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
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
No comments:
Post a Comment