How & when are you able to learn Chinese? , What is your most favorite part of your mission so far and least?

Hey Momma -                                                      7/11/16

I can't believe that John is home. I have been trying not to think

about home so much and I know it's going to be even more difficult not

to think about when more people start going home. Maybe it's difficult

cause my companion is going home next month so that makes me think

about it too.

I was thinking last Sunday, because the lesson was about temples, that

the first thing I want to do when I get home (besides hold a baby)

would be to go strait to the temple, because I just want to live

there.

Haha ya my Chinese is... We can say progressing. Sister Xia and I are

starting to only speak mandarin after nightly planning. So that helps.

And I'm focusing mainly on my pronunciation. I can pick up some words

here and there, but I can't really speak it. I just get so nervous!

There's a reason I'm English speaking! Hahaha but I just got to get

out of my comfort zone. I definitely want to go to China later on

though, so hopefully that will happen. Somehow.... People just say

that I'm probably going to marry a Chinese. Who would have thought?

My favorite part of the mission? ...... Man I can't decide. The fact

that I know that I am closer to God because I am in the service of his

children would be my favorite part. So that would also include that I

love the people. It took me a while to instinctively love people that

I meet, but now it is just so easy. I just love people. I want to know

their trials, and their successes, their struggles, and their crowning

moments. I know I can't help them, but I know what can. And I guess I

can help them by sharing it. That's all I do as a missionary. I just

invite people to hear about it. Just share a little of what I know,

and see if they want more. I love it. There is nothing greater in this

world than serving God.

My least favorite....... Honestly like I can't even complain. I was

going to say not having ac, but my mission president served in Mexico

and lived in a cramped trailer with no ac when it would be like 112

degrees out. And I was going to say the food (because I ate some

questionable Chinese food this week), but still. I'm in America. Where

there are McDonald's on every corner. I'm really trying to think. I

can't. My mission is literally a dream come true. Every challenge I

like. So I don't have a least favorite. Sorry!

The stairs sound fun! Oh my goodness. I am so out of shape!! Sister

Xia is a monster. She is so fit. I need to start running again my

endurance is at an all time low right now, but still trying to work

out some!

I am trying to send a special something for you for your birthday! I

don't know when it will get to you. Soooo.... Happy

birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Sister Plumb