I'll send a better email next week"
This week sister Liu shared the following... "It's move call day, and I'm exhausted, I am training a taiwanese visa waiter, she is going to California for her mission, I think I'm just going to write president and then sleep for a bit, got no sleep last night helping sister lemon pack. here are some pictures that a member took of us.
I'll send a better email next week"
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This week Sister Liu shared the following... It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... < HELLO EVERYONE >
Well, it was a week. I never really know how to start off these emails, so we will just start off with the first thing I wrote in my journal and move on from there: Exciting things that happened: 1. We bought a Christmas tree! A mini one of course... but still! A tree! We also bought spray snow and sprayed it everywhere. Probably because it feels like it's 100 degrees outside.... 2. We watched Meet the Mormons with some investigators. I don't really know what they thought of Mormons before.. but afterwards they said "Wow! I didn't know Mormons had talents! They are actually cool people !" .... Well thanks...? 3. We went park contacting, but no one wanted to talk to us. SO, we grabbed two of the hula hoops and started hula hooping in the middle of the park. Then, a bunch of people started coming over and asking us what brought us here to Taiwan. We were able to explain what missionaries were and our basic beliefs :) Who knew that hula hoops would get people to talk to us?? 4. Ahhh I forgot to mention in my last two emails: We met this lady named Luo Jie Mei at the beginning of this month. She previously met with other missionaries but then was transferred over to us, She is what we call a golden investigator, incredibly prepared and has a strong testimony. She is getting baptized next week! Honestly, Sister Lemon and I didn't need to do much, she was already so prepared. But I am so glad that I am able to take part in helping her get ready for baptism! 5. One morning there was there this atrocious, horrible vibrating noise coming from the outside of our apartment. It literally made my brain shake. We were in studies, and there was NO WAY we could continue studies anymore. I had earplugs and a hat on my head. but- nothing worked. SO we left the house early and decided to make up studies later, We biked down the road and as we were stopped at a stop light, two people came up to us and asked if we were Christian, we said yes, and they proceeded to ask us like 500 more questions, about church, missionaries, what we believed in, Jesus Christ, etc. We were able to sit down with them and taught them a lesson about our church's basic beliefs! We will see how this week goes with them :) I know that the Lord really does place people in our path, even if it means that there needs to be a horrible noise that kicks us out of our apartment... Well that's it for now. Oh one last thing I wanted to share from studies this week: This week I was reading a quote that Elder Holland shared from a swimmer talking about his secret to success: He said "I kick when I don't want to kick, and I stroke when I don't want to stroke." Sometimes on my mission I've felt like stopping, not stopping the mission entirely, but just stopping what I was doing at that moment (contacting at every stoplight, tracting the hot and dusty roads, etc.) I realized that when we push ourselves to keep going, that is how we can learn and change the most. The mission isn't supposed to be comfortable and happy at all times, then we would never learn or grow. There will always be times that we struggle and go through challenges, but when we feel like stopping, we just have to keep going, and then that is how we can become the best missionary that Heavenly Father wants us to be. I love this gospel so much, and I am so grateful for the happiness and peace it brings to me. Thank you all for your love and support! Always, Sister Michelle Liu <3 This week Sister Liu shared the following.... So I'll read scriptures all day and never eat or drink? <HELLO EVERYONE> Well this week was pretty eventful. First some exciting things: 1. A dog tried to attack me yesterday 2. The elevator in our apartment stopped working. We live on the 10th floor. -.- 3. I almost biked over a cat. 4. We have started to put Christmas decorations up in our apartment. 5. "Meet the Mormons" finally came out in Chinese!! Best. Day. Ever. Now some really exciting things: 1. Neal's Mom (mentioned her in last week's email) is really loving the gospel and what the church has to offer! We watched The Restoration movie with her and she really took it all in. We have been meeting with her with another family in our ward, and I could tell that the member's testimonies really did have a big impact on her. I really learned about the importance of having members present at lessons, the Zhang family made it a lot easier for her to connect to the gospel. I'm so grateful for these members who are so willing to help in this work, it really is a group effort :) 2. We had Mission Tour this week! Mission Tour is when a member of the seventy comes to visit the mission. This time, Elder Sam Wong came and talked to us about understanding our purpose as a missionary. I learned so much about how to teach people according to their needs and how to be the missionary that God wants me to be. The best part was at the end. Elder Wong picked a few missionaries to interview after it was over. And I got lucky enough to be one of them !!! At first I was a little nervous, I mean, what do you even say to a general authority? But he made me feel super comfortable, and just asked me about my family, my mission, and how I felt about the work in general. I talked about how I know that "no effort is wasted" but how recently it's just been harder for me to really believe that. Then what he said really impacted me and changed the way I view missionary work now. He told me that if there was only one convert on my mission, he would hope that it is me. He said "Maybe you can't see the results of your efforts now, but you will see them as you are raising children firmly planted in the roots of the gospel, because you strengthened your own testimony by experiencing the things you experienced on your mission, that you otherwise couldn't of if you didn't come out and serve." It was exactly what I needed to hear, and I am so thankful that Heavenly Father really does keep us in mind. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. Someone once told me that Heavenly Father has two priorities: 1. He testifies of Jesus Christ and 2. He hears and answers our prayers How cool is that? The most powerful being in all the universe's priority is to answer our prayers. Sometimes I feel like I am so insignificant, but to Heavenly Father we all mean so much to Him. Knowing that He cares and loves me, makes me want to become a better person every day. I love this gospel so much and I am so grateful for the blessings that I've received. Love you all. Always, Sister Michelle Liu Line of the week: *while teaching Fan Jie Mei ( a REALLY OLD less active) We watched this video together about seeking the kingdom of God first: https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/seek-first-the-kingdom-of-god?lang=eng Then we asked her how she felt. Sister Lemon: What did you learn from the video? Fan Jie Mei: It was a good video. It was very good. Me: Yes, but what did you learn? Fan Jie Mei: It was good. Sister Lemon: ok... well did you learn anything from it? Or like any part? Fan Jie Mei: Oh yes! It's saying that I need to read my scriptures all day and never eat or drink! I'll start doing that tomorrow! Us: ...... Don't worry, we clarified. That would be very bad if we didn't... This week Sister Liu shared the following... Birthday beer? // bike rides of death Birthday and Halloween.<HELLO EVERYONE>
Well this week.. I never know where to begin! WAIT. FIRST THINGS FIRST. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER. SHE IS NOW 16. well my birthday was on monday! Celebrated it with some of my favorite sisters, always fun :) A family that we have been teaching bought me beer to celebrate..... so... we taught the word of wisdom. More exciting things from the week: Wang Jie Mei, a less active we have been working with, is now officially back and active in church! She has been coming to church every week now, and has helped us at all of our ward activities! It has been so great to see her progress in the gospel, and gain back the light that she had when she first got baptized :) During our weekly planning session, Sister Lemon and I realized that a lot of our investigators were not actually progressing.. . We didn't want to loose investigators, but we just knew in our hearts that we had to shift our focus to other new investigators. . The next day, we met with one of our english student's mom. We met with her at the relief society's president's house, and it was a great lesson! She was so open and genuinely interested in learning the gospel. During the lesson I could really feel the spirit, and I was so happy that we were able to find someone who actually has a desire to learn about the gospel :) I know that sometimes we don't want to loose investigators, but as we move forward in faith to find those prepared souls, Heavenly Father will lead us to them :) Ahhhh so much to say, and way too little time. I know this is Heavenly Father's work, and that we are all instruments in His hands. Doing His work has made me the happiest I have ever been. Thank you all for your love and support! I promise to write more next week :P Always, Sister Michelle Liu Lines from bike rides across town: Sister Lemon: I almost just ate a butterfly. Me: I'm pretty sure that bat is about to fly into my face. Sister Lemon: Well... almost just died. Me: I'm pretty sure cars just try to see how many bicyclists they can hit in a day. Sister Lemon: I just want to live. Missionary life is the best. If any of you see missionaries on bikes, PLEASE try not to hit them. This week Sister Liu shared the following... Turning 20 // HALFWAY // Trying not to die <HELLO EVERYONE> Well, I officially turned 20 about 7 hours ago :D And I've hit my halfway mark! Wow things are really happening. Exciting things of the week: 1. I cut off 12 inches of my hair. I feel like I've lost 10 pounds. 2. We were sitting in McDonalds and this lady just came up to us and started asking us questions about missionary work and our church! We are meeting with her later this week! I'm am so positive that as we are working hard, Heavenly Father really does put prepared people in our path :) 3. Emily, I talked about her last week, wants to get baptized!! The only problem is that her grandma doesn't support that decision.. So we are working with the members and hopefully can explain to her grandma this week that we aren't the "evil sales people" she thinks we are.. 4. We started teaching a family! The previous missionaries knew this guy named Jia, he used to meet with the missionaries but stopped meeting, because he wasn't interested. Anyways, he lives with his mom and dad who love the missionaries, so missionaries still stop by to say hi once in a while. Sister Lemon and I decided to go by and visit, and to see if the mom and dad would be interested in learning the gospel. And guess what happened? They are some of the most prepared people I've ever met. I don't know why it never occurred to us to try to meet with them! The mom loves learning, she wants to learn about EVERYTHING: prophets, apostles, book of mormon, Nephi, baptism, church, the golden plates, Joseph Smith.. the list goes on and on. We have meet with them three times this week and are meeting with them again tonight! They love watching mormon messages and reading book of mormon stories together :) They are just so excited to learn, I really can't wait to see them progress further and further! I am seriously so happy right now. I love my companion, this area, and this work with all of my heart. I know that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us, and knows exactly what we need. As we trust in Him, and align our will with His, we will find true happiness and peace, and He will pour out blessings to us <3 Always, Sister Michelle Liu Sorry to disappoint, but I can't think of a Line of the Week for this email... but here's a funny story this week: We were riding home from the church, (which takes about 30 minutes) anyways, there was this huge Buddhist parade that went for like MILES. Let me just tell you. Trying to maneuver your bike through dancers, floats, BLARING music, confetti , flags, explosions, and cars shooting out fireworks, is NOT EASY. I''m pretty sure I almost died. But at least I mad it to my 20th birthday. So we're good. This week Sister Liu shared the following... NEW AREA/ shortie problems <Hello EVERYONE> SO much has happened since my last email! First things first: I moved!! I had only been in Donghai for one transfer, so I wasn't expecting to move at all! But now, I'm in T___I. My new companion is Sister Lemon: - From Utah - Loves volleyball and musicals - went to USU - is 5'10... So yes, I look like a shortie again.... Sometimes I think President just likes to put me with the tall missionaries so he can get a laugh out of it. Anyways, T__i is absolutely amazing! We met with so many less actives this week! There was one less active, Fan Jie Mei, a really old lady who hadn't been to church in over 8 years! We met with her and shared the Because He Lives video, it really touched her and helped her realize how Christ can help everyone, no matter who we are. We found someone that was able to take care of her sick husband this week, and yesterday she came to church!! I don't know what changed this time, but she came and enjoyed every second of it. We will continue to meet with her and can't wait to see her at church again :) Some real exciting things that happend: For our first night together in Tanzi, Sister Lemon and I decided to go park contacting. Most of the people didn't want to listen, but as we were heading out, this lady walked by. I was about to just walk past her, but for some reason I felt like I should at least hand her a tract. So I handed her a tract and and invited her to come to church. We ended up talking with her and her 5 year old son for half an hour! Their names are Jessie and Eric. They had seen missionaries before but were a little hesitant to talk to them- They asked questions about church and missionary life, we also invited them to our english class- On Wednesday they actually came and really enjoyed the spiritual share at the end! We are going to meet with her this week and can't wait to continue to share the gospel with her :) There was another night when we were deciding to eat dinner that we felt like we should go to a specific place. We were walking in when our phone rang, it was Emily ( a former investigator who just slowly stopped meeting with the missionaries) she just happened to be at the place we were eating, and called us when she saw us walk by! We don't really know why she stopped meeting with the missionaries, but that day we ate dinner together and just talked- She asked us to come over to her house this week and share the gospel with her and her family~ talk about MIRACLES. New move call, new area, new companion, and new people to meet! I can't wait to keep on serving the Lord in this wonderful country, I know there is so much ahead of us, and it's going to be great :) I love you all so much!! Always, Sister Michelle Liu Line of the week: *At Fan Jie Mei's house* Fan Jie Mei: When I first saw you walk into my house, I thought you were 12! I was wondering why there was an elementary school student who was a missionary. Me: .... Fan Jie Mei: Actually you both look like you are 12! Well actually, no, Sister Lemon is tall so no one will ever mistaken her for being younger. She looks 25. But Sister Liu, you are short, very short, so you look 12. Do people ever tell you that? Me: No.... Fan Jie Mei: I can't believe it!! You aren't 12! How old are you? Me: Well, I turn 20 next week.... Fan Jie Mei: 20?! No. You are 12. You can't be that old, you are too short. Too short... ....... Well turns out, I haven't grown since I was 12. Wonderful. This week Sister Liu was busy with her move... shared pictures only... Fun time with English class! This week Sister Liu shared the following... "Look! It's London Tipton!" <Hello EVERYONE> What a week. Monday we had a TYPHOON. I thought it was worse than the last one.. Trying to bike my groceries home was a task... My helmet definitely blew off my head and chocked me with the strap.. not fun. At night President just said we couldn't ride our bikes, but to be smart in what we chose to do. Sister Geddes and I didn't want to be stuck in the apartment calling people for hours, so we decided to walk to the church. not smart. The wind was so strong that there were times we just had to hold onto the walls of buildings, and wait for it to pass so we could take another two steps... Well lesson learned. This week we also: 1. Went to Donghai University. We wanted to see if we could find some college students to teach now that school has started again. It was weird to walk on a college campus again... but we met some friendly people, and we are going to go make today and see if we can find some new investigators :) 2. Taught little kids and their moms english :) A member invited a group of moms that live in her apartment complex to bring their kids over to her house- and then we taught them english and sang primary songs with them :) We got to talk to the moms afterwards and they all asked questions about our church and why we decided to serve a mission. It was a great missionary opportunity and hopefully we will be able to share more of the gospel with them! Tracting story: One night as we were tracting, we felt like we should knock on a certain door. The lady who opened it turned out to be someone who investigated the church before! We are going back there tonight to meet with her again :) I know that as we listen to the spirit, Heavenly Father places those prepared people in our path. He knows each of us, and what we all need, I'm so grateful that He helps guide us into what He wants us to become. Well, that's it for now. Until next week :) Always, Sister Michelle Liu Line of the Week: *pointing at me* Little Girl: Mom! Look! It's London Tipton!! Mom: No honey.. that's not her.. that's just someone who looks like her.. Little Girl: No! It's her! Let's go over!! Can I take a picture with you?? Me: umm... Yes? *mom takes picture* Little girl: yay! Thank you! *runs away happily* Me:..... I didn't have the heart to tell her I actually wasn't Lodnon Tipton. So now, she has a picture with a random sister missionary from America. oh well... This week Sister Liu shared with the following... "You don't have much going for you..." <Hello Everyone> 中秋節快樂! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! For those of you who don't know, the Mid- Autumn Festival is a pretty big deal in Taiwan, there's a lot of BBQ's, food, food, and some more food. The amount of moon cakes I've eaten in the past week is unreal. And there's still a couple in the apartment... Due to the fact that it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a lot of our important lessons fell through, because nobody was left in town... BUT that also means that we had more time to go finding this week- tracting, contacting, calling former investigators, the works. We found a couple new investigators! But they all lived in the neighboring area- so we transferred them to the elders there :) Leo has been sick recently, so we haven't been able to meet with him, but he is still on track to be baptized next month! We are praying that we will be able to meet with him and his family soon <3 Well because of the holiday, I don't have much to update this week :P Sorry :/ But I did watch this video this week called "Lift" I'm sure many of you have seen it, but for those of you who haven't, it is a beautiful video about selfless service and what sacrifice truly means. It made me even more grateful for the ultimate service/sacrifice provided for us, which is the Atonement. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-05-003-lift?lang=eng Gotta love those Mormon Messages. Well, I'm about to go to carrefour (it's like a mini costco) and sit in the massage chairs for the rest of P-day... Totally kidding. Well maybe for a couple of minutes... I love you all so much. until next week! Always, Sister Michelle Liu Line of the week: *while contacting in a park* Man: I can read your palms for you. Us: Umm ok.. *looks at Sister Geddes' hand Man: Wow!! See how this part is raised? You are going to be rich! And this part! Wow! You are going to marry well, and have a very happy life! *looks at my hand Man: hmmm.... Well. You aren't going to be very rich.. You're going to have to work on that. Maybe if you marry someone rich, that can help you. *keeps on looking at my hand Man: Yeah.. You're going to need some help... You don't have very much going for you. Yeah.. Nothing. At all. Me: ...... Well, I'll worry about the future some other time, then again the old men that read palms aren't always correct, right? At least, let's hope. This week Sister Liu shared the following... "Dogs can see ghosts" <HELLO EVERYONE>
Another week come and gone. This week: We set a baptismal date with Leo! That family is really starting to progress. His mom, Su Jie Mei, has been coming back to church and is really applying the gospel to her life. At first we didn't think Leo could really focus or understand what we were saying because he is just a kid, but he is really taking in what we are teaching him. I think the Holy Ghost can really help him right now, his family is going through a bit of a rough patch- but I know that the gospel can really help this family through times of need. We also met with this 15 year old girl, Yi Jun. I have never met someone so enthusiastic about learning the gospel- We met with her at church and she was just so pumped to learn as much as she can- We taught her about the Restoration and how to pray- I see SO much potential in this girl, and I can't wait to keep on meeting with her :) We still did a lot of finding this week, at times it gets discouraging when no on on the road wants to talk to us, but I have to keep reminding myself that no effort is wasted- I absolutely LOVE missionary life, this is one of the hardest, most exciting, most rewarding learning experience I have gone through- and I still have so much to go learn and do! Love you ALL- see you next week :) Always, Sister Michelle Liu Line of the Week: *while contacting at a park* Me: You have a beautiful dog ( it was a husky) Owner: Thanks! Sister Geddes: Oh my gosh- he has two different colored eyes! Owner: Yes. The blue one looks into the spirit world and the brown one looks at earth, He can see ghosts- They are all around this park. They will take over you. You better be careful. Us: .... ok.. Do you want to hear about Je... Moral of the story: Be careful when you compliment people's dogs. |
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January 2016
AuthorThe weekly adventures of a sister missionary. Categories |