It's Elan here; Emily's mom. A few of you have asked if Emily is keeping this blog herself. She is not; she only gets 30 minutes of internet time per week. And during that time, she is only allowed to review her email and write to us. After we receive her email on Tuesdays, I'll update this blog. She hasn't been able to send any photos as of yet so for today I added another photo from her first day in the MTC! Hopefully we'll have current photos next week. Anyway...here are a few notes from Emily's week #2 in the MTC:Thurs Oct 8:
Yesterday I didn't write (in my journal) because it was too late. Sister Shaha and I had a lengthy companion inventory about our frustrations with learning Japanese. I became so overwhelmed that I cried in class yesterday. Teixiera Sensei was pretending to be my companion at the time and we were "teaching" Solomon Choro. I just buried my face in my hands and completely cried. Luckily, only half our district was in the room at the time. Tex Sensei stood up and said "come here" but I just shook my head. Then he gave me the BEST advice:
Tex- "No matter how good a cook you are, you have to put together the same ingredients, put it in the oven, and then what do you do?"
Me- "What?"
Tex- "Wait"
Tuesday, Oct 14:
Richard G. Scott spoke!!!!!!!! And I was singing in the choir. Sis Shaha and I sang. We didn't know it was Richard G. Scott at the time. You find out who's speaking RIGHT when they start.
It was a blessing to be there in the same room. Elder Scott started out as a loving grandpa. He cracked jokes. Then he switched into a tone that let us know he was an apostle. That switch was amazing. He truly spoke with the right authority. At the end he said he would shake all our hands.... and he did. I got to shake his hand! The sense of relaxation and peace I saw in his eyes is something I want to have now and even through old age. I felt very lucky because I think he only shook hands with those that were in the gym. He is so humble and thoughtful to shake everyone's hand. When he shook my hand, it was like he wanted to sit down and chat for the afternoon. What an amazing experience.
Thursday Oct 16:
We went to the TRC (Training Resource Center). There were 2 investigators in each of the four rooms. As companions we took 5 minutes in each room to introduce ourselves... in Japanese!! It was hard. There was a lot of silence. My mind almost froze. We were allowed to take an index card with some notes, but that didn't help much. My companion wasn't quick to talk and I wasn't thrilled either, but I began to communicate in any way I knew how. I just a lot of nouns and just tried to make sense. I'm pretty sure I made little sense. After 15 minutes of intro we went back to the last room and did the first discussion in English. We watched the movies with Tex Sensei. There are cameras in each room. I told Tex Sensei it was hard because the Japanese won't speak unless spoken to but that I understood because that's how I was. He said," I know! That's why I said you were Japanese-y."
Saturday October 18th:
It's been 10 days!! I've learned so much and yet I feel like I know nothing. There are good times and there are setbacks. When people talk in Japanese, it sounds just like... sound... and not words. It's soooo frustrating, but I realize miracles aren't magic. I need to work my tail off!
I wrote my talk for church tomorrow... in Japanese. They pick two people randomly from the pulpit each Sunday. Yikes! I had a senpai choro edit it for me. Speaking of friends, there was an elder at gym (not Japanese though) and as he ran by me he said, smiling," Keep your arms up-- like a choo choo train!" It was so cute. He waved to me the other day. We're secret buddies. I love all the elders, especially the senpai. In the gym it's pretty awesome when elders say "Go sisters!" when we run by.
Sunday October 19th:
Sheri Dew spoke at the fireside today!!! She is very good with words and I couldn't believe the amount of insight she could fit into such a small amount of time. The musical number for the fireside was AMAZING. And elder sang and he sounded very operatic and completely gorgeous. I would come to the MTC just for the musical numbers! BTW, I auditioned this past Thursday. I haven't heard back. Hopefully I get to play before I go. She asked if I would like to accompany other people... sooo... that's good right?
Monday Oct 20th:
I love singing hymns with our district!!!!! In Japanese of course. Japanese is slow slow slow in coming, but it's coming.
Tue, Oct 21:
Went to a temple session at 7am with my district. Our chorotachi paid for our breakfast. We ate at the temple cafeteria. I had quiche. It was superb. I have a TON Of studying to do today. P-day isn't relaxing. You try and get everything done. 5 more mintues to type...let's see...not much more to write. We leave all our materials in the classroom. Weird huh. I guess people don't steal here :)
sayonnara
mcmahan shimai
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