Hi family!
Today is such a good day and I have a lot to write so hopefully I get it all in in the VERY short amount of time alotted to me.
First of all: My foot is doing well. It's bruised and hurts every once in a while, but besides being sore, it's totally okay! I have my follow-up appointment with the podiatrist next Friday where I anticipate that he'll tell me all systems are a go and I'll be on my way to Taiwan in no time! I'm in good spirits and I'm super focused to learn as much as I possibly can in the next two weeks--the final stretch until Taiwan! Last week when I hurt myself, I consider myself lucky. It could've been worse. The plague swept through the MTC. Literally. Everyone got sick with the stomach flu. I among a few others survived. One day we only had 3 people in our district healthy (out of 8). We had to impliment a no hand-shaking/no hugging rule at the MTC to keep it from spreading. My district is all back on their feet though and we're happy to be working hard. I do have a bit of a sore throat though. I got checked out. It's just a cold. Basically it's just really annoying. Ugh.
In the midst of the plague (aka the first day), we had our Tuesday night devotional from Elder Choi of the seventy. That's when I had to say the closing prayer. His talk was amazing. I really felt the spirit and I was happy to be so close to hear him. I got a lot out of it, but the main thing for me was this (which is my new motto for my own mission): "Let's go talk to all the people. They will like us. They will listen to us. We are the most beautiful sisters in the world." I know that because I have Christ's name on my name tag and since I am preaching His gospel, I can indeed be confident and say that I am the most beautiful sister in the world. Because of Him, I am beautiful! I love that. I know that everyone who accepts the gospel of Christ and is baptized into His church becomes even more beautiful than they were before.
Not only did I realize how beautiful I am this week, but I also learned to REALLY rely on the Lord. He will pick up the slack (because Heaven knows I'm not perfect). The other day my companion and I had an awesome lesson planned. We were so excited for it. We were going to teach the lesson the very next afternoon. When we were reviewing for the lesson, we realized that we write our lesson plans so differently that both of us changed our goal and it was distorted over night. We were so worried because we had NO CLUE what to teach or how to teach (not to mention how to do it in Chinese!). In the fifteen minutes before the lesson, we came up with a very brief lesson plan. Before we left, our teacher read us this scripture (because she could tell that we were stressed!). Doctrine and Covenants 123:17. The Lord knows that we worked hard to create a lesson for this investigatore. He knows we are working hard to be good missionaries and He will always fill in the gaps. The Lord truly does help those who help themselves. We are saved by grace after all we can do. We went into the lesson knowing we had to rely completely on Heavenly Father and that's exactly what we did. The lesson went AMAZINGLY. The spirit was truly there and our companionship unity was awesome. It was a great experience. I really am so grateful for the gospel. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father trusts me to be His missionary/servant. I want to do all that I can to build up the kingdom of God (right now and for my whole life).
Okay people, the gift of tongues is real. I KNOW I SAY THIS EVERY WEEK BUT SERIOUSLY! I have ten scriptures memorized. I don't even think I have that much memorized in English. There have been quite a few moments this week where I have been speaking Chinese (in class and elsewhere) where I heard myself just rambling and I knew what I was saying, where I was going with the comment, and how to say it. It's just a great experience. Also, I've gotten to the point in class where I don't have to think so hard to process what goes on. I find myself thinking in Chinese quite often and translating what other people say into Chinese. Cool, huh? I know that everything I am blessed with right now comes from the Lord. He is teaching me Chinese because it is necessary to helping others learn about the gospel. LOVE IT!
Mom and Shandi, I wish I had known you weren't eating fries for this year sooner. I've already done it but as of right now I will not eat anymore fries until I can do it again with all of you. SO LET IT BE WRITTEN SO LET IT BE DONE! Also, I'm not gonna eat anymore donuts until after my mission. I've eaten a million here. Bad idea.
Last night in my class, we read 3 Nephi 11 (or at least began reading it) and in Chinese of course. While we discussed it we came to an amazing conclusion. In verse 21 we learn that the FIRST thing that Christ did when he came to the Americas was give the power to baptize to Nephi and the other apostles. HOW IMPORTANT IS BAPTISM THEN?! Obviously it's extremely important. That is what I am out to do. I am to invite EVERYONE to be baptized. And I'm going to start now. I guess most people who read this are already baptized, but to anyone else who happens upon this. I encourage you to go find the missionaries, listen to their message, and when you know that it is true accept the invitation to be baptized and be counted as one of the Lord's people. I KNOW completely that this is the Church of God and Jesus Christ. Christ is at the head of this church running everything completely. If you pray to know if it is true WITH A SINCERE HEART AND DESIRE TO KNOW (Moroni 10:3-5), He WILL answer that prayer.
Okay new topic. Tomorrow we are getting a new set of missionaries. I'm really excited. Personally, I have decided that with the arrival of new missionaries, I need to step up my game. I need to SYL (speak your languages) as often as possible and really be as focused as possible on the work that I have been called to do and preparing myself to enter the field and serve the people of Taiwan.
The work of the Lord is hastening. On Sunday we sustained 4 new branches here. We've also been told that we are expecting roughly 6,800 missionaries in the MTC by July. There are only 2,200 right now and we are FULL! The moral of the story is that anyone who wants to serve the Lord is WELCOME! Little brothers, keep preparing yourselves to serve. You will be so blessed!
Okay now just business. Thanks for the package. I got it in the mail yesterday and I LOVE all the contents. The skirt is perfect. I'm wearing it now.
Also, I'm getting my travel plans on Thursday or Friday so I'll be sure to let you know in my next email what time I'll have a break to call home in the airport. I look forward to a nice little chat! Before I leave, I'll be sending a package home with stuff that I don't need anymore/don't want with me right now.
Okay time's up. This church is true. Very true.
I love you all!
Love,
Micaela
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