Getting excited...

Selamat pagi, kawan-kawan saya:)

(Good morning, my friends)

  Sorry this is so short, and I've been super lame about emailing lately (P-Days are way busier than I thought they'd be). Aside from being sad about the Coug's tough loss last night, I'm just sittin over here in the MTC with ants in my skirt, thinking about the 11 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR SINGAPORE/

MALAYSIA, WHAT THE HECK. My district and I are soooo excited! Travel plans should be any day now, so we're all waiting eagerly for the email containing our travel plans. (*Side note from Mom:  she got these Friday evening. She leaves in the early hours on Sept. 10.) 

   My companion and I had the cool opportunity to skype someone from Kucing, Malaysia, named Jeff. It was a little nerve-wracking to be speaking to/trying to understand a local, but he was so cool and even introduced us to his ibu dan abang (mom and older brother). We shared a message about repentance and how we apply it in our lives daily to change and become better, and he gave some wonderful insights. I'm pretty sure at some point I accidently said that we can "mountain" repentance to change instead of saying "use repentance," since 'gunung' is mountain and 'gunu' is to use, but I'm sure he understood what I meant. Such a neat experience, technology is awesome.

  We also got to hear the roaring crowds witnessing the Holy War happening just across the street at the Edwards stadium (BYU vs. U). They were SO LOUD that we could actually hear them all the way from our residence. Crazy!

  So many times this week, I've recognized answers to my prayers. The ones when I plead with Him, the little ones I say in my mind before a lesson, even the ones in my heart that I didn't realize I had. Because Heavenly Father is all-knowing, He knows every desire of our heart. When we are striving to just be good and diligent, to be better than we were yesterday, he will be there to bless us in ways we never thought possible. He wants to bless us all the time! It's important that we not only take time to ask him for things and seek guidance, but also to recognize the his answers/tender mercies and show gratitude for them. I love the words to the primary song that says, "I feel my Savior's love in all the world around me. His spirit warms my soul through everything I see." I've found that to be true this week as Heavenly Father has shown His love for me in the smallest things. Pray to Him, sincerely. He will answer.

  I love you all, hope your week is baguslah (good)!

love,

sister hamner