March 25, 2013 - LAST WEEK AT THE MTC!

Dimaa Diah Louh!

How is eveyone doing? It has been another crazy fast week here at the MTC. It is my last week here and I can harldy believe it. 9 weeks is a long time, but it has felt so short. Then at times it has felt like forever. haha. Missionary time is just a little funky. We leave next Monday and have a whole 2 days of flying! I say 2 because we leave early Monday for HK and don't arrive until Tuesday night. It is a wild time change. But I am so excited to head out and begin teaching people the gospel.

This week has been great. We got our flight plans on Friday and since then we have all been so excited. The excitement was closely followed by a sense of, "Are we all really ready to go?" It is scary to think that we are all going to live in China and speak Chinese for the next two years. Very scary. But we have all put in our best effort and that is all that we can do. Is it enough? Probably not, but that is the glory of Christ and His Atonement. He doesn't just make up what we lack, He has paid the whole price. Our efforts are just a way to show our gratitude for that sacrifice. Sort of like a mom paying for her child's piano lessons. She pays for the lessons and the child can chose to practice or not. Regardless of what the child choses to do, the lessons have been paid for and the mother hopes her child takes the opportunity and uses it. This little analogy has really helped me realize the fact that Christ has already paid the price, He just wants our best now. We don't need to be perfect, just willing to try, and try, and try. He loves us all so much.

This upcoming week is going to be a crazy one. We have twenty new missionaries coming into our zone so we will welcome and show them around this week, and try to get them acquainted with the MTC life. Then on top of that, we need to be packing and making preprations for our trip halfway across the world. Then on top of that, we need to say goodbye to all of our friends and teachers here at the MTC. I am really not looking forward to that. Our teachers are the greatest people in the world, so it will be hard. The upside is that one of our teachers is a native of HK and is moving back this Summer! So she said that if we serve in her ward that we can always call her up to help with a lesson. Member prescence is a wonderful tool. Also our other teacher will be in HK all Summer working on a project of hers, so we will probably get to see both of them while we are there! So cool.

Sorry this is a short one, much to do. The story of missionary life and work... haha. But I love you all. I work hard everyday, and I think of you as I do it. I have the greatest support network in the world. So thank you all very much! My next email wil be coming at you all the way from HK!

Moses chapter 1. Changed my outlook on somethings. Take some time to look at it. The scriptures hold so much power if we take the time to read them!

Love (ngoi)

Elder Woodburn (Wuh Jeung Louh)

March 18, 2013 - Sunshine and Cantonese

Ngohge Mamma, Babba, gatihing, puhngyauh! Leih sik jauh faan meihaa? Ngoh faiseung ho!

It is weird writing in the pingyam of Chinese (the romanized sounds) because what I wrote isn't even a real language. A Chinese person could not understand that! But as Americans we need some sort of way to learn the sounds that are applicable to us. Thus we have the pingyam. Anyways.... How is everyone doing today? It has been one of the best weeks of the MTC so far. First off, it is officially springtime in Provo. The nicer weather is a boost to everyones moral. We haven't seen the sun much these past seven weeks, so we have been taking advantage of it now that it is back! We do our language study outside as we walk around the MTC, or personal study sitting beneath a nice tree or on a bench. It has been so great being outside. One of those little things that can brighten your day. I feel like a real missionary because I have a wicked tan line from my watch! Haha. Reminds me of the greats, Elders Tommy Stockard, SpecialK, Hadley Faught, and Miles Adams. All laboring in the vineyard.

We also got new missionaries in our zone this week! All of them are going to the Phillipines. It was a cool experience seeing them come and know that we would leave before they would! Don't get me wrong, the MTC is an awesome place, but we have been called to serve in Hong Kong. Elder Falk and I got to show them around and get them acquainted with the MTC. They seemed lost, but in a week, they will know this place as well as anyone. It was a little tough showing some of the elders around, because most of them are from Tonga or Samoa and they don't speak English a ton. They seem to be settling in ok though. They are hilarious. They randomly did the haka after class and the MTC staff cut them off in the middle. They were way upset about it, culturally I guess you don't do that. But we just had to explain the MTC isn't the place to be doing that stuff. It was way cool, but obedience is more important than "cool". There is another new elder from Australia and he is so great. Elder Muir. He has the thickest accent I have ever heard. He has these weird sayings that I guess are an Australia thing. "Its wild in here, like a frog in a sock!" or "Me and my mates were going to Maccies (Mcdonalds) and we met a couple of sheilas." Don't know what he said or meant? Join the club. haha. Regardless, we all love Elder Muir.

I have learned a ton from President Capik. He is so direct and straightforward. Not in a bad way, but he is clear about expectations and how we should meet our goals. We have some of the best leaders in the MTC. I'm sure of that.

I was so exctited to get many letters from you all this week! I heard from Madame Guisti, she sounds great. She has turned into a true world traveler since stepping away from our French class. At first it was sort of sad for me to see that when a missionary leaves, their friends and families lives go on. But now, nothing makes me happier to hear how people are moving on and succeeding in all their endeavors. I think of you all often and pray for your success. Keep up the good work! I love you all so much.

This week I finished up the Book of Alma in the Book of Mormon. There is so much to be learned from that book! What I really took notice of was the kind of people in that book and what great examples they are to me and to the rest of us. I think of the people of Ammon. They are the epitome of change. They accepted the Lord, Jesus Christ, and became one of the most charitable people I have ever heard of. I think of Captain Moroni. He knew what was right and for what he stood for. Never did he deviate from his convictions. I think of Pahoran and what a great leader he was to the people and in government. Moral of the story is, the Book of Mormon was written for us. If you read it, you will grow closer to Christ. A life close to Christ is a happy one. If you haven't read or heard of these people before, read about them. Their examples have helped shape me into a better person. They can do the same for you.

Another thing I noticed is the continual use of the term rock or stone in the scriptures. Spend some time studying these verses talking about rocks. I know Christ is our Rock, our Redeemer. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As people, we need to be rocks, firm and immovable in good things. Be a boulder, being bold in how you live and represent yourself, family, and Heavenly Father. He loves you. I know this is true.

Well, I have two weeks left in the MTC and it is just flying by. I spend the days preparing the best I can. Try your best, it is enough.

I love you all!

Ngoh ngoi leihdeih!

Elder Woodburn

Wuh Jeung Louh

March 11, 2013

Ngohge Gatihng tuhng maih puhngyauh,

How is everyone doing out there? I was excited to hear from a lot of you this week. There is nothing better than hearing from friends at BYU or back home. Big congrats to Connor for making it to the California State Championships for Hockey! That is way crazy! #GSE. I can't wait to see Alex in here in a couple of weeks. Overall, it is good to know that life goes on while we are away. It makes me so happy to hear that everyone is doing well.

So, what to say about this last week? Things really are going great. Language has gotten a little harder because or teachers are starting to move into some more complicated grammar structures since we now know the basics, at least I think we know the basics. I'm probably wrong. haha. They also won't listen to us if we aren't trying to do the right tones. Tones are hard! haha, but they will come. We took a video of our second day at the MTC speaking Chinese and looking back on it now, we have gotten soooooo much better. I couldn't do anything but laugh watching it because we were so bad. I'm sure if we did another video now and looked at it in a month, I would laugh even harder. Language is one of our biggest struggles here, but it is nice to see progress.

I think I said this last week, but the hardest part of being here longer than anyone else is seeing them go. Three Filipino districts that came to the MTC the same day as us, left today. They were so great. I am really going to miss them, but I am happy they are heading out. From what I've heard, the Philippines sound crazy and they will just add to it! haha. Since they are leaving that means we are getting three more districts on Wednesday! We don't get to host, mainly because they don't want us to miss out on language study, but my companion Falk and I will get to introduce and show them around that night. It will be so great getting to help them get acquainted with the MTC life because we had awesome zone leaders to help us. The first few days in the MTC can be rough, so it is an awesome opportunity to be able to help smooth that transition. We have 8 or 9 internationals coming on Tuesday, so we will see how that goes. I'm pretty sure they all speak English, but we will see! To be continued...

This week I discovered a love for the book of Psalms. They are beautiful scriptures. Very poetic, but they speak gospel truths. So I decided to read a Psalm a day (or 5 or 10...) to help me study and get through the day. Check them out! Like I said, they speak simple truths and they are so great to read. Also, I just finished reading about the missionary Ammon in the Book of Mormon. I think every little boy in the church looks up to Ammon, I am no exception! haha. I think what made Ammon different is that he had so much trust in the Lord. Trust is a huge thing in missionary work. It is also of benefit to all of us. If we can learn to totally trust (easier said than done) in the Lord, He will lead and guide us like we cant even believe. I have had glimpses of that so far. Continue to trust and you will see miracles. Remember, miracles happen everyday. We just need to look for them. Trust me, they are there!

Sorry if all of my emails seem the same. Honestly, 90% of our days here are the same. We are on the same schedule, doing the same things, day in and day out. No complaints here though. Remember how I was so excited to learn Chinese before I came in here? Well, I have definitely had to think back to that time when things are hard. Things here are hard, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I feel great about the progress that has been made so far, and I look forward to how much is ahead of me!

Know that we have a loving Father in Heaven. His son, Jesus Christ, is very aware of you. He will always be there for you. To listen and talk. They are the source of all good and true strength. It is as simple as that.

I love you all and love hearing from you. Keep up the good work out there!

Ngoi,

Wuh Jeung Louh

Week 5 - March 4, 2013

Ngohge gatihng tuhng maih puhngyauh, leihdeih ho ma?

All is well at the MTC this week. This week can be summed up in one word: Change. The older Cantonese district left for HK today. So weird to think that they are gone. Since my first day, I looked up to them so much. They always helped us in the language, teaching, and other class stuff. But they were more than that. They were some of my closest friends here. It is bittersweet. They were the last 12 week Cantonese district at the MTC. To put that in perspective, think about Christmas. What were you doing that day? Well that older district had already been here for a week doing their thing. So when I think about it that way, they really needed to get out of here and start serving the people of HK. They will be missed, but not forgotten... haha

Yesterday we got a new branch president. President Larkin was released and our new president is President Capik. I'll miss Larkin, but he has been serving here as branch president for over 4 years! That is crazy. He was the epitome of love. He was very inspired in his words to us missionaries. President Capik is a retired Marine, so I feel right at home, literally. Haha. He is very stern, but he cares deeply for us. He just wants to make us into the missionaries the Lord wants us to be and he does it through high expectations. I like his style and his personality. I am very lucky because we get to talk to him a lot as zone leaders. I'll keep you up dated on him and the great things he brings as branch president.

Tuesday we had the opportunity to hear from an apostle of the Lord, M. Russel Ballard. He gave a fantastic talk that really gave me the energy to get through the week. What an opportunity it is to get to hear from someone with such authority.

TRC was crazy this week because we taught a bundai (native) of HK. She is a 20 year old preparing to serve a mission. I thought the lesson went well, at times we were at a loss for vocab, but other than that it was good, or so I thought. We get reviews from our lessons in TRC and she had some not very nice things to say about my teaching and language. I was surprised because negative feedback is almost nonexistent in those reviews. At first I was mad. I am really trying my best and to be told that you did a bad job hurts. But the Lord gives us people and experiences to grow. So I got to thinking. A lot of people won't want to hear our message. They might be rude or offensive, but we love them anyway. The girl we taught, I love her. And I am glad that she loves me enough to tear me down. Maybe it was what I needed.

I think the hardest part of being a long timer in the MTC isn't the time, but watching people come and go while you are still here. Next week the Filipinos leave and our Canotonese districts will be the only ones left from when we came in January. We will have seen off 8 districts. I am a little envious of them getting to go, but it is more than that. We make friends here, lifelong friends. We do everything here together and to see them go is sad. I am just glad we have the perspective we have. I am so happy for them because they are getting to go do the thing they are preparing here to do. Teach. Soon enough it will be us that leave and that will be a happy day. It is what we prepare for, each and every day.

The nice thing about being here so long is we really make friends with the MTC staff. They recognize we are here so long so they talk to us a bunch. Just today I stopped by the dry cleaners to drop off a suit. Tom and Janet are always working there. Tom is the type of guy you want your daughter to marry. And Janet, well she is the bee's knees. haha. But really the staff love us and talk to us all the time. One thing I am learning here in the MTC is make friends with everyone. The people here are great and they want you to succeed. That atmospehere is awesome, unique to this place.

Our teachers are doing great, really helping us out. Dai Ji Muih had a birthday on Friday. So we made her a card and I bought her a Sprite. Not a whole lot of options on gifts to give in the MTC. Fung Ji Muih is on the modern dance company at BYU and it is so fun talking about dance and things. We just found that out because I guess I don't come off as a ballroom dancer...haha

This week I finished the Book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon. There is so much power in those words. What comes to mind is the story of Alma the older and his people. They kept the commandments of God, yet they were still oppressed by the Lamanites. The Lord did strengthen them and they were soon delivered. Know that sometimes we may make the right choice, but there may be negative consequences. We would be naive to believe that if we do good, no bad will come upon us. Sometimes we make bad choices, but the consequences aren't bad. The world isn't as simple as doing good means an easy life and a bad one is one of misery and hardship. We need to make the right choices because the Lord will lift our burdens. He will make them light. How is this done? Through the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He has descended below it all, so He can lift us higher. Remember that in times of trial or hardship. He loves us more than we can comprehend. I know this is true.

I pray for you all everyday. I think of you often. the Lord has blessed me tremendously, and I know He blesses you as well. You can come to know His love through prayer and reading, especially the Book of Mormon. That book has changed my life and it has the power to change yours as well.

Ngoh ngoi leihdeih!
I love you all!

Wuh Jeung Louh
Elder Woodburn