MTC - Week Nine. "We're breaking free" - hsm

This is Li Laoshi! Love him to death, he's been amazing! 

(Sister Scharman and her District.  Sister's are going to the Taiwan, Taipei mission.)

I leave for Taiwan in under 24 hours. Considering the fact that I have never been out of the United States, getting on a 15 hour plane ride to the other side of the world, knowing hardly any Chinese, not knowing what it is going to be like, and what the future has in store for me, you could say I'm feeling just about every emotion there is to feel. But I know as long as I put my trust in the Savior, I will be okay. He knows my future. He knows me personally. He knows how to comfort me. He will help me, as long as I have faith in him. It isn't going to be easy. Living in an unfamiliar place for the next 16 months of my life is not going to just be magically easy. But I know it will be worth it. I am grateful for my mtc experience because I have grown closer to my Savior Jesus Christ. And I am excited to have that relationship continue to grow stronger. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be serving a mission. And I am so excited to give it my all and lose myself in the work. 

I leave the mtc at 3:50 am Tuesday morning, and I arrive in Taiwan at 6:25 pm Wednesday night. crazy right? We ride a the tracks to the airport so I will be passing through Lehi sometime tomorrow morning. So close to my house, and so many memories there. The feels. But one problem, How am I supposed to be on a 15 hour plane ride and still look good to meet my mission president? 

Today has been full of a lot of tears, saying goodbye to my favorite teachers who touched my life in so many different ways. And I am sure I will cry lots more tonight as I say goodbye to the Elders in my district and the others in my zone. I am so blessed to know each one of them. They are amazing people and will bless so many lives. 

Something I've learned about serving a mission is that I shouldn't forget who I am. I am referred to as Sister Scharman, but I am still Nicole. The Lord called Nicole Scharman to go to Taiwan, Taipei. He called me there because of my different strengths, weaknesses, and other reasons I am not aware of. Some missionaries think that when they are on a mission they have to act like someone they're not. Yes we are trying to be our best selves and striving to be better people. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't be myself, just try to be better version of myself. That has been on my mind the past couple days, and I don't know why but I wanted to share my thoughts about it. So there you go, I'm still me! Just trying to be a better me. (:

Love,

Sister Scharman

ps... here this my companion I love her!