Harold & Marie's First Note...

Dear Family and Friends
Since we are limited in time and abilities (which we hope to have improved next month) I am writing a copy of our journal entry to let you know somewhat of our experiences thus far. January 1&2 of 2005

This brand new year finds us in Korea in the huge city of Seoul and we just returned from church with the other three temple missionary couples. We arrived at the temple around 9p.m. on 12/30 after a 22 hour journey. (Watched 4 movies enroute and ate 3 delicious meals). We were delayed two hours in San Francisco which made us about 1 hour delay in getting to Korea. We were greeted by Pres. and Sis. Lee and the temple recorder Bro. & Sis. Jun, Jong Chul...exceptionally warm greeting.

We were about 45 minutes in our drive from the airport to our apartment here by the temple. All of the missionaries (Korean sisters & two Korean couples plus the other three American couples...Haas, Hess and Krastendiek) were out to greet us and a big sign above the door Welcoming temple missionaries, Elder and Sister Hymas. Our group leader is Elder & Sister Haas and they had supplied us with sufficient food and necessities to last til we can get to the store next Tuesday.

We stayed up late enough that night to unpack and get things in order. The next day (New Years Eve) we assumed our duties at the temple where we were set apart by Pres. Lee and attended an endowment session. We were excused at noon to finish getting our apartment in order and take a nap. Our apartment is all we could hope for. It was completely cleaned and freshly painted and furnished with a new refigerator, micro-wave, new pots, pans, dishes and bedding. It is well heated and very comfortable.

The temple is beautiful, though small it has a spirit within that is most welcoming. The Korean people are so respectful and humble. It is truly a "quiet" vell.

Being New Year's Eve, we were invited to join the three other American couples at the Haas' apartment. They have planned it out that we will be eating one big meal each day thru Tuesday...so thoughtful and what a delightful New Year's Eve.

The temple was closed New Years Day so we spent a better part of the day getting better acquainted with Seoul and our new friends. Bro. Haas took us on a tour around the temple grounds and a walking tour of shopping area below the temple.

New Years Day (evening) was spent at the mission home of Pres. & Sis. Seller's. The mission home is adjacent to the temple and the Seller's have been very good to temple missionaries as well as, their young Elders and Sisters. Pres. & Sis. Farnsworth, recently called as special public relations President. We were surprised to know, we had known his father, Dean Farnsworth in Granger...small world. (Also met Larkin's friends, Pres. & Sis. Ringwood).

We enjoyed a missionary (all missionaries in complex..Korean & us) on P-Day in honor of the Korean missionaries here and to get acquainted with the Kastendieck's (arrived one week before us) and Hymas's. What a fun party that was...eating on the floor and playing fun games.

Durng the day the Kastendeck's and us had walked to town to obtain cash from the money machine and get some exercise. The fun experience was to be at the huge Hyundai Dept.when it opened. To our surprise, two "Barbie-like" young women greeted us and when we got in the store all the clerks (not exaggerating) a full 100 young men and women dressed alike in the uniform of the day, stood at attention and in precision at a given moment bowed in welcome and began their day. We didn't see a frumpy or fat one in the lot...Kroean's are NOT fat (we have hopes!). That is if we stay away from Sub-Way, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins and McDonalds which all are located in this part of town.

Yes, we are learning the ordinances in Korean and prompt cards are NEVER used but thus far it is well worth the effort just to be among these sweet people. Most of all, the first Tuesday of each month we are invited to eat at this Senior Citizen place by the temple which only Korean food is served and we truly did enjoy their food.

We'll make a promise with all of you...We'll keep you in our prayers if you will keep us in yours. We love each one of you.

Mom & Dad
Grandma & Grandpa
Harold & Marie