(That is supposed to be read in the accent of Frosty the Snowman, by the way.)
Dear family (especially Mom),
Happy Mother's Day! I love love love love LOVED talking to all of you yesterday. You all sound like you're doing so great and happy. Even though I was kind of crying (okay, really crying) by the end of it, I really was just so happy to be able to talk to you. I feel so blessed to be part of the best family in the world. I've got a little less time to write today, so sorry that it's not as novel-like this week.
First things first - this week is promising to be the best week of my life, because Liang Mama is getting baptized!!!!! Can't wait can't wait can't wait. I'm a little worried about the fact that she's 68 and is getting baptized, but you know what? Everyone needs it, she's not scared, so why should I be worried?
I'm flattered that you all thought my Chinese was good - unfortunately, I still have a very long way to go. Last night I was street contacting and I heard Bach's Fugue for the Violin in G Minor. I yelled to my companion, "I've played that!" And then raced to see where it was coming from. Although the violinist was good (and that's a beast of a piece), he was still making a few mistakes so I knew it wasn't a recording. Anyway, I found the guy, he stopped when he saw me, so I said, "HEY! I can play that... that... that..." I realized I didn't know how to say "piece." I know how to say "song," but all of that training in instrumental education was telling me that I can't call it a "song," since there aren't any words in it (I'm hope you're proud of me, Dr. Dab). Anyway, so I just ended up looking a little bit like an idiot as I kept on saying "that... that... that..." and he finally said (in English): "...violin?" I said, "No! I mean, yes, but I mean.... Bach?" Then he nodded and smiled in recognition as he said: "Oh! Bach." I guess there are just some things that can break language barriers, Bach being one of them. :)
Something that I thought you'd all enjoy: the Chinese always try to downplay everything that they do as being worthless. For example, you'll compliment someone by saying that their son is intelligent, and they'll say, "No, he's actually very dumb." Or say that their wife is beautiful and they'll say: "She's pretty ugly, actually." It's pretty funny and sad at the same time. Well, last week I had a new encounter with this principle. A lady in the branch called me and said she wanted to give us some "really disgusting food" that she didn't want and it was "so disgusting" and she wouldn't eat it, so... did we want it? My first thought was to say, "well, I know we're missionaries, but seriously, do you really think we're desperate enough that we want to eat really disgusting food that you don't even want?" But she brought it anyway and it was really, really good - then I realized that she was doing that Chinese thing! She couldn't call her food "delicious," or even say anything about it that could be interpreted as positive - she needed to make a big deal about how it was terrible, etc.
Okay, spiritual thought: I was a little sad after I had to hang up with all of you, so I prayed for a long time and then opened up the Book of Mormon. I'm starting the book of Helaman this week, so I started with the intro of that book. It was divinely inspired for me to read that part, because the introduction talks about how the book of Helaman deals with the people until the coming of Christ - it used that phrase a lot. Christ was the center of that book (of Helaman), and is also the center of the Book of Mormon. He is the center of our church, and should be the center of our lives. I realized that even though I was missing you all at that point, Christ is the center of my life, and I'm grateful that I have this chance to serve Him with everything I have right now.
That is it for this week - again, have a wonderful Mother's Day, and a wonderful week! I love you.
Love,
Becca
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