| Gabby,
What you said about things you wouldn't trade for the whole world I think is perfect and not a bit strange at all. I completely agree with it and I can tell its something that you believe strongly in your heart, which makes it powerful. Have you ever noticed how there is a certain power behind words spoken by someone who knows the truth of them so completely and thoroughly? The Holy Ghost testifies of the truthfulness of those kinds of words to the people who hear them. If I had any advice, it would be to speak from your heart about things you know, and I'm sure you will be fantastic. As far as other ideas, here are a few links to resources that I have found impressive and meaningful in relation to your topic. Use as few or as many as you wish; what has made them special to me might not jump out at you the same way. I love how the gospel is so comprehensive that it can do that. Different people see different things in the same messages, depending on what they need to see to help them in their lives most at that moment. Anyway, here are some thoughts:
The scripture referenced by this topic is 3 Nephi 27:27 and it instructs us to be even as Christ is.
There was an entire conference talk in the most recent general conference devoted to this topic, and by searching lds.org I'm sure you could find a lot more material.
You really could take this in a myriad of directions because becoming Christ-like is something that impacts every facet of your life. I mean, how many things get better when we emulate the Savior? We love people more and are easier to be loved. We avoid things in our lives that would bring false and temporary happiness in favor of things that bring real happiness. Of special interest to your singles ward audience, becoming Christ-like I think is the best way to invest in your future marriage. When you radiate the light of Christ, you attract amazing people, and your relationships tend to be better. The list goes on.
Lastly, Preach My Gospel has a whole chapter devoted to helping people learn how to accomplish this call by the Savior. Check out chapter 6. If you don't have a copy on hand, you can find a PDF on lds.org.
I hope you find at least some of that helpful. I wish I could be there to see all of the exciting things you are doing tomorrow. Haha I know you don't remember, but during last fall semester when I spoke in Church as the concluding speaker, I also had the privilege of teaching Preisthood during third hour. That felt like a totally Adam-centered day at Church. I can relate to how you might be feeling with Choir and all. I'll say a prayer for you.
I have a lot more I could tell you I suppose, but I'll save it for our chat tomorrow night. But I do need to say that I can't wait to be cuddled so hard when I get back. I think of how much I got used to being able to hold you, and honestly, I miss the sound of your voice, the rush of your skin, and the still of the silence as you breathe out and I breathe in. You did it again Matt Nathanson, those words convey how I feel exactly. Hope you don't find that too cheesy. I love you. Have a fantastic weekend.
- Adam
--- On Fri, 6/24/11, gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Hey love
To: "Adam Lysenko" <adam.lysenko@yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, June 24, 2011, 10:11 PM
Hello Love,
Well, my current China time, which I most certainly DO NOT have on my computer at all times, tells me that it's about noon there. I hope you are having an excellent day and are enjoying lunch. I bet it's nice to get back to that culture. I think it's funny that the first part of this email was about how I wasn't on Skype and then it changes all the sudden. I'm so glad I got to talk to you last night. I missed your voice. I can hear it in my head when I read your emails, but it's not the same. I feel the exact same way about the whole half a world away thing. It's so nice to know that even though we're so far apart, you still love me and think of me. Even in China. Distance makes the heart grow fonder huh? You know, I never really thought about that saying before but it makes me all happy inside to hear you say it. I am so excited for us to be together. We have so much to look forward to! We're going to have so much fun when you get back. I'm going to cuddle you so hard. I want you to know that I feel those same things for you as well. This is how love should be. Each person caring so much for the other that pretty much everything is taken care of. I will always make sure you're happy love. I will make it so you never feel worthless or under appreciated. I will make sure you always know how amazing and handsome you are and do my best to never let you be sad. I love you so much.
Thank you for writing down your thoughts about my mom's dream. It helped me to share it with you. I was really confused but you gave me some clarity. And thank you for all the kind things you said. I love that you see me as such a good person. It makes it just a little more believable that I got such an amazing man. I think I just got a mosquito bite. I was thinking about you a lot today. I had class and then took a nap and went to work. School is going really well. It feels good to have my focus on that. It also helps me not to dwell on the fact that you're so far away. I'm too busy to mope. But I still miss you terribly. Work is going good too. Tonight wasn't very busy at all. The first three servers went home with only three tables. Crazy! I did ok. Like a normal weeknight. The old people who came in and really liked me came back and asked for me today. They are really nice. I think they might come back tomorrow with a group too and they want me again. We got some new servers and Diego would only let one girl work lunch because she's not old enough to serve alcohol. (I was hearing this from Jaime) I was confused because I'm not old enough either. Jaime said Diego said it was because "she is really good." That made me feel good. Appreciated. It was nice. Tonight was a good night. Everyone misses you. Jacob says he loves you, Diego asks about you all the time, Jaime wants us all to hang out when you get back, Dave says you're awesome, and pretty much everyone brings you up everyday I work. You are missed by more than just me. But I miss you the most....more than all of them combined...just clarifying.
You keep talking about all these notes you have! Like things you write about your feelings about us and scripture study notes. I want to see all of them! Talking to you was so great. I love hearing your opinions on things and what you have to say. It was sweet of you to think of me when you got those free frequent flyer miles. If it doesn't work out or you decide that's not what you want to do, it's totally fine. Just the thought was very sweet. I can't wait to talk to you this Sunday. I got a call this morning and I guess I'm giving a talk! Someone dropped out at the last minute. My topic is "What Matter of Men and Women Ought We to Be?" If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them! I felt dumb last time I spoke in church because it was too structured. So this time I'm just going to put down some notes and talk. That's what I enjoy doing so it should be fun. There was one thing that caught my attention in a talk earlier this term. Someone said "I wouldn't give it up for the world." and I thought about that saying a lot and realized how powerful it was. I wouldn't give up the happiness that I have, the progress I've made, or the Church for the world. I thought I might put something like that in there. How we should not be worldly men and women because the things the world can offer us are nothing in comparison to what we have been promised. What do you think? If it sounds weird, please tell me. I want to redeem myself. On top of that, we're singing as I told you. It's going to be a Gabby filled Sunday. Wish you could be there. Even the people at church ask about you! In the marriage prep class and even the random person on the phone who asked if I could speak! I don't even know who it was haha. You're very popular around these parts.
Well, I don't have a lot to report. Hope you're having a wonderful day. I love you.
-Gabby
From: Adam Lysenko <adam.lysenko@yahoo.com>
To: gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thu, June 23, 2011 10:08:41 PM
Subject: Re: Hey love
| Gabby,
Don't be ashamed, I have the local time in Salt Lake City listed prominently on my iPhone and find myself thinking often about what you must be doing right now. For you, I'm writing this on Thursday evening a little after 8pm. You aren't on Skype; I assume you are doing homework or at work or something else equally productive.
Just finished talking to you on Skype! I guess my assumptions above were incorrect :) It was so good to see your face, and to be reminded how real you are even half a world away. I know I said this more than once already, but I love you so much. I've never wanted so hard for someone else to be happy and feel beautiful and of immense worth like I want for you. I feel warm and deeply happy inside when I imagine our future together. Distance, it would appear, indeed does make the heart grow even fonder.
I can't think of much to say that I haven't said already over the last hour and a half of talking with you, so I don't think this will be a terribly long e-mail. So you can have them to see again if you want them, maybe I can record some of my thoughts about the dream your mom had that you told me about.
I don't really know what to say about you being the first person on Earth to have complete happiness. Like I said, I think Heavenly Father wants to and will ultimately extend that opportunity to all of His children as they each come to the place in their progression where they are most likely to see it for what it is and accept it. But I can see you as the end of a long line of people who have all sought for happiness and strived to give it to their posterity. I thought what you said about your great grand-parents, grand-parents, and mother was very insightful. They each played their part in setting the stage for you now to have the tools you need to have the most enduring kind of real happiness that exists, the one that only knowledge of, acceptance of, and living of the restored Gospel can bring. If it weren't for the choices they made, you might not have this opportunity now. Still, it is happiness you have had to and will have to continue to choose to earn. The Gospel doesn't bring happiness to those who know about it but choose not to live by its precepts; living after the manner of happiness is a constant choice we each make every day by deciding whether or not to move towards or away from the example and commandments of Jesus Christ. You have earned the happiness that you have in this life by seeing it for what it is, deciding that you want it, and acting to achieve it. I have so many thoughts on happiness and the gospel that I would love to share with you when I get home. I did a study for several weeks on this topic in the mission field that I found very enlightening and I still have the notes at home.
I completely agree that you are special. Haven't I always said that one of the things I admire the most about you is how you have decided to lift yourself up from the expectations of your upbringing and embrace the gospel because you know it is what you want? I think that makes you very special indeed. I see you as one of the few on the path to the tree of life in Nephi's vision (check out 1 Nephi 8 and 11-13) who see the fruit of the tree, know it is what you want, and ultimately overcome all obstacles to obtain it. You will find in Chapter 8 that even though the same tree and path are placed before all, only a very few decide to pursue it, and even fewer obtain it. That is one of the most important things that makes me positive you are the girl I want to spend forever with, because I have the same goal and know we can support each other in achieving it. If there ever was anyone appointed to be my companion on my journey through life and beyond, I could only pray and hope it would be someone like you. That's how I know it is you. We're going places, Gabrielle, and I can't wait to see what things life has in store for us.
Don't feel like you are boasting. Let the confidence that this kind of idea brings to you strengthen your resolve to become who you want to be. I hope you believe deeply that you are a precious and wonderful daughter of our Father in Heaven, because I believe it thoroughly. I hope that belief helps you to see just how much you have to offer me and how lucky I am to have you, and how much you deserve me.
I could go on, but I'll save it for when I see you in person again. Talking to you face to face was always more satisfying. I love you. Have a great night.
- Adam
--- On Thu, 6/23/11, gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Hey love
To: "Adam Lysenko" <adam.lysenko@yahoo.com>
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 6:43 PM
Hey!
Thanks for the email dear :) I love hearing from you. It seriously makes my day. Crap...I just realized that I'm distracted. I just got home from classes and just wanted to read what you said again because I liked what I read, but now I'm realizing I was using this time to take a shower. Do you see what you do to me?? :) I'll finish this later...UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!!!
Welp, I'm back. I'm so glad you like my messages and emails. I never know if I'm being a nuisance or not. If I am, I hope you would tell me. But I do the same thing, the whole checking my inbox excessively. Even when I know it's like 4am there. It's ridiculous. But I love getting your emails. This one made me especially happy. I'm not sure if it was timing, length, or content, but I liked it a lot. Thank you love :) Also, don't stress yourself about Skyping. I'll see you when I see you and I know it will happen eventually.
Haha, your paragraph about the chiropractor cracked me up! (medical pun) I even read it out loud to my mom. She thought it was funny too. She said you had the gift of gab which I thought was just her saying you were good with words, but now I realize that was a pun too. I'm gab...your gift...gift of Gab. Being me....your gift.........of Gab......ya. It was funny. Anyways! I don't know if you can tell from the way I'm writing, but for whatever reason, I'm kind of hyper right now! I do wish one of my legs was longer than the other. Then our kids wouldn't have to be clumsy or weird or anything. Not that you are. I love you and your legs. Even if one is stubby.
I have been writing in my book. I do it before I go to bad along with my scripture study. Maybe that's why I feel like I answer in a different tone. I'm excited for you to get yours. I can't wait to read it. Where do you write your thoughts? I do hope to see them. I love hearing your take on things and how you're feeling. I know how terrifying it is to be open with someone else. I have done so with you more than anyone else. But I'm also glad you want to with me. I like hearing your thoughts. I think it helps me know you better. I want to know you better than anyone else. I would crawl inside your brain and hang out in there if I could. But sadly that is not only a disturbing image, but impossible. So you'll have to get me as close as you can. I will do the same love. I want to be close to you.
Our class this fall will be awesome! I'm so excited for the material, but it will be great to learn it with you. Dance classes would be awesome too. I have wanted to learn to dance for a long time. I actually almost signed up for a dance class in the summer but decided against it because I don't want to dance with anyone except you. And how could I tap dance with people living downstairs? That's just inconsiderate. So I will wait and learn with you!
As far as this whole text message thing goes, I know you said you know you don't have to worry, but I want to reiterate that. You don't have to worry. I am not interested in anyone but you. I don't look at other people or even think of them unless it's something that reminds me of you. Like, "Hey look at that guy....he's wearing Adam's shoes. Ah....." haha true story. I do miss having you by my side to show the world both of us are taken. It does make me a little uneasy that so many girls are noticing you. I'm not surprised, I mean have you seen you? So handsome....but still. I don't like it. That aside, I trust you. I know you wouldn't do anything that would upset me, and I am the same. Just tell them they're all hussies and you have a way better girlfriend :) Haha
I loved the pictures you attached! (Whenever I go to spell the word 'attached' I end up spelling 'attacked'. Don't be alarmed if I ever forget to correct it. I know you aren't a violent person. Even towards inanimate objects.) You are so cute. Who are your friends? I know Ben, is one of them your roommate? Do you even have roommates? But I'm guessing all the questions that are coming to my head are going to be Skype questions as well. I want to talk to you very badly. It's only been a week...I'm getting impatient. 8 of these is going to go by very slow. BUT! Alas, I can deal with it :) Also I like using the the word alas.
Hm...what else. I think I have a follow up appointment with the chiropractor on Saturday. I feel a lot better. Sleep a lot more comfortably. I work everyday except Wednesday and have class everyday. I like my classes a lot. Plus my sleep schedule is comfortable now. 8am classes everyday so I go to bed at 10-10:30 and get up at 6:30. I feel so productive. I think I like getting up early. Work has been good. I think I'm a good waitress...there are a lot of people over the past week who have really liked me. One group of older people asked me when I work again so they could come back and have me as their waitress. It was very sweet.
So...I don't really know what to think of this. I'm so confused...My mom came over yesterday and hung out with me for a day and then took the kids home today. I, for whatever reason, was having a bad day. My mom tends to bring out all the emotions I'm feeling and magnify them. So as usual, I ended up crying in front of her, as much as I tried not to. But it turned out being a good thing because comforting me ended up comforting her. This was Wednesday night. After my little episode, we went to get her some shorts and get me some icecream. you can always count on moms for that. Then we came back to my house and she went to her hotel. I thought that was the last I was going to see of her before she left because she wanted to sleep in on Thursday and I had class all day. But at 6am she calls me and says she's at my door. So I go and let her in and she follows me into my room. She looked really...frazzled. I was half asleep and kind of cranky. She asked if we could pray, so we did, but I was kind of annoyed because I thought it was a continuation of her worry about me from last night and she was going to try and comfort me again. I regret being cranky, but I was. Anyways, she prayed that she would be able to relay to me what Heavenly Father had said to her. I was so confused. Then she ended and very seriously, all teared up, told me this. "Gabrielle, I had a dream last night. A very powerful dream concerning you. Your Heavenly Father loves you so much, as do I. And Gabrielle, He wants you to know that your happiness is important. You are the first person on the face of the Earth to have complete happiness. This is a blessing and an honor that has been bestowed on you that you have earned in this life." I think there was more but I can't remember it. It's all a bit hazy. She ended that part of it and I was very confused because it sounded like she was giving me a blessing. I remember thinking, "You can't do that, you're not a priesthood holder." But can she receive revalation on my behalf? She went on after this very direct way of talking to, and explained what she had interpereted this to mean. She said that happiness to us is different than the definition of happiness to our Heavenly Father. That I am the first person, on the face of the Earth, to have all the tools set before me to be happy. She said He had told her that I had earned this honor and she, although knowing I am a good person, asked if it was something I had earned in the premortal life, but received the answer that I had earned this great honor in this life. That I am important and special to my Heavenly Father. Adam, I don't know what this means. I wish I could relay to you the entire conversation word for word but I can't remember. All I know is that she was very serious and believed what she was saying. I believe Heavenly Father can speak to her, but can she receive this message on my behalf? I believe her because she is my mom and because I haven't felt that what she said is untrue, but then again, I don't know what she was trying to tell me exactly. I mean, what do I have that other people don't? How could I be "the first person on the face of the earth" to be happy? I don't understand...I know this is weird but I thought maybe you could...help? I don't know. Help or listen. Just don't think I'm weird please. I'm so confused. She did however, say that she is very happy for me. To see that I am special to our Heavenly Father. That she saw me as he does and she was taken aback. I laughed at that like, "Thanks mom, aren't you supposed to think I'm awesome?" She laughed and said she had always thought she was important and did good work for him but was surprised to know that I was too, maybe even moreso. She told me all this because I had said something to her once that doesn't even stand out in my mind. We were talking about you and I was marveling at how perfect things are between us and I wondered...what have I done to deserve such perfection, such happiness in my life? Shouldn't this be reserved for someone amazing who does truly amazing things? My patriarchal blessing says I will be blessed with happiness throughout my life but neither of us guessed it would be something like that. It reminded me a lot of 1 Nephi where Lehi has a dream concerning his family and wants so badly to share the revalation he receives with his children. I felt like my mom was doing that. And if this is as important as she made it seem, I don't want to push it aside. I want to understand. I don't know what to think or believe and I feel strange saying all this because it sounds like I'm boasting. I'm not, I promise you. I am just looking for some clarity from what she told me. I hope you understand that.
Anyways....that's kind of a heavy note to end this on. It's really hot here. Like 90 degrees. And our house lacks an air conditioner. Ugh. Chelsy is now in California. I look at the super cute picture of us all the time. And some of the ones from New York because that's how I remember you. It's weird to look back on the old ones like from Vernal because I wasn't completely into you yet. When I look back at those, I don't feel the same. It's like you're a different person. In the recent ones, it's you. That's my love. The one who I have fallen for so hard. I like those pictures. I think about you all the time dear, you should be waking up soon...No I don't know that because I constantly have a China current local time clock open in another tab! How dare you assume such a thing...haha I love you so much. You still make my heart skip a beat sometimes. I miss you, I love you. Have a good day Adam :)
-Gabby
From: Adam Lysenko <adam.lysenko@yahoo.com>
To: gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thu, June 23, 2011 2:38:11 AM
Subject: Re: Hey love
| Hey Love,
Your sweet text messages in the middle of the night are always a pleasure to receive. Sometimes I wake up when they come, and sometimes like last night I don't, but whenever I do get to reading them they make me very happy to know that half a world away I'm still on your mind. The same goes for your e-mails. I found myself checking my mailbox like every two hours over the last day hoping to hear back from you. Seeing your message this morning made me very excited.
I'm sitting in my room now putting off homework I need to do for later because even though you should be fast asleep right now and won't get around to reading this for a while, there isn't anything I would like to do more than write to you. I think you are right, after a few days I find myself longing to see your face too. I'll try and be on skype as often as I can over the next couple of days and hopefully we will match up.
So it turns out I have been to a chiropractor before too. I was reminded about it when you told me about being cracked all over the place. Honestly, my chiropractor made things pop that I didn't even know had joints. His measured body slams and torque-filled twists were really something else. It was also this same man who informed me that my right leg is like an inch longer than my left one. I was hoping your chiropractor might have discovered that your left leg was longer than your right? If so, our kids ought to turn out about perfect.
My book still hasn't reached me, but when it does sometime in the next couple of weeks I'll get right to work and make sure it will be done by the time I get home. If it feels strange answering those questions, like you can't use your real voice, try to imagine it's me asking the questions. When I write, I actually address a lot of the thoughts I record about marriage and our relationship to you, even though you aren't here to read them. You will one day if you want to though. I like the idea of being so open with you that I can share with you every thought I have. Putting myself in that place is scary for me and the thought makes me feel very vulnerable, but I want to give you that gift.
I'm excited to be in at least one class with you this fall. It's cool that we have at least two years left of undergraduate study to do stuff like that together. I want to take dance classes with you sometime down the road. I think that would be fun. And I'm glad you got your schedule worked out and that you are still finding work to be enjoyable.
Hearing about that text message you got actually sparked my curiosity a little bit. Do you know how attractive you are? I'm not worried at all, but I have this small little bit of discomfort in the back of my mind that keeps reminding me that without me by your side to make it clear you are taken, you might be drawing some attention :) I thought you might appreciate knowing that I have been completely faithful since we parted, despite drawing some attention myself. A couple of funny stories, actually. On the airplane on the way here, the stewardess tried to set me up with her 22-year-old daughter from LA. Then she told me to check out a magazine with a seductive picture of Natalie Portman on the back without me knowing what it was. Haha I was like, "Really? We haven't been apart for 24 hours and I'm already dealing with this crap..." And then Nico and I walked into our new Chinese class yesterday and found ourselves paired with a couple of French girls who clearly are interested in "getting to know us." Haha we've already been invited to their apartment and the like. I want you to know, in the face of all of this, you are all I've thought about. You have nothing to worry about. I guess I still like telling you about these kinds of things though, because I feel completely honest and open with you even though not telling you about this kind of stuff probably wouldn't even really matter.
Anyway, as far as all those questions you asked me about life in Beijing, I'll wait until we get the chance to Skype before I take the time to answer them in detail. I need to go do homework now. I hope you enjoy the attached media from our little excursion across town this afternoon. Sleep well love, I'll see you in your dreams. I love you!
- Adam
--- On Wed, 6/22/11, gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Hey love
To: "Adam Lysenko" <adam.lysenko@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 6:54 PM
Dearest Adam,
So I went to the chiropractor today. It was a big mess because my mom ended up getting here late. It was quite stressful. But it was good. He popped me a lot and I guess I'm just really tense which causes my muscles to pull my spine out of alignment. It was funny when he was feeling my shoulders, he was like, "Do you work out or something?" haha I said, "Um...I went running a couple of days ago..." Speaking of which, I haven't been since. It killed my legs so I took a few days off. I think I'll keep doing it though. We'll see how I sleep tonight. Hopefully it will be better. Yes, my siblings have been down in Teasdale. I think I'll see them tomorrow.
I hope you get to go to church next week. I bet you'll enjoy being back in a Chinese ward. Even more Deja Vu than before! You remember correctly, I didn't always enjoy church so this is a great thing for me. I love being there! I love hearing all the talks and especially the lessons. I enjoy reading my scriptures and all that good stuff. I just wish you were here to share my spiritual high with me :) I am perfectly ok with that being the central part of our lives. Always. I am happiest when I feel that way, and also happiest when I'm with you. So a combination of the two is...Heaven! Hehe...spiritual pun. Anyways! I started filling out that book. It's a little strange because I think I write in it a little more formally than I talk to you. More the way I pray. I'm not sure you'll notice the difference, but it is interesting to see the way it comes out.
Work is still great, don't get me wrong. Just a few hiccups here and there. The usual. It was better with you there. You always offset me. So whenever I would get annoyed or anything, I could just come talk to you or look at you and smile goofy and everything was fine. Just kind of rolled of my shoulders. It's so strange to do things without you now. Things that I only know with you. Like church and work. Even watching movies or reading. Things I grew accustomed to doing with you, it's like I have to learn them all over again because it's a completely different situation. I signed up for that class so we will have it together in the fall! I am so excited. My mom is giving me these CD's her and Kelly really liked about communication and marriage. We'll see what insights I can get from them. Ugh...I keep looking at Skype hoping you'll be there. I miss your face. I'm not trying to sound pitiful, I really am fine. You don't have to worry, but I miss your face. It's like in a dream when all the people are there and you know who they are, but their faces are a blur. I have a poor memory anyways, and I just want to remember you. Does that make sense? Not to say I'm forgetting you. Believe me, you are everywhere. Today I got a text from some random number saying they were thinking about a date we went on a long time ago and how great they thought I was. It was...nice, but really weird. I asked who it was and they wouldn't tell me. And I realized something. I didn't care at all. I wasn't overwhelmed with curiosity or anything. I was just thinking to myself, that's nice. I hope you find what I have. Then I just thought of you. I miss you Adam.
Well, classes are going well. I finally got my schedule worked out so I'm not switching classes around everyday. How about you? What are your classes like? Have you made any friends? Traveled yet? I have so many questions...I want to talk to you soon ok? If you have time of course. I love you :) Have a wonderful day.
-Gabby
From: Adam Lysenko <adam.lysenko@yahoo.com>
To: gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tue, June 21, 2011 5:54:04 PM
Subject: Re: Hey love
| Gabby,
I'm very interested to hear what the chiropractor says about you. Anything that makes you happier, like better sleep, is good news for me :) You'll have to let me know what they say! Did your siblings spend some time down in Teasdale then? Tell them and your Mom I say hi if you get the chance.
I miss Sundays with you too. Unfortunately, because of my travel delays I missed Church this last week and haven't been since I went with you two weeks ago back in Provo. I'll get the chance to go either this week or next, however, depending on our travel schedule. I love hearing that you are enjoying Church so much now. I think you told me once that it wasn't always like that for you. I find so much strength and renewal there, though, so it's really important to me that you love activity in the Church. I always want that to be a central part of our lives. Isn't the Spirit amazing? That walking on clouds feeling is so precious. That's the kind of enduring peace and happiness that only obedience to the Gospel plan can bring to someone's life. Doesn't it make you want to share it?
Oh man, work. I'm sorry you are still dealing with difficult people at Gloria's. I think we'll have to deal with tough situations like that as long as we work there. It's really helpful to me to have you working there too and understanding how stressful it can be. I'm always comforted when you get really indignant on my behalf because of something that happened there. I'm glad I'm helping you to cope with difficult people there too. I hope in spite of stupid stuff like that you can still enjoy working there. Remember all the cool people you get to meet, like that group last Saturday before we went boating on the lake. We really are lucky!
So are you still running every day? Get those last class changes all figured out? When you are thinking about classes this fall, I thought you should know that I signed up for SFL 223 (marriage prep) section 4 with Jason Carroll. Let me know if it fits your schedule! I think taking it together would be good for us?
Anyway, I think about you all the time. We've been apart for almost a week now. The time is going by really fast and really slow at the same time. I miss holding you as much as you miss being held, but like you said, it will be even sweeter when I get home. I love you!
- Beam
--- On Mon, 6/20/11, gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Hey love
To: "Adam Lysenko" <adam.lysenko@yahoo.com>
Date: Monday, June 20, 2011, 9:29 PM
Oh my dear Adam,
Those are some crazy dreams! Sorry you had to carry me around...that must have been exhausting. But hey, I'll keep you in good shape! As for the hussies...haha when I first read that I was like, "What the heck is he doing dreaming about other girls??" Then I read the rest. You're cute. As far as Skyping goes, I think Wednesdays are best for me. I don't work and I don't have class that late. But not this week. My mom is coming again to pick up the kids and she's taking me to the chiropractor. Apparently it's not normal for my limbs to fall asleep all the time. Maybe it will help with my sleeping comfort. I don't think it could be a bad thing. But I think I just added you on Skype so if you ever see me on and want to talk, I can almost assure you I will be up for it. Sundays are good too.
I'm so glad you're having a good time in Beijing. Are classes going well? I'm not surprised you're excelling above the rest. It's kind of your thing. Smarty pants. Classes are going great for me. I have some tweaking to do with my schedule but it's going really well. I like my classes a lot so far. I'm learning tons already. I wish you would have been here last Sunday. The lessons were so good as were the talks. I was so happy and...just....I don't even know. It felt like I was walking on clouds. I wish you could have been there so I could share it with you. I think that's what I miss the most, Sundays with you. They are always so happy and relaxing. Have you been to church there yet? Choir is going well. There's this voice performance guy who has...a lot of opinions. But I guess they're helpful. He tends to take over though. But we sound great and we're performing this Sunday.
Work is going really well. I've made about 100 every night I've worked so far which is good because I need to work less so I can study and such. Diego had to "talk to me" tonight. He said I was unprofessional and that me joking around when we were busy was unnacceptable or something. I didn't agree with anything he said, but your voice was in the back of my head from that time I was mad at Malcolm and you told me to have Christlike patience. So I did. I listened patiently and put my pride aside, said I was sorry, I understood, and I would do better. It was hard for me, but I think it was the right thing. Me being argumentative wouldn't have helped anything. Do you know you make me a better person? Because you do. And I love you.
I think about you all the time. It's little things like, "Oh, Adam likes Doritos with his sandwiches." or, "Adam gave me this necklace." or, "Adam puts his arm right here around my tummy when he holds me." They're things I miss, a lot. But I know it will make them all the sweeter when you get home. I hope your sleep schedule gets back on track. Know that I miss you, and I love you. Goodnight my dear.
-Gabby
From: Adam Lysenko <adam.lysenko@yahoo.com>
To: gabby garcia <gabbygarcia44@yahoo.com>
Sent: Mon, June 20, 2011 4:20:10 PM
Subject: Re: Hey love
| Hey! I had some crazy dreams about you last night. In one of them I dreamed that I had you laid across my shoulders and I was carrying you places. I think that one was a reflection of how I carried my duffel bag for like a mile and a half on my shoulders across Beijing back to my dormitory yesterday. In another one we were riding a speed boat and accidentally clipped someone's fishing line, so we had to turn around and give it back to these fisher/swimmer girls who were very fresh. One of them slapped my butt as we drove away on the boat and I was very angry, thinking that's something only you are allowed to do.
Anyway I'm up early with nothing to do so I thought I would ask you to post another blog update for me when you have a minute. Hope you are having a great day! My world clock tells me it is about 4:00 pm your time. As far as skyping goes, I'm free after 8:00 pm your time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and free pretty much any time after 6:00 pm your time on Saturdays. I could also skype with you in the morning your time on other days if you are willing to get up a little earlier and I'm willing to stay up a little later. Let me know what's best for you! I love you. A lot.
- Adam
Deja Vu
It's amazing how being in Beijing has made it easy to naturally fall back into missionary habits. I was taking the subway here yesterday afternoon to the airport to claim my missing bag, which finally arrived and is now in my possession, when I saw some foreigners get off the train. I immediately tensed up, because as a missionary in Taiwan I didn't feel like I had anything in common with other caucasian tourists or residents in Asia, and felt their eyes pick us out all the time. After a split-second I realized I wasn't wearing a name-tag, that I can't proselyte in China, and that I looked just like them. I'm the foreigner in Asia now. It was a strange sensation.
Like I said, I finally got my luggage back yesterday. In order to save money on a cab, I walked the mile from the subway station to my dormitory with my bag on my shoulders. I was exhausted when I got back at about 5pm, so I decided to take a nap. Well, that's the last thing I remember from yesterday. I woke up at about 1 am feeling pretty well rested, and I was like "Danggggg ittttttttt." I was able to doze until about 4am, but couldn't take any more after that, so I headed to the local track and ran. I think running in the early morning here is the way to go because the air is a bit cleaner than during the day and the weather is a bit cooler. Because there is no daylight savings time here, the sun comes up really early and it was light outside as I did my 20 laps around the track. It felt just like early morning exercise in Taiwan. I hope I can come home in good shape in a couple of months. I also hope I can push through the fatigue, stay up a little later tonight, and adjust to the time here quickly.
We "started classes" yesterday, by which I mean we took a Chinese language ability test to determine what course of study we will have over the next several weeks. My roommate and I, both being returned-missionaries from Chinese-speaking missions, scored off the charts. We'll be in a special class with students from other locations around the world starting this morning at 8:00am. I'm hoping my Chinese will improve significantly while I am here. After that, I have class from 10:00 to noon and another class later this evening from 6:00 to 8:00. The 8:00am Chinese class will be every day, and the other classes will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The weekends are ours to travel. I don't know what we will do this weekend, but I know we will be hitting the road.
I made contact with Ben Gong yesterday and should get the chance to see him later today. Turns out he and my roommate Nico knew each other from the MTC. Small world. My phone works here, which is awesome. It can make domestic and international calls. I get every text message everyone spends and love feeling connected still to the world back home in the States.
As far as anecdotes go, I have a couple to share. The first one happened a few days ago but I forgot to record it. We were on the plane at JFK for like five hours before it finally took off. I was sitting next to one of those jump-seats that the stewardesses use during take-off and landing, and one of the stewardesses started lashing out in fake anger about the ridiculousness of our extended delay. I turned around and in a serious voice with my hand extended said, "excuse me M'am, I'm going to have to ask you to calm down." in the most patronizing flight-attendant voice I could muster. Everyone around me cracked up laughing at the irony, especially the stewardess. The other one happened at the airport yesterday. I went back to the baggage office for the second time in two days and saw the same lady working there as the day before. I spoke only English to her the second day in a row, but could understand everything she was saying to her coworkers about how hard english is, and how strangely good my characters were that I wrote out my address for her in the day before. Finally as I was getting up to leave, I told them in Chinese that their English was very good, and they both laughed pretty hard at how much trouble I had given them. Good times.
Well, I'm off to the market to buy some breakfast soon. I'm thinking egg-toast a la V for Vendetta with fresh coconut bread and fresh fruit. I'm loving my time here. Even though I'm in classes, I have so much free time and don't feel overly stressed. I think I'll be able to return for classes this fall feeling ready to face another semester with energy and optimism. I'm a little bit homesick now and again, but every time I feel it coming on I think of how connected I am to everyone there and how short this trip will be compared to my mission and it goes away. What a great time for me! I'm having a blast here and have an exciting future waiting for me back at home. I'll keep the stories coming in the next weeks and days. Until then... |
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Thanks again. I hope you guys are having an awesome time!
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