We aren't alone in being good.

Oh my goodness, Danny doesn't look like danny, and Jack doesn't look like Jack. They are not the preteens I always think they are. I know that isn't any news since I've started the mission, but it's made some rapid progress, that's for sure. What a fun homecoming.
Tell dad that I'll work for him :) for food and rent :) I hope everything at the office is ok.
And I dont think really anybody needs to hear me give a talk. I have no abilities to give a worthwhile talk. But I am excited to go to church and understand everything that goes on ha. No, I do understand for the most part. Usually for every part, but sometimes it feels like some dot connecting listening to people speak. But it's fun. I enjoy it. Today I bought fishing gear from a nice old man at some fishing village, and I was proud of myself for being able to do that. Somehow we are able to do things. But the progress and accomplishments and changes I've seen in myself on this mission just seem to stand out more than others. Probably to prove that everything good really is rooted in Christ. On a mission it's easy to make that connection. I think I muddied that up a little before and called them my own. I am grateful to be here. The other day I got a chuckle out of a conversation I had with Camilla one day in the parking lot at belmont. I think I was picking her up for church. After recognizing that we accidentally were wearing the same sweater and shoes (for probably the 3rd matching Sunday in a row) we talked about what the mission might be like. I remember specifically talking for a bit about how we thought I might change in the mission field.It was a funny conversation, I remember that. But thinking back on that made me smile. Not just because it was funny. I love that girl. We have such a good family.

So this week, we took Uncle Fai to institute, and I loved every second of it. The teacher and other students were very supportive and patient, and it's doing wonders for Uncle Fai. He loves to think about God, and has a great Testimony of Jesus Christ. No going back, he says. He is a latter day saint. Great, great man. But I am amazed, because he is very outward. Always has an opinion, always something to say, and everysunday school turns into a Q and A between him and the teacher. He keeps things exciting, and I don't know how to answer him have the time. He thinks alot. And his thoughts are way out there, they're crazy in all honesty, but somehow, they're kind of right. We had a discussion with him on Adam and Ever or on resurrection. And he will tell us his opinion on things and what he thinks happens, And it's hilarious, because although he describes things a little wacky, he's for the most part at the bone of it all, pretty spot on. So institute this week was about the identity of Jesus Christ, and it was fun. I should take better notes and give good examples of some of his thoughts, but my favorite part of the entire night, was actually a discussion the class had on a talk by president bednar- the one about the truck, and the snow, and how we can bear our burdens or overcome difficulties. I'm not sure why it came up, but I was very amused listening to these YSA's who have only ever seen a truck or snow on tv, try to explain why driving through snow might be difficult, and why loading things into a truck could help. There was a descent amount of confusion. Institute's awesome.

This week I went on exchanges with Sister Redd, and we set out to find a less active. He lives at the top of a very steep hill. So we essentially went hiking. We were
dripping...literally our hair was even soaked. And just as we make it almost to the top, we meet this cute 60 something year old woman making her way down with a very cool looking umbrella. I always thought the umbrellas in the sun thing was dumb until this day. We stopped her to make sure we were going the right way. After she confirmed and commented on how sweaty we were, we got her talking a bit longer. She has some grandchildren. Just visited her friend. Oh my grandkids go to your church. Christians, right? Ya, they represent our family to Jesus Christ. but I'm buddhist. So we end up just listening to her and ask her questions about what Buddhism means to her. She didn't really know, but said it's practically the same as Jesus to us, except they have Buddha. Then we talk about prayer. She baaisahns too, and prays to her ancestors. The conversation was incredible because she felt listened to and respected for what she thought. We would bear testimony about things that we agreed on, and this hurried grandma-down-the-hill-converstaion turned into a very warm hopeful conversation. I remember Elder Perry told us to never leave any teaching situation without bearing testimony of Jesus,Christ, so we did that along with prayer, and asked if she would pray with us. Buddhism here is very much a tradition, not so much a belief. That's not always the case, there are also very dedicated buddhists here, but for the most part, they aren't devoted to that religion. So after having such a spiritual conversation with her, it was amazing to see her attitude to christianity change. We said a prayer with her, and closed with tears leaking out the sides of her eyes and sneaking down her face. She didn't want to learn more, but she didn't want us to go either. We finally were able to exchange information, and hopefully we'll have the opportunity to see her again. But that was a neat experience. I love to watch the spirit work on people. And slowly, people have experiences throughout their lives that will prepare them to someday understand in full the Plan of salvation. And if not in this life, recognize it in the next. We called her A-yi. I loved talking to A-yi.

I also met a couple other awesome people this week. At crossroads, the place we do service, we were assigned to package medical equipment and box them up to send to somalia. And we actually worked with these two somalian men. We moved a lot of really heavy equipment that took all four of us to get on the crates, and by the end of our time, we earned their respect. They were awesome. They said " whenever we see people wearing your black name tags, they have our respect. We know those mormons can work." There are a lot of years of history of missionaries working at that organization, so the fact that missionaries have kept that reputation there for so long was impressive to me. But on the bus ride home, I sat by one of their friends named manstefan. And he was super interested in the gospel. Remembered seeing missionaries when he was younger. Later this week, I also met a man from uganda on the hingtit. he also mentioned remembering missionaries when he was a young boy. Also willing and interested to learn more and come to church. People make impressions. That's one thing I learned this week. results rarely are immediate. But these guys are awesome. So, if after this mission I disappear to africa, it's because I'm making a lot of friends from that continent lately. They said we could come. No, I'm just impressed with how good people are. So down to earth, and willing to help and be kind. There are so many down to the bone good people in this world, and I want to be more like them. This gospel is true. We have so many truths to share. but we aren't alone in being good.
I should get going, but I love you all. So good to hear about your week.
Love hannah