I survived this past week!

Well Christmas is one week I'm excited to talk to you guys. I'm probably going to try and call you at 10am--korea time---6pm MST USA time. So yeah I was the victim of an emergency transfer. I am in Incheon. Weird. I'll just say that there were a LOT of issues going on with Sister Newby and Jo in Incheon. I think the Lord wants me here, but inside I still want to be in my happy Anyang world with 방 애 라 with our washer/dryer and bathtub with a shower curtain. This pas week has by far been the hardest week of my mission thus far. After I talked to President last thursday I cried my eyes out all night. Mostly because Iwas just going to miss Sister 방 our investigators, the members, I will never see them again and I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. My heart was broken. But I know that it was for the best and the best for the people in Incheon--인 천

Here's some adjectives that describe Incheon. Industrial. Its a shipping port. its quiet, I stepped off the subway and there wasn't a million students running around jamming out to annoying K-Pop. It was old men smoking and squatting. Its old its industrial, there is no track to run on. cats, mutant cats, CHINATOWN! gangs, beans, drunk women, oh and there aren't english words to describe the buses. i think we spent 6 hrs on the bust the other day.
But don't worry because I am determined to have a good attitude! I'm serious its the only way to go. I think just about everyone in our mission has heard through the grapvine about it and they are like "oh man thats rough" But not true. I hate whining.

Sister Newby and I are pioneers in Incheon we are opening this stake up where there haven't been sister for 10 months. Foundation is important. Thankfully the elders and members want to help us they do which is great. They have been finding us people to teach. When I meet people on the street and talk about the book of mormon they actually want to listen. We really do see miracles. For example, 조 은 희 is going to get baptized on the 28th of this month. We told President that and he said, "that wasn't supposed to happen" I'm just realizing that this is the Lord's work not mine. If we are diligent, and obedient things will happen. I'm recognizing how much I need my Savior and his Atonement every day. Oh little bio on Sister Newby, she's from Maryland, her mom is Korean, she joined the church in 1965 one of the 1st 500 members of the church here. Her dad served his mission in Korea. After his mission he came back to korea to study and met her mom. She went to University of Maryland and graduated in Painting. We are super different but I know we can work hard and that there are people that need us in Incheon. Well I am excited to talk to you all in 1 week! AHHH!! I'm sad I won't be talking to Mac but I love you. OKay me going to call you got it?? I am going to buy a phone card. If for any horrible reason I can't I am going to email my house phone on another email that you will self destruct right? That is just in case. Don't call me. Me going to call your hand phone or Vincents. 사 랑 해 요

Alsbury 자 매

"Alsbury 자 매 you have really big eyes" -our investigator

Thats not the first time I've been told I have big eyes, I never realized I did, I guess everything is relative right? I'm glad you guys are all doing well and staying busy. Mac--Korea is really bad in the summer humidity, I'm sorry for you, kind of a weak sauce winter here. Actually Sunday morning it snowed, maybe a cm. my comp was so happy too bad it melted during the meeting she wanted to shovel. Reminded me of dad shoveling the driveway like a madman.

Man, I really am blessed. Sometimes I really don't feel deserving of his blessings. Being exactly obedient and diligent really bring blessings. I love being a missionary. Seriously every day is amazing. I ate kimchi and rice for breaksfast with a smile on my face. Today we went to the temple. We are so lucky to get to go often Anyang zone and yeong dong zone went which means I got to see sister hunt & sister toronto. Yayaa I think I am getting a little ahead of myself. Tuesday night we get home its 9 the phone rings, my companion answers sounds really happy hangs up the phone--President Burton is 10 minutes away from our house!! We ran like crazy trying to clean up our house--we really don't have time to clean. As of tuesday night we are temporarily in a threesome (if juliet and Elizabeth Lewis ever read this they will have just laughed) Anyway. Yeah seriously though, I have 2 Korean companions, I think maybe tomorrow it will change. Actually I don't know what is going on really--big problems and I don't gossip because it drives the spirit away. But we are having a good time. I am about 98% sure that Sister 방 and I will be split next transfer (on the 29th) We work so hard together and she has just become one of my greatest friends. She's coming to the lake with us someday. So thanks for sending Christmas stuff. Her parents are Buddhist. P.S. Thank you Vincents for the Package--its sitting under our tree :))

Do you know much 15 kg is? Its 33 lbs. Do you know that Mandarin oranges are in season in Korea? Well sunday a member gave us 15kg of Mandarin oranages (귤)!!! Shipped from Jejudo this island in Korea that a member got for us. I carried this box for a mile on the bus and home. 33 lbs of oranges!! Can we eat them all before they go bad? I'll let you know. We are going to try. Unless our skin turns orange first.

On sunday this member forgot the korean word for priority during sunday school and looks at me thankfully I knew that 우 선 means priority. It was weird. I'm studying hard. Its still really hard. I think it will always be. I'm up for the challenge. I know challenges make us grow my companion is "hardcore training" me i.e. I have to make all of the calls at night and do things that Paige really dust doesn't want to do but it will help in the long run. Insert universal application there.

Briggs are you going to send me your Christmas concert CD? Or you can sing to me in 2 weeks when I call. Speaking of that are you going to be at home. I'm going to call you. Jill's going to be in Utah? I can't 3 way from Korea. Let me know the plan.
Sunday night we had a district activity caroling near this subway station. It was awesome, we passed out our english program flyers and got a lot of phone numbers. This week we have gotten so many 소 개 referrals from the elders. Truly a blessing. People who are prepared for the Gospel are out there. Sometimes I feel like there are just way to many people here. But its good because there is always someone new to talk to.

We had zone conference on Saturday. They talked a lot about remembering our purpose as a missionary and our Mission Scripture which is 3 Ne. 5:13. It was really great. President read part of an email from Chase Hilton from Dillon who served in our mission and how much he just really wished he was back in Korea being a missionary. I really needed that. President really is inspired and leads our mission. I never what that much stress. my comps. just called me by my new nickname. Since korean family name are only 1 syllable they just call me by the 1st syllable of Alsbury written in Korean. 알 ,which sounds more like arrrrh 자매님. They are cute. I love my family so much. Briggs continues to be the biggest hearthrob people ask if he has a girlfriend to my self I'm like "no way he's too busy going to the 'nitty store and using an entire thing of conditioner in one bathtub" among your other past hobbies. Don't be grown up though okay? Thanks for supporting me. I love you all. Hey mom do you ever hear from Edgar Benevides? You should send him my emails. His email is in my gmail.
사 랑 합 니 다
Alsbury 자 매

P.S. If you guys go to bed before 9 every day the korean elf might bring make a stop at your house. I'm just saying there's a chance ;)

December 4

Your emails were especially awesome today muchas gracias. (Sometimes when I am on the street people I speak in spanish and they all freak out because the think that everyone who looks like me should speak english--rightfully so)
Yeah so thanksgiving was awesome, the Marsdens were great, it was weird being in an "American house" it seemed huge. Elder Choi of the Seventy was their as well as a stake president and his wife, I think my favorite was the pumpkin pie and chocolate pie. My companion liked it, she loves american food. Sometimes companionships in our missions have problems because the korean missionary wants rice all the time and the American doesn't, thats a blessing among all of the many other blessings I have received as a missionary.
We did the crazy pressure point therapy thing again, where you walk on the different surfaces of rocks and it kills so bad. It was fun all in the name of health. We have this investigator who is sick and the things that she and my companion and this member were doing to "help" her were CRAZY! I won't go into details.
Last Saturday we went way up on the North part of Seoul in the Seoul Mission and all the korean missionaries had to take an english grammar test if they score really well they can go to BYU-H or something, it was nice because I got to relax for 2 hours during the test with the other Americans. I heard about Elder Wirthlin he was so sweet his conference talk seems to always pop into my head when our investigators drop us, the wind is blowing its cold and we still have 3 more hours of street contacting and there isn't anyone to talk to. Come what may and love it--I will try. So much about missionary work is attitude. Hey guess what? We have a Christmas tree! Its like 3 ft tall and even has lights. We found it in our house. We sleep on our mats in our living room and its quite soothing to sleep by a christmas tree. Its my companion's first christmas tree she likes it but not as much as I do. Last week was her hump day (9months) So we burned a stocking in her honor.
I'm glad Briggs is singing a lot I wish I had worked on that more. People always ask us to sing in church and I'm pretty much not very good, oh well.
Way to random sorry
Korean culture time. K-Pop. Ringback tones. They all seem to like the same 4 songs and they play them everywhere and on their phones everytime I call its the same whiny song. Did you know that cell phone in korean is "hand phone"--but koreanized pronounciation.

This transfer is going to be 2 weeks shorter so that the returning missionaries can go to school. We have implemented a "hardcore training" program in our companionship. Which mean 1000x more stress for me. But I know I am learning a ton more korean and handling the stress. Last night we were eating with this member and somehow I understood what she was saying, and trust me the content of the conversation was not easy vocab. I know Heavenly Father is helping me every day. Like D&C 1:23 says I am weak and simple but I have been called by a prophet to preach the gospel here. read Silvia Allred's talk.

We have this investigator 김 나 영 (Kim, na-yeong) She's great. When we first started meeting her I thought for sure she didn't have any interest but that was 2 months ago. We taught her the 3rd lesson and the spirit was so so so strong. It was such a wonderful experience. She told us something along the lines of "I hear your words but its my heart that is feeling" it was amazing. She felt the Spirit, thats exactly how we learn its by the spirit. There isn't enough time ever to say what really happens or express in an email. Maybe next Christmas huh? Just know now that my testimony of our Savior is strong and I am so glad I am doing what I am doing know, I know it is all true.
The phone call. I don't really know details now but I will probably call you guys Christmas morning that means Christmas Eve in Montana. So maybe let me know when you are going to be home on Christmas Eve okay?
Jill good luck on finals. Are you going home for Christmas? Briggsy boy swim fast, do you BYU application faster. Trade. me send you hot korean 라 면 you send me mail okay? Mom and Dad I love you so much keep being good missionaries and thanks for putting up with my weirdness. Mac I dust miss you. Anybody else out there I love you, I'm happy ;) xoxox

알 스 베 리 자 매
Sister Alsbury

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