The Fourth with us

                The Family Home Evening activity turned out even more awesome than any of us could have imagined. We had four nonmembers join us, one Korean and three soldiers. We had five of our member soldiers which gave us the largest attendance at a Monday night activity to date. The missionaries gave a short lesson about how the American Revolution began to pave the way for the restoration of the gospel. We played Apples to Apples, ate Chex peanut butter bars, and laughed and laughed. The only sad part was the fireworks were cancelled. The Fourth of July without fireworks just isn’t quite the same. The sister missionaries brought a watermelon and that was almost as good.

                Wayne wanted to celebrate the Fourth of July with a race so he joined the soldiers for a 5K. Two of our soldiers who are members were running, too. They were glad to finish a little before him. 25 other soldiers weren't as lucky. I went to take pictures and walk him home.

                We started teaching another BSEP Review class and have every chair filled. This is a dedicated group of students which includes our chaplain’s assistant front and center! Our preparation seems to have paid off because the students are staying engaged, awake (even after working all night) and completing their nightly homework. We’re almost in a routine and excited for the next two weeks with these soldiers. On Friday, one of the soldiers asked Wayne when our church services were held on post which was exciting. She didn’t join us this week but many of the soldiers are on a 10-to-fight alert this weekend so they can’t be more than ten minutes from their battle station.

                My Korean student brought me a copy of her thank you letter and a few gifts so I would remember her. I admit that I cried right in the commissary where she tracked me down. I have grown to love her. The picture was taken in front of the section with Korean ramen.

                Friday evening we went with the USO to the Korean meat buffet for a volunteer appreciation dinner. We had an opportunity to share a bit about our mission with the other civilian volunteers. The soldiers were unable to come with us because of the alert level.

                The next two weeks will go quickly as we teach from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm every day and do lesson preparation in the afternoons. We already have an evening tutoring appointment for two soldiers on Tuesday and expect there will be more. There seems to be no slow lane in our missionary service, but every morning we awaken we are so thankful to have one more day as the Lord’s missionaries.