Fun stuff 10/14/13

     This week has been amazing. Yesterday (Sunday 10/13) We had the opportunity and we strive to set up with as members as we could for that day. However we only were able to set up with one family but that one family was awesome. We went and shared a message and we got to know them a lot more. Because of this experience he invited us over again next week so that we can practice Korean and learn to speak from natives and invite the Spirit into their homes! We are really excited to be working with this young family and our goal is to expand this to more of the branch. We feel that if we can use our time to strengthen the branch it will be a better use of time than some ineffective methods that we have been trying.
     Saturday afternoon after English class we had a very Korean experience with our class members. They brought traditional tea sets and layout which they spread out and begun to make tea for everyone in the class. We hesitantly and in broken Korean asked and talked to them about how we don't drink tea as members of the church. When they asked if it was like all tea like cinnamon tea and such we said no. Just things such as black and green tea and such that actually have the tea leaf in it. Is that correct information that we have? So they continued to make it and explained that the tea she brought was homemade tea which was just dried flowers. We looked through it and well it was pretty colorful and we didn't see any leafy greens  We felt okay with it and had some tea with them. Saturday we went to a dinner at a members' house and they invited their friends over. They are wonderful members. The wife was Korean and the husband was not. The husband did not speak Korean and we had a wonderful time getting to know him. When the time came after dinner to share a spiritual message we strived to teach simply and clearly to them. We testified and gave them each a Book of Mormon one in Korean and one in English. We felt the Spirit and we know they did too. We offered them a choice as well as we could. We can and will improve but the members loved it and they plan on following up and continuing to fellowship their new neighbors. Also side note, while we were focusing on the husband so he could be included the awesome Sister was on the other side of the room teaching the wife in Korean about the church. I love this branch.
     Friday I went on splits with Elder Moon. That was great and we both really enjoyed the training meeting. We also tried to do a couple new move-ins that night but noon seemed to be home, I guess it was Friday night. That is what you get when you have no solid back-ups to visit on a Friday night. However President this did leave plenty of time to talk in the car. His relationship with his companion seems strained to say the least. 
     Thursday Elder Jenkins and I planned. We have decided to do a huge fireside for all of the Koreans south of the 105. We realized that one of the biggest resources we have is President Hong himself. With an amazing conversion story and quite the influence in the Korean Community we are hoping to combine that into a colossal fireside from which we will turn the page in the history book of Korean work in LA! We are going to start a fire. Our branch mission leader is behind it and we are going to start double teaming the branch, him and us, to get the rest of the branch behind it. Because will only work if we get everyone. It'll be huge and at the end of November.
     President we thank you for the opportunity as well to expand our English Class to the Gardena area. We are looking forward to using this tool to find the elect and all those who desire to come unto Christ. We are planning to advertise the new location like crazy and hopefully push the older one as well.
On a personal note. I am doing well no complaints, I have learned a very deep secret about the universe: if you want to sleep well have meaningful prayers before you go to bed and when you wake up. Alma 37:36-37

      Elder Craner