Tuesday - Devotional by Bishop Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric. What an amazing talk, I got almost 2 whole pages of notes just off of his talk alone. One thing he brought to mind really spoke to me, and that was the three things the savior said that I can relate to my mission. First, "Here am I, send me" By answering my mission call, and saying i was willing to go. I told my God I was ready to serve, and was willing to serve if he had said to go right then. The next thing I have said and will continue to say throughout my mission will be "Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done" The work is hard, but just like the Savior I must be ready and I have been ready to realize this is not my will being performed, but the will of The Father, and I will serve with the whole of my heart and soul so that I may say at the end of the 2 years,"It is finished" with confidence, and with a joy in my heart to rival nothing else.
Wednesday - The New Hmong Elders came! It was like Christmas, we were so excited to see new faces and it was amazing... However, so began my 4 day fast from English, or at least, my American English. As a zone, we wanted to continue the zone tradition of having our most foreign elders not speak any English. The Filipinos were excellent first choices, and I was chosen as the second. So on the first night I introduced myself in broken English and SYL'd my way through Vietnamese. Anh Ca Andersen supported me and broke an apple on his head! saying "this is how we bond since he doesn't speak English". It was hard, since I have a very pronounced "white American" accent. But, I kept it up, and well... I'll tell you how it went later.....
Thursday - We taught our mock investigators today, and it went really well. We've come a really long way in speaking Tieng Viet, and have really enjoyed the language so far. I'm comprehending so much, and I've understood so much more just devoting all my time to it. It's been a blessing, and I know the Gift of Tongues is real, and that I and my District have been blessed with it.
Friday - A pretty normal day, but we had one-on-ones with our teachers, and they talked to us about the language and how we were doing overall, not just in learning the language. I had a good meeting, and I know a bit more about what I specifically can learn while I'm here at the MTC.
Saturday - TRC Time! We taught a couple lessons on to some members who spoke Tieng Viet, and it went really well! Going back to understanding the language, I actually understood most of the subject of what their replies were about. We let Anh Ca McClellan take the lead and he did a spectacular job. I'm so super proud of him and his willingness to try, even if he isn't grasping the language as fast as other missionaries, his willingness and humility in learning is more than enough for the Spirit, and I've felt that. I had an experience where we asked a question, and upon hearing the reply, I was able to clarify the subject, and then ask a follow-up question, almost without hesitation, but a little as I thought of my words, what an experience. I shared a different personal story in each TRC, and I know I catered it to the needs of my lesson, the Spirit guides in these things and I know without Him I would not be able to teach like I have so far. It was also our one month Anniversary! We had ramen to celebrate. But we also had ramen last night... We have ramen for everything!
Sunday - Fast and testimony meeting for us! We taught the lesson in Priesthood and it went really well! I love to teach, even though I may not be good at it, but I always try to make it count. I've gotten really good at relaying messages about the Gospel once I got here, and it's been amazing to see my progression. At the point in time, the Hmong elders still don't know I speak English, so as I go up to bear my testimony, I start with "Xin chào và chào bui sáng ̣(Hello and Good morning) And then launch into my testimony, in my VERY American English.... They talk in the scriptures about being astonished... Well I astonished quite a few hmong elders.... They loved it! And I laughed with them after the meeting. I love them all and have really loved getting to know them! Our devotional tonight was given by MTC President Martino and his wife, centered around Peter and his Personal relationship with Christ. Peter needed guidance from Christ, all up until the point Christ left him with a decree, to feed his sheep. How are we like peter? And what are we going to do when the Lord tells us to "follow thou me"?
Monday - Mondays are always slow days, we call Monday night P-day eve, because it drags while we wait for P-day to finally come. But it was so much fun! Today was an exciting day full of sickness actually. Anh Ca Black had a throat infection, and most of our Disctrict was struck by something, thankfully most of us are over it now. We also had spicy ramen.... 8,808 on the scoville scale... now that's hot. I couldn't feel my face, neither good Anh Ca Buhler, but he did good! I love that we have a good enough relationship as a room to do those kind of things together and laugh about it. It's why I'm so glad they are coming out to the field with me.
Tuesday - A blessed day, time to get back to work tomorrow! I'll email you all next week about the craziness that we get up to this week!
I love you all!
-Anh Ca Ashby
Link to Video of Elders eating spicy Raman-well worth your time to watch!
Sgt. Green and Capitain Verde Getting into the Chicken in a Biskit
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