对不起我的中文不好

Alo - title of email: Sorry, my Chinese is bad. 

As promised from the previous email, this week was more eventful. I was surprised how many people found the last email entertaining. 

Tuesday - Hanoi Zone Conference: 

Our Zone Conference (a meeting where all the missionaries in the city of Hanoi gather for training) was very successful and fun. We had many interactive training sessions where we learned about asking questions and listening, calling referrals, and extending invitations. Elder Trường and I were assigned the special musical number, so we sang the new hymn, This Little Light of Mine with our amazing piano player Sister Adams. We sang the first verse and then went around the room passing the microphone for others to sing. It is safe to say-- I don't think we will get assigned to do another musical number. After Zone Conference we led a Book of Mormon club teaching about the Pride Cycle and how we can avoid it. 

Wednesday - Reunification Day:

We celebrated reunification day at a burger joint down the street, seeing 2-3 fights out on the street on the way there. Most people were just upset about the traffic, but it was ironic to see people arguing and fighting on the reunification day. We had dinner with some members and taught some lessons to people who weren't out on vacation. I enjoyed seeing all the streets filled with flags and colors of red. Unfortunately, all the airshows and military demonstrations are in the South in TP.HCM where they remind people who won. 

Thursday - Southbound:

Thursday afternoon we hopped on the plane southbound to HCM for Zone Conference in the South. Elder Trường and I played golf simulator and bowling on the plane. I tried convincing Elder Trường airplane mode was a scam but he didn't believe me. Upon arriving in HCM, Elder Trường and I stayed in Thảo Điền, where both of us started our mission. It was very strange to be back where we both started, in the same apartment, just over a year ago. All we were missing was Elder Vassantachart, Elder Luân, and 6 security guards sitting on our couch from smoking up the hallway with burger smoke. Good memories.

Friday - Hồ Chí Minh Zone Conference:

Friday we presented again at Zone Conference for missionaries in Hồ Chí Minh and all the trainings were very well done. Afterwards, Elder Trường and I split ways. I stayed and did a small exchange with the Thảo Điền Elders, Elder McBride (my companion in Hà Đông) and Elder Gordon. I was really impressed with how much they have accomplished. While visiting, I had the opportunity to meet a man who got baptized last July, that I actually found while I was in Thảo Điền. I never thought he would get baptized - but now he is a ward missionary who helps with lots of lessons. We ended the night with dinner from the Relief Society President, who remembered me and helped me buy my first Áo Dài in Vietnam. 

Saturday - Sorry, my Chinese is bad:

While calling referrals on Saturday, I had a referral come in from Indonesia for a person who moved to Vietnam who speaks Chinese. It was a miracle -- because Elder Gordon, who I was with for the day, lived in Shanghai, China and Taiwan for 7 years, learning Chinese for a total of 12 years. With our rusty Chinese and confidence we gave our friend a call -- only to be humbled very quickly. We were laughing so hard, because we could understand everything she was saying, but we couldn't say anything back to her because it had been so long. We basically squeaked out: "Hello. We missionaries church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You saw online, wanted to learn about Jesus, yes?". Honestly, I think we scared her more than anything. She kept asking, "How did you get my phone number, information, blah blah" and we tried explaining, but it never landed. She ended up hanging up on us, but we will try to give her a call back. We texted back and forth a little and now she understands better, but is still a little skeptical. 

At 3pm we ended the exchange and flew back to Hanoi later in the evening. I enjoyed the smoothies, good food, and getting to see Elder McBride and Elder Gordon.

Sunday - Foreign Sacrament:
On Sunday we were absolutely packed with foreign visitors - we almost didn't have enough translator devices and batteries. I don't know the exact number, but there had to have been at least over 30 visitors that came. Two people from Italy came and visited, I tried speaking Italian, but they just laughed at me. They told me I should stick to Vietnamese xD, haha. 
_________________________________
Spiritual Thought - Jacob 4:13
"...for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly..."
___________________________________
I know the Spirit guides us if we are willing to be humble and listen carefully. Overthinking and complex problems can be solved through obedience and prayerful decision-making. 

Today for P-Day we have a member meal at a buffet and will be taking things slow. As of lately P-Days have been a lot less adventurous and more refreshing, which is good -- but I'll do something crazy soon.

Love,
Anh Cả Reynolds

Picture this week:

Picture from January 2024:

Me, Elder McBride, Elder Gordon, and our Ward Missionary friend