physically starving, spiritually fed

'm really really really hungry right now. But the good news is that I'm still filled spiritually after this last week when Elder Holland came and spoke to us!

I'll write more about that a little later!

I have to tell you a story that our district leader told us. So there was a family. They had three kids and a turtle and two parents of course. One day the turtle didn't have a head or any of it's legs. The distraught children when to their dad and told him their turtle had died. So the dad, being the good parent that he is decided they could have a funeral for it. He assigned each child their different roles. The oldest was to make the epitaph. The second child was in charge of writing a program for the funeral services. And the youngest child was in charge of the coffin. After a few hours of planning and preparing for a beautiful funeral ceremony they went to the cage to put the turtle in his coffin. They stopped just in time to realize that the turtle had come back alive and had the appropriate 4 limbs and a head. All their work was for nothing. "No!" said the oldest kid, "Let's kill it!"

I don't remember why he told us this story. But I think it's hilarious. You take what you want from it!

The other day we taught our investigator D. about the word of wisdom. He is a good man... that has a problem with everything on the list. Obviously he said the toughest to give up would be smoking. He agreed to do try though in hopes that this time it'll work for good. And thus at the end of the lesson I asked him if he had anything on his person that shouldn't be there. He quickly reached in his pocket and gave me a half smoked pack of cigarettes. After which, my companion said "anymore?" To which he reached into his other pocket and gave me and almost full pack of cigarettes. Good for him. I biked home with two packs of cigarettes in my jacket pocket. I never thought I would say that sentence! It was weird.

We have been really cold in our apartment recently-- but my awesome companion who is not afraid to admit when something is wrong told the people at the mission office and had them send us really big, fluffy, comfortable blankets!

I've been feeling a little pressure to be perfect recently since we're going to start doing exchanges almost every week until the end of my mission. It was kind of stressing me out (for about 10 minutes one day--- because I don't really let things stress me out) and then I got better because I went on exchanges with my old sister training leader and she talked to me about how what matters is that I do things the best I can and just be the kind of leader that sisters can trust and learn from. That's not too bad. I think I can do it. We have two exchanges this week that will get us started for a very fast, very busy transfer. And then I'll do it again next transfer.

I've had two really interesting dreams in the past few days. First was last night-- I dreamt that our house in Virginia was having problems and there was all kinds of nasty stuff leaking from the ceiling from the plumbing. How interesting is it that mom told me about plumbing issues in our house today. I'm gonna take that as a warning sign and tell the family-- I'm not sure how bad things are--- but it was NOT PRETTY in my dream. So I would just suggest we get that fixed. Lol.

The second was that I got home and we were at a swim meet and I accidentally ran into Braeden with out realizing it and knocked him into the pool. I didn't notice at all and just kept walking. I sat next to mom and she scolded me saying "Go back to Taiwan! You haven't changed from your mission at all so we do NOT want you back yet!" Needless to say I woke up a little shaken and spent the rest of the day and the next couple of days thinking about my mission and if I have really changed. I think I have-- but I think I just want to keep changing and becoming a more Christlike person. I hope that in the next two and a half months I have out here I will continue to improve so that when I get home I won't have the experience that I had dreamed about.

Just two days that dream we had the privilege of having Elder Holland come to our mission to visit with us. Well that is why I am spiritually fed! He had a lot of really great things to say and spoke to us for an extra half hour than originally planned. We didn't get home that evening until 10:40pm. I'm still really tired. But it was worth it. He said a lot of really great things and I felt the spirit very strongly. I'm so glad that I was able to have this experience on my mission. And let me just tell you-- shaking the hand of the apostle is intense. He told us later that when he shakes our hand he looks right into our eyes and interviews us. I'm not sure what he got out of our exchange. He said to me "Sister Anderson, how are you?" I said "Fine! How are you?" He said he's good. Then I asked if he's tired. He said yes. (And he probably thought-- well that was an obvious question). I'll admit-- I'm not that great at first impressions. But that is okay because it was still a fantastic evening. He talked to us about being more bold and persistent. And not holding anything back. He talked a lot about how our missions can change us if we let them. I thought it was a great answer to my prayers because I had been thinking of that already. The thing that touched me most was when he said (something along these lines) "I think I can speak for the world when I say we are proud of you. You don't realize this, but people hold you on a pedestal. They think you are perfect. Your mom, your dad, your brothers and sisters. They pray for you daily and they think you are perfect." At that moment I realized that you all really do pray for me daily. I always knew that, but I had a picture appear in my head of my little brothers kneeling down to pray before bed and asking God to bless and protect me. That was the first time it had clicked that strongly that you all pray for me. Thank you. I hope that I can be the missionary that you think I am and want me to be. I love you all and I appreciate your support and prayers.

I can send you a list of quotes that President Day wrote down that Elder Holland said:

Here are a few things I wrote in my notes concerning Elder Holland’s remarks. I know that many of you have much, much more:

·         “We only send the world’s best to Taiwan.”

·         “We didn’t get up this morning and decide to come here and share a fairy tale.”

·         In 24 months of his mission, everything was “turned upside down—or right side up” and he said, “I want that for you.”

·         “Don’t you ever leave anything to carry off the field.”

·         “Don’t go home with any regrets.”

·         “I want you for the rest of your life to feel like I did about my mission.”

·         “This is real life.  You will never come closer to real life than right here.”

·         “You are on an ascending curve.”

·         “Everything you want for your investigators, He wants for you.”

·         “You’ve got to be a little more persistent” and “not obnoxious but bold.”

·         “A ‘Preach My Gospel’ missionary is so in tune with the Spirit they can teach what they need to teach…”

·         “’Preach My Gospel’ says missionaries are to go to the people. We are going to find them where they are and take them from the Sacred Grove to the Garden of Gethsemane.”

·         “When we shake your hands we interview you.”

·         “I think this [Taiwan Taipei] mission is poised for the hastening of the work.”

·         “Why is this so hard?….Because salvation is not a cheap experience.”

·         “God never intended a mission to be easy.” 

·         “It cannot be easy for you because it was never easy for Him.”

·         “A little bit of your mission must be spent lugging a cross.”

·         “The road to salvation goes through the Garden of Gethsemane.”

·         “Don’t think you’re going to have a picnic in Taiwan.”

·         “You have to sign on for the whole experience.”

·         “Don’t spend time wondering why your mission is hard.”

·         “You are being shaped and molded into disciples of Christ.”

·         “Difficulties will make you more like the Son of God.”

·         “Your family has you on a pedestal.”

·         Next to possibly General Authorities, “you are the most prayed over group in the Church”

·         “Everyone wants their children to grow up and be just like you.”

·         “We’ll absolutely change the world.”

Take these words and ponder them.

And let’s absolutely change the world.

 ^^ That last part and very first part was President Day.

Two funny things: I ate spicy chocolate yesterday. It was bizarre. And also after church a member (who I think is less active) came up to me and said "Hey, do you want to get dinner with me on Friday night?"

uhhhhhhhhhh... no.

It was really awkward.

Lastly, this past Saturday our investigator got baptized. It was a wonderful event. 

P.S. I forgot to mention this lady. This is part of my letter to president this week.

We met yesterday with a lady that Sister Bang and I found before the New Year. We went to her house and had an amazing experience. When the member who was there said the opening prayer Sister C. (the investigator) said she got goosebumps out of nowhere. We explained about the Holy Ghost. Then taught her about baptism and confirmation and more about God and the Book of Mormon. She had a lot of really good questions and she looks forward to coming to church, reading the Book of Mormon, and praying in hopes that she can feel that again. When it was her turn to say the closing prayer she felt it again. After the prayer she showed us her goosebumps and the tears that had started in her eyes, blotting them away quickly with a tissue. As we testified of the feelings that she felt, the spirit continued to pour itself out on her. She will be baptized on March 22. I love her so much.

Double P.S. Psalms 27:14

"Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

I hope you all know that I love God. <3

A few changes

This week was good. We had a rainy P-day and it was FREEZING. We went to the chapel and mostly I just froze A TON~ It was the pits. But it worked out. We worked hard this week.

Then on Wednesday we had a BOMB english party hosted by my companion Sister Bang. The zone leaders already knew at this point who would stay and who would go from our zone for the upcoming transfer meeting. At the end of English class, right before they all left, they gathered us together to give us the big news. We were expecting me and sister Tsai to move out of the area because I have only two transfers left and she's been here in Tao Yuan for a really long time. BUT IT WAS THE OPPOSITE. Sister George was told she's moving and same with my precious Sister Bang. Eeek! We were all shocked. So the next day between our five lessons, Sister Bang packed up all of her stuff and we went to transfer meeting on Friday morning. I had no idea what to expect and my stomach was in knots the whole time. Well as it turns out Sister Tsai stayed in her area (in my district) but retired as sister training leader for her last transfer and her companion (slash the other sister training leader) moved to my area so the two of us are now companions and sister training leaders for our zone. Bahh. Also Sister Bang moved to Taipei to serve with my trainee, Sister Hammer. Anyway all this means is that there is a lot of pressure to keep this area going strong. That shouldn't be hard though. Sister George and I believe in obedience and hard work so I know the Lord will bless this area. This also means that we have to go on exchanges with all the sisters in our zone and train them and do trainings at meetings and stuff. So between all the exchanges-- we have 6 this transfer and we'll have 6 next transfer. Moral of the story: time will fly by. Eeek.

Anyway Sister George is great-- she's from a few different states, but her family lives in Texas right now. She loves to bake-- which would be useful if we had an oven. Sad. I knew her in the MTC. We're only 6 weeks apart. She's also super bold at sharing the gospel so I look forward to a lot that I can learn from her.

Anyway the rest of this week is good. We're still teaching the M family! We teach mom, dad, and the two youngest sons. They also hope we can teach the oldest two. Last night they set a baptismal date for Sister George's last Saturday. We really hope we can help them meet their goal.

In other news-- my friend moved to Australia. AND I MISS HER!

That's really about it. We're just working hard. It's nice to teach with Sister George-- she's experienced so I can trust her. We also agree on most things.

I've been blessed to have all amazing companions. It's nice.

Okay lastly-- Elder Holland will be here on Saturday. EEEK!

That's it, folks!

I love you all. I love this gospel. I know its true!

Chinese New Year almost over

To all of my lovely followers:

aka: family (:

I apologize-- my fingers are freezing and this keyboard is sticky-- so I'm not sure how much I'll write. For Chinese New Year we had the world's most glorious and wonderful weather... and then SUDDENLY it became windy, cold, and rainy and I feel like my fingers are going to fall off.

Last Monday was the 4th day of "Guo Nian" (Chinese New Year). We didn't have any meals planned so my companion and I went out for a nice dinner meal at 5:00 and came home comfortably full with 20 minutes left to relax before P-day ended... then we got a call from the elders in our area saying that we have a "qingke" (dinner at a member's home) scheduled that starts in 15 minutes. EEK. Anyway-- we turbo biked out to their home where the family and 4 other missionaries were waiting for us with the world's largest range of "Guo Nian" food waiting for us. So after we stuffed ourselves full again my companion agreed that "post-Guo Nian Body Beautiful Program" must officially commence.

"Guo Nian" was filled with a lot of contacting on the streets. It was definitely a tough week and we were always over-stuffed with food an exhausted but we managed to get a lot of phone numbers of interested people and set ups for after "Guo Nian." And thus in the last 4 days we've managed to have 20 lessons and half of those were lessons with investigators with a member there too. It's been crazy this week. We didn't even realize that were were having so many lessons until Sunday evening came around and we had to count our numbers up. And honestly I think it's because we've been focusing this week on Faith and Charity. We just love everyone we've met and everyone we teach.  It's been a huge blessing. I also think it's because Sister Bang and I have recommitted ourselves to perfect obedience. We are striving to do everything the way we are supposed too and I think the Lord  is blessing the work here because of it.

We also had a lesson this week with my friend's (whom I taught the gospel) older brother. It was bizarre to teach him because the two of them are so similar. Teaching him felt a lot like teaching her again. And thus-- I know he'll get baptized someday. (:

P.S. WE HAD A BIZARRE LESSON WITH OUR INVESTIGATOR AT HER WORK WITH HER COWORKER THERE. Her coworker is SUPER Christian and in a different church (the same church that our investigator currently goes to). Let me tell ya-- I always thought it would be tough to be in some of the typical situations that missionaries in the Bible belt end up in... BUT then you do it in CHINESE. That is a whole new level of difficult.

So transfers are coming up this week. We're not sure what will happen. I'm not training again though. I didn't actually think I would-- but speaking of training. People tell me all the time about the sisters that I trained and how they are doing and their Chinese is improving. It makes my heart smile so big. It is such an exciting thing for me to know that they are doing well. I just adore both of them. I love all of my companions really.

Speaking of transfers-- I only have two left. That is a really bizarre thought. Weird. I am craving Krispy Kreme donuts though. mmmmm.

OH BIG NEWS-- ELDER HOLLAND IS COMING TO OUR MISSION ON FEBRUARY 22!! WE ARE ALL SUPER PUMPED!

Last few things:

MY FAVORITE TAIWAN PEOPLE IS LEAVING TO GO TO AUSTRALIA ON THURSDAY AND I WILL MISS HER (x10970938409)!!!

Also, I have a goal to finish the Chinese Book of Mormon by the end of next transfer. eeek. We'll see. I'm only in Alma 18.

Okay another goal: There is a term often used around here called the "finger of faith." So basically you talk to someone on their motor scooter and then if your feeling faithful you point "the finger of faith" to the side and ask them if they'll pull over. It's called the finger of faith because it's DEFINITELY a risky and scary thing to do. I've only done that a couple times on my mission-- but since my time is running low (as in I only have 3 months left) I have a goal to do the finger of faith once daily until the end of my mission. We'll see what happens. I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

Lastly- We had a zone training meeting on Tuesday and we took a moment during the meeting to split off into our districts and talk about our favorite stories of Christ. I was thinking about this and I think my favorite story is when Christ feeds the multitude. Right before he feeds the 5,000  he finds out the his cousin, John the Baptist, has been beheaded. He then goes to a mountain to be "apart," but the multitude follows and he delivers another incredible sermon before feeding them all. Then he finds time to go be "apart" and once again sees people in need (his disciples on the sea in a storm) so he walks on water to save them. Twice, Christ needs some alone time to mourn a little and sacrifices that to help others. I think of this a lot ever since Grandma Teel's surgery and Grandpa Anderson's stroke. Hearing about both of these events really effected me a lot and all I wanted was some time "apart." But I know that I am a representative of Christ-- and thus I must do what he would do. So it made it easier to sacrifice myself and get to work. I am ever grateful for my Savior and for the strength that he has given me and my family during our times of trial. 

Anyway--

I love you all. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Keep reading your scriptures!

Happy New Year

So the time has come for me to live and eat my way through a second Chinese New Year. I'm not sure if you remember the last one-- but I ate a lot and a lot of really interesting things including pig foot and snail soup (please note that I didn't actually eat the snail soup because I'm not that adventurous). You'll be happy to know that this New Year has been a lot more pleasant on my stomach. There has definitely been a lot of food-- but I haven't eaten anything too shocking (only the usual-- tofu and cow stomach). Hahah. We still have a couple more meals left in us though so I'm not sure what that will bring.

Honestly there isn't a whole lot to say. We've been out on the streets finding for the last 4 days. We've knocked a ton of doors and talked to a lot of people that are not interested in the gospel. That being said though-- we've also met a handful of people that are super willing to meet with us after the New year week long celebration ends! So we have a lot of set ups Wednesday through Sunday! THE CHURCH IS TRUE AND GOD LOVES US!

We did run into a very interesting lady though. She was probably in her late 20s. She scolded us for a solid 10 minutes for doing missionary work during their holiday and told us to stop. So we left... obviously. And knocked on the next door... obviously. Missionary work doesn't stop.

I did run into a very interesting man who offered me a Buddhist Bible and spit all over when he talked (consequently getting on my face). He wasn't trying to be rude though-- he just hasn't mastered the skill of keeping the saliva in the mouth. That's okay-- he's probably not the only one. I told him I could take the scriptures he wanted to give me.. and I wiped off my face. Meanwhile Sister Bang invited his family to English class. So that's pretty much all that has happened in the last week.

We are just trying to keep spirits up and soak in the BEAUTIFUL weather that God has blessed Taiwan with. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Mostly I guess since I don't have a lot of stories to tell I can just tell you all how much I love you. And I love this gospel. I love the temple. I love being on a mission. I love all the people I have met on my mission. I love knowing that my whole family can all go to the temple with me. I love knowing that my brothers are still holding up to our agreement to stay awesome forever. I love that Shandi is the greatest sister in the world who is helping to make sure that good things will happen when I get back to school. I love that Sham is getting puppies! I love to dance. I love having the gospel. I love the Book of Mormon. I love reading it in English and I love reading it in Chinese. I LOVE JESUS.

I just love everything.

And I'm also going to tell you how much I love my companion. Sister Whitney Bang is the GREATEST. She's also ridiculously accomplished and wicked smart. She plays the violin like a pro. Her family has lived all over the world including China and Korea. ALSO SHE LOVES TO DIAGRAM SENTENCES, MOM! She, like me. does not like Jelly or Jam. We make a good pair. We have the same thoughts about many things-- it's weird how alike we are. She wants to be a doctor---and she'll do a great job at it. We've been companions for almost 3 months. Seriously working with her is like working with myself. OH HAVE I MENTIONED THAT SHE'S HILARIOUS. And so we laugh a lot-- and thus she will fit beautifully into the Anderson/Teel family. She believes in laughter and mixed patterns. Aka-- she is super fashionable and I adore her. Enough said. I'll miss her a lot when we aren't companions anymore. But life goes on and we intend to all go to the Celestial Kingdom together. That will be a wonderful time.

I love the outdoors...

First-- I love you all so much. Today was so great. We went to the temple and now I'm super happy.  Basically today I really was touched because I just really feel like God loves me. It's a good feeling.

This week was crazy. Or rather week and a half. We found out just a few days ago the Elder S. is leaving us-- he's becoming Assistant to the President-- obviously because he's a super good missionary. We like having him as our district leader so we'll miss him. He really cares about us and our investigators-- so it'll be hard to replace him. 

Update on the family we were teaching. So sad. I guess after we left our last lesson-- the daughter who is 13 asked her mom is she could join the church and her parents were not happy. They said she didn't have enough information and so she wasn't allowed and we can't go visit her anymore because they don't want us to teach her the gospel. They're okay if we visit-- but they don't want us to share the gospel. So we can't go-- plus with the recent boundary changes we can't bike down to their house anyway. So sad. We talked to her on the phone for a half hour and encouraged her to keep reading the Book of Mormon and to pray daily. She said her parents said she's not allowed to think about joining our church until she's twenty. So she said she'll start preparing now. She's a sweet girl. I hope I can keep in touch with her well.

Also this past week we found this awesome girl to teach. We met her on the street while she was heading home and talked to her a little about the Book of Mormon. She was willing to meet with us later that week. As it turns out, she lives in our apartment complex. HOW COOL IS THAT! So we met with her again on Saturday and taught her about the restoration. She is such a sweetheart. I just love her. And on Sunday she came to church. Then we met her after church and taught the plan of salvation. She's getting baptized on March 1.  (: She's a super cute.

OH ALSO THE WEATHER HAS BE GORGEOUS RECENTLY! I think people are way happier in the sun-- aka we've been a lot happier too. Taiwan is beautiful.

Okay so we found out last Friday at a big meeting how our area has been split. As it turns out we're gonna start teaching about 10 of the elder's investigators. It's crazy. And now we teach boys. Speaking of boys-- we've started teaching this boy-- P. He's about 15. He's super cool. But I want to ask my brothers-- what helps you develop a testimony of the gospel? We want to know what we can do to help this kid know this is true. He's a really cool kid.

Also we're teaching a grandpa and his two grandkids. The little boy is the CUTEST. He's 8 years old. Elder S. was teaching them before the area changes-- and now we are teaching them. The little boy asked us why "long nose" never comes anymore. He said next time we visit we need to bring "long nose." I was so confused--- and then grandpa explained that Elder S. is long nose. SO HILARIOUS! The little boy also said that my family needs to move to Taiwan and go have a sleepover with him. So cute!

Also-- this guy pulled me over on my bike and gave me a bag of candy and his card with his phone number... I guess he's expecting me to call? SO WEIRD. Maybe my companion will call and offer him the gospel. Lol.

Also we met this girl who is about to graduate from high school and taught her about the restoration. She's adorable. And she's gonna get baptized. My hands are getting tired so I'm not gonna type the whole story. She's super great though.

Okay last story. The other night we were on the street contacting (aka being rejected a lot that night). And then this man came up to us and was like "I need a church. Where is your church?!" We were super excited. And then he asked if we could pray for him because his wife likes to worship idols and he doesn't like idols and so they are having some family problems. So we said we could pray for him. Then he looked at us really closely (too closely really) and was like "wow you two are really really healthy! Why are you so healthy?" So we were like uhhh can we just pray with you. He said okay so we went to pray and suddenly he jumped back a foot and made a REALLY bizarre noise. Then he told us the the spirit inside him knows us and doesn't like us. Then he kept stepping closer and jumping back. So weird. It was really awkward. Then this kid who has met missionaries before came and talked to us for a second before leaving. We talked to the man on the street for another second and then felt like we shouldn't say so we just left. It was a weird experience. I didn't really do it justice. I'm a bad writer. But it was bizarre.

I LOVE YOU ALL! MAKE GOOD CHOICES!!