20 Sept. 2011

. . . This mission and this MTC are intense, and intensely wonderful. I am generally very happy, and am very glad to be here. I have experienced more love from my Heavenly Father than ever, and I know this is where I need to be.

So, I walked into the MTC last week, all ready to get started on something finally. And guess what! Not 10 minutes into being there, I was dropped off in my classroom where my teacher talked all this Cantonese at me. Just like that. He only speaks Cantonese with us, except for certain lessons on missionary work in general. And it really is a good thing. We're in a new-ish program of language learning here, one that throws you into just learning and using it right away, and it's grand! Well, scary too, but I mean, it'll be like this but harder in the mission field. Speaking of that, my estimated departure date is Nov. 28th! Weehawken! Which, being interpreted, is YAY! It's soon, but just like before, I think just getting started is what I like best. On that note, we already have taught 3 lessons to a pretend investigator assigned to us, all in Cantonese, and it's crazy. We started the third day of being here, and, thought the first two lessons were about as rough as you can get, by all working together in our companionship, and by listening to the spirit, our third lesson went really much better. It was kind of a thrill. We can teach already! Eek!

Also, so's you know, I have two companions! Sister Lier, Sister Nelson (yes, I know, it's hilarious), and I are a companionship, and it's really quite lovely. Not only are these particular sisters pretty wonderful, I think having three people helps diffuse things and come up with more ideas. We were given our Cantonese names the day we came too, so I haven't quite known what to call people yet. I mostly respond to my name now, too :) So, that means that I am Nihp Ji Muih to you. Last name, Nihp (pronounced Leep), Sister, Ji Muih (pronounced jee moi).

Ok, this place, the MTC, it is amazing, I tell you what. There are about 3,000 of us here (only about 300 sisters maybe?), and it's intense. All of us are working hard, listening to the Spirit even harder, and trying to knock off as many rough edges as possible. Also, the great majority of the people here are learning languages. It's not just me! It's very inspiring to see so many dedicated young people. And to be part of this. I am just beginning to realize how much trust has been placed in all of us, and it's humbling.

I am also happy because our district (the missionaries who are in classes with us, who got here with us, will leave with us, all going to Hong Kong) are amazing. There are 6 of us: 3 sisters (my companionship), 3 elders. And all of us get along really well. We laugh, learn, and look tired together. Tis very companionable.