Kenzie+Korea: THE ONE WITH THE (MTC) HALF-WAY MARK

안녕하세요!!

TGI P-Day...again! Hooray!! I can't believe that today I have officially hit my MTC half-way mark! Five MTC weeks down (four-ish real weeks), four to go. Where is all of this time going? I feel like someone took the VHS tape of my life and put it on fast-forward! But in all honesty, I'm so ready to bust this joint. I'm pretty much over the MTC. I really do love this place, but I am ready to go to Korea...as soon as I get this language down a little better. But I've pretty much accepted the fact that I'll probably be doing 90% of my language learning in the field. So send me out there! It's white already to harvest!

In other news...

This last Sunday was probably one of my favorites here at the MTC. On Sunday morning we had MTC Conference. There were so many great talks and thoughts there--I couldn't even begin to tell you about them. After MTC Conference, we had fast and testimony meeting and it was probably one of the most powerful testimony meetings of my life. First of all, because the Elders from my district--who couldn't even read Korean a few weeks ago--recited the Sacrament prayers for their first time and they didn't need to repeat them. That is unheard of! It was very powerful. Then everyone in my district except for two people bore their testimony--all in Korean. I also had the opportunity to bear my testimony in Korean. I don't think I have felt that my testimony was more genuine and firm than when I shared it in Korean. Even though it was simple, I knew the things I was saying were true so I wasn't afraid to say them--even in a foreign language. See guys! Opening your mouth bring power and blessings! I was also able to share Phillipians 4:13 (in Korean) from memory. I have been working memorizing this scripture in Korean for weeks, and I said it without messing up! There was a power backing and supporting me that allowed me to do that. It was not me, it was the spirit allowing me to share the truths that I know.

Another really amazing thing happened during that meeting. One of the new sisters who had just arrived at the MTC last Wednesday got up and shared her testimony in Korean. For the point that she is at in learning, it was amazing!! At first, I was a little annoyed. I thought to myself "why in the world didn't Heavenly Father help me speak like that my first week?!? I fasted and prayed for it. I had faith...so why not?" Then this sister broke into English and told us about how nervous she was when she got called to Korea because learning a new language was the last thing in the world she wanted to do and she even put that on her papers. Yet, she was called to learn one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn. It was then that I remembered that saying that is repeated over and over again in the scriptures that we are "blessed according to our faith." I think you could swap the word "faith" for "needs." Heavenly Father knows our needs and what will be best for us. This sister's faith was no better than mine, Sister Cooper's, or anyone else's. Heavenly Father just knew what she needed. She exercised her faith by accepting her mission call to Korea, even if learning this language isn't exactly something she wants to do. When I came to the MTC, I was eager to learn Korean, Russian, French, and a million other languages if possible. I would even say I was a little prideful when I got here! Heavenly Father has used this difficult language to humble me and to help me learn to rely on Him in all things. It has taken me over a month, and I'm just starting to get this language down but I am grateful for the challenge. I know that Heavenly Father has acknowledged my faith and that He is now blessing me according to that faith by meeting my individual needs. I know God knows us personally and that he provides us with challenges and trials, miracles and blessings according to what will help us reach the potential He sees in us. On Sunday night Sister Susan W. Tanner spoke to us about the Holy Ghost. What a wonderful experience!

The other night I had just washed off my makeup, changed out of my dress into my PJ's and gotten as nasty as a sister missionary can look when my name was announced on the loudspeaker saying they needed me at the front desk because...THE KOREAN SISTERS WERE THERE!! Yay!!! I have never been more excited to roll out of bed and put on church clothes in my life! Four new Korean natives joined our branch this week: You 자매님, Kang 자매님, Kim 자매님, and Nam 장로님. I really love this group! Especially the sisters! You 자매님 and Kim 자매님 needed translation for the Tuesday night devotional (Sister Linda K. Burton!) so I sat with them. It was so fun! Kang 자매님 speaks fluent English and she went to BYUI before her mission. I really like her. You 자매님 is soo sweet! Even though we can't really say anything to each other, I can tell that we are gonna be friends (*cue White Stripes song*). I seriously love Koreans so much! Last night Sister Sutton and I and Elder Hiatt and Elder Diamante had to give orientation in Korean. It was hard, but we managed. When it was my turn to share my testimony, I was really nervous at first, but I just could just feel the spirit and I could feel the Korean Elder and Sisters praying for me and encouraging me as I spoke. My testimony was more than simple, but I could feel the love of everyone in that room so strongly. It was probably one of my favorite experiences here at the MTC. I am so sad the Korean sisters are going to Seoul! I wish they could come to Pusan with me!! Pray that we'll get sisters in the group of natives that will be on the same MTC transfer as us!! Gosh I am so excited to serve in Korea. I couldn't be more thankful for my mission call!

Well, that's all I have to say about that. I can't wait to hear from everyone! I say it every week and I'll say it again! Don't hesitate to send me a letter (if you want/have time!). I love getting mail. It keeps me going! And I am really good at writing back! If you send me a letter, I will send you one! 약속 (promise)!!!!!

사랑합니다!

"I you love"

Johns 자매