Monday, February 4, 2013

THISWEEKWASTHEBESTEVER!!!!

February 4, 2013
Haha I laughed SO hard when you told me Dad looked up "whipplets." You're right, it's not a word, but there are not very many W words to go with weekly so I had to improvise.
THISWEEKWASTHEBESTEVER!!!!
We had a 19 year old "duanchuan" or short term missionary with us for the week. She is INCREDIBLE and brought so many miracles!!! I will try to go through many of them, but just know that this week was seriously the besttttt. Tuesday we had some great lessons, one with Chen JM (our investigator) went really well as we talked about the Holy Ghost and following its promptings. We played a game where we hid something, and she had to find it by following our voices singing I am a child of God (closer louder, farther away quieter) Just like following the spirit, we have to act in order to find what we're looking for. At the end of the lesson, Heavenly Father gave us a really cool opportunity to practice what we preach!!! Chen JM was about to walk us to our bikes to say goodbye but she couldn't find her keys. She started to look all over and Sister Xiao and I looked at each other with a little sparkle in our eyes. PERFECT! "Chen JM, how about we say a prayer and let Heavenly Father help you find your keys through the Holy Ghost." She thought it was a great idea and said a humble prayer. Not even 10 seconds later, BAM found those keys. She was so happy and we were too!!! It doesn't matter if it is small or large, our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to guide us if we let Him and listen to the Holy Ghost's promptings.
Thursday was SO NEAT. First, one of our friends that missionaries used to meet with but stopped having interest called us up and asked if we could go meet at the church that day. We said sure! Turns out she met up with one of her high school friends from a long time ago and was super impressed with how much her friend has changed. Her friend said it was because Jesus Christ and His loving influence in her life, so Zhang JM decided she wanted Christ in her life and called us up. Lin JM (our duanchuan) was able to really connect with her and testify of forever families and Christ helping her overcome many adversities. Lin JM has a beautiful way with words and Zhang JM was truly touched. She was willing to start praying everyday and also came to church yesterday and loved it! We are so excited we can continue to help her find the light and happiness she is searching for. We later went tracting and again, Lin JM was a pro!!! We were able to meet some wonderful prepared people! Including a family, and a cute ama. So wonderful! That night we also found out that our lovely Chen Ming Zhu JM is going to the temple this week!!! She was baptized a year ago today, and is going to make more covenants with Heavenly Father this week!!!!! WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!
Friday we had a meeting in Gaoxiong about our english program and how we are going to change it and make it more professional. We got new textbooks, tools to teach, training, advertising materials, and so much more. As english leader of our chapel I got a lot more responsibility, but I think it will make english class so much better so I'm really excited! I also got to witness something really cool by another sister. There are some sisters that really love to gossip and know "all the scoop." Most of us just kind of stay out of it and don't worry about it, however, I got to see Sister Taylor be a perfect example of how we stop it. A sister came up to her and said, "Ahhh how are you doing? I know alllll about your companion, you can tell me how you really feel" At this point, Sister Taylor could have easily complained or kind of ignored it, but instead she just simply said, "Sister Chen is a rock-star, so amazing. Seriously, I am so glad I can learn from her and be her companion." She said it with complete sincerity and then changed topics. The other sister just kind of shrugged and walked off. I don't think Sister Taylor knows I heard the conversation, but that really impressed me. One of the things I love about being on a mission is all the things I get to learn from other people. Ways to make me a better person, bless my family, stop contention, and so many more that will be invaluable for the rest of my life. Sometimes I feel like we think we have to change everything all at once, but through the gospel of Jesus Christ, we know that we just need to take it day by day. Start with humble prayer and a desire to do better, and the Lord will help you change a little bit each day.
Saturday was crazy too! The elders had a baptism that morning we went to. As Lin DX (guy who got baptized) shared his testimony afterwards, he said as he went into the water, he could really feel the Savior's love enfolding him. He knows it was a new start and he is excited to have his own eternal family one day. It was really wonderful! We went over to Chen JM's house after (one who lost her keys) and were able to sit with her for a while too. She said that she's been starting to really feel the Holy Ghost influencing her life and several different ways. She is really starting to connect the gospel teachings to her life and that is the best thing a missionary could ever be a part of! After another lesson later that day, we were pulling out when a woman came up to us and asked if we represented Jesus Christ. Well in fact we do! She said she wants to find a path she can guide her family on to be happier and have more peace... Came to the right place!!! She wanted to see our chapel right then so we went over and had a lesson with her. She also came to church yesterday and loved it!!! Miracle after miracle keeps us going and I love it!!! Later we had another wonderful lesson with Zeng JM who had some questions about how to better study the Book of Mormon. We were able to help her see that it helps answer all the questions of life and showered her some wonderful scriptures. She is so excited to continue reading. I think that day we had 3 or 4 people come up to us themselves saying, hey, can I give you my number so I can learn more about your church?  jaw drops to the floor........... WAh!!! Miracles up the wazoo.
We had a wonderful Sabbath day. We had a wonderful week. We are truly lucky to be here and even though things get crazy sometimes, it is all worth it. I love you all!!! I miss you all!!! Ekjflaksjeflawsikejf;laskjeflaksejf <-- that's how I feel. Crazy good.
Love, Sister Smart

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