Dearest Family and Friends,
Yesterday was my last Sunday in 신촌! On Wednesday I will be in 이문 branch! (I
don’t know how to spell it in English… ee-moon branch) It’s still in
Seoul, but it’s in a different zone. My new companion is Korean! Her name
is Sis. Gang (I don’t know the English spelling yet…) So far I have
always had a Korean companion. It’s like they want me to learn this
language or something!^^ I’m really sad to leave because there are a lot of
people here that I really love, but I am excited because there are more
people to love.
Yesterday I spoke in church for the last time. I can tell that my Korean
has become lots better, though it still needs a lot of work. Lots of people
came up and told me they would miss me, and I’m really grateful for this
wonderful ward. I’ve learned a lot from being here. I’m going to miss them
so much!
As for my companions, Sis. Yoon is going to a different area to be with my
trainer’s trainer. ^^ And Sis. Lawrence is going to stay in 신촌 for her very
last transfer, and she will be sister training leader and training again.
This was a very exciting transfer call. ^^
As Christmas is approaching, I’ve thought a lot about why we celebrate
Christmas. At home around this time we would be going to the Christmas
street party with my grandparents. Every year we see Santa, and every year
he asks the same question: “What is the first gift of Christmas?” The
answer is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He loves
us so much, and he gave us a wonderful gift: Through Him we can be
resurrected and return to live with him and our Heavenly Father if we
choose to. He has given us the opportunity to repent and change when we
make a mistake. Through him we can find true happiness and joy and overcome
our trials and sorrow. Everything that is wrong in this life will be made
up later through the blessing of the Atonement. That is such a wonderful
gift! He has given us everything, and there is no way we can repay him for
his love. He came to the Earth and suffered for us so that we wouldn’t have
to. He knows us personally and he knows how to help us. This is the
ultimate gift!
This Christmas season is a time of giving. My question to you is what is
your gift to the Savior? We cannot repay him fully, but we can do something
for him this year. Elder Ballard has given us a great idea for giving: he
asked us to invite someone to draw closer to the Savior and have a name to
give to the missionaries. I have also taken this challenge myself, and I
have someone from home in mind that I would like the missionaries to talk
to. I’m going to do my best to help that person be willing to meet with the
missionaries because I know how much it has blessed my life. I know that if
we can give this gift to the Savior we will not only bless our friend or
family member, but our own lives will be enriched as well. I know this is
true, and I know that Heavenly Father will help you if you only turn to
him. I look forward to hearing about the gifts that you give. Thank you all
for your wonderful example to me! That is also a gift that I will truly
treasure!
I love you all so much! May God bless you and keep you this holiday season!
Lots of Love,
Sis. Jessica Pope
The Worth of Seouls 