There is so much to write. I hope I can get through it all.
Last Monday my companion and I, and the elders, and a member went to San Xia for pday. It has this BEAUTIFUL hike, which when we got there found out it was closed because of the Typhoon. Instead we ended up walking down this other trail. We took good pictures, but they are all on my companions camera. Whoops! It's because my camera is the pits and takes the worst pictures! Lol. Anyway while we were walking it started POURING rain. We walked around in the pouring rain for awhile until a couple pulled over and told us to get in their car. They drove us to the bus stop. We had a GREAT time with many laughs. Super fun-- oh but the member gave me a card before we left to go on the hike. I read it after. He's an old man. And well-- makes me feel quite uncomfortable. I read the letter later. It said some stuff about the second coming. But the gold is this part "Your suggestions are welcome. You are young. And I am old. Kind of like America and China. 200 years: 6,000 years but working in harmony for peace and prosper. Kind of like husband and wife. What are your thoughts on this. Your opinion is welcome. Please get back to me as soon as possible." EEEEEK! WHATTTT?!
Good news to this: I moved. Lol That's probably what I would do outside the mission too.
Last Thursday we had a training meeting for trainers. At the end of the evening we went out with the new missionaries to find for a bit. It was fun-- but I'll admit-- I'm terrible at finding and going out with just a couple hours and no clue what I'm doing. Anyway-- glad that night is over. Lol. When we went home we had to actually fit 4 girls in our apartment because some of the trainers came up from kind of far away. It was a cramped night. And I didn't sleep well, but that's okay. I'm still alive.
The next morning we had transfer meeting. BIG NEWS! My new companion is Sister Hammer. She's great. You all would love her. And I've moved to a place called BaDe. We're opening ad new sister area here. EEEK! I have a lot of finding to do. When we left the transfer meeting they gave us keys to our apartment and an address and said "Good Luck!" And we left. I feel a lot like the first missionaries in Taiwan--- clueless and poor. Lol. Anyway we had to take the subway. And then a train. And then a bus. And then walk. It was a long journey. When we got to the bus we had a bunch of ladies looking at our address and telling us where to go. The bus people were all really nice. I made sure to invite them all to church when we drove by the chapel. We finally made it home a little after 2:30pm. We walked into our apartment so excited to find.... nothing. It was completely empty. So naturally we went out to the store and bought.. toilet paper. Man I had to pee so bad! Lol. We came home and started weekly planning. Periodically we had moving men call us and come up and add something new to our apartment. We still have no beds though-- we're sleeping on mattresses. Also the office elders drove down and built us a closet and two desks. It was a very interesting experience. I love the outside of our apartment complex though. (The inside is nice too). But there is a major neighorbood feel to this place. It's nice. NOT LIKE XIN ZHUANG AT ALL! Look for Bade on the map (it's in Taoyuan county).
We went exploring on Saturday and walked on one street full of aboriginals. They invited us to a party the next day. We stopped by but got a weird feel considering all the alcohol and people staring so we left. Good experience though. They were all dancing and in cool clothes.
Also on Saturday we went to the church to meet with a less active family. They didn't show up, but the RS president was there so we met her. She left the church before us and closed the gate. So we were trapped inside the church... so obviously we hopped the fence in our skirts. So hilarious. And so graceful!
When we got home that evening we were welcomed by a HUGE cockroach running around the floor. Eek. Just thinking about it makes me want to throw up. Good thing we had a bunch of boxes. Sister Hammer hit it with a box.. but missed actually. It ran behind another box so we tried to crush it between the wall and that box. No use. It ran out right towards me and I screamed SO LOUD. Finally Sister Hammer threw a box again and hit it. Stunned it. She beat it a couple more times with the box. A leg fell of. I took a dust pan to scoop it up and it started scrambling again. I hit it with the pan then grabbed another box and beat it senseless. A little brutal yes. A little barbarious yes. But I do NOT do roaches. That is the PITS! We probably looked (and sounded) like crazy people. Needless to say, when our district leader (Elder Davidson) asked what he could pray for, we told him to just pray that we don't have to deal with anymore cockroaches in our apartment. We threw the corpse out the window then collected his legs which had ended up all over the room.
Mostly this week has been.. interesting. Lol. We did have one investigator come to church. We called her because the elders gave us her information. She's finished meeting with missionaries and ready to be baptized then suddenly her husband said it's not a good idea which got her rethinking and then she left. The elders haven't been in touch with her in months. I called and asked if we could meet her. She said she didn't have time but she'd see about church. AND THEN SHE CAME! Family, this is the first miracle in Bade. And they will keep on coming. I love her already.
I feel so trusted by the Lord to be training and opening a new area at the same time. I also feel very inadequate. But this is going to work. We can do this with the Lord's help. My companion and I decided we're going to fast on Wednesday to know what the Lord's will is for this area and know how we can accomplish it. I know that the Lord has big plans for this place. We just have to figure out what they are and do it. The ward is great. I'm looking forward to working with these people.
I know this is where I'm supposed to be. Although things are definitely not perfect her and I'm far from a perfect missionary, I look forward to doing what I can to get this place up and running for missionary work.
I love you all!
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