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