Hello Wonderful People!!
I love you all. Immensely! Yesterday I
got your package . . . .
So, I shall try to answer all of your questions as I explain my
week. The reason I was able to get my package and letters was because we
went to Kowloon Tong today to go to the temple. We get to go every move
(every 6 weeks), which is the greatest blessing ever. I mean, how many
missions get to do that? Yup, it was wonderful. And the Hong Kong temple
is so beautiful and peaceful. Given Hong Kong's hustle and bustle, this
is amazing.
Speaking of that, though. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE! It's
exciting. But I am learning a lot about moving through crowds
efficiently and with a companion. This also means, though, that we do
not do any door-to-door tracting, which I am everlastingly grateful for.
Heavenly Father really knows me well. Instead we walk around certain
areas, parks, sidewalks, etc, and talk to everyone (we aren't allowed to
proselyte in malls). Public transportation is a little harder to
contact on sometimes because there are so many people, but we do that
too. The funny thing is, we have to go to areas with LESS people so that
they'll actually be able to stop and talk with us. Seriously, the Lord
has provided us with ample people here. Which actually really helps me
not worry as much whenever they reject what we have to say or when I say
things poorly (did you know I've only been speaking Cantonese for 3
months exactly?). But it's fun. We also spend a lot of our time teaching
lessons, which is great.
Funny thought I realized earlier: In one of the busiest, most
crowded cities you could think of, I am living more simply than I ever
have, which makes me very happy. I also kinda wonder if I could handle
Hong Kong if I weren't. I mean, little things like playing frisbee in
the morning as a zone as a special occasion are so much fun! Yup, I like
this simple life thing. Also, I do not take for granted how nice it is
to have an hour of scripture study every day. That is golden precious
time to get ready for my day. I recommend it. You will not know how you
made it through your days before once you start.
This last week was special because we started our Zone
Caroling/Finding activities. We'll be doing this twice a week leading up
to Christmas. It is the most fun thing ever. So, we basically go as a
zone (14 missionaries maybe?) to some area with plenty of people and
start singing (wearing Santa hats, of course). Half of us sing and half
of us contact people who stop to listen/walk by. It is very jolly
indeed. I really like the fact that I get to be here right when the
Christmas spirit is kicking in. People are way more open. Speaking of
that, Christmas is a fairly big commercial event here but very few
people are actually Christian, so it's a brazen marketing ploy, mostly. A
lot of the schools here are Christian, so that's probably why Christmas
even took hold here. But, still, people are happy and more open to talk
to you when you start with a "merry christmas!"
That's the other thing: people are surprisingly nice sometimes. I am
very grateful when people will stop and talk with me and patiently
understand my Cantonese. It's very sweet.
Oh, the other thing
that happened this week is we had 24 hour companion exchanges. So,
yesterday I spent my day with Sister Chang. Everyone agrees that
24-exchanges are very refreshing and instructive. I learned a lot and
got get to know Sister Chang a lot,too. It was nice.
So, in my zone are 4 sisters, me included and we all live in the
same apartment, and I am the only white, non-fluent Cantonese speaker.
But we all get along rather and I am learning a little about how to cook
Chinese food. Of course, when we are running from place to place we
often buy our meals, which are without fail, very cheap, very filling,
and often greasy. Hmmm. Cantonese food is actually surprisingly
meat-heavy.
That is beside the point though. The main point is that I love you
and that I am very grateful to be on this mission. I am grateful for how
fast this language is coming (yay for having a native companion!
Seriously) and for all the opportunities the Lord has trusted me with to
introduce this amazing gospel to others. I very firmly feel that
despite my imperfections at doing this, the Lord is still making my
efforts enough. I'm trying my hardest, but if I can't speak perfect
Cantonese yet or explain the gospel with as much clarity as I'd like
yet, it's because the Lord is making up for it. He wants me to learn
too, you see, and I'm very grateful for that. I know that this gospel is
true, and can bring you more joy than you'd ever think! Every time I
tell other people about this news, I feel deep down that it's very very
much true. And I know that Heavenly Father loves us and watches out for
us. I love you! You're the best family ever! I know that the Lord is
watching out for you too!
Love,
Sister Nielsen
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