August 18th, 2013 letter from Elder Michael Han

I honestly have no idea how time flies in the Mission Field!

This week has been amazing, and I have been learning so much!  The weather is getting a little warmer, but it is awesome and nice and cool.

There was a miracle last night.  A man from the navy, has been living on a ship with 3000 people, and came to church last night.  His buddies have been teaching him about the church for about a month and a half.  He had only 3 days on Sydney and then will go back to the ship for more time.  He wanted to get baptized, so the missionaries taught him all the lessons in 4 Hours!  And he got baptized 2 hours later!  I was able to witness the baptism and his faith was so strong, and the spirit was so strong.

It is miracles like these that help me get motivated and pumped for my mission.  Everyday, I know that miracles will happen all the time.  

On another note, we don't play sports that much.  We play footy (rugby), but touch rules.  So if we get touched we have to roll the ball in between our legs and start playing again.  It's fun, but not dangerous.

I get Korean food almost every day.  

Honestly, I love my mission and the people within.  Not only the missionaries, but the people and the ward, and the culture.  

Until next time, 

Love ya heaps,

For all the family and friends: keep working and enjoy life, and have fun at school.

For all the missionaries:  Anything is possible.

Elder Han

사랑해요!!

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

Weeks 2 and 3 in the MTC

Note: Excerpts from Elder Michael Han's letters to home the last 2 weeks from the MTC

Week 2 letter

Hi family!

I love you all so so so much.  Words can't describe how much I miss you, and the feeling I had at home was awesome. 

Things at the MTC life are okay.  We have 5 hour classes and in between we have personal study and additional study.  I have been reading the BoM so much, and it is such a wonderful book. 

The good news is that I am at 3 Nephi 15!!!  

The  spirit (song shin) is so great here.   ( I am typing in Romanization only because I have little time, and much to say).  A few days ago, a sister in my district asked me to give her a blessing because she was concerned that she didn't know why she was here.  Because I was the district leader, I did it along with two other district leaders.  The spirit was so strong I almost cried!  I had no idea what to say, but the spirit came over me, and I could feel Heavenly father working his power. 

New missionaries from Korea came two days ago and they are super funny.  They live in Seoul and they are going back after two weeks.  Also, we taught our progressive investigator who is very (nomu moshisoyo) stylish.  I am getting so good at my Korean.  It is so fun, and I kind of wish I was going to Korea, because all my friends are going there now.

We have GYM time everyday.  Meaning VOLLEYBALL everyday, and Four square.  I told everyone I was super good at four square so we play, but I actually Kind of stink.  hahaha. 

We are allowed to watch Mormon Messages and probably my favorite one right now is Mountains to climb.  I almost cry every time!

My companion is such a wonderful person and has an awesome spirit.

This week has been a blur, I feel like I have been in the MTC for 3 years!  Also, the outside world is no longer known to us, which is so weird.  I think this is a wonderful place and it is super awesome.

I am watching what I am eating, because I want a 6 pack.  I am almost getting there... haha psych! 

One thing that I wish I changed when I was at home, was going to the temple EVERYDAY!  What a blessing it is to go every week, but I wish I could go all the time.

I miss you dad, mom, chris, james, and kara!!! But I know that we will see each other soon enough. 

  

Thanks for being such a great family!

P.S. It would be kind of cool to get some letters here at the MTC, but if you don't have time that is ok.  Because, I only see emails once a week, but I have the opportunity to read letters every day!  DEARELDER works or personal letters. 

  

Love you!!

Week 3 letter

Dear Family and Friends,

What a blessing P-day is.  I love my companion and my district so much.  It is awesome to see how much I have learned and how much they have learned.

Life in the MTC is fantastic.  Except this week, I got a little sick.  I finished strong and only once did i have to take a nap, because I was exhausted.  However, I know that Heavenly Father helped me through it and what a blessing it was to hear from you and get that wonderful package!  I was sick and I ate Kimchi, Gim, and Rice.  I almost cried because of how I actually missed Korean Food and the family.  Sometimes I can get a little impatient but then I realize that I either need to pray or read the BoM.  I had a chance to hug Elder Allen and Elder Lewis before they left for Germany.  You tend to see that a lot in the MTC, BroHugs is what I call it.  I love the opportunity to serve the Korean missionaries and it is exhausting, but it is fun.  It is amazing to see how fast my district is learning things.  My Korean is getting so much better.  I understand almost everything, but I still have to practice reading and speaking.  Sometimes the MTC feels like a spiritual dome, where outside life doesn't matter.  All of us are laugh at the most random things because we are either super tired or just waiting to get out to the mission field.  English speakers are so lucky!  They can convey their message so easily, and also be able to teach it well, and also they are only in here for 10 days.  Sometimes we get jealous, because the English buildings have awesome desks, whiteboards, rolly chairs, and other cool things.  However, in the Korean building, we are the ghetto life.  It's okay though, it feels kind of homey which is good.  The Korean missionaries came and it is SO FUN!  I TALK TO THEM AND THEY ARE SO FUNNY.  They go up to all the people in our zone, and they are like "YO WHATS UP DOOD?"  Exactly like that.  A ton of our people in the zone are leaving on monday, so we will almost be technically the old people in the zone...  Weird.  Can't wait to see Jun, because he will be in the same zone as us.

There is something that is super cool about the MISSION LIFE that cant be explained.  The only thing is that Heavenly Father blesses us if we stay worthy and preach his gospel.  Gospel study is probably my favorite part about the day.  I am getting so close with my Heavenly Father, and it is crazy how fast I am learning.  I finished the BOOK OF MORMON, and now I am restarting for a missionary emphasis.  It is crazy how if you ask questions and write them down, where you will find the answer and how you get closer to him. 

I teach to our progressive investigators everyday ( they are our teachers).  It is hard but super awesome, and although we can't speak that well the spirit is so strong it helps us.  Sometimes I forget a couple of words, but if i do I just start bearing my testimony, and the spirit is so awesome it does the rest. 

I love you all,

Mom: Again, I loved that wonderful package and it has been useful to me.

Dad:  Fantastic job on the Marathon, I am glad that you finally got to where you wanted to be.

Chris: Thanks for the letter, and be careful.

James:  Did Choir go well?  and how's the summer?

Kara:  How's dance? 

I just want to bear my testimony that I know that this wonderful gospel is true.  I know that through Jesus Christ we could live with him again.  I know that our loving Heavenly Father is the reason why we are in the earth today, and it is awesome that we are able to choose to return with him once again.  The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith and I know that to be true.  Without the Book of Mormon, we would not have the fullness of the gospel and I testify of that. 

If you see Logan, tell him I saw Aaron Williams.  It was pretty cool to see high school people a year younger than me to serve missions.  I am glad that I have the opportunity to serve, and I hope that you will strive to be closer to Christ.

Love,

Elder Michael Han

P.S. I saw Elder Allred come into the MTC two days ago.  It was awesome.  

First letter from MTC

Note:  Michael asked me to be his editor so he could write fast without worrying about grammar, etc.  - Vince Han

Dear FAMILY!

So the past few days were insane.  My district is so awesome.  My companion's name is Elder Clark, and he is from Cedar City, UT.  He is also going to Australia Sydney, but I don't know if it is north or south.  My other elders are going to Busan and Daejon.  I am so excited that I might be able to serve the Lord.  It is such a great blessing.

That is so awesome that James is the new ward choir director.  He will do fantastic.  I also want to challenge you, because it is the summer, to have one week designated for Korean.  Only read in Korean, watch in Korean, speak in Korean, and work Korean.  I know that will be super hard, but I wish I had done that during my life.  Even if that means not hanging out with friends, but hanging out with family and learning the language.

In my district there are four elder companions including me and elder clark, and two sister companions.  What is so awesome is that there are 104 elders and sisters that are Korean speaking!  YEAH!  My friends are Elder Wilson (he is 6' 6" and just graduated from high school!), Elder Jackson (plays soccer AWWW YEAHHH), Elder Hansen ( Really funny, and farts a lot, we call him bangu haha), Elder Carter (half Japanese, and is awesome), Elder Sorenson (Going to California ARCADIA!), and Elder Blake (Half Korean, doesn't know it at all and is also going to California Arcadia!). 

Wednesday was so tough!!!  We came in and had a four hour class, and it was insane.  Inside the class, there was an investigator in every room who invited us to come in, and boy was it hard.  It gave me perspective that we can't just give them the Book of Mormon and say you will love it.  We have to follow the spirit, and feel their needs and what is the best thing to say to them.  Also, I learned that day that it isn't only through hearing that they may receive the gospel, it is through doing service for them, or feeling the spirit and acknowledging that.  This week we realized that our teacher would only speak Korean to all of us, so basically I was the translator.  It was funny, the first thing in class and our first lesson was Hello formal, Hello, and Pleased to meet you, and everyone was saying it so wrong!  I was like, no its like this.  I felt bad because I already knew most of the things.

Wednesday was so intense, I was tired when we got home.  And I couldn't even sleep.  However, I know that the Lord helps in amazing ways, because during the day I was never tired, and I kept wanting to learn more. 

About my zone leaders:  Elder Khan, Elder Manasefjlks (don't really remember), and Elder Allan. 

Elder Khan is so cool!  He is from New Zealand and is speaking Korean. 

Ok, so Thursday was packed too.  We had some stuff in the morning about how we can recognize other peoples' needs and what we need to do to ask the right questions.  Also, we went to our 5 hour class!  It was about the missionary purpose in Korean, and learning the alphabet.  Later on, my teacher told me and my companion to go to a different room, and she wanted to know how good my Korean was.  She asked me to speak about Joseph Smith, and I was so informal it was bad!  But it was an awesome experience, because it taught me I still need to learn a ton.  My Korean has improved so much and I know it is because of the wonderful Lord. 

I keep seeing Elder allen, and Elder lewis, but not Elder crowder enough.  Last night we went to our branch meeting, and I SAW PRESIDENT LEE AND SISTER LEE.  It is funny, because he was like anyong haseyyo, I'm president lee, who are your parents?  At first, I didn't understand so I was like, "Hi, I have a father and a mother..." and he was like, "no, who are your parents, (in english)", "I said yun hyeonju, and han wonki."  and he said, "Your Dad was my AP."  And I was like BOOYAH My parents are awesome!  But when we sat down he kept looking at me and smiled, I was like uh oh, something weird is going to happen.  All the presidents stood up and introduced themselves, and President Lee came up introduced himself, and basically introduced me!  Everyone looked at me and now almost everyone knows me.  Weird.

During the meeting we introduced all of the missionaries, and what mission, where you were from, and a brief testimony.  I could tell from the spirit, everyone was so ready to prepare speaking korean, and that they knew that this gospel was true.  It is amazing in the MTC how much you feel the spirit.  I mean I thought BYU was awesome, but the MTC is so awesome. 

Ok I only have 5 minutes left, but we got interviewed with the presidents one by one.  Afterwards, the zone leaders were speaking to us, because the presidents were still talking outside,  I kind of had a clue what about, but when they got back they called DISTRICT LEADERS!!  It is way too fast, but I am a DISTRICT LEADER!  I am so excited!!!  I also started teaching my district Korean before korean class because I wanted to help them.

I just want to end with my testimony,

That this wonderful church is true.  Heavenly Father will help you in every way possible if you ask him.  I know that to be true. 

Sorry it is brief, but I also want to say that every week, everyone prepares talks every week, and they randomly call people.  cool, huh?

Anyways, I also want to say to MOM: 

I love you, and I know that you are sad that I'm gone, but I want to let you know that my room is clean, nothing is wrong with me, and I am doing well.

K  BYE,

LOVE YOU GUYS

Elder Han