HEART AND SEOUL December 18 - 25, 2005

HEART

Dear Family,
Our week before Christmas here in Korea has been filled with more socials and dinners than we can remember of past years. Monday, December 19th we attended a dinner/social for all of the ordinance workers of the temple. It was a nice social and the temple presidency went out of their way to make us, the temple missionaries, feel welcome. Sister Kim, the temple matron, even sang in English "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas".
On Tuesday, though feeling somewhat woozy from medications, your father performed another live sealing with everyone dressed in white. The bride, Haley Grandy, father works for the United States Embassy and her fiance, Matt Evans, father is a dentist in Virginia. For some reason they both felt strongly about being sealed in the Seoul Korea Temple. Haley is one of the eldest of eight children and Matt among the oldest of eleven children which should prove to be an interesting marriage as their future genealogy unfolds. Both families radiated a love of the gospel and all in attendance of the sealing were touched by the spirit which permeated throughout. Truly your father was an instrument in the Lords hand for the words he spoke were not his own.
Both families seemed financially well off. The reception that night was a typical conventional mormon reception with perhaps above average refreshments and was held in the US Embassy building which was beautifully decorated.
Saturday, Christmas Eve, was spent at the home of President and Sister Brian Sellers with all of the other couple missionaries. There was a total of eighteen of us and the dinner was catered by Drangon Hill Lodge and came very close to a perfect home cooked Christmas dinner. After our delicious meal we enjoyed some Christmas games, interchanging of gifts and completed the evening on a spiritual high with scripture reading and caroling. A special evening in preparation of Chirstmas Day.
Christmas day we once again attended our Korean ward and enjoyed the spirit of these kind people. We were pleased that our temple president and matron were the main speakers along with a just released Korean missionary. Another missionary (American) sang "Mary's Lullaby" in part Korean and part English. A lovely way to have felt the spirit of Christmas and renew our covenants.
President John Madsen and his wife Annette had a special Christmas dinner for all of the temple missionaries on Sunday evening. It was especially nice because their oldest son had just returned from his mission in Tiawan and their other two sons and daughter provided the atmosphere for a traditional family Christmas gathering. The Madsens have an extremely busy life as President of the military district and a major in the air force, yet still find time fill in the needs of couple missionaries. Short of being with our own families, little more could have been done to help us feel the spirit of Christmas.

SEOUL

Today, the day after Christmas, we were a guest of the Evergreen Society which as you recall is the name of the Senior Citizen group with whom we have attended excursions and other socials.
This activity took place at noon and we were ask to provide a musical number so we sang "I Am a Child of God" with one verse sung in Korean. The thirty-three voice, near professional, from the Administrative Offices were the highlight of the entertainment.
The meal was excellent, all Korean dishes which are becoming more appreciated as our Korean taste matures.
Most of this group are regular attenders and temple workers of the temple so we feel very much a part of their organization.
Tomorrow ends the Christmas season in Korea and has been a most memorable time. Next Thursday marks our first year here in Korea and the year 2005 about to close. Though acknowledged, January 1st does not hold the same significance as does the Korean lunar year which is on January 27,28 & 29 and is a major Korean holiday. We have been pleasantly surprised that Christmas is celebrated as much as it is here and equally surprised at the extent of decorations shown in the downtown areas. This nation is truly being blessed as christianity spreads.
As we close this "Christmas in Korea" we want to express our appreciation and our love to our family for your thoughtful remembrances. Your love is our strength and the foundation for giving us such a memorable Christmas that concludes our mission year in Korea.