August 19 Letter--The Church Is True

Hello family!

Your prayers have been heard! I feel like a new woman! I had one day of rest and
three days of not pushing myself hard and now I feel so good. I was praying and
really thanking Heavenly Father for letting me be healed and having the energy
and strength back that I needed. And as I was praying I had an overwhelming
feeling that it was because of the prayers of loved ones. And I felt the need to
thank all of you for your prayers and to let each of you know that your prayers
were heard and answered!

Today was a good day. We went and hiked a little mountain and climbed through a
little rope course thing. I love Sister Johnson. She is so fun. She is a little
bit adventurous like I am and she supports me so well. She never questions me...
I say lets do this and she says ok! It is so nice. I am getting to be a little
bit of an older missionary and it just makes things so nice. She, also, is
really in tune with the Spirit and that has a helped our companionship a lot. We
both add to the companionship. She might actually be the first companion I have
who catches on to things faster than me. For example, yesterday after Sister
exchanges we ran and got on to our train and right as it started she looked at
me with big eyes as I looked at her with big eyes... we were on a train going
the wrong direction! Most of my other companions would have taken a little while
longer to catch on- probably wouldn't have caught on until the next stop to be
honest. So yeah, we quick got off the train at the next stop and headed back the
other direction... oops! So yes Sister Johnson is a quick one!

So this is a funny story... and when I say funny... it was gross! And pretty
hilarious... So I have this thing where I like to contact the grandma's. So we
were out tracting. And there was an old woman outside. She had just finished
eating and was using a toothpick to pick things out of her teeth. She had a
little less teeth than most people. So me trying to be a good missionary was
right next to her making eye contacting and really trying to get her involved
and excited. Right about then she found a big old chunk of food in her teeth. I
could see her struggling with getting it out and right about then things
clicked. I realized I am right next to her and if she gets that out... SPLAT! I
had been hit. I looked at my companion to calmly figure out where I had been
hit. My companion trying not to burst out keeps contacting the woman while I am
sitting there knowing there is a sick piece of food on my face, but have no idea
where it is. Right about this time the woman figures out what has happened so
she starts trying to wipe it off my face, but she can't get it. She ended up
smearing it all over my cheek! She kept saying sorry my eyes are bad. It was so
gross. The worst part was how embarassed the woman was. It took everything to
not burst out laughing at the whole situation. Once we got around the corner
there was laughing so hard that there was crying involved! So just thought I
would share an uplifting story with everyone. So watch out for grandmas with
toothpicks.

This week has been a good week. Time is going too fast though. I guess that is
what happens when you love the work, the people, the companion, and almost the
area. I am still working on that =>. It is good for me. A little less fast paced
so I think that is good for my little body. I don't have three wards to cover
anymore. I am just not sure how to adjust to it yet. There have been a lot of
baptisms here in Zhunan in the last year. But 90% of them are inactive. I was
known for getting people to come back to church in Xinzhu so I think that is why
I have been moved here. So Heavenly Father using me as His little instrument can
help these people remember why they were baptized and when they were baptized
what they covenanted to. Every mission needs two types of missionaries. One that
baptizes the world and one that focuses on the retention!  So as long as you
have the two you can see miracles of miracles... so right now we are blessed
with progressing investigators and four looking solid for baptism next week and
lots of miracles with inactives coming back to church! I just get so excited
when they come back to church and you can see them look happier. Of course, best
would be if they never left. So my challenge to you all is when there are new
converts in your ward FELLOWSHIP THEM! Missionaries come and go, but you'll be
there! So be their friend! They need it... change is hard and, well, joining the
church is a big big change! So enough on inactives!

I love you all! I am doing wonderful... so don't worry about me! I am getting to
the sprinting phase and my diet phase... only nine more days of eating
everything and anything... so if anyone wants to send packages... well... I love
you all!

Be good!
Sister Shaver

I know the church is true and that all true happiness comes from the Gospel! So
be happy!