Dear Family,
I can't believe it has already been a week since I arrived, I
feel like it has been longer. The other day I walked out of the room
after teaching our investigator Chi Suong and asked if it was 6 o'clock
yet, it wasn't even 2:46. I love you all, know that first and foremost,
so interestingly I didn't struggle with getting out of the car and
walking into the MTC, I have struggled much more since. Somehow this
adventure feels like just that, some extended EFY trip where I'll be
loading a bus any day and traveling back to Newton or at least like my
trip to D.C when I could call at the end of the day and see how
everything was going back at home. Each day it hits me a bit more what I
signed up to do. I promised the Lord I would serve the Lord for 18
months in exciting conditions in a language that sounds just as
intimidating once you can speak in it as it did when i first heard it.
My pronounciation sounds just as atrocious now as I did when i recorded
it w/ Jennifer, only now I know what i am supposed to be saying.
Preparation days are on Tuesday and I only have half an hour to
read and write mail. So keep in mind that as much as I love my family
and friends I only have so much time. i want to hear from everyone and
respond as much as i can. Please use dear elder as well as snail mail
and family along with email. I get dear elder letters the day they are
written and have loved receiving Jennifer's. I'm glad to hear wee
Scotty lad is still happy even as his teeth are coming in. Don't worry
about the camera cord other arrangements have been made (as for friend
requests, just announce on facebook i am currently MIA and if they want
missoin info they need to send a message telling you how they know me).
I wish I had more time to write, I thought p-day was for
preparation time, but there is so much stuff you need to do to "prepare"
for the coming week there really isn't all that much time to do things
like communicate w/ family, I will keep working my utmost to do
everything i need to do and somethings I want to do.
This last week i have struggled so much adjusting. The food is
good, but not what mom makes, i'm working on eating healthy because the
amount of fried potatoes and desserts available will have me huge if I
don't. I am so loving gym time when I can play volleyball. I promise
mom and dad I am being careful, I can't afford getting hurt and being
away from prep work so i am doing my utmost to play smart and slow.
Getting to know my district has been interesting. there are only five of
us, two elders and three sisters. An cah Steele is our district leader,
a 19 year old w/ a face of a 12 year old. he is so kind, but a bit too
mothery for the likes of three sisters the youngest being me at over
21. An cah Bruggeman is a self proclaimed jock who is still doing
better than I am at the language. Chi hayes is the companion who i
struggle around the most, she is absolutly brilliant, she is the most
interesting combo of Chelsey Funk, Kaia Hodgson and Genevieve Draper.
She is very kind, but knows so much, she graduated from high school at
16 and is more different than anyone I have met. Chi yang is a
sweetheart and a recent convert, she is so willing to ask questions and
learn and grow. I came to the MTC thinking i had a decent grasp on the
gospel, this last week i have learned how much I don't know and i can't
seem to translate anything for Chi Soung our investigator, she is so
sweet, but i feel at such a loss. The Lord is taking care of me slowly
and surely. I am so thankful for the peace he has given me when once or
twice I wildly thought about hitch-hiking my way to Cache Valley.
Perhaps the situation is not that dire, but it has given me pause. well
I must keep moving for choir practice, but know I love all of you, the
longer I am away the more i long for familiar things, so yes I'm
thankful for Pres Reese's counsel. Please keep praying for me and know I
pray for you in both english and vietnamese.
P.S Look to the mail i'll never fail, if you don't get a letter
then you'll know i'm in jail (class). of course this means you need to
write to me first so I have addresses :-)
