Hello Dearest Parents/Family!
I love you. How are you doing? How was Conference for you? Personally, I thought it was the best thing ever. It was really like a holiday here. I've enjoyed many a conference, but being a missionary and watching Conference is past compare.
So, how are things here? Oh, just dandy. We're learning so much daily (at least 20 words a day, and I feel like it should be more), yet we have so very far to go. Cantonese is officially the coolest. So, it's really and truly a slang language. Written Cantonese is so different from spoken (like, a different vocab even) that they really just let their language evolve as much as wanted. So, it's less a question of "is this correct, grammatically and all that?" as "is this the way most people say this?" And that's how "correct" seems to be mostly determined. I'm no official, but having come from learning French (which has an entire Academy just to preserve it), this is the impression I get. It's really fun to be learning Cantonese, then. Also, we've been finding a few more people who speak it here (besides the 9 of us who are desperately trying to learn it), and that helps us learn much more.
So, speaking of Conference again, I just wanted to talk about some highlights. I loved Sis. Dalton's talk about Fathers and Daughters. Dad, in case you couldn't tell, I gave you a big hug there at the end. I was realizing just how lucky I am to have such a wonderful dad. Also, all of the specifically mission-related talks were oh so powerful. Yamashita's talk in particular. Anyway, I could go on forever about all of them, but I just really liked the focus I got, which was that even one person can really make a difference. . . . We're all involved, is what I'm realizing. And why should we be shy? Just be clear and loving and teach the world! I am realizing this is much less logical a work than many I've been involved in (what, learn a new language and then tell people about spiritual matters and expect them to change their lives? Yes!), but it's also the most important and the most inspiring. I feel very supported throughout all this. . . .
Speaking of making a difference, here's a story from last week: On Friday, at the end of a lovely day, we came into our classroom after our teachers (we have two of them) had left to find our favorite candy bar on our desk and a page of inspiring quotes from one of our teachers. Earlier that week, we had named our favorite candy bars to choose who would say the prayer (closest to the teacher's would say it). Well, our teacher had somehow remembered and got them for us! Really an incredible person. He had had a busy week with tests and presentations, and we tried to cheer him on through it (so how he had the time for this treat for us, we don't know). Well, he also told us that he was really impressed with our outward focus and that it meant a lot to him. So, he decided to top us all, I guess. Anyway, we felt so cared for. It was just really nice. This MTC place is really amazing, I'm realizing. And our teachers do so much for us. It's crazy.
Ok, I gotta go now.
Just remember, I love you immensely! Thank you for every single note and prayer! Even if I don't have time to write back, I am praying back!
Love,
Sister Nielsen
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