March 30 2026
We have had a couple of experiences that deserve their own post. For my memories sake more than anything. There are a few videos for you to see some of the Joseon Dynasty culture. It was such a cool experience to have with the Senior missionaries because we have several new service and Fulltime missionaries from Korea. One in particular lived it the states and was a professor for 28 years and his wife was a nurse. They are such a blessing to our mission! They are the Kims. Their son actually served his mission in Pocatello - talk about a small world! Anyway, he grew up in a village similar to this one and was able to teach us much about the time in Korea's history than we would have learned on our own. It's so amazing to see how far Korea has come in such a short period of time. They are hard works and very innovative! They are so pleasant to be around. But I have to dispel a myth that I thought was true. I thought the Korean women painted their faces white but when I asked our Mission Presidents wife about that she said "Oh no! That is a Chinese custom! " She was bothered that some of the ladies in these videos had white on their faces. They are very proud of their heritage even though they have gone through Chinese and Japanese occupations. They had several independence days
Some of the formations they made with their fan dance were pretty impressive and they all looked so very light on their feet!
There was a whole row of these small children on a field trip to the village - they all were very quiet and obedient to their teachers and of course so darling! They all sat across the back row of the amphitheater and watched the show
While we were there we happened upon a group making a movie about the traditional Korean Weddings. We got there in time to watch the whole event - it was so interesting. Our Korean Couples told us how lucky we were to have witnessed the event. I will long remember this experience
There were three magnolia trees lined up behind one of the nobleman's home. They were so beautiful - these pictures don't do them justice. Someone commented it reminded them of what the tree of life must have looked like!
This is our new office couple Sister Lackley and Elder Bradley. They are from Georgia and North Carolina and he and Sister Lackley's first husbands were business partners and their families were very close so when they both lost their spouses - they linked up with each other and they are darling! We love them! We'll have to plan a trip south to see them when they finish their mission!
These are three of my favorite Korean Sisters! The one on the Left is Sister Kim. She and her husband are from Korea but they have spent the last 25 plus years in the states. He was a professor of podiatry ( I think) and she was a nurse. They are such a blessing to the mission. We needed a nurse and she can speak English and Korean - she is just as kind as they come! The sister in the middle is our mission president's wife. She is a doll! She struggles a little with English, but I have noticed the longer she serves these young missionaries - the better her English is getting. She is such a sweetheart. The one on the right is Sister Kang, she and her husband Elder Koo are senior service missionaries here and they are the best! Her husband speaks very good English and she is learning English better than Korean, but I feel such a kindred spirit from her! I feel like we must have been very good friends in the Pre Existance! I love seeing what a world wide church this is and seeing the blessings of the Savior in so many peoples lifes!
This was the welcome party at the front of the village. I want to go back now that the cherry blossoms are on! I bet it is amazing
The bride and groom!
A few of us with the Bride and Groom.
Riding on the train - there was a little amusement park at the end and we rode a couple of the rides only to find out later if you over 65 you are not supposed to ride them! Sister Kwak ( our mission leader) said I am going to have to visit with them about that! Anyway, it was great fun to be like a kid with a bunch of over 50 crowd.
This was so fun! Elder Lowe had no desire to participate so he stayed back with some of the others to take pictures!
Sister Gooding! Exhausted but loving every minute of it!
My dear friends! Sunmi Lee in the front with glasses is also in our Zoom English class we do on Tuesday evenings. She is a service missionary in the office and was such a delight to have on our Senior outing!
Elder Lowe and I are both born in the year of the Rabbit - I think we should work at getting some of that energizer bunny they always talk about!
Just a beautiful Pagoda in the middle of the village
Kimchi Pots
The beautiful Magnolia trees!
I dont know the name of this bush but they were beautiful! Now that Spring is here Korea will pop with color all the way until the Winter hits! I love the plants and trees that are everywhere here. You must go to the Garden of The Morning Calm is you ever come visit Korea!
These are wish rocks
We were all going to rent hanbaks (The traditional Korean clothing from the Joseon Period, but the store was closed so we didn't get too. However, there were a few people that rented them at another place and came to the village. So beautiful on the young ladies, but not very flattering to the older ladies!
This is a picture of the straw roofs that the lower class people had. It is made out of Rice Stalks.
One last video for your enjoyment!
We did a lot more than this in March - but I felt like this was so special it deserved it's own post! I will try to update the other activities, but right now I need to turn over the computer to Elder Lowe so he can prepare the lesson for Family night! He has to teach usually about once or twice a transfer.
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