Nimen hao mei ge ren! This last week has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Some days I've been kinda pooped and tired and other days I've felt like a total boss. The schedule is getting a bit dreary, its rote consistency I think could drive a man crazy. I've been doing the exact same thing everyday, during the same times and at the same place, in the same chair even. Kind of crazy. I feel I am learning a lot though.
About the gospel and Chinese. A couple days ago, on Sunday, I listened to a talk by David Bednar entitled "The Character of Christ" and it was amazing. It is like an hour and a half long I think but it was really good. Basically the message is when faced with trials and heartache, Jesus turned outward and helped others, while the rest of us would turn inward and think of ourselves. It's only instinctual to turn inward when we have problems. But it made me realize how important it is to think of others and I really am going to work on that until I feel I've improved enough. The past few weeks I've been working on diligence and focus and I think it's really helped. My district has referred to me as Stonewall a few times, because when I start studying I'm in the zone and don't budge when they all start joking around and stuff. I didn't even realize until they pointed it out. It's actually kind of cool how when you focus and work towards something consciously, you really can improve substantially in it. So I'm going to try and work on charity this next while and just love and help other people and turn outward when I would normally want to turn inward. Haha oh geeze I sound like a sappy old missionary already!
But yes that's what I'm going to work on. Oh I also received another amazing package from Caroline and her amazing mother Cindy! It was camping themed so in it were nuts, a multi tool knife, jerky and other awesome stuff. Thank you so much! Caroline, I'll reply to the next letter I get from you, the last one I have received at this point was the one inside the package. It was an amazing package! My district is so jealous of me. When I receive packages from Caroline, they all freak out and say "your girlfriend's mom even writes you? And her nephew and niece? That's messed up I am so jealous!" hahaha it's so funny. Anyway, those packages are amazing, so thank you. In order to keep my Chinese studies effective, I now have a 5 minute period of time when I learn fun words. So, I've learned pathological, hippie, mop, bladder, gentleman and mysterious. It's like my own special little gift to myself at the end of language study. I find it keeps me awake, sane and entertained.
Well everybody I am so excited to get out of here and go to Taiwan already! I'm scheduled to leave January 22nd and they also said I can call family when I'm at the airport. So when I get my flight schedule in probably about a month, I'll let you all know when my flight is and around when I'll call. (Caroline you should go to the cafe or house on that day and we can talk for a quick minute) but don't worry about it right now, I'll let you all know when I find out the time for myself. I am doing very well and I'm "enjoying to the end", it's pretty fun here, long but definitely fun. Well I love you all and miss you and pray for you everyday. zai jian wo ci ai de jiating he pengyou men! (hope that Chinese is correct...)
Picture Time:
My district, "trying to obtain swag" by crowding around me or something. We have fun.
At the temple on Sunday! Love the snow!
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