October 30, 2012

一個真正偉大的人，從來不會忽略一個單純的孩子
A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child.

Moral: When we are teachable,
 our humility enables us to grow and to ride the crest of greatness and spirituality.

Dear Family,

So this week has been interesting... which is interesting in itself since I have the exact same schedule every week.  Well, we got a new investigator.  We are now teaching 3.  2 of them are our teachers/ investigators that they taught on their missions and one is another missionary.  I have truly been able to see the benefits of role-playing from an investigator and missionary standpoint.  They are very important in formulating thoughts and understanding what an investigator may feel when you teach them.  Being in the MTC has been a great chance for me to experience things for the first time that I have taken for granted my whole life.  For example, I never realized how special that spirit is that you feel when you walk into a chapel, or the revelation that is so easily gained at church.  I never read 1st Nephi from the perspective of having no idea who the Nephites were or what the Book of Mormon is about. I was able to see how amazing the gift of the Holy Ghost is and how only a little faith is required to make that first step.  I mean - I had no idea what everything meant when I was baptized.  Our investigators don't have to know everything right now either.  The sooner they can experience that cleansing power of baptism and the special spirit they receive, the better they will be able to understand everything else we learn over many years at church.  It has been an amazing and eye opening experience for me to be here!

Two generations of Mandarin -Speaking Missionaries

Chinese is coming well.  My companion and I speak it often and Elder Gummow says his generation was a bit intimidated at how fast we were learning.  Thank goodness because sometimes I can't see it.  I am definitely studying the gospel and Chinese hard and we are really trying to solve the concerns of our investigators.  My companion and I together can usually piece together our investigator's concerns.  My biggest challenge with Chinese... it's a tonal language and sometimes I get a bit excited and add my own tones like I do to English words... this is definitely not good.  In my lessons it's not a problem, but when I'm just speaking to everyone it has become a bit of a joke because sometimes I really can't help it.  I will lose a bit of my personality in Chinese until I can find a way to communicate a bit better.  I really do love it though and have so much fun learning it every day.

Fall at the MTC

So just so everyone doesn't think I am crazy or lying about the MTC being great, I will tell you it is hard.  You hit it right on the head mom when you said I needed extra prayers.  I don't think that I have ever doubted the church more or had more questions than I have had here at the MTC.  I truly believe it is because- if I can start asking these things now and looking for the weird strange things about the church, then I can better feel/understand what my investigators will feel.  I want to testify as well that if any of you are having any doubts, through praying sincerely and reading the scriptures you will find all the answers.  The gospel isn't just for some people.  It is for everyone!  One thing that helped me understand this better this week was - I was thinking about how different the earth is.  There are warm places, cold places, green places, dry places, beaches, mountains, streams and lakes.  The earth has so much variety.  If God can create a world that has so many things that each of us enjoy, then of course he is able to create a plan that fits every person.  He knows each of us so well.  He knew he needed to make some warm, green places with beaches for Sara Gummow.  He knew he needed to make a place like Utah for Jared Winkel and Mason Bell :).  ha ha - he knows us each personally and his plan is for EVERY person.

My difficult story of the week actually involves one of my investigators/ teacher.  They do a good job at being separate people, but sometimes things cross over.  I am not positive how much my teacher loves me, but I am working on understanding this better.  Unfortunately, some of these personal problems have translated over into our lessons and caused a bit of a scheduling mix up.  We scheduled an appointment on the board and they thought it was the other elders because we didn't sign our names.  Therefore, when we went to teach, our investigator was tired and didn't really want us to come in.  Luckily, we were prepared.  I had to pray with all my might to let the hurt feelings go.  I knew my teacher thought that we were not doing what we were supposed to and therefore our investigator wasn't open to us.  I also realize that miscommunication happens all the time in real life.  My amazing companion helped me pray and we talked about how we could overcome this wall.  We ended up singing "I am a Child of God" in Chinese and it was really a special moment.  We let our investigator know of our concern for her and how we wanted to help her.  I know the lord helped me overcome my own feelings of hurt and he can help anyone let those feelings go if we just ask.  This is the miracle of the atonement!

Siblings serving in both Taiwan missions

You are all amazing and I am so glad to be serving the Lord.  Press forward with Faith!!!  The Lord will help each of us overcome any trial.  I mean if I can teach my investigators lessons in Chinese and understand their concerns after 5 weeks of learning this language... He can help you do anything! :)

Elder Gummow sends his love and I hope you were able to have a good conversation with him. (The Elders in this picture all left for Taiwan today and I (mom) was able to talk to Elder Gummow on the phone for 15 min this morning!)

I also wanted to say Happy Birthday to all the October birthdays!!! Kaitlin, David, Jared... I got to see Megan, but anyways Happy Happy Birthday!!! I wish I could have been there :)  You are all super great! David and Brandon... welcome home!!! I hope you are adjusting well :)

Love,

Sister Sara Gummow
PS.  In her written letter this week she said to say a special "thank-you" to Sis Jensen who has been sending treats every other week.  Thank you!!

The Banana that keeps life entertaining at the MTC

A treat from someone who loves them!

The had a fire alarm go off early one Sunday morning
 and ended up outside at 6am

Roommates for 3 weeks!

Mandarin-speaking Sisters!

Enjoying Pumpkin Bread sent by Aimee

October 23, 2012

能者有志，弱者有願

Great souls have wills; 

feeble ones have only wishes

Moral: Do something great, 

don’t just dream about it.  

Dear Family,

This week has been fantastic!  Ha ha- missionary life is about the same every week, but we do have some funny things that happen occasionally... mostly because having so many elders in one place is bound to get a little strange sometimes.  Some random highlights of the week:  Wednesday we had an awesome title of liberty-themed workshop, so today my district is making a title of liberty.  They talked about how without a clear purpose it is hard to find motivation to do things.  If you are stranded in the ocean in a rowboat without

direction or an island in sight it might get a little tiring to keep rowing, but as soon as you can see where you are going it becomes much easier.  I think we all can relate to this.  We decided it would be fun to make one on our P-day to remind us of why we are studying so hard and working to become great missionaries.

Another crazy thing that happened was on our way to lunch, Bai Jei Mei (Sister B.) and I got stopped by a man who wanted us to say something in Mandarin to be on some commercial in the Netherlands... unfortunately he asked us if there were any girls who had been there longer.  We decided the older generation girls deserved to be on TV... and they can speak much better than we can.  It was cool anyway.

Our district is fantastic and we have a lot of fun times together.  The most recent random joke going around is Li Zhonglao (Elder R.) likes bananas and they always draw little faces on them.  So whenever we happen to have an extra banana or something we draw a face on it... give it a name and leave it on someones desk.  Yep... weird!  ha ha but these are the things that keep us entertained during class.... without these distractions crazy things happen... for example yesterday we are trying to teach a lesson to wu laoshi (Brother W.), our zone resource teacher.  For some reason he likes to complicate the sisters lessons and the little twist he threw into the story of our investigator changed our entire lesson, so when we started with this great analogy for the other story he gave us he just started laughing.  He then apologized after like 5 min of he and the other elders giggling and said we could have the other story that fit our original lesson.  So... this same day I was SUPER tired and couldn't focus and we still had to teach our investigator Mrs. Huang.  (The thing is she is our teacher and she was our first investigator Zhang Lin.)  When I got up to the door I said a very enthusiastic "Ni Hao Zhang Lin!"  It was so sincere and such a complete mistake that our teacher... who is always serious, broke character and started laughing so hard.  Needless to say, it took us about 5 min to recover... We were all laughing so hard.  Luckily the Elders went over on their lessons so we were just stopping by to tell her hi and reschedule.  It was so terrible though.   The things I do when I'm tired... Ha ha it is all good though and I'm not nearly as tired today.

Elder Andrew Crookston shook my hand for the last time today.  He looks great and told to me to tell all the family hi!  He is headed out today at 4:30 for Guatamala where he will be in the MTC for a few more weeks.  It has been really fun to see so many family and friends here!  I also said goodbye to Elder Craig Tongish last week if I forgot to say that.  He is great and always has a big smile on his face.  They will both be amazing missionaries!

 We have been preparing all week to say goodbye to our older generation.  It is going to be so sad!  I am so excited for them all, but I'm not quite sure I am ready for 1. the responsibility of being the Older Generation and the example... and 2. to say goodbye to my brother.  We have been able to spend much more time together and his companion and mine are the greatest for always letting us sit by each other and making efforts to sit by us versus some of the other people they are closer to.  They are great!  Let the W. know that they raised two great sons!  They will truly be amazing missionaries.  I am always impressed by their confidence and desires to learn.  They are both obedient and genuinely kind.  As sisters in the MTC we really appreciate when the elders are respectful to us and respectful of their call as missionaries.  Both of the W.  are very respectful... they are still only 18, but I have been proud of them and many of the other young elders that step up to their call.  They are examples to me.

This week, like usual, I have continued to learn how much we each need to rely on the Lord.  I am proud... not in the way everyone would immediately guess, but as my mom can attest, I like to do things on my own.  I don't like people to take care of me when I'm sick, stressed, or overwhelmed.  I appreciate people's kindness, but I like to be able to do things on my own. However, I cannot learn Chinese in 12 weeks on my own.  Just saying it sounds ridiculous!  The thing I have found in the MTC is that the Lord will make miracles happen.  If he wants us to preach his gospel in Chinese, he will help each of us learn.  The problem is we have to get to the point where we are able to say "I need help.  I cannot do this on my own."  This is my goal and if I put this much in, will you help the output be this?  I know it sounds crazy but if I try and learn 10 new words a day... will you help me remember them and know how to use them effectively?"  This is just one of the smaller goals I have been trying to accomplish, but I know with the Lord's help, I can do this and learn how to effectively teach all of the lessons in PMG in a language that I can barely speak.  I wish people could just come here and see how quickly the missionaries learn these languages.  It is unbelievable!

I know that if the Lord can help his 19-21 year old missionaries accomplish these miracles, he can help any of us overcome any trial.  It is true that we are prayed for, sacrificed for, supported - probably more than anyone else on earth, but I also know that the Lord loves each of his children.  The main reason we can accomplish all we do is because he cares for EACH one of his children.  He wants us to be better at the language, know the gospel more, and learn how to teach because he wants us to have the ability to teach more of his children.  He cares about each person we will come in contact with and I only hope each of us missionaries can leave a little light with each one we speak with!

Love,

Sister Sara Gummow (Wen Jie mei)  

October 16,2012

Chinese Proverb:

有志者事竟成。
Look for a thing until you find it and you'll not lose your labor.

Moral: Consistently working toward a goal turns dreams into reality.

Mosiah 5:15, Mosiah 4:27

 
Hey Family!

Thank you so much for the letters and packages.  It is a bright spot in our day/week as missionaries to get ANYTHING from the outside world ha ha.  We definitely live in a bit of a bubble here.  So this week has been a bit different from past weeks.  My companion has been really sick since last Monday.  She is finally on the up swing... I think, but consequently it has put us a bit behind.  There are many things you don't think about till your on a mission, such as if my companion is too sick to leave the room... how am I supposed to eat?!  ha ha and definitely no gym time... or class time... and I have begun always bringing a fair amount of study materials to our residence hall just in case I get trapped there.  It is pretty funny.  Luckily, my companion is very tough and she does her best to go to everything she can.  I haven't missed too much and I have had a lot of personal study time.  I even got to work on my tones in the hallway... I think I was scaring the other girls who walked by, but oh well!

Sara's Room
She said they always make their beds!
(A mother's dream!!)

So this week was also fun because I ran into a ton of people I know!  Frazier Olsen is here going to Tulsa Oklahoma. I got pics with Elder Tongish and Elder Crookston!  Both of whom are doing great!  Elder Tongish was so excited to be leaving the MTC and Elder Crookston was preparing to journey out as well.  Elder Josh Wallace (fellow photopoly friend) is also leaving this week, but it's been fun to see him around.  A few weeks here and I think everyone is on fire to begin serving!  Genessa Frampton also left on her mission, I met a few people from BYUH... I didn't remember them, but they knew some of my friends.  I also ran into Steven... from St. George??? He was on the golf team freshman year at BYUH... we ran into his parents at the Marriott hotel that one time... anyways he teaches Korean here!  I also ran into Josh Roxas... I think pretty much just Jill and Kaitlin will know him, but ya he teaches Tagalog two floors above me.  Crazy!  Oh and of course I saw Adam Celaya finally!  He is the best and it was great to see him.  He says they are having tons of meetings trying to figure out how to prepare for the wave of missionaries that will soon be serving.  They are cutting the MTC time and therefore, have to figure out what curriculum to cut out.  I do not envy their position.  

Tell David Welch I say "hi" and welcome back to the US!!! ha ha I hope he feels better and I hope he enjoyed the wedding announcement...  I hope everyone else is doing well.  I was so excited to hear about the puppies and can't wait to see them!  Though... they won't be puppies anymore.  Ha ha Rachy finally got her little friend.  John and I were laughing so hard when she told us about her petshop adventures.  I am glad she didn't have to settle for a turtle which she can't cuddle very well... or a creepy mouse.  Ha ha I love you all and love to hear from you!!!

Our studies have been a bit less focused on Chinese this week and a bit more focused on the spirit.  It has been really neat to have that break and to be filled spiritually.  My language skills are slowly but surely increasing.  I went to my first regular Sunday this week.  Relief Society is really cool.  We are all combined in the room where we have devotionals.  For the first half hour we get to watch "Music and the Spoken Word" Which is fantastic because in the MTC there is a rule that we can't listen to ANY music in our rooms... though I did find out today that talks were ok.  Soo... if anyone has good talks send them my way on CD :)  ha ha

After we watch that we have a guest speaker that comes to talk to all the sisters.  This Sunday we were incredibly blessed to hear from Sister Burton, the General Relief Society President.  She is fantastic.  We also got to hear a conversion story of a sweet Filipino sister from Manila.  She is the first Filipino to serve in the Cape Verde mission.  She has only been a member for 2 years but she has such a strong testimony and a love for the gospel.  Sister Burton talked to us in a very comfortable intimate way.  It was awesome to learn of the lessons she has learned.  She told us a few key things to recognize the spirit and to help us learn from general conference and apply the teachings to our lives.

We also has the opportunity to hear Elder Bednar speak to us last Tuesday's Devotional.  He also spent the whole time teaching us how to study general conference and find the key doctrines, the challenge, and the blessings in each talk.  I am learning more and more how much this church is a church of change.  The spirit speaks to us and encourages us to become better... always!  That is why we have these general conferences, for us to learn how we can come unto Christ.  One thing I never realized before is how it is not just us coming unto Christ, but there is such a brotherhood in the 12, 70, etc.  They all learn just as much from each others talks as we learn.  They are amazing examples to me of diligence and enduring to the end.  We talk about serving our Lord until they end... many of us do... but I have no doubt in my mind of their incredible service!

Well here goes one more week at the MTC.  Jia you!!  I love learning and preparing to serve the Taiwanese people!!!  Only downside... I'm already freezing cold all the time.... it's all good though -I know the Lord will help me with this as well..  One more winter here we go ;P

Wo Ai Nimen!!!

Love,

Wen Jie Mei (Sister Sara Gummow)

Their classroom
Notice the "Happy Halloween" sign
from a mom who loves them!

October 9, 2012

New Pictures from Sara!!

Sara's MTC District!

Her District + their sister district of 3

Sister Gummow and Sister Bond
Wen Jie Mei /Bai Jie Mei

P-Day!! Letters and Laundry!

Getting some TLC (and blood drawn) from the MTC

Sara's District after on Saturday
after the big announcement!

Sisters from her generation going to Taiwan

Getting ready to watch General Conference -
(Matt catching some air!)

Brother and Sister!
(Notice all the looks in the background.....
perhaps they don't look much like brother and sister.)

General Conference 2012

Hello Dear Family!

 I am so excited to be writing you today.  I got to write a long letter this morning too, but a quick recap for all those who want to know about the secret going-ons in the MTC.... So conference was amazing!  It was a nice break from the routine schedule of everyday.  They even gave us permission to write letters on Saturday night because we finished early.  Our schedules were pretty much based around meal time, study time, conference sessions (or waiting for conference sessions to start), temple walk, more conference, more study time, and relief society broadcast/priesthood session.  Sunday was basically the same though at night we had a 1 hour fireside and then a church movie/talk of choice.  We do a whole lot of studying here if you didn't pick up on that.  One thing that my companion and I always joke about is how we are somehow always late for being early.  Missionaries get a little carried away... 15 min early is barely cutting it for being on time, 30 min early you may be able to find a seat with your district.... some people go 45 to 50 min early... a little bit much I would say, but I also was the one who was at least 15 min. late to EVERYTHING!  Ha ha the mission is already curing me of that.

My companion and I are trying very hard to be exactly obedient this week and most especially to be on time to everything.  We have been pretty successful though sadly Bai Jei Mei was sick this week :(  She is feeling better now though.  We have had a very relaxing P-day so far and we were blessed with great weather, though I have been absolutely freeezing lately!!!  Today was nice thankfully and we actually get to enjoy it.
My district is fantastic!  We are a little family now and we are very close.  It is still amazing to me how inspired each of the districts here are.  We are probably the very last Mandarin speakers here for 12 weeks.  With the big conference news they are cutting down on everyone's time in the MTC after us.  The next Mandarin districts will be here for only 9 weeks.  This is a little sad for us, but I am grateful.  I know by the end of 12 weeks I will be much more prepared with the language and ready to teach!  My classes aren't quite as difficult anymore.  I have 2 fantastic teachers and the more I speak the better I get at the language.  It has been fun and I am proud to be learning the Chinese language.  Sometimes I envy others who are learning a more common language who are only here for 9 weeks, but then I hear them talk and I know the Lord has been preparing me in every way to learn the Mandarin language and teach the Taiwanese people.  I would not have it any other way!!!
Thank you so much for the packages and letters!  I have been so blessed.  I think everyone in my district is jealous of me ;P  It seems like almost every mail time I was getting something sweet from people back home.  I could not be more grateful.  I really needed the pick me ups and my district was blessed as well.  All the candy my mom sent kept us all awake through all the meetings this past weekend.  I especially enjoyed Elder Hollands talk this time.  I was so impressed by the way he described the situation with Peter and the other apostles fishing.  They loved the lord, he knew it, but they were not showing it.  This is why I went on a mission.  I love the lord and I knew this is what he needed me to do.  I am going forth to feed his sheep.  I can't wait to bless the lives of the Taiwanese people with the gift of the gospel.  I have been so blessed my entire life and I can't wait to share this message with them.  I know the lord is preparing people for me to teach right now.  I am grateful to be an instrument in his hands.  I hope we can all find the way we can best serve him.  I hope you all enjoyed general conference.  It truly was historic.

Some random facts about the MTC.  Everyone gets excited over the most ridiculous things.... every fireside and meeting where we have speakers missionaries start spreading rumors that an Apostle is coming to speak so get there extra early.  Every time we sing a different sort of hymn at a meeting people get waaay excited and have little shouts of excitement (especially when we sang A Child's Prayer).  When the tabernacle choir sang "I know Heavenly Father Loves Me", it was the best thing in the world because there was a slideshow with it and it's a unique song.  I really enjoyed it!  It was relaxing to watch Joseph Smith First Vision as the movie on Sunday night.  We all laugh over the most ridiculous things in class because we can only handle so much studying, though the longer I'm here the more my capacity increases thank heavens.  The elders truly are great examples to the sisters.  We are blessed by their priesthood and their calling.  I only hope we can leave them with a little of our spirit and desire to serve the lord faithfully as well.

Thanks so much for everything!!! I truly am blessed and I am so grateful to have so much support!!!

Love,

Wen Jie Mei (sister gummow ^_^y)
 http://www.lds.org/general-conference

The Long Awaited email!!

Dear Family,

I do have P-day with Matt!  I didn't see him at all today actually, but usually our schedules are very similar.  The first week ours was a little different, but now they are almost exactly the same.  It is fun because we get to eat meals together sometimes and we even got to sit by each other at church.  I felt a little strange putting my arm through his like I usually do... even though it is allowed, but when I gave him a hug the first time I feel like it was way distracting to everyone around him.  It was pretty funny.  The first thing he told me when I got in was... "where were you!?  When I didn't see you I thought you had decided to marry J--- and weren't coming!"  He was so happy to see me.  He has grown up so much already and has learned so much of the language.  It is truly amazing to be here in the MTC.  The spirit felt here is so strong.  I KNOW this is where the Lord wants me to be.  I have already felt a change of heart and the pure love for the people around me is so great.  I feel like I can understand God's love for me a little better.

I have an AMAZING  "tongban" (companion).  Her name is E. B. and she is from Roy Utah.  She and I make a great team.  We are both determined to learn the language, study hard, and be obedient.  I could not be more grateful for her patience and wisdom over the past few days.  We are in a room with a tri-companionship.  They are all English speaking.  One going to Hawaii, one to  Little Rock, and one to Anaheim.  They are all great sisters, but two of them actually left this morning for their areas, so we will get 2 new sisters tomorrow sometime.  I am excited to meet them!  I hope they are as excited about serving the  Lord as my companion and I are.  I must admit I have felt extremely confused.  We have schedules, but a lot of the time we are on our own to decide how to best use that time.  It wasn't nearly as demanding or structured as I thought it would be.  Slowly, but surely, we have been adapting and figuring out effective ways to study and all the many things they want us to study.  Luckily, though we don't always know everything people are very helpful and they have given us many great resources to turn to.

So now for my district.  The most inspired part of all.  We have 6 in our district.  My companion and I, and 2 sets of elders.  We have the Frenchies and the tall Utahns.  They are so funny.  The french elders are named Elder R--- and Elder H----.  Elder R-- is from France going Chinese speaking to Montreal Canada.  He is so funny.  We are constantly laughing at his funny French sayings and accent.  He is very proud of his country and we LOVE it.  It is amazing to see how fast he is learning Chinese and how much the lord is guiding his service.  Elder H---- is from Utah, but he is 1/2 Tahitian (he looks pure white), but his parents speak French, so he grew up knowing the language.  He is going to France Chinese speaking.  He is also learning at a rapid pace.  He is very patient and the most caring out of all the Elders.  He always is looking out for his companion and the rest of our district.  The 2 Utah elders, Elder D and Elder B are great.  D is from Provo area and he knew some Chinese before.  He is the most social and tries hard to SYL (Speak Your Language).  Elder B is the big giant of the group.  He reminds me the most of Matt.  He sits in the corner and often seems a little sleepy and out of it, but he always surprises me with what he has learned.  He always has a spiritual thought to uplift our class.  He really works hard at all he does as well.

 My companion is amazing like I said.  She has perfect tones and a great memory.  She is constantly helping me.  She is not as social as me, but she has a great laugh.  We often giggle or cry together... whichever fits the occasion.  She know the church is true and has a great desire to serve with all her might.  This shows through in all she does.  She is great!

Week one is complete!  I love you all so much!  I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve.  I never even knew what I was missing until I arrived here.  It is not easy and I don't believe it will ever be easy if I have it my way, but I love it!  I will keep a look out for the new missionaries :)  I have also had the opportunity to see many old friends which has been a great blessing.  I'm so proud of you Bryanna!  I wish I could have been there for your talk.  You need to send me a copy!  How is Daniel doing in school and band and everything?  How are you holding up mom?  I am so grateful for all you do for us.  It really does make a difference.  I am learning the language amazingly fast!  I can already bear my testimony and say prayers... granted it is very simple language, but I am progressing.  I love you dad for all that you have taught me.  I hope I can apply it and use my knowledge to share my happiness with all those in Taiwan.

Good luck this week and my prayers are with you all as well!

Give Aimee and Ben hugs for me! :)

Love,

Wen Jiemei- Sister Gummow :)

First Letter!

We just received a letter in the mail from Sister Gummow (Wen Jie mei) that she wrote towards the end of last week, but we have yet to received an email.

I will paraphrase her letter home:

She says she is doing great!!  She has already seen lots of people she knows who are at the MTC.  Her companion is Sis Bond and she likes her a lot and thinks they make a great team!  Sis  Bond knows some Chinese and is good with the tones and vocabulary and Sara is good at listening and picking up on the words.  She said Sis. Bond is really nice and they are in a room with 3 other girls (5 total).  Sara has been able to adapt to the rigorous schedule and even thinks she will be able to eat okay there (she is a super-picky eater).  There are 6 missionaries in their district.  Two sisters and 4 elders.  One of the elders is from Utah headed to France, Mandarin speaking, one is from Montreal, Canada and headed to France, Mandarin Speaking - and the other two Elders are going to Taipei with Sara.

She has been able to see and talk to Matt!  She said he was sooo happy to see her. She was able to give him a hug!  He thought she might have changed her mind about going (she showed up late for her check-in time and had him worried!).  She says he is so happy and he loves the language and has learned so much. She says the schedule is very manageable and she even got ready for the day in time (the first of many miracles!!)

Here are a few quotes from her letter:  "I can't wait to really learn Chinese.  I can already feel the Lord blessing me.  I hope to learn and speak every day!"  and  "I absolutely love everything here.  The MTC is inspired.  I love you all very much!  Thank you for everything!!"

*We will add more when her email comes through!

Chinese Proverb:

师傅领进门，

修行在个人
Teachers open the door.
You enter by yourself.

2 Nephi 2:27, 2 Nephi 9:29