July 23 Letter--Safe in Taiwan

Hello family! My other account was supposed to be up and working, but it
isn't... so my trainer said to just use this one.

I am safe and in Taiwan! Woot wo! It is amazing, overwhelming, hardest and best
time ever. I got here and we went to the mission home and they wasted no time
introducing us to contacting. The Mission President, his wife, and the
assistants took us to one of the most busy places in Taichung. They got out a
Dan Jones Box (a literal box that says Dan Jones on it) and put us up on the
box... I got up there and just kept saying the same thing over and over again. I
think I could feel my knees knocking as they were shaking. Pretty intense, but
amazing! After we were on the box, we got down and contacted into whoever had
stopped to listen. I got three contacts and one baptismal goal. (Sidenote: I
taught the man sitting next to me on the plane and he set a baptismal goal with
the Taipei missionaries- wonder if it was Elder Anderson. Another sidenote:
Laura, did you remember the boy named Joe I was dating from the Univ of Utah and
then a little bit over the summer when I went to Provo? He kinda went weird
because he was going on a mission. He is one of the Taipei Mission assistants to
the President. He was my welcomer to Taiwan. Crazy small world, huh? I was just
glad it wasn't Elder Anderson. We were supposed to take a picture together and
everything, but neither of us felt to right about that so I didn't get one.)

So now I am in Shalu and QingShui. It is a more rural area. We live in the
middle of rice fields. It is pretty neat. The people are awesome. I don't really
understand anything! In a sentence I might get out one or two words... it is
kind of hard sometimes. Church was really hard because the members kept making
fun of me and telling my trainer nanguo. Which is like I am sorry for the lot
you have. Lame! But my trainer said that is normal and by the end of the move
call they will all love me! We'll see... I don't really know. Church was good
though because I definitely felt a tender mercy of the Lord (twice actually).
First one, we sang Count Your Many Blessings for the opening hymn. When we were
in the MTC, my district would sing that song everyday. We would try to sing it
as fast as possible. It is a really fun song to sing in Chinese. I'll have to
sing it for everyone soon. And it made me stop and think of how blessed I was. I
fel the Spirit so strong and know the Spirit is real and the same whereever you
are and whatever language people are speaking. The second one was my teacher in
the MTC is from Maccau, China. One of the men in the ward just got back from his
mission to there. He knew my teacher and her husband. He, also, spoke English.
So I got to talk to him and he gave me a lot of helpful pointers. My trainer has
taken the hands off approach and just leaves me to figure things out for myself-
hopefully, I'll learn faster. Danshi it was nice to get help from someone else

I thought I knew a little bit of Chinese, but if you get me off of anything
besides the lessons in Preach My Gospel- I am completely lost. It makes
contacting fun because I don't understand what they are telling me --- it is
usually some excuse--- and I just keep teaching them! I got three referals
yesterday in our contacting so that was sweet. And we added two new
investigators with baptismal goals! Oh yeah, I almost forgot the best part!!! I
came the area Friday afternoon and Saturday night, we had four Sisters baptized!
I thought that was rare, but it is not at all. This mission is a baptizing
mission! They challenge baptism like the second sentence! I am still getting
used to that and learning better grammar to ask. Talk about a nice welcoming to
an area. It is crazy!

Let's see... what else? China and Taiwan are so so different. China is a lot
less modern than Taiwan. The people here are so so Americanized--- it is kinda
crazy. They look just like the people back home accept Chinese. The equivalent
of Sister Bennion is the Young women's president here. She calls me a baby and
tells my companion to babysit well... It is funny... when they talk about me
they even say my name and expect me to not even understand that. I think my
heart is still in China- I think it will come to Taiwan in not too long!

The invesitgators and non members are awesome. They all think it is so awesome I
am trying to speak Chinese. It is funny--- they all think I have been living
here for a year or two with the Chinese I know and my trainer for four or five
years. None believe me when I say less than a week. It makes for a good
transition into the blesses of the Spirit and the Gospel. I like bearing
testimony on that! Who doesn't?

Well, I am not sure what else to say... it is all so new and so different. One
more story... Mom, I lied to you I am far from the mission home. But don't
worry, I am totally safe. But since I am far away our area is huge! Last night,
we went on a hour bike ride to teach a lesson. It is not like a cruise- it was
like a fast as we can go ride. My legs are fine and not sore, but I think my bum
is broken! It is still getting used to everything. I didn't understand how
people could fall asleep driving, but I am pretty sure last night riding our
bikes home I fell asleep a few times. Getting into bed is like the best!

So my mission president is hardcore- take Rueben (yes, from Strikers) and
multiply him by like 2.  We have a mandatory workout schedule. It is getting me
in the best shape ever.  Pres Hoer and his wife are intense. We exercise for an
hour every morning. When we were in the mission home, we ran hard- one of the
sisters was throwing up- for 30 minutes. Those of us that did it were like
"Sweet, we did it!" Oh no, that was just the beginning. Then we ran bleachers
for 25 minutes. This might not sound like much, but keep in mind it is about 95
degrees and humid! My hair has not come out of the dinky little ponytail the
whole time I have been here! It is so sweet. We get to appointments just soaked!
The night we landed we came in at 11:00 pm and it was 84 degrees!

Well, my timer just came up! I love you all and am so happy to be on a mission.
It is taking a little of faith and prayers, so don't stop praying. Pray for me
to have the gift of tongues and interpretation. I know that I am on the Lord's
errand and can already begin to feel the blesses of being diligent!

I know this is the true church upon the face of the Earth. I know Heavenly
Father knows and loves each of us. I know he is aware of the trials we are
having and wants to help and bless us. All we need to do is ask. SO FAMILY ASK!
Ask for strength, help, peace, whatever you need. In my case, help learning and
remembering Chinese!

WO AI NIMEN! WU ER LING!

Shao jiemei!

p.s. Kate, wow, when I crawled into bed at the senior couples house your letter
was waiting on my pillow. Thank you! That helped me a lot and gave me that
support I needed! A good welcome to Taiwan!