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