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.

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