Alô,
Wishing you a happy end to your summer break and a successful start to the upcoming semester, or whatever adventure you are onto next. If you have some spare time, send me some photos or a little update of what you have been up to!
As for me, this might be the busiest/chaotic I've been on my mission so far. I'll do my best to organize this email the best I can.
The Matrix
As mentioned in the previous email, my new companion Elder Bird and I are currently in a temporary apartment, until we get to our new apartment later this week. [The last apartment Elders were staying in got sold out underneath them, resulting in this situation]. We've just been living out of our suitcases - just waiting to move and get settled in. The apartment we have been staying in is called "The Matrix" - and it has certainly been a fitting name, as it truly is an escape to try and enter and leave the complex. It's also resulted in me making plenty of movie references. My personal favorite: "We need more phở..."
To get in and out of the apartment complex and move up and down the elevator, you need a card. Spoiler: We did not have that card upon arrival. The solution is quite easy, just tagging along with other people - but it does require some luck and prayers. The security guards aren't the biggest fans of us. However, since my Vietnamese language level is that of a 4 year old, I sound adorable, so they can't say no! We finally ended up getting a temporary card after talking to the management, but it was a good couple of fun days.
We also do not have permanent bike cards - meaning we have to pay a fee every time we want to take out our bikes. After doing some quick math and utilizing the Vietnamese Uber, "Grab" deals, we calculated it would actually be cheaper for us to taxi to the church rather than taking our bikes out every day. I will miss not having that excuse once we move. Ha ha.
Chaotic Coordinating:
This week I had tons of meetings - some of the days felt like it was hard to fit in a sufficient amount of time for missionary work. For this transfer I have the opportunity to be serving as both the Social Media Leader for the mission and a District Leader. The result? So many coordination meetings. Especially because of the big changes we had with our mission this past transfer there has been a lot of adjustments needed. All of our missionaries here are so talented and amazing though - the work has been going strong. I have some on-going projects that will hopefully benefit the mission in the long run. This transfer is going to be a lot of growth and a great way to practice balance. And delegation :)).
Don't get me wrong - I'm enjoying what I am doing right now. The work I do isn't necessarily hard or frustrating- it's just very time consuming. Trying to have/use/manage it all effectively, while on top of trying to do regular missionary work has been an interesting challenge.
Last week I prayed because I was having a hard time sleeping. Heavenly Father certainly gave me a solution! Haha.
______________________________
Spiritual Thought: D&C 123:16-17
16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.
17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
Let us cheerfully do all that we can! Remember the small things can make a big difference. Focus on Christ, have gratitude, follow the Gospel, and love others.
______________________________
Life is great and busy. I feel like I'm back in the college grind and I'm feeling the burn. It has been exhaustingly refreshing.
Have a wonderful week! Love you,
Anh Cả Reynolds
Blog:
(From Sally: Meet Capybara. Ethan said they were having a hard time getting people in the English class to try and speak English at all. This was his solution. In Vietnam, people really like Capybaras, so he bought this stuffed one and he hands it to people in class or they pass it around when it is their turn to talk. He said it is working surprisingly well. He said it seems to calm people down a little bit. Maybe it's comforting to be holding a plushie or maybe they don't feel alone, but Capybara has become is a huge helper!)
My new district - we got Dominos!
(Side note/story from Sally: These sisters from Vietnam are best friends and put in their papers at the time, but have never gotten to be companions. For the transfer last week, the mission president waited until the very last to announce that they were finally serving together. :) Of course, they figured it out once everyone else had been announced, but they were so happy when he said their names that they were almost squealing. I just thought that was so fun!)
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