Why I'm Here

сунан сайхан юу байна вэ?

This week we taught again in the TRC (teaching resource center). They have native speakers come in and you teach them as a companionship about a specific gospel principle. To make it even more fun, each room has a video camera so that  your teachers can watch you try to decipher about three words of what the speakers have said.  It was pretty scary, but we stuttered through some sentences and questions.  I only had to look up one word (revelation) while we taught. Two of the TRC volunteers were returned missionaries because, go figure, there aren’t as many native Mongolians in Provo as you’d think.  They were really helpful and it was cool to see where we will be in two years in the way of fluency. 

As we were waiting in line for wraps on Wednesday, Elder Call was talking with the lady in front of us about where we were going.  When Elder Call got to the front of the line the server asked him, "You’re going to Mongolia?"
Elder Call:  “No just Spinach on Spinach” (no expression)
Elder Lloyd and I almost died.  And it continued to be funny for the rest of the week. Once we told Elder Call he thought it was pretty funny too.  I guess maybe you had to be there.  Anyway, our district is so close and I’m grateful for the opportunity to talk to each of them individually about their lives.

This week we really cracked down on our gym time soccer performance which had been lack luster. Elder Quinton and I looked up some helpful Mongolian soccer phrases such as cross it, through ball, pass and shoot.  We also outlined strategy on the board before games. We've been playing a lot better.

The missionaries are not singing in general Conference this year. They sang less than two years ago and they usually sing only once every two or three years.

Tanner Olsen arrived this week.  I saw him during my service time this week and we sat together for the movie on Wednesday night. He arrived with over 40 missionaries headed to Japan with 20 more scheduled to come in next week. It’s great to see people you know in the MTC.

I realized this week how isolated from the world we are here which is good because it keeps us focused on the work.  It was funny as we all pieced things together about the tropical storm/ hurricane as we each received information from the letters we received.
Everyone has started school now and it’s been great hearing about how all of your school years are going so far.  Kevin wrote!  Plus I got some great dried cherries from Michigan. Go BYU this weekend!  The first installment of the Kramer, Neuberger rivalry game (BYU vs. Ole Miss) ha-ha

It was great to hear from the South Carolina Neubergers and I was reminded how great it was to have you at my farewell.

Not much is really new here. Same schedule, same goal. We'll watch our second batch of English speaking missionaries leave next week. They're in and out so quick you have to meet them fast before they're gone!  One of the MTC presidency spoke this week on being someone’s missionary.  He had received a call from a sister he had baptized 40 years earlier. He was so glad that he could report to this sister that he is still an active member. He assured us that we will all have the opportunity to be someone’s missionary. It was wonderful to think about the life changing affect that the Gospel can have on peoples’ lives.

The devotional this week was given by a physician who spoke on the importance of being healthy. On any given day 28% of missionaries are unable to work due to sickness. I don’t have my notes with me but basically, "wash your hands and use your head!"

This week I read through the book of Alma, with my favorite chapter being chapter 26. This chapter outlines the goal of every missionary.  Again I don’t have my notes (see below), but I want to be able to say that I (v5) thrust in my sickle with no regrets. That I (v29) taught in homes and in the streets and on the hills. Because I know God is mindful of all his people (v37).  Even the people of Mongolia!  Especially the people of Mongolia!  Even a farmer a thousand miles from nowhere. (v30) And then will my joy be full. That’s why I’m here.

You all mean so very much to me.
Love, Elder Neuberger

Alma 26: 5,29,30,37

5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.