Farewell Gyeongsan and Hello Goomi

Hello! I have more time than I expected. I am currently on a train from Busan to Goomi. It is in the furthest northern district in our mission. My next companion is Elder Kim. He is 28 years old and only recently started his mission. I will probably only be with him for one transfer before he leaves as he has already been in that area for 3 transfers. I am really excited to serve there. I hear the work is going really well there. I will still be in the same zone. This transfer there were many changes and they will continue as the size of our mission continues to decrees. The last estimate I heard was 69 missionaries to be the plan. When I started we had about 110. Quite the change of things but we are coping.

This week was a pretty sad week. I have been in Gyeongsan for 7 months and it was sad to go. I almost couldn't believe the amount of friends that I had in members, investigators, and random people on the street. A neighbor lady tried for about 10 minutes to give me $100 because that is what Koreans do when they are sad to see people leave. Naturally I couldn't take it but I appreciated the effort. She kept praising my parents for raising me and told me to thank them so, thank you mom and dad. It was sad to go but I like change and I know I will like my next area and companion. Elder Kerrigan and I served together for 3 transfers which will be the most of any of my companions. it was really fun and he is an amazing missionary. I am glad I got that time with him and in that area. I hope that all goes well in America. Don't worry about what you hear on the news. Koreans don't worry about it. They have seen these types of things over and over again.

It is so crazy that Lauren is now in the MTC. I have been telling everyone and their dog. Its pretty cool. I am trying before I leave to have the signs on our churches say "Visitors Welcome." The campaign is going well I think. President told the whole mission that he mentioned it to the area authority and stake presidents but I'm not sure how it will go. It got a few people who knew that I have been pushing it to look at me and laugh. I hope it gets up someday.

Love you all!

Goals

Hello! We had a really good week this last week. We were able to complete nearly all of our goals which is a fairly rare thing. We met a few new people and hopefully we can continue meeting. We also had a few stop meeting with us, one is moving to the Philippines.

Our best investigator right now is a 79 year old grandma who has come to church for the last 2 weeks. She is the mother of an active member and is a really fun lady. We as teaching her but she is old so it is taking a little bit to get things across. Luckily the family is full force behind it so they are always willing to help out. She said she plans on going to church every week and has changed because of the example of her daughter and grandchildren. It is amazing what a simple good example will do. She was so proud that her children don't smoke, drink, or swear. Apparently see was very against her daughter joining our church but has only recently had a change of heart.

She will likely be baptized in the near future but I am probably transferring this week. This week I was able to go on splits with Elder Hamilton. It is so interesting to be with him. I thought Koreans were surprised to see me being a white boy but Elder Hamilton is black and Koreans just openly stare. It makes for a good conversation starter. ha. I hope everyone is doing well!

Korea loves my......

Hello! It has been a good week for me. I got plenty of great complements on how huge my noes is. It is pretty funny because I don't think I have ever been told my noes is big in a bad way. Usually they say it while giving me a thumbs up. Ha. I love Korea and Korea loves my nose, it's a good relationship. Summer is coming and I am not too excited for it. I find that I am more of a winter person. I really liked this winter. We had some pretty big news at Church. Our branch President is moving. We are pretty sad about it. Another family is moving away as well. That will be the branch president, relief society president, primary president, and all the primary moving. Plus our only young man is going to Canada on a mission. It will be quite the change of scenery to say the least. Hopefully we can keep our heads above 10 people at church. We were able to see a few small miracles this week which keeps the spirits up. It has been good. Unfortunately I don't have a ton of time so I will talk to some of you on the phone this weekend for my Mothers Day call.
Elder Anderson

The picture is of a kid that stole my helmet and wanted to fight for it. ha.