Rain, rain, go away!

Dearest Family and Friends- Da jia hao!

The rain goes on and off like someone is playing with the hose in heaven. It wakes us up in the morning, then is completely sunny during studies, but as soon as we get on our bikes to head out it is pouring again. And then that just continues all day long. Which then leaves everything really humid and hot- almost like I am on a tropical island! :D I love it! I love being here in Tawain- it truly is an adventure everyday.

And boy did we have some adventures of the books this week! On Tuesday during our District Training Meeting all three of our companionships were so excited because we all had investigators set to get baptized in a combined ward baptismal service on Saturday afternoon- and us sisters actually had 2 investigators all ready to go. We were so excited and proud it just seemed too good to be true... and unfortunately it was! :( One of the set of Elders' caught their investigator smoking while driving through a super random place in their area on Thursday- which meant he was out. Down to three baptismal candidates. Then on Saturday morning we got a call from our Single's Branch investigator who told us she decided that she was actually not ready to get baptized. Sister Gibson and I both tried talking it through with her, but with doubting questions of her family she wasn't ready to make the commitment. We were then down from 4 invesitgators to 2. And because of the rain we Sisters were worried about our investigator Sister Lin actually showing up. I am happy to report though that SHE DID!!! That in and of itself was the first of many other miracles preceeding her actual baptism. I am not sure exactly why, but our President Bishop told us that he and his wife and their visiting family wanted to come attend our baptism. We didn't really think anything of it as we are close to the mission office and he likes to attend baptisms when he can. But aparently the Lord knew more than we all. After a beatiful musical number and talks we all made our way to the baptismal font where the Elders' Brother Wang was first baptized. Then it was Sister Lin's turn. Let me tell you a little about her real quick- because of a work related stroke she can't really use her left arm or leg and walks with a limp. She is such a trooper though. We knew that she was going to need special care to be baptized but we didn't really think through what that meant. The poor man that was trying to baptize her had never baptized anyone before and was trying so hard! But despite his best efforts each time she went down Sister Lin managed to swallow a ton of water but not get completely immersed in the water. She either couldn't hold on with only one hand, or her leg would unknowingly pop out of the water. After about 4 or 5 times President Bishop decided to come to the rescue. That man changed from his suit to a white jumpsuit quicker than Clark Kent changing into his Superman suit! In one try he was able to stratigically hold down her leg, completely support her body and push her into the water all in one swift movement. It was so wonderful! And through this all Sister Lin kept a smile on her face and was just trying so hard to make it work. We found out afterward that she is even scared of the water! She said that because she had swallowed down so much of the water that she was truly clean inside and out! That was definitely the happiest and most spiritual baptism I have ever attended- all in one!

I am so grateful that I have been able to help others come unto Christ. Although most of them have a very, very basic and simple testimony here at the start they are all willing to take that step of faith out of known and into the unknown. It was been an experience of a lifetime to be able to help someone start from ground zero and build a testimony. I know that the work that is being done my missionaries and members all across the world really does matter. These converts truly are making life-changing decisions that are putting them more in harmony with the Lord's will. But they are not the only ones that need to repent and change. We all do. No matter if we were just baptized, baptized years ago or never have been baptized we all have areas that we can improve one. "This life is the time to prepare to meet God." Whether we like it or not that is what we have been sent to this earth to do. How are you doing? You of course are not perfect, but are you doing better today than you were yesterday? last week? a year ago? I know that through the love of Jesus Christ we can change. I know this because I have felt and seen it in my own life. I know that Jesus Christ born in Bethleham truly is our Savior and our Redeemer. I know that He knows more than we ever can (Mosiah 4:9) and because of that knowledge He wants to help us through this life.

I love you all and am so grateful for you!

I love you more than all the water that sweet Sister Lin chocked down!

Sister Amy Reece

Pictures:

1. Our view from our apartment one night when it was down pouring. Beautiful, huh?

2. Lin Jiemei is the one in the baptismal clothes :D. The other lady is her member friend/coworker that referred her and basically taught her all of the lessons during their lunch brakes.

3. Her all clean- inside and out!

4. Happy Sister Lin getting her hair blow dryed after her baptism. I love her!

5. President and Sister Bishop and us. I am so grateful they were there!

I love Conference!

Hello to one and all!

 

This was a crazy busy week! It involved cleaning graves, General Conference and me moving, just to name a few things! Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time today to give many details on all of those fun events though. But here's a quick rundown.

 

I don't know if you remember me telling you last year about going and cleaning the graves. It's an actual natural holiday here in Taiwan where everyone goes back to their "hometown" and cleans their ancestors graves. For most of the country this also involves worshipping them, but we missionaries stick with just cleaning. :D This year our district went by ourselves to clean one of the local graveyards in Wu Feng. It was on the side of a hill and had a ton of people there. We were able to sucessfully clear off two graves as well as make friends with a couple of our fellow "workers". It is great service opportunity that I am pretty sure most missionaries in other parts of the world don't have an opportunity to participate in. As great as it is that so many people go at and show such respect to their ancestors, it breaks my heart that they have no idea about the Plan of Salvation. How blessed we are to know that their graves are just a resting place and not an end.

 

General Conference. Fabulous, as always! One of the greatest parts for me was that we had six investigators that went with us to listen to the Prophet's voice! Two of the girls came to all four sessions and loved it! Ya! As for the messages we heard they were all fabulous! I can't wait to contintue reviewing my notes and studying their messages. I absolutely love being able to have 8 hours of such enlightening and uplifting messages! My testimony that Christ's true church really has been restored was strengthened so much! I am so grateful for this Gospel and this Church and all the blessings they both have brought to me. If you didn't get a chance to watch all of the sessions I strongly urge you to, they were all fabulous!

 

And last but not least I moved. Yep. I got moved on my last move-call. And yes, I am super bummed. My last area was just starting to grow and flourish and see baptisms. But, I trust that the Lord has a plan bigger than mine and needs me here and out of Dali. On a happy note though I am actually still really close to my last area, next door really. And because of that President Bishop actually gave me permission to go back to Dali for Viann and Jenny's baptism this weekend. Ya! I love them and am so excited that they are actually getting baptized!

 

I know that this gospel is true and that the message we all have inside changes lives. In your own way "open your mouths" and share with others that Christ has once again Restored His complete Truth. I love you all so much! Be safe and CPR!!!

 

Sister Amy Reece