Elder Brinton Johnson's Mission Site

Hey there ,
Everything is going well and i was very surprised to see there were no questions in this email. I didn’t read all of James email but it seems like they've got a ton of investigators. I wish i could say the same. But the few that we do have, are strong. The ward is doing great as well. We actually had to drop an investigator today. Long story short, (we didn’t know) but she apparently didn’t really like church a couple weeks ago. She felt like everyone already knew everything about her. The members were just being members and fellowshipping, but she didn’t really like that. Also, she seemed like she really enjoyed us coming over and teaching her. But I guess the Bishops wife called her and she just didn’t want to be rude because she saw that we worked so hard. Oh well, we're out here to find those who are ready to be taught.
Of course I still love it here. It's awesome. Of course its still a little frustrating though...i don’t understand 90% of what anyone says. But ill get there...its coming, slowly. Sounds like everything’s going well at home. Tell Chuck I said hi. It sounds like when I come home, its gonna look a lot different already. Kinda weird, being here and not being a part of it all. That’s the only thing I really get homesick about. I miss you all like crazy. I just wish I could have Korea, and you guys. But we both know that’s not possible.
love you all,
Brinton

Mom- Sorry to hear about your investigator. So what is it like going to church there with such few people? I can't imagine speaking a different language. It's got to be tough, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Is the translator helping at all. How long did it take for your companion to catch on to Korean?

BJ - the translator is fine...it’s just a dictionary. But doesn’t help me speak Korean. My companion has been out more than a year...and there’s not really a definite point when you can communicate. Tough, is an understatement

Mom- So is it easier to read it, speak it or understand it? It will come...you've only been there 3 weeks?

BJ - I don’t know, I guess I just get ahead of myself sometimes, I sit down with someone, and I just want to be able to follow the spirit and tell them what they need to hear. Or just be able to walk up to anyone and tell them why I’m here. But speaking is definitely easier than understanding. I just can’t speak a lot.

Mom- Just take it one day at a time. You've only been there a short time...you’ll look back on this in a few months and you'll realize how much you've grown. Are you keeping your journal? It will give you something to look on later and see how much you've learned and changed.

BJ - ya I’m keeping a journal. I'll be fine. I’m just impatient. How’s everything around the house? Tell the girls I say hi.

Mom- What are some of the names of people you have been meeting with? And a little about them? We can put them in our prayers too.

BJ - I think names might be difficult..I know your gonna butcher them but.. 임정묵,( eem chung mook, and that his mom will be more understanding, hes 14 and shes not too fond of the church, he wants to get baptized. They are actually eventually moving to florida. ),김애실, ( Kim eh sheer, and her family), 조성여,(Jo sung yo, and her kids) 추경출,( Choo gyung choor , who is hopefully getting baptized this weekend.) Thats really it for now. Just the Korean people in general.

Mom- Are there very many Americans or people from other countries that live there?

BJ - no not really. we actually met a guy from Pakistan last week. We had dinner at his house on Saturday. it was basically Indian food, pretty good. But no...there’s not a lot of foreigners. We're actually pretty popular. All the school kids always say "hello" that’s about all the English they know. We say hi back and they go crazy. Old people really like us too.

Mom- So you have another set of elders you live with? How big is the house? Are any of the elders you were with in the MTC near you or have you seen them?

BJ- there’s four of us. It’s small. I don’t see the others at all (from the MTC). I saw one of them once. I should see em in a few weeks at mission conference.

Mom-I'm sure it's fun to have some American's around. Have you been fed by very many people? What do you typically eat on a daily basis

BJ- well..I eat Korean...all the time. its delicious. and yes they do eat dog here...but no one does because its really expensive. and no they don’t eat cat. I’ve taken a few pictures and ill send my card home soon. i love you and i have to go..( side note, the other two in our house are one Korean and one American.)

Mom- Do you sleep in beds or mats on the floor, like in Japan

BJ- its called a yo...its like a really thin mattress..and no a/c so its really hot.
I love you all and will talk to you next week.