This week was SO GREAT! On Wednesday we had a mission tour, Elder Funk of the Seventy came and we spent the day learning from him and President Blickenstaff. I learned so much! I loved it! During the conference they had us practice saying the first vision and then extending a baptismal invitation. As I was practicing with my companion, the spirit witnessed to me so so strongly that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, really did appear to the young boy Joseph Smith. I couldn't finish reciting it without being brought to tears. That one single event changed the world, it changed my life. That experience, and another experience that has happened within the last couple of weeks with a member attending our lesson and completely focusing on the language barrier, has finally brought me to realize that the spirit really is a universal language. Although my Chinese is getting better and better all the time, it doesn't even really matter if who we are talking to completely understands what we are saying or not. As I testify of Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of this gospel, the Holy Ghost will be there to let the investigator feel that what I am saying is true. That is the most important part. The Holy Ghost is the true teacher.
Saturday I was able to attend a couple of investigators' from Nantou wedding and baptism! It was SO wonderful! They are amazing! Hong Dixiong and Zhang Jiemei. They have been together for 7 years, and I met with them at least once or twice a week for the entire time I was in Nantou. They have completely changed their lives around and exercised incredible amounts of faith, and on Saturday I was able to see them make a covenant with their Heavenly Father to always follow Him and keep His commandments. And it was beautiful. It is these happy moments that make all the rejection and long days and sleepless nights and hard work worth it. This is what true happiness feels like, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Saturday night we had a Thanksgiving activity at our church. We combined with the other two wards that meet in our building and it was a HUGE success! There were about 150 people there, give or take. It was so wonderful! Each district of missionaries made a traditional American thanksgiving dish, and then we had everyone who attended bring something they made from home. Our district made your famous mashed potatoes and everyone LOVED them! Don't worry, I gave the credit to you ;)
Asian Thanksgiving Dish
(Not sure what that is....chicken feet?)
A pro at eating with chopsticks
Saturday night we got home pretty late (our church is about a 40 min bike ride away), and around 10 pm President Blickenstaff called. He asked me to train next move call. I was a little bit shocked, I feel like I just got here, why would anyone trust me to train a new missionary? But at the same time I think Heavenly Father has been preparing me this past week. I had a feeling I would be training, I just didn't want to believe it. So I told President that I would. So...my new companion will get here on Wednesday, then on Friday I will go get her and bring her back to Beitun. I'm a bit nervous, but I know that Heavenly Father will be with us and I've already gotten so many answers to prayers on how to improve, so I know it will be ok.
Well, that's about all of the big things that happened this week. I'm still loving being a missionary. I can't really remember what it's like to be out in the "real world", which I like. I rode my bike past a Buddhist temple this week and was like, "hey they're putting up Christmas lights for Christmas!" It took me a second to realize the irony in the situation. I'm excited to be here for Christmas. I am excited to bare witness of Christ in a place where not a lot of people have a lot of knowledge about Him, especially at this wonderful season where we celebrate His birth. It will be so great!
I hope you have a fantastic week! You are in my prayers every night! I love you lots and lots!
Love,
傅姐妹
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