Hi everyone!

Wow, I'm going to type super fast because there is so much to say and so little time to say it!

I have big news- yesterday, after church, our investigator Do Ha-yun got baptized!! I was worried and calling the branch mission leader and branch pres. about her because her mom (non-member) had said she would like to have her baptized on her birthday 7/7, but we hadn't been able to meet and were worried we wouldn't finish the lessons in time. Well, a few phone calls later, Jo Hyun-su, the branch mission leader, told us we were set up to teach the entire 4th lesson and have her baptismal interview on Friday so she could be baptized on Sunday. She has been coming to church for 2 years with her brother Gyung-hoon, and she is 10 years old, so we're not too worried that she isn't ready to commit to the commandments yet. We had to do a little convincing to keep her away from green tea though! She is a great girl and I know the sisters will have a great time teaching her the convert lessons next transfer.

Other news- it was my last time at church in Korea~ Wow. Giving my last talk in front of the Hogye branch was a bittersweet experience. That night, at the Bangojin church, we had a going-away party for Elder Bocchino, Elder Oxborrow (now serving in Gyungju) and me, since we're all going home. I love the members at both of our branches! We were especially sad to say goodbye to Lee Jee-yae, a member in the Bangojin branch that just started coming back to church again when I transferred in a few months ago. She is awesome! When we met to teach her for the last time, she told us about a time when she was feeling really worried about the future. (This was before she found out that she got into college in Australia for January!) She said she prayed to Heavenly Father, opened the Book of Mormon, and read the first verse she saw, 3 Nephi 13:34. That just happens to be when Jesus Christ is teaching the Nephites in the Americas! He said, "Take ye therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Jee-yae said as she read that, she felt peace enter her heart. It was amazing to hear someone that we've been studying the Book of Mormon share her own personal spiritual experience. I love the Book of Mormon and the things we learn from the prophets' words each time we study. I know it is the "keystone of our religion" and that Joseph Smith translated it through the power of God. It is a powerful witness that Jesus is the Christ and through its teachings, we can learn the purpose of our lives. We can know how to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again!

Of course, it's not a perfect journey, but I know that trying to live according to the gospel will bring the greatest happiness to our lives. I am so thankful for the opportunity I have had to serve in Korea. I love this country, the people, and the wonderful members. I know as missionaries we all have a special purpose to fulfill, and many times, even we do not fully comprehend what that is! But that's what the beauty of the gospel is. As we strive to love and serve others as Christ does, we grow so much ourselves. I still have so much to learn about that, but I'm thankful for the journey that has just begun. Serving a mission has been by far the hardest experience in my life, and yet is also the sweetest, most joyful experience. I've learned so much and have realized through teaching others how the gospel blesses their lives, that it really is the way that I want to live mine.

The Bangojin and Hogye members are amazing! I am sad to leave them, and also Daegu- Sangin & Daemyong wards, Busan- Goejeong, Daeshin, & Youngdo branches, and Cheju-do- Cheju-shi branch. It's hard to say goodbye~ but the great thing about missionary work is it keeps moving forward (whether it be new missionaries in your old area or the member missionary work that's up ahead). We'll see what's in store...!


I love you all! I hope I recognize you at the airport!

Love always,
Sister Alyssa Linford