Dressing Up!

Sometimes you just have to get all dressed up!!!

Zone p day at the beach!  Of course I'm holding the soccer ball:)

I love the rice patty fields:)

This is our apartment in Taidong!

Dear Family and Friends and just... everyone that I love :) 

HAPPY AUGUST! I can't believe it's August. Not even for one second. 

Here are a few hi-lights of my week:

 1- Allow me first to express one of my companions best qualities: CREATIVITY!

So we have been working with a Taiwanese woman named Yuki. She's been an investigator for a while but lately we've been working really hard to get her progressing. This week we pulled out all the stops. We had a member invite her over for dinner, we did service with her for one of our other members, we even played dress-up with her (during our meal time :) haha). But the crowning event of my companions creativity came to fruition on Sunday. We had called her on Saturday and she hadn't answered, I was pretty nervous she wouldn't show. But we called her on Sunday morning and she was super weird... she kept complaining that she was too tired and her stomach hurt and blah blah blah. So! We went over to her house. I asked Sister Walker what our plan was going in... she said "We'll ask her what she's going to wear to church". So we knocked on her door and she came out and looked terrible. Then she told us about how she had a terrible stomach ache and had cold sweats and all this stuff. I didn't know what to say or what to do. 

She then proceeded to begin some house cleaning. Sister Walker said "I can do that!" And took over for her. I then asked Yuki what she was going to wear to church. She told me she had probably gained too much weight to wear any of her dresses. I told her that was no excuse and that she needed to go try them on and show me. So she went inside and proceeded to bring out her dresses for me to see. She eventually chose one. it was a miracle! haha

We then told her we would see her soon and we rode our bikes to church... guess who wasn't there? YUKI! I almost had a heart attack. But then a miracle happened! Right as the choir got up to sing... guess who shows up with make-up and hair all done up? YUKI! haha I hugged her so hard. It was an awesome miracle.

I'm so thankful for Sister Walker and her creativity. I had no idea that asking our investigator what she was going to wear to church would get her to actually come! But that's why God puts us in companionships. We complete each other :) haha

Sister Walker and I. The sign behind us says "Welcome to Puyuma." That is the name of the aboriginal people who live here in Taidong and surrounding areas.

2- The temple. This morning during Personal Study I learned all about the temple. I was reading in Jesus the Christ about how Christ came to visit the Kirtland Temple and as I was reading I was taken back to the day Steve and Kenzie were sealed. Then I remembered Jordan and Sabrina's sealing. Wow. I was so overcome with love and appreciation. Not only for a temple, but for the fact that I was able to see both of my siblings sealed for time and all eternity before I left on my mission. That has been such a huge motivating factor for me.I also realized today that I haven't been in the temple for 7 months. It's so sad! haha But then I think... there are some people that have only been to the temple once in their whole lives! What do I have to complain about? THat being said... I still really really miss the temple. I think not having visited the temple for a while really helps me to appreciate it more. I yearn to be there. I yearn to be in that Celestial Room. It's awesome :)

My mission is constantly changing :) haha I've realized this week that no matter how long you are in an area, there is always more to do. There is always more to learn. There is ALWAYS the work :) 

I'm so thankful for the blessings I receive from my family and friends. Thank you for the prayers offered in my behalf. I need every one of them :) haha

I love this church. I know it is true. I know Joseph Smith is God's prophet and he was in actuality called to restore Christ's church on the earth. I know God loves us perfectly even though we are all imperfect. 

I love you all :)

Thank you

Gu Jiemei 

An awesome FHE:)

FHE cont.

We love games:)

This is what the noodle houses look like where we eat. 

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