Lauren Barden Post of May 13, 2013 from

Lauren Barden Post of May 13, 2013 from the Provo, MTC

Hello!
   
  Utah weather is glorious! Sister Hibbert and I are studying outside at every opportunity. SO NECESSARY when we are in our wonderful little classroom for more than six hours each day. I love the MTC...can I say it enough?! I am learning so much.

  This Sunday so many exciting things happened. Janice Perry... famous LDS songwriter who wrote the music for 'As Sisters In Zion' came and spoke to us for Relief Society. As she began to speak about her work.. she asked the audience.. Do you know the story behind the song 'As Sisters in Zion"? At that moment I began to lose it. Tears began to flow as she told the story of the Hill sisters -- my ancestors -- who joined the church in England and came across the plains... wow. I felt as if, for those few minutes, that there was a mutual awareness between Julia, Emily, and I. I was so proud of them.. and I felt they were proud of me.

 In our branch sacrament meeting I played my "Praise to The Man" arrangement. One of the sisters had heard me playing it a few weeks ago on the piano and volunteered me to provide this week's musical number. I think it helped bring the Spirit and was so grateful God helped me because I didn't have almost any opportunity to practice beforehand. Afterwards, many of the sweet missionaries told me I had made them cry.... Not me, the spirit, but I was grateful I could help bring a wonderful feeling into the meeting.

We get our travel plans next week!!! Unbelievable. You always receive travel plans about two weeks before departing. SO EXCITED. It seems bizarre that the work I will be preoccupied with for the majority of my mission hasn't officially begun yet. I feel so happy I have so much time in the MTC. In TRC this week, we taught two sisters who were converts from mainland China. (TRC is a weekly event where CHINESE speaking volunteers come in and we teach them a lesson). These women were SO wonderful! I am obsessed with Chinese humor. Already in love with these people- I know they will teach me so much.

Sister Hibbert and I had a few mini miracles this week as we taught our investigators. When the spirit is with you, whether your investigator is real or acting, real power accompanies your words.

So... I'm really passionate about the gospel. Surprise? It peeks through in my teaching.. particularly when I testify. Part of me is nervous that I will try to bulldoze my investigators with my unabashed love for this Church. I'm hoping it's not too bizarre being on the receiving end..?

But I do love this gospel.... with all of my heart and soul. I had a rough moment this week where I put down my books and took a moment to breathe. I closed my eyes and went back to the Jerusalem Center balcony. I remembered every sensation and emotion of that memory in rich and exquisite detail. ...I looked out over the sun-soaked, aged city, felt the deepening shadows creep over the ancient hills, and heard the exquisitely haunting call to prayer send a chill through my blood. As I pondered this striking place that is so precious to my heart, my throat caught and my heart was drawn out in profound gratitude and longing. ..In LOVE for my Savior. My Savior who walked those streets and mourned over the same skyline I had the privilege to see every day for four months. My Savior whose very real and tender arms are always, always held out for me, for you, and every one of His precious Chinese people. Wow.. sometimes I feel I can NEVER do my emotions justice.. it's so difficult to articulate them. But somehow, at the right moment, I can in Chinese. What a blessing to know none of it is due to my poor abilities.

I love you all so dearly! Enjoy every one of these beautiful spring days.

I have a letter for grandad already in the mail :)

Praying for you always,
Deng JieMei