Yesterday, Brother Yoo was baptized!
I have taught several people who were baptized after I left the area, but he was the first person I taught that I was able to baptize. This was the perfect finish to my mission, there were many difficulties and setbacks that we encountered including both of us being sick the week prior, but the baptism went well and I couldn't be happier. Seeing someone that I have grown to love enter the waters of baptism brings a joy that is difficult to describe. He is committed to continue to come to church and be faithful, and I know that he will be blessed more than he may realize right now.
This week was also the Korean holiday of 추석(ChuSeok), so we spend two days in Suwon, a city about 2 hours away from us. The first day was spent in Zone Conference, this was also one of 2 days where missionaries are allowed to wear HanBok, Korean traditional clothes.
We learned about Korean culture and how to help Korean people find interest in Family History, and we even got to play some Korean traditional games before trying our hand at some archery.
The following day we went to the Korean Folk Village where you can learn a lot about ancient Korean housing, culture, dress, and activities
To make the week even better, it ended with General Conference, a worldwide meeting that happens twice a year where we have the opportunity to learn from living prophets and apostles, it's the best.
I was able to learn a lot about using our talents and abilities to serve others and I will try to apply them as I continue to study the talks given then.
Other than that, we spent most of our time meeting with those who wished to say a last goodbye. It is hard to say goodbye to many, especially since I can't know when I will be able to come back to Korea and see them all again, but I have been blessed by everyone I was able to meet while serving here. Missionaries, church members, and even strangers I met on the street have all made me better and contributed to the growth that I have experienced. I still have a long way to go on the path to following Jesus Christ, but I'm a whole lot closer than when I started. These past 111 weeks have not been the easiest 111 weeks of my life, but I can say that they have been the best 111 weeks and are the most precious to me. There is no greater joy than spending all of your time and efforts in the service of God, and after being a missionary for 2 years. I cannot deny that I have seen the hand of God work in my life and in the lives of others. This message of God's love for his children that I have been sharing for the past two years is true and will continue to guide my thoughts, actions, and decisions every day of my life. I am so glad I could be a missionary.
Thanks for reading my emails even if they weren't all that exciting. Until next time!
Love,
Elder Jared Bigelow
