HEY!

Da gei he! 大家好!

 

There's some Taiwanese and Chinese for you! Wow, this was quite the week- unlike any I have ever had. We had fewer lessons with investigators and new members than we have had in a really long time, yet we broke my mission record for both investigators and recent converts at church. We had 8 investigators and 10 out of 14 recent converts! YA!! It was so cool. A lot of the times are lessons are quantity not quality, but this week we really focused on quality rather than quantity. We were able to find out the needs and concerns that have been on their minds, and they were prepared spirtually and physically for church. It was so cool when the ladies were introducing themselves in Relief Society and the Relief Society President mistook them for members visiting from other wards cause they fit in so well. I was such a "proud mom"! I think for the first time in a long time I am finally figuring out the secrets of missionary work. But you know what, they're not really "secrets"- it's all about focusing on the basic, simple doctrine as is found in Chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel. We've found that in the past I have taught "fluff" lessons a lot. We were still teaching doctrine, but it was taking a lot of visits before the investigators has actually heard the full PMG 1-4 lessons. And because of this my investigators for a long time haven't progressed toward baptism. I used to think that I was doing it "right" because I was- or I thought I was- focusing on the investigators needs. But as Sister Liston and I have been studying PMG Chapter 3 more in depth, we have learned that most all of their needs really can be solved when they know and understand the doctrine contained therein. I am here to bear witness that the creation of Preach My Gospel really was inspired by God. Each person has the same basic "needs" spiritually- it doesn't vary from one place to another. So wherever you are trying to "invite others to come unto Christ", take a little gander at PMG. It's awesome. Sister Liston and I are learning together- me things I feel I should have learned a long time ago, and Sister Liston things that are paving the way for a successful mission. I love it and am so grateful that I am being blessed to finally be learning the "secrets" of missionary work that aren't really "secrets" at all. We hope that this week we can still see as many people at church, but also more lessons taught. I love being a missionary! You really do learn something new everyday.

 

I think this will be the month that we baptize! We have been blessed with some awesome investigators that are so prepared. We pray daily that the Lord will not only bless them to repent and change, but bless us missionaries that we can do the same in order to better help them. This last week our President Bishop invited all of us missionaries to repent of whatever it is that is keeping us from being sanctified and consecrated servants of the Lord. . I know that as I was praying for forgiveness and strength this week the Lord was able to use me better to help move His work along. I have come to love repenting! I still have lots to change and improve, but I am so grateful that I can repent when I mess up. We all can! Elder Christofferson said in a Conference talk recently that repentance is a happy thing and there "should be a smile on our faces as we talk about it." Amen Elder Christofferson. Actually his last two conference talks are both on repenting and letting the Lord change us. Check them out- they're awesome!

 

Oh- have you all heard the hype of a one Jeremy Lin. I don't know if he is actually that big in the states, but EVERYONE in Taiwan is talking about him. In case you don't know him, he is an American-born Taiwanese guy that just recently got big playing for the New York Nicks basketball team. He is from an area close to me here. Apparently he is pretty hard-core Christian and is making this Buddhist based country of his interested in Christianity. One of our really golden, already prepared investigators we found this week told us one reason she wants to pray is because "she sees Jeremy do it before each of his games and he plays really well so it must work!" Thank you Jeremy for your great example! I love it!

 

p.s. I won't be emailing till Wednesday next week cause we are GOING TO THE TEMPLE!!! Ya! Finally- I feel like it has been forever, but really it hasn't. :D

 

I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and encouragement. I am so happy each week to hear that you are all safe and well. Please keep it that way! I know that this is Christ's true church on the earth. It really does change families and makes every day better. If you don't believe me, try it. CPR. Go to Church, Pray, and Read. It works.

 

Loves!

Sister Amy Reece