Speaking of time going fast, I hit my 1 year mark this past week. Weird. Also, about 2 years ago I went to China....that feels like it was yesterday. Also weird because I feel like that was a completely different person. I feel like I have changed so much, and for that I am grateful. I'm thankful for the Atonement, that every day we are given the opportunity to change and become better than we were the day before. I don't like to think of where I would be without it.
As for me, this week was amazing! We had 2 baptismal goals drop out (they didn't come to church, so they have to have new goals so they can make it to church at least 3 times) but we had 2 new goals drop in! So we are still at 5, but should soon be up to 7!!! They are all doing so great! We met with a new investigator on Tuesday? and gave her a goal for March 1. She was so excited! She has work on Sunday but said she would talk to her boss to see if she could come in late so she could make it to church! She is 23, super cute! The other one is an 18 year old student who wants to be a nurse. She works at a tea shop. She accepted to be baptized at our first meet, too and said she would share the plan of salvation and Book of Mormon with one of her friends and her sister! She is super cute! Heavenly Father really is blessing us so much, just putting prepared people right in our path. We have so many right now, its a challenge keeping track of them all! But Heavenly Father is helping us with that, too. It's really amazing to see it all just fall into place as we are working our very hardest. We also met with one of Wei JM (our AMAZING investigator who couldn't get baptized on Christmas) friends. About a month ago she gave us a list of 3 friends that we prayed for by name every single night. When we set up with her I was like, wait....why does this name sound so familiar. And it's because it was one of those friends who we prayed for every night! So cool. She is super cute! she didn't accept a baptismal goal yet, but she committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray, so basically she is awesome. I'm loving all the work that's going on here in Beitun. It's amazing how much this area has changed and progressed.
I had a few more of those moments that you mentioned that you have, Dad, that you will remember from your mission for your whole life. It wasn't a huge moment, it was actually really small. We have this investigator, she is 69 (I think? really old), and I love her with me WHOLE HEART! She is so so cute!! I just love her! Anyway, we meet with her a lot because she is old and has nothing to do haha but every time after the lesson she walks us out to our bikes and then walks to us to the stop light until it turns green and we have to ride away. It was in the evening and it was a beautiful day, sun was setting, didn't need a jacket yet it wasn't hot, clear sky (no smog), and the light turned green. We had said goodbye and I love you like a bagillion times, but as we rode I way I looked back one last time to tell her I loved her. She was just standing there watching us off and waved goodbye. And right then I felt the spirit. And I said a prayer of gratitude for Heavenly Father allowing me to come to this wonderful place. I don't know what I did to be so blessed, I don't feel like I deserve it, but I am so so thankful.
Also, this week is Chinese New Year! Didn't quite keep up on your new years resolutions? No worries, this year you have two new years! Yeah! It's actually pretty cool, a less active told us the story behind new years. So anciently in China, there was this large animal called "nian" (nee-en) and every year at a certain time he would come and eat all the people. The people discovered that if they put red stuff around their front door, the big animal wouldn't eat them. So they would. And now everyone has these red posters that they put up around their door that says, everyone, congratulations! Congratulations you didn't get eaten! haha. So that's why its called guo nian. Guo is like, pass, to pass through, and nian is the name of the animal. Pass through the animal. haha. When she told us I was like hmmmm.....wait a second! That sounds like it's from the Old testament! Moses sound familiar to anyone? Yeah, Christianity has definitely been in China before. Anyway, Chinese New Year is actually a really scary time to be a missionary. Our ward has created a sign up list on when to feed the missionaries. As a result, every single lunch and dinner for every day this week is going to be spent at a members house. President Blickenstaff has given us permission for us to be at each appointment for 2 hours to show politeness. Crazy. That's how big of a deal Chinese New Year is. On top of the 15 pounds I've gained in the past year of being a missionary, I'm about to gain another 15 in just one week. AAAAH! But! When in Rome do as the Romans do. I only get to experience one Chinese New Year, so I'm going to simply enjoy it. Also, I'm considering waking up at 6 am to get some extra exercise. haha.
Week Schedule-Booked
Anyways, thanks for all your support and prayers, mom. I really do see that they are helping. My language is getting better and better (even though I'm still pretty hai hao) and we are seeing so many miracles every single day. I'm so thankful for this time that I have to give all that I have and all that I am to the Lord. I wouldn't trade the experiences I'm having and the people that I am meeting and helping come unto Christ for anything in the world. I absolutely LOVE Taiwan and I LOVE the people here and I LOVE the gospel! So much love going on. haha.
Have a great week! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sister Fuller
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