GOOD TO KNOW

Dearest Family,

안녕하세요!!! This week has gone by so fast I can't believe it is already another p-day. It has truly been a wonderful week here. First of all, I absolutely love getting all of your dear elder letters. I need to learn to wait until I am in my room to read the letters because I always cry! They are not sad tears, but happy tears, and grateful tears. I love you all so very much, and all of your support means the world to me. Also, I sent you a letter Mom, but if you don't get it in time for your birthday, Happy Birthday on Sunday! And yes, I did get the Carry On necklace, and I wear it at least once a week.

I will start with the spiritual aspects of this week first. As you know, our teachers role play as progressing investigators, and each companionship or trio teaches them every other day. My trio and I decided that the ivestigator being played by Brother Wade was ready to commit to baptism. I was so excited, and it wasn't even a "real" commitment to baptism since he is obviously already a member, but I was still beyond excited. Then, one evening as we walked into class he was face timing with the actual investigator he baptized, whose name is Song Bok Su. So, each one of us actually got to meet the real Song Bok Su. It was seriously so cool! We also committed our investigator being played by Sister Baek to baptism, and again, I was so excited! I cannot wait until I am in Korea and am actually teaching real investigators the gospel. I can only imagine that my joy will be at least ten times greater, when committing real investigators to baptism. It will be so wonderful being able to at least share the wonderful message of the restored gospel and the happiness that it brings us to the good people of Seoul, Korea. Another super cool thing happened. Last Friday we did TRC, which is where we teach lessons to church members. In one of our lessons, my companions and I actually taught a real investigator, Subeen. She was with her newly converted friend and we didn't know she was an investigator until afterwards. She had been taking the discussions from missionaries already and my district just found out that she is going to be baptized. To think that I had the chance to teach a real investigator while in the MTC and that she has made the decision to be baptized is so wonderful! I know that we didn't really play a role in her decision to be baptized, but it is still so cool. Even if I am not able to bring anyone I teach to baptism, I just hope that I can help them to come closer to Jesus Christ, because that is what it truly is all about. It is hard to believe that next week I will have been here for a month. The days seem like weeks and the weeks seem like days.

I was watching a Mormon Message during gym time on Tuesday and I really liked something that Richard G. Scott said. He basically said that each new scripture we read and memorize is like gaining a new friend. I really loved that analogy about scriptures being friends. I love personal study time here because for at least an hour every day, I can just read the Book of Mormon and ponder the scriptures that I read. I've started the war chapters in Alma, and I read about how when the Nephites and the Lamanites were going to war, the Lamanites came without armour and were not covered but the Nephites had sufficiently prepared and so they were victorious. When we are keeping the commandments, praying daily, going to church, and seriously studying the scriptures, we are putting on that armour to protect us from the fiery darts of the devil. It is so important that we all do that. I sang in the choir on Tuesday and we sang Secret Prayer, which has become one of my favorite hymns. Heavenly Father has blessed me so much the past couple days with strength and the determination to be diligent in my language and scripture study. I was sick the last couple days, with a stomach bug, and I felt pretty gross but I was able to push forward and study and do the things that I normally do. Heavenly Father definitely strengthened me, and helped me to push through. I would pretty much give anything to have a healthy home cooked meal right now. I would also give anything to have a chocolate dunford doughnut. Salads and wraps are good, but they get old after a while. I can't wait to eat some Korean Barbecue or some kimchi! I ate some spanish rice yesterday and it was so spicy I cried. I learned that if I plug my nose when I eat that I won't be able to taste it and it won't burn as much. It looks ridiculous hahaha!

Speaking of ridiculous, our classrooms are basically Antarctica and the vents only blow ice cold air even when the thermostat is turned off. Sister Hales and I have the same winter coat, except for hers is black. So Sunday I wore my winter coat to our classroom because it was freezing. Then, yesterday Sister Hales and I wore our winter coats to our classroom. They elders always say that it is too hot, and the sisters always freeze. So, we wore our winter coats all day inside, and it was glorious. For the first time since the day I arrived, I was warm. My residence hall is not freezing so I am fine when I am there, but all of the buildings here are so darn cold! I thought it was pretty funny, so I included a picture. The Vegas heat sounds really good right now. Brother and Sister Lee, in my branch presidency cannot say my last name so they still say "Ahh, Good to know 자매" and it still makes me smile. I really hope that I can live up to being good to know. Every time I hear the elders say good to know one liners or anyone else say good to know, it gives me an increased desire to be someone who is good to konw.

Anna, I am so glad you had a good experiene at Girls Camp. Thank you so much for your letter! I cried when I received both of them, and then laughed for about five minutes straight when I saw the picture of the cat being vacuumed! Where do you find these things?!?! You are the best sister in the entire universe, and Heavenly Father was generous to me when he blessed me with you as my sister. Dad, I love you with all of my heart. Thank you so much for your letters and for the support. You are the best! Every time I look at the card with the sunflowers on it, I am reminded of when we were in Florence Italy with the fields and fields of sunflowers. That was a sweet experience for me. Mom, I love you with all of my heart. Thank you for everything you do and did to pack me up to come here. I have had everything that I needed and even more. I wish that I could be there with you Sunday to celebrate your birthday, but just know that I am and will be thinking of you. 

Please thank Grandma Julie, Sister Mecham, Millie, Amanda, and Christian Orme for their letters!

I love you all with all of my heart, and I will keep praying for you. Thank you for your prayers and support. I wouldn't be here without them.

사랑합니다!!!

<3 Goodnough 자매