7/14/14 - MTC Week 6

Another great week here at the MTC! I was really worried about the MTC before I came but I actually like it here. I have grown so much over these past 6 weeks and feel so close to my Savior which makes up for anything bad about this place!

On Tuesday morning my district made a decision to SYL (Speak Your Language) ALL DAY! We actually did really well. The morning started off with personal study. Sister Zoller and I decided to devote all of our personal study for our investigator Pl))y. (We had a lesson with her the night before and she was really struggling.) I prayed and prayed. After I was done praying I remembered Pl))y saying that all she wants in this life was happiness. After I had that thought, everything fell into place. I felt like Heavenly Father was writing down for me what she needed.  In the middle of class I had to go to an orthodontist appointment because my retainer was hurting me. I was surprised that the people who picked me up were the Chatwins from my neighborhood. It was fun talking to them. I felt SO weird being out in the real world. When I got to the office I felt like I had to keep looking down at my flashcards because there were TV's on! That night Elder Anderson (from the 12) came and spoke to us about feeling the Spirit. IT WAS AMAZING!!! He talked about ways that the Spirit comes into our lives in a completely different way than I had ever thought about before.

On Wednesday Sister Nethercott and I went to the field and challenged a bunch of missionaries in Khub (our new favorite game).  Of course we are still the champs! We taught N))n about Joseph Smith and he still seems confused about some things. We made a plan to address that confusion in the next lesson. We started hosting the new missionaries being dropped off at about 11am and it was SO HOT outside, but it feels nice to serve and help people directly. In class we started talking about how to teach the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. Those topics are really hard to teach sometimes but I know it is important so I am glad we are required to teach it! (If you haven't heard, they made new rules about teaching. We have to teach all 5 lessons before baptism!!) For personal study I have been starting the Book of Mormon over. I was reading in 1st Nephi and it is so crazy how I feel like I am reading completely new stuff. The story and the message are the same but I’m getting something completely different out of it than the times that I have read it before. I guess people weren't lying when they told me, "You learn something different each time you read the scriptures." I love in 1st Nephi how it says, "I did cry unto the Lord." Being here at the MTC I have learned how to pray harder than ever before. I feel like I now understand him better when he says that. The image that I have when I read that is Nephi on his knees humbly crying out with such desire, passion, and pleading/yearning for Christ. As I was reading 2-4 I saw a pattern that is used all over the scriptures. First, pray with faith. (1st Nephi 2:16) Second, it is hard sometimes but the Lord commanded it. (1st Nephi 4-5) Next, we CAN'T COMPLAIN. (1st Nephi 3:6) The Lord will always provide a way for the things he asks of us. (1st Nephi 3:7 and 29) And finally, the Spirit will guide us. (1st Nephi 4:6) We can apply that pattern to any situation! I don't know why but I thought it was so cool! For Comp. study we decided to go outside because it was pouring rain! There were a bunch of Cambo Elders flying kites out there so we flew kites for awhile which was so much fun. I felt like I was 5 again. We planned our lesson and did lots of role play while standing out in the pouring rain barefoot. It was one of the most enjoyable comp. studies ever! We thought, well we better get used to it because this is how Thailand is going to be! That night we had “Joke Night” as a district. It was so funny! We were all dying even though the jokes weren't that funny. That is what happens when you become a missionary, you really learn to enjoy the little things…or you just start to go insane!

Thursday started off with service which is always fun because it is something different than what we are used to. We put up flags and swept. Right after that we went into personal study which I was so excited for because I wanted to keep reading about Nephi! I think it is so amazing how when his brothers tied him up to be killed he prayed to get out, and then when his brothers felt bad about it, he had no hate towards them. All he said was repent and come back to the Lord. I love the scripture that talks about how the Lord gives commandments for a wise purpose that sometimes…most times we don't know and understand. We have to trust him that he knows what he is doing. I could go on and on about my thoughts and insights from the first chapters of Nephi but I don't have that much time. After lunch we got to teach our new investigators. It went really well. I am excited to teach them again. That night we got to read some scripture in Thai as a class. It is really hard reading the Scriptures in Thai because the words they use in the scriptures are so different because they are the royal words which are completely different from the common word.  So it's basically like we have to learn an extra language for the scriptures. It is fun though! 

On Friday We did the usual…lots of Thai grammar. After lunch I was so nervous about our lesson with N))n for some reason! I did what I usually do in those situations…pray my heart out! We went in the lesson and I felt so good. He was really scared about changing churches because his parents would not be happy. He told us that but then he said that he could not deny the Christ. He believed so strongly! I had him read the scripture, 1st Nephi 4:14 about how if we follow the Lord's commandments he we prepare a way. I told him that a lot of the time life is really hard but as we obey his commandments he will always help us.  We will never be alone through trials and we will be lead to the right path. As I was saying this to him I felt is so strongly that it applies to my life as a missionary and to N))n's life with his decision to join the Church of Jesus Christ. It was a good lesson!

Saturday was so FUN! We started off with a little district kickball game, Cambo's vs. Thai's! It was so funny. Our team was just laughing the whole time. Our district has a lot of different personalities and cultural backgrounds so when we play a game of kickball together you just can't help but laugh! The Cambo's apparently called us "the giggles”. Our team lost but we had more fun so that is all that matters right? We had TRC in the morning and I was so excited, I love TRC so much. I walked in and I got to teach and meet with Taryn Bodine! I was so happy. Part of the time I was asking her questions about her family and life in general. We finally got into the gospel discussion of how we receive revelation at church. We talked a lot about how if we go to church with a good attitude it makes it so much easier to receive revelation and feel the Spirit. The next guy we talked to was a guy from Laos and he served in Thailand. His story was so cool. We talked about the same kind of thing with him. At the end he told us that we spoke Thai well and it made me SO SO SO happy because sometimes I think I am awful at the language! In personal study I continue to learn MORE about Nephi.  He was so amazing and had such great faith and wisdom! I hope someday I can be as faithful as Nephi! My Khuu and I planned our lesson that we have on Monday over SKYPE with member in THAILAND! So scary, but exciting! We went downstairs to an empty room to prepare but we could hear people having a lesson with an investigator in English in the next room. As they were talking, Sister Zoller and I came up with a perfect scripture that they could have shared that would have helped! We were trying to casually talk about it loudly so they would hear! That night we were acting as investigators for some others in our district. It was an amazing lesson. I felt that I truly was my character and the Spirit was testifying to her. It was awesome! Before going to bed that night I read a talk with some other sisters about trusting the Lord. We have to always remember that sometimes what we want, even if it is good, it's not what we need. God has a plan for us that sometimes we don't understand. If we submit to the will of the Lord willingly, we will more easily notice and receive the blessing. If you have time go and read, "Trust in the Lord" by Elder Scott.

SUNDAYS ARE THE BEST EVER! I would have to say that my favorite part is when all the sisters stand and sing the missionary version of "As Sisters in Zion". I love the line, "we go forth enlisted with Helamen’s army in numbers much greater than ever before." I think I have mentioned that before but I just LOVE IT. I am just always extra happy on Sundays! I felt so spiritually fed in relief society, sacrament meeting and the devotional! The speaker in relief society was amazing and told us all types of stories of how to be better missionaries. The sacrament meeting was the last one with the Cambo's and they gave great talks! For the devotional we got to walk to the Marriott Center which was a change. It was on charity and how we need to learn how to love before we teach. I get so much out of every devotional here! 

One thing I have noticed here, for me at least, is that being positive and having a good attitude makes it so much easier and so much more enjoyable! I love this gospel and I am so glad I have the opportunity to serve and become more like my Savior. THE CHURCH IS TRUE! Have a great week. Love you all. Remember to read your scriptures and pray lots!  I leave 3 weeks from today!

Love, 

Sister Herrmann 

PS. Sorry my letters are getting really repetitive. I literally do the same thing every day!

PSS. Thanks for all the support and the packages and Dear Elder letters! 

Zone prayer at night

Our district

After a really long and spiritual day

Zone picture. A bunch are leaving and about 20 new Thai's are coming in! 

Favorite Hong Kong and Cambodia Elders that are leaving. 

Me and Sister L. 

Sister Lindley leaves on Tuesday. I love her! 

This girl has the exact same first and middle name as me- Tessa Marie! 

The girl that hosted me, has become a good friend here!

Favorite Hong Kong Sister. 

Some favorite Elders that I rap with- they are leaving for the Philippines. 

Water gun fight- Thanks moms

7/7/14 - MTC Week 5

Well another week has flown by. I have officially 4 weeks left in the MTC! This week has been amazing!!! (LIKE USUAL) On Monday the temple was closed so we had lots of extra time. We took our first naps here at the MTC and it was SO nice!! (That is allowed here on P-day.) In class that night we had an amazing lesson about recognizing the Spirit. We watched this video by Elder Bednar. He talked about how many of us think we have to have a huge prompting to have the Spirit. A lot of people today always ask the question "was that me or the Spirit?” Bednar said in the video- STOP WORRYING ABOUT IT. If we are being obedient, praying, reading the scriptures, having clean thoughts and just being a good person in general, he will send the Spirit to us in ways we don't think about. In his talk he told a story of how when he was a missionary in Germany he had to send President Packer (of the 12) and his wife on a train. Elder Bednar didn't remember doing this but later in life Elder Packer reminded him that he (Bednar) gave Packer 20$ just in case they got hungry. On the train his wife’s passport was not acceptable and they were about to get thrown off the train but Elder Packer gave the 20$ to the soldier and he accepted it and the passport. Elder Bednar didn't know at the time that he was having a prompting from the Spirit, he just thought "hmm, maybe they will get hungry I will give them some money just in case." Sometimes we don't know in the moment if it was a prompting. God will lead us if we are being good. I was really glad I got to hear this lesson because I was always so worried about trying to discern between me and the spirit. Most the time if it is a good thought and will help, then it is from the Spirit. Later in the week I was reading in Moroni 7 (one of my new favorite chapters) and it confirmed what I heard about the Spirit. Moroni 7:16 "For behold the spirit of Christ is given to every man that he may know good from evil. wherefore I show unto you the way to judge: for every thing which inviteth to do good and to persuade to believe in Christ is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ, wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God." If it is good, then it is of God. 

On Tuesday I was reading in Ether 12 and I read each verse like three times! LOVE LOVE LOVE it all but I specifically like verse 6 "faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." There have been so many times in my life where I wouldn't want to go through the trial of faith first, but there is no way we can receive answers, help, anything until we have faith. It is so simple. Later in that chapter it gives like 5 examples about other book of Mormon stories where they had faith first and because of that they received. (If it is God’s will of course.) I also like how Ether was worried about not being able to write and the Lord said "and if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I know that is everyone's favorite scripture but it truly is so powerful! When I was reading this I usually think that if I come to Christ--he will make the things I am bad at become some of my best strengths.  I used to think, “Cool, God will fix all my faults.”  But as I read it this time my mind went straight to the grace of God. The only reason we can have our weakness become strong is because of the atonement. Jesus Christ suffered for our weaknesses so that we can call on him for help and he will make up the difference. I always thought of the atonement for forgiveness of sins.  Reading this scripture it reminded me that he suffered for our weaknesses so that we can become better people and more like him. Then I put it into the repentance process. In the past, I have been really confused because I heard in a talk that said we need to be repenting everyday and I was like, "I am on a mission.. I am not making big sins…how can I repent everyday?" Then I read this and thought repentance isn't just for repenting of sins. We can repent (in Thai repent is klabcay which literally means return to heart) to become better at things or think better thoughts or to love more etc. Repenting is just tuning to Jesus Christ and asking him for help because only though him we can do those things. I am SO grateful for the grace of God and because of the atonement he can make up the difference!! Later in the week I was talking to Sister Snookomp from Thailand and she was telling me that when she was Buddhist they believed that there is no way to clean sin and that the only way for them to make up for it a little is by doing good for others. I was thinking how sad that would be.  And not knowing that you can have help from someone much greater and much better, and not knowing that you can be clean from sin completely. I can't even imagine not knowing that... THAT IS WHY I AM SO EXCITED TO GO TELL THE PEOPLE IN THAILAND ABOUT THE ATONEMENT AND ABOUT GOD AND JESUS CHRIST!!!! 

On Wednesday, it was literally a perfect day! We taught N))n. We had a member- brother Oad (Brother Shiply our other teacher) come teach with us because we wanted him to explain what he had to give up about Buddhism to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. It was so good to hear brother Oad's conversion story. I think it helped our investigator a lot! It was also interesting hearing about what Buddhists believe. After Brother Oad talked I had a strong feeling to read a section in the Intro page of the Book of Mormon. I had him read the last 2 paragraphs and it hit us all so strong. I promised him that if he read the book of Mormon and prayed about he would know that it is the truth. It was AMAZING! It is crazy how when you testify of things you are also testifying to yourself! When I read the book of Mormon I always skip over the intro page but it is so so so powerful. If you have a spare moment in your day, read it and focus on the promises it gives! At the end of the lesson we had our average small talk about what he was learning in English class and how everything was going and then he asked me what I was learning in Thai. I told him I was learning about colors. That day I had a bright pink skirt on and he asked, "let me guess your favorite color is pink?"  And then he just busted up laughing for like a minute.  My face went bright red and I just accepted it and laughed with him and said, "Yep, I LOVE pink!" After our lesson we had the opportunity to host the new missionaries coming in! Everyone in my district wore pink because, "we wear pink on Wednesdays".  It is funny because all the girls had to borrow a piece of my pink clothing! Hosting was quite the experience.  It was really sad to be honest.  We would stand at the curb, welcome them and then watch them cry and say goodbye to their families.  My favorite part about hosting was cheering them up after they left their family.  I just told them how fun the MTC is and how much they will LOVE it! The only weird part was that they were all leaving before me.  Hosting reminded me of the day I came into the MTC. I remember right as I got in someone said, "welcome to the MTC!" and I was still so shocked that I was actually there that I said, "you too" to someone who had been there for weeks!  Missionaries thrive off of saying, "welcome to the MTC", to the new missionaries on Wednesdays.  After hosting we were all so exhausted and sweaty!  My whole district was just laughing about how if this is how we look and feel in Provo, Thailand is going to be death!   We talked a lot to our amazing teachers and they are all geniuses. I look up to each of my teachers so much. It is funny because all the teachers and missionaries in my district are SO SO SO SMART- like can speak 5 languages and got a 35 on the ACT smart!! 

On Thursday, I finished the Book of Mormon! There is no way that the book is not true.  All the promises made in the Intro page were true. The instruction that I receive from the Book of Mormon has made me the most happy in life. I love the book of Mormon so much! I know that each time I read it I grow closer and closer to Christ! I have come to truly know that Christ is my best friend through reading the book of Mormon and praying.  In class we studied the story of King Lamoni and Ammon. We learned that before Ammon even started teaching Lamoni, he was serving him and loving him and asking him questions and truly caring about him. THEN came a change in King Lamoni’s heart where he wanted to learn. As we related that to missionary work I could see how important it was to really care about your investigators! Before the mission I always thought you just go in and start teaching, but I am so glad it is not like that. Some of my favorite parts of lessons are getting to know the person by trying to understanding them and showing my love by listening and trying to serve them. When you truly love and serve a person they will see that and want to understand you better which always lead to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a really good lesson. At dinner we totally got chastised. My district was being so loud (like usual) and the president of the MTC came up and said to us, "remember, quite reverence" AHHAH we were all dying. One of the elders in our district has a very distinct laugh that anyone can recognize from anywhere and every time he laughs (which is like every second) we can't help but laugh too... SOOO we are laughing all the time! In class we switched over to the script hymn books and it is the so awkward, funniest part of the whole day. Basically the teacher sings and we just mumble the words as he sings and then the last word we all know and say with such conviction!  I guess it's a thing where you just have to be there. It was so funny! 

The Forth of July was a party at the MTC! I got decked out in red, white, and blue! I was feeling really patriotic! (Thanks to Caitlin who sent me a lot of America stuff.) I just LOVE America so much! I was singing patriotic songs all day.  We did the usual stuff…class-study-class-study-study-study. We got to teach n))n. We were planning on teaching about the restoration but our plans changed because he had other questions about baptism. We talked about it and then we committed him to be baptized on July 26th.  He was so excited. He has such a desire to learn. The only hard thing is that his whole life and family revolve around Buddhist culture. He is nervous that if he tells his parents they will kick him out. I guess in Thailand that is one of the hardest things about switching religions. This night was a special one because we were having a special devotional! We got to watch 17 Miracles. Oh my goodness, that movie made me cry!  As I was watching it, I realized how much God is watching out for us and willing to help us when we obey him. There were so many miracles that happened because of their faith and diligence. After that we all got to go outside and watch the stadium of fire fireworks.  They were so much fun!  As all the missionaries watched them we sang (again) a bunch of songs! It was so much fun. That night we didn't get back to our room till about 11 (don't worry we had permission). It was a good day :)

Saturday started out with TRC! Ok, we had the coolest experience.  We talked to the first girl (a native) and she was so cute because every time I understood or said something perfectly she would get so excited for me!  The second girl was also a native. We walked in and she told us her name was Pl))y.  We thought it was funny because that is the same name as our investigator! As we went on, she was telling us that she got baptized about 2 years ago.  Then I started putting it together, I had a feeling that the Pl))y we were teaching at the time was the same Pl))y that is our investigator.  I could just feel it! At the end of the lesson I got an overwhelming feeling of love for her.  Randomly I just straight up said, "I can feel that God loves you so much!" We were all shocked when I said that but I just had to express it! After that I asked if she knew Sister Hershi and she told us that Sister Hershi taught her and helped her become a member of the church. I was right! After that she asked for my email so that she could email me when I was in Thailand. It was such an amazing experience. My testimony grew so much stronger through this experience. (Sister Hershi is our teacher who is also acting as our investigator Pl))y who she taught a couple years ago.) I got a chance to see the difference between Pl))y 2 years ago (my investigator now, who is very non responsive about the gospel) and Pl))y now who had such a strong light of Christ within her. The change and difference was huge. It was an amazing experience! The rest of the day was just like normal.  We taught N))n and he was so receptive to the Spirit. We had him read the fist vision and he put it all together himself. He said "all the churches have some truth but only the church of Jesus Christ has all the truth?" His mind was blown. It was awesome to see him put that together! I love seeing him progress and come closer to Christ. I can just see it in his eyes!

Sunday was amazing! It was fast Sunday and I started this new thing about being positive on Fast Sundays! It went really well. Our fast and testimony meeting was amazing! Everyone was crying because the Spirit was so strong! At temple walk I saw my Mom for like 10 seconds.  She was driving home from the student ward and I started waving and ran to the car. She told me she loved me and I told her that I was so happy and then she was off.  It was so good to see her!!!:):) We watched this amazing talk by Elder Bednar. He was talking about the difference between principles, doctrine and application! I learned so much! Everything is in the Doctrine! He gave so many good examples and it is really going to help me in my study time! It was such a great Sunday! 

Well today we got to clean the temple! It was the most amazing thing ever! We got to go in and clean the chandeliers. It is funny because I remember when I first got endowed my brother-in-law, Andrew, was telling me that when they clean the chandeliers they take the whole thing down and take off all the crystals and clean each one by hand! He laughed and was totally joking! BUT they really do that!!!! It was such a cool experience being able to clean the Lords house! 

Thank you to all who send letters and packages! I appreciate them so much! It is literally like Christmas! Four weeks left! I am so excited! I love it here! Peace and blessings everyone! Have a good week full of the Spirit!

- Sister Herrmann

Sister Alley and I won for most patriotic! 

The 4th of July rocked! 

My district on P-Day! 

Putting up flaggggs! 

Hanging out on the temple grounds

I had to get another shot! Mom are you proud? 

6/30/14 - MTC Week 4

I can't believe it is already P-day!!! The days go by so slow but the weeks go by so fast! Only 5 more weeks until Thailand! On Monday President Eyring waved to me. He is the sweetest man. The Thai Elders who’ve been a while left for the airport but came back later that night because their flight got canceled.  I am so excited for my turn to go in a couple weeks!

I am really learning the importance of planning! It helps so much. It really has helped me fulfill goals and use my time wisely. Everyone should use planners, they are like gold. On Tuesday a bunch of girls from my zone decided to have a soccer game! It was so much fun. I had to be careful because I didn't want anyone to get hurt.  It was hard to not play aggressive but it was so much fun! I miss playing soccer.  In study time I was reading in Mormon and it is so crazy how they testify of Joseph Smith and refer to this time.  Once again it just shows that Heavenly Father always has a plan.  

In Khuu study we were preparing for our lesson. We were planning and were nervous for some reason. I think we were so nervous because we wanted him to feel the Spirit so badly! In that lesson as we were testifying of the character of Chris,t the Spirit testified to me that the character of Christ comes down to 2 things- Love and Service. Everything he did was because of “Love” which lead him to “Service”.  Service is lead by love! That is how we follow Christ.

We started learning script!  I like script because it is so much fun to write. It is hard though because the teachers just told us to learn it on our own.  It stressed us all out because we have so little time to study it! That night 6 of the apostles came and talked to us! It was awesome! On Wednesday I was caught up in the details of MTC life and really worried about the language and more material things and for a minute I forgot my purpose. That night I got a letter from Dad and he shared D & C 101:16 which reminded me that sometimes we need to stop and feel God's comfort and remember we are in his hands and remember what is really important.  It really helped me. On Thursday we started off with service. It was so much fun. We got to put up the flags during class.  The other day our teacher was talking and said "suad))nw))n" which means prayer and Elder Okimoto and Elder Luker in unison said, "That is so beautiful!" We all died laughing and the teacher just looked at us like we were all idiots.  Now every time someone says "prayer" we all laugh! In our lesson that day I was so out of it. The language was killing me. I was so upset I went into the bathroom (the only place I could be alone) and prayed and prayed. I felt the words, "Do you Trust me?” three times. I remembered that He has a plan for me and knows what He is doing! Right after that happened I randomly opened to the scriptures to Mathew 10:20, "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you".  I realized that I needed to be patient.

On Friday morning we were teaching Pl))y. I was so nervous because I wanted her to feel the Spirit and I wanted to understand and have my tongue be loosed. The lesson ended up being amazing! I could speak and understand perfectly! She felt like she had no worth and that no one loved her. My heart started pounding in a way I had never experienced.  A scripture came to my mind, D&C 18:10. I read it and then bore my testimony about it and to be honest, I don't even remember what I said but the Spirit was so strong and she was smiling. So I am guessing she felt it too because she never smiles. I had never felt the Spirit that strong in that way before. It was amazing! 

On Saturday we started out with TRC! I was so nervous but it ended up being amazing! I walked in and the girl was from Thailand so she didn't speak much English! She was so cute and nice and we just laughed a lot and had a great time talking in Thai to each other. It made me so excited to just talk and love the Thai people. That night was so fun because Sister Brown and I went into the hall at around 11pm and started dancing and just playing around, it was a party!! The only bad part was the fact that we didn’t get much sleep.  Sunday is always my favorite. It is so relaxing and a day to 100% focus on Jesus Christ! I talked a lot with Aom, a girl from Thailand. I love talking to her in Thai because she corrects me. I have been so spiritually fed. The devotionals and videos we watch are so uplifting. That night we all lay on the floor and told stories until 1 AM because the power went out and that's what you do when the power goes out!!! HAHA

Well, like I say every week, IT WAS AMAZING! In Mormon 9:31 it says, “but rather give thanks to God that he hath made manifest to you our imperfections that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been." I have realized that I have so many imperfections but through Christ I can learn and receive his grace to be better. Thank goodness for that. I LOVE MY MISSION! Have a good week. Write me.

Lots of love,

Sister Herrmann

PS  I love the flashlight that Sister Midgely gave me.  Is there anyway I can get another one?  It has really helped at night.  Also, I feel like Heavenly Father has helped me so much because I get about 6 hours of sleep each night and I never fall asleep in class and I really feel so happy! The temple was closed this morning but next week we get to go in and clean the temple! How cool is that? Tell Chelsea that I loved her Dear Elder letter and really appreciated it! Also Sister Pulham sent doughnuts and Olivia Black’s family sent me a great package.  I also love the packages that you send every week Mom. I feel so supported and loved!

"The Map"

Hanging the flags for a service activity

The 5 flights of stairs that we walk up 10 times each day. 

Friday night food party

One of my favorite Sisters that is going to Hong Kong!

I LOVE writing THAI!

6/23/14- MTC Week 3

Well this week has been one of miracles, blessings, and spiritual growth! It started getting really routine here but the spiritual and language study is new and fun everyday! On Monday it was Pday! Sister Brown and I went to the temple and did sealings. We started class at 5:15pm and did a lot of role plays. I had a whole conversation with sister Hershi in Thai! I was so proud of my self!  Sister Zoller and I made up little raps to memorize words during language study! We were laughing so hard! The next couple days were like a roller coaster! My cough got really bad and everyone thought that I was dying! On Tuesday, I was really praying about what I should study when I remembered Elder Cook telling us that there is always something to learn about the, “Tree of Life story!” I started reading and then it hit me! The fruit of the tree is the atonement and love of Jesus Christ!  My purpose is to do what Lehi was doing--inviting and yearning for others to partake of the fruit (the atonement and love of Jesus Christ). We know how good it is because we have partaken of it and want others to know the goodness as well!!!!!

Later that day we were teaching n))n (our teacher Brother Thrap). It was a literal train wreck! It was very humbling because of how well it went with txg.  Funny story- in the lesson I was trying to say "cawcay duay" (I understand too) but I said "cawcay tambien" AHHHH! I said it so confidently too and he started laughing and I was so embarrassed!  I completely mixed up my Thai with Spanish!  After that lesson I felt like the language was hopeless. It was the fist time I truly got discouraged. A couple of hours later the mail came and I got a package and letter from my sister, Caitlin! My whole day was turned around. I am so grateful for the love and support I get from my family! For the devotional that night, Russell M Ballard, came and talked to us about focusing on the simple doctrine of Christ and how that will keep our foundation strong. After the devo I got to see McKenna from college.  I love seeing people from the outside world. That night we watched Legacy! It was so funny because they had 3 kissing scenes in it and everyone was freaking out!

On Wednesday we taught pl))y (Sister Hershi) and it was hard because she was so non-responsive. It was frustrating. That day I was worried and had so many questions. I was praying and reading for an answer. I read 2 random scriptures in D & C, Nephi and Alma. The scriptures were all connected with the same topic.  I thought and prayed for a long time and suddenly it all clicked! It was like a puzzle! After I connected all the dots, I could feel God say, "There you go, you got it!" That experience made me realize that lots of times it takes a lot of searching and working to receive answers! Heavenly Father will help us understand in his own way, his own time and his own will. We have to remember to be patient! That day 13 new Hong Kong sisters came in and they are all so CUTE!

On Thursday we had service in the morning! It was so fun! We were singing and making up chants and remembering girls’ camp songs! I never knew that mopping floors could be so fun! In personal study I read about how we have to keep studying because we will gain more and new knowledge and insight even if we feel like we already understand! Alma 28:28-30, "for unto him that receiveth I shall give more". We have to keep building our foundation of Christ! That night during our additional study time, my Khuu went out for interviews and all the sisters left to go to the bathroom and I was just in the room studying. When I looked up from my flashcards I realized that it was just me and 6 Elders in the room! The teacher looked in and started going off in Thai because that wasn't allowed!  I booked it out of there trying to find a sister to be with. It was so funny. That night I got like 3 hours of sleep because of all that was going on. I was so worried I was going to be grumpy and tired the next day but I was awake and happy all he following day! The Lord really did bless me! In the morning we taught Pl))y.  The lesson was a very boring topic and it made the gospel sound not as good as it its. So at the end of the lesson I felt that I was suppose to say something about the happiness of the gospel! I looked at Pl))y and said, "This gospel is suppose to be happy! We have it so that we can have Joy." As I was saying this I felt the spirit testify to me that it truly is a gospel that brings happiness! She cracked a smile for the first time! I was so happy!!!!!!!! 

On Saturday a package from my mom came! (It made me so happy because it had fun little things in it like bubbles.) In class we learned how to tell time! It was so confusing because for each hour you have to say a different phrase with the time! It is a lot of memorization! We had a lesson with N))n that went so much better. We taught a brief overview of the Plan of Salvation and he asked us a lot of questions that we were kind of stumped on but we are ready to answer them next lesson! 

One thing that I learned is that you have to know how to personally express how you know things are true! We have been working a lot on that this week.  In Khuu study we focused on D & C 42 (the last verse), "if you love me serve me and keep my commandments."  We put this into every context we could think of but related it most to missionary work and the MTC. If we truly love God we will exactly obey him.  I have to remember theses are God’s rules and if we love him we will follow them. It was an awesome conversation. We did lots of SYL with our district then watched a Mormon message, "missionary work and the atonement!" It hit everyone really strong in our district and made us all want to be better disciples of Jesus Christ. It talked about when we are tired and want to rest, "remember him", remember what he did for us when he was tired and wanted to rest. 

Sundays are always my favorite here because it is not the normal routine we usually have!  We get to relax more and be spiritually fed by others. All 15 of the Quorum were here in the MTC for training. In our devotional, l Janice Kapp Perry came and spoke and it was the funniest devo I have ever been to. She was cracking jokes and in the middle of her talk her husband got up and KISSED her and all the missionaries went crazy chanting and clapping and "ooowing”, it was so awesome! At the end we all stood and sang, "The Armies of Helamen and Sisters in Zion."  It was so powerful. It is so amazing to hear all the missionaries sing that song. We then watched to the Joseph Smith movie that made us all cry. It was a good Sunday! 

Overall this week was amazing. I am so grateful for my sister training leaders, Sister Lindley and Sister Uresk. They are so fun! I love my district! We are all best friends! We have a reputation in the building as the loudest district- it's because we love each other so much we can't stand not talking to each other! I love the Church so much.  I know that God is in all the details of our lives and he has a plan for us even if we can't see it. I’m glad Heavenly Father lets me make mistakes because without them he couldn't help me learn and grow. This week I was reading in Mathew 14…if we take our eyes off the Lord we will start to sink. If we do start to sink his hand is stretched out towards us waiting for us to grab on. He will never leave us alone even when we forget him and start to sink. He is always there. 

I love you all so much.  Have a great week!  PRAY.
-Sister Herrmann

Role Playing.

Messing around. 

Our favorite Elders!

My district.

The sisters in my district.

Me and sister Uresk and Lindley. I love them! 

My cute bed. Someone shoe left, gave me their bedspread.