So good to see you, via Skype, on Christmas day!

December 31, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR! My dear dear family, I am absolutely THRILLED I got to see you all!!!! Thank you so much for taking time to do that for me. Sorry I didn't tell you much stuff, but I was just so darn happy to see you all I was speechless! Thank-you thank-you thank-you! I love you all so much. This week was really wonderful! I loved testifying of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas. It is a special feeling to be a missionary on Christmas day. From an outside view you would think that Christmas day for us was just the same as any other, but inside I knew how important and special that day was. It added a little spark to my day, my hellos, my lessons, my contacting, my attitude. I want to strive to work everyday as if it were Christmas. What better gift could we give to Christ than ourselves! We don't have to leave our lives and homes to serve a mission to give ourselves though. We don't have to look farther than our own home to serve and love others as Christ would. We can work each day to love those around us and work on improving our relationships with others. Christ would be pretty stoked about that gift :) 

This week we were the moving club. We helped people move Wednesday, thursday, and friday. It was really great! They think I'm really strong when I pick up a normal sized box... sometimes even clapping with delight that I was able to pick it up... it's really weird haha. One thing I've noticed with my taiwanese companion is that she thinks I'm WAY more funny than any of my other companions have. She laughs ALL the time at weird things I say or do, thinking I'm just the funniest person in the whole world. It's not just her though... I'm the only white sister in my whole district and with the other sisters its the same. I don't even say something we would think is funny, and they are laughing. I know what you're thinking... "Oh Sister Smart, they are laughing AT you, they don't actually think you're funny" but NO! It's true! It's going to be a bummer when I go back to an american companion and they think I'm not funny again hahaha. Oh well, I'll enjoy it while I can! 

We tried out a new thing on Saturday, UKULELE class! Taught by yours truly to be taught for a few weeks. It was a smashing success! They can't play to save their lives, but oh we had fun doing it! I taught them a few chords and then we all played Sweet Hour of Prayer... or I played and they sang haha. Then we talked about how important prayer is. There was only 1 member of the church there, the rest were friends that we are teaching the gospel to. We discussed whether we actually think Heavenly Father would hear our prayers, had some concerns brought up, and then shared some scriptures to answer their questions. Our friend May (has the husband fandui and can't be baptized yet) bore a sweet testimony on prayer and how she KNOWS God listens and answers our prayers. She shared her personal experience and everyone was touched. I invited them to all pray to help build their relationship with our loving father in Heaven. We'll see how that goes! Well... we might see how that goes because our Bishop raised some concerns about it that he hasn't told us what they are, but when we meet with him tonight we will find out more... as will you next week when I update you haha. 

Well my lovely family, you are all my favorite people in the whole wide world. I hope as the new year comes we can all reflect on what is truly important and work to make sure we're putting those things first throughout this year and all the rest. I love you dearly!

Love from my little island, Sister Smart

With Taiwanese companion, Sister Xiao

CHRISTMAS

December 24, 2012

Christmas is here!!! I'm thrilled beyond my wildest dreams!!! Moreover, I CANT WAIT TO SKYPE YOU GUYS!!!! So excited. Soooo excited! I think I've sorted all the details out with Dad, so we should be good on that end. Yeahhh!!!!! Only 12 hours till Christmas here, you guys have to wait a little bit longer, sorry. We don't have any plans for Christmas except to do the greatest thing ever, which is to keep inviting others to come unto Christ. What could be better! Thanks for the videos of Rachelle's kids, that was so cute!!! They look so big and grown up, it's unreal. Kinzie's walking! There was no audio, but they looked adorable, thanks!!!!! Also, Rachel Becca and Ryan look so cutee! They are so much bigger. I can't wait to see you all in less than a year. 

Well I am overjoyed to announce that Xiao Jm and I get along SO WELL! Everyone says that having a native companion is really hard because of the language/culture barrier, but we have had smooth sailing from day one. Yeah, we have miscommunications <--is that a word? I swear that looks wrong and really long. Anyways, but we always laugh it off and have patience with each other. She is a really hard worker and we have had an absolute blast! I could not be happier! My english is getting worse though. And it's only been one week haha. The only time I speak english except for right now typing is when I teach english for an hour on wednesday nights haha. It's funny because sometimes I can't think of the word in english or chinese, I feel very much so in a weird language trance and my heard hurts a lot from constantly translating. It's a really weird feeling, but I love it! My chinese is definitely improving, which it needed. Xiao JM is so great and I am learning SO much from her. We had a really great week visiting members, investigators, and friends. We are excited to try a few new ideas this week to help us meet more families. Our Bishop would specifically like us to help 2 families we have talked to him about, and we are really working on helping them have happier home relations and help them learn more about Jesus Christ and the restored gospel. Life is good folks! 

Well... I feel silly writing much more because I get to TALK to you guys soon!!!!! So instead, I'll send some pictures. Hope you enjoy :) For our mission christmas activity, we all went to Nantou to a pretty place... not sure what it is called but it was really pretty. Then we went and ate at an all you can eat place, SO GOOD. We then headed back to the mission office and had a Christmas Devotional. We talked about how Christ is our foundation. When we put our trust in Him, we are given strength to overcome all adversity. President Bishop then gave us each a little rock with the chinese characters for the scripture Helaman 5:12 on Christ being the rock of our foundation. It was so uplifting and I am truly grateful to continually develop my relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. I feel privileged to wear His name alongside mine on my tag. Christmas is truly a special time we can remember His birth and help us focus on the things that are TRULY important. Family love, unity, happiness, service, faith, kindness, charity, patience. All the characteristics He so lovingly demonstrates for us. How lucky and blessed we all are!!!

Pictures: The one of me and an Asian is my new companion Sister Xiao (pronounced sh+ow (ow, hurt my toe--ow, cow) The one where I'm standing in front of a dragon thing is my last companion Sister King who went home last week. The others are me just saying MERRY CHRISTMAS DEAR LOVED ONES!! I can't wait to see you soon!!!!

Love always, Ally

Assigned new companion, Sister Xiao JM, a Taiwanese who speaks no English

December 17, 2012

Hiiii!!! Here I am starting my 5th movecall! I'm getting old. Almost halfway done with my time on island... AHHH! Crazy. I have a new companion now! Xiao JM is Taiwanese and speaks no english. We are going to have a blast! She is way cute and really excited about missionary work. I'm excited to take her around Sanmin and help her get to know all these wonderful people! It will be a stretch for my chinese, but we will both learn a lot. Last week was so great! Monday was a nice little p-day running around with Sister King to help her get things she needed before she went home. Tuesday was sister exchanges yet again! We had what is called a zone scramble where we just switch to another sisters area in our zone. (We are all in a district with the close sisters and elders around us, then a zone that encompasses a few districts) I stayed in Sanmin, and Wang JM came here from Fengshan. We had a really great day! We had a great district training meeting on setting goals and making plans. I like goals. As a missionary we set a bazillion goals. Personal goals, spiritual goals, companionship goals, physical goals, language goals, random goals, etc etc. Sometimes it gets really annoying and you just kind of forget the purpose of the goals, so we talked about how important it is to start from a larger perspective and then work in small steps towards what you want to become.

Wednesday we got ready for our huge english party!!! (speaking of english, I am english leader for the 4th movecall in a row....... GEEZ o peez. I am working on being more excited about it haha) It was a smashing success! Everyone went to their own class to start, where each teacher shared the Christmas story. I decided to teach them the primary song "Nativity Song" so they could understand and still feel the spirit of Christmas. They loved it and asked to sing it over and over again! Then everyone headed upstairs for the group games. We had it divided into 4 stations. I ran the musical chairs one, where I taught Jingle Bells and played it on the uke. It was so much fun! One of the rounds got really crazy when 2 young boys were in the final 3 together and started fighting over the chair. One started kicking and punching the other one. I immediately got in between them... or tried to, but they were fierce young warriors, determined to get that chair! Everyone's attention turned towards us and thankfully some other people stepped in to help. We had them rock paper scissors for it, and all was well. Really funny. The next station was making snowflakes with a bunch of paper. They could turn them into cards if they wanted. We also had a frost cookie station, I didn't get to try the cookies, but I heard they were really great! The last station was a Christmas Traditions station. The elders bought a Christmas tree and gave everyone slips of paper and a paper clip, had them write down their feelings towards Jesus Christ and what kind of gift they could give Him. They then paper clipped it to the tree. It was so great! We assigned each class to bring food and so there was a plentiful feast awaiting everyone afterwards. So good! I love Taiwanese food. (With the exception of chicken testicles, which I had the priviledge of being forced to eat last week at a members house..... GROSS and slimy. don't eat it guys... don't do it) We got to talk to people and get to know our students a bit more. We also had a lot of new people come who want to keep coming to english. All in all, a success in my opinion. Yay for english!

Most of our lessons this week were meeting with people that wanted to say goodbye to Sister King. It was really fun and I think Sister King was able to see that her influence here in Taiwan, especially Sanmin, is huge. We will never fully understand the impact we have had on the people we have met here, but it is all worth it for those few times we get to see the results of our efforts, no matter how small. One lesson I specifically want to tell about is one with Chen JM. She is one of our progressing investigators I wrote about after my first week here. We began talking about how important families are and how we through the gospel can help them. We watched a really cheesy but ultra great movie called Together Forever about a few different family situations and how the gospel blessed their lives. It was made in the  70's, so the hair and clothes are pretty hilarious, but the message is wonderful. She was really touched and knows she wants to be baptized to help her family. It was so great! I love the gospel! I love families! I love Christmas! On Friday we met up with Tu JM and taught her how to make brownies for our ward Christmas party. It was so much fun and I really got to know her a lot better. They are always so impressed we know how to make cookies, brownies, and things like that. Everyone buys that stuff here. I miss your kitchen mom!!!! I even miss my college kitchen. We don't have a stove in my house, or a microwave at church haha. Oh Taiwan. I love it. Our ward christmas party was so fun! We had lots of investigators come, members brought their friends, some people brought their whole families even though they aren't members of the church. It was so wonderful to get to meet so many people and feel the true spirit of Christmas. The food was SOOOOOO good... I had curry rice. Sunday was full of goodbyes for Sister King and I followed around like a little paparazzi, it was fun! We woke up at 4:30 this morning and said our goodbyes as she left on the 6:15 train to Taizhong. I am so grateful we were able to be companions. It was a great six weeks, and I'm looking forward to the next 6 as well! Wish me luck as I attempt to fully communicate in chinese haha.

I GOT MY PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WORD'S GREATEST PACKAGE EVER! My teeth are so happy, PERFECT BRUSH, my stomach is so happy, PERFECT FOOD (especially the almond roca, AHH to die for!!!) my members are so touched, PERFECT ORNAMENTS, my personal study is happy, PERFECT ENSIGN, and overall just the BEST PACKAGE EVER!!! THe stockings are hung up on my wall. Thank you so much seriosuly. I know that must have cost a fortune, I'm sorry! It truly made my birthday/Christmas complete!!! Thank you thank you thank you! Your christmas package will be late :/ sorry, but you should still hopefully get it next week. I love you all SOOOO Much!!! Thank you for everything you all do. So, exciting news! WE CAN SKYPE NEXT WEEK!!! I'm thinking Tuesday night for you, Wednesday morning for me? I found a members home who is willing to let us come over in the morning. Probably 8 or 9 AM is the earliest they could do, will that be too late for you? I'm not sure how many hours difference it is. I'll plan on that time, but we can confirm next week according to what you say in your email back. I am so excited!!!!!! Well, my time is up. I love you all!!! I should be emailing around 11 my time next monday to check. LOVE YOU

Love, Ally

Christmas is almost here! It was my birthday this past week.

December 10, 2012

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! Only a few places even have Christmasy things up, but when I see them I get really really excited!!! I try to talk to everyone I see about Christmas. I'm sending you a Christmas package today, so I hope it gets there in time. If not, know its not because I don't love you :) It's just cause I'm a million miles away and they need to fly those gifts right over. It's really not much, but I hope you enjoy them! If you could do me the favor of handing/sending the other letters I'll put in there for me, that'd be really great. Thanks!!! So this last week was really great! Monday, we took Sister King to the doctor to get her foot checked out and it was crazy. Everything is socialized here so there were like 40 people waiting to see the doctor. No matter the ailment, it just costs 150 nt (like 5 dollars) to see him and get whatever medicine you need. REALLY cheap, but it worked and her foot is lightyears better. We then went to Zuoying to see these cool dragon and tiger statues. Some pictures attached :) We went with another set of sisters and Chen JM in our ward. It was so beautiful and nice to get out and see a little bit more of Gaoxiong.

I went on sister exchanges to Pingdong on Tuesday. Pingdong is as far south as you can go in Taiwan. It is a beautiful city that's a little less populated than Sanmin. My companion for the day was Mai JM who is on her 2nd movecall. We had SO much fun (both being little companions that haven't been here very long) and learned so much from each other. She is such a huge example of faith and dedication to the Lord. Her mother passed away 7 weeks ago..... To make this even more unreal, her and her companion gave a presentation to us northern elders and sisters (this was when I was still in Zhanghua) that day and we had no idea. I didn't find out until exchanges that she had learned the day before that her mother took a turn for the worst and wouldn't make it the next 48 hours. She spent hours on the phone with her family over the next day but still came and gave the presentation. We all got on the train afterwards and I sat by her for a few minutes till we came to my stop. I had no idea anything was even wrong. We talked about dentists... Anyways, come to find out that right after I got off the train, she called her mom and right there on the phone she passed away. I was absolutely shocked. She has sacrificed so much to be here, yet is still so happy and diligent. She since has felt her mom alongside her as she does missionary work here in Taiwan, and helps all those around her feel of Christ's love. She is heartbroken, of course, but she knows the Lord loves and guides her. What an incredible example of faith. We had a great time and I'm so grateful I was able to go there for exchanges.

Wednesday was fun! My dear companion took some contact cards and drew balloons on them to decorate my desk for my birthday. It was really nice :) It rained all day, but that's okay. I like the rain! For english that night, one of my students us both a gallon of icecream... She has no idea it was my birthday, but inwardly I was SO EXCITEDDD. You know how much I love ice cream. Yes sadly it is all gone, but that's alright. It was a nice little birthday treat! I also bought a chocolate bar that was to DIEE for. All in all a wonderful birthday!

We are continuing to meet with ward members and work with them on inviting their friends to church. The calendar is going really well. Some families aren't doing it, which is sad, but a few are which makes all the hard work we put into it worth it! Reading scriptures together as a family every day will truly strengthen family bonds beyond anything else. Add family prayer and you've got yourself a great start to a happier family. We have been lovingly encouraging more families to do the activities on the calendar and know it will bless their homes. The mini activity on Saturday went really great! We had lots of investigators and recent converts come and watch Joy to the World and drink hot chocolate. After the activity, several stayed and just talked for a long time and it was a really great chance for them to get to know each other. Sunday was great! Choir, Church, ukulele class, dinner with a family, and then a great ward correlation meeting. Sundays are always really relaxing here, which is different than normal haha. I think it's a great place for Sister King to end her mission. I'm sad we've only got one more week together, but what a wonderful week it shall be!

As Christmas comes, let's take some time to think of how we can look outward and serve just as He did. I am so grateful for my Savior and couldn't be more grateful I have the opportunity to represent Him during this Christmas season. I will miss you all very much, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

LOVEEEE ALWAYSS!!!

Ally

Make cookies... easy right? NOT IN ASIA

December 3, 2012

 

I don't have much time today, but as usual the last week was great! It had its hardships, but what fun would it be if it were easy all the time? First, my companion and I got the Christmas calendar finished and gave it to everyone in the ward. THere is a scirpture about Christ/missionary work or quote from Preach my Gospel every day, FHE topic every monday, and little small activities every Saturday to prep us all for Christmas! We are so excited and had the first activity on Saturday. We decided we would frost cookies and then play some Christmas games. Make cookies... easy right? NOT IN ASIA. Oh my gosh. It was unreal. We headed off to the store, no cookie mix. No google so can't look up a recipe. We settled for these weird looking pre-made "cookies" that looked enough like sugar cookies and called it good. Frosting: yeah just pick it up right? nope. Nobody even knew what frosting was. We called our mission president's wife, Sister Bishop and asked for a recipe. Looking for powdered sugar when you can't understand those characters is realllyyyy hard haha. Food coloring? Also took forever to find. Butter and milk were pretty easy, but all in all, we went through a LOT to make those cookies and make the frosting. I sure miss your kitchen mom. Nobody has stoves here except the church, mixing stuff- nope, big bowls- nope, haha. I can't remember all the weird things I felt like we should have but take for granted, but just know that it was a really fun and interesting experience hahahah. It was all worth it though, a lot of people came and it ended up a success!!! We're excited for the rest of this month too!

 

Since I'm almost out of time, I'll end with a really great story about one of our friends named Tina. She was baptized a little over a year ago but stopped coming to church right after she was baptized. Everytime we meet with her she says she doesn't really know why she was baptized and doesn't really feel anything about the church, especially towards the Book of Mormon. We decided this week we would just sit and read with her, because through the Book of Mormon we can all receive strength and answers. We started reading Alma 32 with her. A few parts really stuck out to her, but when we got to verse 21, she stopped us and said, "I feel something. I can't really explain this feeling. I absolutely know this verse is true. I can't really describe what I'm feeling." (starts getting a cute smile on her face and really excited) "What am I feeling? I haven't felt this in a really long time, if ever. It's like I know something good is going to happen, I just don't know when." I was so touched by what she said and we explained that she was feeling the Holy Ghost, which testifies of truth and lets us feel God's love for us. We all talked about how daily reading will help her feel that feeling more often, and eventually every day. She was really excited and we feel like she made leaps and bounds of improvement this week. YAYYYYY!!! I love these people so much and get so excited when I see the Lord's hand in our work daily. We are so blessed. I'll write more next week, but our time is dwawing to a close.

 

I love you all and miss you tons! I'm sending a package, could you send me everyone in the family's real address please? Thanks so much! LOVE YOUUUU

 

Love, SIster Smart

Thanksgiving and Charity

November 26, 2012

 

Happy late Thanksgiving to you all! I'm sorry I didn't mention it last week. I first want to tell each and every one of you that I am so grateful I have such a wonderful family. I thank Heavenly Father every day I was able to be adopted into such a loving and welcoming environment where I could learn the gospel and gain a testimony of the reality of the Savior's atonement and His love for each and every one of us. I am grateful I can continuously read the Book of Mormon and find answers to life's problems or be comforted in times of need. I am so grateful I have a mom and dad who care about me and show their love in countless ways. I'm grateful each and every one of my siblings and their spouses are all so kind to me. I'm grateful I could have dozens of adorable nieces and nephews that I love SOOOO much! I'm thankful for our ward and the great help they have also been to me. I'm just really grateful for the wonderful life I've been able to live. Words cannot express how grateful I am to be in Taiwan serving the Lord. Each and every one of us are truly blessed!

 

Okay, here's some fun stuff from last week! We were able to meet with Xie JM and her 3 adorable kids. She is really having a hard time accepting that God really exists, so we are just trying to help her understand the basics and are moving really slow with her. We also met with Wu JM and Chen JM and they both came to church again yesterday. Both of their faith is so strong and I love getting to watch them learn and grow. We also met with Megan, Lin JM, and a few other folks, and it was really nice. One thing I really love about Sister King is how different each one of our lessons is. Now that my chinese is getting a little bit better, we are able to REALLY focus on their needs. Since every person is different, so is every single lesson. No lesson is ever the same which keeps things interesting and helps each person feel how the gospel could specifically improve their life.

 

We have a District Training Meeting every Tuesday at 1:00 and this last week's was on Charity. It was one of the best DTM's ever! Lin ZL (zhanglao, elder) is our District leader and shared with us about the importance of charity. I feel like I sometimes forget what it truly means to represent Jesus Christ and follow His example. Christ served EVERYONE, talked to EVERYONE, helped and blessed EVERYONE. He put their needs above His own. He cared for the lonely, comforted the depressed, and felt empathy for those who had made wrong choices that put them in a bad situation. It is not our place to judge who deserves charity and who does not. Each and every person we see is someone who needs the peace and happiness the gospel can bring, and, out of love and charity, we need to talk with everyone. However, we are not here to glorify ourselves and just "get baptisms." We are here to help people come unto Christ and return as brothers and sisters back to His presence. I understand fully that the first step is baptism, but that doesn't mean we need to push and shove them the whole way. It needs to be their desire. A few years ago, many missionaries baptized several several people who were not ready and who have now left the church. We are in the process of helping those people come back and helping them gain a testimony themselves.

 

The importance of this all has been on my mind for quite some time, but really came out as we visited several members this week and got to know their conversion stories. Some of the strongest members were investigators for years. They had good friends in the church, took the time they needed to learn, and decided to be baptized when they felt it was right. Of course, there are exceptions and that is absolutely wonderful, but the bulk of people need time. Especially here when many don't even know who Jesus Christ is. I love meeting with members like that, because it helps remind us that no work we do is wasted. Maybe our investigators will not be baptized next week, but we are still doing what the Savior wants us to do. We continue to develop charity and set an example for those we come in contact with. Well, I'll just hop off my little soap box now hahahah. Charity really is important! And just as Moroni 7:48 says, we need to pray with all the energy of heart to develop that love. I meet so many people filled with that charity, both in and out of the church and am grateful for their examples to me.

 

I taught about thanksgiving at English on Wednesday, and it was so funny... nobody knew what Thanksgiving was. We talked about all the really great food, why we celebrate it, and spent a lot of time talking about what we are all thankful for. It was really great! On actual Thanksgiving we didn't do anything special for it, but Saturday a American from our ward cooked all the missionaries a huge thanksgiving dinner! Pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, gravy (a few people put it in a bowl thinking it was soup hahaha) chicken, olives (yes yes, I remember the story with olives many many years ago hahaha) deviled eggs, stuffing, sweet potatoes, the whole bit! It was really good and reminded me of all the good food we eat on Thanksgiving. I missed being there with you all, but hope you had a fun day!!! We were able to bring Wen JM who was baptized a few months ago, and she brought  her friend Zhang JM who is interested in learning more about our church. It was really fun! We helped him clean up, thanked him, and he sent us home with a ton of leftovers. We have eaten like kings the last 2 days :)

 

Well this week was great, we worked hard, we had fun, and are excited for the next few weeks. Sister King goes home the 17th of next month... so I will have a new companion in 3 weeks. Crazy! Time has flown by so fast. Christmas is almost here and I'm so excited. While I miss you all so much and will miss the fun christmas atmosphere with each and every one of you, I feel really blessed that I can be here serving my Savior who was born that night so many years ago. I love you all!!!

 

Love, Ally

With Sister King and working with my Budda Board

Visit by Elder and Sister Wilson, and trip to the beach

November 12, 2012

Dearest Family,

I first and foremost am happy to say that I have kept a pretty effective journal this week! Progress progress. For preparation day last week I went to a place that blew my mind. I have known that I am on an island for quite some time, however, I never actually believed it until... I went to the BEACH! What?! Palm trees, sand, water, the whole bit! We took some pictures, but I'll be honest, my camera takes really lousy pictures haha. I still sent a few ones that turned out though. We went there with May (Wu JM) one of our investigators. We took the MRT to Xiziwan and then took a ferry to a little island called Qijin. It was so beautiful! We played in the sand in a very dignified appropriate missionary-like manner for a while, checked out a few souvenier shops and then headed back home. I'm now back in the busy city of course, but it was fun to get to see the ocean for a little bit. The next day I woke up with a nasty cold... I am still getting over it, but its much better now. On Tuesday we had a really cool lesson with Zhang JM. She has been meeting with us a few weeks but wasn't really progressing (or so we thought) Turns out she had already read to Jacob and had some really wonderful questions about the Tree of Life in second Nephi. My lovely companion thought it'd be good for me to take a whack at explaining the meaning behind it with my language skills... Ohhhh the humbling language of chinese. However with some stick art and help from Heavenly Father, I think she got the main idea haha. We were also able to share the Joseph Smith experience with her and why our church is different. She is willing to pray about it and keep reading so we're really excited about her. Random tidbit: We printed off 800 english flyers for group english contacting. We went to an intersection to hand them out and gave them ALL away in an hour. Maybe that gives you a little idea of how populated it is here haha.

Wednesday was the best ever! Elder and Sister Wilson came here to visit Gaoxiong. They are the part of the Asia area presidency which means they live in Hong Kong and have dozens of countries they visit all the time to oversee the church and missionary work here in Southern asia. I took pages and pages of notes and learned so much from them. One of my favorite parts of the day was at lunch. All the missionaries clumped together and what not, but Sister King and I decided to sit by Elder and Sister Wilson with the grown-ups haha. Probably not too often does the chance come up to sit and have lunch with a general authority, so we took advantage of it. Turns out Sister Wilson is a convert to the church. Her grandma was a member, but her mother fell away before she was born. She went to several churches growing up but she didn't really feel like any of them were right. Her parents discouraged her, but she always had a feeling there was something more. One summer they went to stay with their grandparents and her grandma told her about our church. She loved it, read the Book of Mormon, and was baptized. She has stayed strong ever since. Several years later her sister joined the church as well. So cool! She is a scriptorian and a half. I really want to become a better student of the scriptures, and now is the perfect time to make wonderful habits to do so for the rest of my life. All in all, a wonderful day. Afterwards Elder Wilson pulled a few missionaries aside and interviewed us. His advice to me was to use these experiences as a spring-board for the rest of my life. I never want to forget the wonderful principles behind the work we are doing here in Taiwan. Everything relates to the future!!! So mind blowing how absolutely wonderful this all is.

Anyways! That night we had english class as we normally do. I'm enjoying teaching Begining class. This week we talked about the letter G and then about friends and how to improve our relationships with others. Afterwards we sat with Wu JM (husband fandui investigator) and had a lesson with her. We started off talking about the importance of the Book of Mormon. She shared a beautiful testimony on how the Book of Mormon had truly become a source of power and inspiration to her. Her son recently left for the military for 3 years. She cried and cried that day, but then took out her new favorite Book. She read for hours and felt an inner peace and comfort she had never felt before. There are many other things that are too personal to share over email, but her life is all but desirable. She has it extremely rough, but still has hope because of the Book of Mormon. It seems so strange that a book could really mean that much, but myself having read it, can also testify to the truthfulness and power of the Book of Mormon. I love that Book, and so does Wu JM. It is such a wonderful experience to see others gain a testimony! I love this work. I don't know if I've said that before.... hahaha.

PINEAPPLE MADNESS! My companion and I had much fun last week as we delivered pineapples to our Bishop, Relief society President, Young Woman president, and Primary President. Pineapples are a sign of prosperity, king-ness, and a bunch of really good stuff that make people feel REALLY special. It felt nice to secretly deliver them (muah ha ha haaa evil laughter... ) This weeks project is cookies to our recent converts. I am curious how we will make cookies, for we have no oven, but it'll be a fun experience. I really miss cookies, but to buy good ones they are really expensive, so I guess that can just wait a year. Ahhh I only have a year left! Crazy. I'm almost to the 7 month mark of being missionary. Friday night we had a primary activity where we made little clay dog things. We had an investigator come, Xie JM with her 3 kids. They had a really great time and the ward was really nice to them. Afterwards, the primary kids went to go practice for their Sacrament Christmas Program so we sat with Xie JM in the back. She said there was a different feeling in that room than others. I explained about the Holy Ghost and what happens at church on Sundays. We are meeting with her again tonight and I hope she will continue to progress. Her kids are SO cute.

Sunday was really fun! Church was uplifting as usual and I got to go to Young Womans with one of our investigators. She had a great time and loves church, so that was nice. Afterwards I got to go to Ukulele class... hahah yeah you read right! Our ward has a uke class after church and they are preparing for our christmas activity. One of our recent converts goes and I wanted to get to know her better, so to Uke class I went. Funniest ever. They can't' play the chords, they decided to sing in English which they can't speak, and none of the ukes were tuned together, but it was still so much fun. I got to help them with pronunciation and such. Uke class. Oh, the best is that they are singing Amazing Grace (not a Christmas song...) and Santa Clase is coming to Town. I love it and I love Asia.

Well folks, I'm hoping that was more detailed all thanks to a journal and notes took this week haha. I love you all so much!!!! I sent a few random pictures that I hope you enjoy! (Mom, if you think any are too unprofessional like the orange one, you don't have to send it to anyone) Oh and Saturday it poured and poured, hence the raincoat picture. LOVE YOUUUU!!!

LOVE, SISTER SMART

Greetings - I LOVE SANMIN!!!

November 12, 2012

I LOVE SANMIN!!!!!!!! Seriously. I love my new area! Sister King is an all-star and knows every person at church. She knows every street, all the good food places, and best of all she is a really hard worker that loves the Lord. That's the most important one! First I'd like to tell ya'll about some of the differences between the two places. I feel like Zhanghua was the wild wild west... I've now moved into Chicago where the buildings reach as tall as the eye can see. Everyone lives in a dalou (tall skyscraper like apartment building) People's houses are way nicer here. Some have TV's and real doors! Not that Zhanghua had fake doors... but more like slidey things. Another huge difference is the ward here! My companion has worked for months and months to get to REALLY know every person in the ward. She knows everything and everyone and it is so wonderful! In Zhanghua we really focused on investigators and baptisms, which is great... but lacks a vital help from the ward. Here we really focus on strengthening the ward, rescuing less-actives, and having members bring their friends to church to get new investigators. Zhanghua will get there one day, but I'm really excited to be here and learn how to better work with the ward. We spent almost all last week going around, meeting members, less actives, new converts, and really getting to know their stories. We are really focusing on ward activities and are currently planning a wonderful Christmas calendar to help the ward get more involved in missionary work while coming closer to Christ. I'M SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS! Anyways, sorry if this letter is a little scattered, but my brain these days is really scattered. I even wrote a list of things to talk about but I'm just all over the place. Paisei paisei. I'm english leader of our free english class again... which I'm trying to be more excited about haha. 3rd movecall in a row... oh well! I appointed myself beginning class teacher which will be really fun.

Another thing I love about Sister King is that we don't stick to the normal ways of missionary work every single day. Of course we still contact, have lessons, and do all that normal stuff, but she is so creative and has tons of other ways we can accomplish the work. For instance, we are taking newsletters to everyone in the ward about the importance of going to the temple. They made cookies for the seminary class last week. We are taking pineapples to our ward leaders this week. We are putting together this really great Christmas activity (more details once we figure them out) and many more. I'm learning so much from her!

One thing about focusing on the ward is that it leaves us with less lessons and investigators than normal. There are pros and cons to both, but I think this way is helping the church have REAL growth. Perhaps it is not our time to get tons of baptisms and what not here, but baptisms mean nothing if they are not truly converted and don't have a wonderful ward to be nurtured in. Sister King is really helping me see that importance and Sanmin is in a really good place right now. We have 2 wonderful progressing investigators that are working towards baptism. The first is Chen JM. She LOVES the gospel. Loves our message about forever families and is really wanting her whole family to be baptized. She feels a  little unprepared, so she still hasn't set a date, but we are just helping her build her faith. She has been to church several times and loves it. I think she fears that her testimony is not as big as some people who have been in the church for a long time. Soon she will come to realize that baptism is between that person and the Lord, nobody else. We are not to compare ourselves with others. As long as we have faith enough to act as God wants us to, that is enough. The second is Wu JM. She is so wonderful!!! She sadly has a husband fandui... so we are kind of at a loss for what to do. He won't let us come over, and usually won't let her come to church. He's extremely controlling and forces her to go bai bai (worship idols and ancestors) When we met with her Saturday, she told us how he made her go with him a few days ago and she just cried. She knows Heavenly Father is not a statue that she needs to give fruit to in order for him to bless her. I ache for her, but also know that God understands the true desires of our hearts. She loves to pray out loud, but her husband won't let her, so she has learned how to pray in English so he doesn't understand and cannot stop her. These wonderful women bless and strengthen my faith each and every day. I learn way more from them than they learn from me. I'll let you know how things go with them.

I really love this work. I'm going to do a better job writing heaps of details, but this is all the time I have today. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCHHH! If any of you have ideas on how to be a better journaler, please please let me know. You are all in my thoughts and prayers! Angie, I'm so glad you are doing better now!!! I miss you all, SEND ME PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Ally

With new companion, Sister King from Utah

Transferred to Sanmin, new companion is Sister King from Utah

November 5, 2012

 

Greetings from Gaoxiong! I have officially been transferred and have a new companion here in the South of Taiwan. Her name is Sister King and she is from Utah. I think we will get along really great. My old companion Sister Sumko is freaking out that I'm leaving, but I'm sure she'll do a great job with Zhanghua. I will miss that place so much... but I guess I've got to move on sometime. I am now living in a little city called Sanmin... little is the wrong way to describe it. Small but HUGELY POPULATED. If we traveled quickly from one side to the other in my last area it would probably take about 5 hours to bike... if not more. Apparently it takes about 25 minutes here... AHH!!! So its a tiny area but with a TON of people. It's also the hottest place on island, so it looks like no winter for me. I was really looking forward to wearing lovely sweaters and tights, but oh well. I am super excited to get to know this area and will spend at least 2 movecalls here! This is Sister King's (Wang JM) last movecall so I'll at least be here one more after she leaves. Gives me some good time to really get to know the ward so I'm really excited about that.

 

My last week in Zhanghua was a good one. Monday started out with a really neat miracle. We are working with a Chen Jiemei right now but she is not really progressing very much. She is a busy mom of 3 children and has yet to feel how the gospel really relates to her life. We were on our way to Anna's house when I saw Chen JM outside doing dishes. We quickly pulled over and I started doing the dishes while Sister Sumko got to know her a little bit better. Once I finished the dishes, she broke down and told us how stressed she was and how her and her husband keep fighting. She is unlike most Taiwanese moms and takes care of her own children (in almost every family the grandparents raise the grandchildren and the parents work) so its really hard on her. We were able to fully relate the gospel to her and show her how certain principles will help the very situations that cause her so much stress. For the first time it seemed like she was actually listening. We then sang Count your Many Blessings with her. I love that song because when life gets tough, which it certainly will from time to time, we can always turn to the Lord and remember all the blessings that He has given to us. I was so happy we were able to follow the Lord's prompting and visit her that night.

 

Tuesday we spent a lot of time getting ready for our English Halloween Carnival on Wednesday. We made signs, set up the games, helped set up the haunted house, and printed 400 fliers to hand out to everyone. We group proselyted and invited tons of people to come as well. We also had a really great lesson with one of our investigators. She wants to be baptized next month so I'm excited they will get to continue working with her! Wednesday was filled with a ton of miracles and great lessons. We visited my favorite Taiwanese person Liang Mama (the 78 year old we baptized last month) and also had a lesson with Pan JM who is getting baptized in 3 weeks. Zhanghua is really growing, and while I'm sad I won't be able to be there to see it, I feel really blessed I was able to be a small part of it for 4 months. Wednesday night was the CARNIVAL!!! Twas a smashing success with 120 people in attendance! (Pretty crazy since sacrament attendance is only like 50, but it was all 3 wards)The greatest part was that tons of people invited their friends who had never been to church before, so we were able to meet a ton of new friends. The games turned out great, the food was great, the people were great, and the haunted house was great! People dressed up (including myself as a student... I borrowed a friend's school uniform haha) and it was a grand old time. Yahhhh!!!!!!

 

Ahh, my time always goes way too fast. We were able to visit a lot of people and see many miracles. The Lord truly watches over each and every one of us. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve in Zhanghua and will never forget those people. I also look forward to this new opportunity to serve in Sanmin. I love you all so much!!! Enjoy the pictures :)

 

Love, Sister Smart

Wonderful Miracle Friday Night

October 29, 2012

I don't have much time, but this week was pretty great. I'd like to start off with a wonderful miracle that happened Friday night. We had gotten to the church a little bit early for correlation so we could finish calling our APR. I went out to get a drink when I saw a woman wondering through the hallway. She was dressed in a nice skirt so I asked if she was in the 3rd ward (we are over 1st and 2nd so I don't know many from 3rd ward) She said that this was her first time coming to the church and she was looking for a gospel class that she saw on a little blue slip of paper. I apologized that it was written wrong on the paper,  but that we would love to sit down with her and answer any questions she may have about us. As we got to know her, she told us that she was looking for 3 things that other Christian churches haven't been able to give her. Light, love, and joy. We tied those into the Restoration and had a wonderful lesson with her, then giving her a chapter in the Book of Mormon to read on each of those 3 topics. Huang Jiemei is one of those people we pray to find each and everyday: searching for truth, ready to accept the gospel, and willing to act on the answer she receives. One of my favorite parts of the lesson was that when Sister Sumko started reciting Joseph Smith's experience, Huang Jiemei interrupted her and said wait, "let's all close our eyes. I feel like this is going to be important." I have never felt the spirit so strongly in a first sit-down with anyone before, and I was am so grateful we were able to be where the Lord wanted us when He wanted us there. It is a true testimony that God loves all of his children and is preparing them to hear the gospel.

To make this even more special, she has been prepared for a long time. She said she has seen missionaries all over the place, even us recently. Turns out, when I was on sister exchanges with Sister Su on Tuesday and we were going to the hospital to visit someone, we invited her to church but she didn't seem to interested. Wednesday she said a prayer to God and told Him that she would go to the church of the next Christian people that talked to her. No coincidence, I saw her back in my own area on Thursday and invited her to church again, but she didn't have time to stop. So she just showed up Friday night looking for us. God is a God of miracles and we are so blessed to be doing His work.

Wednesday was a wonderful day filled with miracles as we met with several investigators progressing towards baptism. We were also able to visit several members this week that haven't been to church in a really long time to let them know that they are missed dearly. Everyone needs to feel loved and missed, and I'm so grateful we get to be the Lord's mouth in expressing His love for each and every one of these people.

Well, my time is up because we are spending our preparation day getting ready for a HUGE ward activity my companion and I are putting on for Halloween. I am the leader of English class every wednesday, so we are putting on a huge carnival that will transform the chuch into every kid's dream. We are really excited, but must cut our personal time short today.

Love, Ally

Picture Party

October 22, 2012

 

Here is a picture party for you all!

 

The first picture is Gu Jiemei at her baptism!!! Yes, the wonderful and beautiful Gu Jiemei was baptized. It was a wonderful service and the spirit was really strong. She was so excited... and so were we duhh. My companion and I decided to dress real taiwanese for it, so we are of course matching by not matching at all (that's how they do it here... it's really addicting. I don't think i'll ever be able to match again... well not that I did that great before but... anyways...) She bore a beautiful testimony at the end and Elder Hellberg played a wonderful musical number on the guitar with some hymns. It was beautiful! Rainbow the hippie came to the baptism and is so confused as to why she keeps wanting to come back to our church because she thinks we're weird and strict hahaha. I know that's just because she FEELS something here, and that's a good enough start to work with. We're excited to keep meeting with her!

 

The next few pictures are of last preparation day when we went to Big Buddha on top of the mountain! There were so many mini buddhas all around, along with pretty fish and asian looking things!

 

There is one with me and that ice I was telling you about. I'm so addicted!!!

 

One is of me and the whistle I bought in Lukang. It is real purty and I like to play songs on it. I bought one because one of our 9 year old investigators had one, and she plays it for us all the time. So adorable. The Beatles shirt I'm wearing in that picture was given to me by one of our less active members who is SOOOO wonderful. We'd be best friends if she lived in America. Huang Jiemei :) It's at her store where I also have the picture of me wearing the crazy perm wig!

 

I'll send some more with the next email :)

 

 

----- 2nd Email -----

 

MORE FOR YOUUUUU!!!!! Here's that family that just had a new baby :) Chen Meng Xian and her husband are absolutely adorable! Their family is forever changed for the better because of the gospel in their lives! AHHHH I LOVE THIS WORK!!!!!

 

Sending pictures takes a really long time, sorry I'm not writing much, but I love you all SOOO MUCH!!!!! Sounds like the start of your trip has gone really wonderful!!! I hope you enjoy the french all around you. We've had a really great week here and I shall of course write more next week. Let me know how your cruise goes!!! Send pictures :)

 

I love you all and I love this work so much! Sorry this letter is so scattered :)

 

Love, Ally

 

 

(Ed.  To see photos go to www.sistersmart.com and read this same email)

 

Baptism of Yen Ying Zhi and General Conference Experience (Edit Dad - No Photo was attached)

October 15, 2012

 

Hello everyone! My heart is filled to the brim and then spilling all over the place with happiness! Yen Ying Zhi (Kelly) is one of the cutest 16 year olds ever and she is now BAPTIZED!!!!!! We held the baptismal service yesterday after General Conference, and it was absolutely wonderful. When she went up to bear her testimony afterwards, she said "I was baptized because I know that Jesus Christ can help me overcome anything. He is my new best friend." and then went on to tell everyone the feelings she has after baptism. It was so GREAT!!! The absolute best way to end a conference. Speaking of conference, I actually got to watch it in English most the time! We had ward members that were willing to sit with all of our investigators, so we just helped them get seated and then went back to English. It worked out really well, and I'm SO glad I was able to watch English. I received so many answers to questions I had been asking the Lord for a while now. One of my many favorite talks was Dallin H. Oaks on the treatment of children. Hello!!! That's like my major right there. I want my life to be dedicated to the very essence of what he spoke on. First, to my family now and the family and children I will have in the future. This may sound ultra weird but conference made me stoked to nurture my kids and raise them in love and righteousness! I hope all moms that were listening felt the same way. The second deals with the fact that I want to become a teacher and help children all over the world. They are God's loved little ones, and Heavenly Father needs us to stand up for them! I was so excited to hear so many talks on the importance of the family, and several ways we can strengthen and protect our families. We went over to a less active family last night and were able to share with them the 5 things Elder Perry taught that will bless our families. The mom really appreciated it and said she would try to start implementing them in their lives. The bigger problem is that the father wants nothing to do with the gospel, so he makes it very hard for He Jiemei to raise them in the church. Their littlest girl, 5 year old An Jie was really sick. She hadn't been able to eat or sleep for 2 days and was in a lot of pain. They had taken her to the doctors but they didn't know what to do. We offered to ask the Elders to come and give her a blessing, and He Jiemei really wanted it. The father reluctantly agreed and 20 minutes later the elders were there. The family had never seen a blessing before, so we did a little lesson on the priesthood and how blessings work, and then they gave An Jie a beautiful blessing and said that she would be healed and specifically that she would be able to sleep all night and eat the next day. The prayer ended and she had already started yawning. We left afterwards so I'm not sure how things went last night, but we are going to call them today and find out. I know that the Lord loves all His children and is true to the promises He makes us. I am so grateful the Lord was able to show His power and mercy to the He family last night and pray that it will soften the father's heart. Isn't life just great?!?

 

Remember Rainbow? She is the Asian hippie who is absolutely hilarious. We met with her a few times last week and are trying to help her understand the basics of why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is different. She has TONS of questions, especially on why we are so strict, but I really loved being able to bear my testimony of how those standards have brought me far more happiness and self-respect than anything the world could buy or give. We also had another lesson with Ivy (the phillipino we teach in english) and it was really intense. She shared with us about how her male boss treats her and how she is terrified all the time when other people are not home. It made me absolutely sick and even more frustrated with how Taiwanese men treat women. We were able to really share with her about the protecting power of God and the saving and cleansing power of the atonement. All that is unfair in the world can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It takes all that I have not to hit some of the men... no they're not men... the little animals that hurt these wonderful women. Woo! Okay next topic. That gets me mad haha. We continued to share with everyone about conference and our living prophet in preparation for conference! We were able to meet with several great young students and the nearby college Zhangshi da, and they are all progressing nicely.

 

Annnnddddddd HERE are the highlights of my week: Gu Bei Xian. She has been meeting with us for a while and kept pushing her baptismal date back because she felt unprepared. She finally said that the 20th (this Saturday) was a good date and she would try to be ready, but still felt a little hesitant. However, she came to all of conference Sunday and LOVED it!!! She had a change of heart and is fully ready to be baptized this saturday. She is excited and came to support Yen Ying Zhi at her baptism yesterday. I'M SO EXCITEDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gu Jiemei is SO wonderful and has such great faith. We are also awaiting a call from Liu Jiemei  (the mom with the fandui) on whether she got permission to be baptized this saturday or not. She was given a wonderful priesthood blessing yesterday that said she would indeed be baptized in the Lord's time. We had her write a letter of why she wants to be baptized to give to her husband and she is giving it to her husband this morning. I don't think I have ever prayed more fervantly than I have in the last 24 hours for the welfare of her family. I was hoping to already know by the time we wrote you, but I guess you'll just find out next week :)

 

Oh how I love this work! I am so filled with gratitude and love I can barely stand it. The Lord loves us and watches over us all. I see His hand in my life daily, and I know you can too if you look for it. I want to send some pictures so I'm going to end this letter, just know that I love you all and miss you tons! I hope you all have a great time with Nathan and Angie there. Give them all hugs from Aunt Ally.

 

Love, Sister Smart

 

p.s. the picture of the new baby is our recent convert Chen Jiemei's little boy!!! Her family was baptized in April and are absolutely incredible!

Week 14 ba - 12 investigators came to church

October 8, 2012

I've got a LOT to say, so let's dig right in haha.

First things first, let me tell you about our favorite food. Yutou ice. It's like a taro slushy with yellow and purple stuff, oatmeal looking stuff, and beans in it. It sounds absolutely disgusting, but we eat it at least once a day, if not twice. Anytime I say we eat "ice" that's what I'm talking about. I'm addicted.

Tuesday went to visit Liang Mama for
a second. And it was just gonna be a fast visit. But she insisted on
buying us food--and what did she give us? The worst tasty greasy meat
things ever. And so it was a good thing we were going to be late,
because we had no time to eat them, so we only had to force/fake eat
one. There were two in each bag... it was so disgusting. They are like this jelly outside with
nasty meat inside and this sauce. reallll gross. And they fry that jelly thing
in oil. We then went and ate a real dinner because the previous one was so gross. Afterwards, we visited Li JM, a wonderful older woman who works on Sunday so can't come to church. Guess what...she also decided to feed us.... Weird food. Blah. Luckily we were also short on time, so we had to leave and
she gave us a ton in to-go-boxes and we (being the charitable folks we are) gave it to the Elders. Haha 3 dinners in one night, oh how fat I shall be by the time I return.

We have been telling EVERYONE about general conference lately. We teach about it in almost every single lesson lately. I even taught my English class about it and they were pretty excited. Especially this person named Rainbow, who'd we'd met
the night before. her English is really good--she's like an Asian
Hippie. The best part of that is that she called on Thursday and asked
me, "I'm so excited, but I forgot, when will your master
speak to you??" In English.  Hahahaha hilarious. Best thing ever. I hope we don't ever lose that excitement that we know we have a living prophet who guides us and directs us. It's such a wonderful thing to get to testify of each and every day. I LOVE IT!  Anyways, after English we talked to Sandy about temples and the Law of
Chastity. She really likes the idea of temples and eternal marriage, so that's great!

Thursday we had lunch with Jojo and Sandy (two really great members of the church here)--we went to this fun hot pot
place. The food came around on a little train in front of you and you
picked off what looked good. It was fun. All you can eat style and
vegetarian so it was pretty good, nothing too strange. It was Sandy's
birthday so Jojo wanted to treat her to eat. and we treated Jojo
because she always takes us out to lunch without letting us pay. Coolest restaurant!

Then we met with Suzie--the cute girl who
came to the baptism last Saturday. She is way great and is studying
English in college. She seems sincere about wanting to know what
the church is about. So that's lovely. She ended up coming to church yesterday, so I'll keep you updated  how that goes.

After dinner we met with Brenda (baptismal goal for the 20th). We had a lesson about conference---since that is
litterally what we are doing with everyone now. And she was so moved!
She is really excited, she just is a person who doesn't show it cause
she's so shy and so Asian. We feel like she's already got her
answer on being baptized, so hopefully she will be confident enough
after conference to hit her goal! After her lesson, she went to
institute! Tai hau le! Too good, too good. After that we went tracting right by the church
and found this family on the 2nd door we knocked on. They've always
wanted to come see our church. And they are coming on Sunday! I love meeting prepared people. She also came to church yesterday and we'll be meeting with her this week again.

The next day we had a lesson with Huang XJ--she's the girl we met
last Saturday with Shi JM at the college! We met on
the bleachers by the school and the weather was just so nice and
tropical, and peaceful. I think she really felt the Spirit. She's really excited to read more in the
Book of Mormon and she's just cute! After her we went to see Liang mama. She knew we were coming so she made
this HUGE pot of noodles. Which was bad because it was only like 4 in the afternoon.
And at 6 we were going to the Chen family's house for dinner! Everyone wants us to get fat. It's true.

After her lesson we biked faster than the speed of light to the church to meet Liu Xiu Zhen. We talked to her about her baptismal goal on the 20th and general conference (of course) and she is feeling lots of hope! I feel like she'll really overcome this fandui!

After that we sped (because we were late) up the mountain
to meet the Chen family for dinner. This is the Chen family who's dad is Stake
President and who has 7 children (which is huge here)! They fed us good food and it was way
relaxing and nice to eat with such an awesome family for an hour!

On the way home I started thinking about this Chen JM, and I told my comp we should
maybe go see her, and then litterally 200 yards down the road, we saw
her on the side of the street with her two kids. Pretty miraculous. We
talked with her, and she said she couldnt' come to hcurch on Sunday,
but her daughter wanted to so we could pick her up on our way to the
church. After that we were like, "we want ice so bad... but we need to
go make calls." And just after we passed the ice place we ran into
Lauren and Tessa! (They are both teaching English here and we go running with Tessa each morning. She has a lot of great questions about the church and is such a cute girl.) It was so good to see them, and they were going to
get treats, so we were like, "Hey! Do you want to go get ice really
fast?" And we had a little lesson and ate some ice and I love those
two girls! But it was just a really good end to a really good day!

Then it was Saturday! and we had a lesson with a cute Hong XJ in the
morning--she went to Englihs in Tainan several years ago, and now she's
hear at college, so when we met her, she set up right away. We had
such a good lesson and she's so smart! She loves to read and was WAY
excited to get the Book of Mormon! We then met a bit later with Luo Yu Yun--the 16 year old with
parent fandui--at the McDonalds. We talked with her about King Lamoni and then read that story
about Hong Ji Jun from Taiwan--"Two Pioneers Across Two Centuries" from the Liahona. It gave Luo Yu Yun some courage so that is great!

After her, we ran to the church for Kelly's
baptismal interview and a lesson with the Xiang sisters--which were
practically at the same time! Which means... fenkai gongzuo (or we split the companionship and go with members of the ward to do our missionary work) Chen Si Ting and Chen Wu Ting helped us! Kelly passed her interview and is SO wonderful. She is getting BAPTIZED THIS WEEKEND!!! She thinks all the commandments are really smart and really has
a desire to prepare to see God. She even prayed and told Him that
she'd really like to see Him in this life or the next life. ha. She's
a cute little girl. She said she's been SO much happier since she's
had the gospel in her life, and she knows it is because she is praying every day.

And then Sunday came. Might suan the best day of my mission? or pretty close anyways. The first ward
(at 9:00) had TONS of investigators! Suzie came- the girl we met with
on Thursday! She's so cute! And then a phone add came--Lin Yi
Xiu--and brought her mom AND her sister! And Evangeline! And the
Zhang XJ we tracted into earlier this week came! And Luo Yu Yun was
able to come to Sacrament! We also had a member
bring a Mom and 2 children! 2nd ward: Brenda and Kelly both came, along with Liang Mama and Shi JM (our recent converts)

We were able to sit with most of them after church and it was just unreal! All in all, 12 investigators came to church. 12 people got to feel the Holy Ghost and feel God's love for them. We were so grateful and know that the Lord loves us and sends us miracles each and every day. That night we got to go to the relief society broadcast which was so wonderful too. AHHHH life is so great. I'm out of time, but I love you and will talk to you next week!!!

Sister Smart

Week 13 - Wednesday, September 26, was a great day!

October 1, 2012

 

I am probably going to spend this whole letter telling you about last Wednesday September 26. It was just that great of a day haha. Every other day was great too, but wednesday for some reason was just so wonderful! We started the day off with some good old running and studying like normal. Oh ps, my new companion Sister Sumko likes to go running everyday and also have extra study time, so we get up 45 minutes earlier than the rule states and instead of 3 times a week, go running 6 times a week. It's a party. So after studies, we went to visit our recent convert Liang Mama so my companion could meet her. Liang mama doesn't really feel like it's super necessary to go to church now that she is baptized. She ting bu dongs most of what is being said and someone has to come pick her up every week, so she feels too bad about it. We keep trying to stress over and over again about how important it is to take the sacrament but it still hasn't quite sunk in. However, this lesson went really great and Guo Jiemei (my companion) shared a really great experience on why coming to church is so important. Twas a smashing success and I hope she will continue to come to church!

 

We then went over to visit Ivy and Wendy. They are from the Philipines and only speak tagolog and a bit of english. We gave them a tagolog Book of Mormon and pamphlets, and then do our best to help them understand in english.They are both on 3 year contracts here in Taiwan to take care of old amas. They don't get a single day off (as in hasn't gotten a single day off in the last 2 years) and aren't allowed to leave for more than a few minutes every once in a while to buy food. We can only meet with them when their amas are sleeping, but they are still SO wonderful. We spent the lesson focused on the Book of Mormon and how it is the word of God. If this book is true, then the rest of what we share with them is true, because it is all found in that Book. We asked the pivotal question, and yes, they believe the Book of Mormon is true! The only thing holding them back from baptism is the fact that they are under contract not to go to church. However, God is a God of miracles and we are working on finding ways to help them continue to come unto Christ

 

Then we headed on up the big mountain to the Xiang sisters house. They have been investigators for months and months, believing all we say, reading the Book of Mormon, coming to church, praying, keeping the commandments and all that great stuff, but with no desire to be baptized... It is really strange and we have been at a loss for how to help them. Sister Sumko wanted to talk to them about commandments and we decided we would share Mosiah 2:41 which talks about how happy people who keep the commandments are, and then we would play the commandments game. It's like spoons, but the commandments are written on the cards instead, and the last person without a spoon explains what the commandment means. First, my companion got to know them a little bit and then asked how her Book of Mormon reading has been going. She was in Mosiah and said that she really liked this one scripture about commandments..... She showed us which one and guess what... it was also Mosiah 2:41! Oh the Lord and His cool little miracles. We discussed how great commandments are and how they bless our lives, and then started the game. After a few rounds, we decided to play one more time before we left. The very last time, the sister who has no desire to be baptized lost, and the commandment she needed to explain happened (not so randomly in my opinion) to be Baptism. We were able to talk about how it is a loving commandment that will only bless us beyond our comprehension. We helped her set some small steps to be able to hit a new  baptismal goal (27th of this month) and we are excited to see what happens

 

We then booked it down the mountain and biked furiously fast to the chapel for a lesson with our lovely Liu Jiemei (she is the one who was supposed to be baptized a few weeks ago but who's husband fandui'd) We also stressed how important the Book of Mormon is and focused on its immense power. We read a few great quotes from apostles, and then just sat and read it with her for a half hour. I love how something so simple can bring the spirit so strongly. We promised her that if she was willing to read and pray every single day, Heavenly Father would prepare a way she could be baptized in October. We also talked to her about how wonderful general conference is and invited her to start praying to receive an answer to her prayers from conference. It was so greattttt

 

Then we went to English class where I get to teach, so that's always fun. Afterwards we sat down with one of our former investigators and helped her have a desire to come back to church and also set a baptismal goal this month! It was a day of miracles and I love my new companion. We get along great and teach really well together. I am out of time, but shall write more next week... of course :)

 

Love you all! Sister Smart

New companion, Sister Sumko, from Bountiful, Utah

Week 12 - Assigned new companion, Sister Sumko from Bountiful, Utah

September 24, 2012

 

I have been here for 12 weeks now. It is crazy! Some big things have happened in the last week... Move call came and took my old companion to Gaoxiong, and brought me a new one from Fengyuan. She is so great! We have only known each other for about 2 hours now, but her name is Sister Sumko and she is from Bountiful Utah. I bet we'll get along great! I attached a picture of her and will keep ya'll updated on the wonderful work here in Zhanghua. Looking back on the last 12 weeks of my life... woah. Hahaha I have grown and changed  SO much. My chinese has improved dramatically. I mean, I'm still lousy, but so much LESS lousy than before haha! I can understand what most people say most the time, but it's buyiding. I've started learning characters which is really hard but fun. I eat way more than just ice cream, don't worry. Chocolate and peanut butter too... heh heh, just kidding!!! I eat tons of rice and vegetables too, fruit of course, and noodles sometimes. I also eat lots of jelly stuff. It's like normal jello but way better and a million flavors, including peanut. I have definitely gained weight, but hopefully its more muscle than anything else haha. Oh well, I am only in Taiwan once, right? Haha

 

This week was really great. Sister Wainright and I were able to have a 3rd companion, Sister Tanner for the last few days since her companion is training. We were able to get a lot done and talk to almost 400 people last week! We have seen this goal really bless our work and we've been finding so many new people to teach. The wards are growing so much. We went to a kaorou, or bbq, but it is not like a normal bbq at all haha. First we ate noodles and toast, then was tofu, then came corn, and then came meat. Everyone just sits around little fires and there is a karaoke machine. It was so much fun!!! I also put a picture of some adorable little asians. The work is great!

 

Momma, so you're teaching classes now?? You are so LEHI!!! (chinese: awesome) Yes, it's pronounced like Lehi in the Book of Mormon, but kind of like you're yelling, LEE HIGH. How did you get started doing that? In Chinese I'd call you Song Laoshi (Teacher Smart!)

I'm glad you and Mary had a lot of fun, and I'm sure she misses you too. Seems like you've been getting to sew a bit more lately, that's great!!! You and Andrew did great on that Trick or Treat one!!! I'm SOOO glad you were able to have a missionary moment!!! I can't tell you enough how great it is to have members accompany the missionaries to lessons. I hope you get to do that often, because it makes all the difference in the world. I wish I would have been a better missionary in our home ward, the members help really makes all the difference. I was just so zoned in on whatever I was doing, I didn't even really realize when missionaries had investigators at church. That will be a huge change when I get home. I hope you both continue to help out the missionaries and their investigators there whenever you can!!! It is the happiest kind of work, and we can do it together!!! I feel like the personal experiences you shared with her were absolutely perfect. You are quite the missionary!!! I hope you and dad are still planning on going next year :) I am so happy for you both.

 

I can't believe Ryan is a month old... Rachelle and Sharalyn will have babies when I get back too! Man I am missing out on some important stuff, but this work will allow other families to have these same kinds of wonderful experiences! Absolutely worth it! Let me know how the backpacks turn out! I SOO wish I could watch Mama Mia with you and eat really buttery popcorn, but we've got a date for that next November :) I'm sorry I've been really bad about writing snail mail, but since my previous companion Sister Wainright is going home in a few weeks, she wanted to go out and do things every p-day. We can only write letters during that time, so I was rarely able to write you guys. You should be getting some soon though. This move call will probably be more relaxed.

 

About your talk, I am so pumped you get to talk about the restoration. That is something I get to teach every day. My first thought is to tell you to read Preach My Gospel chapter 3, lesson 1. It is a WONDERFUL explanation of the restoration and the many miracles behind it. One of my personal favorite aspects of the Restoration is that it is what stands our church apart from any other. All religions have really great parts! We know that for sure, but when Christ came to earth and established His church, only one church, why would there be more than one now? The message of the restoration is not a "here, let me tell you why you're church is bad and mine is good" NO. That's not it! Our purpose is to add to the truths people already treasure. We are all striving to do good things, help others, and become better people. The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us those tools. I forget where it is, but in D&C, there is a scripture that talks about how this gospel helps us have peace in this life, and eternal life in the next. The Church not only gives us immediate blessings, but those blessings are eternal and lasting. Because Joseph Smith restored the gospel, we have a living prophet that guides our families. Because Jospeh Smith restored the gospel, we have the Book of Mormon, which gives us all answers to life. Because Joseph Smith restored the gospel, we can all have all the blessings God so wants to give us. I know he is a true prophet and that Thomas S. Monson is our true and living prophet. I'm SO excited for general conference in a few weeks. I hope you are all planning on watching it! Sorry my thoughts aren't too organized but I know you're talk will go wonderfully!

 

Well I don't have much time this week since we need to go home and unpack and such, but I will write more next week!!!

 

Love always, Sister Smart

Liang Mama Baptism

Week 11 in Taiwqn!

September 17, 2012

 

I write to you with a full belly. I just ate more food than I think I ever have in my entire life... Including 12 scoops of ice cream... don't worry! It's a mission rule to work out everyday... hahaha. Since our zone has been working really hard these last few months, our zone leaders got permission to have a zone activity at the world's most glorious all you can eat hot pot. Hot pots are pretty common here. It's basically like a pot of soup that they put in front of you with a fire underneath (it's built into the table). You go get tons of raw food and then put it all in, eat it, and and go to it again. I did that like 8 times. Well actually, just like you Momma, I started off with dessert, THEN ate a ton of stuff... then dessert again. I am still so full.

 

This week I want to send lots of pictures again. The first few are of today (I'm looking quite USAish in my red, white and blue outfit)

 

1806:Tan JM, me, and Wei JM at shapu shapu, the all you can eat place. Tan JM is companions with Su JM and they are the only other sisters in my zone. 

 

1788: This is our beloved ice cream. They had about 6 different flavors, ice cream cones, fondue, and a dozen other types of ice cream and popsicles. It was a dream come true.

 

1786: Here's a close up of my masterpiece. Also shows you kind of what a hot pot is like. That silver thing in the picture is the bowl and it goes down into the table. That's where you put your food in to cook, and then you dip it in sauce or something and eat it. 

 

1766: I LOVE THIS FAMILY SO MUCH! This was Saturday night at the Liang Mama's baptism. They were baptized a few months ago and have truly found so much joy in the gospel. We meet with her every week and their daughter Rose is a cute little stink pot, but I love her so much! Ahhh, I love this family. 

 

1720: Last Monday we went up to Bagua shan, or in other words, Big Buddha Mountain! We got super sweaty on the way up because it is indeed a mountain, so sorry for the gross appearance. I'm sure you are used to seeing sweaty me in these pictures though, so oh well.  This was in part of the garden.

 

1709: Kissin buddha.

 

1672:This is the HUGE buddha, along with a cool looking dragon fountain.

 

1657: This is a lovely view of my beautiful busy Zhanghua. Millions of people flood these streets and I get to share the gospel with them!

 

1651: This is just funny... Remember how I said 7-11's are everywhere? YEAH. I guess the one on the corner wasn't enough, they needed a new one just a few hao's down. p.s. there is also one just down the street.

 

Oh I love Taiwan. This last week has been really wonderful. We were able to have Liang Mama's baptism (the pictures on my camera didn't turn out so I need to get them from my companion but she is using her camera so I'll send them next week) She is the cutest little lady and I'm so grateful I was able to witness her make such a special covenant with Heavenly Father. We were able to have 6 investigators come to church which felt really great! I was also able to go on sister exchanges this week, but instead of going to a new area, Sister Xiong came to my area and I took her around. It was really great and I learned a lot from her. I'm sorry I don't have more time, but I love you all so much!!! You are all in my prayers :)

 

Love, Sister Smart

Hola familia! - Another one of my favorite investigators is 77 year old Liang ama

September 10, 2012

Buenos dias familia! Isn't it weird to think that it's Monday here, but Sunday where you are? Just a random thought. Anyways, hello hello! This last week has been full of miracles and having lots of exciting things happen and being really exhausted at night yet being so unfathomably happy. alksjelfaj!!!! I wish I could put it into better words but I just can't haha. Here are some highlights.

On Monday we met with one of my favorite investigators- Liu Jiemei (the one who was supposed to be baptized last week but had the husband fandui.) We read with her the story of King Lamoni's father and how he objected his son following Christ and being baptized by Ammon. His father even tried to kill his son and Ammon, but Ammon stood up for Lamoni and wouldn't let him be killed. Once his father saw that Ammon really loved his son and just wanted to help him be happy, his heart softened and he eventually was also baptized. When we read this with her, we tried to help her see that while the Lord can bring about great and mighty miracles, we still must do our part. Liu Jiemei's husband still hasn't met us, but she is scared that he'll get even more angry about the situation if she lets us meet him. However, Wei Jiemei and I are practicing our big manly small talk about TV and stuff. We are not afraid to talk to him and help him see that we love his wife and just want to help their family have eternal joy! My chinese is not that great, and I have no idea how to have small talk with an angry man while eternal salvation hangs on the line, but I know that the Lord calls weak people to do large things so He can show His power. I am certainly weak, so this is a great chance for Him to do exactly that!

Another one of my favorite investigators is 77 year old Liang ama (grandma) (p.s. Mom & Dad: when I have kids, they are going to call you Ama [ah-mah] and Agong [ah-gong] Be excited.) She is the oldest investigator we've seen in a really long time, but she is more full of life than just about anyone I know. We try to teach her lessons but get pretty much nowhere since she interrupts us the whole time and brings up the most random stuff haha. She is the only Taiwanese person I've ever known to brag, she tells us the same stories every single time we visit, and she loves loves telling jokes and being sarcastic. Visiting her is always a good time. She is the funniest old woman! She mainly speaks Taiyu and doesn't understand some of what we say, so getting through lessons is really hard. Lately she had been saying that she was too old to be baptized and it was really no use. "I'm about to die anyways" she always said. We went there last Monday with the intent to help her set a baptismal goal and see the importance of it, however she just carried on as usual and wasn't willing. We visited her on Thursday night and started off with a prayer and hymn as usual. Immediately after she said, "So I want to get baptized this Saturday. That's alright, isn't it?" WHAT??!! Hahahaha it was so great. However she had only been to church twice (need to go at least 3 times before you can be baptized) so we set a goal for this saturday instead. While we had been meeting with her for quite a long time, she still hadn't heard many of the lessons. In order for her to be baptized the 15th, she needed to hear all the lessons and have her baptismal interview by last Saturday (which was only 2 days away from when we set the goal) When we went home that night, we thought of ways we could help her hear the lessons and understand what we are saying while also keeping her attention so she didn't get distracted. The next morning we got out 3 white pieces of paper and taped them together, creating a long blank timeline. Then we drew the plan of salvation really large, drew pictures to go along with it, and wrote out all the parts in characters (characters are really hard by the way) We also took several pictures from a gospel art book in case that didn't work. It kind of felt like planning to teach a class of 6 year olds for an hour. The time for her lesson came and it was a smashing success! We were truly blessed to all be able to communicate with each other, and were also able to help her understand the plan of salvation. It was one of the most fun lessons ever. We then met with her the next day and did the same thing for the Doctrine of Christ. prophets, and some commandments. That night she had her interview, and the next day she came to church! Everything is set for this saturday and she is so excited! Ahhh!!! So are we!!! It's great to see that even someone older and rooted in traditions can have a mighty change in heart and have a desire to follow Christ. I'll be sure to send pictures next week :)

Yesterday at church my companion and I noticed how the gospel really brings all types of people together. Looking around, I could see 77 year old Liang Mama talking to 14 year old Luo JM (a young investigator who dearly wants to be baptized but parents wont let her), a woman with 2 kids discussing her baptismal goal with a ultra successful business woman who is being baptized the same day, a normally silent teenager talking to an older woman about the Book of Mormon and so many more... People who, if not at church, would probably never meet. However, they HAVE met and they strengthen each other every sunday. It's so great!!! Why is the world so great!!!?? Sometimes it can feel easy to get discouraged when you see all the evil around, but we can always have hope through Jesus Christ! We know that through Him, all that is unfair in the world will be made right one day. I know that with my whole heart and am so grateful I get to help others come to the same realization.

Our mission president came out with a mission goal this month to talk to 100,000 people collectively about the gospel. I don't remember what the mission normally hits, but this is MUCH much higher and a huge goal. Our zone set a goal to be 10,000 of those. Further more, our district set a goal to be 5,000 of that 10,000. Lastly, my companion and I set a goal to be 1,500 of those 5,000. That equals out to 375 people a week, which is higher than we've ever done. We still want to hit all of our other goals too, so that means we need to be working smart and diligent. It's a little daunting, but very exciting!

To answer some of your questions Mom, YES. It is as hot as everyone says, if  not hotter. I can't believe how hot it is here haha. My clothes are suitable. I brought a few that I won't need till winter though, but I have enough to get me through till then. I bought 1 dress and 2 shirts that are better for the weather. Clothes are SO cheap here. It's hard not to buy some buy I am excercising some nice self control haha. I bought 1 pair of shoes here and then am using a sister that went home's old rain shoes which are great. I still kill cockaroaches daily, sometimes they are in my bed. I sweat more than humanly possible. We bike for hours a day. We eat tons of ice cream. And we get to preach the gospel. It's a great life that I love so much! I'm so happy to hear Shari is having a girl!!! You are all in my prayers! I miss you and love you! Have a great week and I shall write more next Monday.

Love, Sister Smart

Sister Smart and Wainright at the Taiwan Taipei Temple

Trip to the Taiwan Taipei Temple

September 5, 2012

 

Welp folks, it's photo time! Sorry the files are so big dad, but I finally switched it over today! However, these were all taken before that haha.

 

The first one is on the way home from Tapei today. That's the 101... I think. Anyways if you zoom in you can also see a bunch of homes in the side of the mountain. 

 

The next is beautiful Tapei Temple!!! Right there in the middle of a huge huge city is a little place of beauty and refuge. So clean and pure. Even looking at it makes you happy!

 

After that is matchy matchy day! My companion and I like to match sometimes... We get a kick out of it and so do most the women here. It's a nice little conversation started and also, its just fun.

 

The next is a typical breakfast for me these days. Mangoes are officially out of season :/ but there are still plenty of other good fruits. I don't know what that weird looking one is called, but its mushy and each little section has a big seed you spit out. The other I call water apple. I think it's a mix breed (breed... is that only for animals or can you say that for fruit too..?) anyways, the last is kiwi but yellow! It's so so much better. Breakfast sometimes also consists of mini honeydew melons, guava, watermelon, lemon jello, dragonfruit, or other stuff like that. It's a good life.

 

Lovely Wei Jiemei is modeling a nice goose egg. People give us these sometimes. They're not that great, but we eat them anyways. We just felt like taking pictures with them one time.

 

The random one on the street is my companion and I in Lukang! I can't remember if I told you we went there 2 weeks ago or not, but we did! It's a REALLY old city with lots of cool little shops. I saw Davido's brother Trevor in a picture on a wall in a fan store! That's why there's also one with me in front of a picture. Look for Trevor!

 

My companion and I at the temple today. Yes, we are matching again heh heh.

 

Well that's about all the pictures I have for you all as of late.

 

Time is running short, but I really want to tell you about my experience at the temple today. We woke up at 5 this morning and rode to the train station, there taking a bus to Tapei. 2 1/2 hours later we were there! The temple is so beautiful. It's smaller than other temples, but just as purty! We all had to take off our shoes before we entered, just like most people's houses here. After checking in, I take a look around and feel an immediate feeling love and peace. Even though my family is thousands and thousands of miles away, it was as if I had just come home. It makes sense since it is the Lord's house and He is our Heavenly Father, so it really was coming home. In the temple we make sacred covenants that allow us to return to Heavenly Father's presence with our families forever. After we have gone through for ourselves, we have the wonderful opportunity to go through for those who have passed away without a chance of hearing the gospel, and they have the choice to accept it or not. There are people who help us perform these sacred ordinances, and who talk us through some things. There were a few english speakers, but not enough for all of us... I somehow got a chinese speaker and had the opportunity to do it in Chinese! It was an interesting experience, because I didn't understand all that was being said, but I certainly felt the spirit of what was happening. I loved it so much and hope I can go back to the temple soon. Well my time is up, but I love you all and hope you know that Heavenly Father loves you so much. He watches over us and hears our pleas. Take care and hope to hear from you next week!

 

Love, Sister Smart