Dear Family and Friends,
This week was so wonderful! I can't believe it's already P-Day. Time goes by so quickly! Can you believe I've already been in Taiwan for 4 weeks?!
Alright, here are some of the highlights of this week:
Wednesday, I had mangoes, salad, and "Gala" for breakfast. It was so healthy and delicious. Seriously, I think one of my favorite things over here is how sweet and big the mangoes are!! I'll attach a picture so you can see what I mean!! - I LOVE shopping for food. Everything is so cheap and healthy. YUM. :) That night, Sister Lai and I taught the little children at English class, but Sister Lai was gone most of the time, so I was teaching solo!!! There were actually a ton of people that showed up that night, and we were super excited because we saw a lot of new faces. About 15 kids and their parents attended, and they all seemed like they enjoyed the class. At the end, we taught them all how to pray. I LOVE English class. It's one of the greatest tools to find over here in Taiwan.
Thursday was Zone Conference! President and Sister Bishop are leaving this month, and President and Sister Blickenstaff are coming in on the 26th... ba... I'm not really sure. Anyway, it was really great! I was able to see Sister Ting and Sister Tsoi. They both are doing so well. :) Something that I love that President Bishop shared is how through small and simple things are great things brought to pass. (Alma 37:6,7) I've learned that everything is built off of the small and simple things: music, the way God answers our prayers, homes, families, paintings, art, etc. Everything is built off of small and simple things!! Isn't it wonderful?! Also, D&C 64:33 is an awesome scripture.
I feel like I've changed in so many ways, yet I'm still the same person. One of the principles that I'm trying to grasp is just relying completely and entirely on the Lord. Alma 36:27: "I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in Him, and He will still deliver me." I love that scripture because it really can be applied to everyone in this life. No matter the trial or affliction, we may always be guaranteed success either in this life or the life to come IF we rely on the Lord. So, I've made a goal this week to be worthy, diligent, and obedient to the Lord's commandments. WE MUST BE LIKE NEPHI!!! YEAH! What a man!
On Friday, I had salad, eggs, mangoes, and kiwi for breakfast. It was soooo delicious. Plus, Sister Lai and I go running every morning. She's getting thinner and thinner!!! :) YEAH! She said that out of all her companions, I'm the fastest/healthiest one because I overlap her every morning. - Yeah, I'm really humble.
Anyway, we gave a lot of paper cranes out that day (along with the other pass-along materials). We've also been updating the area book and using the new map to find all the Less-actives in our ward. It's pretty busy work because we have to bike to each of the less-actives homes and verify if they still live there or have moved. As for the area book, there are a lot of former investigators, but previous missionaries haven't explained why the missionaries stopped meeting with them. We've been praying and praying to be able to find new, prepared investigators who will accept the gospel. Our zone leaders promised that if we are obedient and work hard, we will be capable of having a baptism every month. So far, none of our new investigators seem to have a desire to be baptized, so we've been praying and praying for opportunities to find new people. We've also been working hard to talk with everyone, even if it is just a quick hello or compliment. I know that the Lord will help us find a prepared investigator for us at the right time.
On Saturday, I had toast, gala, oatmeal cereal, and water for breakfast. It started raining in the morning, so I was really happy, but the rest of the day was SO HOT. Everyone thinks we are crazy for being outside during the day. Every night, I update the area book. It's probably one of my favorite things to do. Sister Lai and I are also taking pictures of all the investigators, Recent converts, and less-actives so we can print them out and staple them to each individual's teaching record for future missionaries. It's been great because we both are super organized. We aren't letting anyone slip through the crackes over here in Zuoying!! HAHAHAHAHA!!! MWAHAHAHA!!
Sunday was incredible. There was a less-active that showed up at church out of the blue, and no one in the ward recognized her because she hasn't been to church for THAT LONG. Anyway, I sat by here during second and third hour. In relief society, we learned about how our wills should be in subjection to the will of the Father. "We should bring our wills into subjection to the will of the Father, and feel to say, what is the will of our father, whom we are here in the world to serve? Then every act that we perform will be a success." Christ said, "I seek not my own will but the will of the Father." I love that the Lord promises us success if we submit to His will. "We may not see its success today or tomorrow; nevertheless, it will result in success."
Coming on a mission has brought out a lot of my weakness and strengths. Sometimes I feel inadequate to serve the people here, whether it be because of the language, appearance, or other factors. In exodus 4:10, we learn that Moses felt inadequate: "Moses said unto the Lord. O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since thou has spoken unto they servant, but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue." <-- That is exactly how I was feeling for a little while last week. I felt like Moses when he said, "Who am I that I should be sent forth to accomplish this great work - for it is impossible that it can be accomplished by any such ability that I possess." - BUT The Lord replies very simply by saying, "I knew you before I formed you in the belly."
I know that the Lord really "does very different from the doings of men. He works differently." 1 Corinthians 1:25-27 says, "You are called. It is not the wise that are called, but God has called the foolish to confound those which are wise." I LOVE that. "YOU ARE CALLED." We are called for reasons only God knows, and we need not fear. All He asks of us is to TRUST Him. I've learned and am still learning to accept the fact that I in myself am powerless, but with the help of God, I can do many great works.
Like Christ, I have that desire to act in and through the name of the Lord, by HIS wisdom, HIS intelligence, and HIS mercy. I know that as I come to grasp this, He will make my weaknesses strengths.
Everyday, there are millions of people who go through trials that cause heartache, suffering, etc. I know that the Lord IS merciful. He LIVES and LOVES us so much, and I am so determined to be an instrument in His hands to bring one sould to repentance.
I love the gospel so much, and I know it's true. Sorry I didn't make any shoutouts this week. I just had so much to share and am so excited to learn more and more every day. :)
Love you all so much!
Hope you enjoy the pictures!!!
MUCH LOVE,
Sister Verina Chen
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