Monday
October 21, 2013
Wow! This week has
been amazing! The best part has been
the focus and attitude my wonderful companion has brought to me, and that we've
felt together. We definitely build each other up, and it makes us excited to go
out and work. Heavenly Father has really been blessing me and helping me to
love others. That is something that's been on my mind a lot--loving
others--because when we really truly have charity for others, missionary work
becomes more natural and enjoyable. So this is something I've tried really hard
to develop and Heavenly Father's been helping me.
I think one subtle
miracle was the progression of our investigator XXX. She recommitted
to keep the word of wisdom, to come to church next month (no work!!!!) and set a
baptismal date. Then we were able to meet with her again in a member's home on
Friday. Which may not sound like a big miracle, but finding peike's is really
hard, especially in Zhuwei, where XXX lives. We had set up to visit a member who lives in Zhuwei
the same day we wanted to meet with XXX. Woohoo! All those little things make a difference.
Yesterday everything
miraculously worked out. Our member visit cancelled. It was our only member visit
of the week. At stake conference another member invited us to their home, as well as a
bunch of other members. It was perfect because the last two Sundays we haven't
been able to talk with many members, nor have we had any dinners with members. Yesterday we were able to talk to a bunch of
different members and share a message with them about sharing the gospel. There
was one particular member whom we got to know a lot better. Then she was able
to help us peike for our lesson last night. It wasn't big, but everything worked
out right.
Studies have been
good! We've been doing a lot of role plays, and I really like it. Well
role play actually isn't my favorite thing to do . . . but I think it helps a
ton. Personal study is just hard because there is so much I want to study, and
only so much time. Especially when I take the time to really ponder, as Sister
Day taught us, as well as record what I ponder, which I think is important.
I love Sister George.
She is absolutely wonderful, and I want to thank you for putting us together. I
think I am becoming a much better missionary with her and a much more
pro-active missionary as well. She is doing really awesome. Her Chinese was already
good, so that helps a ton. Plus she is always willing to go out and work. She
teaches well and is improving quickly too. When it comes to food, we have a lot
of fun :) 
I have to tell you last p day, Wednesday, we walked around with the Jilong and Neihu sisters for probably an hour or two . . . searching for Cold Stone. I have to confess . . . we didn't find it. No! Next time we're getting directions from President Day. We had to settle for frozen yogurt.
I've taken a step
toward being pro-active and trying to make things happen. Just setting up with
members for next week ourselves, calling up the relief society president
ourselves, etc. I've realized that I feel stress very strangely--I'm either in
the green section, feeling awesome, or in the orange/red section, feeling like
I want to give up. There never seems to be an in-between. But this week I
really only felt stressed like that once or twice, and the rest of the time I've felt good! I think Heavenly Father is helping me to focus on others a
little bit more and it has been helping a ton. It's a slow process, but I'm trying to
be like Jesus!
I think missionary work, like life, has its ups and
downs, I'm hoping this up will continue. Heavenly Father is real. He hears our
prayers. He loves His children. Jesus Christ lives. He can overcome, and has
overcome, every pain. I believe these things. They are the most basic truths of
the gospel, and they are usually the answers to most things in one form or
another. At least in my experience :)
We went to the mission
office a lot last transfer. We go once or twice every transfer to do temple
tours. During one of these we went to say hi to Sister Day and ended up having
dinner with them. At this dinner I did
probably the best I ever have with my spiritual share . . . which I regretted
when training calls came :) The morning of the day we were going to Taipei for
Trainers' training, President Day called me to reassure me that my call was
from the Lord. He'd read my letter and called to tell me that this wasn't a
random "Yeah I think she'll be alright," but that he knew last
transfer that he'd be calling me this transfer to train, and it was inspiration
from the Lord. "There are plenty of sisters who can train in this mission,
but right now, the Lord wants you." Whoa. I'd already come to my own
realization by that point that this was Heavenly Father's will, but President's
call gave me added reassurance.
The title of my
email--it's true! It has really cooled down in Taiwan! Especially Danshui . . .
which, as everyone keeps telling me over and over again is bitterly cold in the
winter: the coldest part of Taiwan. NOOOO!!! I didn't bring a coat! Here we go
:)
Sister Rachel Caroline
Edwards
A super cool back pack.
Pizza making party. We were the only ones who made a picture with our pizza....and I was proud of us:)
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