Sister Nicole Scharman: I'll Be Home For Christmas!

Hey everyone! You all know by now, but I am home! I have been encouraged to go home and focus on getting healthy. This is very hard for me. Definitely a trial that has and will take lots of faith and prayer. I missed my family and all, but I would have liked to finish my last six months. So that's hopefully going to happen! I am going to take a step forward, remember that Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and hope for the best.

The past week I couldn't have asked for anything better. Besides having that endoscopy.. that was a weird experience to feel a tube go all the way to my small intestine. Good thing Sister Vatcher was there. Anyway, on Tuesday in my Ruisui English class we had a birthday party for me. I have the best class!! I love them SO much. Ruisui English class was something I looked forward to every week. I have a video of them singing happy birthday to me that I will send. :)

On Wednesday we had a lesson with our two american investigators. I left that lesson beaming. We taught about the Plan of Salvation. We felt like we should focus on how we lived with our Heavenly Father before this life, and what happens after. It was the coolest conversation. I love our lessons because we have the best discussions. When we were talking about the three kingdoms our investigator really strengthened my testimony when she told us her thoughts about what we shared with her. She told us that she believed it, and that she's always been confused on why there is only heaven or hell. She didn't understand why someone who lived a good life, but chose not to live God's commandments would go to hell, but also believed that they shouldn't be in heaven. It was an amazing seeing that doctrine become true to her.

Thursday we met with Ding Jm to help her prepare for baptism!! She is the strongest lady. This gospel has really helped her find peace and happiness. Its been a blessing to be with her throughout this whole experience. I am grateful I had the chance to help her come closer to her Savior. AND SATURDAY SHE GOT BAPTIZED. Wow my heart is happy for her. In Yuli we have a small kiddie pool as a baptism font, but it was definitely too small. So we baptized her in our members back yard!! The water was nice and warm because it was a natural hot springs! (its a good thing too... because she had to get baptized four times hahahahaha her feet and knees kept coming up) (but she was really funny about it) It was a joyful day. And then on my birthday she got confirmed. Best birthday wish I could ever have. I am grateful Heavenly Father made it possible to see her be baptized and confirmed before it was my time to leave. So many blessings.

On Sunday I had to stand up and tell the branch I was leaving and share my testimony. It was hard to hold back the tears. I love that place. I learned so much in Yuli, I hope I never forget the lessons I learned there. After we had cake and sang happy birthday and I got showered with gifts and notes and facebook accounts. Talk about feeling sad about leaving especially after you feel so much love lol. After that I was off onto the train. I got into Taipei I sat in the mission office with Zhang dx and Lu jiemei, weighing my luggage and waiting for my interview with President! I love President Jergensen so much. I am really grateful for him. I really trust his council and I know he is called of God to the Taiwan, Taipei mission. It was a neat experience to run into one of my mtc teachers this day too!

The plane ride home was fun, I didn't sleep at all.. so when I was home and finally went to sleep Monday night I hadn't slept in 38 hours.. Jet lag is so real. When I asked the assistants to the president what time I was going to be home.. they said "Monday, December 19th at about 1:30 pm... So in like two hours.." hahaha the time difference is crazy. I took a 2 and a half hour flight to Tokyo, Japan. I sat next to this guy from seattle. We became friends and he actually bought me sushi when we landed. So I have eaten Japanese sushi. It was really good. (yes I like sushi too) Then I was on a 8 hour flight to Portland, OR. Then took the plane from there to Salt Lake. It was bitter sweet to see my family, eat cafe rio (twice already), and watch Star Wars.

I am so grateful to have served in Taiwan. It was easy for me to absolutely fall in love with the people, the culture, the language, and missionary work. I love my mission. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have really come to know that the gospel is not just a part of our lives, but the gospel is our life, and every righteous choice shapes us to become who Heavenly Father wants us to become. My mission hasn't been easy, but through all of it I have come closer to my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I am so grateful for my Savior and his atonement. Before my mission I knew that the atonement was for everyone and it would help us return to our Father in Heaven, but this past year I have learned how to use and apply the atonement to me individually. And it has changed my life! We all have trials and challenges and trials in this life. We are supposed to! Through Jesus Christ we can overcome these trials, and become better from them. Sometimes we will make mistakes, and our Savior can help us overcome our weaknesses and sin if we are willing to do what it takes to come closer to him. I know the Plan of Salvation is really a plan of happiness. Sometimes our plans don't line up with the plan Heavenly Father has for us, but his plan is perfect. Honestly, right now I don't see the reason for my situation. But what I do know is that if we submit ourselves to his will, we can find joy in the journey. I had the best year of my life. I will now focus on getting better and have a hope of returning to my mission.

Thank you for all of the love, prayers, fasts, and support. They mean the absolute world to me.

Sister Scharman

施姐妹

Ding Jm's baptism!!