Excerpts from a letter that arrived at home on Sept. 30

. . . I don't know if I've told you, but from the moment I arrived at the MTC, I have been running into people I know. It is terribly fun. Even ran into some people I didn't know were going on missions. It's cool. . . . It is amazing seeing these people who have always been incredible now with missionary zeal and authority. It's staggers the mind. I kinda wish you could experience this place. . . . The MTC is obviously a place of molding (the good kind). There are a lot of good people here trying to become what the Lord wants them to become. We're getting a lot of help in this here. I think we're all learning how much we actually can do through the Lord. I guess He really does know what He can expect of us I mean, who else would call me to a mission where I'll mostly be doing street contacting on busy sidewalks (think NYC) in Cantonese! I mean, me, little mild-mannered, shy, me! But, really, I know I can do it with the Lord's help. I have a secret assertive side that we've all become more acquainted with, and I'm secretly very excited.

Speaking of Cantonese, it's a crazy language. Tones are so subtle and sneaky, but really fun once you get some of them. Also, man, this language IS little harsh sounding.Just saying "God loves you" sound a bit like "I'm about to eat you," I would imagine. It's "Sihn ngoi Leih." Try saying that 10 times fast. Hee hee. I wish I could tell you all about what I'm learning and wish I could be learning, but there ain't time. Suffice it to say, I have realized that part of my purpose here is to be able to teach people in Cantonese about the gospel. It isn't to become proficient in conversational Cantonese so I can come home with a new skill. Once I figured out that a little better, I was able to focus my studies and practice a bit more. Basically, I can explain a few gospel concepts ok-ish by now, and I am working on learning enough vocab to be able to teach the first lesson sensically. If I use pantomime I can mostly make sense, so there is certainly hope. . . .

Oh,you should also know that my companions and I get along swimmingly. They're really fun and hard-working people. Hon yeh. (Good stuff.). . . .

Love,
Sister Sarah Nielsen