And here's this week's email from Amy:
Now I'm ready for this week's email. :)
I am reaching the "one month" mark on Wednesday!! That's so crazy!
I'll be in the Philippines in just over a month! That's such an exciting
thought, but a scary one at the same time! I still have so much to
learn for the doctrine and for the language especially.
Oh, Mom, here's the answer to your lastest question:
No, actually I don't need any more cardboard frames. In fact, I'll
probably send the ones you gave me back home before I leave. I picked up
a small photo album at the bookstore that is small and will hold quite a
few pictures. I think it will protect the pictures from the humidity
more, too. Thank you so much for sending those though! I'll definitely
send the wooden frame home before I go.
Back to the letter. :)
I have had several "Aha" moments this week as I've been studying
the language. It's going to take a lot more practice though. I don't
have that much time left, and I'm really starting to feel the pressure.
Me and my companions are making it a goal to do SYL (Speak Your
Language) as much as possible. We taglish things a lot, but we try to
use as much tagalog as we can. I think that will really help a lot.
We've also had some very good lessons with our investigators this week,
especially with Nel in particular. It happened after a lot of
struggling. One evening last week I wasn't feeling the best, I was
tired, and I was having a hard time thinking. I was trying to organize
what I wanted to say to our other investigator, Mary Kate, but I had a
really difficult time translating what I wanted to say to Tagalog. When I
finally got it translated, I was desperately trying to memorize the
sentences, but it just wasn't clicking for some reason. I was
slowly getting it, but I wasn't feeling what I was saying. I was
getting more and more frustrated with myself for being frustrated, which
made me even more frustrated. It was a downward cycle. I was in the
classroom writing my sentences out on the board for practice, when one
of the elders said something to the effect of: "You're trying to
memorize too much. Trust in the Spirit, and you'll be guided with what
to say." That's not an exact quote, but something very similar to that. I
felt like I had been socked in the stomach. He was completely right. I
was memorizing phrases, not really thinking about what my investigator
needed to hear. I really needed to hear that. That lesson went a little
rough, but I went back to my residence that night with a determination
to follow the spirit and think of the people I was teaching. The next
day, I prepared enough to know how to teach what I wanted, but I mostly
followed the spirit. Wow! What a difference. That
lesson went the smoothest I think it has ever gone for me, and I was
able to better understand him as he spoke! Miracles DO happen, and I
know that we can witness them when we do what is right and follow the
spirit. I am so grateful for that elder, Elder Vandyke for saying that
to me. I am now more determined to teach the people, not just the
lessons. They need to feel for themselves. That is how true conversion happens.
Every tuesday night here at the MTC, we have a devotional where all
the missionaries gather in a huge room and listen to a great speaker.
The last few weeks we have been blessed to hear from members of the 70!
They have been amazing devotionals. But last week tuesday, we got a
special treat. We had a visit from Elder Bednar from the Quorum of the
12 Apostles!!! It was soooo awesome! It was fun to see his more relaxed
personality.
Random note... I found out that I am related to one of the elders
in our district! Elder Vandyke's 6th great grandfather is William
Clayton, who wrote "Come, Come, Ye Saints", and he's my 4th great
grandfather! Awesome! So we are cousins!! :) Fun.
Anyway, time's up, but I want you all to know how much I love my
Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate example, and I want to become
more like Him. I love being able to represent Him daily as I study and
prepare to teach the people in the Philippines. I love you all!
Sister Harston
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