Oct 23 - Week 3 in Wisconsin and Hmong Conference

Nyob Zoo,

Since it is Fall, it is starting to get really pretty here.  The trees are all changing to yellow and orange so it’s really pretty.  As well, since it rains a lot here, and I mean a lot, there are a lot of rainbows.  And there are really pretty sunsets here.  I’ll post some pictures below.

This week, a lot happened.  On Sunday, it was my first time translating the entire sacrament meeting.  AND…it was alright.  It was hard, but I did the whole thing by myself.  When I say the whole thing, I literally mean the whole entire thing,  There were a lot of things that I didn’t know how to say; there was a lot of awkward silence.  But it was a good learning experience for me which was really cool.

This week we also had the opportunity to go to Hmong conference.  Once a year, as many Hmong members that are able to go, they have a big Hmong conference in one of the cities.  This year it was in Green Bay.  The night before, we got to stay in Sheboygan with the Hmong Sheboygan Elders which was fun.  I got to stay with my old MTC companion, Elder Lamb.  So Hmong Conference, the best way I can describe it is, it’s like Stake Conference but it’s on a Saturday.  We had a few speakers, and then a lunch get-together, and then we had some workshops.  It was really cool to see all the Hmong members in the State.  My companionship got to specifically work with the youth group.  It was really cool because I love working with the youth and hearing their testimonies.  It was just really cool.  Since it was for the entire state, we got to see all the Hmong elders, so it was really fun to see all my Hmong buddies from the MTC.   I also got to see Elder Green, who is a year older than me but he went to Jordan High School with me and was on my frisbee team.  He’s speaking Hmong too so it was pretty crazy to see him again.  It was also his birthday that day as well. 

One funny thing that happened in one of our lessons this week, well there were quite a few funny things, but one funny story that happened was with one of our investigators named Kelly.  I had just said something about the gospel.  Elder Vang started talking, and he told her that basically, “I agree with what Elder Tshwj Xeeb was saying.”  But instead of saying Elder Tshwj, he said Elder Txhwj which means he basically called me Elder Trouble or Elder Worrisome instead of Elder Special.  It was really funny.

I’ll just end by saying that missions are awesome, but at the same time, they are really really really hard.  These past three weeks being in the mission field have been some of the hardest weeks, if not the hardest three weeks of my entire life.   I feel like I have adjusted to the routine and what I am doing very well, but the language makes everything 1,000,000 times harder. There is a missionary who has been out for 18 months and he still isn't fluent yet. This language is very difficult. But at the same time, the last three weeks have been really rewarding.  When you’re working with people and you see how, through the gospel, their lives change, and you can help them through the gospel, it’s really awesome.  A lot of times, I go up to doors, I embarrass myself, my language is trash, and the people don’t understand what I’m saying - There are plenty of hard times.  Honestly, 15 hours of the day, it’s just hard!  It’s a grind!  You’re just working working working.  BUT, there is that one hour of the day, where you get to teach the gospel and you can just see how it’s helping them improve their lives.  That’s honestly what keeps me going- seeing how though what I”m doing, how it can help people improve the quality of life and help them to become better people and to help them have a happier family.  I’m grateful for missionary work and I’m grateful for the Hmong people. I’m grateful for my family.  I miss you all.  

Talk to you all next week.

Love.

Elder Tshwj Xeeb

Pictures: (1-2) This is a huge Hmong garden area that we went to and all the Hmong people were giving us food to eat. Anyone who wants to grow a garden here can for free. (3-4) Hmong conference with the old gang and Elder Green who I played frisbee with.  This was his 20th birthday. (5)This is an old picture, but Elder Green is in the back on my 18th birthday at 5 Guys in between frisbee games. (6) We went to a Thai Garden in Madison for P-day (7) Amazing sunsets

Additional pictures this week!

My gpa's favorite rootbeer - and it's made in Wisconsin.  My companion had a
gift card and was awesome enough to take us to dinner

Lots of rain equals lots of rainbows

Finally got my hands on some Wisconsin cheese curds

October 16 - Lots of tracting this week

Nyob Zoo everyone,

Thank you to everyone who sent me a letter this week.  I don't always have time to respond to all of them, but I appreciate getting them and read them all.  

This week we spent a lot of our time tracting.  We didn't have a lot of people to meet with this week and most of our appointments that we had scheduled ended up bailing on us.  We only had 2 sit down lessons the whole week so pretty much every day we would go tracting for about 5 hours.  My senior companion, Elder Lewis, makes me and Elder Vang do the whole door by ourselves and it’s really hard.  A lot of times it’s really awkward just trying to think of what to say.  The tracting is a lot of fun though because we meet a lot of interesting people and a lot of interesting things happen.

This week we had two funny stories that happened while we were out tracting.  The first story happened while we were trying to get into an apartment complex.  We saw that you have to have a key to get inside the actual complex and we didn’t have one.  My companion, Elder Lewis, said that he was just going to try his key to our apartment and see if it worked.  And it totally worked!!  It was pretty funny and we started laughing.

Also, this week, we went by this house and we saw all these kids sitting in the window.  There were about ten little kids sitting with the grandma and grandpa.  We waved at them when we walked up to the door.  We walked up and knocked and they didn’t even answer.  So we left and were like, “Whatever.” As we were walking away, we saw a car pull up with a mom and dad.  They walked up to the house and they went inside, so we decided to go back and try again.  We went back, waved at all the little kids again and we knocked on the door.  And then we heard the mom tell them to close the blinds.  It was funny because they totally ignored us.  I'm sure it will happen a lot.

As for the language this week - it is still pretty hard.  During each day, it is hard to see any improvement and progress that I’ve made.  But when I look back on the weeks, I can see how much I’ve actually learned and realize I’ve improved a lot.  The Hmong people are really nice about it.  They are always encouraging me, and they honestly think it’s really cool that I’m learning their language.  All the Niam Tais, (Grandmas) and grandpas always talk me up and say, “You can do it!”  It’s really cool to see how encouraging they can be.

For a little Hmong trivia this week, Naim Tais are grandmas.  They are considered the old culture people. They do not speak any English -  just Hmong.

Also this week, we went and met with one of our investigators, Kawm.  That day she had killed about 120 chickens, I think at work, and she had about 30 of them in her house.  All of the Hmong people are super nice and they always want to give you something.  She really wanted to give us a chicken after we met with her.  And so she gave us a whole chicken to take home.  Haha.  We put it in our freezer for now.  Hopefully we use it soon.  We eat about 50-75% of the time in member’s homes for dinner so we will see.  

Anyway, this week was good.  It’s been fun to get to know the Hmong people and their culture a little better the last two weeks.  The Hmong people are really awesome and really nice.  I’m so grateful to be a missionary.  Yesterday in church, I was able to translate a prayer and a sacrament prayer for the Hmong people.  It was really hard.  They attend normal wards and the missionaries translate everything for them.  Even though this week, I only translated a little bit, I am grateful that I was able to do that for them.  Being a missionary is really hard, but it is also really fun.

I love you all and have a great week!

Love,

Elder Tshwj Xeeb Tsab

P-day morning at the zoo

Zoo

It rains so much here.   It has literally rained every single day since I got here except maybe 1 or 2 days.

The chicken we were given from our investigator

Extra Pictures this week!

Getting soaked at the Farmer's market

The capital

Oct 9: Made it to Madison

Nyob Zoo

It’s good to finally be in the mission field.  I am serving in the capital city of Madison and I’m very excited to be here. The first day we got to Wisconsin, we went to the Mission President’s home. HIs name is President Williams and he seems really great.  We slept at his house that first night.  The second day, we went to the Stake center and it was so scary walking into the chapel, scary because you’re waiting to see who your companion is; who you’re going to be with for the next first months and where you are going to serve.  There are 5 trainers and 6 new elders, so knew there would be one trio and the rest would double up.  I walked in and soon found out that my trainer’s name is Elder Lewis (Elder Yim Leej).  He is from California and has been out for almost 23 months.  He goes home November 22.  Also, Elder Vang from the MTC is with us as well, so we are the trio group.  Most missionaries are trained for 12 weeks, but when Elder Lewis goes home, it will just be Elder Vang and me which is a little scary.  However, I am in one of the very best situations for learning Hmong.  I have a trainer who has been out for 23 months and is fluent, and Elder Vang is a native Hmong person.  So I can get a lot of help from them and learn a lot from them.  But at the same time, it is really hard because they both understand and I don't understand anything.  Elder Lewis is a very hard working dude. He always pushes me and motivates me. Sometimes I think he can tell that I am getting frustrated and he will always pick me up.  He is super awesome and funny.

Madison reminds me a lot of Missouri. I know I said that last week about Wisconsin.  There are a lot of trees everywhere but also houses too. It’s honestly really similar to Missouri. We cover the whole city of Madison and the cities outside of it, so it is a really big area. We have a car and sometimes it takes us 30 minutes to get to appointments because everything is so spread out.  As well there is the college here, so it’s the party town. It is supposed to be one of the cooler areas that people can serve in, and I’ve heard that Madison is the “warmest” area as far as Wisconsin areas go, so that will be good for the winter.  Ever since I got here, it has rained every single day.

The first day in Madison, Elder Lewis took us tracting.  It was pretty scary going up to a door and talking to a real person. When you don’t know Hmong and you have to go up to them and talk to them in Hmong - it is scary!  But the Hmong people are super awesome and they make some pretty good food!  I’ve eaten quite a few times this week with the members and some investigators.  We got the most bomb pho ever which would make my dad jealous. Hint if you want to make it taste even better -  add peanut butter :0

I also got my Hmong last name this week.  I went to the home of some members with the last name of Tsab.  They were the ones who made the bomb pho.  I changed my Hmong name so it is more formal. So instead of Elder Tshwj, it is Elder Tshwj Xeeb and then my Hmong last name that I got is Tsab from this family who made me the pho.  So all together it is Tshwj Xeeb Tsab.  When I go to someone's door, I will just say Elder Tshwj Xeeb, but if they ask for my clan name, it is Tsab.  Pretty cool.

As far as the language is going, it is pretty overwhelming.  It is really hard.  The second day, we went and ate with some members and it was a grandma and a grandpa. And they speak sooo fast.  I honestly understood maybe 5% of what the people were saying. It is crazy and hard. But it’s good to be here finally.  I know I will get the language eventually.  I just need to keep working hard.

I am grateful to be a missionary.  I am grateful to be here and to be able to help the Hmong people. With the language barrier, it is really hard.  I want to help the people, but right now I can’t say a lot and I can’t understand what they are saying either.  So my scripture for the week is one that gives me a lot of hope. 

My scripture for the week is Ether 12:27

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Love you everyone.  Grateful for you all and I’ll talk to you next week.

Love,

Elder Tshwj Xeeb Tsab

If anyone has any questions, you can email me and I will try to answer them in my mass email next week

At the Stake Center when we got our companions

My companions, Elder Vang and Elder Lewis

Here we are with some Hmong members

Pho

Model Pic of the week

The one and only McDonalds

Hmong market

Other Pictures of the Week

City of Madison

Splits with Elder Sua.  He is an English speaking Elder

Last day at the MTC with my district and my teachers

Oct 3: Wisconsin - Here I come!

This is Kristi.  We were able to talk to Elder Rich this morning at the airport as he took off for Milwaukee.  He sounded so happy and excited to finally be on his way. He said last night saying goodbye to his teachers and all his district was pretty sad and pretty emotional.  The last day was really hard.  I can imagine. He said it's crazy to have made 15 new friends...15 new brothers who, 2 months ago, he didn't even know; they were random strangers. It was fun to be able to talk to him and hear his voice.  He entertained the kids speaking Hmong, which sounded like gibberish to us.  He talked for a long time, and when he finally stopped, we asked him what that meant.  He said, "I don't know.  I was just saying a bunch of random stuff."  And just like at the MTC - there was no goodbye.  He did not have a lot of time in Denver to talk, and we knew he would be boarding his plane soon.  All of a sudden, he quickly said, "Hang on...I got to go!" and click - he was on his way.

Here are the kids talking to him early this morning.

We have friends who are moving to Wisconsin and were so excited when we found out that Brooke would be taking the same flight to Milwaukee with Elder Rich.  She was able to send a picture of the back of his head on the plane and sent us the very first photo of Austin in Wisconsin.  It made me so happy.  

I spy Austin's head

1st photo in Wisconsin with Brooke Brady

Photo with the Brady kids

Here is Austin's letter when he arrived at the mission home this afternoon.

Nyob zoo!

I am finally here.  This place is so pretty and reminds me of Missouri.  Apparently, there are some bomb custard places.  The plane wasn't too bad.  I slept most of the way, so that's good.  I'm super excited to be here and can't wait to get to work. My mission president seems really nice.  I will get to meet my new companion tomorrow morning.  I am super excited to see who my companion is and where I am going. This is going to be awesome!  I am here safely so that is good.  

Anyway, love you guys and talk to you next week.  

This is going to be AWESOME!

Love Elder Tshwj

President and Sister Williams

The new Wisconsin Hmong Elders

Photos from the MTC yesterday

Saying goodbye to Elder Miller

Peace out MTC

Last week - thanks Mom for the Ramen

His tender heart

Sept 26 MTC week 8 - Last week!

Nyob Zoo

This will be my last email in the MTC, so this one will be a little longer.  I have officially almost been here 2 months, and I have 1 more week until I will be heading to Wisconsin. I am very excited to get there and finally end this 9 week Groundhog Day cycle, not that the MTC isn't awesome, but I am ready for some change to my schedule.  On Friday we got our flight plans. So I will be heading out to Wisconsin next Tuesday. I fly from Salt Lake to Denver and then from Denver to Milwaukee. I will leave Salt Lake at 7:00 am and I'll get to Wisconsin at 1:30. I am super excited to get there and to talk to all the Hmong people, meet my new companion, and finally get to start doing missionary work. The MTC has really been great, but at the same time, it has felt a lot like Mission Prep.  It doesn't feel like I am on my mission yet, but in reality, I am.  I am starting to get a little trunky.  I am very anxious to finally get out there! There definitely will be some things I will miss from this place.  I'm really going to miss my district, my teachers, and the sports. Absolutely something I won't miss is the food!

This past week, I looked back at my first lesson that I ever taught in Hmong. It was honestly pretty hilarious to look at it and see how bad it was.  I have definitely learned a lot in these past 2 months.  I think I know around 400 words which definitely isn't very many at all, but in my opinion, it's pretty good for learning such a hard language in a short period of time. This past week one of our teachers, Brother Lee, asked us a question that I really liked. He said:

"You guys are learning such a hard language - why do you keep going? You are free to go home whenever you want. The entrance gate is always open. Why do you keep going?"

I really liked this question.  It made me think - this language honestly is so hard and it doesn't make any sense at all.  All I do every day is study and cram. I have been here almost 2 months now and I can barely speak any Hmong, this language is so frustrating, and my tones are still completely awful.  So why do I keep going?  I keep going because I love this gospel.  I have seen in my life how the gospel can make people so much happier.  As well I am super excited to go and help the Hmong people, to help them to have more happiness, to find a purpose in their lives, and to have better lives in general.  Last of all, I keep going because I love my Savior and I am grateful for all that he has done for me, and I want to give that same knowledge that I have of this gospel to others, the knowledge of who Jesus Christ is, and how he can help them.

I read this story this week and I thought I would share it:

"There was an old man walking along the seashore. In the distance, he saw a young person doing something near the water’s edge. As the old man approached, he saw that it was a boy surrounded by numerous starfish that had washed ashore and were lying on the sand. The old man watched, intrigued, as the boy picked up starfish after starfish and threw them as far as he could over the breaking surf. After some time the old man approached the boy and said, “Son, do you realize there are thousands of starfish on this shore? Certainly what you are doing can make no real difference.” After respectfully listening, the boy reached down and picked up another starfish and hurled it into the ocean. Then, looking thoughtfully at the old man, the boy said, “It made a difference to that one.” And he continued to throw more starfish back into the water."

I love this story and it can apply to missionary work. There are so many people who don't have the gospel.  They are searching for something to make them happier, to help them have more purpose, or just to have a better life in general. I know there are so many people out there and we won't be able to help everyone. That is hard because I want to help as many people as I can. I don't know how many people I will be able to help, or how many are willing to accept our help. Hopefully a lot, but if I end up only helping one person, that would be just fine with me.  If I helped 1 person to have a better life,  then I think my mission would be successful.  My scripture for the week goes right along with this. It is D&C 18:15-16 and it says:

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

I am so excited to get out to Wisconsin. I honestly cannot wait.  In 1 more week, I will be out there and be helping people.  I am grateful for the time I have had in the MTC.  I am grateful for the many friends I made and the fun experiences I will always remember.  The MTC may not have been the funnest thing in the world all the time, but at the same time, I have learned and grown so much.

Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Tshwj

Pictures: (1) Happy Birthday Elder Hinckley. He is going to Fresno, (2) So Close to the Exit, (3) Christmas Lights - they were testing them this week, (4) On the Grind, (5) Elder Yang's doodle he made on his doodle app (6) Views Pt. 1, (7) Views Pt. 2, and (8) Model Pic of the week.

Extra Pictures this week

It snowed this week