The Garbage Is Gone

 GUO QI XIANG'S BAPTISM!!! with Guo DX, Guo JM, and Chen Ren Jie baptizing him

Libai yi kuaile!! Happy Monday!

Boy do I have news today! We had so many awesome miracles this week. But first, happy birthday to Grandpa Sumner, and happy anniversary to you and grandma as well! Dad, I'm stoked about your new calling! The MTC will bring you so much joy (: 

So First of all, Guo Qi Xiang DX got baptized!! It was a great service, and the spirit was just so strong.  He came up out of the water and just looked so happy! I got to introduce him, and I didn't do too bad! I couldn't help but think as I sat next to him that he's come so far to get to this point.  Both of us have, really.  Even just since I met him.  This week, we were literally  out of ideas of what to share with them.  We've taught all 5 lessons (multiple times haha), we watched the resto DVD, even talked about and gave them a family proclamation! So we decided to have a little testimony meeting.  Both Guo JM and DX's testimonies were so powerful! Guo JM said that at work, she looks for opportunities to help others because that's what Jesus would do.  Guo DX said he always knew what he had was special.  The fact that we have one God, let alone our loving Father in Heaven, was the biggest thing that really got his attention.  He knows the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith really saw Tianfu and Jesus Christ.  When we asked them why they both want to be baptized, Guo JM said, "I want to be baptized because I love God, and he wants me to be baptized." and Guo DX said, "I have finally found what I'm looking for." AHH!!!! They're amazing.  Seriously, I could go on forever.  But I'll stop. I love Guo jiating (:

 One last district pic :( Elders Gray, Wheeler, Mertz, and Francis, and me and Sister Strong

 Our last pic with Craig! He's the best member ever! and Huang JM, one of our investigators

We had a temple tour training, and our mission really has some big goals! Since we have temple sisters that do tours at the church by the temple, they really want it to become like another visitor's center.  So when we do temple tours, we'll get ipads, and do a lot of other upgrading stuff. I just love mission meetings because that means we get to listen to President Jergensen.  He is so easy to relate to! He knows exactly what we need, not just as missionaries, but as individuals.  Ah he's great (: 

 Another free cake from an investigator!  Next time, we're hoping for steak

I'm almost finished with Phase 1, lessons 1-3! So I should be right on track to be completely finished at the end of this transfer in 6 weeks.  Everyone says I'm going really fast, but I don't really see any other way to do it, haha.  I'm sick of ting bu dong-ing anywhere other than in a lesson! I will learn Chinese!

 A taipei district came down for p day to go to the 

Fulong beach with us, but it was closed because of the taifeng :( Still fun though!

 Somehow, I always seem to find Sister Jensen...

Yesterday before Sacrament meeting started, like 30 Mexicans walked in the chapel! Haha that's something I was not expecting.  It was so fun to talk to them though! And they were all from Joseph's misson! They're here for a festival thing in Dongshan, which is in our area.  Anyway, I don't know why but having them there just made me feel at home.  I've completely forgotten how to speak spanish, but listening to them was awesome because I could understand them.  Now Chinese from the pulpit and Spanish coming from behind me almost blew my mind, but I lived through it haha. The spirit was so strong though! Just knowing that the church is exactly the same anywhere you go in the world was such a cool thing to think about. Guo DX got confirmed, and they had no idea what they were saying, but they knew what was happening because it's all the same.  Hurray for the true church!

 Playing a uke on the train?  Seems like a pretty chill p-day activity

Have I told you about Lin Xian Shan yet? He's legit.  We found him on exchanges with Sister Graham, and he was baptized Christian 10 years ago, and has read the bible a few times.  He's so sincere though and he's already come to church twice.  He came up to us after the baptism, and said, "I know this book is true!" Haha both me and Sister Strong were both like "what? We just gave it to you yesterday!" So apparently he prayed right after we left and told God to that if the garbage outside his house from the taifeng is gone, then he'll believe the BOM is true.  What do you know, it was all gone! I don't know how it happened, but that was enough for him! Haha miracles really do happen. 

Well, that's enough happiness for one email! This week was really just wonderful. We're just enjoying to the end over here in Yilan. 

Love, Feng Jiemei

Update from Elder Herrera in Thomaston, Georgia--Christ Deal finally got baptized!

Mission Interrupted--the first typhoon experience

 Our tongbantuan and Carly walking up to the hike

 We like the beach

 Just pondering the questions of the soul...

 We got to see the beautiful beach...again

Da jia zao an (: 

This week has been quite an eventful one.  We definitely learned that numbers are not a big deal.  We helped specific people come closer to Christ and progress towards baptism, and that's all we're here for.  Haha I hate that we have to keep track of the key indicators.  Jiu haole. 

So last p day we went on a way fun hike by the beach! Well, if you call paved roads and stairs in the middle of a mountain a hike, haha. Taiwan is so pretty, I don't think I'll ever get over that fact.  I saw my first huge Taiwanese spider, ate a whole fried shrimp (still gross) and had a sample of octopus and squid jerky.  Those actually weren't bad! I'd consider it a pretty adventurous day for my stomach. And I still haven't gotten sick yet, so I'll keep going! 

 The district:  me, Sis. Strong, Elders Wheeler, Mertz,

Francis, and Gray.  And Ben from our ward.

 Fried shrimp.  One was enough.

 Squid and octopus jerky.  Not too bad!

We had zone conference this week up in Shilin, and I always enjoy those.  This month's theme was being captained by Christ.  We talked about one story of Jesus turning water into wine, and how we are like the servants, who take the nasty water to the governor and are just praying fervently for a miracle. It will come if we pray with faith, and have the faith to act! We also talked a lot about keeping an organized area book, and how it would be if the Lord were to come to our area and ask to look at it.  That was a little call for repentance, especially this weekend when we had a taifeng! a typhoon! That was crazy! It poured and was blowing like crazy for at least 24 hours straight. So we got to spend a whole day or so calling a million people and cleaning our house (: That was probably needed haha. The taifeng was crazy though!

Our cute rain gear

Let the taifeng begin!

 For exercise in the morning, we just went around to different buildings in our apartment complex (we have an underground parking) up to the 7th floor and got different views of the storm. Everything in our apartment is fine, so that's definitely a blessing.  It's so crazy to drive around though.  There's huge trees torn up out of the ground, stoplights ripped off the pole, street signs blown flat to the ground.  Some members said it was the biggest one we've had in 20 years! Secretly, we were praying that we could see a taifeng, but that we'd still be safe.  Prayers answered (: 

Safely tucked away, watching the storm

 This pictures doesn't do the taifeng justice!

 A great and spacious building right before the taifeng hit

 After the storm

We also got a new sim card for our phone when we went up to zone conf so that was definitely a blessing as well! It came just in time. 

This weekend was baba jie! Taiwanese Father's Day! it's on 8/8, or baba (dad).  Unfortunately, no one got to celebrate it outside because of the taifeng.  But happy father's day everyone!

Found this Foujiao stuff in a cave on our hike

We also got to meet the new senior missionaries! Elder and Sister McOmber, from somewhere in Utah.  They're actually Sister Jergensen's parents so that's sweet! I miss seeing senior couples in the office since they had 3 or 4 in Georgia, so they'll be a nice addition (: 

Alright, this is the week! Guo Qi Xiang is getting baptized on Saturday!!! Everything is ready, he's excited, and Guo JM even came to church with him for the first time yesterday! It was so sweet to see their sweet little family all together at church.  I'm not sure if I've said this yet, but I'm convinced that they're the reason I had to wait so long to come to Taiwan. I've been praying to help find a family that will be able to get sealed in the temple, and I just know it will be them.  Guo JM and their son, Ming Yuan are both excited to be baptized by their dad, and they  all can't wait to go to the temple (: Ahh families. Too good. 

Guo Dixiong, Guo Jiemei, and Guo Ming Yuan

 all together gospel principles.  This made my week (:

I read a talk this week in the August Liahona (does that exist in America?) that I really liked.  It was called "Patience: more than waiting." I thought it totally explained my thoughts about everything up to this point on the mission, and it opened my eyes of the bigger picture that Heavenly Father sees for me.  My patience was tried every day in Georgia, but I feel like I've become more of who He wants me to be because of it. I'm serving a mission to help other people, but of course Heavenly Father wants to help me out along the way as well.  Anyway, I definitely invite you to read it!

Carly and Craig

I am constantly amazed at how wonderful our Father in Heaven is.  How perfect His plan is for each one of us, how much He loves each one of His children, how beautiful His creations are, and His hand manifested all throughout the day.  I love everything about this gospel.  It has brought me so much joy, and I'm so thankful I have the chance to share it with my fellow brothers and sisters. 

Love, Feng Jiemei 

No one was yet awake, but we went on a sunrise bike ride this morning

This must be what Heaven looks like

Hearts are Changing

 Elder Wheeler found a frog during English boarding.  He reminds

me more and more of Brigham (: Elder Wheeler, not the frog...

Hello my beloved family! 

It sounds like y'all had a busy week! I'm glad grandma/grandpa camp was a success yet again! Also, happy birthday to Manuel on Wednesday! And mom, I'm not exactly sure how my bike worked out.  We took out money to pay for it our first day on island, then never did anything with it... I'll ask the next time we're up in Taipei. I've been thinking about Dad getting released ever since he told me! Thank you for your endless hours of faithful service, daddy (: 

First off, in case y'all were wondering, Guo Dixiong's baptism will be on the 15th.  Everything is okay, we just had some scheduling issues.  He's still so stoked! And he took his son, Ming Yuan, to church yesterday! We had an awesome lesson with them this week, and now he's on date with his mom for August 29th. Ming Yuan is already Christian so he thinks he knows everything, but we'll keep teaching him.  He's just way busy because he has to do military stuff.  He's excited to be baptized though, and we know that Guo DX can do it!! 

We also inherited the Yilan elder's investigator! Haha I think it's because he's in our area, but he's legit. His name is Steven and I think he just came to the English class one day, and he asks way deep questions! He was already on date for some time in September but hopefully we'll be able to make that a little sooner!

 Matchy matchy skirts

This week, I had my first day in a long time where I just couldn't find any motivation do go out and do work.  We haven't taught a real PMG lesson in a long time that I've been able to fully participate in (the WOW and law of chastity for Guo JT are a little past my intellect right now) and we've just been doing a lot of knocking.  We had district meeting, and that helped a little, but then right after, we were able to teach Pan JM, a less active of 20 years that actually came up to us a few weeks ago.  We had an awesome lesson with her, and I just felt the spirit so strongly teaching through me. I realized that the way to get through those hard times is just by sharing the gospel.  It's that easy! It just brings such a simple, yet profound spirit that can brighten up any day.  Ahh, the gospel is just wonderful. 

I also love the fact that we get to hear people pray for the first time.  These people either don't believe in God, or they believe in hundreds of Gods.  But when we teach them about their Eternal Father in Heaven, they get the chance to communicate with Him and begin a relationship with Him.  Some people will say, "good afternoon", or "Hi, it's me, Feng Jiemei".  It's so cute.  Their prayers are so simple but it's so meaningful to them, and I love being a part of that special moment. 

Exchanges with Sister Graham

We had exchanges this week, this time with the temple sisters, which I think they're the equivalent of the AP's.  I went with Sister Graham from Spanish Fork, and she's awesome! She was actually born in Yilan as well, and she trained Sister Jensen. She was here for 5 transfers (knock on wood)! Haha it was funny.  So originally we were planning on one companion switching, one staying.  Just like normal.  But they decided to both come to our area, so we had to plan for two schedules, where we didn't have anything set up in the first place! Then everything went wrong haha.  Our phone just stopped working (it still doesn't work.. ahhh) so we couldn't get a hold of them. Sister Strong's bike tire was completely flat and probably had a hole, so we were running around (literally) trying to get that fixed. Then we were going to be late to both of our appointments we had, which were at the same time so of course we couldn't just go. We prayed to know what to do, and the whole time trying to get in contact with the other sisters, I just felt like we were in the middle of a miracle.  Well, it wasn't what I was expecting, but we did get Ming Yuan on date to be baptized that night! And the other sisters were able to fix both of our A/C units so that was great too!

Shopping at the Luodong night market

Seaweed wraps and watermelon milk--my favorite!

This week, I was also able to step back and just think about how far I've come. Haha we're still trying to figure out our working  A/C, so I've spent a few nights freezing or sweating and unable to sleep. Anyway, I am just amazed at how far I've progressed.  From the MTC to the end of my time in Georgia, my personnel has changed so much.  I hope that was the right word to use.  Sorry mom. But I can see how much Heavenly Father has molded me into being a better servant.  I've grown to love my circumstances and the people all around me.  And from my short time from when I got on island, how much He has helped me with the language.  I still ting bu dong a ton, but I can see how much I've improved since the MTC.  I don't deserve to learn this quickly, but Heavenly Father knew I would have less time to learn.  He has definitely helped me.   I'm starting to see the promise of "speaking as if you were a native" coming true.  

One last thing.  In my studies this week, I've been reading through 1 Samuel.  One little line stuck out to me, and I keep thinking about it.  in 1 Samuel 10:9 it says God gave him (Samuel I believe) another heart.  I feel as if God has given me another heart.  Even since I got to Taiwan.  I have had a greater desire to serve, to love and to learn.  I've been given a greater capacity to love and to feel the spirit.  I am thankful that God has given me another heart to serve His children in Taiwan.

Love, Feng Jiemei (: