The Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) hosted a Wonmo Pyeongae Scholarship Students Meeting with Professor Yeon Ah Moon, President of Universal Peace Federation-Korea on Saturday, November 10 at the Belvedere Training Center in New York. Approximately 100 students were in attendance, coming from all over the country; Washington, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, the 2018’s Wonmo Scholarship recipient from Canada, as well as three members from the Wonmo Pyeongae Scholarship foundation from Korea.

The program began with a video presentation about the Wonmo Pyeongae Scholarship, along with previous recipients, testimonies, and how they have practiced true love, caring and sharing. President of Family Federation for a Heavenly USA, Rev. Richard Buessing, gave the opening remarks, saying, “The young spirit and energy in this room is contagious. It is a hopeful feeling.” He continued with the story of how he met Yeon Ah Moon. “When I first met her, I felt True Mother’s love through her. I felt I had known her my whole life.” Rev. Buessing explained True Mother’s love as a parent’s love for their children which cannot be measured. Rev. Buessing concluded his message stating that the parent-child relationship as the key to hyojeong culture.

As Yeon Ah Moon took the stage, she indicated that she felt as if she were in a family environment and everyone should feel free and comfortable to walk around, stand or sit, or even grab some more snacks from the other room. Her message focused on keeping God and True Parents’ standards in our everyday lives, especially as students.

The meeting concluded with the presenting of a gift for Yeon Ah Moon and a group photo. In return, Yeon Ah Moon brought postcards from Cheongpyeong for all the participants.

“My favorite thing about meeting Yeon Ah Nim was when she brought up what our standards are. A lot of second-generation don’t know what their standards are, or don’t follow the standard of living for the sake of others. That’s what we need for this church, unification. We need to know what our standards are. Yeon Ah Nim said when you study you need to study for a greater purpose, for the sake of God and True Parents. Our parents were successful because they brought True Parents into their lives and into their daily decisions.” – Anonymous, Maryland

“My favorite part was Yeon Ah Nim’s sincerity. She was very comfortable with us, sharing her heart and her feelings. She felt like a real older sister to me. She cared for our success. All her love overwhelmed me. She said, even if you can’t do it yourself, bring a friend and struggle together, it’ll make it easier and feel less like a struggle. Before I met True Parents, peace seemed like an impossible concept. But now, I wonder how I can positively impact the world. And I noticed that it has to start within me in order for it to expand.” – Michael Cordero, Las Vegas, NV

“My favorite part was learning about what Yeon Ah Nim goes through in her everyday life. She was very honest and open about her own challenges and struggles. I related to a lot of what she said. It gave me clarity and confidence. It showed me that all of us are going through struggles and growing through them. I want to use her words to help me grow.” – Fuyu Fujioka, Bowie, MD

“Peace Starts With Me means to be an example to change the world. The Divine Principle and our church communities don’t mean anything if we can’t live up to the potential and be proud of it. PSWM is about owning that. If I could say something to True Mother, I would want to get to know her better and create a deeper relationship with her.” – Luke Scazzero, MD

“PSWM means everything comes from yourself, and we need to become a living example for what the world needs which is to be under the guidance of True Parents. I just started GPA, and I made a devotional commitment of 21-days and 40 bows in preparation for the rally and to build a relationship with True Parents. We also practiced the mujugeon dance every morning as exercise to prepare for the rally.” – Linako Shimizu, Philadelphia, PA

“Yeon Ah Nim said we can contribute to God’s providence while being a student by thinking about God in our daily lives. How much are we willing to include them in our lives? Directly linking our lives to the providence is how to begin. She said, when we wake up in the morning we usually think about what we need to do that day. But we need to change our minds to think what would God and True Parents want or need or like me to do today? Centering your purpose on God will guide me to a god-centered life.” – Tetsuya Nomura, Centerville, VA

“I practiced the mujugeon dance with GPA every morning with a sincere heart. I’ve been taking it seriously, even during practice. Each time I do it, it prepares me for giving the right heart and receiving the right message. Whenever we perform it publicly, I can see the spectators feel the energy and heart of GPA. I think they can see the Heavenly Parent through us through our dance. I want to tell True Mother that I hope she sees that America is trying to take responsibility and that will lift a weight off her shoulders.” – Benjamin Ottosson, Festus, MO