How's everyone doing this week? Not gonna lie this week felt a little bit longer than the other weeks.
First, Wednesday was the fourth of July and I was expecting it to be such a good day because it's America's birthday!! But in reality it was the first day here at the MTC where I felt homesick and I was constantly hearing everyone say the same thing. I got to see the fireworks but they were so far away and they just reminded me of home and the good times with my family and friends. I remember last fourth of July I was competing in a hot dog contest haha.
Even though the week didn't start off too well it was probably one of my best weeks here. We got new missionaries that are speaking hmong which is just sick. They got here on Thursday and they are all awesome and will be great missionaries!
But what I really liked from this week was that my language is starting to become so much more natural and I can speak a little bit faster each day!! In the lessons I teach I used to write out kind of like a script in English and then memorize the script in English. Then when I gave the lesson I could just translate it to Thai. But, this week I kinda just go into the lesson with a couple of questions and not really anything and I'm able to just go off. We memorized and sang a hymn in Thai during one of the lessons and it was a really cool moment. The song was, "I am a child of God," and the spirit was so strong while my companion and I were singing. Plus, my teachers were very ประทับใจ (impressed).
The lessons in TRC are amazing, too. It's so cool to feel like you aren't progressing that much one week and the next you see yourself improve so much. I've learned probably another 150 words this week or so which is awesome! The best is when my district and I just talk in Thai during lunch in front of the Vietnamese and hmong elders. haha
So, on Sunday this week I was finally released from my assignment as district leader and Elder Davidson took my place. We got new zone leaders as well, Elder Hodson and Elder Brown. Also, the mission president of the MTC visited my branch on Sunday and shared some really cool insights. Sunday night we watched this church movie and it was low key kinda funny. I enjoyed it a lot because it was kinda of nice to just sit back and relax and laugh. I'm so busy all the time so having a moment to just watch a movie was very enjoyable.
Tomorrow we get to host new missionaries coming in again. I always enjoy doing that because everyone that comes in is so scared and just being there for them calms them down, and it makes me feel so good! In about a week we get 18 new Thai missionaries and 17 new Cambodian. I can't wait!
Speaking of not being able to wait...I had to wait this entire week to hear news about when my sister is going to have her baby. And she still hasn't had it haha. Love you Jess and I wish you the best luck tomorrow when you finally have your first kid! Still can't believe I'll be an uncle wow!!
I heard something I had never really thought about until this week. A lot of times when we think of happiness it's when we are doing well and having no problems. But, true happiness is not the absence of burdens or challenges in our lives. Instead, true happiness occurs when we are able to overcome the challenges we have faced, are facing, or will face ... and learn from them. I know that going on a mission may seem like a burden to some because I'm giving up two years of my life to go to Thailand. However, the happiness I've had here is abundant. I have learned what hard work really means and how much God can bless our lives. Besides, this isn't a burden in the first place, it's an opportunity to help others and in doing so, I can become a better version of myself.
I had someone take a video of me speaking Thai this week and hopefully everyone will be able to see it! I love you all!
Have a great week!!
I'm going to post the video on his Facebook wall and mine
Love,
Elder Lowe
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