Hello everyone!!
Happy New Year!!! I can't believe it's already 2013! New Years Resolution time: Serve a mission in Taiwan.....check ;D The new year is kind of fun here because everyone celebrates it today and tomorrow, and then in another month they will celebrate Chinese New Year which is as big of a deal as Christmas in America so the new year festivities are just beginning!
This last week we had a baptism (last one of the year!). The beautiful ZJM was baptized on Saturday, confirmed a member of the Church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday :) The baptism went so well! It was our ward temple day so I was worried about how many people would come, but there was still a great circle of support of people there. The best part of her baptism was how incredibly happy she was the whole time! She couldn't stop smiling after she was baptized- it was adorable! When we were walking back up the stairs for her to bear her testimony we asked her how she was feeling and she said, "Can you see my light?" We said, "YES!" She was beaming :) She was really nervous about bearing her testimony so we had gone over to her house earlier in the day and helped her write it out. It was the simplest and sweetest testimony. She talked about how Sister Gibson and I had tracted in their neighborhood and they invited us in. She said she had previously heard of Christ but never knew what kind of connection He had to her. She bore testimony how church, prayer, and the scriptures had helped her to know Heavenly Father was really there and help her understand her Savior. She said her goal was to go to the Celestial Kingdom because she didn't want to go to the Chinese version of heck :) She said she is so excited to start doing family history so her whole family can receive the Gospel! She knows it is true and she loves it- she is a beautiful daughter of God who is truly one of the most precious souls I have ever met. I am so happy for her- for she has now entered the gate to return to her mansion in Heaven. I know that she will continue to soar as she studies, participates in the Church, and begins doing family history immediately! She is an amazing example of unconditional love and patience...I love her so much :)
We had some amazing miracles with our recent converts on Thursday! One of them has had a job conflict with church for a long time, but just this last week after many prayers, her boss said she could start work later so she can come to all of church- yay!! We also have been trying to get a hold of WJM for about two weeks and then out of the blue she called us on Thursday and wanted to meet that night. I was elated and so so grateful that she had called us! She is so incredible- she has immense faith. She is a designer so she is always thinking of cool pictures and ideas........she told me to write IMPOSSIBLE on the board and then she added a few punctuation to make it I'M POSSIBLE and then we decided to add WITH GOD I AM POSSIBLE with her favorite scripture reference of 2 Nephi 4:26-35....it was super cool :D This is her motto and she lives by it! She is an amazing example of trusting in the Lord!
Christmas was wonderful!! I got to talk to my amazing, hilarious family whom I love soooo much! Sister Liang and I also had the opportunity to share the Christmas story/ message many times with investigators and less-actives, as well as have our faces stuffed (with every Costco food you can imagine) by a couple of families in the ward :D On Tuesday night, there were 24 giant sized Chocolate Costco muffins in our fridge from other people--it was crazy! It was definitely a Christmas I will never forget :)
The New Year is such an exciting time because we have a clean slate to start a whole new year. As missionaries, we are always making goals and I'm finding how important they are--especially those that effect us eternally. I find it really interesting that Heavenly Father doesn't just give us certain pre-baked goals for every individual person, but He lets us make them and then He helps us accomplish them. Our Bishop taught the last hour yesterday and he shared Elder Bednar's talk on Testimony from a few Conferences ago. The Spirit testified very strongly to me about how important our own line of testimony and conversion is, and that our first priority and line is always the Savior. I want to work on this this coming year to strengthen my own line of conversion. I'm grateful for this marvelous Gospel and that we never stop learning :) I know that it is true, I know our Savior lives and it is by and through them that we become Celestial beings. I know our Heavenly Father loves us so much and sometimes He just wants us to grow, but He is always there to lift us. I hope you all have an amazing New Year (loud pans, ball droppings, squawkers, all the good things :) ) and that this year brings renewed faith and strength in your own lives!!
I love you all!!
Sister J.
ZJM's baptism
(with Sister Jarvis and Sister Liang)
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