2013-12-03 My First Transfer ... My First Real Lesson

Wow.  Okay so I'm sorry I haven't had like any time to write anything about anything forever.  When we changed Branches in the MTC on the 27th we lost our Friday P’day.  My new P’Day was set for Monday but that turned out to be the day I left for my reassignment in Ogden!

So that Saturday I got my awesome package from Jenise that was my Greenie package (thank you so so much!)  And we had a super great lesson with Sydney, my companions and I totally changed the way we were teaching and she felt the Spirit very strongly :) HOORAY But we forgot to invite her to baptism (ugh) but that was okay because we started the next lesson off bringing that same spirit back and she totally wants to be baptized!  [This is our teacher roleplaying her investigator from her mission]

The TRC (Teaching Resource Center  ... I asked the name ha ha) is so great!  We taught Sydney twice as a progressing investigator, then we had a less-active teaching experience then a referral experience.  That was really cool because each of my companions and I connected well with each different appointment.  Some people come volunteer, but our referral appointment was for sure legit non-members.

OH and I got my first referral!  There were Sisters on the floor above us that all speak Chinese and are from China or Taiwan. Anyway one of the Sisters' families are not active and she asked us to go see them!! EXCITING!

I found Sister Nightingale's friend at the Clinic!!  She gave me such a big big hug :)  It was way awesome!!

I had to say goodbye to one of my companions on Tuesday :(  Sister Bayart went to Salt Lake City East Mission!  She is already a great missionary and I know she will like never stop!

The MTC in Chinese was a total different place than the MTC in English.  In English it was centered on the Spiritual lessons and figuring out how to teach.  In Chinese the Elders in our District (we came into a group of all Elders) had more time to learn all the ways to teach but needed to stress the language.  We taught our first lesson in Chinese and I cried after.  It went not well.  We tried really hard, just connecting how to teach and my Chinese didn't happen.  UGH.  It got better with practice but it still is a struggle!

Ha ha so with switching Branches we were supposed to switch rooms.  Again.  So the night before we started in the new Branch/class we packed up and brought all of our bags across campus to my old dorm (because I had stayed there at the beginning right?) and our swipe cards weren't working.  A guard let us into the building, but then we couldn't get up the elevator [we were struck for like 30 min] and the stairs were locked by card too!!  So we had to turn around and take ALL OF OUR STUFF BACK AGAIN and unpack at least our sheets and shower stuff.  The next day we had an escort to help with our cards.  THEY NEVER WORK THE FIRST TIME.  Sister Finlayson and I figured out if you swipe like 20 times really fast it works.

THANKSGIVING WAS SUCH A COOL EXPERIENCE! We had a morning devotional by Elder Nelson (THE APOSTLE) and his wife!  That was so so cool!  The meeting was broadcast to all of the MTCs around the world!  Then we had a meeting where 1 group left to do service and 1 had a meeting in the gym.  I had the service first.  My group packed at least 290 meals for families.  They wouldn't give us more boxes!  The goal was 9 boxes and we filled 10 with time to spare.  So we kept making bags and put them in other people's boxes!!  Then at the meeting we had a "demonstration" of what Thanksgiving is and why we have it.  There were groups of missionaries that were puritan men, puritan women, a minister, Indian women, Indian men, and turkeys.  They all had noises/actions to do when the Sister that was reading the story said their name.  I took a little video so you can see what I mean!  That night we all watched Ephraim’s Rescue, which was a really good movie!  And it's a real story so, wow.  Go watch it.  I loved toward the end (don't worry I'm not giving anything away by saying this) how they asked, "Do you have the strength to lift as you have been lifted?"  I think that's kind of my goal out on my mission.  I wanted to come and grow to have the strength to help others feel the way I do about the Gospel.

Our District's assignment for service was to help in the Cafeteria.  Which was way more fun than bathrooms.  We moved boxes into storage when they were delivered and passed them down a chute.  We also put things into huge fridges and then swept all around.  We also sanitized the tables.  It was just better because we got to all work together and laugh and have fun!  Bathrooms are quite serious.  I guess.

TALL is the name of the computer program that helps you with your language, and it is super effective!!  The Elders in my District have Chinese that is so good!  It sounds like they have been studying for about 2 years, and they have been at the MTC for 4 weeks!!  Their pronunciation is a little funny (but that's totally okay because they can teach lessons better than I CAN!)

Ugh I have been out of the MTC 1 day and I miss it!

Fast Sunday was odd.  Sister Finlayson and I went to Sacrament Meeting for both our Branches and that was really nice.  We bore our testimonies in both English and Chinese!  haha.  We had a Mission Conference which was 2 hours long, then met our new Branch Presidency for the Chinese Branch.  They were interesting.  The counselors both served missions in Taiwan (!) but the President did not speak Chinese.  During Testimony meeting they were translating for him ha ha ha :)  Sister Finlayson and I ate early (4:00) because we went to Departure Devotional :(  Then we had Devotional where we talked about how important it is to use the MEMBERS in converting.  Which was cool.  I hadn't thought about it.

My District and I watched the Testament in Chinese.  They didn't get anything but I did my best to translate what was going on... could anyone explain what that movie is even about?!  I was sooo confused!

THEN I HAD TO GET READY TO GO :(   I said see ya to the Elders and then finished packing my room :( :(  Sister Finlayson is amazing.  Just like ugh she really is!  I was super nervous about leaving but she helped me finish getting ready and is an angel.

I was supposed to leave at 6 but at 5 they paged the apartment and said they were waiting for me.  So I really just threw all my things into my bags and dragged them across campus to get on the van taking me and 2 other missionaries to the train!!  I didn't have time to take a picture with my Sister Finlayson!!!

We missed the 5:50 train (oops) but we got on the one that left at like 6:10 and I got to call Mom :)  She was so confused because I kept saying that "My name is Sister King." and she kept saying, "No my name is Sister King.  Who is this????"

The train took a long time, but a man stopped to help [us with our bags and we found out he served in Taiwan Taipei!  So cool!  I traveled with Sister Hala'api'api from Hawaii and an Elder from Missouri that I can't remember his name.  2 Senior Elders were waiting for us at the station in Ogden and took us all to the Mission Office where we met the Mission President, his wife, and a bunch of other people.

WE GET IPADS AND ARE FACEBOOK MISSIONARIES!

My new companions are Sister Wagner and Sister Hadden.  I JUST CAN'T STOP HAVING THESE 3 PERSON COMPANIONSHIPS!

Well I didn't mean to send it so fast!

Anyway my Companions are great!  Super kind and super helpful!  We are in a tiny apartment with another companionship.  And yes, just 1 bathroom.  After emailing today we are going to go to Walmart to pick up some food that I like (YAY POPTARTS) Sister Wagner goes home in 2 weeks so she is like super used to Missionary life.  Sister Hadden reported to the field the day I got into the MTC... so about 2 weeks!

Last night I taught my first real person lesson!  It went well, I didn't say much but I will get there :)  Today we have 4 appointments (WHAT ON PDAY? yea we never stop) so I know I will get lots of chances to help out more in lessons!  We also had a member feed us dinner.  And another member fed us for lunch.  I asked if we should ask for a referral from her before we left, and they said no.  But I felt like I should and she said she did have some at home and would email us.  BOOM

My Mission President is really awesome.  When we had our interview he told me what area I'd be serving .............................. LOGAN! There is a Chinese Branch up here and my companions already have an appointment for tomorrow with someone from Mainland China!!  I am so excited!

Oh and we are having a Missionary Christmas Party Friday.  And our Zone is getting ready for the talent show ... you are going to love the video.

It snowed last night.  Like not a lot, but it stuck on the ground.

Love you all loads and loads,

Sister King

Juju Jimmie

Matthew 7:7-11

D&C 6