Summer seems to be coming...

This week we met for the first time with a new investigator.  She was really nice and willing to hear what we had to share.  At the end she said she was willing to keep meeting but wouldn't get baptized.  I was caught a bit off guard, but my super awesome companion started to find out why.  Turns out, she had heard about baptism from her Christian friends and the true meaning of baptism was lost in the communication process.  I feel like this happens a lot in people's minds.  People think it is just a rite of passage or some ritual to join the church.  But, what it really is, is an expression of our commitment to Heavenly Father that we will leave behind the things we used to do and start to follow the path that leads us back to Him.  It's a literal brand new start and a promise between us and our Heavenly Father.  

After this brief explanation she said she was willing to fully hear what we had to share before deciding against baptism.  I'm excited to share the gospel and extend the opportunity for her to attain eternal blessings and recognize the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us in restoring their one true church on the Earth.

Something I've really learned this week is that if you want to improve and become more Christlike, daily study, prayer and repentance is necessary.  We need to remember daily the things that Christ did and know that he was the perfect example.  If you want more humility, love, patience or anything like that, Christ is the one who can help us.  One attribute I've been striving to develop since coming on the mission is patience and I can feel the strength and support of Christ as I strive to become more like Him.

I hope all of you are well and are repenting daily to become an even better you.

Sister Hsu

P.S.  These past few days have been pretty hot, sunny, and humid.  I already feel uncomfortable because my skin never seems to dry off.  But, I hear it's 10 times worse in the south...  So I guess I'm going to count my blessings.  :)

Bumpy Middle of the Move-Call

This week had a lot of miracles, but also a lot of personal hardships.  If I've learned anything it is that the Lord is always there watching over us and listening and answering our prayers.  No matter what the trial, if we rely on the Lord and have faith that through Him all things are possible, then it is possible to make it through any difficulty you might be facing.  

We went on Sister exchanges on Friday and I went to Tainan with Jian JM.  That night I had shared with her about some of the things that had been troubling my heart and my mind and she shared with me a method that she always uses to communicate with our Heavenly Father.  She said that before personal study she would write a question down on a piece of paper and then pray for the opportunity to find an answer to her question during her studies.  She said that she would end her prayer and then continue reading where she had left off on the previous day.  I was definitely skeptical, thinking that we needed to use the "Pray, open the scriptures and point" method in order to receive the exact answer that the Lord wants to provide us.  But, she said, that it is really just that miraculous.  Pick up where you left off and receive an answer.  So the next morning I tried it and it really worked.  Not only did it work, it was a pretty immediate answer.  I had last left off on the middle of a chapter and the very next verse gave me an answer to the question I had written down.  It was a testimony to me that the Lord really is aware or everything that is going on and that He is always there, ready to help us.  All we need to do is humble ourselves enough to ask.  

My goal for this week is to pray for opportunities to develop Faith, Hope and Charity so that I might be able to always abound in good works.  

I invite all to pray to know what your weaknesses so that through Christ we can turn our weaknesses into strengths! 

Keep the Faith!

Sister Hsu

P.S.  My "new" companion (it's been three weeks since we became companions.  Hahah)

What happened this week?

A lot happened this past week.  One of which was attending the funeral of a member.  It was a very different kind of experience because it was a Buddhist funeral and we were invited to sing since he was also a member of our church.  There were a lot of things that I had never seen before and I was a bit nervous because I didn't want to unintentionally to something wrong that would offend them.  I just remember a member telling me not to smile and to sing the songs very sadly, so I concentrated on that.  After departed it just made me very grateful to have this gospel and to know that the Plan of Salvation is real.

Other than that,

We had Zone Training Meeting which was a very helpful and enlightening experience.  We also officially have started teaching a family that we had previously met a few times.  But, the biggest thing I think started a few days ago when we went tracting in the area around the church.  We were originally pretty skeptical about it because we were afraid that the houses there had been tracted too much by previous missionaries, but we went for it anyway.  

So, we started knocking, not home, not interested, went before and hated it, not interested... so I was starting to feel pretty down-trodden, but we kept going and pressed the buzzer on the next house.  I heard the quiet voice of a women and said that we were missionaries in the area spreading a message of love and happiness.  She said she was busy but told us when we could come back.  I was a little bit shell-shocked after the conversation ended.  We had set an appointment with her for this morning.  To tell you the truth my faith with a bit on the low said and I was afraid that she would fang (not be home) our appointment.  This morning we get to her house, say a little prayer and ring the bell, say we are the Sister Missionaries and the gate suddenly unlocks.  We ended up having the opportunity to meet a wonderful mother.  She is so full of love and just hopes for her family's happiness.  She was also willing to set another appointment with us later in the week so we can share more with her.  This was my first experience with tracting and finding someone ready to hear the gospel.  A miracle indeed.  :)

The week was full of new experiences and miracles.  

Something I learned this week:

Humility isn't not having confidence in yourself, it's having confidence in Christ's ability to help us to do all things.

I know the grammar is weird, but I hope it makes some sense to you.  :)

Love you all!

Keep the Faith!

Sister Hsu

P.S. I've gotten lazy in taking photos... next time...

New Move-call, New Companion, New Beginning

Note from Kat: Sorry for the delay again!

This week has been amazing!  So many miracles!  Sister Lin really is exactly what this area needs.  She is full of unconditional love!  I was really worried about getting a new companion because she of course is my first new companion since being out in the field,  also know as my "greenie-breaker."  

I knew changes were coming what with a new companion as well as a new District Leader.  Needless to say I was pretty worried about how I would adjust to the new.  But!  Sister Lin really is amazing, and our personalities pretty much instantly matched.  Every day has been full of laughs and new ideas on how to do the work here in Douliu.  I hadn't thought that I had developed any particular habits because with Sister Ting being my only companion, my brain just figured whatever we were doing is just how it is.  Lo and behold, there are other ways to do the same thing.  I've already learned so much in this first week.

The District feel is now completely different.  Not bad, just different. Although, that is probably because there is most likely no one as kua zhang as Elder Yeh.  

As for stress, there has definitely still been some.  Like, Lin JM is new to the area, so for the first week I needed to be the one to show her around and introduce her to the members and what-not, but it's been okay.

I read Alma 9 and really liked it.  I liked how clearly Alma explains the difference between the standing of the wicked Nephites to that of the Lamanites and why it is that if the Nephites do not repent, the Lamanites will be better off in the eyes of God.  

Read it, Ponder it, Apply it.  

Love you!

Numbers Don't Matter

This is probably one of the biggest things I learned this week.  Numbers are important in terms of having a goal and having the faith that the Lord will help us to achieve them, but ultimately if you have done all you can, followed the promptings of the Spirit.  This week, our main focus was on preparing for a special fireside.  Our Douliu missionaries received permission to hold a fireside with the teachers and leadership of the Branch.  We spent time personally inviting every person and emphasizing the importance of the fireside, asking our very busy members to set aside some time on Saturday night, for an hour and a half to attend.  Through out the week we had to pray and prepare about specifically what we could share and how to share it.  Saturday came around, and members came, and it went super well.  By the end we were all feeling the Spirit and had renewed desire to further strengthen ourselves and the Branch.  We were all given the challenge to read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover within 3 months.  So, I would also like to extend this invitation to all of you.  I know that if we take the time to study, learn and ponder the teachings and words of prophets and our God, we will be blessed with knowledge, understanding and a greater ability to not only feel and hear the promptings of the Spirit, but also to act on them in faith.

Another great miracle.  Peter was baptized on Saturday!  Peter is someone Elder Yeh/Turner/Dawson had been teaching.  We all felt like he was reading, had a testimony and had the faith, but he kept thinking to put it off for two years.  He is going to Australia for two years and kept saying, if this really is truth, then if he still believes in two years when he comes back, then he will be baptized.  We all really thought there was no other way.  But, suddenly one day he just says, "I want to get baptized this Saturday"  We were all pleasantly surprised.  It was a beautiful baptism and the testimony he shared the following Sunday was full of the Spirit and happiness.  He said that he had always been wondering about whether or not if he should be baptized.  He was thinking if he were to get baptized before he left for Australia, March 1st would be a good day.  his work would have been finished and it was the beginning of a new start.  But, he already had plans to go on a small vacation with his friends.  He said he prayed and said that if, for some reason he could make it back in time, then he would get baptized on Saturday.  The day after he prayed about it, his friend called and said the trip had to be canceled.  And that was it.  He said okay, this was the answer and went onto tell Elder Yeh. 

It really was a week of miracles.

Some other news.  Move-call!  Elder Yeh and Elder Stratford are going home.  My new companion will be arriving shortly.  A time of huge changes.  The District is going to change.  I'm a little bit scared about what sort of changes will be coming.  I've been with these same missionaries just about the whole time I've been in Taiwan.  So, I guess we'll see.

Okay, well I'm really short on time, so this will be it.

Go PRO

Read the Book of Mormon

Keep the Faith!

Sister Hsu

P.S.  We had a fair styled English Activity this past Wednesday.  Super fun!

Longest week so far...

Really though.  This week has probably felt like the longest week since I've been out in the field.  We had a lot of travelling and made time to meet a lot of different members.

This week was Power Week.  The funny thing about this is that we would always plan the time into do the specific challenge (ex. hand out 13 Book of Mormon's)  But do to unexpected appointments or situations, most of our Power Week time fell through.  The biggest cause would probably have to be the Leadership Fireside that we are holding this coming Saturday.  Elder Yeh, as a last great event before he goes home next week came up with the idea as a way to help further strengthen the Branch.  So, this past week was a week of planning and meeting with members to invite them to the event.  We really are hoping it is a success and that all the people we invited attend.  I guess instead of Power Week, we had a Power-Up Douliu Week.  :]  

This past week I also had my first experience where an investigator 100% has no desire to know more and feels the message has and won't have any affect in her life.  It was a bit of a blow.  But, it's okay.  I still love her a lot and she said she will continue to come to English Class.  I just hope one day she will have the opportunity to know this Gospel. 

On Saturday we were invited to help with Missionary Day in Jiayi, a Young Men and Young Women activity where they can go out with missionaries and have a missionary experience.  Because of the turn out, I was one on one with a Young Woman from the Douliu Branch.  I was pretty concerned about street contacting in Jiayi because I am not familiar with the area and I would not have Sister Ting there to help me if things got a little bumpy.  But, when the time came, I kind of had this "just suck it up" kind of feeling and just went for it.  I feel like the Lord definitely had a hand in giving me the courage to talk to so many people.  It was really a good growing experience for me and the YW had said she realized missionary work is harder and a bit scarier than she originally had thought. 

On Sunday we went to Taizhong for a Mission Conference.  There we had the opportunity to hear from the Presiding Bishop of the Church, Bishop Stevenson and his wife.  Our very own President Blickenstaff and Sister Blickenstaff spoke to us as well.  It was a very good conference.  One part I'd like to share is PRO.  How to be Pro for Heavenly Father

P - Pray - Over and Over (Alma 37:37) 

R - Read - Time after Time (1 Nephi 15:24)

O - Obey - Again and Again (Mosiah 2:41)

Something that we have been challenging our members to do is to pray for missionary opportunities.  Pray for them and you will receive.  But you must also pray with real intent so that when the opportunity presents itself, you will actually go and take it.

Bishop Stevenson also invited all of us to diligently invite others to come unto Christ.  If you feel a prompting to invite someone to church, or take missionary discussions.  DO IT!!  

Wah, this time around there are so many invitations.  But, I promise you that if you diligently try and become PRO and pray for missionary opportunities, you and your family will be blessed with even greater faith, happiness and conviction.  

Keep the Faith!

Sister Hsu

Pictures

1. On some Sundays, we go to our bikes and find food.  I love Douliu.

2. Li Jiating, their dinners are not only healthy, but are restaurant quality.  :]  Super Yummy!

3. My favorite chocolate bar.  It's super popular here and you can hardly find it anywhere anymore.  So, I love having such a supportive District. 

So much to say, but so little time.

What happened this week?  Feels like so much happened, but at the same time so little.  I suppose I'll start by mentioning a few miracles I was during the week.

I was able to meet with one of our former's that we had been trying to get in contact with since I came to Douliu.  I gave her a call, once again hoping to be able to meet up with her.  She had said she was busy but would call us when she found some time.  In all honestly I was thinking it just wasn't going to happen.  But, a few hours later she calls back and sets up with us to go out for breakfast the next day.  We discovered she not only still prays, she also still studies the Book of Mormon.  She is unable to come to church because of some family reasons, but other than that I feel like she is wanting more of the gospel, but in her current situation she is just isn't able to.

Another tender mercy happened in XiLuo.  We had tried calling one of our less-actives to set up a time to meet her while we were in XiLuo, but never ended up getting a hold of her.  So, upon arriving in XiLuo we went to her house and was told that she headed out earlier and they weren't sure when she would be back.  We were a bit disappointed in not being able to see her and went to our bikes to get ready to go, when I look up and there she is, walking towards us, just after getting out of a car.  In the end, she had time and we were able to meet with her and share a message and invite her to some of our church activities and to come on Sunday.  If the Lord wants us to meet someone, He will make it happen.

On another note, Elder Long went home yesterday and found out Elder Turner will be going to a new area as of today.  So Elder Dawson will be Elder Yeh's companion until the next move call (in two weeks) when Elder Yeh will also be going home.  Another change is that our Douliu Branch is closing a set of Elders.  So from now on there will be one set of Sisters and One set of Elders.  It is all so strange.  So many large changes are happening just as I'm about to finish up my 12 weeks training, which also means I'll most likely be getting a new companion this next move-call.  

On a funny and yet slightly kuazhang note.  Yesterday we were invited to have dinner with Li Jiating in XiLuo.  It's about an hour bike ride, and initially, all of us (all the Douliu missionaries) were supposed to ride our bikes from the church together since we'd all be there giving Elder Turner a going-away surprise.  Se Sister Ting and I head out, hoping to get a bit of a head start since the Elders usually ride faster.  We are about 15-20 minutes out when I hear someone yelling, "Jiemei!  Jia you!"  I look back and it's the Elder riding in a members car to XiLuo...  Wah.  Really.  How Bu Gong Ping! (Unfair!)  When we finally get to the house, we find all of them prostrating themselves and welcoming us. Hahaha.  

Okay, well I'm about out of time.  (spent too much time figuring out music stuff.)  

There was so much more stuuf that happened, like being able to see Jane again before she started school and there was also the Music fireside.  So much, but so little time.  Haha.  

Love all of you!  Keep the Faith!

Sister Hsu