Wu an!!! My dearest, darlingest family!
Hope you had a stupendous last 4 days! Has the heat come yet? :)
Fun facts that you learn only in Taiwan: My dear companion Sister Schultz is very sweet, sooo sweet that she literally gets bit when she steps outside :) At the end of this week her legs looked like a combination of chicken pox and an allergic reaction of little red dots....bless her soul. She literally has about a million bites on her legs and everyone just wants to help her! There was one day when every person we visited gave us their secret ingredients for itchy legs haha it was so great! So when itchy, bug-bitten legs arise here's what works: mouth rinse, Chinese orange medicine, sesame oil, fermented brown sugar, and many more! They work! Her legs have now become an effective finding tool as they attract people's concern on the street...you can find souls in miraculous ways! :)
Miracles: A child's answer to a prayer :) We invited the little sisters we have been teaching to sincerely pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true after they shared with us that they weren't sure if they had really felt the Spirit confirm that to them yet. Well, we went back and followed up..........suddenly D (who tends to be more quiet in the lessons) popped up and said she had just been praying upstairs before we got there. She said she had prayed to ask Heavenly Father is the B of M was true and suddenly felt the feeling of a hand on her head pushing her head down and telling her "shi! shi! shi!" which means "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She said she felt like it was God telling her that the B of M was true and now she knew it was :) We were so gang dong and touched by her experience. I feel I understand a little better why we are taught in the scriptures to humble ourselves as a child to be "submissive, patient, humble and full of love."
We also saw the love and guidance of ward leaders help our recent convert LJM..........I know that Bishops are called of God and our ward leaders truly represent the Lord in their stewardship. The sister we are working to rescue also came to church yesterday again! I have a testimony of never giving up........when we go out and find those lost sheep with the power of the Lord behind us, we can find them and bring them back :)
This week my testimony was strengthened of reading the B of M over and over again! I read Alma 32 which I have read so many times, yet learned something completely knew! I was able to understand a little better the connection between faith and knowledge. After we use our faith and see/feel something take place........we come to know it and therefore it becomes our knowledge...."Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls..." No wonder we are commanded to read, pray daily and attend church weekly! As we act and grow in faith, it turns into true knowledge and we will have knowledge forever and forever :) I also read a lot about the Atonement in Alma 35 and again so touched by the power of the Atonement for each one of us. As it says in 35:9, we get to leave our old world behind, and come unto Christ to receive nourishment and be given all that we need for a new life :) And that is the miraculous beauty of the Atonement..........which I'm still learning about!
I asked President Bishop last week in my email how he has found he has accomplished his goals, I want to share his response with you : "Elder Evans taught that we accomplish what we incessantly work for.........we must be relentless. Never give up on the quest for finding, teaching, and baptizing families." Wow.........so inspiring!
I love you all so so much!!! I love this Gospel with all my heart and know it leads us home and helps us to truly be the happiest we can be! I know that the Atonement is real and the Savior can help us with absolutely everything, it's amazing :) I'm so grateful for all of your examples and pray for you daily!!! Love you!
Sister J. :)
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Taiwan - Week 39 - May 15 - The Taibei Temple!
Sister Jarvis was able to skype with her family for Mother's Day. She was also able to take a temple trip to the Taibei Temple which was a wonderful experience for her.
Hi Fam!!
Well it was so great and wonderful to Skype with you!!! I can't believe how much everyone has grown up...zhen de!!! It's crazy! I haven't been gone that long have I? ;) It's just so fun and wonderful to hear that everyone is doing just dandy. I could really see that all of you are just so happy.....what greater blessing could I ask for!
So I really don't have too much to say today because all that's on my mind right now is the Temple :) It was so wonderful!!! It was definitely worth waiting 9 months! The Taibei Temple is absolutely beautiful. It's a pretty small temple, but the visitor grounds are just beautiful with palm trees and tropical plants. When you walk in, everyone removes their shoes, just like what you do in people's homes here, and I really like that because it makes it feel even more sacred. We had the wonderful privilege of doing initiatories before our session and I was able to do them in Chinese! The Sisters which I did them for were all from China born about 1660-1750. These are the ancestors of the people whom I am serving among......how incredible is that. It touches my heart so deeply every time I think about it. Then we went and did an English Endowment Session with some other foreigners who live in the area and it was just beautiful. We had some time to sit in the Celestial Room and just soaked the Spirit in :) It was also really special to be their with my fellow missionaries, reminding me that we are all children of a so loving Heavenly Father on their pathway home to him......and helping our fellow brothers and sisters so they can come home too :) The temple is so beautiful! The furniture is all Asian design in simplicity and by the baptismal font they have a very traditional Chinese painting of people by a river...really cool. I love the temple! If I could, I would go there every day...I really would! I'm so grateful for the covenants I have made and now I may not be able to go to the temple all of the time, but can help my fellow sisters and families to go and receive their own eternal covenants. The Temple brings it all together.....I know that it is the house of the Lord, for He does walk those halls. I know that is why I am a missionary and why we work hard every day.....so that more people may experience these blessings.
We had some really special lessons on Monday after Sister Schultz and I skyped and we really accredit it to the Spirit and the joy we felt from talking with our families :) We are so imperfect, but the Spirit is not and the Restoration is real. I love you all sooooooooooooo much!!! Have a week of joy, laughter, love, service, and the Spirit! Don't forget to share your testimonies because you never know who needs to hear them :) I hope you will all be able to go to the temple soon as well!
Love you forever!
Sister J.
P.S. I'll try to stay away from all parallel parking cars this week ;) **During our phone call, Sister Jarvis shared with us the fact that she had actually been hit on her bike by a truck trying to parallel park. Her bike was munched and she got a little scraped up, but luckily was ok. The driver was very apologetic and paid for her bike to be fixed etc.
Hi Fam!!
Well it was so great and wonderful to Skype with you!!! I can't believe how much everyone has grown up...zhen de!!! It's crazy! I haven't been gone that long have I? ;) It's just so fun and wonderful to hear that everyone is doing just dandy. I could really see that all of you are just so happy.....what greater blessing could I ask for!
So I really don't have too much to say today because all that's on my mind right now is the Temple :) It was so wonderful!!! It was definitely worth waiting 9 months! The Taibei Temple is absolutely beautiful. It's a pretty small temple, but the visitor grounds are just beautiful with palm trees and tropical plants. When you walk in, everyone removes their shoes, just like what you do in people's homes here, and I really like that because it makes it feel even more sacred. We had the wonderful privilege of doing initiatories before our session and I was able to do them in Chinese! The Sisters which I did them for were all from China born about 1660-1750. These are the ancestors of the people whom I am serving among......how incredible is that. It touches my heart so deeply every time I think about it. Then we went and did an English Endowment Session with some other foreigners who live in the area and it was just beautiful. We had some time to sit in the Celestial Room and just soaked the Spirit in :) It was also really special to be their with my fellow missionaries, reminding me that we are all children of a so loving Heavenly Father on their pathway home to him......and helping our fellow brothers and sisters so they can come home too :) The temple is so beautiful! The furniture is all Asian design in simplicity and by the baptismal font they have a very traditional Chinese painting of people by a river...really cool. I love the temple! If I could, I would go there every day...I really would! I'm so grateful for the covenants I have made and now I may not be able to go to the temple all of the time, but can help my fellow sisters and families to go and receive their own eternal covenants. The Temple brings it all together.....I know that it is the house of the Lord, for He does walk those halls. I know that is why I am a missionary and why we work hard every day.....so that more people may experience these blessings.
We had some really special lessons on Monday after Sister Schultz and I skyped and we really accredit it to the Spirit and the joy we felt from talking with our families :) We are so imperfect, but the Spirit is not and the Restoration is real. I love you all sooooooooooooo much!!! Have a week of joy, laughter, love, service, and the Spirit! Don't forget to share your testimonies because you never know who needs to hear them :) I hope you will all be able to go to the temple soon as well!
Love you forever!
Sister J.
P.S. I'll try to stay away from all parallel parking cars this week ;) **During our phone call, Sister Jarvis shared with us the fact that she had actually been hit on her bike by a truck trying to parallel park. Her bike was munched and she got a little scraped up, but luckily was ok. The driver was very apologetic and paid for her bike to be fixed etc.
With Sister Schultz at the Taipei Temple
The Sisters at the temple
The Taipei Temple
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Taiwan - Week 38 - May 5 - A Cinco de Mayo Party and More Miracles
Good Mornin Fam! Zao an!!!!
Happy week, happy day!! I hope all of your tropical vacationing and field sporting all went just superb this week!
This week de hua...........a lolly oooda lolly gally what a week :) It's May! Yippee! We are having a Cinco de Mayo party this week in English! and have also been teaching our 79 year old RC how to speak Spanish...she's a hoot :) We also had a Sisters' Meeting this week!!! It was incredible--so uplifting and inspiring! Some of the Senior Sisters spoke and it felt like being back in YWs with adorable hand-outs and inspiring music :) We watched this really amazing video on with all the Presidents of Primary, RS, and YWs that the church has made that also really helped us understand our role with the Priesthood and in meetings. I'm so grateful to be a Sister Missionary! It is truly a privilege :)
Funny story of the week: We were biking out to hua tan (more of the countryside) with lots of people on the road.......heard the ambulance siren so everyone is looking around behind us, but no ambulance! We keep hearing the siren and then all of a sudden this young kid comes flying past us on his bike with a megaphone siren hooked to his bike! haha it was pretty funny......everybody was just chuckling.........love Taiwan :)
O the miracles of this week..........sooooo good :) There is no other explanation for them then for the hand of the Lord. Heavenly Father truly made all things possible this week! First off, remember the dear, sweet, adorable young sisters who can summarize the entire Book of Mosiah in detail? :) Yes....well they still have their baptismal date but have not come to church yet so this was the do or die week! Well, after inviting and inviting we realized there really wasn't too much more we could do and decided to leave it all in the Lord's hands. We prayed every day that if it be His will, there would be a way for them to come to church or that their desire to come would increase. We turned everything over to Him.........well we still hadn't heard from them by Sat night so we decided to stop by their Aunt's house and they were there! And they said they were sleeping over so she could take them to church! **AAAhhhh!*** and truly one of the happiest moments ever was when they walked through the church doors at 9:00 on Sunday morning! The Primary President was there to greet them and made them feel so welcome and they stayed for all three hours! (Sister Shultz was prepared with paper and pens for doodling during Sacrament ;) ) It was an absolute miracle. They are still progressing and we will continue to turn to the Lord and know that if it be His will, they can be baptized this month :) We truly must trust in the Lord and His ways and His timing in all that we do and as we do, I know that everything will go according to the Heavenly Plan :)
2nd: Another miracle....the Zone leaders gave us an invite this week to confirm all of our RCs for church by Friday. We had one RC whom we both have still never met, so we decided to go find her! She was our back-up plan for Thursday night and when the other plans fell through we headed to her house. She was home and was so happy to let us in! We had a great little lesson about the Spirit with her and invited her to church and she said yes! AND she came :) We were so grateful for their inspired invite this week because this sweet sister is now on her way to coming back :)
3rd: Super fun night tracting last night!! We found this super steep, long hill that is really forested with all of these houses. We started at the top and went all the way down- meeting lots of cute, old a mas and a bas (we kept on ringing bells, running around as fast as we could AND THEN.........we met an adorable young family who said we could come back this week!! So great, so excited :) Met with a family we tracted into last week again who are formers from a few years ago and they were so excited to have us back and so eager to kneel in prayer! The Dad is hilarious, super happy and friendly, and wanted to be prepared this week so he read up on the Prophet Joseph Smith and Restoration this last week and really understood it! Yay for families!! Teaching families is like having this really delicious, specialty made cake..........so so so good, and every opportunity to "eat" it is so precious and just have to eat it little by little :) We are so grateful that Heavenly Father has given this opportunity to teach a few families!
My testimony this week............turn to the Lord in everything you do! I learned this week that we need to involve Him in everything and to always continue to be more like Him. I love a line from PMG pg. 115 it says, "Just as vital as what you do, however, is who you are. The restored gospel enables you to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ." Words of truth.......Ch. 6 in PMG is amazing! Read it if you haven't, because it will change your life and your relationship with Christ. I know He lives! And as we come unto Him and invite others to do the same.......we will never fear or worry for He will always be with us. Have an amazing week- See you on Monday!! (Monday was when Sister Jarvis was able to call and skype with her family for Mother's Day)
Sister J.
I love you!!!!
Happy week, happy day!! I hope all of your tropical vacationing and field sporting all went just superb this week!
This week de hua...........a lolly oooda lolly gally what a week :) It's May! Yippee! We are having a Cinco de Mayo party this week in English! and have also been teaching our 79 year old RC how to speak Spanish...she's a hoot :) We also had a Sisters' Meeting this week!!! It was incredible--so uplifting and inspiring! Some of the Senior Sisters spoke and it felt like being back in YWs with adorable hand-outs and inspiring music :) We watched this really amazing video on with all the Presidents of Primary, RS, and YWs that the church has made that also really helped us understand our role with the Priesthood and in meetings. I'm so grateful to be a Sister Missionary! It is truly a privilege :)
Funny story of the week: We were biking out to hua tan (more of the countryside) with lots of people on the road.......heard the ambulance siren so everyone is looking around behind us, but no ambulance! We keep hearing the siren and then all of a sudden this young kid comes flying past us on his bike with a megaphone siren hooked to his bike! haha it was pretty funny......everybody was just chuckling.........love Taiwan :)
O the miracles of this week..........sooooo good :) There is no other explanation for them then for the hand of the Lord. Heavenly Father truly made all things possible this week! First off, remember the dear, sweet, adorable young sisters who can summarize the entire Book of Mosiah in detail? :) Yes....well they still have their baptismal date but have not come to church yet so this was the do or die week! Well, after inviting and inviting we realized there really wasn't too much more we could do and decided to leave it all in the Lord's hands. We prayed every day that if it be His will, there would be a way for them to come to church or that their desire to come would increase. We turned everything over to Him.........well we still hadn't heard from them by Sat night so we decided to stop by their Aunt's house and they were there! And they said they were sleeping over so she could take them to church! **AAAhhhh!*** and truly one of the happiest moments ever was when they walked through the church doors at 9:00 on Sunday morning! The Primary President was there to greet them and made them feel so welcome and they stayed for all three hours! (Sister Shultz was prepared with paper and pens for doodling during Sacrament ;) ) It was an absolute miracle. They are still progressing and we will continue to turn to the Lord and know that if it be His will, they can be baptized this month :) We truly must trust in the Lord and His ways and His timing in all that we do and as we do, I know that everything will go according to the Heavenly Plan :)
2nd: Another miracle....the Zone leaders gave us an invite this week to confirm all of our RCs for church by Friday. We had one RC whom we both have still never met, so we decided to go find her! She was our back-up plan for Thursday night and when the other plans fell through we headed to her house. She was home and was so happy to let us in! We had a great little lesson about the Spirit with her and invited her to church and she said yes! AND she came :) We were so grateful for their inspired invite this week because this sweet sister is now on her way to coming back :)
3rd: Super fun night tracting last night!! We found this super steep, long hill that is really forested with all of these houses. We started at the top and went all the way down- meeting lots of cute, old a mas and a bas (we kept on ringing bells, running around as fast as we could AND THEN.........we met an adorable young family who said we could come back this week!! So great, so excited :) Met with a family we tracted into last week again who are formers from a few years ago and they were so excited to have us back and so eager to kneel in prayer! The Dad is hilarious, super happy and friendly, and wanted to be prepared this week so he read up on the Prophet Joseph Smith and Restoration this last week and really understood it! Yay for families!! Teaching families is like having this really delicious, specialty made cake..........so so so good, and every opportunity to "eat" it is so precious and just have to eat it little by little :) We are so grateful that Heavenly Father has given this opportunity to teach a few families!
My testimony this week............turn to the Lord in everything you do! I learned this week that we need to involve Him in everything and to always continue to be more like Him. I love a line from PMG pg. 115 it says, "Just as vital as what you do, however, is who you are. The restored gospel enables you to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ." Words of truth.......Ch. 6 in PMG is amazing! Read it if you haven't, because it will change your life and your relationship with Christ. I know He lives! And as we come unto Him and invite others to do the same.......we will never fear or worry for He will always be with us. Have an amazing week- See you on Monday!! (Monday was when Sister Jarvis was able to call and skype with her family for Mother's Day)
Sister J.
I love you!!!!
Taiwan - Week 37 - April 28 - Cleaning the Baptismal Font and a Baptism
Sister Jarvis had a busy week and a baptism!
Hello my dear and wonderful family!
Hope you all had a happy, dandy week! We had a full week here: Sister Exchanges, Singles' Activity, Baptism, and just the great every day teaching! I'm sitting here trying to remember everything that happened and I'm totally blanking! But I know lots of amazing things happened :) I went on exchanges with an awesome Taiwanese Sister this week and we had a blast! It was a change to speak all Chinese again, but it was super fun! We met lots of new investigators this week......cool stories: one mom from English who's husband told her to come and learn about God and ran into another former family last night who said we could come back! We were also able to visit a few members this week, which I haven't done much before, but we saw miracles from it and I definitely have a strong testimony of doing so now! The weather is hot........then cold.......then rainy........then hot- but we love it!
So this week...........LJM was baptized on Saturday!! It was quite the week of trying to put the baptism together (Sister Shultz and I were cleaning out the baptismal pool in our skirts and crocs an hour before the baptism ;) ) but it all went just right :) LJM was nervous, but excited :) She was so happy after she was baptized and she said she literally just felt so clean. I am so happy for her and know that as she begins the journey of Enduring to the End she will continue to feel the influence of the Spirit and prepare for even greater eternal blessings. We have had some really special experiences with her in just pouring out our hearts in testimony to her, sometimes in English and sometimes in Chinese, in which you can feel that eternal connection of the Spirit. Her home life isn't all that great, but she has felt the love and comfort of the Gospel. She told us once that even if everything else in her life wasn't true or working........the Gospel is the truest thing she knows :) Heavenly Father loves her so, so much and I know that as she continues to continue to read and pray daily, she will only grow in her relationship with Him. She is a music genius so the ward is so excited for her to start playing the piano or performing in sacrament meeting! She is very special and I feel privileged to have had the experience of seeing her become part of the great vine of this restored gospel.
What a week of testimony strengtheners! I'm grateful for an inspired district leader who led me to Moroni 7 in talking about the light and Spirit of Christ. I have a testimony that all thoughts, feelings, or desires that bring us to Christ are from the Spirit. I have a testimony that the Spirit can speak to us in the smallest ways and it does. I know that as we listen and cling to those smallest impressions that they will grow and the Lord's path for us will open before our eyes, but we have to trust it with all the faith we have. I know these things are true! I know that as we trust in the Spirit and our Savior each and every day we can never go astray. Cling to every good thing of the Spirit and He will bless you! He loves us all so much and may we never forget it. I'm grateful for all of your help in missionary work! We really can't do it without the members....they help less-actives and investigators so much! You are all such great examples to me and I love you immensely!
Love,
Sister J.
Hope you all had a happy, dandy week! We had a full week here: Sister Exchanges, Singles' Activity, Baptism, and just the great every day teaching! I'm sitting here trying to remember everything that happened and I'm totally blanking! But I know lots of amazing things happened :) I went on exchanges with an awesome Taiwanese Sister this week and we had a blast! It was a change to speak all Chinese again, but it was super fun! We met lots of new investigators this week......cool stories: one mom from English who's husband told her to come and learn about God and ran into another former family last night who said we could come back! We were also able to visit a few members this week, which I haven't done much before, but we saw miracles from it and I definitely have a strong testimony of doing so now! The weather is hot........then cold.......then rainy........then hot- but we love it!
So this week...........LJM was baptized on Saturday!! It was quite the week of trying to put the baptism together (Sister Shultz and I were cleaning out the baptismal pool in our skirts and crocs an hour before the baptism ;) ) but it all went just right :) LJM was nervous, but excited :) She was so happy after she was baptized and she said she literally just felt so clean. I am so happy for her and know that as she begins the journey of Enduring to the End she will continue to feel the influence of the Spirit and prepare for even greater eternal blessings. We have had some really special experiences with her in just pouring out our hearts in testimony to her, sometimes in English and sometimes in Chinese, in which you can feel that eternal connection of the Spirit. Her home life isn't all that great, but she has felt the love and comfort of the Gospel. She told us once that even if everything else in her life wasn't true or working........the Gospel is the truest thing she knows :) Heavenly Father loves her so, so much and I know that as she continues to continue to read and pray daily, she will only grow in her relationship with Him. She is a music genius so the ward is so excited for her to start playing the piano or performing in sacrament meeting! She is very special and I feel privileged to have had the experience of seeing her become part of the great vine of this restored gospel.
What a week of testimony strengtheners! I'm grateful for an inspired district leader who led me to Moroni 7 in talking about the light and Spirit of Christ. I have a testimony that all thoughts, feelings, or desires that bring us to Christ are from the Spirit. I have a testimony that the Spirit can speak to us in the smallest ways and it does. I know that as we listen and cling to those smallest impressions that they will grow and the Lord's path for us will open before our eyes, but we have to trust it with all the faith we have. I know these things are true! I know that as we trust in the Spirit and our Savior each and every day we can never go astray. Cling to every good thing of the Spirit and He will bless you! He loves us all so much and may we never forget it. I'm grateful for all of your help in missionary work! We really can't do it without the members....they help less-actives and investigators so much! You are all such great examples to me and I love you immensely!
Love,
Sister J.
Bike riding with Sister Shultz
Baptism of LJM!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Taiwan - Week 36 - April 21 - Teaching with the Spirit and Pig's Heart
Sister Jarvis' loves teaching with her new companion and also ate pig heart.
Hello my wonderful, stupendous family!
What a busy, fast week eh? :) Time just seems to be flying over here! Sometimes it feels like we're running out of time to do everything! AKA I'm learning how to be a simplifier........something I've never been too great at :) O! and an organizer.......something I'm also still learning :) Cool things from the week: Zone Conference!!! Sooooo goood!! Focusing on reading PMG every day, obedience, we are getting these awesome new maps and rulebooks too! The APs made this super funny video about getting rid of the old rule/guidelines book and had a "ceremony" to throw them all away in this large tin can and then we got new ones- it was super great :) We also had this great message on obedience from President Bishop- so inspiring! The Taibei Temple President and his wife came to speak in our ward yesterday......sooo good! He talked about going to the temple not just for our ancestors, but for ourselves too......we need the spiritual experience of the temple. Also something I loved that he said was that the Chinese people need the temple :) The Chinese people have the largest amount of family history and records of ancestors..........truly a blessing for each and every one of these saints to go to the temple :)
Miracles: My dear sweet companion led two wonderful lessons this week that were filled with the Spirit....it was so great :) The language is definitely not an easy thing for her, but she was truly led by the Spirit :) We taught this girl who came to English last week and asked if she could sit down with us after. She said she had met with the missionaries about a year before and wanted to know why our church was different from others( great question ;D ) so we invited her to pray and said we would share about that next time. Well when we met with her again she said she had been baptized the day before into another church, but was still interested in learning more! Sister Shultz led this beautiful first lesson focused on prophets and by the end she said she wanted to keep meeting with us! Super cool! We had another lesson where she led the PLAN of Salvation that was also beautiful :) The Spirit is real, and even when we may not be able to speak the language, the Spirit most certainly can and will carry it straight into the listener's heart......there is nothing I love more right now then when Sister Shultz and I are able to teach 50/50 in a lesson......it's just amazing!
Time is almost up! (it is shortened by half an hour :) ) But I just had a really amazing experience this week as we were biking when I felt so at peace, so happy, and so comforted ;) I know these feelings are from my Heavenly Father and know that as we focus and do our best, He DOES bless us immensely! Life is never easy, but it's sooo worth it to keep our covenants and do His will :) I love these people of Taiwan and are so grateful for their examples of sacrifice and love. I am so grateful for all of you as well and hope you have an amazing week- full of scripture study, inspired prayers, and true happiness :) I love you!
Sister J.
Culture updates: I forgot to tell you I ate pig's heart last week! So cool and actually not all that bad either :)
Hello my wonderful, stupendous family!
What a busy, fast week eh? :) Time just seems to be flying over here! Sometimes it feels like we're running out of time to do everything! AKA I'm learning how to be a simplifier........something I've never been too great at :) O! and an organizer.......something I'm also still learning :) Cool things from the week: Zone Conference!!! Sooooo goood!! Focusing on reading PMG every day, obedience, we are getting these awesome new maps and rulebooks too! The APs made this super funny video about getting rid of the old rule/guidelines book and had a "ceremony" to throw them all away in this large tin can and then we got new ones- it was super great :) We also had this great message on obedience from President Bishop- so inspiring! The Taibei Temple President and his wife came to speak in our ward yesterday......sooo good! He talked about going to the temple not just for our ancestors, but for ourselves too......we need the spiritual experience of the temple. Also something I loved that he said was that the Chinese people need the temple :) The Chinese people have the largest amount of family history and records of ancestors..........truly a blessing for each and every one of these saints to go to the temple :)
Miracles: My dear sweet companion led two wonderful lessons this week that were filled with the Spirit....it was so great :) The language is definitely not an easy thing for her, but she was truly led by the Spirit :) We taught this girl who came to English last week and asked if she could sit down with us after. She said she had met with the missionaries about a year before and wanted to know why our church was different from others( great question ;D ) so we invited her to pray and said we would share about that next time. Well when we met with her again she said she had been baptized the day before into another church, but was still interested in learning more! Sister Shultz led this beautiful first lesson focused on prophets and by the end she said she wanted to keep meeting with us! Super cool! We had another lesson where she led the PLAN of Salvation that was also beautiful :) The Spirit is real, and even when we may not be able to speak the language, the Spirit most certainly can and will carry it straight into the listener's heart......there is nothing I love more right now then when Sister Shultz and I are able to teach 50/50 in a lesson......it's just amazing!
Time is almost up! (it is shortened by half an hour :) ) But I just had a really amazing experience this week as we were biking when I felt so at peace, so happy, and so comforted ;) I know these feelings are from my Heavenly Father and know that as we focus and do our best, He DOES bless us immensely! Life is never easy, but it's sooo worth it to keep our covenants and do His will :) I love these people of Taiwan and are so grateful for their examples of sacrifice and love. I am so grateful for all of you as well and hope you have an amazing week- full of scripture study, inspired prayers, and true happiness :) I love you!
Sister J.
Culture updates: I forgot to tell you I ate pig's heart last week! So cool and actually not all that bad either :)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Taiwan Week 35 - April 8 - Service and The Spirit
Sis. Jarvis loves training and loves the people!
Hi Fam!
I hope you had an amazing Conference weekend! It is such an amazing time of year :) We are so excited to watch it with our investigators this weekend! This would conclude Sister Shultz and my first full week together and it was great! We are learning lots together. This week we had some great lessons with investigators, met prepared people in our path, and were able to participate in Sau mu for the holiday this last week (see pictures :) ). This last week was a big holiday, kind of like Memorial Day, when everyone goes and cleans their ancestor's graves. The grave sites are really big in Taiwan so it takes the whole family's effort! It has become a tradition for the missionaries to participate in this holiday as well, cleaning old grave sites or those without names. It was a really fun activity! People were really gracious to us and this sweet older lady even asked the Elders to help her clean her husband's grave site :) It was really fun to be out there with the people and serving them in a different way :)
We have this great investigator right now, LJM, who has really begun progressing towards baptism. She is a graduate student who just returned from going to school in the U.S. She has been meeting with the missionaries for just over two months, but has just been feeling she is not prepared yet to be baptized. We had an amazing member at her lesson who testified to her that it's not about being fully prepared before, but that after you are baptized you keep learning and growing. This really touched her as well as a scripture in Mosiah 18 when Alma is inviting people to be baptized and receive the Spirit. She seems to be really touched by the gift of the Holy Ghost, obeys the commandments, said she cannot deny the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and we are hoping she will be baptized in the next few weeks! We know that the Lord has a marvelous plan for her! Update on some others.......the young sisters! We called them this week and asked the 10 yr. old what her favorite scripture was and she said 2 Nephi 22:2.....wow :) We love them so much! ALSO......CJM, the miracle 17 year old who came to church.......brought her sister to church on Sunday! They also both came to the Elders baptism on Saturday and were so touched by the Spirit. They are both so great......so prepared.....but their mom wants them to wait until they are 20 to be baptized. We just need to move forward with faith, consistently trusting in the Lord's timing, and helping them to know how much this Gospel will bless them!
I have a testimony of the Spirit and love = the greatest formula in the whole wide world! Zhen de :) The sweetest moments I have experienced as a missionary have happened because of the immense presence of the Spirit and the love of God as well as the love of others. I know that as we love the Lord, our companion, and the people.....we are blessed with the Spirit. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of His children sooooo much! I know that this Gospel is full of joy and we don't even know all the blessings that await us! I know that we have a living Prophet on the Earth and he truly helps us feel the love of Heavenly Father. I love you all sooo much and am so grateful for you!!!!
Have an amazing week!
Sister J. :)
Hi Fam!
I hope you had an amazing Conference weekend! It is such an amazing time of year :) We are so excited to watch it with our investigators this weekend! This would conclude Sister Shultz and my first full week together and it was great! We are learning lots together. This week we had some great lessons with investigators, met prepared people in our path, and were able to participate in Sau mu for the holiday this last week (see pictures :) ). This last week was a big holiday, kind of like Memorial Day, when everyone goes and cleans their ancestor's graves. The grave sites are really big in Taiwan so it takes the whole family's effort! It has become a tradition for the missionaries to participate in this holiday as well, cleaning old grave sites or those without names. It was a really fun activity! People were really gracious to us and this sweet older lady even asked the Elders to help her clean her husband's grave site :) It was really fun to be out there with the people and serving them in a different way :)
We have this great investigator right now, LJM, who has really begun progressing towards baptism. She is a graduate student who just returned from going to school in the U.S. She has been meeting with the missionaries for just over two months, but has just been feeling she is not prepared yet to be baptized. We had an amazing member at her lesson who testified to her that it's not about being fully prepared before, but that after you are baptized you keep learning and growing. This really touched her as well as a scripture in Mosiah 18 when Alma is inviting people to be baptized and receive the Spirit. She seems to be really touched by the gift of the Holy Ghost, obeys the commandments, said she cannot deny the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and we are hoping she will be baptized in the next few weeks! We know that the Lord has a marvelous plan for her! Update on some others.......the young sisters! We called them this week and asked the 10 yr. old what her favorite scripture was and she said 2 Nephi 22:2.....wow :) We love them so much! ALSO......CJM, the miracle 17 year old who came to church.......brought her sister to church on Sunday! They also both came to the Elders baptism on Saturday and were so touched by the Spirit. They are both so great......so prepared.....but their mom wants them to wait until they are 20 to be baptized. We just need to move forward with faith, consistently trusting in the Lord's timing, and helping them to know how much this Gospel will bless them!
I have a testimony of the Spirit and love = the greatest formula in the whole wide world! Zhen de :) The sweetest moments I have experienced as a missionary have happened because of the immense presence of the Spirit and the love of God as well as the love of others. I know that as we love the Lord, our companion, and the people.....we are blessed with the Spirit. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of His children sooooo much! I know that this Gospel is full of joy and we don't even know all the blessings that await us! I know that we have a living Prophet on the Earth and he truly helps us feel the love of Heavenly Father. I love you all sooo much and am so grateful for you!!!!
Have an amazing week!
Sister J. :)
Sis. Jarvis, Sis. Shultz and the Elders Serving
Grave Sites
Sis. Jarvis!
Taiwan Week 34 - April 1 - And The Earth Did Quake!
Sis. Jarvis is now training Sister Shultz from Oregon!...and experiencing an earthquake up close and personal!
Hi wonderful Fam!! Happy Easter!!
Wow, I can't believe it's April 1st..........So here's some news.........I moved!!! to Taibei!!...................Happy April Fools! :) I'm still here in Zhang hua with my awesome trainee!! It was my last week with Sister Xie, whom I will deeply miss but am excited for her to go to Gaoxiong and help more people! My trainee is awesome! Her name is Sister Shultz and she is from Oregon and she's such an amazing missionary because she's willing to do anything! She's super cute, fun, happy, and so excited to be here! We had three meals at other places in the first 2 days she was here and she was willing to eat anything! Good sign of a great missionary ;) We went up to Taizhong to meet them, they read our names out from red envelopes, went out to eat with President and Sister Bishop, and then hopped on the train to Zhang hua! We had a dinner appointment with the Bishop of the 2nd ward who lives out in the rice fields so we immediately came back and hopped on our bikes for our 45 minute bike ride......and Sister Shultz was such a trooper! Happy as can be and patient with me as it took us a little while to find the Bishop's house :) She is so excited to work and be in Taiwan- I just love it! It's also been really amazing because although she is still learning Chinese, whenever she teaches or bears her testimony, the Spirit is so strong. These new missionaries are sooo prepared and have such a strong gift of the Spirit :) I'm so excited to serve with her!
O! The earthquake.....funny and scary story :) We were actually in Taizhong for our Trainers meeting when it happened........President Bishop was speaking and all of a sudden the chapel started to shake and keep shaking! Since it wasn't really stopping, President Bishop calmly told us we should all probably go outside! We all got up and started moving out and then it stopped....but the lights kept moving! It was so crazy! Probably the biggest earthquake I have ever felt!! Lots of missionaries' apartments had cracks afterwards (including ours) and some sisters' door was bent so they couldn't leave their apartment, but everyone was just fine! It was really funny......President Bishop stepped out for a second and Sister Bishop asked us if going outside was the best thing to do haha :) We discussed that next time we better just get under some doorways :)
Just since Friday, we have had some really amazing teaching experiences with people we just met on the street or tracting! I believe it is definitely a new missionary blessing :) We were out tracting on Saturday night and no one was really interested, but then we started talking to this lady who was walking down the street. We found out she was a member of another church and she said she had never really heard anything about our church before. She told us she liked to read the Bible so we started sharing about the Book of Mormon and she was really intrigued. We gave her a B of M and then shared about 3 Nephi 11 when Christ came to visit the Americas. She stopped and asked us, "What? Did Christ really visit the Americas?" We testified that He did and showed her the picture in the front of the B of M........she just looked at it and said, "How amazing!........I had no idea....." I have never met anyone on the street before who was so touched by the message of the B of M. The Spirit was so strong and we are hoping to meet with her again :) I've been reading Abinadi's words how one day the entire world with know and see Christ....what an amazing day that will be, when everyone will know He lives and loves each and every one of them! Another awesome B of M story!! Our 9 and 10 year old investigators are amazing!! We gave them a B of M about a week and a half ago......we went back to visit them this week and they had both been reading and the 10 year old was in 1 Nephi 9 and had marked her scriptures too! She recited all of Lehi's Dream to us because it was her favorite part :) We taught them the Plan of Salvation too and they understood it so well! It's just amazing to me that these adorable young girls read more than some of our other investigators and have such beautiful comments. Children truly are so precious in the eyes of God and the Spirit seems to speak even stronger to them. I love them so much and hope that they can be baptized very soon! (aka next month!)
Well this last week was a little stressful.......OK a lot stressful :) Unexpected training, only been in the area for 3 weeks (take deep breaths)......still not sure what's going on and don't know very many people (more deep breaths!)...........but somehow I know it's all going to be ok because it already has! We may still get lost, I am far from a perfect trainer, BUT I have seen answers to prayers and just the overwhelming comfort of the Spirit! The last few days I have been reading in Mosiah 14-16 in which Abinadi uses the words of Isaiah to teach of Christ. I just love them! The Atonement is so amazing.....I love my Savior so much! I especially loved Mosiah 14:12 when it says that "he hath poured out his soul unto death." Wow.....Christ gave his whole soul for us. It's a really beautiful thing to think about and I know that the best thing we can give to Him is the exact same......we can give our whole souls to His service. When we give our whole soul over to Him, we are happier! We feel a greater sense of love and purpose! I have many weaknesses, but I know that if I give my whole soul to Him, He will help me :D He will help us all! I'm so grateful for this Easter time and hope you all have an amazing Easter week! Our Savior lives and He loves us! The Gospel is true and I love you!
Sister J. :)
Hi wonderful Fam!! Happy Easter!!
Wow, I can't believe it's April 1st..........So here's some news.........I moved!!! to Taibei!!...................Happy April Fools! :) I'm still here in Zhang hua with my awesome trainee!! It was my last week with Sister Xie, whom I will deeply miss but am excited for her to go to Gaoxiong and help more people! My trainee is awesome! Her name is Sister Shultz and she is from Oregon and she's such an amazing missionary because she's willing to do anything! She's super cute, fun, happy, and so excited to be here! We had three meals at other places in the first 2 days she was here and she was willing to eat anything! Good sign of a great missionary ;) We went up to Taizhong to meet them, they read our names out from red envelopes, went out to eat with President and Sister Bishop, and then hopped on the train to Zhang hua! We had a dinner appointment with the Bishop of the 2nd ward who lives out in the rice fields so we immediately came back and hopped on our bikes for our 45 minute bike ride......and Sister Shultz was such a trooper! Happy as can be and patient with me as it took us a little while to find the Bishop's house :) She is so excited to work and be in Taiwan- I just love it! It's also been really amazing because although she is still learning Chinese, whenever she teaches or bears her testimony, the Spirit is so strong. These new missionaries are sooo prepared and have such a strong gift of the Spirit :) I'm so excited to serve with her!
O! The earthquake.....funny and scary story :) We were actually in Taizhong for our Trainers meeting when it happened........President Bishop was speaking and all of a sudden the chapel started to shake and keep shaking! Since it wasn't really stopping, President Bishop calmly told us we should all probably go outside! We all got up and started moving out and then it stopped....but the lights kept moving! It was so crazy! Probably the biggest earthquake I have ever felt!! Lots of missionaries' apartments had cracks afterwards (including ours) and some sisters' door was bent so they couldn't leave their apartment, but everyone was just fine! It was really funny......President Bishop stepped out for a second and Sister Bishop asked us if going outside was the best thing to do haha :) We discussed that next time we better just get under some doorways :)
Just since Friday, we have had some really amazing teaching experiences with people we just met on the street or tracting! I believe it is definitely a new missionary blessing :) We were out tracting on Saturday night and no one was really interested, but then we started talking to this lady who was walking down the street. We found out she was a member of another church and she said she had never really heard anything about our church before. She told us she liked to read the Bible so we started sharing about the Book of Mormon and she was really intrigued. We gave her a B of M and then shared about 3 Nephi 11 when Christ came to visit the Americas. She stopped and asked us, "What? Did Christ really visit the Americas?" We testified that He did and showed her the picture in the front of the B of M........she just looked at it and said, "How amazing!........I had no idea....." I have never met anyone on the street before who was so touched by the message of the B of M. The Spirit was so strong and we are hoping to meet with her again :) I've been reading Abinadi's words how one day the entire world with know and see Christ....what an amazing day that will be, when everyone will know He lives and loves each and every one of them! Another awesome B of M story!! Our 9 and 10 year old investigators are amazing!! We gave them a B of M about a week and a half ago......we went back to visit them this week and they had both been reading and the 10 year old was in 1 Nephi 9 and had marked her scriptures too! She recited all of Lehi's Dream to us because it was her favorite part :) We taught them the Plan of Salvation too and they understood it so well! It's just amazing to me that these adorable young girls read more than some of our other investigators and have such beautiful comments. Children truly are so precious in the eyes of God and the Spirit seems to speak even stronger to them. I love them so much and hope that they can be baptized very soon! (aka next month!)
Well this last week was a little stressful.......OK a lot stressful :) Unexpected training, only been in the area for 3 weeks (take deep breaths)......still not sure what's going on and don't know very many people (more deep breaths!)...........but somehow I know it's all going to be ok because it already has! We may still get lost, I am far from a perfect trainer, BUT I have seen answers to prayers and just the overwhelming comfort of the Spirit! The last few days I have been reading in Mosiah 14-16 in which Abinadi uses the words of Isaiah to teach of Christ. I just love them! The Atonement is so amazing.....I love my Savior so much! I especially loved Mosiah 14:12 when it says that "he hath poured out his soul unto death." Wow.....Christ gave his whole soul for us. It's a really beautiful thing to think about and I know that the best thing we can give to Him is the exact same......we can give our whole souls to His service. When we give our whole soul over to Him, we are happier! We feel a greater sense of love and purpose! I have many weaknesses, but I know that if I give my whole soul to Him, He will help me :D He will help us all! I'm so grateful for this Easter time and hope you all have an amazing Easter week! Our Savior lives and He loves us! The Gospel is true and I love you!
Sister J. :)
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