Hiccups -- Week 8

My district in our matching shirts

This week I got the hiccups....Sister Blake then asked, "Do you want me to scare you?" I replied, "yes." She paused for a minute, and then says, "You're leaving to Hong Kong in a week, and you can't speak the language." It was so funny. And the hiccups went away.

In a week I will be on my way to a country I know little about. Know little of the language, and will be living in for the next 16 months. I am so excited, but also so scared. 

Last Monday we taught skype TRC. That is when you skype a member who speaks Cantonese. Anyway the person we skyped was driving...which was a little weird because you usually do face to face. Anyway we continued to try to teach, and then all of a sudden we heard "Let me Love You" by Justin Bieber playing. We were trying so hard not to laugh. She was not really listening to us...which is fine. But it was just so funny. After our teacher told us we should have just ended our lesson and said that she was busy, and we were wasting her time. It was really funny and a good experience.

 This week was good. There was something that someone talked about that I really love. It was about obedience. Here in the MTC you are told over and over that exact obedience brings miracles. And while I believe that, I know it's impossible to be exactly obedient all of the time. That none of us are perfect. This person talked about genuine obedience. He said, "Through genuine obedience you will be blessed, and be safe. You will be safer in your mission field than anyone else in any part of the world." I really liked that. That when you are genuinely obedient that you are blessed. You are safe. I also think it shows God that you care about the rules. You want to do your best, and you are trying to do your best. They almost make it sound like if you're not exactly obedient that you won't be blessed. Even though you will. That's why I like genuine obedience better. It shows that we aren't perfect. We all make mistakes, and as long as we are trying our hardest we will receive those blessings.

My favorite Mural of Moses & the Red Sea

One more thing that was said this week that I loved was about missionary work. Brother Eggat said his biggest concern with missionary work is that missionaries looked stressed and full of panic. He then said, we have no reason to feel this way. He explained because it's God's work. It's not yours. We are just tools in his hands. If we truly believe what we are teaching we should know or believe that God can make anything happen. That it is His work, and we are his mouth piece. He calls the unqualified and qualifies them. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, and he still wants us. Everyone of us to look for opportunities to share the gospel. Even if it's just through our example. To be worthy so the Light of Christ can shine through us. That others can see that light in us. This truly is God's work and not ours. So we should stress or feel panicked. As long as we are worthy, and working diligently God will make up for our short comings. 

Anyways love you all. Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for all the prayers. They are much appreciated. Hope you all have a great week. 

Sister Clegg

Sister Morgan's Birthday

They Are Food -- Week 7

Practicing the "Asian Squat"

So this week we learned more about Hong Kong and the culture. We first talked about how none of them fidget. If you fidget they think something is mentally wrong with you. So this week I've been trying not to fidget and make eye contact. It's so hard. I always want to move my foot or move the ring on my finger. When I arrive in Hong Kong many people will probably think I am not mentally sane.

Also another thing we talked about was the dogs there. Our teacher goes, "Don't pet dogs (in Hong Kong), they are not friends." I then replied, "Not friends?!" And then Sister Mangubat goes, "They are food." It was so funny. We all laughed. I guess in HK if people walk their dogs it's to show how well behaved they are. So you don't pet them.

One more funny thing is that Sister Blake can't asian squat. So she's been practicing. I told her we can only have conversations while we squat. Anyway one day we were walking to the bathroom, and Sister Blake goes, "I've had deodorant on the bottom of my skirt all day." Sister Cruz then goes, "What, do you put deodorant on the back of your knees??" Sister Blake then goes, "Yeah I do so I don't sweat when I asian squat." It was so funny. 

But more seriously this week was good. There was rough times, and tears but never a whole day is bad. 

One day in our night class, we went on break, and came back. When we came back our teacher wasn't in the room. So we just talked and waited. When she came back in she was in tears and in a panic. I gave her a hug. She briefly explained the call she just received. She asked if we could pray together. We all knelt at the front of our class room prayed, and then she left. She told us if we needed anything to ask any of the teachers. As she left all of us each individually in tears said a prayer. It was the weirdest thing. I felt peace, and knew whatever happened it would be okay. After we prayed together and then went back a little early to our dorms. We had chips and salsa and talked. It was a tender experience.

When I thought about this experience it truly was a miracle that she let us go on a break at that time. If she didn't, I don't think she would have answered her phone. She just would have continued teaching. 

On Tuesday night we had Elder Ballard come and speak to us. He told the story of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith. How they were always side by side. They were companions. And how they each sealed the truth of this gospel with their lives. He said that Joseph and Hyrum depended on each other just as missionaries should depend on each other. One more thing that he said that stuck out to me was about prayer. He said that Joseph opened this dispensation on his knees through humble prayer. I loved that so much because it just shows how important prayer is. How when we pray we will receive answers because God loves each and everyone of us. He loves us individually.

I hope you all have a great week. Thanks for all your prayers. I really appreciate them. 

Sister Ellie Clegg

Saatdahn -- Week 6

Saying Goodbye to twin sister going to Germany

Okay so I've corrupted my companion's bladders. Literally once an hour one of us has to pee and so we all go. One day Sister Blake said, "Ngoh seuiyiu heui chiso" which means I need go toilet. I then proceeded to say, "dimgaai?" which is why? She then replied, "yanwaih leih haih saatdahn" (because you are satan). It was so funny I probably laughed for like 5 minutes straight.

Also this week I fell of the curb while walking (it was a good 3 ft), and my whole district just laughed their heads off. So that was pretty funny/

Sister Blake has a really accurate analogy she always says. She said everything at the MTC is like running into a brick wall. You are told to do something, so you run full speed at the wall and break all your bones. Then when you fail at getting through the wall they expect you to climb over it. How are you suppose to climb with all your bones broken?! With God.

This morning I said goodbye to Cassidy. It was really hard, but I'm so excited for her. I can't believe she is actually leaving. She's actually going to Germany. 

A really cool thing happened this week. There is a Filipino sister in my district who was struggling really bad. She broke down at the end of class. So after class and at zone prayer she came and sat by me. I was just saying stupid things to try to make her smile, and then she told me for the past 2 weeks has wanted to go home. She said that she's felt numb, and that all the emotions finally caught up to her and that's why she broke down in class. She explained a little more, and so I tried my best to help....but still didn't know how. A little later that night I grabbed my camera and asked if we could take a picture of us together in our matching glasses. We talked for a little, then she told me her conversion story. It was one of the coolest experiences. She is just the sweetest Sister. 

My district

Another thing that was cool I learned this week was when we watched Elder Bednar's talk called One by One. He talked about how God and Christ knows each of us individually. He knows us as a One. It's a really good talk. But a couple things he said that I really liked. 1st was that we go two by two to teach and help people learn about being a one. We go two by two because it's promised that by the mouth of two or three witnesses the truth will be established. So I really liked that, and the other thing I really liked was when he said, "When you're on the Lord's errand there is no such thing as a coincidence." I liked that. It shows that God knows us each individually. He know our strengths, weaknesses, our challenges, our hopes, and the desires of our hearts. I really liked that. 

Anyway, hope you all have a great week. Love you all. 

Sister Ellie Clegg

I drew a family on sister Blake’s toes. 

Today We Die -- Week 5

This week has been good once again. On Saturday when I had an interview with on of the STLs she said something that is so true. She said, "the days here feel like weeks, and the weeks feel like days." It's so true. Time is a weird thing here. I feel like I've been here like 12 months, but at the same time like 3 days.

Okay, so also on Saturday we taught our 2 TRC lessons. That's where you teach members, and they volunteer to come in and let you teach them for 20 min. In our second lesson, we started out by just talking and then they asked us what we will do today. My companion Sister Blake tried to say, "We today will write talks." But instead she used the wrong tone and said, "We today will die." It was so funny. Luckily we talk with our hands to help explain and they corrected us. 

Another funny thing we learned this week is the 4 stages smiling. One of the sisters in our District is from Philippines. She was in pageants prior to the mission. She said there are 4 stages of smiling. 

1. Smizing (only smiling with the eyes)

2. is when you smile with just your top teeth

3. is when you smile with bottom and top teeth

4. is when you open your mouth.

I still haven't mastered the smizing. I will continue to work on it. But I think this could benefit you all. We practice the steps in our class. It's quite fun and funny.

The last funny this was about baptism. At the end of class one day we were to pick a scripture, share, discuss, and then practice inviting to baptism. Then who ever was pretending to be taught was suppose to come up with a reason why they wouldn't, or weren't ready to accept yet. When Sister Blake was invited, she thought and said, "I don't think I'm ready." Sister Law asked, "Why?" Sister Blake continued to reply, "Because I am afraid of water." It was so funny. I probably laughed for like 5 minutes. 

There are a couple of things I learned this week that I loved. First was about the Book of Mormon and answers. Last week in a devotional someone said that if you write down a question and then read the Book of Mormon you will find an answer. I have done it 3 times this week when I have my personal study and it actually works!! I was so grateful for the answers I've received and felt so much peace. 

The second thing I learned this week was about recognizing the spirit. It was a talk by Elder Bednar. He said he's been asked the question so many times, "How do you tell if it's the spirit?" His reply was "Quit worrying about it." He basically said that usually we don't get a distinct prompting. It's usually just something we do, and many times we may never know that it was by the spirit. Especially in that moment. He said that as long as you are a good boy or a good girl, keeping the commandments, keeping your covenants, and pressing forward, your steps will be guided. That you will be at the right place at the right time. God shouldn't have to slap us with a distinct impression to make us do good. We need to press forward. As we do we come closer to Christ and become more like him, and act as he would. So then he trust us to do good.

Anyways sorry this was long. I hope all your weeks were good. Thanks for your emails throughout the week. I love them. Thanks for all your prayers.

Sister Ellie Clegg

Losing the Script -- Week 4

Choir practice, sitting by my twin

Okay so the Provo temple is closed this month. So our district was invited to clean....but they aren't really cleaning it right now. They are redoing the carpets and wallpaper. So today we helped take things off the wall, and cover things in plastic. We also covered the outlets with tape. Don't worry I only electrocuted myself twice hahah. 

This week was hard, but overall pretty good. One of my favorite things was when we learned about the Plan of Salvation from Brother Anderson. My favorite part was learning about the kingdoms. How we are our own judge. Christ is just there to welcome us. How no matter what kingdom we each choose to go to, it will be heaven to each of us. 

Yesterday was fast Sunday. I debated bearing my testimony. My ultimate decision was that only like 7 people would be able to understand what I was saying, so I did. It was short and sweet but good. 

Also every lesson we teach we usually have a script, because we have no idea what we are doing hahah. So on Wednesday (I think) we didn't know how we were going to help Mandy (one of the people we teach) how to apply the lessons to her life. I asked our morning teacher for help, and He said he would think about it. We went on break and then when we came back, he told us we could no longer use our language books, or scripts....I instantly regretted asking him for help lol. But after a little it seemed so much easier. It was a burden lifted. So we went in with just our scriptures and an idea of what we wanted to teach, and the spirit was so strong. It was so good. 

It's still hard, but nice that we don't have to worry about translating, and if we don't know a word we just say it in English.

Anyway thanks for all the prayers. They are much needed. Hope all is well with everyone.

ngoh ngoi leihdeih

Sister Clegg