Date
February 1, 2019
Area
Daejeon, South Korea
Companion
Come Sup
Fabulous February
Amid the bleak midwinter,
Colorful contrasts of red & white;
Roses, a token of languishing love
In need of refreshing,
Winter wooing us into communion.
The briefest of months,
Delivering us to spring
And the hope of eternal felicity.
I am yours and you are mine
February Valentine.
February has finally arrived. We have a busy month ahead of us. Friday of transfer week is usually calm and an opportunity to catch up on all the worked missed because of all the busyness, but yesterday we had MLC. I didn’t take into account when I went to pick up the pizza for lunch that it was the beginning of Sollar (Lunar New Year) and the biggest holiday of the year. Traffic was horrendous, Costco was the busiest I’ve ever seen, and our Pizza that we ordered the day before wasn’t prepared. But alas, everyone got fed and I kept my head. Our good friend Sister Lee, invited us to come up to Seosan for a Sollar lunch next Tuesday. We’re hoping the traffic will be okay.
For Sollar the stores are filled with gift boxes. Spam and fruit boxes are big, but the variety is endless. When you go to someones house for Sollar you bring a gift box. It’s all about presentation. You could buy all the stuff individually much cheaper, but the box looks nice and is wrapped in a nice cloth. I’m sure it’s because everyone is so busy. President Madsen told us to get something for Sister Lee when we go. We’ll see what we can put together. Last week at church, a fellow I’ve been trying to help find an old missionary for, gave me a gift box of tuna and spam which he still had left over from Chusoek, their Thanksgiving holiday. He said he still had five boxes left - As Tevia would say “TRADITION!”
February is going to be a busy month! Next week we have two training meetings focused on English Connect and finding, Then on the week of the the 20th we have another MLC and two Zone Conferences for Mission Tour with Elder Yamashita of the Area Presidency. And amidst it all there are a myriad of details we’re being asked to attend to with the shutting down of the mission. I was told that we needed to pay all the utility bills a month in advance so things don’t fall through the cracks. I have no idea how that could happen, so I’m not going to worry about it. I love what one of the departing sisters said, We’re not only here to do our best, but to help others also do their best. It will all work out. And last but not least I have a dentist appointment on the 11th. They are going to replace some fillings in hopes it will help, but I’m afraid it might need a root canal, which I don’t think they will do because we will be leaving the country shortly, but we’ll see what happens.
Our friend Beth wanted to have a birthday party for Taeho, our English translator at church, and asked if we could have it at our place. So today we’re getting cleaned up and prepared for a party later this afternoon. So far we have ten people coming. She’s making Cincinnati Chili and brownies, Denice is making breadsticks and the Hunters are bringing ice cream. It should be a semi-sweet shindig!
Well, for January I had a goal of not weighing myself each morning and stewing over the ups and downs. I went without breakfasts, reduced snacking, limited portions, exercised consistently, didn’t weigh myself all month and still gained three pounds. Wow, I wasn’t expecting that, but it was okay. I got rid of some of our snack foods and didn’t buy more. I fasted yesterday and none of the food at MLC was even a temptation. The balance of control is returning to me and not all the junk foods that seem to dominate our lives. I can and will continue to make better choices about what I put into my body, both mentally and physically.
During our MLC planning meeting a lot of undercurrents were coursing through the room and I wanted to capture them, so I could examine them and better understand. This is what I came up with.
What does your story tell about you?
What do you tell about your story?
Take your place, inhabit your space.
Be who you are, wish on your star.
With humble heart, do your part.
Plead and pray, as you make your way.
With open eyes and ears, face your fears.
Walk your path, do the math, it all adds up -
Come sup at the table of the Lord.
January 31, 2019
Some interested inquirers asked the Savior where he lived, and he answered, “come and see.” I think they wanted some context to the miracles and wonders he was performing, maybe snack upon an offered tidbit or two. It’s not always easy to see beyond our physical sight to the reality of things as they were, are and will be - the truth. There are external truths which we can observe and come to understand. There are internal truths that we must be lived in order to understand and have them guide our lives. He knows us, he grows us, He shows us the way, if our eyes and ears are open and receptive - Come sup at the table of the Lord.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Revelations 3:20).
May we all find what we’re seeking for!
Love, Elder & Sister Porter