News this week
Sister Sun is leaving this week, returning home after a great 18 months of service, and I will be training a new missionary next transfer. When I say I'll be training, I mean that I'll be relying on the ward and the Spirit to know what the heck we are doing,
and pray my "baby" can learn from our mistakes together :) Haha.
But that does mean I'll be in this area for another 2 transfers...
those of you who speak mission-time, that'll put me here in my birth area for 6 transfers. I love this area and this ward and these people!!!!!!!!
and pray my "baby" can learn from our mistakes together :) Haha.
But that does mean I'll be in this area for another 2 transfers...
those of you who speak mission-time, that'll put me here in my birth area for 6 transfers. I love this area and this ward and these people!!!!!!!!
Pondering gratitude and recommending reads!
I've been studying about gratitude this week and was reminded how powerful gratitude is. Because gratitude, (not just being grateful FOR things, but having a grateful spirit and attitude) is a solid founation for optimism, happiness, patience, and hope and faith. SOOOOOOO important. Read Pres. Uchtdorf's conference address,
"Grateful in our Circumstances" and I invite you all to find an area or something in your life that maybe it's really hard to be grateful about, and start praying that you can really feel gratitude to Heavenly Father for giving you that. It has really helped me and I KNOW gratitude will change lives and outlooks of trials. Another Pres. Uchtdorf talk I really encourage you all to read is
It talks about three things that may stop us from fully living the restored gospel and claiming those blessings, 1)Selfishness, 2)Addictions, 3) Competing Priorities. Its so good and I know if you pray before you read it, the Spirit will give you hopeful encouragement on where you can change, and how to change. SO worth your time to read the words on Conference and the Ensign each month.
Member missionaries
This week was great! The ward is really changing, recently I've felt a new support for missionaries, and it was so nice on Sunday to see a member bring two friends and to have that member introduce us but then find another member to sit with his friends, and then ANOTHER member came and turns out they are classmates (miracle), so the ward just took care of them and we were able to support other areas. Miracles everywhere. We've also seen great miracles this week as we focused on using the Book of Mormon to teach. Of course we don't hand out copies like tracts, but we've found as we started always trying to use it, it really can support the person's needs and bring the Spirit (as well as curiosity). We've used those pictures in the front to teach about baptism, the Restoration, importance of families, prayer, and faith. We have been really trying to let the Spirit guide and simply know our purpose is to provide an atmosphere the Spirit can teach in, such as invitations, prayer, scriptures, personal experiences, etc. It is amazing to see the Spirit and Book of Mormon open people's hearts. It's great also because in contacting this week we have had a good balance of time, and less stress and worry. We just are trying to let a lot go.
the church in china
We met a couple of people from China last night and were able to give them a Book of mormon and share about the gospel. Let me tell you all something, if you are waiting or have a thought of "all the nations will have the gospel before Christ comes and China isn't open yet so I don't really have to repent and worry yet..." I'm just saying, think again! China has members and if full-time, set apart with a badge missionaries can't go to China, the Lord is bringing the Chinese people to other countries to have the opportunity. Continue to pray of course that the leaders hearts will be softened and so many of the Father's children can be taught in their homes, but know that no earthly government will stop the Lord's work, on the Lord's time, in His way. Just saying, China is a special place. I know that because I've felt the Lord's love for the Taiwanese people. This culture, these people are so precious and special, and so prepared to hear.
So, using the Book of Mormon can be counted as a success from this week, and I feel that our companionship also is. I love Sister Sun and am so sad she is leaving, but I know it's time for her to start her next adventure. I'm so grateful I've learned so much from her. I've realized that pride is such a stumbling block and could've really impaired my learning, but we always must be willing to try to ways, be ready to change and improve, because revelation can come, and will come! I've learned so much about how important the ward is. Without the support of the ward, our effort is almost wasted and is a lot harder! But when members let us visit their families and serve them, and bring friends, and just offer to sit wuth investigators at church even, it just takes so much worry and care from our minds. Yes, I'm super glad I get to stay in this area for another few months, I really love it. I'm so grateful that I'm here in Taiwan! That I can have the companions I've had and will have, the mission President I have, the experiences and miracles we are given EVERY DAY!
I just love being here in Taiwan, serving these people and representing Christ. It is so fulfilling at the end of the day or the week (Sunday is a marvelous reflecting day) to realize this work is so much bigger than us but at the same time, is so personal to every person we meet on the street. I love this opportunity and trust that in the trials, and challenges and happiness that lies ahead, the Lord is in charge. Keep the faith. Keep learning and growing and loving others, and using the times the Lord has given us WISELY. Be humble and willing to change. Be firm in the faith. And be happy. Be happy and at peace.
I love you all so much! Thank you for the prayers, the letters, the support, the stories, and the love you have given to me through the years.
Love, Sister Smith
So, using the Book of Mormon can be counted as a success from this week, and I feel that our companionship also is. I love Sister Sun and am so sad she is leaving, but I know it's time for her to start her next adventure. I'm so grateful I've learned so much from her. I've realized that pride is such a stumbling block and could've really impaired my learning, but we always must be willing to try to ways, be ready to change and improve, because revelation can come, and will come! I've learned so much about how important the ward is. Without the support of the ward, our effort is almost wasted and is a lot harder! But when members let us visit their families and serve them, and bring friends, and just offer to sit wuth investigators at church even, it just takes so much worry and care from our minds. Yes, I'm super glad I get to stay in this area for another few months, I really love it. I'm so grateful that I'm here in Taiwan! That I can have the companions I've had and will have, the mission President I have, the experiences and miracles we are given EVERY DAY!
I just love being here in Taiwan, serving these people and representing Christ. It is so fulfilling at the end of the day or the week (Sunday is a marvelous reflecting day) to realize this work is so much bigger than us but at the same time, is so personal to every person we meet on the street. I love this opportunity and trust that in the trials, and challenges and happiness that lies ahead, the Lord is in charge. Keep the faith. Keep learning and growing and loving others, and using the times the Lord has given us WISELY. Be humble and willing to change. Be firm in the faith. And be happy. Be happy and at peace.
I love you all so much! Thank you for the prayers, the letters, the support, the stories, and the love you have given to me through the years.
Love, Sister Smith