Another beautiful baptism in Korea!

On Saturday 조병수 (Jo Byung-Soo) got baptized! He is an amazing man. He has had a lot of difficulties in his life over the past couple years and it has been so humbling to see him seek and find for the first time the only true source of pure joy, help, and purpose! He doesn't look super excited in the picture because he works like 120 hours a week and is just a tired guy, but it was a beautiful baptismal service. President Shin (our mission president) was the one who initially met him in his taxi and President said that he didn't even recognize Brother Jo as the same person because his countenance had changed. The gospel is true!!

We also saw another pretty amazing miracle somewhat related to the baptism. We went out to lunch with Brother Jo and his son before the baptism at a little buffet near our church. As I was getting my food, a man came up to me and asked "You're the mormons, right?" I said yes and he went on to explain that he had met with a Elder Nephi Choi (who was one of the AP's when I got here) for about 5 months, but moved from that part of Gwangju to our area and lost contact. He suggested told me to take his number and give him a call later because he wants to meet. I was there with our investigator so I didn't want to take too long, but we swapped numbers and a general idea of times that would work and then parted. About 1 hour later, he called us, gave us his address, and set up an appointment for us to come by tonight to visit. Holy Cow! I am so excited to meet this man tonight that God placed in our path. We didn't do a thing, but I know that God can do all things through us as we seek to give our all to Him. God sure is amazing!!! 

Apart from miraculous coincidences and even baptismal services, I think that one of God's miracles I have enjoyed the most as a missionary is the joy of being a part of His work, a tool in His hands to spread the love of God! We definitely aren't perfect and the fact is that there are very few perfect things in the world, but God is perfect, His love is perfect, and this Gospel is perfect and our eternal divine destiny is to become as He is!! I know that God loves us so deeply and so personally. One of the best ways to find happiness is to seek to receive and understand that love as we strive to share it with others!! I know that as we do so, we are filled with the power, strength, and peace of God. I know that because God promises it and He always keeps His promises!!

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!! 

-Love, Elder Tolman

PS:

Here are a couple fun pictures: (1) Brother Jo's baptism, (2) We had a relief society program for sacrament meeting and all the sisters dressed up in their Han-bok's (the traditional Korean outfit)