Merry Chirstmas

So plans to email at the library failed. So this email will be a
little bit on the short side again. Sorry!

Things are going great here! We're still teaching the sisters. The
younger one, Sunny, came to church on Sunday. We've also started
teaching some other really great investigators this week. I feel
really good about them. I wish I could tell you more details, but
there's not enough time. I'll try and write a snail mail today.

The members here are fantastic. They tell me that I look like a
celebrity. (which is always really nice to hear) We've gotten a few
dinner appointments. I just LOVE Korean food. I can't get over how
much I love it. I've only tried one thing that was really disgusting.
My companion and I were in a store buying some grocercies and I
spotted this cheesy sausagey looking thing. So naturally I decided to
try it. Much to my dismay, IT WAS NOT CHEESE. Nor did it taste good. I
had to eat three oranges just to get the taste out of my mouth. It was
sick.

Before I left the MTC, Elder Christofferson spoke to us. He promised
that our afflictions would be swallowed up in the joy of Jesus Christ.
When he promised us this, I felt the truth of what he spoke, but I
wasn't quite sure how this could be accomplished. Now that I'm in
Korea, I understand a little bit better what he meant. Besides the
cold, my hip can sometimes hurt. I think that before my mission, I
easily would have given up walking most places because of the pain.
But somehow, it just doesn't seem to matter. When you think about
things from an eternal perspective, the pain lessens. There are so
many people here yearning to hear the gospel, and they don't even know
it! How can I just stop walking and talking with people? (actually, my
Korean stops me more than my leg does)

So, just something to think about during the Christmas season. Things
always get stressful and hard. But whatever afflictions we face WILL
be swallowed up in the joy of Jesus Christ if we allow ourselves to do
so.

Wellp. I better get going
사렁해요!!!!
우ㅐ 스트럽 자매

Greeting from Suwon

So, I don't have much time to write. We're using a computer at a bank,
and I think they want us to leave soon.

I feel like a life time has passed since my last email. I flew
Singapore air into Korea. It was probably the best international
flight of my life. They gave me a warm towel for my face before take
off, and socks for my feet.
When I got off the plane, no one was there! But I kept my cool and
Sister Furniss showed up a few mins later. We arrived in Daejeon
around 10 that night. I met Sister Bush. She is awesome! (All of the
Elders say she's the best missionary in the mission, and I'm inclined
to believe them) I spent the next day training with President and the
APs. We had lunch, and then we were off on a train to Suwon.
Here's the really cool part about Suwon: It's the golden area of the
mission right now. The Elders have been really successful here, and
the stake has just been pleading for sisters. So, Sister Bush and I
are opening the area for sisters. I think it might have been a little
stressful for Sister Bush to open a new area, and be training a
greenie. But it's all be fun stress, if that makes any sense. We
alreay have investigators! It's amazing. We taught on Saturday, and
committed these two sisters to be baptized, and they said yes! They
are the Koo sisters. Pray for them!
We're over two wards. The members are so welcoming. We had two dinner
appointments last night! It was crazy!
I LOVE Korean food! It's so incredibly good! I'm always hungry!!!!

I don't really have a ton of time to write, so that has to be about it
for this week, but I promise I'll send pictures next week. anywho. love you all! miss
you!!!

Westrup chaemae

Happy Thnksgiving

Dear Family!

This has been an incredible week! I don't know how I'm going to fit it all in this email!

So last Tuesday, after my new companion and I, Sister Bauer, wrote our emails, we trudged our way over the Health Clinic. Perhaps both of our favorite places in the MTC. (I hope you note the sarcastic tone in that last sentence)

The Doctor ended up telling Sister Bauer that she should go home. It was a pretty devastating day. We were all sad to see Sister Bauer leave. But luckily, she's lives just in Orem. And she just happened to be at the temple this morning during our session! It was such a coincidence! I know she'll be back out in the field in no time!

Last Tuesday night, Elder Christofferson came and spoke. One thing that he said in particular stuck out to me. He promished all the missionaries in attendance (remember, this is an apostolic promise from one of the Lord's most humble servants) that any afflication we experience on our mission would be swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Later that night, Sister Bauer got more and more sick. I did my best to try and serve her. I hope I did. It was hard that day with my leg. We do a lot of walking on P-days. So my leg gets pretty tired by the end of the night. But as I tried to serve Sister Bauer, I realized something. Yes, my leg and hip were still hurting, but somehow I didn't notice as much. And it really didn't matter as much. My afflication was swallowed up in the joy of Christ, it was swallowed up in the joy of serving someone else; just as the Savior would have done. The next morning I was searching for a scripture that might help Sister Bauer, and I came across Alma 31:38. It was heaven sent.

...

I will always remember the Thanksgiving I spent in the MTC as the best of my entire life. In the morning, Elder Nelson came to speak. His wife also spoke. They were beautiful talks. Elder Nelson spoke of praising God, and shouting Hallejuah, and what that truly means. After the morning devotional, we went to lunch. I espeically enjoyed the cranberry sauce, as I do every year. mmmm. it was good. Following lunch, we had a program about the Humanitarian program of the church. I wish I had all the statistics on hand of everything the church does to help those in need around the world, but unfortunately, I don't. Afterward, we made first aid injury kits that will be sent to the Sudan.

 

That night we got to watch 17 Miracles; the movie about the Willie and Martin hand cart companies. It was amazing! Cheesy in parts yes, but it absolutely strengthened my testimony of why I'm here, what I'm doing, and how I should be more diligent. So many pioneers of great faith, literally gave their lives for just the chance to attend the temple once, and be sealed to their families forever. I get to go to the temple once a week. I sit at the feet of prophets of God on a regular basis. How much more need do I have to be diligent when considering all that they would give up just to be in my place?

 

Since Sister Bauer left, I've been in class by myself. I wasn't sure originally how this was going to work out. Both of my normal teachers were out of town for Thanksgiving. That means I was alone with teachers I had barely met before. One of the teachers who subbed for me this last week was Brother Ball. He's from New Zealand AND HE IS AWESOME. He really taught me how to make the Great Apostasy more personal when teaching. I think missionaries glaze over that bit of the lesson too much. Without the darkness of the Great Apostasy, how can we teach of the miracle of the Restoration. We also talked about Lord of the Rings.... Naturally. Haha! I'm sad he'll only have taught me for that one week. Another teacher that subbed for a bit was Sister Judd. She's subbed for my district before. She served in Daejeon, and she is one of the most lovely people I've ever met. That is the only way I can really think to describe her. Love oozes from her pores. She has this instantly calming presence. I've learned much from her. I'm so glad I got to spend some time one on one with her.

 

Brother Tanner and Brother Kang (a native Korean, yikes!) will teach me the rest of the time I'm here.

 

I have another appointment with Dr. Jackson on Thursday. He'll give me permission or not to leave next Monday. Even though me leg and hip still hurt. I think he'll give the go- ahead.

 

But like I said earlier, it doesn't matter if my leg hurts every day for the rest of my mission. I know that any pain I experience will be lessened when I take the time to look outside myself and serve others...

 

I'd also like to add a special shout out to sister hurt's mom: thanks for reading my blog!!!! You're so sweet! I promise I haven't always been so grateful for this surgery and subsequent stay in the MTC as I came across in my letters. But I really am now! In being here, I've had these amazing experiences that I would have missed out on otherwise. But thank you for thinking so highly of me!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

I have only a minute left. I love you all! Hopefully the next time you hear from me will be at the airport. And my next email from Korea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

-Westrup cha-mae

Week 12

Dear Family,

So begins my delay time. So far it's been really fun! My new companion, Bauer 자매님 and I have the room all to ourselves! That's a nice change from being with five other 자매님들. And since we don't really have a schedule for class, the teachers have come up with some really fun activities for us to do.

Last night, we planned an FHE activity for one of our investigators, and then we translated a hymn. So maybe that doesn't sound super exciting.... But those are defintely joys of missionary life.

 

I hope you got the pictures I sent! I think the one where I'm "watching" conference is my favorite. I would also like to say that that picture was not staged at all! I woke up from surgery and begged to watch conference. I don't know why that was my first thought upon waking up. I didn't realize that watching conference was not really a possiblity. But one of the incredibly nice nurses got out her laptop and set it up for us. After she did, I immediately fell asleep. Haha.

 

So a little bit about my new 동반자 (companion). She's from Orem. She went to UVU before her mission. There not really sure what's wrong with her right now, but she can't keep food down. Hopefully they find out what's wrong with her in these next couple weeks so she can go to Korea with me!

 

With all this time at the MTC, I'm basically a pro! So, if you know any missionaries coming in to the MTC, please send these tips their way:

1. As far as new books, and scriptues go, DON'T BUY THEM AT HOME. You can buy almost anything you want at the MTC bookstore, with a discount. So just wait to purchase anything new.

2. Stay away from the chicken in the cafeteria.... It doesn't agree with most people.

3. READ PREACH MY GOSPEL AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN!!!!!!!! I don't know how much I can stress this point. I'm so ashamed at how little I studied PMG before my mission. There isn't time in the MTC to do an in-depth study of 나의 복음을 전파하라 (PMG). So read as much of it as you can before you enter the MTC.

 

And just a side note to that last tip. PMG is probably my favorite book aside from the Book of Mormon. Every member, and I mean every member, should be studying from it's pages. It's an incredible resource. I can't believe I didn't take more advantage of it.

 

4. Pack lightly... My old companion ended up with 50 lbs of extra things at the end of our stay.

 

I think that's all the things I can think of right now regarding that.

I'm not sure exactly what the schedule will be for Thanksgiving. I know a service project should be involved. And I've heard rumours of an apostle coming.

 

Tell the boys to write me....

사랑합니다!!!!!!

-우ㅐ스트럽 자매

Week 11

Dear Family,

Well, it seems that I will be delayed. No worries. It was a little frustrating when I found out last week. It's hard to feel like you're fufilling your purpose as a missionary when you're stuck inside of the MTC for two weeks longer than you were supposed to be here. But I've been thinking a lot about the blessings that are coming with it. And there are sooo many. I'm starting to get really excited about staying longer. I'll pretty much reign over the younger district. I might even be able to convince them to pack for me when it's time to leave. Also, I'm going to have my teachers all to myself. Yup, that's right, one on one Korean tutoring. Who could ask for anything more? And I get to celebrate Thanksgiving. The more I write, the more excited I get. So, I should be leaving by December 5th. I'm not sure if I'll be traveling with other missionaries, or if I'll be by myself. I won't get my travel plans until the week before. And I'll get to call from the airport.

Since you called the MTC mom, President Sonne comitted me to telling you all the details of everything that's going on. Although I'm not sure what he meant by that. I do tell you everything every week.... SO you really don't have to call the MTC anymore. He said if you have any questions medically, you should call the MTC dr. Or Dr. Jackson... After my email last week, I saw Dr. Jackson. He took out my stiches and said that I'd be here at least another two weeks. We then decided that because of my back pain, a cortozone shot in my spine might be a good idea. And so, I made my way over to the other side of the Dr.'s office and Dr. Richie gave me the shot. It was probably the most painful thing I've ever experienced. Later my companion said that because of that shot, getting an epidural later in life should be a cinch. Sister Painter always looks on the bright side of things.

Other than those exciting events, life at the MTC is finally getting back to normal for me. I'm pushing through with Korean. I think my teachers are actually surprised at how well I speak Korean considering the circumstances.

SO I didn't have time to finish the letter last week and include pictures. BUT, it's in the mail box as I type this. SO have no fear, it should arrive by the end of the week. There's some pretty funny ones from surgery.

This computer is acting a little funny. SO i'll probably have to cut this email a little short. Mom, if you're getting tights,  I'll be layering a lot underneath them.

How are the kids? Why haven't the boys written me at all? FAIL. You didn't answer the questions I asked in my last email. How are things going with your hip mom?

We're hoping for an Apostle tonight at the devotional. We haven't had one in awhile. We're thinking it's due time for one.

Things really are going well. Despite the set backs, I know how much Heavenly Father loves me and is blessing me throughout this whole process. Earlier this week I read Elder Holland's talk from October Conference of 2008; "The Ministry of Angels". Heavenly Father's sent me a lot of angels while I've been in the MTC. (I reccomend reading the talk if you get the chance)

Love you all! I'll be home in only 15 more months. Isn't that so crazy!?

-westrup cha-mae

Week 10

Dear Family,

Almost every day, we take some time during class to read the Book of Mormon. We haven't gotten very far, but I've learned so much. As we read, we take time to stop and share insights that we have. We were only reading in 1st Nephi chapter 3 and 4 where Nephi and his brothers travel back to Jerusalem to ask Laban for the brass plates. Nephi and his brothers go to Laban's house two times, pleading with him for the brass plates. Both times, the brothers failed to obtain the plates. But Nephi never gave up. One his last attempt to journey toward the house of Laban, Nephi sees a drunken man passed out on the ground in front of him. It's Laban. He's able to kill Laban and obtain the brass plates for his family.

Most of the sisters in my class grew up in the church and are very familiar with Nephi and the brass plates. But as we read through it this time, I gained several insights. I've always seen Nephi's early attempts to get the brass plates as failures. But without those attempts, Nephi would have never known what Laban looked like. He would have never known where the treasury in Laban's house was, and he would have not been able to command himself in the same way that Laban did. The early attempts of Nephi to obtain the brass plates weren't failures at all. They were just part of Heavenly Father's plan. Through the early attempts, Nephi was able to act as Laban would, and obtain the brass plates. How awesome is that?

We also discussed the difference between the Spirit and the letter of the Law. During Nephi's time, the letter of the law clearly was: Thou shalt not kill. And yet, here Nephi was, being prompted to kill Laban so that his posterity would not dwindle in unbelief. We learn through Nephi's example that there are instances where the spirit of the law over rules letter of the law. But disobeying the letter of the law always, ALWAYS comes by a prompting of the Spirit. Nephi doesn't kill Laban just because the "ox is in the mire" so to speak. Nephi only kills Laban after a strong prompting from the Lord.

Just some musings to think about.

We also had mission conference last Sunday. We heard from all of the MTC presidency. They are incredible men. I cannot express how grateful I am to sit at the feet of such great men to learn from them.

I have my appointment with my doctor today. He'll hopefully let me know whether or not I'll have to stay a little bit longer in the MTC. I'm not sure what he'll say honestly. I'm working my best to make sure I get out of here on time, but it's still difficult to walk very far or sit for very long. And I still can't sit cross legged yet. Pray for me?

I hope the kids are doing well! I have letters for Rachel and Roland coming! As well as more pictures! Why haven't the others boys written me yet? I wrote Crystelle a letter awhile ago, but it got sent back to me a few days ago. Can you send me their address? Thanks for the letter Mom! That's so incredible that all the Sacramento stakes are fasting for a white Christmas!!! I hope you're all joining in the fast. Having the support of the members in missionary work is ESSENTIAL. I can't even tell you important it is! There's a bunch of Hmong Elders and a couple of Cambodian Elders that are on my floor. I've told them what the members are doing, and that they should plan for some baptisms their first transfer. ;0)

How is the school board? How is your hip mom?

I'm still doing great. Just pushing through with the Korean. I love it! and I can't wait to get to the field. I was thinking on Sunday about how blessed I've been through my surgery and the recovery time. There were so many people praying for me! I really had no idea how serious the whole situation had been until last Tuesday when I talked with Dr. Jackson. I really was in danger of losing my hip. But because so many people were praying for me, I'm whole again! I can walk up and down stairs! I can walk and run! What would have happened without those prayers!? It's horrible to think about. So thank you again to everyone who prayed for me. You have no idea what it's meant.

Sa-rong-ham-ni-da!
way-su-tu-ra-pu cha-mae
(love, westrup sister.... or sister westrup in other words)

Week 9 - I Think

anyounghasayooo!!!!!

 

It has been quite the week. Shortly after my informative (and hilarious so I've heard) email, I procedded to get very sick. I spent the rest of the day in the sick bay at the MTC. Just in case you're wondering, the sick bay is the worst place in the entire world. This is no exaggeration. I've been to many places on this planet, and the MTC sick bay is by far the worst. Tuesday night, they packed me up and sent me back to the dorms, but I felt even worse. So I went to the ER. Nothing came of that visit. The next day was probably the most sick I've been in my entire life. I was freezing cold! I couldn't drink anything! And they were just going to send me back to the dorms again. But then the results came from some blood tests they were running on me, and the nurses found out that my white blood cell count was 18,000. A normal white blood cell count is 8-10,000. So they rushed me off the ER once again. I was pretty delirious those two days. I don't remember much except the ER doctor calling the results of my tests "concerning". Yup. That's right. They decided to admit me.

 

Sister Painter was such a trooper and stayed with me through it all. Well, we found out after the first night in the hospital that she really wasn't supposed to be there. So there I was, poor Sister Westrup, all alone in the hospital. Luckily, my doctor said it was ok for friends to visit. And they did! I feel so lucky to have so many amazing friends. Rachel brought flowers and books for me to read. And, Rach, like I said, everyone is super jealous that I have the new Ensign before they do.

 

I was feeling better Thursday night with all the visitors. But then later that night I got really sick again. So the doctor decided to keep me another day. I'm still not really sure what happened. I had an infection. But for the longest time, the doctors couldn't find out exactly where in my body it was. It finally surfaced Friday afternoon at the surgurical site. Which is really good, because everyone had been really worried that there was an infection in the hip itself; a sceptic hip. Which would have been extermely bad. Which would have meant that I would need a hip replacement. At 22.  BLECH.

 

But Heavenly Father has blessed me. And so I don't need a hip replacement!!! Yay!!!!! But today I saw Dr. Jackson again (a wonderful wonderful man) and we talked some more about my hip. I'm doing much better. But it's probable that I'll be delayed a week or two in the MTC. However, this is no cause for despair! I need the extra time in the MTC because I've been gone so much. Blessings once again! We also took some more x-rays of my back this morning. And it turns out I've actually got a touch of the scoliosis (sp?). It's only a 15 degree curve. So nothing major. No surgery. Thank goodness. But it just explains why I've always had back pain. With physical therapy, I should be in tip top shape in no time.

 

Now, enough of all this boring medical business.

 

I'm trying to get back into the MTC routine. I've still been on the pain killers. Everyone just loves it when Sister Westrup is on pain killers. It might have to do with how I say inappropriate things while I'm on them. Or the way I just laugh during lessons and don't actually teach. Or how I just fall asleep at a moment's notice. It's made for some good stories. Slowly but surely I'm weaning myself off of them. I'm almost a lucid Sister Westrup again. Almost.

 

Thanks again so much to everyone who wrote me during my hospital stay! Thanks for the prayers Linda! I'm not sure if I remember you. But thanks for your prayers. And Uncle Dietrich, deutsch is sooo much leitcher! Your letter was so interesting! I read it outloud to the Sisters here. Missionaries do need to step up! We need all the help that we can get!

 

And thank you for everyone who came to visit! I miss you all so much. It was great to see your faces!

 

-Westrup cha-mae

Week 7 - I Think

Personal note from me...MOM.  Sister Westrup had been allowed to call home because of her surgery.  First it was to let us know she would be having surgery, then it was from the MTC clinic to let us know the surgery was going to be scheduled.  She received at least three 5 minute phone passes and at least one 15 minute phone pass before her surgery.  I tried to let her split it between her dad and I.  After her surgery I spoke with her at least antoher 3 times.  She is having a hard time staying awake while on the pain meds.  I have talked to her so much in the last week, I have run our of things to say.

 

Corrections to spelling and grammar have not been made so that you can see how hilarious she is when on pain meds.

 

 

Dear Family,

 

What a week! As some of you may know, I had a little surgery this week. And in fact, I hope this letter will be somewhat coherent since I have learned that while I am on pain medication I am a little less than coherent.

 

Last Thursday was a day of miracles. If you remember, I had a meeting with the surgeon. I was expecting to meet with him and then have surgery sometime this week. While we were in the waiting room, I struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to us. They asked where we were serving. We said Korea. And then they mentioned that they had an adoptive daughter in Korea. But they said they weren''t sure if she was really going to church or not. I told them that although we weren''t going to Seoul, there are definetely sisters in my district that are going to Seoul that could look her up. So we got a referral in the waiting room!

 

Once we got in to see the surgeon, I was relieved. He was so incredibly nice! He explained what was wrong with me in a very clear way. And it turns out he was a mission president in Brazil. So he really wanted to see me up and moving around again. So, we decided to just go ahead and do the surgery the very next day (last Friday).

Every time I''ve left the MTC I''ve been with a different companion so that it''s not just my companion that misses things. The companion that went with me to surgery is one of my very favorite people in the MTC. Her name is Sister Washburn. She''s from Colorado. And we''ve decided that we are very much kindred spirits. She told me some amazing stories while they tried to stick the IV in. I barely even felt the pricks because she was so captivating. I was scheduled for the first surgery of the day. So the Doctor came in and asked if I had any questions. I said no. But I did ask if we could say a prayer first. So he did! It was a beautiful prayer. I''m glad I asked for it. After, the nurse said she''s never heard anyone ask him that since he''s been here.

So then they started giving me drugs. And the last thing I remember is being wheeled around the corner saying, "This is just like Grey''s Anatomy"

 

And then I woke up.

 

Apparently the nerve block didn''t work because I was in a lot of pain. And I couldn''t go to the bathroom by myself, so they just decided to keep me over night. I said some pretty interesting things... I  can''t remember most of them. But at one point I turned to sister washburn and said, "Do you want to know what I''m thinking right now? I think that the lost city of Atlantis really is Cuba." And that was that... hahaha.

 

So I was able to stay overnight. They sent my companion home. It was weird being all by myself. But I slept for most of it.

I''ve been heavily medicated every since then. On Sunday, I got up to go to Sacrament meeting. But I feel asleep during the water part. The poor Elder was just holding the tray in front of me waiting for me to take a little cup. But I was asleep! So I have no idea how long he waited.

 

It's been such a blessing to have Sister Painter as a companion. Since she''s a nurse, I really don''t have any qualms about her helping me out when I need it. She''s more of a trooper than I am. I''m always asking her to helpe me out with something.

 

Well, I think I had more to say, but I just took some medicene. So I''m very sleepy right now... Earlier, my companion was wheeling me around in a wheel chair and I was shooting at the Elders with my crutches... I thought it was really funny. None of the Elders laughed though.

 

Anywho, I think I''m going to sleep some more. I''ll try and write people back today. But I can''t guarntee anything. But thanks for the prayers! I sure need them!

 

Well, I''m very sleeeeeepy! So untile next week!

 

-Westrup cha-mae

ps. Keva. you promised me a letter last week. you''re fired.

I've Forgotten What Week It Is!

So dear family and friends,

I want to thank everyone so much for all of the prayers these past couple weeks. I don't know where I'd be without them.

It's true, I'm having hip surgery. If you're asking yourself , "What the heck happened!?" Don't worry. I am too.

Nothing happened really. Just a bit of pain. So I went to the doctor, who referred me to another doctor, who reffered me to get an MRI (yeah, I've totally gotten to leave the MTC twice now).

We got the results of the MRI back yesterday. I have a small tear and some fraying in the cartilage of my right hip socket. So I'll get to see a surgeon on Thursday.

 

But no worries! I'm so glad this is happening now and not in the mission field. And it's only a minor scope surgery. So I won't be coming home, but I may be delayed in the MTC.

 

Despite the pain, I'm glad because I've learned a lot going through this whole process. For whatever reason, most of what we've learned in class has been easy for me to pick up. But now with all the doctors' appointments and physical therepy, I'll be missing class time and study time. I think that's the most upsetting thing actually. I love the MTC! As crazy as that sounds to some people, I really do! I hate leaving and falling behind (although my companion still swears that I understand Korean a lot better than she does). I've also learned to rely on my companion more. She's in the nursing program at BYU, and she interned at the Mayo clinic this summer, and she's had a similar surgery, more invasive though, on her knee. Pretty fortunate that she's my companion huh? Heavenly Father always seems to know what he's doing.

 

Things always have more value the harder you have to work for them. Whenever I walk, sit, or stand, I just think of who I'm doing it for: the Koreans. Every step that I take, every pain I endure, every trip to the doctor's office, brings me closer to teaching the Korean people about the love that Heavenly Father has for them. It makes it all so worth it to me.

 

But the best growth that I've taken away from this whole experience is coming closer to the Savior. Alma 7:11-12 has never meant more to me than it does now. I wish I could type what it says quickly, but unfortunately, my time is almost up.

 

I know that the reason we go through trials is to gain knowledge. That may seem like a cruel way for us to learn what we're supposed to. But I know that more than ever! So I'm grateful this is happening. I'm learning a lot, and I'm grateful for every little thing I'm learning. Especially the patience.

 

-Westrup 자매

 

ps. the new district comes tomorrow. We are so excited!!!!!!!!!!

Week 5

It's been a week for growing that's for sure.

The older district left us. So that means we're the older district now. A lot of the sisters are worried that we don't know as much as the other district did when we first entered the MTC. But I think we do.

We also learned something else that's really sad this week. One of our teachers (the awkward one mentioned in my previous email) is leaving us to work for the Daily Universe. We're all pretty sad about it. Although I am thankful for the opportunity to not have any more awkward run-ins. But luckily, our other teacher, Brother Tanner (who has swiftly become one of my favorite people of all time) will still be with us the rest of our time here. Sister Hatch left early this morning. We'd had bascially the same schedule for meals and gym. It was so great to be together for this time. I think Heavenly Father knew how much we would need each other.

 

So mom, you know how you always commented on how my legs were different lenghths. Well, I've recently learned that I look like that because my hips our out of alignment. And I'm going to have to start physical therepy this week probably. On the bright side, my companion and I will get to leave the MTC on Thursday to see a sports phyical therepist type person to see what exactly I need to do. SO, that's just a warning in case the MTC calls on Thursday. Don't worry. I'm fine. I just need a little touch of physical therepy.... (and a side note to all the people out there who didn't believe me when I said that I had fragile hips: I was right. and you were wrong.)

How are the kids doing? None of them ever wrote me back.

 

I saw Maychee last week at the temple! It was so great! Then later that day she sent me a package with Milkus and choco pies. I swiftly ate most of the choco pies that night, and then tied the Milkus on a string to hang outside our window to get cold. It was delicious. Like liquid skittles. You should get some for the kids to try. I want to send her a thank you! But I don't have her address. So hopefully she gets this. Also, Sister Baggs always sends me great notes, but never a return address. Maybe I could get hers as well.

 

Things with Korean are moving forward. I was sitting next to a senior sister in choir and she asked about how they teach at the MTC and why missionaries seem to learn the language so much faster. I told her that it's true, we do learn languages much faster here. I never felt comfortable praying in German. And there was no way I could ever bear my testimony in German. But last week I learned how to pray for my investigator's grandfather to get better. And I can pray that they feel the Spirit when my companion and I teach. The motivation behind why I learn is completely different from German. In school, I memorized vocab for a test, just to get through a semester. But here, I memorize vocab to help the Korean people know how much Heavenly Father loves them, to know where they're going after they die, to know what the Book of Mormon is really about. The motivation is so different. I'm not learning Korean for myself. I'm learning it for people I have jong with that I've never even met. (Look up jong. It's a Korean word. It's really hard to put into English words).

 

Have I mentioned how much I love PMG(Preach My Gospel)?!?! Everyone should read it and use it as a study tool. It's incredible. Every day I learn something new.

Well, looks like it's that time already! Miss you! Pray that everything goes ok at the physical therepist. And don't freak out if the MTC calls you. I really am great!

Love,

Westrup cha-mae

Another Sister Westrup Moment

Dear Family,

I must relate to you now an experience which caused me great embarrassment this week.

As I mentioned in my last email, I have been feeling a bit under the weather. Come to find out, I actually had a sinus infection. But no worries!!! I went to the doctor's and I am all healed. I don't tell you this to worry, but just as an explanation as to how I was feeling last week. Feeling as I did, I decided to solider on anyway. There's so much to learn at the MTC! I would hate to miss class for anything. So, last Friday morning. I went to class as normal. I didn't participate too much. And thankfully, I think my teacher could see how sick I was, because he didn't call on me. Now, I must explain a little bit about my one of my teachers. He is a dear dear soul. But I think a little unprepared for how to teach a classroom full of all sisters. I mean, who would be? Isn't the MTC supposed to be full of Elders? So, I think our dear teacher feels a bit awkward at times, teaching all sisters. But we love him for it. (In fact, I was going out of my way to make him feel uncomfortable at least once a shift during the first couple of weeks) But what happened last week was unintentional! It was awful! It was horrible! It was undescribibly horrifically detremental to my soul!!!!!

 

Our teacher's shift was over. He was packing up his things to journey to the outside world. The night before, our other teacher had taught us the phrase for "see you later". So naturally I wanted to "SYL" (speak your language. a philosphy we live by at the MTC). I said to my teacher, "How do you say 'see you later' again? Bo-bo-ju-say-o?" I had just said the first Korean phrase that popped into my head. It flowed off my tounge so easily, it had to be "see you later".

 

But my teacher turned and looked at me with the most horrified expression I have ever beheld upon any person's face. Shock. Pure shock. That was the only emotion visible in the poor man's eyes.

 

"Cha-mae-nim. That is inappropriate," he said.

 

Immediately my face turned red as my brain went searching through the annals of my memory trying to remember 1) what I had said, and 2) where I had learned it.

 

I thought of Heartstrings (my favorite Korean soap opera). Nope. I didn't learn it from there. I thought of my old Korean room mate. Wasn't that what she said when she would answer the phone...???!?!?!?! Nope... It wasn't from there either.

 

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

 

Christopher. Andrew. Hunt. (now forever to be known as the bane of my existence) Chris was a boy who lived in my ward during the past few semesters. I would consider us pretty good friends. After I recieved my call, Chris would always pop his head in our apartment enthusiastically saying the only Korean phrase he knows which he learned from a Korean girl he dated: bo-bo-ju-say-o..... English translation: give me a kiss....

 

If you thought my face had been red before, you can imagine how fire engine red it turned then! I covered my face with my grammer book as the other cha-mae-nim-dur asked what I had said.

"It's not important!!! Brother Wells, I'm sooo sorry. That was horrible. It totally was inappropriate. I didn't mean it. I didn't know what I was saying." The words came flooding out in a torrent as I tried to fix the situation.

"Westrup cha-mae-nim! What did you say??!?!" The other sisters quiered.

"It's not important... It is inappropriate.... Ok, I just told him to kiss me..." I briefly admitted. And then followed by saying, "I just had this friend who would say that to me all the time this summer! It was the first phrase that popped into my head! Don't worry. We never did it!"

The room erupted in raucous laughter!

My teacher then said, "Oh, you don't have to explain that to me...." He then procedded to pull his squeaky roll-y chair out of the room while the rest of the sisters died laughing at my mistake.

 

It wouldn't have been sooo bad. But it was that teacher. And he was just happening to be observed that day by his supervisors (we found out later that they had already left... but even so)

 

The next day, some other sisters in our district greeted Brother Wells with a friend "bo-bo-ju-say-o". And we were able to laugh about it. But until the day I die, I don't think anyone will have had as an embarrassing language mistake as I did in the MTC.

 

I have 2 minutes left.

So I'll just briefly say that I loved General Conference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think my favorite talk was Elder Packer's.

I'm still learning a lot, teaching a lot, but especially feeling the spirit a lot.

 

Love,

Westrup Cha-mae-nim

A Sister Westrup Moment

Sorry, I'm a week behind.  This email came last Tuesday, Sept 27th

 

So I must relate a story that happened to me this week.

I've been feeling a bit under the weather. Which hasn't had too much of an impact on my day to day life (and don't worry, I'm feeling quite better), but it made me a little scatterbrained throughout this week. So Wednesday, we went to go teach our investigator. I had my little bag, and my lesson plan as we went into our lesson plan. I hope you can see the full picture with my loafers and all. As I sat down at the desk to teach our investigator, I noticed that my little notebook with our lesson plan had disappeared. Within the space of two minutes! How it happened, I do not know. But as I sat there, with no lesson plan to behold, my face grew bright red. "my lesson plan is gone." i whispered to my companion. "what do you want to do?" she asked. "let's just teach..." Our investigator, who is really our teacher, was trying not to laugh at my despair, but i'm sure it was plainly and hilariously evident on my face. So we tried to teach the lesson. He asked about the Atonement. A scripture popped into my head. Alma 40:11. So I found it in my Korean Book of Mormon and then gave it to him to read. "irk-o-ju-say-o" (will you please read?) I turned to my english book of mormon to follow along when i relalized that i'd given him completely the wrong scripture. i was mortified. mostly because i don't know how to say sorry, wrong scripture in korean. the rest of the lesson actually went alright. but the icing on the cake happened when we got up to leave and i saw that i had been sitting on my little notebook, with my lesson plan THE ENTIRE TIME.

a typical moment in the life of sister westrup.

i'm happy to say that upon leaving i thought the situation was more hilarious than anything else. i'm the only person i know who would do such a thing.

i'm still loving the mtc. last week elder nelson came to speak on the october ensign. AMAZING.

i'm still loving korean. sometimes i'm just in awe that i can actually read korean. that's such a miracle in itself. of course it will still take months before i can really learn the language. but it's so cool to read and recognize words!

there's this mongolian sister in my zone that i LOVE. she bows all the time. and gives a little peace sign every time we see her. the more time i spend with her, the happier i am, and the more i realize that i was meant to serve in an asian country. i love bow-ing... it's awesome.

-Westrup 자매님

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

A note before reading...Rebekah and I share the same birthday

Anyoung-ha-sa-yoooo!

Happy birthday mom!!!!

It's been a great birthday for me at the MTC.

We started out the day at the temple. What better way could you spend a birthday? The sisters in my district wrote little sticky notes and stuck them all over my things while I was in the shower. I keep finding them everywhere. It's awesome. I loved the birthday package! The cheese was delicious. I'm a little concerned that the brie didn't really make. But I'll probably eat it anyway. Haha.

I want to thank everyone who's written me!!! I love getting letters, and the little notes from "dear elder"! They cheer me up everyday. I've never felt so loved in my life. The little sticky note from my DL this morning said, "Happy Birthday! Without you in our district, we'd never get any mail...." Of course that's not true, but really illustrative of the awesome friends and family that I have who write me so much! I'm trying to write everyone back! Today I had 20 letters to write. I have 5 left.... So hopefully I can make it. ;0)

So much has happened in one week. I don't even know where to begin. Last Tuesday night, Elder Ballard spoke at the devotional. I'm pretty sure I quote things that he told us about missionary work at least twice a day. Tonight's devotional is supposed to be special. The speaker will be talking on the special October Book of Mormon issue of the Ensign. They asked us to read the whole thing by tonight. It is super useful! I know I'll use it all the time in the field. We're hopeful another apostle will come.... But we'll see.

Being here is like trying to drink from a fire hose. I learn so much everyday; not just Korean either. Each hour brings new insights into the gospel. On Sunday night they show old MTC devotionals in some of the buildings. We watched this one that Elder Holland gave a few years ago. Everything he said is still so powerful. I wish that I could send everyone a copy. He asked us to make our mission a part of our souls down to the very marrow of our bones. Later in the talk, he spoke about why missionary work is so hard. This has been something I've wondered lately. If our message is so powerful, so applicable for everyone, so inviting, then why is so hard? Why aren't people lining up to be baptized? Elder Holland said this, "The price of our salvation wasn't cheap. So why would we expect it to be easy for us?" Elder Holland always seems to explain the gospel with such clarity to me, in the exact way I need to understand it. Of course a mission should be hard. Our message wouldn't be sincere unless we experienced an iota of the feelings the Savior felt during his earthly ministry.

In other news, our first investigator actually became our first teacher! He is sooo cool! He just got home from his mission five weeks ago, so he's still full of this intensity about everything gospel and Korea related.

(a side random side story) Do you remember how missionaries used to write me little notes when I worked at the MTC? I wrote a post about it a few weeks ago on my other blog... Well, normally I never kept those notes. But for whatever reason, two years ago, I kept one from a certain Korean district. Which I then threw into my suitcase as I left Provo last month. I found it when I was unpacking at the MTC. Turns out Tanner hyoung-jae-nim was in that district! I showed him the note last night, and he just started laughing! It was his companion who actually wrote it! Isn't that so funny? What a weird coincidence!

Let's see... what else is there to mention?

I took a picture... And i was going to send it in this email. But alas, I forgot my camera in my room.... :0(

I see Elder Murray in the cafeteria sometimes. But it's always so crowded. We don't get to talk much.

Sister Hatch comes into the MTC tomorrow. I can't wait! Best birthday present ever!!!!!

I love you and miss you all!

-Westrup cha-mae-nim

First Week!

I suppose now is the time when my typing skills will really come in handy.

The first week has been fantastic! Not to sound cliche, but the MTC really does have a spirit about it that no place else in the world does. Except for the temple of course. But it's so constant. I love it. I feel like I've learned so much here. And it's only been a week.

I'll try and go through these details pretty quickly.  My companion is Painter Cha-mae-nim (Sister) and she is from Chicago. She also attends BYU. She was a nursing major before she came to BYU. Our district is so big that they split us into two classrooms. And guess what? It's just sisters in our classroom! It's fun being around the Elders, but it's really fun being around all sisters. We laugh probably too much. All of the sisters in my classroom also stay in my dorm room. There are six of us together pretty much non-stop. But it's great! They're all pretty incredible. We just have one teacher, Wells Hyoung-jae-nim. He's nice. And really patient with us.

Which brings me to the Korean language. I was doing great last week! I felt so confident in everything I was saying, and the grammar. And then came the fateful moment when I learned the Korean alphabet. IT IS SO HARD!!!!! But I can read now, and things are slowly progressing. Wells Hyoung-jae-nim asked that we learn the characters without romanizing the sounds. It's been really hard for me to remember what all the vowels mean without associating an English sound with them. But Hyoung-jae-min promised us that that would be easier later. It's been really humbling. I just sit and STARE at the words. I can see what a consonant is, and what a vowel is in a syllable. But for the life of me, I can't seem to make the sounds go together. But I will very soon! It's already getting easier. Here was the first Korean sentence that Wells hyoung-jae-nim wrote on the board and I read (in romanized form): oo-ri-nun ki-do wa yo-sib sa-mi-se eh-dae-han na-nu-go-ship-sum-nee-da. Which translates to: We have a message about prayer and Joseph Smith we'd like to share. Great huh? We're already teaching an investagator (which is really just another teacher at the MTC). But he only speaks to us in Korean. This is another part of the MTC that's been really hard for me. We're taught to teach people not lessons. But it's hard to teach to our investigators needs when a) we don't know the language enough to find out their needs, and b) once we do find out their needs, we don't have the vocabulary to teach to their needs. It will come though. I have faith it will come.

My branch president's name is President Shin. He and his wife are from Korea. They are so sweet and Korean! I love it!

Let's see what else....

Oh, Dad! Heartstrings came in handy. And you thought watching all those Korean soap operas wouldn't be useful. It acutally has helped with the candance of the language and pronunciation. My companion actually watched some episodes before she left as well. We quote it all the time! (And by quote, I mean we actually just say "what!" really dramatically)

And now, a word about writing letters to me:

Dear Elder is THE BEST THING EVER! I highly recommend that to anyone who wants to write me. I get it the same day you send it. I, however, can only write back on P-day. But it does really help me out to receive letters throughout the week. There are a few people who wrote me(cough cough Jette) who's address I do not have. And there are also a ton of other people I would like to write, but who never sent me their address. :0( SO I NEED YOUR ADDRESSES! bitte! (i find myself reverting back to german a lot here being as german is TONS EASIER than Korean. You were lucky dad)

And now the part where I ask for stuff.... Sorry.

I somehow didn't pack sweats.... Could you send me a super cheap wal-mart pair. You can get them for like 10 bucks or less I think. Men's sweats are prefrable as they are much comfier. Also, I had to get shots! It was awful!!!! (not really) it just cost a lot. I think insurance might pay for it but I'm not sure.... You have to call this number 801-422-8940... Or I can just pay for it. It doesn't matter. Well I have three minutes left. So I have to get going!

But just remember, obedience begats blessings. but exact obedience begats miracles.

Love,

Westrup Cha-mae-nim.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

This is my first experience in getting a missionary ready to leave.  My brother went about 30 years ago, but I wasn't involved much with that.  There are the medical exams, dental visits, new glasses, shots, visa pictures, (she already the passport), garments, communicating with the church travel department, attending the temple and the clothes shopping.  Rebekah was never one to do a lot of shopping when she was living at home, but apparently it is a college gained skill.  Even though she came home with her college wardrobe, she still needed another skirt, "Oh but wait if I get that skirt then I should get another blouse to go with it."  Rebekah said it was like, "If you give a mouse a cookie."  Hence the two huge pieces of luggage and remember the book she wanted to take from the last post?  NO MORE ROOM :)

Did I mention Rebekah will be in the MTC the same time as two of her cousins?  Elder Murray reported the same day (called to the New Jersey Morristown Spanish speaking Mission) and Elder Carlson (called to serve in the Colorado Denver South Mission) will report on September 28th.  The other cool thing is each one of them is being supported spiritually with a commitment to help with a small monthly donation to each of them.  They will truly be blessed for their efforts.  Thanks Grandad and Oma!!!



It is always nice when a mother has her family gathered in one spot.  (Might I add with no fighting and 'one upping another').  Rebekah was set apart the Monday before her Wednesday departure date.  With the family and Grandad in attendance it was wonderful experience.



Rebekah with President and Sister Treadway.  They have watched her grow up and grow over the last six years.



A Practice in Humility

I don't pocess the writing skills that Rebekah has, but I hope to keep you interested for the next 18 months as a contributing writer to her blog.    Rebekah, before she left was blessed to be humble and practice humility.  Before she even left out the door, her first encounter with humility arrived in a package from the Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center.  A long awaited research project had come to fruition in the form of a publication from Deseret Book.  Rebekah, under the mentorship of Professor Dennis A. Wright, had researched and written a paper on the historic site of Ensign Peak.  She asked if I thought she whould take it with her.  Well, #1...it was not on the required list of books to bring.  #2...probably not the place or time to brag about your accomplishments.  Side note here... I was not blessed to have humility while she is gone and that is why I am sharing this on her blog 'cuz I think this is way exciting.

After devouring the chapter entitled, "Ensign Peak: A Historical Review," I did take the time to read some of the other chapters.  If you love Utah history or the settling of the Salt Lake Valley, there are several pieces which might be of interest.  Such as "Salt Lake City:  Founded upon the Doctrine and Covenants,"  "Camp Douglas:  Keeping a Watchful Eye on the Saints," and "And Should We Die? Pioneer Burial Grounds in Salt Lake City"  to name a few.  In fact I wished we had access to the book when Roger and I gave talks in Sacrament meeting for the 24th of July. I wish we had the time before she left to really talk about her chapter.   It's a good read and I give a 5 out of 5 stars. :)

Anyonghaseyo

Wednesday is the big day!
I report to the MTC at 1:25 pm.

The only thing that's left to do is get set apart.

Oh yeah, there's that packing thing as well.

My mom will be updating this blog while I'm gone. But I would still love to hear from you! Just click on my address button on the right of this page, and you'll find my MTC address (which you should use until December), and my address in Korea.

So goodbye friends, I hope to hear from you soon!
\(^0^)/