Hey I hope everyone had an AMAZING EASTER!!!! And ya'll better have seen the #becausehelives mormon message :)
So ..... ummm ... GENERAL CONFERENCE?!?!?! Yeah, like the Super Bowl :)) And I only fell asleep twice for like 5 minutes. Even in dresses, sitting in a chair, my eyelids just kinda take over for a second. But I loved every second of it. :) I think that we all take for granted the opportunity that we have to listen to these wonderful apostles and prophet of God. I am so grateful that we have modern prophets to guide us and direct us.
This week I learned a lot. We went on exchanges this week. So I was with Sister Dewe for 24 hours. It was fun! And I realized that I need to change a lot about myself. I learned a lot about companionship. The importance of trust. The importance to closure. The importance to being yourself and being open. The importance of BEING ONE. I had a really hard couple of days this week and I didn't want to talk to anyone about it. I was stressed out about the language, my role in the Tempe mission and I felt like Sister Lin was mad at me most of the time. I went to bed crying and I was really quiet most of the day. I was not happy at all. Well ... after exchanges I talked with Sister Lin. She actually brought it up. Asking if I was ok and then expressing her thoughts. We sat in the car and cried and talked about our struggles. It's funny...that reminded me of the many emotional car talks I have had with my friends after school or work. Ya'll know who you are. It was kinda like that. I am now able to say that we are FRIENDS. and FRIENDS who are serving TOGETHER. and who LOVE each other. I have always loved Sister Lin but she was more of a companion and trainer than a friend. I think this week especially I needed a friend and I am so grateful that we were able to work things out. Because of the culture difference we have had a lot of misunderstandings. Most of the problem was misunderstandings and us just not talking about it. But that is something that I really need to work on. I like to keep things inside. I think that this is an amazing opportunity to learn and grow.
II am also getting more comfortable with talking to EVERYONE! I know that everyone knows that missionaries should talk with everyone. It's a no brainer. But I am really shy and it is really hard to just go up to people and invite them to come unto Christ! But I am really getting the hang of it. Like why should I be afraid to be bold?
We did a service project with a bunch of asian kids. We painted eggs with them. They are so cute!!! Like SO STINKIN CUTE! Their Chinese is a whole lot easier to understand than the old peoples. One little girl asked if I was Chinese. I said "No I am American." And then another kid said, "Of course she is American! She has Blue eyes!" I took off my glasses and stared into their souls. Oh and btw this conversation was all in Chinese which was pretty cool. So if y'all didn't know - I am a pure white American :)) But I guess that I could pass for Chinese. :))
So ..... ummm ... GENERAL CONFERENCE?!?!?! Yeah, like the Super Bowl :)) And I only fell asleep twice for like 5 minutes. Even in dresses, sitting in a chair, my eyelids just kinda take over for a second. But I loved every second of it. :) I think that we all take for granted the opportunity that we have to listen to these wonderful apostles and prophet of God. I am so grateful that we have modern prophets to guide us and direct us.
This week I learned a lot. We went on exchanges this week. So I was with Sister Dewe for 24 hours. It was fun! And I realized that I need to change a lot about myself. I learned a lot about companionship. The importance of trust. The importance to closure. The importance to being yourself and being open. The importance of BEING ONE. I had a really hard couple of days this week and I didn't want to talk to anyone about it. I was stressed out about the language, my role in the Tempe mission and I felt like Sister Lin was mad at me most of the time. I went to bed crying and I was really quiet most of the day. I was not happy at all. Well ... after exchanges I talked with Sister Lin. She actually brought it up. Asking if I was ok and then expressing her thoughts. We sat in the car and cried and talked about our struggles. It's funny...that reminded me of the many emotional car talks I have had with my friends after school or work. Ya'll know who you are. It was kinda like that. I am now able to say that we are FRIENDS. and FRIENDS who are serving TOGETHER. and who LOVE each other. I have always loved Sister Lin but she was more of a companion and trainer than a friend. I think this week especially I needed a friend and I am so grateful that we were able to work things out. Because of the culture difference we have had a lot of misunderstandings. Most of the problem was misunderstandings and us just not talking about it. But that is something that I really need to work on. I like to keep things inside. I think that this is an amazing opportunity to learn and grow.
II am also getting more comfortable with talking to EVERYONE! I know that everyone knows that missionaries should talk with everyone. It's a no brainer. But I am really shy and it is really hard to just go up to people and invite them to come unto Christ! But I am really getting the hang of it. Like why should I be afraid to be bold?
We did a service project with a bunch of asian kids. We painted eggs with them. They are so cute!!! Like SO STINKIN CUTE! Their Chinese is a whole lot easier to understand than the old peoples. One little girl asked if I was Chinese. I said "No I am American." And then another kid said, "Of course she is American! She has Blue eyes!" I took off my glasses and stared into their souls. Oh and btw this conversation was all in Chinese which was pretty cool. So if y'all didn't know - I am a pure white American :)) But I guess that I could pass for Chinese. :))
I met a girl who just came home from Taiwan like a month ago. Her name is Amber White. She was actually serving in Sister Lin's ward when she got her call! Anywho- it was cool to speak chinese with her and hear about Taiwan.
<---------------- Me and Amber
Oh hey ... Ai Hong changed my Chinese name again. She thought it over and was like, "eh nope! This aint you." well not exactly like that but yeah. My names is now Ting2yu4 which means beautiful treasure :))
S/O to My best little sister EVER! Kami I love you to death. And you have no idea how much I think about you and look at our pictures together. I am so grateful that I have you as a little sister. And that we have such a great relationship! We really are SOOOOOOOOO lucky :) I pray for you every night. I pray that you can overcome Satan in this crazy world. I pray that you can look at my mistakes and learn from them. I want you to have a great experience in high school and I only want the best for you. I know that sometimes I got competitive with you when I was home. But I have definitely learned that competitiveness is not love. Now, I just want you to have the best life that you can have. Please, listen to mom and dad's counsel. They are the best examples and know what you need. I LOVE YOU
Well, that is mainly what I learned this week. Sorry this is a short email.
Family I love you! Isn't Sister Scott awesome!! :))) And no I did not get the package. DId you send it to the mission home? Or to my address? Because if you sent it to my address I will most like not get it.
Oh and I dont have a quote for this week. I had a BUNCH that I got from Conference but I forgot my ipad at the apartment :*(
Love to all -
Sister Graham
<---------------- Me and Amber
Oh hey ... Ai Hong changed my Chinese name again. She thought it over and was like, "eh nope! This aint you." well not exactly like that but yeah. My names is now Ting2yu4 which means beautiful treasure :))
S/O to My best little sister EVER! Kami I love you to death. And you have no idea how much I think about you and look at our pictures together. I am so grateful that I have you as a little sister. And that we have such a great relationship! We really are SOOOOOOOOO lucky :) I pray for you every night. I pray that you can overcome Satan in this crazy world. I pray that you can look at my mistakes and learn from them. I want you to have a great experience in high school and I only want the best for you. I know that sometimes I got competitive with you when I was home. But I have definitely learned that competitiveness is not love. Now, I just want you to have the best life that you can have. Please, listen to mom and dad's counsel. They are the best examples and know what you need. I LOVE YOU
Well, that is mainly what I learned this week. Sorry this is a short email.
Family I love you! Isn't Sister Scott awesome!! :))) And no I did not get the package. DId you send it to the mission home? Or to my address? Because if you sent it to my address I will most like not get it.
Oh and I dont have a quote for this week. I had a BUNCH that I got from Conference but I forgot my ipad at the apartment :*(
Love to all -
Sister Graham