Week 6

Ok.... This. week. was. nuts!

I have a new companion, and I am not in the Pilot program anymore.

There were some emotional issues going on between a companionship and it was so intense that the district presidency had to get involved. The first half of the week everyone was on edge thinking it was going to be "them" who was getting switched but it ended up being all of us. President Baker sent a fax to the Zone Leaders Thursday night, and I was pulled out of class so I could be aware of the change before they announced it to the zone. One of the Sisters was having extreme anxiety over one of her teachers, and so her and I switched spots. I miss my district, and my teachers, and my companion, and my investigators, and the curriculum of the pilot program. I have a list of things to talk to you guys about on a tape, because an email doesn’t even do my week justice. ha Even though my world has been turned upside down, I have managed to be ok. I know that the Lord knows much better then we do, and me being yanked out of everything familiar and having to start over is good practice of what it is going to be like in the field. I keep telling myself that it is just like a transfer. :) I know that there is a lot to learn from my new companion and my new district. They have a totally polar schedule and way of learning the gospel, but that just makes me even more grateful for my first 6 weeks in the MTC. Guys I am half way done! Can you believe it? :) I don’t feel ready for it to be half way, but it's good cause I get to vamp up my studies. ha

Other things that happened this week:

*Both of my investigators agreed to be baptized. I moved right after committing both of them. Sad, but I’m glad that I had a chance to learn and grow with them. So cool. :) (My new district doesn’t teach. We are just in class all day. It’s so different. More details to come.)

*We moved rooms! So in the midst of high intense emotion we had to switch rooms. It was such a crazy week. : /

*I am a MTC celebrity. haha The speaker at Sunday night devotional asked someone to read a couple vs. of scripture and I was right by the mic and so I decided to volunteer. I have had soo many people stop me and say stuff like: "Oh good job reading" "Oh I like your necklace you were wearing" "Oh you were that girl from devotional" haha soo funny. It wasn’t a big deal, but I guess here at the MTC it’s a big deal.

*I met a missionary from Ukraine and we got to talking. Come to find out we know a lot of the same people and it was so fun getting to talk to him.

Sorry if any of this situation was unclear. Ask me questions and I would love to clarify. :)

Like I said before; this week was nuts. But even amongst all the craziness of be changing companions, being the coordinating sister that all the girls talked to about their feelings and about their situation, and still being Camille and trying to adjust to the big changes. I have felt so loved and supported. Even though I can’t see the end right now, I know that Heavenly Father is there for me, and that he is aware of my situation. In the missionary handbook it says something like "first turn to the Lord if you have any problems" rough paraphrase... but I had been telling my girls that all week when we were unsure who was going to move, and then when it ended up being me it was comforting to know that I had a testimony of what I had been telling them. Oh you guys I feel like I sound so cheesy! :) Just know that I am still loving it here at the MTC even though some things that have come my way where unexpected.

All the new missionaries get here Monday! I get to do orientation with them, and I am so excited to have them come. :) Mom thanks for offering to send something for my calling if needed. If you wanna have someone in Utah send something fun for them for their first week that would be awesome. :) If not, no worries, just a suggestion.

Ok I’m out of time. I LOVE YOU GUYS! Thanks for all the dear sisters, and letters, and tapes, and packages. I am so spoiled. Read the scriptures it will make you feel better. Pray for each other... that will make you feel better too.

Have a great week! suuuuuuure love ya! :)

Love Sister Camille Lee

Week 5

Hi!

Thanks for the pictures! They were so great! Audrey your dress is beautiful, and the balloon ride looked freakin sweet. Mom and Dad sweet cactus! :)

This week was a good one. Not because I had a good time, but because I have learned the most. :) Wednesday was the worst day of the MTC. I cried all throughout the day and cried myself to sleep. I missed my family, I hated Chinese, I was mad at my self because of my lack of faith and diligence, I was not liking my companion, and teaching our investigators went terrible! haha I was a mess and looking back now it was kinda comical, but at the time I was so sad because I had never felt the least like my self in my whole life.

Lets just say after a lot of prayer and one on one with God, the next day was incredible. It’s amazing how willing the Lord is to bless those who try, and are sincere in including him in their life. Over these last couple of days I have never been closer to my companion, I have studied more Chinese then I ever thought my brain was capable of (and I’m retaining it!) I got your tape and all your dear elders today, and the email. I have the best family fill since I have been in the MTC, and I have never felt more confident in my teaching. What a blessing! If it weren’t for some sincere prayer and scripture study and some serious humbling I know that I wouldn’t have been as chipper as I have been in the last couple of days.

Because of my mini breakdown I got to study a lot about grace and the enabling power of the atonement. Mom and Dad, study that.... It’s great stuff. :)

Ok so now for the fun stuff!

It sounds like spring brake was amazing. I loved, loved, loved your tape, and I am sending mine out tomorrow! It has lots of fun stuff on it this time, and I hope that you guys like it. I’m glad I get to respond to yours before I send mine out.

Real quick: Rooba! I totally wrote you the coolest letter, and then I got one from you that was basically the same letter you wrote me. It was sweet (I hope that made sense. ha) Anyways, I couldn’t send it cause I didn’t have any stamps, but you will get it when you get back from your trip! I am so excited for you. :) Don’t worry about your roommate situation. You basically just go to bed anyways. I can’t wait to talk about Wicked!

Rest of the family; All your letters are coming in the mail soon as well. It was SO good to hear from everyone. I actually haven’t finished all the tape, but I am doing that tonight. K will someone please tell Joeli to write me, and that I’m sending Krista a letter. I miss her so much.

Besides this week being full of the highest high and the lowest low, it was still pretty fun. :)

The older districts are all leaving tomorrow and so that means that we are now half way through the MTC! It’s so crazy?? Because all of the old leaders were leaving, we got new leadership and I was called as the new RS coordinating sister. That means I work with the zone leaders and be everyone’s mom and take care of them basically. I had a couple of meetings yesterday and that they were really good, we got to talk one on one with Sister Brown the MTC presidents wife, and so that was fun. Anyone of the girls could have had this calling, I’m just grateful that "If the lord needs an errand run, he can call on Camille Lee" It will be fun taking care of the new girls. :)

Hmm what else?! :)

My district is hilarious. We have the funniest things happen everyday. Sister Smith is having her mom make T-shirts with funny inside jokes on them so we can wear them as a district. Oh the things you do in the MTC. haha

Oh! Audrey your wedding plans sound amazing! I approve of the colors, decorations, the huge A and D thing is so sweet, and I’m SO sad I won’t be able to boogie with you and the DJ. ha It sounds perfect so far. I do have some ideas so I will write home all about it. :)

Everyone’s spring break sounds like you all had a ton of fun! Mom I wish I could taste all the yummy treats you have been making. You guys know how to have the perfect amount of fun. I miss everyone individually so much! I pray for you guys every night, and I know you do the same. Even though you are so far away, I feel like we haven’t skipped a beat, which has been really nice. Good luck with everything everyone!

My mission has been the biggest adventure of my life so far. It’s been the funniest, the scariest, the most intense, the happiest, and I have never felt like I have had more purpose in my life.

Everyone work hard to be nice to each other and include the Lord in your life. It’s amazing how much he loves us and how much he ready and willing to help you! Say your prayers and read your scriptures every night everyone. Its amazing how much you can learn from the lord.

Ok, ok I gotta go!! I’ll talk to you guys soon! Soo good to hear from everyone. :)

phili 4:13

Week 4

Hi Everyone!

Ok so here is my week:

This week was a good Chinese week, not too stressed out, and I managed to have some fun learning how to read and write characters. It's slowing coming, but I'm doing my best and that’s the perfect amount to give. :) This week I have been trying hard to ask good inspired questions so I can best know how to meet my investigators need. Brother Li is opening up more and more, and we shared the family proclamation with Brother Lin. Hopefully this helps him realize the importance of revelation through prophets. He loves, loves his family. :) We even had such a good teaching night our teacher talked to us and praised us for our hard work, and improved teaching skills. I am so glad that I am learning so much and that Heavenly Father is helping me learn how to listen to the Holy Ghost in order to best serve their needs. (haha I sound like such a missionary. I think that’s a good thing though. ;)

Random tib bits;

Elder Peel asked me to fix his pants. He ripped a hole is both his pairs and so I got to put my sister missionary skills to use. Sister Smith helped me repair one pair, and as we were working away Elder Bell came in and we taught him how to sew a button to the class whiteboard rag. :)

There was a concert on our floor Saturday night. There was a trio who entertained us by singing some hymns. Something out of the ordinary so of course I get to mention it. ha

Speaking of a trio... today I was called to the information desk during breakfast. Totally random, and come to find out a friend that I met in PE was assigned to be my third companion for the day. Her district left a day ahead of her so we got to threesome it up today. She is so cute. Her name is Sister Watts, and she is from North Carolina going to Texas. She is so nice and she is switching my load right now. haha I didn’t realize that I started emailing right as my load was getting done. ha Anyways she is so great. :) She’s a little tiny girl. I’ll take a picture and send it to you guys. I am glad she thought of me to me her comp for the day.

Daylight savings was a couple of days ago, and so I lost an hour of sleep that I will never get back?? ugh. So sad! haha Mother did you know that I am the first one out of bed in the morning, and I am the cleanest girl in my room. My bed is made everyday, and all my stuff is always put away. You and I both would have never guessed. haha

I went to choir for the first time this week, and it was a lot of fun the choir director is way funny, and we get to sing at the devotional on Tuesday so that will be really fun. Hopefully it’s an apostle. ;)

Ok sooooo, confession time. I am having a hard time getting along with my companion. The longer I am with her, the more I don’t understand her, and its stressing me out. I get along with everyone all the time! Everyone except for my MTC companion. haha go figure. Pray for me to love her, and for me to have patients with her.

President Baker quoted Yoda in sacrament meeting and it was one of the highlights of my week. haha Yoda said "Do or do not. There is no try." That has become my theme for this up coming week. :) I am going to "do" my guts out this week. The older district leaves next week, and so in just two Wednesdays we will be the old district. That means in two weeks I’ll be half way done at the MTC. So crazy to think about! I am on a mission!! :) I still forget and then re-remember and it’s so fun to think about. haha

I have more fun stuff to say, but I will tell you on the tape. :)

This place is great! I am becoming more and more aware of the gradual change that I am going through. Such a blessing! My mission will give me experiences that I never would have had and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Dancing at Dave’s sisters wedding sounds like it was a ton of fun. Good luck Audrey my dear. I will pray for you. Thanks for sending me Alena’s letter! So good to hear from her. I wish I could write like that. Maybe in the field I will be better at writing details. I love you guys so much. I pray for you everyday. Thanks so much for all the letters and packages you send! It’s such a blessing!

You guys keep on keeping it real. :)

Dad I am excited for the rubrics cube instructions. Maybe you could explain it over the tape. Cant wait to hear from you guys!

xoxo

I LOVE YOU!

Mom

Dad

Audrey

Miranda

Paige

Delan

Kade

Love,

Sister Camille Lee

You can just call me Camille if you want.

P.S. How was wedding shopping? What does that even mean? You guys better start giving me details. ;)

Week 3

Hi family!!

I sent out a tape on Saturday with pictures and a little note, so hopefully you guys get it mid week. :) It sounds like it was such a great week for everyone! Can you believe that we have a sister who is now engaged? So crazy. I don't have too much time to write cause I watched the Audrey’s video and looked at the pictures for forever, but I am SOOO glad that you sent them. Made my day!

Here is my week in a nutshell:

Sister Lethco and I got a new investigator. We are now teaching two different people, and we have a lesson once a day in Chinese. It’s intense but it’s making me stretch so that's good. :)

I saw James Sullivan! He’s getting married in September to a girl form his mission - it was great bumping into him.

This week was kinda rough. Our schedule was crazy, and they loaded us up with Chinese, so naturally that created a lot of stress. ha there was one girl, whose mom sent her a package full of sweets that day, so in the middle of language study we just broke down, and all ate chocolate covered pretzels until we felt better. ha (doing much better today. devotionals always seem to fix your hard weeks. ha)

My favorite meal this week was toasted peanut butter and jelly with celery sticks. Yum, yum.

Its been raining the last couple of days, and its been kinda fun to wake up in the mornings to everything all cloudy and rainy.

Boy I miss you guys! I love it here, but I wanna talk to you all the time, and I don't feel like 30 min gets me any where with my emails. ha I wish I could just call you. Anyways. Only 7 min left –gotta hurry.

Like I said this week was kinda rough, I was kinda expecting that though. ha My teacher said that he read a quote by C.S. Lewis, "If you haven't seen the devil lately yet, then he’s just around the corner." idk something like that. This week was a down week, but I am so grateful for all the lessons I have learned. Its taught me to rely on the lord, and that no matter what I still have to create an atmosphere for the spirit because if I don't have his help, then I am helpless. I don't learn Chinese, I can’t teach, and I can’t be lead to know what to study for my self or for my investigators. Hopefully I won’t have a bummer week for a while, cause they just aren't worth it. Thank goodness for my district. Instead of breaking down and crying we all break down and laugh. The elders we have are so cute. I'm so glad they are in our group.

One thing that I have been thinking a lot about is that sacrifice brings blessings. One of the devotional speakers said: the way I sacrifice will change my mission, and the mission will change my life. I'm doing my best, and trying my hardest to become the type of missionary the lord wants me to become. Even though sometimes it’s really hard, it’s totally, totally worth it. I'm sorry I don't have more time to write. I’ll start and send another tape this week. I love you all soo, soo much. I’ll do better at writing and telling you all the details. Be nice to one another, and remember that prayer is a way that we let our heavenly father direct our lives. :) (That is what we have been teaching brother Lin) ha

Love you all!!!

xoxo

Sister Lee

Week 2

The MTC has been a blast this week. I have prayed my guts out to be optimistic, and the lord really has helped me out. I have been in a great mood all week, and that has really helped me with teaching and learning Chinese. I started reading characters this week! That so far has been my favorite part. My comp and I got another investigator and that has been good. His name is Brother Lee, and he is an electrical engineer. My companion and I have grown closer and so that has helped a lot in our teaching, and just chillen around our room, and stuff. :)

One thing I have learned about here is hope. In preach my gospel no page 117 it has a little paragraph on Hope; I promise as you read and study that you will be comforted, and that you will know how to get more guidance about things in your life that you are feeling discouraged about. One thing that I get to work on is “believing and expecting that something will occur.” As a missionary I know that as I try my hardest, and have hope, that the Lord will step in and take care of the rest.

I really am learning so much. Not just about missionary work but also about myself, how to better manage my time, goal setting, being self-motivated, Chinese, how to teach, and how to deal with other people.

I started a tape for you guys, and so all my cool stories are on there! ha I saw nanny and papa at the temple today, and that was awesome. :)

Ok fun little things about the mtc:
• My whole zone always eats together at the best table in the cafeteria, and meal times are like one big party.
• The elders always hold the doors open for us and when ever that happens there is always a thank you/your welcome exchanged in your mission language.
• Temple walks are the best part about Sundays (which I’m going to tell you about in my tape).
• I’m not getting fat here, even though I’m still paranoid about it. Haha

I will have to take pictures of all the cool places at the MTC. We are doing laundry later today so I will show you what that looks like. The bookstore is really cool room so maybe I will show you that.

I love you ALLL and thanks so much for writing me!!! Stay happy and be good. We are so so blessed. :)