THE MTC: A PLACE OF MIRACLES!

First of all, I have to publicly thank my sister for posting these e-mails for me. She is amazing and keeps me in connection with all of you since I don't have enough time to write all of you and don't really have access to my blog at this point in time.

I am down to 12 days left here at the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center! I have been here 10 weeks now, and I am definitely ready to go to Hong Kong. However, I will miss this sacred place and all the experiences I have had here. So many that I cannot recount them all to you, but want you to know that I have never seen so many miracles and blessings in all my life! There is just a incredible feeling here that can only be experienced in the flesh. I especially love when all 2,000+ missionaries gather together for meetings and sing songs like "Called to Serve." There are so many of us, learning 52 different languages and traveling to all over the world to share the same message, a message of happiness and salvation that fills me with so much joy and vigor that I sometimes cannot contain myself. There is nothing I would rather be doing with my life right now.

I just want you all to know that learning a language is the most hilarious thing I have ever done, especially Cantonese. I am learning quickly, but still make lots of mistakes. I've decided you just have to laugh at yourself, otherwise you would get really frustrated and cry. We've said a lot of ridiculous things when we practice teaching, like "God eats you," instead of "God knows you." The difference comes with the tone of the word, so if you use the wrong tone, you are saying something completely different than you mean. It's fabulous, let me tell ya! Or very humbling at the least. There are about five levels to learning one word in Chinese: the sound/tone, pronunciation, ping yam/romanization, character, and the actual meaning of the word. It's challenging, but with the hardest challenges come the greatest blessings and rewards! The LORD is truly helping me with this work I am in and I am forever grateful for his love in my life. May you feel it also in your own lives and know that I pray for all of you each night!

Joi gin!

Sister Bird (Bat Ji Muih)