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. 

November 26 Letter--New Place. New Companion.

Hello family!

Well, I am really excited and nervous right now. I am in the city. Right by the
mission home for Christmas. We cover two areas Beitun and Tanzi ---there is a
shortage of sisters right now. My companion is really nice and seems like it
should be interesting. She is a big hunter and outdoors person. She was telling
me all about her hunter's safety class she took. She is from Monroe, Utah. Her
name is Sister Moore. I am pretty excited to see how this move call goes. I was
really praying for a companion that was going to push me or could handle my
pushing. I guess I am an intense companion. Who would've guessed that a Shaver
was intense... and had no patience. Sister Moore doesn't seem to be either of
the two so it should be a huge growing experience for me. She has struggled with
wanting to work and other things, but I think this will give us an opportunity
to soar together. I think it will give me an opportunity to love her into
wanting to work and will help me develop more charity.

I have learned that change is essential and so hard.
Satan wants us to think that we cannot change and that it is too hard. I am so
thankful for the Atonement. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father and Jesus
Christ know our weaknesses and are there ready waiting to help us overcome them.
I have only begun to learn the importance of the Atonement and applying it in
our lives. I am so excited for the changes I am making... I know I have much
more to go, but I love it. It was hard for me at first and I was a little too
prideful to hear that I needed to change this and this and this, but I am so
appreciative now. It makes life so much better. As I see the change in me I see
the change in my investigators and new members. I cried when I left Zhubei. I
have nine new members there and four investigators a week away from baptism. It
was so heart wrenching to me, but made me realize the importance of coming here
to the city and loving the people here! I know that this is where I am supposed
to be.

I am thankful I have been so blessed to see the Lord's hand so abundantly in my
life and especially the last little while. I have learned so much in the last
six months and pray I will continue to learn as much in the coming while. Time
is going too fast and makes me sick.

Well, I love you all and am so thankful for all of your examples. Thank you for
all of your support. I pray for you nightly and work hard for you daily.

I know the church is true.  I know the Atonement is real. I know we can apply it
to our lives and become better everyday... don't settle for good or even
better--- reach for the best. I know no Shaver, Iverson, Sookhoo, Horne, Young, 
etc would settle. So reach!

Wo zhende feichang ai nimen!
I really really love you all!

Sister Shaver

Pictures from Anna

Anna and Taiwanese Mickey


Half of the mission sisters


Anna and Sis. Flake

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

November 12 Letter

Hello family,

Sorry, I am really short on time this week. We are having a turkey bowl down
South today, so we just have a quick minute to send off an e-mail before we
catch a train.

Thank you everyone so much for the e-mails this week. They were so good! I LOVED
IT! It sounds like everyone is doing really well- between Liz having Tuesdays
and Thursdays back and Amos being a smiler (and gassy- he would be Eric's kid)
it sounds like things are good.

Sick! A cochroach just crawled across the computer screen... yummy. Speaking of
bugs, I woke up with my eye swollen shut this morning. So we are hoping it is
just a bug bite. I can open it a tinsy-bit now, so that is an improvement.

We have another baptism this weekend (Last weekend all three got baptized, but
one missed her confirmation, so that was scary, but it is ok now.) The girl
getting baptized is so amazing. The second time we went to go met with her, she
told us she had decided she wanted to go to early morning seminary so she had
enrolled and was starting on Monday. She was behind in the reading the first day
so she read for two days straight when she had time and caught up. That is so
amazing to me. I am not sure if I would've had such a strong desire to learn.
Sidenote about early morning seminary. It is not for just highschool students---
it is for everyone. I think that is interesting so a lot of the man and women go
to it before work in the morning.

Well, I have to get running, but I love you all a ton. I think about you in my
prayers at night. I hope you know how much I love you all!

Next week is the temple trip so I am not sure how much time I will have next
week either, but I kept all the e-mails as new, so I will be sure to write back
one of these next weeks!

WO AI NIMEN!
Sister Shaver