Another Week in My Favorite Place Ever!

This is right next to our apartment! It rained a lot this week! 

Hello! 

So I found out I suffered through the recovery process only on Tylenol. Not even extra strength, just one pill of plain old Tylenol. Yikes. But I am getting better!! Which is super exciting. Since I am not allowed to workout or bike for a month me and Sister Chan have been so good at doing our arm circles hahah (the only workout I can do) and I have been helping her out with her recovery process, by giving her back massages with deep blue and scraping her muscles. I should be a physical therapist. I LOVE MY COMPANION  Sister Chan is so awesome. President calls us the "walking wounded" We are never not singing or laughing together unless we are both in pain or asleep. We have become super good friends really fast. Its so sad that we only have a few weeks left then she goes home. I hate killing my comps. Ps Sister Knapp already has a boyfriend what is life 

Zhang Dx bought me Costco muffins this week. He says he buys me things because I am his "mei mei" (little sister) hahaha love him.

One of our investigators has a smoking problem. We have been studying and praying for them trying to figure out the best way to help them. If you have any suggestions feel free to send them my way (: 

This week we had zone conference!! I love these meetings. They are so spiritual and I learn so much each time. I am so grateful for my mission!! We have such amazing leaders and missionaries here in Taiwan. I am so grateful I get to learn from their example and listen to their teachings! I LOVE MY MISSION SO MUCH I LOVE TAIWAN

I finished the Book of Mormon this week, I started it over in the MTC. I am so grateful for all the many experiences, stories, and examples we can learn from it. One scripture really stood out to me when I was reading in Alma.

Alma 5:14

"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church. have ye been spiritually born of God? Have you received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"

When I read this scripture I really studied and pondered how I could be a better representative of Jesus Christ. I have his name on my chest, but do I have his image in my countenance? How can we have his image in our countenances? 

Have charity.

The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. He healed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear and raised the dead to life. Throughout his life he reached out in charity to any in need!  If we follow his example we will be able to love more, and we will care more about others happiness. We will do all that we can to help anyone in need. 

Be humble. 

In Preach My Gospel it says "Humility is the willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. When you are humble you trust him."Being humble mean not being prideful. Pride is the gateway to sin. Pride is what failed Lucifer. Pride is the lack of love for others, sarcasm, enmity, ingratitude, and basically being obsessed with ourselves. (there are way more but we get the picture) When I think about all the sins I have committed they all lead back to pride! I think this is why pride hit me so hard in my studies this week. In the Book of Mormon every time the people had pride in their hearts is when they failed. Pride is such a big problem. So let's all try our best to be more like our Savior by submitting ourselves to God's will, lose ourselves in the service of others, keep our hearts in the right place, forget what the world thinks of you, because what God thinks is the only thing that matters (King Noah is a really good example of caring about what the world thinks.. and look what happened to him..) repent, and change. 

Have Virtue

Virtuous people are clean in thought. Negative thinking is like poison to the soul. When we have joy, confidence, and happiness it is most likely because we are living up to our highest standards and values. Virtue comes from being in complete control of what you focus on and learning to be in complete control of your actions. The more we control our thoughts and actions the more we control our lives and our destiny (like getting to the Celestial Kingdom). The more virtue we develop the more we can have the sacred companionship of the Holy Ghost. and the more we will tend to act, think, and become more like our Savior. 

I Know that God lives. I know we are all his children and that he loves us. I know he sent his son to this earth to be the atoning sacrifice for all mankind. I know that those who embrace the gospel and follow him will enjoy eternal life! I know that the church was restored thought the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that the only lasting joy and happiness we can ever have during this life comes from following the teachings of Jesus Christ and keeping his commandments. 

CRAZY WEEK OF CHANGES!!!

I took this picture the day before I got surgery.
It's on the side of a taxi. 

NI HAO EVERYONE

So this week has some changes that no one will be expecting! I have a new companion!! Her name is Sister Chan. She is from New Zealand. She finishes her mission this transfer. She was actually going to get sent home a little early because she has a bad back and knee. But because I had surgery she gets to stay!! Big miracle and I am so glad because she is amazing! 

I stayed in the mission home till Wednesday afternoon. I HAVE THE BEST MISSION PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE ARE SO AMAZING AND THEIR FAMILY IS SO SPECIAL! It was so fun to stay there. I am grateful for their great examples. Definitely want a family like that someday. And they fed me some really good food. 

I got my stitches out and the doctor said "the sooner you get them out the more beautiful they will be" So he better be right and they better turn out beautiful lol. 

We got a call on Saturday from President saying that Sister Chan's great grandpa was in critical condition. He told her we had permission to go visit him. Which is another really big miracle that she is in Taipei with me because her Great Grandpa was in a hospital that was not far from our area. We weren't able to visit him before he passed, but we went to see the family (none of them are members) We went and they brought her Great Grandpa into a room and had a mini funeral thing. It was really cool that we were there because they looked at us and said "can you say a prayer to send him off?" I looked immediately at my companion and made sure she was going to be the one doing it cause I was honestly a little scared and didn't know what to do. But yes, Sister Chan said it and she said a beautiful prayer. It was a really cool experience. They decided to have their funeral Mormon style, and asked us to set it up.  I also participated in their bowing to him out of respect which is the first time I have ever done that. It really made me ponder about the Plan of Salvation and I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have of it. 

I am still continuing to get better. It's not fun being stuck in the house, we do as much as we can, like phone calls. I just want to get back out on those streets that I love. But I am doing my best to keep my head up during this trial! Everything happens for a reason. I have gotten to know my companion really well and I love her so much. Even with this slow week we have seen miracles. I am so grateful for this gospel! Just remember Jesus Christ's Atonement and everything will work out! 

We got bored inside so we had fun lol

(Mom note: It is so great to see her standing on one leg, 

a facemask on, and a smile on her face! We

know she is doing well, is the happiest

she has ever been, and has faced each

obstacle with a great attitude! 

She can not ride a bike for

4 weeks, and so this companionship is 

a miracle for both these sweet sisters! We

know who is in charge and are grateful

for the many blessings He has showered down upon her!)

OOPS! I lost my Appendix!

Happy dragon boat festival and surgery!

Well another new holiday is here. We have received a lot of these super cool rice dumplings! and there are tons of dragon boat races I guess. We didn't get the chance to see any because we were out saving souls, (and having surgery) but I heard its really cool. 

So yeah I had surgery this weekend!  Probably the craziest few days I have ever had in my life hahaha. Two weeks ago I went to the hospital with Sister Knapp, but they told me that they didn't know what it was. They gave me pain medicine, told me to come back if it gets worse and sent me home. I had pain on and off these past two weeks but Friday night/Saturday morning I couldn't sleep cause I was in a lot of pain, so I woke up my companion at 2:30 in the morning and called the Mission's doctor. She told us to call an ambulance. (119 which is 911 in america) It was a very hard conversation cause the only Chinese we really know is gospel words. So while I am in the worst pain of my life me and my companion are flipping through this dictionary trying to communicate with the police. We have our address on a paper in characters so we were both unable to read it. We told the man what street we live on and so they drove up and down that street until they found us on the curb. It was pretty stressful then but now that I think of it, it is super funny. It has been quite an experience. Definitely one I won't forget. After two ambulance rides, lots of tests, people staring at me, needles, prayers, pain medications (that didn't work) hours of waiting, and more waiting.  The doctors told me I had an Appendicitis. When they finally wheeled me into the surgery room I felt like I was in a movie. There were Asians surrounding me and I had no idea what they were saying hahaha then I was out. When I woke up I was in the worst pain of my life.. I was still kinda out of it from the drugs, and I was so mad because I was in pain hahah Sister Davis said I was glaring at all the doctors lol I don't remember that part. After 36 hours of not having any food I finally ate breakfast that President and Sister Jergensen brought me. I couldn't eat a lot but I ate. Everyone has been so nice to me. My zone leaders came and gave me a blessing. My district leaders came and gave me the sacrament. Our investigator Zhang Dx has spent more time with me then anyone else. He actually works at the hospital I was at. He is a nose, ear, and throat doctor. He brought me flowers Sunday night and stayed for two hours then today he brought me food and some drinks for breakfast and lunch during his lunch break. He actually just went to see me again after work but I wasn't there so he called to make sure I was fine. Isn't he so kind? And so worried about me. I have had other friends visit me and bring me a balloon and some fruit. I am blessed with the best Mission President, a good companion who has had to have lots of patience this past weekend, and good friends/Investigators! My wounds are disgusting and they hurt. But I will get better fast. I am staying at my Mission Presidents while I recover. This has been my life for the past few days.

All of my pictures from this adventure are on my companions camera, which right now is having difficulties. I will send those next week (:  (Updated pictures 7/19/16)

I am doing so good and just working on getting better so I can go back out! Thank you everyone for the support and love!! I know the Gospel is TRUE

Here are some additional things that she said in her letter to us personally that I thought were interesting and funny. We are very grateful for President Jergensen who contacted us before the surgery and after to let us know she was okay! We are also grateful she is being watched over and resting in the mission home until she is back on her feet!

[Then we were at the hospital and they did a bunch of tests which took forever and put me on pain medicine while they were waiting for the results... but the pain medicine weren't working. For some reason the bag wasn't dripping so I was sitting there for awhile without any medicine. They got that fixed but the medicine still didn't take away the pain. Over time they tried three different kinds and they all didn't work. My body was being stubborn I guess. They came back telling me I needed a ct scan. I actually had to get two because the first one the instructions were in chinese so I didn't know when to breathe and not to breathe lol so the guy switched it to english. Then they put me out on a bed in the hallway. (there were so many people in that hallway it was ridiculous and everyone just stared at me) after a reaaaaaaalllllllyyyyy long time they came back with my results saying "there is nothing major wrong with you, we suggest that you drink water and eat something" so President Jergensen gave me some water and I drank it. Literally two minutes later after telling me there was nothing wrong with me, the doctor rushed back and said "the results just changed and you have an appendicitis. Don't drink or eat anything because you need surgery" wellllllllllllll yeah. Because I drank water I had to wait out in that hall for about another 9 hours. I was in that hall for about 16 hours total. It felt like an eternity because I couldn't sleep at all. There were so many people and sometimes they would accidentally hit into my bed with another person's bed. And there were some really bad smells haha. They took my blood so many times out in the hall. I have had more needles in my arms the past few days then I ever have before. They kept messing up and so they had to keep trying again and again hahaha and they had lots of blood tests to see if I had any poison in my body. Not fun. But finally surgery time came and I was a little nervous it being my first surgery and all, but I wasn't afraid. While all of this was happening I was never afraid. Because the blessing President Hutchings gave me in the MTC specifically said.. "no sickness will take you away from the work for more than a few days."]

Fifth Month, New Companion

Throwback with friends, at sunrise in Taiwan (: 
Sister Menzie got moved to the east coast! 
I won't see her for a long time :(

Isn't it crazy I've been on my mission for 5 months!? 

Okay, let me start out saying how GRATEFUL AND HOW MUCH I LOVE SISTER KNAPP! 

She was an awesome trainer, companion, mom, and friend. I definitely shed a few tears when she left.

 Sister Knapp's birthday!!!(One of the 923829347 cakes we had )

Last Tuesday on Sister Knapp's birthday we were temple tour sisters! We had lots of cake, and lots of miracles. One in particular is this guy we met on the street. We invited him in for a tour and we

started teaching him the restoration. When we were talking about Joseph Smith and how he was confused with all the different churches he said "just like me!" YES I LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND! It was so cool to be able to give him a tour!




(ps thanks to Jenny Buck for the Reese's!!!!!) 

I have lots to talk about but limited time so most importantly.......

My new companion is Sister Davis! And get this.. She's only been out for a month more than me. So we are still both on Phase 1. (which is learning how to teach the lessons in Chinese) And have limited Chinese ability. It's going to be a fun transfer (: 

My first initial reaction when I found out we both were young missionaries was "Heavenly Father what are you thinking? How am I supposed to do this?"

He must trust me and Sister Davis a lot. I have prayed and studied my heart out the last few days. It's sometimes a struggle to put away the "mortal desire" to have it my way. But I have to realize, and we all have to realize, our way is so lacking and limited compared to the way Heavenly Father has for us. His way is the path that leads to happiness. That is what he wants for us, and isn't that what we all want too? I asked myself these questions. "Can I love Jesus more than I love myself and my own way? Can I follow the example he set in the Garden of Gethsemane, submitting himself to the Father's will?" I think that is a question we all need to ask ourselves constantly. It really helped me reevaluate myself and my motivation to be a good missionary.   

I love the song lyrics:

"So trusting my all to thy tender care,

and knowing thou lovest me,

I'll do thy will with a heart sincere

I'll be what you want me to be."

I know that if we all get over ourselves and then set our heart on the Savior and on the Father's will we can say with full confidence that it will all workout. No matter what it is and no matter what you are going through. It will take a lot of faith and trust. But Heavenly Father will work miracles according to his holy will and our faith.                                                                                                              

We went to a lantern festival! 

Taiwan is beautiful and I love rain!

Cute Breakfast Ladies!

Our cute friends at the park (:

Last Week With My Trainer

Lehi friends! 6 of 8! 

This week was a special one! (they are all so special) 

We saw many miracles this week and here are some stories that are dear to my heart.

On Wednesdays we usually eat with our district after we go English boarding (Passing out English Class tracts). But we were the only ones that could stay the whole time. Since we were unfamiliar with the area we were in we didn't know where to eat. We walked around for a bit then we finally just sat at one place on the street. The worker was really cute and sweet, she later told us that right as we sat down and told her we share the gospel she knew that it was from God and an answer to her prayers. 

This is the cute lady we met (:

One of our investigators parents are both sick. When we met with him we prayed for his parents to simply feel better. We called him a few days later to change the time we would meet with him and he thanked us for our prayer "Your prayer really worked. Your God really answers prayers." Its so amazing to see others recognizing gods hand in their lives.

Another story is another one of our investigators. He has a drinking problem, we haven't taught him the word of wisdom but he knows that he shouldn't drink it. The other night he calls panicked telling us that he drank, and asking us to pray for him. So with the phone on speaker phone in our apartment I said a prayer for him. After the prayer he yells out "HALLELUJAH" hahahahaha he is so funny. 

Our Investigator Rachel happier then ever. The other day she was really down and wasn't happy. So She turned to the Book of Mormon. She told us the Book of Mormon brings her happiness. I think that is the best thing I have ever heard. She finally got to go to church this week. I have never seen anyone more excited. And I have never been more excited to help someone to go to church. She loved it!!

Zhang Dx at church yesterday shared his testimony about the Book of Mormon during the combined Priesthood and Relief Society hour.  

This is why I love missionary work. I get to see these people change their lives and get to be part of it. I am so grateful to be a representative of Jesus Christ and that I get to share the gospel that means so much to me. 

If you didn't know this year is the 60th year missionaries have been in Taiwan. So cool right? This week we had a few special events because of it! We got to hear from Brother Kitchen who is one of the first missionaries to serve in Taiwan. He started his talk telling us about how when he turned in his papers he was fine with going anywhere but didn't want to go somewhere in Asia... Sounds like me doesn't it? hahaha we practically have the same story. We both realized that Taiwan is the best place and best mission for us. It was really cool to meet him and to listen to his experiences!

This is Brother Kitchen!

I get a new companion this next week! I am so grateful that Sister Knapp was my trainer! She is an awesome missionary and I have learned lots from her. I am excited and looking forward to the changes coming up!

Sister Knapp! Sad to see her go!

Two special birthdays this week!! Its Sister Knapps and Jacob Clements!! How fun!! 

okay bye 

I LOVE MY MISSION

Bad picture but amazing/hilarious district!

RAIN!

This old grandpa straps his grandson to a office chair and takes him on walks hahahhaa 

My favorite breakfast

Our English class!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

Morning Basketball

This fruit is almost in season!!

I wonder who took the time to paint this wall lol 

I Truly Love These People!

The guy sitting next to me is hilarious!

Hey family and friends! 

Update on a few of our investigators. 

Rachel Is so amazing. Meeting with her or calling her to check up makes me so happy. She is one of the most amazing individuals I have met. Seeing her have a desire to come closer to her Savior and Heavenly Father is my favorite things to see. We found out she doesn't actually live in our area, but since we teach her at her work and she is hardly home we are going to continue to teach her and then she will attend her home ward!

Sophia is the cutest girl ever. Ah... I love her so much. She has grown so much from when we started meeting with her. She has the biggest desire for this gospel. She prays that we will be able to share the gospel with others. And she is already wanting to share it herself. She calls us her angels. It makes me feel so good. One night I called her to see how she was doing. And at the end of our conversation she said "I am so grateful for you and Shi Jiemei, you two are my angels" She thought she was talking to Sister Knapp the whole time hahahahaha that makes me feel good though cause Sister Knapp has amazing Chinese. 

I don't think that I can express how much I truly love these people and our other investigators. I love being part of their lives and helping them come closer to Christ. Seeing the Holy Ghost testify and teach them is something I will never forget. One struggle we are having is getting some investigators to church. They have the greatest desire to be baptized but then they don't come to church, so we have to push back their date. We have taught them the importance of the sacrament and about keeping the Sabbath day holy. We just need to try and help them find out the importance of those things for themselves. 

This week has been full of miracles. One day we were temple tour sisters and there were so many weddings, which is always fun to see and be around but the biggest blessing was one of the brides had two friends there that were not members. We got to know them and they live in our area!! So amazing! We were able to give tours to many part member families and other individuals. On Sunday we were asked to help out with a big group tour and it was super fun! I love giving tours! 

English class was so fun this week!! We taught them some slang and they were all loving it. There are two cute girls in our class that are new. During one of our activities I went to help them out and they started asking me questions about why I was here in Taiwan. I told them to talk to me after class and I would answer all of their questions! After class they asked me lots of questions about why I would leave my family and things like that. I love those opportunities to share my testimony!  

I love being a missionary, like last week I said it is hard but the satisfaction and happiness that it brings doesn't even compare and makes it so worth it. I am so happy to be here in Taiwan, and to be sharing about my Savior Jesus Christ and the plan that Heavenly Father has for us. I love helping people realize that God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep trying. 

I love you all so much, thank you for all the support!! Have a good week!  

You can never have too many pictures of Jesus!

Temple Pictures 

One of my favorite fruits: Nata de coco

There is a little bit of sunshine in everything (:
(See the sun on the left of the building?)

How fun is this guy ha ha

My First Earthquake!

Pouring Rain! It literally flooded!

Hey long time no email! 

The past two weeks have seemed to drag on forever, but it's okay! and there were so many things that happened I wish I could tell you all of them! but here are a few! 

We had zone conference and Elder Wong came! He is so awesome and I feel very lucky to have been in a training with him and his wife. We also had stake conference so I got to hear Elder Wong speak!

Sister Wong

"Love them with my whole heart"

I got to skype my family!! I loved seeing them, It is so fun. There is never enough time though. ps shout out to my Dad! Its his birthday this week!! 

Sister knapp took a picture of me skyping lol 

So this is what I look like skyping if you are wondering :)

This week me and Sister Knapp decided to spice up finding a little bit. We knocked on a door and they were having a family gathering. So we asked if we could sing for them.... hahahaha
They let us in and we sang, Families Can Be Together Forever, and I Am a Child of God. Then we testified how our families can be eternal and how God is our loving Heavenly Father. It was so fun and they were so cute and nice! 

Family we sang to

Me and Sister Knapp got asked to be the models for the new english class tract. So we got our pictures taken and everyone in the Taipei Taiwan will be handing out our faces lol. Also they are making a commercial for our english class. Which me and Sister Knapp are going to be the teachers in that as well. They are hoping to play the commercial in taxis and around Taipei! 

I also had my first earthquake, actually my first three hahaha. We were in our apartment which is on the tenth floor so the building was shaking a lot. Super scary. The first one happened when we were about to leave for lunch, the second one happened when we had just gotten back from lunch, and then the third one happened the next day. So fun!!! Our investigator chose me to say the opening prayer during our lesson because I had my first earthquake lol. 

Yesterday we had a broadcast that was only for Taiwan, Moscow, and Hong Kong. we got to hear from Elder M. Russell Ballard and a few other speakers. It felt like a mini general conference just for us. I was really good and inspiring. 

Missionary work is hard. It's heartbreaking, stressful, and exhausting. But I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. These past few months I have recognized that I have so many flaws. And I know I will continue to discover new ones. But I know that as long as I build my foundation on Christ, put all my faith and trust in him. I will become the missionary and person he wants me to be. It is hard, but it is worth it. 

I have three weeks worth of pictures!!  I apologize for the over load :)

Wanda Ward

Ew Ew Ew

We bought hats (you aren't Asian till you have one)
and we had a fun p-day! 

District and Zone Leader

One of the security guards of our building. LOVE HIM

On a random street in Datong Taiwan. So inspiring 

Picnic with my Sister Trainer
(Future Companion?)

Cute little boy who stole our precious pizza. I love Asian babies!

My friend that just left on her mission to the states learning english! 

She is going to do so good!! 

Star Fruit! 

Biking is Life

;)