Sister Tinkerbell

Excerpt from a letter sent to Holly:

The Elders in my district thought it would be fun to give each other Disney characters based on their looks and personality. My companion, Sister Hirschi, is Snow White or Elasti-girl. I am Tinkerbell. Ya, for some reason all of the Elders thought I am most like Tinkerbell. I had a good laugh about that one.

I started to read the Book of Mormon in Thai script this week. Let's just say I can read a verse in about 20 minutes, but I can still read it!

Letter from May 25, 2010

Hallo!

So not really anything to report on this week.

I've learned how to read script and we are using the script hymn books now to sing. (It can be a bit slow at times)

We've heard plenty about the civil unrest in Thailand and are very aware of the situation. Sis Noppamas (my teacher from Thailand) was very distressed early this week because her family had to evacuate Bangkok because it became too dangerous. We've been told that the pressure really is on us now because we are going to Thailand at a time when it is most needed. So more is expected of us.

Our district had dinner with Bro. Swenson who is part of the Missionary Dept. for the church. He was telling us about his job. Quite fascinating! He's in charge of us from the moment are papers are entered and to the moment we enter the MTC. He also helps with missionaries who experience situations such as medical and such. He said he's been part of the selection process of where missionaries go on their mission for a good 20 years. He told us about how the conference talk is very true to what it is like. He said that the most important part of the application is our picture. They really stare at our picture for a long time and look into our eyes. And that's where the inspiration is really given. We all kind of freaked out about that since none of us really liked our picture that much. He's speaking on Sunday so we look forward to hearing more from him.

Take care!

Love,

Em

Letter sent May 18, 2010

This week for RS we had Sis. Cook and Dibb from the General YW presidency come and speak to us. It was really fun to listen to them. Sis Dibb opened up her talk to allow us to ask questions about her
father. It was really interesting to find out some fun facts about him. I found out that Pres. Monson and Heather have something in common; they both have to watch Perry Mason at night! I think that might
be why KBYU keeps that program going.
I don't know if I mentioned last week at all but for last Tuesday's devotional Elder Holland came and spoke to us! As always, it was a great message about taking our work seriously! Needless to say the Elders
in our district straightened up after that devotional. :-)

Just a quick note about how nice the MTC treats the sisters....

I don't think I've really ever touched a door here or even touched my tray after I'm done eating. The Elders are all so good about treating us well!
There's a makeup class they offer here for fun. You go to the class and get $200 worth of free makeup for you to use on the mission.
There's the early-morning workout classes (not awesome for me, but definitely for others) that are just for the sisters.
We get special speakers for each RS whereas the Elders just get to listen to their Branch President.
We have our own special shop that's full of clothes and such just for sisters.
We can even go to the salon and have someone do our hair for the day! I have to say, it's pretty nice!

Well, I'm sorry this is such a dismal letter. I plan on being better next week by making a rough draft or something.
How anyone has time to talk about anything in 30 minutes is beyond me!!!

Love you!!!!

Sister Emily Henderson
He Aimei

Picture sent to Holly on May 13th

In response to a picture Holly drew of Emily looking like a tired bear, Emily sent Holly this self-portrait saying this is what she looks like now before she turns into Holly's picture.

Tuesday, May 11th

Ya, so I've just been studying and such here at the MTC.
Sunday was really awesome because Sister Sheri Dew came and spoke to us for Relief Society. Apparently since there are not a lot of sisters here we all get together for a combined Relief Society. That's pretty cool! We also watch Music and the Spoken Word beforehand that really helps set the tone for the meeting.
We're all getting along really well! 5 sisters and 7 elders in my district. Perhaps our teachers think we get along too well.... :)
We tend to really get out of focus and laugh a lot during our afternoon class. I guess it's good to laugh at all of the silly and weird sounds we're making.
Mostly what we focus on is not necessarily the language, but learning how to teach. We've been working on how to create lesson plans and then having nothing infront of us to teach. It's pretty interesting sometimes! Especially when you're investigator is the one of the King's guard in Thailand and the Queen's assistant. Ya, the Elders get pretty creative when they are coming up with investigator profiles. :-)
This morning we got up for the 6 am Yoga class for the sisters. However it turned out to be more cardio/toning muscle routine than anything else. It was a bit intense on an empty stomach and for so early in the morning.

We've been studying our purpose this whole week. Even the talks and firesides were on it! My purpose: Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end. In one fireside we discussed how it isn't just my purpose. It is the Lord's purpose. We only to the inviting and helping part. The rest is left to the investigator to do. It just puts a whole new perspective on things! :-)

Excerpt from a letter written Friday, May 7th to Mom for Mother's Day:

The mission is going good so far! I have 5 girls in my room and we are all new and going to Thailand. It's been fun to experience all the new things together! We all kind of bonded over the first day.

I saw and talked to Sister Morris (Kara) and Elder Harper (Bryce). It was good to see them here.

The food is good so far and no pancakes in sight yet! [On the morning she left for the MTC, Tony read to her from his mission journal an account from his days in the LTM lamenting having pancakes for the 3rd straight morning.]

Today I get a shot at immunizations. It's something like Japanese Encephalitis. Good fun! Then I get to spend @ least 4 hours in the classroom today.

It's been really hard, but all of our seniors keep telling us to just make it to Sunday and you'll be fine. That is exactly what I am trying to do.

P-days are Tuesdays.

Entering the MTC May 5, 2010

After a flurry of activity including some last minute hemming of 3 skirts, Emily has her 2 bags packed to the limit. She is ready for the drive down to Provo for her 1 PM dropoff time. Good thing we didn't need to be there any earlier. It wouldn't have happened!

2 Elders met us as we pulled up to the MTC curb. They took charge of her suitcases so she didn't even have to touch them. They asked her the all important questions :

1). Do you have your immunization record?

2). Do you have a cell phone? You shouldn't have a cell phone.

3). Do you have car keys?

Once she successfully answered those. She was ready for the goodbyes.

Saying goodbye to Dad and Holly. She didn't want any tears and told Mom,"Don't start!"

The last we saw of Emily as she and her 2 escorts take her into the MTC. Tony's fears that Emily wouldn't be able to handle both those suitcases were unfounded. Just have 2 strong, young men and you have it made!