心年快了! Happy Chinese New year!!
Wow I didn't realize how eventful this week was until I was looking through my journal this morning. So I am going to try and type really fast but I will probably only be able to only say 1/2 of what has happened this week.
First off congrats to all of my peeps who have gotten mission calls in the past couple of weeks! I am so proud of ya'll. KARLY!!! Why didn't you email me where you got called to?! I found out from Sister Crapo! Oh and btw she is amazing! I see her everywhere and she only lives a floor below me. It's awesome :)
Wow I didn't realize how eventful this week was until I was looking through my journal this morning. So I am going to try and type really fast but I will probably only be able to only say 1/2 of what has happened this week.
First off congrats to all of my peeps who have gotten mission calls in the past couple of weeks! I am so proud of ya'll. KARLY!!! Why didn't you email me where you got called to?! I found out from Sister Crapo! Oh and btw she is amazing! I see her everywhere and she only lives a floor below me. It's awesome :)
In reply to Brother Goodrich: the missionaries here that are going to Cambodia say that the greeting sounds like "sweaty car" for females and "sweaty crap" for males. hahaha!
I have felt very different here at the MTC. I'm not just talking about the "Spiritual high". But I have made relationships here that are going to last a lifetime - and I have never laughed so hard everyday in my entire life. I have never gotten so close to others. And let me tell you it's amazing :)
Ok ... Timtams. Anyone heard of them? They are an Australian chocolate candy/cookie and they are sooooo good! But what's even better are Timtam SLAMS! You take the "bar" and bite off a little part of opposite corners. Then you use it as a straw and suck through the hole with a cup of chocolate milk (or milk). The bar will become really soft and when it's the right "softness" you eat it. The chocolate inside turns into a truffle texture. ITS SOOO GOOD! You can only know how good it is if you try it. Thanks Elder Booth for having a girlfriend who will send you Australian treats!
Well, I will most likely have my reassignment by next Monday (because of Visa delays)!!!
My guess is Washington or Idaho.
Sorry for my English. I can't spell or construct sentences anymore.
I have felt very different here at the MTC. I'm not just talking about the "Spiritual high". But I have made relationships here that are going to last a lifetime - and I have never laughed so hard everyday in my entire life. I have never gotten so close to others. And let me tell you it's amazing :)
Ok ... Timtams. Anyone heard of them? They are an Australian chocolate candy/cookie and they are sooooo good! But what's even better are Timtam SLAMS! You take the "bar" and bite off a little part of opposite corners. Then you use it as a straw and suck through the hole with a cup of chocolate milk (or milk). The bar will become really soft and when it's the right "softness" you eat it. The chocolate inside turns into a truffle texture. ITS SOOO GOOD! You can only know how good it is if you try it. Thanks Elder Booth for having a girlfriend who will send you Australian treats!
Well, I will most likely have my reassignment by next Monday (because of Visa delays)!!!
My guess is Washington or Idaho.
Sorry for my English. I can't spell or construct sentences anymore.
Monday:
I broke the mile record again. Just a 5:36. Not too bad. But it hurt worse than it should've.
Ok so District 39A got their reassignments! California and Arkansas! The Cali Elders have Compton in their area. All total Utah Mormon boys. Can you imagine ... an innocent red head and blonde tracting in Compton CA? Ok, if you knew these elders you would laugh really hard!
Tuesday:
Sister Huang left this morning at 3:30 am. Yes, we got up to wish her off. It's so hard saying goodbye. I saw Sidney Taylor today! Sister Liu spilled something on her shirt during break time and so we went back to the soosh (residence) to change it. And that is where I saw Sydney! Soooo Fun!!!
Wednesday:
Sister Chan left this morning at 3:30 also. Day two of no sleep and only 1/2 dead. Because her companion was left alone she became our companion. She is really cool. Her name is Sister Lee. And her Chinese is spot-on! She grew up in Hong Kong but then came to the states when she was 16 to go to school. It's weird being in a trio ... but cool. Here we are at 3:30 AM lookin all gansta in our Utah rivalry college sweatshirts! BYU, UofU and USU - awesome!
I broke the mile record again. Just a 5:36. Not too bad. But it hurt worse than it should've.
Ok so District 39A got their reassignments! California and Arkansas! The Cali Elders have Compton in their area. All total Utah Mormon boys. Can you imagine ... an innocent red head and blonde tracting in Compton CA? Ok, if you knew these elders you would laugh really hard!
Tuesday:
Sister Huang left this morning at 3:30 am. Yes, we got up to wish her off. It's so hard saying goodbye. I saw Sidney Taylor today! Sister Liu spilled something on her shirt during break time and so we went back to the soosh (residence) to change it. And that is where I saw Sydney! Soooo Fun!!!
Wednesday:
Sister Chan left this morning at 3:30 also. Day two of no sleep and only 1/2 dead. Because her companion was left alone she became our companion. She is really cool. Her name is Sister Lee. And her Chinese is spot-on! She grew up in Hong Kong but then came to the states when she was 16 to go to school. It's weird being in a trio ... but cool. Here we are at 3:30 AM lookin all gansta in our Utah rivalry college sweatshirts! BYU, UofU and USU - awesome!
Thursday:
This morning Sister Liu and I made Hot chocolate and "easy Mac" for breakfast because we didn't want to go out into the cold for sack breakfast. It was fun - but honestly ... gross.
Sister Johnson and I talked about how Satan tempts up here at the MTC during our run this morning. It's so weird how different it is from when you weren't in the MTC. Sister Johnson said that once she realized that she can't do anything without the Lord's help, her time here has gotten better. Because she fully relies on Him for EVERYTHING. Her testimony is so strong! I rely on the Lord, but I think I take a lot of things for granted. I'm sure a lot of us do. So it became my goal this week to fully understand what the Savior has done for me and how I can truly trust and rely on the Lord for help.
Well, later today we were reading the "First Presidency Message" in PMG during class. Our teacher gave us time to ponder on how we can "Rise to a new commitment." I was prompted to read my Patriarchal Blessing. It is so cool how your life's circumstances constantly change but the blessing stays the same AND it still helps you! Reading my blessing really made me realize what the Savior has done for me. I will study more on the subject but I have a start. A new perspective. I had a little "vision" I guess you could call it when I was sitting there pondering with my eyes closed. I imagined myself kneeling at the feet of God. All my past sins and regrets came back to memory. I was pleading for forgiveness. Satan was there demanding Justice. But then the Savior stepped into the picture and said, "All is forgiven." I just started bawling in class. An elder said - uhhhhh ... you ok sister?? And I'm thinking "ARE YOU OK ELDER? DO YOU REALIZE WHAT THE SAVIOR HAS DONE FOR YOU?"
Oh - if you haven't read "the room" read it :) Talks about the Atonement.
This morning Sister Liu and I made Hot chocolate and "easy Mac" for breakfast because we didn't want to go out into the cold for sack breakfast. It was fun - but honestly ... gross.
Sister Johnson and I talked about how Satan tempts up here at the MTC during our run this morning. It's so weird how different it is from when you weren't in the MTC. Sister Johnson said that once she realized that she can't do anything without the Lord's help, her time here has gotten better. Because she fully relies on Him for EVERYTHING. Her testimony is so strong! I rely on the Lord, but I think I take a lot of things for granted. I'm sure a lot of us do. So it became my goal this week to fully understand what the Savior has done for me and how I can truly trust and rely on the Lord for help.
Well, later today we were reading the "First Presidency Message" in PMG during class. Our teacher gave us time to ponder on how we can "Rise to a new commitment." I was prompted to read my Patriarchal Blessing. It is so cool how your life's circumstances constantly change but the blessing stays the same AND it still helps you! Reading my blessing really made me realize what the Savior has done for me. I will study more on the subject but I have a start. A new perspective. I had a little "vision" I guess you could call it when I was sitting there pondering with my eyes closed. I imagined myself kneeling at the feet of God. All my past sins and regrets came back to memory. I was pleading for forgiveness. Satan was there demanding Justice. But then the Savior stepped into the picture and said, "All is forgiven." I just started bawling in class. An elder said - uhhhhh ... you ok sister?? And I'm thinking "ARE YOU OK ELDER? DO YOU REALIZE WHAT THE SAVIOR HAS DONE FOR YOU?"
Oh - if you haven't read "the room" read it :) Talks about the Atonement.
Friday:
Today was just full of laughs! I wish I could write every little thing down but I don't have time! When I get home just ask for my journal. I wrote everything down in there :)
For class we took an hour to read 2 Nephi 4. It is such a great chapter! Go read it! Even Nephi has temptations! But look at his Trust and faith! I pray everyday to have faith like him.
I learned how to play two games that little Taiwanese kids play. "Bunny-Carrot-Gun" and "Shield-reload-shoot". Both are like "rock paper scissors". So much fun!
I got two packages today! Thank you Packs :))) I absolutely obsessed over the Cars stickers!
And thanks mom for the Hong Bao!!! :)))
You know when you have lessons that are just like...on point?! All 4 of my lessons were just like that.
I'm so grateful for the gifts of the Spirit!
Oh and Sister Lee got her travel plans - she is going to VEGAS!!!!!!!!
Saturday:
Satan really 'attacked' me this morning. Sister Liu has been having some stuff going on as well. We talked about it for about an hour. After our little venting session we were both so busy with the work that there was no gap for Satan to try and fill. It's good to be busy. Anyway, Elder Ludwig could see it in our faces that morning and so he drew both of us pictures to brighten our day. Sweet :)
Today was just full of laughs! I wish I could write every little thing down but I don't have time! When I get home just ask for my journal. I wrote everything down in there :)
For class we took an hour to read 2 Nephi 4. It is such a great chapter! Go read it! Even Nephi has temptations! But look at his Trust and faith! I pray everyday to have faith like him.
I learned how to play two games that little Taiwanese kids play. "Bunny-Carrot-Gun" and "Shield-reload-shoot". Both are like "rock paper scissors". So much fun!
I got two packages today! Thank you Packs :))) I absolutely obsessed over the Cars stickers!
And thanks mom for the Hong Bao!!! :)))
You know when you have lessons that are just like...on point?! All 4 of my lessons were just like that.
I'm so grateful for the gifts of the Spirit!
Oh and Sister Lee got her travel plans - she is going to VEGAS!!!!!!!!
Saturday:
Satan really 'attacked' me this morning. Sister Liu has been having some stuff going on as well. We talked about it for about an hour. After our little venting session we were both so busy with the work that there was no gap for Satan to try and fill. It's good to be busy. Anyway, Elder Ludwig could see it in our faces that morning and so he drew both of us pictures to brighten our day. Sweet :)
Sunday:
GUESS WHAT ELDER STEPHENS DID TODAY!!!! So at lunch I was holding a tray with a bowl of soup, a roll and a bowl of pineapple on it. I was holding it with one hand so that I could use my other hand to fill up a cup of water. Well...Elder Stephens decided to put his bowl of fruit on the CORNER of my tray. My tray flipped over and I tried to save it ... Didn't work. Good thing Sister Liu has magic hands for getting stains out!
I was called to speak in sacrament meeting today. Was not expecting that. I went up and winged it. I did have a talk prepared but then decided to not use it. I tend to do that. The topic was on Faith. It's actually my favorite. I remember when I really started to practice faith. Thanks to Mommy for being such a great example to me! You remember that story mom? I tell it to everyone. But yeah, you're great.
I cried ... hard ... when District A sang "God Be With You Till we Meet Again." I am going to miss them soooo much! They were our little brothers and we got really tight with them! They leave Tuesday morning. That will be a sad morning. 3:30 am. no make up. nuff said.
Our district watched "The Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar again. It is such a great talk! If you come to the MTC you HAVE TO SEE IT! I learned a lot more than when I first saw it.
GUESS WHAT ELDER STEPHENS DID TODAY!!!! So at lunch I was holding a tray with a bowl of soup, a roll and a bowl of pineapple on it. I was holding it with one hand so that I could use my other hand to fill up a cup of water. Well...Elder Stephens decided to put his bowl of fruit on the CORNER of my tray. My tray flipped over and I tried to save it ... Didn't work. Good thing Sister Liu has magic hands for getting stains out!
I was called to speak in sacrament meeting today. Was not expecting that. I went up and winged it. I did have a talk prepared but then decided to not use it. I tend to do that. The topic was on Faith. It's actually my favorite. I remember when I really started to practice faith. Thanks to Mommy for being such a great example to me! You remember that story mom? I tell it to everyone. But yeah, you're great.
I cried ... hard ... when District A sang "God Be With You Till we Meet Again." I am going to miss them soooo much! They were our little brothers and we got really tight with them! They leave Tuesday morning. That will be a sad morning. 3:30 am. no make up. nuff said.
Our district watched "The Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar again. It is such a great talk! If you come to the MTC you HAVE TO SEE IT! I learned a lot more than when I first saw it.
Monday 6:30-1:30: Because A LOT happened this morning I am going to include monday morning. I went to the temple and performed sealings for the first time. It was such a cool experience! Family - you will be receiving a letter from me soon explaining it further, along with other events. POPS! I saw Darren's son! We were in line to get into the Cafeteria. He looked at me, shook my hand and said, "You're Awesome!" We realized that we had the same last name. And then later found out that we were related! He asked me, "Is your dad's name Kraig?" Well...ummm...yes... Popsicle - he's your cousins son! Dad I need to get to know the family more. His companion also knows Gibson Green and Ivy Johnson. Totally forgot his name! Oops sorry. But he went to Layton High. |
Well, love you all! Thanks for all of the letters and packages!
-Sister Graham
-Sister Graham