January 9, 2023 - Namwon

I Am Violently Allergic to Kiwi 


Wow! It's the first update from 2023! That is wild, but not as wild as the last two weeks have actually been! Here is a brief report of the interesting parts of missionary work in Namwon.


I vomited all over the floor at the house of one of our friends on New Year's Eve. Turns out I'm allergic to kiwi! But all is well, we were forgiven, and we were still able to give him a copy of the Book of Mormon with my brother's testimony written on the inside cover.

Our branch is crazy about missionary work. After giving every member a calling that justifies them participating in missionary council meetings, they moved said meeting to after church every week with the whole branch. We then spent a full hour and a half discussing missionary work, and setting a crazy high goal of 10 people. I couldn't hope for anything more.

New missionary rule has come down from above: no music except that found in Gospel Library. Fortunately there is some great music in there, but I miss my instrumental study music.

Our branch president has referred 3 friends, and we had a very successful first appointment. Our branch president is an inspirational member missionary, and he is a joy to work with.

We had a mid transfer transfer call, but nothing in my zone changed.

I did an exchange in Jeonju. After doing this many exchanges I know their members and friends better than I should considering I have never served there, and it was a blast. Elder Monson is a king of the work at his peak, and it is very inspiring.

It is really crazy to think that 2022 has come to an end. 2022 was a huge year for me in that it was a full year of Korean missionary work from start to finish. I lived in 4 different cities, saw 3 people enter the waters of baptism and was involved in the lives of so many more, I read the Book of Mormon cover to cover 3 times, and had 6 different companions. I saw not only the hands of the Lord, but his whole encompassing and protective arm span hugging His children so tight. I discovered so many little flaws I need to work on, and was able to overcome at least some of them. Looking forward toward 2023 it feels strange to know there will come a time where I will have to leave these people, seeing as there is still an impossibly large number of tasks I want do accomplish before then, but I am comforted to know that this is the Lord's work, and He will not let it fall.

Let's make 2023 the best year yet!

Elder Wardle

Pictures: Gorgeous snow in Namwon, Our teaching friend's cool house full of stuff he's made 
(incidentally also the place where I learned of my kiwi allergy)







Location: Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea

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