December 18th Letter

Hello all!

Mom guessed squid ink... I am impressed. I didn't think anyone would guess that.
Gong xi gong xi!

Today is a weird day. It is a regular working day today, not a preparation day,
but we are doing our e-mail today because tomorrow is the mission Christmas
activity. All they have told us is to bring our athletic clothes. So we will see
what they have in mind for us. Should be lots of fun. It has been hot hot hot
here, so not really feeling like a "White" Christmas- I miss the snow. So anyone
that has snow enjoy it for me.

Let's see... not a whole lot happened this week. Mainly a quiet week. We have a
few "wild" investigators right now, so that is making for some entertaining
lessons. They are keeping us on our toes. Two of them have their baptismal
interviews this week, so that is so good! Maybe they will calm down a it. They
both have huge testimonies, but are just a little high energy.

We went to a elementary school track meet the other day at lunch. It was really
fun to watch them. They were doing relays. We saw a lot of little kids fall down
handing off the baton and what not. They are pretty cute littles boogers. Guess
what else they had there? They had corn dogs and cotton candy! It was so good.
It was one of the better lunches in awhile.

Although yesterdays might be the best yet. We had baked potatoes with cheese (no
one ever has cheese here), bacon, and brocoli. They were pretty good- I actually
got two they were so good.

We had a good week at churcht this week. One of the families from my English
class came to church. So that was exciting. I had invited them last Wednesday,
but that hadn't commited so I kinda didn't think much of it. So to see them walk
into church was an amazing feeling. I ended up going to Primary with the kids so
the mom could go to Relief Society. It was fun to be in primary again. It has
been a long time, so I kinda forgot what it was like. Rain and Jessie thought it
was fun and made their mom promise she would bring them back next week. So I
would be so excited to see them get baptized!

Well, time to get back out to work. I know this church is true. I am thankful
for this opportunity I have to be a missionary and to be able to share this
wonderful message with the people of Taiwan.

Wo ai nimen!
I love you!

Sister Shaver

p.s. you all are going to be hearing my voice before you know it- bright and
early even. What better way for me to "annoy" you all. Hopefully the little
girls will go back to bed for awhile before they make you open all their
presents.

December 11th Letter

Hello family!

I am in love with Taiwan. It is official. We had interviews this last week with
our Mission President... and he was asking me how I felt everything was going
and what I was learning. I told him the normal answers and then he asked me
about the country of Taiwan... and I realized I love it here! I love the people.
I love my investigators... I cry and laugh with them. I have high highs and low
lows with them. When they tell me they want to get baptized I rejoice... when
they say they don't know and think they just need a break I weep... But I love
it here. I am even more in love with it then I was with China! Just wanted to
express that love quickly.

Last night, one of our members took us out to eat. And you'll never believe what
we ate... it seemed way weird to me, but maybe it is normal in fancy
restaurants. We ate black spaghetti with a black spaghetti sauce... so now my
question is... what do you think made it black? It dies your mouth black
too....???????????????????????????????????????
You'll have to let me know if anyone guessed right. Indeed, it was made black
because it was squid/octopus ink. Yummy... it actually didn't taste like much.
The member was hilarious! She told us that now we would be safe as we went out
contacting at night because we can just spit on the men and it would take care
of any problems. (Mom, we are safe anyways, so don't worry.) We are so watched
over and protected here. I feel the Spirit leading me on a daily basis.

It is amazing how the Lord protects us. It is amazing how many times I have been
riding my bike and heard my companion call my name from behind me and I have
stopped right as a car pulls out  in front of me. And probably would have hit me
had I not stopped. And my companion never even called my name. There are so many
little huge miracles/ tender mercies like that everyday.

All the pictures were fun. Morgan is cute. Carrie looks so happy. I need to get
a Birthday present for her... I kinda forgot. This last while has been crazy
busy and time HAS FLOWN! Meg's hair is so cute. That short little straight
haired kid... what happened to the curly hair? Mom looks good in the pictures.
The Bennions look so big. How are the twins... crazy?

Well, before I forget. Christmas is coming quickly... ahh! and that means a
phone call home. My set time is Christmas morning for you... I have two options.
I can call at dinner which is 5:00 pm here or at night when we get home which
probably would be about 9:00-9:30 pm. Which one is better for you. I can't do
math or think anymore if it is not related to missionary work, so I have no idea
what time that is for you. Sorry... so maybe let me know which one is better...
and then as well what house number to call. P.S. I would only prefer for family
to be there... brother in laws are included in that, but I think anything else
would be too much. I just want to talk to my family.

Mom and dad, wow, I am impressed with your new ward. I got a Christmas card from
the Roberts Family. They have four kids- two girls and two boys. I think one of
the boys has down syndrome. He is about ten. Their card was so fun to see. They
seemed like a nice family- just bought a boat and doing lots of wakeboarding.
Have you met them? When you see them at church, could you please tell them thank
you and that I really appreciated that they thought of me? And it is nice to put
faces with the members of the ward watching over my family. P.S. I am planning
on getting a Christmas card from everyone else too.. And another P.S. Sister
Bonner, the senior couple sister, has informed me I get the most mail out of the
missionaries she thinks. She is the one who goes through it and forwards it. So
I just would like to say thank you! I am glad I have such amazing friends and
family who support me so well. I will never complain again!

So my goal of my life... I have set a goal to never say anything negative again
and boy, is this goal stretching me. It is amazing what it has done thus far. I
feel better about everything and just feel good. I am hoping I can keep it up.
My companion is really testing me in this area. But it is good because if I can
establich this habit now I am sure it will last a lifetime and what better than
a positive Sister Shaver for life!

Wow, my English is bad. No laughing when I call home... I just went through and
re read my e-mail I think I caught most of the errors, but wow, glad I am not an
English major.

This e-mail has been everywhere and anywhere so I guess what better way to end
it then to bear my testimony and share some Holiday thoughts!

I am so thankful to be on a mission at this time of year. I am thankful that I
can be serving the Lord and truly focusing on Him this Christmas season. I,
honestly, don't think there could be a better place to be then on the streets
sharing the Gospel with others and inviting them to come unto Christ and learn
of Him on Christmas day. (The only thing I can think might match or even surpass
it would be if my family was standing on those corners with me. Can you imagine
them speaking Chinese... oh funny.) But I know that Jesus is indeed our Savior
and our Lord. He went below everything to raise us above anything. I have felt
this on my mission. Elder Holland gave an amazing talk on the Atonement in the
MTC. He related to us that missionary work is not easy because salvation never
was and never will be easy. He said salvation is not a cheap experience. I am
truly humbled to think I have complained and wanted to give up when Jesus our
Savior went through so much more so I wouldn't give up and so I would have a
hope. Elder Holland told us to stop and think when we ask the questions- why
aren't people flocking to the font? why is it so hard? why don't they
understand? He told us to think about the question someone a lot greater than us
asked. The question Jesus asked the Father. Jesus asked for the cup to be
removed, but He submitted to the Father's will first. I know that Jesus Christ
has given us a hope and possibility to become clean and to overcome! We can see
the victory, we can return to the Father's presence, we can become disciples of
Christ, we can endure to the end. I have truly learned the Atonement is not only
for some. It is not only for those who have made big mistakes and have sinned.
It is for all of us. All of us need to rely on the Atonement and everyday learn
from it. The Chinese language has some many words that I love. Repentance in
Chinese is hui gai. And the character for it has the characters of everyday
change heart. I know that would we see increased power and capability in our
lives if we did just that- everyday changed our heart. So my invitation to you
this beautiful Wednesday morning is--- everday this coming week to read one
scripture on the Atonement and change one thing of your heart everyday. I
remember I went to Sunday School with Liz in her new ward in Boise. They were
talking about something. I can't even remember and Liz shared a comment about
how everday we need to become better and some boy from BYU raised his hand and
completely contradicted what Liz said. I remember at the time thinking what is
this boy talking about and for some reason that has stuck with me. I think Liz
hit it right on the head. Everyday we need to become better. I think to often we
think I can wait till Sunday to change or that doesn't really need to change.
But indeed today it does! So I pray that everyone will take the invitation to
study the Atonement and change one thing everday. Maybe you can write me and let
me know how it goes. That will be my follow up for you cause a commitment
without a follow up is like buying a ticket to a concert and never going...

Well, I love you all and I know this church is true. I pray for each of you
daily and know Heavenly Father is watching over you. Be safe!

Sister Shaver.

---

December 5th Letter

Hello all!

Wow, yesterday was zone conference and yes, it was amazing!

The morning session was focused on the Atonement and what it means in our lives.
It really was a thought provoking experience. And helped me only begin to
understand the importance of the Atonement.

Each of missionary is to write a three to five minute talk that we could be
called on to give at some point during conference. As I sat and wrote the talk,
the underlying theme that kept coming back to me was the process of change
through the power of Atonement. (p.s. Everyone should read Pres Faust's article
in the November Ensign. I think that is a precious treasure.)

This has really been the most important thing I have been learning on my mission
up to this date. I have learned that we all have weaknesses and need to change.
I have learned the importance of changing and of becoming a better person. A
person who is loved by others and loves others. A person who makes other people
want to do better not through harsh words, but rather through their quiet
example and loving kindness. I have learned the power of Charity in change. I
think all of us know of one almost perfect example in this area. It would be
mom.

I can never remember a time when mom said a harsh, mean word to me. But I can
think of millions of lessons she has taught me. I was trying to think of...
1.how it was that she taught me these experiences, 2. how it was that I had
learned so much from her, 3. why it was that now as I am on my mission and am
trying to encourage my companions to get out of bed or to leave the house or
talk to that person that I think hmm, what would mom do to get me up, get me
going, get me talking, and then I try to do just that.

My first and second move call I relied too much on saying not so kind things and
trying to motivate out of guilt. That lead to nothing, but misery and
resentment. These last 2 move calls, I have focused more on not saying anything,
but doing those things myself and making it fun. Thinking of the silly things
mom does and trying them myself and guess what? this has lead to change, love,
and happiness!

I am thankful I have began to understand this process of change and love.
Because well, this move call is an interesting one. The city is different and
quite honestly not my favorite just yet. The people are very rushed and not so
willing to listen. My Chinese is in no way good, but it is better than my senior
companions so that leads to interesting moments. And we have had a few trials
and challenges.

For example, we have a woman who was to get baptized this week. I went over
there my first day here in Beitun. We sat down and she poured us a drink. My
senior companion started to gulp it right down. Something inside me said not to
drink it and ask what it was. I quietly asked my companion and she said it was
fine just drink it. I went to drink it and had the impression again don't drink
it ask the lady. Well, now this is a tricky position, I just asked my companion
and she said to drink it so how do I ask without stepping on her toes... I
decided ahh, just drink it. And right then as I opened my mouth to drink it the
words came out  "zhege yinliao shi shenme dongxi? What is this drink?" The lady
shrugged and said, "red tea and green tea mixed with some milk tea!" I said, "I
am sorry we can't drink this." And she said, "but the last missionaries have
been drinking it." I tried to explain to her about the Word of Wisdom and why it
was that we didn't drink tea. She turned and asked my companion, "you have been
drinking it for the lst two months. Has it done anything to you?" My companion
wasn't sure what to say. We ended up resolving the concern. And the lady has to
get another baptismal interview, but is set to get baptized this coming week.

So in other words the work is hard, but it is so worth it. Moroni 7:33 is my
saving scripture.

I love my mission. I love this opportunity to serve. I love the Lord. I love my
family. I know this church is true. I know that Jesus is our Savior and
Redeemer.

Wo ai nimen!

Sister Shaver

Thank you for the e-mails and letters.