"...tiam sis, kuv paub tias nws tsis lig."

Hnub no kuv xav hais kuv qhov lus timkhawv kuv xav qhia nej hais tias kuv paub txoj moo zoo nuaj tseeb.  Kuv paub tias Vajtswv yog kuv Leej Txiv Saum Ntuj Ceeb Tsheej thiab tias Nws hlub Kuv Kawg nkaus li.

Tej zaum kuv tos rau Vajtswv rov qab hais lus rau kuv cov lus thov, thiab tej zaum kuv raug tus siab thiab poob siab.  Ces kuv hnov lus mos tias kuv tsis yog ib tib neeg xwb thiab nws yuav foom koob hmoov kom kuv ua zoo siab.

Feem ntau peb tos rau peb Leej Txiv hais lus rau peb tiam sis, kuv paub tias nws tsis lig.  Nws paub txob peb, thiab Nws yuav pab peb lus siab loj hlob, thiab txais tej yam zoo.

Qhov no yog kuv txoj kev timkhawv, txog txoj kev siab ntej thiab kev ntseeg.  Thiab kuv hais tej yam no los ntawm Yexus Khetos lub npe, Amen.


**To those who helped me translate this, you know who you are; thank you so much.


In English:


I'd like to bear my testimony today to tell you that I know the gospel is true.  I know that God is my Heavenly Father and that He loves me very much.


Sometimes I have to wait for answers to prayers, and I feel sad, alone, and hopeless.  Then I get a gentle reminder that I am not alone, there is something more coming, and this helps me feel happy.


Heavenly Father may take a while to answer our prayers but I know, He is never late.  He knows us and what will help us learn, grow, and obtain our righteous desires.


This is my testimony, of the importance of patience and faith, that I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Kuv lub npe hu ua Paj Dawb Lis

My name is:

This Sunday I was given my new Hmong name:  Paj Dawb Lis.  I have no idea how to spell it in English so there it is in Hmong.

Thank you to the three wonderful women who named me.

"Lis" is my new last name, translated as "Lee".  Our Hmong Branch president's last name is also Lis; it was his wife who facilitated this naming.  I've joked a few times that my purpose is to soften President Lee up since he has no daughters... which makes the choice of Hmong last names quite fitting in my opinion.

It was explained to me that "Paj Dawb" means White Flower, a symbol of purity (because it is white).  Two of the women who helped pick my new name speak no English.  One offered the perspective that purity is a gift from God, which is the Hebrew translation of my American name, Joanna.  The other added that as purity is a gift from God, so are temples, which are also white.

And then there is the photo above which I took about a year ago outside the Anchorage, Alaska LDS Temple.  That simple white flower is, for some reason, growing with the beautiful purple ones.  It looks a little different, sticking out a bit, but that's OK.  I may not be the only one serving in the Hmong Branch who is white but as the only redhead; I stake my claim as palest.  Relation to this photo should be self-explanatory; I'm their Paj Dawb.

"I'm not the average girl... built like a supermodel... and I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me".

I had fun driving 4 teenagers home after Hmong Night (language class and volleyball after) at the church last night, treating them to anything they wanted at McDonalds (their choice of venues) as long as it was under $3.  You ever ordered ANYWHERE with 4 teenagers?  They take forever to make up their minds; a $3 limit helps narrow down the options.  They all got various forms of milkshakes or smoothies and I got a diet Coke, at least that doesn't make me sick... oh wait, it did.  Never mind.

It was great.  We went in, they ordered, I paid, and we sat down at a booth in the kid's area where it was quiet.  The only young man in the group, whom I like to call "Socks", spilt chocolate upon himself immediately as he got trapped between two of the girls on the bench (lucky guy!).  I admit, I laughed with the rest of them... then rescued the day with napkins.   The conversation held was fun, light, and really enjoyable.

Some reading this who are familiar with my general schedule may think, "Wait, I thought she had Hmong Night on Tuesdays..."  You're right, I did.  Two Sundays ago the Muldoon Branch (small Hmong-speaking LDS congregation) missionaries checked with me to see if I would still be able to come if they switched Hmong Night to Fridays.  I confirmed that it was fine but instead of accepting my answer, they were too nice for their own good and asked, "It's not going to conflict with Date Night?" Rather than cracking up laughing in the church like I wanted to, I dramatically looked left and right down the empty hallway, behind me, scouted out the ceiling, then looked straight at the elders and said quite frankly, "Who dates around here? You two aren't allowed to for the next 2 years while you're serving your missions and I've been in a pretty serious date famine for the last couple years with no end in sight.  Nope, no conflict with Date Night."

I may not have been out on a date this Friday evening, but I was studying, playing, and spending time with people that I really care about.  If ever someone comes around in my life who wants to restore the definition of Friday evenings to "Date Night"... well, they will have to first come to a Hmong Night and get approved by some pretty awesome teenagers, a few cool kids, a really cute toddler, 2 Mormon missionaries, and any "real" adults that may be there.  Just the crazy thought of this is making me smile right now, I was joking when typing but it's actually not such a far-fetched idea.  What a great screening tool!

In honor of my superior company of young friends on Friday evening who are still growing into themselves and figuring out simply what the heck is going on, I'd like to share one of my favorite "be who you are and love it" songs.  The lyrics are below, and at the bottom of the blog is a music player.  Go down there and click on the song called "Video" which should be number 18.  Enjoy.

Video

by India Arie

Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't

Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't

Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes

It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video

and I ain't built like a supermodel 

But, I learned to love myself unconditionally

Because I am a queen

I'm not the average girl from your video

My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes

No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me

Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be

And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me

My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video

and I ain't built like a supermodel 

But, I learned to love myself unconditionally

Because I am a queen

I'm not the average girl from your video

My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes

No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the 

india arie

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?

My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows

But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion, confusion's the name of the 

game

A misconception, a vast deception

Something's gotta change

but, Don't be offended this is all my opinion 

ain't nothing that I'm sayin law

This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with 

y'all

So get in where you fit in go on and shine

Clear your mind, now's the time

Put your salt on the shelf

Go on and love yourself

'Cuz everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video

and I ain't built like a supermodel 

But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally

Because I am a queen

I'm not the average girl from your video

My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes

No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks

I don't need that to have a good time

Keep your expensive car and your caviar

All I need is my guitar

Keep your Kristal and your pistol

I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal

Don't need your silicone I prefer my own

What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video

and I ain't built like a supermodel 

But, I learned to love myself unconditionally

Because I am a queen

I'm not the average girl from your video

My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes

No matter what I'm wearing I will always be india arie

A Very Hmong Morning

Good morning! Somehow I accidentally woke up this morning at 5 AM. I don't know how it happened, I just woke up alert and decided it would be stupid to roll over and go back to sleep.

As of this last Sunday (Happy Mother's Day Mom!) I can make it public that I have been called to serve in the Muldoon Branch (a small LDS "Mormon" Hmong-speaking congregation here in Anchorage). I am their new organist, music coordinator and will be working to reach out to their young single adults who may need a little push to increase their activity and/or have fallen away. Starting this evening I will begin weekly classes to learn how to speak, read and write Hmong.

I have gotten rid of my music player at the bottom of my blog page and have in turn embedded a video clip in this post of some dancers (you know I love music and dancing) from Hmong New Year in November 2008 I found on YouTube. Please pardon the microphone screech three-quarters through the video and the people noise at the beginning. I was one of 3 caucasians (that I could see; there was a TON of people there) in attendance at this particular celebration. I missed last year but hopefully will very much be in attendance this year with (cross your fingers) at least some understanding of the language this time.

Also please note the new link I have added to my list on the right as well which will initially bring you to the Hmong Alaska Community Inc. website's History & Culture page.

Happy Tuesday everyone!