How blessed we are

Dear Family and other people,

   Do we realize how blessed we truly are?  Our Father in Heaven looks out for us in so many ways and gives us tender mercies w/ out number, yet still we question His love for us and our purpose here. There is much to say about the last week, but I start with what happened in the temple today.  For some reason which I didn't know at the time I felt like our trio should do sealings today.  After wandering around to all the desks on the main floor trying to figure out whether they had daughter sealings, and almost giving up, we finally found out what we needed.  One reason we wanted to do sealings was that we could finish sooner and have actual personal time, we didn't finish sooner, but I received a wonderful blessing instead.  After some delay we entered the sealing room (keep in mind this is the first time I have ever done sealings) and the room was beautiful.  As I went up for my portion the brother helping stopped when he heard my last name and asked if I knew a Rodney K Fabricius, I said I did and that he was my grandfather. This brother stopped in his tracks and told me that he, Brother Thorstenson, served with Grandpa in Denmark and was his companion. He said that Grandpa Rodney was one of the most loyal and faithful latter day saints Brother Thorstenson had ever met.  As we proceeded Brother Thorstenson's voice became rocky as he said how proud Grandpa is of me preparing to serve in Cambodia.  Today has been a good day and I am looking forward to the week ahead, but I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father that he would give me a tender mercy on the days I am feeling lonely or without purpose. I am thankful that I know of how thin the veil can be and thankful for an ordinance worker who was in touch with the Spirit today.

   On another gratitude note, I'm thankful for my earthy father as well.  I have been trying to figure out when Father's Day was for two weeks, I finally found out at Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday. Dad you have blessed my life in more ways than I can count, I love you.  I was amazed at the theme this Father's Day took here for me. Sunday morning I was studying D&C 132:15-25ish and it struck me how amazing our Heavenly Father is, He gave his Son to be our Savior, not just so that we could live with God again, but so that we could become like God. Sis. Dalton visited us for Relief Society and told us of our importance in God's plan and that we have the unique opportunity to tell people who they really are and that the Savior they have a potential they could never imagine. Sunday night Sheri Dew came and spoke to us(I love that the MTC is sort of like General Conference every week, next week we'll have most of the leadership of the church here doing the New Mission President Seminar, I'll meet Pres. Moon, I am so very excited).  She reminded us that we aren't staying, won't stay and can't stay on earth and our purpose living here is to train us for a better tomorrow. Have you ever pondered how short our time on earth is, some days it does drag so, but it will pass by quickly. If anyone cares please read D&C 76 sometime and really see what our Heavenly Father has for us, what he WANTS for us, what a blessing that knowledge is.

  Along with the spirit that helps us learn and gain perspective humor is a wonderful blessing. The two I want to share are funny and sort of embarrassing. I have shared already that I have learned the language enough to give a basic prayer and a basic testimony, let's just say the prayers need a little work.  This last week I learned the word for guidance (hướng dẫn) and was trying to use it in a prayer at the end of class. When I said it the teacher started to chuckle so I decided to try pronouncing it again, then he started to laugh. Finally I gave up and just said something else, at the end of the prayer I asked him what I had said, he told i had said the word for marriage and when I said it again he couldn't figure out why Iw as trying to say it on purpose...that was a little awkward.  the second is just for fun. The elders going to Cambodia with us all enjoy singing and have figured out the lyrics to some Mulan songs, one night they were kind enough to escort us back to the residence hall while singin "I'll make a man out of you" let's just say most of the sisters were jealous :-)  I have now made it into the inner circle by finally being able to display decent volleyball skills at gym.  The elders have moved me into there setting rotation instead of ignoring me.

  Last bit of news, first I have found my favorite foods to be Orange Chicken and Fish and Chips, I hope and think that in the next seven weeks I'll have them again.  On Sunday Pres Reynolds (a counselor int he branch presidency) motioned me over and asked me to be the music coordinator, apparently some callings never leave you alone.  I am excited and hope I'll find some people with music skill to help me out in priesthood.

  Thank you so much for all your support through prayer and letter, all the other people in my district are jealous because of the letters and packages I receive.  Thank you to Justin, my cousin, for the letter and I'm grateful to hear the swing set didn't tip over :-) I apologize for those I can't write letters to, but know I am so very grateful.  I know this is God's work and He blesses each of us to do it.

  All my love Sister Fabricius