Excellent Excellent Excellent



August 26, 2013

From the subject title you can all probably assume my last week was quite excellent to say the least. In fact, yesterday while at church I was thinking about my week and about all the things I was learning from the speakers, and realized they all linked together. So, this week I'm just going to tell you what I learned at church yesterday.

I went to the 4th Ward this week, which starts out with Relief Society, then I'll go to Gospel Principles class, and then end it with Sacrament meeting.

Relief Society

Zhang JM gave a wonderful lesson on 4 roles that define us. Her lesson was based of President Uchtdorf's talk given to the men at general conference, but we linked it to women. The first role is that we are children of Heavenly Father. This reminded me of one of our friends, Guo JM. She has been meeting with us for a few weeks and has a strong testimony of prayer and her relationship with God. She loves coming to church and is working to prepare for baptism next month. She shared a cool experience with us last week about how her and her mom don't have the greatest relationship. She said that they often fight and don't really see eye-to-eye on a lot of things. She took our invitation to pray to heart and started to pray for their relationship to get better. She came back the next time giddy with excitement because her prayers had been answered. As she's worked on her patience and not getting upset so easily with her mom, her mom has also started showing more love and understanding. I know that Heavenly Father wants to bless our lives and help us see the good ineveryone, for we are all his precious children.

The next role was Disciples of Jesus Christ. A huge part of this comes from our own study of Christ's life and how He interacts with those around Him. I thought upon my testimony of the Bible and Book of Mormon. I also reflected upon the chances this week I had to bear my testimony of what I had learned and come to know that was true. First, while in a lesson with a wonderful Jehovah's Witness sister. She had come prepared with a list of why we are terrible and wrong and how we could not be Christian. However, as we lovingly shared scriptures with each other, bearing our testimonies of their truthfulness, she was touched. At the end, she looked me straight in the eyes and said, so you actually believe the Book of Mormon to be true? How? I was able to share a tender experience when I myself, 13 years old, came to know the Book of Mormon was true through feelings of the Holy Ghost. As I'vecontinued to study and read over the years, my testimony is strengthened everyday. As we study these things, the next part is to go and do! Fun story: We were about to get on our bikes to ride when I noticed a cute old man trying desperately to ghostride a bike home. It would go astray every few seconds and he would have to stop and readjust frequently. I ran over to help him stand the bike up straight and then asked where he was going. He said not too far, so I got on the bike and told him I'd ride it for him and then walk back. After being on the bike a few minutes, I began to realize that this bike was special... This bike had no breaks. Haha, it was a really funny ride (especially since it was a tall boy bike and I had on a skirt) but we made it! It was fine and that was that. We said goodbye and walked back to our bikes. I want to be better at doing nice things for people. It feels good. 

The next was "Healer of the Soul" We get to comfort the brokenhearted, help the sick and afflicted, strenghthen those who have lost their way, share the light of the gospel with our loved ones. This role is pretty special. Last week we went to visit a few members of the church who haven't been in many years. Many have been burdened down by the last few years of trials that keep piling up. They want to come back and feel free from it all, but are just not quite sure how to. As we become their friends, they realize that God has not forgotten nor ever will forget them. They feel that spark of hope and allow the atonement to help their lives feel peace again. 

The last was Heirs of Eternal life. Remember Chen JM, the miracle miracle who was baptized a few weeks ago? We met with her last week and I was able to hear the story from herself. She'd been meeting with missionaries and coming to church for several months. She was excited to be baptized, and had her parents permission (even though she was 26 years old) to get baptized. It was wonderful. 2 days before her baptism her best friend in the world tells her suddenly that she has to pick between getting baptized, or being her friend. She was really hurt and called the sisters, not knowing what to do. The sisters bore testimony that she was making hte right choice and to keep praying about it. Chen JM felt it was right and decided she'd still get baptized. The next day, her boyfriend of 2 years does the same thing, and again she decides to keep going. The day of her baptism, that best friend went to her parents house and told them how she didn't want her to get baptized and convinced her parents to forbid her. She came home from work to grab her baptism clothes to a changed house. Her parents locked her in and wouldn't let her out, forbidding her to be baptized. She called the sisters and told them of the situation. The baptism was about to start in a few minutes, so everyone was there. They all said a fervant prayer together and had the feeling that they should just wait for her and that she would come. 6:00 comes by and her boyfriend pulls up, her right behind, ready to be baptized. Turns out, her boyfriend changed his mind once he realized how happy church made Chen JM, he went over to her parents house and smoothed everything over, and attended the baptism with her. It ended with him even saying that he too would like to be baptized one day. I know that's a long story, but it just shows the faith and determination of a wonderful 25 year old woman. She will continue to learn and grow in the gospel and one day will be the heir to eternal life.  p.s. the best friend is still friends with her... no change after baptism haha.

Next class: Gospel principles.

We talked about honesty and how it is sincere, selfless, doesn't mislead, and a characteristic of Christ. This lesson affected one of our friends Qiu JM so much that she decided to quit her job that makes her do some little dishonest things, and quit her other job that usually makes her work on sunday. She decided that she wants to find a job she can come to church and learn every week, and to make sure that she feels happy and righteous at work, no matter how much money she makes. She is a wonderful example of taking what we learn at church and applying it in our lives right away!

Next class:

Sacrament meeting. 2 things really stood out to me in sacrament. 1- Love. Why do we serve? What is the purpose of our service? Love! We went to visit the Cai family, long time members of the church to do FHE with them. We asked Cai JM what she learned on her mission and she said, to love the members you serve with. I can testify that that is so important! It makes the work so much more fulfilling when we work with others to do it. A great example of love last week was the Xu family. They are ward missionaries and do an incredible job helping investigators, members, and everyone they see. We were on our way home after church and some meetings to grab lunch when they called and said they had a feeling we should go see one of our members who wasn't there today. We gladly went with them and turns our she really needed our help. It was so cool to see the Holy Ghost working in their lives and how they acted upon that prompting to help someone in need. The second thing was something that a sister said in her talk 2- "Our marriage is based on Missionary Work." What a cool thing to base a marriage off of. So many families in Taiwan have that approach. We got to go to Youth Conference on Friday night for Missionary Night. We got to play some games and help the youth see the importance and happiness in missioanry work. At the end, the stake president asked who from the youth planned on serving a mission. Almost every single youth of a group of around 400 stood up instantly. I could just feel the power of the future missionary force here in Taiwan. I am so glad they will get to experience the blessings of a mission and come to know Heavenly Father in a wonderful way.

As I read over President Uchtdorf's talk this morning, this stood out to me: "Perhaps it is ture that we are weak. Perhaps we are not wise or mighty. But when God works through us, no one and nothing can stand against us." I know that is true. I know that we can feel happiness as we turn to Him for help through our prayers. I love life. I know I say it far too much, but its true. I love you all and miss you so much!!!!!

Love, Sister Smart

Tainan oh Tainan



August 19, 2013

One day I'll write a song about how great Tainan is. But for now I'll just tell you about my supergreat last week.

FHE on monday night was a smashing success. We held it at the Xu familiy's house. It was so much fun! We had some people who recently joined the church come, also some who hadn't been to church in a long time, also some people investigating the church. We ate dinner together, then played a game and talked about how when we put Christ first, everything else works out.

The next day I went to Jiayi, about an hour train ride awaw and had exchanges with Sister Chord. We went there first for Zone training meeting, then we had a little pow-wow with the sisters and it was really fun. We talked about some of the stresses in missionary work and how we can deal with them. Afterwards I went back to Sister Chord's area, Douliu. They just opened the place up last week, so we had a nice open day just trying to meet some folks. We ended up tracting into a family who let us in and we were able to share about how the gospel blesses families. It was great! We also ate a pizza for dinner. haha

Wednesday we switched back in the afternoon and I came back to dear old Tainan. That night for english I taught them "Our Savior's Love" in english and we'll be performing it in a  few weeks for the talent show we're throwing. We talked about the lyrics. One of my favorite parts is when it talks about how the light of Christ lights our way is it breaks through clouds of strife. We together shared experiences about when Christ has led us through times when we were confused or felt lost, and what that light feels like. I know it's real.

We threw 2 activities this last week, one was a brownie night. It was really fun and we taught everyone how to make them. Of course we bought ice cream to celebrate and it was pretty funny to see them react to how sweet brownies are. The other was a pizza night. Note, if you want people to come to activities, just say there's food! Works everytime. Anyways, they were great opportunities for everyone to make friends and have a great time together.

Saturday night we went to a baptism with one of our investigators, Cynthia. She was so touched by the baptism and we talked afterwards about her own baptismal service. We set a date and we'll do everything we can to help her receive those wonderful blessings! It was such a great week. Sunday night we had another FHE (to be held on Sundays from now on) and it was also really great. The elders did the spiritual share and reinacted the 3 little pigs. It was so funny! Afterwards we played a game and everyone had a great time. Really, missions are so wonderful. I'm out of time but love you all!!

Love, Sister Smart

First week in Tainan

August 12, 2013

 

The wonderful world of Tainan is a dream beyone imagination. Just wait till I send you pictures. After our email last week, I jumped on a train to Tainan. A few hours later I found myself in the most beautiful city with an incredible companion! Sister Shen and I are just about as happy as happy missionaries can be! We got home and got right to work. This week was spent mainly getting to know tons of people, so let me introduce you to them

 

Zhou JM is our relief society president and a huge key to succcess in Missionary work. We met with her and asked how we could help the ward, especially the sisters. We talked about those who could use a helping hand and we spent the rest of the week visiting them. Her husband and her met the missionaries when their youngest child was only 2 years old. They've been incredibley faithful these last 30 years and helped us out so much.

 

Chen JM is a great girl who is investigating the church. She is in her 20's and has a strong testimony of prayer. She sells clothes everyday (get this, their jewelry is from Forever 21 haha) and has been coming to church the last few months. She is so great. A cute girl named Mango came with us to teach her, which worked out pretty great. Mango joined the church 5 years ago and has a really strong testimony of families. She is always willing to help the missionaries. That's when I started to realize that this area is full of people who love missionary work and are willing to do anything to help these people come unto Christ. It's so great!

 

Lisa is another wonderful woman. She has intesrest in the church because of Brother Lin, a co-worker. She think's he's the bee's knees, so when he invited her to come and see, she was more than willing. She has been learning so much and we'll hopefully see her again tonight for FHE. It goes to show that the most important aspect of missionary work is our own example. If we are living the gospel, others will want to come and see for themselves why we are so happy.

 

Nina is a cool 13 year old who lives in Australia. Her uncle is a member and invited her to meet with us. We got to know her and then shared about how the Book of Mormon and prayer will bless our lives no matter where we are. She'll be going back to Australia soon, but we hope shell continue to learn over there.

 

Ke family! They are the greatest. They live at the top of Gaoxiong, which is still our area, so we rode our bikes down the beach to get there. Read that sentance again. I know, right? Biked down the beach. This area is so beautiful. If I get a chance to ride that road on a pday I'll of course send pictures to you. This family was baptized almost a year ago and is getting ready to go to the temple. They have 3 cute kids, Bella, Ryan and Jordan. They are so much fun!

 

Chen JM, just got baptized 2 weeks ago. Huge miracle story I'll share with you next week if I have time. Sorry, today's time is also pretty short. Qiu JM is so funny! She wants to be baptized so bad but her grandpa objects. We're helping her continue to build her faith, and we know miracles will come. Zhang JM is so cool too! We shared the word of wisdom with her and turns out she's an alcoholic. However, as we shared the blessings of keeping this commandment, she was willing to try it before we even asked her.

 

We also met with other leaders, like the Bishops of our wards (we have 2 wards here) and they want us to help strengthen the youth and the singles programs. They'd like us to help them throw activities and help everyone come to the church and feel loved. We're so excited to work with them! gahhh. The time goes by so fast! Next email will be more interesting because I've got 2 exchanges, a pizza party, a cookie party, and much much more coming up this next week. Haha, simply put, I love my new area, companion, and all these people. They are so wonderful and I am glad to serve them. I love you all and miss you so much! Don't forget to read your scriptures and say your prayers :)

 

Love, Ally

I don't have much time today, I'm moving to Tainan

August 5, 2013

I'm sorry I don't have much time today. The big news is that I'm moving to Tainan here in a little bit. I'll be companions with a Sister Shen and it should be a blast. I was hoping to stay my last 3 months here, but guess Heavenly Father has other plans for me. I'll go, but I'll miss this place a lot. I love Fengyuan and it has changed so much in the last several months. I figured I would be moving so I spent the week visiting the people I will miss the most. Mainly, Lily and her family. Theresa and her family. Hong JM and her family. Chen JM and her family. Lin JM, Li mama, Eva, and so many others that have touched my life. I love this area so much! I'll be taking on some new responsibilities in Tainan, so it will be a cool chance to get to serve the people and missionaries there. My train leaves in a little bit though and I'm not sure I'll have another chance to finish my emailing time today, but know that I love you all! I know the Lord loves us all and He is always by our side, helping us do the things we feel inadequate to do. I know prayer is real and that it can change our hearts. Sometimes it kinda just boggles my mind at how ridiculously happy I am... It's because there is no greater message that we could be sharing and living. It's fun and I plan on working non-stop these last 2 movecalls. Love you!!

 

Love, 宋姊妹,