Wow,
what a week. First let's start with getting here. The first two days of the MTC
were very overwhelming, and at many points throughout the days did I want to go
home. Thankfully, but day 3, I had settled into the pattern, and my mind was
turned to the Lord and the work he had set me about to do. I'm currently in a
tripanionship, with Elder Anderson and Elder McClellan. Elder Anderson is from
Philadelphia, and Elder McClellan is from Lehi. Both are amazing men of God. I
thought having companions would be difficult, and at times it sure is,
especially with there being three of us. However, for my first set of
companions, i love them both so much. They are both amazing and we always work
together, there hasn't been fighting or frustration, just lots of jokes and
laughing.
Our Distrct is only
12! We have 3 chis (sisters) and 8 Anh Cas( Elders). All the chis and eight of
the Anh Cas are going to Vietnam, the other Anh Cas are going to Vietnamese
branches in the states. Vietnamese as a language has been pretty awesome to learn.
I've learned how to introduce myself, how to give a simple pray and how to
testify. Again, all these things are very simple, but with time this language
will hopefully come to me and I'll be able to turn a heart with my message. But
the thing to remember is that no matter how you speak the language, what you
say will not convert someone to the gospel. What they FEEL is what will convert
them, that feeling being the spirit, and the spirit will ultimately be what
makes people ask you to come back again as they heed the spirit's promptings. I
am thankful for all the time we've spent talking about this. Anh Ca
McClellan has had a hard time learning this language, and he works so hard at
it. I've spent more time with him going over stuff I've learned than going over
new stuff I need to learn. I still keep caught up, but I realize he needs it,
and I'm understanding it, so why not help where it is needed. And i've
realized, by going over the material that I know with him, it cements it in my
mind, and I learn it and almost commit it to muscle memory. The Spirit and our
Heavenly Father truly knows what's best for us. We were put into this
companionship for a reason, and I know that one of my purposes for being here
was to teach Anh Ca Mcclellan and help him study Tieng Viet (vietnamese), of
which I am more than willing to do.
Our first Sunday at
the MTC was heckin' busy. Our Sundays are filled with many meetings, it is not
the day of rest for Missionaries. On top of the 6 meetings for the day, it was
Fast Sunday(!) So in itself a trial. However, I felt the spirit more than I
felt an empty stomach. We watched the Character of Christ, a film of a talk
David A. Bednar gave during a Christmas visit to the MTC, that was so impactful
the MTC asked for special permission to replay the recording. The talk is
powerful, and explains to us how to perfectly be missionaries. The words I
remember the best are this, "This mission is not about you! Get over
yourself!...... The Character of Christ is presented when the Natural man would
turn inward, Christ would turn outward." In short, when I get frustrated
with my mission, don't get frustrated and fume to myself, but go to work, help
my fellow missionaries and my companions, and the happiness will flow almost as
strong as the blessings you will receive.
Monday..... Anh Ca
Anderson has been sick for the past 3 days.... And tonight he asked for a
blessing. I was asked to anoint the oil, an honor in its own right. Anh Ca
McClellan was asked to give the blessing, which I believe was for a reason. He
has been struggling so much with the language, but his testimony of this gospel
and the power of the Priesthood is evident in this man, I know that we as a
companionship were meant to be together, and I know that we can continue to
uplift and help each other. I've never felt the spirit so strongly in my life,
and I'm so glad that I can have the gospel in my life.
However, there is one
thing detracting from the spirit...... the khmay elders going to cambodia....
many of them have been here for 7 weeks and are ready to leave, however they
are in many ways disrespectful. I have no doubt they believe in this gospel,
however I don't think they put the Lord before their temporal needs. The way
they act doesn't say so at least. However, we still love them and socialize
when we can, I just step out when it gets too much for me. Anh Ca Anderson
stately it better than I could when we says his phrase "Let me serve
you." He tends to say this when he helps someone, but he also says it when
he is frustrated with someone and they are doing a task, and instead of getting
angry he goes and helps..... I love my companions, and i cannot correctly
articulate that to them....
I want to leave you
all with a Vietnamese quote today: Chua Gie Su Ky To Yeu Thoung Anh (Jesus
Christ loves you)
My best wishes and all
my Love,
-Anh Ca Ashby
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