Letter - 4/13/15

Dear Family and Friends,

Well it sounded like quite the week for my family back home. First, I want to start off by telling my big sister HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Thanks for being the best big sister in the world and for teaching me how to work hard and be diligent! Mallory I love you and through your example I have learned that when you want something, go and get it because our dreams can come true if we want them too! I have seen you work so hard in all things and accomplish great things! You truly are the perfect example of doing your very best in all things that you put your mind to and I know that will only continue to do so!  You are amazing I am so lucky to have the best big sister in the world!

Secondly, Hailey!!! I think most of you know but she participated in Junior Miss this last weekend and all weekend I couldn't help but wonder how she did. Well the second I got on the computer I opened up my mom’s email and tears fell down my eyes as I saw my sweet little sister as a gorgeous glowing young woman. All I can say is there is one proud sister over here in South Korea crying because her little sister isn't so little anymore! She truly glows and I know it's because of her faithfulness and desire to do right by following the Savior. In fact that is why we glow. We glow because of our hope in Christ and knowledge that we are God's children. Which brings me to our new investigator that we found this week!

This week we met with 전헤윤 a new investigator that was a referral from the mission office. She is interested in English and is diligently attending another church. We met with her and she told us that the minute she saw us she knew we were the missionaries not because we are the only foreigners around haha but because of our glow. She said people who believe in God and have that hope, look different. Their faces are light and they are simply at peace. She told of an experience she had with her employees who were all Buddhist and didn't believe in God. She said that each Tuesday they eat as a company and for 7 months she would pray over her food alone and they would wonder why and observe but didn't care too much. She continued praying for them outside of work that they would be touched by her example. Well 7 months later when she ate dinner with them after she said her prayer she opened her eyes and found 3 of her Buddhist employees also praying. She said that is God's way through time and patience and example we see the fruits of our labors. All I could do was nod and agree. We will be meeting with her every Tuesday. Sister Matamata and I are really looking forward to meeting with her and teaching her.

We also had Zone training this week which was the most powerful zone training I have had my entire mission. Last transfer I don't know if you remember but our zone was lacking and we weren't finding very many investigators to teach so we set the standard that we had to find 1 new investigator weekly and if we didn't our Zone leaders or Sister Training leaders would come and help us and make sure we did the next week. Well it woke everyone up. In one transfer we went from the lowest finding zone to the highest! What changed? All that changed was our faith and attitude about the work!  We believed in ourselves and we believed in God. Now that we have all these wonderful people to teach in the zone we are now focusing on doing all we can to have them enter in to the waters of baptism. We of course do not determine how many people are baptized but we do determine the invitations we make so now we are to find a new investigator and make an invitation weekly. This in other missions around the world may not be a big deal but it's definitely a challenge here that is going to only continue to strengthen our faith.

Sister Matamata and I actually have one investigator that is well on her way to setting that commitment with the Lord. Our 15 year old investigator 김지헤 is progressing so well! We went to the Young Women Leader's house this week and made microwave brownies with her because she has never ever baked in her whole life! Koreans don't really do the handmade goodies so we taught her! It was so fun and she was able to build a good relationship with the leader 강소진.   She was able to come to conference with our members on Sunday too! Our only worry is her parents but we received a text last night that her parents want us over for dinner sometime! YAY! Her mother is Buddhist and her dad is Christian which is where she learned to believe in God. Hopefully this will continue to be an upward process as the Lord had provided with her so many opportunities to come to church, pray, meet new friends and of course meet with us! Every time she prays and we talk I can't help but feel the strength of her faith in God. I love her so much and we are truly making so much progress with her as we watch her faith grow and learn from her example.

Wasn't Conference great though! We finally were able to watch it this weekend and I have made plans and goals already to be better. I loved all the missionary stories that were shared as I was able to relate to every single one of them in my own way. I think the line that hit me the most was that everyone is truly trying in their own way. The talk by Elder Redlund really touched me as I noticed a few of my weaknesses while being a missionary especially a trainer. I am going to be really honest here so don't judge me and my weaknesses because I also am trying in my own way. But I have noticed a little in myself that I have been to focused on why others aren't doing something that I think they should be doing rather then looking at what they are doing and being grateful for that. For example this week one morning Sister Matamata and I went outside to exercise. She personally I could tell didn't want to but I knew that if we didn't go outside she would just fall back to sleep so as I ran she walked and I caught myself thinking "why isn't she exercising? Why isn't she running with me?" I was letting frustration take over me but then I stopped. I realized my fault turned in gratitude and just thought "wow isn't it great that she came outside with me and that she got up at 6:30 in the morning!" That isn't easy but as I have changed my thought and attitude and heard that counsel I was instantly happier. I know that each person is striving to do their best and as the Lord gives patience to me I to must must give patience, love and mercy to others. How grateful I am to be learning all this and always being given the chance to change, become better, and become more like our Savior each and everyday because of His atonement.

I love this work. I know that it has truly laid the most solid foundation for the rest of my life. I know that this is the Lord's work and that I have truly been give the wonderful opportunity to help assist Him. How humbled I have for this experience each day. I love being a missionary. I love my Savior. I love this gospel. I know this is true and I have all the hope in the world on the message I share each day. Thank you for all your love encourage support, and prayers! I love and miss each of you! Have a great week! Remember everyone is trying in their own way!

Love,
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll

Letter - 4/5/15

Dear Family and Friends,

HAPPY EASTER! I am sure you have all had a wonderful Easter Weekend! Here in Korea we also celebrate Easter and the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. As I have been going through this week our mission as been participating in the Because He Live foundation that the church has created and if you haven't seen the video I invite you to do so NOW! Go to HeLives.mormon.org and watch it! I have only seen it in Korean but how powerful the video is and I know it brings the Spirit into my heart because I know that my Redeemer lives. I Know without a shadow of a doubt. I have felt His comfort, peace and strength throughout my life that I will never be able to deny.

This week was full of fun times and memories as every week is. How grateful I am to be a missionary sharing the good news of the gospel which is, Jesus is the Christ, He lives today and because of that we can always have hope for a better world.

Monday Sister Matamata and I were able to visit our favorite little friend 기백. He is a little boy in the ward that I like to box with if you remember the photo I sent of me and him with our fists up. He is just full of so much love. He and his mom haven't been able to come to church since Sister Matamata's first Sunday but they came yesterday so that was so good.  The minute he saw us he ran up to us and gave us the biggest hug. Oh the joy it is to be able to love these people here in Korea and invite them to come closer to their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Tuesday we met with our investigator family 임진아. Lately we have been struggling with how to help her progress. She has met with the missionaries for a long time and loves the gospel and I know has felt the Spirit but she just doesn't act. Because we had been inviting her to act but she wasn't keeping commitments we decided that morning during companionship study that we needed to drop her so that was our plan. As we continued on our day about 30 minutes before our appointment with her Sister Matamata and I prayed on whether or not this was the right thing to do and that the spirit would guide us and that her two little girls would be quiet during the lesson. Well God answers prayers. It was such a powerful lesson. we changed our plans and instead of dropping her we decided to invite her to be baptized one last time. She didn't decline but she did say she had fears and her main fear was not understanding the material specifically the Book of Mormon because it truly is so difficult in Korean. So because she doesn't understand, the desire isn't there which I could relate with Korean! When I didn't understand Korean it was hard to have a desire to learn it but once it started clicking then all I wanted to do was learn more. She doesn't have any religious background so to help her we bought the Book of Mormon storybook for kids so that she can read it with her kids. We are praying that will help and we will be focusing alot on that. It was really such a powerful experience. I truly didn't know what I was going to say and neither did Sister Matamata but the Spirit put words into our mouths and the Spirit was present. NOt only that but the kids were quiet which allowed the Spirit to work within our hearts. I know that God, through His Spirit gives us the the words He needs us to speak and the gift of tongues is real. At the end of the lesson Sister Matamata bore her testimony and as she started she went to say one line of her testimony that she had been struggling with but she didn't struggle one bit, she said it perfectly because she said it with the power of the spirit. I am just so grateful to witness the miracles of God everyday and of His work. How I love to be a representative of our Savior Jesus Christ teaching His gospel.

Since that teaching appointment our lessons have just improved so much because I believe together we learned how to recognize, listen and follow the Spirit. That is something that kind of changes with each companionship so that we can teach in unity and under God's spirit. I have been feeling the Spirit more consistently as we teach and as I speak the words that I know to be true. Oh the feeling of the Spirit is so powerful in my heart and it only continues to increase as my testimony strengthens. This weekend we met with two of our investigators. 김지혜 who actually ended up coming to church on Sunday! YAY! It was her first time but luckily one of the Young Women is her friend so they came together. It was great! She is so sweet and just ready to do anything. This coming week we have a plan to bake brownies at the Young Woman leaders house so that should be super great! Sister Matamata and I are so excited because she is progressing super well and hearing her humble prayers each week truly just make my day. I think that has been one of my favorite parts of missionary work! Listening to the Korean people pray for the first time and watching them come to know there is someone they can always turn to at anytime in any place. What a blessing it is to know that and know that I have a Heavenly Father who is hearing and answering my prayers all the time. I know that He does for I have witnessed it so many times throughout my life. Not huge answers but little ones that I am able to recognize and be grateful for.

As we have gone out on the streets this week we have been really focusing on the Because He Lives video and cards they have given to us. While handing them out I have thought a lot about what it personally means to me that "He lives".  Because He lives I just have so much hope. Hope for a better world. Hope to be a better me. Hope in this gospel and Hope to become like Him. I think of the beautiful lyrics "Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives."  I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He came to this earth to fulfill His Father's will. I know He voluntarily gave up His life for you and for me. He bore the burdens of each of us. Our wounds are His wounds. He bore them all. He did it all. He kept His work and performed the infinite atonement that we can rely upon each day to become better. "He made it possible for every person of every age to overcome every obstacle, every weakness, every sin and every tinge of guilt." He did this for each of us one by one because He is our personal, loving and caring Friend. What the Savior did for me I cannot comprehend but I know with all my heart the He did suffer in Gethsemane for my sins, my weaknesses, my frustrations, my everything. He has already bore it all. I know He carried His cross to Calvary and gave up His life voluntarily for me and for you. I know He was layed in the Tomb of Arimathea and on the third day He was not found there for He had risen. He was resurrected conquering physical death and overcoming the world. I know that because He lives, we will too. All that I am and ever will be I owe to Him, my Savior, Redeemer, Advocate, Mediator, Friend, and Brother.  I know that He lives.

Thank you for all your love and prayers. I love each of you and miss you! I hope you have a good week and invite you to think about what it means to you that Jesus Christ lives. Remember that He does live and He is beckoning you to come to Him and rely on the gift He has offered us! Have a great week!

Love,
드리스콜자매.
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll

Letter - 3/29/15

Dear Family and Friends,

Spring has officially come as we saw the first bloomings of the beautiful cherry blossoms here in Korea. Spring time in Korea is just the best and so beautiful! I am continually telling my companion how excited I am for this weather because it truly is the best time of the year. This week flew by just like all the others. We were busy and had lots time to strengthen others as well as ourselves.

Saturday we had a ward activity which was so fun! It was a 떡볶이 cook-off! Which I know you don't know what that food is but it's a Korean specialty with rice cakes, cabbage, vegetables, and red pepper sauce. Not really sure how to explain it but it was so fun! We had so many members come as well as our investigators! We even had a group of our students who we teach english to come and participate! It was just a good time to cook, eat, talk, and play games with everyone. I especially enjoyed when we decided to have a water balloon toss in the church parking lot and well turned into more of a water balloon fight. Luckily we didn't fill up too many water balloons though or we would have all been soaked!

While preparing for the Cook-Off we visited members, less actives, and investiagtors to invite them to the party. We were able to visit 장미정 and seeing her again was an answer to my prayers as well as hers. She has been so busy that we haven't been able to meet but when we visited her she was home and she said that having us come over was like receiving a present from Heaven. It was so sweet to hear that. We were able to follow up on lots of things and her sister from my last area has been sending her the monthly Liahona which has been great. Sadly she wasn't able to attend the Cook-Off but she did come to church this week with her boys and Sister Matamata and I have some great plans as far as helping her to continue to progress and be ready to make these amazing changes in her life. I still consider her one of the greatest miracles of my mission and everyday I think about her I realize how aware the Lord is of each and everyone of us and how perfect His timing truly is. 

Sister Matamata and I visited quite a few members this week which time with them was just a tender mercy. One specific member, not super active but not completely less active, we meet with every Friday. Her name is 홍수희 and everytime I meet with her I can't help but fill so happy, filled with the spirit and ready to improve going forth with faith. She is so humble and has so much hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ for her family. Her husband is not a member but I can see that she feels confident in the Lord's timing that he will become one. We were able to have a great lesson on faith which then led to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and she bore her strong testimony of the knowledge she has of the atonement and how real it is. She truly understands Heavenly Father's love for her and is continually willing to change and find new  ways for the gospel to bless her and her family's life even more.

Another member we met with was 김원경. Now this Relief Society sister in our ward is as solid as they come. We had dinner with her and as we shared our message on recognizing answers to prayers she shared a tender story dear to her heart about an experience she had. Last year her husband and her were having a really hard time with health issues and her son had just left on his mission. She talked about how praying during that time was the only thing that got her through and then her answers always seemed to come through her sons emails when he would email her weekly. She realized that Heavenly Father often answers our prayers through other people and that's when she was able to receive the strength to carry on. Heavenly Father truly answers our prayers one prayer at a time and listens to us one person at a time. As she talked it remeinded me of Sister Jean A. Stevens talk "Fear Not I am With Thee" one quote she says by C.S Lewis says "I pray because I can't help myself, I pray because the need flows our of me all the time waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God, it changes me." I know that through this missionary experience I have never prayed so much in my life and I have prayed hard. It has been a life changing experience and humbling to see how we can truly communicate with our Heavenly Father and He will communicate back through so many different ways but just by speaking peace to our soul.

All week though I spent a lot of time preparing to teach the Young Women for Sunday and this month the topic was all about the Atonement specifically how it helps us during our trials. How grateful I am for the Atonement and for the knowlegde I have that I am never alone. Having the knowledge of the Atonement give me this hope that I just can't explaing but is gives me strength everyday to carry on.

While studying I read Elder Bednar's talk "Bear Up the Burdens with Ease" and what a powerful talk. My favorite part is well all of it but specifically "There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. In a moment of weakness we may cry out, “No one knows what it is like. No one understands.” But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power." Often we wonder why we have to bear such trials but we see countlessly in the scriptures the blessings that come after a trial. Often the Lord brings us to our lowest points only to lift us higher. He gives us trials because He trusts us that we will learn and grow from them. He knows that we are ready to learn and grow so He allows us to. While teaching the young woman on Sunday I was prompted to share my dad's story with battling his illness. All I could think about is how now as I talk to my father he says "Lyme's disease has been my greatest blessing and teacher." That's how we can look at all our trials and hardships because it is then where we are lifted with the Savior and realize He is always there beside us. " We are not and never need be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help. Through the Savior’s Atonement we can receive capacity and “strength beyond [our] own” I know this is true for I have experienced it. I know that my Savior lives and He truly knows each of us perfectly if we will just trust in Him and let Him take the load that He has already paid we will partake of the wonderful gift of the Atonement.

I love and miss each of you so much! I am so grateful for all your support, love, and prayers. Thank you! I hope you are all doing well! Enjoy this wonderful spring weather and remember to always smile and know that you are loved, by Me:)

Love,
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll