HEART "IN" SEOUL February 5 - 12, 2006

HEART

Dear Family
Two or three weeks ago we told you about a friend, Gilbert Gabongo, from Africa. Today he was baptized along with a young mother by the name of Berniecelle Kim. Your mother was ask to conduct the music where close to a hundred members of the branch stayed to witness the baptism of these two fine people. Both of them wanted to bear their testimonies and Gilbert said words to this effect: "I have been away from my family for four and a half years. I found my family today, you are my family. I miss my home but you brother and sister Farnsworth have brought me home." Both of these converts bore touching testimonies. Sister Kim's husband is taking the lessons but has yet to overcome a word of wisdom problem. By the way, she is from the Phillipines
This baptism touched our hearts because the two young sisters, Sister Doxey and Sister Strong, asked to give the talks on baptism and the holy ghost were so sensitive to the spirit and gave so clearly the importance of baptism and the precious "gift" of the Holy Ghost. The spirit continued in the song "Our Saviors Love" by Sister Dean, a young misionary, who brought tears into the eyes of many of the congregation. We stand in awe of not only the capability of these young people but of you, our children and grandchildren. We see what you have become and what you are becoming and marvel at your brightness, talents, spirituality and the way you bring joy to all those around you. We surely know the Lord is bringing forth His special spirits in these last days.

SEOUL

Valentines Day here in Korea is not too different from America. The department stores, gift shops and floral shops promote it much the same as we do at home. A cute side note: the Koreans are always giving us gifts of fruit, rice cakes, stockings, etc. For this Valentine time, the two Korean sister temple missionaries, brought your mother (and the other American TM) an unusual gift...a bra and pair of tights. Their culture is sometimes difficult to understand.
Valentines Day always has a special meaning for us as we remember Nancy's birth, which is hard to believe forty Valentine days have passed when all of our family's hearts were filled with such love for it's newest member.
Justin Mckinney, the younger of the two young men we told you about having been so badly beaten, was one of the speakers in Sacrament meeting today. He related the story of Sister Dunn in the January 2005 issue of the Ensign and then told how he too was prompted not to go out that night but failed to heed the warning even when his brother had the same impression. Because we did not heed the prompting, our lives were in jeapordy for many days. Gratefully now, both young men are well on the road to complete recovery.
Surely the "Gift of the Holy Ghost" is a precious gift for us and prayerfully we will heed the promptings when given.