Christine (Head Instructor) wants me to be trying on the Leading part of Play soon so I can take over some classes. I passed the Music test (sort of) and am now going through Music training, so I’ll be at the home office of Gymboree for the next few days and then I will teach some Music classes by myself this Friday, and Christine will just observe. I was really nervous and not looking forward to teaching Music, but I’m feeling a little more comfortable after my first day of Music training. I’m learning so much and it’s such fun.
Today in training, we were all up dancing in a circle and singing together and I almost started crying. I wasn’t sure why at first, but then I realized because I knew that was exactly where I was supposed to be. I couldn’t imagine a better opportunity for me right now in my life than to be here in China teaching at Gymboree. I’m learning so much that I could never learn if I were still at home. I miss home and all of you, I do, but I’m so grateful to be here. It’s pretty tiring though because I didn’t get an off day last week, nor will I get one this week. The only good thing about that is that with no official off days, I can usually convince Christine to let me come in around 1 o’clock on Sundays, which means I get to go to all of church.
Last Sunday I wasn’t able to go to church since I had to take over Jo Jo’s classes while she was gone. I had such a hard week last week. I was learning so much and enjoying training, but I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t being my normal, happy self. I was quiet and not talking much to others, and when I would get home at night, I would just go to bed without any dinner, feeling unmotivated to do much. But then this past Sunday, after church, I felt so rejuvenated! I then realized, that’s why I was having such a crummy week. Church does so much for me! Don’t ever forget to take advantage of your Sabbath day and the opportunity that you have to go to church; it’s wonderful. Also, I talked in church on Sunday. I talked on Personal Sacrifice. Everyone really enjoyed it and I got a lot of positive feedback. I shared a wonderful story of my ancestors who joined the church years ago (the Stewart family I believe) and what they had to sacrifice for the Gospel. I also shared a great story of a wonderful single mother who sacrificed so much to take care of her five children while working and going to school to get her Ph.D. so she could give them a better future. If you don’t know who I’m talking about, that’s the story of my wonderful mother. Everyone really liked the talk - it was great.
There are some BYU students staying in Shanghai right now, a group of 8 biology majors (all attractive young men!) and they came to our meeting. They were late though so they stayed for the 10:30 meeting to take the sacrament. I hope they come to our meeting on time next week. Chris, Austin, Nate (the other interns in the ward), and I are all planning hanging out this weekend. It should be great fun! Sadly, Wesley moved suddenly so he’s now in Hong Kong continuing his internship work.
Hmmm ... what else happened this week? Sara and I got off training a little bit early on Saturday so we went shopping in People’s Square. It has fantastic shopping where you can barter and get really great deals. I bought a few new things and they’re so beautiful! I really like the styles here in China, and I’m pretty good at bartering (with the help of Sara translating a little) so I can get great deals. We then met up with Lincoln and Michael for dinner. Sara’s birthday is next week so hopefully we’ll do something fun to celebrate it!
Yesterday (Monday) we had a lot of meetings, but it was a fun day.
After changing all the setups, we did a “Show & Do” training of Art for the consultants so they can better understand our art program so they can sell it better. This was an Art 2 class so we got to do the dress up! It was so fun running around in little kid dress up clothes, acting like toddlers! My co-workers are really great!
We also had a meeting in the morning and some awards were given, as it was the big semi-annual meeting. Yo yo got an award for the Instructor department so she treated us all for Milk tea! I, of course, don’t drink tea so she got me a mango smoothie instead. Yum! We also celebrated some people’s birthdays so we had cake too. It was a great day!
Oh, I almost forgot. On Saturday, before Sara and I went shopping, we stopped by my apartment so I could get some more money. She saw my picture of the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and immediately said “OH! That is a holy place!” She then was staring at the picture of Jesus Christ on the wall before we left and said, “He looks so.... (she paused as she tried to find the words in English)...so...full of love!” All I could do was smile and say, “Yes!”, but nothing more. I sort of hate the law about not active or passive proselytizing. Sara has an amazing spirit, and is so sensitive and can feel the light of Christ through my lifestyle and example; I know she can. It’s so frustrating to not be able to share the Gospel with her. I even have a Book of Mormon in Chinese, but I can’t give it away. Hopefully someday I can share the truth with her. I am looking forward to my mission so much! I hope to put in my papers next summer!
Oh, another thing I forgot. We just hired two new girls and they’re going through pre-training. I haven’t talked with them much since I’ve been busy with training, but so far they seem to be great girls! Their names are Jessie and Sherry.
Well, that’s life in China as of late. Hasn’t been too exciting with all the training, but still fun. I love you all so much!
Thanks for reading!
I like the updates little sis! In glad you're having such great experiences. thanks for sharing.
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