I heart Korean

time for another scrambled thought email from Sister Alsbury...
The time in the MTC is going by so fast it feels like it was just last tuesday and I was emailing. Tomorrow 44 new Korean missionaries come in and that is awesome. We are excited for them to come because I know exactly how they will feel.

Saturday I had probably my greatest MTC experience to this point. We go to the the TRC on Saturdays, and we have a teaching appointment. We have to do a language task first, i.e. last week we had to eat a dinner with them. I'm going to have to buy a tape recorder because Korean is just so fun and funny. I like to say "I will eat well" and "Kimchi tastes exactly right" Okay onward with the story. So Saturday was our first time teaching in Korean. yes quite nerve racking. But I made a goal not to bring in an Korean notes with me. No body else in our district did that, so I prayed extra hard. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers because there is no way I could learn Korean this fast without divine help. Anyway so Sis. Toronto and I were teaching Lesson 1--the Restoration. Our "investigator" was a Korean girl who was learning English at the BYU ELC. Her english is well--alright. So I'm teaching her about God calling Prophets and she says In broken english. "I'm not a member of your church but I think I know what I prophet is" Okay internal Paigey freak out moment. I wanted to pause the whole situation and and be like ahhhh!!! She was a real investigator of the church. I was just praying that I would say things that would touch her and bec understood by her. Thank goodness testimony is one of the first things they teach us at the MTC. She said she would read the Book of Mormon and that there was just something warm and good about us. I loved it!! It was just an adrenaline high. I couldn't believe I had just talked in Korean for 45 minutes. It was just one of those amazing feelings. Kinda like the feeling when your bro. Briggs comes behind from 13th place to win the race. Oh man I was and still am on a roll. I can't wait to go to Korea in 34 days and to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm going to talk to everyone on the subway. Sometimes I have to pinch myself I can't believe I am doing this, this is the best opportunity of my life. Yesterday we talked a talk from Elder Holland in 2000 called "The Miracle of a Mission" it is a must see.

So yeah great experience on saturday and then another cool thing on sunday. In the MTC all the missionaries in our branch prepare talks on the same topic (ie Baptism) and then after the Sacrament our Branch President gets up and says who the speakers will be. Yeah its intense, one of those things where you are nervous/anixous I don't know. Intense to say the least. They asked me a couple days before to give the closing prayer and I assumed since my name was on the program I'd be off the hook for a talk. But I prepared my talk anyway. The topic was Baptism and I focused on the covenant of taking Christ's name upon ourselves. So President Carlson gets up and announces the speakers and I hear "Sister Alsbury will be our first speaker." Gulp. Okay It went really well I didn't expect it but it was awesome. I think I might actually like to speak in church. Its kind of like winning the lottery. You prepare a good talk and you really want to give it but only 1/30 can. Anyway I'm crazy.

I'm doing really well, I love it here. I really do. This is the best decision I have made yet in my life. I need to go but I have some time, I'm going to get on later too. Sa-rang-hamnida

Alsbury Cha-mey
Sister Paige McDede Alsbury

July 15 still going strong

Greetings again from the Provo MTC,

Yeah I'm still here alive and well at the MTC, I can't believe I've been here for a month, I have seen people come and go. But I am so glad I get to be here for a long time because I have so much to study and many opportunities to practice teaching. Jill, & Dad I got your letters muchas kamsamnida, really it it is the highlight of the day to get mail. Those dearelder things are a gem. We try and email every tues at 7 am but usually come earlier. Yes thank you dad for helping me to be somewhat of a morning person.

I'm jealous of the lake Briggsy. Tell me about running and things that are going on. Are you working? Whats the deal avec toi? There's a missionary in my district Elder Shrack that speaks french and spanish so we have fun. Korean is really hard. Last night I was trying to congugate all these verbs into past tense in my head and saying them outloud to a teacher, and it was so hard, frustrating. But I'm keeping my perspective, I know where I'm going is the right place, and the Lord qualifies whom he calls and I'm gonnna have to taste the bitter before the sweet. The older Korean district leaves on Monday which is crazy because our friends are going to Korea and then it will be us in no time.

I've eaten lunch with Juliet and seen so many of my friends that work here and its so weird to hear them talk about non-missionary things. Refreshing but you kind of forget what the real world is like.

Speaking of the real world guess who went to the real world on last friday me! It was totally baby's day out--member that movie? Anyway, Sister Toronto has had major teeth problems in the past 30+ cavities at a time and the MTC thought she might need another root canal. So we went to the dentist in Provo! yaya!!! Our van driver was from Conrad, MT and his grandparents live on Skidoo bay on flathead lake, I
didn't remember their names. Anyway we get dropped off at the dentist and I have to awkwardly sit in the dentist room. She didn't need a root canal, but apparently she grinds her teeth. So we have to go to Albertsons and Shopko! It was amazing. They told us we could buy stuff so I bought my favorite chocolate covered pretzels. It ended up being a 3 hour trip but it was so refreshing. It was nice in Shopko I talked to so many people gave me a taste of what it will be like in ehhh 48 days or so.

Elder Mac, I actually sent you a package last week, I hope you enjoy its not much but yeah. I thought about you a lot on last friday. Congrats. Theres a bunch of elders here from Brazil, reminds me of you. Also the cafeteria reminds me of you. L&T wraps, chocolate milk. Okay sister Alsbury is going to cut back on the cookies, but I run 6 miles a day its amazing.

Sometimes I feel short changed by our teachers, like they try and think of ways to get out of teaching us and thats frustrating up the wazzo. Things are picking up because now I'm like, okay I want to learn this, I can figure it out for myself. On friday we have zone conference and we all have to prepare talks in Korean. Ahh! Its alright though just has to be 5 min, and I read like a toddler.

They talk so much here about being obedient and having the spirit. Its amazing if you put it into practice. I am seeing huge strides in my life. Actually I'm going save 3 minutes and come back tonight and print out Mac's email. Sar-ang-ham-nida--and that means I love you. I'll write some korean in my letters too.

Sister Alsbury

July 1

hello again another great week here at the MTC. I'm doing really well, loving it happy, loving Korean, learning to love the Elders and try to look past their obnoxiousness. Oh P.S. before I forget, on the dearelder.com thing The info you might need is that I am in the Korea Seoul West Mission but it is the Provo MTC and I am leaving September 1. And if you do that I will get it the exact same day and its free. Thanks for the notes from everyone, I got 4 letters yesterday so the elders were jealous. Yes Mac I have rode that bike in the window but usually at gym I run around on the indoor track 50 laps=5 miles--kinda insane but I like it.

Oh Fort Benton Summer celebration such memories....I guess for the 4th we get to go outside and see the fireworks yay for the real world. I really do feel like I'm in a surreal place. We are learning a lot. Saturday we taught the Restoration in english, but we had to do part of it in Korean. I can introduce myself talk about my family, tell them I have a message that has changed my life and bear my testimony among other things. We taught it to a girl who is 16 and just moved from Korea 10 months ago, she didn't really understand the english part but oh well. The koreans at the MTC are all so sweet and nice. Sometimes I wonder why the asians aren't going to asia and the redheads are. (I think there are 3 redhead elders) Favorite new korean word ka-ka-ho-ho-hada meaning to knock on doors. Yeah its awesome.

Last tuesday Elder Hales gave an amazing fireside on the Atonement so powerful. He mostly used New Testament and BOM scriptures it was amazing! All of the 12 and 1st presidency were here but we only saw a couple at the fireside, they had the MTC on tight quarters so the little missionaries couldn't interrupt the General Authorities. So the church news this week is about the MTC and I know about half of those people. cool. So random but I have no time.

Sunday our district, Sis. Toronto, our 12 elders and I sang Love one Another in Korean as the special musical number. We praticed a ton and sounded good. I am actually singing in the MTC choir this week--weird. At our district meeting on Sunday Sis. Toronto and I gave the lesson on humility and it went so great, I talked about the LSAT and being humbled and all of the elders cried, it was the spirit.

So Mom and Dad remember when we were in the SLC temple and we met that kid that was going to Concepcion. Elder Barker. So the other day I go up to these elders and ask if I can bear my testimony in korean and turns out it was Him! Small world. I love South America and I like to talk to the Elders in Spanish. It gives me confidence that Korean will come someday. Also I sat next to a Sister Searle one day, she's from Idaho. Maybe we are related? Sister Toronto and I are growing together, she has told me more about her so that I can better understand where she is coming from. I am glad that I am me and that I came from such special parents who love me and taught me everything I know, and to love people. I feel the spirit everyhour of everyday, this isn't about me its about the people I will be serving, I just want to be the best instrument I can. 2 months from today I am going to Korea. I can't wait. I love the Lord so much. I like the MTC for now. Cabin fever will come in a month.

Hey Dad could you write out your plan of salvation talk? And maybe sometime your conversion story?

Hey if you wanted to send me something here's some suggestions

beef jerky
airborne
nestle flipz--chocolate
runny shoes
any gym shirt
dried fruit....eh okay whatever a note anything would be really nice--dear elder is free.

love you all!

Sister Paige Alsbury

or Alsbury cha-mey

Mac--me sorry about your camera. I hope you can get a new one. If you make CDS of your pics you can send them to mom if your other one gets stolen

Da MTC is great

Hello my wonderful family!

Yes this is me, I'm alive and well, so this is my email address too. I miss you guys and love you all so much. Too much to say and I have this red time box counting down. Today is my p-day and I will be writing letters, going to the temple and tonight we are having a fireside and I think one of the Apostles will be speaking to us. It is mission President's conference now so the MTC is crazy (as our my thoughts writing this email) I wrote down things I wanted to say but left it in my room.

I met Elder Texeira's son--he teaches Japanese, I see him a lot so that is cool. Also Mac you will be interested to know that I met your new Mission President. Kind of awkward story but I recognized them from their picture they were walking to to their seats at the fireside and I was like, "hey Sao Paulo South, my brother is there tell Elder Alsbury I love him" I think your President was confused but his wife was nice.

So yeah the MTC is intense, I'll just say that. I don't feel like I have had a second to breath at all. We have things going on all the time. We are in class from 7 am until 9:30 at night but really I love it. Probably the worst part of my day is going to bed because my mind can't stop thinking about Korean words and how to say stuff. So what Korean do I know? We learned to pray on thursday and I can now say things like. I love the Gospel, the prophet, well I can bear a simple testimony, which is cool because we will be doing that in Korean on Saturday at the TRC when we will be teaching Lesson 1 in english. Korean makes me laugh we get to make cool mouth noises and the sentence order is Subject object, verb, meaning I say "I eat love" or I love to eat. Verbs are last thats crazy.

I'm doing well with the language, its hard though. I haven't cried yet but sometimes I think about my family and I just really miss you guys. (we can't say guys in the MTC) The Korean branch has 63 missionaries now and there are 5 districts, our district is the biggest we have 14. 12 elders and Sister Toronto and I. Half the Elders are going to Seoul So Mission (Seoul West) and the other half to Taejon. I think a lot of them are struggling with the MTC and some are struggling with containing their obnoxiousness. But really I do love those Elders and they love me.

Being here has made me really grateful that I had a great family, went to BYU and took religion classes and studied the scriptures on my own. I'm really trying to be more patient and not comparing myself to others. Oh and that is so hard for Paige--Paigey like to be competitive.
My favorite korean word hmmm....that would be the word for page its Paigey! happy. Makes me think of my familia calling me Paigey.
Hey I am sending 2 Mongolian elders to find diamond Ocean in Mongolia. Also there is a really sweet sister here from Miles City, Sister Sleight she's going to Italy and went to U of M she is super MT obsessed.

Oh hey before I forget the best way to talk to me is dearelder.com, you can type an email thing and I will get it the same day. I'm okay but its annoying to see the elders get 4 letters a day.

There really is so much to say and no time. I'm writing letters to day with more stuff. I went to a fireside at the Reeder's chapel, and I see their house when I am running around the field. Yay gym it is my favorite! Haha I know I'm obsessed.

In case you were wondering finnish is the hardest language taught here and Korean is #2 (the other Asians romanize their stuff and can't read). We kind of compete with the Japanese they are on our same floor and have the same schedule. Its really funny in the cafeteria you sit with the koreans its kind of like the cool table in elementary school cafeteria. Saturday nights we sing called to serve with the Japanese and we sing one verse in english then the other in Korean and Japanese. It turns out to be this big loud almost shouting Asian party. Okay well so sorry for randomness but I know that this is the place I am supposed to be. xoxo forever

Sister Alsbury
or romanized Alsbury cha-mey

My talk from 8 June 2008

I wanted to somehow make a record my talk that was given in the Helena 3rd Ward on June 8, 2008 because my notes were scribbled and extremely incoherent, I know its not exactly the same (I left out all of the vocal fillers...ummmm)  Anyway feel free to read this and enjoy!

To introduce my topic I would like to first talk about molecular biology.  A common laboratory experiment involves growing up agar plates of bacteria.  We then introduce a mutagen to mutate the DNA of the bacteria, this will induce random mutations into the DNA strands of the microbes.  We then introduce genetically engineered genes and polymerases to the plate to activate functionality of those affected genes and restores the bacterial flora to its original premutated state.

Paralleling this experiment is the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation.  2,000 years ago, the Son of God performed many miracles, taught the Gospl, and established His church.  He ordained Apostles and gave them the keys of the Kingdom.  These keys authorized them to bind the ordinances for eternity.  He was crucified and suffered for the sins and sufferings of all who have and will live and thus accomplishing the Atonement.  Later, these Apostles were martyred and an apostasy took place.  The Doctrines of the church were corrupted and ordinances changed.  The keys of authority were lost and required a restoration.  

This apostasy is discussed in the Old Testament in Amos 8:11-12 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.  And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it."  In the time between the death of the Apostles and they days of Joseph Smith several people including John Calvin, Martin Luther, William Tyndale and John Wycliffe sought to reform the Christian faith from corruption.

When the circumstances were right our loving Heavenly Father reached out to His children through Joseph Smith.  The church video "The Restoration"  points out that what it took for Joseph was a small step of faith.  Joseph sought truth regarding which church to join and as he followed the counsel in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him."  He had a question and went to Heavenly Father for his answer.  This is a lesson here for us today when we don' know an answer we need to pray, Heavenly Father will answer our prayers because He loves us and wants to bless us.  Joseph Smith knelt in prayer and was visited by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  This first vision opened the work of Joseph Smith as a latter day prophet and the Lord's anointed to usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times.  

On April 6, 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized for the preaching of the Gospel and administering of ordinances.  God calls prophets, gives or restores truths, authority ordinances and scripture.  Through Joseph the keys were restored the the churched established.  The church is built on apostles and prophets with Christ as cornerstone. 

At this time, Heavenly Father brought forth another volume of scripture comparable to the Bible.  The Book of Mormon:  Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  Through the power of God Joseph translated the Gold Plates with much faith and diligence.  The translation was truly "A marvelous work and a wonder"  as told in Isaiah 29:14.  The divinity of the Book of Mormon is given in Doctrine & Covenants 20:9-12, "Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of he gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;  Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them--Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever.  Amen."  

President Hinckley said, "If the Book of Mormon is true, the Bible is true.  The Bible is the testament of the old world.  The Book of Mormon is the testament of the new.  one is the record of Judah, the other of Joseph, they have come to fulfill the prophecy of Ezekiel, together they declare the kingship  of the Redeemer of the world and reality of His kingdom."  The Book of Mormon helps us to come unto Him, be committed to Him and centered in Him.  The teachings found in it will fortify us against Satan.  
If you have not already done this for yourself, I would like you to take Moroni's challenge (Moroni 10:3-5)  after reading and studying the Book of Mormon, ask in prayer to receive a confirmation personally, they you will know that it is true in your heart and mind.  President Hinckley has said, "This is the restored Church of Jesus Christ.  We testify that the Heavens have opened, that the curtains have bee parted, that God has spoke and that Jesus Christ has manifested Himself, followed by a bestowal of divine authority."

I know for myself that Joseph Smith restored the church of Jesus Christ to the Earth and that today we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  Our Father in Heaven gives us prophets to guide and direct us because He loves us and wants us to be happy and eventually return to his presence.  This all falls into the Plan of Salvation, or the plan of Happiness.  Like Joseph Smith I have faith that I will receive divine assistance as I serve the people of South Korea.  I wouldn't go if I didn't have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for my heritage and a wonderful family.  My parents have set an example of missionary work as well as my beloved brother Mac.  I know the many of the experiences I have ahead of me will be very difficult and will give me lots of chances for growth.  I really am humbled to to be a representative of my family and our Savior Jesus Christ.  I love you all and I hope that you find some slight enjoyment reading about my experiences in the Korea Seoul West Mission.  Lots of love,

Sister Paige McDede Alsbury