I'm in the South Indianapolis area and I love it! Sister Loveland and I teach so many Burmese families. Here's some background: In Burma right now, there's a lot of persecution toward Christians and so they all Imigrated to America. They are beautiful people! However, they all speak different dialects of Chin so it's tough to communicate with them. So, we teach them English! I get a nametag in Burmese though so that's exciting!! It's a pretty language to look at. I just wish I knew how to speak to them in their language. They love God so much! It's humbling to be with them.
Less than a week ago, I was sitting in the SLC airport, freaking out. I had anxiety BAD. I had doubts about serving a mission and it was tough. This old lady who calls herself "Grammy Sammy," came and started talking to all of us missionaries and really calmed me down and convinced me that this is what I need. She was a blessing straight from Heavenly Father! A true Angel. :)
My mission President and his wife are absolutely adorable. I love them!
We teach group English classes twice a week and that's so dang fun! The Burmese people are so funny!
We have two investigators names Larry and Lani. They're so great! Larry is black and he's probably in his mid 50's. Everyone here is super religious already and he knows the Bible well. Lani is his 16 year-old daughter and she's lovely. Larry has cut back from smoking 2 1/2 packs of tobacco a day to only smoking 3/4 of a pack a day. We're so proud of him! He has a killer laugh! It makes me smile.
We had Zone meeting and that was cool! We basically do a white elephant gift exchange every time. We got ugly things from "Humble Impressions," the thrift store that we give service at on Thursday mornings. Sister Loveland got a mug that looks like
On Saturday, we volunteered at the Special Olympics. We kept score and announced for softball. It was SOO much fun! Guess who I saw there?? None other than Elder Matthew Brown. I went to high school with him! We were actually good friends in Jr. High. He couldn't believe I was there, in his mission!! He wanted to know about home and I wanted to know about the mission! He was companions with my DL a few transfers back and apparently they didn't get along. Oh well. My DL's are great! They live in the same apartment complex as us.
Sunday: We had ward council. WOOF. The bishop called yesterday morning and said I would be speaking in sacrament meeting. So I prepared a dang good talk in a couple of hours even when we had lessons and stuff to deal with. But seriously, this ward is amazing! The bishop emphasizes the importance of praying for the missionaries specifically! He announced that his family had been praying for "Sister Loveland and her new companion" before they knew my name as well as Elder Owen and Elder Maxwell. We have so many members who are willing to come teaching with us too. It's so great! I feel loved by them and I don't even know them that well. They've been feeding us well too!
Lessons: My favorite lesson happened last night. We taught Cross, Lyly (Lee Lee), and Jemimah. They're Chin and they're so sweet! I taught Lyly and Jemimah lesson 7 of the church's English program and when it was over they told me, "Pretty teacher." Aww. Then we read with them from the illustrated Book of Mormon stories and explained it to them. I hate language barriers. I wish they spoke English better or I knew how to speak Chin! I can a little, but not nearly enough to communicate! Then when Sister Loveland and I left, they said, "Good teachers." Haha! They're good students too. :)
The first lesson I taught in the field was the Law of Chastity. Of course. Haha! We taught it to Larry and Lani. Another time we taught them, we stopped by to share a scripture with them and Lani stood at the door while Larry listened from the next room. We were about to leave so we asked them if we could pray with them before we go. Larry shouts, "I don't have a shirt on!" Haha! We made Lani bring him one so he could come out and pray with us! That was a good lesson, it definitely cracked me up!!
Here's my address! Write me!
8567 Red Oak Court Apt A, Indianapolis IN 46227
I have gained a stronger testimony these last few weeks. Each time I teach something or testify of something, I feel the spirit confirm to me that this message is true! I absolutely love being a missionary!
Love,
