Hello my people! What a week, huh? Does time fly as quickly
on the western hemisphere? It ticks by pretty quick around here.
And Happy Birthday America! I love you! It was kind of funny
eating rice instead of hot dogs this year, but it was such a fabulous day. I
made breakfast for the house and went gourmet for them making French Toast and
white syrup to complement the rice. It may have been a little ironic that I
made French toast, but I feel like I've come a long way since cutting bagels
and toaster tacos. I am growing up, I guess. And so is America. As I took time
to sing all of the America songs in the hymn book I was touched by all of the verses
of America the Beautiful. Even though I hear Ray Charles in my head whenever I
sing it I am touched by the words and how it is God that refines our gold,
refines our souls, that provides us with purple mountain majesties, and with
amber waves of grain. I love the part of God mending our every flaw and the
united cry that all of our good be crowned with brotherhood from sea to shining
sea! I may not know a lot--I'm on the up and up--but one thing I have learned
more concrete than anything else is that as we trust in God He will crown our
good and bless us to prosper in the land. I love that, and I know that is true!
It's my prayer that as we launch off bottle rockets, we down hamburgers, and we
sing our patriotic anthems, that we remember that it is God in whom we still
trust. He is good and He will guide us home. God bless the USofA!!
And it was great living with and singing all the American
songs we could remember the lyrics too. Living in a house with three Americans
has its advantages, though it's tough when they all hate on country music.
(side bar: how can you love your country and not love country music?? Come on
people! Embrace it! We're going mainstream!..) But they did sing along to my
Toby Keith and God Bless the USA. Good times. I even sang The Star Spangled Banner
Whitney Houston style. Quite the show. I think my favorite was Elder 박's
face when we told him that the national anthem was a hymn. Classic.
The week has been great and the rainy season is now upon us.
It was crazy last night when we left our Ward Missionary Leader's house because
the sky had a slightly oppressive omi-nousness to it so we borrowed umbrellas
and embarked. It was a good thing we did because it wasn't more than twenty
steps later the floodgates of heav'n were opened!! We took shelter under a bus
stop and then 전도ed (I think the word in English is proselyted?? the Korean one
is way easier--jundo. see. easier!) on the bus. Pretty great. I love talking to
people on the bus because they have nowhere to run away from me to. Nice! I got
some numbers and I think we will be meeting one of the guys this week!
2.0
In my studies this week I've been a little all over the
place. I've been studying the words of Elder Packer - in of memory for him as well as seeking light
and knowledge for how to help lead the zone in the Book of Mormon and the
Bible, and all I have to say is that God is amazing! I love being a missionary
where there are 내 ㅡ무ㅛ ㅔㄱㄷㄴ(dang keyboard!) so many pressing demands that require the
help of heaven. What I've been learning recently is that God will give us
direction and instruction for every aspect of our life. As we seek him humbly
and with real intent he will deliver. (that "deliver" has two
meanings!) I love all of you and I want you to know that I know God lives! And
He loves each and every one of you! He is aware of your hopes and your dreams,
your wants, and He seeks your good. Life is hard, but this second estate is all
about development and growth. Growth, comes with growing pains, but the results
are worth it! May you remember that and may God shed His grace on thee!
Onward and Upward.
Elder Tucker
