Week 101: Branch Conference! I Swear There's Always a Conference

The district before transfers, clockwise from left: Elder O'Brien, Elder Steward, Elder Jin, Elder Pulsipher, Elder Boden, Elder Newton, Sister Butler, Sister Perrigo, Elder Alban

After transfers: Elder Newton, Elder Alger from Surprise, Ariz., Elder Boden

Discover Grape

Harvest and heap

Old Branch makes way for new growth

Stop the problem

How?

Extend the break

The proof is Adjustable

Grape

So, we sent Elder O'Brien away*. First we saw some people and climbed a mountain, but then he had to go. Sad days. 

Doing a service project.

We got Elder Alger, though; he's nice. He and Elder Boden are good at being patient and doing the work they can during the times I'm stuck at church. What troopers. 

The week was a bit of a blur, though, and nothing too crazy happened. Saturday we played ping-pong with our investigator and taught him a lesson by farming together. He had to miss church this week, but he's still the best. After we finished, the second counselor in the mission presidency showed up to drop some stuff off. Then he went off to find a hotel while his son helped us clean the church. That was great. I haven't had a member help clean the church in forever. To be fair, though, we don't really ask them to. But anyway, after we finished, they took me to a meat place I like because there's some really good 냉면. He took a picture, but I don't have it. 

Elder Remington with Branch President Go's family

Oh also Elder Remington died†. So he came to visit with his family. They're so tall. And they just showed up at the church with Branch President Go's family randomly Saturday night. That was fun

Sunday was pretty crazy though. I had so many things to get ready for. Branch conference is intense. Although to be fair, it was also the end of the quarter, so there were many things to do.

Elder Newton showing his Vegan Pride (note the matching ties purchased by Elder Alger in the "cheap tie area")

But yeah, Sunday! As many of you might already know, we had a lot of lettuce growing for today. We harvested it all. Or almost all of it. The meal was crazy big. But we also had 41 people come to church. That's a record high. It feels weird to have so many people. It's nice though. President and Sister Sonksen both gave really good talks. They love Taebaek. So does everyone. It's the best. 

The field is green and ready to harvest

I feel like there's more to say. After church we took a big picture with everyone, but I don't have that either. Sorry. Three of the 12 local foreigners were hanging out in front of the church and we talked to them for a while. There's a couple from Idaho who know Mormons really well, and a South African man who's one of the funniest people I've ever met. He remembered Elder Gilmore. Small world.

But yeah, I guess that's it. I think we have some pictures. So. Yeah. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Best Wishes,

Elder Newton

* To Chuncheon.

† Completed his missionary service.