Rosie, you are doing really well with the blog, I hear. I have had (I believe) at least one letter per day on average here. Writing back takes a lot of time. I have to write 18 or 19 today, and then can't write again until next week's preparation day. This week has been pretty good. About the same as last. The language is progressing. I'm trying to learn 30 words a day. In 60 days, that's 1800 words, which is a lot. The great thing about Vietnamese is that I don't have to conjugate, and I don't have to deal with imperfect or passe compose tenses, but I still have to deal with tones, which are very difficult. There is a sister in our district who is fluent in another tonal language (Hmong, with 8 tones), but who has just as much trouble as the rest of us in hearing and speaking them.
I am no longer the district leader, so I don't have to attend as many meetings now. This gives me more time to study and learn the language.
Aside from the language, this week is the Mission President's seminar. We have had the Prophet and all the Apostles here at one point or another. We haven't seen any, though I think I saw Uchtdorf getting into his car. In 15 minutes I'll be in line waiting for a devotional from one of the Apostles. It's exciting. It is good to hear from home. Dad, thanks for your e-mail. Alex was a great example before I left, but I'm sure he's even stronger now. I heard he gave a talk in sacrament. I am excited for his progress. I liked hearing about Logan and Kaylee eating the raspberries. I remember once when I was little, Jon and Hunter and I were picking berries over by the office hill and we saw that Grandpa Stan's car was parked in the "handicap" parking spot. Jon told me that he would give me the money from picking his basket (we were paid $2.00 US usually) if I went into the office and asked Grandpa if he was handicapped, and why he parked in that spot. I still remember him telling me that no one used the spot and he could get a better parking space by using it. I felt awful at the time, but learned from the experience. Come to think of it, Jon still owes me those two dollars. We used to sell the berries down by the road on a huge spool. Dad was smart in starting us in sales from young ages. "Buy low, sell high." "A quick dime is better than a slow nickel...", "Measure once, cut twice." All great idioms applying to business and in life in general. We're supposed to be as efficient as possible and make the best of the time we have here.
I learn more all the time about where I'm going. I may be number 6 of the missionaries there. Little Saigon should be renamed "Huge Saigon". I probably won't be fed a lot. My mission call packet says that I will have the unique opportunity to teach in both my assigned mission language and English. I'll be able to go into the Long Beach mission to serve the Vietnamese people there.
In the few minutes I have left, I'll talk about one quick thing. In Christ's ministry on Earth, he counseled about prayer. He mentioned some of the blessings from it, and taught how it should be done. In 3 Nephi 18:21, He says to pray in your families, that your wife and you children may be blessed. I would highly recommend that you do this, even if it's just you, Mom and Dad, or if Madi is there or Hunter or whomever. The blessings of prayer are real.
Life is good here, thanks for the Leaves, and thanks for the packages :) Keep in mind healthy food is a plus. Fruit leather, Clif bars... Fruit leather especially. Mmm... I have lost something like 8 pounds since being here. I have been running a lot and *trying* to watch what I eat. Do you all go to the YMCA together as a family a few times a week? Mom and Dad could walk together every day, that would be great. Love you all! :) Keep on keepin' on.
Elder Steele
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