Hey, Family! I don't even know where to start. I'm so incredibly happy and thankful to be on a mission! I'm so thankful for a family that's behind me and supports me so fully! I've been pretty busy as of recently. Also, to answer your question, I see Ari every day. In fact, we moved into the same house. 

Yes, we moved. Good thing I grew up as a polynesian young man in the church, or else I wouldn't have had the necessary experience of lifting boxes and moving crap around. The new house is really small, and really cluttered, but it's what needed to happen. After a lot of prayer and consideration, we came to the conclusion that it's gonna help the work progress a lot more smoothly.

This week we had our ward Christmas party. Honestly, it was so fun. Everyone had a dance or a song prepared, all the way down to the nursery kids. The young men preformed this cover of a k-pop ballad that had an instrumental break where they gave little monologues about music in their best sexy k-pop guy voices. It was hilarious. On top of that, we had investigators show up! Chris, Lee Ho Young and Kim Dong Jin's son Kim Tae Hyung came!

We did a break dance number, and it turned out really well! It was super funny that Ari and I wound up dancing together again. We're already kicking around the idea of using dance as a proselyting tool. I think if planned well, it could be really effective. Also, as a result of our dance, there was a ward member who gave me like a 20 minute shout out to the Midyang ward. It feels good to be recognized.

Our investigators are doing well. Lee Ho Young has been attending church really regularly and is excited to get baptized. If he continues progressing the way he has been, he'll be able to be baptized this next Sunday. 

I've been understanding more and more Korean all of the time. And having Elder Powell around has given me a boost of confidence. I feel like his presence encourages me to try harder and talk to more people. 

Also, next Monday I go to Gumi to meet Sung Jin's kids and family! I think it'll be a great time. Also, regarding Christmas skyping. We should be able to skype you guys Thursday morning for us, which is Wednesday night for you. If you could, please set up skype and give me your username, that way we can talk. 

I'm continually surprised with how loving the people are here. I've showed up as a goofy foreigner with no concept of what's going on around me, and they've taken me in with love. The members of this ward are so helpful. They do an excellent job with pushing missionary work as members without being weird and putting too much pressure on others. 

Tonight, we're headed to Midyang to work with their team to proselyte, then we're going to the Mission HQ for the Christmas party. I'll be doing a dance to Elvis's Silent Night. I know it sounds super weird, but it should be pretty cool. You put break dancing to any kind of calm music and people just go nuts. 

Also, I can not lie, I broke into my Christmas package early. I made it about a week and a half from the time I received it. Wow. I really love my clothes! Also, I've seen a ton of Korean people wearing Brixton lately. Way to be in tune with fashion! 

Also, we had a super spiritual lesson with Kim Dong Gyun this last week. As we listened to him intently, I felt the spirit working through Elder Bingham and I, helping us know what to say! A good teacher, a good missionary's first priority is listening! If you don't love and listen to every person you teach, what's the purpose of teaching? KDG left our meeting that day saying "Thank you. I found peace with you guys today. Sometimes I find peace at home, or on the street, but I found it with you guys today. Your church is true. I love you, man!" and then he hugged us like five times each. I don't know if he'll ever get baptized, but I'm just glad we've been able to help him out via the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I can't wait to skype with you guys and just tell you stories about what's been going on lately! Missionary work seriously is suck a blast. I know that God wants me out here and that there are people here to meet. Currently, our MSF is running low, so we've been eating spaghetti and kinda crummy food. And our apartment really is kind of terrible. It's about half the size of a small green valley condo. But that doesn't matter! Cause I'm in Korea doing the best thing that I possibly could be doing! 

I love you all so much, and I'll talk to you guys soon!

From,
Elder Samuel Tuinei