We spent the first dayish together, and then jumped right into our real lives as missionaries! Our first night, we toured around a little on our way back from the airport and got some traditional Taiwanese foods-all good so far! Everything is pretty greasy though and all we eat is rice or noodles, so rice cheeks are going to be coming out soon I'm sure. Pray for me... But so yummy though! The next morning, we all woke up nice and early from some jet lag, and headed over to "The Grand Hotel" where the Taiwan mission was dedicated. Here, President Jergensen had us read the dedicatory prayer, and had us each offer up our own dedicatory prayer to the Lord, committing ourselves to him and promising to consecrate this time we have to him and his work. It was so special to be able to have that start to my mission. I am here and I am going to give the Lord my all!
After this fun field trip, we headed back to the mission office where we had some training and got our trainers and first areas! We really waste no time here haha. So (drum roll pleaseeeeeee) I'm in XINZHU! It is a beautiful city in the NW of Taiwan! It is called the "windy city" and for good reason. haha Today we were trying to bike up a hill, and the wind was pushing so hard against us that we literally were not moving... hah Oh man biking. It is quite the time. But I'll get there. My trainer's name is Sister Cullen, and she is the sweetest thing ever! She is from California, and is such an incredible missionary. Her Chinese is amazing, she is such a great teacher, and has only been here 5 months! I know the Lord has put me with her for a reason, and I am going to learn so much from her! She also is not afraid to open her mouth. We talk to EVERYONE. And I mean everyone. She is especially good at keeping talking to people after they tell us to go away. haha sweet girl. But its awesome! Everyone deserves a chance to hear this message, so we have to give them a fair shot!
The people here are incredible. They truly are so prepared. In just 5 days, I have met and taught so many people that I know will accept this gospel. Even if it isn't with me, I know they will eventually. Taiwanese people are so kind and welcoming, and even when they reject you, it is so nice. haha One thing I have really learned already is to give everyone a chance. We have met so many people who in one glance, look pretty crazy.. Cigarette in one hand, beer in the other, missing teeth, and probably haven't showered in a month, but just by talking to them you find how ready they are to hear this message. Just yesterday we talked to a man like this, and he expressed how he has been wanting to quit these bad habits for a long time, and has just been waiting for someone to tell him something like this to help him do so. SO COOL. Other people later tell us that they only let us into their house because they thought we were pretty... but honestly. The Lord works in mysterious ways. haha
The members here are so wonderful too! They are so solid and are SO willing to be a part of the work. Since being out, I have already learned the importance of member missionary work. It is them that truly make or break the investigator's experience. They have such a big roll in the investigator's conversion, and it is so amazing to work with them! Can't wait until I can actually understand everything that they say! hah
Chinese man. It's hard. I'm not going to lie people, this past week has been tough. I love it and I know I'm supposed to be here, but it has been a little hard. I am in foreign country across the world from my home, with a very different climate and culture. It is SO hot and humid, but it should be cooling down soon and the cold cold winter is coming our way. Biking in a skirt is quite the experience, and I can definitely say that my bum will be sore for a while from being on there 24/7 ha. My apartment isn't too bad! We don't have AC which is interesting... but we have about three fans in our room so it all works out. The food has been pretty good so far. 90% of my food is either bready things or jelly, and the only 10% is mystery meat.. but I've kind of learned just not to ask. Bugs are definitely a thing and have been eating me alive! But according to my trainer, it is nothing compared to summers here.. hah lots to look forward to. The language is tough. I learned a lot in the MTC, but I learned exclusively how to teach, so I only know gospel words... In lessons I am great, but on the street it is another story. haha I have a lot to learn. BUT this is what the Lord called me to do. He knew I could do it, and that gives me strength. After being in the MTC with my district and Sister Bernhardt for 9 weeks, I got so close to them and we all leaned on each other for strength. Many times this week, I found myself longing for them, my second family, and wishing I could get a little pep talk from them. But lucky for me, I have the Lord on my side. What more could I need? This past Saturday and Sunday we watched conference (because it takes a week for them to translate it for the people). Luckily, all of us missionaries got to watch it in english! But, I actually really loved watching it all again. There were two main messages I have really taken to heart. Carol F. McConkie shared this line "God needs brave sons [and daughters]." God needs us to be brave. This week I have really had to be brave. Brave to push through moments of fear, doubt, homesickness, worry, weakness, and just feeling alone. But Heavenly Father needs me to experience these things so I can be strengthened. So I can learn to be brave, and can be more prepared to fight his battles. As I have strived to remember this, I have felt him strengthening me and lifting me up. I love him.
I love this work so much. It is SO far from easy, but I know it is worth it. I am trying to live the second statement I really liked from conference. "Be ambitious for Christ." -Kazuhiko Yamashita. Be ambitious. Go to do hard things and do them for your Savior. He is not physically on this earth, and so we are his representatives. His physical hands here to do his work. As a missionary, I try to do and say and love as Christ would love every single day. But I also invite each of you to do the same. Be ambitious for your loving Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Live his principles. Dare to stand alone. Be brave to share his gospel. Write your testimony on social media. I don't know, whatever it may be. Do as Christ would do, and I know you will be so blessed.
Though short, my time in Xinzhu has already been so wonderful. We have packed it full of lots of teaching, finding, knocking, contacting, and just sharing our message in every way that we can. My companion and I try to pass out a pass along card at every stop light and in every grocery store. Everyone deserves a chance to hear this gospel, and like Dallin H. Oaks shared in conference, "We show our love for others by teaching them this gospel." I sure love these people, and because of that I will do all that I can to help them accept Christ and enter into his rest.
I love and miss all of you, and pray for you all often! I hope you can feel that, because I can definitely feel your prayers so thank you! Have a wonderful week and enjoy the dryness of wherever you are. hah
xoxo
Sister Richards
李姐妹
Lǐ Jiéměi
1- grand hotel
2- i think we've had these drinks every single day
3- grand hotel with sister bernhardt
4- bus back from airport
5- food
6- last moments with comp
7- taibei temple
8- new companion-sister cullen
9- dessert
10- roommates
11- stake activity
12- the real truth of Taiwan
13- riding bikes in the windy city
14- ?
15- church
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