Baptisms & A Wedding

May 20th, 2013

So Julie and Winson got baptized! It was amazing. Their whole family came and it was a really spiritual experience. I had the privilege to baptize them, and Elder Dunnaway will confirm them next Sunday. 

I can't believe Chris Parker is home already! Tell 'em that I love 'em and say Hi! 

I also got your package. THANKS SO MUCH! So awesome! I really appreciate it. 

Also, on Sunday we went to a Hmong Wedding. Pretty interesting. Lots of pork and fat. Apparently a traditional wedding meal is usually rice and pork. I learned some interesting things about the customs such as: 

-The groom must bow a hundred time to the mother in law. If the mom likes him, she'll let him do it on a soft surface. If she doesn't like him, he has to do it on tile or something. 

-The groom has to eat a huge chunk of straight pork fat and can't choke on it (to prove how much he loves his wife). I said "they have to get me to not eat it to show how much I love my wife...haha" Just play'n..that's gross. 

-All the men of the bride and groom's families sit down and figure out how they will all be related (and take shots as they introduce each other). 

-Once the wife leaves the house, she can't look back at the wedding at the house, because its basically the principle of Lot's wife. Its bad luck to look back. 

-Also, you don't eat pepper at the wedding because you don't want the marriage to be too "spicy" and "painful." 

-Also, when you get engaged, you shake a chicken over the wife's head when you steal her. Yes, you steal your bride. Yes, this is a little sketchy. 

Well this week was awesome! We had a ton of fun. Here's my thought for the week. 

"Casting out our nets"

When the Savior came to his disciples after His resurrection. They were fishing and had caught nothing. However, a figure called to them on the shore and told them to thrust out their nets to the other side. These were master fisherman. They knew how to fish. Why should they listen to some stranger on the shore? However, because they were humble and full of faith, they heeded the counsel. This made all the difference. They caught so many fish, that the ships couldn't handle the weight. Although, we may feel we are the great fisherman of our own lives, we must learn to be humble to heed the counsel of the Master. We must cast out our nets even after toiling all the night. Even after doing everything we thought possible, we must continue to work and follow the Savior's counsel. Only then, will we find true success and happiness. 

Anyways, I love you all very much! keep asking me questions. Even if I don't  always answer them. Kuv hlub nej (I love you all)! 

 

Love, 

Elder Tseem Fwv Leem! 

The Greatest Enemy to Greatness...

May 13th, 2013

Happy Monday! Loved talking to you all back home! Super fast 40 minutes. 

 

This week was pretty normal. We are super excited for Julie and Winson that are getting ready to be baptized this next weekend. We had a really awesome night the other day. We just got out of the car at this apartment complex and there was this old lady walking. So we just started walkin' and talk'n with her and we ended up a few blocks away at her house. She was super nice. She told me her whole life story...pretty cool. There was no guy home so we couldn't go in...so she brought out chairs to sit outside and keep talking. SO NICE! Then we proceeded to talk to a ton of Hmong people at this other complex so it was just a great night. We contacted so many people. 

We had leadership training this last week. It was great! President is just able to inspire anybody. Gotta love him! We learned tons. He talked about how the Children of Israel complained to Moses after they had escaped slavery. They actually wanted to GO BACK! They wanted to go back to the comfort of SLAVERY! CRAZY right? So this leads perfectly to a good scripture.
Luke 17: 32

"Remember Lot's Wife" 

WE CANNOT LOOK BACK! NOW 'LOOKING' ISN'T THE PROBLEM. ITS OUR HEART. OUR HEART LONGS FOR THE LESSER THINGS OF THIS WORLD. THE COMFORTABLE THINGS.WE CANNOT GO BACK TO BEING SLAVES OF COMFORTABILITY AND MEDIOCRITY! 

THE GREATEST ENEMY TO GREATNESS IS GOODNESS! 

Well I love you all so much! I hope that everything is going well back home! Continue to ask me questions. Mama bear! <3 Ya! I see tons of people always playing badminton and I know you could whoop up on them! Hehehe Love ya!

 

GIVE A REFERRAL TO THE HOME MISSIONARIES!!!!!!!! LIKE SERIOUSLY!!! DISCUSS WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO HELP OTHERS COME UNTO CHRIST! 

Missionaries love everyone, but there is a special place in our hearts for the families that actually engage themselves in this work. 

Love,

 

Tub Txib Fwv Leem

A Broken Retainer and a Glimpse at a Missionary's Journal

(We received a call on Sunday, May 5th from the mission home medical coordinator.  Scott's permanent retainer came out, so he needed to see a dentist.  Ironically, the M-1 Ward missionaries were visiting us at the same time the call came in.) 

 May 6^th, 2013

Dear Family,

My teeth are doing great. I just got a wire reattached on my permanent retainer. So i'm sorry about the whole short email...but i did send pics this week. We are running out of time just because i had the dental appointment this morning that took forever. Anyways, life is good. We have a big leadership training tomorrow. Also, I’m prepping for our phone conversation with some good stories, etc. 

Spiritual thought: 

"See others as they may become" 

I love this quote...it’s the best because it hits home the character of God. He sees us much more than just today. We must also see others past today as well. Well love you all very much! Have a great and fantastic Monday. 

LOVE 

TUB TXIB FWV LEEM

Deep Journal Thoughts

Temple Trip & Baby Showers

April 30^th, 2013

So today was a great day at the temple!  We also had specialized training with all the Fresno zones earlier last week. I was on exchanges with the zone leaders and that was fun too! 

Answers to questions  (Scott keeps asking us to send him questions, so this is in response to our ?s): 

We go to the temple once a quarter. 

The training program is twelve weeks, so I'm guaranteed 12 weeks with Elder Dunnaway. 

Yes, I'm still the district leader. It’s so much fun. Stressful, but so awesome! 

Elder Dunnaway’s Hmong name means reputable. 

I received the shirts you sent. 

I know you love me!!! You're all the best! 

We went to a ward mission leader's baby shower to eat lunch. SUPER FUN! I didn't realize all the work that goes into a baby shower. Activities such as pin the pin on the diaper and apple juice in bottles....make things very interesting. Fortunately, we weren't there for all that...just to eat. 

I'm so pumped the Caps are going to the play offs...if they win the Stanley Cup, just go to the game and have a poster that reads (Love to OVI from FRESNO, CA)

We had another photo shoot with a member (if you remember those photos in the box). Its pretty awesome! You'll be getting some pretty soon.

I'm sorry I'm running late today but I will have a more fulfilling letter next week. 

Spiritual Thought: 

President Gelwix discussed how we don't have tomorrows. We only have today. He discussed a principle that helps people earn 3x as much money in their lifetime. It’s this: Everything has an end! 

WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TOMORROWS! WE HAVE TO DO IT TODAY!!! 

Scripture: Choose ye THIS DAY....

Motto: Do it today! 

I LOVE YA ALL! Keep sending me the questions!!! 

Elder Tseem Fwv Leem 

Hmong Lost in Translation...Oops

April 22^nd, 2013

So this week was super awesome! No crazy weird meetings. Just normal. I love it! We had a good district meeting on Tuesday. We talked about why love is the most important motivator in our ministries, etc. We went out proselyting and found 3 new people to teach. Just overall awesome week!

We had some hilarious fails: We busted up laughing in the middle of a prayer at a member’s home for dinner. One elder called the member really big on accident. Then he responded to one of her comments with 'I'm just fat' so we were dying of laughter. We also have been doing some crazy morning runs. We get up at 6 and run till 650 and then do two minute planks....awful...but so good. We also had Mormon Helping Hands in the richest part of the city.....FAIL. We had to clean up the side of a road next to billion dollar shopping centers and apartments that had gates with lions on them. You know it’s a rich area when there are lions and other insignia sculpted into the outside walls. So that wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be...but always fun. I love Fresno! It’s the best! Anyways, nothing too crazy this week. I went to JC Penneys and grabbed some shirts that seemed to fit all right but we'll see after I wash them. Here’s my spiritual thought: 

DC 88:50 

"Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light, that is in you, and that you are in me ; otherwise ye could not abound." 

We will all come to know who God really is and when we do we will come to realize that everything good about us is from God. Truly He is the light inside all of us. May we always be the person that truly reflects the Master in all that we do. 

Hello this is one of the elders that serve with Elder Burdick. He is so awesome and I love him. He is an amazing missionary and helps me become a better missionary too. Thank you for having such an amazing son, it has changed my life forever.

AWWW THAT'S ELDER DAVIS WHO WROTE THAT! He's the best. 

Well, I’ve got to go. ASK ME QUESTIONS AT THE END OF YOUR NEXT EMAIL AND I WILL ANSWER THEM ALL! I love you all so much! <3 

Love 

Elder Tseem Fwv Leem Vaj

Fresno Days--Blanket Tacos and Spicy Food

April 14th, 2013

So, this week has been CrAzY!!! So where to start? We sent Elder Xiong back to Colorado. It was super sad. 

 

At the beginning of this week, I was with Elder Gipper working in his area while we waited to get our new companions on Thursday. Super nerve wracking waiting to get a new companion. We had a ton of meetings training us and prepping us to "train." SUPER FUN....hint: sarcasm. No it was good too. Just a little long. Then on Thursday I met my new companion; Elder Dunnaway!! He's from Topeka, Kansas. Has 3 younger brothers. Ran track and was in marching band (alto sax and drum major). Went to BYU-I. Super good missionary. I'm excited to work with him. I don't know if you remember, but two Hmong YSAs were in a really bad accident but they finally came home, so we went to a home-coming party for them. They served papaya salad, and WOW...super hot food! Look it up. It burned my mouth and I'm sure it almost killed Elder Dunnaway. His Hmong name is Koob Meej Thoj (Kong Mang Thao). Our recent convert actually gave him his name. We said a prayer with them, and then when I got up to stand, the recent convert insisted that we remain kneeling while he prays again. HE BASICALLY THEN PROCEEDS TO GIVE A "FATHERS BLESSING" TO NAME ELDER DUNNAWAY! SOOO COOL! I love our members here.

 

Yesterday, in church, I was sitting in the back of the chapel and there was an old grandma playing with a baby. She then wraps the baby in a blanket taco and I couldn't but help envision mom...HAHAHA. Apparently baby tacos are universal. Speaking of church. We had a crazy meeting. It starts at 9 and we didn't actually finish the sacrament until 9:50. Tons of blessings and confirmations. PRETTY AWESOME!

 

Also, West Side moved into the same apartment complex but they couldn't get into their apartment until this last Friday so they lived with us for a few days. It was insane. We had two apartments worth of stuff crammed into our one apartment. GREAT first impressions for new missionaries...like a bomb hit our apartment. However, since west side moved in. We've been running together every morning and its intense. We run past the airport and all the military helicopters and a golf course. It makes for really good scenery. 

 

The district is really good as well. We have Sis. Sims and her trainee. We came out in the same MTC group. Also, the zone leaders are in the district so everyone is super solid and obedient! 

 

Two of our investigators were confirmed this last week and after they were confirmed they were so excited and were thanking everyone on the stand...super funny. You definitely had to be there to get it. But it was great.

 

Anyways, I loved conference! I loved your spiritual thoughts. Always really good. My spiritual thought actually comes from my studies this morning. 

 

John 10:11-15

Christ is the good shepherd. 

 

I thought of what is the crowning difference between the Hireling and the Shepherd. Both have a financial investment in the sheep. Both lose out if the sheep are killed. However, the motivation is what catches my eye. The shepherd is willing to do what the hireling won't becuase he loves the sheep. The same principle can be applied to us and how we serve Jesus Christ. All of us have an investment, but is our motivation love? When our motivation becomes love, then we are truly willing to do everything to assist Christ and in the mission the Father has given Him. We are willing to "sacrifice" for our brothers and sisters. We are willing to step out of our comfort zone to help others come unto Christ. Just keep in mind in the coming days: Who has God prepared specifically for me to help? and What can I do to help them? I know Heavenly Father will answer you. Try it out. 

 

Love you all so much! Thanks for all the email addresses. Sorry for not replying to everyone fast. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

LOVE,

ELDER TSEEM FWV LEEM

 

Driving on Preparation Day (West and East Fresno Elders)

 

I

I'm thinking Elder Burdick might have missed the memo on the kind of pictures his mom wants to see...

PICTURES!

We were SO excited to get pictures from our missionary.  Our excitement waned when we opened the first one:

Apparently Scott and his companion rescued a cat and then gave it to some members.  They named it Burdick Cat.

Fortunately, the other pictures include more than his arm!

Christmas Dinner

 

Hmong New Year's Celebration!

Baptisms!  Scott noted that he was the tall one :)