God Knows Me:)

Our Harry Potter themed English Class Party

Sister Meyers and my reaction when we heard that we will be staying together for my last transfer!!

After listening to the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast we treated ourselves to Pizza Hut to celebrate:)

Dear Family and Friends,

TEACH REPENTANCE AND BAPTIZE CONVERTS! Something Sister Meyers and I do a lot now is invite people to be baptized AND repent on the street. It's really fun. I'm also learning a lot about boldness. If the Spirit tells you to say something... just say it! It might catch people off guard right now, but if it's God's plan don't fight it. 

One of the most important lessons I've learned this week is that God knows me. I think the past week I have just been reflecting on my mission and realizing how perfect it has been. My companions, my areas, my ward, my investigators have all been exactly what I needed at the time I encountered them. 

Mom asked me what our Sunday's are like. This week was super super super busy and it was a delight! We have church at 8:30-11:30 and it's great. then we just go out and chuan jiao like any other day. Yesterday we had a lesson before church, 3 after church and then we attended the other ward's sacrament meeting with 2 of our investigators. It was a little bit crazy, but Sister Meyers and I both really love being busy. 

Chinese New Year:  (Each year during Chinese New Year, the missionaries have opportunities to share special messages with the members, who also invite their non-member friends over.) Here is our plan for our message this year.  So we have created a monkey trap and made our red envelopes. We'll be sharing the monkey trap story and giving them red envelopes. It's not going to be nearly as exciting as the dragon head last year :) haha but we're still doing our best to participate! So we're going to use the monkey traps and as an analogy for repentance. We're going to talk about how when we sin we grab that banana and then we have to let go one finger at a time and then we're going to explain the steps of repentance. 

I testify that Jesus is the Christ. One of my goals for my last transfer is to re-memorize The Living Christ. It's been really fun to have Sister Meyers coach me through it. I really love the Spirit that comes each time you recite or read the Apostle's testimonies. I love this gospel. I love playing for Team Jesus. I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father and all that He does for me. 

Thank you for all of the support and prayers and love. 

LET'S GO WIN A FOOTBALL GAME!

Gu Jiemei

We love mud Frisbee!!

My favorite #!!!! 

So Grateful!!!!

So Grateful!!!!

Baptism of Lin Dixiong!!!

Celebration:)

Preparing the font before the baptism

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy 11 months until Christmas! Woohoo!

My biggest lesson/story of the week would be called the Lin Dixiong story:  

So this story has a lot a lot a LOT of details that I will have to save for a few weeks from now when I can re-tell and re-inact fully, but the basics are these...

 Lin Dixiong as you all know has stage 4 cancer. He also has a particular Stevens-Johnson's disease thing which I don't completely understand. Anyways, he super super sick all the time and always in a lot of pain. 

Also this week has been the coldest Taiwan has had in about 10 years. It snowed. It doesn't snow here... but it did. haha.

Also, Lin Dixiong failed his interview last week because he drank Coffee. 

So all of these things were making us very very anxious about the upcoming week and all the things scheduled for it. We also had been praying for humility every day. Through lots of prayer and spiritual wrestling, we got Lin Dixiong a priesthood blessing on Thursday and after the blessing we had his interview. Originally he was thinking we would have to change the interview to next week because of the cold. But after the interview we had a feeling that we needed to have the baptism the next day. So we proposed the idea to him and he said "sure!" So we called the MM Leader and the bishop and we got everything set up that night to have the baptism the next day in the afternoon.

The baptism went so smoothly and we actually had a TON of members there. The only problem was that the water was cold. haha :)

So then we just had to wait in nervous anticipation and prayer for Sunday. We didn't know if Lin Dixoing would be able to make it for his confirmation, but we prayed with all the faith we had. It was the very coldest day of this week,but he was able to make it to sacrament meeting to be confirmed a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and partake of the sacrament. It was the biggest sigh of relief my spirit has ever had. 

What I learned this week, we are all SOOOOOO important to God. Lin Dixiong's baptism has required the faith and prayers of countless people, but it happened. He's now covenanted with God. And that is worth every sacrifice and prayer and sleepless night. I also testify that baptism is not an ending, but a beginning. It begins a life of repentance and hard work. But it is worth it. 

This week Sister Meyers asked me to write a poem about rain. Here are the last two stanzas :) 

I remember a time when all I could do was smile at others,

Now you dance right next to me and we laugh and talk like brothers.

When I got here I never knew what God would make me do,

But now I thank Him everyday for sending me to you. 

I love my mission. I think I realized that my days are numbered so this week when we went outside I was just thankful!!! I was thankful for the pouring rain and the freezing cold. I was thankful for the people who said no. I was thankful for my nametag. I was thankful for my companion. I was just... so overwhelmed with gratitude for the many blessings I've received on this mission.

I know this church is true. I love you all so much. Thanks for everything :)

Gu Jiemei

Some amazing missionaries!!! Sister Kunzler, Sister Cutler and Guo Jiemei

It doesn't snow in Taiwan, but this week it SNOWED!!!

I love getting to see my Taiwanese family!!! These men are amazing leaders and friends:)

District lunch

My absolutely amazing companion!  I'm so grateful for her every day:)

English class!!! Aren't they cute, and aren't we lucky?:)

A Few Things I've Learned Along the Way!

Preparing for Guonian (CHINESE NEW YEAR)

Rocking the phone!

President is now allowing us to call on the home phone and the cell phone at the same time so we capitalized on that and worked really hard to find some "lost lambs" in our former section of the area book this week.

Some serious mud soccer happened this morning :) 

Dear Family and Friends,

Don't ask me how it got to be the 18th of January...

Mom was asking me some of the things I've learned on my mission so far. Here are just a few:

1-The Holy Ghost is everything.  So one day Sister Fenlaw and I were riding home from a lesson and we were already pretty late. Sister Fenlaw was in front of me and I remember seeing a man leaned up against the wall doing something on his phone. I got the impression to turn back. I reasoned that we were going to be late. The Spirit then very strongly said to me, "You are leaving God's son behind." and so I started to turn around. Luckily, Sister Fenlaw (having also received the same prompting) turned around at exactly the same time and we went back and talked to him. We found out that he had been going through an especially hard time in his life and felt very lonely. We were able to assure him of his Heavenly Father's love and care for him and that Jesus Christ was always there. He didn't live in our area and I'm not really sure what happened after we referred him, but I testify that God does not forget anybody. I also testify that we are His hands. God could send an angel to everyone every 5 seconds, but he can get a lot more work done converting us AND those we serve if he works through the Spirit. 

I've also learned that ANYTHING good comes from God. I think early in my mission I worried about following the Spirit or not, and what I now have learned is that worrying about following the Spirit actually hinders the Spirit. If it seems like a good thing or thought, then go with it! I've had COUNTLESS times on my mission where I've followed a small thought or impression only to find out weeks, transfers, or one year later that it was actually the Spirit. If you're doing good, you're doing God's work and you're following the Spirit. :)

2-There is always more to learn. I think when I first got on island I looked at the older missionaries and just felt like they had everything all figured out. And now that I AM an older missionary I don't feel like I have ANYTHING figured out. haha :) I think life's a lot like that too. And the gospel! The more you study, the more you realize you don't know. But I've also learned a lot about humility. Which is kind of the theme of my mission I think. We can learn so much from those around us as we focus on them. 

3- Invite everyone to come to church-WE HAD A FAMILY COME TO CHURCH! It was amazing. Sister Meyers and I have really been focusing on inviting everyone to church and we were pretty certain that we would be able to have 10 investigators at church this Sunday. We were SOO pumped. Then as we woke up Sunday morning we saw the rain... it was a pretty significant downpour. And even though  the Taiwanese SHOULD be used to the rain... they do everything they can to avoid it. So Sunday morning a lot of our investigators were not answering and we were nervous that we would actually not have anyone show up. Then a taxi pulled up. As our family stepped out of the taxi Sister Meyers and I turned to each other and just hugged and squealed and laughed and cried. Mom came with BOTH her sons!! It was amazing :) 

4- In the church we are part of a BIG family. So this Saturday Sister Meyers and I were assigned to do temple tours! I really don't have the words to describe my feelings and all the events that happened... but here's a little bulleted list,

-It was Zhubei's temple day. So that meant I got to see Bishop Hu and his wife!
a long with all of the other Zhubei members who attended.

-It was also Taidong's temple day. So that meant I got to see Huang Dixiong! 

-It also happened to be a day that Emerald wanted to go to the temple. So she helped us to do a tour!

-It also happened to be Li Jiating's day for family pictures and they wanted to take them at the temple.

So in this one glorious Saturday I was able to see members from every one of my areas. It was a huge miracle and just a GIGANTIC tender mercy from the Lord.

It was also so amazing to see that members from Zhubei still remembered me! It's been almost a year since I was in Zhubei but they still know my name. I'm so thankful for all of the many wonderful friends and family that I've met in Taiwan. 

SO MUCH LOVE.

I testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I testify that I have no idea what God's plan is for me specifically, but I know that he loves me individually. He knows my needs and concerns and he sends me angels every day to help. I'm so thankful. I'm so thankful for all of my companions and the examples they are to me. I know God has got it all figured out.

I love you!

Gu Jiemei

This is Lilly. She is my favorite person that we met this week!

So Sister Meyers and I have been working hard to relocate a lot of LAs that the bishop has asked us to get in contact with. On this day it was very rainy and it didn't seem like anyone wanted to talk with us, but we pressed forward. We got to this apartment complex and someone let us in after we rang the doorbell. So I don't know how many of you have been in Taiwanese apartment complexes... but they are a little bit creepy. So we were walking up to this 5th floor where our LA lived and I was just not feeling very good about it. It was also very dark and... ya spooky. But my courageous companion was up front and so I followed her to our LAs door. We knocked and one of the tiniest women I've ever met came up to the door. We started speaking Chinese to her and she said she couldn't understand. At first I was really worried that she was going to speak Taiwanese and even though Sister Meyers and I have both served on the East Coast our Taiyu is super lan. But as we started to explain who we were in English she said, "Please please come in and sit down."

Turns out she is 84 years old and from the Philipines. Her husband is Taiwanese but Lilly doesn't speak any Chinese. So they speak Taiyu (Taiwanese) in the home. It's super cool. Her 2 sons are our LAs and even though they weren't home, I know we were supposed to find Lilly. Honestly, I think Lilly was meant to meet us more than we were meant to meet her. She was so full of love for us and as she talked about her children a warmness filled the room. I'm so thankful for the amazing examples I've met on my mission 

This is our roommates picture. I think it describes us all pretty good :) We spent our P-day sipping hot chocolate and wondering where all of the foreigners were from. haha

We celebrated Lin Jun Nan's birthday this week! We didn't really get to do much for him... but we decorated this board! haha :) His baptism has actually been changed to next Saturday. I'M GOING TO BE SUCH AN EMOTIONAL HAPPY MESS :)

Bishop Hu and his wife at the temple!!!

The SHUANGHE DISTRICT.

#teachrepentanceandbaptizeconverts

Also it is important to note that Sister Meyers and I both wore polka dots and mustard yellow without planning it. We're pretty dang unified.

A Wonderful Miracle

District Bowling Activity

We love Bowling!!! I love Sister Meyers:)

Our sweet investigator Lin Dixiong came bowling with us and brought us cupcakes!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

The Story of Lin Dixiong:

So do you remember Lin Dixiong who was supposed to be baptized and then didn't show up? Well we found him two Sunday's ago. It was pretty intense. It was probably one of the most adrenaline filled moments of my life. Long story short, we sat at his door knocking for almost half an hour and he finally opened. We were able to set up with him and found out about a lot of concerns he has had but never told us before his baptism. It was such a big relief for all of us. He's really been humbled lately. At our first lesson with him since we re-found him, he decided that he needed to confess to the ward. Luckily for him, it was fast and testimony meeting so he got his chance. He got up and shared what his problems were and asked for everyone's forgiveness for his not being baptized. He testified that he has gotten to know the Savior better and that he has learned a lot. It was wonderful. He was completely swarmed by our members after Sacrament meeting and I didn't really even get a chance to talk to him! haha but then he also came to FHE that night. It was a big blessing and a miracle of fasting and prayer :) 

This week we met with him on Wednesday and were able to have a lesson all about enduring to the end and trials. At the end we talked to him about baptism. We told him we wanted to set a date with him and he said no. He said he just didn't have that feeling yet. We left the lesson frustrated and not really knowing how to help him. 

He then called us around 4:30 and said, "Hey... are you going to eat dinner soon right?" WE told him we were and he was invited to come with us and our district. We texted him the address and then waited for him there. We waited for a long time and I was kinda getting worried that he wouldn't find it. But eventually he walked through the doors with the biggest smile on his face. He said, 

"Do you know why I'm here?"

"Um... to eat?"

"I am here because I want you to arrange my baptism."

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

*Sister Meyers and I just hugged and screamed.*

"What happened?!"

"Well... after you left I was in my room and I was kind of praying and I just felt like it was good."

We've seen him almost every day since then. His interview is on Wednesday and his baptism is on SATURDAY! :)

Mom asked me what I've been studying lately and this week I've been studying the Riciarrdi letter. It's all about this really awesome missionary and it's been quoted in General Conference and random stuff, but anyways, I was reading it and it talks about obedience
and why we obey. It tells the story of an Elder who was transferred to a very difficult area and just wasn't seeing any success. He said he felt he was the most obedient, working the hardest, and seeing the least results. He said he spent a long time praying one day and got the answer that God knew exactly where he was. That God had sent him there to learn and grow. I thought back to my time in Xinan and how difficult it was for me. I felt just like this Elder in the story. I went into a room and said my own prayer of thanks. The current bush story came flashing back into my mind and I was finally able to thank Heavenly Father for loving me enough to cut me down.

I love this gospel. The church is true:) Thank you so much for all the love and support!!!

Gu Jiemei

This what it looks like at night in the streets of Taiwan when we go out finding!!!

Mission Leadership Counsel

So this Monday I had a name written down with a phone number. I literally have no idea how it got into my planner. I'm assuming it was a referral from the computer that I must've written down? Anyways... so we set up with this guy and get his address. So we travel to his address (what I think is 22), but find out we're in the wrong place ( it's supposed to be 242. Curse the Taiwanese accent!) and our members have been following us around trying to find it with us and we don't have bikes so we're taking taxis and we went the wrong direction in the first place... and ya it was a little bit chaotic! So then we finally get to the correct address and a high school aged girl answers the door. She then says that the guy we had an appointment with actually went outside to find us, but she welcomes us in and so does her mom! They invite us to sit down and the mom then goes and grabs enough chairs for us and all 3 of her kids to sit down together. I was a little surprised! But when our original appointment guy came back he told us that he had intended for us to meet with his whole family from the beginning! Cool right?! 

My name spelled in Dominoes:)

Isn't the food beautiful!!!!!

This is our sweet and amazing Li Jiemei. It was such a blast being with her on her VERY FIRST exchange! Whoot whoot! She is the oldest missionary I've ever met and actually ever heard of. 31. But she's here. And she's doing the work. And she's awesome :) She's inspiring and I'm so thankful I got to learn from her on this exchange! 

This is my dear friend Cora.

Fun fact? She's from Zhubei! haha We had the blessing of getting to visit with her and talk about her mission with her. She's preparing to go, but still waiting on her parent's agreement. Her mom actually just recently decided that it would be ok for her to go! It was a huge miracle.

I know that God is turning the hearts of the FATHERS to the CHILDREN and the hearts of the CHILDREN to the FATHERS. God is opening Taiwan. And slowly opening China.

Some sweet angels that I love here in Taiwan.  TAN JIEMEI AND OU JIEMEI!