Letter - 4/28/14

Family and Friends,

Well first off before I got on with the transfer information, I want to share a story that I experienced last night. So Sister Kang and I have started a Scripture Study class for the youth who currently are preparing for missions in the ward. We study Preach My Gospel and the scriptures for about 2 hours every Sunday. It is such a good time and I learn so much.  Last night we were studying Questions of the Soul in The Book of Mormon Section of Preach my Gospel and each chose a question to study. I chose “Does God know me and is He aware of me?”  I of course know that yes He is aware of me and my personal circumstances but after studying that I was able to have a really cool experience on our way home to know that He truly is aware of me even in the smallest of circumstances. We received a 20 kg (@44 pound) bag of rice yesterday from a member and I had to carry it home (Yay for carrying hay bales and bags of grain all the time--benefit of a farm girl). While I was carrying it I had to get on the bus and scan my travel card so I did and all was well. When we arrived at our stop I hurried and scanned my travel card to get off and then went back and picked up the big bag of rice. I carried the rice in the rain for our 10 minute walk to our little home. When I got home I realized that I didn't have my travel card. Oh no. what did I do with it? I couldn't remember if I put it in my pocket or set it on the seat of the bus but Sister Kang was kind enough and said let’s go look for it.  I secretly thought there is no way I am going to find this card in the rain, in the dark, on the path that we walk but we went and searched anyway.  I kept saying Heavenly Father I know this is a small matter but please help me find my travel card. We walked almost all the way back to the bus stop and I am about to tell Sister Kang lets go back because we aren't going to be able to find it. As soon as I thought that, there was my little travel card all wet on the sidewalk. It truly was a miracle not a huge one but it strengthened my testimony that Heavenly Father is aware of me even in the smallest of circumstances. He does answer prayers and He does always listen. So that's my story.

Transfer time. We received transfer calls Friday night.  I was so nervous because it was my first call that something actually was going to happen. President Morrise called and said Sister Kang you will transfer and Sister Driscoll your new companion will be Sister Ward.  And fun fact Sister Ward was also Sister Kang's second companion. I have only heard good things about her so I am really excited. But the minute President said that I would be staying I thought oh my goodness. I can't do this. I can't stay. I can't be the senior in the area. But as I prayed that night and continued my time in my area 화곡 I felt more at peace and realized that the Lord trusts me with this area and I still have work to do here with my new companion Sister Ward. I was able to pray and say "I will go where you want me to go." So I have another transfer in my amazing ward and this amazing area!!!!

This week as far as missionary work was rough. Satan is really working hard on the people around here especially with our investigators as every single appointment was cancelled due to different reasons. I was so sad. But knowing that Satan is working so hard makes me want to work even harder and gives me more motivation to find those prepared people that the Lord puts in our path everyday.

Also a lot of fun things happened this week. Friday and Saturday were by far the best. Friday we had a Mission Conference because Sister Linda K. Burton came to Korea (General Relief Society President). Her and her husband were the last mission presidents of the Seoul West Mission that was closed in 2010. So we were able to have a special training by her Friday morning in which I learned so much and was able to see so many of my friends from the MTC.  I also loved hearing from Brother Burton, the first thing he said was "Cherish the Moment." That immediately brought me back to my dad always telling us to live in the moment. Cherish the moment and become a missionary and then stay a missionary. Remember that from now on and forever you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. We must always remember that so we can act, live and be like one. We focused on the scripture 3 Nephi 5:13 which explains exactly who we are and what we are to do. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. You are a Disciple of Jesus Christ. This call is a gift to each of us from our Heavenly Father so rise up and become the disciple that our Father in Heaven and Savior see in you.  Saturday was a special fireside for all member and the best thing about that was Seoul missionaries were also able to come so I was able to see Sister Anderson my MTC companion and so many others from the MTC. I love that missionary family I am making and am so blessed.

I can't believe 2 tranfers have come and gone. I have learned so much about myself and my relationship with my Heavenly Fathers is much stronger then I could ever imagine.  I am so sad to see Sister Kang go. I learned so much through my experiences with her but now it’s time to continue learning. I will forever be grateful for the lessons she taught me and the love she showed me. I know that Heavenly Father puts people in your life for a reason and I know that Sister Kang and I were companions for a reason. I am so full of gratitude to my Father in Heaven for being aware of my needs and teaching me the lessons I need to learn. I love this gospel I love being a missionary and I love serving the Lord. Thank you for all your prayers, love and support. I couldn't do this without you. I hope you all have an amazing week. Keep smiling and believing that everyday is a good day! Life is amazing and it is short so live it up and enjoy the moment. I love and miss each of you dearly! Have a great week!

Love,
드리스컬자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll 

Letter - 4/21/14

Family and Friends,

Everyone this Tuesday April 22 my little sister turns 16!  I can't believe it and want to say Hailey Fred HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY! You are the best little sister that anyone could ever ask for! I love and miss you so much! Be sure to warn all the boys that they better be good to you or I will have to come and knock some sense in to them. AND I WILL:) Anyways I love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday! It's a special day.

This week was not extremely eventful. This week we only had one appointment because all the others were cancelled. It is so hard when investigators cancel because we have prepared so diligently for them but it just gives us more time to prepare better.

Also I went on 2 exchanges this week where I had to lead my area because Sister Kang had to go to the other sisters' areas as Sister Training Leader. It was quite scary. I thought I was going to get lost and not be able to find my way around the area but luckily I did not get lost and the Lord guided me the whole way and taught me to be confident in myself and not worry. My exchanges were with Sister Jacobson and Sister Kei. Sister Jacobson is one transfer behind me and so I was able to get to know her really well at the MTC. She is the best and we had so much fun together. We have just agreed that we are two awkward American foreigners who can't speak Korean but we love the people and talk to them anyways. I had so much fun with her and learned a lot. She is definitely one of my best friends here in the mission. My next exchange was with Sister Kei. Sister Kei is my roommate and serves in the area next to mine. She has been with me since my first transfer. She hit her year mark on Thursday and I cannot express how much I love and look up to Sister Kei. She is truly the hardest working missionary I know. She doesn't waste a second of the Lord's time and realizes what a privilege it is to be here serving a mission. I am so grateful for her and her example. She will be going to BYU-Idaho and we decided we are going to room together. We are on the same track and everything so it is meant to be. I love being able to go on exchanges and learn from all the sisters in the zone. It is such a privilege.  Each sister has taught me something valuable that I will be able to cherish forever. The friendships I am gaining are more than I could ever ask. I am so blessed.

This weekend Sister Kang and I made banana bread:) lots and lots of banana bread for our members for Easter on Sunday. It was so fun to cook together and make goodies for our members. Sunday morning we delivered them at church and the members were so grateful. They don't really celebrate Easter here but they say Happy Resurrection Day. I think something along those lines. haha Yes I am still not that great at the language but I progress a little bit everyday.

But since Easter was yesterday I do want you all to know that I know Jesus Christ lives and loves us. He suffered for all of our pains, frustration, afflictions, sorrows, disappointments, everything so that He could run to our side in our time of need and assist us. He has perfect knowledge of all our feelings and knows exactly how to care for us. He suffered these things in the Garden of Gethsemane and then was raised on the cross because of His love for us and for our Heavenly Father. After 3 days He did rise again. Jesus Christ Lives and is inviting us all to come unto Him everyday. He is waiting with arms wide open. I am so grateful for this knowledge and for this opportunity I have to share this knowledge. I know this gospel is true and brings true happiness to everyone who allows it to influence their lives. I love this gospel. I love my Savior and I love my Father in Heaven. The relationship I am gaining with them is more than I could ever ask for.

Thank you to each of you for all you love support and prayers in my behalf. I miss you and love you. I hope you have a great week and next email I will tell you the transfer news.  Have a great week! Stay happy, stay grateful, stay smiling! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Love,
드리스콜자매
Sister Driscoll

Letter - 4/14/14

Family and Friends,

Can you believe we are half way though April?  I know I continue to say this but time is really flying. Last P-day Sister Kang and the 2 other Sisters who I live with went to Han River Park and rode bicycles. It was such a blast! You should have seen Sister Kang and I working together on our double person bike. It was quite difficult though because Korean bikes are tiny so my legs were almost hitting the handle bars the whole time! It was quite the site to see! The weather is just turning out beautifully! The cherry blossoms are now going away though, which I am so sad about, but all the other flowers are blooming making the land very colorful and beautiful.

This week I had the great opportunity to finally watch General Conference. I was able to watch the Saturday Sessions and Women's Conference in English but Sunday sessions I had to watch in Korean. I had never looked forward to Conference so much in my entire life. On Saturday all the missionaries from my zone gathered together at my area church, the stake center, and watched the Saturday sessions together. As I watched these sessions I was continually reassured of the truthfulness of this gospel and the need to defend our beliefs and let our faith show. I repeat Elder Holland's question "Is it worth it to take a courageous stand?" Yes!!! It is worth it! "Remember that all men have their fears but those who face them with faith have courage too." (Russell M. Nelson). Our faith and beliefs are safe when we build upon our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one we can trust. He continually invites us to come unto Him. That is His only request. Come unto the Savior, defend Him, and have faith in Him.

Sister Kang printed a talk out this week by Jeffrey R. Holland called “Come Unto Him”, in which I studied. I learned so much in which I want to share. Our Savior Jesus Christ has engraved us into the palms of His hands. He will never turn His back on us. When He invites us to come unto Him and follow Him "He means that He knows where the quicksand is, where the thorns are and the best way to handle the slippery summit. He knows it all! He knows the way! He is the way!" Jesus Christ is our friend He is running toward us as we come to Him. We may pass through so many hard things but He is always standing by our side and as our focus is on Him we have no need to fear.
The Savior is the way to everlasting happiness. He loves each of us so much that He laid down His life for us and suffered for not only our sins but our afflictions, frustrations, and trials so that He could run to our side and know how to help us. I love the Savior with all my heart. I am growing closer to Him everyday as I participate in this great work. I know Jesus Christ lives and that He is my brother. I know I am a child of our loving Heavenly Father and so are you. Heavenly Father loves you for you always remember that. I am learning about that everyday as I try to be myself in the foreign land and language.

Thank you for all your prayers, support and love. I am so privileged to be a part of this great work and to have this time to learn and grow closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father. I love this gospel and know it is true. I love being a missionary and all the adventures that go on each day. I hope each of you have a great week and remember to keep smiling! Life is beautiful and it is short so be happy while it lasts!!! Love you and miss you all!!!

Love
드리스콜자매
Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll

Letter - 4/7/14

Family and Friends,

Well I want to start by wishing my amazing big sister Mallory a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Happy birthday Mallory wish I could be there to celebrate but I know you can do it without me! I have the best older sister in the world if any of you didn't know that. She has consistently watched out for me and stuck up for me. We have been through so much and gone through so many life changing adventures. She is truly amazing so wish her a happy birthday on the great day of April 9!

Another week has come and gone here in the country of South Korea. The weather is warming up and the cherry blossoms are really blooming.  It is going to be a beautiful spring and hot summer! I am slowly learning the way of the missionary life and slowly, slowly getting a handle on the language. This week was busy but not all at the same time. Missionary time is strange but I am just living each day and doing the best I can because that's all I can do, right?! This week I decided on my mission motto. This motto actually came from one of my dear father's letters and it is "Go & Do, Go & Be, Go & Love".   I decided on this because I am here in Korea to do the Lord's work by being me and by loving. I know that through being myself, through loving the people and through surrendering to the Lord's will my missionary experience will be the most rewarding and life changing experience. I mean it already is but with this motto it is truly going to enhance and improve this very special opportunity.

Tuesday Sister Kang and I made our way to Sonpa, where the mission office is for Missionary Leadership Council because Sister Kang is the Sister Training leader in my Zone. While traveling there we took the subway and let me tell you one thing about the Korean subway around 8 in the morning. IT IS PACKED!!! I mean you can't even move a muscle. I thought I was going to get smashed! While trying to get onto a subway when we were transferring I almost didn't make it and had to jump on to Sister Kang and just pray I wasn't going to get squished in the door. It was quite the experience. That whole day was really great though because I was able to hangout with all my sisters from the MTC. They are all doing great and we are all in the same boat of just having no idea what is going on but just taking each day at a time striving to do our best. Being a missionary is great! Somedays I can't help but think what was I thinking? I can't do this which is true I can't but the Lord can. I strive to rely on Him everyday and do my best everyday to fulfill His purpose.

Thursday was Temple day!!! Ahh I cannot tell you how much I love the temple. I feel so blessed to have that opportunity to go each transfer. The Seoul temple is so pretty and just small. It is truly a special place and I just smile everytime I walk up the big hill and can see Angel Moroni in the sky because then I know I am almost home. The temple right now is as close to home as I can get and the peace I feel there is indescribable. I hope each of you who have temple recommends take the opportunity to go as often as possible and those who don't I hope you are preparing yourself because it is the most peaceful place you could ever be as your forget the world and just focus on our Heavenly Father and His blessings He promises to give us.

Saturday Sister Kang and I had an amazing lesson with our investigator 심승연 who is 19. We weren't able to establish who was going to teach what until we walked out the door and I was told that I would be teaching baptism, Mosiah 18:8-10, and giving the baptismal date commitment. Can you say stress!! I had no time to prepare but guess what--I was able to do it because Sister Kang and I truly taught with the spirit and in unity. We have been meeting with her since I arrived in Korea. She is super quiet but all she desires is to follow Jesus Christ. We had a baptismal date my first week in Korea with her but challenges arose and we had to postpone. Saturday we recommitted her to a date and she really pondered the question. She said she would think about the date. The lesson we taught was completely guided by the Spirit though because in my simple Korean she was able to understand what was being said as I bore testimony. I reassured her that her desire is to follow Jesus Christ and she nodded her head. She really thinks and ponders each of our questions. She is such a blessing. She comes to church every week with a member and loves it. When we finished our lesson Sister Kang and I were so happy because of the spirit we felt. It was an amazing experience.

So much happened this week and I apologize for my scattered thoughts. I am learning so much from this experience and know as I pray for strength the Lord will give it to me. Each day I feel myself growing closer and closer to my Savior and becoming more and more converted. I am grateful to be a missionary. I am grateful to be a happy missionary. I know it is shaping me into the person Heavenly Father wants me to be and knows I can be. I love my Father in Heaven and know He is there for me listening to my heart and my prayers. All the sweat stress, tears trials, joys and smiles are worth it. The Lord has not let me down and I know He never will.

I love and miss each of you thank you for your prayers, love and support in my behalf. I hope you are enjoying the spring weather. Continue to be happy, smile and love life. Keep Smiling!

Love,

드리스콜자매

Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll

Letter - 3/31/14

Dear Family and Friends, 

Everytime I sit down to email I have no idea what to share, my mind draws a blank because I want to share so much but Whoa! I cannot believe another week has come and gone! Each Sunday I ask my companion "Is it really Sunday again?" I have been told as the transfers pass the weeks go by faster and faster! It is so weird how time works! This week was so good though. Spring is coming and the weather is just beautiful! Korea is filled with flowers and trees. Right now all the cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom and I can't even tell you how pretty it is. I am so excited for the weather.

 

This past week we had dinner with a member and guess what she has as pets..You won't be able to guess haha so I will just tell you. She has 3 hedgehogs and I got to hold one. They are the weirdest things on the planet. I was actually quite scared of it but don't worry it didn't hurt me. I am not a huge fun of little rat type pets but I did get a picture with it so I feel pretty cool.

 

 Also this week we had an "end of Mini MTC activity" and fireside with the youth where the young women went with a set of sister misisonaries and spent about an hour and a half with them doing missionary work. At the end of the acitivity one of the young women told Sister Kang that she was thinking about a mission and didn't think she wanted to go but after her experience through Mini MTC and being with the missionaries she decided she really wanted to be a missionary. What a miracle and blessing! That was the purpose of the mini MTC. At the fireside everyone who participated in the Mini MTC bore their testimonies and shared their experiences from Mini MTC. The Spirit was so strong in my heart and I realized that although Sister Kang and I don't have many investigators we have helped convert the youth in our ward. What more could I ask for? The youth are such a strength to me and I love this area I am serving in.

 

This past week we visited a ton of Less Actives but the problem is that they never open the door or they are never home. It is so sad to see how many less actives are in my area. Sister Kang and I have 3 binders full of less active records. It hurts my heart but hopefully by our little acts of kindness and message cards we leave for them they will feel of our love. While visiting less actives we talk to lots of people on the street and one particualr lady I talked to was just hilarious. I ran into her at a stop light and talked to her until the light changed and said have a nice day because I wasn't sure where Sister Kang and I were headed next. I then realized we were following her and that I should have continued talking to her but she was long gone. I was so sad but then at about 2 stops down there she was again and this time we talked to her. She absolutley adored me and kept saying so pretty because I am american. She was so full of energy. She told me we were going to make a good relationship and wouldn't stop hugging me. So we ended up getting her number and hopefully we will meet with her this week. I just feel so blessed that Heavenly Father gave me another chance to talk to her because that definitely does not happen often. She made my day 100 times better. It's amazing how Heavenly Father puts certain people in my path as a missionary.  Talking to people on the street is getting easier and easier but I often have no idea what they are saying to me I just talk and talk even if they are ignoring me.  I am sure they are thinking "Crazy foreigner just be quiet." haha But its fun to talk to people. Although I have limited words I try my best and keep on keeping on.

Studying this week was so great! I was able to read the wonderful missionary stories of the Sons of Mosiah. Yep I want to be like them. Did you know that they preached the gospel for 14 years!? Yeah I did not know that and I thought 18 months was a long time. What I love though is that their purpose is the exact same as my purpose right now as a missionary to bring souls to repentance which then draws them closer to Christ. It just truly shows that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. I want to be like the Sons of Mosiah and be made an instrument in the Lord's hands. I know as I am patient, obedient, and an example God will make me and instrument in His hands. That is all I desire and I know I can always go forth in courage because the Lord is on my side. One of the most important things I learned from the Sons of Mosiah missionary experience is that we must go through trials in order to recognize the blessings. Aaron went through a huge amount of trials but after going through them with patience the Spirit led him to a people that would believe on the Lord's words. I know as I continues in patience the Lord will bless me and I will give Him success. This work is not my work nor is it my success, it is the Lord's. The Sons of Mosiah had all kinds of trials but through their patience, diligence, obedience, and faith they became instruments in the hand of the Lord.

 

Right now as a missionary I am in the Lord's hands and I know He is watching out for me. I am so blessed each day with little blessings and I love being a missionary. I love this work and couldn't be happier being a missionary in Korea. It is the hardest ever but the relationship I am gaining with my Heavnly Father is more than worth it. I love this gospel and know that it is true. I love my Savior and know that He lives. I love my Heavenly Father and I know that He loves me and each of you. Thank you for all your prayers, love, and support in my behalf. I love and miss each of you. Remember to keep smiling because Everyday is a good day if you believe it!!! Have a great week!!

 

Love,

드리스콜자매

Sister Ciarra Jean Driscoll