(Excerpts from Emily's family email)
The language is coming along. It doesn't flow as smoothly as I would like but I know that it's only through doing my all and then trusting in the Lord that I will be able to receive the gift of tongues. It's strange to think that just a few short weeks ago I couldn't even recognize the differences between the characters, let alone read them. Now I'm reading and writing in Khmer. Woh! The script is easy for me though. Speaking and understanding is harder and that's what's most important. Our companionship has really committed these last two weeks to crack down on our language skills.
Did you guys happen to watch Music and the Spoken Word Sunday? I have to say that is one of the highlights of my week. I'll miss watching it every week. Anyways I especially enjoyed the message of the spoken part (as I always do. But I enjoy hearing the music too. We don't hear a whole lot of music here in the MTC except on Sunday and Tuesday. Tuesday because of the devotional we have). There was a quote shared from Margaret Thatcher that said something along the lines of "Look at a day when you've been truly satisfied. It's when you've had everything to do and done it." That phrase is so applicable to missionary work and the attitude I want to have when looking back on it. That I had this great work before me to do and I did it. If you could send me the transcript of the message I would very much appreciate it. :) I also liked when Lloyd Newell said "We feel physically tired but emotionally renewed." I can say as a missionary you are always tired. But that's not what matters. You forget yourself and go to work. That's when the blessings come and the joy you get from the work is worth it.
The language is coming along. It doesn't flow as smoothly as I would like but I know that it's only through doing my all and then trusting in the Lord that I will be able to receive the gift of tongues. It's strange to think that just a few short weeks ago I couldn't even recognize the differences between the characters, let alone read them. Now I'm reading and writing in Khmer. Woh! The script is easy for me though. Speaking and understanding is harder and that's what's most important. Our companionship has really committed these last two weeks to crack down on our language skills.
Did you guys happen to watch Music and the Spoken Word Sunday? I have to say that is one of the highlights of my week. I'll miss watching it every week. Anyways I especially enjoyed the message of the spoken part (as I always do. But I enjoy hearing the music too. We don't hear a whole lot of music here in the MTC except on Sunday and Tuesday. Tuesday because of the devotional we have). There was a quote shared from Margaret Thatcher that said something along the lines of "Look at a day when you've been truly satisfied. It's when you've had everything to do and done it." That phrase is so applicable to missionary work and the attitude I want to have when looking back on it. That I had this great work before me to do and I did it. If you could send me the transcript of the message I would very much appreciate it. :) I also liked when Lloyd Newell said "We feel physically tired but emotionally renewed." I can say as a missionary you are always tired. But that's not what matters. You forget yourself and go to work. That's when the blessings come and the joy you get from the work is worth it.