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