February 15, 2015

 

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful week and for those of you in CT right now, I hope you are surviving the blizzard all right. This week was very productive, but unfortunately an Elder in our house is transferring to another area in Korea, so that is kind of sad. We had one of our investigators come to church today and he seemed to be interested and he is still preparing for his baptism.

So Korean culture for the week: 축구. In Korea, soccer is the sport to play. People play a little bit of basketball, baseball, and other things, but basically every Korean is good at soccer. We play with our church members and also some kids who come and play with us every Saturday morning. It is very cold, but it is so much fun. In America, there just isn't a sport that unifies everyone that everyone can play. But in Korea, everyone that I have met is just a beast at soccer. Anyway, it's one of my favorite times of the week and I get to know the people better through it.

So today I'll share a very brief thought because I'm almost out of time. This week I have begun my study on diligence in the scriptures. One of my favorite scriptures so far is found in D&C 123:13. It discusses how we should wear out our lives in the service of others and in sharing the gospel with others. It is great to be diligent in school, sports, and anything else that we love to do. But the most important thing we can be diligent in is service and trying to bring people closer to Christ. As we get closer to Christ we have a better life. It is really that simple. I have had times in my life when I was close to Christ and did service. I was happy then. I have had times in my life when I was not close to Christ and I didn't serve. I wasn't happy then. I hope all of you are happy, and for those of you who aren't, serve your friends, your family, and people around you. Read the scriptures, say a prayer. If you truly want to discover Christ, he has given the invitation, all we must do is knock.

Elder Coleman

(Below is Nathan enjoying a little bit of  home...KFC!)
 

February 8, 2015

To my friends and family,

Another week in Korea! I wish I could send you more Korean words but typing is really hard for me, not to mention the spelling. I promise I am learning the language even though you can't tell through the emails. I also want to make it known that the Canton church ball team will beat the Avon church ball team this week and Nate Eberly will be held to 6 points.

Anyway, so this week I'll tell two stories to illustrate two similar points.

So first of all on Thursday night, my companion and I had an appointment with a former investigator (someone who has met with the missionaries before). Usually these people don't show up to the appointment, and if they do, it usually isn't a great lesson because they are distracted or just want to speak to us in English. So in planning we were trying to decide what to teach this person. My companion had a thought that we should extend a baptismal commitment to him. Of course both of us thought yea right, we have never met this guy, but we wrote it down because who knows. When we got there, it felt like a typical appointment. We went to a little coffee shop and shared our photo albums with him. We then started talking to him about religion and he started to slowly open up. He started to talk to us about what he learned from the missionaries before us. Then I felt prompted to ask him how he came to believe in Jesus Christ. He then went on to talk about North Korea and something about it being really difficult, most of which I didn't and probably won't ever understand. Anyway, then my companion asked, "최증훈, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by one holding proper authority?" He didn't say anything at first, then he said, "yes, I believe."  We don't know who needs to hear the message we are here to share. We also don't know the thoughts or hearts of others. When we interact with people on a daily basis, we need to follow that example of Jesus Christ and love all men. We need to not judge. We need to forgive. We never know what good can come from listening to a prompting or from following Christ's commandments.

The next story I want to tell is from Saturday. We were on exchanges so I was with Elder Doyle (he has been in country for 11 weeks so I knew him in the MTC). Needless to say, we were not Korean experts. We also had a lesson to teach that day to an investigator named Ty. He goes to English class regularly and has at least a little bit of interest, but he doesn't want to join the church because he doesn't want to go to a different church than his family. Fortunately, we also had a member in the lesson with us until the end (more on that later). Our investigator responded to us in English, so that was at least good. But basically we are on our own to teach this lesson. Toward the end of the lesson after the member had already left, we got to talking about the Book of Mormon. He asked "so many religions have religious texts and so many religions claim to be inspired by God, why are you any different?" It reminded me of a quote in Preach my Gospel (our missionary handbook): "every man is eventually backed up to the wall of faith, and there he must take his stand". We could have him read the testimony of people who saw the book, we could have him read the book to listen to the truths and evidence of geographical facts and evidence that it contains. But that is not how God works. God doesn't work by sight alone.

So we made our stand in our toddler-level Korean. We said that the book and the principles contained in it would bless his family and bring him closer to God, and that if he prayed sincerely and listened to God's will for him and his family, he would know, not just believe, but know the truth of the work. After we finished, he said that he could feel our conviction and that he appreciated our service and that he would read the book. But what he and so many people don't understand is that it is not conviction, it is not eloquence, and it is certainly not the words that matter. It is the spirit of truth that teaches us all things and brings all things to our remembrance. If he prays after reading it and asks God with more than just words, but with his soul and with the intent of acting on the answer he receives, he will know that it is true. For those of you who doubt or for those of us who are going through difficulty and are backed against a wall, make your stand. Decide now to trust that God has a purpose for you and have the faith to listen to him and look for his will for you.

I love you all,

Elder Coleman

February 1, 2015

To my friends and family,

First, I have sinned the past several weeks. I promised to give Sarah Newberg a shout out on this blog. I have failed, and now I repent. She is the best.

Anyway so this week was rough, but also very rewarding. We dropped a little more than half of our investigators for various reasons (meaning we don't meet with them anymore). We did a lot of calling and a lot of looking for new people to teach. We have one super solid investigator and he and his family seem interested. We meet with him about once a week and meet with a ton of members to help them and stuff. This week we think we should be able to get some new investigators: we are going to focus on how much Christ's gospel can bless the family.

So Korea. First, I got to eat pig intestines (interesting texture) but pretty good, plus a ton of other foods. Second, I get to go to a bathhouse today which should be a awesome cultural... um.. experience. 

So my message on Christ today is found in John 7:17. Christ is talking to the Pharisees about his doctrine and he says something along the lines of "if you follow my teachings, you will know of yourself if it is from me or God." That is what we try to teach our investigators all of the time. Our message is an invitation to all who are willing to humble themselves before God and ask. We can ask anything, any questions from our soul that we have. God will answer them. He promises this sooooo many times in the scriptures. Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened. If we are willing to take that first step and follow Christ's teachings, we will come to KNOW not just believe, but know that it is from God. We will know that Christ suffered for all of us and that through believing and following His commandments, we can live with our families and return to God's presence for eternity. We can know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he saw God and Christ and he truly was a prophet of God. May we follow the the Samaritan women's counsel in John and "come and see." Ask and ye shall receive. Knock, and you will know the mysteries and the love of God.

I love you all,

Elder Coleman

January 25, 2015

To my friends and family,

The weeks here just get better and better. There are always disappointments, but in the end everything is worth it when you are doing everything you can to help people have joy through Jesus Christ. This week we had our first baptism. Normally, I would have done it, but my companion was pretty close with our investigator so I was content with just watching this time. We are continuing to teach pretty frequently, more often than a lot of other missionaries in Korea. We have been blessed with a lot of good people who want to hear our message.

So the culture for today: gender relations. First of all, you don't shake the opposite gender's hand at any time, members sit on other sides of sacrament meeting based off of gender, we are not suppose to give up our seats for women looking at all like our age because it looks like flirting, and we typically aren't suppose to preach on the street to women who are alone. It is very weird and I hope I don't get in the bad habit of not giving up seats for women. But yea, super interesting and I'm not sure how much I like it, but its Korea. 

My message on Christ today will be short. Many people know of Christ. All around the world, people have heard his name, know of his teachings, and are maybe part of a church who believes in him. But my question to all of us is do we really follow Christ? The Book of Mormon prophet Alma asks "do we have his image in our countenances?" We have a poster on our wall that says "be the type of person that someone who doesn't know Christ will want to know him because they know you." I am so far from that mark I don't know where to begin, but as we try to emulate the savior's example, we can help bring others peace and joy through him.

My testimony of the restoration of the gospel continues to grow daily as we teach people almost everyday about it and as I learn to teach it in another language. I wish i would have shared it more with people that I knew before my mission, but I'm happy I have the opportunity to do so now. We taught a man this week that has so many questions about doctrines and other historical information. I find it so humbling that I can't understand almost any of the stuff he says, much less answer in his language. But I know that I can always go to the scriptures and promise him that if he reads them, specifically the Book of Mormon, he can know the truth of all things.

I love you all,

Elder Coleman

January 19, 2015

Good afternoon/evening/morning depending on where you are!

 

It was a wonderful week this week, which is good because last week was very hard. So just a couple of quick details; we had a sweet meat buffet this past week, zone conference, two great English classes, and also two investigators who came to church. I wish I could go into all the things I want to talk about, but there just isn't a ton of time. If anyone has specific questions, please just email me individually.

 

Anyway, so culture-wise today I want to talk about food. So obviously there is a lot of rice and kimchi (don't know how it is spelled in English), lots of hot food and a ton of different types of meat. So this week, I was introduced to so much different types of meat and food and I loved all of it! It was so cool. They really like to mix rice with random things, they even steam it in water and then they drink it. Anyway, lots of cool food and tons to eat.

 

Next I wanted to share a scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants (it is found in the Latter-Day Saint canon). Anyway D&C 19:16-17, 23-24, and 41 talks about how Christ suffered for all of our sins so that we might not suffer. It promises that we will have peace in the Savior if we come unto him and follow him. So in Korea, it's never peaceful for me. I'm trying to learn a new language and culture, while trying to do missionary work. Neverthless, when I rely on Christ and when I look for peace in the quiet moments of my day, the long crowded bus rides and bad fish on the street all get better. Christ suffered for more than just our sins, he is there for all of our infirmities. Anything that we struggle with, he wants to hear about and help us with. Turn to him. He is your Savior.

 

Next, a quick thought on the restoration. The first thing we teach people as missionarires is how Joseph Smith, a modern prophet, restored the truth of the gospel through the Book of Mormon. The ideas are simple, but at the same time so hard for people to believe. And I understand that. Why would God give a young boy who had no education such a responsibility? But as I teach this lesson over and over again in a language that is so foreign to me and all I can do is say I know Joseph Smith was a prophet, I can see hearts opened and testimonies budding. Joseph Smith was a prophet. He saw God and by his power, he translated the Book of Mormon and established Christ's Church. I don't know these things because I have seen the record or because I have had Christ appear to me; I know these things because they feel right and because I feel Christ's spirit. I know anyone who asks sincerely can have the same experience people in Korea and I have had.

 

Love all of you,

Elder Coleman

January 12, 2015

To my family and friends,

This past week I arrived in Korea and have been sent to the 만수 area and my companion is Elder Karlson. He has been out 5 months and he will be training me for about 12 weeks. We have one really incredible investigator who we will be teaching named 윤여준 who is really progressing very well. He will be baptized on the 24 of January! 

So Korea has a lot of very strange things. First, they sleep on mats on the ground, which is actually more comfortable than you would think. Second, they don't heat hallways, so when you walk from one room to another, it is very cold. Third, they don't really have a place where you take a shower. They just have a shower head in the bathroom and you kinda use it there. Yea lots of other interesting things but I'll just say those for today I guess.

So I had one special spiritual experience this week. To preface, I have been feeling very sick because of the lack of protein and plainness of the food here, so I've been sick on and off and just really exhausted from the big time change. Anyway, so Sunday came around and I have really been struggling to feel the Spirit since I got here. I had felt it in terms of being productive (like we luckily ran into some super cool people while we were proselyting) and I was helped in other ways, but I hadn't felt that peace the spirit brings for several days. Anyway Sunday morning as we were running out the door to go to church, I said a really quick prayer and just asked God if he wanted me to go through this that was fine, but to just give me that feeling of peace. After I finished the prayer, I felt a tiny feeling, barely recognizable, but it was the same Spirit that I have come to offer the people in Korea. It was wonderful to feel it again. So after that, the day at church went really well, even though I didn't understand anything and I made a lot of mistakes. After church during study time, I took time to read my patriarchal blessing (for those of you who don't know what that is, it is a blessing members receive from someone called of God specifically to help you in your life) and also took some time to read the Doctrine & Covenants. Both of these focused on patience and standing to wait. I know that I have been called to this area to do a work that I don't know yet and I'm not sure I can do yet. But I know I will be prepared to do it if I am faithful and diligent. 

I hope all of you are healthy and doing well,

 

Love,

Elder Nathan Coleman

January 1, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This letter will be brief, so I apologize, but I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support as I have been gone. It has truly meant so much to me. And I would especially like to thank the Permenters for the food that they sent on New Years; it was much appreciated. So I leave for Korea on Monday, but not much has changed. Just learning a language and learning to teach. Oh and my companion and I got picked to teach the new missionaries how to teach a lesson, but it was super hard because we had to do it in English and I don't know how to teach in English.

Here are some things to do in Korea: Suits and Buddhist temples. So in Korea, suits cost about 50$ for a nice knock-off designer suit, so I should enjoy shopping. Plus they have these tie boxes that any tie in there (designer ties) costs two dollars. Too bad I'm not there just to shop. A couple of days ago, someone asked the question of if we were to see one thing in Korea, what should we see? Brother Scovile said that we had to make the hike to a Buddhist temple. Apparently, the hike is incredible and the view is even better. But don't hit the gong, or the monks yell at you.

I love 3 Nephi 30. It is two verses long and basically sums up the gospel. If we shun our sins and our weaknesses, have faith and repent, be baptized, and try to improve daily through the Holy Ghost, we will be saved. It is so basic, and so universal, but takes an eternity to master. I know that living the gospel will bless anyone who tries it. And as Christ said, if we live it first, we will see by the fruits if it is true or not.

So this week, I memorized the first vision in Korean. I can't do it in English anymore, but as I listen to it in Korean, I truly feel my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith grow stronger. He did see God and Christ. There is so much physical proof, and it makes so much sense; however, I don't know these things of myself. I know these things because I've read the Book of Mormon, got on my knees, and asked. It is a universal promise to anyone who reads the Book with an open heart. It is not just for Mormons, or the rich, or people from Utah. If anyone reads the Book, with real intent, and asks God if it is true, they will receive an answer in their hearts that cannot be denied.

I love you all,

Elder Coleman