27 September 2011

Ngoh ge ga tihng!

. . . . I am enjoying my time here lots, especially because I know you're behind me. You're just grand. So, here's a quick summary of what I've been up to since your last update (this morning, sigh). Everyone always says that the MTC is a busy place and that missionaries are so busy, but I never understood why until I came here. Did you know that if you get exactly 8 hours of sleep, that leave 16 hours of work? Yep, that was crazy for me to find out too. And we are encouraged, yea, commanded to use all of that time as fully as you can. And when you are trying to learn enough Cantonese to teach people in China in a few short months, you certainly want to use all of it. Surprisingly, as far as the language goes, we are only actually in Cantonese class about 2-3 hours a day. But we have 1 hour of personal language study, 1 hour of computer-based language study, and we teach for 1/2 an hour EVERY day in Cantonese. Yipes, right? But you just are humble the whole time and press on. It's actually kinda fun. I mean, I know that learning a language isn't a game, but man, it can be fun! It's a type of puzzle, I guess. But I have to add a lot more pieces before I can get much of anywheres yet.

But, time-wise, it really is a miracle we are learning so much so quickly. You really have to take initiative yourself. The rest of that time is scheduled thusly: we have 1 hour each of personal scripture study and companionship study, we have coached missionary training (basically, how to teach, etc), meals, gym time, and etc. On certain days we have service assignment, devotionals, and such things. On P-days, we get to go to the temple. . . .

Also, I want to let you know that my District remains amazing. Your district is the next grouping up from companionships. Then come zones. Our district has only 6 people in it, and we're all going to Hong Kong. There's only one other district learning Cantonese right now, and they leave in Oct. There are only 3 of them. Three people making up a district! They are obviously very close. They're also very wonderful people, and they've been helping us learn, too.


I am so glad to be here. I know that this is where I need to be, and that I am learning so much. Heavenly Father has been watching out for me so much. He loves all of us, and I am just beginning to understand how much. And now, He needs me to go help some of His other children. They happen to be in Hong Kong. I feel honored to get to do this. In fact, I'm going to learn another language so I can do this. Hooray! I'm excited

Love,
Sister Nielsen