others and they are so strong in the Gospel. Even though they talk super fast and my legs always fall asleep sitting on the floor I love to talk with people and see how great and loving Koreans are. The church is growing in Korea and it is strong people are being prepared. Asia is great these people are so cool. I never thought I would be here in Korea doing the greatest work that there is. I love everyday. Of course its frustrating and not easy but I know that that is the Lord's way. I'm grateful for my family and their support of me always. I just remembered when I made that baby carrier thing when I was in second grade. Good grief I'm a weirdo. But I know help other people receive everlasting happiness. How great is our call!
Mac I'm happy that our plaques are next to each other and that you are obedient. I love it. Be good. I'm working on a letter p-days are crazy though. We are going to the Seoul temple in 2 weeks awesome.

Briggs keep runny okay really fast. I can send noodles when you finish the season. Actually I knew that the Office starts tonight but I try not to think about it--please enjoy it for me.

Jilly love you let me know about school Okay? Dad--yes get online and buy a yo for yourself. And buy some cool bike stuff too you deserve it. Crack down on the members so they give the elders referrals do everything you can to help. When I come home I just want to help people in MT. Mommy have fun at school. I dust love you and everybody. Keep talking about missionary work. Planting seeds. If you want to send me a family photo with everyone it to that would be good. I have lots but not one with everyone it it. Also I might need another box of contacts and if possible a cheap discman so I can play this pronounciation CD. Tell everyone I say hi. I got a great letter from Elizabeth Lewis and some MTC friends. So nice forward this to anyone. You can delete some of my randomness.
xoxoxo
사 랑 합 니 다 !!!!

Sister Paige McDede Alsbury

miracles!

Hello again from Korea. Team Alsbury does Asia. Its great. I love this place. I loved all of your emails it makes me miss you all so much when I read your emails every week they make me laugh so so so happy. I'm glad to hear you are all well. Don't forget me in your prayers, I need all the help I can get. Briggsy! Congrats on the xc, you are my hero I'll make a tape of me screaming and mom and dad can play it at state for you. You must be eating Korean noodles. I think I had the best ramen type thing ever yesterday, you would be proud. I echo Elder Alsbury God bless BYU football. Wow that is dust amazing. I forget that it is football season. Actually I forget a lot of things. Mac love your english grammar. I can already tell my english is dying. When I talk to my comp in english its very very slow and simple. So pretty much can't speak english or korean. But I can smile.

So yeah I fell like I have had hundreds of koreans laugh in my face but if you just keep with it you will see tender mercies. So yesterday we are out street contacting. Sister 방 just follows me. I have been praying so hard to find meaningful contacts on the street because it is ah ju frustrating sometimes. So first of all we are walking around and these 2 old guys stop us and they start speaking english! Ahh the mother language. It was great, they were in the military in the Vietnam war and were in California. So I taught them about the book of Mormon and they had so many good questions so they are going to meet with the Elders. In korea we can only talk to men if they talk to us. Which is nice because they don't do what latino men do when you walk down the street. Tangent must stop. So then I really felt like we should go up this one street and without thinking I run up to this lady with a stroller. And I just start talking about the bible and the book of mormon. It wasn't me it was the spirit. We were on fire. So she was smiling and eating up everything. Good thing I have a native companion because sister 방 can fill in a lot. This lady is golden. We gave her a book of mormon and she is so stoked to read it. It really was a tender mercy.

So then another miracle. There is a woman in Geumjong 2 ward area her son is currently on a mission in Busan, she has been attending church but not meeting with the missionaries. Anyway, she has really been affected by her son's mission. So yes this is a story. Her son's mission President (Ken Jennings--Jeopardy whiz's dad) is going to fly this missionary here so that she can be baptized on sunday! But we haven't met with her. This is the only time that he can come home and the bishop really wants the son to be there for the baptism. So what does this mean? It means that tonight, friday and saturday we are teaching her everything. And she is being baptized sunday. Well it will be my first baptism and I don't know all of the circumstances but I think its good. I think she has a lot of member support and has already read the book of mormon. wonderful!

Its still really hot here. Sister Hunt my friend from the MTC called me today it was good to talk to her. She's stressed, her senior companion doesn't know very much korean either, all of the sisters are very young in the mission which stresses me out to think about it. Having a companion that speaks kindergarton (probably less) english is a blessing. its also a challenge. Some days I just crave english or just to chat or communicate what I really want to say when we teach. The other day Sister 방 was upset with me because I told her we needed to follow the white handbook. She's really really shy as it is (most korean girls are super shy and when you talk to them they get super embarassed) so she stopping talking to me for 2 hours. I had no clue what was going on at all. I told her we needed to talk and communicate and she said a lot of korean super fast in a tone. And all of her english was gone that night too. It comes and goes. I just have to study hard and pray for the gift of tongues. She has a electronic translator I I was able to use that to help figure out what was going on. I think she is just tired and stressed and didn't see that I was trying to help us receive blessings through obedience. But that was a couple days ago and things are good now. I have found that communication is just better if I try in in Korean that is better than slow english. Opportunities for growth that is certain. Our zone leaders told me that Sister 방 really wants mail from the United States just something. If you want to write her a quick note she would be happy, she has a translater and knows basic things. Oh I don't really need a costco card, I think she just wants to go, I'm fine without one. I think they are expensive. Grocery stores here are an experience. My nose is not happy with some of these smells. I think I am going to avoid all fish the rest of my life.

Mac I don't know if your mission has pass-offs but we do. Stressful yes but the good thing is that I passed off lesson 1 this week. Yay. Still so much more to do. Korean is really hard. Sometimes I think they are just making up words because its all slurred together. Like baby talk and they are tricking me. The Korean grandmas are cute they are like 3 feet tall and walk almost at a 90 degree angle. Cute.

So 주 속 was sat. sun, mon, its like thanksgiving, so we had a combined zone sports day saturday. We went to Suwon I saw elder Sundwall from my MTC district. We had Anyang zone vs. Suwon. They have 18 people and we have 12. We went to a world cup stadium and played on the warm up field for it. Yes soccer it was glorious. The sisters stood around but not me it was heaven so much fun. Sadly I even took out 2 elders. We also played volleyball and water balloon volleyball. It was a good break the Elders are so nice and fun. Do you know Chase Hilton from Dillon? He just went home everyone asks if I know him. There is an Elder Light from Billings still here but I haven't met him.

Time is short random stuff:
6 hours of Korean church every Sunday ahhhh!!
cultural differences are real
I keep having really weird dreams.
Octupus==not good
Junk food ==not good
Kimchi=not great
I'm not in love with the food yet but its fine
Zone conference tomorrow
People have heard of montana
There are tons of little kids in our area primary is huge
Oh yeah on sunday not many people were at church, we taught primary
I see a lot of bad english grammar every day
Korean is really hard.
Yo's are comfortable. Dad don't sleep on the floor get on ebay and buy a yo, or you could try a bed too I suppose.
Jilly What classes are you talking? Mom be good at school, Briggsy boy be good love you. Mac love you Our zone leaders live in Helaman when you did--left after christmas though. You are my example. Yes try and update the blog, I think I was typing in the email address wrong but tried to forward today. no time
I'm good don't worry about me. Love you all forever,

Sister Alsbury

피!