Monday March 17, 2014

Monday March 17, 2014

Dear Family,

This week was really good! As you can see from pictures, we made dumplings for P-day last week! It was really fun! We also ate real Mexican food when we went to Taipei to do temple tours. Macho Nacho:).  The first time I have found real Mexican food while in Taiwan.

                                         

 Making Dumplings

As I was studying the morning that we were going to do temple tours, I really felt like I should prepare a tour for a member. Even though we didn't have any member tours scheduled.  Actually we didn't have ANY tours scheduled L.  I spent a lot of time thinking about it, and felt pretty good about what I'd prepared. As we were setting up for tours in Taipei, we ran into Sister Duff in, the mother of the American family that lives in our ward. We talked for a few minutes, and then headed off. We bumped into her later and chatted some more, and then, the third time we saw her, I finally realized that Heavenly Father was probably trying to tell me something. We invited her to do a tour. This tour truly felt guided by the Spirit. I don't know all of the reasons why she needed that tour, but I felt like the Spirit was guiding us that day, which was neat. 

Afterwards we ran into a girl on the street who did not have much of any religious background. We began to share with her about Jesus Christ, prayer, and baptism. After talking with her for a while, we invited her to be baptized if she learned what we were teaching was true, right there on the street. She accepted this challenge! So cool!

Saturday night was another experience we had inviting someone to be baptized on the street. As we were knocking doors around the church, we ran into a Philippine lady who spoke English. As we shared with her about the restoration, I felt the Spirit bear testimony to me that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and of the truth of the restoration. We invited her to be baptized when she knew for herself that it was true, and she accepted. Two accepted invites to baptism on the street this week. I feel like when people really understand what we are offering, there is no way to say no.

A cool moment of Chinese!  In church yesterday I grabbed the Chinese book that the lesson was out of, in an attempt to follow along. Then, the teacher, who has helped peike and knows us pretty well, called on me to read out loud! And I did J, with a lot of mistakes, but it was ok. This week was also the first week that I read scriptures out loud from characters in lessons, rather than the pinyin. It's still back and forth, but I’m improving.

Speaking of the ward. Invited to a primary dinner.  I want to belong to that primary

Stake Patriarch cutting the cake.

The  Zhang family is doing really well! She has already finished reading the Book of Mormon, loved it, and is moving on to the Bible. She just has to get rid of coffee. She normally doesn't drink it unless she is working, but she works crazy hours a lot of times, and doesn't sleep much, so it's hard. Especially because she is a nurse, and so if she makes a mistake when she is tired, she is afraid of hurting other people. 

This Wednesday we’ll have Zone Conference, so that will be really fun. And transfers are on March 28th, just about a week and a half. I'm guessing that I will probably transfer, but who knows! I think that I am a lot more prepared to leave now than I was last transfers, although I would love to stay and see the Zhang family and Sister Zhao get baptized. And Yang JM!! She is an investigator we have right now whom I have a lot of hope for and I love.

We had interviews with President last week, and as I was asking him how to be more consecrated to the Lord, he related with me some of the things that indicate consecration. Everything he named were things that mom and dad do. I was struck by how very grateful I am for you guys.  President mentioned simple things like doing home teaching and preparing a primary lesson in advance. Things that I've seen you do all of my life. I have been set up to succeed. I only have to follow in the footprints of my parents. And I am so very grateful.

I’m beginning to understand that an important part of being a missionary is being converted to the Lord, and loving him with your heart, might, mind, and strength, and GIVING him your heart, might, mind and strength. Mom and Dad you are consecrated unto the Lord and the impact that has had on my life is immeasurable. Now I will try to serve, be obedient, be consecrated and be patient to help my investigators! And future children.

I love you and I pray for you!

Sister Rachel Caroline Edwards/ Du Jiemei

Now for the pictures:

February 28, 2014 and Eagle Baptizes Sister Nelson and Sister Edwards Investigators and friends

Making Banana Bread in the crock pot

Am I still wearing this part of the mission uniform? 

Eating Goose Meat...yum tasty

Massive Shoe-Rachel's feet aren't too big after all
 

Rachel's hair before cutting it-although she didn't end up cutting it as short as was originally planned.  So it looks pretty much the same still

Sister Nelson and Sister Edwards accidentally matching

Rachel and some awesome statue at ShiDa4-a university close to the temple.

 Trying to preach the gospel to a three-legged dog.

Rachel trying to kiss her frog prince

Monday March 10, 2014

Monday March 10, 2014

Dear Family,

Hello! I hope all of you had a wonderful week! This week was pretty good for us. One horrible/wonderful part for us was Zhang Family. Because of some new mission policy (splitting our area into two sections, one for sisters, one for elders, rather than having the same area and elders teaching men and Sisters women), we had to give the  Zhang family to the Elders. NOOOO!!!!!! We were really sad about it. But, we still got to meet with them once more this week. They are amazing!  It's cool to see how much Heavenly Father is working with them. Sister Zhang, because of her weekend classes, hasn’t been to church enough times to make their baptismal date on the 15th; consequently their new date is April 5. But their faith is strong.  Brother Zhang came to church yesterday with their daughter, while Sister Zhang was taking a test. Yesterday afternoon we got the neatest phone call from Sister Zhang. As she was going to take her test yesterday she was really nervous, so she decided to pray. After she prayed, she wasn't nervous at all.  As she was taking the test, Sister Zhang came to a problem that she didn't know the answer to. She said a prayer, and then she just knew which answer was right. After finishing the test, she and her friend were waiting for the results. Her friend realized she might have done a part wrong, and became really anxious. Sister Zhang offered to say a prayer with her. In her prayer she asked that they would both pass. And they both did! Her friend was  touched by the experience, as was Sister Zhang, as we all were :)  They are a special family. I realized that I want to see them go through the temple. I believe they will.

Another cool experience was our peike with a Brother Jiang. He is an investigator that the Elders gave us. His biggest issue is obeying the Word of Wisdom, especially his smoking addiction. We asked  Meng Qi to come with us-- partially because she is an angel and is willing to help, and because she was addicted to smoking for 20 years, but was able to quit. It was cool to see her faith, hear her testimony, and feel her love for Brother Jiang. She testified powerfully of the power of the Atonement, and faith in the Savior. When she decided to give herself to Heavenly Father, she was able to stop smoking. Probably the best part happened on Sunday. Brother Jiang came in to Sacrament Meeting late, and there weren't many empty seats (which is how it is every week lately . . . Yeah!!). Sister Chen saw him, looked at us questioningly for a second, but then got up herself and directed him to a seat on their row. It was just a small act of kindness, but one that was profound to me. I think he needs just a little bit of attention from someone so badly. The Elders told us how hard it's been getting brothers in the ward to befriend him, and I think that this change of missionaries might give him a chance to get to know some other members who might be able to help (seeing as we can't meet with him without a peike, because he is male).

Angel is a miracle as well. I don't know how to explain it, but she is just different after being baptized. I think it is the gift of the Holy Ghost. There isn't anything specific that I can point to that is distinctly different from before, but she just . . . is good. She helped us peike twice this week (lately a lot of members that used to be able to help us can't anymore . . . so finding members to help us peike has again been difficult), and that fact alone is a miracle! And on top of that are the things she shared. I don't think she recognizes her own testimony. It is still a newer testimony, but her faith is there.  She helped our investigator understand faith and talked about her own experience receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (we were sharing the gospel of Christ with the investigator).

Another small but significant miracle was Sister Lai and her two kids agreeing to come to English class! They are our LA's that we've been working with for a while. Last week they agreed to come to class, kind of half-heartedly, and as feared they never showed up. This week Sister Lai and her children were figuring out how they were going to get to the English class, what time they needed to do stuff in order to fit it into their schedule, etc. It was soooo interesting to see how her kids rose to the occasion. I was  touched by her son's commitment to come once he decided to come.

I love you!

Monday February 24, 2014

                                                                             Monday February 24, 2014

We’ve had the most wonderful week, maybe the best of my entire mission. Shan1 passed her baptismal interview and so did Angel! They will be baptized this upcoming Friday morning at 10:00.  Shan 1 has been prepared for a long time, so that was not a big surprise, but miracles happened to prepare Angel. As we pondered whether or not to schedule her interview and as we invited Angel to ponder whether she wanted to schedule an interview or not, we received an answer. I prayed so hard to know what was right . . . and Heavenly Father answered.

The Zhang family is amazing. We hadn't met with them for a while, and the mom has gone to weekend classes this month, so we were a bit worried about them.  As we met, the dad told us how he reads the BOM on the MRT, and he reads quite a bit. The mom is really busy right now, but because of our encouragement to read just a little each day, she is reading the scriptures daily also. They pray together as a family every night, and even their little girl joins in on the "amen!" They are following the Word of Wisdom, and have felt a difference in their lives.  We had to change their baptismal date and suggested March 22. That day didn’t work for them. They then asked about March 15!!!  More important than all of these commitments that they keep, I can FEEL their relationship with God growing. The mom's last day of class was yesterday, but the Dad still came with their daughter to Taipei for Stake Conference. They are an absolute miracle that fell into our laps . . . and it just seems to keep coming!

One other really cool miracle was Chen JM, a member. She peiked for us while we were on exchanges (so I wasn't in Danshui), and apparently was talking to Sister Nelson and Sister Gruwell about her son, who lives with his dad in YongHe. She had given her son a Book of Mormon. Sisters Nelson and Gruwell simply suggested she invite her son to meet with the missionaries. "All you can do is invite." Yesterday night I answered the phone, and Chen JM told us that her son agreed to meet with missionaries. I love Chen JM. As her voice cracked on the phone, and she began to weep openly, I felt the love of God and the love of mothers, and the real purpose of missionary work. Her son will be meeting with missionaries in Yonghe, so our part in this story is small, but I will never forget that experience

The investigator whose husband is a member is still doing really well! Because of her work schedule she couldn't meet with us last week, but we are meeting with her on Thursday.

Also our Yang Jm from last week accepted a baptismal invite! She is doing really well! She came all the way to Taipei with us for Stake Conference!

Amy . . . was one of the saddest moments I've had on my mission. She finally sent a text to us this week, after several weeks of calling, texting, and finally leaving a message. Before she went home for the break she REALLY wanted to get baptized.  In her text she said that she was banned from going to church and that after talking to her parents, she is not sure what she really wants anymore. However, she also said she would keep reading and praying. Although it was hard to hear . . . I was still filled with hope.  I know she felt  the spirit. I felt her sincere spirit. I know this gospel is true. I know God loves her. She will have another time, another chance. Of this I am certain. If she continues to read and pray, she will find the gospel of Jesus Christ eventually. I love her and will keep praying for her.

I was so inspired listening to all those who spoke at the missionary conference, including Elder and Sister Holland. Rarely, if ever, have I ever been in a conference so filled with the Spirit. The air was almost thick because of it.

I love you!

Sister Rachel Caroline Edwards/ Du Jiemei

Monday February 17, 2014

Sunday February 16, 2014

We got a referral this week from some missionaries who ran into a former investigator named Yu4. We met with her on Saturday and had one of the coolest experiences I've had with an investigator. She showed up to the church in a skirt with a Book of Mormon in hand. It turns out she met with missionaries two years ago in Hualian, and came to Danshui a couple of times, but, because she felt pressured, stopped coming. Lately she has had some problems (almost sounds like depression), and feels painfully lonely. She had a teacher tell her before the break that she needed to find a religion--no matter what religion it was. Then, during the break, she ran into missionaries. Hence, our lesson. As I listened to her talk, it was so obvious that she needed to feel God's love for her. I began speaking and felt the Spirit testify to her of God's love.I think that she is ready and so wanting the gospel. That night was our ward's Valentine's Activity. We had an appointment, and so couldn't attend, but she stayed after for the activity too! And then came to church the next day! She seems sincere.

As usual Temple tours were awesome. We had the opportunity to teach an investigator of some Elders. I have never felt like a lesson was guided so clearly by the spirit as that lesson was. She had just come from the family history center.  She had questions about temples that were answered perfectly as we shared our message of the restoration.  It was neat to be a part of that experience.

The progress of one of our investigators, is noteworthy. Her husband is a member.  She just FEELS the spirit. As she talks about her experiences with prayer and the Book of Mormon. It is obvious how prepared she is to be baptized. In our lesson on Saturday night, we moved her baptism date up two weeks! Our lesson in gospel principles at church this past week was about the Holy Ghost. She was sitting by Sister Nelson, and told her that she feels the Holy Ghost every day.

Li Lu came to church this week again! She is doing really well in preparation for her 3/1 baptismal date!

 Angel is doing alright, but still doesn't feel super ready for baptism. We are trying to decide if we should schedule a baptismal interview this week or not (in preparation for her 2/28 baptismal date).

We are SUPER excited for this weekend. We have a member of the quorum of the twelve coming, as well as a member of the presidency of the seventy, the Presiding Bishop, a member of our Area Presidency, and an Area Authority Seventy. AAHHHHH!!!! And I'm not sure if I'm allowed to tell who the apostle is . . . but it's the same one who came to Jerusalem when I was there, if you remember that. So we are just really excited!

I love you!!

Sister Rachel Caroline Edwards/ Du Jiemei

A picture sent with no explanations

Monday February 10, 2014

Monday February 10, 2014

Dear family,

I hope you had a wonderful week!  Being a missionary really is the best. I had the realization a while ago (although not for the first time) just how many people are praying for me as a missionary . . . and I was so grateful.  I realized why it is that we get to see so many miracles. Your prayers are being answered.

This week was the end of Chinese New Year. It was a bitter-sweet ending. I was hoping to experience massive weight swings as predicted by old missionaries, but I'm afraid I couldn't really beat Elder Peterson's 15 kilogram weight gain last year (over 30 pounds!!!) It was fun though! We got a big variety of food, from traditional Chinese to tacos, and all of it was delicious.

We started an amazing journey with Pei XM. We contacted her last Sunday, and then met with her on Tuesday at her house. She is interesting and neat. She joined a Christian church a year or two ago, but has been less active the past bit. You could tell she felt guilty about that. But she was willing to listen, and to take our invites. We met with her twice last week, and she came to church as well. As we were following up between visits, we sent her a text asking what she thought of the Book of Mormon. This is the text she sent us (I'm copying it straight over, so don't mind the English mistakes): "Well, I think it will find the path of my religion. My faith is from God's love. I want the courage to change my life. Life is incredible for we would meet :)" I have rarely seen such sincere desire and recognition of right and wrong in someone so young. She is a little afraid because her old church said she could not go to other churches, but we invited her to pray about it, which she has been doing, so she will receive her answer.

Friday we were contacting, and ran into a super tebie (special, but it sounds better in Chinese) guy, Mr. Lin. He is the first person I have ever met who asked us if we were from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints-- perhaps the first person I've ever met on the street who even knows our name! He has studied a lot of religions, but has his own views on God, Christ and how to live which aren’t dictated by any one religion. It was fun to answer the questions that he'd been saving for a Latter Day Saint, concerning such things as plural marriage, trinity, Word of Wisdom, and blood donating. After answering his questions we proceeded to teach him the restoration, the Word of Wisdom and invited him to be baptized, all on the street! He didn't accept our baptismal challenge, but did agree to meet with us the next day. When we met with him our peike saved the day. She is a strong member with a solid testimony and a good understanding of the gospel, and we needed her! She was bold enough to say the things that needed to be said, and she could understand Mr. Lin's questions. There were points where I wasn't entirely sure what Mr. Lin had said. The answers our peike gave sounded pretty strong . . . but then her answer always turned out to be perfect. It was neat to see how Heavenly Father had guided both us and her.

Speaking of peikes finding them this week has been especially difficult. We had appointments with a lot of people we can't meet without a peike i.e. men and anyone under 18. Nevertheless! We did not stop calling people, and Heavenly Father miraculously provided perfect peikes.

An example of this was when we met with our 12 year old investigator whom we haven't seen in a long time. We had a great experience with her mom. Her mom usually just drops her off, and doesn't like to stay for the lesson. However, as she came to pick up her daughter, our peike began to talk to her and they hit it off. After taking her daughter to her dad's house, the mom came back to chat with our peike, and ended up giving the peike her number. Our peike then shared with us that the mom had gone to church a couple of times, but had never felt like anyone was paying any attention to her. She lost all desire to go back.  The mom also told our peiki that she doesn't like talking to us missionaries, because we don't understand her and she doesn't understand us. This statement is true--she talks really fast, and if you don't understand the first time, she doesn't have the patience to say it again.  I almost never call Sister Chen to peike because in the past she seemed rather uncertain of her own testimony. But that day, when I saw her name, I just knew she was right and she was.

I love working with her Sister Nelson. She is WISE.  She radiates righteousness. Sister Nelson is one of those people who you let carry the groceries, because she feels SO uncomfortable having you carry them instead of her. Sister Nelson is also one of the most humble people I have ever met. Not humble as in thinks poorly of herself, because we know that that is really just another form of pride, but TRULY humble. Mom, I always think of your definition of humble, being able to learn from anyone, no matter whom they are, and Sister Nelson is it. Sister Nelson is patient! I feel like I've been so blessed to always have companions that are patient--because I need it. And she cares for me. Sometimes, I have bad days. Well, or bad moments, in missionary work it can never last very long, and she is always there for me. The only thing that might be difficult about Sister Nelson is that she's so good it makes me feel guilty!

I am doing wonderful and I pray for you with all my heart every night!

Sister Rachel Caroline Edwards/ Du Jiemei

Sister George and Edwards with the Duffins an American family, and Angel

Me with Hongbao! The red envelopes are given to kids during Chinese New Year with money, or treats for us, inside of them.  Actually because of the date I tend to think perhaps they were used for Christmas gifts instead.

Pants singed by the heater

The missionaries with President Chen and his wife on Chinese New Year.  How can it be Chinese New Year when the date is
12-30-13?

Eating hot pot?

The happy missionaries

Wednesday January 29, 2014

Wednesday January 29, 2014

Dear family,

Last week in church (1/19/2014) we set up a meeting with a member, Zhao DX, and his wife. When we talked to them in church, we were focusing on setting up an appointment with them because we didn't know who they were and wanted to get to know another member of our ward better. We thought maybe they were LA's that were coming back. When we talked to him though, he told us that his wife was not a member. We were excited!!  However, going into the lesson we weren't sure what their expectations were. We were hoping to focus on his wife, and start meeting with her as an investigator, but if that wasn't their expectations, we knew it might be a difficult and awkward appointment. But when we met (on exchanges, so it was me with Sister Gruwell, a Sister Training Leader), Zhao DX more or less said that his purpose was to bring his wife to the gospel. We had a good lesson and set a baptismal date. I was amazed!  We made a tiny effort at church to figure out who this member was, and Heavenly Father dropped an amazing and very prepared new investigator into our laps.

We keep meeting with Angel, and she comes to church every week. Last week when we met with her, we followed up on an invite we had given her to spend that week praying about baptism, and setting a new baptismal date. She came back and told us a really cool experience. One night (or perhaps morning), just before she woke up, she had a voice tell her, "You will get baptized." It wasn't frightening or nerve-wracking; it was simply a statement of fact. So cool! And she wore a skirt for the first time to church on Sunday. Which may not sound like a miracle, but it took a lot of coercing on the part of Yang JM (our bishop's wife, who is AWESOME) to get her to come in a skirt, and she complained the whole time (which just kept me laughing). But she is coming along :) slowly, but surely. She reset her baptismal date for 2/28/2014.

The Zhang family DID come to church!! They didn't come until the very end of Sacrament meeting, but they stayed for all the rest of the block. During Sunday School Zhang JM shared the coolest experience with us. She and her husband said prayers together one night (which is something they do every night....yeah!!!).  After her husband and little girl had fallen asleep, she was lying in bed unable to fall asleep. So she decided to do what we had invited her to do. She asked God if all of this stuff was true. Their bedroom has a window, and often the cars driving past will cause the curtain to light up for a few seconds because of the car lights, and then, when the car passes, go back to darkness. After saying her prayer, the curtain, and the room gradually became really light. But then rather than going dark, it stayed bright for a long time, and Zhang JM was filled with a really shufu feeling (which we would probably say a really "good and calm" feeling, although the literal translation is "comfortable"). Then the light got gradually dark again, and she went to sleep. She felt the experience was an answer to her prayer. When we met with them last night, I could feel the difference in her. I could feel her increase in faith, her greater understanding, and her receptiveness. It was an amazing experience.

We finally caught up with Bambi this past week. She is only 16, and because of problems with peike's cancelling last minute, it's been hard meeting with her. We have to have an 18+ year old peike accompany us or else we can't visit her. We finally met on Monday, and it was amazing! She committed to every challenge, including baptism, and committed happily!  Bambi has a good friend from YW, which is, I think, how we got her name.

Saturday night we found out that Monday wouldn't be our P-day because we were going to the temple today.  So Monday we had a day full of empty time . . . it was awesome! By the end of the day we had four new investigators.  Not having P-day on Monday is the best!

This week we start Chinese New Year!! I am SO excited. I expect that we will be seeing tons of miracles. I love you!!

Sister Rachel Caroline Edwards/Du Jiemei

Pictures that Rachel sent with no explanation.  Sister George her companion at Christmas is her companion so they are from sometime last month.  

Monday January 20, 2014

 Monday January 20, 2014

This week has seen many miracles!! The first was probably our lesson with the Zhang family. After coming to church last Sunday, we set up with them for Monday night, and we had a great lesson!  A member, who is a return missionary, came with us to their house, and our first lesson was wonderful. They are so prepared. With our peike's indispensable help, they were willing to commit to everything we asked. One invitation was particularly touching. We asked about church, and they for sure couldn't attend the next week, and weren't 
willing to give us a solid answer on the 2^nd Sunday. Without our saying a word, our peike began to describe her life and how she managed her time and made church a priority, and how everything always worked out. After describing her experience, the family committed to come to church. It was cool to see the spirit working through our peike so much that she said everything that our investigators needed to hear.

Temple tours are always miraculous. As we brought our food outside the temple to eat lunch before starting, a lady very excitedly came up to us and began talking to us. We found out that she was a new English student of the sisters in Wanda, and this lady loved her English teachers. She was already a Christian. We were using the new pamphlet to talk about baptism, and she asked us if it really matters who performs the baptism. At this point we brought her inside the church to answer her questions. At the end of our tour, which mostly covered the first lesson, we invited her to be baptized. You could feel the spirit as she paused and really considered our invitation, and then answered (in English), "Yes. I didn't understand why it mattered before, but I get it now." It was an amazing experience.

Recently our mission president extended a new challenge. Often times as we introduce ourselves as missionaries, we touch our name badge as we say our name. President Day has invited us to talk about our purpose as missionaries, specifically including baptism, every time we touch our badge. We also received the new pamphlet which includes a picture of Jesus Christ getting baptized. We were also challenged to show people this picture as we contact them, ask them if they know what it is, and ask them if they would like to be forgiven of their sins.

We have seen a lot of miracles with these challenges! It helps to keep us as missionaries focused on our purpose, and it quickly allows others to both understand our purpose as well as why they would want it.

We were contacting a university student by the church a few days ago and we could see the difference as we followed President Day’s challenge. As we began to talk to him, he wasn't super interested. As we discussed human imperfection and guilt, and asked if he wanted to be free from these things, the Spirit was there, our message was clear, and he became more interested. It was so cool to see him change!

One thing I've realized recently is the importance of a companion. I think there are a many reasons why we have companions. I am so very grateful that I have ALWAYS been blessed with wonderful companions. It makes a huge difference!! I think my companion might be the biggest influence on my life as a missionary. And I realize that we as human beings were never meant to be alone. A companionship relationship is different than a marriage relationship, but I've realized, being in a companionship, why a marriage is such a necessary part of life. I learn so many things from my companions--and some of them about myself! But the gospel of Jesus Christ gives an understanding, forgiveness, and charity to our relationship with others (whether companions, family members, friends, or just acquaintances) that makes a huge difference. Realizing that we are all children of God, I think, is one of the simplest but most powerful understandings in the world.

This past week we went to the furthest part of our district, to see what there was, and try to find some new investigators. We had never been there. We ran into this older lady who was beyond delighted to see us. She invited us into her house, and we had a lesson with her. As we finished the opening prayer, she was crying and kept saying, "I don't know why I'm crying; I'm just so touched." As we left, we had the distinct impression that we needed to be there that day just to help that woman feel God's love. He is watching over every single one of His children, whether they know he exists or not, and loves every single one of them.

This past week we got the list they've been passing around church the past few weeks . . . our Chinese New Year dinner appointments! Except this is Chinese New Year . . . so there are lunch appointments too :) From 1/30/2014 to 2/6/2014 we have 11 dinner/lunch appointments. Let the terror begin :) I've heard all sorts of horror stories (as I like to call them) about Guonian (Chinese New Year), and I'm pretty excited to see what it's like. The sad thing is that some of our investigators, and most of our contacts, are either out of town or too busy to meet until after Guonian, so we have to be working hard to get things done.

Amy is doing really well!! We gave her the baptism permission form and fasted with her this week as she was going home for Guonian. She is planning on talking to her parents, so I will keep you updated. It has been so cool for us to see her find and use her faith.

I love you!!

Sister Rachel Caroline Edwards/Du Jiemei

Some pictures sent with no comments or explanations.  So you can make up your own story then mail them to Rachel and see who is the closest to what is really happening.

 The question is:  is she trying to break into a bank or break out of jail.