Yeah, I think the word I was looking for is nervous. It's
slight fear for the future mixed with excitement. Excitement for a new
adventure, but scared that I'm going to be chased by orks all the way to Mt.
Mordor. Really, I'm not sure how my buddy Bilbo did it. But, then again, life
is all about adventures and getting there and back again. To spin the Hobbit
into a gospel parable, it seems all of us in agreeing to come here to 현세
(earth life) have left our parabolic shire. There are some unexpected twists
and turns in the road for each of us, but we are not alone and the we both know
who wins out in the end. Plus, I'm hairy like a hobbit. I think it's the feet.
Why am I excited and nervous? I'll get to that in a second.
First, ten points for China!~~ Yay! This week was amazing and we were blessed
to have another baptism! So our friend Wang Yun Xuan (I'm sorry, Korean names
are still a little tough for me so Chinese is the next step. I am probably
butchering the spelling of her name in English:) So she is amazing!
Elder
Wagner and I met her on the street about two months ago as we were walking to
the church. We struck up a conversation in English because she is in Korea
studying English (don't ask me:) I don't know why either...) We exchanged
contact information and she said she wanted to get in touch when she got back
from China in a few weeks. We naturally agreed and hoped for the best. So over
the next two weeks we corresponded a little over texting and when she got back
we introduced her to the Sisters. Since then we've been team teaching with
Sister Collyer and Sister 변수진 (byun su jin) and Yun Xuan has come to
church every week. She came to four sessions of General Conference and she got
baptized this Sunday! She is so prepared. She has accepted every lesson and
every lesson amazingly well. Like, she asked why we don't drink tea (because
China is really into tea, you know) and we said because of modern revelation
through Joseph Smith. We read D&C 89 (She read it in Mandarin. Thanks
gospel apps!) and she said "Ok! I won't drink it anymore!"! Who does
that!! And she wants to do family history and go to the temple and even go on a
mission! This is what we like to call a "golden investigator" to the
MAX! It is really cool. There is also a branch of the church in her home town
in China. I didn't even realize how big the church was there. So exciting! I am
happy for her!
So today we got transfer calls from the AP's....and team
Malibu (or Handsome HeongDeok as we are affectionately called) is breaking up.
Elder Wagner and I have had a good run, but it is time to leave another shire.
I'm heading to DaeJeon! I'm going to cover two areas. One is Yuseong and the
other is SaeJeong (again not sure on the konglish:). SaeJeong is one of the
newest cities in the world and will actually be the new capital of Korea in the
next couple of years. As for now I'm going to be the only companionship there!
Also I'll be serving with Elder Hernandez! This is exciting because he is the only
Elder in our mission from Ecuador! Yeah, he speaks Spanish! Take that Ben
Denton! Maybe I'll learn Spanish! I think he makes tortillas, So mom, send me
some more beans.^^
But I am nervous because I'm going as a district leader.
Yikes! I'm still a baby! Or, as my friend Elder Denton phrased is when we were
talking about the young missions we're serving in "I'll be a toddler
leading babies". So I'm nervous to be a leader. I'll be the oldest
missionary in my district and to add more the Elder who's spot I'm taking just
went AP. Classic. So keep me in your prayers! I'll need them as it seems I am
meant to swim in deep water. Better deep than shallow. But the Lord qualifies
who he calls and I get to be a messenger of the truth. This Gospel is True! I know it! I love it! I love all of you and my prayers are with
you!
Also happy birthday's to best friend Elder Denton and my
lovely sister Ashley Nicole Tucker Johnson. (Man, married names are wordy^^ But
thanks Marc for adding^^ )
Onward and Upward
Elder Tucker
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| Alligator. Thanks Korea malls! Shopping well done! |
My Chinese friend Yeun Xuan sent me these pics from after English class. As you can see, life is good in 청주^^.
