Week 2 in the MTC

Dear family,

So first of all mom, it's very interesting you put Joshua 1:9 in my last letter because that has always been my favorite scripture.  The days are extremely long but the weeks are fast. I don’t know if that makes sense but thats how it feels.  Week 3 actually began today so my companion and I taught real investigators for the first time on Saturday. The first 10 min of the lesson was in Chinese and then the last 40 was in English. Surprisingly, it went very well. My companion usually never speaks so I end up doing all the talking.  But this time I really tried to prep him well and encouraged him to talk more and not be so shy. He actually took my advice and the lesson went great. It was so weird how much Chinese I could speak and understand while we taught. We taught 2 native Chinese people and 2 Americans. The spirit was strong and it was a miracle what I was saying and understanding. The gift of tongues is real. Although I’m still extremely far away from being fluent. What Shelley Quinn said about learning mandarin is so true. You really do get humbled here but this last week wasn’t as bad as the first few days. I’m starting the pick it up a little bit more each day. I can get to know someone, pray, and bear testimony in Chinese. My teachers are way cool. They are RMs who both served in Taiwan and are amazing. We learn the first two lessons in English first and then we’ll learn the rest in Chinese. However while learning the lessons in English, we also learn everyday Chinese phrases and stuff. Being a district leader has a lot of responsibilities.  I have to go to extra meetings, teach lessons to the rest of the district, and interview everyone at least once a week. Its challenging trying to do all that while studying the language and learning on my own. I went to the temple again today. I felt so sick all morning, like extremely bad stomach ache and I was so close to not going but I decided to go instead of sleeping in and as soon as I stepped foot inside the temple I immediately felt better. It may not seem like it but I really think it was a miracle. I instantly didn’t feel any stomach pains and I was so happy I went instead of just staying behind.  My name in Chinese is Rui Zhanglao by the way. Rui is pronounced Ray or Roo Ay, and it stands for Bray and Zhanglao is pronounced Jung Low (low like the pow sound in power). So it’s "Elder Bray" in Chinese and thats what I'll be called for the next 2 years.  I only have a minute left so sorry if I didn’t get to everyones questions and everything but I hope this letter will suffice. I miss and love you guys so much and cant wait to hear from you this week and write you more next week.

Love,

Rui Zhanglao