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

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