November 21 Letter--Lots of Time

Dear Family!

First things first, I need to thank everyone for their prayers. And especially
thank whoever has been praying extra hard for me these last few days. Monday
night, I was a mess and was convinced I needed to just go home. Which was
completely false and completely ridiculous, but I was so close and then all of
the sudden a peace came over me and I knew I was loved at home and that that
wasn't where I was supposed to be. I could feel someone's very prayer for me,
Sister Shaver, so I am eternally grateful for everyone and their prayers. Don't
stop! I felt so selfish and prayed the hardest I've ever prayed that night. So I
hope my prayers were felt in turn. I know that without a doubt Heavenly Father
hears and answers our prayers!

We had a nice day at the temple. No spotting of Elder Anderson. It seems to fast
for him to be going home next week. Wow! How the time flies. My trainer is
already home and my current companion goes home next move call. I don't like how
measured and set the time is. We watched a church movie on the way to the temple
called The Last Leaf. Has anyone seen it? It was so sad and a little depressing
at first. On the way home though, we watched Johnny Lingo and that made up for
it! Ha ha...

I got three packages all on the same day! Thank you Mom, Dad, and Laura. I don't
think I've ever been so excited for Triscuits! They seriously were so good, I
don't remember them being that good before. And the bookmarks and stickers are
so perfect. They are just the right size to put a sticker on the back and then
write my short little Chinese testimony. Thank you for the jacket, music,
scripture markers, and candy! I am nice and warm now. It is a good feeling. The
socks are really good in our apartment too. I, actually forgot to take them off
the other day when we left. Luckily, I didn't make it too far with them on. So
really thank you--- the packages were a huge happy joyful moment! Along with the
letter I got from the Salisbury's. It made me happy to hear from them. Kyle and
Ian are going to make such good little missionaries. I hope they get to come to
Taiwan too- it is only the best... Sorry, Sean.

Christmas... hmm... I am not sure exactly what I would like, but I would like to
give my companion Forgotten Carols. So that would be a good present. Probably a
few more button up shirts. I can hardly believe I've been wearing the same ones
for over six months. I've put on a little weight, but luckily, they still fit.
If there are any sweat like stretchy skirts that would be good too. Hmm... what
else. New clean garments(carinessa buttons especially and then any top besides
the silk ones- probably medium)... I think that probably would be more than
enough.  I did like the triscuits a lot and the fiber one bars. (Just a sidenote
about enough- the chinese word for enough is gou which is pronounced like go so
to say enough or not enough you say go bu go. I think that is pretty cool.)

Wish everyone a happy happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. For English class tonight, we
are having a Thanksgiving party. It should be a lot of fun. Some of us are
dressing up as pilgrims(Americans) and some as Indians(Taiwanese). I could
hardly believe that we were actually doing it that way, but we are in Taiwan.
Things are different here in that way. We are going to do a skit and play
pioneer games. The Elders made a huge Turkey pinata so we are excited about that
too. It should be a good little Thanksgiving. No pumpkin pie or turkey though so
make sure to eat lots for me. YUM YUMMY IN MY TUMMY.

Meg, thanks for delivering the letter! And could you write me the lyrics to that
song. I would love that! It was so good, I just have no way to print out.
Speaking of print out.

Laura, thanks for sending hard copies of Amos. Everyone in Taiwan is going to be
very familiar with little Ao mo xi! They think he is the cutest most interesting
thing. They love the one of him in the car seat and Morgan next to him. They
think it is too cute (tai ke ai o!)

Kate, thanks for the letters and the e-mail(S)! I am not really sure the purpose
of Steve's insert in his letter. But I am not going to lie, it was a little bit
of a tender mercy.  Steve, I don't know if you remember the girl screaming on
it, but my companion and I decided that is what we are going to look like when
we hit our hundredth baptism- he he.

That reminds me of a funny story. S Flake got hit by a car the other night. She
got hit hard and I was a little worried for her. By the time I got to her she
was standing up and getting back on her bent bike. She looked at the driver and
smiled and said oh xie xie ni. Which is like aww thank you! I think she was a
little bit in shock. I am just thankful that was her first response to thank the
driver. Her face kinda looked like the girls, however.

Liz, it sounds like you've gotten a few breaks having the girls spend the night
at grammies and grampies. That is so fun and so good. How's little Morgan? Is
she growing growing?

Mom, I am not sure why, maybe I haven't repented of it or forgiven myself really
for it. But remember that one time I tried to hug you at girl's camp and I ended
up knocking you down and hurt your back... I hope you can laugh and smile about
that now... and know I am sorry and love you more than life itself! p.s. Thank
you for teaching me so much in seminary and in life. I think my habit of
scripture study only blossomed because of when I was younger.You and the
"scripture dog" would sit in your rocker and read your scriptures. That made a
huge impression on me and I hope to have a "scripture dog" one day for my
children to look to as an example. Thank you for setting that example.

Dad, thank you for your letters. Whenever I am having one of those days, I can
place money that tonight there will be a letter from dad. I hope you know how
much I love you and love this gospel and love the perfect brightness of hope it
can bring to us.

Well, my timer is ticking. I love you all and miss you. I pray for you often and
work hard for each of you.

I know the church is true. I know the Gospel changes lives and brings peace and
comfort beyond measure. I am so thankful we have been so blessed to know our
purpose in life and so much more. The Gospel gives us the answers to the
questions of the soul... Share those answers with others. Join in the missionary
effort!

Wo ai nimen!
Sister Shaver