HEART AND SEOUL December 11 - 19, 2005

HEART

Dear Family,
For the past few Sundays we have attended Sacrament meeting in the Korean Ward adjacent to the temple. This was done to avoid weather exposure and energy exertion. Though we have attended here before these past few times have seemed quite special. By now, in this tight knit ward, most of the active Korean saints know who we are and we in turn have acquired friendships with them and their children. Except for language we could feel no more comfortable in our home ward in Heber City. The warmth and friendship and expressions of concern are quite overwhelming.
Today, one week before Christmas, we have had our strongest yearnings for home as we contemplated homecoming and homeleaving of our missionary grandsons. Both Susan and Nancy have their entire families together. The excitement of Jacobs return was punctuated by the 3a.m. arrival of Jared who traveled all night to be part of the festivities. Today Jacob gives his homecoming talk in his home ward. Tyler likewise traveled long hours in a car packed with personal belongings to arrive home in preparation for his farewell talk today in Sacrament meeting.
These bitter-sweet experiences tug at our hearts with deep emotions. Knowing that all we longed for and worked for has reached fruition at the expense of emotional sacrifice.
At least our being so far away in a nuetral place eliminated the need of deciding which place we would be, but oh how we would have loved to have been in both places.

SEOUL

Close to a year ago, we spotted a lonely looking man, obviously not Korean in need of company and guidance. It turned out he was a member of the church with no idea how to get to the English speaking branch. This became our acquaintance with James Alfred Adair.
Jim was on an assignment with his American base engineering firm to assist in the operation and maintenance of a sanitation device here in Korea. After his initial introduction in the Branch our meetings became more Sunday/church oriented but our friendship developed even more as he suffered some health set-backs and even hospitalization. He sought your dad out for priesthood blessings and counsel.
In early summer a new light entered his countenance and we discovered he was smitten with a young Korean women he had met at a singles activity. When he explained to your father his intentions, he was reminded to move slowly, prayerfully and that eternity was a long time.
Saturday, your father performed the sealing ceremony for James Alfred Adair and Jongyum Kim in the Korean temple. We with all of the temple missionaries and even President Lee and Matron Kim attended a traditional Korean reception for this new family unit which was a lovely affair.
*Special side note: Both of them had been previously endowed but Jim has been a confirmed bachelor for fifty-six years and his beautiful bride, Jongyum is a youthful 38year Korean. He speaks no Korean and she speaks a "little" English. A lot of love will have to fill in the silent moments but you never saw a happier couple on " this their wedding day."
This couple plan a honeymoon in Hong Kong and Thailand for the next two weeks where summer is ever present. They then will attend our English branch where our friendship will continue.