Week 81: The Last Week

大家好！！

這個禮拜過得完美的。我們昨天看到超級多奇蹟。最大的奇蹟就是我們在聖餐聚會有8個慕道們。然後在教會聚會我們有13個！！！

Do you understand??? Haha just kidding. I said, "This week was perfect. Yesterday we saw so many miracles. The biggest one was that we had 8 investigators at sacrament meeting, and 13 at church." WHAT!!!! How??? Well I pulled the whole "It's my last week card" So I think that added to people coming. BUT we also have so many incredible investigators right now. We had 3 families come. 2 whole families come!!! I literally can't even describe how grateful I am. My whole mission I've never had the chance to teach a whole family, and currently we are teaching 4 complete families! Obviously some are more prepared than others. BUT there's this one family, the Zheng Family. It's a mom, dad and 2 kids (6 and 2) We met with the dad last week. And this week they randomly showed up at church! We had been trying to call and text them but they hadn't answered. BUT they showed up!!! AND loved it!!! 

We then invited them to a members home for dinner and they came and it was incredible!!! Brother Zheng is so incredible and is so prepared. He stood outside of church and talked to us about how much prayer works and how grateful he is he met us, and then the mom after the dinner, I asked her if she had any questions (we shared a little share about baptism and the sacrament) and she said "Well I'm a mom right now so all my concerns are about my kids. And my little girl, she's special. She asks these questions that only adults think of. The other day she asked me "Mom where do we go when we die?" And "Mom can I live for ___ years?" (She said a number that I didn't understand but it was like more than a thousand, million, etc. Big number) And Sister Zhong (mom and dad have different last names because that's how it is here) Sister Zhong goes on to say "And I just didn't know how to answer her. But I hope that coming here I will find the answers" So what did I do? I gave her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and told her we would share it with her on Wednesday. I was literally speechless. This family is so prepared and I don't know how. Brother Zheng just kept telling me how he hopes he can have an opportunity to join the church and hopes he can have an opportunity to be baptized! Oh my goodness. Amazing. he also said that he's tried to bring his family to church before and that they've gone a couple times, but that his wife didn't really like it. But this morning, he's woken up by his wife and she says "We have to go!" he asks why and she said "We have to find Sister Roberts, we have to go to church!" He was sooo surprised and they got all the kids up and came to church. Only for the third hour but still!! Amazing! I literally don't have words to describe the joy that I felt sitting there at dinner with that family, just watching them interact with faithful members of the church. I know that I'm going to come back to Taiwan and see the sealed together as a familY! Well at least that's my new dream. But we'll see. 

OH and our bishop gave me a Chinese name. I told him kinda what I wanted and he really thought about it and came back with Luo Shan. Only two characters. Most names have 3 but also not really. It just depends. It's just my last name and Shan is Shang hu de Shan and it means coral. strong and beautiful :) Perfect.

In terms of the rest of the week.....I GOT TO GO TO YONGHE FOR A BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!! Sister Wang was baptized!!!!!!!! I found her on the street during exchanges last transfer and she got baptized!!!!!!! AHHHH it was soooo good to see sister Yee again and to see just a few of my Yonghe friends! I definitely think Yonghe was the place I felt most connected to the ward! I love Yonghe!!

Well.... I don't really know how to finish this e-mail...I go home this week....and not really sure how I feel. I actually am so so surprised by how calm I am. I try not to think about it but every time I do, I can't just help but feel like I'm going to be a missionary forever. That this is never going to change. But I know that in just a couple days I will be packing up my life. And getting on an airplane and flying back to America. 

 I literally can't even believe that this time is over. A year and a half of wearing a name tag and 18 months of representing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.18 months of testifying of the Savior. 18 months of living in kinda scary Taiwan apartments. 18 months of wearing a skit, smelling stinky tofu, eating rice and noodles everyday, having cockroaches climb on me, biking in the rain. Bearing the killer hot summers where it literally feels like the sun is burning off your skin, and then the rain during the summer. Oh man, you wear a raincoat but still get wet, and your not sure if it's cause of the rain or the sweat....Haha there's been ups and downs, but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. My whole life has been change. And I have learned so much. I can honestly look back on my mission and say I have no regrets. And I would gladly do it over again. I have loved this time that I have had to serve the Lord. I honestly think the best part about my mission was not having to think of myself. My whole life has been other people, and I think that's definitely going to be the hardest part about going home. Having to worry about me and stressing out about my life. Nevertheless, I am so grateful. It's also funny because I feel like I can't wish that this wasn't happening. I can't wish I could stay longer, I can't wish that it would go differently because I just know that this is what God wants. I am so so sad of course. But I know that this is exactly what God wants to happen, and I trust in Him. 

I love this gospel with all of my heart. I know that is the true church. I know that God has called a prophet to lead and guide us, just like He did from the very beginning. This is God's way, and this is His truth. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He came to the Earth and atoned for our sins. There is no other way whereby man can be saved except through Him. Through Jesus Christ we can be cleansed from our sins, we can overcome our weaknesses. We can return to live with God again. I love Him so much, and my heart literally burns with testimony of Him and this church. 

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for all the people that I have met, all the experiences that I have had, and for Taiwan. I will never be the same, and I just hope that I will remember these experiences forever. I'm excited to see what life brings and I don't know that I"m quite ready for real life again...well actually I'm not at all. But come what may. I love you all and I will see you on Saturday. 

Until we meet again...

Love,

Sister Roberts

羅姐妹 or 羅珊姐妹

Wang JM's baptism

English Class

English Class

Chen Family

The Zheng Family

This is like every place I've served!

Study ... at Starbucks

Lin Family

Jamie

Week 80: Temple Day

Wow I don't even know what to say about this week....

Filled with more miracles??? Yup :) God has been soooo good to us, and I don't know why. Sister Weaver is so sweet and she's like 'This is like the first time I've had success on my mission. I am just so grateful. We are so happy. And also sooo nervous for the transfer. I just am so so so grateful.  It was a confidence booster for me to see that I could be part in making a red area green.

Our investigators are doing great. Nancy was out of town this week so we didn't get to meet with her. She's the self contacted one who was just like "I just need a little push" and who is already following the word of wisdom. Yea she's incredible. We are excited to meet with her again this week. 

We met a SWEET new investigator this week. Who is basically our best friend. Her name is Jamie. Her english is really good. We met her at English class. She's taking us out to hike next monday. FUN! She set a baptismal date and is reading and praying. So awesome!!! 

We also saw some cool miracles in just meeting people. Like we were doing language study and I just started talking to this family next to us, and they set up with us and met with the dad the next day!!!! So so awesome. There were two little kids and they were both holding my hand as we crossed the street. Something I really love about Taiwan is that we call kids little brother or little sister or little kids will call us older sister or auntie. SOOO CUTE!!!!!

Then we met another really cool new investigator, named Zoe. She was a referral from the elders. She just got married and her husband lives in Gaoxiong. So she's living here alone. We talked about prayer and how it can help us to have a support and I really felt guided to say something I don't usually say which was just that other people don't really understand what we are going through. But God does. And then we prayed for her. And afterwards she said "When you prayed I really felt my heart at peace. My heart has been very unpeaceful recently and now I just feel at peace. And I agree with what you said. I feel like He knows how i feel. And I was really moved" It was really cool. She was really interested in our message (we shared the restoration) and she committed to praying and reading. We will set a date with her next time :) She's incredible. We told her whenever she feels sad about her husband being gone she can just call us haha. :) I love her already. 

I had a special moment during her lesson though. We were sitting in this family mart and Sister Weaver was talking and this American song came on. As I was trying to focus on Sister Weaver, I just had this overwhelming sadness come over me. My heart just dropped as I realized where I was, what I was doing, and how it was going to be over soon. Here I was teaching this precious women about the restored gospel. Teaching her about her loving Heavenly Father, in Taiwan, and I was speaking CHINESE. And I almost got teary eyed thinking about how my life was about to go back to normal. That I was about to be able to listen to music again, and stuff like that. I am so grateful for this time. For this work, and for Taiwan. I've met so many incredible people and I've been completely changed. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. 

Also, we did all our dying stuff with President and Sister Jergensen on Friday. We went up to Taibei and started off with our exit interviews. President is so inspired and basically he just taught me from the scriptures. 2 Nephi 5-is the blueprint to happiness. He asked if I had any concerns and at the moment I couldn't really think of any...which is ridiculous because I have a lot. But I just felt at peace. I told president I don't want this time to be up, and President said "But God does" And as soon as I heard those words I knew. I knew that this was my time. That it was coming to a close but that's what God wanted. My heart was at peace and everything was better. 

We then went to lunch. Sister Toronto and I were companions :) So we got to go to lunch together and just talked. And then we went to the temple with President and Sister Jergensen. And it was all in Chinese.......crazy. I had a very precious moment with President. I walked into the celestial room and president comes over and asks me a question. I then proceed to ask him questions about the temple and we just sad down together and talked about the truths of the gospel. Sitting there next to him was just so special and I'm so grateful for him and his guidance and knowledge. I know he is called of God to lead this mission and I know one of the reasons I came to this mission was to learn from him and Sister Jergensen. I remember Elder Evans coming to our mission last year and saying something along the lines of before this life, you learned from your mission president, and you prepared together to serve the Lord. Something like that. It was cool. Anyway. That's my rant. 

Afterwards, we went to dinner with him and his wife, and his twins, and the senior couples. It was delicious and fun to be together. Then afterwards, we went to his house and had a little fireside testimony meeting thing. All the dying missionaries (which was 4) shared experiences and shared about our mission. It was fun. Very special to be in the home of President and his closing prayer made me teary eyed. I felt prepared to go home. And then, still had two more weeks haha. I woke up the next morning and just kept doing missionary work. Best thing ever :) It's cool because I've thought a lot less about going home then ever before. Just focusing on the work and loving every second. 

I love this gospel with all of my heat. I don't know who I would be with out church, without Jesus Christ, and without my mission. 

I'll talk to you all next week........the last one.....scary!!!!!!

Love,

Sister Roberts

羅姐妹

I put a pamphlet in my helmet to keep the water off my face and it stuck to my head

Stake Conference ... our stake is too big for the building so we met at a meeting center

Stake Center

Week 79: Easter Transformations

Well first of all HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!! In Chinese it's 復活節 (fu huo jie) which is just resurecction holiday. Or restore life holiday. Love Chinese!!! 

So this week was a week of transformations!!!! Our area went from being a red area to a green area in one week!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH so proud!!! We found an insane amount of new investigators and had a lot of people come to church! All because we worked hard and just kept having faith!!!! Let me tell you some of these miracles... :) 

SO last week we met this cool women, Hong XJ and because it started to rain we actually didn't talk very long. But we got her number and called her later. She set up with us, and we gave her a chapel tour and it was really awesome. We taught her the first lesson as well and it's hard to explain but she is so prepared! She also set a baptismal date and said she would bring her son to church. Well hou lai (turns out) that her husband said no and that she couldn't meet with us. Which is sad and basically broke my heart but it was really cool to meet her. 

Then last week we also met a cute women going to eat food. We asked for her number and asked if maybe another time we could go eat together and share more. She said yes. Well we met with her this week, and what happened? She became a new baptismal date investigator. AHHHHHH what the heck? She is the cutest !!! Her name is Claire or Sister Lai. 

Then after we had a lesson with Hong JM, we get a call from the zone leaders saying they just had a women come up to them and tell them her family are members and she's not. But that she's ready to hear the missionary discussions again. *Sister Roberts's mouth drops* We meet with her and she literally is the most prepared person I've ever met! She met with missionaries in America but because she didn't speak much English she had her sister translate and it was kinda awkward. And she said she just didn't get an answer. SO yea. She set a baptismal date, committed to praying and reading, and also mentioned the word of wisdom and said she has been man man quitting but needed a push. So what did we do? We gave her a push! And committed her to following the word of wisdom. SOOOOOO CRAZY!!!!! MIRACLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are so many more but just one last one. Sunday night, we were trying to figure out where to go because our qing ke went too long and our lesson just kinda fang\d us. But we prayed and decided we would go to this mall. But something Sister Weaver and I have been trying to do is just talk to everyone and really follow the Spirit. So we did, and it led us down a few random streets, and things like that. Well didn't talk to too many prepared people, but the timing was so perfect that when we got close to the mall place, Sister Weaver (who was leading) started talking to this woman. Turns out, she contancted this same woman about a month ago and we ended up meeting her whole family and they all set up with us!!!! Dad, son, and mom. 

We also had a lot of people come to church. All the missionaries spoke in church and Sister Weaver and I sang. It was beautiful!!! Such an incredible experience. We had a mom and her 11 year old daughter come from English class to see us sing and It was so fun sitting next to my cute little 11 year old english student. her name is Ivy. They seemed to like church and they said they want to know more. So :) Yea we'll teach them :D 

I think the biggest thing I've learned recently is just how to SLOW DOWN and follow the Spirit. Or follow what your heart is telling you. I've been so much more relaxed and more calm about everything. Just trying to do what God wants, and that's when the success came. Sister Weaver is so cute she's like "This is the most success I've had my whole mission!" I'm so happy for her and I just hope it continues after I'm gone. 

I love this gospel so much. I can't believe how fast time flies, and I really don't want to come home. I want to keep helping these people come unto Christ. I want to help these people and see them be baptized!!! AHHHHHH! I don't ever want it to end! But I know it has to and the only thing I can do is just keep being a missionary. Keep working hard and leave the area knowing I worked my hardest. 

I know God lives. I know that He loves us. I know that He is guiding us. In our personal matters and in this work. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for us and to help us in our everyday matters. Through Him, we can live again. 

I love being a missionary and I hope you all know that. 

Love,

Sister Roberts

Making easter gifts for the young women

Zhua bing truck ... I love street food!

from one of our English Students

Ivy - English student

Angela

Ward dinner party

Learning to exercise from an 80 year old  Ama - she's incredible!

companion study!

Bike lane

Black Sesame noodles

Claire

Today or tomorrow is one of the buddhist God's birthdays, so they parade around Taoyuan blaring Chinese music stuff. And riding these floats