Happy Easter!

HEYYYY!

I need to catch up on last week a little bit. Here are a couple highlights that I missed:

One day while walking to a bus stop and old man who loves americans stopped us on the street he insisted that we come to his home... we kindly rejected. but then he grabbed our hand and attempted to pull us towards him. we told him we had an appointment so we couldn't (which was true...) and so we continued to walk to the bus stop where he followed us and pulled out his flip phone and insisted we take a picture of ourselves for his phone. sister broyles took one of him rather than himself but he was so old he couldn't really tell the difference and he seemed pleased. the best part was when he started singing to us. really loud. and everyone was staring...I'm pretty sure he wasn't drunk...maybe just a little crazy. but eventually the man left and immediatly another man came over to us to make sure we knew that "not all koreans are like that and that there are a lot of good koreans in korea" haha

also this week I ran into the dog man from bangeojin who kissed sister Bonney's hand and wanted to buy us shoes! apparently he works in the area I am serving in now! he insisted I take he number and said I could "call him ANYTIME" but I'm just gonna refer him to the elders.

Other highlight included getting invited by the cutest elderly couple to eat dinner. When we shared the message Sister Broyles and I decided to try a new idea that we found in one of the books mom sent me. We started the message talking about missionary work and asking about their conversion story. they were both baptized in 1988 then the husband went inactive for like 8 years and then he became reactivated and became the branch president! such a cool story! But the cool part was when we did an activity with them where we had them write down all the nonmembers they knew. we gave them about 5 minutes and told them it wasn't a trap and they didn't need to give them all to us as referrals. After we had them write the lists we explained that not all of these people that they know are prepared to accept the gospel but that God knows who is prepared and who they can invite. so we knelt down together and I offered a prayer that they could be guided to know whom they can invite to hear the gospel. the spirit was so strong and I felt so much love for this sweet couple. at the end of the prayer. they looked at the list they had a made a plan for who they felt was ready and what they were going to do help introduce them to receive the gospel. It was a really cool experience. The spirit was SO STRONG.

Highlights of THIS week:

W got invited to a members house to eat lunch and I ate a silk worm larva...It's a BUG. but it's cooked. and most koreans don't even like it. but it's tradition... I wouldn't recommend it to anyone... but now I can say I ate a bug.

We had a branch easter party where sister Broyles and I were in charge of face painting kids faces and making crafts! The activity turned out really well!

Sunday was Easter and Sister Broyles and I were able to attend the english sunday school that our branch has which was incredible. Brother Priedman gave a lesson on the resurrection which went so well and I felt the spirit testify to me that it was real. I'm so grateful to Christ for all that he did that allows me to live the life that I have. It was so refreshing to hear a lesson in English:)

Also I fasted yesterday that we could find new investigators because our most progressing one has been in the hospital recently and we haven't been able to meet her:( but last night we were able to eat with a member an her family whose daughter and husband aren't members and we are now planning to meet them weekly to answer their questions and share a message. Her husband asked some really deep questions like "Didn't God create Satan?" We did our best to follow the spirit in answering his questions and testify of what we knew to be true. There is such a special spirit about this family and while I was there I felt they were missing one thing to connect them all together and that is the gospel. The mother (member) helped so much with our lesson as she shared experiences as to how God has answered her prayers<3

I ran into STACY this past week. an investigator I had in my first area! apparently she lives in the same area as me now... so I gave her our contact information and hopefully we can meet her soon! I'm just running into all sorts of people from my first area:) its SO fun!

That's about it for the week! Things are going well! Hope you all are having a great Easter season and hope you all enjoyed conference. I'm looking forward to watching it this weekend. It's like the super bowl for missionaries. Love you all so much!

Sister Hurley

our investigators dog... I think she likes me.

there is a place called burger mugger that we went to... and the hamburger I ate was
the best burger I have ever ate in my life. It could just be because
I haven't had a good hamburger in while...but I was in heaven. SOO GOOD.

Christopher, I found MELON SODA!! The greatest thing EVERRRRR.
but really. i'm in love.

Happy Easter!

We were in charge of crafts and face painting at the branch picnic!

Korean Food! One of my favorite meals.

bangeojin, baptism, birthday...

I don't really know how to properly express how incredible this past week has been....

First I want to thank everyone for the cute birthday wishes! Fun how the only birthday I have as a missionary fell on pday! Today has been a really great day! It consisted of riding bikes through a bamboo forrest with some other missionaries and then going to a sushi buffet. and I'm in Korea. and I'm a missionary. so how much better could it get? It's been a really fun day!

Highlights of the Week:

Like I mentioned in an earlier letter I am serving in an area pretty close to my first area and we go there sometimes for district meetings. Well...  this last week I received special permission from president to be able to stay in Bangeojin (my first area) after district meeting to meet up with my recent convert sister Kim! So last Wednesday I was able to see her for about an hour after our district meeting<3 I felt so happy to see how well she is doing. Sister Broyles and I were able to teach her a short lesson. What an incredible experience it was to be able to see her again when I never though I would! (It has been about 5 months) A day I will never forget.

Another highlight of the week included being able to attend Sister Kwon's Baptism in Jinju! She had already been interviewed for baptism while I was serving there but because I was transferred to shinjeoung, I was able to receive permission so go support her on her special day<3 And what a great day it was. I honestly have never seen the gospel change someone as much as it has changed Sister Kwon. She changed her whole life around and now she is happier than she has ever been. I'm incredibly blessed for the opportunity I had to teach her and witness her taking the steps back to Heavenly Father. What an beautiful day it was. God is oh so good. 

Time for the funny moment of the week.

One night we were coming home from a long day and it was about 8:55 as we were walking about the stairs to the 3rd floor where our apartment is. We are the only apartment on the 3rd floor and the 2nd floor is like the apartments office. But as we reached the 3rd floor we hear someone running up the stairs and pretty soon we saw a maybe 25 year old man standing outside our door as we were opening the door... and he proceeds to say in somewhat broken english "I'm sorry... (looking at me) but... are you... solo?" (trying to ask if i'm single)... "can I..have your number??" to be honest... I kinda just completely froze. haha. I didn't really know what to say. I was in complete shock as to what was going on. but my lovely companion Sister Broyles started to tell him that we are missionaries so we can't date.. and he just stood there and then said "oh...well I think your pretty" and then sister Broyles said "have a good night!" and we walked in the door..hahahaha. It probably took so much courage for that poor boy to run up the stairs after us to ask for our number...should have given him the elders contact information!:) But it was seriously a matter of about 15 seconds total so we didn't think that fast! 

This week we got another elder added to our branch so we officially have the most missionaries in one branch in our mission with 7 missionaries! 5 elders and us two sisters!

It was a really great week! I love being a missionary! Time is flying way to fast!

Sister Hurley

hehehehe

Companions!!

Birthday Fun!

my cute companion.

Probably the best one...

Don't judge. It's my birthday! I'm 20!

Reuniting with old members :)

Baptism :)

Costco! 

Birthday Package!

Seeing Sister Kim again (recent convert)! (on back left)

Cool Art.

A less active we are teaching, Sister Kim.

Sister Kwon's Baptism!

yay pday fun!

Reuniting with Members!

Korea

Another really great week of missionary work! 20 people got baptized! okay okay maybe that didn't happen.. well atleast in my area but it was still a really great week of missionary work! We walked a lot and taught lessons and was filled with the spirit.  Recently I have been feeling so comfortable living here in Korea and more comfortable speaking to the Korean people and just completely happy to be where I am at and see where I am going. I have come a long ways since I initially opened my call last January and went into complete shock... haha I know people still get a kick out of watching that video...:) If you ever need a good laugh...go watch it. I was full of so many fears about the language and living in a different country and being away from my family... but I've learned as a missionary as we turn ourselves completely over to the Lord and give him everything, not just our might and energy. but our heart and minds too. As we do this, he lifts every worry, every doubt, every fear off of our shoulders and helps us overcome every trial. Faith is the only wise way to face our fears. I know that this work that I'm doing is true. I recently read the talk "The fourth Missionary" and it has helped give me a vision of the kind of missionary I can become as I give everything to the Lord. I know there are plenty of people who may see what I'm doing as "naive" or "brain washed" but I know that it's not. As I open up the Book of Mormon everyday, I am reminded why I am here. I know that that book is true. I know that it is a gift God has given us because he loves us. I have learned there is absolutely no way I can repay my Heavenly Father for all he has given me. I will always be indebted to Him. But I know He is grateful for the work I am doing no matter how small or big of an impact it is. He knows I am doing my best every day. I'm grateful I can be here as a missionary. Korea is my holy place.

I love you all so much!

oh also.. the theme for this transfer in my zone is "how can I be a happy and faithful misisonary" and we have to answer these questions everyday. I think they are good questions for everyone even if your not a missionary:)

1.Did I serve with a thankful heart today?

2. Did I make someone smile today?

3. Did I give a compliment to somebody today?

4. Did I focus on this day rather than regretting my past wrongdoings or worrying about my future?

5. Did I try to improve a Christlike attribute today?

6 Am I happy right now?

Sister Hurley