Justin's general letter 10/17/08
(Here is a general letter Justin wrote to his friend Jakub addressing a number of his friends. I'm posting it in lieu of the letter I got today which mostly answered a few specific questions regarding 'home administrative details'. And was kind of crabby).
"So many questions, so much to explain. I will make my best attempt to satisfy them. Yet you must realize that I am under a rather strict time restraint, only being able to enscribe these letters on Tuesdays, and the impossibility of fully imparting my experiences here to you on paper. Nevertheless, I will do the best I can, and will do so in ENglish to avoid any possible misunderstandings.
Concerning companions, you have heard truthful, as well as with physical fitness, and "spiritual rocking." As you may have heard, it is necessary to always be within eyesight + earshot of your companions, 24/7, with the exception of the restroom. Currently I have two companions, due to an odd number of missionaries in my district. Actually, it's rather frustrating betimes...I have always been more of a solitary person + would greatly appreciate some amount of alone time, but alas, it is not so. Oh well, I'll get over it. We have gym time every day, with the exception of Sundays and "P-day," which is preparation day where such things as laundry, letter writing and checking emails and visiting the temple takes place.
This "spiritual rocking" is quite an accurate description; since my arrival, I have been awash in an environment of song, scripture, sacrament + testimony, where nigh everything everything is related to, explained by + done for the Gospel of Christ. There is no way I could dictate to you how it feels, but suffice it to say that I walk on consecrated + holy ground.
As for the Spanish, it is much, much better. Better than it ever was in school. We have young men who come here barely knowing how to count to ten in Spanish, who after 9 weeks can carry on a conversation. If you don't believe me, see the CIA report on our language study program. They tried to diplicate it. They failed. As for me, I can now talk more or less fluently, though slowly.
Our schedule is set, though it includes copious chunks of times for personal study, several hours a day in which we may choose what we will do. We have two teachers, who teach us whatever we need to know.
Music...classical + Church music. I miss my music. You have NO IDEA how badly I've been craving Pink Floyd...Elton John...Enigma. Yeah.
Y español...ahora, puedo hablar ¡ escribir en español bien, o por lo menos suficiente a comunicar que quiero decir. Pero, lamentablamente, no tengo en dominión de la idioma, entonces no puedo a usarlo con la "fluifity" (no tengo mi diccionario conmigo) que quería. Pues, está bien.
Mucho Amen,
Elder J.H. Chang
Justin's MTC Address -
Just a reminder:
Elder Justin Hyun-Ho Chang,
MTC Mailbox #92
UT-SLCS 1201
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
And remember that www.DearElder.com is a terrific service for delivering mail to the MTC almost as easily and quickly as email. It just takes a minute to sign up, *free* to the MTC, and delivers in under 24 hours of sending.
This is my mission email:
(hyunhochang@myldsmail.net) which I can check once a week on p-day for half an hour (so Dear Elder is still the best option).
Just so you know. It's pretty hot an stuffy down here, but at least it isn't dry. The lack of water has done WONDERS for my voice, let me tell you. And speaking of which, there was an elder at a musical fireside with a BEAUTIFUL voice... I was quite jealous.
Anyways, Lindsay and Amanda, I'm not really supposed to be talking to you, but I need you to tell people to give me their adresses, so I can mail them. Actually, tell them (george and tom and who ever else would like letters) to mail ME, then I'll mail them back. And could you find Laura's address for me, Lindsay? Amanda, why are you driving my car? :p
And Mom, stop crying. I know you are. Stop it. This is a happy thing, remember? Just go walk Jack or throw his ball when you're missing me. And get someone besides dad to help you with your laptop.
Write me (the more the better), and send me pictures.
Love,Elder J.H. Chang
Day 4 - General Conference
Spanish is getting better... My brain tends to check out by day's end, but I'm actually speaking without too much difficulty. I'm good at rules, just not conjugation. And my companion lived in Spain for a year. *And* there are bunches of native speakers, so my Spanish pretty much fails.
The food is bad. It's not good for my digestion.
And I don't want to be here for the whole 9 weeks... Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying myself here, but I want to go out and *teach*. Not sit around in classes.
And sleep is a little difficult. I'll get over it.
Love,
Elder J.H. Chang
First Day of MTC
First of all, I have some instructions. According to my teachers you should refer to me as "Dear Elder...." for mission reasons. Second, forward all letters, no EMAIL all letters to
www.DearElder.com. It's free and I should get it within 24 hours. So, that should be better. But you *must* send me pictures.
So, a few tings about day 1. First, I have two companions. It's weird. One of them is quite nice (Elder Larsen, actually). The other is a rocker-gamer nerd. He's...fine. Just one of those "sweet spirit" people. Second, I'm in intermediate Spanish, but I'm still estimated to be here for 9 weeks. I don't think I'll be here for all 9, but I could easily be wrong.
Classes have been good. I've already memorized where everything is. My companions things I'm crazy.
Ummmm... what else? The clock outside is off by about 2 hours and 13 minutes. It wasn't very cool before I realized it was off.
Day 2: I didn't have time to finish this during day 1. They keep us busy.
I have a singel companion now. We got a German kid who moved up from beginner Spanish, so we're not tripoding anymore.
Spanish is coming back a lot better than I thought it would. I wish I could have done this well when I was taking the classes... at Cascadia, that is.
I'll be fine. It looks like I'm doing very well, all things considered. Just pray for me and send me pictures.
Much love,
Elder J.H. Chang
