WHERE DO I START?????

I guess every day gives us a first of some kind of a first.  I traveled up to Daejeon with the young Sister Missionaries for Sisters Conference.  Elder Lowe drove us to the train station where we boarded a Korean train.  This was such a memorable experience for me, because as a child there were passenger trains and my dad worked for the Railroad and this was how we would often travel.  I was so sad when the Union Pacific took away the passenger trains.  This train was so very similar to the ones I rode as a child - a little tender mercy for me!  After riding the train for about an hour we got off and made our way to the subway to go the rest of the way.  It was about a three hour journey total. It was fun to go to a full size chapel with a large parking lot. 😍

Up the road from the church was the world soccer cup stadium and across the street was one of the largest food markets I have seen.  The picture above was taken from the train - it was in what little bit of country I have been able to see here and just one long row of cherry blossoms.  The picture does not do it justice!

                                Another picture from the train window - it was a sweet view!

With the darling sisters in the train station! When we came home we had six sisters get on the subway with us - it was such a fun experience because one of the sisters struck up a conversation with the lady sitting next to me - I'm not sure what all they talked about but she had the lady laughing and sharing her pictures with us of her grandbabies.  She told us that it was her birthday the day before and then she helped me learn how to say Happy Birthday - but  I had to record it so I wouldn't forget.  She wanted to know how old I was - age is a treasure in this country - the older you are the more respect they tend to give you.  Anyway, I told her I was 67 in America, but that I'm 68 by Korean standards - she was 66 and I told her I wished that I looked as good as she did - and she told me "Don't worry, you'll get there! And then of course I had to show her one of my cute grandbabies! Which I've included for your chuckles as well! This was all taking place with the help of Sister Chang who translated - it was so inspiring to see her interact and leave this lady with a bit of the Savior's Love! This was impressive to me, because the Koreans aren't likely to approach you as they don't want to invade in your space and it's hard sometimes to get them to look at you, but when they see you make the effort to communicate or try to speak their language - they seem so very happy that you tried.

The picture below is of the lovely ladies I get to serve with at the zone conferences.  We work making sure they are fed well and the mission President likes us to make them American food for zone conferences as it is difficult for them to get it . It's here in Korea - but more expensive than the Korean Food. I've made sandwiches for the junior missionaries that we work for and you would think they had died and gone to heaven.  I have commissary privileges, so most things are available to me.

It was a Sister's conference, so I left Elder Lowe back helping the younger Elders - but when I got there all of the couples were there together.  It was okay - Elder Lowe was able to help the Elders get a leaky faucett fixed and work a little bit with them.  The picture below shows it takes a village to feed the missionaries - glad we have such a great crew.  In this mission, there are only three people in the office and they are amazing trying to keep up with the needs of the missionaries!  We don't know what will happen when the Bodine's leave - but we also know the Lord provides! When we worked in the office in Pocatello - there were at least ten of us   - so this helps you see why the leadership of the church is begging for Senior couples and this is just one example of where the needs lie!

After feeding the Sisters, we went to work getting food prepped for the Elder's conference the next day! These ladies have it down! They did a great job!

President Hong and Sister Park - In Korea - the sisters keep their maiden name when they marry - probably a great idea for geneology!  We love these two so very much!  They just radiate the pure love of Christ and their leadership is amazing! They will be released in June - and a new mission president will move in!  We have learned that there is no such thing as a mission president we don't love - but we will truly miss these people!

These missionaries mean so much to Sister Park - look at her genuine love and she sits on the floor in order to get the very best view and picture of the sweet sisters

The sisters had some fun doing a little Zumba - we "Older" sisters joined in- it was fun, but my coordination isn't what it used to be!

On to day Two - Elder's Conference - The  Elders had a most amazing testimony meeting which they invited all the Senior couples to - but my favorite part of the day was watching them learn some Tae Kwon Do - this is something I understand President Hong did in his two year military assignment - I loved watching them learn this.  The first law of heaven is obedient - and for this to work they had to be obedient to the directions.

Here's  a wonderful group of young and not so young missionaries! We feel blessed to work with them at this time in or lives!  They are so loving and helpful - and Obedient!

One of the sisters we serve with wanted to visit the bread store up the street - (they call these awesome bakery's - bread stores) - and we ran out of time the day of the Sisters conference, so after the Elders conference I walked up the road to ger her some Salt Bread (The first picture) but I couldn't leave the store without purchasing the following items - I don't know their names but they were incredible!  Very light and fluffy and divine! I wish I had taken the picture of them out of the plastic - but you get the idea.  The Last picture if a Mango Cream Cake I purchased for our anniversary, since I knew we really wouldn't have time to celebrate - hence, the 10 pounds I have gained my first month here - 

We drove up to the Suwan Immigration  Office last Thursday to get our Foreign cards, which allows us to be here in the country.  After our appointment, we gave these elders a ride back to their area so they would have time to eat lunch before their teaching appointment.  We love taking the missionaries to lunch because they have found the best food and we generally just let them order for us.  One of these missionaries actually served with our friends, the Reeders, so we needed to get their picture to pass it on.

Since we were in Suwon, we took a minute to be tourists! We keep very busy with the mission office assignments and the military assignments - so we thought while we were right there, we should take a minute to learn about some of Korea's history. It's a very ancient city with a fortress around the city - we visited a restored or a replica of the palace that was there hundreds of years ago. We hope maybe as we get into a little bit more of a routine that we will be able to see a little more of Korea - but for now we are just enjoying the work! The Korean people are very careful not to be intrusive, so it's not common for them to wave or instigate conversation - but when we try to speak a Korean phrase or bow to them - they are such kind people - I haven't decided one word that best describes them, but they seem very hardworking and educated and very kind in our interactions. I really love these people and wish I could communicate better!  When we get a few free minutes - we try to concentrate on the alphabet and a few phrases.  I have learned to say with confidence a greeting, thank you and have a good day.  Now on to more important phrases like - Where is the bathroom? It's a longer phrase and a little harder to say!

We found these sweet flowers on our doorstep the day of our anniversary!  The two sisters who work in Osan with us dropped them off to wish us a Happy Anniversary - we hit the 45 year mark! Wow! Where did all the years fly away to!

The gym doesn't open until 9 am here and we are usually up and off on responsibilities by that time of day.  It's open until 11, but when we get back to the apartment we are usually ready to just fall into bed.  So I try to get up and walk around the complex. There are a few pieces of exercise equipment around the grounds - but the other day while I was out and about I couldn't help but take a picture of this darling little Korean boy (Can I just say there is nothing cuter than these little Korean Children in our Complex) He was thoroughly enjoying the morning in his own little sedan!

WELL! I DEBATED ABOUT GIVING THIS IT"S OWN POST BUT I MIGHT AS WELL SHARE IT HERE WHILE I AM ON A ROLL...One of the families in our branch have been very kind to us and we have become good friends.  She knew how much I missed my piano.  Well, on my anniversary I got a message from her with a picture of this piano.  The caption was "Guess what is in the dump in front of my house" Well in Korea, if it's in the dump you can take it - I was so ecstatic and I knew it was a gift from God! - I ran out to Elder Lowe and he dashed my hopes and said, there's no way we can get that up to the thirteenth floor!  I was soooooo SAD!  I knew it was for me and I couldn't quit thinking about it, so the next morning, I went for a walk before the branch Easter party and I walked across the street to see if it was still there. IT WAS!  I played it - and it sounded great!  So I set out on a mission to make it happen!  I went to branch party and told people about it and that I knew it was just for me - so Long story short, I had five strong men load it up on these two small little furniture dollies and roll it down the big hill, across a very busy street, through a large apartment complex, up an elevator through a mud room with a step up to the hallway, down the hallway and into my living room!  Happy Anniversary to me and how sweet it was that it was found Good Friday - the symbolism is not lost on me!  The Lord knew how hard it has been for me not to have a piano and gave me a gift - now it's not near as valuable as the gift He gave me nearly 2000 years ago as He suffered in Gethsamane and hung on the cross, so that I can be perfected in Him and return to live with my family - but it was a sweet reminder to me that He Is in the Details!  
I would like to close with a scripture that has always been a favorite of mine but it is taking on a fresh new meaning to me - it's actually several scriptures out of Doctrine and Covenants Section 19 but I will just share 16-17, 23-24

16: "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent: 

17: but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I"

23: Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.

24: I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father and I do his will

Did Jesus really live again". Yes and so shall I ! I testify to the truthfulness of this! Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him and through Him!

We love you all - but we especailly Love Jesus - which is why we had the strength to leave our family and those we love and Invite others to Come unto Christ! Happy Belated Easter - Every day can be a remembrance of the Empty Tomb!