Flight Plans!!! Time is Almost Up!

This Last Thursday was one exciting day!We didn't expect flight plans until Friday, but they came a day early! This event marked the start of the end of our stay here at the MTC. It was a sign that Time was still in motion and that we would soon be out of the MTC and in Korea! Yes, it was an epic day!Yes... This also means that I will have a chance to call home at the airport. I tried to give Caleb my flight plans but the transaction never fell through. So now I have a copy of my plans right in front of me and any minute now, I will tell you when I can call....
My visit with Caleb was really awesome! I was anticipating some fat guy to come waddling in and claiming he was my brother. I think if that would have been the case, I would have spent the few minutes we had together taking fingerprints and asking really hard interigation questions. But to my surprise and delight, Caleb was not 45 lbs overweight as the letters claimed to be. But we had a nice chat.... We pulled out the punpkin juice and had a toast or too to the king of England... Shmashing reunion! Jus' Shmashing!....
So you wanted an update on the laguage, well here it is:We taught the first discussion for the last time on Saturday and it went really well, It was probably our best one so far! We teach the Second lesson this week, so we'll see how that goes... Since Saturday night, I am speaking only Korean. This was supposed to be a District goal, But my companion and roommates have resorted back to English. So that is kindof a letdown. But for the most part it is going good. I, for the most part, (if given time) can say what I need to say in Korean, but understanding is not up to par. My companion is kind of opposite. He can understand really well but has a tougher time saying what he wants to. So I guess that makes us a pretty good team!
Oh! Flight plans!....So I leave Salt Lake at 9:40 Utah time, but I will have some time before to call. ( I think we are at the airport for a couple hours) And then we get to LA at 10:38 LA time. we have another 2 hours at that airport. Ind then we fly to Korea at 12:30 LA time and get to Korea at 5:15 Korea Time. I will send my plans in the mail today. Just be ready at these times so I can call when I can.

Love you all,
Elder Shumway

Flight Plans (Almost)

So on Saturday, I, along with the other two Elders going to Pusan, got our "flight plans" from our mission president all the way from Korea! I say "flight plans" because it was not our actual flight assignment. but It was a letter telling us that we would flight from Seoul to Busan at 8 PM after we got to korea. We were pretty excited, Probably just because it was a confirmation that we were really going to Korea soon and that the mission president was makeing preparations for our arrival. The real flight plans, however, come this week! So hopefully, when Caleb comes, I will have a copy ready to send home with him. This will give the details on the layovers I will have, etc. Oh! Speaking of layovers, I need a phone card to use in the airport.
Alright... Caleb can visit Friday of Saturday, but if it doesn't matter to you, make it Saturday. My Korean teachers would be completely fine if it landed on Friday night. I also would probably want to sent a few things home since I leave in Two Weeks for Korea. So if he can take some things that would be really nice. (I need to send a couple jackets and some extra letters home.)
This week, a couple Japanese districts went home. We would always sing "called to serve" on saturday nights with them. Next time we sing, I will record it. If you can, send that other memory card back so I can send you another one.
:-)Love you all,
Elder Shumway

New Missionaries!

We finally have new blood in the Korean zone. After the older group took off a couple weeks ago, we were fealing a bit lonely and our floor was unpleasantly quieter. But this week, new Korean speakers came in. Koreans come in almost every 6 weeks and they always come in a group. Unfortunately, this group only had 4 Elders and one Sister. So their presence didn't make too much of a difference. But we are happy they could join us nonetheless! The next group comes in about a week after we leave and thet group is about 32 missionaries! Alright... Yesterday was the first gym that I didn't do any running. I got caught up in a great game of volleyball.
I think I have gained about 4 pounds in the MTC so it's not looking good. Most of my gym time is trying to stay fit. But the Missionary's schedule is not anywhere near as active as I would be if I wasn't a missionary. I am really excited for Caleb! And I am excited when You guys can come up so I can see him!
Well, I'm glad you liked my Korean "translation guide". But as I said before, dont rely on it for too much. for the most part it holds true. But there is almost always at least one sound change in almost everword. So dont think you are now "certified" or anything in Korean writings. I've been here for 7 weeks and am still learning new rules! I'm glad you got the memory card. Once you upload them to the computer, send that one back and I'll send you a new card. I envy the time you have to spend with G and G Creek! And I am excited for Joey!......
The talk given by W. Douglas Shumway was pretty good! It wasn't really based on one particular topic. It was mostly just a bunch of quotes and insight on a lot of stuff. It snowed again up here! I was pretty excited! It looked really amazing! I took some cool pictures (as always :-) !) Oh... As for packages, just send 'em when they are convenient. Any missionary would like to recieve as many packages as people would care to send him. But I realize that what will come will come. Thanks for your packages! Send them when you can! Fill them with anything you want. I really dont care. Maybe mints, They dont let us chew gum.
Love you all,
Elder Shumway