November 23, 2014 -Thiggity thiggity Thanksgiving

I don't know if you heard, but there's this thing coming up called Thanksgiving on that side of the world, so I thought I'd put in my two cents.

I'm so very grateful for...

My dad. For teaching me that it's okay to laugh at yourself when you do dumb things and a companion that's willing to laugh with me. Like when I spill kimchi all over the floor or get my toothpaste spit all over her while getting too animated telling bedtime stories. I've been in Korea for some eight months now, but you'll be happy to know that yes, my hair is still blonde.

My mom. For instilling in me a great love of learning, reading and just genuine curiosity. As well as a love of the outdoors, serving people and getting my hands dirty! This week we had the opportunity to help shovel rows for planting up in the surrounding Korean hills. It was all too perfect and I caught myself, or rather, my companion caught me simply letting out little laughs here and there. Simply because I was too happy not to. 

My companion. with whom I get to spend a third transfer with and couldn't be more excited. We began our missions together in the MTC, and have had many an adventure as companions since. Together we have celebrated 추석 (one of the two biggest Korean holidays), both of our birthdays, both of our half-way marks, Halloween, and now Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have already witness so many miracles together and can't wait for another transfer full. Plus she's a crazy good cook, lets me borrow her clothes and is just so darn happy all the time. Seriously, guys. You will love her.

"Jesus The Christ". Well duh, I'm grateful for Him! But I'm actually referring to the book by my good friend James Talmage. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to read and finish that book this week and for the impact it has had on my testimony of Jesus Christ as not only the Son of God, but the Savior of the World-- the Saviour of my world.

The people I have met in this beautiful country. Yeah, yeah you're probably getting sick of hearing this by now but... that's too bad. Yesterday I was trying to make small talk with this little old lady on the street, asking her if she had made kimchi yet this season. She simply looked up, way up, smiled a toothless smile, smacked me on the cheek a few times, then wandered off. It was one of those, "You're cute. Thanks for trying to speak my language" moments that definitely left me smiling. I have had the opportunity to meet and teach and talk to so many incredible people out here. The investigators we teach and less actives we meet are all so amazing and I feel so blessed to be the vessel, as weak as I am, to bring them closer to Christ.

Persimmons.

The Korean language. I never thought I'd say it, but I truly am grateful for the opportunity I have been given to learn this beautiful language. As hard, frustrating and utterly incomprehensible it seems at times, it's amazing to see how far I have come-- knowing that I owe it all to my Heavenly Father.

The opportunity I have been given to bear Jesus Christ's name on my chest and preach his gospel to the people of Korea. Need I say more?

My stinkin family. The more stories I tell about all of you, the more I can't help but feel like I got the draw when coming down to earth. All of you. Mom, Dad, Brandon, Quinn, Jessie, Ander, The McCloskeys, The Hoffmans, The Pinos, The Morses, Grandma, Poppop, Nana, Grammy, Grandpa, Aunt Abbey, Uncle Ryan, Tori and Brett, Briana and Garrett... Did I miss anyone? Oh yeah, you too Chase. ;) You all have been such an example to me all twenty years of my life and have blessed me in ways that you will never know. I know that your prayers are being answered on my behalf and I hope you know that you are always in mine. It will be strange not spending the holidays with all of you this year, but know I'll be thinking of you.

... And for Mr. Bean. For teaching me how to cook a Turkey for what promises to be one heck of a Korean Thanksgiving. :)

My two cents turned into a good ten dollars. Whoops! I love you all and wish you the happiest Thanksgiving. 

My companion's teeeny feet.

A service project in the mountains.

My district

November 15, 2014 - Put a coat on, won't you?

Koreans. They kill me!

 

Figuratively, of course, else you ought to be wondering who the typer behind this email is.

 

Don't worry, it's me. I'm still alive. Korean's wouldn't hurt a fly. They might eat them though...

 

But really, I am surrounded by what I think are some of the most humble, giving, genuinely kind people this world has to offer and I consider myself the luckiest. Pretty sure if you take a look at a dictionary under the word "altruism" there will be some sort of shpeel about Korea. I can't count how many times in a day I get told, with all sincerity, how good my Korean is. Even if all I say to them is hello. Really. And mom, remember how you were always hounding me for not wearing a coat? No matter how many times I heard you say, "Rach put a coat on! It's winter!" I was still too stubborn to listen. You're probably worrying about the fact that now I have no mother to nag on me about my tendency to not wear coats, but you'll be happy to hear that just about every Korean woman, old and young, including my companion, has filled your spot in ensuring that my body temperature stays at a reasonable level. As soon as I walk out the door, I've got a Korean mother or grandmother on every corner looking out for me.

 

So yes, mama, I'm wearing a coat. :)

 

A coat. Do you know what that means? Winter. You might say it arrived a little early here in Chun Cheon, but it has been welcomed with open arms and cherry noses. And Heavenly Father must have been in the mood for some french toast on Thursday, sending a little powdered sugar from the sky. It happened whilst I was happily walking alongside a woman telling her about the message of the restored gospel. My companion, who was trailing a little behind, must have noticed at the exact moment because as soon as I glimpsed the little white flakes I turned to her and we exchanged looks of both wonder and awe, mixed with that little bit of childlike enthusiasm for all things associated with Christmas. Thankfully Heavenly Father has a steady hand and did not, as tends to happen to the rest of us, tap the container too hard leaving white mound on his already syrup drowned french toast. Just a sweet taste of what is to come.

 

Although I love the cold and this winter season, my heart reaches out to all those missionaries who spend their whole missions in this kind of weather. Brrrrrr. It certainly makes the work a bit harder freezing our little batooties off on the street. But I have already seen so many times, God's hand in this work and I know, through simple acts of kindness, that God is looking out for us.

 

And as if this week couldn't have been sweeter! We now have a new investigator, Nicole, from China who is an angel. She already has so much faith and such an open heart! We taught/ ate an amazing dinner, with Emma who is also nothing short of angelic. She has had some unpleasant experiences with church so it's hard to get her to commit, but we can see the change in her heart every time we meet her. Imma, too, is doing just wonderfully. We had several more really awesome lessons this week too, with some Jehovah's Witnesses, Jessie, a potential investigator, a group of Muslims straight from Pakistan, and our less actives. We have seen so so much success and so many miracles this week!

 

Also this week has also been kimchi making season, in which we got to participate in with some women from our ward. So fun! I'm definitely writing that on my bucket list then crossing it off my bucket list when I get home. Then teaching all of you in what promises to be one of the best FHE's you've ever had.

 

I didn't say best smelling, mind you.

 

I love you all. More than snow and kimchi and spicy food combined. And I know, that despite all that is going on in the world and the millions of people that are in it, that God loves you and knows you personally and knows your situation. And not only that, but He wants to help you and will help you. All you have to do is ASK.

 

Love you all.

 

And put a coat on, for goodness sake. It's freezing outside.

 

:)

 

Love,

Sister McCloskey 

 

P.S. Don't worry. Fall hasn't completely disappeared yet. Here's proof!

 

And there's this coolest 50 cent batting cage that I may or may not
have begged my companion to go to last pday. SO fun, skirt and all. :)

November 9, 2014 - Shlessinger? Schlesigner? Shleshingur?

Not too much from this end this week thanks to the life-threatening case of pneumonia (who's impressed I still know how to spell that.. I did spell it right, didn't I?) that left my companion and I bed-ridden.

 

Hah. Just kidding mama.

 

Don't worry, the companion and I are healthy and happy as ever. We take our vitamins and excersize (wow that was harder to spell than pneumonia) daily and follow a strict food pyramid diet. Okay, fine, minus the food pyramid. Who even knows what that is? Besides, this is Asia. They don't have pyramids here anyway.

 

... Anyway. The REAL reason I have little to write is that we spent a large part of our week in Seoul! We had temple day on Tuesday, zone meeting on Wednesday, and a stake music conference on Saturday, all of which were what I would deem a "raging success". The time in between that was spent teaching on the train, talking to people on the streets, teaching english class, etc. The usual. As for the UNusual, we had several less-actives show up out of the blue this week that we met with and who agreed to come back to church! One came in while we were practicing our music with our ward. She had had a rough day and decided to go on a walk, saw the lights on in our little church, followed the spirit right on in and BAM. She's back. As for investigators, we weren't able to meet with SeaHorse or Jessie, for various sad reasons, but we met with Imma and Emma (how quaint). They are both so awesome and have so so much potential.

 

So many of our investigators and less-actives are having really hard times right now and it's been hard on my little companion and I. I feel like I should have paid more attention when mom was listening to Dr. Laura Schlessinger (yeah. there's no hope spelling that one), the whitest woman with the most black woman voice ever. Next to Abigail Harper that is.

 

Now I've got my mom all excited thinking I'm going to listen to it with her when I get back. Hah! No, no. I wouldn't go that far. I don't know nearly as much as she does about probably everything, but I do have something to offer that she doesn't. And it's a knowledge of this gospel and of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know. I know I know I know that no matter what it is you're going through, He has been through it. He can bring you more comfort and peace than you could find anywhere else from anywhere else. Cool, huh?

 

That's I've got for this week. It's getting a little chillier here, as I imagine is the case back home. Keep warm. Don't get pneumonia. And no matter what anyone tells you, it's okay to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. You've waited too long to belt Mariah Carey's "I don't want a lot for Christmas".

 

Love you all,

Sister McCloskey

 

What's a letter without a selfie?

A message card. Woo!

  Sister Zundel from my mission prep class at BYU!
We've been in the same zone since she's gotten here.
So fun!

October 26, 2014 - Oh, so it's a GIRL house.

I feel like I wrote you guys like five minutes ago.

But it was a long five minutes. So don't worry. I've got plenty to tell you.

This week we met yet again with our beloved Seahorse! I know what you're thinking, "underwater lesson??" I know. I had that same conception. Yes, that would make for a much more exciting story, though it might complicate speaking Korean..  But sadly, no, we did not in fact have an underwater lesson. Things of that sort are frowned upon by the man I currently call President.

Christensen, that is. Obama has no say whether I swim or not.

Our lesson, carbon dioxide and all, was wonderful. We taught alongside the Elder's Chinese recent convert and she shared powerful insights and her recently obtained testimony. He even happily accepted our marked up Book of Mormon and committed to read it. He really is so willing to listen and open his heart. So so cool. We also began teaching a lady from our English class with whom I share a love of English literature and maroon. And she even shares her English name with one of my favorite people. Yep, that would be you, Jessie. We met with her and taught her about the Book of Mormon. She's really intrigued by it and is willing to find out for herself if it's true. So excited for her.

We had a few downers this week with our investigator, Emma, and her daughter who got in a bit of a car accident. We were able to visit them at the hospital though and her whole family was there asking about what we do as missionaries and why. So it turned out to be a really good experience and she is healing quickly. Another "downer" (in every sense of the word), was a phone call that came during companion study. One of Sister Seo's former investigators answered in absolute desperation. Through her sobs we learned that she was in such a low place that she was ready to end her life. We were able to have a long conversation over the phone, sharing things we learned in personal study and helping her to feel God's love for her. And the coolest part was when we all knelt, the phone on speaker, and my companion offered up the most sincere, pleading prayer on her behalf. The spirit was so strong and when we hung up the phone we both looked at each other and smiled. We knew that everything would be okay.

And, because Heavenly Father is the best, everything is okay. She is doing so much better, just days later, and it has opened up more opportunities for gospel conversation and a renewed desire to find hope. Heavenly Father really does answer prayers, you guys.

This gospel is the coolest.

So, everything is well, here in this beautiful city. Not to mention that today is a really good hair day (I know you can relate, Dad). But the leaves are all changing colors and there are leaves about three sizes bigger than my head littering the ground. It's all I can do not to just dump out my suitcases and fill them with these leaves. They're the coolest! No, wait. The gospel is the coolest.

Right.

We also ate some street food from this apparently very famous little place and KBS (the most popular radio broadcasting company in Korea), got really excited when they saw a foreigner and even more excited when they found out I could speak Korean. So the sultry sound of my voice, mingled with my broken Korean, has now hit the chilling Korean air.

Our ward had a bit of a Halloween party on Saturday too, which was a blast. Halloween isn't really a thing here, so naturally the missionaries were alone in the donning of costumes. My companion and I crafted up some pretty cool pumpkin costumes (complete with two nametags for eyes). I really really really really love halloween. And what's the scariest part of Halloween?

NO REESE'S. Right, Chase? You're lucky I'm not there to steal all your candy this year. So you'd best enjoy it.

I love you all and wish you the most terrifyingly wonderful Hallow's Eve this week. Go eat candy for breakfast, lunch and dinner, watch a scary movie (but not by yourself like some weirdos *cough QUINN), be a superhero without superpowers for a day, carve your dad's face into a pumpkin, and jump in a pile of leaves, okay?

Cool.

Love,

맥 자메 (Sister Mac-- A name that has become familiar to me as people fail to accept the challenge of saying my full name)

FYI -*The title of this blog is a quote from the movie Monster House, one of our familiy's favorite Halloween movies.

P.S. Here's me sporting one of my favorite leaves and a blurry picture from our halloween party. Hah.

And a large leaf selfie.

October 19, 2014 - SeaHorse

With my Mission mama

I feel like I need an experienced writer and poet with very little but the words in his head, a strong-willed-do-it-herself blacksmith of a woman, a red head with a good sense of humor, and big soft hearted lug of a man to look over my shoulder and help me put the thoughts in my head into words on a keyboard everytime I start these letters.

 

But then again Geoffrey Chaucer is dead and Ulrich VonLichtenstein wasn't even Ulrich VonLichtenstein after all, now was he?

 

I guess I, too, will just have to change my stars. 

 

My heart, much like that of Ulrich's, is full of love. This week we met and taught both our lovely 성은경 (Sister Song) and 서혜정 (Emma).Both of them have very very little religious background, so we have to teach very simply, but the Spirit is always there. We are excited to watch them progress as they continue to read the Book of Mormon! We also had a miracle of miracles on Saturday. Our appointment cancelled, so we decided to go door to door at a nearby apartment. We scanned over the buildings and picked one, doubtless it was not coincidence, to begin our sharing of this message. The first door we knocked on happened to be a Vietnamese man who is here as a student and has been searching for religion, but didn't really feel anything at the churches he has attended in Korea. Yeah, okay, that's awesome.

 

Second door.

 

A father opened the door and hurriedly ushered us in, as though the family had been expecting us. We were all but completely baffled as we sat on their floor and they fed us pears and honey tea. This rarely happens, okay? It was all we could not to keep exchanging looks of confusion. It didn't take much conversation for us to learn that they had had sister missionaries over some sixteen years earlier and had very fond memories of that time. The son, now 27, had been around the block and back again searching for something more than just this life, but had become more lost in his search to be found. Circumstances arose, and we could no longer be in the home with just the men, so we went with the 27 year old 김세호, or his english name, SeaHorse, to a nearby cafe. It was one of the most amazing lessons I have had thus far on my mission. Seriously why have we not invented a way to go back in time and relive the best memories. Come on, Steve Jobs, you're slacking. (Oops, I guess we all understand why!) 

 

I would gladly put the whole conversation right here for you to indulge in, trust me, it would be a good read, but for the sake of time and your sanity, I will just say that it was all one big miracle. Nearly every morning in companion study, Sister Seo and I have been studying the scriptures to answer our really deep, soul searching questions. And as SeaHorse spoke, he asked us question after question, the very questions we have studied the last week. It was so cool sharing with him the knowledge that we have gained from the scriptures and our pure testimonies of the gospel. He wants to change his life and learn how to obtain faith and we couldn't be more thrilled to help him.

 

Seriously there is nothing like missionary work. It is the coolest thing ever.

 

So, life is good. Not to mention the fact that I got to go rock climbing last week with our district for p-day, my little ward feels like family (don't worry, guys, I'm only replacing you temporarily), I had the coolest dream about Frankenstein (you could say I'm pretty excited for the big day), my companion and I laugh ALL the time, I celebrated my half way mark and will be celebrating my companion's this week (did I ever mention we were in the MTC together? Oh, well.. We were in the MTC together), we had another awesome lesson with a Jehovah's witness, we had interviews with our mission president, and... it's raining. Boo yah.

 

Love,

your William Thatcher

Here's my coolest area

My even coolester companion

A beautiful sunset

Rock climbing!

And one more of my cool area...Fall!

 

 

October 12, 2014 - The Cup's Half Full

You know when someone gives you one of those compliments that both catches you off guard and makes you question everything you thought you knew?

 

I got one of those the other day.

 

We were sitting on the train talking to a lady on our way in to Seoul (for general conference!). She was the nicest fifty-something year old lady who had tried getting married when she was younger, but it never worked out. Sad. But she told me something I've never heard in my life. She stopped, mid conversation, and said, "You look like Jesus". It caught me off guard causing me to chuckle. I said, "It's the hair, isn't it?". She smiled and said, "No. It's your eyes."

 

Stop the train, people, this is serious! I've thought about this a bit the last few days and hope that I can be the kind of person who's love of the Savior is reflected in my life... Or in my eyes.

 

But even better than being complimentized was her willingness to meet with us again and hear our message! We also had another street lesson with a lady we saw sitting on the side of the road who started out pretty mercilessly bashing the Book in our hands to, after hearing our testimonies, asking for a Book of Mormon and setting up for us a return appointment. Wow is the Spirit real or what.

 

Nope. There's no "or what". It's real. And it feels to me something like what I imagine "heart burn" to feel like, though somewhat less detrimental to ones health.

 

I also feel priviledged at this time to introduce a good friend of mine, and a newly discovered seeker of truth, 서혜정. She asked me to give her an english name which, after much deep consideration, is Emma. Trust me, it fits. She is a thirty year old single mother with these beautiful sad eyes and a desire to turn her life around. We began teaching her and her daughter this week and it was wonderful. She is wonderful!

 

We have also had many an adventure whilst knocking doors this week sharing this beautiful message. We were talking to one lady, who, previous to our knock on the door, had been vacuuming, and in an attempt to get us to stop talking and go away said, "People are trying to sleep!"....

 

Pretty sure I'm only louder than a vacuum when I sing Beyonce or Etta James.

 

Also, a nice little old harmony (old lady) greeted us at the door only she seemed to have forgotten that she did not have a thread of clothing covering the top half of her little body.

 

You never really know what you sign up for when you send in those papers to the prophet, do ya?

 

Speaking of the prophet, isn't he the coolest? This week we had the opportunity to watch conference. It consisted of hearing the latest words of inspiration Heavenly Father's got for His kiddos, being spiritually and physically edified (thanks, again, to the Spirit... and Costco muffins), and maybe drawing a picture here and there. Can't get much better than that.

 

Also, they forgot to mention it in conference, but we got our transfer calls this week and 서주은  and I are staying together for another here in this beautiful city. I couldn't be more excited to spend another one with her. That, and the fact that it is October and I love October and fall and sunsets and the brisk air, make for one happy Sister McCloskey.

 

Oh yeah, and guess what. My HALF WAY mark is on Wednesday. What the heck. Does anyone know where the last nine months went? 

 

That, along with my camera, seem to have disappeared somewhat suddenly.

 

But, anywho, love you all and wish you safety and peace wherever you may be in the world (*cough PRAGUE *cough)

 

Love,

Jesus

 

Hah. Just kidding, Sister McCloskey

 

P.S. Hey dad, don't worry. My camera is right next to the keyboard. Hah. Gotcha.:)

 

P.P.S. Here's a few little conference doodles.

 

P.P.P.S. This church is so true, you guys. All of it. And I think it all spurred from me really just wanting it to be true. I wanted so badly for everything to be true, but for the longest time I thought that to really know I needed the spirit to hit me like a wall leaving a lightning bolt shaped scar on my forehead or something. But I know it's true. And I know that God knows that I know it's true. And I want you to know that I know it's true. But more than that, I want you to know for yourself that it's true. And I promise you, echoeing the words of our apostles from conference, that if you seek, you will find.

At an art museum last p-day

My cute companion in our beautiful area

October 5, 2014 -김치!

Seriously. If you're having a hard day, just take a look at my nephew's little face and all your troubles will melt away. Truly, that boy belongs in Baby Gap.

 

Scratch that. That boy belongs in my arms. If you ever need a babysitter, Jessie, just send him on over for the day. The postal system here is pretty timely and reliable. I think.

 

(I can almost hear your voice in my head, Jessie, echoeing the words of Kiera Knightly. "I am disinclined to aquiesce to your request.... Means no.")

 

Fine. I guess I can wait.

 

In all honesty, I'm not having a hard day. He just made a good day better! In fact, I have quite a good lot of good news to report from this side of the world.

 

   Firstly, my nine year old investigator from my last area got baptized on Sunday! She was so excited and her whole family (all non members) attended the beautiful ceremony.

   Also, when I arrived here in this new little ward of mine, there was no Relief Society, but as of Sunday, we know have a full functioning, though rather small, Relief Society. Woo!

   c. We met with three potential investigators this week. A mom and her four kids, two ladies from our english class, and a lady we met on the street. And they all have such potential. Potential potential potential. I think I use that word too much, but alas, that is all I can use for now.

   4. I ate Costco pizza this week. Yes, you may call me Sister McClostco.

   Fifthly, we had a ward hike and barbecue this week (yes, we had to explain to the people of Korea what that is) and both were a raging success. We were able to invite many potential investigators and have many a gospel conversation. It was wonderful.

   Oh! And papa guess what. This weekend we had a baptism for the Elders' Chinese investigators! They are the cutest couple. And I'm convinced that one day they will be mission presidents in China (who said that).

  

So the work is catching speed here, and were (obviously) pretty excited about it. This is not to say that this week did not have its downs, with a lot of rejection and slammed doors. But if 24601 can endure a life in prison, I can take a door slammed in my face. "So it was with the best people who ever lived", right? Thankfully, I have an awesome companion who keeps me laughing. We get along like butter and toast. Or rather, like kimchi and rice.

 

Kimchi and everything really, this is Korea.

 

I wish you all the best with all your educational, social, mental, financial, substantial, circumstantial endeavors 

 

Love you

Baptism for the Elders' Chinese investigators

My area

Another selfie