안녕하세요!
Wow....I guess this is it. The very last letter. What an overwhelming
feeling I have right now sitting here at the computer in a quite
library in 신제주 with the windows open and fans going in the heat of a
beautiful summer day. How I completely love this place! How I
completely love these beautiful Korean people and this most miraculous
work of the Lord that I have had the pleasure and opportunity to serve
for the last year and a half of my life.
As I ponder on the last year and a half, I am completely blown away
and humbled at what I see. I see hard, long hours of work in heat,
humidity, rain, snow, fierce wind, and absolute cold. I see struggling
to learn a different culture, not understanding why people act the way
they do, feeling completely alone, learning a crazy new language that
felt like it would never come, and being discouraged beyond belief. I
see a small seed of faith that grew with each day walking out that
door once again and choosing to open my mouth in a different tongue to
tell these people that I didn't know, about something that has bought me
more happiness than anything else in the world. I see determination to
be the best that God could make me be, to love as Christ did, to heal
with every look of the eye and sound of the tongue. I see obedience,
even hidden strength of courage, when those around me had no desire at
all to be doing the work. I see persistence and joy beyond
comprehension. I see miracles that could never be said in words enough
to bring back the reality to a God given gift that turned a life
upside down. I see compassion and kindness, patience and growth. But
out of all the things that I see when looking back on my mission, the
thing that sticks out the most above all else, is the blessings that I
have received from doing the most simple and easiest and beautiful
work on the Earth...by choosing to be a representative of the Lord,
and my Savior Jesus Christ.
When upon entering the MTC and the mission field at the start of my
mission, I made a commitment and promise to Heavenly Father and to
myself to give of myself to this work in complete love and obedience.
I remember feeling so grateful for the opportunity that I was given to
be trusted enough from the Lord to bring about His work as if He were
here at this time. I remember wanting so badly to keep that trust no
matter how hard, how difficult, how discouraged I was. I wanted to
give my heart to my Savior and Redeemer who knew me personally and did
ALL for me . What a small sacrifice for what He had done so freely and
selflessly for me.
While reading the Book of Mormon one day, I came across a scripture
that stood out to me so strongly, and became a motto for my mission.
Alma 29: 9-10. It reads, " I know that which the Lord hath commanded
me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that
which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that
perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul
to repentance; and this is my joy. And behold, when I see many of my
brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my
soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for
me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his
merciful arm which he extended towards me." Then it goes on in verse
16, "Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is
carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were,
so great is my joy."
I truly have found the most beautiful joy and peace from giving of
myself in this small amount of time for the people of South Korean,
and to my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that there could be nothing more
sacred and special than this precious time. What a blessing and
privilege that I was able to do this. This time was no sacrifice for
me compared to the blessings that I was so easily given from a loving
Heavenly Father, and seeing of the mighty miracles given to me. But
through the lives that I saw touched and changed, the biggest miracle
of all was how my life changed. I will forever be changed from this
experience. I will forever be indebted to my Father in Heaven for
shaping and molding me into this person that I have become. Even if I
did no other good in this time, I know that one life was forever
changed....and that was my own. I am so humbled for this experience,
and so extremely blessed to have had such supportive and loving family
members and friends that lifted me and sustained me all along the way.
I love you all and am so grateful for each one of you!
Until we meet again....very soon!
With all my love,
사랑합니다!
커시 자매
Sister Kersey
(Sister Kersey's homecoming talk will be on August 11th at 1:00, for anyone that would like to attend.)
Monday, July 22, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Letter #73
(Second to last letter from Sister Kersey. She will be giving her homecoming talk on August 11th at 1:00pm at the Santa Juanita Building. We would all love for you to come! Thank you for all of your love and support! Jim and Carri Kersey)
WOW!!! What a beautiful week! Now that monsoon season is over, the
weather is absolutely beautiful here on Jeju and I am just soaking it
all in! I feel so happy to be here and feel so blessed with this
amazing place that I live and the amazing people that I love so
dearly!
Yesterday, we were so excited to see one of our members bring her
non-member friend to church for the 3rd time! And we were even more
excited when she told us that she asked us if we could start teaching
her the missionary discussions! She was so excited to hear our message
and has such a desire to learn about our church! She listened so
intently and even asked questions! Our members right now are starting
to bring more and more of their friends to church, or English class,
or to meet with us! I think that I have received more referrals and
talked to more members about their friends that are interested in our
church more in this area than any other area that I served in my whole
mission! What a blessing! I am so blown away with these members'
devotion and love for the missionaries and missionary work! I feel so
humbled to be working right along with them.
Last night, we met with two families in our ward for dinner and asked
them to reach out as disciples of Christ in serving those that they
find on the street that need help or just a friend. We gave them all
two pamphlets each and asked them to tell these people that they are
disciples of Christ and have a special message for them that will help
them. To my surprise, the members were absolutely excited and
motivated to take the pamphlets, and they all promised us individually
that they would do this! I am so excited to hear the amazing stories
that they will have!
The lesson that I was able to learn more than anything this last week
was about being an agent! I have never in my life understood how
powerful it is to be an agent until this last week! We literally are
given agency to be our true selves and resist all temptations and
outward influences that will attack us and try to bring us down. I
believe firmly that no matter where we are, no matter who we are with,
and no matter what our situation and circumstances, we are able to be
true to ourselves and God and find true foundation and happiness by
doing so! This is our way to knowing who we really are to God and our
way to coming back to Him like how we were before when we lived with
Him! What a blessing to know that I am an agent, and that I can choose
each day what I will do and what I will say and what I will believe!
There could never be a more powerful, more sacred gift than our power
of agency and being who we really are!
I am so happy for who I have become and what I have learned during
this precious time on my mission! There has never been a more precious
time in my entire life! What a sacred and dear experience in my life!
I will be forever thankful! I love you all and hope you have a safe
and happy week!
사랑합니다!
거시 자매
Sister Kersey
Letter #72
July 8, 2013
안녕하세요!
Happy Independance Day!!! I didn't get to celebrate too much being in
a foreign land, but my two American companions wouldn't let me forget
it! :)
I am so thrilled to hear about how great the ward breakfast went and
especially all the people that attended! What a great example of
missionary work and really extending a loving, friendly hand to
others! Our ward is such a great example to me, and I feel so blessed
that I was raised in such a loving and giving ward!
This last week was fantastic! It started with us losing our cell phone
at a wedding reception. I was devistated! We got home and asked a
woman on the bus to use her phone to contact our district leader to
tell him that we wouldn't be calling him that night because we had no
phone. Right when we got in the door, we knelt down and prayed that
somehow we would be able to find our phone or get a phone. We got up
and just started planning for the next day, and we all had really
peaceful feelings about it. The next day, when we arrived back to our
apartment, there was a small peice of paper on our door from the
elders telling us that they had found our phone and left it at the
church for us! I guess we had left it in the taxi on the way to the
reception and the taxi driver took it to the police station where they
then contacted the elders. What a miracle! We again knelt down and
prayed a prayer of thanks!
On Thursday night, one of our branch members invited us and one of our
investigators over for dinner. This is the same investigator that had
the dream about me coming from heaven and taking her hand and leading
her to safety in between all the snakes. She told this member about
her dream, and our amazing member bore her her testimony of this
church and shared her conversion story with her. Early in the
transfer, my companions and I had found a scripture in the Book of
Mormon, in the chapter that she had been studying, that seemed to
describe her dream to perfection. I then opened the Book of Mormon up
for her and had her read the scripture. I then took her through her
dream, describing what symbolizim that I noticed and what I believed
her dream meant. She told me that she could understand that scripture
perfectly and believes that what I see as the meaning of her dream,
really could be true!
On Saturday night, while doing our daily planning, my companions and I
were discussing what we should do for Sunday evening. We had kind of a
plan written down that we thought could be the best use of our time
and the people that we should be visiting, when suddenly I just said
that I felt that we needed to change our plans to visiting a woman
that had stopped coming to church recently because she was ill. She
lived farely far and I was worried about visiting her at night and
especially on a Sunday night when her whole family, including her
non-member husband could be home. But I followed the prompting, told
my companions, they agreed and we switched our plans. Then on Sunday
night, as we were waiting for the bus, we again realized that we would
probably not be able to make it in time to really stay a long time and
that we would probably have to call in late. I asked my companions if
we should switch our plans again to something that might be a more
productive use of our time, but again the feeling came that we needed
to go. So we did!
When the husband opened the door, he immediately told us to come in!
Without hesitation. We were kind of shocked, asked if his wife was
home and entered the house. There she was just laying on the couch.
She looked so much better, but I could still see some sickness in her
eyes. We started to talk to her, and out of nowhere, I had a thought
in my mind that told me that she had a miscarriage. FInally I got up
the courage to ask her how she was feeling. She sat there for a minute
and then told me exactly what I had predicted. She then started
telling us how she believes in the Plan of Salvation so strongly, that
she believes that everything happens for a reason, and she knows that
she will see her baby again someday. She then told us that she had
specifically prayed that the sister missionaries would come and visit
her so that we could talk with her and comfort her. She said that when
she heard the knock at her door, she was not even in the least bit
surprized! Amazing!
We were able to talk with her, lift her, share our testimonies with
her, and then we gathered with her whole family, including her
husband, and prayed together! What a miracle!
I truly believe that God talks to us today. He literally tells us
where we need to be, who we need to see, and when we need to do it! He
controls everything, and I believe that when His son or daughter gives
a humble prayer, He hears every word and answers it! He loves us! We
are His children! We will have our sincere prayers answered, and we
can be the angels in other's lives if we just listen to His words by
the promptings of the spirit, with faith!
I love this work! I love all of you!사랑합니다!
커시 자매
Happy Independance Day!!! I didn't get to celebrate too much being in
a foreign land, but my two American companions wouldn't let me forget
it! :)
I am so thrilled to hear about how great the ward breakfast went and
especially all the people that attended! What a great example of
missionary work and really extending a loving, friendly hand to
others! Our ward is such a great example to me, and I feel so blessed
that I was raised in such a loving and giving ward!
This last week was fantastic! It started with us losing our cell phone
at a wedding reception. I was devistated! We got home and asked a
woman on the bus to use her phone to contact our district leader to
tell him that we wouldn't be calling him that night because we had no
phone. Right when we got in the door, we knelt down and prayed that
somehow we would be able to find our phone or get a phone. We got up
and just started planning for the next day, and we all had really
peaceful feelings about it. The next day, when we arrived back to our
apartment, there was a small peice of paper on our door from the
elders telling us that they had found our phone and left it at the
church for us! I guess we had left it in the taxi on the way to the
reception and the taxi driver took it to the police station where they
then contacted the elders. What a miracle! We again knelt down and
prayed a prayer of thanks!
On Thursday night, one of our branch members invited us and one of our
investigators over for dinner. This is the same investigator that had
the dream about me coming from heaven and taking her hand and leading
her to safety in between all the snakes. She told this member about
her dream, and our amazing member bore her her testimony of this
church and shared her conversion story with her. Early in the
transfer, my companions and I had found a scripture in the Book of
Mormon, in the chapter that she had been studying, that seemed to
describe her dream to perfection. I then opened the Book of Mormon up
for her and had her read the scripture. I then took her through her
dream, describing what symbolizim that I noticed and what I believed
her dream meant. She told me that she could understand that scripture
perfectly and believes that what I see as the meaning of her dream,
really could be true!
On Saturday night, while doing our daily planning, my companions and I
were discussing what we should do for Sunday evening. We had kind of a
plan written down that we thought could be the best use of our time
and the people that we should be visiting, when suddenly I just said
that I felt that we needed to change our plans to visiting a woman
that had stopped coming to church recently because she was ill. She
lived farely far and I was worried about visiting her at night and
especially on a Sunday night when her whole family, including her
non-member husband could be home. But I followed the prompting, told
my companions, they agreed and we switched our plans. Then on Sunday
night, as we were waiting for the bus, we again realized that we would
probably not be able to make it in time to really stay a long time and
that we would probably have to call in late. I asked my companions if
we should switch our plans again to something that might be a more
productive use of our time, but again the feeling came that we needed
to go. So we did!
When the husband opened the door, he immediately told us to come in!
Without hesitation. We were kind of shocked, asked if his wife was
home and entered the house. There she was just laying on the couch.
She looked so much better, but I could still see some sickness in her
eyes. We started to talk to her, and out of nowhere, I had a thought
in my mind that told me that she had a miscarriage. FInally I got up
the courage to ask her how she was feeling. She sat there for a minute
and then told me exactly what I had predicted. She then started
telling us how she believes in the Plan of Salvation so strongly, that
she believes that everything happens for a reason, and she knows that
she will see her baby again someday. She then told us that she had
specifically prayed that the sister missionaries would come and visit
her so that we could talk with her and comfort her. She said that when
she heard the knock at her door, she was not even in the least bit
surprized! Amazing!
We were able to talk with her, lift her, share our testimonies with
her, and then we gathered with her whole family, including her
husband, and prayed together! What a miracle!
I truly believe that God talks to us today. He literally tells us
where we need to be, who we need to see, and when we need to do it! He
controls everything, and I believe that when His son or daughter gives
a humble prayer, He hears every word and answers it! He loves us! We
are His children! We will have our sincere prayers answered, and we
can be the angels in other's lives if we just listen to His words by
the promptings of the spirit, with faith!
I love this work! I love all of you!사랑합니다!
커시 자매
Letter #71
July 1, 2013
안녕하세요!
Wow! What a week! So much fun and so different than I was expecting. I
have to say that this last transfer was nothing like I had planned. It
seemes like I have the very best of all worlds...the best companions,
the best area, the best branch members, the best investigators, the
best district, but by far the hardest time adjusting to the reality
that this is going to be ending someday...and someday soon. It doesn't
seem real, and I don't even think about it, but I think that my
sub-conscious knows, which means that it comes out in other crazy
emotions and stresses and dreams. Wow....kind of a crazy time.
But even through all these kind-of undescribable emotions, we have
been working harder than ever and seeing amazing miracles. Heavenly
Father definitely knows what is going on and exactly what we need!
The first part of this week was kind of a clean-up of sorts on
investigators that we have been meeting with for a while that are not
progressing, and trying to figure out more of the less-active
situation. There were a lot of dropped investigators, which was
difficult, but exactly what we need to have happen in order to find
the many new people that are prepared for us to teach. Our one
progressing investigator that had the dream about me last transfer,
finally came to church on Sunday! I complete miracle. The branch was
so excited and welcomed her in with open arms. This week we have been
asked by two members in the branch to join them for dinner or p-day
activities! Our branch members are absolutely the biggest blessing and
a huge example of how to do member missionary work. They serve so
openly and lovingly!
Another young single adult sister in the ward that is working on her
mission papers, introduced us to her friend last week at English
class. We met with her during the week to talk at a Cafe, and were so
excited to hear that she has never had a religion or been to church,
but after coming to English class and feeling a feeling that she
couldn't describe in our church building, suddenly had huge interest
in our church and getting a religion. She said that each time she
looks at us in our eyes, there is a light that she can't describe and
she longs to be as happy as we are! I feel so blessed for amazing
branch members that have the faith and the desire to share the gospel
with their friends, and have enough trust in us to let us meet with
them! Another sister on Sunday approached me and told me that she had
a friend that she travels to the other side of the island for class
each day that she also want to refer to us! What a huge miracle and
blessing!
Yesterday was supposed to be our p-day, but a member asked to take us
to some beautiful waterfalls today on the other side of the island, so
we got permission to change our p-day this week to Tuesday. I am so
happy that we did, because we had the most amazing day yesterday
diligently giving ourselves to the work. It started out in the morning
as I was teaching and training my two trainees in our 12 week program
on how to become a missionary. We were discussing ideas on how to find
more people to teach, which was perfectly appropriate for dropping
most of our investigators the week before, when we suddenly had a
fantastic idea! It was an idea that could go far beyond the time as a
missionary, to becoming a every-day member missionary. We discussed
how amazing it would be if people carried with them pamphlets and name
cards of the church and how to contact you and the missionaries, so
that everytime you found someone to serve, whether at school or the
grocery store or at work, you could tell that person that you
represent a servant and disciple of Jesus Christ and hand them a
pamphlet. What if every member of the church were to start doing this?
Just to random people they see and that they help to serve. Whether
that is someone that has their hands full with groceries and a
screaming child trying to get to their car, or a friend at school that
just had a death in their family. What if we approached them, even as
a stranger, and held out a hand, as Christ would if He were here. That
is our whole purpose here on Earth! We were baptized and took upon us
His name! Isn't that exactly what we are supposed to be
doing....acting in His behalf as His representative at all times, in
all things, and in all places?! WOW! I am so excited about this! So
excited that my companions and I want to put on a fireside for our
branch on how they can be everyday missionaries and disciples of Jesus
Christ! How cool is that!
My companions and I are also trying to be more bold with each person
that we meet! On the bus, we tell people directly and forwardly that
we are representing the Savior, Jesus Christ in this area, and are
here to completely have our focus on the people that live in this area
to help them come to know Jesus Christ and to help them the way that
He would if He were here! It is incredible that power that that brings
to us and the spirit that touches these sweet people that we talk to!
How amazing would that be if every missionary were that bold when
talking to random people they meet on the street?!
Yesterday we also were able to call a sister in the ward that we saw
on Sunday that looked pretty sick and down. I kept having a feeling
that we needed to go see her, so we called and set a quick
appointment. I was shocked when we got to her house and found it
completely messy...like it hadn't been cleaned in a good couple of
days. We sat down and started talking with her, but she looked tried
and heavy. I finally asked her about cleaning the house. Because she
is sick, she has a hard time cleaning, and told us that the Relief
Society would be coming on Thursday to help her out! I told her that
was great, but that there was no way that we were going to have her in
a messy house until Thursday. My companions and I immediately stood up
and started to clean. We turned on the lights, cleaned the house,
played with the kids, listened to hymns on the piano as her daughter
practiced, and then shared a simple message about the role of a mother
and what a great job this sister was doing as a single parent and
raising two children on her own. In just that short hour, her home had
a complete different spirit, and her face had a new light. I left
there feeling like we had done something right....and what Heavenly
Father wanted us to do that day. Focus completely on his one
struggling daughter!
WOW! I love this gospel and I love missionary work, and I absolutely
love being a missionary and a representatvie and disciple of Jesus
Christ! What a humbling experience to be representing Him and to take
upon His name daily! I feel so extremely blessed for that priviledge!
I know this gospel is true, That Christ lives, that He is our Savior
and Redeemer! There is no doubt in my mind, heart, or soul about this
simple truth! He lived here on Earth, established His church, payed
the price for our sins and mistakes, lived a perfect life, and died
for each on of us! I love Him! I know that He is my older brother! He
is your older brother! He knows us and loves us! How grateful I am for
Him!
Have a great week! Remember who you represent! Stay strong! And let
His light shine through you! Be an example of Him!
I love you all!사랑합니다!
커시 자매
Wow! What a week! So much fun and so different than I was expecting. I
have to say that this last transfer was nothing like I had planned. It
seemes like I have the very best of all worlds...the best companions,
the best area, the best branch members, the best investigators, the
best district, but by far the hardest time adjusting to the reality
that this is going to be ending someday...and someday soon. It doesn't
seem real, and I don't even think about it, but I think that my
sub-conscious knows, which means that it comes out in other crazy
emotions and stresses and dreams. Wow....kind of a crazy time.
But even through all these kind-of undescribable emotions, we have
been working harder than ever and seeing amazing miracles. Heavenly
Father definitely knows what is going on and exactly what we need!
The first part of this week was kind of a clean-up of sorts on
investigators that we have been meeting with for a while that are not
progressing, and trying to figure out more of the less-active
situation. There were a lot of dropped investigators, which was
difficult, but exactly what we need to have happen in order to find
the many new people that are prepared for us to teach. Our one
progressing investigator that had the dream about me last transfer,
finally came to church on Sunday! I complete miracle. The branch was
so excited and welcomed her in with open arms. This week we have been
asked by two members in the branch to join them for dinner or p-day
activities! Our branch members are absolutely the biggest blessing and
a huge example of how to do member missionary work. They serve so
openly and lovingly!
Another young single adult sister in the ward that is working on her
mission papers, introduced us to her friend last week at English
class. We met with her during the week to talk at a Cafe, and were so
excited to hear that she has never had a religion or been to church,
but after coming to English class and feeling a feeling that she
couldn't describe in our church building, suddenly had huge interest
in our church and getting a religion. She said that each time she
looks at us in our eyes, there is a light that she can't describe and
she longs to be as happy as we are! I feel so blessed for amazing
branch members that have the faith and the desire to share the gospel
with their friends, and have enough trust in us to let us meet with
them! Another sister on Sunday approached me and told me that she had
a friend that she travels to the other side of the island for class
each day that she also want to refer to us! What a huge miracle and
blessing!
Yesterday was supposed to be our p-day, but a member asked to take us
to some beautiful waterfalls today on the other side of the island, so
we got permission to change our p-day this week to Tuesday. I am so
happy that we did, because we had the most amazing day yesterday
diligently giving ourselves to the work. It started out in the morning
as I was teaching and training my two trainees in our 12 week program
on how to become a missionary. We were discussing ideas on how to find
more people to teach, which was perfectly appropriate for dropping
most of our investigators the week before, when we suddenly had a
fantastic idea! It was an idea that could go far beyond the time as a
missionary, to becoming a every-day member missionary. We discussed
how amazing it would be if people carried with them pamphlets and name
cards of the church and how to contact you and the missionaries, so
that everytime you found someone to serve, whether at school or the
grocery store or at work, you could tell that person that you
represent a servant and disciple of Jesus Christ and hand them a
pamphlet. What if every member of the church were to start doing this?
Just to random people they see and that they help to serve. Whether
that is someone that has their hands full with groceries and a
screaming child trying to get to their car, or a friend at school that
just had a death in their family. What if we approached them, even as
a stranger, and held out a hand, as Christ would if He were here. That
is our whole purpose here on Earth! We were baptized and took upon us
His name! Isn't that exactly what we are supposed to be
doing....acting in His behalf as His representative at all times, in
all things, and in all places?! WOW! I am so excited about this! So
excited that my companions and I want to put on a fireside for our
branch on how they can be everyday missionaries and disciples of Jesus
Christ! How cool is that!
My companions and I are also trying to be more bold with each person
that we meet! On the bus, we tell people directly and forwardly that
we are representing the Savior, Jesus Christ in this area, and are
here to completely have our focus on the people that live in this area
to help them come to know Jesus Christ and to help them the way that
He would if He were here! It is incredible that power that that brings
to us and the spirit that touches these sweet people that we talk to!
How amazing would that be if every missionary were that bold when
talking to random people they meet on the street?!
Yesterday we also were able to call a sister in the ward that we saw
on Sunday that looked pretty sick and down. I kept having a feeling
that we needed to go see her, so we called and set a quick
appointment. I was shocked when we got to her house and found it
completely messy...like it hadn't been cleaned in a good couple of
days. We sat down and started talking with her, but she looked tried
and heavy. I finally asked her about cleaning the house. Because she
is sick, she has a hard time cleaning, and told us that the Relief
Society would be coming on Thursday to help her out! I told her that
was great, but that there was no way that we were going to have her in
a messy house until Thursday. My companions and I immediately stood up
and started to clean. We turned on the lights, cleaned the house,
played with the kids, listened to hymns on the piano as her daughter
practiced, and then shared a simple message about the role of a mother
and what a great job this sister was doing as a single parent and
raising two children on her own. In just that short hour, her home had
a complete different spirit, and her face had a new light. I left
there feeling like we had done something right....and what Heavenly
Father wanted us to do that day. Focus completely on his one
struggling daughter!
WOW! I love this gospel and I love missionary work, and I absolutely
love being a missionary and a representatvie and disciple of Jesus
Christ! What a humbling experience to be representing Him and to take
upon His name daily! I feel so extremely blessed for that priviledge!
I know this gospel is true, That Christ lives, that He is our Savior
and Redeemer! There is no doubt in my mind, heart, or soul about this
simple truth! He lived here on Earth, established His church, payed
the price for our sins and mistakes, lived a perfect life, and died
for each on of us! I love Him! I know that He is my older brother! He
is your older brother! He knows us and loves us! How grateful I am for
Him!
Have a great week! Remember who you represent! Stay strong! And let
His light shine through you! Be an example of Him!
I love you all!사랑합니다!
커시 자매
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