11/20/2012

Hello family!

I love getting letters.

Last week I was really sick and so I went and saw a doctor. They gave me some advice. I still was not getting better so I had Elder Monson and Elder Gibson  give me a blessing. I have improved rapidly. In the blessing elder Gibson promised me that I would have the emotional strength I needed for this mission. That was a huge comfort to me because I was feeling emotionally drained and afraid I would have a meltdown. He also said that God is proud of me. It made me cry and was just what I needed to hear.

I do go to the temple every Tuesday (p-day). It is such an uplifting thing to go to the temple and feel the Spirit and remember why you are doing this.

I love being here. There is a spirit here that I can't describe. People are so nice and caring. Everyone smiles at you and is eagerly waiting to help you.

My teachers are so enthusiastic it makes learning the language a lot easier. They always correct us with love and understanding.

We are on our 3&4th investigator. Yesterday we taught both of them for the first time. The one with He jie mei went great. She was really receptive and had a real desire to learn. The other one was with Pan (played by An di xiong) It was tough because it was a cold contact. We didn't know anything about him. The whole time we felt awkward and disconnected. We talked about it afterwards and are thinking of ways to improve. It is so weird because despite it is just role play you still pray for these people. In every prayer I mention them and the concerns they are having. We treat it like a real investigator to better prepare for the field.

So my other teacher is a girl. Just meet her but she used to live in Beijing. She knows the Stratfords and Lewises. Sister Morrey. She served her mission in Taiwan and got back 4 months ago. She is great. She is so Relief Society, always saying an encouraging word to us. While An di xiong is so priesthood. It is a very good balance.

I know that this is God's work. I feel that the time is speeding by and it makes me sad. I don't want to waste a single minute here because I know this time is a gift from God. It is crazy to think he entrusts me enough to go teach the people of Taiwan. I would be worried about telling people the wrong thing and driving them away from the church. One pair of sisters in the older generation made a similar mistake.

They were in one of their lessons teaching about the Holy Ghost. None of them had taken Chinese before so their Chinese was limited. They explained the HG then had the investigator ask any questions. He said, “So the Holy Ghost is a spirit that comes at night and possesses my body.” They said, “We were so excited and said, ‘Dui dui dui.’” Later the teacher told them that they might have told them that. They were mortified.

I now just say “shi” and not “dui” because I don't want to say yes to something bad.

 Every day seems long here but the weeks are short. I have started making my general lesson plans which is fun. What a neat tool that is. Do you know what those are?

I sometimes feel that I want to give up but I always remember that I am here for a reason. It's not about me: it's about those searching for the gospel. The fireside on Sunday night was about Christlike attributes. It was by Elder Bednar. He stated that Christ looked outward while the natural man tends to look inward. I want to be better at looking outward.

SAD NEWS

We cannot call home for Christmas. Too many people and not enough resources. :( I am sad but everyone told me that everyone says that their Christmas in the MTC was the best one they have ever had.

So I know it will be great.

A general authority will be coming Thursday for Thanksgiving. I know that I have lots to be grateful for. :)

Time is short so I will just end with my testimony.

I know this Church is true. I know that Joseph Smith is God's prophet. I know that this church can bring people happiness, peace, joy and purpose. I know that God loves each one of us.

In every way for 18 months 24/7 be a missionary- Elder Holland 

Love,

Eliza

P.S. I love love love getting letters send me lots! It brightens my day.