this one is a good one to read cause :) well its really funny

So, the second week is over! Crazy to think about that. I got punished this week :( I was talking to much with an elder that I sat by and we were laughing a lot (its easier to get distracted here than you think after reading the scriptures for two hours straight) any way i got punished and moved to a lonesome corner in the room all by myself. But I am seeing benefits from it! Now I can study for 2 and a HALF HOURS without getting distracted!!! HEhehe :) So I told you all last week that we taught a lesson in mandarin Chinese on the third day here right? Don't worry to all those going to a language mission... they make you do the same thing. So i take it back- worry. ;) It actually is a really amazing experience to see how much the Lord will bless us because my companion and I were able to communicate our message. Anyways we had taught her three lessons and were studying for our fourth, I had been reading a lot about the concept of baptism just in my personal study by chance. But when my companion and I talked about it we decided it was too soon to prepare that lesson ( we have to choose lessons because we have to learn the chinese for it, its very hard because if they ask you something else you can't answer because you don't have the vocabulary) Any ways so we planned to talk about the plan of Salvation instead. And then of course our investigator asked us five minutes into the lesson that she had read in the book of Mormon about baptism, and then asked if she could be baptized  Well needless to say that was a rough rest of the night for me as we were not able to talk to her about it when I had been prompted to. We were however the next day able to talk to her about it and she actually committed to begin preparation for baptism! 

So we got to all have an extra meeting for the fourth of July! As you would assume I was just soooo excited to go listen to some more speakers for another two hours before we would get to go watch the stadium of fire fireworks... not. But then I had a nice surprise! We got to watch 17 miracles instead!! WHOOT WHOOT!!!! Funny thing is, here everyone is so bipolar with emotions. Everyone was bawling within the first five minutes of the movie. Liike I mean even the Elders. It was hilarious! I mean... super spiritual.  ;) The fireworks were great! It was fun to be able to stay up past 10:30! We all felt like crazy rebels... unil the next day the Lord taught us all why he has us go to bed by 10:30 as the entire MTC campus was a replica of a zombie movie. :) 

Yesterday was fast sunday which actually was probably one of the easiest fasts I've done. Heavenly Father really is watching out for his missionaries here. I was fasting to know how to get along with my companion better because lets face it, I can't always hod in my sassy side of me and it may have come out when she was making fun of my laugh and I accidently punched her.... uh... oops. ANYWAYS so I was fasting to gain inspiration on how to be more Christ like. And I felt almost thhat it had been for nothing... until later in the night we attended a talk from David Bednar. On Characters of Christ. It was so good! He counseled us to recognize that Christ would turn out when the natural man would turn in. I realized that we do that so often in life without even knowing it. So needless to say that is now what I am working on daily. Please everyone pray for me so that I will have the self control to not punch her again as I'm sure I'll get introuble for it eventually. 

I have a movie quote!!! 

- "You have forgotten yourself, and so you have forgotten me" 

Alright whoever writes me first to tell me that reference I'll... send you somethin real cool from here! 

Anyways that came up because my district and I were discussing how we wear Christs name and must never forget who we are while wearing it because it would well, it would not be respectful to him. It was neat :)

Next quote from one of the Elders here, 

"The Lord does not ask us to do things according to our ability, he asks of our AVAILABILITY. Then when we increase our availability he will increase our ability." 

Which is just really neat to think about not just for missionaries but for everyone because the Lord is asking us all to do things. Everyone should everyday be constantly  wondering what the Lord is trying to tell them to do that day that hour because I can guarantee he is asking you to do something. So that is Kim oops, Sister Thornley's challenge for you all. During this week commmit to listening to the spirit to recognize when he is asking you to be a servant in his hands.  

Well, that's basically everything! I have a TON of letters coming your way! Please keep them coming they are such a relief we get them that day you write them twice a day once after 12 and once after 6. I love you all keep the faith! And may I encourage one more thing. Personal Prayer. Make of it all you can. 

:) -yao jiemei. 

(aka Sister Thornley)