Fist thing, last night was hilarious. We celebrated Kambrie's birthday with cake and a karaoke room to ourselves It was a total party. I've never done anything like that before so that was fun. On our way out some chinese man came up and told us his friend speaks english and wants to buy us drinks. So kindly denied him and he said, ok how about juice? So we thought for a minute then asked, "What kind?" Before we know it we we had followed him into a karaoke room where some other people were. They were all drinking but one of them, probably the most sober of them all, spoke english fairly decently and asked us where we were from and such. He tried to get us to stay for an hour and hold his room for him or something while he finished his wine..? I was very lost throughout it all, but that's what I got out of it. We had a curfew to meet so we told him we can't but we'll take a picture with him. His reaction was the funniest thing ever. He got super excited and kept saying, "ME!? Oooooh my goodness. Oh my goodness. With me? all these girls! such an honor!" He was so excited and we were all just cracking up. So we took a picture and his friends came and sat by us and one grabbed me by the hand and said, "Come here!" I was kind of confused but got up and he had his friend take a picture with me. He was really close and nuzzly which was weird even for me and I'm kind of nuzzly person. The next thing I know he's trying to kiss me so I kinda just didn't look at him and moved my head and pushed him away and slowly moved back to my seat. It was really funny and everyone was laughing. The english speaker guy said, "No, no don't do that!"to his friend and apologized to us. It was just a really funny situation in which we laughed about for a while when we left. Oh goodness... Asians are so funny. We went to church today and I seriously feel like a celebrity here. Everyone just crowds us and takes pictures and wants to say hi. We walked by the motor taxies today (which i'll have to talk about when I actually get to ride one. Supposedly we will do so quite frequently!) and all of them just got up and waited by the entrance in a big group and just crowded us saying hi smiling so big. It was so funny. I think this is as close to a celebrity as I'll ever come so I better enjoy it while it lasts. ;)
Second order of business, we went to church today! Or a version of church.. We woke up this morning expecting to catch a couple busses that would take us almost 2 hours away to one of the other schools ILP teaches at. I was really excited to go because I didn't get to sunday and I've kind of just been needing it. My head teacher came in before we were about to leave and told us we probably won't make it because they just woke up and we didn't know how to get there without her. I was kind of disappointed, but then we all decided it was ok to be late. We took the bus and finally made it there during a testimony meeting. We missed a lesson and a few testimonies, but I'm glad we made it to most of the testimony meeting because it was such a sweet, spiritual experience. My heart was pounding and so full so I stood and bore my testimony of the joy the gospel brings to my life. And I reaffirm that testimony now. It really is the base of my joy. I know Heavenly Father gives us the comfort and help we need when we need it and however it benefits us most and I'm so grateful for that. I'm so grateful that we are never alone. As president Monson says in a recent conference talk and a mormon message film that is fairly recent, "Dare to stand alone. We are never alone when we Stand with our Heavenly Father."
Every time I watch that it chokes me up because it is so true and I have such a testimony of that. We can do all things through Christ wich strengtheneth us. It was such a wonderful meeting and although it was probably less than an hour and it was different than most church meetings I've ever been to, I'm so grateful to have heard the sweet testimonies of the other teachers. It will be so wonderful to learn and grown from them, and grow closer to Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, throughout this experience. I hope and pray that while I"m here, and throughout my life, I can be a beacon of the Saviors light that others may see the peace and comfort the gospel brings me and have the desire to come unto Christ. We sang I Stand All Amazed as the closing hymn and tears brimmed my eyes at the overwhelming feeling of the love Jesus offers me. I'm grateful for the power of music and the way it touches my heart. I'm grateful for the scriptures and the peace and comfort I feel as I read them. I'm grateful that the gospel is true all throughout the world and that Heavenly Father loves all of His children and wants them to have true joy. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to make something of myself these next few months and share my testimony by serving others. I love the girls I'm with and we become closer every day which is so awesome. I'm grateful for people that just have the ability to reach out to others and make them feel like they can totally be themselves. I've met some wonderful people and I hope we only become closer and enjoy the time we have here! Today someone mentioned that there are only 11 weeks left. That was very shocking news because 11 weeks doesn't sound very long. I want to just make every moment count and learn as much as I can. Meanwhile, I'm grateful for my family at home who is so loving and supportive and also some wonderful friends who have been such an example to me. I hope and pray everyone is well!
Until next time!
Oh, here are some more pictures. :)
*at the mall with asian spiderman and batman! No offense batman lovers, (you know who you are.) but I'm pretty sure spiderman could beat thins one. He's lookin a little small.."
*The noodles are soooo stinkin long!*
*Sooo very good though!*
*Aweosme Karaoke party room! L to R: Megan, Maddie, Kambrie, Makenna, Dani, Rachel, Me*
*Our dear, sweet chinese coordinator singing us a chinese song! She has such a beautiful voice."
*karaokeing to some awesome song, I'm sure!*
*The school where we hold church is huge and has everything! Yep, this looks like china.*
*Hilarious and kinda strange motor taxi drivers waiting for us to walk through."
P.S. Happy Birthday Willy poo! I love you sooooooo much!
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