Happy 4th of July

June 28, 2015

Hi Family and Friends,

The Fourth of July is this week. This is a really important day! haha I never thought I would be patriotic.. but, living in a third world country for a year has really made me appreciate the blessings we have in good ol Merica :)

I can’t believe that you will be ALONE for the fourth of July Dad?! You should hang out with Lisa. Have a yummy bbq or something :)

Kevin is getting so old! I wrote him a nice email this week. Mom, you are so full of wisdom! I think that advice you gave him to have the best experience at efy is great. He needs to; 1) If you see a chance to serve do it. 2) If you feel like being selfish don't do it. That is good advice for ANYONE! I’m going to try that this week.

I’ve been praying a lot this week about change.  Remember that one story that Elder Utchdorf gave about the little kids and the marshmallows?  Even though that example was supposed to be for a chastity lesson, it can be applied to a lot of different things in our lives. Lisa wrote me something that really stuck with me. Its all about saying goodbye to different phases is our lives. At the moment it seems sooooo hard. Like when I was leaving on my mission or in a few months when I will go home from my mission. But, you say goodbyes for reasons. Changes are really good.

I am still stranded here in the countryside with no clothes...thanks to Sister Perersen for letting me borrow. BUT, I’m getting my companion this Thursday!!! We'll go back to the city on Thursday and then I really don’t know where I’m going... haha. It was going to be Darkhan, but I’m not really sure anymore. I’ll let you know this next week.

And then, I don’t know where I’m headed! So next week will be a surprise!

Also, this week I finally tasted.... Sheep Head! Finally almost a year later... I got to eat both the eyes... and an ear. The eyes are a special treat reserved for the women to eat and you have to eat both eyes. Pretty gross huh?? haha If I’m being honest.. it was Pepto Bismol for most of the night after eating that head... but it was worth it! But hey. YOLO!

That’s the joys of a mission: you do and experience and feel and become things that you would never be able to do otherwise. It’s such a wonderful experience. The best part is getting to meet the people. Wherever you will go, you will get to meet people from all different walks of life. And there is no better feeling than watching the gospel and the words that are placed in your mouth make a change in another human's life. And when you go on a mission, you will LITERALLY save souls. There is no grater work than that. And you know what else, missions are FUN! haha. Missionary work is some serious work that requires some serious fun! You and your companions will have sooooo much fun on your mission.

I’m just so excited for my little bro Kevin to experience a mission. You can be honest with me: Are you feeling nervous about serving a mission? What are your worries? What are you excited about? You can tell me because, guess what? I’ve probably felt exactly the same way. And I can help you!

Ok, I love you all :) Have a good week!

Sister Royalth

Happy Father's Day

June 21, 2015

At our 1 year mark.

Sister Petersen and Sister Royal

Hi Family and Friends,

Thanks for your testimony of Jesus Christ! I have been studying a lot about him this week and it’s been so great! The only hard part is that the more you study about Jesus Christ and his atonement, the more you actually realize how much you just can’t comprehend! Please continue to send me your testimony of Christ.

 Email      amy.royal@myldsmail.net

 

send a letter

 

Sister Amy Royal

5th Fl, LDS Church Bldg, Tokyo Street 6

Bayanzurkh District, 1st Khoroo

Ulaanbaatar

13381

Mongolia

Here is Mongolia, they don’t celebrate Fathers Day. That’s probably because there aren’t that many great father figures here. And it just makes me realize even more how lucky I am to have a poppa like mine!

Look at you have people over on Fathers Day! haha I remember how much I used to dislike when you would invite people over for holidays and stuff. And just now am I realizing that that is the biggest missionary work anyone can do, just caring for people. If there is one thing I am SURE I will do after my mission is visiting people in their homes. Caring for those who are lonely or needy. And VISITING TEACHING!!!! So, thank you for being such a good example :)

PS, We did a split this week with the STL's from the city and I got mail!!!!! haha I got a letter from Brother and Sister Rogers. Will you tell them how much I appreciated it? Thanks :) BIG THANKS to... Patriarch and Sister Rogers

I love you all :) 

Have a good week!!!

Love, Sister Royal 

Pictures

There was no hot water for our baptism.. so we were trying to warm it up with some boiled water. haha. PS, we meet in an old apartment building here, so there is no font. So People get baptized in this pool. haha 

 We had to hike forever to visit this Less active family. We were literally in the middle of nowhere. 

 We were walking around and started playing what are the odds... She asked me what are the odds that I would go ask this kid if I could ride his little kid bike. I obviously picked the biggest odds possible- 1 out of 40. And guess what... We both guessed 12!!! hahaha.... that was embarrassing... 

We got a balloon for kids day.. and then felt kinda dumb so we gave them to some actual kids. haha 

 

  Mongolian countryside baby! 

How Have you Come to Know Christ?

Hey Everyone! 

 

So, incase you were wondering, no, I haven’t gotten my new companion yet. As far as I know, her visa has come through, but they are just waiting for the right time to send her over. I suspect that within the next few weeks she will come. Until then, I am still in the little town of Baganuur with Sister Petersen. It’s been a little hard here being in a limbo stage. I wasn’t really sure how long I was going to stay here. Originally, it was only supposed to be a few days. Its been three weeks now and all I have with me is a little duffle bag of clothes... haha. Good thing Sister Petersen loves me and is letting me borrow her things! But, because I had viewed this as such a temporary thing, I don’t think I was really giving my all to the work. But, this last week I made a goal to live each day like I was going to stay here for the rest of my mission and it has made a world of a difference. This week we have seen so many miracles and we have seen the Lord’s hand in the work! 

 

So, this week during my studies, I have been focusing on the attributes of Christ. I have realized that in order to become more Christ like, we need to first get to know him. Who was he? What did he do? What is important to him? How much does he love each one of us? As I’ve been on mission, I’ve grown to know who he is. I’ve felt Him by my side and seen His hands in the work. But, in my quest to become more Christ like, I want to learn more about your opinions. So, I have something to ask of all of you. How have you come to know Christ? How have you seen him in your life? Can you remember the first time you knew he was there? Do you know how much He REALLY loves you? I’ve been asking people here in Mongolia and I have heard truly miraculous things. And now I want your opinion! So let me know :) Send me an email. Or even better, A LETTER! haha. (Mom, can you but my email and mailing address in here?) I promise you that as we recognize the relationship that we have with our Savior, we will grow even closer to him. And your testimonies will grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day :) 

 

I love you all! Have a great week and I look forward to hearing from you :) 

 

Love, 

Sister Royal 

How have you come to know Christ? Send me a letter and let me know

 

amy.royal@myldsmail.net

 

or

 

Sister Amy Royal

5th Fl, LDS Church Bldg, Tokyo Street 6

Bayanzurkh District, 1st Khoroo

Ulaanbaatar

13381

Mongolia

 

ps

Hi mommy :) So, if you haven’t heard already, I got my release date! December 17th! What a great Christmas present! haha. I just want to thank you for all your help and support mom. I love you :) 

Pictures:

1) My One year mark. We celebrated with Peanut M&Ms

 2) Sister Peterson and I friends in the MTC together and now we are mission companions

• 2 Attachments
• View all

June is Here. It's still cold!

June 1, 2015

Hi Family :)

I did have a really great birthday! People made my birthday very special :) Did you get my birthday video? So, this week has been kind of a whirlwind. I’ve been moved around from companion to companion and area to area. My trainee had some visa problems, so she had to be delayed for a few weeks or maybe days... no one really knows. But until then, I found myself back in Baganuur with Sister Petersen. It’s been lots of fun!

Sorry, I don’t have a lot of time to write you! But I hope you enjoyed the pictures :) I love you so much family! Have a good day :)

Love,

Sister Royal

What a cool letter I just got! Mom, Mongolia is the best! I can’t believe I only have 6 more months here... how am I going to leave this place??

On Mon, Jun 1, 2015 at 6:23 AM, Abby Bates ‪wrote:

Hi Sis. Royal!

Yes, it's ok to be confused. You don't actually know an Abby  (well, maybe you do! But I'm a different Abby  ;) ). I met you and your companion briefly with the BYU wind symphony a couple weeks ago while we were touring Asia. Once back in America, I was on "Prepared to Serve" for the Ulaanbaatar Mongolia mission, and I came across your blog! I recognized you from the ward we had the fireside in, and decided to send you a quick hello!

Truth is - I am amazed by the missionaries in Mongolia! I honestly don't know how you do any of it: live in the cold, eat the food, and learn the language.... Let's just say, I had the experience of my life going to the members homes that Sunday, and it made me have great respect for the missionaries serving there. As I prepare for my mission in Michigan, I am certain I will think of you all often, and remember that halfway across the world are missionaries in Mongolia who are having a colder winter than I am, and yet being just as dedicated to the work. A particular memory that many band members shared from our fireside in Mongolia actually included you! It was as we sang "Go Ye Now in Peace", many band members (including myself) noticed, and were touched as you mouthed the words to the piece, and tears were brought to your eyes. What a wonderful experience for us all to share! Thank you for your service and humility to share your feelings of the Savior's atonement with us in that little way.

After touring a week in Mongolia, we spent a week in South Korea and a week in Japan. On the bus ride home from the SLC airport to BYU, we were all talking, and unanimously decided that Mongolia was our favorite of the countries we visited. The members were so gracious, humble, loving, and giving. We were all brought to tears when we climbed the 600+ stairs to look over the city of Ulaanbaatar on our last day, and the LDS choir from Mongolia surprised us by meeting up there to sing "High On the Mountain Top" and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". You missionaries are teaching, seriously, some of the best members of the Church in the world. I'm convinced. :)

Thank you for your service. Thank your companion too (who I talked to briefly, and definitely can't remember her name....) Please, tell the members that the BYU wind symphony miss and love them. You are so blessed to be serving in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia!! :)

Thanks again,

Abby

Hey Abby,

Thank you so much for the letter! It was such a special surprise! I am So happy that you guys all enjoyed your trip to Mongolia! We really enjoyed having you here! You are so right; Mongolia is such a special place. I am totally convinced that I am being helped and blessed by the people here more that I could ever help them. I remember talking to you just for a little after the fireside! I wish you all the best of luck with your mission. Let me just tell you, missions are really hard. But they are also the most special, happiest, blessed times of our lives. So take it all in :)

Thank you again for the email. Tell everyone I say Hi and thanks for the beautiful music you provided us in Mongolia :)

Love,

Sister Royal

1) My birthday breakfast made By my temporary companion, Sister Bolor.

2) My yummy birthday pizza :)

3) Our little district :) 

4) So, our plans changed a little bit... haha mine and Sister Petersen’s trainees have some visa problems and haven’t come yet... so her and I are back together and back in Baganuur for what could be 1 week or 6 weeks... we are kind of in limbo right now. 

Anyways, those horses were right out of window when we woke up. I love the countryside :)

 

5) More birthday festivities.

Although sister Petersen and I didn’t get to be together for my birthday, we were together for our year mark. That was fun :) We get a bag of peanut M&Ms to celebrate