Chapter 2: Debates, District Olympics, and Dang Cool New Buildings!

Nimen hao!

This week has been super fun!  As you can see from the title of my email, lots of exciting things have happened!

One of the big topics for this week was whether our "investigator" we were teaching was a real investigator or just a teacher at the MTC. Our district liked to call this "Huang DiXiong (Brother Huang): Member or Mudaoyou" (Investigator). There was compelling evidence for both sides, and sometimes the debates would get pretty heated (but NEVER competitive, we are at the MTC after all and there is no such thing as competition here ;) ) but eventually most of us decided he was a member. It was kind of hard deciding though because our morning teacher was SO adamant that he was a real member, and me, being the trusting person I am, didn't want to believe that our teacher would lie to us! But alas, Friday at 6:30, I look down the hall and who comes walking in to our classroom with a name badge? It's Huang DiXiong! My district could not stop laughing for like 15 minutes. The weirdest part is when he started to speak to us in perfect English, because although he looks Asian, he actually moved to America from China when he was 7. So yeah we were all dying about that. It was definitely one of the highlights of my week.

Sister Warren and I were able to go to the temple today! Yay! Also we spend a lot
 of time studying in the sun, so we have gotten pretty tan #yes

The next exciting thing going on in my district is our way of keeping us sane for the next 7 1/2 weeks, and we like to call it the District Olympics. We just choose random events to do when we have some sort of free time, like during our breaks in class, at mealtimes, or during exercise time. We have only had 3 events so far, but we have done Trash Can Basketball, Ice Cream Sandwich Eating Contest, and District Volleyball game. These events are a good way to bring us together as a district and also let us have a little bit of fun. So far I have gotten a medal in 2 events (I finished last in the ice cream sandwich eating contest) so that's pretty exciting for me.

 In other news, THE NEW BUILDINGS ARE DONE AND WE ARE HAVING CLASS IN THERE TODAY. Oh my word I am SO excited. They are incredibly beautiful. Aside from temples, I have never been in a more lovely building or have ever felt the Spirit so strong inside. I wish you all could see them. Sister Warren and I just walked in one day (even though we weren't technically supposed to, but the security guards just waved at us, so we can't be chastised) and we toured the building we will be in. The buildings are 6 floors with tall, vaulted ceilings, and we get to be on the 6th floor! I am convinced they put the Asian languages on the 6th floor because we are here the longest and the people in charge feel bad for us lol. Our classroom has floor to ceiling windows, and it looks out onto the courtyard. It is so beautiful, and much less confining than our tiny basement classroom with one tiny window. Right after this Sister Warren and I are moving our thousands of pounds of books (okay maybe just 20 pounds, but let's be honest, that's still a lot) to our new classroom, then we are going to say goodbye to room 133 in 7M. 133, you will be gone, but not forgotten, but you won't be missed.

I've seen my roommates individually this week (I got to be Sister Baker's host,
and Sister Wilcock and I live 2 doors away from each other!)
but this is the first time we were all together! Just missing one,
 but we think about her everyday.

The Lord is really looking out for me. Every time I feel discouraged, or like I'm not progressing enough in Chinese, he sends me something to pick me back up again and keep moving forward. Sometimes it's a scripture, sometimes it's a Dear Elder delivered at the right time (shout out to my amazing mother and wonderful big sis for sending me one every day), or once this week it was a package with just the right amount of conference quotes and an encouraging note (LOVE YOU MAMA NEUB). Whatever I'm feeling, the Lord knows exactly what I need. And I know that if any of you are struggling, just ask the Lord for help, guidance, or comfort and He will pour out his love upon you. All you have to do is ask.

Wo ai nimen! Wo ai Yesu Jidu de fuyin! Have a wonderful week!

Love, Sister Larson