HEART AND SEOUL May 7 - May 14, 2006

HEART May 7 - May 14, 2006

Dear Family,
Our remaining weeks in our mission seem to be filled with many activities. Since we are closely associated with other missionaries who are now returning home, we often get invited to their farewell celebrations. Last evening we attended a dinner given for Elder Harold and Sister Ann Gammon (they leave 5/19 to their home in Kaysville) at the home of Phillip & Susan Barbieri. They live in a fancy part of town referred to as the French quarters since so many French nationalists live there. Phillip is not a member of the church but Susie and her two children, Marie Ann & Pierre who is just turning fourteen are very active. There home is beautiful and we were among the most interesting sort of people including everywhere from here to Africa.
Last monday we were invited with the Gammons to the home of brother & sister Sherman Grandy whose daughter your father sealed in the temple last December. This too, was a very lovely affair in commemoration of departing Gammons.
Today is Mothers Day and our meetings at the Seoul English branch were very good. Your mother has reveled in the sweet remembrances of her children on this last Mother's Day here in Korea. We hope all of the mothers in our family have enjoyed a special Mothers Day.

SEOUL

Last Tuesday three sisters from Russia came down for their endowments. They stayed in the temple apartments and we were given special assignment to shepherd them through their stay. We have become so use to the short Korean names that these Russian names were overwhelming. Their names were Sister Pavitova, Dvinyeninova and Chibiryak. (These are romanized, if you see their names in Russian, you wouldn't recognize them) We struggled through the family names they brought for all of the ordinances and they refrained from laughing when we tried to pronounce their names. The highlight of our week with them was a testimony meeting which we were invited along with Brother O, the temple recorder and President Lee. We sang the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" each singing in our own language; Russian, Korean and English and as President Lee said: "We are of one heart, of one mind and of a common Father in Heaven." They were so warm and appreciative, it adds to our testimony of the appeal that the gospel has to all of Gods children.
Later the same day, we had our departure interview with President Lee who gave us a heart felt commendation for the service we have performed and though he wished we could stay, acquiested to our desire to return home. This may change but it appears we will be leaving on Tuesday, June 20th and flying directly home. At one time, we had considered going by way of Japan but complications involved in luggage convinced us otherwise.
We have been in touch with Bishop Fuller and he has ask us to report our mission on July 9th. Time and details will be sent as we know them.