First I need to apologize for my somewhat bitter tirade of last week. I learned exactly what I needed to in the MTC, except for how to make myself more diligence. My struggle with the language comes in two areas, my lack of constant diligence in striving to learn and acquire to words and or lack of obedience. Oh I wish that my tones were better or I knew the Vietnamese alphabet better, but as I look at life now and the things I learned, Heavenly Father prepared me with all the experiences I needed to succeed here, now I just need to use them to complete his work!
Second, dear everyone, thank you so much for the dear elders and pouch mail I'm receiving, they are such a lift to my spirit and a joy to read. Sadly other than Jennifer's letter/package I haven't received any other letters I've been told were coming my way, but the Lord has told me many times he would teach me patience and this is just another way to learn it. As I have seen the trials of other missionaries and wondered why Heavenly Father has given each of us our specific ones I have come to the conclusion, we receive specific trials because he knows us. What is a trial to one is not a trial to another or what is a struggle for one is not for someone else. This life is the time to prepare to meet God and He will prepare us in the ways in which we most need the help.
Third, meet Chi Pham, she is so amazing!!!! Also we are perfect for each other, she eats more ketchup than I do, I know none of you think that this is possible, but it is, she even eats ketchup with her rice!! She is so patient with me as I struggle to adapt to the schedule and the language. She calls me her daughter and reminds me she is preparing me for the time when she dies (she goes home in four months). Believe me she is preparing me in a myriad of ways, she has me cooking and praying and helping the branch even though I still can't speak the language. I want you to know I have now mastered sweet n sour chicken with out a recipe and make a mean chicken helper with onions, macaroni and boiled chicken. There are so many ways we learn to adapt when things are not what we are used to. Chi Huong (apartment mate) gave me half and chicken and told me to make something with it, I had no idea what I was doing, so I boiled it, created a beautiful chicken stock for the next days dinner and then made chicken, who would of thought, me Chi Dao could do such things, oh wait, it;s in my name :-)
Fourth, I have found my new addiction in this life, oreos!!!! Oreos are everywhere here. I buy two packs a week (each pack has like ten oreos), they come in strawberry, chocolate, peanut butter, regular and blue berry, I've tried them all, but love strawberry the most. Like Dad buying his icecream for weekly planning I buy my oreos. Chi Pham just laughs, but she buys them too :-).
Lastly, this work is amazing, whether it is standing outside in the pouring rain arguing with a fruit seller on a better price for pineapple so you can make sweet and sour pork for your district or trying to teach in a different language, it is fun, exhilarating and amazing! This week we began working with a family who we want to help get to the temple. We prepared a lesson, went to give it and then felt we shouldn't give that lesson. So I listened to my companion teach, not knowing the words she was saying, but as I listened and prayed for the Spirit I knew just what this family needed to hear. This happened three times and when we left the lesson Chi Pham looked at me and told me I said all the things she wanted to say and that the Spirit was guiding both of us. I know it was the Spirit. I know it because I can only ever speak inside of lessons. In the branch or talking to people (which other than the branch and people down by the river there isn't any Vietnamese, I spend my time in a country where I can't communicate with anyone, other than the blessed few who speak english) they can't understand me and they look to my companion to translate, but in lessons, they understand and they respond to what I ask or what I say. It hurts to not be able to talk with the people, but it will come and in the mean time I am so thankful I am called to share this Gospel and to share my testimony that the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all sins and makes us new again, I have felt it in my life and seen it in the lives of those I love.
May God bless you all and know I love you,
Chi Dao
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