Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Merry Christmas From Taiwan!!!

So we were all invited to a dinner together but our member was running late and then the restaurant wasn't open yet. So the Elder's grabbed their Christmas lights from their bike boxes, and us Sisters got all wrapped up and went and Christmas caroled while we English Boarded. Joy to the world! 
So this last week I was finally able to put my years of dance training to good use. 
For our English party we had each class perform a little number and since Sister Wood and I are teaching the little kids we naturally had to perform Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. We had lots of actions and it was so much fun. 

Dear family and friends,

Merry Christmas.

It's a really special time of year and I'm so thankful to be here. I've been really struck lately by the fact that I literally get to represent Jesus Christ all day every day. In fact, that's how I introduce myself. 

"My name is Sister Gu and I'm a representative of Jesus Christ."

I testify that we have a Living Savior. I testify that He loves you and me and every person here. I know that as we serve, we will feel God's love for His children. I know that God wants to help us if we rely on Him. I know Christmas is special because of Him. 

I know Joseph Smith is God's prophet. I know Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet. I know that we are God's kids.

Thank you everyone.

I love you and so does Jesus Christ. 

Gu Jiemei


A fine picture of the Shuanghe District. Doing well and representing with safety first!
It was a week of sweet reunions as I got to see Rou Rou and Emerald from Xinan!:) So excited for the Spirit world. I imagine it will be full of reunions just like this! :) haha Lots of running and screaming and crying :)

Another surprise reunion this week was with my own sweet trainer.

It was my first time singing the Solo in the song "Breath of Heaven" since Sister Wood had left and I was super nervous. I had noticed a Taiwanese woman walk in towards the back of the congregation early on in the program but I didn't recognize her at all. Then after the performance, there was a young Taiwanese woman who came up and gave me a weird looking pastry with my name on it. I thanked the kind stranger for the gift, but still had no idea who she was. Then I stared at her for a long time and moved her surgical mask (that's what you wear in Taiwan even if you have a slight cold), then I cried. I hugged her and cried and cried and cried. I had thought about Wu Jiemei every day that week and I really needed to see her. It was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father and I'm so thankful that he knows me so well.

A year ago when Sister Wu and I were together for Valentine's day I told her she should make heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast! So she spent about half an hour in the kitchen diligently working to get something that looked presentable. This time around she said it took her a full hour... and this is what it turned out as. haha. She's the best!!!
Merry Christmas! :) These Christmas sweaters are brought to you by Taipei Main Station. I miss sweet Sister Wood so much but am so grateful for all she taught me:)

This is my new companion Sister Mackenzie Meyers. She is a rock star and I am so grateful I get to work with her!!!
One of my babies, Sister Johnson, is training now and here is our first three Generation picture:)

3 comments:

  1. Maddie, we have enjoyed so much receiving and reading your emails. We have no doubt but that you have been a loving, caring, and devoted missionary. We are so proud to even know you, let alone be related to you! Your letters bring back a lot of memories of my 2 year and 3 month mission to Brazil many years ago as a young sister missionary. I have some sense of the joy that you feel in serving. We send lots of love and hugs. Grandpa Ray and Margy.

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  2. I am grateful that I always got the clear feeling to know when I should call Sister Giles when I was tem temple sister. Luckily, after the mission ,I still can get the feeling to know when I should do something for her. God does take care of her !!

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