A Dope Korean Two-Block

4/9/2013

Good day today.  We talked to lots of people and worked hard.

Here is the haircut incident.

It's a Saturday night in Anyang.  The missionaries ain't got much going on. They worked hard and are relaxing a little before bed.  One of them casually remarks that he could use a haircut.  having nothing better to do, clippers are procured and a chair set up.

"Gimme one of them dope Korean two-blocks," says Elder Clawson.

Elder Mumford volunteers.

He, having never cut hair before, is mildly stoked and a little apprehensive.  he gingerly begins the two-block, a korean cut where the inch around the edge is short and the rest is long, by diving in the back.  It looks good!  He proceeds to give a beautiful hair cut, rivaling those sported by Korean men everywhere.

Elder Mumford, stoked by his own performance, eagerly hops into the chair, somehow thinking that his skill will migrate to his companion.  His face slowly falls as all three elders watching fall to the ground, tears of uproarious laughter streaming freely.

Elder Mumford arises, showers, and goes to bed, pretty self-conscious.  There is no time to fix it.  His faith in his companion's haircutting skills is gone.  He spends a very self-conscious day at church.

K.  All done.  Bed time.  I'm okay!

4/10 Wednesday

It's morning time and it's just before we start study.  I've been doing ski workouts recently and my legs are killing.  I could feel it really bad yesterday.

4/11 Thursday

We had a super adventurous day yesterday.  We accidentally got on a Kukpeng (fast train_) to the De-jeon mission.  So we ended up outside our mission boundaries, called President, and headed back the other way.  We made it to district meeting 10 minutes early.  We had a good training called "really Big Krill and You Can Too."  by my trainer/district leader.  Then we went home and met a crazy guy who wanted to talk to people with us.  he hugged Elder Clawson.  When he went to grab his backpack we felt super sketched out and ran away.  Elder Clawson is still a little twitchy.  We taught English Class and Mr. Son told us about how he went to America once and ordered dog but instead it turned out to be a hot dog.  Much laughter ensued.  Also i got a bunch of good recipes to try.  We talked to lots of cool people and went home.  This missionary work stuff is fun :)  The church is true and I'm happy to be a missionary.

4/11/2013

So today was an adventure.  We studied and then went out to contact.  we met some cool peeps and then went to San Bon to contact with the sisters there. On the way we met a super cool Buddhist who we're meeting soon.  We ate so so-long-tong and then went to teach Brother Jung who punked on us.  We went back home and grabbed stuff.  Then we taught Brother Park.  He's the best.  Super sincere and really awesome.  he always says heend-itch instead of headache.  Super funny.  He really likes the BoM. Stoked to teach him more!  Also the other day my companion saw a guy walking his dog down the street and said, "O mari mashisoiyo" instead of  "mari moshisoyo", ie., instead of saying "Your dog is very stylish" he said "your dog is very delicious."  And Koreans eat dog, so...

Oh, and I've developed an acute fear of bugs.  Love you!

PS  Elder Woodford accidentally texted his investigator and asked for 2 fans, some water filters, and a 12 week addiction recovery program.  She texted back that she wanted to do the program!  So awesome.

4/12

So today was weekly planning.  We planned for the week and then went out and talked to people.  We got told we were handsome by a bunch of students.  My companion looks like Edward from Twilight.  So that helps us start a lot of good conversations.  We talked to a guy about the [impossible to decipher] and he gave us Doritos.  Hope we can meet him later.

4/13  Saturday

General Conference!  Had a really fun day today. We studied and then went to Sanbon for conference. We watched it with the other missionaries in our zone, ate snacks, kim-bab, and watched all 3 sessions. They were awesome.  I felt like I need to get to know the  word well.  I'll work on it.  We had a blast.  When we travelled home we talked to a dude who was a preacher from another church.  It was kinda awkward.  he yelled at us for a while and we couldn't understand so when someone's bike fell over we helped and he went away.  We always buy waffles from this one guy on the way home.  He says North Korea is sketch.  Also a guy told us he had no religion, but I thought he said he was buddhist, so I told him he had a cool belief.  He laughed and it was ok.  We might meet him later. He offered to buy us food.

Sunday 4/14

More conference!  Super good.  We went and picked up a really cool British guy who watched a session with us. Confused about faith, but cool  Also I bought a huge pack of seaweed.  My comp made fun of me.  Elder Witt is now benching more reps with one hand than I can with two.  He's an awesome ZL.  i love him. Elder Woodford too.  They're both dope.  We walked around and talked to people tonight.  Met a cool kid that we'll talk to later.

I really liked Elder Holland's talk on faith.  I feel like that happened to me.  I never knew for sure but I always wanted to believe and acted on it.  Not even close to perfectly, but it grew until i realized that I knew it was true.  I can never deny that knowledge now.  I challenge anyone who reads this if they struggle to put it to the test.  Then the day will come when you know for yourself.  it is truly amazing. Give Alma 32 a read.  So good.  This work is true and I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to permanent peace and happiness.  Take joy in that!  I love you.

4/16 Tuesday

So today someone asked me when Jesus would come again and I told him I was 21 years old.  Good thing my comp was on top of things.  He saved me.  Also we met a Korean who spoke spanish and lived in South America for 11 years.  Also, we went to meet a guy who never showed and we found an investigator for the sisters!

4/17

Today was awesome. We had district meeting and I got my suit pants skinnied up.  I like 'em.  I made lots of fried rice and cleaned the kitchen. Oh yeah!  There's this homeless man that really likes us and Elder Clawson is super afraid of him because he always stops us and hugs Elder Clawson a bunch.  He gave us donuts and bought Elder Clawson some green tea.  We ran for our train with him chasing us.  It was pretty awkward.  We barely escaped.

4/18

So we went on splits with Elder Witt and Elder Woodford today.  i was with Elder Witt and we had a great day.  We ran everywhere and taught a good lesson.  We saw a shirt yesterday that said "pointless sh*t."  Elder Clawson and I laughed so hard after we passed it.  Also, I decided that Koreans are super nice but somehow awkward.  I made a friend today and we took a picture together.  He's kinda punk but way funny. He has stitches from punching someone.  I like him.  Elder Clawson and Woodford met a random guy who totally loves Elder Clawson.  He bought them a bunch of food.  We had cornmeal pancakes for dinner.  I'm really finding out how awesomely applicable the scriptures are.  Everyone needs them! I love you! Don't forget to study them!

4/19 Friday

Had a crazy awesome day today.  it started as not super promising.  We only had one appointment with a guy we met on the bus.  The rest of the day was empty.  We did weekly planning and then afterward I called Brother Kim, a guy who had English interest.  he said we could meet that night.  We went to meet the guy from the bus and we met him.  He bought us food and brought a friend!  He was so cool.  He really liked the Book of Mormon and asked to come to church and was super happy when we gave him a BoM.  His friend was interested too.  he hugged us and shook our hands and it was awesome.  I had the kimchi fried rice too and it totally burned my mouth.  The inside of my mouth was all cut up from sucking mints.  It was super good though.  Then we met Bro Kim.  he was awesome!  Bought us ice cream and then we talked about the Plan of Salvation for an hour and a half.  he's coming to church too.  Two new investigators in a day.  They're both so awesome.  I'm stoked to teach them more!  I love you all!

Also, funny story, we saw a shirt that said, "Rock Sctssors flesh" spelled just like that.  K! Bed time.  Love you!

4/20 Saturday

Fun day today.  Ironically I'm the cleanest one in the house.  I clean lots.  If any of you are looking for a good, possibly life chaing talk, listen to W. Cleon Skousen "The Meaning of the Atonement." I have it on my computer. Listen to it!

Today we went to meet a less active member of our ward on the outskirts of our area.  She had moved, but we found a lady who spoke English and chinese.  She said we could meet with her and we're excited.  Also talked to lots of cool people.  We met a man tonight who really likes the Book of Mormon and says when he knows it's true he will be baptized!  Super cool.  Then we got waffles and went home.

4/21

Fun day today. Super gorgeous out, good temperature.  Reminded me of beautiful Sunday walks in Bellingham.  Awesome. We walked around and talked to lots of people.  We had an awesome sacrament meeting and Brother Park came! The Lord is blessing us majorly.  I love you lots!

Pictures Only

 View from the apartment

 Zach in his new tailored suit

 Red horse seeing some action...? For Uncle Nigel.

Zach's study desk.

Email Zach Yourself!

New policy! Anyone can send Zach an email and he can email you back.  He still only has an hour for emails, so he may not always be able to respond completely, but I encourage you to email him!  This is a public blog, so I'm not going to publish his email address, but leave a comment or email me directly and I'll be happy to give it to you.

Macklemore Haircut and Other Korean Adventures

Saturday 3/30
it is now 11:45 in the afternoon in Anyang, my first area.  It's in the Soul South boundaries.  South of Seoul.  My residence overlooks a little river and jogging path.  My trainer's name is Elder Clawson.  he's a super cool Elder from Southern California.  He's been out about six months.  He works hard.  We do lots of proselyting.  There are tons of people to talk to.  We talked to a 17 year old student ast night about what the Book of Mormon is.  We are going to meet with him soon.  I got here tuesday. I've had almost not ime to write.  missionary work is hard but wonderful  There are lots of people who can use our help.

I accidentally called someone "delicious." :)  Also, my senior companion hates being touched.  It's pretty funny.

We eat kimchi soup and pasta lots.  Smoothies abound.  It's a beautiful place with lots of people.  Good day.  Talked to lots of people.  Got lost on the bus.  Super tired.  Good night.  Calling people is hard.

Sunday 3/31

I had an awesome day today.  I'm finally settling in.  Went to church and met the stake presidency and bishop and ward mission leader.  We had good meetings.  The spirit was there even if my Korean understanding isn't.  We had the craziest meal with a lady from English class.  We went expecting a nice meal and it was a huge family dinner with tons of amazing food.  i had more kinds of meat that I've ever had.  here's the list'  Jellyfish, shark, squid, octopus, beef, chicken, shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, mussels, salmon, tuna, halibut, crab, pork.  And probably more.  Suuuuuuuper good.

My companion said it was probably the best meal he;d ever been to.  Super awesome.  We had a kinda half lesson with an investigator, YKW.  She's moving right along.  I can't wait to teach her again.

We met a couple of really cool people on the street.  One of which was pretty drunk but super nice.  We taught him about families.  Hope he remembers...

We bought street waffles and korean candy.  I made some kimc hi soup too!  Super delish. We had an awesome time talking to people at a crosswalk in Sanbon.

Being a missionary is fun, hard, and satisfying.  The church is restored!  Happiness is there, all you have to do is have faith and ACT.  I love you all lots.

Monday 4/1

Met a super cool man on the subway.  Really open. Left a Book of Mormon and a card with him.  He lives far from us but that's okay, I guess.  We had a nice adventure going to Costco to buy stuff.  Talked lots a bout life.  We met a member in Costco who wanted to buy us food but we had already bought.  THEY HAVE BULGOGI BAKES!!!  I'm gonna get one next week.  We bought smoothie stuff and lots of pasta sauce.  I bought ramen and Pocari Sweat mix.  Korea is pretty dope.  our investigator skipped on us so we taked to people for a couple of hours.  We met an awesome Ukrainian named Andre.  He was super happy.  We might teach him later.  So nice.  We're working harder every day.  I really liked today.  It's getting easier to work.  i know this work is true.  There's such a big difference between the members and other koreans.  They seem so happy and everyone else seems so sad.  We're working on it!  Love you all lots.  Thanks to everyone who wrote me their testimonies.  They have really helped me.  I love you all.

4/2 Tuesday

I need to tell this day systematically for it to make sense.  So here goes.  A day in the life.

So, got up this morning, felt a little bad but showered got dressed, ate a muffin, and learned a couple primary songs on the guitar.  At 8 we started studying, prayed, and I read a couple awesome chapters.  Give 2 Nephi 9 a read.  So much depth about the atonement and the play of salvation.  It's incredible.

Then I studied how to find people and I made a plan how to use it.  Next we did companionship study.  We planned a couple of lessons for a less active member and a recent convert.  Then we worked on some training and I taught my trainer the restoration, in Korean, and invited him to read and pray.  It went well.  i still have lots of vocab to learn.  We did language study.  My companion made some delicious food and we set out.  We had pork potstickers and rice.  I t was raining so we snagged umbrellas.  no one was out to tak to on our two hour walk to a less active member's house.  We went to give them a message card with a scripture and our number on it.

We got there only to find out that the door was key coded and we couldn't get in.  After two hours in the rain with no-one to talk to we were pretty sad.

Just then, the member we were going to see walked up and invited us in!  we left our card and a short message.  Incredible opportunity.  Then we got on a bus to the subway and there was a man who I left a book of Mormon with and our number  he was so interested he put away his phone and started to read right there on the bus.  Hope he calls.

Then we had pizza with Murphy and talked about how to stay happy in the army.  We helped some less active members with their english homework.  Then we talked to some awesome pe on the way home.  Good planning session and now playing guitar with Elder Clawson. Amazing miracles.

4/3 Wednesday

We had a killer day.  We had a good training--super fun and learned lots.  Then we went and found people together.  me and an Elder who is also one week in went together.  We gave a man a book of Mormon and told him about it.  he was so excited that he started reading it right there.  He walked up to a woman the sisters were teaching and started telling her about the truth of it!  he told her it was God's word.  Hopefully we meet him in the next few days. Also had a good English class.  I'm understanding more! The Lord has richly blessed me.  I'm so happy today! i love you all.  Remember CPR keeps your spirituality alive: Church, Prayer, Reading.  Do it!  Love you!

4/4 Thursday

Had a killer day today.  Worked hard.  We did tons of contacting.  We had 5 appointments, but 4 fell through.  Kind of sad :(  That guy we talked to yesterday cancelled last minute.  Anyway, we met a really cool guy named Daniel.  He is so happy and caring.  Brought us a bunch of strawberries.  We taught him about the Book fo Mormon and he said that as he comes to know it's true he will be baptized.  He's just the kind of person who needs the gospel.  The church is so true!  I love the joy it brings.

4/5 Friday

Had a good day today.  We did weekly planning and successfully taught the first lesson to my trainer.  So I was stoked.  he's writing a song about coming home to a girlfriend post-mission. we talked to lots of people today and ate at a Kimpap.  Super good! Kinda sushi-ish. A roll is 1.50.  Super good and feels healthy.  Then we taught a lesson to a lady who struggles to act. She talked to us about the Book of Revelation.  Totally didn't understand.  Also taked to this drunk man for a while.  Afterwards my trainer said he wasn't speaking Korean.  So that was pretty funny. Figuring out how to work hard and effectively. Love you lots!

4/6 Saturday and Sunday

Had a super busy day yesterday.  had president interviews and chatted with Sister Christensen a whole bunch.  Met a super cool dude on the train.  We're meeting him later! Stoked.  Sister Christensen is the bomb.  A girl on the train asked for our card! Super awesome.  korea has so many cool peeps.  Latest favorite thing: Aloe Juice.  Sooo good.  Buy some if you can find it.  today we had one of our investigators come to church!  He stayed the whole time to make friends!  We challenged him to be baptized tonight and he wants to but his Mom won't let him.  We'll meet her soon.  I'm so tired and so happy.  Missionary work is at the extremes. Max emotions abound.  Every day seems like a week.  I love you all.  The church is true.  The only way to lasting joy and peace.

Elder Clawson! Soccer ball  P-DAY!

So Elder Clawson and I went to teach Brother Jung on Sunday and he was playing with a soccer ball.  I passed it to Elder Clawson and Elder Clawson tried to maradonna and totally slipped and slammed onto his backpack.  I laughed super hard after he said he was OK.  It was so funny.  Also I got told I look like superman.  We cut each other's hair last night and I did a good job but my hair got massacred.  Super bad.  We tried to do a shaved sides Macklemore cut, but it look horrible.  Lots of good adventures.

Elder Mumford Goes to Anyang

Hey Momma,

It's been a super fun week! I was way busy and super tired so I didn't write as much as I probably should have. We are e-mailing at this sweet little place thats sorta like a library. My first area is called anyang (spelled different than anyanghaseyo. 안양 as opposed to 안냥. sounds almost the same. I'll answer all of your questions in your e-mail and the bulk of stories and adventures will come by letter. 

I have had some periods of homesickness kind of. It was a little bit of a rough start. This is my companion's first transfer as senior and he's training and he's the district leader so its a little crazy. We're figuring things out. He is way good at Korean though and he is an awesome teacher. We are working pretty hard and should be working harder as we figure things out. He's from california, super nice, plays guitar, and loves to skate. Went to the Y for a year before the mission. 

We do lots of tracting 전도 contacting. It's kinda hard but people are really nice when they do talk. Korea is a pretty plugged in place. 99.9% of people have smart phones. Makes things easy if I can't understand, they just pull up the translator! But also semi awkward to start converstions. Also I poke out like a sore thumb. super tall white kid. I think a scare people sometimes. We aren't allowed to talk to women and we accidently went to a place where a school just got out. There were tons of high school girls saying Hi to us as we briskly weaved our way through them. Kinda awkward. Koreans are very giggly.We eat lots of kim-chi soup and pasta and rice and we are going to costco later to get some mad muffins. We eat pretty well. Street food is way good. Today I started to feel a little comfortable talking to people. We talked to a bunch of really cool guys on the train. We live in the same appartment as the Zone Leaders and as we were traveling somewhere I was with one of them. Elder Woodford. I was a little nervous to tap a guy on the shoulder and he said with a huge smile " doesn't matter, its salvation" That has really motivated me to talk to lots of people. We are here to bring people eternal happiness.  Why be scared! that is our purpose. I'm stoked to work. It'll be hard, but I am seeing that it's when I work hard that 3 things happen. I fulfill my purpose helping people come closer to Christ, I have a lot of fun, and the time goes by fast. Church was sweet. We live in a pretty big ward. We ate after church with the members. Super nice and happy. You can really tell church members apart. They seem a lot brighter spiritually. and happy for sure. My comp has yet to see the root beer exctract in action. He will be stoked though...My korean is ok. I can talk to people kinda, and get phone numbers. Still working on the days of the week though... So thats coming together. I haven't said anything terrible yet. We teach this awesome kid tonight, we met him in english class. We're are goign to teach him the restoration. I can't tell you how important PMG is. Super simple and super deep. Just like the Gospel. Which it is. so yeah. I dunno what time it is there but its like 12 here on monday. I think I'll miss your e-mail this week. I miss you all lots but I don't have time to think about it. I'm not toally sure what my address is... I'll send it next week. I'm a little torn about mail. I totally want to hear from all of you but I don't want to be distracted. I will send you my normal letter laden with adventures and a good e-mail.

We walk lots. Korean transportaion is super cheap but everything is pretty close. Buses are way fun. Roller coaster all the way. I've only seen one tiny fender bender so far so I guess it all works. My foot is fine no mail yet. My mission president is awesome. Way laid back in a strict sort of way. He puts a lot of trust in us. We don't have any extra rules. Only the white handbook. Which would be good for the guyzos to read and know. This really nice lady just gave us some coffee. We were too busy to notice until she set it down. ...awkward.

Korean culture is dope. Such good food. I'm stoked to eat more. You can buy this giant bags of candy for 3000 won. So I did. Theres this crazy ghost town by where we live that is all getting renovated. Scary to walk through. 

K love you lots, more to come in paper. I miss you, this is the hardest thing I've done so far. It will get harder. I will always push forward with faith. After all, it all means nothing unless we endure:)

Love, 

Elder Mumford