September 23, 2012
The Kim Family experiences while on my mission
I want start by sharing one of my experiences I have had while on my mission to Peoria Illinois Mission from 2001 to 2003. I have had many experiences that I have seen while serving the lord for 2 years. He has answered my prayers and have lead to people that have changed my life forever and who I love so much. I know the Lord loves each of them and has a personal care from them.
While I was in the area of Macomb, Illinois my companion and I along with Brother Mueller were teaching the Lee Family the 2nd new member’s discussion. While we were talking Brother Lee said he talked to a friend about the church and said he would be interested in learning more. As the evening went they fed us “Kimche” which of course was very new to me. While they were serving the meal Brother Lee stood up and called Hong Sik Kim to set up an appointment for tomorrow night which was so great to witness. The next evening was what they call a missionaries dream and one of the most precious blessings from Heavenly Father to teach a family of four. I remember going with Brother Lee over to his friends to meet the Kim Family (Hong Sik, Seong Hee Park, Kyoo, Kwan). They were so kind to us and they had a great desire to learn and listen to us. We didn’t know Korean so Brother Lee translated for us. It was one of those experiences were we couldn’t hardly understand one another but the spirit I felt I can never forget. That night the Kim Family asked for the Book of Mormon in Korean and Brother Kim wanted to come to Church that next Sunday. I knew the lord prepared this family. I wrote in my journal that the lord blesses those after the trial of your faith.
Hong Sik was such a kind man, bless his heart. We had our 2nd discussion and he came and picked us up. What investigator would pick you up to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? That does not happen too often. They are such are such happy people. I gained a great love for them. It was great to see the Kim family have faith as they put their efforts into studying the scriptures and hear their prayers. It is of course fun to hear them say their prayers and read scriptures in Korean. I count my blessings to have been able to teach them. My personal testimony has grown each day because of their examples of faith as they joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was such a great time to see them set a date for baptism (March 31, 2002). I know they are each children of our Heavenly Father. I have felt so much joy in my life as I have seen the Kim’s grow in the Gospel. We have had so much help teaching the Kim’s. We had a member, Sister Jensen from Fort Madison Iowa, travel to teach the discussions each week with us. How blessed we were to have their help. I know every time we taught the Kim’s the discussions the spirit filled my heart.
One experience that I remember teaching the Kim family is a time when we just got done teaching his family one of the discussions, the spirit filled the room. As we departed to go home Hong Sik Kim offered to take us back to our apartment. Just as we were getting out of his car in is broken English he thanked us for teaching him and his family. It was such a highlight. I know the Lord has specific plans for each member of the Kim family. I love them. I know the Lord loves each of them individually. I know the Church is true. I know these experiences will remain with me beyond the veil and into the eternities. I hope that we will always be close to the Kim Family. I admire their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope my children will see the value of missionary work and have experiences that will build their own testimonies on their own missions.
On March 31, 2002 Easter Day the Kim family became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was fast and testimony meeting and the Kim family was sitting behind us in sacrament meeting while Brother Shawn Mueller got up and bore his testimony. I looked behind me to look at the Kim Family and saw that Sister Seong Hee Park had tears in her eyes. I know she felt the spirit from our Heavenly Father. That experience helped me to feel the spirit. It was one of those moments that I can’t explain but what I do know it was very touching. The members of the Macomb ward were so helpful and showed such great love and embraced the Kim family. It helped them see the gospel in action and feel the Saviors love. That evening the Kim Family was baptized. The members sang “I am a Child of God” in English then in Korean, then Brother Lee gave a talk on baptism and Sister Jenson gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. I had the wonderful opportunity to baptize Brother Hong Sik Kim and Hyung Koo Kim. Elder Dale baptized Sister Seong Hee Park and Hyung Kwan Kim. What a day I will never forget. The lord was so merciful in allowing me to be a part of the Kim family baptism and be a part of each of their lives. I hope I will always be in touch with them. I know shortly after they were baptized they got involved with church callings and it was fun to see the Kyoo and Kwan get involved with the youth and church activities. As years pass the Kim Family received the most precious gift from Heavenly Father, getting their endowments out and getting sealed with their family in the temple. As this missionary experience continue to grows, Kwan and Kyoo received mission calls one to California and the other to New York. What example they are to me. They will be great examples to my children. I know the lord loves them individually and is aware of their needs and desires. I know that Heavenly Father will bless them for their faith each day. I love them so much. I know this is the only way to receive complete happiness for our families. I have a testimony of the Savior and the Atonement and that if we repent we can be forgiven if we keep his commandments by following our living prophet.
Jeff Gardner
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| Sister Jensen on the far left. Jeff on the far right. |
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