Yeah, last week's e-mail was semi-frantic - Sorry about that! Things have been going GREAT though! All is well in Fresno-land.
One the coolest things about being a missionary is that miracles are a regular occurrence - both for us as missionaries, and in the lives of those we are teaching. There are so many that I can think of off the top of my head. We have neighbors that have been prepared by the Lord their whole lives and recently moved right next to us and are practically converting themselves without our help. They literally knocked on our door the other night asking for more Books of Mormon - that is not normal! There are two Sisters from Laos that we've committed to be baptized this week. It's just amazing how when you get to know people, you see how the Lord has been involved in helping them get the place they are today to hear about and accept the Gospel. I'm so excited to continue to work with them, hopefully they will be our first baptisms since getting here!
My companion, Elder Allen, is the bomb. We seriously get along so well! I can't believe I didn't know him in high school because we seriously have 1000's of mutual friends. We'll be together for at least two transfers (12 weeks), and I'm pumped because I really think that we are going to continue to work well together and make a big impact on this area while we're here together. Elder Allen has been in this specific area (Fresno-West) for literally over a year, so he really knows everyone and everywhere. It's great!
The Hmong is coming. Slowly but surely. It's definitely completely different now that I'm out in the field. It's kind of been a reality slap that I really need to put everything that I've got into learning the language and talking with people if I am going to be able to really master the language. Everyone has told Elder Burdick and myself that we're pretty good for just being out, so we're hoping to really master it so that we can teach everyone and teach effectively. Hmoob for life!
You guys would be so proud of me - The food is so spicy! Basically 99% of the meals in Hmong homes consist of sticky rice (SO GOOD!), every part of the chicken, and then this (for lack of a better word) hot sauce called 'qua txob' that is insane. It is just in a completely different realm of spicy than I have ever eaten. The Hmong people seriously just pound it down like it is no big deal, while I'm in the corner basically balling my eyes out because I had a tiny piece of it. By the time I get home I'm going to be able to eat spicy food like never before. And I guess it's a common joke in Hmong that the more qua txob you eat, the quicker you will be able to speak Hmong. Painful, but worth it.
The Hmong people seriously are so incredibly humble. Some of the government-provided refugee housing that we often visit really is... down-trodden to say the least. Us missionaries stick out to much! The Hmong people tend to have a respect for us as missionaries trying to learn their language, so it's not like we feel unsafe or anything like that. For some reason being in these really poor parts of town really makes me realize that I'm exactly where I am supposed to be doing exactly what the Lord would have me do. I know I've said this already, but it truly is an honor to serve with among the Hmong people of this area.
It's crazy serving in Fresno because there are people from here that I know! The other day one of my friends from BYU, Ginger, sang in our sacrament meeting! And we have our district meetings in Elder Evan's church, my roommate from BYU! I see his plaque on the wall and it's so weird to think he'll be coming home eventually and there's a chance I could see him while I'm out here on my mission! I'm secretly hoping this happens! Okay I'm a-lot hoping this happens.
I'm still happier than I think I've ever been. Missionary work is completely drop-dead-into-bed-at-night exhausting, but so worth every effort. I know this is only the beginning, and I'm so excited to see what the Lord has in store for me. I'd love to hear from you guys! Just send anything to the mission office address (1814 N Echo Fresno, CA 93704) or family can just e-mail this address directly! I can't wait to hear from you and let you know what craziness has happened this upcoming week!
Sib Ntsib Dua!
- Tub Txib Tshaj Lug Vuj /
Elder Matthew Doane
Sib Ntsib Dua!
- Tub Txib Tshaj Lug Vuj /
Elder Matthew Doane
+ P.S. - Any friends that are reading this - Before leaving for the MTC I forgot to get pictures of you guys and now it's killing me! So if you have a spare second, I would be so grateful if you just printed a picture of us together off of Facebook or some other picture and sent it to me - I would be forever grateful! Not to mention I want to hear how you are guys are doing!
+ P.P.S. - Recent family pictures of any kind would also probably cause me to burst into sobs of happiness :)
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