Tuesday, June 12, 2012

I Live

Dear Family,
  I have survived another week and it is considered here that I am now on week four, I "only" have eight weeks left.  I will take for my email the subject suggested by Moriah and answer some of the questions posed.
  The MTC feels huge, I know that it isn't but it feels that way. In order to feed, house and teach 2000 missionaries it needs to be, in my time here I will only get to know about twenty of them, but that is okay.  The food is alright here, but definitely not like mommy used to make.  Some of the days I fear walking inside of what I'll get, other days I fear walking inside knowing what I'll get and still frightened for fear I'll eat too much.  I am constantly amazed by how much of tieng viet is creeping into my language. I can do a from the heart pray and say almost the whole thing in Vietnamese.  The teaching is scary because I prefer frelancing instead of reading, I want it to be from my heart.  that can a be a good thing or a bad thing.  We taught in the TRC (teaching resource center) we actually taught native Vietnamese young women.  They were very kind to us, especially when we presented a special snail about the box of happiness...yes it really was that bad.  But the less I freak out about it the better it is, so I am trying to focus on gospel study and unity amongst our companionship.
  This last week has taught me even more than last week and I still have so much to figure out.  Co Huong our one sister teacher who served in Cambodia three years ago pulled me aside when I was struggling with working together in our companionship and told me to stop freaking out. I"m not freaking out I"m just frustrated.  When I told her that she reminded that it was only week three and I still have an entire mission ahead of me.  Then after not answering any of the questions I asked, she gave me one peice of advice that will stick for most likely forever...Chi Fabricius this mission is unlike anything you have ever done before. Stop comparing it to anything else and have faith the Lord will take care of you.  She is certainly right about it being unlike anything I have ever done, even the study is different and teaching with my companionship and definitely not quite like friendship.
  I really don't freak out as often as I seem to write about, it's just after a really really really long week that is all I seem to remember when my brain is tired, sort of like it is right now. So when I was keeping myself from freaking out last week I was thinking how ill prepared for this adventure we call Cambodia and wondering what Heavenly Father was thinking when he decided that is where I should go. I still don't have an answer for that, but I was reminded by one of our visiting general authorities that God does see the end from the beginning He has prepared me just the way He needed to for this grand adventure. 
  It amazes me just how near home the MTC is.  I was sitting at breakfast this morning talking about USU when an Elder going to Cambodia jumped in and started talking about Zombies vs Humans.  I was shocked to find out he used to help facilitate it and actually knew Fred Bittner.  This elder asked me why I never joined in, I told him I would feel unfaithful to Vergil if I was carrying around a nerf gun, the two of us thought it was funny, but Chi Hays did not, oh well I enjoyed the laugh, it was a good way to start off pday.
  I am currently the envy of the district due to the receipt of two packages.  Thank you so much to Aunt Kirsten for the package of snacks, the letter and the scarf, it has already been of much use here.  The elders have even threatened to steal it and use it as a tie.  Thanks so much for the package which was just received this morning.  I have already enjoyed a part of the rice crispies, which are not too pink or too gooey and am so very grateful for the socks, it is definitely perferable to the socks that keep getting eaten by the dryer.
  I'm glad to hear Courtney survived the chicken wire experience and hope she'll keep coming out to Newton. 
  We still don't have roomates after losing them last wednesday and it appears we won't be getting them this coming week either, I think for now i am okay with that.  I did get a surprise that week by Angell Christopherson in the hallway, it was so lovely seeing someone from Cache Valley.  One story of note I should probably share is that I do have a prank side of me, well sort of.  The cambodian elders have 12 elders in one room and there room smelled really bad, so I bought a can of glad and sprayed it ine once or twice when the room was empty.  The elders were a fan until Anh Ca Bruggeman stole it from me and sprayed it in there faces and later they called me Sister Fabreez this...I haven't decided how to respond, but that is okay.
  All the elders in the zone are now acquainted with my hiccups and its not just when I'm nervous either, instead of saying bless you they say Fabricius.  My hiccups seem to have morphed from terydactyl to dying rabbit to little calf, I really am trying to hold them in.  I'm sure there is more I could write about, but I can't think of anything else after the letters this morning, I guess the fam needs to get together and compare notes.
   I know the Gospel is true, that Heavenly Father knows the end from the beginning, that as Papa Gardner said there are no coincidences and that the temple is a place of peace, utilize it.
           Thank you all for all the letters I have received, I"m doing my best to answer all of them and I apologize if there are delays.  Have a fabulous week and I shall so enjoy my packages.   Much Love sister Fab
P.S feel free to send more questions so I have an idea what you want to know. much love Alison
I apologize for lack of pics, but the MTC doesn't like usb cords

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