WEEK 9 " GRAND FINALE"

Hello friends and family,

I am excited to tell you that I am leaving in 3 days to AUSTRALIA!  There are so many good things that are coming out of this, but I am sad because I am leaving my whole district that I grew to love and care throughout my stay here.

It's been a pretty fast week.  Really, I've been thinking a lot about what my purpose is here, and why I am on a mission.  I am super glad that I am serving here, and I know that my call was of God, and he wants me to go to Australia for a reason.

My Korean has been doing super well.  The Korean Natives always come to me, and say how good my korean is (NOT THAT GOOD).  The first week here, no one could speak korean, but I've seen so much progress it's incredible.  My whole district can speak really well, and it's insane how much they learned in only 2 months!  I am so excited for them, and the fact that they will learn so much more and mature so much more.

I have TRC tonight, where we will skype Korean speakers and teach them.  It is super hard, but worth it.

One thing I learned in the MTC is having patience.  It required a ton of patience to have a companion with you 24/7, and teaching with them. 

I am so glad that you are all supporting me, and I appreciated any letters I have received.  I hope Grandma and Grandpa are doing well, since they came back from Korea.  Also, I hope Alison is doing well, and I was wondering when the baby will come.  I saw Iris's car and heard many adventures from her, and I am glad that this summer is so much fun. 

I love you all and here are some pictures of me and my friends in the mission MTC,

Love,

Elder Han

P.S.

MY ADDRESS IS

Elder Michael Chong Jae Han

Australia Sydney Mission

P.O. Box 2723

Carlingford NSW 2118

Australia

Phone: 61 2-9841-5430

If your family ships a package with a private courier, they will need the mission office telephone number indicated above.

Week 8 - "TRAVEL PLANS AND KOREANS"

HEY FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

It's crazy how long it's been since I've seen all your beautiful faces.  First I got some exciting news.

I GOT MY TRAVEL PLANS.  It's exciting that I finally get to leave from the MTC. 

Editors note:  Michael leaves for Australia on Monday, July 29th

During this week, I had some questions that I hope that everyone asks themselves everyday.  Am I a better person?  How can I be a better person? How can I love everyone? I have understood in the MTC that goals are extremely important, and if you don't do anything than how will someone change? 

This week, I realized it is up to me to change, and be the best I can be. 

Another thing is is that the KOREANS are here.  I just love it, and one of them almost looks like Chris.  It's funny, but me and the Koreans have a certain bond that can't match anyone else.  

It is also exciting that I can somewhat talk to them.  During the past 3 days, I was their translator for a sprained ankle, a upset stomach, and all those things that happen at the MTC.  I am so excited to go to Australia, and the only thing that makes me sad is that 3/4 of my district is going to Korea, and just my companion and I are going to Sydney Korean speaking.  I will miss them, but I know that the Lord will bless them and that is awesome.

The crazy thing about being here is that everything is going by so so fast.  But at the same time it feels so slow.

What a blessing it is that all my friends are such great examples to me, and I know they are working extremely hard both in the field and out of the field. 

It is crazy to think about that I have almost been in my mission for 2 months now. 

I love you all,

ELDER HAN

June 28th, 2013 letter from MTC

Friends and Family,

My Korean has improved exponentially.  Although I am not learning as fast as I would like to, I am still pushing myself in order to learn new things.  Everywhere I go it is almost crazy how much I know, and when people speak I translate it into korean.  Not perfectly, but translated.  However, I know that it isn't because I am trying to do learn Korean, but it is because I am learning in order to serve the Lord. 

This week's motto is "just keep swimming."  The reason that this is so is because I am Marlin, and my companion is Dori.  Sometimes I get frustrated with the language or certain people, but my companion puts me back on track.  Something about reading the scriptures gives me this reassurance that I am here at the right place, being prepared for something far greater than just teaching some lessons.  I am here to invite others to come unto Christ.

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to participate in the Worldwide Leadership Broadcast.  What a wonderful occasion and opportunity to see the apostles teach us as well as teach those around the world.  Sometimes I forget that we aren't the only ones in the world, and what a blessing to know that there is something bigger than just our small MTC. 

This week there was a wonderful scripture that I leaned on when I needed a break or if I needed motivation.  It is in D&C 121:7-9, which says:

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a csmall moment;

And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

Thy afriends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."

It is so awesome that I was able to find this and it brings my soul the joy of the knowledge that my afflictions shall be but a small moment.  If I work hard, then I will be able to stand by my friends, and family.

We also had a chance to meet the Australia Sydney South mission president, even though we are not going there.  It is surprising though that we haven't heard of anyone else going to Sydney North... 

Thank you for the awesome packages! I hope that you are having fun in this wonderful warm weather ( except when you are wearing suits )... 

Security was huge this week because all the new mission presidents were being trained by the general authorities.  I am getting way good at volleyball, it is probably my favorite sport now.  I am going to teach at the MTC after my mission, I think. 

I love you all, and I hope that you have a wonderful time in summer, and hopefully you will remember that if you are struggling with anything or any trials, you can always pray to Heavenly Father who loves you, and knows you.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true.  I know that if you pray to Heavenly Father, you will receive an answer.  I love you all, and I hope that you just tell yourself everyday that you are a child of God, and he loves you.  That is why he put is in this earth.

Just keep swimming,

Love,

Elder Han