MTC Week #4!

San Bano! (I wish I could type in Mongolian better... Here is the English writing of it haha.)

I hope everything is going well for everyone! I love getting grandma's mail from Clark and news that is going on with everyone else. Congrats Natalie, on the new job and graduation! GO UTES! (; Hahaha. BEFORE I FORGET (again)- A big shout out to the Vance and Page family for the awesome Birthday package they sent me. THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! I was going to write you all a lettter, but I had no idea what you address was. I loved all the notes though, and the awesome lantern thingy. (: It is hanging up over my bed haha. I also LOVED those cupcakes! So goood! It was nice to have some healtier tasting treats for my birthday, I knew you would do me proud with the healt. (: Haha.

A shout out to Jessica, I saw Clyde Ribaldi and Meagan Parr (she gave me the hug for you). I miss you, and I hope everything is going well with moving and such!

So, we are almost all the way off notes in our lesson. Pretty cool, it has helped the Spirit A LOT. Most languages get off notes within a week or two, but... We are slow. Dang Mongolian. Mom, that means that we don't use notes in our lesson. We used to write out everything we wanted to say and read (I hated it, but we had to at the beginning). But now we finally know enough to just form sentences in our heads. This language is insanity. I really do know a lot more than I think, my problem is when people start talking it recognize A TON but understand nothing. So, I am working on trying to understand at the moment, due to the fact that I will be there in three weeks. AHH! Cool thing, I forgot the words "sister" and "thank you" the other day. I could only think of them in Mongolian. That is a good day when that happens. Also, in one of my lessons I was thinking in Mongolian for a few minutes, and the words were just coming, I didn't have to translate them in my brain (if that makes sense). It was nice to have a taste of that in the MTC, because I know it won't be happening often right now haha. I am so excited to get out there though! But it kind of makes me giggle because I know that when I get there I'm just going to be like, "Uh-oh." Hahaha. But I mean, every missionary experiences that. Every time I have heard a Mongolian speak (at the TRC and at the temple when we met them), it is definitely VERY different! Thank you, gift of tongues. It is surely a real gift. I could not be learning all of this without His help.

We have one of our investigators committed to baptism, woot. We should be getting another commitment tomorrow as well. Hopefull that all works out. It is really interesting because the majority of Mongolians do not know who God or Jesus Christ are. So, I will be doing a lot of what Layton did, explaining a lot of the basics. So lessons take a lot longer with us, since we have to explain that a little more.

So there is this really funny Brother in Mongolian that we have heard about names Bat Boltht (Jodie would know him I'm sure). I guess that he just knows everything. He is an old guy and he has access to everything in Mongolia. It is hilarious. He works with the President, and has for forever. So on culture day Margetts Ax (Brother Magretts) told us about this one time they were driving to Khovt and they stopped and saw this 7-8 feet tall bird. (Literally! There is a picture!) And Bat Boltht says, "I've heard of that bird..." I don't know why, but it was just hilarious. I guess you would have to know more about Bat Boltht. He will also, when you are driving in the middle of the baren countryside, tell you to stop and turn, and say, "there is an animal that needs our help." He will drive to some random place and there will be a lone sheep or something! He is all knowing, it is hilarious!

We had Mission Conference on Sunday, it was awesome. I also got to bare my testimony in sacrement meeting, which is always fun. You wouldn't believe it, but I cried. I know, crazy right? Haha I'm a baby. We also had the NFL player Chad Lewis and his wife come talk to us on Sunday at our devotional. That was really awesome. He talked a lot about his mission and told a few cool stories about his life. He was awesome, and totally talked like a football player. It was a really entertaining devotional for sure.

I have been getting better at volleyball at gym! It has been fun. We play a lot with our District. I have the huges bruses on my arm from the first day they taught me how to play better. My arms are just too weak, or I was hitting too hard haha. It is kind of funny, they are huge.

One of my teachers brought us note from his primary class this week. That was super cute!

On Tuessday we had Elder Gavarette from the Seventy and his wife speak to us. That was really cool. She bore her testimony in four languages: Spanish, Portugese, French, and English. He talked a lot about being a succesful missionary and about our Savior. It was awesome. One thing I loved that his wife said was to don't worry, just believe. He talked about how we need to find our missionary purpose in the scriptures and find miracles. I liked that a lot.

There is a word in Mongolian that is pronounces "Beibeeer" with a rolled R. It cracks me up every time haha. Justin Beibeeerrrr. We read it in the scrptures outloud and all giggled. Hahahaha. We find entertainment in pathetic things here.

CODY- IF YOU ARE READING THIS... WRITE ME!!!!! (I heard an Imagine Dragons song outside from a car and it made me miss you. Write me! I don't know your address or I would write you!)

So, We learned the Mongolian national anthem this week... SO AWESOME. It is stuck in my head 24/7 and we all are obsessed with it. It is the best song ever. Look it up on YouTube, but watch the second video down, the one with the little kids singing. It is so cute and so good! Our teachers showed it to us, that is how I know haha. SO COOL! I know I will cry when I hear it when I get home. Just such a spiritual song, and such an original anthem.

Grandpa, I will totally get you one of those hats haha. I LOVE THEM! Aren't they awesome?? Haha. It makes me happy to think of you wearing one haha. You will have to send a picture once you recieve it, of you and grandma wearing it.

Mom: Just in case my letter gets there late- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I love you, and I couldn't ask for a better best friend and mom. Thank you for all you do, especially as I am out serving. You're Super Woman. I love you lots! Have a great Sunday! (Dad, give her a hug and kiss for me!)

Well, I'm out of time. I hope that everything is going great for everyone! Thank you for all the love, prayers, and support. If you have any extra prayers hanging around send them my way, for my Visa, and the language to come. Thank you! (:

Love,

Sister Ackley