I'd like to start out by sharing with
all of you with what I feel mission work here in Taiwan compares: LASER TAG.
I know. You were expecting
something more serious, more moving, more touching, more grave and deep and
thoughtful... Let me explain:
Laser tag is a game. It's fun.
It's intense. You don't actually die... The worst thing that could
happen would probably just getting lost or scared of the dark... But
that's a different story. You play laser tag with your BEST FRIENDS.
You get to run around "laser-ing" everyone with a ... laser,
and then you get points!!! Plus, you represent your team and get to see how
many points you got in the end!!!
So why is mission work over here
similar to laser tag?!?
Everyday, I get to bike around
wearing pretty dresses with my best friend. We not only get to bike
around on the coolest bikes, but we also get to talk to EVERYONE - young
people, cute kids, cute grandmas... you name it!!! Literally, we get to meet
people from all different kinds of backgrounds and lifestyles. It's
exciting. It's thrilling... WHAT IS IT?!?!
IT'S CONTACTING!!!!! It's
basically playing laser tag, but instead of using lasers, we use tracts;
instead of representing fake teams, we get to represent GOD'S TEAM; instead of
fake points, we get REAL blessings in HEAVEN!!!!! AND, it's fun!!!
I don't know why, but I've been super
happy about contacting recently... It's something that I honestly would have
dreaded saying at the start of my mission, but you know what?! - God is really
a God of miracles, and He's definitely changed me into someone I never thought
I'd become.
So, yes. I guess you could say that I
AM having fun over here. After all, it's an awesome game of laser tag, and what
IS the worst thing that could happen?! - NOTHING. Seriously, maybe I get
stressed here and there because I want to get more points, but in the end, all
that really matters is my efforts and my change!
Okay, so I may be stretching that
analogy a little bit, but for now, I'd say that's pretty good.
This week is Mother's Day!!! I am so
excited to skype you all again! Holy cow!! I feel like we just skyped the other
day. Seriously, weeks are like seconds over here. Sister Shih and I
have been so happy. The work is perfect. It's definitely filled
with stresses, with things to be done constantly; however, once you get a
little organized and efficient, everything just kind of simply falls into
place. Voila! Perfect.
On Tuesday/Friday, we went on
exchanges with the sisters from Shalu/Tanzi. I went over to Shalu with
Sister FUNK (sweetest sister ever). Yeah, we were together for a day, but by
the end of the exchange, we felt like we had been friends forever, and we WILL.
Love her. Friday, Sister Ko came over to Dakeng, and we had a ton
of miracles tracting. Here's one: We tracted into this Indonesian lady
who said she has met the missionaries more than once. She is willing to
meet with us again. When we said a prayer with her, she started crying
and asked us to call her FOR SURE so that we could find her in the future.
She's definitely been prepared by the Lord.
Exchanges have been going great! It's
amazing how amazing all the sisters in our zone all are! They are filled with
faith, hope, and charity towards not only their companions but also their
investigators/rcla's, etc. They are all teaching me so much, and I'm over
here, just taking it all in. What wonderful opportunities God has blessed
me with.
We also had Mission Leadership
Counsel for the first time this month. It was great!! I finally got
Doctrine and Covenants 121:24-46 memorized in time for the meeting. By the way,
that scripture has seriously become my favorite scripture!! Read it together as
a family. IT will change your attitude and perspective on
life/everything.
MLC was on President Blickenstaff's
birthday, so everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him that day!!! He's
seriously such a humble and inspiring man. We all sustain and love him in
his calling. One highlight of MLC was when he shared with us an awesome
quote:
"ONE'S LIFE CANNOT BE BOTH
FAITH-FILLED AND STRESS-FREE."
He also said it in a British accent,
so that made it like 1000 times better. Sister Shih and I get 15 minutes
after the Taichung North Zone Training Meeting this Tuesday to share something
with the zone. We decided to talk to the zone about using the missionary
stress handbook everyday in their companionships and to BE HAPPY. Why?!
When you are truly happy, that means
you have faith in the Lord, and what does that lead to?! - SUCCESS!!!! -->
WE ALL BECOME SUCCESSFUL MISSIONARIES!!! yes yes yes!
So, we have this great presentation
planned out for ZTM, and it's going to be great. It includes
"huangse xiao ya" little yellow duck post it notes. IT's going
to be incredible!!!!
Man, there are so many wonderful
things that have been going on in my mission life. Everyday, we see
little and big miracles. Overall, I have never every felt so much love
and so much happiness for God and this work than I do now in my mission work
here!!!
This Saturday, our golden
investigator Shu Xue Mei is getting baptized. She is the one who's son is
our recent convert. Her husband will be baptizing her. After she is
baptized, they will continue preparing to be sealed in the temple next year! SO
HAPPY!
Here's an awesome quote that I read
this morning during personal study. It's really helped me realize why we
have trials in our lives. IT's also helped me know how to help those who
are struggling or who may be going through hard things in their lives:
"Life is full of difficulties,
some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an
unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we
often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that
frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required." - President
Thomas S. Monson
PATIENCE! I see it all the time over
here. People get baptized, but after a little while, they leave the
church because they didn't immediately see/feel the blessings that God grants
us when we are faithful. If we search for truth and knowledge with
patience, looking forward with diligence and faithfulness for as long as God
allows, we will truly see the fruits of our labors. God is there for us.
He is listening, and He does have a plan for all of us to succeed.
IT is up to US to determine whether or not WE will allow ourselves the
blessings of Heaven.
Here's another awesome quote that I
have been recently obsessed with:
"I have often said one of the
greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get
the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he
teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people, and he will be
happy. There will be no home-sickness, no worrying about families, for
all time and talents and interest are centered on the work of the ministry.
Work, work, work - there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in
missionary work." - President Ezra Taft Benson.
Having a hard time with life?!
Feeling depressed or discouraged?! - Here's the answer to all your problems:
WORK, SERVICE, FORGETTING YOURSELF!!! I know with all my heart that when
we give our all - when we consecrate ourselves entirely to the Lord and His
work, He does bless us with happiness - REAL happiness... Not the happiness
that goes away after a day or two, or even a couple of hours/minutes/seconds.
And if you don't agree with me... if any fiber of your being is telling
you that what President Benson said is not true - that it's too cliche, then
here's my invite to you: TRY IT OUT.
See for yourself if what they have
said is not true!!! It's that simple; yet, where do we find most people?!
- Stuck in their pride. People are naturally lazy. They don't want
to budge. They don't want to get off their couches, they don't want to
get out of their comfort zones. Alone, we are weak. God knows that.
He knows that Satan works in innumerable ways to lead away the hearts of
the children of men to destruction. Satan doesn't want us to become like
our Heavenly Father. The only purpose and goals he has in life is to drag
us down to Hell, and he does that through making us feel depressed, sad,
forlorn, forgotten.
ANY sort of those negative feelings
come from Satan?! - So, who will be there to fight against him?! - You can
either be for or against God, and we've all been given the choice. We have to
choose NOW.
It's true! Trials and tribulations in
our lives can bring us down, but they can also pull us up. It's all about
your attitude and perspective. Let those trials and tribulations become
your blessings and your strengths. I know that when we do that, we become
sons and daughters of God.
I know these truths with all my
heart!! I love this gospel. I am thankful for the restoration of
God's eternal truths here on the earth. I never want to settle for less,
and I hope that none of you would settle for anything other than the best!!!!
God can be with us forever and
always!!!
I love you all!!! See you on Sunday!!
:)
Love,
Sister Verina Chen
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